Sisters, Braddock Men & Thank Yous

Three Days Later – Scott's & Laura's Home – Kitchen

Laughter was rang loud and clear through Scott's home. Laura glanced at Vicky "I swear those guys are so loud the neighbors can probably hear them."

Vicky just smiled at Laura. She knew without a doubt that Laura was just a glad as she was to hear all the laughter during the day. It made up for the times when they all heard Sam cry out at night with a nightmare. Sam was having a difficult time since finding out about Vanessa. It brought back all his memories of Matt. It made all of them a little sad.

So the laughter wafting through the house was nice to hear. But Laura had a point; they might be being too loud for the babies. Although they all liked the fact that Scott was so hands on with the babies. All the guys were exceptional with little ones. It was a trait of Braddock men.

Over the past three days Scott had insisted on caring for the babies as much as he could to give Laura a break. Everyone could see he totally adored his children. All the gals thought that it was good for Sam too. Holding the little ones seemed to help him a bit.

Vicky got up and grabbed the tray of snacks that Laura and Amelia had just finished preparing for all the guys "I'll take this down and remind them to keep it to a low roar around the babies."

As Vicky headed down the stairs, Ann and Connie both came up the stairs from the basement each carrying a little bundle.

Connie gazed down at Anna and sighed. She had always wanted a daughter. But she only had boys. Not that Adam and Zach were not perfect in her eyes. No, she just thought that it would have been nice to have a daughter too.

Ann watched Connie holding Anna and seeing the wistful look. She knew what that look meant. Connie had shared long ago her desire for a daughter.

She whispered "You know Connie that the girls, Tiffany, Pamela, Ashley, Vicky, Amelia and Natalie, all think of you as a second mother."

Connie tore her eyes off of Anna and looked to Ann. She gave a soft smile "Yeah I know. It's just, you know, sometimes."

Amelia came forward and hugged Aunt Connie "Love ya Mom."

She did love Connie like a second mother. Aunt Connie was always there for any of the girls. Girls were her specialty. She was the Aunt that was really into all the girly things. When she was little Aunt Connie always treated them to shopping trips, manicures, pedicures and doing their hair. Aunt Connie was a whiz at braiding hair very intricately. When she got married last year Aunt Connie had done her hair for her and it was beautiful.

Amelia just knew Aunt Connie would be involved in Anna's life in the same way. Aunt Connie had all but given up hope that Adam would marry and give her grandbabies. Adam was thirty-seven now and married to his career. Over the years no woman seemed to hold his interest for more than a short while. Maybe that was because Adam could be so serious. But more likely, Adam had not found his one true love yet.

Braddock men married for one thing only, love. They waited until they found the one. The only one. It made for a very strong family. Something Amelia valued. Braddock women only married for love too.

Amelia felt lucky she found her one, Christopher Pendgraft, so early in life. They had been high school sweethearts but waited to get married until each had finished college and until Christopher finished his first year in the Navy.

Zach, Connie's only other child, was still young and might give Aunt Connie those grand-babies. Like her, Zach was only twenty-four. They were born within a month of each other. Amelia liked to tease Zach that he had to listen to her because she was older than him by a month. They had a close relationship, more like siblings than cousins, because their moms spent so much time together when they were growing up.

Amelia broke out of her thoughts when another roar of laughter floated up with a few interesting words. She could hear Zach's laughter the most. He always seemed to be the loudest of all the guys. Amelia was happy that Zach had showed up yesterday, she had really missed him lately.

So Amelia excused herself to go see him by saying "I'm gonna go give Vicky a hand downstairs quieting the guys. It sounds as if that game of Balderdash is moving into shall we say risqué territory."

Then Amelia headed down to the basement thinking that Zach's humor and zest for life would be helpful for Sam too. She was privy a conversation Laura had with Ann and Connie about how Sam was hurting in so many ways. Right about now Amelia wanted to go give that Jules a piece of her mind.

How dare Jules rip his heart out like that! Didn't Jules know what a rare man she had in Sam? Why would she ever choose a team, a job above a man like Sam Braddock?

Amelia took a deep breath to cool her jets. She knew something she should not because she accidentally overheard the conversation. It was not her place to butt in and Amelia knew that Sam would not appreciate her doing so. But by golly, she would love to give it to Jules with both barrels.

Laura looked at her babies and asked "What was all the laughter about down there?"

