Enjoy!
"Hey you." Brooke greeted her daughter as Sam clambered into the car, exhausted from their very last practice.
The community showcase was Friday and the team was working double time as it was Wednesday.
"Hey mama. How was your day?" The girl asked buckling her seatbelt. She knew Brooke wouldn't leave the parking lot until she did. Her mother was so paranoid about that safety stuff sometimes, to Sam's never ending chagrin.
"It was calm. Thank God." Brooke handed Sam a granola bar and a cold water bottle, "I figured you'd want this."
"Oh yes! Thank you!" The girl easily accepted the snack and drink.
Brooke smiled at her daughter then put the car in drive and eased out of the parking lot. She turned up the music slightly and let Sam decompress a bit in silence. She liked to hear when Sam sang quietly to the radio. Her daughter had a very nice voice, and it soothed Brooke in many ways to hear her daughter's soft and melodic mumbles. It reminded the mother that she finally had her daughter. That her dream had come true.
"I need to stop at the pharmacy for a bit. Do you wanna get off with me or wait in the car?" Brooke asked Sam after some time.
Sam yawned, "I'll wait here." She looked at her mom who was turning into the CVS, "Can you buy me Hot Cheetos?"
"Sam." Brooke groaned.
"Pretty please?" Sam batted her eyelashes, "I'm tired mama, and they'll make me feel better."
Brooke could only laugh at her daughter's attempt to woo her, "Fine. But you're not eating all of them today."
The girl was totally fine with that. Eyelashes work. Good to keep in mind.
"Okay!" She replied.
When Brooke came back to the car Sam was already on her phone. She put the bag down and handed Sam her chips.
"Hey mom, can Tamara come over tonight?"
It was a school night. Brooke felt a slight hint of worry. She wondered if something had happened.
"Is she alright?"
"I think so. I think that she wants some peace and quiet tonight. Is that cool?"
"Sure, but both of you are sleeping in separate rooms."
"Aww, but mo-"
Brooke put a finger up, "Uh, uh. I can never get you two asleep at a reasonable hour if you're in the same room, and I can see now that you're tired. You need to rest. Tamara will stay in the guestroom."
"Fine." Sam grumbled. Her mother had a point, she just wouldn't admit to that.
"Are you texting her now?" The mother inquired.
"Mhm."
"Let her know I'll go pick her up."
"Oh, umm, well she's sort of already at home."
Brooke sighed. These kids were going to be the end of her one day.
"You should've just started off with that, rather than having me think she was still at Southside." The mother gave her a raised eyebrow, "Let's start with the truth next time, hmm?"
Sam blushed at being caught. Her mother wasn't mad, but she wasn't necessarily gung ho about her approach, "Yes ma'am. Sorry."
Brooke decided to move on and break any sort of tension her daughter was feeling, "How was practice kiddo? You feel ready for Friday?"
Sam nodded her head, "Practice was annoying. Manny kept droning on that he wanted to change the last number because he thinks he doesn't have enough spotlight in the one we have now. He's been mad about that since the beginning though. The showcase is Friday! How are we supposed to change it now?" Sam shook her head as she thought of Manny, "He just likes being the center of attention too much sometimes."
Brooke chuckled, "So did your club director tell him that it couldn't be done?"
Sam opened her bag of chips and popped a Cheeto in her mouth, "I was the one that had to tell him to chill out. You just need to be extra blunt for him to get it."
"Well I'm glad you could work it out in the end. Do you all feel ready for Friday?
"Yeah, we all feel good about it. I'm glad we don't have practice tomorrow and we can just relax. "
'God, me too.' Brooke thought.
She wanted her kid to stop being perpetually tired. "So what are your plans for tomorrow then? Just relaxing around the house after school?"
Sam looked at her mother tentatively a second.
Brooke narrowed her eyes, "Sam? What are your plans?" There was more sternness in her voice, knowing that her daughter's worried little face meant her ask was something that Brooke wouldn't be too keen on.
Sam bit her lip and sucked in a breath, "I wanted to go to Southside and hang out with Tamara and Jack at Clydesville. I haven't seen Thrice in a while, and I wanted to visit."
Brooke thought for a bit. Sam could see that her mother wasn't all for it.
"Please mom? I sorta miss the place. I won't go near Joan's house either."
The mother couldn't take that piece of Sam's life away from her. She knew that. It was just hard not too worry.
"As long as Dad or I can pick you up by seven o' clock. Is that a deal?"
Sam was hoping for more time, since her curfew was later, but she wouldn't try and argue. She knew how hard it was for her parents to let her go back to the group home, and she appreciated that they did their best to understand that it was still very much a part of her past.
"Okay, deal."
As soon at they got into the driveway Sam sped out to go find Tamara. Brooke rolled her eyes, "Thanks for waiting!" She yelled sarcastically.
"You're welcome!" Sam said sassily and giggled as her mother shot her a glare, though a playful one.
Brooke walked in and lay her purse down on the table. Lucas having already greeted his daughter with a hug and a kiss, though not much else because Sam was on a mission to find Tamara, strode into the kitchen to find the love of his life. He smiled when he saw Brooke's beautiful figure. Her stomach was now showing the signs of pregnancy, but she was still looking flawless. He was positive she would always look flawless.
Lucas walked over and pulled her in, "Hey beautiful."
"Hi Hunk." Brooke returned his gesture with a kiss, "When did Tamara get here?"
"About an hour ago. She scared me half to death. I didn't realize she was here until I heard noise upstairs."
Brooke shook her head, "She's supposed to call before she comes. I think I need to remind her of that."
Lucas shrugged, "Well now that Sam's here, they'll both be occupied. Giving us time for a little fun." He wiggled his eyebrows up and down, "What do you think Ms. Davis?"
Brooke drew him closer and bit his ear softly, making the hair on Lucas's skin rise in excitement.
"Let's go upstairs Mr. Scott." She whispered.
She squealed when she felt Lucas pick her up. "You're all mine." He growled out, making Brooke crazy. She straddled him as he carried her up the stairs.
… … …
"Thanks for coming over." Sam hopped onto the guest bed, "You don't have to stay the night if you don't want too. I told my mom you were just in case though. But she'll give you a ride home, or my dad, if we ask them too. " She laid down next to a sitting Tamara.
Tamara shrugged and laid next to Sam, then stared up at the ceiling fan, "Nah, I'll stay over. It's quiet here…So what'd you wanna talk about?"
Sam sighed but decided that her best approach was to just spit it all out. "I'm confused about Jack." She admitted.
Tamara turned her head towards Sam, "What do you mean? What's up with you guys?"
"Don't laugh at us, alright?"
Tamara rolled her eyes, "Just tell me. I won't laugh. What'd he do this time?"
"Okay, seriously T. don't make fun of us, but ummm, things have been heating up between us."
The older friend felt her heart almost leap into her throat, but she kept her cool. I mean, Sam was practically her little sister. "Details Sam. That's not specific at all."
"Well, you know, we, uh, obviously kiss. And he touches me and of course I like it."
Tamara sat up and Sam took the cue and did so as well. The older girl kept her cool. She was experienced in that department, but she certainly didn't want Sam to be. Her life was not one she wanted Sam to follow. And she was sure Sam knew that as well.
They both heard the door open, "Hey you two-"
Both of them looked over and saw Brooke at the doorway.
"Mama!" Sam practically jumped out of her skin.
Brooke opened the door further and stepped in, "Sammy, are you alright?"
Her daughter looked like a deer caught in headlights. Her intention wasn't to sneak up on them, just tell them dinner was almost ready.
Tamara quickly covered for her friend, "She's fine Brooke. We were just really into our conversation."
Sam nodded in agreement, "Yeah, sorry. I just, ummm…you scared me."
Brooke wanted to press them further but decided against it.
"Okay. Well dinner will be ready soon, alright?" She hoped what they were talking about wasn't too serious.
Two heads bobbed up and down. Brooke wanted to chuckle at the simultaneous reaction. She walked over and kissed Tamara's head softly, "You didn't come down and give me a hug today sweetheart."
Tamara blushed at Brooke's statement. She didn't understand how being in the Davis household had a way of making her feel like a kid. It was a nice feeling. "Sorry."
"It's okay." A smile formed on Brooke's face, "But only as long as I can get one now."
The teenager groaned, "Broookkkeee."
