[@sweetserenity] Life couldn't be better for Sam. The last few years had lined up perfectly for him. He'd got through school, got through college and was lucky enough to be earning money in a job he enjoyed. Most of all, he shared the life with Brooklyn. Brooklyn, his best friend in his teens. Brooklyn, who he shared that first tentative, shy kiss. Brooklyn, the woman of his dreams. And now Brooklyn, his fiancée. Sam often thought he should have been earning more, building a career, providing, but the truth was although he didn't earn much they had enough to get by. They had a perfect little home and never had to worry about the next bill. He realised he was far luckier than many people in town. The last year had been truly wonderful. Sam would never forget that moment when Brooklyn came out of the bathroom with that little bit of plastic, her smile beaming. He was going to be a father. He was both elated and terrified at the news. He didn't realise he could love Brooklyn any more than he already did but when he looked at her and realised their child was growing inside her he felt like he was going to explode in a torrent of love. At that moment he looked at his gorgeous, beautiful girlfriend and saw Brooklyn, friend, Mom, wife..... Other's may have thought otherwise but the only thing on Sam's mind when he heard the news of the baby was, [I]'I want Brooklyn to be my wife, I want to be with her forever'[/I]. Although common sense would have Sam keep his small savings in the bank he raced out the following day and bought Brooklyn the nicest [url=https://www.simongjewelry.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/MR2658-Simon-G.-white-gold-and-diamond-engagement-ring.png]engagement ring[/url] he could find in the small town jewellers, one that would suit her long delicate, slender fingers. The following Sunday he rose early and cooked breakfast for Brooklyn. He brought the tray upstairs and laid it before her. At that moment his eyes swam with affection towards her. She looked sleepy, her long hair rested on her face. She would think him mad if he said she was the most beautiful woman on earth but it was true - she was. He sat on the bed, and sang... rather badly, [I]'Brooklyn, oh Brooklyn, I love you baby But baby, I need to know, maybe? I wanna be with you for the rest of my life, I'm so glad you're going to be my wife[/I] Sam laughed and looked a little perturbed. "I'm not sure that was meant to come out like that" he said abashed before laughing and kneeling before her at the bedside. He looked at the engagement ring on her finger and recalled that moment, her whispered 'yes' and the trying on of the ring which seemed like the culmination of all their life before it. Sam, Brooklyn and bump couldn't be happier. Winter turned to spring and summer rolled in gently. Sam and bump were getting on famously and he doted on Brooklyn like she was made of porcelain, much to her occasional admonishment. July 16th and out popped Louis. He announced his joining of the family with a loud yell and Sam's overwhelming memory was the first words uttered by Brooklyn, "is he alright?". She was a natural mother. Sam held his son in the air and promised him that he would love him and protect him forever. No one is ever truly prepared for parenthood but nevertheless Sam and Brooklyn settled into being Mom and Dad quite easily. Louie was a good baby. Sure, he had a good set of lungs on him and he didn't hang around when he needed a feed but he was quite a content baby. Brooklyn worked from home and Sam worked sociable hours at the library so he was home often and being a young father his colleagues cut him some slack when he yawned in the presence of visitors. Hallowe'en came around and Brooklyn bought Louie a costume, but the biggest surprise was the hot nanny that was looking after him for the day. Sam smiled at his beautiful 'to-be'. Whilst Louie took up most of their time he still made sure he showed Brooklyn he was the woman he loved. He'd sneak up behind her and wrap his arms around her body and gently kiss the back of her neck. She fit perfectly in the crook of his body as they lounged on the couch. Most evenings were snatches of sleep with Louie needing his feeds but Sam surprised himself the way he looked at Brooklyn sometimes. He still lusted after her, she was still sexy and he wanted her in the way that you did when you loved someone. Post-Louie, Brooklyn seemed 'more' woman than ever. Not that Sam knew a whole lot