"Carter, bud, let's go!" Brooke called from downstairs. The boy was going to make them late to his dentist appointment, but then again that's exactly what Carter would want. He HATED the dentist.
In fact, he hated all doctors. Riley seemed to have no issue with them, but Carter was a true scaredy cat when it came to it.
'Just like Sam.' Lucas would roll his eyes and joke.
The boy had missed his originally scheduled appointment, to his unending relief, because of a basketball game, but there was nothing to make him avoid it now. He tried to convince his dad to let him go to the training day camp that Lucas was heading, but both parents were adamant. His health came first.
Riley stuck her tongue out at him after his fifth failed attempt at convincing his parents.
"Jerk." Carter mumbled at her.
"Baby." She shot back. It was one of the few things that she could lord over him.
"Shut up!" He stuck his own tongue back at her, "At least I don't need mom to help cut my steak like a four year old."
Yesterday they'd gone to a restaurant for some fancy event that Brooke's company was hosting. They had served steak and Riley was struggling. Brooke noticed and took the plate, "Let me help you."
The girl hid her blush and glared at her brother who snickered at her.
"There you go princess." She said passing it back to her.
"Well I'm not the one that sleeps with a nightlight!" Riley replied back defensively, "Or needs dad to check for monsters after a scary movie."
Yes, Carter's nightlight was still a security blanket for him. And it's not like he explicitly told his dad to check his room after scary movies! Lucas just happened to know when Carter needed him to look through his closet and the hallway. The father would come back in with a reassuring smile, "All clear bud. If you have a bad dream come to bed with mama and me, okay?"
Carter would nod and hug his dad tightly. Sometimes he'd even stay with Carter until he fell asleep.
"Yeah, well at least mom doesn't have to help me take a bath!" Carter spit right back.
It was technically true. It wasn't uncommon to see Brooke go into the bathroom while Riley was bathing. The young girl would sit down with her back to Brooke, and let her mom work soft hands through her hair. She felt so beyond relaxed when Brooke washed her hair. But it wasn't a need. It was a want. Riley loved it.
And it was always a subtle ask from Riley to Brooke. She knew she was almost 12 and maybe that wasn't exactly something that middle schoolers did. But her mom never said no and never made her feel bad for wanting it.
"Kids, go get ready for bed please. Make sure you shower because you're both all sorts of sweaty!" Lucas told the two kids from his office. They had come from playing soccer at the park with friends about an hour ago.
Carter was playing xbox with his friends on the couch. Meanwhile Riley sat on the floor in between Carter's legs, reading a book on their dad's Ipad. The boy was careful not to move too much and accidentally hit his sister. He liked having her close and didn't want her to move.
But they both ignored their father, wanting to continue their own activities...that is until Lucas came in from his office ten minutes later and turned off the tv.
"Didn't I tell you both to start getting ready for bed?" He crossed his arms, staring impatiently at his twins. Both of them looked down. Carter frowning and Riley playing with the case of the Ipad.
He shook his head at his suddenly contrite looking kids, "Upstairs now. Let's go."
This time they did as they were told and quickly moved away from their father. Neither of them wanted a sharp reminder to mind their dad on their bottom.
It was once they were upstairs that Riley caught sight of her mom on the phone with their aunt peyton as she folded clothes.
She scampered off to grab her PJs and a towel then went straight to her mom.
"Hey Riles." Brooke smiled when she noticed her daughter, and put a hand to the phone receiver, "You need something?"
The 11 year old looked shyly at her feet and nodded. Brooke caught sight of the towel and fresh pair of clothes in her daughter's hands.
Knowing exactly what Riley wanted, she went over and kissed her little' girl's head, "I'll be in there to help you in 10 minutes princess. Let me finish up with your aunt."
But Riley still sputtered at the accusation of her needing the help, "She doesn't have to help me! That's-that's not true! Mama just washes my hair sometimes because I like it when she does that!"
The boy smirked, "Exactly, because you're still the baby out of the both of us."
Riley felt her eyes water. Damn it! He won that one.
"Enough." Came their father's stern voice emerging from the kitchen, "Both of you better stop it, or you'll find yourselves in opposite corners." Lucas warned. To which two pairs of cheeks turned bright red.
Yes, they still got the occasional cornertime as a timeout. And yes, they still hated them.
"You want me to go get him?" Riley asked from the couch where she was reading her most recent book, 'Wonder.'
She was still snug in her favorite PJs - a dark purple onesie, and wrapped in the blanket that her parents kept on the couch.
Brooke sighed, "I got it bug."
The mother trudged up the stairs knowing that it might turn ugly if Carter really wanted to fight her on it.
"Buddy." She opened the door, "It's time to go."
She found the boy laying on the bed staring at the ceiling, "Mmmoooommm. My teeth are fine."
"They're fine because I drag you to these appointments every six months."
"Can't I just-"
"No." Brooke cut him off.
"I don't need to go to the dentist. It's dumb."
Time to be sterner. "I'm getting in the car. You have ten minutes to be in the car with me. Understood?"
"Mommy I don't want to!" His voice cracked full of emotion. It softened Brooke, who walked over and sat by him, "I know you're scared. But I'm going to be right there with you."
Carter looked at his mom with sad eyes and rolled over to hide into the side of her leg, "I hate the dentist."
Brooke rubbed his back, "I know big boy. But sometimes we have to do things we hate." She let him stay there for a minute before turning into all business again, "8 more minutes, and I want you in the car kiddo. We have to go, so no more stalling."
He rolled his eyes and moved away slowly. He knew if his butt wasn't in his mama's car he would be left either without a phone or his xbox. Neither which he wanted to give up any time soon.
"Carter and I will be back soon Riles. Sam said she'll be here in a few minutes."
Riley looked up and noticed that it was just her mom.
"Where's Carter?"
"He'll come down." Brooke felt pretty confident. That boy loved his electronics and they were a perfect way to keep him in check.
The youngest twin sat up on her knees when she saw her mom coming her way. The child opened her arms up for a goodbye hug. The woman smiled lightly at her youngest's affection.