"Please?" Brooke pressed further. She knew the girl wanted to anyway.
Sam laughed, "She won't leave until you do it."
Brooke looked over at her daughter and nodded, "Sam's right."
The older teenager gave in and hugged Brooke around her middle as she was sitting down and the woman was standing up. Brooke felt as Tamara momentarily melted into her embrace.
Honestly, Tamara would never get tired of Brooke's hugs.
The mother dropped one last kiss on her forehead before turning to Sam, "I want all those clothes off the floor before you come down for dinner peanut."
"Fine." Sam breathed out. Her mother was always telling her to pick this and that up! Ugh.
"Come down in twenty minutes!" She told them both before closing the door again.
Tamara turned to Sam, "Could you be any more obvious?"
Sam ducked her head, "Sorry. I'm an easy tell sometimes."
"More like all the time." Tamara grumbled.
That was so not true! "Oh, whatever!"
Tamara went back to the subject at hand, "Well, anyways, how far have you and Jack gone?"
Sam picked at the skin on her thumb, "We kiss and he touches me, my, umm chest especially."
"Typical guy." Tamara scoffed.
Sam chuckled at her comment, "Except, you know he hasn't gone…there."
Tamara narrowed her eyes, "Has he tried?"
"I told him I'm not ready. At least I don't think I am."
Tamara crossed her legs indian style, "If you're not sure, then you're not ready for that. Jack really cares about you, so he won't push you into anything. You don't feel pressured to do any of this, do you?"
The smaller girl's eyes widened at Tamara's slowly hardening features.
"No T., no! He hasn't at all. I just, I don't know. I feel worried, and, and a little guilty for doing all this."
"Your parents right? You feel bad because of them?"
Sam's head hung then she picked it back up with a long sigh, "I'm pretty sure my dad would kill me. My mom, I don't know, she told me to talk to her about it when I felt ready. I just, I don't want to do that. I'd have to tell her that we've already done…things, and I don't, I don't want to disappoint her, or feel like I let her down or something for not telling her."
"Okay, well l'emme ask you this, if you didn't have anything to worry about, would you tell her?"
"Well yeah." Sam said in a sort of 'duh' tone, "Obviously, I would. But it's not that easy T."
Tamara laid back down with an annoyed grunt, "Sam, listen to me. Talk to your mom now, before Jack and you do more serious things. I'm not just talking about sex, but more serious exploring or whatever. You don't even have to tell her everything. Honestly what you've done isn't even that bad. Has he taken your shirt off?"
"Yeah." Sam nodded.
"Bra?"
"No." Came her answer with a shake of her head, "He went under it once or twice though."
"Okay, so just tell her that he's gone up your shirt once or twice and that you've kissed."
Sam groaned, "And what if she ends up telling my dad and then I can't see jack anymore! I'd rather just keep it to myself."
"And how's that working out for you? It's bothering you, so just tell her!" Tamara shot back, "Your mom was like the resident skank of Tree Hill wasn't she? I'm sure she'll get it."
Tamara felt a punch to her arm, "Ow! Jerk!"
"Don't call my mom a skank."
The girl just shrugged, "Chill out Sam. You know what I mean. And I'm almost positive she knows that y'all at least kiss. So just have a conversation with her. You don't have to give her all the details. But at least tell her that you've kissed him. Like I said, she probs already figured that. Besides, that's what moms are there for, right? Helping you through this stuff?"
Sam mulled over Tamara's words. Her friend had a point.
"But it's not even that big a deal, right?" Sam tried to convince herself, "So why should I even tell her? It's not like anyone else would tell their mom." Sam gave a deep sigh, "I feel like I'm just being a baby, wanting to tell her about this."
Sam felt like that sometimes. Too much of a little kid about certain things. She wasn't a fool. She saw the way all the kids at Tree Hill processed certain events and situations that happened to them. It seemed like everything was so easy. It was as if certain things that rolled off their shoulders, would play and replay in Sam's mind until her parents could make her feel better.
And it was sort of embarrassing to think that she still felt the safest when asleep between her parents, and that she liked when they cuddled her in their laps. She liked it when they rubbed her back, or patted her bottom rhythmically. Her parents would always make her feel better, loved, protected. Too bad Sam didn't realize that there were more kids like that then she thought.
Tamara looked at her friend curiously,
"Look Sam, I never had a mom to talk about boy stuff with. Well now I have Camille, but that's not how we work."
Sam immediately felt bad for basically complaining about having a mom that cares. But Tamara didn't mean it to be rude. She was just being honest.
The older girl continued, "So anyway, I'm not too sure how the dynamic works or anything. All I know is that if you're confused about something you can talk to her. If you don't want to, then don't, whatever. Just be honest with yourself and figure out whether it's important enough for you to tell her. Brooke loves you dude, like to the ends of the earth and back. And honestly, she'll probably be relieved that you talk to her about these things. So what if nobody else does it. The point is that you can do it. You can talk to her. That's an awesome thing to have."
Sam nodded. Tamara was right. She knew it intellectually. It was just a hard thing to process for the teenager.
Nonetheless, a few moments later the two friends were laid out on the bed. Sam was absentmindedly scrolling on her phone and Tamara was using Sam's laptop, but a thought crossed Tamara's mind. She moved the laptop aside and turned back to her friend.
"Hey."
"Yeah?" Sam replied, finishing up a comment she was leaving on Liz's most recent profile picture. When she finished she looked away from her phone and to Tamara,
"What's up?"
"What happened with uh, Mike, it hasn't bothered your relationship with Jack, right? Like having a guy close to you like that it doesn't scare you because of him?"
Sam was surprised by the question. That hadn't even crossed her mind, but then again she and Jack hadn't gone that far, "I, I really don't know. It might. I guess we'll have to see, but right now I feel like it hasn't. And I don't think I'll be, umm, having sex for a while." Sam blushed a bit and looked away.
Tamara smiled at her embarrassment, "Well you have me to talk to 'kay? And Brooke, of course."
Sam scooted and hugged her friend tightly, "Thank you." She whispered.
Tamara hugged her back, "You know I got you Sam."
Lucas called them down for dinner from the stairs. They both came out but he caught a hold of the back of Sam's shirt though, "You, hold it. T, go ahead."
The girl huffed, "Dad, what? Whatever it is, I'm sorry."
He laughed, "You're not in trouble. I just wanted to make sure you're alright."
She looked confused, "What do you mean?"
He smiled down at her, "I woke up around midnight last night and I couldn't fall back asleep so I went down to get a drink of water and I saw that your bedside lamp was on. I took a peek and you were just staring up at the ceiling. I didn't want to bother you, but it's been bugging me. Baby, are you okay?"
She was definitely not going to tell him that she had finished texting Jack and was just laying there giddy and happy thinking about him.
"What is it?" He asked with a concerned look on his face.
Sam slightly moved from him, "It was nothing important daddy, don't worry about it. I just couldn't sleep."
Lucas narrowed his eyes. He knew she was lying, but he wouldn't push it. Kids deserved to have their privacy too, "Okay, if you don't want to tell me then that's fine. But I'm here if you need me." He leaned towards her and kissed the top of her head, "Let's eat. I'm starving."
"Yeah, okay." Sam said giving a breath of relief.
After dinner both Sam and Tamara were washing the dishes, albeit a bit reluctantly.
"Uh, Sam, where are you going?" Brooke asked as both girls were headed out to the living room once they finished their plates.
Sam pointed, "To the living room. Why?"
"It's your turn to wash the dishes."
The girls shoulder slumped suddenly and her voice became a half whine that made both parents cringe, "But mom, I just did them two days ago! It's dad's turn!"
Luke broke in, "Yes, but I recall you bargaining dishes for more TV, yesterday."
"You were serious?!" Sam asked in disbelief.
Sam had recently gotten into the show Once Upon a Time and was watching it on Netflix out in the living room television. She was about to watch the last episode of the first season when her dad came in and told her to head to bed. She half jokingly and half seriously bargained with him, taking his turn for the dishes if he let her stay up for one more episode.
"I was serious." He told her point blank.
"But dad!"
" Samantha, stop. Just go do them, it's not that much." Brooke stopped the whine before it started.
Tamara jumped in before her friend got herself into any trouble. She could tell that both parents were serious and Sam was working herself up.
"Come on dude. I'll help."
She pushed her friend forward toward the kitchen.
