Chapter Thirty-Five
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
A fter being greeted by George, the usher, she rushed upstairs, eager to see her kids after the long day apart. Skippy ran full-tilt to greet her, nearly knocking Sam over with her enthusiasm. A quick twinge in her healing hip had her gasping with surprise, as it had been feeling pretty good lately.
Scotty came running after the dog. “Skippy! Don’t knock Mom over. We need her since Dad is away.”
“I see how it is. If Dad was here, it’d be like, ‘Knock Mom over. Who needs her anyway?’”
“I’ve never said that out loud.”
Laughing, Sam bopped him on the head and then snuck in a kiss to the cheek. “How was your day?”
“Same old boring thing. But I got an eighty-six on another algebra quiz.”
“Stop it! Are you in line for a B this quarter?”
“Don’t say it out loud, or you’ll jinx it.”
“You remind me so much of me when I was your age.”
He stopped short and looked back at her over his shoulder, his expression madly vulnerable. “I do? Really?”
She put an arm around him. “So, so much. If things were going well in school, I was always afraid to say so because I never expected it to last.”
“Yes, that. Exactly that.”
“You’re doing great. All that matters is you’re trying your best.”
“Dad would say all that matters are A’s.”
“He doesn’t think that.”
“I want to be smart like him.”
“You are! You’re the smartest fourteen-year-old I’ve ever met.”
He raised an eyebrow, his expression full of skepticism. “How many fourteen-year-olds do you even know?”
“I’ve known my share. I was one once, don’t forget.”
“Yeah, like a hundred years ago.”
“Watch it, mister. Where are the twins?”
“They’re washing up for dinner, if they know what’s good for them.”
“Listen to you, acting like the big daddy.”
“Someone’s gotta when Big Daddy is away.”
“What’s for dinner?”
“Enchiladas. I’m so excited.”
“Yum. Go round up the Littles and meet me in the dining room. I’ve got to put my stuff away.”
“Mom.”
“What’s up?”
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on with the grandparents?”
The question stopped her heart for a second. “How do you know about that?”
“You just mentioned how smart I am. I hear things.”
“I think we’ve got it handled, so try not to worry.”
“Handled how?”
“Andy is taking information to their lawyer that should make it go away. ”
“‘Should’ isn’t definite.”
“No, but you know what is? Adoption.”
His gorgeous brown eyes went wide. “Really?”
“Yeah, we’re talking about adopting all three of them so this can never happen again.”
“What does Eli say about that?”
“He’s all for it.”
“So, like, it would be legal and locked down forever?”
“That’s the idea.”
“That’d be sick .”
“We didn’t want to say anything about it until we were sure it’s going to happen, so don’t say anything to the Littles yet, okay?”
“When will we be sure?”
“Soon.”
“I love this so hard. We’d be real siblings then.”
“You already are, Scotty. That’ll never change.”
“I’m tired of people trying to take them away from us. They’re ours.”
“Yes, they are, and we’re doing everything we can to make it happen. I don’t want you to worry. Dad and I will move heaven and earth to keep those babies with us.”
“Thanks for telling me.”
“I’m sorry you were worried.”
“I wasn’t too worried. I knew you guys would go to war to keep them with us.”
“Yes, we would.”
“I’ll go see what’s taking them so long. Oh, and I invited the third-floor tenants to dinner.”
“Excellent,” Sam said with a laugh.
As Sam watched Scotty and Skippy run off, filled with pride for a son that any mother would be proud to call her own. That he was hers, her son… He was one of the greatest blessings in her life, and she couldn’t wait to watch him become a man, but she hoped that took a while to happen. She loved him at this st age, even when he was passive-aggressive about getting to drink coffee.
She went into their suite to lock up her service weapon and change into a T-shirt and pajama pants before she joined the kids and her mom, Brenda, in the family dining room.
“How was your day, dear?” Brenda asked as she handed Sam a glass of wine.
“Not too bad, but it got a whole lot better about fifteen minutes ago. How’d everything go here today?”
“Just fine. I love spending this time with them. Thank you for asking me to help out.”
“Oh please, I should be thanking you. We could never do what we do without you and Celia.”
“I know I speak for her when I say we love every minute of it.”
For a lot of years, Sam had thought her mother was out of her life for good. She was glad those years were in the past now and that they were forging a whole new relationship.
Scotty and the twins came into the room, with Skippy hot on their heels.
Sam hugged Alden and Aubrey, who were so happy to see her that her heart nearly burst with love for them. Her babies. No matter how they’d come into her life, they were hers now, and she would do anything for them.
