However, just as Quinn thought she could afford to let Sam shape up, he told her, "Help me with the apron. It's more expensive than these bowls and plates."Quinn was left speechless—was he really up for this?Still, she took out the apron.However, she could not reach up to his neck despite standing on her toes and skipping."You can tell me to bend my knees, silly." Sam looked at her in amusement. "I'm not that short," Quinn huffed even as she wrapped it around her neck. "My height is typical for the ladies. It's your fault for being too tall.""That means you're too short," Sam repeated determinedly."Fine, it's my fault." Quinn gave up right then. "Though there's research that proves tall people never outlive short people. You're going to die early, Sam."Sam was washing the dishes and paused at that, turning on her and snapping, "Don't worry. I'll live longer than you will.""That's not up to you! Nobody chooses when they die!""What's it going to be? Do you want me to
Quinn was fully focused in her second game, not daring to get distracted at all in fear of burdening Sam or he would get upset again.However, she was really terrible at doing two things at once—with Sam yapping endlessly beside her, she had to listen, which meant she was distracted.Hence, she ended up dead just a second before Sam did.Quinn bit her lip and turned gingerly toward Sam, who was blue with shock. "I can stop playing… you can do it alone while I watch.""I told you. I'll punish you.""Guh…" Quinn winced unhappily."Lean your head toward me," Sam demanded."What are you doing?" Sam raised a hand, holding his middle finger with his thumb. "Forehead flick."Quinn was actually afraid—she had played with Sam as a child. He often bugged her to play his games, and she always seemed to lose, after which he would punish her with forehead flicks too.He would leave her crying every time, which was why she was still traumatized even now… and was the reason why she started
Sam asked it without meaning it, while Quinn paused for a moment before leaning in to give him a peck on the cheek.That more or less counted as a reward, after all.Sam, however, stiffened as he turned toward her, and she was clearly still thrilled.She blushed when she saw the look in Sam's eyes, realizing that she was doing it too naturally.But she really thought he was amazing just then and felt the impulse to kiss him…She certainly felt a little uncomfortable as Sam stared fixedly at her—he never did like her getting close…"Mmmph."She suddenly widened her eyes nonetheless as she stared at Sam in disbelief.His face was inches away as he kissed her ferociously and urgently. "Mmmph…"She then felt him lifting her, putting her on his lap to better hold the back of her head and kiss her even deeper. She felt all her senses converging between their tongue and lips, and all she could smell was his scent—his male hormones that she could not help getting engrossed in…Ther
Sam and Quinn hurried to the hospital and found Lindsay in the hallway, where she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown."Mom!" Sam called out to her loudly.Lindsay's eyes went red as soon as she saw Sam. "Y-Your father… he suddenly had a stroke. He had already lost consciousness when they rushed him to the hospital…""Calm down. He'll be alright," Sam said, gathering her in his arms. "He'll be fine.""Hngh… How am I going to live if something happens to him…" Lindsay kept sobbing nonetheless.Quinn's eyes welled up with tears—she had been living with Saunders for years and knew how close Marvin and Lindsay were. She could not imagine what it would be like if something really happened to either of them…They waited quietly outside the surgery room, jumping at the faintest sound.There was no telling how long had passed when rushed footsteps could be heard. Everyone turned to find Ryan hurrying toward them."Mom," he called out to the sobbing Lindsay immediately, asking urg
"The patient was fortunate that he was brought in when he was. A second slower and he might have ended up in a vegetative state," the doctor said. "He's stable now, but he would need to be kept in an ICU for further observation after a craniotomy. Visits are inadvisable for now."Everyone quickly heaved a sigh of relief, with Ryan quickly turning toward Lindsay. "Don't worry, Mom. Dad's fine."Lindsay burst into tears at those words—she had been keeping it in for a while and could no longer do so."It's alright, now. The doctor said that he is going to be alright," Quinn assured her.Lindsay nodded repeatedly, but there was no stopping her tears.Fortunately, Marvin was wheeled out just then, and everyone hurried to his side.Marvin was still unconscious, and his head bandaged while he looked enfeebled.Lindsay called out to him softly in fear of startling him, and they walked with him as he was brought to the ICU.They could see from the window as Marvin was attached with var
"Are you done?!" Sam bellowed, glaring at Ryan a coldness swirling around him just then.He had one hand held in place by Quinn, and he knew Quinn was worried that he and Ryan would come to blows. In fact, he had to admit to himself that was exactly what he wanted ever since he was a child! Even so, he was aware that whether he wins or loses, their parents would ultimately only care about Ryan. Moreover, Ryan would never stoop to his level—all he needed was a few careless whispers for their parents to side with Ryan, beat Sam up, and scold Sam.Meanwhile, Ryan refused to listen to everyone telling him to stop. "Words can't even describe how disappointed I am—""That's enough, Ryan!" Lindsay snapped sternly."Mom, he's thirty, not three or thirteen! You'd be hurting him if you keep tolerating him like this!" Ryan snapped vindictively in turn.Lindsay, however, ignored him and turned to Quinn. "Take Sam home for now. I'll keep an eye on my husband—I'll call if anything comes u