"Be good for Sam, nugget."
"I don't need Sam to babysit me, mama." Riley pouted still hugging her mom tight. It was embarrassing that her and Carter still couldn't stay alone in the house. They weren't stupid! They could last a few hours alone!
Brooke held in an eye roll and pulled back from their hug, holding her baby by the shoulder's. The clear pout was still on Riley's face and the fact that she was in her purple PJs with bedhead was not helping her case of being old enough to do anything at all.
"She's your sister. You don't want to see her?"
"Well yeah, but I could stay by myself too." She batted her eyelashes the way she knew could make her parents melt.
The mother sighed. She'd have to think about it.
"Daddy and I will talk about it. No promises though."
That was enough to placate the girl. She was given a kiss to her head and two maternal pats to her bum, "Now go shower missy. You didn't do it last night."
The girl sighed but did as she was told, hopping off the couch and making her way upstairs, "And I want you putting on clothes not your pajamas again!"
Riley rolled her eyes knowing her mom couldn't catch her doing it, "Okay!"
Brooke checked her watch. Carter had two more minutes to get his act together.
But being the almost 12 year old that Carter was he waited until the last possible minute before he walked down and into the garage, then sat down next to his mother in the car with a huff.
Brooke gave out a small smile regardless, "Nice of you to make it." She quipped.
Worked every time.
… …. ….
Carter was holding tightly onto his mom's hand. Big tears rolling down his cheeks as the dentist filled a cavity that he had. Brooke's heart broke at her baby's stricken look.
"You're almost done kiddo." She assured him.
"Just two more minutes." The doctor replied. Although two minutes on a chair like that could last ages, and that's exactly how the 11 year old boy felt.
The dentist had finally filled the cavity and all that was left was rinsing out his mouth. But noticing how torn up the young boy was, the man offered to let Brooke sit on the chair with Carter.
Carter eagerly nodded, any notions of him being too big for that out the window. Brooke agreed with a soft sigh and sat down first letting her child sit on top of her. Carter, forever her big baby boy.
"You're okay bud." Brooke whispered into his ear as the dentist finished up. Carter just nodded and held tightly onto his mama's arms that wrapped around his waist.
And after what seemed like endless torture the boy finally heard the words "All done."
He visibly relaxed and spit eagerly into the bowl that the dentist handed to him.
"Alright big boy." Brooke tapped his thigh, "You gotta get off so I can go see the receptionist." He was given a kiss to the side of his head before he jumped off the chair.
"Can we go to the mall after you stop by your office mom and get that sweater I saw at Tilly's. PLEAAASSEEE?"
Brooke put an arm around him and chuckled, "You've perfected when to ask for things haven't you kid?"
"Does that mean it's a yes?" He exclaimed excitedly as they walked out to to front office.
"Only because those big eyes of yours were killing me."
"YES!"
Shouts out to his puppy dog eyes maneuver. They had a pretty high success rate.
… …. ….
"Looks like Carter and mom are gonna take one more stop." Sam said to Riley after reading the text Brooke sent her.
"Where are they going?"
"To buy Carter some sweater he wanted."
Riley rolled her eyes, "The gray one from Tilly's."
"It's like you're twins or something." Sam joked.
Both were sitting at the kitchen table. Riley was drawing a dreamcatcher in her sketchpad, while Sam ate the breakfast she'd made herself since she hadn't eaten before getting there.
"That's really good Riles." Sam peered over at her sister's work, "What made you wanna draw it?"
"I saw them at the store yesterday, and I thought they looked really cool. I don't know if I wanna leave it as a pencil drawing or add color yet though." She examine her drawing a bit, hating that she couldn't make up her mind, "What do you think?"
Sam contemplated the drawing for a bit, "I like it without color. Simple."
Riley furrowed her eyebrow in thought, "Yeah, I guess so."
"So do you wanna do anything in particular while everyone's out? It'll probably be two more hours until mom and Carter get here." Sam asked her, getting up to wash her plate and the pan she'd used.
Riley perked up, "Can we go to that new ice cream place, Creamistry? I haven't tried it yet! And it's right by the bookstore. We could go in there after!"
Sam smiled at her little sister's excitement, "Yeah, let's do that." The young woman's phone dinged. She took a quick look at it, "But right after you clean your room. Mom's orders." She waved her phone that showed Brooke's text.
Riley immediately fell back into her chair, "Why should I have to clean my room if Carter doesn't have to do it?" She whined miserably.
"Riley, Carter's at the dentist. Pretty sure getting cavities filled sucks a little bit more than cleaning your room."
"I don't wanna though!"
Sam raised an eyebrow. Is this how she sounded whenever she complained about doing chores?
"But mom, come on, Liz and Manny are gonna be here in five minutes!"
"And I told you to have your room clean over 3 hours ago. Now, you're not leaving until it gets done." Brooke told Sam sternly as she held a squirming Carter in her hands.
"Why can't I do it after I come from the movies? It's not that big a deal." Sam whined from where she sat on the piano bench. It wasn't her fault she'd gotten carried away playing downstairs. It's not like she was doing something unproductive!
"It's not about that. It's about doing as you're told. Instead of complaining you could be upstairs cleaning up."
"Of course you just want compliance. God forbid I have my own thoughts and opinions."
Brooke scoffed, "Samantha, stop with the melodrama. You live, eat, sleep in this house, so yes, you're going to pull your weight and keep your area clean. I'm not telling you again."
"Mom-"
"Or you can just forego seeing your friends altogether." The mother cut in. Sam had gotten into the habit of foregoing her keeping her room and bathroom clean, and Brooke was getting tired of it. With two babies in the house, the mother's patience was already running thin, "Either you get upstairs and clean, or I'll call Liz personally and let her know that you're grounded. That means no Jack tomorrow either."
Sam groaned, more annoyed that her mom had cornered her in a lose lose situation, "God, fine!" She got up and huffed her way out. "You're always on me. Give me a break!"