about that. Brooklyn was his first and only girlfriend so his experience of other women was zero. That didn't matter because they fit together perfectly and they were the most perfect fit ever. What excited Sam especially was Christmas. Louie's first Christmas, their first family Christmas. Sam put on a whole level of expectation onto himself with Christmas. Mom had gone a great job for him and Jen, year after year, spending money she couldn't afford to make it special but Sam was old enough to remember the years Dad was still about. Dad. The no-good, long gone bastard. Dad, who made Christmases perfect, who sang carols, carved the turkey. Dad.... Sam was occasionally ensconced in the garage. He had downloaded some instructions from the internet, bought some brand new tools, wood and paint and had his little project. He was making his own rocking horse for Sam. He knew full well that Brooklyn would mention Louie was far to small for it. He also knew that Brooklyn would love it. It was a work of progress and looked like some kind of zombie, post apocalyptic wooden horse but damn, it made Sam feel like Dad. It wasn't long before Christmas and Brooklyn was heading out for the evening. With the new baby they'd had hardly any time together and Brooklyn had even less with her friends. She deserved some time out more than anything. Sam really liked Ella, Brooklyn's best friend. She was a lovely woman and a kind person. She was funny, yet forthright and always had Brooklyn's interests at heart. Sam was glad that they had each other. Somewhat selfishly, Sam was glad Brooklyn was out for a few hours. He loved her dearly but really valued being alone with Louie. 'Dad and Lad' time he called it as he dreamed of all the cool stuff he would do with his boy as he grew into a man. He felt a little guilty at his thoughts and as he gave Louie his bedtime feed and settled him he realised he was already missing Brooklyn. The chance of a few hours quiet in the house allowed Sam to wrap Brooklyn's Christmas gifts and hide them but even so, once that was complete he knew he was missing her. It had only been a couple of hours and he wondered if he was becoming overly needy. It was close to 11 p.m. and Brooklyn wasn't home yet. He wasn't overly concerned. Gosh, she needed some time out and it had been a while since she had quality time with Ella. 11.15 p.m. - Sam picked up his phone and dialled Brooklyn. He got her voicemail. He didn't know it but her voice on that voicemail would haunt him forever. "Hey hon, just checking you're okay. See you in a bit". Sam still wasn't concerned - she was probably driving home as he called. 11.45 p.m. - 'Where was she?'. It was not like Brooklyn to be this late without sending a message. He phoned her again and got her voicemail and suddenly he had an irrational fear that something was not right. He phoned Ella, who answered the phone sleepily, "yeah" "is Brooklyn with you still?" "What? No Sam, no. She never came round. I thought she forgot" "Brooklyn never forgets. She'd never bail on you. Why didn't you call me?". Sam was exasperated and irrational and knew he shouldn't have snapped at Ella. "You guys have a fight or something Sam? You're not making much sense" replied a clearly tired and confused Ella. "no, she was fine, happy. Really looking forward to seeing you. She's missing Ella. Missing. I'm calling the police. Don't move Ella in case she comes around" Ella wanted to reply for Sam to stay calm, to think it through but she spoke into emptiness as Sam had hung up. She went upstairs to wake her husband because now she was worried too about her bed friend. "She isn't here. Something's happened..." Sam was frightened and worried. He tried to rationalise. Maybe she had a tyre out. Maybe her battery was dead. Maybe she wanted to be alone for a bit. He phoned the police to report his fiancée missing. "Yeah, yeah. She'll turn up. We don't treat anyone as missing until they've been gone 24 hours." Sam knew he was receiving short shrift from the police. Young woman out past midnight the week before Christmas. It was hardly unusual. He found himself getting angry with the cop and realised he was getting nowhere. 12:30 a.m. - "Mom" "Mom, I'm sorry to wake you. Brooklyn hasn't come home. I'm worried about her. Can you come over and look after Louis. I need to go find her." Sam paced the room and looked out of the window as the snow fell and felt terror. Like she wasn't safe. Please be safe. Please be safe babe....