5.
"You were right, Sam. Best burger and fries. In fact, everything's great; the harbor, downtown, your new office, this diner, Mike and that cute waitress." Coop's smiling eyes strayed briefly to the dimpled angel behind the counter before shifting back to Sam.
"Commissioner Scorpio and Detective Spencer seem like decent guys to work with too. I don't think I'll have any trouble calling this place home." Coop swallowed down the last bite of his bacon double-cheeseburger with a long sip of coke.
"I know what you mean. This little town and the people in it do have a way of growing on you. Oh, and FYI, that cute waitress is Georgie Jones, Commissioner Scorpio's daughter." Sam warned teasingly.
Coop chuckled in disbelief. "So, the police commissioner's daughter works for the local crime boss's father?"
Sam smiled leaning back in the booth and shrugged. "Small towns. Gotta love 'em."
She was stuffed full and exhausted, but it was a good kind of tired. The day had been incredibly productive so far. It began with Coop waking up before the sun as usual, a schedule his body attuned to after years in the service. He'd quietly found his way around her galley and brewed a fresh pot of coffee to ease into the busy day ahead of them. When the smell permeated the master cabin and successfully greeted Sam good morning, they'd shared a few laughs over a cup while Coop attempted to charm her out of half of her giant slice of double chocolate fudge birthday cake.
After showers and dressing for the day, they left in Coop's rented Chevy Tahoe to meet the real estate agent. Sam's office was located downtown, four blocks down from the Metro Court, not far from General Hospital. It was an older Romanesque Revival styled building with round arches and semi-circular arches on the windows. Her office space ran from the front of the building to the back with views of both the park and courthouse across the street and harbor to the rear.
The main door entered into a well lit open space encompassing two thirds front and center that would serve well for an assistant's station and client waiting area. The last third of the space housed a large private office Sam would use as her own with a breathtaking view of the harbor. There were two doors at opposite ends on the wall to the right of her office. One door was a private exit that led to a corridor near the building's stairway. The other opened to a small hall with a large walk in supply closet on the left, a full bathroom on the right and a small kitchenette straight ahead. The kitchen and bathroom were also accessible from doors in the waiting area.
She'd need to purchase a coffee maker, microwave and other basic items, but the kitchen did have a full size sink with disposal and refrigerator. Sam figured she'd have a few days of downtime waiting for office furniture, but the former occupants had left enough to get started. The agent insisted management would have maintenance remove it if she wanted, but Sam actually liked it. It fit the space nicely and set the perfect vibe for a detective's office.
There were two large 1930's mahogany executive desks with simple lines and a broad top. One desk was centered in her office with the door ahead and triple set of floor to ceiling windows behind. The second desk was in the open space, creating a work area just outside Sam's office. Her office also housed a row of five vintage tall mahogany file cabinets centered on the wall to the left. A simple looking 17th century roll top desk with a dark finish formed an L work space for the assistant with five wooden 1920's Bank of England style chairs that reminded Sam of those still found in courtrooms. Four of the chairs would serve well as client seating with two in front of each executive desk. The fifth chair swiveled with caster legs. Sam figured it would work as her desk chair until she could order something more comfortable then switch it out to the second desk. She'd need to find comfortable seating for the waiting area too and a few accessories to make the office feel more welcoming.
All the furniture was in decent repair. It gleamed along with the trim and hardwood from the fresh cleaning and polishing the building's cleaning service provided as part of the leasing agreement. The painter's had already come and gone as well leaving new venetian blinds installed, a fresh coat of creamy white above the dark paneled wains-coating and black hand-painted letters on the frosted glass of the front office door. It was official. McCall Investigations had a home in Port Charles.
Sam locked up her office and they'd gone shopping for necessary equipment like that coffee maker and microwave, waste baskets, cleaning products, a heavy-duty paper shredder, a PBX phone system and other miscellaneous supplies. She'd also stopped and purchased a new cell phone and smacked Coop's shoulder when he'd asked the salesman if the insurance policy covered damage by gunfire. All Sam needed now was a large safe, clients and the computer network her technical guru would install.
