FYI: I broke this into two chapters, because it was SO long when I wrote it, so the next two chapters will be very sam-centered. Don't worry Sawyer will have her chance to shine soon!
Sam was holding onto her hand, but felt herself being pulled away by an invisible force. The woman didn't seem to notice Sam being ripped away from her.
"Mom?" Sam's voice quavered as she felt darkness begin to surround her.
Sam saw as bars started to lift up around her. They were a slick black and metallic. Her heart started to beat wildly.
"MOM!" She yelled louder, but the figure that was supposed to be her mother refused to turn around. Instead she was laughing wildly with a man in a blue suit.
Sam tried to break through the bars, but she was too big. Then the bars began to grow at the top, turning the bars into a cage.
"Stop it! Stop! MOM ARE YOU LISTENING?!" She was now yelling frantically. The figure finally turned around. It was Rebecca. "What's wrong Sam?" She asked spitefully, "Don't like jail?"
Sam suddenly shrunk into her four year old self. She was now holding the teddy bear that she loved so much, and the old blanket that she kept reserved in her closet. No longer having the ability to articulate her terror completely, she nodded with tears, "Help me momma." Said Sam's four year old self.
Rebbeca smiled and her teeth were jagged and yellow, "I don't help traitors." She said maliciously. Sam felt her knees go weak as the cage got smaller and smaller. She huddled into the corner. The woman watched her, "You're such a child. Bye Bye Samantha." She said waving at her. She turned back around to the man in the blue suit. Sam watched in horror as he turned into a wave of water and overtook Rebbeca. "NO! Not my mom!" Sam yelled. The wave was now coming to her. She shut her eyes tightly, waiting for it to envelope her too.
Sam woke up terrified, and breathing hard. She had just had a nightmare. She turned to check the time, it was four in the morning, and the pre-morning light was beginning to come into her room. Although terrified, her reaction quickly changed to mortification as she felt a familiar warmth under the covers. 'Please no.' She thought to herself.
Carefully she uncovered herself and sure enough there was a wet spot where she had been laying. She had wet the bed. Sam slammed her hand hard onto the bed, "Damn it." She whispered violently. "You fucking little baby." Her voice was a whisper, but yet still reprimanding. It had been months since this last happened, but her streak ended now. She got off the bed and took off her sheets. She then stripped off her wet shorts and underwear, huddling up the soiled sheets and clothes, Sam shoved them into her closet. She went into the bathroom and turned on the water. She felt her heart quicken when she saw the water. It reminded her of her nightmare. Sam would do anything to have Brooke here with her to help her, but she already felt like too much of a child. She closed her eyes and went into the shower. "Just do it!" She said yelling at herself. Quickly she took off her shirt and went in. After her quick shower, she changed into a new pair of shorts and a tshirt. She then put new sheets on her bed, but as she was doing so, she was reminded of her blanket. It was a light purple blanket with baby giraffes, lions, and cows on it, that and her her teddy bear served as her safety as a toddler. She went into her closet and found it pushed into a corner, under a pile of sheets. Sam grabbed it and hugged it greedily. She placed it onto her bed as well. Before going back to bed she took her wet sheets, carefully opened the door and threw them away at the bottom of the trash can, thanking God that the trash man came today. Once inside, she crawled back into bed and held onto both her blanket and teddy bear. Today was Wednesday. Today she was going to see Rebecca, and now she realized that in reality she was very, very nervous.
… …. ….
Julian went into Sam's room at 6:00 in the morning. He was heading out early and decided to give both her and Michael a small goodbye.
He saw her completely knocked out. He noticed the blanket and gave her a quizzical expression. Julian sat by her, and then sighed at the peaceful child sleeping. Gently, he shook her. Sam's eyes fluttered open, "I'm leaving a bit early today. I just wanted to see you before I went." He whispered. Julian expected her to nod and go back to sleep. Instead she sat up. Julian watched her, giving her a smile. She rubbed her sleepy eyes with her arm and then leaned into him. He put his arm around her, "Nervous about today?" He asked her quietly.
She nodded, still leaning on his chest, hoping he didn't ask any more questions. He kissed the top of her head, and took a deep breath, hugging her with both arms. His strength comforted Sam, and hoped that the moment could last forever. "It'll be okay." He said to her, "You want mom or me to come instead of Aunt Haley?" He asked looking down at her. She felt her tense up. She wriggled a bit, and he let go. Sam's hands began to play with the blanket, "No, no I'll be fine."
Julian smiled at her, "I love you sweetheart. Go back to sleep."
Sam laid back down yawning and closed her eyes once more.
… ….. …..
Julian went back into his bedroom. Brooke was getting ready, "You're up early." He said.
