Many of y'all wanted a scene between Brooke and Lucas so I included that here. It's not that graphic, but just letting you know that a sex scene is in here.
Lucas was sitting watching television when Sam came into the house with Brooke right behind her.
"Hi dad." Sam said dropping a kiss on top of his head.
"Hey baby girl, how'd it go with Lopez today?"
Sam walked into the kitchen and yelled, "Eh."
Of course it was more than "eh," but you know Sam didn't really feel up for talking about it since she was about to head out and hang with Jack. She liked Lopez and the woman had done wonders with Sam but she wasn't the type of girl to dump her emotions on someone and then want to talk all over about it to her parents.
Brooke flopped down beside Lucas and kissed him.
"I only got 'fine' out of her." Brooke told him before he asked her anything.
Lucas just rolled his eyes. Teenagers.
"Is she going anywhere today?"
"To hang out with Jack and Tamara I think. Are you all packed up for your trip tomorrow morning?"
He nodded, "But I'm sad that I'm leaving my two girls."
Brooke pouted, "Me too, hunk. Me too."
"Can we have fun tonight?" He said wiggling his eyebrows.
"Oh yes. I wouldn't have it any other way." She said leaning in to kiss him again then whispered, "I want you inside me tonight."
"God, you're hot." He murmured.
"For you." She said with a sly smile.
Lucas had a coaches reception that he was being flown out to on Sunday, as well as some training that would last until Monday night. It was his first time apart from his two girls like that and he couldn't lie, he was more than a little bit sad. He was sitting with Brooke when something sparked his mind and he got up quickly.
"Where are you going?" Brooke asked him.
"Umm, outside, I gotta check on the sprinklers. See if they work, since summer's coming."
Brooke looked at his retreating form like he was crazy, "The sprinklers?" She asked herself. She shook her head, relaxed down on the couch and changed the channel. "Boys." She mumbled to herself.
Lucas came back into the house from the back door and snuck his way upstairs to look for Sam. He was on a mission. He knocked on her door, and when no one answered he came in and it was empty.
"Damn it."
Where could she be? He would yell at her name but didn't want Brooke to hear him. He quietly made his way down into the basement and found Sam in the piano room. He smiled and watched her from the doorway as she fixed some sheet music on the stand. Sam sensed someone staring at her and turned to see Lucas.
"Dad, how long have you been standing there?"
"Hours." He said with a smirk then walked in and sat next to her. "I thought you were gonna hang with friends today."
"I am. They're coming over first though."
He nodded, "Can I tell you something that I want you to keep a secret between us?"
Sam looked at him shocked, "You're serious? Shouldn't you be talking to mama about this?"
Lucas laughed at the skeptical look Sam was giving him, "It's about mama."
"Oooo! Really? Well what then?"
"I want to ask her to marry me." Lucas beamed.
Sam's jaw dropped dramatically before squealing excitedly and flinging herself into her father and hugging him tightly, 'Final-freaking-ly!"
Lucas squeezed her tight, "I think it's time we made it official, huh?"
Sam let him go, "So what's the plan? How's it gonna go down?"
"Your mom hates public proposals, so I want to fill this room with pictures of us, and mementos that'll remind her of a moment in our relationship. I'll probably hang the pictures all around with a clothesline. And I want you here too kiddo."
"Me?" Sam said surprised, "But dad this all about you and mom. I shouldn't be here for that."
"You should. You, little one, are the reason mom and I are back together. I want you here. I want you playing the piano when she comes in."
Sam's eyes widened, "R-really?"
"Yes m'am."
"Do you have any songs in mind?" Sam asked.
Lucas gave her a hesitant look, "The song at the showcase. I know it has a lot of memories attached for you, so if you can't sweetheart, I'll understand."
Sam shook her head, "No, that's perfect. I don't mind. I'm sure mom would love it too!"
Lucas looked at her more closely, "You're sure? I don't want you just saying that to make me happy Sammy."
"I'm sure. It'll be fine. Promise."
Lucas flashed her a smile, "Okay then."
"So when?"
"I'm taking her out to dinner Tuesday night since I come back from my trip then and doing it afterwards once we get home. I'll text you when we're on our way back from the restaurant."
Sam nodded, "Yeah, okay. I'll be here. Seriously dad, she's going to flip out!"
Lucas laughed, "That's the plan champ!" He gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "So what were you gonna do before I barged in?"
Sam pointed to the sheet music, "I've been practicing this song that we're performing next month."
"Manny and the club?"
She nodded, "Yeah. At the end of the year talent show."
"Did I ever tell you how proud I am of you?"
Sam blushed and ducked her head momentarily, "Thanks dad."
He got up, "You're welcome baby girl. Oh, don't tell anyone about this."
"I won't." She assured him. Jack, of course, didn't count.
… …. ….
He and Sam finally found themselves alone after some time with their friends. They'd all gone out to see a movie and for ice cream afterwards, but Jack and Sam said their goodbyes early and headed to his place. And once more they were sitting in front of his television, meanwhile his foster mother rushed around them getting ready for work.
He held Sam in his arms, "I really missed doing this."
Sam cuddled into his chest, "Me too. Do you think it'll ever get old?"
He smiled and held her tighter, "Hope not."
They both looked over and watched the cartoons on screen. Eventually Sam ended up between Jack's legs. Her head laying on his stomach.
"My dad's gonna propose to my mom." Sam blurted out randomly during a commercial.
Jack sat up a bit and so did Sam, "Serious?" He said smiling. Sam's own smile grew ten times, "I needed to tell someone! It's a secret though."
"Sam that's so cool. Y'all are gonna be like a legit real family. Especially when you, well you know.'
"Get adopted." Sam finished, "I know. It's real Jack. Really, super real."
"What's it like?" Jack asked her. Sam was surprised to hear such earnest curiosity in his question.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"KIDS!" Jack's foster mother yelled interrupting their conversation, "I'm leavin! No funny business. You both understand?"
"Got it!" They both yelled back, though Jack with an eye roll.
He waited for the door to close before he asked again, "So yeah, Sam. What's it feel like? You know all of us dream about that stuff."