Brooke heard her say as she made her way up the stairs which made the mother sigh in both concern and frustration. It was true that she and Sam weren't exactly getting along lately and despite the typical teenage behavior Sam was giving her the mother knew it was affecting her kid to be at odds with Brooke so much.
"Hey babe, all the kids are in bed, lights off. You want me to make you some coffee?" Luke had come into her office two nights ago saying. She was trying to finish up a project with a deadline that was coming up, and the time she had to do it was once the twins were put to bed.
Her eyes moved from her computer screen to her husband. "You know me so well." She smiled at him, "Did the twins go down okay?"
Lucas nodded, "They did. No issues. Sammy though-"
Brooke frowned. "What's wrong with Sammy?"
"She's falling asleep right now sucking her thumb. And you know she only does that when something's bothering her, or she's really tired."
Brooke thought about the day's events nothing seemed to alert her that her kid wasn't okay. Nothing out of the ordinary...Well there was one thing.
They hadn't really talked much since the mother had come home later than usual from work and went straight to give the twins a bath. She had missed them a lot that day and wanted to at least get the chance to bathe them before bedtime. She then went into Sam's room, but was greeted with a moody teenager who was overwhelmed with studying for an AP European History test.
"Hey Sammy." She went over and kissed the top of her head.
"Hey." Sam said, her eyes never leaving her book.
"How was your day kiddo?" Brooke sat on the bed and moved a stray hair from Sam's face.
It was already 8:30 pm and she hadn't seen or heard from Brooke all day. Sam hated those types of days, and with everything Brooke had to juggle, they were unfortunately becoming more and more common.
Sam shrugged and looked up at her mom, "Good...You said you were gonna make it to dinner today." She reminded her mom, a small edge in her voice.
Brooke frowned, "I got tied up. I'm sorry kiddo. I thought your dad told you. I called him."
"Yeah he told me." It was still a broken commitment in Sam's eyes. She had really wanted her mom home today. She was stressed and was hoping to snuggle up to Brooke while watching TV at least for a few minutes.
"The new season of Arrow started. Dad and I watched it. It was pretty good. You would've liked it."
"Maybe you can indulge me and watch it again with me later?"
Sam looked away from Brooke and back at her work, "Don't worry about it mom. I know you're busy." She turned the page of her notes, "It's not a big deal."
Just as Brooke was about to say something, she heard Lucas call her, "Brooke! A little help over here!"
"Duty calls." Sam joked a bit. "It's fine mom. Don't worry about me."
The mother rubbed her arm lightly, "I always worry about you."
"BROOKE!" Lucas called louder.
Now in her office thinking back to those earlier events, Brooke shook her head. She had told herself that she was going to go back into her eldest's room and see if she could talk to her, but again the twins had just soaked up her mind. She was usually way more attentive than this.
Great fuckin' job Brooke. She thought.
"Well did she tell you anything? Did something happen at school? Or was it me missing dinner?"
"When I kissed her goodnight she asked if you were still working. And I think she was just hoping to cuddle with you tonight and was a bit upset that she couldn't."
Brooke ran her hands through her hair feeling pretty inadequate as a mother.
"Babe, its okay. She'll be okay."
"I'm gonna go check on her. I'll be back down in a bit."
When the mother opened the door, sure enough Sam was gently nursing on her thumb, letting her know that she was still not fully asleep yet.
Sam's soft suckles and her breathing was all Brooke could hear. It warmed her heart.
She picked up the bear that had fallen on the floor and placed it back into Sam's embrace.
She sat by the bed and gently rubbed her hand over her daughter's head.
Sam sleepily opened her eyes and took her thumb out of her mouth, "M-mom?"
Brooke smiled lightly, "I just wanted to say goodnight baby girl."
Despite being half asleep the small teen sat up and hugged her mother. Her head resting on Brooke's shoulder. It reminded Brooke that it'd been awhile since her and Sam had just taken the time to be with each other.
"Did dad tuck you in peanut?"
It was only at night when Brooke and Lucas could still coo at her without Sam balking at them. They knew she thrived off of it.
Sam nodded, not moving her head from the comfort of her mom, "Mhhmm."
Brooke rubbed her daughter's back and gently rocked them. Sam sighed in contentment. Even if she had never vocalised it, this is what she had wanted all day. Mama's cuddles.
Brooke felt her daughter melt into her. It was so easy to forget that Sam still needed so much affection. The teen had gotten so much better at masking it and Brooke was starting to feel guilty for foregoing spending much needed time like this with her oldest baby.
"My sleepy girl." She murmured into her daughter's hair, "You had a long day today, didn't you?"
The 16 year old pouted slightly and nodded. She did have a long day and it was nice for that to be acknowledged.
" I just want it to be Friday already mama." Sam admitted.
Brooke pouted in sympathy right along with her, "You're almost there peanut."
She knew if they stayed like this Sam would end up back asleep in her arms. "I have to go back downstairs little one."
Sam only gave out a small whine in discontent and held her mother tighter. She wanted her to stay!
"I know baby girl. I know." Brooke cooed, just like she did with Riley and Carter to settle them down, "I'll be right downstairs if you need something, okay?"
Brooke felt her heart constrict, but knowing that she had to go downstairs she begrudgingly laid Sam back down and kissed her forehead placing the bear back in her girl's arms and arranging the covers over Sam's body.
"Goodnight sweetheart. I love you."
"Love you too." Sam whispered curling into herself, her thumb slipping back into her mouth.
If only during the day it was as simple as this. It was as simple as giving her girl hugs and kisses and it would make up for everything.
Now standing downstairs after having ordered Sam up to clean Brooke could see that her daughter's stubbornness and attitude was her way of telling Brooke that she missed her mom.
The baby boy in Brooke's arms started to fuss, "Alright big boy. I know, you need a change. Let's go see if Riley is awake first, okay?"
Carter, as if understanding, giggled slightly and laid his head on her shoulder.