They were just settling into their chairs when Noah came charging in ahead of Avery and Shelby, who was carrying Maisie.
“Sorry we’re late,” Shelby said.
“You’re not,” Sam said. “We just got organized.” She took the enchiladas provided by the White House chef out of the oven and put them on the table, along with a huge bowl of yellow rice and a salad.
“That smells amazing,” Avery said. “We’re going to miss the White House cuisine. ”
“Nick and I say that all the time. We fear we’re going to be hopelessly spoiled by the time we leave.”
“I plan to fully enjoy every second of it while I can,” Scotty said as he took a huge mouthful of enchilada.
Aubrey, Alden and Noah laughed at the faces he made as he enjoyed his meal.
If only Nick were there, everything would be perfect, but this was pretty close to it.
“Dad is FaceTiming,” Scotty said as he took the call.
Sam wondered how that worked outside the secure phone, but Nick would’ve found a way to make it happen.
Scotty held up his phone so everyone could say hi. “Have you met Chris Hemsworth yet?”
“No way,” Sam said. “ That’s who he’s seeing? This is so unfair.”
“Right?” Shelby said. “We got robbed.”
“I was afraid to tell you ladies that Thor was in the mix,” Nick said with a chuckle.
“It’s like we’re not even in the room,” Avery said.
“It’s Thor , love,” Shelby said. “No one can compete with him.”
“Awesome,” Avery said, making everyone laugh.
“What goes on there?” Nick asked.
“Enchiladas!” Aubrey said.
“Did we run out of napkins?” Nick asked with a laugh.
Scotty used his to wipe the sauce from Aubrey’s face.
“Wish I was there with you guys.”
“We miss you!” Alden said. “When are you coming home?”
“Friday.”
“We have no school on Friday!” Scotty said.
“And then it’s Easter,” Alden said.
“And no school on Monday either,” Nick said.
“Wait, what ?” Scotty asked.
“You’re staying home for the Easter Egg Roll,” Sam reminded him .
“A four-day weekend. This is the best day of my life.”
The adults laughed at his dramatic statement.
“I’ve got to run to a fundraiser with Thor,” Nick said. “You guys have a nice rest of the evening. Love you all.”
“We love you, too,” Aubrey said. “Tell Thor we said hi.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Really?” Alden asked, wide-eyed.
“Of course.”
“That’s so cool. Thank you.”
“Anything for you, my loves. I’ll talk to you all tomorrow. Love you.”
Everyone shouted love to him before Scotty pushed the red button to end the call.
After dinner, Sam helped the twins finish math homework—with Scotty’s help.
“How can I already need help with first-grade math?” she asked him after they’d tucked the twins into bed.
“Because you didn’t pay attention the first time around.”
“You’re very sassy tonight.”
“I’m sassy every night.”
“Thanks for the help, pal.”
“It takes a village to get first-grade homework done.”
“Indeed it does.” She gave him a hug outside his room. “Don’t stay up too late.”
“I won’t. Are you gonna talk to your boyfriend later and make kissy faces at him? Oh wait, you can’t because you don’t have a smartphone.”
“No, but I have a smart aleck for a son.”
He grinned as he turned back at the doorway to his room. “Love ya, Mama.”
“Love you, too, brat.”
His laughter rang out and sent her into her room with a smile on her face. She glanced toward Nick’s small office and felt an ache at his absence until she remembered Angela’s words about missing Spencer and told herself to get over it already. Her husband would be home in two days, whereas Angela would never see hers again.
She hoped and prayed she would never know the kind of pain her sister was experiencing.
After she showered, she snuggled into bed and texted Vernon. How can I send a gift to the weekend festivities for Jimmy and his wife?
That’s very nice of you, he replied. I’ll text you the info.
Thank you! See you in the morning.
After he sent the link, she used Nick’s laptop to access the registry and chose a fancy baby carriage that was the most expensive item on the list. Since Jimmy spent his days keeping her alive, it was the least she could do for him.
She signed the card, With love and best wishes, from Sam and Nick .
It felt good to do something nice for the young agent who’d become a big part of her daily life in recent months.
With that done, she turned on the TV, hoping to find something to distract her until Nick called and cringed when she saw her own face on the screen. Shit. She’d forgotten that Peter’s interview was airing that night. She forced herself to watch it with one hand over her eyes, so she saw only bits and pieces. It would never be “normal” to see herself on TV. Did she really look like that? Ugh. Horrible.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Angela. Thanks for checking on me. I’m hanging in there. Eating popcorn and watching my sis and BIL on TV.
