Don't hate me. I know it's been a while. Very weary about how this chapter came out. Let me know!
Brooke felt strong arms wrap around her as her eyes fluttered open. A kiss to the back of her head. Three fingers stroke her body, starting from her breasts and all the way down. Lucas.
She let him arouse her until she felt herself painfully stimulated under her jeans. She turned to face him and he stopped.
"Luke!" She whined wanting him to take her over the edge. An adorable pout fell on her face and it made Lucas crazy.
"Hello beautiful." He whispered with a smirk, "I love it when you say my name like that."
She moved to kiss him but he put a finger on her lips.
"Tell me what you want first."
She smirked then moved on top of him, "You know what I want."
"I like to hear you say it though." He said breathlessly.
"Make me come." She told him seductively while nibbling on his ear.
He felt his eyes sparkle and a devilish grin fall on him. He grabbed her sides and moved her to the bottom pushing her arms above her head and undoing the button and zipper on her jeans, "Don't move. I'll do it for you." He assured her.
He was taking control. Brooke loved it when he took control.
He then slowly took off her panties and slipped them off her feet. He pushed open her legs and went down. His tongue doing things that made Brooke groan in ecstasy.
Lucas looked in her eyes. God were they beautiful. Everything about her was.
"What?" She asked as he stared, slightly panting from their lovemaking.
"Nothing. You're beautiful." He shrugged, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
She cuddled into him, "I love you Lucas. After all of this, I can't wait to finally think about our wedding." She meant the stress of the trial. It had put a damper on most of their plans. All of their nergy was going into it.
He chuckled a bit and kissed the top of her head, "It'll happen. We just need to be patient. And I love you too. And I love our little baby, and Sammy. I love you all so much."
They stayed like that for a bit, basking in each other's warmth, their naked limbs tangled in one anothers. It's what they needed. Just to feel each other. They needed that time, that intimacy. With a teenager sleeping between them most days, and the exhaustion that they both felt by the time night fell, intimacy was a hard thing to come by for the parents.
"Sam was in here before. You two were looking quite cute asleep together. Did you talk?" Lucas asked letting his hand rub Brooke's bare stomach.
He heard Brooke give out a deep sigh and he immediately knew that the answer was no.
"She came in and thought I was asleep so she laid down. I was awake and I heard her apologize to me."
Lucas kissed her lips and brought her impossibly closer to him, "I know telling you not to worry is pointless, because I worry too. But I do know that things will turn out just fine. And I set up an appointment with Lopez on Monday for us to have a joint session."
"But can we try and talk to her before?"
"Of course." Lucas answered, "Besides she still needs to apologize to you when you're awake and not pretend sleeping." He remarked with a smirk, "Don't let her get away with that one."
Brooke chuckled, "Where is she anyways?"
"She's downstairs. Liz and Manny came over, so I think they're having a movie marathon or something like that. I heard Liz telling Manny to shut up and listen, so I'm assuming they're watching something."
Brooke pushed him back down on the bed, "Round two?"
Lucas didn't need to be told twice.
… …. …
It was later that afternoon that both parents came out of the bedroom. They had taken advantage of every minute of alone time. Both Liz and Manny were still on their couch. Sam's head was leaned on the Lazyboy as a scene of Mean Girls was playing.
"I'm sorry that people are jealous of me. I can't help it that I'm so popular!" The two parents heard the three teens mimic one of the characters on screen.
They smiled at their antics from atop the stairs, "She's a good kid." Lucas said referring to Sam as they watched her some more with her friends. Now Sam was attempting to throw a piece of popcorn into Manny's mouth, while Liz was scoffing at them for being so "childish" as she called it.
Brooke grabbed Lucas's arms and wrapped them around her waist, "She is. And so are her friends."
Moments later the mother undid herself from Luke and went down the stairs, "Hey you two." She said towards Liz and Manny.
"Hi Aunt Brooke."
"Hello Mrs. Davis!"
The mother noticed Sam's smiling face fall into uneasiness. The teenager quickly turned her attention to her phone.
Brooke wanted to frown at her reaction, but kept her conversation light with the other two. Lucas walked down just then as well.
"Mean Girls, I see. Classic."
"I love this movie!" Manny yelped enthusiastically, "Would you care to join? There's still plenty to watch."
Brooke chuckled, "As much as we'd love to. I think we're gonna have some dinner. Sam I'll leave you money for pizza. Is that alright?"
Sam, forced to look up, gave her mother a shy smile, "Umm yeah, that's cool. Thanks mom."
Brooke nodded, then bent down and kissed the top of Liz and Manny's head. She took advantage of the fact that Lucas struck a short conversation with the other two teens on the couch and went over to Sam who was on the recliner. "I'll leave it on the counter, okay?" Her voice soft. She wanted to show Sam that she wasn't mad.
Sam didn't want to look at her mother in the eyes. She felt bad about the events of the night before, and there was still a lot of things left unsaid between mother and daughter.
"Yeah, okay." She mumbled.
"Hey Sam?" Sam noted the hint of concern.
Brooke waited for her daughter to look up. It was becoming normal, Brooke realized, to see her daughter's gaze on the floor rather than up at her. Brooke felt guilt bubble up in her stomach. If only she knew Sam was feeling the same thing.
Finally, her girl looked up, fiddling with her hands in the process.
"I love you." Brooke told her, rather determined, "Enjoy the time with your friends. You and me can talk later. Okay? I love you and I'm not mad at you."
Relief washed over Sam's face as her shoulders fell from their tensed state. "I will. Thanks."
Lucas joined the two, ending the moment, "Ready Brooke?" He looked to Sam, "Bye kid. Be good, and don't break the house, got it?"
"Okay." She added her classic eyeroll, "You guys go have fun too."
Lucas winked at her, "We will."
