Chapter 3- The Other Mother

The next couple weeks were very emotional. Julian, Max, and Milo went to V-Town every day, trying to find Alexis. By the second week, Milo came back shot in the leg one day, and Max was shot in the shoulder another day. Julian was growing incredibly frustrated but would still come by most days to check on Sam. He said he knew that's what Alexis would want.

Sam would hardly leave Danny's bed. Only time she would was to use the bathroom, but she wouldn't even shower or eat. Scout was beginning to feel neglected, and quite frankly Willow was too, but she didn't tell anyone, because she knew those feelings were immature and selfish. Drew came home a couple of times to see Scout. But he didn't stay long, because each time he ended up in tears, but he told her he loved her and that he'd be back. Besides Drew and Julian, they had frequent visits from Jax, Josslyn, Sasha, Monica, Lucas, Kristina, Molly, and even Leo came with Lucas a few times. Leo was always incredibly quiet though and wouldn't look anyone in the eye. Jax kept suggesting Willow come stay with him for a few days to give her a break, and Monica offered to take Scout, but Willow didn't want to leave Sam.

Maxie and Spinelli came once, and told Willow that Maxie had a procedure done. Maxie was devastated that she had forgotten Georgie was her daughter, but Georgie accepted her back into her life with no hesitation.

Monica ended up planning the memorial service, because it was too much for Drew and Sam right now. And it was the first time Sam showered and got out of the house. She was still quiet as they walked to the church, but she held Scout's hand the entire way.

Sam, Willow, and Scout sat in the front row on the left side, Sam in the middle. Drew joined them and wrapped his arm around Scout. He locked eyes with Sam, then kissed her temple. Behind them sat Kristina, Chase, TJ, and Molly holding baby Ruthie (Molly told them that Aunt Stella was watching Lexie). And behind them were Nikolas, Spencer, Jax, and Josslyn.

Julian, Lucas, Leo, Monica, and Jason sat in the front row on the right side, with Michael, Cameron, Jake, and Elizabeth behind them. And in the back row were Patrick, Robin, Emma, Spinelli, Maxie, and Georgie.

Father Coates walked up to the front and stood next to a pot of daisies with a picture of Danny from one of the polaroid cameras.

After saying a few words and a prayer, Father Coates introduced Cameron who'd be saying the eulogy.

Cameron cleared his throat and choked up in the middle of his first sentence. "Danny was my cousin… we didn't always know we were cousins, and he was closer to Jake than to me growing up. Jake would've liked to say the eulogy, but unfortunately he can't right now…"

Drew reached for Sam's hand and squeezed it.

"But he helped me write it," Cam continued. "He and Danny were closer than cousins. They were brothers for most of their lives, and still acted like brothers after they found out they were cousins. They went through a lot together. Good and bad. They played motorcycles together, went tobogganing. Jake even remembers Danny coming to visit him in the hospital once when he was in an accident. I always knew Danny to be a funny, smart, and brave guy. He was a true leader who led us out of V-Town. As long as I can remember him, he always wanted to fight the bad guys, and even told me and Jake once that he would bring down the mob one day. And he was very passionate about that. He was passionate in everything he did, really. He was also very close to his Uncle Leo."

Willow looked over as Leo's face paled, and he fidgeted his fingers in his lap.

"In fact, I think Leo and Jake were his best friends," Cam said. "He would trust either one of them with anything. He loved all his cousins, aunts, and uncles, and particularly looked up to his grandparents. He felt very protective of his family after being separated from them for so long and told us that he would do absolutely anything to protect them from V-Town."

Sam suddenly let go of Drew's hand. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she rose, and hastened from the church. Willow frowned and was about to go after her when Julian stood and chased after her.

Cameron sighed and continued, "Danny was a good man and will not be forgotten. He was loved by many and his memory will go on."

After the service, Monica wanted to take Scout for the day, both to give Willow a break and because she wanted to spend some time with her. Willow hoped that would mean that Drew would spend some time with her too. Jax once again invited her over, suggesting they play cards with Josslyn, but Willow said she needed to check in on Sam.

When she arrived home, Julian was just leaving. "I'm afraid she's not in good shape. Maybe if you spend some time with her it'll help."

One could only hope.

After Julian left, Willow went to the kitchen and made two cups of chamomile tea. She took them to Danny's room and walked in.

"Mom? I made us some tea," Willow said. "Scout went home with Monica, so I thought maybe we can have some together."

Sam took a deep breath. "Thank you… but I need to be alone right now."

It felt like a knife through Willow's heart. Maybe she was pushing too hard… Maybe she was selfish to suggest it so soon after the memorial service. Or maybe she just wasn't wanted…

She left Sam's tea on Danny's night table anyway, then hastened to the kitchen. She dumped her own tea down the sink, tears stinging at her eyes. Franklin pawed at her leg. She stroked the top of his head, then made her way to the front door and pulled her shoes on, then left. She walked briskly through the village, passing everyone out for their afternoon walks with their dogs. They were likely wondering why she didn't have Franklin with her. She had to be alone… she was putting too much pressure on Sam. She was just too pushy and in the way. Maybe through deaths people start to realize how they really feel about each other. Maybe Sam wished it were Willow instead…

She made her way down to the docks and sat on the bottom step. Thunder roared threatening a storm in the cloudy skies above. Strong winds pushed the waves onto the deck, hitting her feet. The same waters Scout almost drowned in, and the same waters Danny's body rested in.

She rolled up her sleeve revealing the word Lunch in dark red letters. Nelle had carved it into her forearm less than a year ago, and Sam killed her right after. Then she lifted her shirt at the back, twisting herself to see her D.O.D. tattoo. Sam ended up killing Shiloh too. It made Willow feel like her mom would always protect her from the evils in the world, the way Harmony didn't.

But perhaps now that Sam knew Willow, she just didn't want her after all. It should've been Willow that died instead of Danny. Then maybe the Cain family wouldn't be falling apart, and they would be whole. Whole without Willow.

She buried her face into her lap, crying and sobbing like an unwanted little girl. Large rain drops began splattering on her as she cried for Danny. She cried for Scout. She cried for Drew. She cried for Alexis who was missing. She cried for her mom. She cried for herself. And all she wanted was for her mom to hold her.

She felt and arm wrapped around her and she jerked a little. Her eyes widened in horror when she realized it was Harmony, the woman who raised her, soaked from head to foot.

"Sweetheart, I thought I'd never see you again," Harmony said. "I finally escaped from V-Town. I've missed you so much. What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Willow felt her muscles tense as she stared at the woman who let her down more than anyone else in world. And she wished more than ever that her mom was there with her.