Sam picked at the carpet and chuckled as she thought about the question, "It feels, I don't know, like the last puzzle piece. Like the happy ending to some dumb fairytale or something. My parents they think it's a formality. But, I don't know, I guess for me it's different. I know I'm theirs. But this is what I've wanted forever, you know? It's not just signing some paper. It's everything to me. It's perfect."
He scooted closer to her and kissed her lips gently then let go, "Sammy, I'm really happy for you. You deserve this more than anyone. You deserve a perfect family,"
Sam blushed, "Thanks Jack."
He gave her a huge goofy smile.
"What?" She said with a gleam in her eyes.
"So you're not gonna be my Sam Walker anymore, huh?"
"Nope!"
"Well what am I gonna call you now?"
"Sam Davis-Scott."
"Too long!" He said playfully shoving her, "How 'bout just my Sam?"
"Okay." She said, their eyes locking.
Jack blinked and his face turned more serious as he gazed at the definitions of her face, "Can I kiss you again?"
Sam blushed, "Stop asking and just-" She didn't get to finish before Jack's lips pressed onto hers.
A few moments later they were back to watching television, but Jack caught Sam staring at him, "Is there something on my face?"
"No, dufus. I just like your face."
Jack got closer to her until he was laying next to her again. He turned on his side and started to trace his hand on her curves. His hand went under her shirt. Sam tensed. He took his hand out quickly. "Did I scare you? I'm sorry." He was quick to apologize and he looked away, embarrassed.
"No, no. Do it again. I just didn't expect it." Sam whispered, instnatly feeling bad for making Jack embarrassed. It was just all so new.
They had only done this once before. But now seemed like a perfect time.
Jack moved so that their chests were touching as they both were turned on their sides. He slowly put a hand under her shirt and started to feel the curves of her waist. He loved the way her body was shaped. He loved to feel her stomach. He rubbed his hand over it. "You're so soft." He murmured.
Sam felt as he touched her breasts. She leaned her head in and kissed him over and over again as his hands continued to fondle her.
They didn't go past this, of course, and a few moments later as Sam had her head laid on his chest, she silently wondered if she was going to be able to hold true to her promise of telling her mom about when she decided to have sex. She knew they weren't close to that happening yet. Everything was still new and a little bit awkward. But she still thought it ridiculous and embarrassing to tell her mother that Jack liked to touch her breasts and how she liked that feeling. And if that was the case, how the hell would she tell her that she wanted to have sex when the time came? Did people really talk to their mom about this stuff?!
Sam frowned at her thoughts. Her mother trusted her, and talking to her was usually so easy. Why was this so different?
"What's wrong?" Jack asked, worried that he had done something.
Sam shook her head, "Nothing important."
…. … ….
Lucas had Brooke straddled on the bed.
He peeled off her pants and panties and did the same with his own pants and boxers. He began to kiss her softly, sweetly. His lips tugging at hers. He cupped her breasts and brushed her nipples with his thumbs. Lucas gently bit her top lip and sucked it, just as he started to tug at her nipple, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger. All the while Brooke moaned and felt herself getting wet.
Her hand moved from his arm and went to his crotch. She stroked and grabbed at him, making Lucas feel an exquisite agony, "Oh my God." He groaned
"Fuck me Lucas." She moaned, "Now. Do it now." She held his wrists and arched her back as she felt Lucas slide into her.
They both moved more and more quickly. Lucas opened his eyes and pored over her smooth beautiful skin. He looked at her with a devilish smile, "You're fucking perfect."
She squeezed his wrists, "Don't stop. Keep going." Her voice was breathless.
Their movements increased even more. Brooke threw her head back as she came, and Lucas felt his own orgasm cresting through him.
He slowly turned and moved to her side, "Oh. My God."
His breathing was heavy and so was hers, "I hope that'll hold you over Lucas."
He pouted, "One more time?"
It was Brooke's turn to get on top of him. Lucas wanted so badly to just propose right then, but held his tongue.
… … ….
Sunday had come and gone, the thoughts that Sam had had at Jack's place now long forgotten. Dinner was a simple affair. Sam had noticed that her mother had mentioned a headache and she was coughing more and more. She was sure that her mother was getting sick.
"You should drink some NyQuil and go to bed." She suggested after she heard Brooke sneeze for the third time.
Brooke hated being sick almost as much as Sam did. She groaned, "I have work tomorrow. I can't be sick."
Sam shrugged, "Well now you have an excuse to skip. I love skipping scho-" Sam stopped herself and smiled shyly when she noticed the glare her mother was now giving her.
"That's what I thought, heathen."
She began coughing some more and murmured an 'ow' as she put a hand to her head.
"You're sick."
"I'll be fine Sammy." Brooke assured her, "I'll take some medicine and be good as new tomorrow." She closed her eyes momentarily and took a deep breath as if that would fix how horribly she was starting to feel.
Sam watched her mom for a moment before standing up and heading to the kitchen. She came back with the medicine and a glass of water. Brooke opened her eyes when she felt the couch shift and Sam sitting near her. "Here, take it." The girl said offering the medicine.
Brook sat up and swallowed it, making a small grimace before Sam took the medicine cup and offered her mother the water to drink.
"Thank you baby." Brooke said as Sam put everything on the table. Sam then checked the time. It was kinda early, but she figured her mom needed all the rest she could get.
"Do you wanna go upstairs mom?"
Brooke frowned and pulled Sam in, "I'd rather sit here with you." But she then sneezed twice. She let go of Sam and laughed as the girl dramatically wiped at her arms which were in range of Brooke's sneeze.
"Maybe you're right kiddo."
"Should I call dad?"
"If he calls just tell him I came down with the cold. But don't call him, it'll just make him worry. Can I trust you to get to bed on time?" She leveled her daughter with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah mom, no worries. Just go upstairs and go to sleep!"
"This isn't a trick for you to sneak out is it?"
Sam laughed, "No, but now you have the wheels in my mind turning." Sam said playfully.
Brooke narrowed her eyes, "You're not sneaky enough. But don't even think about trying it."
Ohh. Challenges. Sam loved those. But, she also loved freedom. And sitting comfortably.
