Summer

Hey oh, never let go of me,
Hold tight, it's gonna get hard to breathe
And never, never let you drown,
Even if we're going down
Hey oh, never let go of me

Rough Water (Travie McCoy ft. Jason Mraz)


"How do you feel? Are you nervous?" Reilly asked through the screen.
Sammy sighed and leant forward on her hands, "I seriously have no idea, I mean I've never seen or talked to this woman in my life and suddenly I'm going to meet her tomorrow..."
He looked at her with sympathy, "it'll be fine. She's your mother, and she wants to see you, I bet she'll love you,"

"I know," she nodded, "I don't know why I'm so scared, but I feel like that's not all, I kinda feel angry a little too,"
"How come?" He asked
"We'll cause she never made any attempt to contact us before," Sammy frowned, "and then out of nowhere she wants to be in our lives. You know how much I would cry at night because she wasn't around? All my friends had their moms to come pick them up or come to school things, but I never had that. Except for Stephanie, but even then It's not the same as an actual mom,"
He nodded in understanding, "You have all the right in the world to be upset, but I know you enough to know that the last thing you want to feel is angry. I know you want to be happy and just welcome her back,"

She sighed, "I do. I really hope this works out,"
"So do I, because I want you to be happy," He smiled, "and I'm sure everything will turn out the way you imagine it will,"
She smiled but quickly dropped it, "But what if it doesn't Rei? What if I'm not what she expected? If I'm not good enough?"
"You're a smart beautiful girl Sam, there's no way she wouldn't want a daughter like you," he said honestly, "but if it makes you feel better, I'll be here for you if you need me,"
She was on the verge of tears, he was the sweetest guy she met in her life. She never felt so loved like she did then.

"Thank you Reilly," she tried to keep her voice steady, "that, that means so much right now."
They continued talking and talking. The boys were in New York, but they'd be home tomorrow morning.

"I heard from an undisclosed source that you have a game tomorrow night," Reilly smirked
"Who brad?" She laughed, "yes I do."
"I'll be there," he nodded surely.
"You will?" She almost squealed
He laughed, "yes,"
"Promise?"
"Pinky promise," he chuckled, holding up his pinky to the screen.

<*>

"Are you ready for this?" Cam asked softly.
Samantha took a breath and nodded, her eyes flickering to Marc. They had both agreed to seeing their mother, but there was obviously room for last minute nerves. Even Marc looked somewhat reluctant. He had it worse, he was old enough to watch his mothers health and sanity slowly go down the toilet. Sammy couldn't imagine what was running through his head, which was weird because she could always tell what he was thinking.

"Marc?" Cam quizzed, "are you alright?"
"Yeah," he coughed, "I want to do this,"
Cam released a breath, "okay."

They all got out of the car and walked into the correction center. Sammy had no idea what to expect, she only saw pictures of her mother from when she was a child. Marc didn't keep any of him with her.
Sitting in a maroon plastic chair, holding a small cardboard box full of belongings was a woman with blonde hair. She had to be no older than 42 years old, but she looked tired. She immediately perked up when she saw them. Her eyes darted back and forth all over Sam and Marc.

"Cam," she whispered
"Hi Lena," he nodded, somewhat unsure.
She stood up and came over slowly, testing the waters. her mind was going crazy as she tried to process her children and their appearances.
"Samantha.....Marc...." She teared up, "I'm so sorry,"
She burst out into sobs and Cam hugged her, "It's alright Lena, it's okay. Everybody is entitled to their own mistakes,"
"I almost ruined 2 lives," she sobbed, "I'm sorry, I am so so sorry,"

Sammy looked about ready to cry too. She was the type of girl who hated seeing other people cry, even strangers, and would often be moved to tears as we'll. But she could hear the sincerity in her mothers voice, and forgave her instantly.
"Mom," she sniffled, "Its okay mom, I forgive you,"
Lena was taken aback, she was sure they'd be angry with her. But here was her daughter, her stunning daughter- the one she chose alcohol over, comforting her. She backed away from Cam to get a good look at her.

"You're even more beautiful than I imagined," Lena sighed.
They hugged and it was enough to make the tears she tried so hard to hold in start rolling down Sams cheeks.
Then she looked to Marc.
"And Marc. Last time I saw you, you were just a boy. But you're a man now. I can see it. And I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me some day." Lena said softly.
Sammy saw the longing to be loved again showing up in Marc's eyes. She knew he would take time to actually voice his feelings and admit it, but he had forgiven her just as quickly. He hugged his long lost mother, and Sam couldn't help but smile at the size difference. Lena looked so petite in her older brothers arms.

Sam turned to Cam who wiped his eyes. Cam looked down at his niece with a warm smile. He wrapped his arm around her and hugged her to his side. Together they watched Lena and Marc catch up.
"I love you uncle Cam," she whispered
"I love you too squirt, and never forget it," he whispered back.
"I won't," she nodded

<*>

"My daughter is a college volleyball player," Lena whispered to herself as they sat in the stands, "you did good, Cam. They're perfect,"
"I didn't do a thing, Sam is a hard worker, she did this herself. She earned it." Cam explained smiling proudly, "same with Marc, he worked his ass off to get into the NHL,"
"Tell me, how did you do it? You never married, you just took care of them yourself," she said.

