Chapter 2

"Hi Monica, how were the kids last night?" Alexis held her phone to her ear and poured some coffee with her free hand. She needed that cup after only two hours of sleep.

"Scout keeps asking when she'll see her mom again. And Danny has been really quiet. He didn't even want to play with Annabelle the second last night."

Alexis sighed heavily. "Danny told me that he overheard you and Olivia talking yesterday. He knows about Sam."

"Oh no… I should have been more careful."

"It's okay, if he didn't hear from you, he'd hear it somewhere else. Have you heard from Jason?"

"He called last night. Sonny is sending him out of town for business. He wouldn't give any details. He just asked if I could keep the kids a little longer."

Alexis placed her palm on her forehead, then began to massage her temples. "I'm sorry, I know he's your son… but what is wrong with him? Danny needs him and I thought he was going to help free Sam."

"Trust me, I've been questioning his priorities since the accident. But I've learned the hard way to stay out of it. At least he spends some time with Danny, he doesn't make much effort with Jake."

Alexis groaned. "Okay. Well, I want to help with the kids. I would love for them to stay with me. However, I think they need some consistency and Danny said they've been with you for three weeks now. Do you mind having them stay with you?"

"Of course, I love having them."

"Thank you. But I still want to help. I'm going to visit Sam this afternoon. Would it be okay if I dropped by after to take Scout and go to pick up Danny from school? I can take them to the park and give them dinner. Then I'll bring them back to your place after."

"They'd love that."

Alexis shifted awkwardly in the chair and tapped her mauve fingernails against the square table. The room was tiny, and Alexis wiped the sweat from her brow. The door finally opened, and Sam walked in with the guard.

"You have twenty minutes," the guard muttered and shut the door.

Alexis jumped up and hugged Sam. "Oh sweetie. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah…" Sam said, her puffy red eyes staring ahead at the green and white bricks on the wall.

Alexis squeezed Sam's arms, then ran her fingers through her disheveled black hair. "Talk to me."

They sat at the table and Alexis pulled her chair closer to Sam's. "Please talk to me. Do you have your own cell, or do you have a roommate?"

Sam swallowed and began to fidget with her fingers. "A roommate."

"And what is she like?"

Sam stared at her lap. "Is Jason trying to get me out? When is he coming?"

"Well, he… he has Spinelli working on it. He's trying to figure out how we can use Bryce. Diane and I are meeting with his lawyer on Friday to find out if he disclosed anything to him."

"Okay."

"Listen to me, baby." Alexis lifted Sam's chin. "We're going to figure this out. You don't belong in here we just have to prove it."

"I don't know."

Alexis scrunched her face. "You don't know what?"

Tears trickled down her cheeks and she softly said, "Maybe I do belong in here."

Alexis' heart sank and she squeezed Sam's hand. "Honey, why would you say that? It was self-defense, anyone would have done the same."

Sam bit her lip.

"You don't belong in here. Besides, your children miss you. They need you. If not for yourself, then fight to be with Danny and Scout."

After leaving Kelly's, Scout held Alexis' and Danny's hands as they walked, swinging their arms cheerfully.

Scout grinned. "I love chocolate ice cream!"

"Just like your mom and aunts," Alexis said. "I hope I didn't get you too much."

"It was the bestest most awesomest ice cream ever, Grandma!"

Danny sighed. "Even a little sugar makes her really hyper."

Alexis laughed. "I see that."

Scout let go of their hands and skipped ahead of them.

"Stay where I can see you!" She turned to Danny. "Are you ready for your swim meet on Saturday?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. I don't really want to go."

"Why not? Your coach says you're getting really good. Just like your mom."

Scout scurried down the steps giggling.

"Don't get too close to the wat—"

"Grandpa!"

Julian was standing at the edge of the docks and whipped around. He scooped Scout up in his arms. "Hi there, princess! I didn't know you guys would be here."

Alexis and Danny joined them on the docks. Danny's eyes lit up and he ran over to hug him. "Hi Grandpa."

"Hey, Danny. Having a fun outing with your grandma?" He looked up at Alexis and smiled.

Alexis smiled back and she felt her cheeks turn pink.

"Uh huh."

"I hear you have another swim meet this weekend. I'm sure you'll win, but if someone challenges you, give them a little pounding. Pow-wow!"

Alexis hit his arm. "Julian!"

Scout giggled. "You're funny, Grandpa."

"I'm just joking. It's not all about winning… though it's a big part of it." He winked at Danny.

Alexis rolled her eyes.

Danny frowned. "I don't think I'm gonna go. I'm having trouble with my backstroke. Mom was going to help me."

Alexis felt her eyes well with tears and Scout leaned her head on Julian's shoulder, her face sullen.

"Well, I'm not claiming to be as good as your mom, she is a mighty swimmer. But maybe I can help."

Danny smiled. "Really?"

"Yeah. Are you still at your Grandma Monica's?"

Danny nodded.

"I'll drop by after school tomorrow. I can visit with Leo too. They have an indoor pool, right?"

"Yeah! Indoor and outdoor."

"Great." He turned to Alexis. "Maybe your grandma and Scout can watch."

Alexis chewed her upper lip trying to hide her smile. Maybe having a male figure around would be good for Danny… and Alexis too.