Someone asked me about the sequel to this in a review. Here's an answer to a similar question I received on my tumblr (writingsteph)!
"My plan is to create a sequel made up of moments, like a series of epilogues that shows snapshots of life with the baby and Sam as they both get older. So have chapters where the baby is still an infant, a toddler, preteen, teen, etc. Also, I'll probably take prompts of what people would want to see as a snapshot!"
...
ENJOY!
Sam had said yes. She had agreed to a trial. But as she stared at the article in front of her laptop she had wished for practically the millionth time that she had said no when her parents had asked her a month ago.
"A Traumatic Past for the Child of Brooke Davis?"
Their headline picture was of Brooke and Sam during their New York trip. Brooke holding Sam's hand as they entered a store together. They looked happy. Her mom had bought her the bracelet she was currently wearing in that store. It was made of small colorful rocks.
"What're you looking at bud?" Lucas asked, walking into the kitchen.
Sam scrolled mindlessly down the webpage, "Just another stupid article."
The father frowned as he watched his daughter close her laptop and get off the stool. He went to pull her in for a hug,
"Sammy, I'm-"
She shook her head, "It's fine dad." Her voice laced with resignation, and walked up the stairs back into her room.
Lucas sighed and rubbed his face. He opened up Sam's laptop and saw the article.
"Fashion mogul Brooke Davis and author Lucas Scott are taking Michael Lambary to trial for the alleged abuse of their 14 year old daughter, Samantha Walker. Sources tell us that Samantha suffered repeated sexual and physical abuse at the hands of her past foster father…"
Lucas stopped reading. They had started the process a month ago, but the news had broke three days ago. The media had weaseled their way into their personal lives. And Sam was suffering the brunt of it. They had no idea how the media found out about some of the details. They could've tracked down one of the girl's from Clydesville. It could've been one of the workers. Sam didn't care who told though. She cared that it was out there. That strangers knew this now.
Lucas and Brooke were so glad that school had let out two weeks ago and so Sam didn't have to deal with her peers as well. But the stress of the trial had taken a toll on the girl. So far she had to retell her story to multiple people and it hurt deeply every time. The police officer, a detective, the lawyer.
At the end of those days, Sam would curl up in her parent's arms and sometimes cry, consoled by the soft murmurs and warm arms of her mother and father. She also didn't want to sleep in her bed for fear of nightmares and they understood this. It was becoming a common occurrence for Sam to crawl into their bed at night and mold into one of them until she fell asleep.
But that was at night. During the day, Sam was growing distant. Regardless of the fact that the trial itself was in the bag for them, the whole process was hard. They knew this. But knowing and experiencing were two different things. She'd try to avoid any long conversations with them. She was aloof with her parents. A stark difference from the girl who crept into their room late at night, seeking their comfort. They were both missing her.
Brooke had gone into work that morning. Since it was summer now, Lucas was spending his days home. He was starting to write another book. His emotions about their current situation was sparking some creative juices. But as he sat at the kitchen island alone, he wondered if he should go up and see if Sam was okay, or just let her be. Lately, letting her be seemed like the better choice.
The father hung his head and let out a frustrated groan before getting up to go try and write. Twenty minutes later, Sam came out. She had changed out of her pajamas and was wearing a pair of Levi 501 shorts, a white t shirt, and TOMS. Lucas thought she was about to ask for permission to leave somewhere, but was pleasantly surprised when she sat down next to him on the couch.
"Can I watch TV here or do you need to concentrate?" She asked before hitting the power button on the remote. She didn't want to bother her dad if he was working.
Lucas was more than happy to have Sam sitting next to him. Even if the noise on the tv broke his concentration a little. "Go ahead buddy."
She put her legs up and started channel surfing for something good to watch.
"Shoes off Sam. Mom'll kill you if she sees you dirtied her couch."
The girl huffed, but did so anyway, dropping her shoes near her at the bottom of the couch. She laid her head on a pillow on the couch's armrest. After settling on the Fairly Odd Parents, which didn't surprise Lucas considering her love of the two fairies, Sam got out her phone for a few minutes but then turned it off and put it on the side table.
Lucas, who was sitting on the other end of the couch looked over and smiled fondly at his kid. It was nice to have these quiet moments where he'd be working and Sam would be sitting nearby doing her own thing as well. Even though she was quieter around them lately, summer meant Lucas was at home more, and moments like this were becoming common. He loved the domesticity of it all. He loved to watch her, as much as Sam hated that he did that. She was the apple of his eye and he didn't think anything could change that. Truly, nothing could.
"Everyone's sharing the articles on my facebook and asking me about it." Sam told him during a commercial, "It sucks."
Lucas looked at her sympathetically. He hated that his kid had to go through that on top of the trial, "I'm sorry sweetheart. I know it's been a hard couple days. Mom and I are trying to get it under control."
Sam bit her tongue, not wanting to say that it was her mom's fault that it was out of control in the first place. If she wasn't famous, it wouldn't have happened. She hated thinking that, but it was hard not to when all you saw on TMZ was your personal life splattered all over.
"Yeah." Sam said with a long sigh. She closed her eyes. She knew her dad was looking at her, watching her with worry, and she wanted to tell him it was okay, but really, she didn't know if it was.
It was only mid day and Sam was feeling tired. She had woken up rather early. 6 am to be exact. She did so to facetime Jack before he left to visit some of Sue's family members that were a three hour drive away.
Afterwards, she couldn't go back to sleep so she went down to play her piano, then went outside to shoot the basketball for a few minutes.
Lucas noticed Sam had gotten up early because she slept in their bed. Her head was on top of his chest and she had wiggled her way out of his arms, waking him as she did so.
Brooke, who woke up at 6:30, realized that Sam wasn't in bed and heard her with Jack on facetime. She rolled her eyes because nothing else could get their girl to wake up that early. She walked into Sam's room and greeted Jack before kissing her daughter on the cheek as a good morning. Sam only gave her a small 'morning mom' before going back to Jack.
Brooke could see that Sam was angry at the whole media story, and didn't blame Sam for being a bit upset with her too. After all, she was the reason they were in the spotlight. But it did hurt to see that Sam was being short with her.
Brooke closed the door to her daughter's room. She hoped that Sam forgiving nature would kick in soon.
Since the story came out, whenever Sam would crawl into bed with them it was Lucas's arms she'd seek. Even if Brooke was the one who helped their sleepy, but distraught teenager climb into the bed, Sam would still gently shake her dad awake, leaving Brooke to feel left out in the dust.
