Speak To Me

(Gabriella)

I chewed my lip nervously as my eyes continued to glance towards the front door. Grant said they were just pulling up and I don't think I have been this nervous to meet someone in my life. Grant obviously thinks this whole thing is a bad idea..and that we should just take him straight to the police..but I think he is wrong.

This little boy needs kindness..he needs a warm meal and people to care for him. I know he isn't my responsibility..and he might not even be Jamie's to begin with..but that small and broken child within me, it aches to help Sammy out. Suddenly there was a knock at the door, making me sit up and gasp as Jamie held onto me tightly.

"Let me get the door..just in case if something happens." Jamie said, making me roll my eyes. What would happen? It's not like the little boy is dangerous or anything..but I will just let Jamie do his thing..I know he needs to be in control right now. I felt Jamie lift me off of his lap before setting my feet on the ground.

"Just..wait here..please." He grumbled, prompting me to nod in agreement as he turned towards the door and went to open it.

I could feel my stomach twisting into knots..and when Jamie finally opened the door..

All I saw was Grant.

"Sorry, he is a bit shy." Grant said, while rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

That's when I looked down, seeing two small arms wrapped around Grant's leg as a small head suddenly peeked out from behind him. Oh my gosh..he is adorable..

Jamie blinked down at the kid, and I knew he was a little taken aback at that moment so I stepped forward, slipping my hand into his.

"W-why don't you t-two come in." I said softly, seeing the boy's big blue-grey eyes peer up at me and I felt my heart melt instantly.

He looked so small and fragile..and yet the way he clung to my brother..it made me happy for some reason. Like seeing my big tough brother with this tiny kid handing onto him..it was the cutest thing ever.

"Come on Sammy..this is my sister that I told you about. She said she has something special for you." Grant spoke the softest I had ever heard..and I swear Jamie was just as shocked as me.

"Do y-you like hot ch-chocolate Sammy?" I asked, causing the boy's eyes to go even wider somehow.

"My old Nanny Judy made me hot chocolate once." He said, making me smile as I extended my hand out, offering it to him.

"Why d-don't you come w-with me?" I spoke softly, seeing Sammy look up at Grant, like he was asking for permission.

"Go on kiddo, she doesn't bite." Grant said playfully, making Sammy smile softly before finally coming out from behind Grant and walking into the house.

I swear I felt my heart break as I saw how thin and pale he looked..even his eyes seemed to have dark circles beneath them..and you could tell he hadn't been well cared for at all.

Sammy hesitantly put his hand in mine, glancing back to Grant every few seconds as I smiled down at him reassuringly.

"It's just th-this way." I whispered, pulling him towards the kitchen now as I quickly brought him to the stool.

That's when I heard Jamie and Grant whisper fighting as Jamie kept glancing over towards us.

I gave him a warning look..needing him to calm down as he let out an exhausted sigh before walking over to us.

"So S-Sammy..has my b-brother been acting n-nice?" I teased, trying to see if Sammy would open up to me.

"Mhm..he got me strawberry ice cream." Sammy said softly while playing with his fingers nervously.

"Oh, I l-love stra-stawberry ice cream." I stuttered, knowing this whole situation was affecting my speech a little more.

"Grant says he is going to help me find my daddy."

Suddenly Jamie shot Grant a look, and Grant just shrugged and motioned to the kid.

"I didn't know what else to say!" He mouthed as Jamie placed his hand on his forehead before sighing heavily.

That seemed to be his thing for the evening..

I placed the cocoa in front of Sammy, trying to examine the boy a little as Grant walked over.

"Here's your dino Sammy." He said, placing a small t rex in front of him as Sammy smiled brightly up at Grant, cocoa mustache and all.

I could see Jamie staring at the boy, examining every inch of him as I knew he was trying to see some type of resemblance..and honestly, I was too. I didn't see a single one..he didn't have Jamie's olive skin or brown eyes..his hair was a few shades lighter, and his face was more oval. But that still didn't mean he might not be Jamie's, we wouldn't know until the DNA test was done.

"How old are you Sammy?" Jamie suddenly asked, making Sammy freeze.

He looked over at Grant, prompting him to nod softly as he stayed close to his side while Jamie walked around towards me.

"I..I'm five."

"When is your birthday?" Jamie asked again, and this time Sammy looked down at his dinosaur, making his brow furrow.

"I dunno, Eva says we don't celebrate birthdays." He shrugged, making Jamie frown.

"Well..Eva is wrong." Grant suddenly blurted, seeming upset about what Sammy said.

"How about we celebrate your birthday tomorrow? Where would you want to go? Do you like cupcakes?"

"Grant." Jamie said his name firmly, causing Sammy to shrink back a little as I gripped Jamie's hand.

"P-please excuse us for one m-moment." I said softly, glancing towards Grant and motioning with my head to go talk as he suddenly turned to Sammy.

"I will be just right over there okay? Just call me if you need anything." Grant said, making Sammy nod before reaching for a cookie I had placed down in front of him.

I know it's probably not the best thing to give a kid before bed..but I remember how many times I was never given things like that..and I think Sammy could use something special right now.

"B-baby, you just need to c-calm down. We don't w-want to freak h-him out." I whispered, seeing Jamie looked really anxious all of a sudden..and that's when I realized..Jamie was the one freaking out.

Like bad...

"H-hey..look at m-me." I rushed out, placing my hands on either side of his face as he let out a shuddering breath.

"What if this is my kid Gabriella? I..I don't even know what to say to him..and he clearly seems to like Grant more than he does me."

"That's because I just spent the last four hours with him Jamie." Grant added..

"L-lets just take this slow..d-don't think of this as Sammy possibly being your s-son. Just look at h-him as a kid who n-needs help." I said, trying to get Jamie to focus on the now.

Yes, that possibility is there..but we can't do anything about that right now..we just need to make Sammy feel comfortable and try to push that in the back of our minds..which is easier to say than do..I know that. But Jamie just needs to try. Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door, making Sammy let out a yelp before jumping off the stool and running into Grant's legs, gripping onto him tightly.

"Hey, it's okay..it was just a knock at the door."

"Sh-she isn't going to take me away..is she? Please don't let her take me Grant..m-maybe..maybe you can be my new daddy..maybe you can tell her you are my daddy." Sammy rushed out, making Grant pale as he looked over at me sadly. That's when Jamie suddenly pulled from me and walked forward.

"Hey, it's just my friend Ray. No one is going to take you away okay? We will figure this all out..right Grant?" Jamie said, glancing up at Grant as he nodded up and down..

"We won't let Eva take you ever again..I promise Sammy. No matter what." Grant's words settled between all of us..the weight of them made my heart ache as I knew no matter what...we needed to keep Sammy away from that psychotic woman.