"I won't mom, really. Just go."
Brooke leaned over, hugged her daughter and kissed her head, "Goodnight baby girl. Wake me up if you need anything."
Sam watched her go then watched some more television, called Jack, then headed off upstairs herself.
She carefully opened the room to her parent's bedroom and found Brooke sleeping in the middle. She felt her mom's forehead and didn't feel a fever, to which Sam felt eternally grateful for. She wasn't sure if she could deal with a fever.
The girl just hoped that her mother felt better the next day. Sam needed to make sure she felt better. She remembered the days that turned to weeks, then months after Joan found out Mike was abusing Sam. She always seemed to be sick. Sam failed to make her feel better, and Mike would taunt her because of it. She knew it wouldn't happen with Brooke and Lucas. They were her real parents and they loved her. But Sam couldn't help but think back to how helpless she felt as she watched Joan shrink away, seemingly consistently sick in her room.
Sam tiptoed out of the room and came back showered, changed, and carrying her blanket and Barry the bear. She then crawled into the covers next to her mother and kissed her on the forehead, "Night mama." She whispered before fluttering off to sleep herself.
It was four in the morning when Brooke woke up with a pang in her stomach and a sudden and overpowering nausea. She shot up from the bed and headed straight to the restroom. Sam woke up to the sounds of someone throwing up. She squinted her eyes and realized that it was her mother. She pushed the covers off her and quickly made her way into the restroom.
Brooke was bent over the toilet. Sam rushed over and pulled her mother's hair back. Brooke hated that Sam was seeing her like this. She emptied the contents of her stomach. Sam was the one that flushed the toilet for her and was now rubbing her back.
"Sweetheart." Her voice was scratchy.
"Yeah, mom?"
"Thank you for checking in on me babe, but I need you to go back to bed. Okay?"
"Mhm." Sam answered though she made no move to leave the place where she was.
Brooke stood up and put a hand to her head. God. How the hell did she get sick? The woman filled a dixie cup with water and rinsed her mouth multiple times. She then grabbed some advil and was about to put them in her mouth when she noticed Sam still staring at her in the mirror's reflection. She turned around.
"Sammy, please go back to bed.I'll be fine."
"I was sleeping here. Can I stay?"
"What? You were?" Brooke hadn't even noticed in her haste to get to the restroom.
The teen nodded.
"I don't want to get you sick peanut. You should sleep in your own bed." Brooke added in a softer tone. She could tell that Sam was gearing herself up to worry about her all night, "How 'bout I go in with you until you fall asleep?"
Sam gave her an incredulous look, "Mama, you're the one that's sick. I need to take care of you. Not the other way around."
"I can take care of myself Sammy. Don't worry."
"I have to worry. You're my mom."
Brooke could see that there was more to this than Sam was letting on. She'd have to talk about it later though because she really needed to get back to bed. She was getting dizzy just standing there.
"Are you gonna go into work?" Sam asked her.
"No sweetie. I'm not. Come on, let's get you in bed."
"It's fine. I'll go." Sam countered, "You go to bed." A smile formed on her face and she looked up at her mother with a big smile, "I'll tuck you in."
Brooke sighed and allowed her daughter this one thing, hoping that doing so would soothe Sam enough to get herself to bed on her own.
Brooke felt Sam pull the covers over her and kiss her lightly on the forehead, "Night mom. Feel better, and I had already called Millie before I came up and let her know that you might not be there 'cause you're sick."
Brooke's eyes opened and she stared at Sam. She wanted to tell her daughter that she was the mother and she'd do as she pleased. She also wanted to scold her for taking such bold moves without her consent, but she knew Sam was right.
"Thanks Sam." She croaked out.
Sam moved the bottle of water closer to her mom and then gave her one last kiss and picked up her blanket and Barry the bear to go to her own room.
At around six o'clock, Sam walked back into her mother's room. She felt Brooke's forehead and realized that she indeed had a fever. The girl felt herself panic for a second.
'Snap out of it Sam!' She yelled at herself. Now was not the time to freak out. What would mom do? She thought to herself. And although this might not have been her mom's first choice, it seemed like the most reasonable for the 14 year old. Go to dad. Duh.
So she went out into the hallway and called her father. Hopefully, he knew what to do.
"Champ?" Lucas asked through the phone, "It's early." He sat up as his senses came back, "Is something wrong?"
Sam was pacing the hallway, feeling uneasy about Brooke being so sick, "Mom's sick. She has a fever. What do I do? I've, I mean do I just give her medicine? I think I should stay home from school 'cause she shouldn't be alone. I mean, Aunt Peyton stayed with me when I was sick so someone should stay with mom and it makes sense that it's me, right?."
"Whoah. Whoah. Buddy hold on. Hold on." Lucas said easing her rant, "Is mom still asleep?"
"Yeah. I went in to check on her just now."
"It barely six. Why are you up, peanut?"
"I needed to check on her." Sam said more urgently.
Lucas sighed, realizing, like Brooke, that there was something more to Sam's need to care for Brooke.
"Okay baby girl. Listen, you're going to school today, alright? Mama will be fine. I promise. Try and wake her up and give her some Motrin. It's in the medicine cabinet in our bathroom. Then take her temperature. If it's higher than 103 degrees then call me back, okay?"
Sam nodded tearfully, wishing her dad was here but not voicing that because she knew if she said it, Lucas would not be beyond finding the first plane back to Tree Hill.
"Okay. I'll do that."
He assured her once more that it was probably just a normal bug before hanging up the phone. "Bye champ. I love you and I'll call you later on today, but call me if mom's temperature is too high."
The girl once more bit back her words of 'come home!'
'Bye daddy." She said instead.
After their phone call Sam went into her parents' bathroom, and grabbed the Motrin, then sat by her mother on the bed.
"Mom." She whispered shaking her gently. She shook her arm a little harder, "Mommy."
"Mmm." Brooke croaked and felt her whole body ache, and heat radiate off her body.
"Shit." She moaned. She had the flu.