"Dad." She whispered, "Daddy?"
Brooke watched her do so with sadness in her eyes.
"Hmm, wh-what?" Came Lucas's confused, groggy voice. When he realized who was calling him, he only patted the bed, "Lay down peanut. Come on. You're okay."
Sam gladly did so and let his strong arms cover her. She turned into his chest and closed her eyes, "I've got you kiddo." He whispered before slipping back into sleep himself.
Brooke's eyes stung with tears and it took her forever to go back to sleep after Sam did that for the first time three days ago, when the story broke. She watched her two loves in peaceful slumber.
Why did her work have to curse them so much?
Before leaving for work she told Lucas that Sam might need a nap in the afternoon. The mother walked out of the house and took in a deep breath, holding her baby bump. "I hope life's easier for you buddy." She whispered down to her stomach, "I already love you so much. We all do. You have the best big sister. The strongest big sister."
The fashion mogul walked to her car. Her heart sagging with emotion for both her babies.
… … …
Brooke was right about Sam needing rest that morning because Lucas watched as she struggled to keep her eyes open while watching TV.
"Here." Lucas said unfolding the blanket that laid over the couch, "Take a nap champ. I'll wake you up in an hour or two."
"But the episode's not over." Sam whined though she didn't fight the hands that were tucking the blanket around her.
"You can leave the TV on." Though Lucas knew she'd be asleep in minutes.
"Champ?" He asked, standing over her, just as she was falling asleep.
"Hmm?"
"Things will get better."
"I hope." She murmured.
The father pressed his lips on her forehead. "I promise they will."
… … …
Lucas rubbed Sam's back slowly "Time to wake up baby." Leaning down as he gave Sam a kiss to the cheek.
Sam rolled over and bright blue eyes fluttered open. "Why do I hafta wake up?" She groggily responded about to turn back on her side, until Lucas put a hand on her arm preventing her from doing so, "Mom called. She wants us to meet her at the office." His voice was soft and welcoming to Sam in her sleepy state. She didn't want to whine while her dad was being so sweet, so she reluctantly sat up and yawned.
"I'm pretty sure I was in REM sleep."
Lucas rolled his eyes and kissed the side of her head, "You can go back to REM sleep in the car. I'm gonna grab my things, okay?"
She just nodded and reached for her phone, still trying to shake off the sleepiness.
Once in Brooke's office Sam could feel the stares of her mom's employees. Usually they greeted her happily, but this time was different. They were polite and waved at Lucas and her, but that was it. Sam's face heated up at the stares.
"Where's Brooke?" Lucas asked Millie.
"She should be back soon." They began to make small talk and Sam grew bored so she wandered away towards her mother's office.
She sat on her mom's chair and spun on it over and over again. Once she was bored of that, the teen logged into her mom's computer. She knew her mom's password already, so that wasn't an issue. She ignored the blast of emails that popped up immediately and went on netflix to finish watching an episode of SVU that she had started the night before.
Midway through the episode Brooke, Lucas, Millie, and their publicist Rose came into the office.
"There you are." Brooke said relieved, "We just texted you, asking where you were."
She walked over, "What're you doing?"
Sam paused the show, "I was watching SVU and I haven't checked my phone." She felt Brooke pulling her up from the chair, "Aww mom, can't I finish it at least?"
Brooke gave her a light love pat to her bottom to get her moving, "First off, that's my work computer, so no you can't finish it on there. And secondly, sorry peanut, but we have to fix this media blow up. Go sit on the couch. We all have to talk."
Sam sulked over and sat by her dad. The other two were sitting in front of Brooke near the desk. Rose started to talk about their action plan and Sam grew tired of all the adults talking about her as if she wasn't there...as if she wasn't the one that was assaulted and abused.
"You can't take any of it back, so what's the point of responding?" Sam grumbled with obvious attitude after some minutes.
All the adults turned to look at her. Brooke closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
Lucas, though, gave their daughter a stern glare, "Samantha, please. This is going to help, but you have to cooperate, alright?"
Sam sat up a little more and only took a deep breath.
Rose decided to end the tension, "Well, alright. What should the nature of the statement be? Everyone is already expecting you to say something Brooke. I think one way of handling things is having you give a public, rather than written statement. Even maybe have Sam say something."
Sam's head popped up, "No!"
Brooke looked over to her daughter's distressed look. She could see that having Sam do so would only hurt her child in the end. She looked at Rose, "No, we're not doing that. I can, and Lucas can. But if Sam doesn't want to, then she won't."
Rose looked over at Sam, "I just really think that would be the best avenue."
"I'm not doing it. I'm already doing the trial. I don't want to do this too." Sam argued back towards Rose.
"Look Sam, I'm trying to help you, and all that you-"
"You're not trying to help me!" Sam said crossing her arms, "You don't care about me! You only care about dumb business!"
Lucas grabbed for Sam's hand but she moved, "Sam!" He hissed, successfully grabbing her arm on the second try.
Rose rose an eyebrow, "Umm, excuse me? Maybe you should have a little respect for-"
"HEY!" Brooke commanded the room immediately, "Rose." Her eyes snapped towards her publicist, "that is my daughter you're talking to, do not speak to her in that way. It is not your job. I am her mother and Lucas is her father. And it's not her fault this happened. It's mine. I'm the famous one."
Sam smirked at Rose, happy that her mother came to her defense. But her luck soon ended when Brooke's strict gaze fell on her, "And you, Sam, are not to come in here and disrespect the people I work with. I understand you're angry, but you will not raise your voice at anyone in this room that way again. Rose is right in saying that she's here to fix this."
Sam's face turned beet red at her mother's public tongue lashing.
"Is that understood Samantha?" Brooke pressed on, a perfectly manicured eyebrow raised menacingly.
The room was dead silent as the stare off between mother and daughter happened.
"Answer your mother." Came Lucas's voice.
"Crystal clear." She growled out and stood up, storming out of the office. Lucas got up to get her but Brooke stopped him, "Leave her Luke. She needs to breathe and we need to get this done as soon as possible."
Lucas knew that Brooke knew best in this situation, so he sat back down despite the fact that he wanted to go get his kid.
Brooke sighed as she stared at Millie and Rose. She needed to talk to Sam. She wanted to talk to Sam, but she couldn't at the moment. The mother quickly composed herself, "Okay, well let's figure this out then."
Millie cleared her throat, "Brooke we were gonna have Sam look over the draft remember and see if she liked what we wrote?"