It’s horrible.
No, it isn’t!
I hate my face on TV.
Shut up. You look great. Both of you do, and everything you said is spot-on.
She got another text, this one from Darren. I still can’t believe you went with Peter Wagner. What’s he got that I don’t?
Forty million TV fans ?
That’s rude, Sam.
She laughed out loud.
Another text came in from Scotty. MY PARENTS ARE ON TV! Everyone I know is texting me. Why wasn’t I told about this?
We told you.
DID NOT!
Blame Dad.
I’m blaming you!
Good night, son.
Quiet. I’m watching my parents. They’re pretty awesome even when they don’t tell me things.
The BlackBerry vibrated with a text from her favorite guy. Not sure if you realize we’re on TV at the moment.
The whole world is texting me.
Hahaha. The whole world is watching.
SHUT UP with that!
Just saying…
This is all your fault.
Entirely. He sent a photo of himself with Thor. Chris says hi.
He’s bummed because you’re hotter than him.
OMG, you shut up. No one is hotter than Thor.
You are. Ask anyone.
Are you going to be up for a bit?
Depends on what I’m staying up for.
A call with your husband?
I might be able to fit that in. How much longer?
Thirty minutes, tops. I’m tired.
It must be exhausting hobnobbing with celebrities.
You said nob.
Grow up, Nicholas. You’re the POTUS.
LOL. Talk soon.
Can’t wait.
Sam was asleep when he called forty-five minutes later.
“Damn it, I woke you up. ”
“It’s fine. I wanted to talk to you if you still had time for me after Thor.”
“I’ve always got time for my best girl. How was the rest of your day?”
“Not too bad. We’re close to closing the Myerson case and hoping to get a big break when we speak to the younger daughter tomorrow.”
“Is the older one still in the wind?”
She loved when he used her lingo. “Yeah, the marshals are after her and the boyfriend, and we’re waiting for the opportunity to talk to her younger sister.”
“I can’t imagine murdering someone at seventeen or eighteen.”
“Or ever.”
“Well, that, too, but especially then.”
“I know. It’s hard to fathom. Anyway, your son got an eighty-six on another algebra quiz. You might want to text him about that.”
“I will for sure. That’s awesome. He’s going to get a B this quarter. I know it.”
“We’re not allowed to say that out loud. There’s apparently some superstition.”
“He’s too funny.”
“He really is. He’s annoyed that he wasn’t told we’d be on TV tonight.”
“We told him that.”
“I’m not sure we did.”
“Whoops.”
“Are you back at the hotel?”
“Yep, tucked in for the night all by my lonesome.”
“No starlets to keep you company?”
“There were a few who wanted to, but I told them my wife would stab them with her rusty steak knife, and it’d be tough to explain the mess to housekeeping.”
Sam grunted out a laugh. “You’re damned right she would. ”
“Believe me, I know. She’s scary with that rusty steak knife.”
“I miss you so much it’s stupid.”
“I miss you more.”
“No way.”
“Yes way.”
“Any word from Andy?”
“Not yet, but he knows we’re anxious. I’m sure we’ll hear from him tomorrow.”
“I hope so. Scotty has caught wind of that situation and was asking me about it.”
“What’d you tell him?”
“The truth. He’s very pleased by the possibility of adoption.”
“As am I.”
“Same. I want that done yesterday so we can move on without having to worry about any of this crap again.”
“I agree,” Nick said. “It made me so sad to learn they’re after the kids’ money. How can anyone be so callous about those two perfect angels?”
“I don’t know. It’s definitely their loss.”
“And our gain. Thank God you were there that night in the hospital and stepped up for them before they could become a meal ticket for relatives who don’t give a shit about them.”
“I was thinking about that earlier. If we hadn’t brought Scotty into our lives, we wouldn’t have been licensed foster parents, and it would’ve been a whole lot more complicated to bring them home.”
“Everything happens for a reason.”
Sam yawned loudly. “Sorry.”
“Am I boring you?”
She laughed. “Not at all. I’m just out of gas.”
“Go to sleep and have sweet dreams.”
“You, too.”
“I’m gonna dream about my sexy wife and a weekend at Camp David together. ”
“Hurry home. We love you and miss you.”
“Love you and miss you, too. Night.”
“Night.”
Sam didn’t want to hang up, but she could barely keep her eyes open. She fell asleep with the BlackBerry pressed to her chest, over the heart that beat only for him.