Chapter 16

* Sam looked around and frowned when she didn't see Jason. Manny was standing right in front of her, and he grinned at her wickedly. She shook her head and took a step back, but he followed her.

''You think you can get away from me do you?'' he asked her, and she took another step back, but again he followed her and this time he grabbed her arm. ''You can't forget me, because you liked what I did to you, right Sweetness?''

''Go – let go of me!'' she yelled at him, but he just laughed. ''Please,'' she begged, and he smiled at her and suddenly he leaned forward and kissed her.

''You know our daughter is really pretty. She looks just like you,'' he said, and she widened her eyes. *

Her body jerked awake and she closed her eyes again thinking about her dream. In her dream Jason didn't come to rescue her and in her dream Manny talked like her daughter was alive, and she couldn't stop the tears rolling over her cheeks even if she wanted to. She looked behind her and saw Jason was still peacefully sleeping, and she was glad she didn't wake him. He lay with his back to her, and she got out carefully not to wake him and walked to the bathroom. She turned on the shower and stepped in after taking off the shirt she wore, and before it had the chance to warm up, and she shivered in the cold. Soon the water turned hot and she sighed in relief, but began to wash up quickly when she heard Jason close the door of the bedroom. He would go to the living room waiting for her to come to him, and she was glad he didn't come in because she felt like crap.

After her shower she dried off and while getting dressed, she thought of what happened yesterday. When she had seen Manny, she hadn't been scared, because she knew Jamie was there, but then Jamie didn't come and she had felt her fear creep up. She shook her head thinking how Jason had let him go, but she could understand why he did that. He didn't want to ruin anything, because he probably had a plan to get Manny to talk and to kill him later. She wanted to be there, see him die, but she knew Jason wouldn't let her and she didn't even ask.

''Sam, you don't have any food so I was thinking we could go to Kelly's for breakfast,'' she suddenly heard Jason say, and then the door opened and he walked in. She turned around and smiled at him, and then nodded.

''Sure, I have to dry my hair but we can leave after that if you want – I mean after you shower,'' she told him, and he nodded.

''I'm going to take a shower now and when you're done with your hair we can leave,'' he replied, and he walked over to her and kissed her gently, and she returned the kiss as gently. He smiled at her and moved to the bathroom, and she started drying her hair.

##########

Jason got out of the shower and sighed, thinking about Sam. He had felt her wake up earlier, and he wondered what she had been dreaming about. If she wanted him to know, she would've told him, but she probably didn't want him to know. He shook his head and dried off, and he wondered what she had been dreaming about. Probably Manny and what happened yesterday, but he couldn't be sure. He decided he'd ask her when they had breakfast, because he wanted to know. There was no harm in asking. He got dressed and sighed as he walked back to the bedroom and he saw Sam standing there. She was still busy drying her hair, and he walked toward her and stopped her.

''It's dry, Sam,'' he said, and she sighed and nodded. ''Do you want to tell me what's bothering you? I felt you wake up earlier, and I know you must've dreamt about something that has you upset like this,'' he asked when she looked down, and she nodded.

''I dreamt about what happened yesterday with Manny, but something was different. Jason, I dreamt that you didn't come there, but he said something – he told me our daughter looked just like – like me,'' she told him, and he closed his eyes knowing that had been what woke her. It hurt thinking about her little girl, and she wanted her to be alive so badly.

''Oh Sam,'' he whispered, and he took her in his arms as she began to sob. She shook her head, but he looked at her and smiled. ''You know what – you told me that sometimes you had the feeling she's still here right?'' he asked, and she nodded. ''Well, maybe that's why you dreamt this, but no matter what, I'll find out what happened ok?'' he said, and she nodded.

''Thank you Jason,'' she whispered, and he nodded. ''Really, even though we've known each other this short time I really can say that I love you,'' she added, and he smiled at her again.

''I love you too. Now you still up for breakfast at Kelly's?'' he asked, and she nodded with a smile. ''Let's go!'' he said and he took her outside to his car. He helped her in and then stepped in himself, and then drove them to the little diner.