Ann and Connie both grinned and Ann said "Scott learned the hard way that he needs to cover Jerrell when he changes him. Jerrell soaked him good. The rest of the guys cannot stop laughing and razzing Scott so we thought we would bring the little ones back upstairs where it is a little quieter. Scott's getting a shower now to clean up."

The women chuckled. Most definitely that was the first thing one learned. Unless you wanted to get sprayed it was important to cover the little hose of boy babies when changing diapers.

Connie handed Anna over to Laura as Anna became fussy and said "I think the little one is hungry."

Laura took Anna and said "You know, I think Anna eats more than Jerrell."

Ann and Connie smiled and then Connie said "I think I'll make us some tea. I'll meet you two in the living room when it is done" as she moved to get a pot of water on to boil.

"That would be nice" Laura said.

Laura then thought that she was getting spoiled with all the help. But she appreciated that everyone was here to help out. She came from a loving family but the Braddock family took it to a whole new level. They truly cared for each member and were willing to go the distance to help each other out.

As she and Ann moved off towards the living room so she could nurse Anna, Laura thought that Jules just did not know what she was missing. She was sad to hear that Sam's heart had been broken. But that was the least of his worries right now. He needed his family around him to help him come to terms with the whole Matt affair again.

Finding out about Vanessa had awakened all his horrible memories. It awakened all of them at night. His screams were hard to take. Luckily Scott, Spike, Jeff, Kyle and now Zach were around to help wake and calm him at night. Laura settled into a chair and began to nurse Anna.

After getting the water on to boil Connie went to the cabinets and got out the tea. As she set the boxes on the counter her mind started to wander.

Connie thought that she was one lucky woman. The Braddock family had welcomed and embraced her with open arms. Ryan's mother, Gwyneth Braddock, had been her godsend. The mother Connie so desperately wanted and needed. Her sisters-in-laws, Ann, Kim and Yvonne were as dear to her as any biological sister could have ever been. Not that she had any biological sisters.

No she was the only girl in a family that despised women and felt they were not good for anything other than cooking and cleaning. Her father had been a tyrant; her two brothers no less so. She was eleven when her mother committed suicide. She had dreamed of having a mother that cared for her ever since.

Not that her mother had ever been loving or nurturing to her. But when she died, her father expected her to do everything her mother had done. Cook, clean and not be seen or heard.

Connie could see now with age that the lack of nurturing she was given by her mother had more to do with how he mother was treated by her father and brothers. See could see her mother had been little more than a slave to a callous despicable man and her sons.

There was a stark difference between her father and brothers and the Braddock men. Her father would have never done what Scott was doing. He would have thought it beneath him and woman's work to care for babies.

But Scott reveled in it. Connie could see the spark of joy just holding his children gave Scott. Connie knew that Scott would be a great dad. Jerrell and Anna had lucked out in having both a great mom and dad. Those two babies would grow up knowing they were loved and valued.

Leaning against the counter Connie sighed. She rarely thought about her past but Connie thanked her lucky stars she was blessed with meeting Ryan and falling in love with him. Without the Braddock family, Connie had no idea what would have happened to her.

Yes she did. She would still be stuck in that ramshackle house cooking and cleaning and doing as her father and brothers bid. Her life would be so different without the Braddocks.

Connie heard Zach's laughter above the others and briefly wondered what was making all the guys laugh now. She loved Zach's laugh. She dearly loved her sons and did not get to see them as much as she wanted these days.

She was glad Zach got leave too. Sam surely needed all the support this family had to give right now. Sam was in a dark place again and Zach's laughter might just help.

This family was so good at being supportive. She had first-hand knowledge of that. Her mind rolled backwards to when she was fifteen.

When she met Ryan in their sophomore year of high school in a biology class, she had fallen instantly in love with him. She was certain he fell in love with her too. There was a definite spark in his blue eyes that was only there when he looked at her.

However, her father had belittled her when she told him about Ryan when her brother told her father she was talking to a boy after school. Her father sneered at her and said that at fifteen she had no clue what love was and all the boy felt was lust. No boy of fifteen thought of love. All they wanted to do was get into girls' pants. Then her father had said that love was a stupid creation of mindless women.

She had stood up to her father that night and said that real love did exist and that she planned to marry Ryan when they were eighteen. That night her father locked her in her room and told her that no worthless female offspring of his was going to make a fool out of him by behaving promiscuously. He said she was never allowed to see Ryan again.

Connie had cried herself to sleep that night. The next day at school Ryan had been so kind to her. She had bawled in his arms and he held her so tenderly. Then he kissed her for the first time. Her heart had skipped a beat. True love did exist no matter what her father said.

