And Baby Makes...?

Chapter 53

Tyler POV

I don't think it was until that moment I realized how much Samantha had matured since landing in our backyard. We never really talked about her birth father. The thought of his name could enrage me enough, it wasn't a subject I was interested in pursuing very often. But listening to Samantha talk about how she still didn't hate him, but if anything pitied him, it melted something in my heart. It also terrified me. Because the world is often not kind to people like Samantha.

But there was still something about Samantha that made me incredibly proud of the young woman she was becoming. Despite everything she had been through and despite what her future might have held has she not landed in our backyard, she had turned completely around and was living life by her own terms. She needed us for guidance but otherwise, she was making the rules. I smiled when I thought about where we'd come from and where she could be going now. I smiled at the bond my adopted daughter had with her sister. It was incredible. Rosie was in complete awe of Sam and Sam doted on her sister.

Josh and I had a few things to finish up before he went back to California, just some loose ends from the tour. Typical stuff that we did after every tour. They rarely take more than a day, but Josh wanted to see Sam, after she'd had such a rough couple of weeks because of Jill.

And there was another thing that impressed me about Sam. Jill had been so horrible to her but Sam had stepped up when Jill needed help. She didn't care that Jill wasn't talking to her or had said something horrible to her. She cared that someone she cared about needed help and so, because she was able to, she helped. No questions asked, no need in her mind for any renumeration.

We spent a relatively quiet evening after Sam finished her homework and Rosie was in bed, just watching TV together and talking. We knew Sam was smart, but the kid is off the charts sometimes. I swear, drop her into a University class in Math and she'd probably run rings around some of those students.

My heart swelled every time I looked at her. She had such confidence and was funny. It was hard to remember the timid teenager she was when we first met.

After Sam went to bed, I told all this to Jenna.

"I know," she smiled. "We've been good for her. But the best thing is, she finally likes herself. She's comfortable with who she is. She owns it. She's not the same kid from a year and a half ago."

"She sure isn't," I agreed, smiling. "It worries me a bit because the world isn't kind always to people like her."

"I have a feeling that Samantha's past will hold well for her in her future," Jenna said. "She's got just enough jadedness and tenacity she won't let people walk all over her."

"You might be right. That kid is going to go far. I hope nothing holds her back."

We went to bed a little while later, happy to be back together. I was happy to be home with all my girls.

In the morning, I was up early. I left Jenna sleeping and went downstairs to start breakfast. Josh was down already, too.

"Cheesy eggs for my niece," he smiled, as he pulled the ingredients out of my fridge. "And bacon if you get on that."

I smiled. Having Josh around was always fun.

Samantha came bounding down the stairs just as I was finishing the bacon and Josh was finishing the eggs.

"Cheesy eggs?" Sam asked smiling.

"The cheesiest!" Josh said grinning.

"What a way to start the day! Uncle Josh's cheesy eggs and bacon?"

"I made the bacon," I pouted.

"Then it's the best bacon ever!" Samantha hugged me.

"You're in a good mood today," I said.

"Why not? My favourite uncle is here. Don't tell Uncle Brendon or Uncle Zack or Uncle Jay. And it's a nice day. And my Dad is home. Why wouldn't I be in a good mood?"

"You still have to go to school," I said.

"A mere inconvenience. Besides, it gives you two time to get done what you need to do and then we're free to do whatever."

"Don't you have a basketball game today?" I asked.

"Oh yeah. There's that, too."

"Well, we'll all be there," I said.

"Really?!" Sam exclaimed.

"Really. All four of us," I said.

"Hey, when did I say I wanted to watch middle school basketball?" Josh said.

"When you said 'hey, is Samantha playing basketball any of the days we're both in Ohio?'."

"Uncle Josh, you'd better be at my game." Samantha warned.

"Okay, okay, I'll subject myself to the torture that is middle school girls' basketball," Josh joked.

Samantha made to punch him and he skittered away.

Jenna came downstairs with Rosie and said it was time to head to school. We all threw on our coats and Jenna bundled Rosie up and we all walked Samantha to school. Sam was practically skipping around us the whole way. It was so great to see her so happy.

When we got to the school, Jill was standing outside waiting for Sam.

"Have a great day, Champ," Josh said giving her a hug.

"I will, bye. Bye bye Rosie," she said kissing her sister.

"SaSa!" Rosie said.

"Be good," I said to her. "Always."

"Dad, I'm always good," she rolled her eyes at me.

I watched as she walked up the path and went up to Jill. Blaine and Morgan were standing there, too looking a little suspicious of Jill.

I watched Sam stop over at Jill and say something. Then she hugged Jill and Jill hugged her back.

It looked to me, the rift was over.