Sawyer sat at her bed dreading to hear the sound of the door knob turning. She wasn't in the mood to be yelled at, nor was she in the mood to sleep in between her parents. She stared at the pictures on her phone of her and Michael, figuring it'd be the last time she'd have her phone for a while. With each swipe of her finger a new photo and a new memory appeared. She found herself smiling and laughing. She wondered if they'd ever be more than friends. The events that had transpired just hours ago certainly were a wakeup call for Sawyer. She wanted him as more than just a friend, and hoped to God that he felt the same way, and that their kiss was more than just a moment, but the real deal.

Unfortunately her moment of bliss was stopped by the sound of her mother's footsteps.

'Damn.' She thought. Slowly she put her phone next to her and sat up, crossing her legs. 'Here goes nothing.'

Peyton came in without saying a word. She stayed silent as she sat down and then looked at her daughter for a moment.

Sawyer felt her nerves heighten, "Mom?"

"You know what you did was incredibly stupid." Peyton started in a no nonsense manner.
"You already made that abundantly clear." Sawyer grumbled.

Peyton sighed, she knew that her daughter's intentions were noble, as wrong and twisted as they were.

"Your father talked to a lawyer, and to his mom. We're pretty sure things are going to work out." She said in a softer tone.

Sawyer was relieved that the worst was over. It seemed like her mom was done yelling at her. Eagerly she responded, "His mom's gonna stay?"

Peyton felt so torn and angry that her daughter had to be introduced to such a horrible reality, "Well, sweetie, she might have to go back for six months and get things fixed up, but she's certainly coming back, hopefully sooner than later."

Sawyer drew her knees closer, "But aunt Brooke's gonna take care of Michael, right?"

"Yeah, she is."

Peyton pushed Sawyer's hair behind her ear, "You really like him don't you?"
Sawyer felt herself blush, but knew that she'd feel better after telling her mom, "I kissed him mom."
"I gathered that much Soy. I know you're a big girl now." Peyton responded.

"Well not when you call me that." She said embarrassed.

Peyton chuckled, "I'm sorry, I forget how sensitive teenagers can get."
"Mom!"

"Okay, okay!...Just an observation."

Sawyer's face then changed to a more worried countenance, "Is dad mad at me? Is he here?"

"He's in the shower. You're just gonna have to take whatever he brings." Peyton looked at her daughter's worried face, "He's upset Soy. He was really worried about you today, but it turned out it was a lie. How else is he supposed to act?"

Sawyer hung her head. Peyton patted her knee, "Come on, it's time for bed."
Her eyes widened, "Mom, no! Dad's not gonna want to see me right now. How am I supposed to sleep right next to him?!"

"Baby I'll be right there. Don't worry. Now let's go."

Sawyer was tugged along by her mother. Hopelessly wishing that someone would come and save her. Someone by the name of MIchael.

She walked in and her dad was in bed reading.

"Go ahead Soy, hop on." Her mother coaxed her. Peyton went back out to clean up. She knew Lucas wanted to talk to her, so she gave them space.

Sawyer stood there uncomfortably, staring at her dad. Lucas slowly turned the page, "You heard your mother, get on the bed, it's late."

Sawyer didn't budge, "Dad, are you mad?" She asked apprehensively.
Lucas put the book down, "You looked me in the eyes and lied. You hid a boy in your room for a week. And you're asking me if I'm mad?" His voice was calm, which unnerved Sawyer even more.

"Yes Sawyer, I'm mad...Now get on the bed."

"Dad, I'm sorry. I really am. It was stupid."

Lucas took a deep breath, "You're sorry you got caught. Am I right?"
Sawyer couldn't lie, they probably would've kept it going until the end, but then her father's question led her to a realization, "No."
"What?" He asked teeming with anger, as well as surprise.

"I'm not sorry we got caught." She said slowly building up confidence, " 'cause if we didn't get caught, then Michael's mom wouldn't have a lawyer, and Michael would be homeless. We should've come to you guys before."
Lucas nodded understanding her point, "Get on the bed Soy." She got on frustrated that he could say nothing turned his back to him, and closed her eyes.
Peyton came back. Lucas was still reading with a small light on. Sawyer was curled into a ball asleep. Slowly she lifted the covers and got in.