… … …
Brooke and Lucas got home from their very much-needed night out. Liz and Manny were gone and an empty popcorn bowl was left on the couch.
"Didn't she just clean today? Why'd they make a mess again?" Lucas asked grabbing the bowl, "Teenagers." He mumbled taking it into the kitchen, talking more to himself.
Brooke shook her head good-naturedly at Lucas's reaction. He heard him turning the water on, "All the plates are in the sink and not in the dishawasher!" He yelled from the kitchen, "Why can't kids clean without being told?"
"You're gonna have 18 more years!" Brooke yelled back from the living room, "Get used to it!"
She could've just told Sam to go back down and do it, but that would involve giving her daughter another order, and if she was honest with herself, Brooke was tired of ordering around. Sure, not the best parenting move, but she wanted her kid to catch a break. She never claimed to be a perfect parent anyway.
Their night had gone well, and Sam didn't text them once. Not even a "coming home soon, lovebirds?" Which she usually sent at least once when they had a date night that went late. She sent it half jokingly, and half seriously, because although she was perfectly fine with staying home alone, doing so late at night was still a little unnerving.
Brooke went up the stairs and was about to knock on Sam's door, but she heard her phone ring. The mother groaned and went to check who it could be.
It was the lawyer who had called and said there had been recent developments, indicating that Sam's old foster mother might testify against Mike. It was great news and when she went to tell Lucas, the father's eyes filled with tears. They decided not to tell Sam until it was a for sure decision. No use in getting her hopes up.
After the call Brooke remembered that there was laundry in the basement. She went down and folded all the clothes, taking them up afterwards. By the time she was done Lucas had unintentionally fallen asleep.
"You old man." Brooke teased towards his sleeping figure. She changed into her pajamas and went back to her daughter's room.
"Sweeheart, you in there?" She knocked twice before opening the door. The room was empty so Brooke went in search of her daughter and could hear the piano before she could see Sam.
The mother decided to give her time and sat down on the couch to watch some TV. Hopefully, she'd catch Sam before she went to bed.
Brooke was in the middle of an America's Next Top Model episode when a small voice took her concentration.
"Mom?"
Brooke turned around. Sam was clad in her pajamas by the couch and her fingers were fiddling with the bottom of her gray tshirt. She stood in the dark, with only the light of the TV reflecting around the living room.
"Hi Sweetie." Brooke called her over warmly.
Sam looked at her mother shyly, "I, um, just wanted to say that I'm sorry about yesterday."
Brooke patted the couch when Sam didn't walk over, "Come here. Let's have that talk."
Sam gave her a short nod and sat down, looking expectantly at her mom.
Brooke took a deep breath, "You and I, we haven't exactly been seeing each other eye to eye lately."
The teenager shook her head, "No, not really." She spoke softly.
Brooke grabbed Sam's hands gently, "That is okay though because we're going to talk about it. I want you to be honest with me. Tell me all that you're feeling. Don't be scared of what I'll think. All I care is that you get what you're feeling out."
Sam bit her lip.
"What is it Sammy?" She searched her daughter's eye for a clue and let go of her hands, "Sweetheart, we can't get past this if you don't talk to me. "
The girl sighed. "Do you ever get tired of always having to talk to me about things like this?" Sam's voice was soft and raw, and there was vulnerability in her eyes that made Brooke's throat catch, "If I had been with you guys from the beginning, none of this would even be a problem, you know? I, I complicated your life so much, didn't I?"
The mother looked into the bright blue eyes that could only be Sam's, and cupped her daughter's cheeks, "I could never get tired of talking to you."
"But mom do you really think we'd be doing this right now if I wasn't so messed up?"
"Listen to me." Brooke's voice caring, but stern," You are not damaged, messed up, screwed up. You are none of those things. I know that things would be different if your father and I raised you, yes. But I'm happy with what we have now. I'm grateful I get to hold you now. And even if you did grow up with us, I'm positive we would still have a lot of talks. Sure, not about the same things, but I'd still have to sit you down and explain things to you, or you explain things to me. We would be learning about one another. Just like we are now. That's a part of life, baby girl. And you didn't complicate my life. You made it so much better. You brightened my life. You and your father, and now your baby sibling, gave me meaning."
"What about your work? Doesn't that give you meaning too?" Sam's eyes burned blue right through Brooke's heart.
The mother brushed a strand of hair behind Sam's ear, "Sure it does, but you will always be more important than my work. I'd choose being your mom any day over being a fashion designer."
The teenager grabbed her mother's wrists gently and brought her mother's hands down from her cheeks. She turned her mom's palms up. Brooke watched her daughter curiously.
"I used to imagine what your hands looked like and felt like." She looked at her mother's shimmering eyes, "You have really soft hands."
Brooke laughed a bit at the out of place, yet, really, perfectly in place comment, "I'm glad you think so." Her daughter traced the lines on her hands, and fumbled with her engagement ring. Brooke gave her the time to compose herself.
Sam sighed before starting, "I, um, I was mad." She curled her legs in and continued fumbling with her mom's ring, "And, I, I guess I still am. Not at you. Well..maybe at you." She rubbed her forehead and tried to form a more coherent thought, "I thought I was mad at you. But I think really it's the entire situation, I guess. But it is hard to, you know, separate the media stuff with you because you're Brooke Davis and everyone wants to know all the details in your life and I'm included in that. I've been giving you a hard time because of it. And everything is just going so fast and I feel lost in the middle of it all. Everything's about me, but it's not. It turned into a "we" thing."
Sam stopped talking and gauged her mother's reaction. Brooke's eyes were filled with concern, but her gaze was intent, "I'm okay, sweetheart. Keep going."
