Through the Open Door || Change My Mind Sequel || SP

Embarrassing

Continued

8:22 PM

Music blared as Sam, Andrea, and Britt sat inside Buffalo Wild Wings dining area eating. They snuck out early, pretending like Sam wasn't feeling well and she needed assistance home. "Remember, we cannot post about this," Sam reminded, taking a bite of her fried pickles. A sense of satisfaction washed over Sam, enjoying the the atmosphere. After having Zeek, Sam was too focused on working, that she never got to go out or enjoy time without her kids.

"Yeah, yeah, we know. Now tell us what is going on with you and Matt! Friend, it's been a month since he started therapy and his meds. What's up?" Britt asked, dipping her wings in ranch. Sam sighed, taking a sip of her drink.

"I fired Naomi as soon as I found out. Well, Gene did. And I hired April. She's a lesbian, so there will be no way that Matt will have chance with her. And he's been trying. He check's in every 4 hours to make sure the kids and I are okay. And I am in contact with Jill. He doesn't know this, but I had him moved into her office, so she could watch him," Sam revealed. "I'm trying to trust him, and I'm glad he's not making it harder, but it's still hard. He's taking his medicines and he's more active with the kids. Things are happening and it's looking positive," the tired mother smiled. Andrea smiled, taking a bite of her burger.

"Guys, I have a secret," Andrea beamed. Sam and Britt stared at her expectantly. "I have a boyfriend!" She announced. Sam started to clap, swallowing what was in her mouth.

"Details, friend! Come on!" Britt cheered. Andrea pulled out a picture of her and a guy in a bathroom mirror.

"His name is Nate. He's 6'9 and a hockey player," Andrea said. Sam and Britt gushed. With Sam being married and Britt being single, both of them missed the puppy stages.

"How long have you been together?" Sam asked, digging into her wings.

"11 months," Andrea smirked. "We kept it a secret for a while, because we wanted to enjoy ourselves alone. But, I just found out that he told his friend's, so I'm telling you guys." The woman talked for hours about any and everything. But, what got Sam was one of Andrea's questions as they started to pay for the bill. "When did you know you wanted to be a mom?" Andrea asked. Sam thought back almost 6 years.

"Uhh, honestly? When Zeek was 2," Sam replied. The girls looked at her confused. "For the first two and a half years of my motherhood, I hated being a mom. I didn't want to be a mom. But, after seeing Gene and Avie. They were gentle with each other. They learned from one another. It took me a long time, way longer than it should have to learn my kids. She convinced me that my kids were more than another mouth to feed. And once I changed my attitude, I could finally see my kids the way they should've been. As kids in need of a mother, and not annoying mouth breathers," Sam answered. A bit of shame filled her heat, for ever feeling like that towards her kids.

Elora, even with her stomach and digestive issues, brought less headache to Sam's world. Ellanie, and her ever changing mood, kept Sam on her toes and always learning something new. And Zeek. Zeek was younger than his sisters and it showed, but the way he saw the world and his wonder was something the girls couldn't match. Sam was grateful for the kids she had and how they turned out, considering who they belonged to. And even the new baby, who hadn't even taken their first breath, yet, was more than the mother could ask for.

"Why are you asking about being a mom. You thinking about settling down with Nate?" Britt asked. Sam dropped her head, not sure why she confessed all of that for a short answer. That part of her evolution towards the mother she was currently, was embarrassing.

"I don't know. I mean, we've been talking about getting married and moving together, but when I got called back here, we had to put everything on hold," Andrea sighed.

"Just remember," Sam said, pointing to her bump, "Cocoa butter is your best friend," Sam advised. The woman giggled, as Sam's phone went off. "Hello?... This is she?" Sam's face dropped. "I'm her sister...Where is she?" Sam gathered her things and threw some money on the table.

"What happened?" Andrea asked, while Britt stared in shock, getting up with her friend.

"That was the police. It's Gene. She's been hurt,"

12:23 AM

Sam laid next to her sister, feeling her pain. Reliving it. Sam held Regina tight, April down stairs with the kids. "I-I have to call Nick. He needs to know," Regina mumbled, struggling to get up. Sam held tighter to her sister, pulling her back into her chest.

"I called him, he knows. Just breathe. You were just raped and beaten. Trust me, you need to relax." Sam whispered. Her PTSD was kicking in.

What if it's the same guy? What if he found Gene and was looking for her?

1:15 AM

Sam sat on the edge of her sister's bed, taking deep breaths. "He is gone. He is not looking for you. You're safe. And you're leaving soon," Sam whispered, glancing back at her little sister. The moon illuminated the bruise on her sister's cheek. Sam felt her forehead, remembering the sting that lasted for days. Her stomach flipped a bit. The fear and anxiety of being alone was too much for her to handle and she wasn't medicated. She could only imagine what Gene was going to face.

Small feet walked across the floor and stopped in front of the bedroom door. "Avie, come her," Sam whispered. The almost 3 year old walked over to her aunt and held her hands up, allowing Samantha to pull her into her lap.

"Uhh, mommy," Aviella said, biting on one of her fingers, while using her other hand to point to her mother.

"Yeah, mommy is sleeping," Sam whispered. "Let's go night-night," Sam said, placing her on the bed and getting back in with her sister niece. On contact, Gene rolled over in her sleep and pulled her toddler into her, allowing her to sleep in her grasp. That was something Sam never did. When her kids slept in her bed, she usually slept with her back to them on the edge to make sure they stayed in the middle. She differed from Gene in the aspect that she valued safety over security. She was still working on that part.

To Be Continued.