SWNOVELS Chapter 44: Welcome To The Family
"Your father and I... The friendship that we used to have due to my relationship with your mother... Sadly, it has turned sour." Amanda Wright took a deep breath before reaching for Samantha's hand.
"Look, Sami - I mean, Sam. You don't need to share this part with your grandmother, but back then... I did not have anyone else to blame but your father." Amanda felt teary-eyed, and only after collecting herself did she resume her thoughts, "I blamed him for the loss of your mother."
"While I know, he did not cause her death, but you see, your father was so obsessed about climbing up to the military ranks, that he spent fewer hours at home and catering to your mother's needs." Clearing her throat, Amanda Wright thought, "Of course, every family is different."
Amanda and Samantha now took the same place where Kenzie and Kyle had stepped away from their earlier conversation. After the food arrived, Amanda invited Samantha over for a chat.
When Amanda learned of General Winfield's abandonment of her own child, she could not help but be frustrated for not being there for Samantha.
"Sarah always told me that Winfield was different from my husband - that he was working for the government and that I am lucky my husband is a businessman and can choose to spend time with his family rather than locking himself in the office," Amanda added while earnestly looking into Samantha's eyes.
The words of Amanda made Samantha think back. She recalled how her father constantly traveled due to him being a military official.
"Maybe - maybe, Sarah was right." A tear fell down Amanda's cheek when she said, "But, I just could not help but question him, you know. If only on that day when Sarah died, Winfield fetched her from the bakery, it might have been different."
Like Samantha, Sarah was passionate about cooking. Specifically, Sarah Davis had her own cake shop nearing the military camp. Unintentionally, this same passion passed on to Samantha over the years. "And really... For me, the worst part of all was that Sarah and I haven't seen each other for a long time, because we chose to educate Ethan in Europe up until his high school years. So, we did not see each other personally since Ethan turned seven years old... Thus, I had so many regrets," reported Amanda. "I made it back, just right before they buried Sarah under the ground."
With a heavy sigh, Amanda added, "What really made me turn angry at your father was how he let that woman." Turning to Samantha, she said, "Forgive my manners, but your mother just died and in then that vampire woman, Catherine!"
"Yes, that's right! That ugly looking thing was constantly offering her comfort towards Winfield. If I had known any better, your stepmother had been after your father for long! Even your mother used to express to me over the phone how that woman was always showing up on military events and finding the chance to flirt with Winfield!" At that point, Amanda's tears had already dried. Her expression turned angry at the thought of Samantha's stepmother.
There were seconds of silence from Amanda before she told, "So, primarily, that was how I lost touched with your father over the years."
"We only came back permanently when Ethan was ready for college and back then, life was busier than ever. My husband took full control of the Wright Diamond Corporation." Amanda shrugged before explaining, "It was late when Daniël's uncle decided to give up his reign over the business."
"So for us, coming back was really hectic and Daniel had to prove himself, being the rightful heir of the company, but don't get me wrong, Sam. I tried to visit you when we returned, but instead, I encounter that bloodsucking woman who might have drugged Winfield into marrying her and she told me how I had no business in seeing you!" Revealed Amanda with a frown.
"Really! The nerve of that woman!" She added.
"So really, Sam." Returning her undivided attention to Samantha, Ethan's mother added, "I am so sorry. If I had been there for you, at least... You would have had someone to help you with the kids!" From everything Ethan's mother told, Samantha could not help but also be emotional. Only then did she realize there were so many things that went on beyond her knowledge. She inhaled before telling, "Thank you for sharing this with me... It makes me happy to know that someone else cared for me... other than my grandmother and aunt."
"You see, all of my relatives from the Davis side had stopped communicating with me after the order of my father," revealed Samantha.
Her voice started to break when she resumed her words, "And I am so thankful, that despite the... unconventional meeting between me and Ethan, you still accepted me."
"Of course, Sam. Of course!" Said Amanda with a smile. "I had to admit, it was easier to accept things, knowing that you are Sarah's daughter, but ultimately, whoever our son chooses to be with, we will accept it."
With a sigh of relief, Amanda tightened her hold on Samantha's hand and told, "But I am so glad that it's you!"
Following a laugh, Ethan's mother added, "I am so ecstatic that it is you! I feel like the heavens answered my long-time prayers!"
"When Ethan could not even date at thirty, I tried looking for you again, but you like... disappeared! I did not know what happened, but you know what?" With another chuckle, Amanda added, "Fate had a way of bringing you back to me... and I am so happy, Sam."
"Strangely, I am relieved both for you and my son, that you wound up in my son's hotel room!" She pointed to the children at the near table and said, "I am so delighted that I have grandchildren!"
To further ease Samantha's reluctance, Amanda called for her husband, "Daniel, come here and let's give Sami a proper welcome."
Ethan's mother embraced Samantha tightly and caressed her back. She took heavy breaths as she said, "Welcome to the family, Sam. Being a Wright is where you were meant to be."
"That's right, Sam." Daniel Wright also offered his arms to Samantha and said, "Welcome to the family."
Samantha awkwardly accepted the hug, but right after being in Daniel's arms, he realized the sincerity of his hold that a tear fell down her delicate face.
When Amanda took her back to her hold, she was told, "Enough, crying, Sam. Today is a good day and your arrival to our family is good news."
***
"There you are? What were you doing in the restroom for so long?" Ethan asked after finding Samantha in the hallway.
Even before Samantha could start to eat, she excused herself to the restroom and because it took her more than fifteen minutes to return, Ethan went looking for her.
"Oh, did I worry you?" Samantha probed with her nose, utterly red. "I cried in the ladies' room."
"Are you okay?" Ethan asked while inching himself closer to her. He wrapped her in an embrace before telling, "Yes, I was worried. The last time you went to the ladies' room for so long, you wound up breaking down in tears."
"I'm fine! I'm just so overwhelmed," said Samantha before smiling and looking up to Ethan's handsome face. "Your parents are so good."
"I told you... They are," told Ethan. "There was nothing to worry about."
While Samantha hugged Ethan back, wrapping her arms around his waist, she said, "I'm so happy I married you."
That made Ethan genuinely smile. He leaned over and covered her lips and despite them being in the middle of the hallway; he kissed her passionately for seconds, delighting on her succulent lips. When he let go, he caressed Samantha's face and suggested, "I guess... I am going to get more of that... starting tomorrow."
Turning tomato red, Samantha's eyes became hooded as she admitted, "I - I guess."
Reflecting a triumphant grin on his face, Ethan said, "Hmmmm... Tomorrow, then."