Speak To Me

(Grant)

"Okay, I will talk to you tomorrow. Have a good night." I hung up the phone with my sister, my body falling back onto the couch as I scrubbed my hands up and down my face slowly.

Fuck..I wasn't ready for this yet..I mean, don't get me wrong..I'm excited to see my brothers after so long and for them to meet Gabriella...but the bomb I'm bringing with me isn't going to be easy to explain. That's for sure..

And no, I haven't told Grayson about Sammy yet because I know how much he is going to freak..lucky for me he seems pretty busy with Katrina. I haven't gotten the intrusive calls like I usually would..so at least he has been keeping busy. "Dad, I'm done!" Sammy yelled, making my heart flip by the name he called me.

"Okay, be right up kiddo!"

Ever since Stephanie used the phrase..Sammy has been calling me that more and more...and truthfully, I don't have the heart to correct him..because deep down, I feel honored he would call me that.

And now that Eva signed him over..I'm one step closer to truly being just that..

I pushed off of the couch, walking towards the stairs as I ran up and headed for Sammy's room. I'm still in the rental I acquired when I first got to New York, and truthfully, I'm starting to get pretty comfortable here. I know I need to go back to California soon..I'm just not ready to face that reality yet.

Turning the corner, I heard the bathroom sink running as I slowly opened the door, peeking inside.

Sammy was looking in the mirror, his hands busily brushing his hair to the side as he switched off the sink before hopping down from the stool I had gotten him. "Looking sharp little dude." I said with a smile, seeing Sammy's bright green eyes staring up at me.

"I wanted to look just like you." He exclaimed, causing my heart to ache.

How the fuck could that bitch give this kid up so easily?

"Yep, I can see it. You're like my little mini me."

Sammy's whole face lit up after that one.

"Now let's get you into bed, we have a long day tomorrow at the library."

Sammy has to be one of the smartest kids in the world..I swear. He must have a photographic memory or something because he can memorize the craziest shit.

"Do we get to see Dr. Stephanie tomorrow?" Sammy asked, causing another feeling to rush through me..one I have been trying to avoid.

"No, she has other stuff to do bud..she is a busy lady." I said, going to push Sammy toward his room as he shuffled in front of me.

"I bet if you called her she would meet us there..she always has time for us. She even said that."

"She did, did she?" I grumbled, wondering why Sammy took to the Doc so fast.

"Yep! Dr. Stephanie loves spending time with us."

"Well, not tomorrow buddy, I was thinking of just having a you and me day." I added before walking to Sammy's bed and pulling back the covers.

I got all the necessities for the kid. I'm talking bed, dresser, and toy box prefilled with Legos and Hot Wheels.

Surprisingly I'm pretty damn good at this dad stuff..better than I thought I would be that's for damn sure.

Maybe it's because I think about all the things I wish I had as a kid..how I was forced to grow up at such a young age.

"Now hop in." I motioned towards the bed, watching Sammy scramble in between the covers as I placed them on top of him, tucking him in.

"Did you have a good day?" I asked wanting to make sure he was still happy. That was all that mattered right now..was him being happy..

I thought after a while he would start to miss Eva maybe..just because she was his mother after all..If you could even call her that..but nope..he hasn't said a single thing about her.

"It was great! Can we go to that park again dad?" He asked, making me nod and smile as I brushed his hair to the side, looking down at him sweetly.

"Of course..we can do whatever you want Sammy. Whatever makes you happy."

After saying goodnight, I turned off the lights and made sure he had the nightlight Gabriella gave us for him. And I swear be was out within seconds..

I watched him sleeping a little bit longer, my mind going to that dark place as I started to think of the possibility of his real dad being out there somewhere..

"I won't let anyone take you away from me Sammy..I promise..I'm going to protect you now." I whispered, leaving his door open a crack.

I let out a sigh..letting my head hang down as I walked towards my room across the hall.

Fuck, this past week has been crazy..good..but crazy. It's a lot of work taking care of a five-year-old..but I find myself always smiling by the end of the night.

Suddenly my phone began to ring, pulling me from my thoughts as I looked at the screen.

Doctor Stephanie Stevens...speak of the devil.

"Hello?" I answered cooly.

"Um, Mr. Easton, sorry to call this late." She began, making me smile to myself as I entered my room and quickly stripped off my shirt.

"I'm starting to think you might like me Dr. Stevens..or do you give all your clients this type of treatment?" I teased, feeling this playful side bubbling up as I went to take off my jeans next. I needed a shower..bad.

"What?! No! Of course not..I just..I wanted to check in on Sammy..considering he started that new medication." She rushed out, seeming flustered as I couldn't help but smile to myself.

"Do you mean the vitamins you suggested?" Yeah, they were prescribed to him..but I didn't think it required a follow-up call.

"You're right.. never mind..I will let you-"

"Wait.." I blurted, surprising not only me but her apparently as I cleared my throat before speaking.

"Sammy and I might be traveling for a few days. So you might not be able to reach us." I explained, feeling like an idiot soon after. Why was I telling her this? "Oh..I see..are you..um..going to Florida?" She whispered, causing my brow to furrow in confusion.

"No, California actually, why?"

"I thought you might be going to visit Sammy's mother.." She explained, and I had completely forgotten about that whole story I made up..fuck.

"No, I have cut all ties with her for Sammy's sake. She is no longer in the picture."

"I see..that's great to hear." She rushed out.

"It is?" I asked, feeling that flirty side coming back.

Wait, do I even have a flirty side?

"Well, for Sammy's sake of course!" She added for good measure.

"For Sammy..right..what about you Doc? Is there a mister Stevens?" I teased.

"What? No..that's not how it works."

"Well, I figured whatever man you tie yourself down to would most definitely be taking your last name. You seem like you wear the pants in the relationship."

She was definitely the type..which hey, I respect that.

Stephanie scoffed, making butterflies flood through my stomach as I headed straight for the bathroom and went to flip the shower on.

"Whatever..I do not.." She grumbled, seeming annoyed with me now. Why did I like that?

"Oh, don't take it as an insult. You seem like a very confident woman who knows how to get what she wants."

That's the impression she gave me at least.

"Well..don't judge a book by its cover..didn't your mom ever teach you that?" She asked, making me scoff now.

"Nope, my mom left shortly after I was born..and then died a few years after that..so sorry..must've missed that one." I tried to make it lighthearted..but the silence she was giving me didn't say it came out that way.

"Oh, I..I'm sorry to hear that." She whispered, her voice tickling my ear as I ran my hand through my hair quickly.

"It's no biggie..I came to terms with it..so I'm all good.."

"Still..no child should have to go through life without a mother.." She said quietly, and my mind instantly went to Sammy. I knew what she meant..because I felt it deep in my bones..that empty hole where my mother's love and support should've been..but at least Sammy has me now. "Grant...perhaps..well, I know this might be out of the blue but maybe we could.."

"Sorry, I have another call coming in..I have to go." I rushed out, cutting her off as I quickly hung up the phone before letting out a shuddering breath.

Whatever the fuck she was about to say..I was not prepared for that shit..

Was she about to?..no, no..she couldn't have been. That's ridiculous..

There is no way this girl is truly interested in me that way.

But if she was...why the fuck am I so nervous? This is not good..not good at all..