Sam bit her lip, "…and I feel bad thinking this, but I'm the only one that was there, in that room, with him. And suddenly everyone has an opinion on how I should feel, what I should do, how I should act. But no one, nobody was there mom." She shook her head trying to get her thoughts together, "It was just me. I was the one he hit and touched. I was the one that was scared. Not you. Not dad. Not the lawyers and the police. Me." The girl furrowed her eyebrows, "Does that- does it make sense, what I'm saying?"
Brooke hooked a finger under her daughter's chin. Tears welling up in her own maternal eyes. "It makes complete sense." The mother was about to pull her in for a hug, but Sam pulled away and spoke again.
"I wish I didn't feel like this…but I do."
Brooke gave her a sad smile, "Baby, you're going through an incredibly hard time, I'd say considering the circumstance you're doing pretty well."
"That's not true." Sam argued.
"Why do you say that?"
"I haven't exactly been myself lately, and I keep bugging you guys at night…and you know, this past week I've been pretty rude."
Brooke stroked her daughter's cheek, "You've been quieter, yes. And although dad and I don't appreciate the attitude, it wasn't exactly a surprise after all your privacy was invaded. Although I'm glad you decided to rein it in because you were dangerously close to getting yourself into some real trouble." She winked at her daughter who had a blush rising on her cheeks.
The mother looked sympathetically at her kid, "I'm not mad at you Sam. Yesterday, yes, frustration got the better of me. I'm gonna be honest, I had gotten home from a long day and you threw a lot in my face. But to be fair, most of what you said was right. But today, I'm not mad. Just worried about you."
Sam sniffled, "I-is that why you spanked me?" She felt her ears burn red at the question, "I didn't think you'd actually do it."
Brooke chuckled softly and leaned in to kiss her daughter's forehead, before looking at her eyes again "Don't underestimate me next time. And no, that's not why. I spanked your cute little baby bottom-"
"Mmmoomm-" Sam groaned at her mother's description.
Brooke gave her a smirk, "I did it because you were being incredibly defiant. Don't you agree?"
Sam shrugged but her mother's questioning look won, "…Okay, yeah."
"But about what you said, sweetheart, about you being through worse-"
"I didn't mean it." Sam cut her off, embarrassed of her own outburst from yesterday, "I've been through worse, yeah, but I didn't mean that I thought you and dad punishing me like that is the same as what other foster parents have done. I'm sorry I said that. I just wanted to be mean. I'm sorry."
Brooke sighed. She patted her lap, then opened her arms for her girl, "Can I get a Sammy snuggle?" The mother asked, "I really just want to hold you right now."
Sam gave a slight smile and moved onto her mom's lap, then buried herself in her embrace. Laying her head in the crook of her mother's neck. Doing so, reminded Sam that she hadn't snuggled with her mom since Sunday. She had missed it.
"I'm glad you didn't mean it." Brooke whispered, "And I'm glad you're talking to me. I miss you kiddo."
Sam felt tears burn the corners of her eyes. She played with the necklace that Brooke was wearing, "I miss you too mom." She whispered into her mom's neck.
The mother's heart burst with joy. Her baby was okay and in her arms. Her baby missed this just as much as she did.
"What you're feeling is fair, peanut." She rubbed her daughter's back as she spoke, "It's true that you were the one that suffered all of that. God, it kills me to think about that." She choked up and took a deep breath, "And I have to admit, through all the details and things we have to do for the trial, sometimes we go through it forgetting that this is your own real trauma. Baby, I'm so sorry for that. If you're feeling that way again, tell us in a calm way and tell us what you want us to do to help. If it means taking a break, leaving for ice cream, going with your friends, whatever. I want you to be comfortable and not overwhelmed."
"Thank you." Sam was surprised to feel an immense relief pass over her body.
"Promise me you'll tell us Sam. Please."
"I promise." The tiny teen adjusted herself and snuggled further into her mom giving out a content, deep breath. Glad that they finally had their talk.
Broke chuckled. The rumble of her laugh calming Sam further.
"Tired, buddy?"
"Mhm. Dad's chores killed me."
Brooke kissed the top of her head, she wanted to talk more but the girl was falling asleep, and in her arms at that. Maternal bliss.
She unmuted the television, "Alright, go to sleep." She directed Sam with two pats to her bottom.
"But I'm on your lap." She moved to get off but Brooke stopped her, "Do you want to stay here?"
The teenager gave a shy look and only nodded before turning into her mom and hiding her face in her embrace, twisting at the fabric of Brooke's pajama shirt.
Brooke hugged her, "Well then stay. Are you comfortable?"
Another nod, "Are you?" Came Sam's muffled voice.
"Then you're not moving from here. And I'm perfectly fine. You still fit on my lap. Thank God! And I will fully take advantage of that, because I have a feeling little Davis is going to grow quickly soon and our cuddles might have to be modified. "
It was Sam's turn to laugh a bit. Her mom was 4 months in and the bump was there, but it wasn't huge yet.
"You know how you're like super badass at work?"
Brooke couldn't help but roll her eyes, "Hmm, am I?"
Sam giggled, "Yeah, you know you are. I think it's funny because I doubt they'd ever imagine how cuddly you are."
"Well kids do that to you. So I blame you."
Sam smiled, "I'm okay with that."
"Oh, really?" Brooke raised an eyebrow, then covered her daughter's face in playful kisses. "Mama!" Sam said pulling away with a laugh. Brooke settled down, "Alright. Alright." Sam rested back on her mother, and Brooke breathed in her daughter's watermelon shampoo.
"Mom?" Sam asked after some time of the TV droning on.
"Yes?"
"I'm glad I found you. I really needed you and dad."
Brooke's throat choked up and she could only hold her kid tighter, "No, thank you. Thank you for finding us. You've changed my whole life for the better. I love you so much."
Sam grabbed her mom's hand and squeezed it, "I love you too."
