Howie kissed Samantha's cheek near her ear. "So what was that little blow up about Sam?"

Samantha lifted her head and looked into Howie's eyes. "I'm sure I overreacted." She sighed. "It is just that Lauren has miscarried 3 times. The first time was before Tiffany was born. Tiffany and Nick came along with no complications after that. 2 years after Nick was born she found out she was pregnant again. This time it was an eptopic pregnancy. The doctor didn't catch it in time and she wound up losing one of her fallopian tubes when it ruptured. Her chances of getting pregnant were cut in half at that point but she and Nicholas wanted to keep trying. Just after they adopted Mark & Kara she got pregnant again. Everything looked fine. She progressed normally and the baby was healthy." She paused and took a deep breath.

"What happened Sam?"

"2 weeks before her due date she went in for a check up. The doctor said she was doing great and was right on schedule. I was visiting them at the time so I could help her get a few things done before the baby was born. The next day we went shopping and she was feeling fine. We decided to stop by the grocery store to get what we needed for dinner before picking the kids up at school." Samantha swallowed audibly. "We were at the check out when all of the sudden she called out 'Sam, I think my water just broke.' I turned around expecting to see wet clothes or maybe a small puddle. I was horrified to see blood instead. I just dropped the groceries and reached for my cell phone to call 911."

"Oh my God Sam! No wonder you are scared for Lauren."

Samantha shook her head. "You haven't heard the worst of it. I got Lauren to lie down and elevate her feet while we waited for the paramedics. I didn't want to expose her too much or scare her anymore than we both already were but I needed to make sure she wasn't ready to deliver right then and there. I tried to feel for the baby's head but I couldn't feel it. I don't know that much about labor and delivery so I hoped that was a good sign. It wasn't though." She sighed. "Lauren lost a lot of blood. By the time she got the hospital she was unconscious. Her pulse was very weak. Her heart stopped beating for a very brief time." Howie looked at Samantha and noticed her eyes were glazed over with tears. He wiped a single teardrop as it rolled down her cheek. Samantha continued. "They rushed her to surgery but it was too late for the baby. A little girl. Her cord had gotten wrapped around her neck and somehow it caused the placenta to separate from the wall. The sudden drop of the baby and the separation caused all kinds of rips and tears." Samantha bit her lip before continuing. Her gaze fell somewhere over Howie's shoulder. "Her doctor couldn't even explain how it all happened so fast. She almost bled to death."

Howie hugged Samantha closer to his body. "I see why you reacted the way you did now. Seeing Lauren's life in danger like that must have been awful for you."

Samantha closed her eyes. "I was so traumatized that when the doctor said she needed more blood…I don't even remember giving blood. Nicholas thanked me afterwards." Samantha snapped back to the present. "Howie, I am sorry. This was a totally unnecessary discussion. I am sorry I overreacted. Lauren will be fine."

"Samantha," Howie said kissing the top of her head "don't be ridiculous. You are obviously worried and I am glad you shared your concerns with me."

"I worry too much."

"No you don't. Samantha you are a very caring person. It is easy to tell you really love and admire your brothers and their families." He kissed her softly, letting his lips linger near hers briefly. "It is good to worry when you love someone."

"Thanks hun."

Howie put his forehead on Samantha's and looked into her eyes. "I worry about you, you know."

Samantha blinked, breaking his stare. "I know." She replied softly. "I'm sorry."

"Sam you have nothing to be sorry for. Just make sure you take care of yourself so I don't need to worry about you OK?" Samantha nodded. "Promise?" Howie asked.

"I promise. I will try to eat more if that is what you are referring to."

"Good." Howie kissed her again. "I love you Samantha."

Samantha smiled. "I love you too Howard." She pulled him down into another kiss.

"Armph." Christopher cleared his throat behind Samantha. "PDA doesn't become anyone Samantha." He said quietly."

Samantha and Howie separated. "Like you and Cindy were saints in public when you were first together!" Samantha teased.

"Sarcasm isn't a strong attribute either Samantha." He kissed his sister's cheek and whispered "I am elated to see you smiling Peepers. I am glad Howie makes you so very happy."

"Thank you Christopher."

Christopher turned to Howie. "May I dance with my little sister please?"

Howie smiled. "Be my guest." He kissed Samantha's cheek and headed back to their table.

"Why do I sense we are going to do more talking than dancing?" Samantha inquired raising her eyebrows at her brother.