Brooke looked to Lucas, and he read the silent question in her eyes.
"Well we'll have to do it without her." He responded for Brooke, "She'll be okay. It's been a tough couple days."
…. …. …
The door of the building closed behind Sam and the girl took in a deep breath and looked up at the sun. She was happy to be momentarily free from questions, authority figures, adults, and the constant reminder of her past. She knew that she was probably in some form of trouble for the way she had reacted, but she'd deal with it later. For now though, she'd enjoy the fresh air...and some fries from McDonalds.
As she sat at the fast food restaurant, a text from her mother came in.
"Where are you?" It read.
Sam answered back, hoping her quick response would put her parent's at ease and also curb any anger they might have.
"At McDonald's." She responded. After having finished her fries, Sam got up to order a chocolate milkshake.
Sam's blood ran cold when her clearly annoyed mother stepped into the Mcdonalds.
"Well shit." She mumbled ot herself.
Brooke caught sight of her kid, and her heels clicked towards her. It was lunchtime and the place was full. Brooke wanted to get out of the gross establishment as quickly as possible.
She slipped into the booth that her daughter was currently sitting in. The fashion designer felt herself getting nauseous at the plasticy and ketchupy odor that was all over the place.
"Brooke Davis at a McDonalds? Who would've thought." Sam said wryly before taking a sip of her milkshake.
"Well, it's funny, my daughter is here so I've been forced to step foot and drag her out." Brooke shot back.
Sam's eyes shot up towards her mother.
Brooke smirked, "That is, unless, she decided to be civil and walk out with me?"
"Can I at least finish my milkshake?"
Brooke resisted saying no, "Sure."
Sam eyed her mother who was only watching her silently. The mother, seemingly unfazed by the fact that Sam was watching as she stared at her like a hawk. The girl swallowed the lump in her throat and looked back down at her drink.
After having finished her milkshake, Sam looked at her mother hesitantly, "Am I in a lot of trouble?" She couldn't help but ask.
Brooke stood up with a sigh, "Come on. We can talk about it in a place that doesn't smell like food that will kill me."
Both were silent until Sam asked for her dad.
"He's in my office. That's where we're headed."
"Wonderful." The teen muttered.
Brooke put a hand on her daughter's shoulder, stopping them both from moving forward, "Hey." She hooked a finger under Sam's chin and lifted her gaze, "Stop with the attitude. Do you want to be grounded for the rest of the week?"
"Will it prevent me from going to the stupid lawyer again on Friday?"
Sam saw the anger rising in her mother's eyes. She regretted it.
"Okay. Sorry." The girl finally relented.
Brooke let her go, "I know you don't like to talk to the lawyer." Brooke's voice became softer. She tucked a strand of hair behind Sam's ear, "But we're a week from trial and we need to prepare."
There it was again. Sam thought. "We." Suddenly her pain became a group affair. The only difference was that nobody else had to experience her hell.
"Fine, mom. I get it." She managed to say.
Sam had apologized to both Millie and Rose when they first entered the office. Brooke gave her a light kiss on the top of her head afterwards and whispered a "thank you" in her ear. The mother didn't prompt the apology and was glad to see that Sam did it on her own.
Lucas patted the chair next to him when he saw Sam come in, "Come sit down."
The girl did as directed and sulked in the chair. Brooke went to sit behind her own desk, "We wanted to show you the final press release that your dad and I are going to say then we're going to talk about what happened."
Sam shook her head, "I don't care about the press release."
"Samantha-"
The girl sat up, "No seriously. Do whatever you want. I just don't wanna be a part of it. I know Rose is a professional and anything she writes will work and stuff. I just, I'm tired of talking about it and making it a bigger deal than it already is. Just, I don't care mom. Whatever is written is fine."
Brooke looked to Lucas with eyes that plead for help. He turned to face Sam, "Is that why you blew up while we were all in here?"
Sam bit her lip and shrugged.
"That shrug won't get you anywhere." He added.
The girl sighed, "I'm tired of everyone talking about me. Everywhere it's all about me, but at the same time it's like I'm not there. I just I want to get away from it."
"Everyone is trying to help Sammy." Brooke leaned forward on her chair. Sam couldn't help it. Her head snapped up, "Well where was everyone when it actually happened?!"
Both parents looked at her shocked. Sam closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "Sorry, I-" Her voice cracked. Shit, she was going to cry again. Stupid emotions, "I d-din't mean it." She felt the tears sting at her eyes and she wiped at them, "That was mean, I didn't, it's just, I don't know it's a lot you know?" She cleared her throat, "I'll rein it in next time. I'm sorry. C-can I go?"
Brooke and Lucas were at a loss for words. Their daughter's admonition wasn't wrong at all. She had a point and both Lucas and Brooke felt guilt bubble up.
"Please, can I go?" Sam asked again. "I'll be home before 10, promise."
Luke and Brooke held a silent conversation, then Brooke moved her chair from under her desk, "Come give me a goodbye hug."
Sam smile shyly then went over. Brooke stood up and held her tight, "Don't apologize for your feelings." The mother whispered, "Go have fun." She patted Sam's bottom as the girl melted in the hug momentarily. Brooke had missed her girl's little arms wrapped around her middle. For three days Sam had sought out Luke and not her. And each shrugged off hug hurt Brooke.
It was only three days. Brooke thought wryly. Oh, how kids make you mushy people. The mother thought.
Sam did the same with Lucas and was let go with two "I love you's" and a "be good." She was glad to have been let off the hook for her outburst. She was sure, had it been under any other circumstance, she wouldn't have gotten off so easily.
The girl was also sure her parents were ruminating on the words that had just slipped out of her mouth, but she really didn't want to think about that. She decided to take the bus to Southside and hang out with Tamara before having to face her parents again. Honestly, the nerves of speaking with the lawyer again on Friday was getting to her. She had told her story in broken bits, but this time around they were going to go through the trial process, and that would include the defense attorney's line of questioning.
Her mind raced on until she got to Tamara's doorstep. She rang the bell and Tamara came out, "Thanks for saving me. Crying kids and an annoyed Camille is not my way to spend a summer day."
The older teen shut the door and put an arm around Sam, "So I got your text. Annoyed at the parents and all the other lame adults and you wanna forget about all that trial shit, right?'
Sam nodded as they walked on the street.
"Well then off to have some fun!" Tamara practically dragged Sam to the bus stop.
"Where are we going?" Sam asked.
"Some of the Clydesville girls wanna go to the beach, so that's where we're going."