"Any more word from Spinelli?" Coop read her mind as he wiped his mouth and discarded the napkin on his plate.
Sam checked her phone and shook her head. "His text earlier said GPS puts him here in just under two hours."
"So, he was just leaving then." Coop figured.
"You know Spin. He's easily distracted, but I got the feeling he was working on something big this time and couldn't pull himself away." Sam hoped he wasn't about to get himself in trouble. Spin's burning curiosity and vivid imagination often got him into sticky situations. Fortunately, he was also a genius which helped him get away with it, usually.
He was a good kid and her boss's son. She first met Damien Spinelli two months into her new position with Spinelli Security Corp. It was an awkward moment where she was left to witness her boss come down rather harsh on his college graduate about his 'life choices' and Sam couldn't help relate it to her relationship with Alexis. She felt bad for him. A few kind words later and Sam had been "Goddess" every since.
Spin followed her around like a lovestruck pup, but she didn't really mind. His skills with a computer and unquestionable loyalty more than made up for his peculiar personality. She decided to take him under her wing and it was his part in her accomplishments that finally garnered a good portion of the respect he'd always wanted from his father. So, when Sam announced she was starting her own firm, Spin requested to follow along and she agreed. They worked well together.
"Did he say what he was working on?" Coop inquired casually taking another sip of his soda.
"No. He was all cryptic which is how I know he's up to something." Sam chomped on a piece of ice in contemplation.
"Well, maybe it's a surprise."
"It usually is. I swear, there's no telling what he's up to from one minute to the next." Sam shook her head and smiled.
Coop smiled too, but it faded as he watched Sam's happiness disappear. Hurt flashed in her eyes and he turned to see what caused it. Jason had entered the diner with a woman and young boy.
"And here I nearly forgot the problem with small towns. You want to go?" Coop asked his friend.
"Not just yet. I thought I'd order some of Mike's famous apple pie for later." Sam forced a smile and Coop nodded. She told herself she had to get used to it sooner or later.
"Is that her?" He couldn't help ask.
Sam just nodded and focused on her straw as she absentmindedly stirred the ice around in her drink. She'd refused to make eye contact with Jason as soon as she saw who it was, but she could feel his eyes on her now.
"Is that the kid?" Coop was really going to need to kick the guy's ass if he'd been with that woman that long and never told Sam.
Sam looked up confused. "What?" She suddenly got his meaning. "Oh! No." Sam shook her head. "That's Jason's nephew, Michael. Their baby isn't... she's pregnant."
Sam shifted uncomfortably and was thankful Georgie came at that moment to check on them. She ordered the pie and Coop insisted on covering the check while they waited, so she let him that time.
Jason had a difficult time taking his eyes off her since spotting her the moment he walked in. Michael grabbed a table in the center of the diner and Jason sat in the chair with the best view... of her. She was smiling and happy until he'd walked in. Sam wouldn't even look his way, even though he was sure she'd seen him. He wondered if it would always be that way now, awkward and tense. He had a sudden urge to leave. He didn't want to sit there with Elizabeth at his side wishing it was the beautiful woman across the room next to him instead.
"So Michael, Jason tells me you spent an entire two weeks on your dad's island. It must be fun to have an entire beach all to yourself." Elizabeth smiled at Jason's nephew.
Michael just stared at her blankly. "It's more fun when uncle Jason is with us."
Uncle Jason had told him he couldn't come that time due to business, but Michael had overheard his dad and mom on the phone and knew it was personal business that kept him away and that personal business was sitting right across from him one step away from cooing at him like he was an infant. He was eight almost nine. He wasn't a baby!
His nephew's words broke Jason's trance on Sam and he swallowed guiltily to look at him. He never lied to Micheal. He never lied to anyone before sleeping with Elizabeth.