"Smart move T." Brooke said with a wink. Tamara just smirked at her.
Once finished Sam headed up to shower while Tamara went up to Sam's room to use her laptop once more. She heard a knock on the door and she rolled her eyes knowing exactly who it would be.
Brooke, of course.
The woman always wanted to check up on her when she was around the house. It drove Tamara crazy, but it also made her feel loved and cared for. She liked that part about it.
She didn't even have to say come in because the door opened a few seconds later. The knock was really a formality. A chance for you to stop what you were doing and get ready for the door to open.
"Hey, I was wondering when you'd corner me tonight." The teenager quipped.
Brooke beckoned her with her hand, "Hilarious Tamara. Now come on, get off the computer and let's talk in the guestroom."
Tamara rolled her eyes and huffed out a fine before following Brooke.
"How are things with Camille?"
Brooke watched the girl shrug. An expected reaction.
"They're okay. We, um, sorta fought last week. I stayed out past her lame ass curfew for three days straight and so on the third day she blew up on me and we started shouting. She ended up grounding me."
Brooke sighed, "T."
"I know. I know. She cares blah, blah, blah. I don't need a curfew though. I haven't had one in years and I'm 16. I can take care of myself."
"You are 16 and under her care. She loves you Tamara. I know you've done most things your own way and having someone to mother you is different, but don't make it harder for the both of you. Don't you like being taken care of?"
Tamara shrugged, "Yeah, sorta."
Brooke gave her a knowing smile. She knew it was true. "Can you tell my why you were out late so much."
"I missed it once and then she got mad and I guess I just did it to spite her."
"Tamara, that's not the way to solve things."
"I know Brooke." The girl grew exasperated, "Can we not do this right now? I get it, okay."
The woman looked at the clock and saw that it was getting late.
"Alright, we'll talk later. And I'm serious about that. We're talking, you little hell raiser. But it's getting late. I left you some pajamas in the bathroom. Get ready for bed, and I'll come in to say goodnight and tuck you in, in a bit."
Tamara gave her an incredulous look which amused the woman. "Brooke you don't have to do that, seriously, you can chill."
She shrugged, "Too bad, I want to. Now get to it!" She stood up and kissed the girl on the top of her head before leaving the room.
Meanwhile Sam was spinning in her chair absentmindedly listening to her current favorite song, "No Role Modelz" by J. Cole. She was going to go into Tamara's room but she saw that her mother was talking to her and she didn't want to interrupt whatever serious talk was going on in there so she went back to her room.
She heard a knock on the door, "Come in!"
Lucas opened the door and rolled his eyes when he heard the song.
"I thought you hated Eminem because he hates women. Isn't this guy the same?"
Sam stopped spinning in her chair and shrugged, "I like his flow better though, and he's deeper."
The father didn't try and understand. Teenagers. He pressed the spacebar on the computer.
"Why'd you do that? Sam mumbled through a sleepy yawn. She rubbed her eyes with her fingers. Lucas was glad he saw it because he had come in to send her to bed and her actions were just the perfect signs of an exhausted kid.
"You're tired."
She shook her head, "No, I'm not."
Lucas laughed, "Come on champ. Bed time."
Sam pouted, "Aww, I thought you wanted to watch some Netflix with me."
Lucas could tell she was just bargaining for more time, although he appreciated that his kid loved watching tv with him. It was cute. "Sorry, but you've been tired all week, so as much as I want to watch Netflix with you, sleep trumps it."
"Please?"
"Nope. Now let's get you into bed."
Sam got up begrudgingly and followed her dad who opened up the sheets for her. She laid down and he smoothed them over her. He let her get comfortable before he sat down, "Did you have a good day today?"
She nodded, "Mhm. I'm excited for Friday, especially 'cause you and mom are gonna be there."
"We're excited to see your performance too. You've been working so hard. We're proud of you."
"Thanks dad."
He smiled,
"I love you baby girl."
"Love you too." Sam mumbled now snuggling down into her covers. "Mom told you I'm going to Clydesville tomorrow, right?"
Lucas suppressed the frown that wanted to form on his face. He wasn't exactly all for it, but Lopez told them to let Sam explore and go back to her past as much as she wanted to.
"Yes, she did. Be careful sweetheart, alright?"
"I will dad, promise."
She felt her father's lips press onto her forehead and a smile easily formed on her face.
He placed a hand on her cheek, "Okay, I'm holding you to that. Sweet dreams. I'll see you in the morning."
He walked out slowly, and took one last peek at her then let the door close with a soft click.
"Hey, is Sam asleep?" Brooke asked Lucas when he came downstairs. After having said goodnight to Tamara she went downstairs to get her charger and was planning on saying goodnight to Sam, but she had gotten momentarily distracted with a missed call from Millie and so she had spent more time downstairs than planned.
"Just put her to bed a few minutes ago. She might still be awake."
Brooke shook her head, "Oh, alright. I'll just leave her then."
"Did you want to talk to her about something?" Lucas asked with a raised eyebrow. Was there something that he wasn't in the know about? He hated not being in the know, "What is it?"
The mother went over and kissed his cheek, "Calm down poppa bear. I just wanted to say goodnight, but I don't want to risk waking her or anything, so I'll leave it be."
Lucas blushed a bit, he hated acting so paranoid about his kid, but it happened sometimes…more like a lot of times, oh hell, who was he kidding? Most of the time.
Brooke just chuckled at his reaction, "Let's just go to bed Mr. Dad."
… … …
Brooke felt the vibration of her phone just as she was entering an interview for People magazine. She looked at the interviewer, smiled, and shook hands with her,
"I'm so sorry. Do you mind if I check my phone really quick? It's most likely my daughter."
The woman nodded, "Of course Brooke! We'll start whenever you'd like."
Brooke grabbed her phone out of her purse and read the text.
I'm at Clydesville now! Camille didn't let T. come 'cause she's grounded. It's just Jack and me.
Brooke quickly typed up her response,
Okay peanut. I'll pick you up at 7:30. I'm about to enter an interview. Love you.
Sam looked at her mother's response. She knew that the interview comment meant not to call or text unless it was an emergency. Brooke respected the people that interviewed her and never wanted to seem rude. For a second Sam thought about the fact that she was planning on talking to her mom that night about her and Jack. Shudder. She shook away the nerves, shoved her Iphone into her bag and grabbed Jack's hand, "Come on, I can't wait to see Thrice!"
Once inside Thrice met them with open arms and a kiss to both their cheeks. "I've missed you two. Sammy, you haven't been back here in a while." Her face had a wide grin. Jack had told her preemptively that they'd be coming and the social worker was ecstatic. She had missed Sam.
Sam immediately felt guilty, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to not-"
Thrice shook her head before the girl could say anything else, "No, no, child. That's a good thing. It means you've adjusted!"
Sam looked around what was once her old home and wondered where everyone was.
"The older girls have group counseling at the community center." Thrice answered. She could see the question in the girl's wandering eyes.
"Oh." Sam nodded.
"But we have our smaller girls downstairs in the music room. I'm sure they'd appreciate a song from an old alum." She said with a wink. Jack and Sam looked at each other and smiled.
"I wanna hear you play and sing too Sam." Jack mentioned.
"Thrice, you know I could never say no to a piano." But when the words came out of her mouth, Sam's mind instantly went to the time in her life when she had shunned her favorite pastime. It was a time filled with self hatred, fear, and a deep seeded longing for her parents. Sam grabbed at the helm of her shirt and bit her lip.
Luckily, Jack slipped his hand in hers and squeezed it, "Come on Sammy, let's go. Play your heart out so these girls know what can come from Clydesville."
Sam looked at Thrice who had been watching her the whole time. The social worker gave her a soft smile before leading them down the stairs.
There were probably six girls in the music room and they were all chatting away, not bothering to pause for the guests in the home, except two little faces that instantly stopped and whose eyes filled with recognition.
"Alright girls." Thrice said with a clap of her hands, "We have someone who used to stay at Clydesville, and she also was taught to play here, just like you guys!"
Jack stayed in the back and let Sam walk forward and greet the girls.
"Hello!" All the girls seemed to have sing songed simultaneously.
"Hello, I'm Sammy." She told them all, "I used to live here not too long ago too. I recognize some of you. Like Chelsea and Estella." She smiled at the faces she recognized.