An hour later Brooke felt Sam's grip on her shirt loosen. She had fallen asleep. Brooke watched her sleep, Sam's fist near her mouth, her chest rising and falling.
It was around 1:30 in the morning when Lucas came down and saw his two loves sleeping on the couch.
He smiled fondly and lifted Sam off Brooke, stirring the mother awake.
"Let's go up babe? I'll take her to bed."
"Did you just wake up?" Brooke asked sitting up and yawning.
"Yeah, and you weren't next to me." He said with a sweet smile, "Come on. Let's go to bed."
Brooke nodded sleepily and headed up, but not before kissing her sleeping daughter's head and whispering goodnight.
Lucas walked up the stairs behind Brooke and watched her go into their room before heading to Sam's room on the other end of the hall. He carefully opened the door, then laid her down on the already unmade bed, making it easier to tuck the girl in. He placed her teddy bear and blanket in her arms and pulled up the sheets. "Night champ." He whispered, placing a kiss on her forehead, "Only sweet dreams tonight, buddy."
When he got to their bedroom, he laid back down and felt Brooke cuddle into him. He closed his eyes, happy to know that everyone that mattered in his life, at least for now, was at peace.
…. …. ….
Brooke had gotten out of the shower twenty minutes ago and was blow-drying her hair when Lucas came in to brush his teeth. He only had his slacks on and an undershirt.
"Babe." Brooke asked stopping the noise of the machine, "We have an hour before we have to get going, can you check and make sure Sam is up?"
He pecked her cheek, "Sure thing good looking."
"Lucas?" Brooke stopped him. He smiled fondly, knowing her fears and worries.
"This case is ours. He's going to prison."
She watched him go and felt a pang of love for him. There went his 6 foot 2 teddy bear. Her protector, lover, and counselor. They were all a mess of nerves. Sam would have to testify and see Mike. Joan would be there. She'd testify against him. They had finally received confirmation just yesterday and when they told Sam she was in a lot of shock. Joan had done something against Mike? It was quite surprising for the 14 almost 15 year old. Needless to say, yesterday was another quiet day, Sam spending most of it in her room, talking to Jack, then watching tv. They had tried to gauge how she was feeling about the trial the next day, but Sam just told them she felt fine. Both parents weren't fooled, but didn't push.
Lucas knocked on the door, mindful of the fact that Sam might be changing.
"Champ?" he asked after another knock. No answer. He sighed and turned the knob, "I'm coming in Sam." He opened it and had his eyes closed, after five seconds he opened them. Sam was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking down on the floor, still in her pajamas and donning her bedhead.
Lucas crossed the space over and sat next to her. She was yet to make any move to acknowledge him.
"Sammy?" He started carefully.
She swallowed hard, "I think I'm scared."
Lucas looked at the time. He needed to get her up and ready because they were running out of time, but he knew that Sam needed reassurance right now.
"I know it's scary." He admitted, "But mom and I are going to be right behind you and when you're on the stand we'll be right in front of you. You already know the questions and what to say."
She let out a frustrated sigh, "Daddy he's gonna be there. I don't, I don't know how I'm gonna react."
Lucas wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "You know the difference from all the times that you've confronted him and today?"
She shook her head and leaned on his shoulder.
"You're the one with the power. Your story, your words, they will finally be the ones that win over him. He's a coward Samantha that hid behind his fists and his vile words when you were supposed to be in his care. But now the tables have turned. And guess what else? I'm going to be right there. I'm going to be standing next to you. And so will mom. We'll be there."
"You'll be there." She whispered, loving the sound of that. Nothing could ever hurt her when she was with her dad. At least physically.
"I sure will. I'll always be there. Whenever you need me peanut."
Sam gave a faint smile and hugged her father tight. He returned the hug and patted her back, "I need you to get ready, champ. We're leaving in 45 minutes."
She nodded and let him go, "Thank you." A blush rose to her cheeks.
He winked at her, "Always."
Brooke came into Sam's bathroom fifteen minutes later, after hearing Sam call for her. Brooke popped her head in, "Need help with the dress?"
Sam nodded and had her mom clasp her dress from the back. She was wearing a black and white dress that came just above her knees and flared at the end, with a peter pan collar.
Brooke led her to the bathroom, and placed her hands on the girl's shoulders, "It's okay to be nervous kiddo."
Sam took a deep breath and sighed. She handed her mom the brush and Brooke gladly brushed her daughter's straight locks. She saw that the curling iron was on and delicately curled the bottoms of Sam's hair to give it some volume then clipped a piece back and let the rest fall around her daughter's shoulders naturally. Sam was quiet throughout, but Brooke could tell that Sam was comforted by her presence. She pressed a kiss to the back of Sam's head, "You look absolutely beautiful, baby. Can you hop up? I'm just going to put some mascara and lip gloss."
Sam jumped up onto the bathroom counter and let her mother's careful hands work. Brooke put the mascara down and was looking in Sam's drawer for a certain lip-gloss. She always bought the girl different kinds, and put them in the drawer, although Sam rarely used them.
"Mom?"
"Hmmm?" Brooke responded, busy rummaging through the drawer.
"Do you, um, what do you think he'll think when he sees me dressed up like this?"
Brooke froze and moved her attention from the door to Sam, "Mike?"
Sam nodded and looked at the hands in her lap, "I don't, what if he still thinks about me…like that." Her eyes widened and felt panic rise in her heart.
Brooke recognized that Sam was about to lose control so she stopped her search and put her hands on her daughter's shoulders, "Sammy, look at me."
She rubbed a soothing hand up and down Sam's arm, and whispered to her soothingly, until the girl calmed down, "I don't know what he'll think." She finally answered, "But I do know that he can't act on his thoughts any more. He has no control."
