“That’s true.” Sam took a deep breath and blew it out, searching for some inner calm that wasn’t going to appear any time soon. “I never imagined we’d need the sudden-death chapter of the parental handbook twice in six months.”

“No kidding.”

When they emerged from their suite, they nodded to the Secret Service agents in the hallway.

“We’re very sorry, Mr. President, Mrs. Cappuano,” Vernon said.

Sam took a second to hug her lead agent. “Thank you, Vernon. It’s a shock to say the least.”

“Our hearts are with you all.”

“Appreciate it.”

Outside of Scotty’s room, they encountered Melinda, another of the agents, whom Sam had referred to in the past as Secret Service Barbie. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you, Melinda,” Sam said.

Nick knocked on the door to Scotty’s room.

“Enter.”

They stepped inside and closed the door.

Scotty got up off his bed and came to them, followed by Skippy the dog. Sam noticed his eyes were red from crying. “I’m so, so sorry for Angela, Jack, Ella, everyone.”

“Thanks, pal,” Sam said, breathing in the familiar, comforting scent of his hair.

“How’s Angela?”

“Terrible and in shock, which is to be expected.”

“I didn’t know what to do. I sort of gave Jack and Ella some space to hang with Celia. I figured if everyone was all over them, they’d know something was up.”

“That was probably a good call,” Nick said. “Angela just told Jack.”

“That poor kid. They were so close. They were always together.”

“I know, but we’ll all be there for him as best we can,” Sam said.

“Do they know what happened to Spencer?”

“They think it had something to do with medication,” Nick said, “but we won’t know anything definite for a while yet.”

“This is a lot on top of losing Gramps,” Scotty said.

“It sure is,” Sam said, “but I’d like to think Gramps is up there welcoming Spencer and introducing him to everyone and making him feel at home.”

“That’s a cool way to look at it. It’d be just like Gramps to throw a party.”

“I love that you know that about him even though you met him after his injury,” Sam said, smiling for the first time in hours.

“The stories were legendary,” Scotty said.

“Yes, they were. Your Gramps loved a good party, and he’ll throw a heck of a party for Spencer, even though he’ll be devastated to see him there far too soon.”

“I hate that people have to die,” Scotty said, his eyes filling. He’d had far too much experience with death at a young age, having lost his mother and grandfather before he landed in state custody.

Sam hugged him. “Life is a fatal illness for all of us, which is why we have to enjoy every minute while we can. You just never know.”

“It scares me that something like this might happen to you guys,” Scotty said.

“I’d like to tell you that could never happen,” Nick said, “but we all know it can. There’re no guarantees for any of us, but if we love each other the best we can every day, then there’ll be no regrets.”