He shrugged, "I just did. Some days were bad, but the majority were good. They made it easy for me too."
They continued to watch the game. The whole time Lena's eyes were glued to Sammy. She was entranced by every move the girl made. Now that she actually saw her daughter, she never wanted to leave her or take her eyes off her.

Then Marc, Brad, Patrice, Dougie, and Reilly entered. Marc found them in the stands and lead the others up. They sat in the row right in front of Cam and Lena.

"You made it," Cam smiled
"She always cheers us on, so we have to do the same," Patrice explained.
Lena looked them all over. Did Sammy have a boyfriend? They all looked rather too old for her 18 year old daughter.
"Boys I want you to meet my sister, Lena," cam introduced.
They all shook her hand. She noticed Reilly was particularly interested. She couldn't help but think about how cute he would be for Sammy. Then she remembered Sammy telling her about a boy she had been seeing recently named Reilly.

"I'm Sam and Marc's mother," she clarified, "I've heard a lot of good things about you boys. Sam spoke so fondly of you all,"
"Oh she does?" Brad smirked, "Ill have to thank her,"
"You must be brad," Lena giggled.
"Yes Ma'am, aka Sam's favorite," he grinned.
Lena shook her head, "oh that's not the name I heard."
They all laughed at him.
"Oh she's gonna get it now," brad plotted
"Yeah right, you know she'll get you first," Dougie chuckled.

They all sat, the boys mostly talking between themselves as they watched the game. Sammy had been playing back wing when she had to make a dive to save a dig.
"Oh shit," Marc laughed, "that was intense,"
Lena clapped and hollered the loudest. She wanted nothing but to make up for everything shed missed so far.

After the game, Sammy came out freshly showered and dressed. Her hair was braided back to keep the wet locks out of her face. When she found them in the crowd her eyes immediately lit up. But her eyes only lasted on Cam and Lena before they flickered to Reilly and got even more excited. They all got to the floor as she sprinted over.

"Reilly!" She giggled attacking him in a hug.
He laughed and wrapped his arms around her tightly. She had the biggest grin on her face.
"You're here," she said happily.
"I promised didn't I?" He rose his eyebrows.

"Where's my hug?" Brad frowned, "what am I? Chopped liver?"
She laughed and released Reilly to go hug a pouting Brad.
"No, you still da real MVP," she joked

She went and hugged all of them. Cam ruffled her hair and chuckled.
"Good game kiddo," he praised
"Thanks uncle cam," she sighed contently.
Lena stood back, not really expecting too much acknowledgment, but Sam was surprising her left and right today.

"Hey mom," she smiled hugging her as well, "did you like the game?"
"Of course, I loved it," she smiled, "Ill come to more,"
"Great. We're in the playoffs this year, so you need to be here," Sammy smiled
"I will," she nodded.

They started to walk out. Sammy was a little ahead of Cam and Lena, walking with the boys. She and Reilly's hands were interlocked sweetly. Lena almost giggled at the sight, pointing it out to Cam.
"I know," he smiled, "I hear enough of it in the locker room,"
Then another girl with dark brown hair romped over, "hey I didn't see you guys!"
"Hi Gia," they all waved.
"Oh mom," Sammy paused, "this is Gia, my best friend,"
Gia looked at Lena curiously, but still acceptingly.
"It's nice to meet you Sams mom," Gia grinned crushing the woman in a hug.
"Please," Lena giggled, "call me Lena, darling,"
"Okay.....Lena," Gia clapped her hands together.

Gia joined the group, chatting away to a slightly nervous Dougie. She was telling him some story with crazy hand gestures, and from the looks of it it was funny. Sammy and Reilly were having their own conversation, both of them smiling.
When they all got to the parkinglot, it was a bittersweet goodbye for everyone.

"Where are you staying?" Sammy asked her mother.
"At my new apartment, I'll send you the address so we can catch up together," Lena smiled
Sammy nodded happily, "that'll be so fun!"
They hugged one last time.

Lena leaned into Sammy's ear and whispered, "I like him, you should keep him around,"
Sammy looked over her shoulder at Reilly who was shaking his head at something Gia was talking very passionately about. Sammy just giggled and nodded. Lena and Cam took off in Cams car, leaving the young adults in the parkinglot.

"I'm guessing it went well?" Reilly questioned, leaning against his truck.
She nodded feverishly, "I'm so excited! She's so nice and pretty and... Better than I ever imagined!"
Reilly chuckled, "good, I'm happy for you,"
They stared into each others eyes for a couple moments.
Then they kissed. The perfect end to a perfect day.

Notes

Aw I just love this chapter. I almost cried writing some of it.
So what do you all think? Should Sam be so forgiving of her mom?
Dun dun dun, drama to come eventually. I just want to build on Reilly and sams relationship first okay? I promise we'll get there eventually. The more feedback you give me the faster we will get there.