Chapter 3

…

Sam began to feel light-headed so she quickly sat back down on the sofa, waiting for a response from Dominic. She studied him as he stood in front of her, shock mixed with panic clear on his face.

"You demended yesterday that I tell you Dominic."

"I know, I know I did….I guess I just thought…"

"That it would be negative?"

"Well yeah."

"I didn't expect this either Dominic, for god sake I don't even remember a thing about that night I was so drunk."

"Yeah it was a mistake, I get it Sam. You don't have to keep telling me over and over again."

"I'm sorry, I just can't believe any of this is happening."

He went and sat down on the sofa beside her as she turned to face him. She could see his mind ticking over with every passing second.

"Okay Sam, what do we do here?"

"Your guess is as good as mine, this is new to me too Dominic."

"I'm sorry, sorry that I didn't think about wearing any protection that night."

"Dominic, we didn't plan on sleeping together that night. If I hadn't been so…."

"Yeah I know, if you hadn't been so drunk it would never have happened."

"I'm too old to be doing this."

"You're not old Sam."

"Dominic I'm 50-years-old."

"No way….well you don't look it."

"Oh shut up Dominic."

…

They lapsed into uncomfortable silence, both trying to figure how what they were going to do.

"If you wanna get married, we can." He suddenly said.

Sam looked up to meet his eyes, he could tell he'd said the wrong thing by the frustration on her face.

"Get married, don't be ridiculous Dominic."

"Well why not?"

"Oh for god sake, you're 20-years-old, I'm more than twice your age and we don't love each other. It was a one-off…"

"Yeah and now you're having our Baby."

"Oh god this is such a mess."

"Sam….are we having it…right?"

"You mean am I having it."

"No, I mean we…it's my Baby too."

"Yes, I know."

"Well…."

"Dominic I don't know alright, it's all happening so fast. Anyway, you're going to America for 6 months."

"I'll cancel."

"No you won't."

"Sam, if you're having my Baby I'm not going. You need me here."

"Need you, I don't need you Dominic. I've never needed anyone, I run my life and only I am responsible for it. It's the way it's always been, if and only if I choose to have this Child…don't think for a moment it will change things between us."

"It's my Baby too Sam, you can't keep me from her…or him."

"Look, if I have it then yes, of course you'll play a part in it's life but don't think it means anything changes with you and I. We were a mistake and I don't want to be with you, I need you to understand that."

"You don't love me Sam, I get it. You don't have to be such a bitch about it."

"I don't me to sound so cruel."

"Of course you do, it's who you are after all. The cold-hearted Lady Laird, I guess nothing can melt that heart of your's."

"Well, now that you got that of your chest, I should go."

"Yeah, I think you should."

She got up and headed to the door, Dominic following behind her. She stepped out and turned to him before she left.

"Please Dominic, whatever you think of me right now. I beg you, don't tell Sheila about any of this until we've decided what we're going to do."

"What you're gonna do you mean."

"Please Dominic."

"Relax Sam, I won't tell her….not yet anyway."

He slammed the door in her face, leaving her a little shocked but couldn't blame him after what she'd said to him.

…

Davey was sitting in the large kitchen with his coffee and scone Effie had made him when Sheila walked in.

"Oh there you are." She smiled.

"Well where else would I be at this time."

"When you're finished can you double-check the grounds. I had a phone call from one of the farmers at then end, they think there's some poacher's going around."

"Yeah no worries, I'll get on to it. There's still coffee in the pot if you want some."

"Yeah why not, could use a break."

He watched as he poured the coffee before coming over to join him. He could feel her eyes on him every so often, which was making him feel awkward.

"Something wrong Sheila?"

"No, not really. Well actually yeah…I'm worried about Sam."

"Sam Hagen can look after herself Sheila."

"Well she likes to think she can."

"Alright Woman, what are you going on about?"

"Maybe I'm just imagining things but ever since all the mess with Peter Odell and Gary's death, I know she's been down…blaming herself for bringing Odell into all our lives but, I don't know…there's something else."

"Like what?" He asked, trying to act oblivious.

"She just looks so tired lately, she looks ill and the drinking hasn't helped."

"It's probably the drink that's caused it."

"I'm being serious Davey, her drinking is getting out of hand. Every morning she has a hangover."

"Look, you know what Sam's like, you try to stop her then she'll just do it all the more."

"Shouldn't we try to help her, she need friends around her."

"You can't force her to get help Sheila, what else is bothering you."

"Oh just Dominic, he's another one who's been acting out of sorts lately."

"Must be going around."

"Yeah, anyway I best get back up to the office."

Sheila got up and walked over and opened the door, nearly bumping into Sam.

"Oh Sam you're back."

"Well I said I wouldn't be long."

"I'm just heading back up to the office."

"I'll join you shortly, I might just grab a coffee first. I could use it."

"Of course."

…

Sam watched the look Sheila gave Davey before she walked away. Sam poured a coffee and sat down at the table.

"What's wrong with her?" She asked.

"She's worried…..about you."

"Oh I see."

"Did you go see the lad?"

"I said I would."

"I know what you said Sam but I know you and I….."

"I saw Dominic alright and I told him."

"And…."

"The stupid fool wants to marry me."

"Jesus christ Sam."

"Don't worry, I steered him away from that idea."

"What did he say about the Kid?"

"Well, as you can imagine he was more than a little shocked but he said that if I decided to keep it then he wants to be part of it's life."

"Sensible lad…if only he'd been thinking before he slept with you."

"I already told you David, it came out of the blue."

"Yeah, you said. Well, he wants to be a part of the Kid's life…so what are you gonna do?"

"I don't know David, I just don't know. I phoned my Doctor this morning and she can see me tomorrow morning and she'll determine how far along I am."

"And then?"

"I suppose I need to decide if I want to have it."

"It's a big decision Sam."

"Yes I know that, whatever I decide….there will be someone who won't happy about it. It's a no win situation."

"I meant what I said last night Sam, I'll help you."

She got up and poured the rest of her coffee down the sink before walking back over to Davey and leant down to kiss his cheek.

"Thank you David, it means a lot….although I'm not sure I deserve it."

"Listen, you're not the only one responsible for this okay. It took two people to make that Baby."

"But only one of us will be made out to be the bad guy, I'm a middle-aged woman who was so drunk that she slept with a boy more than half her age and we can't pretend that people won't judge me for it."

"To hell with them Sam, do what's right for you and that Baby in there." He said, as he placed his warm hand on her abdomen.

"Thanks, I better head up there."

"I'm here if you need me."

"You always are." She smiled, as she walked away.

…

To Be Continued…