Chapter 23

Two months later Michael Francis Malone was laying kicking and gurgling on his parent's bed while Samantha pottered about the bedroom doing housework. Jack came home and called out to her. As soon as he heard his voice the baby began kicking frantically. Samantha laughed. He loved the sound of his dad's voice.

"We're in the bedroom sweetie."

Jack came in and gave Samantha a kiss before picking up the baby.

"Hey little man, did you miss me? What'd you do today huh? Have you been good for mommy?"

"Should I leave you two alone?" Samantha said sarcastically and Jack smiled at her. The phone rang and Samantha picked it up.

"Hello? Oh hey. Did you get them? Oh that's great. Ah huh, uh huh, so you've mailed them? That's great thank you. Ok bye."

Jack looked at her puzzled.

"Who was that?"

"My lover." Samantha sighed going back to what she was doing.

"Very funny, seriously."

"It was a person who's doing me a favour for your birthday."

Jack smiled. It was his birthday in a week and it was obvious that Samantha was planning something but he couldn't figure out what. Even the girls wouldn't talk and they would usually rat out anyone if the candy was right.

"What are you planning Sammy?"

"You'll just have to wait. Sorry." She replied as she picked up a pile of laundry, obviously not a bit sorry.

Samantha smiled triumphantly as Jack looked confused. She was planning a party for him at the house but that wasn't what the phone call was about. A few weeks back she had gotten an idea for a gift for Jack as she sat and put all those photos from the box into the album she'd given him. It was a photograph of Jack's parents holding him in the hospital not long after he'd been born.

She called Maria for her help and she had been great, finding just what she was looking for. She wondered what Jack would think of the present but she hoped he'd like it.

The morning of his birthday she made him breakfast in bed.

"Happy birthday honey." She said, kissing him. She swapped the tray in her hand for Michael, who Jack had just picked up. She sat down beside him and watched him open his presents.

When he'd finished they ate the breakfast and he took Michael from her.

"Oh, I have one more present for you." He watched her curiously as she went to the closet and took something large, flat and square out.

She placed it on the bed and took Michael back.

"Open it then."

He tore off the paper. It seemed to be some kind of picture in a frame. He flipped it over and was amazed at what he saw. There were five photographs spaced out on a gold background. In the corners was a photo of his parents holding him when he was a baby and him holding Hannah, Katie and Michael when they were born. In the centre was a picture of Frank, Jack, Samantha, Hannah, Katie and Michael that had been taken when Michael was a month old.

"What do you think? That's what the mystery phone calls were about. I'd asked Maria to look out the photos of you and Hannah and Katie."

Jack began to cry and put his arm around her.

"I think it is the most beautiful present I have ever gotten. I also think I'm very lucky to have such a beautiful family. Thank you, Sam."

That night as he came home all the lights were off in the house.

"Sam?" He called out.

"In the Living room."

He walked forward struggling to see in the dark. As he came into the living room he flicked the light on to the sound of,

"SURPRISE!"

Samantha came forward and kissed him as he stood stunned. In the living room stood all of his friends, family and work colleagues. Samantha hugged him and whispered,

"Danny helped me hang the photograph. What do you think?"

She gestured towards the fireplace and there it was hanging above the mantle. It had pride of place for all to see and admire. Everyone there at some point during the evening came over to Jack and commented on the picture.

Later on Jack checked on Michael. He opened the door and tiptoed across the floor to his crib. He bent down and kissed his son softly on the forehead, pulling the blankets that he'd kicked off up around him again. He stood for a while examining the baby. Soft footsteps came up behind him and Samantha put her arms around his waist. He reached behind and put his arm around her, bringing her to his side. She smiled up at him and kissed him softly.

They both stood and looked at their sleeping son. Jack looked at her and then at the baby realising he had everything he ever wanted and so much more. She looked up at him again and smiled.

They didn't speak; communicating instead in their secret language.

The End

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