Howling in the dark

Chapter 4. A cure for the broken hearts.

Sam took his phone. Then dialled Sully's number.
- Sam, I really have no time to lose.- Nathan said.
- Come on, brother...- he patted Nate on the back.
- We've got to buy tickets and pack our things, a...
- Sheesh.- Samuel rolled his eyes.- Oh, Victor, it's Sam... Sam Drake, yes.- he looked at Nathan.- Oh I'm better than ever.- Sam smiled.- Got any plans for midday, per say? Ugh, well... yep, in a minute.

Sam had never been so happy. Nathan. His sweet little brother was back... He knocked on the door.
- Oh right.- Sam huffed as he remembered he had given Dana a sleeping pill.- Come in.- he said and unlocked the door.- Victor, please... Don't make a sound... I'll wake her up myself!- Sam whispered.

Not only was Dana up, which was, of course, both a surprise and a sort of relief to Samuel... She was in the kitchen, curly hair in a bun, not too tight, a white apron upon the sweatpants and a shirt. She was stunning... And the smell of food made Sam's stomach curl. He hugged her gently from behind.
- Hey, Sammy!- Dana whispered, turning around.
- Hey, baby girl!- Sam whispered back.- I thought you'd be asleep.- he said.- Happy birthday, Dana!
- Aw! Thank you!- she blushed, as Sam kissed her hand.- And... your support... I... really... thank y...
- Oh c'me on!- Sam muttered.- That's what a true friend would do!- he touched her cheekbone, ever so gently, where a few days ago, there was a huge bruise... it was another reason to hate Rafe Adler.

- Hi...- a firm voice startled him.- Glad to see you.
- Elena!- Sam said, turning around.- What are y...
- W-what are you doing here?- she smiled faintly.
- Well, I planned to, ugh... you know... arrange an ugh... a family dinner.- Samuel said, his thoughts all about Nathan.- I came to see if Dana's alright!
- I am...- Dana said softly as she put plates on the table.- No. Don't look at me this way! I really am!
- Sure.- Sam huffed.- Let me get this straight!- he took a plate out of her hands.- Oops! Come on in, Victor! So you woke up, realised you were hungry and instead of calling me, so I could bring some...
- Sam, we've talked about it!- Dana smiled.- It's a matter of hospitality...- she said. As Sully came in Dana nodded politely, lowered her eyes.- I'm glad to see you again, mister Sullivan!- she whispered.
- Come on, girl...- Sully chuckled, clutching her to himself.- Leave those formalities!- he whispered.

The table was filled with delicious food, the smell was amazing, and the drinks were strong: chacha, red wine. The atmosphere was light and pleasant. 
- Oh, gimme a sec.- Sam suddenly got up and left.
He came back, a huge beautiful cake in his hands. 
- Sam!- Dana jumped up and hugged him tight.- I am so... Oh my God... thank you!- she whispered.
- Pffff! That's the bare minimum I could do.- Sam smirked, lighting the candles.- Come on... make a wish! Okay?- he whispered. Dana closed her eyes.
- Happy birthday to you!- Elena sang, along with Sully, her voice angelic.- Happy birthday to you!
- Happy birthday, little kitten... happy birthday to you!- Sam sang. Dana's lips moved soundlessly as if in a prayer. And the candles were blown.- What was your wish?- Sam purred.- Could you tell me?
- Nathan... my wish was for Nathan to come back.
- Well...- Sam eyed Sully, as if saying "do not stop recording!" and Victor got the hint.- Sometimes...
- Dreams come true...- a gentle, painfully familiar voice came, as someone hugged her from behind.
- Nathan!- Dana cried, jerked and turned around. She couldn't believe her happiness.- Oh Nathan...
- Nate!- Sully gasped.- You son of a bitch you're...
- N-Nathan?- Elena dropped the glass full of wine but she didn't care. She got up.- Jesus Christ, N...
- Nathan.- Dana lay her head on his shoulder and sobbed for five minutes. Nate rubbed at her back.
- Easy, girl...- he whispered, resting his chin upon the crook of her neck.- It's ok! I'm here! I'm back!
- Oh Nate!- Elena whispered as Dana pulled away reluctantly, then, to Nate's great surprise, hugged him, so tight that he thought, she would break his  ribs.- I thought you were dead! I- I made calls, I... 
- Elena...- he breathed, hugging her back.- It's ok.
- Nate. But... how did you survive?- Elena gasped.
- Goddamn it, kiddo!- Sully said.- I thought that I had lost you...- as Nate let Elena go, Victor pulled him into yet another hug.- Boy! You've grown up!
- Oh God! This is the best birthday present I have ever received.- Dana squeaked and kissed Sam on the cheek. He blushed.- C-come, sit down, ugh... I have made dinner... come, sit down, everyone, oh God, oh God! I can't believe you're back! W-what do you want? Wine? Chacha? Strong, Abkhazian!
- I have never seen her happier...- Sam whispered to Elena but she wasn't listening, she was looking at Nathan, and tears of joy ran down her cheeks...