Begin Again | Sam Wilson

Chapter Twenty Two

Brianna's first week back at work was mostly productive aside from the constant staring. She had already caught up on her filing and reports that needed her 'okay.' It was still slightly exhausting given the fact that she was still mourning. She did manage to drive to where her mother had been buried after work on Friday and lay fresh flowers on the mountain of dirt. It still didn't feel real. She still hoped she could just dial her mom's number and she would pick up.

She was looking forward to spending Saturday with her dad's side even if she was nervous for Sam and her dad to converse. She just wanted her dad to be nice and not scare him off. It was late Friday night when Sam arrived at her apartment with pizza boxes in his hands. She had her work laptop open on the couch and was going over a potential mission that Fury wanted her to assist the CIA with. This of course caused Sam to raise his eyebrow when he noticed it.

"Aren't you suppose to be off?" He asked while placing the pizza boxes on the counter.

"I am. Technically. Fury just wanted me to review a case the CIA sent over." She shrugged it off.

"May I ask what it is?" He asked.

She smiled at him. "You know I can't give you the details. Let's just say it's a guy who likes bombs. Weird bombs."

"Well, in that case, I'm going to be flying down to Delacroix in a few weeks to see my sister. Maybe you can come with me?"

"I would, but...I may or may not be in Maine." She said before taking a bite of pizza.

"Maine?" He asked confused.

"The bomb guy is from Maine." She was trying to be as vague in the details about the case as she could be.

"Ah." Sam caught on. "I got you. How about you close that laptop, enjoy your dinner and night with me? We can work out the details of you visiting later?"

****
Birthdays were something Brianna's dad and Laura did very well. She supposed she had inherited that trait from them. They always went all out. Balloons. Signs. A special breakfast and dinner followed by cake. That didn't even include the birthday party that would occur. However, with Cooper turning sixteen he didn't really want a party. He just wanted to hang out with his friends. Evidently he was too mature for parties her dad informed her days ago.

It had been a while since she had visited the farm, but she could already feel herself growing more at ease as she drove up the driveway. Sam was another story. She didn't think he could ever be nervous, but he was most certainly nervous that day. He was just scared that Clint was going to kill him. Brianna had assured him that he was fine with the two of them being together. He just wanted an opportunity to speak to him.

"You going to be okay?" Brianna asked with a faint smile as she put the car in park.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you? Watching me squirm?" He asked while wiping his hands on his jeans.

She leaned and kissed him softly. "You're usually so calm and collected. It's a little funny, but you'll be fine. I promise."

She was surprised that none of her siblings had run out to greet her. They used to every time, but she thought that maybe her dad or Laura had told them to give Sam some space. He was used to the chaos since he had two young nephews, but this was different. The front door was open but the screen door was shut allowing them to hear the soft voices of people talking. Brianna didn't even knock. She just walked right inside.

Sam had never been to Clint's house, but it was just as Brianna described. Homey. Inviting. And there was always some project that her dad was working on. The first thing he noticed was a cartoon being played on the TV in the living room while a little boy no older than four sat on the couch watching. Sam supposed that the boy was her youngest brother. The first person to actually greet them was her stepmom, Laura. They had met briefly at Tony and Nat's funeral.