Authors note:
I kept all of the original kids from the show as well as created some of my own; here is everyone's ages:
Silver – 17.5; Hannah – 16; Frankie – 14; Maddie – 11; Rebecca – 8; Joshua – 8; Sammy – 6: Brett – 6; Joey – 5; Ruby – 2
P.S. I hope ya'll enjoyed your Easter weekend!
Chapter 6
At Kelly's house, she is staying busy getting all of the food ready for the party. Andrea, Nat (who is known as Grandpa Nat to all of the young kids) and Joan, Dylan, and Brenda came over early to help all of the last minute things ready. Sammy is in the backyard playing with Frankie and his cousins, Rebecca and Joey as Silver and Hannah watching them while Silver tells Hannah about her night with Teddy. Guest began to arrive, including David and Donna with their daughter Ruby, Steve and Janet with their three children (Maddie, Joshua, and Brett), Jim and Cindy, and some of Sammy's friends from school.
Everyone brought so many presents that Sammy probably doesn't need, but he didn't really seem interested in any of the presents which was Kelly's first hint that something wasn't right with Sammy today. Kelly noted to herself that he seemed fine earlier before breakfast, but then he got quiet. She has a good idea why, she just wishes she could fix it today. When Steve arrived, he pulled Kelly aside to tell her that he talked with Brandon.
Kelly also pulled aside Jim and Cindy half way through the party "Do you know if Brandon will be at the house today?"
Jim replies, "Yeah, he got back from the beach right before we came over here."
"Good, because Sammy isn't acting himself; I'm getting worried and I want him to be able to enjoy the day. I'm thinking if he doesn't pull himself out of this funk, I might just take him over there and introduce them in a few hours. Brandon is all he can think about right now. He's starting to ask everyone questions and no one really knows how to respond." Kelly says rubbing her head, hoping her headache would go away and that Sammy would be able to have a good time at his party.
Cindy sympathizes with Kelly, "it'll be okay. We will just have to see how the day goes," she says as she puts a hand on Kelly's shoulder.
After a couple of hours have past, all of the kids are playing in the backyard having fun except Sammy. He finally goes sit under a tree and pulls out Brandon's baseball out of his pocket. Brett is closely following him, wondering what is wrong. "Hey, Sammy why did you leave the game?"
"Because," is all Sammy says.
"But it's your favorite game," Brett says.
Then Sammy yells at Brett, "LEAVE ME ALONE," and then runs into the house to his room.
Sammy yelling caught most everyone's attention. Kelly followed Sammy and Steve went to Brett as he starts to cry.
"Hey bud, what happen," Steve gently asks as he kneels down to Brett's level and pulls him into a hug.
"I don't know. Sammy didn't want to play anymore and he just yelled at me. I only asked why. Daddy, did I do something wrong?" Brett asks.
Steve responds, "No son, you didn't. Let's go find him to see if we can make him feel better." Although Steve knows that won't happen until he meets Brandon.
At the same time, Kelly enters Sammy's room, just in time to see him throw the baseball against the wall, knocking a picture down. She goes to Sammy, pulling him into a hug allowing him to cry into her shoulder without saying a word.
After a few minutes, his crying slows down. Kelly speaks softly into Sammy's ear, "Honey I know it's hard not knowing your father. You know, my father wasn't there for my sixth birthday party either."
At that moment, Sammy sees Steve and Brett at the door and than asks frustrated, "Why does Brett get to have his Daddy and I don't?"
Kelly responds, "I have a surprise for you and I know you will love it. But first you need to blow out your candles and make a wish, and then I have somewhere to take you."
Sammy looks up at his mother confused but agrees, "Okay."
Brett speaks up from outside of the door, "Sammy, I'm sorry, we can share my dad, if you like."
Sammy responds, "But he's still not my daddy."
Kelly cuts them off, distracting, "c'mon guys, lets go blow out those candles, then we can leave," turning to Sammy.
Sammy runs down into the dining room with Steve and Brett. Kelly stands up looking around the room, looking for the baseball. She finds it and goes to put it into her purse.
Once Kelly walks into the living room, she asks Andrea to get the cake ready, while she pulls Jim away from everyone, while Cindy goes to gather everyone up for cake. "Jim, could you call Brandon quick to make sure he is still at the house."
Jim responds, "Yeah, of course."
He goes into the back of the house, into the study room hoping no one will hear him, except Brenda followed him onto her way into the bathroom. He calls as Brandon is looking through a photo album of Sammy when he was two years old. The phone rings multiple times and goes to the answering machine, making Jim worried. Brandon didn't answer the phone because he doesn't want anyone to know he's back until he gets to spend some time with Sammy.
"Brandon, it's your father, if you are there, please pick up." As soon as Brandon hears Jim's voice, he picks up the phone.
"Hey, is Sammy alright?" Brandon said worried.
"Yes and no, he's not having a great time, his dream last night really shook him up. He's been asking tons of questions about you. Kelly wants to bring him over soon. She's convinced him to blow out his candles first though," Jim tells Brandon.
"Man, poor guy. Yeah, I'll be here, ready or not, I'll be here," Brandon repeats himself.
"Son, you will be fine, although Sammy may not let you out of his sight for awhile."
Brandon laughs, "Thanks dad, I'll see ya later."
Jim says, "bye, son," as Brenda appears through the door shocked.
"Dad, do you just say 'bye, son?' Where is he at?"
"Brenda calm down please," Jim goes on explaining everything to Brenda, asking her to keep this to herself for the next couple of days.
Back in the dining room, Steve pulls Sammy into his lap sitting down in front of the cake with Brett standing beside them. It says, Happy Birthday to Steve and Sammy, with six candles in one corner and some candles spelling out 35 in the opposite corner.
Everyone is gathered around as Kelly lights the candles, and then they sing happy birthday. Kelly's eyes don't leave Sammy, as she is trying to figure out how to tell Sammy about Brandon. Sammy's eyes are closed as everyone is singing happy birthday, he's not even listening. Instead he's thinking of his wish.
After they blow out the candles, Sammy goes into the kitchen following Kelly, who is carrying the cake. After she sits the cake on the countertop, Sammy tugs on her dress, "Mommy, can we go now?" Sammy asks.
"Honey, don't you want any cake and ice cream?" Kelly asks.
"Can I have some later, please?" Sammy says pleading with Kelly.
"Of course, honey, let's go," Kelly replies.
