Page 70 of Securing Samantha

Samantha’s phone rang early in the morning. She knocked it off the nightstand when she searched for it with her eyes still closed and her hand frantically grasping for it.

When she found the offending object, she hit answer and ground out, “Hello.”

“Hello, beautiful,” Bryan’s voice came over the phone. “I’m sorry to call you this early. My layover extended and I gotta rush to a meeting now and I’m sure you have Christmas celebrations planned later. I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and I’ll see you the day after tomorrow,” he rushed.

She wiped the sleep from her eyes, “Merry Christmas, don’t they stop working over there?”

“Yes, and I’m headed to three different houses today to get all the signatures and invited to three parties. I didn’t want you to think I forgot about you. I thought you’d message me when I landed and I haven’t heard from you,” his voice held a question.

“Oh, I misplaced my phone when we gift wrapped all the presents and running nonstop since we arrived. The flight turned into a bumpy one and the airport’s packed at this time of year,” she rambled.

“Did Whiskey get LJ all right?” Bryan inquired. Somehow she knew it wasn’t the question he wanted to ask.

“Yes, Whiskey’s moved on. He bought a new house and he and LJ are celebrating Christmas there. LJ’s excited about it,” she told him.

“Tell him Merry Christmas and I’ll see you in two days. Then you promised to come home and I believe you owe me an answer to my question. Are you playing with me?” He attempted to keep his voice light, but she knew the question in the air hung between them.

“Yes, I think we can play together,” she whispered.

She imagined Bryan smiling and his relieved voice came over her phone, “I’ll see you soon, sweetheart and I can’t wait to return home and play.” He disconnected the call.

She rolled out of bed and visited the bathroom. Sleep no longer remaining an option, she decided on a cup of tea and grabbed her book.

Kassie already stood at the stove. She wore scrubs and even at the crack of dawn, she held her perky smile. “Good morning. I hope I didn’t wake you. One of our patients went into a crisis. Chase stayed at the hospital, and I came back. I can’t sleep. I imagine Em will make an appearance soon.” She held a cup up asking if Samantha wanted one. She nodded her head as she pulled out a chair.

“How can you be cheerful this early in the morning. It goes against nature when you wake up like Mary Sunshine,” Samantha grouched.

Kassie chuckled. “I believe the nickname Sunshine, is already taken. I heard your phone ringing. I hope it wasn’t bad news?”

Samantha accepted the cup of tea, needing the caffeine boost. “No. Bryan called to wish us a Merry Christmas. He’s running around getting signatures on a contract. We’re flying home together.”

“Is it getting serious?” Kassie sat down across from her and took a sip of tea while she waited for her friend’s answer.

“Bryan always includes LJ, he’s reliable and makes me feel secure. I don’t mean secure as in money. I know I’m secure in his heart and mind.”

Kassie’s pinned her with a gaze over the rim over of the teacup. “I’m sure Bryan’s qualities are impeccable. Obviously, he’s got good taste in women. I asked how you felt about him.”

Samantha sighed. “I care for him. I don’t feel the same for him as I did Whiskey. Maybe our love only comes around once in a lifetime. I decided on starting a committed relationship with him. I’m nowhere near ready for marriage, but seriously dating.”

Kassie nodded. “If you’re happy, then I’m delighted for you.”

Samantha cocked her head at her friend. “You say things like that to people when you truly don’t believe it.”

“I think a small part of you wants to come home. I think you harbor feelings for Whiskey.” Her friend didn’t bother to tiptoe around the subject.

“I’ll always care for him. He’s the father of my child. We shared a wonderful time together,” Samantha’s voice trailed off.

Kassie reached across the table. “I love you and don’t want to see you hurt. Bryan’s a very nice man. I’ll ask again, is he right for you?”

“Yes, he’s a good man. He goes out of his way to make me happy. He’s considerate, and kind to my son?—”

“I know all about his attributes. How do you feel? Do you believe you only get one chance at happiness? Chase and I didn’t get it right the first time or the second. Then I nearly lost him. I don’t want you to miss an opportunity. You’re hurt Whiskey didn’t want to see you when he first got back. Then he made some stupid mistakes. I know it was a shock, especially after the attack. In his mental state, he did things in his mind, for good reasons. I still shiver when I think back to those first few weeks. You don’t want to have those images in your head. I know this subject is touchy and it’s Christmas and I’ll say my piece and drop it. Even in the depths of hell, Whiskey’s face lit up when I brought him the phone. He lived for those pictures of you and his son. On some days, I’m sure they served as a reminder of what he fought for. Before you close the door, search your feelings. It might be the difference between a life with commitment and one with love, joy, and light.”

Kassie rose from the table and pulled out breakfast items to make.

“Whiskey made his choice. I let him go and you can’t deny he’s changed for the better,” she argued.

“I changed with the help of Claire, and the support of the team and my friends, including you. Chase waited until I felt ready. Maybe Whiskey acted a bit hasty with the divorce papers and maybe you let him go too soon. I think I’ll take the kids sledding with Chase, and the grandparents this afternoon. Maybe you can talk to Whiskey and discover how to handle Christmas. Santa already has quite a few stops. Maybe he can delete one house off his list. Doesn’t LJ deserve one Christmas memory with both his parents before you figure out custody arrangements and holidays?”

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