Younger girls were usually placed into foster homes rather quickly and so their duration was never that long at Clydesville. Sam wondered why these two still hadn't been placed somewhere, but she wouldn't ask. Sometimes the answers were too painful to hear. She swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat.
Luckily, little Estella got up and hugged her tightly and Chelsea soon followed.
"I missed you guys." Sam whispered. They nodded. Chelsea spoke and Sam noticed her missing front tooth. It made her look so cute and young.
"We missed you pwaying fow us at night. Wemember you'd sneak in wif us?"
The teenager felt her heart constrict. Little six year old Chelsea still had her lisp.
"What do you play?" One girl with curly hair and chocolate brown eyes asked Sam after hearing what Chelsea said. Sam looked up.
Thrice directed Chelsea and Estella to sit down and nodded to Sam.
"I play piano. Ms. Thrice taught me."
"Show us!" Another blond haired girl of about seven yelled enthusiastically.
Sam gave a dramatic thinking face, "Hmmm. What should I play?"
She looked at her audience who were all throwing out names of songs at the same time. But what caught Sam's eyes was the quiet girl near the door. She looked to be probably one of the older ones in the group. She was probably eight or nine. Sam could see her face. It looked angry. Unenthusiastic and terribly sad. Sam frowned at the sight.
She wanted to help her. She offered the girl a smile, but nothing came of it. Then she thought of a plan.
"Okay, I'm gonna play a happy song first, and then after Ms. Thrice can take over for a bit, and then after I'll play another song. Does that work?"
They all nodded.
She went to the piano and decided on the suggestion of Katy Perry's "Firework" that Estella had thrown out.
The girls all watched mesmerized at how well Sam's fingers moved on the piano and how easily she could keep up a tune at the same time.
Since having created her school's glee club Sam had easily gotten better at singing. The girls all clapped and exclaimed how good she was.
"Pway anotha one!" Chelsea giddily exclaimed.
Thrice walked over. She knew instantly since the moment that Sam watched the subdued girl nearest to the door that Sam wanted to help her. So she jumped in, "Let's give Sam some time. She probably needs water. Right Sam? We'll practice some scales on the instruments that you all chose. And Sammy, why don't you take Nicole with you to get some water."
The sad girl looked up at the mention of her name, "I don't want water."
Sam walked over to her while the rest of them all complained about not wanting to practice their instruments and instead wanted to learn to play piano. Thrice was left to the task of pacifying them.
"Jack come up here and help me out." Thrice finally asked.
Jack awkwardly walked over, "Oh..uhm, yeah, okay."
Nicole's face was filled with unease when Sam bent down towards her level, but it didn't faze Sam.
"So I don't know where anything is anymore. It looks like everything moved, can you show me where the poptarts are? I know Thrice has them hidden somewhere."
Nicole studied her for a moment. Hmmm. Sam seemed sincere about the poptarts, the little girl decided.
She got up and walked wordlessly with Sam right after her. None of the other girls seemed to care that she left.
"I think Ms. Thrice keeps them on top of the refrigerator." Nicole said softly as she led them to the kitchen, "Chelsea climbed it and took some once, I think."
Sam hopped onto the counter, grabbed the poptarts on the top, and took out one package. She gave the second poptart in the package to Nicole.
"How long ya been in her for?" Sam asked nonchalantly.
Nicole shrugged, "Two weeks or something. It's my first time in a group home."
Sam frowned. Something tragic must've happened for this little girl to be here.
"Ms. Thrice is really nice. She loves all the girls here, including you." The teenager offered as a pathetic slice of hope.
It didn't work.
Nicole gave the treat back to Sam, "I'm not hungry." Her voice was consistently soft whenever she talked, as if she was scared to be loud.
Sam bit her lip and let it go slowly, "You know, I, umm, I came here when I was six. After my foster parents beat me pretty hard."
Maybe her opening up would help Nicole open up?
Nicole looked at her feet, "Yeah but you found your parents."
The bitterness was clear in her voice. Sam wondered how the girl knew that.
"Everyone talks about it here. You're lucky." She added.
Nicole was going to head back but Sam jumped off the counter, "Wait, hold on!" She called, then grabbed Nicole's arm and spilled everything she could think of, "I'm sorry that you're here. I know it's hard to feel all alone, and it's rough to not have someone that will give you attention like a mom or a dad. I know there's nothing that I can say that'll make you feel better. I know that. People used to try to do it with me. All I can tell you is that what always made me feel better was an outlet, and that was the piano. And you know, I think in the end when I'm old and when you're old all this is gonna make us way stronger."
Nicole stared at Sam for a second. She wanted to be left alone. She didn't care what Sam had to say because it wouldn't fix anything.
Sam was right about that.
Everyone was always trying to help, but they never could actually fix anything.
Maybe if she told Sam a piece of her story then the girl would leave her be. Because, honestly, she was hurt, annoyed, and she just wanted to be left alone.
So she did. She blurted it out.
"They took me from my dad. They said he was unfit. He's all I have and they took him from me. I don't wanna be here. I hate it. They're wrong about him!"
Her voice wasn't soft then. A marked change from before.
She pushed her arm away and went back down to the music room.
Sam stayed in the kitchen for a moment watching the little girl go. She felt an overwhelming sadness for Nicole. Sam knew those feelings exactly and a pang of nostalgia hit her stomach and she felt butterflies all over. This was all too real. All too soon. This had been her reality. Music practices, Ms. Thrice, finding hidden poptarts atop the fridge, and group therapy with the older girls.
Oh shit.
The older girls would be back soon. Sam couldn't do it. She couldn't face them. They were probably still the same group of girls, give or take a few. They would remind her too much of everything. Her feelings, who she was then, her anger, and fear from before. It would hit her hard. She knew herself well enough to predict that.
"Sam what's up?" Jack asked noticing the semi panicked look on Sam's face. He had come up after some time listening to the girls practice their scales and found Sam in her pensive moment. He had also caught Nicole going down the stairs.
"Let's leave after I play one last song?" Sam abruptly answered looking up from her thoughts.
"You sure?" Jack didn't want Sam to regret her decision later, and feel guilty for having stayed for a short amount of time, "Is everything good?"
Sam shrugged, "I just, I don't think, I don't-" She shook her head, "I can't be here for too long. It makes me feel…weird."
The boy didn't need to hear anymore. He understood loud and clear, "Okay. Well, let's go down and then afterwards you wanna call Brooke to pick you up? We can walk to the park and wait for her there. Addie might be home so I can pick her up on the way to the park too."
Jack knew that Sam would probably want to go home after this.
'Yeah, that sounds good."
After having waited for them to finish practicing their scales Sam finally sat back down on the piano. She had used those ten minutes or so to think of a song that would help Nicole and her situation. She went over to the piano and sat down. The girls were all sitting quietly, although giddy to hear the next song.
Sam took a deep breath. "This is a slow one. I used to listen to this song when I was little and I umm, missed a friend and so then I learned how to play it on piano."
Her "friend" in this situation being her parents, but she didn't want to mention that word at that very moment, in a room full of parentless kids.
Sam stared at the keys for a moment then looked back towards her audience of little girls, "Listen really closely to the words okay?" She darted her eyes towards Nicole and could tell that she was somewhat intrigued.
Sam placed her fingers on the keys, rolled her shoulders and then began pressing her fingers softly onto her old trusted friend. She started with low melodic notes that eased into a rhythmic beat. Her voice came in soon after. Soft, yet powerful.
I'm standing on a bridge
I'm waiting in the dark
I thought that you'd be here by now
There's nothing but the rain
No footsteps on the ground
I'm listening but there's no sound
The girls were all dead silent now as they listened to Sam sing. Some of them were far too young to really grasp the gravity of the song, but they could just feel the somberness of the words.
But Nicole instantly knew why Sam chose this song. As she listened to the words she couldn't help the tears that clouded her vision.
Isn't anyone trying to find me?
Won't somebody come take me home?
It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you take me by the hand?
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
But I... I'm with you
I'm with you
I'm looking for a place
I'm searching for a face
Is anybody here I know
'Cause nothing's going right
And everything's a mess
And no one likes to be alone
By the time the song ended Sam took a moment to breathe. Damn. That song always got to her. She put on a smile and turned to the girls who were all clapping. She looked to the back and saw that Nicole donned red eyes. She made eye contact with her and saw when the little girl mouthed a thanks. Although Sam was sure the little girl was still as mad and angry at everything as before, she was glad that for a few minutes she brought her a sense of solace.
