I Think I'm Ready *EPILOGUE*

[blu]

Awww how cute! Noah is as adorable as expected!

Can't wait to see how this develops after this initial, awkward meeting. Great update as ever SamSpade

[Broni]

Wow, Samantha finally met Noah, and it's all going really well! The boy seems like Martin down to a tee, being a little bit shy and hesitant. But the blonde hair like Samantha and such a wide smile. And he loves turtles! Haha that's so cute! It must be hard for Martin to hear Samantha wished she did things differently three years ago, that he'd be letting her into his life with Noah (as Noah's only known Martin as a parent). I hope they still take things slow and let Noah go at his own pace with getting to know Samantha.

It's good that things are getting off to a good start though! And I'm glad you're feeling better hun

[rrsherlock]

I'm so glad you're better!!

I'm also glad Sam's ready. I just hope Martin is, because something tells me that Noah might just want his mommy around faster than Martin's ready for a new twist on parenting!!

Great writing!!

[PlainJaneIAm]

Aww... That was so sweet. Noah seems like such a cutie, just like his daddy I'm sure. ;D

It's great to see Sam open up to Martin about how she feels about everything. Too bad she didn't realize what she was missing sooner so she could've gotten to know her son sooner. Anyway, I'm sure before long they'll all be ready to make up for lost time.

Great stuff!!

[Bright Eyes]

Poor Sam, spending all morning cleaning her apartment, and they stayed, like what, 3 minutes
or something? Lol!! At least it helped to distract her before they arrived!

Noah is so sweet! Don't you just love it when kids go all-shy like that, hiding behind their mom or dad's legs? Adorable! He seems like a great little kid.

Now that she's actually met Noah, it's good she's voicing her regrets about the past to Martin. I hope they can come up with a plan that suits them all to include her more in Noah's life.
Slow and steady - that's what's needed now.

Brilliant update, and glad you're all better Samspade!

[weecrum91]

That was so great!!! I'm glad that Noah sees to be taking to Samantha so quickly!!! and i'm really glad and Martin and Sam are getting on so well!!! I really hope that everything works out between them!!! can't wait for the next update!!!

[finnishfan]

so sweet!

[cludwig]

I am happy Sam finally met Noah. Also really love the talk Martin and Sam had in the park. Sam being so honest and open is great to see.

[jbgal]

It was great that Sam got to meet Noah. After seeing him....will she see maybe what she has missed these past 3 years....seeing him growing up to an active little toddler. Hopefully, this meeting will get them to be the family that they need to be!!

[SamSpade]

Chapter 11:

Ready for it

Samantha couldn’t believe how long they’d been at the park. They’d grabbed hot dogs from a vendor for lunch and Noah though still running around seemed to be losing steam.

“Do you mind if we head back?” Martin asked standing up, throwing their trash into a nearby garbage bin.

“Oh, sure.” Samantha nodded not wanting the day together to be over. “Do you want to stay over for dinner? We can have pizza tonight?” She had no idea what Noah ate. Kids loved pizza though, right?

“I’ll need to put Noah down for a nap before dinner,” Martin admitted. “Otherwise there will be a meltdown by dinner time.”

“Oh,” Samantha followed Martin towards the jungle gym as he picked up Noah, spinning him around. “You could lay him down in my bed?”

“You’re okay with that?” He glanced at Samantha, carrying Noah now as they walked together back towards her apartment.

“Sure, I’m not going to be using it for awhile,” she nodded. “If he needs a nap, you can put him down in there.” Samantha offered.

“No nap,” Noah whined. Already his eyes were heavy with dark circles beneath them.

“Oh I think you need a nap when we get to Samantha’s apartment,” Martin nodded letting Noah rest his head on Martin’s shoulder. “Shhh, just close your eyes,” he breathed rubbing his sons back.

It wasn’t long before they were at her front door. She unlocked it, pushing open the door, trying to help Martin as best she could seeing as how he was carrying a sleeping Noah up the steps. Once inside the apartment she lead him towards the bedroom, opening the door and pulling back the sheets. She closed the curtains, trying to darken the room so Noah would sleep longer.

“Daddy,” Noah’s eyes opened feeling the soft bed and knowing he wasn’t at home.

“Shhh, I’ll be in the next room. Close your eyes, I’ll be here when you wake up, I promise.” Martin kissed his son’s cheek.

“Turtle?” Noah asked wanting a toy to cuddle while he slept. Martin reached over, grabbing the turtle from Samantha that he’d been holding earlier. “Here, now get some sleep.” He knew Noah could tend to stall.

Together Samantha and Martin headed out of her bedroom, Martin closing the door behind them. They headed into the living room, “do you want anything to drink?” Samantha offered, “I can make some coffee?”

“I’m good, thanks though,” Martin shook his head moving to take a seat on the sofa.

Samantha watched him sit down and knew she had to do the same. She sat beside him, shifting on the sofa, turning a bit to face him. “Can we talk about Noah?” She kept her voice down, worried she’d wake the sleeping child in the next room.

“Sure,” Martin nodded with a faint smile, “what do you want to know?”