After her brother told her father that he saw Ryan kiss her, she was never allowed to go anywhere after school. It was like she was in a prison. Home and school were the only places she was allowed.

All three of them would berate and belittle her at every opportunity. The house was never clean enough and the food never good enough. They continued to escalate in their mistreatment of her. To the point that her father struck her one night when she said she could not go get him a beer because she had to finish her biology homework.

Then he had raged that a mere woman did not need an education, that they were too stupid to learn anything but cooking and cleaning. That was their only use. Connie had feared that her father would make her quit school. But for some reason he continued to let her go.

But her brothers always grabbed her right after her last class. Usually they were waiting right outside her classroom door and drug her straight home. So Connie could only see Ryan during the school day between classes and at lunch. Those were her happiest hours of the day for months.

Then one fateful night her father and brothers actually left her home alone when they all went to see the latest horror movie. She called Ryan. He came over for about an hour so he would not get caught there and get her in trouble with her father.

Things went further than they should have but Connie never once regretted it. She was so in love with Ryan. As she looked back too, Connie often wondered if there was a guardian angel watching over her and whispering to her that it was true love and she should go all the way with Ryan that night. It had felt so right and it certainly set into motion events that changed her life for the better.

Zach's laughter was heard again and Connie smiled as she placed the tea cups on the tray. Zach was planned. Adam was not. Adam was the result of that stolen hour with Ryan.

When she found out she was pregnant at fifteen her world crumbled. Her father disowned her and kicked her out with only the clothes she was wearing.

She spent that cold night huddled up near Ryan's locker at school. She had no place to go. She would have gone to Ryan's house but she had never been there. She had no money to make a call either. So she had waited for him at the one place she knew she would see him the next morning.

Ryan took one look at her that morning and pulled her into his arms. He held her close as she cried out what had happened. What happened next shocked her.

He took her hand and asked her to come with him. They went right to his older brother Erik who was senior. Classes had begun but Ryan went right into the classroom and got his brother out of math class. Ryan quickly explained the situation. Erik had looked at her with kindness and wrapped an arm around her and told her it would be alright.

Then Erik drove her and Ryan to their home. Ryan immediately told his mother what happened, that he was in love with her and that he wanted to marry her. Connie thought then and now that those were brave words for a fifteen year old boy to utter to his mother. It made Connie love him all the more for it. He would not abandon her. Ryan truly loved her.

Gwyneth had smiled at her and then calmly told Erik to drive Ryan back to school and that she would take care of her. She told Ryan that they would talk more after school but his education was important. Ryan did not want to leave but Erik urged him saying that Connie needed their mom right now. So Ryan and Erik left and she was alone with Gwyneth.

She was taken upstairs, given a warm bath and a robe to wear afterwards. She sat down to a meal with Gwyneth while her clothes were washing. Gwyneth took a hairbrush out and gently brushed out her hair. That was the first time anyone had taken care of her. Ever.

Once her clothes were clean and dry, Gwyneth took her to the base doctor. He verified she was five weeks pregnant. Gwyneth held her as she cried.

That afternoon, Brigadier General Arthur Braddock sat down with her, Ryan and Gwyneth in their study. She was frightened at first. Arthur Braddock was an imposing man and at first she feared he would be like her father. He was mighty angry. But he was angry at her father. He bluster for several minutes wondering how a man, her father, could treat a treasured child in the way she was treated.

It made her cry. That had stopped Arthur instantly. She was crying not because she was frightened anymore but because she wished her father was like Arthur Braddock. The Braddocks in only a few hours had shown her more kindness and concern than all of her family had shown her in fifteen years.

Arthur Braddock had knelt down in front of her and gently wiped her tears. He told her everything would be alright. That they would not let anything bad happen to her and that she had a home with them regardless of whether she and Ryan got married. He assured her that the family would support her and the baby in whatever decision she made. That caused fresh tears.

It was strange to her that the family was so calm over the news of a teenage pregnancy. But that night at dinner she found out why when Ann came to dinner.

Ann and Erik had been dating since freshman year and they were both seniors. They planned to get married when both turned eighteen which was just a month away. The wedding was all set up. Originally they had planned to wait until after they finished college but Erik and Ann jumped the gun and Ann was seven weeks pregnant.

Connie immediately took a liking to Ann. She had not known her before that night. But Ann was so kind to her too. Took her under her wing and she and Gwyneth talked to her for a long time that night after dinner.