… …. ….
Lucas had been the one to pick up Sam, since Brooke couldn't get out of work until 7:00 and it had only been nearing five thirty when Sam called. He had also given Jack and Adelyn a ride home and noticed that Sam was subued throughout the car ride. He let her be for the time being.
By seven, Sam had come down the stairs with her blanket in hand and snuggled up to her dad's side as he read a book. She stayed quiet and watched the images of the news that were up on the muted tv. He kissed the top of her head and went back to his book. A few minutes later he looked down and she looked to be deep in her thoughts.
"Baby girl?"
He tried to move her but she shook her head and buried her face further into his side and clutched her blanket tighter,
"It was just a hard visit." Sam said softly, "I'll be okay."
Lucas sighed. Damn it! He had told Brooke it was a bad idea to let her go, but at the same time he knew that he couldn't shield Sam from her past like that. But God, how he wished he could.
"Want to talk about it bud?"
Sam didn't move from her place, hidden in her dad's side, "There was just a girl that reminded me of, well, me when I was little. I just, I don't wanna talk about it though."
Lopez's words rang in the father's head.
"Don't push her. If she doesn't want to talk about her past do not push her. She is capable of making the decision to talk without you goading her to do it."
He went against his instinct and listened to the voice. He rubbed Sam's back soothingly, "Okay, well how 'bout we watch some tv and get your mind off it?"
What he'd actually like to do is lift her into his arms and rock her to sleep, all the while letting her know that he was sorry, although he wasn't sure what he was sorry about, and tell her that he would protect her and love her and hold her forever and ever.
Sam smiled, "I like that idea. When's mom coming home?"
He checked his watch, "She should be leaving work soon. I'm gonna ask her to bring dinner."
Ten minutes later Sam's head was on her father's lap while they watched some more of Once Upon a Time. Lucas had no idea what was going on in the show, but Sam wanted to watch it and so he agreed. During a fighting scene he shot off a text to Brooke.
Hey babe. Just a heads up that Sam's a bit upset about her visit, but we expected that. We're watching Netflix to make her feel better though. Can you bring dinner?
When Brooke read the text she sighed and brushed a hand through her hair. They knew that Sam would probably come home a little downtrodden afterwards, but it still didn't make it any easier to see her sad. They had hoped it would've been like the time that she had taken Karen. That time Sam seemed okay when she came back.
Brooke grabbed her purse and keys and made her way into her car. Her poor baby. One day going back to that place would be easy. Maybe that was a futile hope. She decided on getting Sam's favorite: hot wings. Bleh. Most certainly not her favorite.
Once home, Brooke went towards the side door that got her into the kitchen. She left the food on the counter along with her purse, and then headed into the living room. She found Sam explaining to Lucas something about an evil queen named Regina and Lucas doing his best to understand. She walked over, taking her heels off, and dropping them near the couch in the process, "Hey loves."
Sam stopped talking and watched as her mother kissed Lucas and then went over to kiss her on the forehead, "I brought wings."
Sam's eyes widened, "Really? You hate them!"
Brooke bopped her nose, "Yes, but you love them. Besides, I bought myself a salad."
Sam laughed. Of course her mother would never actually eat wings. She was pretty sure the woman had never even touched them.
"Come on." Brooke called the pair waking back to the kitchen, "It'll get cold soon."
Lucas stood up with a kind smile to his daughter. She stayed to finish the last five minutes of the episode. Once it was over the girl looked over to the kitchen and exhaled a deep breath. She was mesmerized as she watched her parents. Her dad was trying to force her mother to eat a hot wing and Brooke was pushing him away. A feeling of safety and warmth came over her. She chuckled despite herself.
"Sammy! Food!" She heard her mom call.
With that she hopped off the couch and headed into the kitchen, hoping she never lost that safe and warm feeling.
She walked in and gave her mom an impromptu kiss on the cheek, then hugged her mom around her middle. Brooke looked at Lucas who gave her a raised eyebrow. The mother looked down at Sam and rubbed her back.
"Thanks for getting my favorite."
Brooke squeezed her tight, "You're welcome, honey."
Sam let go with a shy smile. This was where she belonged. Beside Brooke Davis and Lucas Scott. Her parents.
During dinner Sam got into some of what happened at Clydesville. She told them that she hoped that everything worked out with Nicole. Brooke and Lucas listened intently as their daughter spoke.
"You probably helped her more than you know buddy." Lucas told her after she had said her piece.
"How do you know?" Sam's question was completely sincere. She really did want to know how her father could make that comment so easily.
Lucas put his fork down, "There was this one moment after college. I had just graduated, but I had not job. No money. I felt worthless, to say the least."
Brooke turned to Lucas. She hadn't heard this story either, and was interested in what happened. Lucas was never one to feel sorry for himself and she felt so bad that she had not kept in touch with him during all that time.
"But, there was this man out on the street and he was singing and strumming a guitar at a park. I had two dollars in my pocket, and I figured the guy needed it more than I did and so I put it in his guitar case. He asked me if I had a song that I wanted him to play and I shook my head. I left but sat nearby to read a book. Then, out of nowhere this guy started playing one of my favorite songs."
"What song was it?" Sam asked.
"100 years. It made me cry but I just sorta felt a little bit better. Sometimes it's the most unexpected people that bring moments of healing Sammy."
Sam gave her dad a weepy smile. Maybe she had done that for Nicole.
… … …
It was around nine thirty and Sam was going to call it a night soon since her club's big day was tomorrow.
She was downstairs practicing her pieces for one more time. She had originally thought about talking to her mom about Jack, but her show was tomorrow, so that took precedent, right?
But just as she was playing she heard someone come down. Her eyes darted towards the sound and saw as her mother walked off the basement steps with a load of laundry. Sam stopped playing. It was like as if God was putting her mother there on purpose! Nice move, universe.
Brooke turned around, furrowing her eyebrows in the process. Usually her daughter would ignore them when they came down and she was playing. Nothing usually broke her concentration.
"Whoah, you stopped." The mother told her with some surprise in her voice.
Sam blinked blankly.
"Earth to Sam?" Brooke asked putting the laundry down and walking into the music room.
"What, oh, yeah, my bad. You caught me off guard." Sam was about to play again but her mother gave her a look.
"What?" The girl asked.
"You usually never stop until you finish your song." Brooke saw Sam squirm a bit. She put a hand on her hip, "You sure you're alright?"
She had noticed that lately it always seemed like Sam wanted to tell her something but would change her mind. She was letting it slide, because her daughter deserved that space. Brooke was also attributing some of it to Sam just being a little wound up about her event tomorrow.
"Yes I'm good mom." Sam groaned with an eye roll, "Just chill."
Brooke put her hands up in surrender, "Okay, okay. Just checking." She picked up the laundry basket again, "Are you planning on going to sleep soon? You have a big day tomorrow."
Sam nodded. But she then bit her lip and ducked her head when she thought her mother wasn't looking anymore. She shook her head at herself.
Fuck. Now would've been a perfect time to have talked to her. Maybe she just shouldn't tell her at all!
Brooke saw her daughter's reaction, and decided that she wasn't letting that one go. She put the basket down again and walked towards the piano.
She snapped her fingers, "Alright up. What're you thinking about?"
"Nothing." Sam responded quickly with a shake of her head, "It's nothing."
"Nope, too late." Brooke replied. She grabbed Sam's hand and led her to the couch.
"Mama-"
"Don't mama me," Brooke ended her daughter's excuse before it came out of her mouth and sat her down on the couch, "What's going on? Are you nervous about tomorrow? Is it about your visit to Clydesville?"
Sam stared at her mother's concerned look. She knew that answering with a yes to either of those would be an easy way out, but did she really want to do that?
"Samantha, you can talk to me." Brooke added.
It was obvious to her that Sam was debating whether or not to tell her something by the way her eyes averted her and she played with her hands.
"I don't want you to get mad." She managed to eek out.
Brooke felt her heart skip a beat. No mother likes hearing those words. What could her daughter have done to make her mad? Now she knew that this wasn't going to be a simple talk. She had to tread lightly. The mother placed a strand of Sam's hair behind her ear, causing Sam to look at her with big, pouty eyes.
