SAM

Healing

Bryan stretched out to reach for Sam and rose swearing when he found himself alone. He begged the heavens she hadn't run off in the middle of the night with their children. Running to the nursery while he wrapped his robe around him he stopped seeing Ann and Sandra with the boys. Sandra looked up at her disheveled son.

"What is wrong?" His hair was mussed his robe hastily tied around him and he was barefoot! "Bryan, what is it?"

"Where's Sam?" He asked suddenly conscious of what he looked like, he pushed his hair back from his face and straightened his robe.

"She went riding with your father --- are you feeling well?" Sandra asked.

"I'm fine." Bryan shot, turning on his heel, he left.

Ann looked at Sandra a smile spreading over her face. "Do you know something I don't?" Sandra asked her.

"No." Ann replied her smile widening even more.

"Ann--"Sandra warned watching the old woman's eyes wrinkle with mischief.

"They must have settled their differences yesterday, both of them were acting strange and ended up yelling at each other. Bryan's entrance only makes me think he thought Sam had left. She didn't, so --something must have happened." Ann said suddenly serious.

"Sam was going to leave?" Sandra asked shocked.

Ann nodded, they didn't understand Sam's determination when she decided something.

"Why?--Never mind. I know why." Sandra bent down to kiss her grandson who was gurgling to her. "I'm glad she stayed, I will miss these two." She sighed letting the baby grab her finger.

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Bryan dressed hastily and strode down the stairs. Steve called him. Annoyed, he turned toward the library wondering what his brother wanted. "What is it?" Bryan snapped hoping this wouldn't take long.

"We need to talk, please close the door." Steve said rising to his feet. There was coffee set on a table and he poured two cups as he watched Bryan lock the doors.

"Will this take long? I want to catch my wife and dad." Bryan said as he turned to face his brother.

"Jane told me everything." Steve said, his jaw setting and a frown on his brow as he watched Bryan stiffen. Bryan took the cup from his brother's hand and sat on a chair, Steve sat in front of him.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Steve asked.

"There is nothing to be said." Bryan replied.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"She is your wife, Steve."

"You love her?"

"No."

"No?"

"No. I love Sam."

"She knows--doesn't she?"

Bryan nodded unable to speak.

"Everyone knows but me. Why?" Steve asked slowly.

Bryan knew his brother was loosing his temper, by the inflection of his tone. "We all thought it was Jane's place to tell you what happened. How would you have felt if I told you about it, or mom or dad?" Bryan asked sipping his coffee.

Steve slammed his coffee cup hard against the table breaking the cup. He ran his hands over his hair pulling it back against his head. Bryan sat tight waiting for the next explosion when he saw his brother's shoulders shaking an angry sob escaping his throat. Bryan felt a knot in his throat. He got up and hugged his brother tightly.