"Well, maybe once the baby is here we can all go back on a family vacation. Wouldn't that be nice?" Elizabeth cooed in syrupy sweetness.
"I have to pee." Michael announced flatly with a blink and excused himself to the bathroom.
The thought of his uncle making her family made his stomach queasy. It made him want to say mean things and his mom told him all the time if he didn't have anything nice to say he shouldn't say anything at all. So, he'd excused himself before he slipped. It was just... that nurse acted like she cared about him, but it felt phony. She was only interested when uncle Jason was around. Whenever Michael hung out with his aunt Emily, Elizabeth never even gave him the time of day. It also irritated him how she always talked to him like he was a dumb baby. Uncle Jason and aunt Emily never did that and he didn't like people who treated him that way.
Jason saw Elizabeth frown. "I'm sorry Elizabeth."
She gave him a cheery smile. "It's alright Jason. He'll come around."
Georgie handed them their menus and took their drink orders and was on her way again, but Jason's gaze was fixed on Michael who'd spotted Sam and was now engrossed in conversation with her. He loved watching Sam and Michael interact. He wished he were over there with them.
Michael was on his way to the bathroom, even though he didn't really need to go, when he saw Sam. He hadn't seen her since he got home from being kidnapped last spring. He missed her. She'd been someone he could talk to when he was too afraid to tell his parents or Jason how he was feeling. He didn't want them to blame themselves any more, but with Sam he'd been able to get everything out. Sam and his aunt Emily were the ones to convince him it would help to talk to his counselor and it had. He felt tons better now, especially since his uncle proved he didn't kill AJ.
"Hey Sam!" Michael smiled bright and leaned to hug her. "You're home finally!"
"Michael!" Sam gave him a squeeze. "How have you been? I've missed you!"
"I missed you too. Did Molly like her presents?" Michael had picked them out himself.
"She loved them and it was really thoughtful of you to make sure she got them on time even though you couldn't be there." Sam assured him.
"Yea, mom said it was the least we could do. She was really sad almost the whole time. I think she felt bad because she knew how much I wanted to see you as soon as you got back and eat cake and watch Molly open her gifts." Michael confessed innocently.
Sam wasn't sure what to think about Carly being sad over Michael and Morgan missing Molly's party. There was a small part of her that had questioned if Carly maybe intentionally went on that last minute vacation to keep them away, but now she wasn't so sure.
"Well, we'll just have to have an extra good time at Kristina's party to make up for it." Sam told him.
"I can't wait!" Michael beamed then his smile faltered as he took in her company for the first time.
Sam noticed Michael take a good look at Coop. She couldn't help bite back a smile. He was sizing him up and it reminded her of Jason. "Michael, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine, Cooper Barrett. Coop, this is my good friend..."
"Michael Corinthos, the third." Michael finished with emphasis on his last name.
Coop just smiled, unphased, and held out his hand to shake. "Nice to meet you, Michael Corinthos the third. I should have recognized you right away. Sam talks about you all the time. She says you're one of the bravest people she's ever met."
Michael took a look at his outstretched hand and Sam wondered how he'd react. He took a deep breath and finally shook Coop's hand then turned back to Sam puzzled. "You said that, about me?"
Sam nodded. "It's true."
Michael blushed. "I'm not brave. When I get scared, I just pretend I'm uncle Jason and do what he'd do."
Sam smiled warmly at the boy that loved Jason so completely. "But when you're scared and do that brave thing Michael, it's you that does it not your uncle Jason."
She didn't think Michael's cheeks could get any redder, but they did. "I, uh, I guess I better get back before they miss me, but can we hang out soon?"
"You bet! How about I give your mom a call and see if I can take you and Kristina out on my new boat this weekend?" Sam offered.
"You got a new boat? Cool! Is it faster than uncle Jason's?" Michael was all kinds of curious.
"No." Sam shook her head then smiled. "But it's bigger, big enough for sleepovers."
"Awesome! I can't wait 'til this weekend." Michael said in unbound excitement.