Brooke laid a kiss on her forehead, "Sweetheart, my only goal in talking to you is getting you to feel better. If you did something wrong, I'll try to help you fix those mistakes."
Sam drew her legs in and drew closer to Brooke, "…Mama?"
"Yes, honey?"
The girl took a deep breath.
Just do it! She's in a good and compassionate mood right now, you dummy! Sam's mind yelled at her.
"It's about Jack and I." Sam started.
Brooke felt her heart drop as she thought the worst. Was it sex? No, it couldn't be.
"Okay."
"Jack and I, we've-"
It was sex. Her little girl. When did it happen? She felt a lump in her throat form. Why else would Sam think she'd get mad?
"Well we've umm-"
The mother swallowed her emotions, "D-did you two have-"
"Wait, no, no mama!" Sam sputtered, "We, we didn't! We didn't have sex."
Brooke exhaled and put a hand to her heart, "Thank God."
This was Sam's in. She knew that anything she said now would be less terrifying as what her mother thought.
"I know that you told me that you wanted me to talk to you about that kind of stuff though. We haven't done anything serious."
Brooke listened intently. She was uncomfortable, and her heart was in her throat. She didn't want to hear this on a visceral level, but as a mother, she would rather be in the know than be blissfully ignorant. This was her baby, and it'd be hard to swallow, and as much as she wanted to yell, she knew that was not the reaction that would allow her daughter to open up. So she listened and kept, or attempted to keep a straight face.
"We kiss a lot though, and, umm, he's gone under my shirt once or twice while we kiss."
So she modified it a bit. Would you really blame her though?
"Have you two done anything else?" Brooke asked. Oh, God, please let that be it.
"No, that's it. I, umm, I know that I don't wanna have sex now though, mom. Or for a while, I think But I don't know I just, I feel confused. And I've felt that way for a while, and guilty because I don't want you to be ashamed of me." Her head hung by the end.
Brooke sighed, "Sweetheart I'm not ashamed of you at all."
"You're not?"
"No, no, lovebug. Worried? Hell yes. But never ashamed. And sweetie, you're confused because intimacy is a confusing thing when you're not ready for it. Even sometimes when you are."
"But you think what I'm doing is bad, right?"
Brooke grabbed her daughter's hands, "I think you're young, really young. I know that high school is a big time to experiment. I'm not going to tell you not to do this or that because I'd be kidding myself if I thought that I could stop that sort of thing. But I will tell you that I think you need to be careful. I don't think you're ready for intimacy past where you are now, and I have a feeling that you agree with me too. If it were up to me I wouldn't have you doing that either, especially if its affecting you this much."
Sam nodded and moved closer to her mother, snaking herself under her mother's arm and leaning her head onto her. Brooke smiled down at her daughter.
"I don't think I'm ready for anything more either, and neither is Jack."
Brooke rubbed her daughter's back over and over again.
She narrowed her eyes at the thought of Jack. She planned on talking to him. Oh yes. They were going to talk.
"But honey, I really need you to be careful. Please Samantha. Sex is not a joke, and I'm going to be clear and tell you that I don't want you doing that right now."
Sam pressed her face into her mother's side and breathed in deeply. Her mother's scent was always the best, "I know mommy. I know."
Brooke smiled, "And you promise to talk to me when you're ready for something more?"
"I already did promise you that." Sam answered looking up at her.
"Just checking that you remembered." The mother said with a wink.
"You're not mad?"
Brooke kissed the top of her head, "Am I happy that my child is getting physical with boys? Not at all. I'd rather you not do that. But I'm so happy you told me. I'm here for you. I'm always here for you."
"Don't tell dad." Sam said seriously.
And over this one subject, Brooke would comply. Maybe it was worth keeping Lucas in the dark just this once.
"I won't peanut. I think we'd both prefer Jack stay alive, right? And I'm sure you'd prefer to not be locked up in your room for the rest of your life."
Sam laughed and hugged her mother tighter.
"But Sam, if I find out that you and Jack did have sex at this age, I will see to it that you don't sit comfortably."
Sam stiffened as she felt her mother pat her bottom. A spanking? Oh hell no.
"I won't mama."
"Good girl."
Brooke stayed with her daughter until she fell asleep that night, at Sam's request. She had her wrapped up, Sam's back to her chest, and was humming to her when Sam spoke up softly, "Mommy, you know we won't be able to do this soon."
Brooke stopped humming, wondering why her daughter would say that, "And why not?"
"Your stomach is going to get too big." Sam replied forlornly.
Brooke laughed lightly, "Trust me, I will find a way to cuddle with you regardless of my stomach size."
"You promise mama?"
Oh, how Brooke's heart sagged with emotion at the small voice that came from her 14 year old! Soon to be 15 in a few months.
"I promise you princess. I'll cuddle with you whenever you need it. You're going to be my oldest now, but you'll always be my baby." A tear fell from Brooke's right eye, "My oldest baby."
Sam turned and snuggled into her mother's chest.
Brooke hummed some more and soon enough her oldest baby was sound asleep.
…. …. ….
Sam looked in on the crowd. Her parents were sitting right in the middle of the audience. She snuck a wave to them both. She was so happy they were there. Her mother looked like she had come straight from work as she was still in the clothes that she had gone in with in the morning, and it made Sam so happy to see her there amongst all the other parents.
"Sam, come on, we have to warm up!" She heard Manny call her. She closed the curtain flashing one last smile at her parents who waved back enthusiastically at her.
Brooke frowned the moment the curtain closed, "Oh God, Luke this hurts so much." Both parents had put a smile on their face when they saw their daughter looking for them, but Brooke had started having pain in her lower abdomen midway through the day and they had gotten worse, but she was determined to stick it out for her daughter.
Lucas looked at her worriedly, "Babe, let me take you to the hospital. You're struggling here."
Brooke adjusted herself on the seat and took a deep breath. The pain was gone as quick as it came. It was sporadic. "It's gone." She said holding her stomach protectively.
"Brooke." Lucas started once more. His voice was firm, "I'd much rather take you to the hospital. Sam will understand. I don't want this to affect your or our baby."
But the woman shook her head. "No. I should be fine. If it gets any worse than we'll go. But I can handle it right now."
The lights dimmed and they saw as Peyton, Haley, and Nate came to sit down.
Brooke smiled at their friends but didn't say anything else since the event was starting.
Lucas leaned in and whispered, "Just say the word and we'll leave."
Both parents and their friends watched with glee and pride. The first number on behalf of the team was a duet between Manny and Sam, the song was entitled "Beneath Your Beautiful."
Sam started the performance with a piano solo. The lights dimmed and the spotlight hit the black piano. Sam was wearing a black dress and her hair was down. The scene took Brooke's breath away for a moment. She loved it when her baby girl dressed up, and right now she could only describe Sam in one word: Stunning. Lucas felt his heart beat faster. Her child looked so poised. A glimpse of her as an adult hit him and he had to swallow a lump that formed in his throat.
Soon enough Manny entered the number, strutting onto the stage and standing tall near Sam on the piano. He stared into her eyes as if he were in love with her, and Sam gave him a coy and flirty smile as he sang.
You tell all the boys "No"
Makes you feel good…yeah.
I know you're out of my league
But that won't scare me away, oh, no
You've carried on so long,
You couldn't stop if you tried it.
You've built your wall so high
That no one could climb it,
But I'm gonna try
Sam entered in the chorus and she sang the last two verses before Manny entered to sing the chorus with her one more time. The song finally ended with Sam playing the final notes on the piano, the light dimming completely in the process.
Both kids were met with a crescendo of applause. When the lights came back on she searched for her parents clapping and she beamed when she saw them.
But in the midst of another group's performance Brooke felt the pain in her stomach come back, but two fold. Shit. This was not good, and she knew it. Lucas turned at the right moment.
"Brooke-"
"Lucas, take me to the hospital."
…. … ….
Sam's club performed two more times, their big finale bein a mashup between the two songs entitled "Jealous" one by Labyrinth and the other by Nick Jonas.
Sam, once more had a solo, and another boy was her counterpart. It was a beautiful ending and by the end of it multiple audience members were in tears. Sam had even cried a little during the performance, making it all the more emotional.
After the event parents rushed to find their children and students congratulated themselves amongst each other. Sam stayed in the back with her club. Each one of them giving each other hugs and congratulations.
Liz came bounding in towards back stage and hugged her friends. "YOU GUYS WERE AWESOME!"