Ryan simply could not accept the fact that Sam was absolutely lording over him, and he gritted his teeth as he leapt up to throw another punch… only for Sam to catch him again and answer with a punch squarely in his stomach.Ryan was left hunching over, the pain actually preventing him from straightening. "Stop it, Sam!" Lindsay screamed.However, Sam's eyes were blood red with rage, and he had always wanted to beat up Ryan anyway. He walked toward Ryan and kicked him squarely in the thigh, catching him off guard and flooring him again."Stop it, Sam! I'm telling you to stop!" Lindsay hurried to them to try to pull Sam away, but Sam shoved her gently and sent her stumbling backward, and Quinn had to catch her. Her eyes welled up with tears as she cried from fear, "Stop Sam! Stop him! He's going to hurt Ryan!"In fact, Sam was on top of Ryan again and sent another jab in his face.Ryan eventually got up, seething from being given a beat down!He swung punches in retaliatio
With those words, Sam turned to leave.Quinn quickly tried to follow, but Ryan firmly held her in place. "Don't!"Forced to watch as Sam left, Quinn gritted her teeth and wheeled on Ryan. "Let me go!"Ryan was clearly furious too. "You'll get hurt if you get close to him now!""Yes, but he's my husband and I should be with him whatever happens," Quinn retorted determinedly. "Let me go!""When did you become so stubborn?!" Ryan frowned, his tone clearly upset."I—""Quinn," Lindsay called out to her just then.Quinn's agitation finally eased slightly, and she turned toward Lindsay.She had returned to her bed, looking enfeebled and there were clear tear stains on her cheeks. "Ryan's right—it's dangerous to be around Sam right now. Let him calm down before going to him.""Exactly—he's not calm right now. I'm worried he'll do something—""He's fine!" Ryan snapped, cutting her short. "He always causes trouble for everyone anyway! It's never changed ever since we were children!"
Soon, another nurse emerged from the delivery room with a small bundle. "Is the mother's family here?""Yes!" John exclaimed loudly."The delivery was successful," the nurse said. "The baby weighs eight pounds—""How is she?" John asked in agitation, not caring about the child."She's fine. The doctor is just helping her clean up and she'll be out soon," the nurse replied.As John breathed a sigh of relief, the nurse reminded him, "Aren't you the father? Here's your child."John took the baby off her arms, staring at her for a moment as the others flocked around him. "Oh, she's so fair!" Zoe could not help exclaiming. "That's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.""Are you saying that your son's ugly?" Bob teased."To be honest, yeah," Zoe replied without thinking.Jay cleared his throat—even if it was a subjective opinion, it still hurt to have his own baby called ugly."Let me carry her," Zoe volunteered just then, and John did not hesitate to hand her his baby.As Zoe
"What?!" Zoe exclaimed in shock.Beside them, John's face fell despite being usually stoic.Still, even before anyone could react, he scooped Cordy up in his arms and left.Zoe did not hesitate to follow, but Jay reminded her, "We're the hosts, Zoe.""Don't care." Zoe was completely unconcerned. "Ask my mom and your sister to handle the guests. I'm going with Cordy!"Jay hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow since there was no reasoning with Zoe.Sam and Quinn also realized that something was out of place.As they pulled away reluctantly, Bob shouted from below, "If you're done kissing, we're going to the hospital! Cordy's going into labor!"Quinn hurried after them as soon as she hurt, but Sam caught her. "Slow down. We can catch up."In fact, most of the guests were leaving as well—it was as if the banquet for Zoe's son was actually intended for everyone else.The poor boy was certainly unlucky to have such unreliable parents!-As everyone rushed to the hospit
"I'm swelling from my pregnancy," Quinn explained. "It's not your fault."Sam was left staring at her for a while before asking, "So, what should I do?""I'll put it on when I slim down.""Oh." Sam was a little disappointed, since he had always dreamed of having her put on the ring he had custom made.But this was fine—they had all the time they needed, and the most important thing for him is that Quinn was marrying him!He rose to his feet just then, and everyone was cheering as soon as he did. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"Quinn blushed right then, and Sam could see that she was embarrassed.He did not want to make things awkward for her, even if he was quite eager at the moment.Heaven knows how much he missed that night's drunken fumble they had. In fact, during the times he remembered it in dreams, he had to wash his pants when he woke up.Still, just as he took Quinn's hand and started to leave, he felt a softness on his lips—Quinn was kissing him! Sam's heart pounded thunderous