With Carter in tow, Brooke went back upstairs. She saw Sam coming down the stairs, her shorts and t shirt were off and she was now wearing skinny jeans and a loose black hoodie.
Brooke stopped and watched as her eldest walked towards the front door.
The mother immediately raised her eyebrow. Was Sam really about to blatantly disobey her?
"I'm just letting them in so they can wait." Sam explained in a rather annoyed tone, "Don't worry master, I'm not disobeying you."
"Samantha." Brooke warned.
"Sorry, sorry." The teenager immediately conceded. Too far, she knew it, and wasn't trying to get into an argument with her mom right now.
Boy was Sam lucky that Brooke could look right through her attitude and instead could see an upset and jealous little girl that wanted to spend time with her mommy.
"You are on thin ice, young lady." She warned.
"When am I not?" Sam mumbled thinking Brooke didn't hear her.
But Brooke's eyes widened and she walked straight towards Sam.
"Okay, okay, mom! My bad!" Sam immediately backed up and raised her hands, knowing that if she didn't backtrack her bottom was going to soon sting, "I'm sorry mom. Really! I'll stop."
The doorbell rang, making the mother pause. She took a deep breath to calm down.
Literally saved by the bell.
Sam looked at her mother sheepishly and bit her lip, "C-can I open the door? Or-"
"You need to watch the attitude, Samantha. Your lucky I don't just send your friends back right now."
Sam had the sense to look ashamed. She was just frustrated and it was getting the better of her. The teen took a deep breath, "Yes ma'am."
God she needed to learn when to just shut her mouth sometimes.
Brooke greeted Sam's friends as if nothing had happened. She gave Liz a hug and a kiss and did the same with Manny. Sam told them she'd be done in a jif and quickly made her way back up to finish her chore.
It wasn't until ten minutes later that Brooke had managed to get Carter completely settled. She set him down in the playpen, and had asked Liz and Manny to watch him for a second. The two 16 year olds gladly agreed. They both loved those little twins.
Sam heard a knock on her door as she was folding all the clean clothes she'd left piled on the floor.
"I'm almost done Liz. I just have to vacuum."
When the door opened, Sam turned around and immediately frowned. "Oh."
God, a frown? That's what I get? Brooke thought.
"I'm almost done." Sam added going back to folding clothes. She wasn't exactly keen on talking to her mom right now. She'd much rather be already out of the house and with her friends. The house revolved around Carter and Riley anyways. She needed a break.
"See, you can be quick when you want to peanut." Brooke smiled and sat down on the girl's bed, grabbing a shirt to fold as well. "It looks good. I can see your floor now."
Sam rolled her eyes but chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. I know."
"So I was thinking, what if you and I spend next Saturday in the city. We can go to that play that you were talking about. A Raisin in the Sun."
Sam stopped what she was doing and looked at her mom quizzically, "What about dad?"
Usually both Brooke and Lucas would spend a day with her and the kids would stay with Peyton or Karen. It was never just one of them.
"He can stay with the twins."
"But you never spend time with me."
Brooke felt her heart fall. She couldn't help the hurt that crossed her face, "What?"
Sam quickly backtracked, "No, I don't mean it like that mom. Just, like, you know, if we spend time together it's you, dad, and me. If we're at home and dad's at work, you know the twins are always here. So it's never just you and me. That's all I meant."
Even with Sam's explanation, it still bothered Brooke to come to that realization.
"Well I want it to be just you and me. I miss you sweetie. I know you've been busy with school, and I've been busy with the twins and work." She sighed and tapped the bed so Sam could sit down, "I think we need it. Time between us."
The teenager laid her head on her mom's shoulder, thinking about two nights before when her mama had come into her room while she was falling asleep. "Yeah, I think so too."
Brooke felt relief flood her body. "I'll buy the tickets today." She kissed the top of her daughter's head, while Sam hid her face in her mother's shirt, "I'm sorry." She whispered.
"For what baby?"
She had an idea, but wanted her girl to express herself.
"For having an attitude a lot lately. I'm sorry."
Sam remembered those moments so perfectly in her head. The 24 year old felt her heart warm. They'd come so far as a family. Now in front of her was her grumpy 11 year old sister who was refusing to clean her room.
"Just do it Riley. It'll take you like 20 minutes at most, then we can have a good time."
Riley pushed herself off the chair and grumbled out a 'fine.' Sam watched her go in awe of the quick change of attitude. She also dealt with children, and traumatized children at that, but they for some reason it still surprised Sam every time it came from her brother and sister.
'Geez.' She murmured to herself and walked back out to the living room to wait on Riley.
Riley came back down dressed in her white converse, black leggings, and a blue and white striped long sleeve. "I finished, can we go now? Pleaseeee?"
Sam smirked when the girl crashed onto the couch dramatically, "I don't know you seem pretty exhausted. Maybe we should stay home?"
The girl shot up and sat up straight, "No fair! I'm fine."
"I'm just kidding Riles. Come on, let's get out of here. Dad said he'd meet us at Creamistry."
Riley nodded excitedly and followed her older sister out the door.
… … ….
"Daddy!" Riley yelled when she saw her dad at the ice cream shop. Lucas was wearing business slacks and a gray button up. As one of the coaches running the camp, he had to look the part. "I thought you weren't going to be out until later."
The girl easily launched herself into her dad's embrace. A daddy's girl through and through.
"I took an hour or two." He smiled hugging her youngest tight and giving her kisses all over her face, making Riley fall into a burst of laughter.
He finally put her down and stood up to give Sam a proper hug, "Hi peanut."
"Hey dad." She hugged him back tightly, basking in his familiar scent, "How's the camp going?"
"There's a lot of talent there. I love working with the kids, but I love hanging out with my kids more." He beamed looking at his two babies. "I already got you guys your favorite, so they should be here any minute."
Both Riley and Sam sat across from him at the table. Lucas couldn't help but feel every surge of pride a father could feel when thinking of their kids. Here he had his oldest and his youngest. A beautiful sight.
"Did your mom manage to get Carter out of the house without a meltdown?"