"Well, let me make sure this weekend is okay with your parents first." Sam reminded.
"Oh, it'll be okay. Mom still wants to make up for me missing Molly's party." Micheal grinned slyly with a mischievous brow before turning back to his table.
Sam just shook her head and chuckled. Sometimes he was just like Jason and other times... just like his mother.
Emily was just joining them as Michael returned to the table, so nobody called him on never actually making it to the restroom.
"Hi Aunt Emily." Michael gave his aunt a hug.
Emily hugged him back. "Hey there. How was your vacation?"
"It was alright. Mom was sad and I missed Molly's party, but we found a seahorse that washed ashore and helped it back in the water before it died and Morgan isn't afraid to swim in the pool with his floaties anymore." Michael summed.
"You saved a seahorse, how conscientious." Emily praised.
"It certainly was Michael." Elizabeth added.
Emily hid the curiosity his words evoked about his mom. She looked to Jason and his face now looked sad too. She wondered what that was about, but she wouldn't bring it up in front of Michael. They were there for one reason and that was to help Michael get to know Elizabeth better and accept her as a new part of the family. He'd seemed pretty closed off at the idea of letting anyone new into his life since the kidnapping. Micheal had been through so much the last year and Emily and Jason just wanted to help him cope with yet another big change in his family dynamic.
Georgie reappeared to take their lunch orders and excused herself after a brief greeting with Emily. Jason half-smiled at his sister's friendliness before his eyes were drawn back to Sam who sat in clear view over Emily's right shoulder.
"What's consinshus?" Michael asked Emily.
"Conscientious." Emily repeated for him. "It's when your actions are guided with extreme care or great effort by your sense of right and wrong."
Michael nodded then smiled. "Like Jiminy Cricket."
"Exactly." Emily laughed.
Michael was quiet for a moment then looked at Jason. "I learned it from uncle Jason. He's conscientious too."
Jason heard the pride in Michael's voice and felt his cheeks redden from guilt.
"Thanks bud." Jason nearly whispered.
"Yes, he certainly is." Emily agreed. Usually, she added to herself.
"Did you know Elizabeth has a huge saltwater aquarium with all kinds of fish?" Emily hoped it would give them something to talk about.
Elizabeth took her cue and ran with it. "We sure do. We don't have any seahorses, but Cameron loves watching the fishies. Maybe you could help us find a seahorse to add to our tank?"
"Most seahorses are endangered. Besides, it seems kind of mean to take them from their home in the ocean." Michael replied.
"Oh, but I've seen them for sale in the fish store and we take very good care of our tank. They seem like pretty happy little fishies to us." Elizabeth argued.
"Ever watch Finding Nemo?" Michael asked her.
"Um, no. Cameron prefers Thomas." Elizabeth responded, uncertain of the significance of the reference.
Michael pursed his lips. "Didn't think so." He then turned back to Emily. "So what did I miss at the party last night?"
Elizabeth's face fell in defeat, but Jason was too busy watching Sam to notice. Emily sighed at the failed attempt and proceeded to answer her nephew. "Well, Molly loved the presents you picked out. I think the colorful monkey with the light up nose was her favorite."
Michael grinned. "I thought she'd like that. Morgan couldn't stop cracking up every time it screamed for a banana."
"She made a mess with her cake too. I took lots of pictures." Michael definitely wanted to see them. Kristina was always afraid to get in trouble for getting dirty when they played. He wouldn't believe her mom let Molly get messy until he saw the proof with his own eyes.
Emily noted how frequently Jason's gaze fell onto her. She'd smile at him waiting for him to say something, but he never did. Finally she realized he wasn't actually looking at her, but rather just over her shoulder. She smiled inside when she turned casually to find Sam right behind her. Jason couldn't stop himself from stealing glances at Sam. That was how Emily felt whenever Nikolas was in the same room with her. Clearly, her brother had unresolved feelings for Sam McCall. Maybe Emily should be the one to help him resolve them.