The next day Gwyneth and Ann took her shopping for some clothes. She had never had anything new before and never had anything remotely girly either. He father said it was a waste of good money.

Gwyneth spoiled her rotten that day buying her pretty new dresses and shoes, accessories, perfume and lotions. She got her ears pierced, a manicure and a pedicure. She had her hair cut and styled at a salon for the first time too. When she looked in the mirror that night before dinner she almost didn't recognize herself.

Connie let out a small chuckle; that was the start of her love of all things girly. Ann and Gwyneth could be blamed for creating that little monster.

A month later, when she turned sixteen, it was a double wedding. She had no one to invite and all the people that Ryan would invite were already invited to Erik's wedding. So it was a simple solution. Arthur Braddock took care of getting her father to sign the consent form allowing her to marry at sixteen.

Connie was never quite sure how Arthur went about that. Her father was a mean, spiteful man. If she would have asked him to sign he would have backhanded her for sure. He had a dark heart and no love for anyone, especially his daughter.

But she rarely gave that a thought anymore because she never saw her father or brothers again. Four months after she married they died in a car accident. It was his fault. He father was driving drunk and ran a red light and they were hit by a semi-truck carrying a load of rock.

Sometimes she thought that was a blessing for the world that they died. Connie knew that was an awful thought but an honest one. All three of them had gotten darker and darker and she wondered if they had lived just what evil they would have done.

Just before her wedding she had gotten a letter from her father that told her she was worthless and that he should have just drowned her in the toilet when she was an infant. He threatened that if he or her brothers ever got the chance they would do that to her baby.

If they had lived could they have followed through on their threats? Connie realized that they would have tried but failed. Ryan and the rest of the Braddocks would protect her and the baby.

In fact, Ryan burned the note and said that her bastard father would never get close enough to her or the baby to make good on that threat. He was a Braddock and she was now a Braddock too. Braddocks protected family more vigorously then they protected the country. And they protected the country with true dedication for generations.

So she hardly ever looked back. Connie felt so blessed to be a part of the Braddock family. True to their word, Arthur and Gwyneth supported her and Ryan as they got their educations. They even paid for her to go to nursing school. Ann, Gwyneth and Mark's wife Kimberly often watched Adam for her while she was in school.

But Kimberly had her hands full with her twins Tiffany and Pamela. So mostly it was Gwyneth and Ann that helped out. In those early days, Yvonne was around too sometimes, although she was not with Will yet. In fact, Will was never home. He even had to miss the wedding. His military career was on a rocket ride up and he had little time for socializing.

Setting the tea bags in the cups Connie grinned. Come to think of it, Will did not actually meet Ann's twin sister until a few years later. And that was because Jasper Parker introduced them. The look on Will's face was priceless when he thought that Parker was pulling his leg. He was sure it was Ann. Apparently Will had never known that Ann had an identical twin.

Connie poured the boiling water into the cups over the tea bags and sighed. Love at first sight again. Three of the four Braddock brothers all married by nineteen. William was the hold out and did not marry until he was twenty six.

Lifting the tray of teacups Connie thought, maybe there was still hope for Adam. It might just take him longer to find his true love. Thirty seven was not too old to have kids, Scott waited a long time before he found Laura. He was thirty seven and he had twins.

Perhaps Adam would find his love soon and she would be lucky to have grand-babies from him. But if not there was always Zach even though he was still very young. Connie chuckled at that. By the time she and Ryan were Zach's age they had been parents for eight years. Young was relative she thought.

Connie headed into the living room smiling. She loved being part of this family that supported every member with loving care. Whether she ever had grand-babies of her own she knew she could always help with her sister's grand-babies. But she would not lose hope as Yvonne always maintained.

Hope had brought Sam back into the family fold. Hope was a wonderful thing.

Connie knew hope and family love would help Sam deal with his pain too. They were all here for him. Always would be. Braddocks took care of their own.

Scott's & Laura's Home – Living Room

As she set the teacups down Connie saw Laura was finished nursing Anna. So Connie reached out "Here let me hold her while you have some tea and relax a bit Laura."

Laura handed over Anna and took up her tea. "Thanks Connie. Are you planning on spoiling Anna?"

Connie smiled "You bet your bottom dollar." She glanced over at Jerrell in Ann's arms and added "Jerrell too. Boys and girls are all so special."