Sam scooted herself closer, careful not to touch her sick mother. It looked like if she did Brooke would cringe in pain or something, "Umm, I, I have some Motrin. I called dad and he told me to give you this. I also have to take your temperature."
Brooke closed her eyes and pulled herself up to a sitting position. She had a lot of questions as to what time it was, and why Sam was up and calling her dad, but her head was too congested and she did not have the energy to exert the effort.
She drank the medicine. All the while Sam looked at her worriedly.
"You should see a doctor mom."
Brooke shook her head, "No. This medicine and sleep should be enough."
"Dad's not letting me stay home to take care of you." The teen said sadly.
Brooke's eyes popped open, "He's right. You're not. You're going to school."
"But-"
"No buts. You're going to school sweetheart."
Sam crossed her arms across her chest and sat on the balls of her feet with a pout.
Brooke looked at the time.
"Why are you up this early? Your alarm doesn't sound for another 20 minutes." Her voice was scratchy and it ached when she talked. She winced and grabbed some water to cool her throat.
"I had to check on you." Sam murmured before instructing her mother to open her mouth.
The thermometer muffled her words, "Baby, I'll be fine. Please trust me." Brooke practically pleaded. Sam said nothing and only waited for the beep.
She took it out before Brooke could.
"102." She felt herself tense, "That's, that's not too bad, right? Daddy, he said to call him if it got to 103. That's not-"
The girl felt her mother place her hand on her arm. She looked up and Brooke coughed some, "It's fine peanut. The motrin will bring it down. I'll sleep and feel better. Go and start getting ready for school. Call Rebecca and have her pick you up."
"I can take the bus." Sam offered. She knew Brooke was probably wanting her to go with Rebecca because Brooke had promised Sam that she'd take her to school all this week. It'd be a chance for them to spend some time with each other.
"She's taking Liz. Just call her."
Sam didn't argue to the mother's relief, "Okay."
Once the time came for Sam to go to school Rebecca came in with Liz right behind her.
"Hey Liz. Hi Rebecca." Sam said grabbing her stuff.
"Hey Sammy." Liz walked over and plopped herself onto the couch.
Rebecca gave Sam a hug and a kiss, "Hi sweetheart. Where's mom?"
"Upstairs asleep." Sam pointed to the stairs.
"Stay here, and drink this orange juice. You need vitaimin C, so you won't get sick." She handed Sam a bottle of orange juice, "I'm going to head upstairs to see Brooke for a bit."
Sam went and sat down next to Liz who was looking at one of her math worksheets.
"What the hell is a polynomial?" The blonde griped as she stared at her unfinished work.
Sam looked at her and laughed.
"Sam." She groaned.
"Do you ever pay attention in class?"
"I was paying attention!" Liz defended.
Sam pointed to the equations on her paper, "All of these are polynomials dude."
LIz laid her head on the couch, "Ugh."
"Just combine like terms and then use the quadratic equation." Sam told her clearly suffering friend.
Liz looked at Sam then down at her paper, "I knew that."
Sam rolled her eyes, "Sure you did."
Liz, wholly uninterested in employing any sort of equation, put her worksheet aside and looked at Sam, "You look tired Sam. Did you get sleep?"
"My mom woke up at 4 and I helped her go back to sleep. I didn't sleep after that and kind of checked in on her a lot."
Liz looked at her like she was crazy, then remembered Sam was just being Sam. Half the time Liz struggled to understand the way she thought.
"It's just the flu Sam. You didn't have to do all that."
Sam glared at her. Everyone kept telling her that. Well, her mom and dad, but it felt like everyone. Sam got the message, geez.
"Yeah, I know." She said bitingly to her blonde friend.
Liz scoffed, "Okay, cranky. I was making an observation. Don't bite my head off."
"Sorry. I'm just...tired."
"Wanna hang after school?" Liz asked, offering an easy olive branch. All forgiven.
"I think I'm just gonna come back here." Sam answered.
"Alright. Come on, let's go wait in the car."
Sam got up, "Let me say bye to my mom first."
" Kay. I'll wait for you."
She went up the stairs to say bye to her mother. She could hear Brooke and Rebecca talking business. She huffed and went in, "Rebecca, my mom is sick. She can't focus on work."
"Sam." Brooke ground out, then looked at her friend, "She thinks I'm immobile, apparently."
Rebecca looked amused at Sam taking charge. She watched as the girl fussed at Brooke's blankets.
"Sammy." Brooke said as Sam moved about. "Samantha." She said more sternly when the girl ignored her. She finally paused, "Yeah?"
"Stop." She told her, "I'm not dying. I have the flu."
Sam frowned and ducked her head a bit embarrassed, so Brooke lifted her chin, "Let me finish talking with Becky. Okay? I need her to do some things for me at work, so I can stay here and rest to feel better."
Sam nodded reluctantly, but gave her mom a show smile,"Yeah, okay. I just came up to say bye. I'll see you after school then."
She was going to get off the bed but Brooke put a hand on her, "Can I get a Sammy snuggle first?"
Sam blushed, very aware of Rebecca's presence, but gave her mom a hug and a kiss on the cheek anyway.
"I'll be fine princess." Brooke whispered before letting her go.
The mother let go and Sam made her way down to let her mother finish discussing what ever she had to discuss with Rebecca. She still thought her mother needed to rest, but she could tell Brooke's no nonsense tone when she heard it and decided she wouldn't argue the merits of resting versus talking about work.
Once at school Liz, Manny, and Sam were sitting together eating.
"So your mom's gonna be okay, right?" Manny asked after taking a bite of his sandwich.
"Yeah." Sam said taking a bite of a fry, "It's just the flu." She parroted what everyone said.
Liz eyed Manny. She could tell he was gearing up to say something ridiculous.
"Well there's that really weird strain of the flu going around. She should go to the doctor."
"I'm sure it's not that.' Liz said looking over to Sam nervously. Why was Manny such an idiot sometimes?
Sam tensed, "A new strain? She, she didn't say that she had that."
"Well you don't know if you have it until you're being wheeled into the emergency room." He explained in his typical, dramatic fashion. He completely missed Sam's face begin to fill with worry, "Like I said she should get it checked out."
