It's been forever, and I feel horrible for making you wait so long. But I won't give up on my stories! You all keep me going. Word of warning there is a somewhat, short steamy scene between Brooke and Lucas.
Sam held onto her dad's hand tightly as they walked out. She focused on her mother's back as she was in front of her.
How did her mother always look so graceful? I mean she walked so perfectly in those heels. Sam tried heels on once at her mother's behest and she toppled over at the third step. Brooke just laughed and helped Sam out of the shoes. Needless to say they went with a nice pair of flats that time. The heels could wait. Sam remembered pouting a bit at her mother choosing to laugh at her expense but she couldn't hold it and started to laugh right along with her.
Sam was snapped out of her thoughts though when she saw the rush of people come towards them. Tamara stood next to Sam trying to act as casually as possible. Brooke turned around and the others stopped.
"Tamara, keep it together. I don't want you mouthing off at any of them."
She rolled her eyes. How did Brooke know she'd snap at them?
"Promise me."
"Alright, I promise." The girl said with a hint of annoyance.
Brooke smiled at her sweetly and kissed her cheek to which Tamara responded by dramatically wiping her cheek. Brooke then looked at her daughter and gave her a quick wink, "Alright, let's do this."
The shock of the flashes and questions hit Sam quickly. She latched onto her dad's side and felt him rub her back as they walked.
"MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!" Wes, the security guard yelled, making Sam jump, not expecting him to yell so forcefully.
"Sam, over here!"
FLASH
"Are you and Lucas going to marry soon?
"Have you formally adopted her yet?"
"Samantha!"
FLASH
"Can we call you Sammy? Brooke she's so cute!"
FLASH
FLASH
"Brooke will your little girl go into modeling?"
FLASH
"What's it like to live with a famous fashion designer Sam?"
"Sam answer our questions!"
FLASH
"Do you have time to spend with you daughter Brooke?"
"Who's the girl? Is she a friend?"
Tamara turned to the voice and instantly a flash hit her eyes. She tightened her fists and looked back down.
"How do you manage it all Brooke Davis?"
FLASH
Ugh. Tamara was so happy she wasn't famous else she would've been miserable with all these paparazzi.
Wes then opened the door to the car and Brooke stood to the side and gently guided Sam and Tamara into the car first while Lucas helped ward off some of the photographers. Tamara sat the farthest in, then turned to her friend and could tell she was a bit rattled, but doing her best to act alright. She grabbed Sam's hand and smiled, "Bastards, right?"
Sam chuckled "Yeah."
Brooke came in next, then Lucas.
Sam unlatched her hand from Tamara once she felt Brooke put an arm around her. Sam needn't her mother say anything else. It was nice that her mother offered her comfort, no matter how dumb the reason for needing it was. Her parents always did that, love her up. And really, it was one of her favorite things about having parents. She melted into her mama's side. The mother kissed the top of her head, "Not too bad, I hope?"
"I'll get used to it, I guess." Sam mumbled as her mother's clothing muffled her words.
"Don't listen to a word they say, peanut. Not a word."
"Yes mama." The girl said dutifully. She already knew that, though her mother's validation made her feel a thousand times better.
Brooke gave a light smile and kissed her head once more. "Good girl."
After some time Tamara knudged Sam's side, "Quit being a mama's girl and look outside Sammy."
Sam huffed, "I'm not!" She said indignantly. Sam Walker was most definitely not a mama's girl...right?
Lucas gave Brooke a sly look and shook his head at Sam. The girl reluctantly removed herself from her mother's side, "Shut up T."
"I'm just speaking the truth."
"Whatever." Sam snorted.
"Just look outside dude. It's so cool."
Lucas grabbed Brooke's hand once both girls became distracted and smiled at her. They just knew Sam was going to love New York.
"Holy Shit!" Sam yelled in excitement.
Lucas laughed wholeheartedly at his daughter, while Brooke narrowed her eyes at Sam's language.
"Sam." She warned. But it was like Sam's whole world was focused on the beauty that laid outside. She moved towards the window, getting on top of Tamara in the process,
"T. check this place out!The buildings are HUGE!"
Tamara pushed Sam off her, "Sam, get off me!"
"You know you're excited." She said moving back to see out the window, being mindful of not trying to invade her friend's space too much. Tamara just groaned.
"Fine. I'm excited, but chill. You can't be acting like this when we're out."
Brooke and Lucas were amused by the interaction. Their smile grew when Sam pressed her face against the window, "I see the Empire State Building!"
The driver looked through the rearview window and chuckled. Newbies in New York City were always fun to listen to. But the fact that this particular newbie was Brooke Davis's daughter just made it such a cute sight.
"Alright, Sam. You need to sit back down now kiddo." Brooke grabbed her daughter's waist and pulled her back towards her seat.
Sam was about to move back up but Brooke put her arm out in front of her, "No. Look out the window from here. Put your seatbelt on."
"Moooomm." Sam whined though she knew better than to not do as she was told.
Brooke just wanted her to settle down because Tamara looked annoyed. She was probably anxious about seeing her mother on Wednesday, and Sam's excitability was not helping her nerves.
Lucas peered over, "Champ, we'll go out and explore after we put our things down and relax for a bit. Just sit back, New York's not going anywhere."
Sam smiled, "Yeah, okay. You're right." She looked at her mother, "Are you gonna come with us?"
"I wish." She frowned moving her hand onto Sam's arm, "I have to head to the venue today and make sure everything's in order Sammy."
Sam's shoulders slumped, "Oh yeah. I forgot." She straightened back up at a thought she had, "But tomorrow, right?"
Brooke smiled deeply and patted Sam's thigh, "Yes, tomorrow is for family."
Sam was content with that and leaned into her friend. Tamara adjusted herself so her and Sam could lean on each other for the rest of the ride.
…. …. ….
That same night Rebecca and Brooke had finally finished up their long day and were walking into Rebecca's Manhattan apartment where they were all staying for the trip. Liz was staying in Rebecca's room, while Sam and Tamara took Liz's room, and Lucas and Brooke had the guestroom. It was midnight and Lucas had sent Brooke a text about half an hour ago letting her know that all the kids were put to bed. Normally, he'd let them have their fun, but it had been an early start for all of them that day and he didn't want to deal with tired kids tomorrow. That would only inevitably lead to crankiness on the behalf of at least one child. That child being his own.
The two women walked in and the apartment was quiet. Brooke was taking her coat off while Rebecca stopped and noticed something. Her face melted into a sympathetic smile.
"Brooke." She whispered.
"Yeah?" Brooke turned to her friend, wondering why she was speaking so softly.
Rebecca just pointed to the living area where a teenage girl was sitting on the window sill, looking out. It was Tamara. Brooke gave out a small sigh. She was tired. She wanted nothing more than to kiss her sleeping daughter goodnight then head to bed with Lucas, but Tamara needed her and that took precedent.
"I'll handle it." She told Rebecca. The blonde smiled and said goodnight before heading into her room.
Tamara was so wrapped up in her thoughts as she stared out the window that she didn't hear the hushed exchange, nor the footsteps heading towards her. She jumped when she felt someone touch her shoulder from behind.
"Shit." She put a hand to her heart, "Brooke, you scared me."
Brooke stifled a chuckle and sat down next to her. Tamara fidgeted a bit and looked down at her lap.
Brooke put a hand over hers, "Whatya doin' up bud? It's late."
Tamara looked away and back at the window, "Couldn't sleep."
Brooke nodded, "I hate when that happens." She watched to see if Tamara would react but the girl didn't make a move to look at her. Brooke turned towards the outside as well and started to talk to the sullen girl, "When that happens it's like my mind can't stop running a mile a minute and all I want is for it to stop. To shut up. So I can let the world's worries disappear for at least a few hours."