"Yeah, I don't know how. I think she threatened to take his xbox."
"That'll do it." Sam said with an eyeroll.
When their ice cream came Riley immediately tucked into it, enjoying every ounce of her rocky road ice cream.
"Soooo…" Sam started fidgeting a bit with her spoon. There was something she'd been wanting to tell her parents. "Dad,"
"What's up champ?" Lucas could see she had something to tell him.
Sam bit her lip and looked up, "I've been, uh, thinking about getting my masters in social work or maybe counseling."
He put his spoon down, "Really?" He was immediately intrigued, "That's great! What made you decide?"
The girl shrugged, "I want to be able to fully counsel the girls but I don't have the skill set yet. I found this program through Duke that I can do online so that way I can still work and go to school."
Sam sat in one of the rooms with a 15 year old, Megan, that had recently moved in about two weeks ago. She had come from a foster home in Charlottesville. The girl was refusing to shower, even though it was one of the house rules. A 10 minute shower every day.
Direct disobedience was an automatic citation. Three citations consecutively, and the home would send you elsewhere. This was only her first citation and Sam was trying her best to prevent any further disciplinary action against the child.
"Ms. Sam just leave." Megan said not looking at the young woman sitting on the lone wooden chair in the room. She was sitting on the twin sized bed in a tank top and black spandex shorts.
Sam looked at Megan's roommate, "Hey Winnie, do you think you can give Megan and me some privacy?"
Winnie nodded.
"No Winnie, stay." Megan told her.
Sam gave Winnie a more meaningful look, "Now, please."
The 13 year old quickly hopped off and went towards the communal area. She didn't now why Megan was being such a hard ass about a stupid shower anyway.
"You want to tell me why you gave Ms. Jackson such a hard time about showering?"
"Ms. Jaskson's a fuckin' fat slob maybe she should shower and exercise too."
Sam held her tongue and took a deep breath. She knew these kids came with incredible issues and there meanness was usually one of their defense mechanisms. Not that it was okay, of course.
Sam hardened her stare, "Megan that's a warning. Cursing and disrespect isn't tolerated. Next time, and it's another demerit. Three demerits and it's a citation. You're pushing your luck."
The troubled teenager frowned. She really liked Ms. Sam. She was the youngest person working in the home, and it took a lot to make her mad. She didn't like it when Ms. Sam got stern with her.
"Yes Ms. Sam." She responded just as they were expected to do. Honestly, Sam hated the rule of responding so respectfully but she understood the reasoning behind it.
The young woman spoke more softly. She put a gentle hand on top of Megan's. The gesture surprised the blonde teen. Her eyes looked over at one of her caretakers and all she saw was loving concern. It was overwhelming.
"I'm not here to chide you. I'm letting you know that they've already written you up for it once. And I don't want them to do that again. I want to help you out...Why is it so hard to shower for you sweetheart?"
And that's when dam that held Megan's secret broke. Sobs racked her body. Sam brought her into her arms. It was what she had hoped would happen. "I got you honey. I got you." Sam repeated.
It was policy that Megan had to disclose what she said to Sam to the home's certified counselor. It turns out that the poor girl had been sexually abused in the shower multiple times by her father. Getting into the water was always a way of bringing her back to those scary moments. And it was exactly her case that made Sam think that maybe she was up for the job of giving these girls more than just comfort, but professional help.
"How long is it gonna take you Sammy, if you do it?" Riley asked curiously digging her spoon into her cup once more.
"About a year."
"That's so cool. I don't think I know anyone with a masters!"
Sam chuckled, "Well you're 11 so that makes sense."
"Oh." Riley blushed, "I guess that's true." She looked over at their dad, "Will Carter and I get a masters, dad?"
"If that's what you want, then of course."
"So what do you think about the idea?" Sam pressed. She hadn't been able to really get a read on her father's reaction.
Lucas swallowed hard, not sure how to approach it, "I love the idea of you moving up in your education Sammy, and I think you know that. I'm just worried-"
"About what?"
Lucas sat up and leaned in closer. He had yet to voice his concern about Sam's job. But it felt right. "Sam, I, well, I thought that at some point you'd move away from working at the group home. You've been there for a while now. It might be time."
There. He said it. It was out there.
Sam felt her body tense. "Why would I do that? I love it there."
Lucas looked at Riley who had immediately sensed the tension that had just bubbled up. The father did not want his youngest to hear the discussion though.
"I just" He struggled to explain it, "I see you doing something else, moving on, you know? but let's just talk about it at home, okay?" He responded with some finality in his voice.
Sam shook her head, "No. Give me a reason why you think that."
"Sam." Lucas groaned in frustration, dropping his spoon down.
"What? I just want a reason." Sam loved where she worked. It was hard and grueling many days, but she had fallen in love with those kids, and the way Lucas talked about it just now felt like an attack on her passion, and on her kids.
"Samantha." His eyes now narrowed in a way that Sam hadn't seen directed her way in a while. "We'll discuss this later."
And she responded in a way that she also hadn't in a while. "We can discuss it right now! Why don't you wanna talk about it?"
Riley's eyes widened. Ohhhh shit. That tone would easily earn her or Carter one or two swats to their backsides, especially because their dad had already warned her twice to stop it.
"Samantha, quit acting like your 11 year old brother and sister and drop it." Lucas quickly admonished her.
"Hey!" Riley frowned. "How rude!" Lucas's eyes snapped to his youngest and she knew that right now was probably not the time to plead her case of being far more adult then that. She shrunk back into her seat.
Is it because it's Southside? Is that why?" The young woman was racking her brain.
Lucas was losing his patience, "Samantha, stop it. Grab your stuff and let's go. I'm not doing this here. We can talk about it at home."
God, he wished she was younger so he could just take them both by the hands and march them out of that establishment and into the car.
"That's exactly why, isn't it?" Sam pressed, her anger bubbling up in her stomach.
"God, Sam. I just don't think that you belong there!" Lucas finally exploded, The other customers going silent and looking over, "Is that what you want to hear? My reason?! Now grab your stuff and let's go."