"I," Sam felt her heart beat a little faster, "She doesn't want to go to the doctor."
Manny shrugged, "Hmm. Well, I guess it's not that serious then."
"It;s not." Liz said more forcefully. "Right, Sam?"
Sam blinked and schooled her face, Um, yeah. I, um, I have to go to the restroom. I'll be back."
Liz watched as Manny happily ate his sandwich. She snatched it out of his hands and threw it in the trashcan next to them.
"Hey!" He yelled.
"You dork! Why'd you tell her that?"
He glared at her, "I was just saying!"
Liz gave out a loud frustrated huff, "I need you to be more aware of your surroundings, you idiot. You couldn't tell she was already a little bit weird about her mom being sick and stuff."
"Well, geez, how was I supposed to know?" He swore Sam seemed fine to him!
Liz shook her head at him, frustrated, "Eat your chips. Mr. Oblivious."
"Gladly." He said with a show smile.
Sam went towards an empty hallway. The conversation with Manny just sparked more worry. She called the only person she thought Brooke would listen to. Karen.
"Hello, Sam? Aren't you at school?"
The teen didn't bother answering the question, "Nana, mama's sick, and she might have some strain of the flu that's going around and she doesn't wanna go to the doctor but she has too!" Sam spoke all in one, hurried breath.
Karen looked surprised on the other phone.
She was sure Brooke didn't have that strain of flu. She knew what the girl was talking about. It had been on the news a about two weeks ago. But it was only people who had traveled to Ecuador that had it. Brooke had not gone there, and she doubted that Brooke had been in contact with anyone that had gone. But just to be sure she asked about one of the tell tale symptoms.
"Does she have a rash on her neck?"
Sam thought back to her mother, "No. Why?"
"Baby girl, your mother doesn't have that type of flu. That's one of the key symptoms. She's been working hard, her immune system is probably just low and she caught the normal flu."
"I still want her to go to the doctor, though." Sam, exhausted from the night and the worry, sat down on the floor and began to sniff.
Karen didn't understand why Sam was so upset, "Sammy, sweetheart, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing. I'm sorry. I, I should go. Lunch is almost over."
Karen didn't want to end the call with Sam so upset, "Hold on Samantha. Hold on. How 'bout I come over. I'll come by around 3:30 How does that sound?"
Sam felt immense relief at that. Surely, Karen could get her to go to the doctor and could nurse her to health better than Sam could. "Thank you. That sounds perfect."
"Alright, honey. I heard the bell, go off to class and I'll see you after school. I love you."
"Love you too." Sam said. Once the call ended Sam headed to class. The babble of her biology teacher seemed quite boring as she thought back to home. Liz had to keep nudging her. She just couldn't seem to concentrate.
"What's up with you?" Liz asked, "This was review for next week's test. Are you trying to fail?"
Sam guffawed, "I won't fail. I listen every other time."
"Someone's confident." Liz smirked.
Sam shrugged, "Pretty much."
Liz said her goodbyes as she made her way to her class. Sam hesitated before going into her own classroom. She took a moment and watched as other students filed in.
The teen took a deep breath, put her hands in her pockets and walked the other way. She made her way towards the football field and then the parking lot. She ditched. She figured she'd sneak into her house without Brooke noticing. She'd probably be asleep anyway, and besides, if her mother needed her, she'd be there for her, and not stuck at school.
Sam carefully climbed the trellis by her room and opened up the window. She expertly climbed in and closed the window carefully. She then dropped her stuff and opened her door looking for signs of her mother. She tiptoed and saw that her mom was asleep. She walked downstairs and was planning on grabbing something to drink before heading back up and getting some sleep before Karen came.
She went down the stairs and slid into the kitchen with her socks, crashing right into her grandmother.
"AHHH!" Sam screamed, not expecting to see anyone in the house.
The grandmother found her footing once more as she held onto the counter, "Samantha! Why are you not in school?!" She demanded.
Sam looked everywhere but at her grandmother, "I, I, I wanted to come home." It was more of a squeak than anything else.
Karen put a hand on her hip, "You ditched school is what you did."
"Well yeah, but-"
"Karen?" Came a voice from the stairs.
"Shit." Sam said closing her eyes and opening them.
"Samantha? What the hell is going on?"
Brooke walked down the stairs, a hand on the railing to steady herself.
She saw her daughter who looked like she was caught with her hand in the cookie jar, and Karen who was staring her kid down.
"Can someone please tell me what's going on? Sam did you call Karen?" She had a coughing fit then turned her glare back to her kid.
"I, umm, well, yeah I did."
"Samantha, I told you I'd be fine. Your grandmother lives 45 minutes away! You can't just call her up like this. She has other things to be doing rather than being here right now."
Sam felt her ears turn red as her mother lit into her. "Mom, I...but I was-"
Karen looked to both of them, and could tell she'd have to intervene soon because Sam was getting emotional and Brooke was grumpy and looking flushed.
"You need to stop worrying Samantha. Did you ditch school as well?" The mother asked in a demanding tone, a hand making its way onto her hip.
Sam only nodded her head before Brooke started on her again. The woman was not feeling well and having all of this to deal with was just making her cranky,
"Sam." Brooke said with frustration evident in her voice, "I asked you one thing today. To go to school. That's all I asked you! Why couldn't you listen to this one thing?"
"Brooke Penelope Davis." Karen finally said harshly. She gave Brooke a look then nodded towards Sam. Brooke saw her child's quivering chin and watery eyes that she had so clearly missed as she was ranting and scolding. Her face softened and her hand dropped off her hip, but was interrupted by a hacking cough. She quickly moved to sit on a chair, "Oh fuck. Get me the trash can." She pointed to it and hoped one of them did so quickly. Sam grabbed it and hurled it in front of her mother. Brooke bent into it and started throwing up.
Karen's motherly instinct kicked in and moved towards Brooke. Pulling back her hair and rubbing her back.
Sam was still upset about the scolding her mother had given her. She was wiping at her still falling tears.
Karen looked over, "Go on upstairs honey. I've got this."
Sam was glad for the reprieve and quickly made herself scarce..