"Well you woke me up." She answered him.
He went behind her and massaged her shoulders, then gave her a short kiss, "Our baby looks beautiful in there."
"Julian can you quit looking at my stomach?" She said chuckling.
"It's not my fault you look so beautiful pregnant."
It was her turn to give him a small kiss, "I love you too."
He smiled, "You should wake Sam up today."
She looked at him confused, "Okay?" Feeling that his statement was out of nowhere.
"The sheets were different, and she had her blanket out." Julian said implying that Sam had an accident.
Brooke felt her heart fall, she nodded, knowing full well what that meant.
Michael was in the kitchen when Brooke went out, "How's it goin' bud?"
He shrugged, "Pretty good. Can I go over to Sawyer's today?" He asked taking a bite out of his toast.
"Sure. Be back by eight. Okay?"
He walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "Thanks Brooke!" He headed back to his room. "Boys are so easy." She thought to herself.
Taking a deep breath she went into Sam's room. She surveyed the scene, but there was nothing to survey. Sam was already up. She was in her closet changing. When she walked out and Saw Brooke sitting on the bed, she felt surprised, "Geezuz Brooke, can you not sneak in like that." She went towards her desk to get her shoes.
"You took out the big guns didn't you?" Brooke said.
"Huh?" Sam said turning around confused.
She saw Brooke holding her blanket, examining the figures, "I forgot how cute it was." She said putting it back down. Sam went over and picked it up defensively, "uhhh yeah. I figured it needed to get some use."
Brooke nodded, "You used to use it a lot when you first came here."
Sam rolled her eyes putting her shoes on trying to avoid the conversation, "Yup."
Brooke didn't know whether to bring up her accident. She didn't want to hurt Sam's ego, but she could read the apprehension all over Sam. She could tell Sam wanted to tell her everything, but she didn't have the will to do it, "New sheets?" She asked her.
Sam turned to her with a glare, and then looked back putting one foot on the bed tying the laces.
"Was it a nightmare Sam?" Her voice was soft and maternal.
Sam let her foot slide off the bed and drop onto the floor. She nodded, "I'm over it though, so don't worry about it."
Brooke was disappointed that Sam said nothing else, "You ready for today?" There was worry in her voice.
Sam turned around and looked at her, she wanted to be mad and say something like "LEAVE ME ALONE." But instead she bit her lip nervously, "I'm not scared, why does everyone think that?" She muttered.
Brooke stood up, "I didn't say that. I know you're not." She didn't want to start a fight now.
"You can stay home from school today, if you want. I'll have Aunt Haley pick you up."
Sam shook her head, "I'll be fine. I wanna go to school anyways. I'll be good and won't cut class or anything. I promise."
Brooke gave her a warm smile, "I know you'll be good Sammy. You've been doing really well, I haven't gotten a call from the school in weeks!"
Her enthusiasm made Sam blush.
She said one last thing before she got up from Sam's bed, "And Sam?"
"Yeah?"
"It's okay to be nervous."
Sam nodded in response. "I know."
"Remember Rebecca being in jail is not your fault. It never was, it never will be. You aren't responsible for her."
Her words appeased to Sam's feeling, "Thanks mom." She said.
"Well, I gotta go to work. Aunt Peyton is gonna pick you two up. Okay?"
"Got it." As Brooke was walking out she stopped her, "Wait Brooke!"
Brooke looked at her, "What's wrong Sam?"
"Nothing." She shrugged, "Thank you. For letting me do this. I know how hard it must be to let me-"
Brooke put her hand up, "Don't think about me Sam, I'll go to the ends of the earth for you. You're my little knucklehead."
Sam chuckled, "Thanks."
With that Brooke gave her a wink and then headed out.
… … ….
Sawyer was clad in her cheerleading uniform texting away as they drove to Sam's hosue. She looked up and her mom seemed quieter than usual, "What's up mom?" She asked her.
Peyton looked over and then back at the road, "Wow. You're asking me? That never happens…"
Sawyer scoffed, "What?! Whatever. It was just a question. You just seemed serious."
"Just thinking Soybean don't worry."
Sawyer looked at her, and decided it was a good time to ask about the party, "So mom, there's this hangout on Friday liket at 9. Can I go?" She looked at her mother hopefully.
Peyton frowned, "Who's going to be there?"
Sawyer thought of something quick. She tried to sound nonchalant, "I dunno probably cheerleaders, some jocks, and I think a couple people from Buckley."
"Is Sam going?"
Sawyer suddenly turned defensive, "Why does it matter if Sam is going? You think I need a guardian or something?"
"Sawyer" She said with warning.
Sawyer folded her arms across her chest and pouted, "Because I don't need one."