"What a day, huh?" She said exhausted.

Lucas closed his book and then turned to Sawyer, "Yeah, and this roller coaster isn't over yet."
"At least she's asleep now." Peyton said looking at her daughter.

Lucas stared at her, "Can she just stay asleep? That way I know where she'll be at all times, and nothing bad could ever happen to her."

Peyton chuckled, "Go to sleep babe. Tomorrow we can deal with all this once again."

…. …. ….

Sam was sitting with Jack in her living room waiting anxiously for her parents to come in. Brooke had dropped her off, and went to the precinct to meet Julian.

"Can't believe your parents are gonna actually foster him." Jack said breaking the tension.

"Yeah, I know. I hope it's not weird."

Jack smiled, "Oh it'll be weird. Now there's gonna be competition for me."

She slightly pushed him, "You idiot."
He hugged her and then laid her on his chest, "But I'm your idiot." He said softly.

Sam adjusted herself, getting comfortable, "I hope everything works out."
"I'm pretty sure it will." Jack reassured her.

There conversation ended shortly when they heard the door open. They both sat up. Julian came with his hands on Michael's shoulders, "Well, guys. Michael's gonna be staying with us for a couple months."

Brooke walked towards the living room, "We're gonna have to set some rules. So why don't you take a seat Michael?"

He sat down quietly, "Before you say anything else, I want to thank both of you for your help and opening up your home. No one has ever been this kind to me."

Brooke smiled, "Sweetheart, you don't have to keep thanking us."
He nodded.

Julian nodded, and clapped his hands, "Okay, Michael, you're gonna be staying in the guest bedroom next to Sam's room."

Brooke looked at Sam's reactions, she seemed pretty nuetral, if anything a bit apprehensive.

"Curfew's at 10pm during school nights, and weekends at 12. If you're coming in later you have to call and tell us. Got it bud?" Brooke added.

Michael eagerly agreed. He was just happy to have a place to stay. His mom was gonna be gone for six months, and he just had to swallow such a painful pill, "Okay no problem Ms. Davis."

"Sam." Brooke said.

"Yes?"
"Say bye to Jack. He's gotta get going. It's late."

Jack cleared his throat, "Yeah, uhh okay. See ya Sam." He gave her a kiss on the cheek.

He said bye to everyone else and headed out. Sam heard his skateboard swish by.

Brooke then took a deep breath, "Sam, it's only fair that you get punished as much as Sawyer did. So your punishments will be the same."

"UGH." Sam scoffed, "So I have no room too?! Mom that's so stupid!"

Julian folded his arms, "Maybe next time you won't be so quick to sneak someone into this house for a whole week."

Sam stayed quiet and gave them an angry glare.

Brooke lifted her eyebrow, offering her daughter no sympathy.

"Michael, your mother wanted us to ground you as well. So two weeks you'll be coming home straight after school with Sam." Julian added. Michael didn't argue or seem surprised, he just said "Okay."

Brooke in a moment of maternal intuition sat next to him and grabbed his hands. He looked at her, his eyes were glistening with vulnerability, "I know this transition is gonna be hard for you Michael, but Julian and I are here to talk. We promise to hear you out, and help you in any way possible. Our home is your home now." Her voice was gentle.

Brooke's sincerity was too much for Michael his lip quivered, "I-I'm really gonna miss her!" His voice broke and gave way to sobs. Brooke wrapped him in his arms, very much like she did for Sam, "Come here buddy, she'll be okay, I promise." She whispered, as he let himself be enveloped in her arms.

Sam watched in silence, and in a bit of shock to see Michael so broken. Julian noticed her uneasiness and called her over.

"Come on Samson, I think they need some space."
"Yeah, uhm okay."

Sam walked with her dad. She never really noticed her mother's softness, it kind of just came as a given, but seeing it given to someone else made Sam appreciate Brooke even more. She pushed the thought away, and listened to her father blabber on.

Julian sat down and handed the script to Sam, "Here it is Samson; the writer gave it to me and I really liked it, so I wanna direct, but I'd like to get your opinion on this one scene."

Sam looked at him, "Julian you could've just sent me to my room."