"Damn it." Brooke moaned, "I made her cry."
Karen silently walked in front of Brooke and pulled the trash bag up.
"Your daughter did not call me to tell me to come." She spoke softly, "She just wanted me to get you to the doctor. I came on my own volition."
Brooke sighed. Well, great job. You blew it. She thought.
Karen put a hand on Brooke's forehead, "And she's right, I'm taking you to the doctor if you still have a fever tomorrow morning. I'm staying the night."
"But Karen, I'll be fine. And I need to go to work tomorrow."
"Hush now." Karen said putting a hand up, "You need to take care of your health. There can't be a B. Davis company, if B. Davis isn't there to run it."
Brooke rolled her eyes at the dramatics, "Karen." She whined much like Sam would do with her.
"AND" Karen said with a raised eyebrow, "I think you need to talk with your daughter about her compulsive need to make sure you're okay."
Brooke nodded, "I know. I know. I'll talk to her. I need to apologize for what just happened too."
Karen tied up the trash bag, "And, you know, nothing makes a teenage girl feel better than a kiss and a hug from her mama. Am I right?" Karen added with a wink.
Brooke blushed a bit, "It always worked when you did it." She said softly through her hoarse voice.
Karen smiled, "I'm going to throw this out. You go on back upstairs. I brought some gatorade and some soup for later if your stomach can hold it down. But I'm gonna have you eat some crackers and water once I'm up. You need something in your stomach. And then you can take a nap."
"I need to talk to Sam first. And I've been sleeping all day Karen."
Karen stopped her, "You need to feel better first. And you have not been sleeping all day, young lady. When I got here I heard the television on. That was only an hour ago. I know you very well, whenever you were home sick you would just watch tv even though I wanted you to be sleeping."
Damn. Caught.
Brooke watched Karen leave and trudged herself back up the stairs.
…. …. ….
Karen stood by the closed door of the piano room and listened. She smiled to herself when she realized that it was this very place where she first met her granddaughter and there they were again.
She opened up the door and Sam stopped playing, "Hey nana." She said softly.
Karen went and sat next to her on the bench, "Hey kid. You sounded beautiful. Any chance you can play my favorite again?"
Sam smiled, grateful that she wasn't getting scolded or anything, "Yeah, sure."
And like the first time they met, Sam play My Heart Will Go On and let the notes envelope the room.
Karen put an arm around her, "That'll never get old. You've got some talent."
"So I've heard." Sam said melting into her nana's side, "Thank you."
Karen took her hand and stood her up. Sam knew where this was going, but followed suit anyways. They sat down on the couch and Karen turned her body to completely face the teenager.
"How's mom?" Sam asked before Karen could say anything.
Karen smiled softly and grabbed Sam's hands in hers, "She's fine, Samantha. Please get that through your head. She's upstairs asleep and will be fine."
Sam could tell everyone was getting tired of her worrying. She really couldn't help it though. She failed Joan, and that wasn't even her real mom. She loved her mama way more.
"You probably think I'm crazy. I mean, mom's already annoyed at me. I know she'll be fine, but," The girl shrugged, "It's complicated."
Karen kissed her forehead, "You're a good daughter. And I'm pretty darn sure you're not crazy. We all have our unexplained anxieties and worries."
Sam looked at her curiously, "You?"
Karen laughed, "Oh yeah. Definitely me."
"Like what?" Sam asked innocently. Karen always seemed so calm and put together.
"Well, don't tell your dad this but you know how he has that heart problem?"
Sam nodded, "Yeah, he takes pills for it."
Karen agreed, "Mhm. And I text him every night making sure he took it. It annoys your father to no other. I know he's an adult and can do these things on his own. But regardless of the fact that your father is practically six feet, he is my baby, and I can't help but get nervous that he'll forget and then something will happen to my little boy."
Sam saw as Karen's eyes watered. The woman cleared her throat, "See? Even me. Sometimes we're irrational when it comes to the people we love."
Sam sniffled and nodded as she looked down at her hands, "She's my mama. And I want to care for her when she's sick, until she feels better. You know, nurse her to health. I, well, messed up once with, with" She thought of Joan but didn't really feel like opening up that can of worms, "someone from before and I don't wanna mess up with my mama."
Karen had no idea what the girl was talking about. She could tell that Sam was thinking about a certain time or place. She wrapped up the child and kissed the top of her head, "Oh sweetheart. You have such a big heart. Whatever happened before is not the case today."
Sam just buried herself in the embrace, "I know." She mumbled, "It's just hard to let go sometimes."
Karen nodded and hummed as she rocked the girl in her arms. Sam, having been tired from waking up at four in the morning ended up asleep. Karen noticed that Sam's breathing evened out and was heavier. She looked down and smiled. The woman carefully undid herself from Sam and covered her up with a blanket before heading up to make dinner for the two and something lighter for Brooke.
Soon enough Karen felt the weight on the couch that she was sitting in shift and a head lay on her shoulder, "Hey Brookie." She dropped a kiss on the woman's head, "Feelin' better?"
"Not nauseous. Does that count?"
Karen chuckled, "I think it does."
"My fever's down, I hope it stays that way." Brooke mumbled, trying to hold in a cough. She failed.
"The medicine is working. It'll creep back up but just take more of it." Karen instructed.
Brooke nodded. She knew this already, but it still felt nice being mothered. She was content to simply relax with Karen for a moment.
"Sam's asleep right now downstairs by the way." Karen mentioned as she turned the page to her book.
Brooke's eyes popped open, "Did you talk to her?"
"I did. I think some TLC from her mom will do wonders."
Brooke sighed and thought for a moment,
"Karen...do you think I work too much?" Her voice was still very hoarse.
The older woman was surprised by the question. She put the book down, "Why are you asking?"
"I don't know." She shrugged, "I'm not that mom that goes to all the meetings, and is on the PTA, and bakes cookies. I'm, I'm always working. I get home late two days out of the week. Sometimes I'm cranky and stressed. Lucas is always the one with her lately and maybe that's why she feels so protective of me right now."