"I don't even have a swim suit or anything."
Tamara patted her bag, "I got you covered. You just need to relax and forget about everything."
"But my mom and dad need to know-"
Tamara held out her phone, "Called your mom like fifteen minutes ago, after you sent me your text. It's all good. She and your dad are fine with it."
The younger teen hugged her best friend tightly, "You're the best."
'So are mom and dad' Her mind added.
... ... ...
Sam was laying on the beach, looking up at the clear sky and hearing the whoosh of the waves. It was calming.
"Hey Sam!" Came Rachel's voice. One of her old friends from the group home. The happy girl landed clumsily next to Sam.
Serenity broken.
Sam sighed and turned to look at her, "What's up?"
The girl gave her a toothy grin. "Look, your mom's all over the place. She talked about your trial stuff."
Sam rolled her eyes, "Rach, I don't care."
Rachel scoffed, "As if! Come on, you're not even a little interested?"
"No."
"Fine." Rachel shrugged, "Then I'll just play the video and you can just block out the noise."
Sam tried for the first thirty seconds to block it out. But her mother's voice was just too tempting.
She scooted closer, "Rewind it. I wanna hear the beginning."
Rachel gave her a sly look, "I knew you wanted to watch it."
Both girls looked at the small phone screen, impatiently, waiting for the newscaster to stop talking and for Brooke and Lucas to come on.
By the end of it Sam was upset once more.
"We're all going through a very hard time right now."
"It's been a tough couple of weeks."
"Please give us the privacy we ask for."
We. We. WE! Sam mumbled to herself. No, it wasn't we. It was her. She was the one in that room with him. With Mike. Nobody else.
Luckily, there was enough stimulation at the beach to keep her mind off it.
By nine o' clock Sam was back at home. And by nine thirty she was begrudgingly sitting at the table with her parents. They had brought ice cream from Ralph's and Sam couldn't resist not having ice cream, but they had unfortunately asked her to sit with them and eat when really she just wanted to go up to her room and eat it there. Her head still reeling with the overwhelming feeling that somehow she had gotten lost in the mix of all this trial nonsense.
Lucas and Brooke watched their kid, an awkward silence falling between them. A phone rang and Lucas groaned, "That's mine. Gimme a sec."
He went out of the room and Brooke put her glass of water down as Sam lazily put a spoonful of ice cream in her mouth, "How was the beach kiddo?"
Sam shrugged, "It was fine, I guess."
Brooke tilted her head, "Just fine?"
"Yeah. Just fine." Sam parroted.
"Nothing exciting?"
"Nope."
Why was it like pulling teeth to get her child to talk to her?
Brooke frowned, "Well thanks for the detail. I'm glad it made you happier." She mumbled.
Sam looked up, not appreciating her mother's sarcasm, "Oh my God, mom. Stop! I'm fine, leave it alone."
The mother sighed, "Alright. If you say so." Although it was clear her daughter wasn't, but Brooke was tired and if Sam didn't want to talk right now, then the mother would wait until another time.
However, for some reason, her mother's comment drove her to the edge, "Well, I am. So just drop it already. You're always asking questions! Just-just leave me alone for once."
Brooke rose her eyebrow, "Hey, how 'bout we tone it down Sam? I know you've had a rough day, but you are not entitled to disrespecting me."
The girl pushed her ice cream away, "Whatever. Can I go?"
"No, not whatever. You were rude back at the office and you're being rude again. I'm not really a fan of it. Actually, nobody is. I will leave you alone once you apologize."
"No."
The mother daughter stand-off began.
Brooke who had one of her more stressful days in the office trying to calm the media circus down, felt annoyed that her daughter didn't seem to care that she was trying her damndest. Instead, she was met with attitude. She understood that Sam was going through a tremendous amount of pressure, and reliving painful memories, but at that very moment the mother felt so stressed and frustrated.
"What is wrong with you?" Brooke asked, almost incredulously.
Sam's breathing quickened. What kind of question? Was her mother serious?
"Do you really want me to list everything that's wrong with me?" Sam rolled her eyes, "Oh wait, maybe that list will make it on tv as well. Better not risk it."
The mother didn't have the energy to argue about that. It just wasn't in her. Exasperated, she rubbed a hand across her forehead. Where was Lucas?
"Young lady, I am this close to grounding you."
Sam, who felt just as annoyed went head to head with Brooke. They were too alike sometimes.
"Why?" She sassed, "Because I don't want do what you said? Are you mad that I'm the one person in your life that doesn't bow to your every order?"
Brooke took a deep breath and clenched her fists under the table.
She leaned in, "Oh sweetheart," Her voice sugary sweet, and dangerous, "I am absolutely certain that you got that bitchy attitude from me. I know this because at 14, I was the biggest bitch in High School, but I didn't have anyone to put me in line. Luckily, or maybe unluckily, you have many people that can fix that attitude." Brooke narrowed her eyes, "So I suggest you watch. your. step. And think very closely about what you're going to say next."
Sam only scowled, narrowing her eyes back at her mom, though not having the same effect her mother's glare did, and crossing her arms across her chest.
When Brooke realized that the girl had finally wised up and stopped talking, she spoke once more, "I want you upstairs and in bed in twenty minutes."
"It's not even ten!" Sam exclaimed.
"And you're acting like you're not even ten."
"I am so! You know I'm right about everything. You know it!"
Brooke didn't react for a second.
Breathe Brooke.
She pointed to the stairs, "Unless you want me to help you up, which you probably don't want, because you'll find yourself with a stinging bottom, then I suggest you get up and go upstairs. Now. And do not come down."
Sam scraped the chair across the floor, "Spank me all you want. I don't care! I've been through worse!" Sam turned and headed up, but was caught off guard when she felt a hand grasping her upper arm and another connecting to her bottom three times.
She rocked on her toes and yelped, "Ow. OW!"
The teenager turned and faced her upset mother. She couldn't help that her eyes watered up. Those three were harder than usual. That had hurt!
Brooke saw her daughter's tear filled eyes, but pushed through.
"I know you've been through worse." Came Brooke's steely voice, "And me spanking you isn't meant to be a repeat of your abuse."
Sam just nodded, too surprised and upset. Her emotions were getting the best of her, but she had too much pride at the moment to break down in front of her mother. She shouldn't have said that. She was mad. Well, she was a lot of things. And the girl just wanted to be spiteful and hurt Brooke.
"I hope you know that." Brooke told her, softer than before, "If you don't then maybe we need to rethink-"
"I do." Sam's voice more contrite and watery.