##########

Sam smiled at Jason when he sat back down opposite of her after ordering their breakfast. He'd been talking on the phone the whole ride to Kelly's, talking to Stan for information on what happened to her daughter.

''I ordered you waffles, their great here and I know you didn't have them before so you have to try them,'' he told her, and she nodded with a smile.

''I love waffles, and I can't wait to taste them here,'' she replied, and he laughed softly. ''I did have them back at Karin's, there was this little diner where they made really great waffles and you know, I couldn't stop eating them,'' she told him, and he smiled.

''How are you feeling, really, Sam?'' he suddenly asked, and she shrugged.

''I don't know Jason, I've been feeling – you know I didn't have morning sickness this morning and I know that's not what you wanted to know, but it was weird. I woke up because of that dream and I didn't even notice,'' she said, frowning. ''Jason I feel her, you know? It's like she's nearby, and I want to hold her, but I know she's not here anymore and it confuses me,'' she told him finally, and he nodded. She had been feeling her daughter even more after she moved to Port Charles, and it confused her thinking about her.

''We're going to find out what happened, Sam, and we're going to make sure it all works out,'' he told her, and she nodded. She knew he would help her and she knew he would do anything to make sure she was happy, and she loved him for it.

''Here you go you two. Hey Sam, haven't seen you in a while,'' Mike said with a smile, and she nodded.

''I've been away for a while,'' she told him, and he nodded and walked away leaving them alone again. There weren't many people in the diner yet because it was early, and Sam loved spending this time with Jason. ''You know, I never thought I'd be in this place. Happy with you, and pregnant – god, it's a really good feeling,'' she told Jason, and he smiled.

''I feel the same way – and once Manny is gone we're going to be together. You know what, we'll go on a vacation, because I know I can get the time off,'' he told her, and she nodded.

''I'd love to go on a vacation – I think I might need it after this is all over,'' she told him, and he nodded. He ate his waffles and she smiled at him when he closed his eyes and moaned. She took a bite and widened her eyes, suddenly realizing why he had the reaction he had, and she moaned.

''I knew you would like them,'' he said with a wink, and she smiled at him. ''The first time I had these, I couldn't stop eating – and Mike had to make even more for me,'' he told her, and she laughed softly.

''Well, it's good to know I'm not the only one,'' she told him with a smile, and he nodded. Suddenly his phone rang and he took it, talking to the person on the other side for a while before standing up and gesturing her he was going outside. He walked away and stood in front of the diner so she could still see him, and she could see him arguing with someone on the phone and then suddenly he turned as white as a ghost.

##########

Jason disconnected the line and closed his eyes. Manny had played Sam, thinking her baby had died. Somehow Stan had found out about Manny's daughter, and he had found a picture. There wasn't any doubt the girl was Sam's because she indeed looked a lot like her mother. She was two at the moment, and he couldn't help thinking about what she had gone through. He couldn't stop thinking about what Sam had gone through, thinking her daughter had died. He opened his eyes and turned around, and he saw Sam staring at him with concern in her eyes. He knew he had to tell her, and he wanted to tell her but he didn't want to hurt her. he shook his head and walked inside, sitting opposite of her silently.

''Jason, what is it?'' she asked softly, and he shook his head, not ready to say something. He sighed, and then he took a deep breath and looked at her. She was so beautiful, and he closed his eyes for a moment thinking what this would do to her.

''God Sam, I'm so sorry,'' he whispered, and she frowned. He opened his mouth to say something and she stopped him.

''She's alive, isn't she?'' she asked, her voice croaking with all emotions running through her, and he watched her for a moment before nodding. ''Where is she? Do you know that?'' she whispered and he shook his head.

''I have Stan looking for her – Sam I'm so sorry this had to happen. I know Manny has her now, and I'll bring her back to you no matter what, ok?'' he said, and she nodded and smiled weakly.

''I know. I know you'll bring her back – you know I was planning on calling her Rose. It would be her name and Manny knew – he told me that time – the night he kidnapped me he told me Rose would be just fine,'' she whispered, and he nodded. He felt bad, he was nauseas because of what happened to Sam and just finding out her daughter was still alive was sickening.