The three women enjoyed afternoon tea to the sounds of laughter wafting up from the basement. Laura was glad that all three, Scott, Sam and Spike were doing better. And that they all survived the ski trip and the Barton brothers. She was glad that the family had rallied around and was providing all three of them much needed support.

Laura had a long talk with Ann and Connie about what Zach shared. She had not had an opportunity to talk privately with Scott about Jules dumping Sam and the kissing incident. Although she told Zach to stay out of it, Laura wanted to talk with Scott and see from his perspective if they should intervene in any way.

It broke her heart that the two of them had to choose between their job and each other. Especially after Zach shared with her what he saw when he opened Sam's door in the hospital without Jules knowing.

Laura had a woman's intuition that there were feeling between Jules and Sam still. The question was, should she say anything or should she remain quiet. For now with a house full of Braddocks, many of whom might just fly off the handle at Jules if they knew what she did, it was safer to remain silent.

Maybe when the Braddock invasion was over, when Sam, Spike and Scott were mobile and just a few were here there would be an opportunity to talk to Sam. Maybe offer to him if he needed a woman's perspective she would listen.

Ann stood and brought Jerrell to her and said "The little guy is ready to eat now."

Laura took him and situated him. As he ate she whispered "What am I gonna do with that Daddy of yours?"

Ann laughed and said "Still miffed about his misdirection?"

"Yeah aren't you?" Laura answered.

"A bit. But I've been around Braddock men long enough to know that they only dissemble when they do not want you to worry about them when there is nothing for you to do but worry about them. If there had been a way for you to get to Scott, I'm sure he would have been truthful with you. In his way he was trying to protect you and the babies" Ann explained.

"I understand that part. But I'm a big girl. I would rather him be truthful" Laura stated.

Connie sighed "You know I think you have a better shot at that with Scott than whoever marries Sam. That boy is world class at deflection."

Ann nodded "Yes Sam is. But we all know why. He has had such hurtful things in his life. Sam does it as much to protect others as he does to protect himself. He does not feel comfortable enough with most people to let them see he is vulnerable. I'm just so thankful that Scott and Sam have a connection that allows Sam to be completely honest about his health."

Laura thought about that a moment. Then she said "I think I'll give Scott a pass on this one. But I'm extracting a promise from Scott that in the future he will be completely honest with me about his health."

Ann sipped her tea and kept her thoughts to herself. She wished Laura luck with that. But Braddock men were notorious for using deflection and keeping secrets. Those were great traits for military men, not so hot for keeping wives in the loop.

When the front door opened Ann, Laura and Connie looked up. It was Erik and he was carrying a rather large box.

"What's that?" Ann asked.

Erik grinned seeing his grand-babies and the women. He answered "It's addressed to Scott, Sam and Spike. It is post marked from the Blue Mountains. I have no idea what it is. Are the boys awake?"

Peals of laughter from down below answered Erik. He grinned again and said "I'll just run this down to them. Then it is time for a little grandpa time with the little ones."

Connie, Ann and Laura watched Erik hustle into the kitchen to go down stairs. They all grinned. Braddock men were awesome!

Scott's & Laura's Home – Basement

Laughter broke out again as Spike came up with funny bogus answers for 'In Hornytown, North Carolina, it is illegal to own or operate an establishment that …'. No one cared or even heard the real answer. Spike had them all in stitches with his outlandish answers.

In fact, the competition part of the game of balderdash had been long forgotten. The guys were now simply trying to outdo one another in making each other laugh by selecting the most risqué sounding questions and then coming up with equally risqué sounding answers. Sometimes they made up all the answers instead of using the correct one.

Spike held a hand to his side to stave off the pain all the laughter was causing him. But he wouldn't stop. This was so much fun. Sam's cousins were hilarious and it was good to see Sam smiling and laughing along.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up. It was his nurse. First time he ever had a guy nurse. Rune Lindroth was a massive Swede who immigrated when he married a Canadian woman. He was selected because Sam and Scott also need strong arms to help them move about when his cousins were out. That was the premise behind selecting Rune, but none of Sam's cousins had left. In fact, Zach had shown up yesterday too.

"Time for meds Spike" Rune said with an amused smile and a heavy Swedish accent as he listened to all the funny things they were saying.

Rune liked this nursing assignment. He arrived three days ago and there had been so much laughter during the days. Rune made sure his three patients maintained their medication schedules and noted their vitals on a routine basis. He kept an eye on each of their wounds and changed dressings. Rune also contacted Dr. Parker once each afternoon to report on their conditions. But other than that he had little to do. The cousins insisted on helping with everything else.