Manny nodded hurriedly, "We totally were! Sammy we were the stars!"
Liz laughed, "I actually have to agree with Manny on that one."
"HEY!" Manny scoffed, insulted.
Soon enough some parents straggled towards the back. Sam caught sight of Peyton and smiled widely. She figured her parents were somewhere behind her. Sam separated herself from her friends in order to go towards Peyton.
The woman wrapped her in a strong hug.
"You were so good kid!" Peyton gushed, "I just wanted to hear you play over and over again!"
She twirled Sam in her arms and put her down, "Thanks Aunt Peyton!"
The rest of the gang joined Peyton, but two particularly important people were missing and it was, of course, not unnoticed by the girl, "Where's my mom and dad?"
Peyton frowned at the question while everyone else's faces fell.
"Sweetheart, before I say anything else, both your parents are completely fine. Your mother got really bad stomach pains during the third performance and had to leave with your dad to the hospital."
Sam tensed and felt her heart drop. Her mouth went dry and she took a moment, "I-Is mom okay? What's wrong? What about, about the baby?"
"She's okay kiddo. Promise." Haley jumped in, "There was some complication with the pregnancy, but it's nothing too serious. It just seems that your mother was having acute cramps."
Sam shook her head, "Can you guys take me to the hospital? How do you know she's okay?"
"Your dad texted us." Nathan told Sam, "And of course we'll take you to the hospital. Grab your things and we'll head out."
Sam waited anxiously to hear the number of the room her mother was staying in. She was so worried that the fact that she had just performed in front of all of Tree Hill was lost in the back of her mind. All that mattered was seeing her mom.
Nathan was holding her hand, with Peyton behind them. Haley had taken Jamie home and was planning on visiting Brooke tomorrow if she was still in the hospital.
Sam stared at the receptionist and the woman finally looked up from the computer.
"Here it is. Room 201, second floor, make a left and it'll be right there."
Sam led Nathan and Peyton to the elevator. When she turned the corner and saw the room number she opened the door and saw Brooke laying on the bed talking with Lucas who was sitting by her.
"Mom?" Sam's voice cracked. She didn't mean to get teary eyed, but it was her first reaction.
Brooke's face formed into a pout at the sight of her emotional daughter, "Oh sweetheart," She opened her arms, "Come here."
Sam didn't need to be told twice and went over to the bed where her mother was. She got on and immediately embraced her mother. "Are you okay? Does something hurt still?"
"I'm fine. They gave me some medicine." Brooke squeezed her tight and murmured in her ear, while Lucas got up to put their friends up to speed.
"How was the rest of your performance? Also, you look stunning." Brooke whispered. Sam let go of her mother just so she could raise an eyebrow at her mother, channeling Brooke herself,
"I'll tell you if you tell me what's wrong first. Also, thank you. I have a great stylist who chose my dress."
Brooke cracked a smile, "An award winning, highly sought out stylist actually. And you received her services completely pro-bono. You should at least pay her back by cleaning your room."
Sam rolled her eyes, "Okay mama, whatever you say. Can you tell me what's wrong now?"
Brooke sighed. The momentary distraction was nice, but her child seemed set on talking about her condition, "It's either normal pregnancy cramps or it could be that the baby is forming the wrong spot."
Sam's eyes filled with panic,
"But everything will be just fine either way, okay? They'll tell us in a bit what the results are." Brooke added.
The mother sounded outwardly confident, but inside she was panicking. Her pregnancy was possibly ectopic and, although it wasn't exactly life or death, it terrified her to think that something could compromise her child's well being. But she knew she couldn't show that or else Sam would surely panic as well. No, Brooke needed to be calm for her daughter.
"Mom, I'm so sorry."
"Why are you sorry?" Brooke asked with a hint of a smile.
The girl shrugged a little embarrassed, "I-I just don't know what to tell you."
Brooke chuckled, "How 'bout you tell me about your performance? I asked Peyton to buy me the recording so we could watch it when we get home."
Sam had to admit, she was dying to tell her mom all about it, now that she thought about it more. Including how the club director called her the star of the show and how their final performance made a lot of people cry, and all the feelings she had up on stage! She crossed her legs as she began to describe how it all went.
Lucas left the door open as he addressed his friends that were all waiting outside as they wanted to give Sam some space to say hello to her mother,
"Thank you for bringing her."
Peyton gave him a strong hug, "Of course Luke."
Lucas ran a hand through his hair, "Brooke'll be okay. They're going to check in a bit whether the cramps are due to the progesterone or an ectopic pregnancy. I-" His voice broke, but he quickly cleared it, "I don't think it is but-"
Peyton put a hand on his shoulder, "It won't be."
He nodded his head, "It's just scary to think about."
"We know bro." Nate hugged his brother, "But I have a feeling everything will be just turn out perfect."
Luke turned to Peyton after the hug, "Do you mind taking Sam home after she finishes up with Brooke? I'll come home after the results which might be in three hours or so. It's late and I don't want Sam to stay here when she could be resting."
"I have a feeling she won't want to leave." Peyton said looking towards the room. Lucas sighed. Sam looked really into the current conversation she was having with her mother.
"Oh boy." He groaned.
When Nate and Peyton came in Sam was in great detail describing their final performance, but she was cut off by her father.
"Sammy, let mom and me talk to Nate and Peyton, okay?"
Sam turned to her dad, "But I'm telling mom about our last-"
"Sammy please." Lucas's voice had a hint of exhaustion in it making Sam back down. She nodded, though a bit deflated.
"You can tell me later." Brooke said with a wink, noticing her daughter's reaction.
After a few minutes of hearing medical speak and such Sam had heard enough and decided that she wanted to walk some, "I'm gonna get something from the vending machine."
Lucas turned to her and handed her two dollars. "Come right back, alright? No wandering."
She nodded and hopped off the bed. The girl came back with a bag of pretzels in hand. She stopped short when she heard her mother talking and decided to eavesdrop some.
"I just feel so bad. We missed her performing, and I don't want her to feel upset about it. I feel like I could've at least waited to watch their second song or something."
Sam shook her head. She wasn't upset. It wasn't her mom's fault.
"Babe, no. Your health and our baby is more important than some highschool performance. You know that."
Sam frowned and clenched her fists. She knew what her dad meant, but she definitely didn't like the phrasing. Come to think of it, he hadn't even asked about her performance. Her mom was the one that was sick and she even did! He hadn't even really talked to her since getting to the hospital besides a quick hello.
She felt hot all of a sudden and paced a bit before going in.
Of course her dad would care more about the baby than her!
'Stop Sam!' Her mind yelled at the thought. 'The baby's in danger of course he's worried. It's not all about you!'
She knew her rational mind had a point.
After calming herself down she walked back into the room rather silently and gave her dad the change. She saw that Lucas was going to draw her in for a hug but she stepped away and moved back onto the bed to sit down next to her mom. Everyone noticed, but didn't say anything. Lucas stared at Sam with a raised eyebrow for a bit. Wondering why she had refused the hug.
Nathan looked at the time, "Brooke, I should get going. Keep me updated." He kissed Brooke's forehead,
"Thank you for bringing Sam, Nathan." Brooke told him.
"No problem." He kissed the top of Sam's head, "Get some sleep tonight kiddo. You did great today! We're all so proud of you."
Sam smiled and hugged her uncle. Even her uncle mentioned it, for God's sake! "Night uncle Nate. Thank you."
He smiled and hugged her tight before letting go and saying goodbye to Peyton and Lucas.
She hadn't brought up her performance since going back into the room because of what she had heard her dad say. Instead, she focused on talking about other things with Peyton and Brooke. Whenever Lucas would pipe in Sam would noticeably ignore it or answer with less enthusiasm. It was a bit capricious, but if he thought of all her hardwork as just a simple "high school performance" then fine. Whatever.
Somewhere during their time in the room Brooke's cramps had also come back. Lucas considered that a signal for Sam to go home.
"Champ, Peyton's gonna take you back home. Mom's staying here until tomorrow morning because they want to monitor her for tonight. I'll go back home soon."
Sam who was sitting near her mom moved closer to her mother but didn't grab onto her since her mother was in pain again, waiting for the medicine to kick in once more. Why did she have to leave and Lucas get to stay for longer?
"Why can't I just go back with you? I don't have school tomorrow." She tried to reason.