Tamara looked at Brooke, taken aback by her approach. She'd think Brooke would want to pry, but instead she opened up to her.
She scooted closer to the woman on the rather large windowsill, "I...I feel like that right now, I think." Her throat tightened and she tried to swallow the tears.
"Did you have fun today?"
The girl gave Brooke a momentary glance, "...Sam was happy today."
Brooke smiled at the attempted deflection, "You're right, she was. You weren't?"
The girl shrugged, "It was cool to see central park. The trees looked beautiful and there were so many dogs it was ridiculous. I was trying to be happy. I just, I don't know, I wasn't. Sam and Liz were though."
"Did that bother you?" Brooke asked. Hoping Tamara kept responding to her questions.
"I don't know. I just, well, Sam was happy and I couldn't be no matter how hard I tried because at the end of it all Sam's life is perfect now, and mine is shit."
"T.-" Brooke tried.
"It's true Brooke. I'm here because I'm so desperate for my drug addicted mother. The mom who chose to shoot up heroin over her own fucking daughter, I'm so desperate to just, to just see her. But what if." Tears began to pool down her face, "What if she doesn't want to see me? What if the reason she left Southside was because she was tired of me hunting her down."
Brooke closed the distance between them and gently pushed Tamara into her embrace. She kissed the top of her head.
She couldn't tell her it wasn't true. She couldn't say her mother loved her. She could only comfort her.
"Sweetheart, whatever happens when we go see your mother, know that none of it is your fault. And that you have Camille and me to help you afterward."
"You're sure?"
Brooke grabbed Tamara's shoulders and pulled her up so she could see her face, "Couldn't be more positive."
"But how do you know Camille's always gonna be there for me?" Tamara slowly moved from Brooke's hug and stood up, wiping the tears that had made their way down.
"I could see how worried she was about you coming here."
"You could tell she was worried?"
Brooke smiled at the girl, "Yes, she was. She told me to take care of you and make sure you're okay and be there for you when we visited your mother."
Tamara rolled her eyes, "Well she's crazy. I'm fine." Even though she wouldn't say that Camille actually held her the night before she left to New York.
"Oh, are you now?"
"Well...I guess not so much."
The girl's sleepiness betrayed her and she let out a long yawn.
Brooke stood up and put an arm around the girl, kissing the top of head, "We can't solve life's problems tonight. We can talk about it tomorrow night if you want. Let's get you to bed? I'll go up with you to tuck you in."
The teen squirmed away from the fashionista and gave her an incredulous look, "Brooke I don't need you to do that."
The woman just shook her head, "Alright, calm down. Let's just go up. I wanted to give my sleeping rugrat a kiss anyways."
"Fine." Tamara said with a huff, "But I don't need you to tuck me in, okay?"
Brooke just walked up the stairs leaving Tamara to follow her, "Whatever you say."
Brooke walked in and saw her daughter sound asleep. Sam was curled in tight, her bear held closely to her chest, and her blanket covered her with the tip of it close to her lips. Brooke leaned on the doorframe and let a tired but content smile befall her. She waited for Tamara to move towards the bed then turned off the lights once more. She took off her heels then walked up to her daughter's side and bent down so she was eye level with her daughter. Tamara slipped into the bed and watched the sweet interaction between a sleeping daughter and a doting mother.
Brooke pulled the blanket down a bit so she could brush her thumb on Sam's cheek until the girl's eyes fluttered open.
"Hi little one." Brooke whispered.
The small girl lazily smiled, "Hi mom." She said softly.
"Did you have fun today?" Brooke whispered.
"Yeah, we had fun. I missed you though."The girl mumbled in a sleepy haze.
Brooke tucked some of her daughter's hair behind her ear, "I missed you too, but tomorrow we'll have fun too. I just came in to say goodnight."
Sam nodded and closed her eyes again. Brooke kissed her forehead and lingered there for a moment, "I love you peanut."
"Stay here?" Sam's eyes opened once more and her blue eyes met her mother's. Brooke wondered if all parents felt that their children were the face of innocence when they were sleepy.
"T's here baby. We don't all fit on the bed. I'll see you in the morning, okay?"
Sam couldn't process much so she did what was easiest and snuggled back in and closed her eyes.
Brooke then looked over and saw Tamara look away quickly. The woman walked over.
"What?"
Brooke bent over and kissed the girl's forehead too, "Goodnight sweetheart."
The girl smiled shyly, "Night Brooke."
…. …. ….
The next morning Liz was up before all of the home's inhabitants. She was excited because they were all going to see Wicked together for a matinee, then after that they'd go out to eat then she'd get to introduce Sam and Tamara to some of her friends. It was shaping up to be a great day and Liz wanted an early start. She looked over and saw that her mother was still dead asleep. She sighed. She wanted to go out for a run like she used to when she lived there, but knew that her mom would kill her if she left without letting her know first.
She gently shook her mom's shoulder, "Mom." She whispered, then shook her mother a little more, "Mom. Mommy."
"Hmm. Wha-what?" Her eyes opened, "What time is it? What's wrong bug?"
"It's 6. Nothings wrong. I wanted to let you know that I'm gonna go for a run."
Rebecca groaned, "Lizzie, the sun isn't even out yet. One more hour and then you can go."
Liz, who was on her knees, flopped down onto the bed, "Awww, but mom I'm not tired anymore." She whined.
"I didn't say go back to sleep. I just don't want you out right now."
"Oh." Liz nodded then bent over her mother to give her a kiss, "Thanks mama. Go back to sleep, you look horrible."
Rebecca gave her a solid pop to her bottom.
"Ow!"
"That's for saying I look horrible."
Liz giggled a bit. She decided against getting off the bed and moved to cuddle up against her mother. Rebecca put an arm around her, "I thought you were getting up."
"I like being with you." Liz spoke, her eyes looking at her mother. Rebecca saw the little four year old girl that would stare at her just like that.
"I like it when you're with me too buggyboo. I'm sorry I've been so busy."
Liz just curled in closer to her mother, "Mom you've spent a lot more time with me since we've moved to Tree Hill."
"You think so?"
"Mhm. Thanks for moving us. I felt like I hardly saw you towards the end when we lived here."
Rebecca felt a pang of guilt at her daughter's words and Liz backtracked not wanting to make her mother feel guilty, "But it wasn't your fault. I was so into school and friends, and you had a lot more responsibility 'cause Aunt Brooke was in Tree Hill. It wasn't like we ignored each other on purpose or anything. And I mean we did have Sundays together. You'd hold me and we'd watch tv. That was nice and we still do that sometimes too, so it's still nice."
And with that Rebecca kissed the top of her daughter's head, "It is very nice. You're right." She gave her daughter a squeeze, "I love you bug, do you know that?"
"I love you too." Liz said wrapping her arm around her mother's waist.
She missed crawling into her mother's bed and feeling her comfort. She'd have to find an excuse to sleep with her mother more often.
…. …. …..
It was time for the clan to head to the matinee for Wicked, and Lucas was holding Sam's hand while Tamara and Brooke walked in front of them. Liz moved over and nudged Sam, "Sammy this is gonna be the best show you've ever seen!"
"Liz, this is the first show I've ever seen."
Liz shrugged, "Oh. Well even better then!"
Lucas let go of Sam's hand and let the two get together. He saw as Tamara joined the other girls and then he joined Brooke and Rebecca. He kissed Brooke on the cheek, "Those three are too excited for their own good."