Handing Spike his pain medication Rune asked "Do you need to return to bed? I see you holding your side."

Spike answered "Nah, I'm good. Thanks."

Zach cracked a joke and the room burst into laughter again.

Erik reached the bottom of the stairs and took a moment to look. Sam, Spike and Scott were each in one of the reclining chairs. Vicky, Amelia and Zach were on the couch. Jeff and Kyle were seated on the floor. Rune was over at the little desk they set up for him at the corner, it appeared he was making notes. The rest of the bunch were all laughing at something Zach just said which Erik did not catch.

He thought that Spike's idea to play a game called Balderdash was inspiring. Jeff and Kyle had run out to the store to get it a few days ago. They also came back with Risk, several decks of cards, Jenga, Monopoly, Scrabble, and a game called Scattergories. It had kept the immobile guys entertained and laughing.

Although what Erik was hearing now was a quite x-rated version of Balderdash. But everyone seemed to be having a good time and they were all adults. He was glad the grand-babies were upstairs though.

Kyle noticed his dad and got up. "What ya got there?" Kyle asked as he headed to take the large box from his dad.

Erik answered "Not really sure. It is for Scott, Sam and Spike. It's postmarked from the Blue Mountains."

Sam stared at the box. He wondered if it contained his wallet. And if it did, was Matt's picture still in it. "Open it and let's see what's in it" he said.

Kyle put it on the edge of the table then pulled out his pocket knife and sliced it open. He lifted the flaps and then let out a low whistle.

Zach sat forward and peeked into the inside of the box. "Whoa."

Jeff stood and looked in too. "Wow."

Scott, Sam and Spike all looked at each other with a small bit of irritation. Whistle, whoa and wow didn't tell them a damned thing.

Spike asked "So what's in the box?"

Vicky and Amelia looked in along with Erik. Vicky reached in and pulled out three items and held them up "Cards. Tons and tons of cards address to all three of you."

Amelia and Vicky started handing out the cards to the person with the name on each card. When they were done all three of the guys had about fifty cards in their laps. Jeff looked into the box and saw a large envelope with Sam's name on it at the bottom. He took it out and handed to Sam.

Sam stared at the envelope and tested the weight and felt the shape of the bulky item in it. He smiled "My wallet."

Kyle said "Open the cards guys."

Sam set his wallet envelope to the side and began opening the cards like Spike and Scott were doing.

Card after card was a get well soon card, a thank you card or both combined card. They were from Minna, Vanessa, Landry, Maisie, Ron, Vera, Jasmin, Jeremy, little Ethan, his parents, all the patients and many of their family members.

There were cards from members of the RCMP that worked with Alex Roman thanking them for not letting Alex's killers get away. Captain Lundgren also sent a very nice one thanking all three of them for their efforts in saving not only his daughter but all the people he cared about.

There was a card from the unit that had come too. It expressed their wish that they had made better time and had gotten there before everything hit the fan. It wished them speedy recoveries and was signed with the initials only of each member of the team.

It was a nice gesture but none of the three of them felt that the unit could have done any more than they had. The fact that they had risked their lives doing a HALO jump and skied to the hospital in that weather to help was more than enough. It was just dumb luck that Noah had seen them.

Spike looked at the plethora of cards in his lap. He felt overwhelmed. Sure occasionally he had the random thank you card from a victim of a hot call. But those were usually addressed to the team as a whole. These cards … well these cards were addressed specifically to him.

They thanked him in so many ways with personal notes. The one from Jasmin was so heartfelt. She wrote that she had feared she was dead but when she looked him in the eyes she just knew he would save her. And he did. The card from Vera included her phone number and an invitation to give her a call some time.

Spike ducked his head and wiped his eyes as he teared up a bit. It felt so good to know he had made a difference in these people's lives. Spike felt a flicker of sadness when he thought he wished his Pa could understand why being in the SRU was so important to him.

Maybe he might show these cards to him and he might understand. Or maybe he wouldn't. Spike did not want to taint this outpouring of thanks with disapproval from his Pa.

Amelia and Vicky with the help of Zach and Kyle started hanging up all the cards. It was amazing to see the outpouring of gratitude and concern from that small community. Once they got all the cards up everyone took a moment to just look at the wall. It was so totally unexpected and amazing.

Scott turned from looking at the wall and saw Sam fiddling with the envelope. He asked "You gonna open that?"