His eyes went to Riley, "You too Riles. Up now. Come on."
"Go with dad Riley." Sam's tone stone cold before she stormed out before Lucas and Riley got a chance to get up. The father hurried out with his youngest right behind him and caught Sam just as she was getting into her car.
"Samantha-"
Sam whipped back around angrily. Her eyes were already red, "I told you dad, because I was excited and I thought you were going to be excited with me! Sorry that you don't approve or that you wish I was somewhere else. But I was one of those kids once too! You and mom raised me for half my life. The other half I spent over there! Remember that?!"
The father felt his heart fall as his daughter got into her car and quickly left the parking lot.
"Damn it!" He exclaimed, frustrated.
Riley who was standing a few feet away, walked shyly over to her dad. The little girl wasn't sure how to approach him. It was also disconcerting to have heard them talk about Sam's past so bluntly. Riley and Carter knew about it, but neither Sam or their parents ever brought it up like this, at least not around them.
Gently, the small girl tapped Lucas's forearm. Her father looked more than a little intimidating.
"D-daddy?"
Lucas looked down and his feelings were momentarily allayed by the shining, but timid green eyes looking up at him.
"Are you and Sam gonna be okay?"
With a heavy sigh Lucas bent down and put his arms under Riley's and picked her up. Honestly it was him who needed to feel the comfort of one of his daughter's holding onto him, and Riley sensed it too.
The preteen wrapped her legs around her dad and put her arms around his neck.
"I think so princess."
She kissed her dad's cheek, not knowing how else to help ease the worried look on her dad's face. The father melted at the gesture.
"Thanks baby girl...Come on. Let's go to the bookstore." He said with two soft pats to her back.
Lucas would attempt to call Sam once in the store but he had a feeling that he had hurt his daughter more than he expected his comment would and Sam would not be interested in picking up his phone call. But after her outburst by her car he understood her anger and felt like an idiot for having not been sensitive. Of course, it didn't change his feelings towards Sam's job, but he could at least see where she was coming from.
…. ….. …..
"Dad?" Riley spoke from the backseat, holding onto the new book Lucas had bought her. She caught her dad's eye through the rearview mirror.
"Hmm?"
"Ummmm." She wasn't sure how to ask her question, or even if she was allowed to, but the curious 11 year old couldn't help it. "What-what happened to Sammy when she lived in Southside?"
Lucas took a deep, calming breath. What the fuck was he supposed to say? God, he wished Brooke was there with him.
"I know that it was really hard for her." Riley continued when her dad didn't answer, "And she told me once that no one ever really loved her except for T, Jack, and her social worker."
Lucas felt his eyes water, thinking about Sam's trauma. "Riles, your sister, she was, well, she was hurt by a lot of people."
"Physically?"
Lucas gave a nod, "Yes." It pained him to say.
Riley gasped. "They, they would hit her a lot?"
"In some homes they would." His voice cracked, "She had to deal with a lot of physical and mental pain."
The green eyed girl couldn't help the tears that welled up in her eyes, "Why did they do that?"
Lucas sniffled and took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "I don't- I don't know princess. They were bad people."
Riley laid her head on the car window. She hadn't realized her big sister went through that. The images of mean men hitting her sister played in her head and it scared her.
Lucas was trying hard not let Riley hear himself cry either, but he could see that he had painted a picture that hurt his youngest.
"No one will ever do that to Sammy again Riles. She's safe now and she's been safe for years. Just like you and Carter."
Riley nodded and stayed silent the rest of the car ride.
When they got home Lucas opened the door and ushered a quieter Riley into their home. Brooke was in the kitchen and Carter was luckily upstairs taking a nap. The events of the day had tired him out so Brooke laid with him for a bit, and the boy eventually fell asleep.
"Lucas?" Brooke came from the kitchen surprised to see her husband, "Where's Sam?"
Riley immediately rushed over to her mom and hugged her harder than usual. Brooke wrapped her arms around the girl's waist and rose an eyebrow at Luke. "Hi princess. What's wrong? Where's your sister?"
The 11 year old just shook her head and burrowed further into her mother's waist, "I-I dunno." making Brooke even more concerned.
"Baby girl, are you okay?"
"Y-yeah, mommy." The 11 year old answered. She was basking in her mother's warmth. Her mom was safety and love. Her dad was safety and love. Sam didn't always have that. It wasn't fair!
"Go upstairs Riles. I need to talk to mama, okay?" The father said kindly, "We'll both go up to talk to you afterwards. Promise."
Brooke bent down when Riley wasn't making a move to let go of her. She stared at her beautiful preteen. Her hands cupping the girl's cheeks, "Why don't you go take a nap with Carter, nugget? He just went down a few minutes ago. You can even change into your jammies too." Brooke knew that added incentive would sway her.
"Okay."
"Good girl." Brooke smiled, "Go on."
Both parents waited until Riley completely disappeared up the stairs.
"What happened?" The mother asked with concern etched in her voice.
"I met up with the girls, and things got a little intense."
Brooke crossed her arms. "What do you mean, intense?"
"Sam mentioned wanting to start grad school."
"Her masters?" Brooke smiled in surprise.
"Because she wants to move up at the group home and I-"
"Lucas." She groaned, "Please tell me that you didn't use that moment to tell her that you didn't like her working there."
"I-" He stuttered.
"Lucas!" She exclaimed.
"I'm sorry! I told her we could talk about it later, but she kept pressing and I lost my patience and told her she didn't belong there. Brooke, she, she was so hurt. God, she was so hurt because of what I said."
Brooke sat down on the couch. Well, shit. "And Riley was there?"
"She asked me what happened to Sam in Southside. I told her about the physical abuse."
The mother's tone quickly escalated, "You told her?"
"They're getting older Brooke. Riley and Carter are going to have questions. Did you want me to lie to her?
Brooke shook her head as she felt her heart constrict.
"It really got to Riley. Which is why I think we should talk to her after this."