Rebecca and Brooke rolled their eyes good naturedly. All three of the adults were hoping the day went by without a snag. Actually, they were hoping the week would go by without a snag. But all they could do was let it play out, either way it was nice to see all three of the girls so happy.
"OH. MY. GOD. Mama! Dad! That was amazing! The theatre was beautiful. Did you hear that piano? Do you think I could play for broadway shows like that? Or maybe I could have my own solo. Like a professional pianist. That'd be so cool!"
Both Brooke and Lucas felt their heart stop with pride. It was the first time Sam had ever mentioned using her talent for a profession. Brooke wrapped an arm around Sam, "If you really want to, then yes."
The girl's eyes widened, "H-how. How does that happen?"
Lucas grabbed her hand, "School champ. You go to a school for music and the arts. There's actually a really famous one here, called Juilliard."
"I need to add that to my list of things I can do after high school!"
Brooke gave her a squeeze then let her go, as did Lucas.
"We should probably think about getting her a piano teacher again." Brooke told Lucas.
"She's excited right now. Let's bring it up later, see if she still want to."
She leaned in and kissed him as they walked to Carmine's, the Italian restaurant Tamara had chosen to eat at for the day. "You wanna know what I want?" She whispered in his ear.
Lucas chuckled and grabbed Brooke's waist, "I think we might want the same thing. The kids are gone after we eat, and we're going to that event at five? We have plenty of time to...you know."
"Sex?" She whispered sultrily.
He laughed softly, "Yes."
"Hey lovebirds!" Tamara yelled by the restaurant door, "Quit envisioning each other on top of one another and get inside!"
Rebecca smacked the back of Tamara's head, "Hush you."
"Hey!" Tamara said though she laughed. The blush on Lucas did not go by her. She was totally right.
"Shit." Lucas groaned.
Brooke could only roll her eyes, "Come on before more paparazzi come swarming."
…. …. …. ….
It was now Tuesday, making it two days before the big runway show, and the two parents found themselves alone in the bedroom once more. The apartment was empty since Rebecca was at work and the kids were gone with Liz's friends. Of course, not after a stern warning to be back at Rebecca's apartment by 5 pm because tonight was the opening kickoff reception and after talking with their publicists, everyone agreed it would be the best event for Sam to join Brooke. Sam had flat out refused to go to the actual runway show on Thursday because she was not up for all the cameras that would be right up front and personal as she sat and watched mindless women walk down a runway for hours. Brooke was fine with that, and surprisingly even Victoria advocated for Sam to only go to the reception after their publicists pushed back and said Sam's presence at the runway would be a good thing.
But either way, Lucas and Brooke were overjoyed at another moment of being alone, and the first thing they did was shed their clothes.
Lucas had Brooke's arms above her head as he straddled on top of her. He bent his head down and bit her ear, then moved slowly to her lips.
Brooke could only breathe heavily, "Oh God." She breathed out. Lucas smirked as he sat on his knees. "Lift your legs up." He told her. Brooke pulled her legs up and he pulled down her panties. He began to rub her slowly and Brooke bent her legs wider and her hips moved to the motion of Lucas's ever present hand. She felt so helpless and she loved it. She wanted this. She wanted Lucas to take control and Brooke was glad he knew it. Too much of her life required her to be the one in charge.
Lucas kept rubbing her as he moved up to her breast and started to tantalize her nipple with his tongue.
"Lucas." She groaned.
"Yes?" He said as his naked body pressed down onto her. He licked the crevice between her breasts and moved up to her lips. He moved to her ear, "I'm going to fuck you." He whispered.
She grabbed onto the back of his head and wrapped her legs around his waist, "Fuck me Lucas."
The two laid there for a bit after. Brooke's head on Lucas's chest. Lucas could tell something was on Brooke's mind.
"Brooke?"
"Hmmm."
"Babe, what's wrong?"
She sighed, not wanting to be a total mood killer, but knowing that he wouldn't stop asking.
"Luke, do you, do you think Sammy's ready for the reception? There's going to be so much press, and I just don't want her to feel scared and then not tell us about it."
Lucas looked down at Brooke, "She'll be fine babe. She's not the same fragile Sam we started off with. You know that. And we'll make sure to let her know that she can pull me aside so I can take her out for some air or something, but I really think she won't even be bothered to do that. She's having the time of her life."
Brooke nodded into his chest, "I know you're right, but I just, I worry. She seems so happy and I love it, and I don't want to be the reason that she has a breakdown."
"You're a mother, of course you worry. And I'm telling you, she won't. And by the very off chance that she does, you are not to blame. Her past is. Those bastards who hurt her, they're the ones to blame."
Lucas was sure if he ever met one of them, he'd knock them senseless.
"You're an amazing man, Lucas Scott." She moved up and gave him a kiss.
He smiled at the wonderful woman in his arms, "And you're the perfect woman, Brooke Davis."
'Soon to be Scott.' He thought to himself.
…. …. …..
It was six o'clock and Sam now stood with a large pout in front of Brooke, as her mother fussed with her hair, "Mama I think it's fine now." She said her arms defiantly across her chest. Her mother had curled her hair, and it looked wonderful, but these "finishing touches" were taking far too long for the impatient teenager.
Brooke stopped and realized that Sam was probably annoyed with her. The jutting lip on her face making it all the more obvious.
"Alright, alright. Go on and make sure T's actually wearing something appropriate for the event. I bought her some clothes so she shouldn't have an excuse." She gave her daughter a slight wink and embraced her in a quick hug, "You look beautiful." She whispered turning Sam's frown into a small smile. She then let her go, "Sammy, remember if you feel like you need-"
"I know mom. If I feel crazy, find dad and tell him I wanna bust out of there. I'll be fine, really."
Brooke felt her emotions swell as she looked at her daughter. She definitely had flourished significantly in the last eight months. In the sleeveless black dress she even looked a little older. "I'm so proud of you." She told her.
Sam, though, who could not read her mother's thoughts, felt the comment out of left field.
"What? Why?"
Brooke gave a long sigh, "For being you."
Sam chuckled and figured this was one of those moments where parents looked at their kids and felt parenty gushy feelings, like she had always seen in the movies when she was little, and, well, that she experienced now with her mom and dad, "Thanks mama. I'm proud of you too. I have a kickass fashion designer mom to look up to. And that's pretty cool." Her smile grew wider and there was happiness that danced in her eyes. Yes, Sam was happy and Brooke knew it. Her eyes weren't scared anymore. They weren't unsure. That wasn't Sam anymore. This was Sam.
The mother felt a surge of joy but suppressed her feelings for Sam's sake. She didn't think Sam was currently up for a heart to heart,
"I think I'll introduce myself like that. 'Kickass Fashion designer mom.'"
"Victoria would kill you."
"More reason to do it. Make her angry. That's always been my forte anyways." She shook her head and brought herself back to the task at hand, "Anyways, get going kiddo, go check on T. We'll be out in twenty minutes, okay?"
Sam nodded and made her way to the room where she and Tamara were staying and Brooke watched her off, 'My little trooper.' She thought to herself.
…. ….. ….
"I hate this stupid dress." Tamara pulled the dress down awkwardly as they walked into the venue. Sam was comfortable enough in her dress, though it was weird to look at her reflection because she had never been so done up before. Liz had snapped many pictures of both girls before they left. Unlike them, she was headed out to stay with a friend for the night.
"It looks fine, Tamara. You both look gorgeous." Brooke quipped. Lucas quickly looked at Brooke when he heard her say the word gorgeous, "Will there be boys at this?" He was naturally protective of Sam, and Tamara had become more and more a part of his family so he was inclined to protect her as well. The more he saw her in her vulnerable moments, and especially when he saw what that shitty boyfriend did to her, he felt he needed to protect her when he could as well.