Of course she would love for her parent's to rethink the fact that they still swatted her now and again, but she'd never have them go on believing that she thought it was abuse.
"Good. Upstairs and in bed."
"Fine." The girl pulled her arm from Brooke's hold and turned to walk up.
Brooke watched her much calmer daughter slink up the stairs.
When Brooke heard Sam's door close, she groaned loudly and laid her head on the table. Five minutes later that's how Lucas found her, "What happened?" He asked, "I heard the door slam."
"Where were you?" Came her voice from under her arms.
Lucas sat on the chair next to Brooke and rubbed her back , "Talking to my assistant coach about summer conditioning." His voice soothed her, "Did you and Sam fight?"
Brooke just nodded, "She hates me right now."
"Hey." Lucas made Brooke lift her head up from the table and look at him, "She doesn't hate you. I'm sure you know that."
"She blames me for all of this."
"You didn't purposefully tell the media. It wasn't even you who did it! And she knows that. We'll talk about it all together with Lopez. I think we need a family session."
Brooke let out a long sigh, "I told her she inherited my bitchy attitude. Old Brooke Davis sorta came out."
Lucas's lips curved into a very small smile, "Well...was she being bitchy?"
The mother chuckled, "Yeah, she was...I just, I don't know. She's closing off. And, I don't know what to do. She's just upset all the time. Today, we worked so hard to get this tabloid mess all settled down and she gets home and still just throws it all in my face."
Lucas hugged her tight, "She didn't have the right to act that way towards you. I think you both need to calm down. Hopefully we'll get her to open up to us later. Let's give her the night. I think her emotions are just really heightened with everything. Did she apologize to you?"
Brooke shook her head, "No. I sent her to bed. Could you-" She shook her head, "Could you just check on her and make sure she's in bed in a few minutes? I, well I gave her three swats, so I don't think she wants to see me right now."
He stroked Brooke's cheek, "Of course babe. I'm sure she deserved them. And she's apologizing to you tomorrow."
Brooke stood from the chair and picked up the plates on the table, walking to the sink. While Luke stayed sitting at the table watching Brooke fondly.
They stayed like that for a few minutes.
"Do you, do you think the trial was a good idea?" Brooke asked hesitantly.
Lucas's turned and stood up walking towards the sink, "Yes I do. Look, it's hard. We know this. And maybe I'm biased because she's being harder on you since the media thing happened, but this was the right thing. That bastard deserves jail. And he's gonna get it."
Brooke sighed. Lucas wasn't wrong. She then felt strong arms wrapping around her middle, "That girl loves you. And once we're over this, things will be back to our normal. We just have to muddle through it right now."
Brooke leaned into his embrace and Lucas patted her stomach. "I can't wait for this bundle of joy."
The mother turned and kissed Lucas, finding his lips, a satisfying piece of familiar territory. When they finally turned away, Lucas gave her a loving look, "I'm gonna go check on our grumpy kid now."
Brooke nodded, "Can you give her a goodnight kiss for me and tell her I love her?"
Lucas gave her a sad smile, "Will do."
… … …
Lucas knocked on Sam's door and heard a grunted response which he assumed meant come in. He opened the door slowly and saw Sam's back to him. The lights were on, but she was already in bed.
"Sam?" He asked from the doorway, closing the door.
She spoke quickly, "I'll apologize tomorrow."
He ran a hand through his hair and moved towards her bed. Sitting, facing her back. She hadn't turned around.
"Are you still upset for the reasons that you explained in mom's office?"
Sam nodded, "Yes. I saw the video you and mom made."
"...And you're mad about it?"
Sam shrugged, "I'm just tired of it all. Can I go to sleep now?"
"We're sorry Sam. Mom and I didn't mean for all of this to make you feel isolated and confused."
Silence.
Lucas sighed and put a hand on her side, "We've been letting a lot slide lately." He paused, but Sam didn't move…." And I think you know that too." He started once more, "Especially your mother because she feels guilty about the media and such. But I want all the sass at a minimal level tomorrow because I'm not letting you get away with it anymore. And you are not to go out tomorrow either. You're staying home. I'll leave you some stuff to do. Understood?"
Sam sniffled. Lucas tensed. His heart ached.
"Yes sir." She said sadly.
Lucas rubbed her back for a moment, "Okay peanut." He whispered, "And remember I'm not sir. It's dad or daddy to you."
She smiled, though he didn't see it. The father kissed the back of her head, "I love you."
He gave her another kiss, "That one's from mom. She wanted me to kiss you goodnight and tell you she loved you."
Sam didn't admit it, but her mother's gesture made her feel warm inside.
"Night dad."
He was about to close the door, but stopped, "I know mom said not to come out of your room for the night, but it's okay to come into our room, if you need to, or want to, okay?"
" 'Kay." Her voice soft.
When she heard her door close Sam turned on her back and let out a long breath. She decided to stay in her room and just deal with the nightmares. She was being capricious, but didn't really care, she wanted to wallow in her anger for a bit.
The next morning Brooke went down the stairs to start on a pot of coffee before doing anything else. It was only six in the morning, but the night had not been kind to her as her thoughts raced through her head. She finally decided to just get up and have an extremely early start to her day.
The noise of the TV stopped her tracks. "Samantha?" She called.
It was far too early, and it surprised the mother that her daughter was up before 9 am. She was prepared to send her back to bed. Although she wasn't excited to scold her for leaving her room...yet again another reason for Sam to resent her.
Being a mother is hard.
But by the bottom step she could see over the couch and realized that her daughter was asleep. She wondered if the girl had slept downstairs. Did she avoid going into their room because of their argument? The woman shook away the questions and went to at least give her kid a kiss while she slept since Sam wouldn't be too keen on receiving one while awake.
As she got towards the couch, Brooke noticed that Sam's blanket was on the floor but her arms were clutching tightly to Barry, a sheet wrapped around her. She was also soaked in sweat, as if she had sweated out a fever.
A nightmare. The mother knew it.
She went to the kitchen quickly and wet a towel under cold water, then wrung it out to make it damp. She was about to place it on Sam's forehead but the girl moved once more and whimpered. Brooke stopped
"Oh Sammy." The mother sympathized softly at the restless girl. The sheet Sam was entangled in was covered in cold sweat as well, 'You're soaked kiddo."
The mother worried that Sam might've wet herself by accident as well. She carefully checked Sam's shorts, placing a hand on Sam's front and then ran her hand across Sam's bottom. The shorts were dry.