"Except he still scares me." Sam lamented, "I hate that, but it's true mama."
Brooke felt for her daughter so much. She wished she could say something to make her feel better, but if she was honest with herself she knew nothing really could.
"Oh honey." She wrapped her up in a strong hug and kissed the side of her head. There really was nothing she could say, but Sam gladly basked in her mother's embrace. In those arms there was nothing to fear.
…. …. ….
"Ms. Walker," The defense attorney strode to her towards Sam who was on the stand. She had just gotten finished with her lawyer, Mr. Ross's line of questioning. That was the easy part. Now she had to face Mike's lawyer. They were informed that their defense wasn't to try and disprove Sam's story, but to try and soften the blow to get him the minimum sentence, which would leave him out in three years.
"So you claim" He put 'claim' in air quotes, "that Mr. Lambary made inappropriate contact with you while in his care, but what made you choose to wait so long to report it? Why not do it the moment it happened the first time?"
Sam looked to her parents who gave her an encouraging smile. She looked to the defendant's table and saw the smirk that fell on Mike's face. She tensed, that smirk was all too familiar for her, but took a deep breath, "I, I was scared." Her voice was almost a squeak and she hated that it sounded so small and fearful.
She heard a loud scoff that was clearly from Mike.
"Mr. Lambary would you like to be fined for that outburst as well?" The judge snapped.
Mike shook his head and only gave a wicked smile to Sam. It was obvious Sam was getting scared and the judge noted it. "Mr. Perroni, give Ms. Walker a moment to collect herself please."
Sam looked at the judge and he gave her a warm smile, "Take your time honey." He told her softly and Brooke wanted to kiss the judge for his kindness to her little girl.
Sam felt her cheeks burn red. She slowed her breaths and turned her attention back to her parents.
'Focus on mom and dad.' She told herself. Both of their reassuring and concerned looks helped her calm down.
"Ready?" The judge asked. Sam nodded.
Mr. Perroni peered at Sam, "Okay. You say you were scared of him, so why not try and stop the thing that scares you?...Unless you really weren't scared?"
Sam felt anger flow through her and she clenched her fists, "I was scared!"
"Then why didn't you try and stop it?"
"I don't know!"
"You don't know? "
"He told me I'd never see my parents again because I was so bad. And I loved Joan, and, and I thought Joan loved me. And so, if I didn't get my parents at least I could stay with her. I didn't know who to talk to and Joan made me happy, and I don't know. Okay? I was confused and scared and in pain. That's all I know."
He pushed his glasses up, "Mr. Ross painted a picture of horrors up here but it seems like it wasn't that bad considering that you were willing to endure it for a woman that did nothing to stop it. Mike wasn't actually that bad."
Sam's eyes pricked with tears at his jab. Her lip quivered.
Brooke saw her baby on the verge of sobbing and she grabbed Lucas's hand for support. Lucas wanted to jump over the table and grab the defense attorney and give him one good punch to knock him out. Then he wanted to pick Sam up in his arms and carry her to safety. But both parents knew she had to get through this.
Sam saw the pain written on her parents' faces. She took a deep breath.
"Ms. Walker, Mr. Perroni asked you a question." The judge said sternly, effectively taking Sam back to her present.
Sam snapped her head to him, "S-sorry." She turned to Mr. Perroni, "Can you repeat it?"
"Mr. Lowry, would you consider him a hard worker?"
Sam bit her lip, "I, umm,"
"Keep in mind your under oath. Did he work hard to provide for you and Joan?"
Sam sighed, "Umm, yeah, I guess so."
"Do you remember how late he'd get back from work?"
Sam thought back. He would come back really late. "He'd get back really late, like one or two in the morning."
"How many jobs did he have? Do you remember?"
Sam nodded, "Two I think."
"Two jobs. Correct. He was a construction worker, and worked at a gas station until two in the morning. Meaning that he worked 15+ hours a day. He got that second job right after they began fostering you. Do you realize why he did that? Why would someone work like a dog Monday through Friday?"
Sam bit her lip and shook her head, "According to my client, he did it for you and for Joan. Mr. Ross mad him seem like some sort of sneaky and conniving bum. But he was in fact a hard worker who provided for his family. He made a mistake."
A mistake? Sam clutched the ends of her dress, "What he did wasn't a mistake! He did it way more than once!"
"Way more?" His eyebrow rose, "You act like he did it every day. But that's not true, now is it?"
"Well…no, but it was still-"
"If you could estimate, the time between those interactions, what would you say it was?"
Interactions. Interactions, is how this man summed up her suffering.
"He abused me." She iterated, "It used to be really sporadic but when I turned twelve he started doing it maybe once every two weeks or something."
"Did he ever rape you?"
Brooke and Lucas both felt fire run through them at the question.
Sam shook her head.
"Verbal answer."
"No." Came her squeak.
"So he never raped you. Okay. Did he use his fingers, other objects?"
Another no came from the girl.
"Did he ever penetrate you in any way?"
"No."
" Well did he at least ever make you touch him?"
Sam felt stupider and stupider with each question. Like her abuse was unfounded,
"N-no. But he would touch me and do things to himself and make me watch! And he would beat me with his belt and slap me!"
The man gave a curt nod, "But he never made you touch him, he never raped you, he never penetrated you in any way?"
Sam eeked out another 'no.'
"I see...No further questions."
"You may step down." The judge told Sam. The girl gladly did so and walked quickly to her chair by her lawyer, Mr. Ross. He gave her a solid wink and then the girl felt her mother's hand squeeze her shoulder gently. She turned for a moment and gave her parents a relieved look.
Mr. Ross stood up and Joan was called to the stand. Sam was fixated on her as she got up. She still looked so much older. Broken. Tired.
Her eyes flicked to Sam. The girl swore she could see an apology in those eyes.