Brooke looked at the girls and shook her head at what she knew was coming, "Yes Lucas, our male models."
"You two are not allowed to talk to any of them." He said pointing at them.
Tamara smirked, "You don't have to worry about Sam, she has Jack."
"Hey!" Sam squealed.
The older teen shrugged, "What? It's true. And I can flirt with whoever I want, then deny them anything else."
Sam laughed, "I'm sticking with you."
"You're sticking with me." Lucas muttered, though more to himself.
Sam looked at her friend and they both grinned at Lucas's obvious torture, "Nah, Tamara sounds like the better deal. Her dress will probably attract more guys than your pants dad."
Lucas groaned and felt Brooke grab his hand, "Calm down poppa bear. They're messing with you."
But Lucas knew his eyes would definitely have to be peeled at this damned reception.
The doors to the reception opened and the press instantly swarmed the group. They were briefed about what would happen by Rose, Brooke's publicist. But Sam had to take a moment to remember to breathe and relax. It would be okay. Her dad was next to her, and so was her best friend. Oh yeah, and the woman walking slightly ahead of them was her kickass fashion designer mom. She was safe. She quickly regrouped and came back to her senses as she followed her father's footsteps.
Her and Tamara were taken into the back by Wes, while her father and mother stayed out to greet funders, celebrities, and others. "Alright you two. Chill here until Brooke goes on stage and thanks everyone then calls you out Sam. Tamara I was told you could step out with her."
"Uh, yeah, I'd rather not."
Wes nodded, "Okay, well then you stay here and wait until Brooke finishes talking and then afterwards you both can go out and mingle if you'd like."
They both nodded and decided to feast on some of the food that was left out in the back. But, unfortunately, Sam had done something to make Tamara laugh and the juice that was in her mouth squirted out and some fell onto the white trim at the bottom of Sam's dress.
"Shit!" They yelled simultaneously.
Tamara grabbed a napkin and wet it with water. She bent down and started dabbing the stain but it only made it worse.
"T. stop! It's making it worse!" Sam felt herself panic. She was going to look like such a fool with a purple stain on her dress. Worse though was the fact that all these cameras would be there, and all she really wanted was to make a good impression for her mom. She knew her mom wouldn't care, but come on, could she not be trusted to take care of herself and her clothes? Ugh.
"What's going on?" Came a poised and regal voice.
Shit. Sam knew that voice well. Tamara stopped dabbing and Sam looked up.
"Are you both deaf?" Victoria asked, her hands on her hips, "What's going on?"
Sam moved from behind Tamara, "I, umm, we…." She pointed down at the stain. She wasn't sure how Victoria would react or if she'd call her a 'stupid girl' or something. That's what she heard her call her mom once anyway.
"What the hell is that?" Victoria asked as she walked closer. That was a Brooke Davis original this girl was wearing, and it looked ruined!
"Grape juice." Tamara said standing closer to her friend, "I spilled it on her. It's my fault."
Sam looked at Tamara then back at Victoria, "Well I made her laugh and she spit it out."
Victoria shook her head. They didn't have time for this. She motioned for Sam, "You come with me." Then she pointed to a chair, "And vagabond friend sit on the chair."
Tamara muttered the word bitch to which Victoria responded with a, "Yes, I am. Now do as I say." Then latched onto Sam and took her into a makeshift dressing room in another hall of the backroom.
Victoria looked through a rack of clothes and quickly chose on a dark blue dress.
"Take your shoes off first then the dress. I don't want you stepping on it with the shoes by accident." She ordered easily to Sam. Sam sighed and did as she was told. Great. This was the first time she saw her grandmother since coming to New York, and the woman hadn't even greeted her, just dragged her to some room and was ordering her around. She had to remind herself that this was not Karen, this was Bitchtoria.
But what Sam didn't know was that Victoria had slipped out of the reception and went to the back room to see Sam. To greet her. But Victoria, being the ever businesswoman saw a problem and knew she had to take care of that first, especially because they were on in a few minutes, and her granddaughter would not look like some dirty child up there.
"Can you help with the zipper?" Sam asked her.
Victoria wordlessly turned the girl around and unzipped it, sliding it off the girls shoulders. Sam stood in her bra and panties as Victoria folded the stained dress and took the new one off the hanger. The woman slipped on the new dress then zipped it up for her as well.
"There." She said and Sam thought she saw a smile, "A true Davis."
Sam looked up at her grandmother's face, "Thank you."
Victoria finally gave in and gave her a full smile, "You're welcome."
She was about to leave but Sam grabbed her arm, "Wait."
"Yes?"
"Hi Victoria." She grinned.
Victoria opened the door of the room and led Sam out, "Hello Samantha."
They both walked back out and Tamara sat up in the chair, "See, no biggie."
Sam sat next to her, "I'm never making you laugh again."
"No more drinks." Victoria warned them with a wag of her finger, "I have to go back out there. I'm presenting your mother. Samantha, it's nice to see you. I'm glad you're here. Vagabond friend-"
"It's Tamara."
Victoria blinked twice. Wholly, unimpressed. "Right. Whatever. I don't know why you're here but hello to you too."
If she was Sam's friend, then she figured she should make an effort.
With that Victoria walked back out.
"She's so weird." Tamara commented as they watched her go. Sam shrugged, "She's nice...in her own way, I guess."
Sam heard Victoria's voice come on, then her mother's. She knew her cue was up soon.
"Nervous?"
Sam wrung her hands, "Can you tell?"
"You just have to smile and wave. Take a few pictures, answer some questions, then we can flirt with guys." She gave her nervous friend a small push, "Or I can flirt and you can think about Jack."
Sam allowed herself to laugh a bit.
"Come on, you gotta get up Sam." Tamara told her.
Sam stood up and waited by the curtain that led to the stage of the reception area.
"As you all know by now, unless you live under a rock, my daughter has recently come back into the lives of her father and I. Well, it's not so recent because it'll be eight months in three days. I've talked about her plenty in interviews and such, and you've all seen her in photos, but I'd like to finally formally introduce her to my world, the fashion world. So Sammy, sweetheart, can you please come out?" Brooke turned to the curtain.
Sam took a deep breath and opened the curtain to the other side and grabbed onto her mother's extended hand. Her mother gave her a quizzical look as she noticed the change of clothing, but schooled her features quickly then gave her a deep smile and turned back around. All the flashes going on were so blinding to Sam, but she found her dad in the crowd and focused on him. He was smiling at her. Brooke waited a few moments, "So we both agreed we'd take a few questions before we go back to the reception and the networking. So who'd like to go first?"
The hands raised up immediately. It was weird to Sam. All these people wanted to know about her. 'Let's hope this ends quickly.' She thought.
…. …. ….
The reception went wonderfully. Sam had answered some questions and when Brooke noticed Sam holding onto the back fabric of her dress, she decided that was enough and let Sam off to be with Tamara and explore. She herself finished it off then got off and mingled with the guests alongside Lucas. After the event, Victoria approached Sam and let her know that she'd pick her up at 10 am sharp the next morning.
The headlines the next morning in the celeb world was about Brooke, Sam, and Lucas. The new "it" family of the fashion world apparently. Perfect publicity for her runway show on Thursday. Everything was ready for it, and as tradition held, Brooke got the day before the big event off, but unlike before, where she spent that day at a Spa, Brooke would be spending it with a certain teenager to see said teenager's mother. Meanwhile her daughter would be spending it with Victoria.