Everyone waited patiently for the final outcome.Quinn's eyes were welling up with tears, threatening to gush if she so much as blinked.She did her best to hold back her tears—to be strong!Sam pursed his lips in turn, his Adam's apple bobbing.A long while passed, and it felt like a century for Quinn when she finally heard him say, "Yes."Quinn's tears started falling in happiness as Sam declared loudly, "I'll marry you, Quinn—it's what I've always wanted to do! I won't let you go even if you regret it eventually! You only get to be with me, and I'll never let any other man claim you! I'll become very overbearing… eventually!""I won't regret it," Quinn said, determined.She certainly would not regret marrying him!Zoe walked up to them with perfect timing just then, and Sam did a double take.He finally remembered that Zoe was the host of this luncheon and was going to leave with Quinn when Zoe whipped out a small red velvet box."You know what's in here, don't you?" Zoe a
However, Sam had already pushed Quinn away before she could tell him. But even if he did not love her or did not want to be with her, she would never stay with Ryan.She had been disappointed in Sam, wondering why he would give up so easily.Was she that unimportant to him?Therefore, if it were not for Zoe and Cordy showing her that video or telling her so much, she would never have known that he loved her for years…Sam's heart ached even as he looked into Quinn's tearful eyes.He reached out a hand, but soon withdrew it—would he not burden her?Even so, it hurt to restrain himself as he watched her, and he was actually getting the feeling that Quinn loved him…But she already had Ryan's child…Well, he was fine with that, as long as the child was Quinn's.But would she not mind?"I will marry you, Sam," Quinn said slowly and clearly then. "Not because you're a good man, not because you prepared so much for me, and not because of how much you prepared for me, but because I
Everyone in the hall was staring at Sam and Quinn, while Quinn took center stage, staring fixedly at Sam.He stood in the middle of the crowd, watching her silently.She in turn felt fear that he would turn and leave, just as she did not know if she had the courage to stand before him again and to declare her feelings for him in front of so many others.Nonetheless, amid the deafening silence, Sam suddenly walked toward the stage.His pace was slow as if his feet were made of lead, but he was also unusually determined.Quinn's heart raced uncontrollably right then!Everyone else was watching them nervously, especially Cordy and Zoe, with the latter being especially concerned that the cowardly Sam would bail.Fortunately, he was a man who showed responsibility. He would not leave Quinn alone and embarrassed.Hence, as everyone looked on, Sam stood before Quinn, his gaze flickering as their eyes met.He gulped ever so slightly, his emotions clearly ruffled even as he did his bes
The guests were encouraging, loudly asking, "Why?!""Because of a woman," Sam's recording replied."Who is it?""Quinn Summer," the Sam on the screen said slowly and clearly, leaving the Sam who was in the hall stunned.What the hell?! That was the proposal video he prepared before! Why did it show up here? Did Zoe make a mistake?!He knew it—leave anything to Zoe, and she would mess it up!He started striding toward the stage, intent on stopping the recording, when John and Bob intercepted him with a look of utter guilt while the recording continued. "Quinn is my wife, and we've been married for years, but I've never really loved her—not because I don't, but because I'm afraid to. I feel too insignificant in comparison to the one she loves, so I'd always hurt her… painfully and childishly. I regret that so much now, Quinn. How could I have abandoned you for so long because of my own jealousy? I'd rather hold you in my sleep every night, but my damned pride denied me that for y
At the banquet hall, Jay and Zoe were thanking their guests with their children in their arms.Then, Zoe announced excitedly, "Please give my best friend, who is also my son's godmother, a warm applause as she comes on stage!"Sam stood at a corner of the hall, watching as Quinn walked up the stage, only realizing just then that her belly was clearly swelling despite her baggy clothes.Time flies—he had not left that long ago, but she and Ryan already had a child.She was not worried about giving him a stroke, was she?He watched as Quinn took the mic and looked around below searching, seemingly searching.After a while, he thought she was looking at him, but by the time he looked up, she had already turned away.Maybe she was looking for Ryan before remembering that Ryan was not there?Nonetheless, Quinn spoke into the mic, saying, "I'm honored to be chosen as the godmother to Zoe's son, and she's been saying he'd be engaged to my child if it's a girl. I already love my godson
As their eyes met, Sam turned frantic and averted his. "Of course.""Really?" Quinn asked."Would I lie to you?" Sam asked a little grumpily."And you didn't bring her back?" Quinn asked."I'm on a schedule, and it'd be taxing for her if I bought her along," Sam said, making things up as he went along. "I'll bring her along when things are less busy.""Is she pretty?" Quinn pressed."What, have I ever picked an ugly one?" Sam snorted smugly. "You know I prefer curvaceous types, and there are plenty of those abroad.""Do you have a photo?"Sam was silent for a while and eventually said, "Yeah.""Can I see it?""What, does she have to pass your assessment?""Just curious about the girl who can tempt you to settle down," Quinn replied. "You'd be humbled." Sam hastily came up with an excuse."I won't," Quinn said, determined."You'll see her when I bring her home." Sam refused nonetheless."I would like to see a photo now.""No, she's not that photogenic. It'd be slander a