Karen stopped her, "I need you to listen to me. As mothers it's really easy to see our shortcomings. But Brooke, you moved your company headquarters here, for Sam. You've cancelled meetings when the school calls, for Sam. You have forfeited sleep, business trips, your yoga retreats, and your nights of relaxation that you always used to take, for your daughter. Hec, you've had kid tears and boogers wiped all over your ridiculously expensive clothing whenever an upset and crying Sam drops onto your lap. And you drop everything whenever said kid comes with a sad little face your way."
Brooke couldn't help the knot in her throat as she thought of all the scenarios that Karen put in front of her.
"Please stop focusing on what you're not doing and look at all that you've done. Sweetheart, this is the real world, and you have to work. So you're not a stay at home mother? Big whoop. I know for a fact, that your kid is happy and doesn't feel abandoned or unloved. You can even ask her."
Brooke smiled, "My shirts are really expensive. You're right."
Karen just laughed.
"Thanks Karen. I just worry, sometimes."
"That's a mother's job. To worry." She rubbed Brooke's arm, "Just like I worry about you all the time Brookie. You're my girl, and I love you." She whispered.
"I love you too." Brooke said curling into her.
Eventually, Sam came up and saw her mom watching America's Next Top Model while Karen was on the phone with someone in the kitchen. For some reason, it was at that moment that she was reminded of her dad's plans. She sighed and sent off a text to her father and asked if he was still going to propose when he came back since Brooke was sick. She had been really excited for that. It hadn't occurred to her that it might not actually happen tomorrow if her mom was still sick.
She tentatively went towards the couch. Brooke turned and saw Sam coming, "Hey sweetie. Wanna watch with me?" She wanted to talk to her daughter but was planning on doing it later.
Sam went over and sat down on the other end of the couch and turned towards Brooke, "Mom, I'm sorry for skipping and calling nana." She wanted to get it out there and just get on with the rest of their day.
Brooke paused the show and turned towards Sam. Looks like they were doing it now.
She patted the space closer to her, "Let's talk Sam." She turned away and coughed some.
"Can you tell me what's been going through your head? I know that me being sick made you really worried. Can you tell me why?"
Sam sighed, "If I don't, will you leave me alone about it?"
Brooke shook her head with an amused smile, "Nope!"
Sam couldn't help but chuckle, "I figured."
Karen was going to step back into the living room but saw that the two were talking and stepped back into the kitchen, letting them have their space.
Sam took a deep breath, "I'm just gonna start off by saying that I know how crazy this'll sound, and that I know that my worry is illogical, but it's there and I can't help it. But like in my head, I get it. I really do." Less than eloquent. But you know, it's complicated.
Brooke nodded slowly, "I won't judge you. You know that right?" She was prepared to hear her daughter out and didn't want her to think otherwise.
Sam looked at her mother for a second and thought about what she was going to say next, "Mom, I know you won't. It's not that. I don't want you to worry and think that I'm backtracking or going crazy about my past." She hesitated a bit, "Sometimes you and dad do that. Overworry about whether my past is coming back to haunt me or something." She looked up at her mother and quickly back down at one of her fingernails whose red paint was chipping off.
Brooke understood now why her daughter prefaced her words the way she did. She wouldn't tell her that her concerns would probably never end, but she nodded, "Okay, I won't do that. "
Sam took that as her cue to continue, "When I was with Joan and after she found out about Mike coming into my room and, umm, messing with me. She got really upset and was sick all the time. She was always sick and in her room. She told me I couldn't do anything to help her, and Mike, well Mike blamed it on me."
Brooke felt heat rise from her body. It might've been the fever that was creeping up, but at that moment she attributed it to the anger that coursed through her veins. She hated that man. The mother forced herself to nod and say "Mhm." so her daughter could continue.
"So I didn't know what was wrong with her. I just knew I couldn't fix it. And he kept saying 'all that she does for you and you can't even fucking make her some soup!' He'd call me a bitch sometimes and stuff." Sam picked at the nail polish until it was all gone.
She looked up and could tell her mother was doing her damndest not to cry.
The teen cleared her throat, "She had depression. I figured it out when I saw a bottle of Prozac. So when I saw you sick I remembered Mike saying those things. And I still felt so guilty about Joan falling into depression and getting sick because of what Mike did to me. And she's not even my real mom. You are. And, I don't know, I just needed to take care of you, the way I didn't do it with her. I couldn't go in there. In her room. I felt so guilty. But you're my real mom, and I just, I wanted to see you get better. I can do that, it's just the flu, like everyone said. I can fix that." Sam finally stopped and took in her mother's reaction.
Brooke blinked twice and then beckoned Sam with her arms.
The teenager gladly accepted the proffered embrace.
"I'm probably being a bad mother by allowing you to touch me right now. You're gonna get the flu."
Sam couldn't care less about whether or not she got sick. Being this close to her mother now made her feel at peace. "I'm willing to look it over." The teen joked.
Brooke hugged her tighter, "Peanut you're the most compassionate kid I've ever met. Thank you for worrying about me. I know that must've been hard for you with Joan, and I know you know that what Mike said wasn't true but I get how those things can easily make their way into someone's heart. I'm sad that it's caused you to feel so guilty, but like you said, our feelings aren't logical sometimes. But, you've done an excellent job at nursing me back to health."
"Really?" Sam asked innocently.
Brooke had felt the need to say this. Her daughter needed that reassurance right now. She also made a mental note to talk to Lucas about this. She hated learning something new about Sam's past. It was like one more stab to her heart, but at the same time she craved to know it all. Brooke just wanted to squeeze all the bad memories Sam had with a hug.
"Most definitely. And sweetie?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm sorry for getting onto you this afternoon. I got frustrated and then with this flu, it just turned into that. I didn't mean to make you cry, baby."
"Mommy, stop." Sam said, "It's okay. I shouldn't have skipped and listened to you."
"Well I'm glad we're on the same page." Brooke kissed the top of her head, "Honey, can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, sure." Sam was willing to answer anything if it meant staying in her mama's arms for longer.
"Does it bother you that I work so much?"
Sam shrugged, "Not really. I'm kinda used to our routine. You're here by six most days, and we have the weekends together anyways."