Sam shrugged. He wanted too. He wanted to see his favorite picture of Matt. But he was afraid it might be gone and he was not sure he could handle that right now. Sam set it aside and said "It's just my wallet. Not like I need it right now."

Spike and Scott shared a glance. There was something Sam's tone. Neither would push it right now. Maybe later when it was just the guys.

Scott said "That's right."

Sam looked at Scott and Scott's look spoke volumes to him. Sam saw that Scott understood something was bothering him but was willing to let it slide.

Rune approached Sam and said "Time for me to check on your wound." Then he looked at the others as they all crowded around. It was not something he was used to. Family members usually did not want to see. But this group seemed to be acutely interested in the progress of Sam's wound.

He gloved up then unwrapped it and took the gauze pads off, tossing them into a small trash can. It was still oozing but there was no new sign of infection. The edges were looking better. Rune repacked the open wound with antibiotic gauze then rewrapped it.

Taking off his gloves Rune said "If it continues like this the doctor will be able to stitch it closed in a few days."

Sam winced at the word stitched closed.

Spike saw and said "Nitrous oxide buddy."

Sam looked at Spike.

"Hey if it can work for rabid raccoon rabies shots it will work for stitches too buddy" Spike quipped.

Kyle leaned forward and asked "Rabid raccoons?"

Spike grinned "Didn't Sam tell you about that?"

Everyone's head shook no. Sam groaned as Spike rubbed his hands together eagerly.

"Well you see we were on this warrant call where Sam had to climb a tree" Spike started. He proceeded to tell the entire account including Sam up on Ed's roof with a broom trying to defend against rabid raccoons.

Sam turned a shade of red as everyone was laughing. It was good natured and Sam just shook his head. The weirdest damned things happened to him. Hell, he couldn't even go on a ski trip without something odd happening.

He glanced at the envelope again. He should bite the bullet and just open it. As everyone else was thoroughly engaged listening to Spike tell tales from calls SRU had he reached for the envelope.

Sam quietly opened it and reached in for his wallet. When he did he felt something else in the envelope too. It was another envelope about half the size and a little firm like there were several sheets of paper in it.

He pulled out the envelope first, leaving his wallet for now. Sam noticed it was not sealed and lifted the edge. He sucked in a breath. He held the envelope still.

Sam noticed it had gone silent around him. He looked up and everyone's eyes were on him. He looked back at the envelope and slowly pulled the contents out. There was a folded letter and a sheet of photos.

It was Matt's photo. There were at least ten copies of it in its original size and one that had been enlarged to a three by five.

Sam had never shown this picture to anyone. He gazed at it for a long time. Then he looked up and said "This is Matt when he was nine. It was in my wallet. Someone enlarged it for me."

Quietly Scott said "Maybe the letter in there will tell you who."

Sam only nodded but did not reach to pull out the letter. He was afraid of what it might say and who it was from. Only Vanessa knew that it was this picture that was irreplaceable to him.

Erik looked around then quietly began to disperse everyone so they were not staring at Sam. He sent Vicky and Amelia upstairs along with Rune. Then he took a knee next to Sam and laid a hand on his then asked "Would you like me to read it for you?"

Sam turned and looked at his uncle. He really should have the courage to read it himself but he withdrew the letter and handed over.

Erik unfolded the letter and read it giving away no emotion. When he was finished he said "I think you should read it Sam." Then he folded the letter and handed it back then stood up. Erik walked to the couch and sat down.

Sam looked at his uncle trying to discern who it was from or any emotion. Damn he was good as showing a blank face. Sam could read nothing in his expression. He turned his eyes down to the letter. If it was terrible Uncle Erik would have prepared him for it. That much he knew for a fact.

Jeff, Kyle, Zach, Scott and Spike watched Sam but said nothing.

Sam unfolded the letter and saw that it was in a messy script. It read:

Dear Sam,

I really don't know where to start. I have felt many emotions over the past few days. Many, many emotions. It was devastating to find out that Matt died. Yes I will call him Matt from now on since that is the name he chose for himself and I would honor his choice. I understand his desire to distance himself from our biological father. I always felt shame that my biological father murdered his wife.

But I never met him, so I did not bother to change my name. He wasn't real to me like he was to Matt.

My heart breaks for what Matt went through as a little boy. I always thought I had it bad losing my mother the way that I did. But she was not murdered and did not die in front of me. So I can never truly understand the pain he went through.

