The London Paradigm (book 4 of Adopted by the Josephs)

47. Samantha

It only took four days total before the press realized I was staying with Aunt Debby and Uncle Josh. Then they descended on their house and my peaceful retreat was gone. I moved back home the next day.

"I'm sorry they found out, String Bean," Uncle Josh said, as he drove me home.

"It's okay," I said. "It's not your fault. But thanks for letting me stay. It was nice while it lasted."

"Anytime. You know that," he smiled at me. I smiled back.

We pulled up to Mom and Dad's and I got out of the car. Mom and Dad were outside waiting for me. Uncle Josh grabbed my duffel bag. Rosie ran up to me.

"SaSa!!" She cried, putting her hands up. I picked her up and hugged her.

"Hi RoRo. Did you miss me?"

"SaSa home!" Rosie said. I smiled.

Mom and Dad hugged me too and we went in the house.

"Sorry it didn't last as long as we'd hoped," Mom said.

"It's okay," I said. "It was great for the few days anyway."

"You look so much better," Mom said. "You have color back in your cheeks, the circles under your eyes are gone. You look like maybe you gained a little weight back?"

I shrugged.

"Maybe. But yeah. I feel better. A little less stressed. Still stressed, but my stomach doesn't feel like it's made of headphone wires."

Mom looked at me quizzically.

"You know, all tangled up, no matter what?"

Mom laughed and gave me a hug.

"There's my Samantha," she smiled. "How was school?"

"Okay. Some of the kids read about my inheritance and they're kind of being dicks about it, but my friends are, like, all over me all the time. It's like my own entourage of bodyguards. And my teachers have all been really nice and understanding. Even though I still am doing my homework, they said the understand if I don't get it done."

"Has Mark tried reaching out to you at all?" Dad asked, coming into the living room with Uncle Josh. Each of them holding a beer. I don't freak out over that anymore. I used to, after Stanley kidnapped me, because when Stanley drank, which was all the time, he'd beat me. Dad would never. And I don't think I've ever seen him even slightly drunk.

"No," I said. "I don't think so. Emma texted me, but I didn't answer, just in case."

"Okay, good. Now that he's started this, he isn't supposed to contact you at all. I don't know if the kids contacting you is an issue because it could be Mark or Carol trying to find out about you through them. So just be careful."

I nodded. I'm not stupid. I know that's a possibility.

Mr. Greyson had come over to Uncle Josh's the other day and we talked about the case. I'm going to have to go to court on the first day and then whenever they need me to testify. And he said I have to. On Wednesday, so tomorrow, I have to go see the court's psychiatrist which I'm not thrilled about.

And Dad told me Uncle Brendon and Aunt Sarah are coming in with Zack and Kala because, one, they want to be here for us and two, they have to testify, too.

After dinner, I did some more of my homework and then watched some TV with Mom and Dad. Mom had her arm around me and I had my head on her shoulder. It was nice to be home, even if the press is still everywhere.

I fell asleep on Mom and I felt Dad pick me up and carry me to bed.

I woke up when my alarm went off in the morning and looked around. I was home. And I didn't have a nightmare. At least, I don't think I did.

"Good morning, sweetheart!" Mom said as I came into the kitchen. "You slept well."

"I did," I smiled. "I don't think I had a nightmare."

"I checked in on you around one thirty. You were moaning a bit and I just rubbed your back but no. You were fine."

I smiled.

"Remember we're seeing Dr. Peterson today after school."

"I know," I sighed.

John and Mom and I got into the car after breakfast and they drove me to school.

It was a pretty normal day. I got a bunch of homework and Jill and Blaine were talking my ears off all day.

One kid came up to me and actually asked what the custody issue really was and if Mark just wanted my money. Which I couldn't actually answer.

After school, Dad and John picked me up.

"You okay, kiddo?" Dad asked as I climbed in the back of the car.

"Yeah. A little tired. Long day. But I'm okay."

Dad smiled at me.

We pulled up to a medical building and Dad and John got out of the car.

"Okay, my brave soldier," Dad smiled at me, and put his arm around me. "Let's go."

We went into the doctor's office and waited for them to call me.

Dr. Peterson was a woman. That was nice.

"Hi, Samantha," she said, as I sat down in her office, on the soft couch.

"Hi," I said.

"I expect you know why you're here," she said.

"Yeah. So you can get an unbiased opinion formed on me and my mental state and everything that's going on."

"That's right," Dr. Peterson said. "I'm not on anyone's side. My report goes to the court, not to one lawyer specifically. Though both will get a copy. My main concern is you and helping the courts determine what is best for you."

"Okay," I said.

"Great," she smiled at me.