Finally Home

17. Tyler

Josh and I performed 'Formidable' for Samantha at her party. I hadn't told her the whole story about it yet, and I wanted to but not at her party.

As a surprise, Brendon performed 'Victorious' and Pete, Patrick, Joe and Andy performed 'Champion'.

We were careful and had no flashing lights so Jill could enjoy the show as well.

I spoke, just a small speech telling Samantha how much we love her and how proud we are of who she's becoming. She blushed and gave us hugs. And I marvelled at this 16 year old girl who just three years ago was timid, scared, skittish and ran from practically everything. She trusted almost no one.

When I was done Samantha asked for the microphone. She hadn't said anything about speaking and I was a little surprised.

"I wasn't actually planning on saying anything, because I'm still a little shy sometimes," she said. Her friends laughed.

"But I decided last night that I had to at least say thank you.

So, thank you. Thank you to my friends for coming and celebrating with me and my family. Thank you to my extended family, who have been through pretty much everything with us. The good and the... not so good. But most of all, thanks, Mom and Dad. You gave me something I never thought I would ever have, and didn't think I deserved. You gave me a loving family, an amazing baby sister, and another sibling on the way, and you let me grow. Without you, I don't know where I'd be right now. And I don't often think about it because there's isn't anywhere I'd rather be. Except maybe California. Can we move there?"

I had to laugh. Most people wouldn't get the inside joke but every once in a while, Sam would bring up moving to California, which had started after our first trip there with her to visit Josh and Debby and Brendon and Sarah. Brendon and Sarah laughed, too. Because they were her co-conspirators.

"But most importantly, I want to thank you for never giving up on me. Especially when things were really hard."

Everyone clapped. Jenna and I were both crying. Our Samantha. What a kid.

We hugged our daughter, thanked her for her words and went back to enjoying our party for her.

We could tell she was getting a bit tired because of her ankle, and she was sitting more towards the end, but she was talking with her friends and Brendon and Pete.

"What's on your mind?" Jenna asked, putting her head on my shoulder.

"Samantha. I'm just in awe of her," I said.

"We did good," Jenna said. "She's really becoming such an amazing person all she needed was a little love, some attention and, well, not a little work. But she did it, and she is someone to be proud of. And someone who should be proud of themselves."

"I think she is," I said. "I think after so many years of being told she's worthless, she's seeing she's not. Look at what she's accomplished. She's a class leader. She was, and I guess still is in a way, captain of her basketball team. When's the last time she had a problem with her blood sugars. And I don't mean intentional like last year."

"She is amazing," Jenna agreed. "And look what a great big sister she turned out to be. Rosie adores her."

I looked at Sam who had Rosie in her lap while she talked with her friends. Rosie was fast asleep and Sam was holding her so Rosie was curled into her and couldn't fall.

"I hope she's as close with this one as she is with Ro," Jenna said.

"I don't think they'll have the same connection as Rosie and Sam have. I have no doubt Sam is going to love this one to bits, too, but there's something between Sam and Rosie. I really believe their souls met when Sam was in that coma," I said.

Jenna's eyes filled with tears. She had given birth to Rosie while Sam was in a coma and hadn't wanted to leave the hospital and Sam's bedside even when she went into labour.

I hugged my wife and kissed her.

"But she's okay now. And she and Rosie are tight. Sam will always, always protect Rosie. And I'm sure she'll love and protect this one too. Their relationship will be just, a bit different," I said.

Jenna nodded.

"We should get the girls home," she said. It was nearly 10 and we had booked the room until 10. People were starting to leave. We had a brunch planned on Sunday with Pete, Patrick, Joe and Andy, Zack and Kala and Brendon and Sarah, of course. At the house. We were having it catered but it was some time for Samantha with her aunts and uncles separate from this party.

"Sam," I said, approaching her, and putting my hands out for Rosie. "Time to start heading home."

Sam handed Rosie to me, stood up and wrapped her arms around me.

"Thanks so much for this, Dad," she smiled up at me. "It was the best night."

"Anything for my first kid," I smiled down at her. "We love you so much, Mom and I."

She hugged me again and then went to find Jenna and hugged her, too. She must have said pretty much the same thing to Jenna because she hugged Sam again, smiled at her and kissed her head.

We said goodbye and goodnight to the rest of our guests, Sam's guests, and went home, our happy little family of four. And a half.