Sam's gaze fell on Emily and she gave her a warm smile, but Emily saw the hurt in her eyes. Em returned her smile with a wave, but felt terrible. Elizabeth was her best friend, but Emily really cared for Sam and knew her support of their relationship must hurt. Sam clearly had unresolved feelings for Jason too. Maybe it was time Emily helped things along. After all, like she told herself before, nobody forced Jason Morgan to do anything he didn't want. So, if he really wanted to marry Elizabeth a little nudge in Sam's direction wasn't going to change anything. However, if he didn't really want it, then the sooner everyone realized it the better.
Emily smiled brightly and only Nikolas could have detected the devious flicker in her eye. Her dear nephew had given her the perfect opening. "Oh, I forgot to tell you the most exciting part of the party Michael!"
"What?" Michael was dying to know.
"Well, Sam has a new boat." She started.
"I know. She told me just before you got here. She said it's big enough for sleepovers and she's gonna call mom and see if she can take me and Kristina out on it this weekend!" Michael was at a 9 out of 10 on the excitement scale.
"That sounds like a lot of fun." Emily smiled watching Jason's reaction. He seemed almost jealous of his little nephew right now. She stifled a giggle.
"Did Sam also tell you that she's decided to move to Port Charles permanently?" Emily added.
"What! No way, really?" Michael was off the charts with the news.
Elizabeth's smile faltered as she shifted in her seat, but Jason and Michael's attention was now glued on Emily.
Emily nodded enthusiastically and sipped her iced tea. "Sam sold the Lazarus and became a licensed private investigator. She's starting her own agency here in Port Charles. She opened the office today, as a matter of fact."
"It's four blocks down from the Metro Court directly across from the courthouse." She added for Jason's benefit.
Maybe he'd surprise her with an unexpected visit at her new office. Her gaze fell back on an unhappy Elizabeth and Emily felt guilty all over again. She was supposed to be talking up Elizabeth to Michael and there she was talking up Sam to Jason.
"Private Investigator?" L!z grimaced. "I guess she just must be one of those women who never wants a husband or family. I mean, no responsible mother would pursue a career that could put her in harm's way to leave her children motherless and I can't see any man being okay with their woman working in such a dangerous job either."
Her distaste was evident. "To each their own, I guess." L!z shrugged with a smirk.
"Depends on the woman. If the woman's as smart and quick on her feet as Sam, any man that really loved her would know her well enough to trust her to handle herself and take care of her family too." He spoke his heart, but from the look Elizabeth shot him she wasn't pleased with his opinion.
Emily, on the other hand, was thrilled. "I think you're right, Jase. A man truly in love with Sam, for instance, would support her in all her dreams and do anything in their power to make her happy."
L!z was tired of all the Sam talk and she was especially tired of Jason having any opinion at all of another woman. "Well, who knows? Maybe that guy she's so cozy with over there is the one for her. I just know I couldn't be happier with my man and how supportive he's always been of my dreams whether it was becoming an artist or pursuing my nursing career."
She beamed her brightest smile at Jason and put her hand in his while her other hand stroked his bicep. Jason smiled and closed his hand over hers. The next thing he knew Elizabeth shrieked as her lap filled with ice cold tea.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!" Michael exclaimed. "I was reaching for the sugar!"
Emily and Elizabeth scrambled to pull napkins from the dispenser.
"I'll go ask Grandpa Mike for a towel!" Michael dashed off to avoid the suspicious look his uncle threw his way.
He ran from the table as quick as he could and ducked behind the side counter. He couldn't hold in his laughter another second. Elizabeth asked for it saying those things about Sam being a bad mother if she wanted to have a kid and be a private eye. She wasn't saying that about uncle Jason and his job was way more dangerous than Sam's. L!z probably didn't even think he could understand a word she said. She talked to him like he was a toddler like her son, but Michael did understand, at least enough to know he didn't like what he heard. He didn't like what he saw either when she started being all lovey on his uncle and Jason held her hand and smiled back. The look on her face was classic. Really, he couldn't stop laughing.