'Let me just get through this day.' Brooke prayed silently the moment she woke up. She hoped it didn't end with more stress. She turned over and instantly felt at peace. Lucas, who was still asleep, had an arm wrapped around an equally sleeping Sam, and another arm holding their daughter's precious bear.
Sam and Tamara were taken home before Brooke and Lucas from the reception. The parents got home around 1 in the morning and Sam had crawled into bed with them around 1:30 am.
"Champ?" Lucas asked scruffily as he saw their daughter make her way in slowly.
"What's wrong?" Brooke asked right after Lucas, "Did you have a nightmare?"
Sam shook her head, "No, I think T.'s nervous about tomorrow because she keeps moving like crazy and waking me up. Can I sleep in here?" She swiped at her eyes and dragged her blanket, while holding onto Barry the bear.
Brooke eased up, now that she knew there was nothing wrong with her, "Sure, hop on."
Sam crawled over her mother and got comfortable between them. Brooke leaned over and kissed Sam, "Goodnight sweetie. I'm gonna check on Tamara. I'll be back."
"Night mama."
Brooke got up from the bed and Lucas turned over and pulled Sam into him, "You did great tonight kiddo."
"Thanks daddy." Sam whispered.
When Brooke came back to the room ten minutes later both were sound asleep. Her little one wrapped up comfortably in Lucas's embrace. She shook her head and smiled. Lucas always capitalized on all his chances to cuddle with their girl. And almost every time she slept in their bed Sam would end up in his arms for the night. They both were such big softies. Her big softies.
And Brooke loved the two people in her bed. The strong man who kept her together, and the little hellion that kept her on her toes. They were both the reason she got up in the morning and that made her the happiest woman alive.
When Brooke went downstairs that morning she was not too surprised to see Tamara already waiting for her. They had made an early appointment to see her mother at the rehab center at Tamara's request and her restless sleep the night before was just a sign of how anxious she was.
"Morning sweetheart." Brooke told the girl who had a mouthful of cereal in her mouth.
"Morning" Tamara said in between chews.
Tamara swallowed her cereal then moved to put the bowl in the sink while Brooke eyed her carefully as she nursed her own coffee.
"You tell me when, and we'll go." She told the nervous girl in front of her.
"You know it's been a year since I've gotten to see or talk to her. I'm gonna do both today." The girl's knee was bouncing up and down. Brooke moved to sit next to her and put a hand on her knee. Tamara looked and let a slight blush overcome her when she realized her nervousness was noticeable.
"What're you thinking?"
"I'm just trying not to get my hopes up."
Brooke frowned. Why couldn't she get her hopes up? It was her damn mother for God's sake! Why did Tamara have to be so unlucky to the point that the very thought of her mother drove her to cling to Brooke for ten minutes straight in the middle of the night?
"I'll be right there for you afterwards. And Camille wants you to call her tonight to talk about it with her."
"Great." She muttered sarcastically.
Brooke stood up to put her cup in the sink.
"We should probs get going." The girl said grabbing her messenger bag on the floor next to her.
Brooke gave her a reassuring smile, "Let me grab my things."
… … ….
Tamara was pacing the waiting room so much that it was making Brooke nervous!
"T. do you wanna come sit down?"
Tamara stopped and looked at Brooke, "No."
Brooke nodded dumbly. I mean, what else could she tell the girl? If it were Sam. Well, that would never be Sam, because Sam had Brooke. She had her mother. Her mama.
The woman sighed for the girl in front of her. She was sighing a lot for Tamara lately.
"I'm gonna use the restroom." Tamara mumbled.
The door opened and both Brooke and her looked over, "Tamara, your mother's ready."
"Are you going to use the bathroom first?" Brooke asked first.
Tamara looked at Brooke strangely, then remembered she had just said that, "No, I don't need to anymore."
Brooke didn't miss a beat, "Do you want me in there? Or out here?"
Tamara looked at the woman at the door, who would surely lead her to see the woman who had abandoned her. Left her.
"Can you please come?" Tamara said in a whisper. Brooke stood up and grabbed her hand. They walked into a room with two couches, a seat by the door and a painting of a calm blue ocean spanned the width of one of the walls. There were no windows, but it didn't feel suffocating. Tamara saw her mother sitting on one of the couches, staring back at her, and she froze. She let go of Brooke's hand after a moment and walked closer in. Brooke took a seat by the door. She wouldn't intrude if she didn't have too.
Her mother looked...she looked well. Well for a drug addict. She had gained some weight. Her arms were covered by a long sweater so she didn't know if those nasty bruises were still there, but her hair wasn't as thin as the last time she had seen her, and her eyes weren't that sunken in.
She stood near and in front of her mother, "H-hi."
"Tamara." The woman said. She remembered the things she had told her daughter the last time. They weren't pretty. Tamara had snatched the drugs out of her hands and yelled at her to get clean. She remembered. The face her daughter held now. It was a face of caution and uncertainty. The girl was ready for the other shoe to drop. For yells to come. For kicks and blows. She was ready for the worst, but hoping for the best. Hoping her mother would embrace her.
The woman patted the seat next to her, "You can sit, if you'd like."
Tamara did so. She thought she was ready to blow up at her mother. That's what she wanted to do. She even imagined the questions she'd ask, all the things she'd throw in her face. Tamara wanted to make her mother feel guilty, at least that's what she thought. Now, though. Seeing her, now she just wanted to look at her. Remember her like this. She looked
"nice."
"What?" The woman said.
"You look nice...mom." Tamara said and the woman felt her throat catch. It had been a long time since her daughter had seen her well. It had been a long time since her daughter had seen her at all, but it had probably been years since Tamara had seen in her in a right state of mind. She knew she could no longer be this girl's mother. Too much had happened, and so much more was happening in the woman's life.
"Thank you." She put a hand on Tamara's and squeezed it, "You've gotten so big and beautiful Tamara. You've really grown into your own."
Tamara smiled shyly and looked down, "You, umm, you left Tree Hill."
The woman looked at the hand she was holding, knowing that what she would say next would probably hurt the girl, "I met someone. His name is Ron."
A scowl hit Tamara's once timid countenance, "Where did you meet him? At some crack house?"
Tamara felt her old feelings come back and she snatched her hand away from her mothers.
The woman took a deep breath, "No Tamara. I was at a diner that he came into and he asked me if I was okay. I felt horrible at the time and he just, well he just started talking to me. He didn't judge me, or treat me like a drug addict. He, um, he took me to church. I think God's the one that helped me get out of that black hole I was in for so long. The hole I dragged you down in with me. Ron was helping me quit and he's originally from New York. We came up when he got a job opportunity and I decided to finish my drug rehabilitation here."
Tamara's head snapped up, but her head was also swimming. "Did you even think about me when you left?"
"Tamara-" She said with a sigh.
"No, answer the question. Did you?" Okay, Tamara was feeling angry again. That was a familiar feeling. She knew how to control that. She knew how to manipulate and hurt people with her anger. She had control now. But sadness? Neglect? She hated those. She wanted to bottle those because that meant she had no control. That meant her mother would win.
"I, T, baby-"
"I'm not your baby!"
The woman seemed smaller now. She took a deep breath. Her hand wasn't holding Tamara's anymore. The girl, I mean, her daughter, must've snatched it away at some point.
"Tamara, you're not mine anymore. I had to think about how to get better. I was dying Tamara. It was killing me. And I thought about going back and finding you after I got better."
"And you didn't think about all that time of me not knowing where you were? How that would make me feel?"
The woman's eyes filled with tears.
"It's been so long. I was just used to it. Not seeing you."
"Not thinking about me, right? You never thought about me."
"Of course I did, Tamara."