Brooke breathed a sigh of relief because she knew Sam would've been extremely mad at herself if she was woken up to her mother telling her that she had another accident.
Also, if Sam ever found out that Brooke "checked" her she would've been mortified.
'I'm not a baby mom! Why would you do that! Eww!' Brooke imagined her saying.
Best to keep that a secret, Brooke Davis.
The girl moved some more, mumbling inaudibly.
Brooke got up, picked the blanket off the floor, then lifted the sleeping Sam up in her arms. She noticed how much lighter Sam felt. Had the stress been affecting her eating too? Brooke swallowed hard and tightened her hold on her kid.
"It shouldn't be this easy to carry you." Brooke whispered, "You're too skinny."
"Stop. Stop." Sam mumbled.
Brooke rubbed her daughter's back as she walked to the Lazyboy recliner, "Shhh princess. It's me." She whispered in Sam's ear, "I've got you."
"Mama tell them to stop." Sam whimpered, clawing at the material of her mother's shirt, still clearly in her dream.
The mother laid a hand on the back of Sam's head, "Love, wake up. Please." Then gently set her onto the recliner in a sitting position. She stroked her cheek, "Sammy, sweetheart, you have to wake up." She laid the cold towel on Sam's forehead and it startled the girl awake. Her eyes popped open and she sat up more.
"Hey. Hey. Shhh." Brooke put a hand on her daughter's arm, "You're home. You're safe."
It was the words that they would always use now when she had a nightmare.
Sam looked at her mother, still half asleep. The anger towards her mom, the trial, and the media all too far away from her dreamy/sleepy state for her to care.
"M-mom?" She slurred.
The mother kneeled down and took her own long sleeve tshirt off, leaving her in a spaghetti strap. "Mhm. It's mom." She grabbed the hem of Sam's sweat soaked shirt and gently pulled it over her head, "Lift your arms for me peanut. Let's change you out of this."
Sam sleepily followed the instructions. Brooke looked at her daughter's bare chest and stomach. She was so small. Why hadn't she been paying more attention? She bit her lip out of worry, then changed Sam into her own pajama shirt, "There you go. Now you're nice and fresh." She whispered, to which Sam nodded. She was still half asleep.
"Nice and fresh like you." Her voice childish through her grogginess.
Brooke smiled knowing that Sam wasn't fully aware and would probably wake up with a very vague memory of this. "Right, just like me, lovebug."
She carefully pushed Sam onto the recliner, "Honey, can you lay down and sleep again?"
"But Barry, mama."
"He's right here." Brooke placated her. The mother picked him up from the floor and gave it to her, then she pulled out the footrest and helped Sam get comfortable, covering her with the blanket in the process.
"Stay?" Sam mumbled.
"I'm not going anywhere. Go to sleep baby."
"Okay mama."
The girl didn't say much else, she simply closed her eyes and snuggled down. Brooke watched her for a moment, stroking her face gently until she was sure Sam was back into deep sleep. It only took a minute or so for that to happen. She let a tear run down her cheek before quickly wiping it away and standing to get ready for her day. It pained the mother to know that Sam wouldn't be so easy to deal with during the day.
The mother placed a sweet kiss on her now peaceful daughter's head.
… … ...
Lucas came down later on as he had a day long training camp he volunteered in for the middle school basketball team. Once in the living room he found Sam sleeping on the recliner at 7 am. He was confused and went in search of Brooke for an answer.
"Hey." He said walking into the kitchen, where Brooke was drinking coffee while looking at her most recent B. Davis magazine, "Did Sam sleep down here last night?"
He placed a sweet kiss on Brooke's lips and poured himself some coffee. Brooke sighed, "I'm not sure. I came down about an hour ago, and she was on the couch, having a nightmare I think. I moved her to the recliner because she was so upset she sweat through her shirt and the sheet."
Lucas frowned, "Is she okay?"
Brooke took a sip of her coffee and put it back down, "I think so."
He sat next to her, "Are you okay?"
Brooke slid a finger across the edge of her cup, "I'm so worried about her. She's losing weight, have you noticed?"
Lucas furrowed his eyebrows, "She is looking a little skinny."
Brooke looked to their sleeping daughter, "I wish I could just take all her worry away. She didn't ask for this. And she certainly doesn't deserve all of this."
Lucas sipped his coffee and then pulled Brooke in, " We'll get her through it. We will."
"Right now, it feels like we're not doing a very good job."
Lucas kissed her cheek and sighed, "I wish you could see how much of a wonderful mother you are."
Brooke smiled softly, "Thanks Luke."
"I mean it."
"I know you do." She hoped Sam felt the same way as well.
When Brooke stepped out of the house, she took a moment to breathe in the fresh air and talk to her growing bundle of joy. The mother placed her hands under her growing stomach and looked down, "Hi little jellybean." She spoke softly, "Let's have a good day today?"
The mother smiled and looked out for a moment before looking back down, "I can't wait to meet you. You're a lucky one. I'm going to give you the world little one. Dad, Sammy, and me, we'll take care of you."
Brooke felt her throat catch. She quickly composed herself, "Come on baby. It's time for work."
… … …
Peyton looked at the red door in front of her and had to stop what she was doing to laugh a bit. Brooke would always be the girl behind the red door. She knocked on it and waited a few seconds. She rung the doorbell and still nothing. The woman sighed and tried opening it. The door was open.
She was met with Adele's vocals blasting through the house. There was a vacuum near the sofa and a duster on the center table.
"Sam?" There was no sign of her downstairs.
"Hey Sam!" She called and went to look for her up the stairs. Peyton found the girl belting out the lyrics to Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain."
"Hey you!" She yelled tapping her on the shoulder.
Sam wasn't expecting anyone, so the touch startled her. She dropped the dust rag in her hand, "AAAHH!" She screamed, spinning around in the process.
"Fuck!" Sam put a hand to her heart. If it could, it would've popped out of her chest.
Peyton burst out laughing as she walked over to Sam's speakers and muted them, while Sam watched her with wild eyes.
"It's me kid!"
"Well I see that now!" She huffed waiting for her heart to stop beating at the speed of light, "You scared me!"
"Well my intention wasn't that, but it gave me a good laugh."
Sam rolled her eyes and picked up the dust rag once more, "That's just cruel."
"So you're Cinderella for the day?" Peyton asked looking at Sam's attempt at cleaning up her messy room. It looked like everything just landed on the bed instead of the floor.
The girl groaned, "yeah. Dad left a list."