Sam and Coop were just standing up to leave when the screeching began. She turned to find Elizabeth looking as if she'd just wet her pants. She heard Michael apologize most convincingly then fly across the diner and hide behind the counter. She watched him curiously as a huge grin formed on his face and gave way to a fit of giggles when he thought no one was looking. That little devil. Sam couldn't help it. She was impressed and almost started laughing herself when Michael looked up to find her watching him. He swallowed his laughter in a nervous gulp. He just knew Sam was gonna tell, but she simply smiled and winked at him instead. Sam then turned to leave with her friend without a word to anyone. She knew there was a reason she always liked that kid.
xxxxx
Alexis called Sam as she was leaving Kelly's and asked her to meet with her at Wyndemere. Sam had planned to go with Coop to see his new place, but Alexis told her it was important and really shouldn't be put off any longer. Coop reluctantly left Sam waiting on the launch after Sam assured him she was fine after her run in with Jason.
"Thank you for coming." Alexis gave Sam a quick hug and kiss on the cheek.
Sam returned the embrace. "Of course, you said it was important. What's going on?"
Sam looked between her mother and Nikolas who stood in front of his desk.
"I was just asking that very same question myself." Nik replied, his concern mounting. Alexis smiled, but it was a tense smile.
"Let's... sit, shall we?" Alexis told her daughter as she took her hand and sat with her on the sofa.
Nikolas knew whatever was coming wasn't good. He sat on the edge of the armed chair closest to them.
"You're kind of scaring me here." Sam laughed nervously.
"Sorry. I don't mean to drag this out, but what I'm about to tell you will come as a shock. I want you to know that I'm handling it though, and everything that can be done is being done." Alexis assured them as she met each of them in the eye.
She searched for the words to ease them into the new reality, but there were none, not really. Sam looked down at her mother's hand as it held hers. It was freezing. Sam rubbed it for reassurance. Alexis tightened her grip and never wanted to let go. Sam and Nikolas had been through so much in their lives. Alexis didn't want to be the one to bring them any more grief, but she couldn't keep it from them any longer.
She took a deep breath. "Last July, I developed a cough. I dismissed it as a summer cold, but a month later the cough still hadn't gone away and seemed to be getting worse. I thought maybe it developed into bronchitis. My doctor ordered a chest x-ray and that's when I was first diagnosed with stage 2 lung cancer."
The words left her lips and lingered in the air like a poisonous gas as Sam and Nikolas struggled to inhale.
"Mom." Sam squeezed her mother's hand as tears stung her eyes. She'd only called her mom a handful of times, but it was all she could think to say. She couldn't believe what she was hearing, didn't want to believe.
"Are they sure, the doctors? Have you had a second opinion? We should call in specialists." Nik began. He couldn't lose Alexis. He'd never told her in so many words, but she was the true matriarch of his family. Not his mother and certainly not Helena. In fact, there were often times he confided in Alexis like a son might to his mother. He couldn't lose her. He wouldn't lose her.
"Yes, it's been confirmed by my own physician and a specialist who has the reputation as one of the top physician's in the field. He's outlined a very aggressive treatment regimen. I go in for my 4th round of chemotherapy tomorrow morning." Alexis informed them.
Sam sat there speechless. She knew she should say something, ask something, but she just couldn't make sense of it all. All she could think was that she'd only just found her and they'd only just begun to find their way to loving one another. She couldn't lose her. They'd lost too much time already and what about her little sisters? They were too young to lose their mother. It couldn't be happening.
At the mention of the word chemotherapy it became all too real for them both. Alexis watched Nikolas' jaw clench. She knew he was putting up a brave front and had expected nothing less. Sam remained silent and she worried most about her daughter's reaction. Alexis knew Sam was a strong and independent young woman, but she'd also witnessed Sam shut down and close herself off when she felt intense pain. Alexis feared Sam might pull away now when they needed more than ever to pull together.