Sam tried to listen to the questions and Joan's answers, but her mind wandered away. It wandered to a specific moment in her life. One that hurt her deeply.
Thrice had just shown up at Sam's foster home. Moments before Mike had been taken into custody for minor endangerment. Sam had admitted to Thrice that it was him that pushed her down the stairs and was the reason her arm was broken.
"Joan, we can stay together." 12 year old Sam told her with hope in her eyes. She grabbed onto her foster mother's hand, "You still love me, right? You're not mad?"
The woman squeezed Sam's hand, "Shh Samantha. Your social worker is in the living room. Let's go."
Sam followed Joan quietly. She loved the woman. She was sure that Joan would still stay with her. Thrice was willing to let Sam stay with the woman if she agreed to break ties with Mike and order a restraining order since they were never technically married.
But to Sam's surprise Joan did not accept that offer. Instead she asked Thrice how soon Sam could be moved. The tiny 12 year old turned to her foster mother, "What? No. Joan we can stay together." She pleaded in a watery voice.
Thrice tried to grab Sam but Sam pulled away, "NO!" She yelled.
"How soon?" Joan asked once more, pushing the girl clawing at her sleeves off her, "I already packed her things."
Thrice gave her a sad smile, "Then we can remove her now."
Sam pulled on Joan's hand, "NO! No! I wanna stay with you! I promise I'll be good! I wanna stay with you! You love me and you're nice to me! Joan, please, please!" The little girl grabbed onto Joan's button up shirt with her one good hand once more. The other was in a cast because of Mike.
Thrice watched the interaction and carefully stepped towards Sam, "Sammy, honey, come on, let's go."
Sam pushed Thrice away, surprising the social worker. Joan tried in vain to pry the little hands off her, "Samantha, please go." The woman begged.
"Why?!" The little girl yelled, "What'd I do? Joan, Sorry! I wanna stay with you! I wanna stay with you! I'm sorry if I was bad! You're my mom and I'm your daughter. You said Joan! You said!"
Tears streaked down Sam's cheeks as she felt her whole life falling apart. It usually wasn't like this when she got moved foster homes, but she had gotten too attached to Joan. And the small girl thought that Joan had gotten attached to her.
"Samantha, you are 12 years old. Be a big girl and go with Ms. Thrice. You, you don't need me." That last part was softer.
Sam shook her head and clutched onto the fabric of Joan's shirt, moving away from the woman's hand, "No! I don't wanna be a big girl. No big girl! Let me stay! Please. PLEASE!"
Thrice stepped in once more and was more aggressive about getting the little girl off Joan.
"Samantha, we have to go." She told her sternly.
She grabbed Sam by her sides and pulled her off. Sam screamed for Joan as she was being pulled. Her eyes were blurred by tears and her nose was dripping. She hated that she only had one arm to work with. When Thrice finally got her loose the girl thrashed against her, but the woman was much stronger.
"I'll be back to pick her things up." Thrice told her hurriedly, just wanting to get the girl fighting her out.
Sam managed to see a small wave on Joan's part before the door closed. She cried for hours afterwards. Not allowing anyone to console her. Not even Tamara. She felt a bitterness grow in her heart. She was so sure Joan would stay with her. They had bonded, damn it! Didn't they? Why didn't Joan love her?
"Sam. Sam." A hand shook Sam's shoulder. Sam jumped a bit in her chair, "Wha-"
She turned and faced her lawyer, Mr. Ross, "You okay?" He whispered as Joan was stepping off the stand. Sam felt a wetness on her cheeks and realized she had some stray tears. She quickly wiped them and nodded her head.
Brooke and Lucas looked at each other worriedly, but refrained themselves from having Sam turn and face them to see if she was okay.
Sam couldn't focus after that. She wanted to leave.
…. …. …
Guilty of repeated sexual abuse of a minor.
Mike was given the maximum sentence. When the verdict was passed, Sam let out a sigh of relief. She was surprised at how good it felt to hear those words. It actually felt like a win.
A victory, after so many harsh and painful losses.
She couldn't help but turn and look at Mike. He stared her down as they walked him out of the courtroom. Sam followed his movements. His eyes peered at her, like before. She tensed and felt 12 all over again, but she swallowed hard and braved it. She wanted to see him taken away. She needed to see it.
After hugging their daughter profusely in the courtroom, Lucas was holding Sam's hand as they walked out and Brooke was on her other side. There was a high probability of paparazzi outside and so Lucas was ready to guide the girl away from it. But as they walked silently Sam caught sight of Joan sitting on a bench. Sam let go of her father's hand. Lucas stopped, making Brooke stop a few steps ahead.
"Sam?" He asked.
"Can I go talk to her?" She asked, her blue eyes staring up at him.
Lucas looked at the woman and gave her daughter an approving nod. "Mom and I will wait over here." He pointed to a bench near the door. Brooke would've much rather joined Sam, but the teenager needed to do this alone. She followed Lucas and went to sit down.
Sam stopped midwalk and turned back to her parents, "Mom. Dad?"
"Yes, sweetie?" Brooke was the first to answer.
"Can you, can you actually come with me? Or, umm, stand closer. I just, I'd rather, I don't know-"
"Of course, champ." Lucas saved her from her confused thoughts, "We'll stand by the water fountain. Is that better?" Sam nodded, the water fountain was much closer to where Joan was sitting.
Joan looked completely lost in her thoughts as Sam carefully stepped forward. "umm, Joan?" Sam's voice was soft and uneasy. She was nervous.
The woman didn't respond. "Joan?" She tried again stepping in front of her this time and giving a small wave.
The woman's eyes slowly moved up towards the teenager. She stared at all the girl for a moment. Taking in how much she'd grown. She didn't look so scared, so sad to the woman anymore. She was still small, but her face had matured.
