Cordy was left blushing due to Zoe's words, since the latter was clearly right on the money."See? I know the man—he's always kept his passionate side bottled," Zoe said smugly. "The man might look cold, but he really lets loose when it's the one he loves. You're going to see even more action from now on!""Stop it, Zoe." Cordy was at a loss for words. "You're pregnant. Babies start learning even in the womb.""Who cares about a slab of meat."Who on earth calls a baby a slab of meat?!Still, Zoe turned toward Quinn just then. "So, what have you been busy with lately? It takes you days to reply to a text."Zoe was certainly fuming—pregnancy was already boring, and what made it worse was Jay stopping her from doing everything!She felt like she would waste away!"Things have been busy with Saunderia," Quinn explained. "There were operational issues that almost led to a bankruptcy, so Sam and I were busy for a while.""Did you just say Sam?" Zoe asked skeptically. "He's working?
Quinn certainly never knew what it was about Ryan that irked her.His success certainly could not be denied—he was the best of the best, and even the nation wanted his service.It was not as if he was unmatched, but he appeared haughty nonetheless.He belittled businessmen, considering them greedy and money-grubbing—that was why he was told his parents that he would not inherit the family business.And when he socialized, he would only be flexing his knowledge, demonstrating his excellence almost by reflex.When one put all those into consideration, the man was certainly vain—so much so that Quinn got sick of it now.At the same time, Zoe elaborated on the various traumas Ryan left her with. "I mean, he refused to join us when we were playing as children, but he would stay nearby, making sure we could see him practicing programming on his phone. When we watch variety shows, he'd say they were fake and only people with low IQ would like them. Even when we're having snacks, he woul
"Oh, I didn't know things were going that fast!" Zoe teased. "Quinn's taking charge? Not bad, Sam!"Sam was usually quite the tsundere, but since there was no reason to pretend around friends, he said smugly, "Can't help being handsome.""Shut it." Zoe snorted, speechless.-As everyone around the table had a jovial time, Zoe had enough.Her greatest tribulation now that she was pregnant was not being allowed to drink. And being the life of the party, she wanted everyone to do it!"Cordy? Quinn? Why aren't you drinking?!" she demanded."Cordy can't drink," John replied."Not today!" Sam answered at the same time.Zoe stared at them, perplexed. "Wait, are both of them pregnant?!""I'm not," Quinn promptly said. "Then why can't you drink?""She's on her period," Sam said bluntly. "Oh, when did you learn to be so caring, Sam?" Zoe teased. "Stopping Quinn from drinking just because she's on her period… I wouldn't have known you improved that much!"Sam beamed—he was certa
"Congratulations!" Jay quickly said, worried that his wife would blurt something astounding again.The others promptly congratulated John and Cordy as well, while Bob could not help teasing, "Impressive, Johnny—it's been a while, but you still got it! Sam, on the other hand, hasn't had much luck even after all these years. I'm starting to wonder if there are issues…""Shut your trap!" Sam huffed. "I'm fit as a fiddle!""Really?" Bob raised a brow in contempt. "Shut it!" Sam snorted, speechless. "You're one to talk, still single after all these years! I at least have a wife, while you have nothing!""What?!" Bob was dumbstruck. "You're the worst off among us four," Sam added.Bob could have a stroke right then. "Shut up and drink! I won't rest until you're drunk!""We don't know who'd be the last one standing!"The others ignore the two men, who were in their thirties but as petty as children.They were used to it anyway.As Zoe calmed down as well, she could not help askin
"Oh, that's way different from when I had Yelena," Zoe said."I heard it differs with gender," Cordy replied."I wouldn't know.""Haven't you checked?" Cordy asked."Of course I have." Zoe was certainly eager to find out if it was a boy or a girl, being as impatient as she was. "But the doctors keep telling me the same thing every time and refuse to tell me. It's killing me!""Haha!" Cordy laughed—she could imagine how hilarious Zoe's reaction would be on each occasion."So, which would you rather have—a boy or a girl?" Cordy asked."What do you think? A boy, of course," Zoe admitted, blunt as ever.Cordy frowned. "Are you being sexist here?""Who, me?" Zoe huffed indignantly. "No, it's Jay—don't you see how frustrating it gets? I have to watch him pamper Yelena every day! I should at least put someone in the equation to drive a wedge there."Cordy could not help smiling.She knew it—Zoe was just made different."Well, even if I don't know the gender, it feels like a girl s
"Oh, so Quinn's getting ready," Zoe teased.Quinn smiled shyly, while Cordy said, "You should plan sooner if you're sure, Quinn. Don't hesitate.""Yeah, I know."On the other hand, Zoe felt that they had to drink something to make it a proper dinner."Since we're not boozing given our unique circumstances, let's stick to water. Here's to our…" She paused for a moment before continuing. "Smooth delivery? Though there's no telling when Quinn will get down to business!""Then let's drink to our wishes coming true," Cordy offered."You're ready for the cultured one, Cordy," Zoe giggled. "May our wishes come true, and may we stay as besties for life, even until our teeth fall off!"Cordy and Quinn raised their glasses, genuinely feeling fortunate that they could meet such loyal friends they share so much in common with.-The dinner lasted for quite a while, and the men boozed much longer than that.Cordy, Zoe, and Quinn left the table, heading to the living room to watch TV and c
Should he not be talking to Jay instead?!"Don't laugh at me," Sam said."Then tell me what it is." Zoe replied.Sam did not hesitate to say it right then, "I want to propose to Quinn."Zoe was left staring at him, her jaw dropped.What was that? Sam wanted to propose to Quinn?! Was the sun rising from the west?!Still, her reaction left Sam annoyed. "Could you not react like that? Why can't I propose to her?"Zoe promptly closed her mouth and asked, "Are you serious?""Isn't it obvious?""Are you really going to settle down with Quinn?""Really.""You're not going to mess around with other women?" Zoe asked, skeptical."Nope.""Promise me.""How?!""Though so. Men are all cheaters and liars," Zoe snorted—making it clear that whatever he said was pointless.Sam inhaled deeply right then and mustered his courage to finally say, "I've never had a woman after getting out of jail.""What?""To be precise, I never had a woman ever since I accidentally did it with Quinn."
After Sam left, Zoe was about to head to the washroom to bring Jay a wet towel when the man suddenly sat up on bed."Zoe," he called out."You're up? Does it hurt? You drank a lot," Zoe asked in concern."Nope. I was never drunk," Jay replied.Zoe gaped. "Really?""Of course.""Then you…""Yeah," Jay admitted."You're ruthless, you know that? It's your brother from another mother out there.""Who's going to take care of you if I'm drunk?" Jay said as if it was only natural. "Your belly is swelling, y'know."Zoe stroked her own stomach just then, feeling touched. "You did that for me?""Why else would I do it?"Feeling warm in her heart, Zoe said, "Once I squeeze this one out, I'll get properly drunk with your friends."Jay was left speechless.-Sam and Bob were drinking happily in the living room.Quinn did not hurry them and killed time watching TV on the couch.With Cordy leaving and Zoe taking care of Jay, she had no idea how long Sam and Bob were drinking. If anyt
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