Peyton glared at her daughter, "With that attitude it sounds like you need more of a babysitter."
She felt herself blush and slowly uncrossed her arms. She bit her tongue, not wanting to say something worse. Deciding to go for the sympathy vote, she turned to the window and softly replied to Peyton, "Sorry." She said softly.
When they finally got to Sam's house, Sawyer was still looking out the window. Peyton sighed, "Ask your dad. It's a yes for me, but ask him first."
Sawyer turned back around with a wide smile. She threw her arms around Peyton, "Yes! Thank you mommy! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!"
Peyton patted her back, "Alright. You can stop kissing up now."
When Michael and Sam came into view, Sawyer got out and gave them both a hug, then she let Sam take the front seat so she could be in the back with Michael.
"Morning Mrs. Scott." Michael said happily. She looked through the rearview mirror, "Morning Michael." She said giving him a smile. She kept a close eye on the chattering love birds in the back seat of her car. She looked over at a subdued Sam, "Morning Sammy."
Her words rocked Sam out of her thoughts, "Oh. Sorry. Hey Aunt Peyton."
"Whatya thinking about?" She asked her.
"Oh you know the usual. Drugs, alcohol, sex. Stuff like that." She said glibly.
Peyton shook her head trying not to laugh, "Great Sam. Just great. Do you mind telling me what you're really thinking?"
She rolled her eyes, "Yeah, I do mind. So uhh, no." Then avoiding any other prying statement turned back towards her cousin and Michael, "So have you two lovebirds done the deed yet?"
"SAM!" Michael, Sawyer, and Peyton said in unision. She winked at them and Sawyer threw a piece of paper at her, "Jerk." She mumbled at Sam.
Laughing she turned back around and sat back, although Peyton looked very displeased.
"Aunt Peyton it was a joke. Come on!" Sam said playfully. "Not funny Samantha." She said definitively. Sam knew she took it too far, so she only sunk into the seat further.
… …. …. …..
Sawyer waited for her dad by the basketball courts. The bell for first class hadn't rang yet. Lucas saw her and quickened his pace, "Gimme a sec boys." He said to his players. They had had early morning practice.
"Hi dad." She said as he got closer.
"What's up kiddo?" He looked at her with a smile. Sawyer decided to peel the band aid off quickly, "There's a hangout on friday, and I really, really, wanna go. Mom said yes. Can you say yes too? Please, please, please? I'll be good I promise! Cheerleaders are gonna be there. Please?" She said it all in one breath.
Lucas rose an eyebrow at her clearly annoyed, "Is this what you came into practice for? To ask me about a party?"
She looked up at him meekly, realizing her mistake, "Umm...yes?"
He folded his arms and stood up straight, making himself tower over her more than usual. His tactic worked she felt immensely small. Luckily for her, Sawyer had been good lately, so he gave her the benefit of the doubt, "Okay fine." He answered her reluctantly, "But we'll talk details later." His voice became more stern.
She felt a huge weight lift off her shoulders. "Thanks dad! Bye!"
"Bye Soybean."
Sawyer cringed at her nickname, well aware that the basketball players heard it. Lucas chuckled.
…. ….. ….
Sawyer caught up with Sam and the gang. She went over and pulled Sam to the side, "What's up?" She asked Sawyer.
"Are you gonna be okay Sammy? Today, I mean, with Rebecca and all."
Sam scoffed, "I'll be fine. Made of steel remember?"
Sawyer glared at her, "Sam, come on. I'm not an idiot, as much as you think I am. You make me tell you everything, so it's only fair you tell me."
Sam sighed heavily, "Fine. Whatever. I'm a little nervous. But I'll be fine."
"Why are you nervous?" She said confused.
Sam slid down the wall and crossed her legs. Sawyer did the same. "Soy, do you think people like me?"
Sawyer looked lost, but answered the question anyway, "Uhmmm well once someone gets to know you, but you can be a little...intimidating at first."
"Do you think I'm a nice person?"
That one was easy for Sawyer to answer, "Yes."
"Wow you said that fast."
"You have the biggest heart. You've gotten yourself into trouble and into danger for the people you love."
Sam nodded. Sawyer then caught the drift of Sam's uneasiness. She grabbed one of Sam's hands, "And if your mom, Rebbeca, can't see that, then she must be blind. Because if she still doesn't love you after having known you for so long, then that's her own problem...She must be batshit crazy."
Sam smiled at Sawyer, "Thanks Soy."
They stood up and hugged. Noticing the moment Michael lightly tapped Jack and signaled him to look at Sam and Soy.
"Come on." Jack said to Michael. He followed him and then they both hugged the two girls. Sam suddenly felt strong.
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