Lucas shook his head, "No, you need to sleep."
"I'm not tired." Sam retorted, "And you're just staying for like two more hours, right? I can wait."
"Peanut, I'll be fine. You should go home now." Brooke eased in, sensing a standoff between father and daughter.
"Sam, go with Peyton. They're going to do a final test on your mom and I need to be here for that. You, do not."
"But I want to be here!"
Why was her dad pushing her away all of a sudden?
Lucas noticed that Brooke was in more pain than she was giving on. He knew that Sam's whining wasn't making it any better either.
Peyton stood up and was going to say something but Lucas put a hand on her, "P. Sam will come out. Give us a sec."
Peyton didn't want to intrude on their parenting and so she moved to kiss Brooke and then gave Sam a sad smile, "I'll be outside Sam."
"I'm not going. You can leave without me." Sam stated simply.
Lucas gritted his teeth, "Yes. She. Is." He threw a glare at Sam. Peyton gave Lucas a sympathetic look before walking out of the room.
"Lucas, just let her stay." Brooke said taking a deep breath trying to calm her pain.
"See, mom wants me to stay." Sam pointed out.
Lucas shook his head and walked over to the other side of the bed where Sam was sitting on, "Your mother is in pain, and I have to worry about her, the baby, and paperwork. I don't have the energy to worry about you here as well." He managed to maneuver Sam off the bed, "I'd much rather know that you're safe at home and in bed."
Sam pushed her hand from her dad. Oh, so now, he didn't want to worry about her?
"Then don't worry about me!" She raised her voice slightly, "I'm just gonna be sitting here anyways. I'm not leaving. I'm staying here with my mom."
"Lucas-" Brooke's voice was soft as she was falling asleep with the medicine. They had given her a stronger dose.
"No Brooke. We agreed that she'd go home, and that's what's happening. You're in pain right now and you need peace. She's just throwing a tantrum."
"I am not!" Sam said with a stomp of her foot, "Let me stay, dad!"
"You are going home Samantha. It's settled."
Sam stared him down. He was talking about her as if she wasn't there, and as if she was some burden. Her teenage pride rooted her to the floor. She grabbed the handle of the bed. Her mother seemed asleep now.
"No."
Lucas took a deep breath. He shook his head and grabbed Sam's arm once more, "Let's go Sam. Peyton is waiting."
Sam fought him all the way out, but Lucas was stronger.
"I don't wanna go!"
Lucas waited until they were out of the room before giving her two sharp swats that made Sam finally still and whimper. The light material of the black dress she was wearing didn't provide the same protection that her jeans did. She felt a lingering sting and her hand snaked its way to her bottom.
"Stop it right now, young lady." He turned her back around and stared into her eyes as she rubbed her bottom.
Sam was breathing hard as she stared right back at her father, her nostrils flaring with anger. "I wanna stay with mom!"
She would much rather be with her mother than have to go home and wait for her dad who she was currently mad at.
Lucas wasn't sure if this was Sam being overprotective of her mother or if there was more to it, but he couldn't worry about that now. The doctor was coming in ten minutes for the next test.
He stood tall and crossed his arms, "You will either walk out with me to Peyton's car or I will carry you there like the child you're acting like. I don't have time for this Sam."
Now he didn't have time for her?!
'That's not what he means.' Came rationale Sam.
Sam's lip quivered and she wiped harshly at the couple tears that she felt coming. He sighed with relief. He could see that she had finally backed down. The fight in her gone.
He grabbed her hand but she ripped it from his grasp, "Leave me alone." She growled out.
The father was taken aback by her response, "You are on thin ice Samantha. Thin. Ice. I would watch what you say."
Sam now had a pout on her face and her arms were crossed across her chest.
"Go say goodnight to your mother." He finally instructed her.
Sam walked back into the room without a single look to her father, and kissed her mom's cheek, "Goodnight mama. I love you."
"Night baby." Brooke said basically asleep now, "Go easy on dad, okay?"
Sam made her no promises.
Her face fell back into anger when she walked out the room. Lucas placed a hand on her back but she shrugged it off as they walked towards Peyton's car.
Peyton could see the anger written all over Sam's face and the frustration all over Lucas's.
Lucas put two strong hands on Sam's shoulders. He knew that Sam wanted nothing to do with him right now and it made his heart hurt, but he wouldn't let her go without at least a kiss.
"I know you're mad at me." He told her.
"Yeah." Sam spit, "I am."
"Samantha, Mom and the baby just need to rest and it's better if you're not here and at home instead."
Sam looked away. The baby this. The baby that, was all that kept coming out of her dad's mouth.
'Sam!' Her mind scolded her again. 'Stop it.'
She tried to move but her dad made his hold tighter, "Hey-"
Lucas started.
"Okay, I get it. I'm a burden here. I get it."
Lucas stared at her for a moment, but his kid refused to look at him.
"That's not what I meant." He whispered much more softly.
He wanted her to say something, but she didn't so he gave up and kissed her forehead, glad that she didn't pull away that time, "I love you sweetie, and I'll be home in a few hours."
The ride home was quiet. Sam didn't want to talk and was grateful that her aunt understood that much.
After a few minutes Peyton stopped in front of the Davis household.
"Do you want me to wait with you until your dad comes home?"
Sam shook her head, "I'll be fine. Thanks Aunt Peyton, and I'm sorry for making you wait. I just really-"
"-Wanted your mother." Peyton finished, "I get it buddy. You sure you don't want me to stay?"
Sam nodded, "Yeah, I'm just gonna watch some tv."
Peyton leaned in and gave Sam a hug, "Alright. Goodnight Sammy. I love you. And you were so great today. Give your mom this dvd. She wanted it."
Sam took it, "Okay, I will. I love you too aunt Peyton."
Once inside she placed the dvd in her mom's office and sent off a short text to her father saying she was home.
Literally, all it said was "Home."
She threw her phone and bag on her bed and got out of her dress before going to take a shower to try to erase some of the stress of the day away. When she came back to her room she laughed a little to herself and decided to clean it up. Anything to make her award winning, sought after, stylist happy. I mean, the woman deserved that much, at least!
Lucas came back around three hours later. It was nearing 1 in the morning when he got up the stairs. He heard a faint noise in Sam's room. He sighed, wishing that she would've been asleep already. He knocked softly and then opened the door. Sam turned for a moment and then looked back to the tv that was on low not bothering to say anything to him.
"Champ, it's late. You should turn that off." Lucas spoke softly. His demeanor, the complete opposite of what it was in the hospital.
Sam frowned but heeded his direction. She didn't want to fight with her dad anymore. That had only made things worse, and gotten her swatted. She hated when that happened.
Lucas sat down on the bed.
Sam looked at him, her voice soft, "Are mom and the baby okay?"
Relief came when she saw her dad nod, "It all checked out. It's not ectopic."
Sam felt a load off her shoulders when she heard it. She hadn't realized how worried she was about her baby sibling until she felt a heaviness leave her.
"That's good." She breathed out.
There was a silence. Sam stared at her hands, "I'm, um, gonna go to bed now, goodnight." She said plainly and laid down, her back to her father, making it obvious that she wanted him to leave her alone.
As far as Sam was concerned she had nothing else to tell her dad and would've really appreciated if he would leave her be with her thoughts.
Lucas felt his heart constrict.
"Champ, I know you're still upset, and I'm sorry that I was so harsh in the hospital. I never meant to make you feel like you were a bother. You know how I get when I'm worried about you or mama and now the baby. It's not an excuse though, sweetheart. I just love all of you so, so much. I get crazy about it sometimes."
No answer.
"…But it's late and we can talk about your behavior and everything else tomorrow."
Sam didn't turn around. Her feelings were still hurt.
If this is what her dad was like now, imagine when the baby came along. Sam shook away the thought.
Her dad put a comforting hand on her back and then kissed the back of her head, "Sleep tight, baby girl. I love you so much. "
Sam heard the door close and she turned to lay on her back. She let out a tired and annoyed huff. God, she just wished Brooke was home.
Hope you liked this one! Now, don't get too mad at Lucas, please :D! Note that I have limited knowledge about pregnancy complications so don't hate on me too much, lol. Please review and tell me what you think. School's starting to kick in here as I'm abroad, and it's way too much fun out here, but y'alls words always remind me to write! Also, you can ask me questions through here or tumblr, I'm very responsive!