"NO!" Oh no, this wasn't anger. This was a whole new level of pain that Tamara was feeling. "You never thought about me. Not when you were getting your fucking little fixes when I was six and seven years old. You left me! You let them take me away from you. I told you to get better! I told you so many times! Why did it have to take some man!? Some stupid idea about a God in heaven that could fix everything. Why couldn't I be enough for you to change? Your daughter?! Why wasn't I enough?!"
Tamara stood and walked towards the wall. Brooke stood up and was going to walk towards her.
"No Brooke." The girl said with enough conviction to make Brooke stand back . Tamara's mother stood and looked at Brooke, then at her daughter. She cautiously walked closer, "Tamara. I am not a good mother. I never was. I failed you in the most horrible way possible. I don't know what to tell you but the truth. I don't think I'm going back to Tree Hill. I need a change. This is what's best for me. I hope that you and I can build a relationship now. Maybe just talk. I can take you to church."
"I'm not going to fucking church with you! You want to pretend that all the shit that happened just didn't."
"I'm not pretending Tamara! I'm admitting that I was wrong. That you didn't deserve that. And that most of all, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Tamara."
Tamara hadn't realized that she was crying until there were tears hanging off her chin and falling freely to the floor. She wiped her face, "You'll never be a good mother to me. Never."
"Can you ever forgive me T?" The woman spoke softly, "I want to start over with you. At least be able to talk to you."
"I was the one that took the initiative to come here, and now you're pretending to want something with me, after all the times I wanted you in my life and you just pushed me away."
"I wanted to see you, I did. But I didn't want you to see me, yet again, strung out. I wanted to go when I was ready, after my rehab."
"Always on your own time, right? Because you're selfish Lola." That stung. Tamara never called her by her first name. It was always 'mom.' Even when she was furious with her. It was still 'mom.'
Lola sat down once more. She didn't know how to fix this.
She looked at the strange woman eyeing Tamara by the door, "Who are you?" She asked while her daughter stared in defiance at her.
Tamara looked over to Brooke when the question was asked. She had forgotten that she was there.
"I'm Brooke Davis. Samantha Walker's mother."
Lola studied her. Realizing that the woman in front of her was in fact, that little girl's mother. The girl that would follow Tamara around everywhere when they were younger. She remembered that blue eyed girl pulling Tamara off her once saying they had to go back to the group home soon.
"You're her actual mother, aren't you? Not her foster mother? She looks just like you, except the eyes."
"I am." Brooke spoke in a hushed tone. She wanted the woman to keep talking to her daughter, not to her.
"She's an actual mother, unlike you." Tamara bit at the woman.
Lola sighed and looked back to her daughter, "Tell me what to do to make this better Tamara. I want to at least try."
Tamara said nothing. She wished her mother had the instincts that Brooke had. That Camille had. They knew when to hug her, scold her, leave her alone, talk to her. Well, she figured her mother was talking to her. And that was a start, right?
She looked at the clock. Their fifteen minutes were almost up. The place was strict about visitation. They had warned them when they made the appointment.
"You're staying in New York, aren't you? With Ron and your precious God?"
Lola looked away and at her hands, "You can come visit as much as you'd like." She stood up and took a piece of paper out of her pocket. Tamara watched as she got closer and put the paper in her hands, "This is my address here, and my phone number as well. It's a cell phone. I don't have it now, but when I'm out next month, I will."
The girl looked at the paper.
"Please take it." Her mother almost begged. So, she did. She slipped it in her pocket.
"I'm in a good home now." Tamara said after a long moment of staring at the floor and her mother staring intently at her.
Lola looked at her with tears in her eyes, "I'm glad T."
"Yeah, Camille, that's my foster mother's name. She really cares about me. She even said she loved me before I came here. She, um, she was worried about how meeting you would affect me and shit like that because that's what a mother does. They worry about their kids. Brooke." She pointed to her, "She held me last night too, and that was pretty cool. I guess good moms do that too. They hold their kids. She does that with Sam a lot. She holds her. Camille did that with me the night before I came here too. It was something you hardly ever did."
Lola let tears fall down her face. She deserved it. She deserved to hear those things. She had been shitty to her daughter her whole life.
Tamara looked at her mother's eyes and saw a lot of regret. Tamara understood drug addiction. But it still hurt. It hurt that she wasn't enough for her mother to stop. She slowly pulled out a tissue that was in her jean pocket, "Here."
Lola took it.
"I don't know if you'll ever be like Camille or Brooke, but...you're still my mom, I guess. Not a good one. Not like Camille or Brooke, but that's who you are, my mom."
And before Tamra could think, Lola embraced her. Her skinny frame engulfing Tamara. The girl was limp at first, but she finally hugged her mother back. Both had tears down their face, but Tamara was able to keep it together. She pulled back first then walked towards the door. She turned to look at her mom before leaving again.
"I love you Tamara." Lola said.
Tamara only nodded, "I, um," She cleared her throat, "I love you too." Her voice cracked, "Bye mom."
"Will you call me?"
Tamara swallowed and nodded, "Y-yeah. I'll have to ask Camille if it's okay, but I think she'll say yes."
Tamara walked out and Brooke turned to the woman. She looked heartbroken.
"Don't you dare judge me for my decisions." She told Brooke.
"I'm not Lola. I'm begging you though, don't let her go. Keep trying. She wants you to keep trying. "
The woman looked at Brooke with wonder in her eyes. "I-I will."
Brooke nodded a goodbye.
She got into the car and slipped in next to Tamara.
"Don't ask me anything Brooke. I don't wanna talk."
Brooke sighed, but nodded.
"Where to Ms. Davis?" The driver asked.
Brooke thought for a moment, "Central Park." Tamara needed time to think and Brooke would give her that, what better place then the park?
….. ….. …..
Sam was currently sitting where all the models were who were preparing for the next day. She was waiting Victoria to finish something up. The models were nice enough to her. They all commented on how cute she was. And Sam could only roll her eyes. Seriously, was she five? But she just smiled. Honestly though, these women were beautiful...and tall. Sam looked like a shrimp compared to them.
They also kept asking her questions about Brooke and they wanted to take pictures with her and post it on their Instagrams. Sam did so. She figured they were nice enough. She saw the captions they wrote along the lines of "Hanging with the Boss's kid." and "Cutest teen ever." She was so not used to this attention, but didn't complain. It was just...different.
Victoria walked towards where she had left Sam, "Samantha, come now. Let's go."
Sam said bye to the models and followed Victoria's lead.
"Where are we going now?"
"My favorite tourist attraction."
Sam's eyes widened, "What is it?"
"The Museum of Modern Art."
"I guess I should've called that."
Victoria looked at her amused, "And what about me, makes you think I would like it?"
Sam shrugged, "You're, you know..stuffy. Like a museum."
Victoria's eyes narrowed, "I'm stuffy?"
Sam swallowed, maybe that wasn't the best adjective to use on her. "Well, umm...that's what I've heard."
Victoria scoffed, "You're a horrid liar, Samantha. I'd stick with the truth next time. Stick by your words and never detract from them."
As they were walking to the car a homeless man was sitting and Victoria only rolled her eyes at him. Sam stopped though. She knew what being discarded felt like. She didn't care if Victoria kept walking, she'd catch up.
"Hi sir." She told the man whose hands were dirty from soot and clothes had holes all over the place.
"Hello, pretty girl."
"How are you?"
"I'm doin' alright kid."
Sam pulled out what she had in her pocket, "I only have ten dollars in my pocket. I know that's not enough, or much at all. I'm sorry."