Like I said, I have gone through many emotions. But I have to tell you, I need to make it VERY CLEAR to YOU. I do not hold you responsible for my half-brother's death.

Your uncle explained to me what happened. He told me how devastated you were. How you were so overcome with grief and pain that you nearly died when you found him.

I cannot begin to imagine the pain that must have caused you. It is so incomprehensible. My heart breaks for you too.

From your uncle, I know that you and Matt were inseparable and treated each other like brothers. That you joined Special Forces because Matt did. He told me that Matt and you saved each other's lives numerous times. That is a bond of brotherhood that cannot be easily broken.

The world is a strange and beautiful place. Who would ever have imagined that the scholarship that my brother suggested would be the one that allowed me to go after my dream? Not me even in my wildest dreams. But it makes me happy to know that I have a connection to you too; that I was given the award in your sister's name.

I'm so very sad though that you lost a sister. I know you know how I must feel. But there is a difference. I never knew my brother so the grief I feel is nowhere near the level of grief you must have felt when you lost both your sister Sara and your brother Matt.

I sincerely hope that you will take to heart that I do not blame you for his death. It was a tragic accident.

Please accept my gift of several pictures of your irreplaceable photo. It isn't quite so irreplaceable now. I hope you don't mind, but I made two three by five copies and a wallet sized one for me too. I now have the photo in my wallet and one on my desk at home and at the hospital.

Thank you Sam. Thank you so very much for being my brother's friend and brother and for caring enough about him to keep his memory alive. That alone tells me that my brother was a good man and nothing like our father.

I do not want to push and please feel free to tell me I'm overstepping but if you could send me a photo of Matt as an adult I would dearly love to have one. Also if you could tell me where he is buried I'd like to visit him.

One last time in case you have any doubt left, I do not blame you for Matt's death.

I'm glad you were in his life. I believe in angels and I am certain that he is watching over you right now.

I will leave it up to you if you would like to contact me. I will not intrude in your life. But if you would like to talk at any time, I have included my card with my personal number and the number to the Craig hospital.

Take care of yourself Sam. You are important to more people than you may realize.

Your Friend Always,
Vanessa

Sam stared at the letter. It was not what he expected. Not at all. His eyes shifted to the photo of a smiling nine year old Matt.

Not caring that his family or Spike heard him Sam spoke to Matt softly "You have a sister Mattie. A wonderful, warm-hearted sister. You would have liked her a lot. Your scholarship idea helped her achieve her dream. Much better use of your life insurance than blowing it on a Corvette or going to Monaco and blowing it on gambling, booze and hot chicks."

Several of the guys turned their heads and covertly wiped their eyes to rid the tears that formed. The way Sam spoke to the picture and the words he used told them that Vanessa had written a letter that would help Sam. None of them needed to know the exact content.

Sam carefully folded the letter and put it back in the envelope. He put the letter and photos back in the large envelope. Then he looked around the room and said "Anyone up for a game of Monopoly?"

Jeff got the game while Zach and Kyle cleared the table. Erik stood and headed for the stairs as all the guys began arguing who got to be which piece. Erik stopped at the foot of the stair and looked back. He hoped tonight would be nightmare free for Sam. He thought that the letter would help.

Although Erik would never kid himself, he knew, Will knew, hell all the Braddock men knew it, Sam would always carry that grief and the sense of responsibility for Matt's death even though it was never his fault.

It was just a trait of Braddock men.

.

AN: Minor change in the story thanks to the keen eye of a Samtastic reader Hazmatt. Scott's mom had to be pregnant with Amelia, not Vicky, during Sam's scarlet fever because Vicky needs to be old enough in FOABL 3 - Scott Saves Halloween to go to the princess Halloween party. Sam was five in both cases so Vicky could not be unborn in one and not the other. Also Vicky would have to be old enough to be Vanessa's high school teacher.

This goof has caused me to go back and define ages for all the characters. That was some challenge trying to figure out reasonable ages for all the women to have babies and reasonable ages for men to still be working in Father's and Daughters. However, some good came out of it too.

As a result I came up with some interesting back stories for William and his brothers Mark, Erik, and Ryan; especially Ryan. I wish I had mapped out Ryan's background before I wrote A Year and A Day; some musing by Sam on his Uncle Ryan and Aunt Connie would have fit perfect when they all met Cala and Lachlann. But this was a good place to tell it through Connie's thoughts.

FYI: Giving you a long chapter since there will be no updates until at least Thursday night – work calls and I gotta travel again – yuck.