Quinn followed Sam distractedly—she definitely saw him watching her staring at those bags, but he really did not care…Nonetheless, they were soon in their car again, heading straight to Damian's house, which was a huge mansion in the outskirts.The weather was just fine, even therapeutic, with the bright blue skies and peaceful clouds. Quinn sighed. "I'd like a place like this too when I'm older… away from the bustle and spending the rest of my years with the people I love.""You're into this sort of place?" Sam said with slight contempt—it was so quiet that there were no traces of night life at all."Just saying." Quinn sighed—she certainly knew that Sam would not like a place like this, since he seemed innately drawn to liveliness.They pressed on the doorbell without delay, and a servant approached them before returning inside.Then, she returned after a long while, inviting them inside as the gates opened. It was all green inside, with two children running along the lawn
Quinn was panicking even as she watched—Sam could afford to let the children win a little, and Damian might even have a reason to accept the joint venture.But Sam just could not bring himself to lose anything!In fact, Quinn could see Damian and his wife standing by the door now, watching as Sam played with their sons. It certainly put Quinn in an awkward position, as there was no talking their way out of this.As she looked on, flustered, the children stole the ball from Sam.But just as she thought the boys would score a goal, Sam easily caught up and stole it back, leaving one of the boys on the verge of tears. However, he gritted his teeth and gave chase with his brother instead of giving up.It was certainly a peaceful picture with them having the two dogs running along them over the lawn.Quinn then saw Sam raise his foot, ready to fire another shot… when one of the boys knocked the ball away from him, puffed himself up, and shot instead.Quinn almost could cheer as the b
As Quinn did a double take, she soon understood that Sam did not immediately lose in order to pique the boys' interest so they would understand the joy of their hard work paying off.She seemed to have made it a habit of denouncing him.Meanwhile, Sam and the boys kept playing for a while until Damian called for them. As the boys reluctantly left the lawn, they asked if they could play with Sam again.Sam headed to the room Damian prepared for him and took a shower, since he would be in no state to discuss anything when he was sweating all over.Feeling refreshed afterward, he and Quinn had lunch together with everyone in Damian's home.The boys liked Sam and kept chatting him up as he ate.Sam was patient with them as well and had a good sense of humor. The two children hence kept hovering around him until Judith took them to their rooms for a siesta.The drawing room turned quiet without the boys, and Damian led Sam and Quinn to his study.Damian took out their proposal and e
Quinn stared out of the window and smiled in relief—she really did not have to demand too much from Sam. He was never that meticulous, and the fact that his attitude toward her changed was already good enough.They had all the time they needed, after all.Once back at the hotel, they packed their bags and headed to the airport, though it was a ten-hour flight for them to finally get home.They headed straight to the hospital after they returned, where Marvin was already transferred to a normal ward, and Lindsay was feeding him when they arrived. Ryan was there too—he had probably returned after finishing work at the capital, and he was scowling when he saw Sam and Quinn. "You two went abroad for days while Dad wasn't even fit enough to leave ICU. How carefree."Sam stayed silent, clearly not caring to answer.Ryan could tell that much as well, but he always thought Sam insignificant and did not care how Sam reacted to him.Nonetheless, Quinn stepped up and explained, "We had yo
Sam's words left Ryan even more furious, perhaps embarrassed because Sam was right.Either way, he was losing control."Watch your mouth, Sam!" Ryan screamed. "When did I ever put the moves on Quinn?!"However, before Sam could respond, Marvin barked at them sternly, "That's enough! How old do you think you are, arguing whenever you meet?! Sam—watch your words, that's your brother you're talking to."Sam sneered in turn—he knew this would happen.Ever since they were children, it was always his fault if he and Ryan ever argued.He certainly remembered that one time he was having swimming practice in the garden's swimming pool, but Ryan told him to stop swimming that early in the morning because it affected his studies. Sam ignored him since he had a swimming competition coming up at school.Ryan simply ran to his parents after that, and they stopped him from swimming just because it affected Ryan.Sam tried to fight back, saying that he had a competition coming up, only for his
Marvin was left ashen faced with frustration in his ward, with Ryan relentlessly goading him. "Sam's supposed to be an adult, but he doesn't care how others feel at all! Others notwithstanding, he'd come here just to upset you while you're in the hospital. He really isn't improving even after all those years…"While Marvin got more frustrated the more he listened, Lindsay quickly tried to calm things down. "Cut it out, Ryan."Ryan put on a scornful look instead. "It's not like I want to say it. He's just such a disappointment!" "Cut it out," Lindsay repeated, a tinge of impatience in her voice this time.Ryan could tell that much and pursed his lips as he kept quiet."I just spoke to your father's physician, and he's fine for now with no issues," Lindsay said then. "He just needs rest. You've been busy too, so you don't have to stay here. I can take care of him.""Are you really fine, Dad?" Ryan asked in concern."I'm much better." Marvin nodded. "I'd be discharged if it wasn't
"What?!" Marvin frowned, surprised that his wife would suddenly say something like that."We only ever cared about Ryan ever since they were children because he's smart and a quick learner, excelling in everything. But we neglected Sam in turn—I don't even remember how many of his birthdays we've celebrated for him."Marvin did a double take and argued feebly, "Birthdays?! He should be learning to man up instead—""But we celebrated Ryan's birthday every time," Lindsay pointed out. "And we'd celebrate Sam's with him just because they were born the same month, never celebrating Sam's birthday by itself. And every time we celebrated Ryan's birthday, everyone would only offer their wishes to Ryan, so that doesn't really count either."Marvin, however, was neither that considerate nor eager to discuss it. "What's gotten into you? Why would they mind? They're brothers, y'know.""Haven't you noticed that Ryan's been making a habit of mocking Sam?" Lindsay told him. "I'm actually getting
Marvin was certainly left dumbfounded by Lindsay's words.Even so, he had gotten used to such preferential treatment toward his boys that it was impossible for him to realize that and change.It was the same for Lindsay too—despite speaking at length on the issue, she had trouble actually changing how she treated Ryan and Sam.Sighing, she said, "Let's just be more understanding of Sam from now on."-Meanwhile, Quinn was absolutely frustrated since she could not catch up with Sam at all.The man was tall and walked very fast—she would never catch up with her short legs, and she was already out of breath before long."Sam!" she cried, but he pretended not to hear and continued onward without a care.Gritting her teeth, Quinn threw herself on the floor and yelled, "Argh!!!"Sam clearly paused, while Quinn stayed on the ground and kept screaming at him, "Sam, I fell! I think I broke something!"Sam finally turned and ran to her side, dropping to a crouch beside her."Where doe
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