"Oh, sweetheart. You said hello to me." He told her with a toothy smile, "If people don't ignore me, they just throw some change in here. You noticed me sweet thing. You're talking to me. I can see it in that face. There's no pity. You see me. I don't need your money. That was enough for me."
Sam gave him a wide grin, "Well everyone deserves respect, right?" She put the ten dollars in his cup, "Take it anyway."
Victoria turned and saw that her granddaughter was not beside her.
She turned around, "Samantha?"
She looked past the walking passer bys and noticed her talking to that homeless man she had ignored. Victoria huffed and stalked over, "Young lady."
Sam heard that steely voice again after she put the money in the man's cup.
Victoria looked at the man, "What did you take from her?"
Sam looked at her incredulously, "I gave it to him."
"No, he's begging for it. Your bleeding heart fell for it. Just like your mother."
The man took the ten dollars out and handed it back to Sam. He didn't say anything. He didn't argue. He knew he was seen as a beggar to people like Victoria.
"Take it baby." He told her.
Sam narrowed her eyes at Victoria and pushed his hand back towards him, "Keep it. It was never mine to begin with. My mom gave it to me and I'm sure her bleeding heart would want you to keep it too. Bye sir."
With that she walked off towards their car. Leaving Victoria behind.
"Samantha do not walk away from me like that again." She told the girl as she got inside the car and told the driver to go to the MoMA, "I don't take well to defiance."
"Why were you so mean to him?" Sam asked the woman.
"Because he was using you."
Sam scoffed, "He didn't want my money, you know. But I gave it to him anyways. So you're wrong. And I don't care if I have a bleeding heart or whatever."
God, it was like Victoria was talking to an eleven year old Brooke. She could've sworn she had this conversation with her daughter at that age.
The woman took a deep breath, "I'm not going to argue with you."
"Then don't." Sam snapped.
Victoria raised her eyebrow, "Then stop the attitude."
"I don't have an attitude."
The ride was dead silent after that until Sam spoke up again, "I know what it's like."
She waited for Victoria to look at her, "To feel like him. Like trash. Like no one loves you. Nobody deserves that."
Victoria blinked a couple times and opened her mouth, then closed it. What could she tell her?
Luckily, the driver stopped, "We're here." Victoria simply said, "Come on, let's go."
Sam got off with a sigh and hoped the museum wasn't, you know, stuffy.
Sam now sat confused as they stared at a random abstract painting. They had actually been sitting there for what seemed like forever, and Victoria hadn't said a word.
"So, is this, umm, special to you or something?"
Victoria took a deep breath. "I took your mother here when she was ten years old."
Sam's eyes lit up in curiosity, "You took mama here? You guys were actually civil with one another?"
Victoria lightly laughed, "It's one of the few good memories together, actually."
"Now you gotta tell me the rest of it." Sam moved closer to her.
Victoria thought back, "Well we were staring at this painting, sitting on this bench, and your mother, well, I just remember her getting closer to me and grabbing my hand and squeezing it. She leaned over and put her head on my lap and thanked me for bringing her here. She had been begging to come here for so long I gave in just to shut her up. Besides, her father and I were fighting incessantly at the time, and contrary to what your mother says, I have a heart, and I felt like making it up to her in some way."
Sam could see how content Victoria was when thinking back to that. "You really love mom, don't you?"
Victoria turned to look at her granddaughter, "I'm her mother. Of course I do."
Sam picked at some fuzz on her sweater before looking back at her, "So why don't you show it?"
Victoria felt her walls coming back up, "I'm not talking to a child about this."
Sam scoffed, "Fine. But you know I'm right."
"You know nothing."
Sam crossed her arms, "I'm not stupid."
Victoria looked at little mini Brooke. She rolled her eyes, "People show love in different ways."
She stood up, "Come on there's much to see." Sam stood up and followed Victoria. When they finally finished, Sam looked over to the woman, "Thanks for bringing me here. I can tell it means a lot to you. And it wasn't boring."
"I'm glad you liked it."
"I hope you enjoyed today too, Victoria."
The woman looked ahead, "Art makes any day better."
Sam wasn't sure if that was an insult to her or not, but she shrugged it off. Whatever.
"Well, let's get you back to Rebecca's I have a meeting in an hour or so."
Once back in the car Sam looked over, "Victoria?"
Victoria sighed. This girl was full of questions, "Yes, Samantha. What?"
"Today was pretty nice, even though you're a jerk to homeless people and to the people you work for, you're pretty nice to me, and well you're my grandmother."
"I'm Victoria. I am NOT a grandmother."
Sam just laughed, "Well technically you are, but whatever you say Victoria."
"Are you done talking?" She asked, "Because I have a phone call to make."
Sam shrugged, "I just wanted to say thank you. Not just for the museum, but for the brunch and taking time to be with me, and I know that my mom probably forced you to do this, even though I told her not to, but thanks for agreeing anyway."
Victoria sighed. Brooke had called her. She just, she didn't know how to be a mother or a grandmother. Not a good one at least. But she did love the girl.
When the car stopped Sam waited for Victoria to say something, anything, but the woman was just looking at her phone. The teen sighed and was making her way out when Victoria stopped her."Hold on."
Sam did so and looked at her grandmother with a glimmer of expectant hope.
"Like I said before Samantha, you are a Davis. Even if your mother mistakenly marries your father. You will always be a Davis." She lifted her sunglasses and gave her a small wink, "Got it?"
The girl smiled, "Got it." Sam quickly went in and kissed Victoria on the cheek. Victoria was stunned and so she said nothing even as Sam closed the door and left. Her granddaughter had given her a goodbye kiss and she loved it. Oh God. She was going soft.
…. ….. …..
The night had been quiet for all involved. Tamara was really subdued after her meeting with her mother. She had talked to Camille about it, and she was glad Broke didn't push her to talk about it. Her and Sam talked about it that night too. Tamara had never felt what a family support system was, but she was sure that this was it. But she wasn't really one to dwell on her problems anyway, though she really did feel like raising hell. She'd keep it in until she got to Tree Hill to find a party to go to. Sam, on the other hand, had gotten home at around five and spent the rest of the day looking outside of the porch of the apartment and reading. Her dad found her there and coaxed her back in to watch a movie with him before he had to leave to meet Brooke. Soon enough both Tamara and Liz joined the daughter and father. By nine Lucas was gone and the girls all called it an early night. The next morning, all the adults were scrambling. It was the big day and they were all a part of it. Each of the girls got a stern warning to be good and watch out for one another since photographers would be surely looking. They were also told to be home by 7pm, no excuses and that they'd call the landline to be sure.
At around midday the girls were on their way to one of Liz's friends house on the upper east side.
"Shit, Liz. We thought you were rich, where the hell are we? God's neighborhood?" Tamara asked making Sam chuckle.
Liz just pulled them along, "Shut up T. It's the upper east side. My friend Ronnie lives here. You guys are gonna love her."
Sam and Tamara had to both admit that they felt a little uncomfortable walking such fancy streets especially because they were completely underdressed. They should've taken the cue when they saw Liz dressed up in a red pea coat that went to her midthigh, a midnight blue skirt and black short sleeve shirt that she tucked in. Both girls poked fun at her for looking like she came straight out of Gossip Girl, but now they understood why. Meanwhile they were both in skinny jeans, a t shirt, and old chucks. Tamara had a hoodie thrown over, and Sam had an old army jacket that Jack had given her. To be fair, Liz had told them that they should probably change, but Tamara didn't have nice clothes anyway besides that dress Brooke bought her, and Sam would never wear the fancy clothes she brought unless it was for some occasion her mom or dad said was necessary, because she knew then that her mama would probably change her into the clothes herself if she didn't comply.
