Theon
I was lying in my bed on the verge of the unconsciousness I so longed for, when the sound of my cell phone vibrating on the wood woke me up. I sleepily groped the nightstand in search of the device, finding a message from Sam there.
"Are you awake?"
I frowned, sitting up in bed, trying to find some sense in that message. Sam had become very distant from me in the last month, and I hadn't expected that contact.
" Is something wrong?"
I returned the question.
" I just can't sleep."
" Why not?"
I replied feeling puzzled by the situation. I remembered the time we had spent hours exchanging messages, it seemed like forever since that had happened.
"Henry is agitated and I can't get the ice on my foot.
I frowned again as I read the end of the message. So, to satisfy my curiosity I ended up calling her.
" Hi, I hope I didn't wake you up," her voice sounded a little fearful on the other end.
" What happened to your foot? " I questioned.
" I stepped on the last step of the stairs and twisted my ankle," she explained, "it was no big deal."
" Do you want to go to the hospital to have it looked at? " I questioned worriedly, "Where's Laffay?"
Silence was the only answer to my question for a few seconds, and when she spoke again, her voice was not so firm.
" No need, I'll just put my foot up and I'll be fine. I'll let you sleep, goodnight Theon."
She then hung up, giving me no time to say goodbye. I spent a few seconds looking at the phone in my hands before making my decision.
I got up and changed clothes, and a few minutes later, I was ringing her doorbell. Sam didn't take long to answer the door, surprised to see me there.
" Theon…"
" Let me see your ankle," I asked, entering the house as soon as she let me in.
Pancake, who was sleeping next to the fireplace, quickly got up and ran towards me to greet me.
" Did you really come here just for this? " she hid a smile before limping over to one of the couches, settling there.
I followed her, kneeling on the floor in front of her and studying her ankle, where a series of bruises had begun to form.
" I'll get the ice," I warned, getting up, "it doesn't look broken."
" Thank you, Dr. Adamos," she scoffed as I made my way to the kitchen."
I ignored her teasing, making my way to her refrigerator with pancake in tow.
" I put a cooler bag in the freezer," I heard Sam's voice come from the living room.
I located the bag, wrapped it in a cloth, and returned to the living room, where she was still settled on the couch, talking to our son, who was moving around on her belly.
I sat down on the couch and motioned for her to stretch out and put her foot on my leg so that I could put the bag there. She pulled her foot away as soon as she felt the icy contact with her skin, but soon relaxed, allowing me to tend to her bruises.
We remained silent, just enjoying each other's company. It had been a long time since we had shared a moment like this, and I don't think either of us wanted to spoil it by saying anything.
My mind was working frantically, wondering what this change in attitude could mean. Sam had never texted me, called me, or even had a natural conversation with me again. Even at her last prenatal appointment she preferred that her parents take her, just giving me a quick report about everything that was going on with our son.
I watched her belly move each time Henry moved in her womb, I couldn't hold back a half smile.
" I think he is changing position " she explained " I have been feeling a lot of discomfort when he moves."
" May I? " I questioned, watching all the movement, I hadn't felt my son move in over a month and missed the sensation.
" You don't have to ask permission," she straightened, taking her foot off my leg and approaching me.
I gave her a suspicious look at her change in posture, but remained silent, bringing my hand up to her belly. I felt the first movement almost immediately when my hand touched his skin.
Sam smiled, placing his hand over mine, causing me to focus on the contact of our skins, unsure of how to react.
" He's agitated," I commented.
" He's been missing you," she assured me, "it's been a while since he's heard your voice.
" Well, I thought that after everything that happened…"
" We're still friends, aren't we, Theon? " she looked into my eyes.
I frowned at that remark, but what did I expect? After all she'd said in our last conversation, I'd be a fool to expect anything different, because she probably thinks she's only doing what's best for our son, and she's right.
" Are you going to Lara's party? " I looked for a neutral subject.
" I think if I missed it, your sister would pick me up at home," she smiled.
" You've come very close," I indicated for her to put her foot back on my leg.
Sam quickly obeyed, and we both returned to that comfortable position. We were close, but kept an acceptable distance. Not that it made much difference to me, all this closeness was torture, especially knowing that I could never do what I wanted.
" Yes, and for me it has been great. I miss Charlie, so it's nice to have someone to talk to here."
" Do you two talk about everything? " I decided to satisfy a curiosity, and perhaps assuage the worry that had been running through my mind whenever I thought about my sister.
" You want to know if we talk about you, Apollo? " she teased, using her foot to poke me in the ribs.
I held it firmly, keeping my gaze locked on hers. I didn't want to go down that road, no matter what she thinks she's doing.
" In fact, I wondered if she said anything about Marcus. I'm worried about her."
Sam's posture changed immediately, she settled down on the sofa, watching me with a suspicious expression.
" She says some things. Why are you worried?"
" She's my sister, it's my obligation to worry about her. Besides, I don't trust him!"
" Finally! " Sam sighed with relief.
" What?"
" She says that he has changed and everyone seems to support it," she began, "but come on, has everyone forgotten that this is the guy who left her pregnant? You know, I more than anyone else understand what it's like to have to do things you don't want to do for the happiness of your child, but this situation is different!"
I frowned as I noticed what she said. Is she really doing all this just for Henry's sake?
" Anyway, I would never forgive you if you had done what he did," she continued.
" I would never…"
" I didn't say you would," she cut me off, "the point is, she's trusting the guy blindly, believing that this time it will all work out. But in my opinion he will run away at the slightest sign of trouble, and leave her with a broken heart. Not to mention Daphne."
I left aside the "us" issue and focused on my sister. I certainly didn't trust him and thought that he might hurt her, but to see all this being exposed in this way by Sam was another reason for concern.
" And how do I stop this? " I questioned.
" You don't," she shrugged, "if you get involved, do anything, Lara will blame you when it goes wrong. What you have to do is stand by her side when it happens.
" When," I repeated thoughtfully.
" I know a jerk when I see one, Theon," she took a deep breath and stood up, "and I'm sorry, but that's what Marcus is.
I kept silent, absorbing everything she had just told me. Could I not be involved in this?
" So... Do you want to watch a movie or something? " Sam bit her lower lip, watching me still sitting on the couch.
" No, it's past midnight, I'd better go home and let you rest," I stood up immediately.
" But…"
" Good night, Sam. See you at the party," I leaned over, kissing his cheek before heading for the door.