Brooke felt immense relief at her daughter's simple answer. "You're sure?"
"Mhm." Sam buried her head in her mom's chest, "But I do miss you when you're not here to kiss me goodnight." Her voice was soft, because at 14 and a freshman in high school, it was kind of embarrassing to admit.
Brooke's heart soared, "Oh sweetheart. I love you so much."
"I love you too." The girl murmured. She wasn't sure why her mother asked the question, but didn't bother asking about it. Moms were weird about that stuff sometimes, she figured.
Brooke rubbed the girl's back, "Oh and honey, you have detention for the next two days."
Sam let go of her mother so she could look at her, "What? How?!"
"It benefits having your teachers as friends." She stuck her tongue out at Sam playfully.
Sam threw her head back and groaned. Damn it, Aunt Haley!
"That's right, little monster. You're not getting away with it. Seriously Sam, you've gotta stop with that."
Sam felt the third degree coming and figured she'd stop it before her mother really got going. "I know mama. I know. I haven't done it in a while! I just felt really stressed out and I was worried about you." She gave her mother her best puppy dog eyes and Brooke melted right into them. Looks like the flu also weakened her defenses against Sam's cuteness.
"Alright, sweetheart."
Sam gave her a bright smile and got back to business, "Your fever's back isn't it? I felt it."
Brooke stood up, "I think so. Let me get the thermometer. And I think Karen was making food. I'll be down after I take more medicine."
Sam watched her mom go up the stairs and she quickly whipped out her phone to see if her dad had texted her back. He had.
'If mama is still sick tomorrow morning, I'll probably wait until next week. Take care of her! And give my mom a kiss for me. I'll call you tonight before bedtime champ.'
Sam rolled her eyes at her dad using the word bedtime, but was glad he'd be calling. She walked into the kitchen and found Karen at the table looking through a magazine.
"How'd the talk go?" The grandmother asked.
Sam walked over and kissed her on the cheek, "It's from dad. And I feel better, although I may have to drink a whole jug of orange juice 'cause mom hugged me."
Karen stood up and took out some AirBorne tablets from a drawer and poured them into a glass of water. "Drink this and let's hope you're not sick tomorrow."
Sam did so and grimaced at the taste but she finished it anyway.
"Do you want some food?" Karen asked, "I made some chicken."
"I'll eat in a bit. Is that okay?" Sam really felt like playing the piano. She wanted to play River Flows In You, the song Lucas had requested, to get it out of her system.
"Sure. Let me know when so I can join you."
Karen watched the girl zip away and she shook her head with amusement.
Downstairs now, Sam sat down at her piano. She closed her eyes and played the song in her head. She knew playing it now was not only for practice, but also because it helped her heal. Her past was a complicated thing. She knew that. And this song, it helped her. She remembered saying that she didn't need to play it anymore at the showcase. But she hadn't realized how naive that thought was. She still needed it. Sam had only played it once since the showcase though, and it was a rather vivid memory for her.
It was after her third session with Lopez. It was four in the morning and the afternoon before she had a particularly difficult session with Lopez. Sam was grateful that she was working through her past, but coming to terms with certain things was hard. She had gone downstairs and sat at the piano. Lopez told her to play her piano and told her that it was okay to play her song. It was okay to remember and to cry. It was necessary to get those feelings out. Catharsis was good.
And so Sam looked at her looming instrument at four in the morning and began to play with an intense fervor. She began to cry, but she kept playing. She felt her heart beat harder and harder, but she kept playing. Her eyes blurred with the tears, but her hands had memorized the flow of the song and kept playing.
When she had finished she looked up and smashed her tiny fist onto the keys, over and over again.
She heard footsteps running down the stairs. She knew one of her parents would be in soon. It was Lucas. She turned to look at him and his once annoyed face turned into complete worry.
"Sam,what's wrong?"
She stood up and ran straight into his arms.
He was taken aback but quickly wrapped her up and started to rock her in place.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" He asked again.
"Thank you." She choked out, "Thank you for being my dad."
Lucas grabbed her hand and sat down on the couch, then pulled her onto his lap and let Sam finish crying. He just bobbed his knee up and down and patted her bottom softly.
" ." He whispered over and over as he felt Sam cling to the fabric of his tshirt. "I'm right here for you. Right here."
Sam remembered going upstairs with her dad, and thanking Brooke for being her mom, just like she had done with Lucas. She slept between them that night and fell asleep to Lucas singing to him and her mother running a hand through her hair. She had started sucking her thumb the moment she felt herself falling asleep. She needed the comfort that night and neither of her parents said anything. She was happy because in other homes they'd call her a baby, or ask her if she needed a pacifier just to be mean. Her parents weren't like that. They accepted all her oddities, and for that she was grateful.
Sam didn't know this, but Lopez had talked to the parents and warned them that this might happen. She had explained to them that she had encouraged Sam to confront her emotions. They stared at one another once Sam was asleep and suckling on her thumb. They were glad that Sam was following through with Lopez's suggestions, but it was still a hard thing to watch.
Coming back to the present Sam smiled because that time seemed like so long ago. She had to write Lopez a damn thank you card because she had really helped her out. She opened her eyes and placed her fingers on the keys and played. This time she didn't cry. She just played, and played, and played.
She was so absorbed in the moment that she didn't see Brooke and Karen standing near the door watching her play.
"It's like she transforms on that piano." Karen commented.
Brooke leaned on the doorframe, "I can watch her play for hours." She felt a knot in her throat. Her baby was so beautiful and poised. This was her element.
On the piano, Brooke could see Sam soar. She could see a range of emotions befall her as she played. On the piano, Sam seemed the most free. Anyone with eyes could see it.
"We should go before she catches us. She hates it when I stare in on her without her knowing." Brooke whispered.
They made their way up, Sam's playing slowly becoming a whisper.
Hey y'all! Please tell me what you think in a review! And yes, Lucas will finally propose in the next chapter! Also, for those who came to the game later on and didn't get to read chapter 10 because I mistakenly deleted it. I found the file in my files and re uploaded it! Feel free to ask me questions through a review, PMs or Tumblr!