The girls stopped at an apartment building that Sam and Tamara would've never thought they'd step foot in a few months ago.
Liz talked to the front desk, "I'm here to see the Churchshires."
"To see their daughter, I presume?" He asked and Liz nodded.
The man then looked Sam and Tamara up and down with disdain, "Are those two with you?"
"Bite me, old man." Tamara shot at him, "Yeah we're with her. So shut your judgemental ass up."
"Tamara!" Sam groaned as she pulled at her arm to calm down. "She didn't mean that." Sam added.
"Of course she didn't." He said with narrowed eyes. "I'll have my eye on you."
"Go ahead. You're so old you probably can't see me anyway."
"Sir, as respectfully as I could possibly be, why are you such a jerk?" Sam added because we don't look fancy? What if one of your tenant's kids came dressed like this?"
"Well you're not one of my tenant's kids."
Sam was about to open her mouth when Liz stopped the impending argument, "Can you just call? Ronni's waiting."
She turned to her friends, "Chill." She warned them both.
"Fine." He huffed, still staring angrily at Tamara and Sam. He called for approval then let them up.
"I already hate this place." Tamara muttered.
"He's just an old pretentious ass. Forget about him." Liz told her.
"Yeah well, all I'm saying is Sam is Brooke's daughter. If that man knew that he wouldn't have acted that way."
Sam just sighed and leaned on the elevator. She knew that too, and it sucked how much a title could change the way people viewed you. They waited for the elevator, and after a few moments it dinged and the doors opened.
Tamara and Sam were greeted with a face full of long lost reunion.
Ronnie and Liz embraced and squealed like they hadn't seen each other in years. The girl had long bond hair that perfectly curled in all the right places and framed her face and her eyes were green. She was the same height as Liz, and she was also dressed up even if she was in her own home.
"Ronnie, this is Sam and Tamara." Liz said once she let go.
Ronnie gave them a kind smile, "Hey guys."
"Hi"
"Hey"
Came both their responses.
"So what's the plan Ronnie?" Liz asked as she went into the kitchen, happy to see that things looked exactly the same as before she left to Tree Hill.
"Well we can hang around the East Side for now, but there's a party at the club 9 Dash 10 tonight."
Tamara heard the word party and was instantly interested though she tried not to show it. She knew they had a ridiculous curfew of 7 pm. Sam and Liz looked at each other uncomfortably. Both too embarrassed to say they couldn't go, but then Liz found an out.
"Isn't that 21 and up? You're the only one with a fake Ron."
Ronnie looked at Tamara, "Really? It looks like you'd have one, at least."
Tamara scoffed, "You don't really need one where I'm from."
Ronnie shrugged, "It doesn't matter. We can all still get in."
"How?" Sam asked.
The smile on the girl's face widened, "You're Brooke Davis's daughter. You're headline news. Clubs want famous people and the kids of famous people at their clubs so they can post about them and make them more famous."
Sam looked at her skeptically, "Everyone knows I'm 14 though."
The girl shrugged, "You're obviously not from around here. Clubs don't care about your age if you're famous, and unless your mommy called every club and forbid you into it, then you'll be fine. We'll just all dress up to look a little older, and we'll say we're all with you. It'll work out. I've done it before. And if it doesn't then we just leave, that's it."
Liz bit her lip. And figured that since this was her friend she should be the one to calm her down. "Look Ron, the thing is we gotta be home at 7 tonight."
"That's fine. The party won't start until 10pm. You can just leave a little before that. Liz you know that these modeling show things go until like 2 am. So come on, are you guys up for some actual New York City fun?"
Tamara was the first to agree, "I'm down."
"I knew you'd be." Ronnie said.
Sam spun around to her friend, "T. Are you serious?"
"You don't have to go Sam." She pointed out.
"Yes she does." Ronnie pressed, "She's the celebrity's kid. We need her to get in."
Liz narrowed her eyes, "You're not gonna use her."
"I'm not saying that." She shot back, "I'm just saying if we want to go, then she has to be there."
"Look, Sam doesn't wanna go, so we'll just drop-"
"Hey! Come on. I'm right here. Let me decide." Sam interjected.
They all turned to look at her and Sam squirmed a bit as she weighed her options. She bit her lip. They'd be leaving the city tomorrow afternoon. They'd done all the touristy things, been to really cool restaurants, even went to see Wicked, a party seemed like it would make a perfect ending to an amazing trip. And what was the worse thing that could happen? Their parents already told them they'd be gone until late into the night.
"If we leave at 12:30 the latest."She finally said.
Ronnie shrugged, "Look, once we're in. We're in. You can leave whenever you want."
The girls all looked at each other and nodded. They suddenly all became giddy. This was going to be a lot of fun.
…. …. ….
Brooke felt a tremendous amount of relief. She was at the easy part of the week now. The fashion show was a huge success. They had already called the kids twice and they were home. Now it was time to make appearances at the after parties and then after all that she could head home to see her kid. The week had exhausted her and she couldn't wait until tomorrow when they could leave to quiet Tree Hill.
Brooke and Lucas were sitting on some couches. They had been offered plenty to drink, but only drank very little. They needed to be sober when they got back to the apartment. Brooke moved to sit on Lucas's lap, "I'm so glad you were with me."
He smiled, "I love you and I loved being you boy toy accessory for the week."
"But you're mine forever Lucas." She said with a wink.
"I'm sure the celebrity world is just blowing up about us." He chuckled, "Who knew Brooke Davis and Lucas Scott, two Tree Hill Ravens would take on New York with their 14 year old kid in tow."
"I don't know but I'm glad it happened that way." She told him.
Brooke was eventually pulled away and she reluctantly left her man. Lucas was only there on the couch a few more moments when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He sighed and took it out. The caller id read 'Sammy.'
He knew it was midnight and he wondered why Sam would be calling him now.
"Hey Champ."
He heard so much noise in the background. Club music. He felt his heart sink. His daughter was definitely not safe in bed.
"Hello? HELLO?" He spoke louder and moved to a quieter area himself.
"Dad?"
"Samantha where are you?" He asked sternly, and internally panicking.
"Daddy please come get us. Th-there's too much going on. The lights, and the people, and Tamara's going crazy and doesn't wanna leave, and I can't find Liz, and I wanna leave dad. I'm sorry." Sam was trying to keep it together. She didn't want to break down. Not here. But she felt tears spring in her eyes.
Lucas felt a rush of anger and worry. He wanted to yell at his daughter, but she also sounded scared. "Samantha, so help me God." He clenched his fists, "Just tell me where you are Samantha."
"The 9 Dash 10 club." Sam squeaked. She knew she was in trouble, but anything was better than this place.
Lucas felt the wind knocked out of him. He had heard of the party at that club. There was sure to be drugs and alcohol. How in the fucking hell did they get in?
Victoria was passing by when she saw the face on her granddaughter's father's face. Lucas Scott. She wanted to ignore it. She did. But she just couldn't.
"Lucas, what's wrong?" She asked.
"Samantha's at some, some club. Where's Brooke? I need to find her. We need to get Sam."
Victoria felt her breathing hitch for a second. And in that moment, she knew. Sam had a hold on her heart. She knew because she wanted to strangle the kid, yet save her at the same time.
"I'll help you find her." She said.
I really hope you liked this chapter. I'm not sure if I'm happy with it or not. Please tell me what you think. How should the parents deal with this one? Sam was in over her head! She didn't know. Honest to God, lol. Please continue to review. You are all the reason I keep writing amongst all the hectic activity going on in my life! And once more check out my tumblr. I post sneak peeks and answer questions. The name is writingsteph, link is in my profile!