"What, what does stage 2 mean? I mean how bad is it? Could, could you..." Sam couldn't finish the question. Her eyes plead with her mother for an answer she knew better than to hope for, but she hoped just the same.
Alexis swallowed hard and nodded resolutely. "Yes, I won't lie. There is a very real chance I could die, but listen to me, both of you." Alexis reached out and took hold of Nikolas' hand too while looking back and forth between them. "My doctors are doing everything possible to prevent that outcome. There was a small chance the chemo might cure the lung cancer, but that hasn't happened for me. It did, however, shrink my tumor significantly, so much so that Dr. Rivera feels I have a fighting chance of being cancer free after surgery."
"Surgery? They want to perform surgery? When? How dangerous is it? What are the risks? Are we sure he's the best? Best in the country, or best in the world? Let me make some calls." Nik couldn't help fire off question after question. Knowledge was power and he felt so powerless in that moment. He needed information.
"I'm so sorry you've been going through this all alone. I wish I'd known. I would have come back right away." Sam wiped at the tears threatening to fall.
"I know you would have sweetheart, and I love you for that. I do. I just needed time to adjust to this news first, but I wasn't alone. I told Ric, the night of the blackout actually, and he's been amazing through it all. He's been so supportive. It took me by surprise really. To be honest, our marriage wasn't in the best place last summer. We'd been fighting a lot since Kristina's kidnapping actually, but I guess something like this has a way of putting things in perspective. You hold on to what's important." Alexis gripped Sam and Nikolas' hands tighter as she spoke. "And you let go of what isn't."
"I can't believe I didn't see you were struggling. I've noticed you seemed a little tired lately and knew you'd taken a couple of sick days. You never take sick days. I should have known it was serious." Nik felt horrible for not being more in touch with the people that mattered most to him. Other than Emily, he'd pretty much isolated himself to even his closest family's day to day lives.
"Stop it. I won't have anyone blaming themselves for anything. Nikolas you are busy running a multi billion dollar corporation and you do make time for me and the girls. We see or talk to each other at least once a week. You've always been there for me and the only reason you didn't see this is because I didn't want you to. I know it's irrational, but I, I just wanted one more year of happy holiday memories with Sam and the rest of my family before I ruined it with this news. Unfortunately, the size and growth of the tumor made it too risky to postpone the surgery until after the New Year." Alexis let go of Nik's hand to dry her eyes.
Nik stood reflexively to grab and offer tissues to his aunt and cousin.
"Thanks." They told him in near unison and somehow managed a small smile through shared tears.
"I'm grateful you told me now. I wouldn't want you going through another minute of this nightmare without me. Without the support of all your family." Sam told her and looked to Nik as he nodded his agreement.
Fresh tears fell down Alexis' face. "Thank you, baby." Alexis leaned toward Sam and took her into a tight hug.
Sam hugged her mom back just as tight and pressed her head against her mother's chest as her tears fell silently down her cheeks. She inhaled her scent. She'd always wondered what it would feel like, what it would be like, smell like to be held so lovingly in her mother's arms like that. Sam never wanted to forget it. She closed her eyes tight and made a memory.
Alexis held her daughter for a good long moment and reveled in the feel of her baby girl in her arms. She'd missed that. She was robbed of it. They both were robbed of the chance for their relationship to have always been that close. They eventually pulled from the hug and Alexis composed herself. "So, as I mentioned, my next chemotherapy session is tomorrow morning and surgery has been scheduled for next Monday on the 13th."
"I want to be there. I want to help. What can I do?" Sam asked of her mother.
"Actually, the chemo tends to wear me out and make me pretty nauseous. Molly is still too young to really know what's going on, but I hate for Kristina to see me that way. Do you think maybe you could distract her?" Alexis suggested.
"Of course! I planned to ask you later today if I could take Kristina for an overnight stay this weekend. Michael and Krissy want to see the new boat." Sam answered. "But I want to be there for you for your surgery."
