The Path to Love

Chapter 68 - Sam's POV

2 weeks. I was two weeks away from my due date. That's all I had left to prepare. Just two weeks. I don't have a home, a crib, diapers, clothes, nothing. All I know is that today, my training is done. Today, I am going home. Today, I take over Dawson Enterprises.

"Are you ready to take over Dawson Enterprises?" I jumped, shocked. I turned away from the window in my, now old, office and looked at the grandfather of my baby.

"As ready as I will ever be, I guess."

"The CEO in your place has a wonderful evening of festivities planned. They have decided to hold a masquerade ball and have two rooms booked. One room for children to have their own festival. The chance to win toys and play games. The other room is for the parents, CEO's and other guests to mingle, auctions on art and to buy lots of booze. It is a good thing we are hosting in a hotel. Something tells me that a lot of families might end up spending the night there."

"I rubbed my stomach as I thought about the evening. "I don't have a dress or a mask. I'm not ready for this event."

"There will be a dress with a mask waiting for you at the hotel. Along with a makeup team and a hairstyling team. You will be ready for tonight's event and you will look the part of a CEO to take over the company."

"Where's Mrs. Thomas?"

"She had her flight changed. She will be joining me tonight for the ball. She apologizes for not being able to be here, she is expecting to spend some time with you tonight, however."

"I don't understand why the both of you have to attend. Why am I not going alone?"

"The temporary CEO of your company has reached out to Thomas Enterprises asking for a charitable donation. My wife and I decided to be there in person to give our donation."

"How much are you donating?"

"One hundred thousand dollars." He replied, clearly proud of his donation.

I gasped. "That is so much money."

"Yes, the Janeway is important to my family."

"Hunter," his name coming from my lips was like a stab wound in my stomach. "was in there when he was born. He was born three months early. He told me about that."

"Yes," he stared off into the distance, zoning out. "It was touch and go for a long time. His mother didn't know if he was going to make it. But he did. He survived. We have the team at the Janeway to thank for that. My wife and I donate to them every year. But we decided to accept this CEO's ask for a donation, and since the organization is so close to our hearts, we are making a significant donation."

"That's very thoughtful of you," I replied. "I'm sure they will be overjoyed with the money. I'm sure it will help fund a lot for them."

"Hopefully by the end of the night a lot of their financial stresses will lessen."

"I'm sure we are in for a great night," I replied.

He looked at me and smiled. "We are in for a night we will not forget, that's for sure. Are you ready to head to the airport? We have a two-hour flight ahead of us."

"As ready as I'll ever be." I turned away from the window to look at him. "Do you think I am ready to be a CEO? I want your honest opinion."

"From my time as a CEO of Thomas Enterprises, I've come to learn that you need time to learn your new role. It will take time for you to become a great CEO. You will make mistakes, you just need to be able to learn from those mistakes, and to better yourself. I am not worried about you. I think you will make a great CEO."

"Thank you, Mr. Thomas, for everything."

"Please, you don't have to be so formal with me. I understand why you are doing it. But you have always called me Oliver or dad two. Just because you and Hunter are not seeing eye-to-eye currently, does not mean you have to be so formal with me. I have known you your whole life. I watched you graduate kindergarten, grade five, and middle school."

"I know, but your Hunter's dad." I replied softly.

"Yes, but that does not change the fact that I am always going to be here for you. You're practically my daughter and that will not change because my son has chosen a different path for himself."

"I have a lot of anger towards your son, Oliver," I replied as we got in the car. "He left me and her," I said pointing at my stomach. "I'm a teenager, I can't do this by myself."

"Your age says you're a teenager, but you and I both know you and Hunter both had to mature early. With your parents and his gone most of the time, you two relied heavily on each other. Katherine, Samuel, my wife and I should have been a lot more present in both of your lives. If we were, maybe this mess would not be such a mess. Hunter thinks what he is doing is right, and while I cannot make choices for him, he does have a father instinct inside of him."

"He ran." I stated. "That is not a father instinct, that's a disappearing act."

"He ran to protect you and your daughter. He thinks he is protecting you both by staying away. He sabotaged his happiness and his life to make sure you and the baby were safe. I know his logic is twisted but my son is a good guy."

I rubbed my stomach as I thought about what he said. "It isn't his job to protect us, it is his job to be there for us. It is supposed to be up to the both of us to decide what is best for this child. He made the decision without me and that's not fair to me or to her."

"You both have the best interests of your daughter at heart. Don't underestimate the power of love, or the power of family. Both will surprise you in the most shocking ways. Always remember Samantha, family over everything. Love will win in the end."

"You seem like you know so much." We started to board the plane. "You were not here for high school Hunter. You don't know the choices he made, the extracurricular activities he partook in. I'm sorry, but you do not know your son the way I know him. When his mind is made up, that's it. There is no changing his mind when the decision is made. Hunter made the decision to leave, he's not going to change his mind." I stated, knowing what I said was the truth.

"I know my son, more then you give me credit for. Like I said, family is the most important thing in this world. Hunter and you have created your own family. Soon, a new member will be added to that family. The power of family will prevail Samantha, you will have a family that is whole."

I stared out the window as the plane rushed down the runway. The same thought kept racing through my head. You will have a family that is whole.

You will have a family that is whole.

A family that is whole.

What is that?

I let the thoughts of Hunter and I raising our daughter together flash through my head, wishing, wanting it so desperately to be real.

I closed my eyes as I held onto my stomach. I could not allow my wants to get in the way of my life. I had a company to take over, a daughter coming in two weeks, a charity event tonight and a whole other list of things to do.

Toronto, here I come.