He looked at her confused, "What do you mean?"

"You don't have to pretend to want a fifteen year old's opinion."

Julian cleared his throat and the gently grabbed the script from Sam's hands and put it down, "You're not just a fifteen year old Sam. You're my daughter. Why wouldn't I want your opinion?" His voice was compassionate.

She shrugged, but spoke meekly, "Last time I asked if you needed help you kinda blew me off."

His face fell realizing his error.

"No, no. It's okay!" She said trying to fix it, "I didn't feel bad about it, I get it, really, I do."

"I'm sorry Sam. I never meant for you to feel that way."
She knew he did, and felt bad about bringing it up, "Yeah I know that. Sorry, I didn't mean for it to hurt your feelings. You're a great dad, it was stupid of me."
He then realized something. Sam was hesitant to bring up his own mistakes because it made her feel ungrateful, and in that instant he knew he had to clear it up with her. She was always closer to Brooke, in that sense. She could point out her mother's errors, but with Julian it was different. He sat on a chair and called her over,

"Baby come here." he said gently.

Sam hesitated, "Are you mad about what I just said?"
He shook his head, "I'm not mad Sammy, come here."

She went over and he patted his lap, "Are you too old for this?" He asked jokingly.

She smiled, giving him the go ahead. He placed her on his lap.

"Honey, I love you, and if there's something bothering you and it's because of something that I did, I want you to tell me. Okay?"
Sam felt comfortable in his lap and his words hit her heavily, "Mhm, I get it." She responded.

He paused a moment, "I remember the day you came home. Remember that?"
"Yeah, how could I forget. I was sorta mean to you."
He laughed a bit, "Yeah definitely! And I was so nervous, because I didn't know if I was going to know how to take care of you like a dad should."
Her shoulders slumped down, feeling sympathy for Julian. His voice lowered, "But then, the next day when you were watching tv and I sat next to you and managed to crack a few jokes and make you laugh I knew that everything was gonna be okay. Because I figured you liked me."
"Dad-" She said.

"And that's all I wanted Sam. I wanted to make sure that 'like' would grow into 'love,' because I wanted you to have a dad, because that's what you deserve, a dad to protect you, and to love you. I want you to know that."
"Daddy, I know." Sam said hoping he'd see her sincerity, "And it's because of you and mom."
Julian felt his eyes water.

"Thank you." She whispered.

He hugged her tightly, "So why don't we look at that script now huh?"
"Sure." She said smiling.

… … ….

As Sam was walking back to her room, she saw her mom in her office.

"Hey mom."

Brooke looked up, "Hey Sammy. What's up?"
"How's Michael doing?"

Brooke loved that Sam was so attentive to her friends, "He's doing better. But he probably needs a friend to talk to. Why don't you go?"

"Yeah sure, but uhm mom?"
"Hmmm?"

Sam looked down at the floor, and the back up at Brooke, "I'm sorry for ruining your party. I know you're excited for the baby and I seem to keep messing up the celebration."

Brooke held her growing stomach, "Sammy, I don't need a party to be excited about the baby. It's okay, I'm glad everything worked out in the end."

Feeling grateful, Sam went over and hugged Brooke, "Thanks for everything mom."

Brooke couldn't help but feel excited about the hug.

Sam then took her advice and headed to Michael's room.

When she came in, Sam found him on his bed staring at the fan.

"You know no matter how much you stare at it, the fan won't transform or anything."
Michael sat up, surprised to hear her voice, "Geez Sam you scared me."

She sat on the bed, "Sorry. You tired? This day must've been exhausting."

"A bit, but it's kinda surreal. Like I have a home now. Your parents are in charge of me for six months, and everything is just, just weird."
She laid down next to him, "Weird is a good way to put it. Definitely weird."
Michael turned to Sam, "Sam I'm gonna ask Sawyer to be my girlfriend."
His statement came out of nowhere for her. Although it wasn't too shocking, she saw that coming from miles away. "Took you long enough."

"That's all you have to say?"
"All it took for you to get some guts, was a freakin' deportation scare. Come on Michael! You gotta be more proactive."

He laughed at her bluntness, "I'm guessing I have your permission."
She stared at the fan, "Of Course!"

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