"You, you look very beautiful Samantha." But her heart didn't seem into it.
Sam fiddled with her hands, "Oh…um, yeah, thanks."
The memory that had returned in the courtroom came back as she stared at the woman. She swallowed hard, trying not to get mad, or emotional again.
"Thank you." Sam squeaked after some silence, "For testifying. I know that it was hard for you and-"
The woman let out a deep and tired sigh, "Please. Don't do this Sam. Go home."
Sam furrowed her eyebrows, "Don't do what? I just wanted to tell you that-"
Joan looked up with a harder look, "Samantha, GO. Home." She said through gritted teeth, "I…just please leave me alone."
Sam clenched her fists, "No." It was a hard no. An angry no.
It surprised the woman.
The girl looked rather determined, "You, you didn't want me. How come every time, you push me away? Even when I'm just trying to thank you for helping me. How come you can't look at me anymore?"
"Samantha, I failed you!" The woman all but screamed done with Sam's questioning self. Her voice choked up, "I knew what Mike did to you and I failed you. I couldn't take care of you because I could barely take care of myself! Do you understand that? I was dependent on Mike in so many ways. Psychologically, especially. Love is complicated. I don't know what to tell you. I chose him over you. Yes. I loved him. I was angry at you, and I was angry at myself for being unwilling to forgive a 12 year old who had no fault whatsoever or control over what happened, but I still blamed you. He wanted you more than he wanted me! I wanted him to want me! I was angry!"
Sam felt all her emotions hit her core.
And the woman kept talking, "I know how twisted that sounds, and don't know if you'd ever understand, but that's the truth. Me testifying was my way of trying to make up for that. But now, we're done. I'm done feeling guilty. Please, Samantha, leave! Because every time I look at you, I think of our past, and I can't take that. Let me move on." Her tears flowed, "Let. Me. Move. On."
Sam looked at her stunned. She couldn't move. Her body felt like mush. But, a warm comforting arm wrapped itself around her and maneuvered her away. It was her mother. The soft "Come on Sammy. Let's go." Assured her of that.
Before walking away Brooke gave Joan a look that could kill. Joan could only whisper out an "I'm sorry Ms. Davis." Before bursting into tears again.
Sam came to her senses and turned back around, making Brooke stop walking as well,
"I'm sorry Joan."
The woman looked up once more at the tiny teenager.
"I'm sorry that Mike messed us both up." She looked back to her mother, not wanting to see Joan's reaction. The woman had resumed crying.
Sam gave her mother the saddest eyes Brooke had ever seen, "I wanna go home mom."
The mother kissed her daughter's head, "Okay, love. Let's go home."
The ride was quiet. Sam hadn't spoken a word. Lucas had pushed them past the paparazzi and was now driving them home. Brooke kept eyeing Sam from the rearview mirror. She wasn't crying, she was only staring out the window, deep in thought. It only worried Brooke more. She wished she could read her daughter's mind.
"Bud, do you want me to pick you up some ice cream after I drop you and mama off at home?" Lucas made a weak attempt at trying to cheer her up.
Sam only shook her head.
Lucas frowned and kept driving. He felt Brooke squeeze his hand once they got to a red light.
Once at home, Sam made a beeline to her room. Lucas and Brooke watched her go sadly.
"God damn it!" Lucas let out in frustration, "Why'd she have to tell her that?" He asked setting the keys down on the table harshly, "She was happy after the trial. She hugged us and smiled. Why did that woman have to ruin it?"
Brooke stopped his tirade by placing a hand on his chest, "Babe, babe, listen to me. It's no use getting mad. Sam needed an answer. She got it. I know it was hard to swallow, but she got her answer. Remember, she even went back to that house to ask her these same questions before. You and me, we need to worry about making sure she's okay."
"Yeah." Lucas muttered, "Picking up the pieces that those dumbasses left. They hurt our daughter Brooke!" He looked up at the stairs, "They, they broke her! You heard the way Sam described the abuse in that courtroom. It was disgusting. He was disgusting! He hurt my baby!"
Lucas's throat caught and tears welled in his eyes, "That bastard hurt my little baby. And all that woman did was watch and get mad at Sam because that pervert was attracted to a little girl and not his wife?! Brooke, I can't, I can't, that's my child! Our kid who went through that shit!"
Tears streamed down his cheeks. He couldn't remember crying like this before. He was the strong one.
"She was just a baby Brooke." His voice quieter and pained, "She's so small now, imagine how small she was before. Imagine how small compared to him." He shook his head at the thought and covered his mouth to stifle a sob.
Rushed steps made their way down the stairs. Sam had heard her father's breakdown. All of it. She had never seen him so passionate or so emotional before. It startled her a bit.
Lucas and Brooke looked at Sam. Whose eyes were shimmering with tears, "D-dad?"
"Champ, I-" Lucas tried to compose himself, "I'm sorry. I think it's the stress-"
But Sam didn't need him to do that. She needed him to cry with her. She ran from the steps into her dad's arms and Lucas caught her. Sam burst into tears and Lucas let his own tears fall once more at the sound.
"Daddy." She squeaked.
"My precious girl." He cried, "My baby girl. I got you."
He picked her up into his arms and felt her small arms and legs wrap around him and her face snuggle into the cradle of his neck. He carried her to the couch and sat down with Sam in his lap. She buried her face in his chest as they both cried. He held her tight. He just needed to have her in his embrace. To feel her weight on him. She was so vulnerable, how could that bastard have done that to her? And as if to respond to his thoughts, Sam spoke.
"I'll be okay." She assured him in a whisper, "I have you and mama to make me feel better. It hurt dad, seeing him again, and what she said hurt too, but they, they don't matter. You and mom, you guys matter to me."
Lucas nodded into his daughter's hug. Her words soothing his pained and guilt filled heart.