"My nugget." Brooke cooed sympathetically.
"And Sam-"
"You need to clear it up with Sam. She's not going to let that go easily."
"Brooke, that's the thing. I still don't like the idea of her working there."
"Lucas it is her passion. Don't you get that." She felt like she's had this conversation with Lucas so many times.
"I do! But I can't handle knowing that she's working at a place where she suffered so much. That kills me Brooke!"
The mother looked at Lucas intently, "Then you have to tell her that." She said much more calmly and stood up, "Babe, I get it. I do. It hurts me to know that our baby girl is seeing all of the things that she had to go through, but it makes me so incredibly proud to know that the reason she's over there is to make a difference. So her pain won't be someone else's. You have to understand that."
"I do." he argued, his voice teary, "I just...it's hard Brooke! She can still positively affect those kids at another place. In another capacity. There's so much she could do, other than work at Southside!"
Brooke feeling sympathy for her husband walked over and kissed him deeply, "It's not about us Luke. I hate to say it like that, but it's not. She wants this. We can't fight her on it."
But it really was so difficult for Luke. See, in their family dynamic it was usually Brooke and Sam who would fight, Lucas usually had a more level head, but whenever it came to Sam's safety and protection Lucas always was more hard headed. He couldn't be there for Sam when she was a young child, but ever since she came back to their life, Lucas had vowed to always do his damnedest in insuring that she was never put in a position where she could be hurt again.
"I hate that I have to go back to the camp." He pouted, "Can you call her please? She's not picking up for me. I want to talk to her this evening. I texted her, but she's not responding."
"Of course."
Lucas pulled her in for a long kiss, "I love you." He kissed into her neck, making her moan.
"Mmmm. I love you too."
He grabbed her hand and squeezed it, "Let's go see if Riles is asleep."
They walked into a moment of pure bliss. Carter had an arm protectively wrapped around Riley who was changed into her purple onesie and white ankle socks, and her back was snuggled into Carter's front. The girl was holding her hippo in between her arms.
"Riley, baby?" Brooke whispered.
The girl wasn't asleep quite yet so she opened her eyes and turned towards her parents, shifting Carter's arm in the process.
"Come on bug, daddy and I wanna talk to you."
Carefully Riley slipped from Carter and took her mom's hand.
Moving into their room, Luke sat on the bed and picked Riley up, sideways into his lap, while Brooke sat near them.
"I know what I told you in the car was difficult to hear Riles." Lucas started, to which Riley responded by burrowing into his chest.
"Can you tell us how you're feeling?" Brooke asked gently.
Riley peered at her mom, "I-It's scary. I can't help but imagine Sam getting hurt like that, and I don't know why someone would ever do that. I don't get it." The girl's eyes watered as she sniffled, "Sam's the best and she's so sweet and smart. Why would they hurt her?"
Lucas took a steadying breath and bobbed his knee in a comforting gesture.
Brooke let a few tears roll down her own cheeks, "You know baby, I think about that all the time too. And no matter how much I think I realize that there'll never be an answer to that question."
"It's not fair!" Riley cried.
"It's not." Lucas answered holding her close, "But Sammy's okay now. She has mommy and me. She has you and Carter and all her friends. All we can do is be thankful for that."
"Does Sammy get sad about it sometimes?"
Brooke swallowed hard, wondering how much was okay to tell. After all, this wasn't exactly their story. It was Sam's. "she used to baby. But she's gotten a lot better."
"Because of you guys?"
Both parents nodded, "And time." Lucas added, "Time has helped her heal too."
Riley curled into her father. Brooke sensed that the girl was done talking, and would probably benefit more from rest to ease her out of her thoughts. Riley could easily think herself into oblivion.
"Let's take a nap Riley?" Brooke whispered.
"I'l lay down with you and take you back with Carter when you're asleep."
"Daddy?" She looked up at her dad, hoping he could stay too. Lucas gave her a sad look, "I have to go back to work, but I can read you a story tonight. How does that sound?"
The 11 year old nodded shyly. She still really loved being read to sleep.
Both Riley and Brooke said their goodbyes to Lucas.
"Can we take a nap on your bed?" Riley asked, looking up at her mom.
"Of course kiddo." Brooke moved to lay down, Riley following her lead, laying her head on her mom's chest and holding onto the fabric of Brooke's shirt.
"Just relax, princess." Brooke whispered. Slowly her thoughts were getting farther and farther away as she felt gentle nails grazing her back and pats to her bottom.
Brooke looked down at the young, sleepy girl snuggled up to her. How many times had she held Sam just like this?
She longed for Sam to be 14 again, when even if Sam was upset with one of them she still had the other parent to run to. She hadn't run to Brooke this time.
…. …. …..
"You want me to make you some tea or something?" Tamara asked her longtime friend who was sitting on her couch extremely upset.
"No." She said plainly, "I just wanna sit here."
Tamara scoffed, "Nah girl. If you came to my place two hours before my shift starts it's because you wanna talk. You could just sit on your couch at your place."
Sam's lip quivered just like it always did right before she cried. Tamara couldn't help but see the Sam of all those years back, her lip quivering as Tamara held her, after running from the home she was staying at because they'd hit her, or yelled at her viciously.
"Sam, what happened?" Tamara said much more softly, sitting down by her.
The older friend was worried Jack had done something and she was ready to fuck him up. The need to take care of Sam felt like an instinct to her. She would always be there for Sammy.
Sam explained it all to her friend and Tamara looked at her ever so sympathetically.
"Sounds like your dad is letting his need to protect you cloud everything else."
"It doesn't make it any better though." Sam wiped at her eyes in frustration, "It was just such an asshole move."
"Has he tried apologizing?"
"I'm avoiding his calls."
Tamara rolled her eyes, "Because that's how you figure shit out. You avoid it."
"Well geez, T. Would you wanna talk to him after that?"
Tamara raised her hands in innocence, "It would make you feel better if you talked to him, Sam. That's all I'm saying. Yeah, he was an ass about it, but Lucas is such a big softy, I'm sure he's beating himself up over it."