Alexis nodded. "I want you there too. I think I'm going to need you, both of you." She was ashamed to admit her weakness, but she was afraid it might be the last moments she'd get to spend with them if she didn't make it through the procedure. There were no guarantees.
"You have us, Alexis." Nik assured her and Sam nodded.
"Is Ric taking you to chemotherapy tomorrow because I'd like to be there as well." Nik wondered.
Alexis cleared her throat and shifted uncomfortably. "Um, no, actually. He's going to be tied up in a press conference with the mayor, so Viola was going to drop me off and pick me up."
A press conference? Nik couldn't put into words the anger that boiled up under the surface at hearing those words. Ric was putting his career ahead of his wife, ahead of his family. He wasn't surprised just pissed. "Nonsense, what time shall I pick you up?"
Alexis smiled lovingly and obliged his demand knowing any argument would fall on deaf stubborn Cassadine ears. "9 o'clock would be wonderful. Thank you."
"I'll meet you both at 9am at the lake house then. I want to be with you too. Krissy can leave with me when we get back from the hospital." Sam insisted and Alexis just nodded at her equally stubborn daughter.
"Thanks." Alexis whispered as emotion stole her voice.
"We're here for you now mom, and we're going to get through this and come out better and stronger than ever, all of us, together." Sam set her mind to that reality and grasped her mom's hand and squeezed.
Nik placed his hand on both of theirs and repeated the promise. "All of us, together."
Alexis dotted her eyes with the tissue in her free hand and nodded with a shaky breath. "Together."
Alexis spent another fifteen minutes answering as many of Nik's questions as she could and occasionally pausing to just take them both in. Her nephew and her first born daughter had already given her more encouragement and support than she could ever have dreamed. She felt so blessed to have them in her life.
"Okay, I really should get back to the office." Alexis stood to leave.
"What? I'm sure your boss will understand you need to take some time off." Sam stood beside her.
"Actually, he did understand. He understood it wasn't good politics to have a District Attorney battling important cases while battling cancer." Alexis smiled sadly as she continued. "Today is officially my last day. The mayor asked me to step down and allowed me to name Ric as my replacement. The official announcement is tomorrow morning."
"How can he ask you to step down after all the dedication and loyalty you've shown him?" Nik made a mental note to nix his sizable donation to Mayor Floyd's re-election campaign.
"He says it's nothing personal just good politics. I hate it, but he's right." Alexis admitted.
"That's why Ric isn't taking you to your appointment tomorrow." Sam stated more than asked.
Alexis nodded. Sam knew her mother probably made excuses for Ric and understood why he'd chosen work over her, but Sam never would. Nothing was more important than family, nothing, and Alexis needed her loving husband's support now more than ever. At least, she needed the loving husband she believed him to be. Sam was glad she hadn't said anything to Alexis the night before about Ric.
Her heart was now weighted down with guilt and indecision over Ric's actions. Had she misread his physical contact, misinterpreted the meaning of his words? No. Every gut instinct she had told her she knew exactly what he'd been suggesting, but now knowing he struggled with losing his wife and mother of his child... did that make his wrongdoing excusable? Certainly not justified, but was it somehow understandable that he may have had too much to drink and suffered a moment of weakness and poor judgment? Sam was confused. She couldn't be sure, but she was sure she would never feel safe alone in a room with him ever again without her knife or her gun.
"Sam, honey, are you alright?" Alexis' worried voice registered with Sam and pulled her from her thoughts.
She put on a brave smile. She needed to be strong for her mother. "I'm supposed to be asking you that question."
Alexis still looked worried, so Sam reassured her in a tone more confident than she felt. "I'll be fine. We all will, right?"
"Right." Alexis responded solidly and pulled Sam and Nikolas into one last hug and kiss before seeing herself out.
Page 17 of 17 Created: 2011-02-05 Updated: 2014-11-07 Words: 6667 Characters: 36539