“Why are you telling us this now?” Skip asked, his expression unreadable.

“Because it’s about to hit the news,” Nick said.

Celia gasped.

“Someone from the clinic sold the story to one of the rags and told them I went through with it. We have no idea what they’ll actually report, but we suspect it won’t be the truth.”

“But that’s illegal!” Celia huffed.

“You have to do something,” Skip said, his eyes darting from Sam to Nick and then back to her.

“We’re doing what we can,” Nick assured him, outlining the plan.

“Still,” Sam said softly, “everyone will know.” After a long pause, she glanced at her father. “Say something, Dad. Please.”

“I’m sorry you didn’t come to me when this happened.”

“Don’t you remember how it was then? Mom had left, Tracy just had Brooke, everyone was upset and stressed. I thought it was my only option. And then I lost the baby. Not a day has gone by that I haven’t wondered what might’ve been.”

“I have no doubt.”

“This is embarrassing to you. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Skip said tersely. “I couldn’t care less what anyone thinks. All that matters is that you’re okay.”

Nick squeezed Sam’s shoulder.

Overwhelmed, Sam said, “It’s mortifying to have everyone know about my personal business, but I don’t want you to worry, Dad. We’ll get through this.” On top of her other regrets, she hated that her past was going to cause political grief for Nick.

“I think it’d be best if you leave before the press conference,” Nick said to Skip and Celia. “I’d hate for them to get ahold of you.”

“We’ll take our chances,” Skip said.

“I’d rather you go,” Sam said softly. “If you stay, I’ll be worried about getting you out of here.”

“Sam’s right,” Celia said to Skip. “We can come back tonight.”

“Absolutely.” Sam sat up slowly. Leaning down, she kissed her father’s cheek and hugged Celia. “I’ll see you later.”

“Sam.” When he had her attention, Skip said, “There is nothing, and I mean nothing, you could ever do or have ever done that would disappoint me or make me love you less. Nothing. Do you hear me?”

“Yes,” Sam said softly. “Thank you for saying that.”

To Nick, Skip said, “Go out there and give’em hell, Senator.”

“I will. Don’t worry.”

After Skip and Celia left, a nurse came in. “That very cute partner of yours called to check on you,” she said as she scanned Sam’s monitors. “He said he didn’t want to wake you up by calling, and he’ll be here shortly.”

“Good,” Sam said, drained by the conversation with her father. Her head pounded, and her mouth was dry as the desert.

“Is he single?” the nurse asked with nonchalance. “Your partner?”