Brooke sat close to them and wrapped an arm around Lucas's shoulders, "We love you baby girl."
Sam nodded and hugged her father tighter. Lucas breathed in and out, feeling so much comfort in having his daughter so physically close. The small family stayed close to one another. Each one receiving comfort from the other two. It was a well needed catharsis for them all.
The three talked out the trial and Brooke and Lucas made sure Sam was doing okay. They felt relieved to hear that Sam felt good when Mike's verdict was handed down and that Joan's words hadn't affected her too deeply. Their little girl was strong, and never ceased to surprise them. Of course, they'd be prepared to deal with any emotional outbursts in the coming days. Sometimes these things hit later on.
Eventually, Sam ended up with her head leaned onto her father's chest and her legs on Brooke's lap. She was facing Brooke and gave out a yawn. Her eyelids were growing heavy.
"You need to get some sleep, honey." Brooke told her.
Lucas agreed and patted her thigh twice, "Tired buddy?"
Sam hummed, "Mmhhmm…I'll go upstairs. I know you have practice with your team soon anyways."
Lucas kissed the top of her head, "Hmmm, no. How 'bout you stay here on the couch? You sleeping close to me right now sounds like a much better deal than me coaching a whole bunch of fake macho 15 year olds."
That made Sam smile and both parents were glad to see it. She adjusted herself so her head was in her dad's lap. She closed her eyes and heard the tv turn on and some sports babble drone on. It relaxed her. She felt her mother kiss her forehead and pat her leg before getting up off the couch.
"Where you going mom?" The girl asked sleepily.
"I'm going to pick up some groceries. I'll be right back honey." Brooke responded soothingly.
"Hot Cheetos?" Sam tried, opening her eyes, her head still laid on her dad's lap. Lucas laughed and looked at Brooke who was also shaking her head and laughing good naturedly.
"Nice try. But nope." Came Brooke's answer.
Sam gave her mother an adorable pout, and was about to say something but was cut off when her mother leaned down. She gave her a kiss on the forehead and a pat to her bottom, "Go to sleep, you sneak." Brooke told her before raising her head to find Lucas's lips.
Sam smiled once more and watched her mom leave as she lied there. Joan's confession hurt. Mike's stares in the courtroom drew fear. But the normalcy of the television, the warmth of her father, and her mother's kisses that always found their way to her forehead, cheeks, and hair, seemed to make the tiny teenager feel okay. Feel at home. Feel loved. Feel right where she belonged.
The icing on the cake was her mother coming back to drape her prized blanket over her, and hand her Barry the bear.
"Just in case." Brooke gave her daughter a wink.
They never made fun of her for it. They didn't yell at her, insult her, and judge her for her coping mechanisms. They never questioned her. They accepted every single aspect of who she was. Sam knew with every fiber of her being that she'd never have to question their love. And with that thought, the girl fell into a peaceful sleep.
…. …. ….
A ring on the doorbell made Lucas jump up from the couch. Sam was still sleeping and he didn't want the ring to wake her up. Sam didn't stir. He sighed in relief.
He opened the door and saw Jack. The boy gave him an uneasy smile, "Umm, hey Mr. Scott. Is Sam around? I just wanted to see her after all the trial stuff."
Lucas looked at the kid. He wished he could say that he still didn't like him, but he did. Lucas liked Jack.
"Umm, sir?" Jack asked again. It was like Lucas froze with a scowl on his face while staring at him. Not a pleasant thing to face.
The father sighed and opened the door further, "She is, but she's asleep. You can wait with her until she wakes up if you'd like."
He gave him a grateful look, "Thanks."
Lucas nodded and watched Jack sit where he had been sitting. Sam instinctively cuddling into him. Jack smiled.
The father, though, felt a pang of uneasiness, but kept his cool.
"I'm going to be in the kitchen. Brooke should be back from the store soon too. Feel free to change the channel." He told him.
Jack nodded, "Thanks Mr. Scott."
"No funny business." Lucas said seriously pointing to him.
Jack put his hands up in surrender, knowing Lucas wasn't joking "Promise, sir."
"Good." The older and taller man said with one curt nod.
Ten minutes later Brooke came in and found Sam still asleep, though it was Jack near her and not Lucas.
"Oh, hi, bud. How are you?" Sam had mentioned to Brooke that he might come over after the trial.
"I'm okay. Is, umm, is Sam, is she alright?"
Brooke gave him a kind smile, "I think so, but having you here I'm sure will help her feel much better."
"Thanks Ms. Davis."
Brooke went into the kitchen and hugged Lucas from behind as he was cutting up a carrot. He hummed and stopped his movements to turn and give her a sweet kiss on the lips, "How's my beautiful wife and unborn child?"
"We're doing well, thank you." Brooke said with a smile, "But we need help carrying some of the groceries."
Lucas winked at her, "You got it babe." And then went out the kitchen door towards the car to get the bags.
"You brought her Hot Cheetos." Lucas said with a smirk as he put down the bags and took out the offending chips.
Brooke rolled her eyes, "Don't give me that smug face."
"She knows how to play you."
Brooke laughed a little as she took the chip bag from Lucas's hands and put it in the cupboard, "Yeah, well, she's my baby and she's had a hard day. If these greasy, spicy, cholesterol filled chips make her happy, then I'll give them to her."
Lucas moved back towards her and put an arm around her waist. Brooke yelped not expecting the touch. He turned her over to face him and smiled lovingly, "I love watching you be a mom."
Brooke blushed but then accepted his proffered kiss, "I love you being a father, Lucas. I love us being parents to that wonderful kid out there, and then now this one too."
He gave her one last kiss, "The perfect little family."
Please review! I don't know much about court proceedings, so sorry! But I hope you enjoyed it either way!