Sam sighed and laid on the couch curling into herself as a form of comfort, "Yeah...I guess so."
Tamara smirked. Sam would never change.
"Hey, your mom's calling you." The older friend said when Sam's Iphone lit up.
The blue eyed girl groaned into a pillow, "Ugh. She knows!"
"Hey Brooke." Tamara answered.
"T!" Sam flew right up. She wasn't planning on answering the phone! But she supposed that was the reason that her friend did so.
"Yeah, she's right here. No, she's, well ummm...you wanna just talk to her?"
Sam shook her head. She was trying to avoid talking to her parents!
Tamara handed her the phone, "I'm gonna be in my room getting ready for work." She stuck her tongue out playfully at Sam who was glaring at her.
"Hey mom." Sam finally spoke.
"Hey sweetheart." Brooke reciprocated, "Are you over at T's?"
"Yeah. I got here like 15 minutes ago."
Brooke could hear the sadness in her girl's voice. "...So dad told me what happened."
"I figured he would." She said through a soft breath.
"I know you're upset peanut. What your father said was uncalled for and he knows that."
"Mom please don't defend him. I know he's your husband and you love him and all that just please don't."
"Okay." She conceded although the mother wished she could hash it out with her daughter and help her resolve it, "Can I ask how you're feeling then?"
"Mad, and maybe sad too." Sam admitted. She wouldn't say it out loud, at least not yet, but her father's approval meant a lot to her, and it hurt to know that something she loved he did not agree with.
Brooke stayed quiet, thinking of all the possible things she could tell her child.
"Come home peanut." Her voice soft, "We can talk. Or just hang out."
Sam held in tears that so stubbornly wanted to come out, "The twins are there. Riley heard dad and I fight and I don't want answer any questions mom, or have her stare at me with her big eyes wondering why dad doesn't think I belong there or what happened to me. I don't wanna deal with it today."
Her baby didn't feel comfortable enough to come home and as a mother that hurt.
"Jack's almost out of work. We'll spend the day together." Sam added to allay her mom, knowing that her comment wasn't an easy one to swallow.
"Will you promise that you'll at least text your dad saying you're not ready to talk yet, if that's the case."
"Yeah, I will."
"I wish I could give you a big hug right now peanut."
'Me too.' Sam thought.
"I'm okay mom."
Brooke didn't believe her for a second, but respected that her daughter was an adult and wanted space, and that's exactly what she'd give her. No matter how much her heart was telling her to go to her little one's side.
"I am proud of you peanut." She told her, "Your masters. That's a big deal."
The 24 year old couldn't help but brighten up, "Thanks mom."
... ... ...
As night came Sam had trouble falling asleep. Her thoughts were racing and her brain just couldn't shut off. The brunette looked over at Jack who was peacefully asleep. They'd spent the day Netflix binging. A task that easily took Sam's mind off her father. But now, in the still of the night it was harder to avoid it.
She had done like Brooke asked of her and let Luke know that she wasn't up for talking. When Luke had read the text he grew upset and only texted back an 'I understand.'
Meanwhile Sam felt a little hurt that Lucas didn't try to offer to talk the next day. He kind of just left it at that. The insecure 14 year old in Sam started to fight its way though.
Even through the dark Sam spotted her teddy bear on the dresser. Carefully she got out of bed and went to retrieve it. Laying back down she hugged her beloved stuffed animal tightly and forced her eyes closed.
Jack was stirred awake by the feeling of the bed moving. A light sleeper, the man's eyes popped open. He immediately sat up and realized that the cause of the shaking was his girlfriend.
She was having a nightmare. It'd been a while since she'd had one but Jack surmised it was the emotions of the day that had led to it.
"Sammy." He shook her arm gently, then more roughly, "Sam wake up!"
Blue eyes shot open and she let out a frightened gasp.
"Hey. Hey. Baby, it's me. It's Jack. You were having a dream."
Sam couldn't help the sobs that quickly escaped her mouth.
She had thought it was so real. She was 14 years old again and she had just met Lucas and Brooke, but they had both laughed at her and told her that she wasn't worth their time. That she didn't belong with them. Just then the likes of two of her scariest foster fathers, Mike and Robert, grabbed her by the arms and dragged her away.
"Aw, babe." Jack pulled her into a fierce hug, "It wasn't real sweetie. You're okay Sam. I'm here."
Sam cried into Jack's bare chest, holding onto him like a lifeline.
'You don't belong here! Go back. Take her back!' The Lucas of her nightmare had scoffed towards her.
"T-They didn't want me Jack." Sam cried sorrowfully, "Mama and daddy didn't want me!"
Jack couldn't help but tear up along with her. "Shhhh." He rocked her, "I'm sorry babe. I'm sorry you had to go through that."
"Dad said it. He said it!"
Jack felt at a loss, "It wasn't real. I'm sorry Sammy."
The 25 year old waited for Sam to calm down a bit, reassuring her along the way, "They love you. Lucas loves you and so does Brooke. They want you, they're proud of you. You're their baby Sammy."
He saw Barry lying near him and managed to reach for it. "Let's lay down babe." He spoke gently. He let Sam set the pace and patiently embraced her until she let go. When Sam did he grabbed some tissues from the nightstand to give to her.
"Do you want me to bring you some tea, or maybe just water?"
Sam shook her head, "J-just stay here."
"I'm always here." He smiled gently.
They moved to lay on the bed. Jack held Sam close to his chest and handed her the bear. "Baby, you want him?" He asked kindly and without judgement.
Sam blushed but took the bear and held him to her chest as Jack played with her hair.
Jack hoped daughter and father could make up soon. He loved Sam deeply and to see her so broken up was hard to watch. He knew that no amount of hugs, kisses, and reassurance from Jack could fix it. It would take Lucas and Sam talking to one another to fix it.
Let me know your thoughts! Please review :D For those of you that have still stuck with this story, thank you for continuing to read and support. Y'all are truly the best!