"What'dya do?" She asked playfully.
Sam bit her lip, "Just you know, argued with them a lot yesterday."
Peyton squinted her eyes and chuckled, "Hmm, so typical Sam?"
The girl shrugged and frowned as she looked at her feet, "I guess so."
Peyton looked at the guilt that came across Sam's countenance, "Well your dad told me about you being grounded so I thought I'd stop by and bring you some food."
Sam looked up and smiled, "Thanks."
Peyton took Sam's hand, "Well let's eat before it gets cold. I left it back in the living room."
While in the kitchen, which was spotless, thanks to Sam's cleaning, Peyton watched the girl who was eating in relative silence.
"What's on your mind?" She finally asked.
Sam pushed her food around. Peyton remembered her conversation with Brooke who had mentioned that Sam wasn't eating.
"Not hungry?"
"Not really. I'll just save it for later." She was about to get up but a stern voice stopped her.
"How 'bout you eat a little more?" Her eyebrow raised slightly.
Sam knew that it wasn't necessarily a question, and so she sighed and sat back down. She took a bigger bite of her burger.
"So you're not gonna tell me what's on your mind?"
"Why aren't you at work? It's Thursday." Sam deflected, grabbing a fry in the process.
"I'm the boss. I can decide when I want to work. And I decided I'd take a few hours and spend them with you."
Sam had to smile at that, "Oh."
"Still no answer to my question, huh?" The woman crossed her arms across her chest and leaned back into the chair.
Sam chewed a bit, then shook her head.
Peyton sighed, "Alright. Well since we're done eating then I guess I'll just head back. I've been missing you kid. We need to plan a date."
The girl didn't want her to leave. She trusted her aunt Peyton. She bit her lip, "Hold on. Don't leave. I just...I hate that everyone keeps asking me how I am and stuff."
Peyton could sympathize with that, "Okay. Well I have two hours or so, so how 'bout for that time you decide what you want us to do? We obviously have to stay in your house since you're grounded for the day, but it's whatever you want."
Sam appreciated the gesture. It was a nice change of pace.
"You wanna go down and sing with me while I play?"
"Well I'm definitely not your Aunt Haley who has the voice of an angel, but I can try."
"You'll be fine!" Sam laughed and stood up, "Come on!"
Peyton walked down with Sam and sat next to her on the piano.
"I love it when you play." The woman told her.
Sam nodded, "I like it when I play too."
"Your dad told me about how you played for that little girl in your old group home. That was really nice of you."
Sam thought back to the little girl. Nicole. She was so angry. Sam used to be angry like that. Mike had done that to her. He was the one that had made her that angry when she was only 12 years old.
She had been angry lately too. Guess whose fault it was again?
The small teen swallowed hard and fidgeted a bit.
"Yeah..she, umm, she didn't need to feel alone like that. So I played her a song that I hoped would make her feel a little better."
Peyton put a hand on Sam's thigh and squeezed it lightly, "You're a good kid."
Sam blushed and quickly changed the subject, "So...song?" Sam said sitting up.
Peyton rolled her eyes, "Okay, you choose. I'll attempt to follow. Though, like I said, no promises."
Sam hummed in thought. "Katy Perry?"
Peyton grimaced, "Eww, pop?"
"Oh, sorry. I'm not old. I don't listen to lame old rock songs."
Peyton playfully pushed her shoulder, "Hey! Don't knock on rock. It's the backbone of music!"
"Riiigghhht." Sam said with an eyeroll, "Well let's choose another artist. One that you know."
"I own a record label!" Peyton said indignant, "I know pop AND Katy Perry...Just not a fan."
"Okay. So new song?"
Peyton hummed in thought, "Titanium?"
"Nice! Good choice for an old lady."
"Yeah, yeah. Keep laughing. I'd like to see you in twenty years."
"I'll still be looking as youthful as ever." Sam quipped.
"Alright, just start playing." Peyton nudged her playfully, "I'm also letting you do all the high parts, because that is so not in my range."
Peyton watched Sam's fingers glide onto the keys and soon they both fell into the song. By the end of it they had played and sang multiple songs. And yes, Katy Perry's Firework was included. Sam was smiling brightly, "See! You don't sing half bad!"
"Well I'm glad you think so!"
Sam got up from the bench and sat on the couch, since her water bottle was on the center table. "You want some water?"
Peyton went over and gladly took some. She flopped down next to the teenager.
Sam turned to look at her, "Aunt Peyton?"
"Yeah?" She gulped down some water.
"Thank you. For not trying to suck information out of me, and just being here." The girl timidly looked down at her hands. Her aunt hadn't even mentioned the trial and while she played the piano with her, it was like there was no such thing.
Peyton smiled at her and wrapped an arm around the girl's shoulders, "Whatever you need Samantha. I'm here for you."
The girl cracked another smile, "I wish mom and dad were more like you."
The woman sighed, knowing that this was tricky territory for the girl. "That's not fair." She told Sam honestly.
"What's not?"
Peyton drew her legs onto the couch, "Well, I'm sort of like an outsider, you know? Your mom and dad, they're here 24/7."
Sam was about to scoff but Peyton put a stop to the whine before it started.
"Wait, wait, hear me out, alright? I'm not attacking you. I promise. Let me say this Sam, it's important."
"Okay." Sam relented.
The woman continued, "They see you every day. They have a connection with you that's really special. It's hard for them to not want you to be okay. It's hard for them to not ask you questions since they're the ones going every step of the way with you during this whole trial thing. They have to be the bad guy sometimes kiddo. That's part of their job. My job is to bring you junk food and have fun with you, and yes, sometimes be a little stern, but nothing like a parent has to be."
Sam tucked her legs under her and let out a deep sigh, "Mom and dad made a video because of the whole media thing, and talked about how we were all going through a hard time. How we needed privacy."
The woman looked at the 14 year old sympathetically, "But you feel like it's your pain." Her voice soft with empathy, "Right?"
Sam nodded, "It is. Mom and dad don't know what it feels like. They won't ever understand exactly how it felt no matter how much they know. Facts aren't the same as living it. I lived it. Everyone talking about me and writing articles and commenting, they don't know. They don't know anything. No matter how much sympathy crap they say."
Peyton felt emotions overcome her but she did her best to keep them at bay, "Have you told your parents this sweetheart?"
"I sorta did yesterday, but then I just wanted to leave and not talk about it. And then I blew up at mom and she sent me to my room and now I'm stuck with all these chores."
Peyton gave her a soft chuckle, "Right, punishment chores. A typical evil parent move."