''Come on, we're going to the penthouse because Stan told me he would come over to show us what he found,'' Jason said softly, and she nodded. Jason threw some money on the table and took her hand, and wasn't surprised when he felt her shake against him as he pulled her in his arms. He gently led her outside to the car and helped her in, and when she sat she closed her eyes. He saw a tear slid down her face and he felt his heart break for her. He stepped in and drove them home to the penthouse.

##########

Sam blinked her tears away because she knew once she would let them go, she wouldn't be able to stop. Her daughter was alive, and she wondered what had happened to her from the moment she was taken from Sam. She didn't want to think about it but she couldn't stop, and she looked at Jason as he opened the door and led her in. She loved him for his support and the love he sent her way all the time, and she couldn't stop thinking about what he must be thinking. ''What are you thinking?'' she asked him suddenly, not wanting to wait another second, and he looked at her in confusion.

''I'm thinking we'll find her, and we'll make sure Manny pays for what he has done. Why don't you sit down and rest for a while – do you want something to drink?'' he asked her, and she shook her head and wrapped her arms around his waist.

''I just want you close to me,'' she whispered, and he nodded. He didn't smile, and she didn't know what changed. ''Come on, just sit with me for a while – when Stan comes we can find out what he found,'' she added, and he nodded again and took her to the couch. She curled into his side and closed her eyes, loving the feeling of him next to her. She sighed and looked up at him.

''What is it?'' he asked her, and she shook her head. Jason seemed tense, and she didn't know what he was thinking because she was sure he wasn't thinking about what he would do.

''Do you think – do you think Manny told her about me? I mean I don't know anything and I wonder sometimes. And now – knowing she's alive – do you think she knows about me?'' she asked softly, and he nodded.

''I'm sure she knows about you, but I don't really know what to expect – he could've told her about you and I know he did, but I'm kind of wondering if that's a good thing,'' he replied, and he closed his eyes when he saw the look in her eyes. She knew Manny had told Rose about her mother, sure he did, but he probably told her – her mother didn't want her.

''God I hope we can help her,'' she whispered, and he nodded. She didn't know what to do if something else happened to her daughter, and she hoped she would be alright.

#####

Somehow Sam had fallen asleep and when she woke up Stan was already gone. She sat up and saw Jason sitting at his desk going through some papers, and she knew it was information about her daughter. ''What did he find out?'' she asked, and he looked up and walked over to her. He sat down next to her, and pulled her in his arms while he handed her the file.

''He found out what happened after the kidnapping and after Manny took your daughter. He took her somewhere in the area where he hired a nanny who took care of her, and she is still there with her nanny while Manny is here,'' Jason told her when she started reading the file. What Jason had just told her was almost all Stan had found out, but there was more.

''Manny did see her, but only a couple of times and in those times, the nanny had to go out so no one knows what he did to her,'' Sam whispered, and Jason nodded.

''He hired that nanny and I'm glad he did because if she'd been with him all the time…'' he didn't have to finish the sentence because she knew what would have happened if Rose had been with Manny all the time.

''So we know where she is?'' she asked, and he nodded.

''I already set a plan in motion and sent some guys to get Manny – he doesn't know anything about this so we should have caught him off guard. Just before you woke up Jamie called and told me they had him, and now we're going to move in and take your daughter home,'' he told her, and she nodded and closed her eyes.

''Jason I love you so much, and thank you for doing this for me. I can't thank you enough,'' she whispered, and he nodded.

''I'd do anything for you and your daughter, Sam, and I love you too, so much,'' he said, and he kissed her gently. ''I know it will be hard now, but I think we should sleep some because we're going in tonight, and I need you to come with me,'' he told her, and she nodded. She wouldn't have stayed home even if he insisted, and she could see he knew that and that's why he pulled her in the plan. She loved him even more for that and he got up and held out his hand for her. She grabbed it and they walked upstairs, getting ready for a long night ahead of them.