“I was wondering---if that offer you made still stands about me getting to know Noah. About sharing pictures and videos you have of him with me. You offered when we were in the hospital, when he was born.” Samantha wasn’t sure he even remembered.

A smile spread across his face, “yeah, I remember, Sam.” Martin nodded. That day was forever ingrained in his brain. “You want to get to know Noah as a son?” He asked.

“I don’t know,” she hadn’t thought the details through. “I don’t want to interfere in how you raise him, Martin.” She didn’t have that right. She’d given him custody and did by no means want to change that. “I see what I’ve missed out on though and it’s---upsetting.” Samantha admitted.

“Well,” he breathed wrapping an arm around her from behind the sofa, “you don’t have to miss out on anymore of Noah growing up. We’re both in New York. If you want to be there for him, you’re his mother, I’d be happy for him to know who you really are.”

“You’re not angry with me?” Samantha asked, quite relieved but also surprised. He was so much more understanding than anyone else she’d ever met.

“Why would I be?” Martin shook his head. If anything he was thrilled that she wanted to be a part of Noah’s life. He’d been disappointed when she hadn’t wanted an active role after giving birth but truthfully if she had---it would have been hard on him. Now, they could all be happy. Maybe it wasn’t one big traditional happy family but Noah could know both of his parents.

“I don’t know,” she smiled weakly, “I guess I figured you’d be overprotective of Noah, worried I’d screw him up or something.”

“You’re his mother, Sam.” Martin shook his head, “and yes I’m overprotective of him, I probably will always be but he deserves to get to know his mother if she wants to be there for him.”

“I’m not going to make a great mom,” Samantha told him straight out. “My mom wasn’t very good and I’ve never been around kids before. I don’t know how to---what to expect,” she admitted.

“Just be yourself,” he shrugged, “Noah already adores you. Trust me, he never shares his potato chips with anyone.”

“I guess I’m lucky,” she smiled weakly remembering at lunch how Noah kept handing her all the big potato chips with a toothy grin. Shifting on the sofa she glanced at the clock. “How long do you think Noah will be asleep? I was thinking of preparing the pizza but I normally make it from scratch.”

“Really?” The smile grew on Martin’s face, quite impressed. The two months she’d stayed at his apartment, he’d made dinner or ordered takeout for them. He had insisted she rest and she’d willingly gone ahead with it. Being eight months pregnant had been exhausting to her. “Another hour and a half?” Martin shrugged. “Could be an hour if he wakes up and realizes he’s not in his own bed.”

“You can join me in the kitchen if you want,” Samantha stood up hearing Martin’s footsteps a moment later following her.

“So do you normally make such elaborate meals just for yourself?” Martin was curious. He sat on the stool in her kitchen, watching her prepare the dough for the pizza.

“Only on weekends,” Samantha nodded. “I end up eating it again during the week for leftovers or takeout. You know with our hours, by the time I get home I don’t feel like cooking.”

“Yeah, I think I do,” Martin smiled weakly. “So what do you plan on putting on the pizza?”

“You mean aside from cheese and sauce?” She smiled, “I usually like green peppers but I have pepperoni and sausage too. What do you and Noah usually like on your pizza?”

“Noah likes just cheese,” Martin admitted, “but I love anything with meat on it.”

“So I’m making a pizza in thirds?” She guessed seeing as how they each liked different toppings.

“You could make it in half,” he shrugged. “I can pull the green peppers off Noah and your half. I’m sure it’ll be fine for him.”

“Noah’s sharing my half?” She laughed. “Shouldn’t we get two-thirds of the pizza with green peppers then?”

“Why?” Martin smiled shaking his head, “I’ve got a bigger appetite then the two of you combined. Trust me, if anything I should get two-thirds.”

“Do I need to make two pizzas?” Samantha asked giving him a look.

“Maybe,” he smiled with a boyish grin moving off the stool and opening the fridge finding a soda in there. “You mind if I have this?”

“No, by all means,” she gestured. “Anything you want.”

“Thanks, Samantha.”

[rrsherlock]

Yeah!! Sam wants to be in Noah's life!!! Yupii! And Martin will let her!! Even better! I love this story!!

[Bright Eyes]

Aww! That was lovely!!

I love that Sam was so honest with Martin about wanting to be in Noah's life - realising that she's missed out on so much and sharing her fears about her ability to be a good mother.
And of course, Martin was just wonderful, telling her he wants her to be a mother to Noah - reassuring her that Noah loves her already. Sigh!!

LOVED their flirty-ish conversation about the pizza! So Sam can make pizza? I'm impressed - think Martin is too!!!

I'm with rrsherlock Samspade - I love this fic!!!

[PlainJaneIAm]

What a sweet chapter. It's great that Martin is willing to get Sam involved in Noah's life. And not only is she going to let them spend time together, he wants her to be his mother! That's so great. I think Sam will make a better mom than she thinks she will.

Update again soon. ;D

[weecrum91]

i'm happy to see that things are going so well between them and that Sam wants to be in Noah's life!!!

[jbgal]

They all seem to be getting closer and closer....I love this fic! Hope another chapter comes along soon!!