"So you understand my pain." Sam joked back.
"Quite so. I did a few of those myself."
"They're the worst."
Peyton brought it back to their conversation, "Chores aside Sammy, I'm also 100% positive that even if you told your parents a piece of what you told me, they heard you, loud and clear. They're trying Sam. They know that you're right about the whole you vs we feeling you have. And about the press release. It's all staged. It has to be. Your parents had to follow protocol."
Sam looked at her skeptically, "How are you 100% positive?"
Peyton smirked, "Promise not to tell your mother, but she called me yesterday worried sick that she was being selfish and hadn't spent enough time on your emotional state. She's beating herself up so much because of the media stories."
Sam's eyes widened, "I d-don't think that. I don't think mom's selfish. I just, I feel lost in the middle of it all."
"They understand that too, and they want to figure out how to get you to stop feeling that way, but you haven't really wanted to actually talk to them lately. Or so I've heard."
Sam hung her head, "I didn't mean to."
Peyton hooked a finger under her chin, "I'm not scolding you sweetheart. I just want you to see their side too. Your parents love you so much and want this all to be over for you. Yes, you're right that they will never know your pain, but they also have pain. It's just a different kind of pain, and of course it'll never measure up to what you're feeling, but we can't forget that they have emotions too. And they have the pain of knowing that their baby girl was suffering so much without them. You're well being is always their first priority. Always."
Sam rubbed a hand on her forehead and scrunched up her nose. Peyton certainly wasn't wrong. "You know how mama and me got in a fight last night?"
"Mhm."
"Well she told me not to leave my room for the night, but dad said I could go in their room if I needed anything. Then I couldn't sleep but, I, umm, I didn't want to go in their room because I was mad at mom so I went downstairs and turned on the tv. I was scared of having a nightmare so I hoped I would stay awake, but I ended up asleep. I, I did end up having a nightmare."
Peyton frowned, "Oh, sweetheart-"
"But mom helped me. She was mad at me but she still helped me."
"Just because a mother's upset, doesn't mean she'll let you suffer." Peyton added.
Sam nodded, agreeing with Peyton, "I, umm, I thought I was just dreaming her, but she was actually there. I was calling for her in my dream and, you know, after years of calling and calling and her never coming in my nightmares, she, she finally showed up. I remember her picking me up and saving me from him. From Mike. In my dream. It was her!" Sam felt her eyes water, "Mama was there. And then he like multiplied and mom was holding me and I was begging her to stop them. And she did. She stopped them. I don't remember how, but she did. Then I woke up and mom was right in front of me and she stayed with me until I fell back asleep."
Peyton felt a tear roll down her cheek, "She'll always be there, and so will your father."
Sam sniffled a bit, "I want this all to end."
Peyton grabbed her hands in her own, "It will. Soon. This has an end to it. I promise you."
"What do you think I should do about everything?"
The woman looked at the girl fondly, "You tell your parents everything you told me. Without attitude. Without eyerolls. Just like you did with me. Soft words are always more effective than angry ones. Be as sincere as you just were with me. They need to hear all of it."
She leaned into her aunt, "Thanks for coming over Aunt Peyton." She whispered.
Peyton dropped a kiss on her head, "Anything for you kid."
… … …
Brooke walked into her house around 5:30 pm. She was tired after a long day. The living room looked spotless and she appreciated that Sam had followed through with the chores. She did a quick check of the kitchen. Clean too. She went upstairs and heard Sam's shower as well as music playing and Sam singing along to it. The mother couldn't help but smile.
Brooke decided to lay down for a bit. Just for a bit. A moment's peace would be nice. She went into her room, took off her heels and shed her work clothes. She slipped into some comfortable jeans and a top before laying on her bed and closing her eyes.
Sam, having finally cleaned off all the sweat and dust off her went down to check if any of her parent's were home.
"Mom? Dad?"
She noticed her mom's purse on the kitchen table. She went back up and knocked softly on her parent's bedroom door. No answer. Tentatively, Sam opened the door. Her mom was asleep.
Brooke woke up to hearing her closet door open. She saw that it was Sam. She closed her eyes again when she realized that Sam thought she was asleep. The girl came out of the closet with a blanket and covered her mother with it. "So you won't be cold since dad likes to keep it like an igloo in here." She whispered to Brooke.
Then the girl bent to Brooke's stomach, "Hey squirt. You're growing quite well. You better not start kicking now. Mom's asleep, and you don't know this yet, but she works a lot and needs all the sleep she can get." The girl patted her mom's stomach.
Brooke wanted to smile so badly and attack her daughter with kisses, but she controlled it. It was crazy how Sam could go from being moody to being sweet so easily. Sometimes it gave the mother whiplash.
"Also" Sam said, still speaking to the unborn child, "Don't push her buttons too much. I think I've been doing that a lot lately." The girl sighed, "It sucks."
Brooke felt a pang in her heart at the sadness in her daughter's voice.
Without a second thought Sam left the room and picked up her own blanket and went back to nap with her mother. Cleaning tired her out. She stopped short of laying down though as she stared at her mother's back.
There was the guilt feeling again.
The girl bit her lip and stayed staring at her mother, "Mom, you were in my dream last night." She whispered, "You saved me. I know you're mad, and I'm mad, and it's all a mess right now, but thanks for being there, in my dream and in real life."
Brooke felt tears prick at her eyes. She did her best not to turn and embrace her daughter, considering that she was supposed to be sleeping. She wasn't mad, maybe she was at one point, but all she wanted was to make sure Sam was okay in all aspects. Emotionally, physically, mentally.
Sam laid down and held her mother from behind the way her mother would hold her, "Mommy I'm sorry." Sam continued in a whisper, "I know you and dad are just trying to help. I'm sorry for being so mean to you. You don't deserve it. God, I was such a jerk yesterday. Everything's just so confusing. I want you and dad to get that. It's hard for me. I love you more than anything and times infinity."
She hugged her mother tighter and closed her eyes, unaware of the fact that she had melted her mother's heart with her tenderness. Brooke had a feeling that this was a step forward. Brooke knew they needed to have this talk while awake and in much more detail, but for a tired and worried mother, the heartfelt emotion would suffice for the moment.
"Mommy loves you too, lovebug." Brooke whispered almost inaudibly, five minutes later. They were going to be okay.
Hope you liked it! Please tell me what you thought of this chapter! It was hard to write this one for some reason. Much love to all my faithful readers and those who are just discovering the series. The trial is up next!