Note: I do not own The Middle. I think the people who created and wrote for The Middle are ridiculously talented, and I do not intend to infringe on their rights in any way. This is my first ever attempt at fanfic. This chapter depicts a "missing" scene from the finale, picking up with Sue and Sean's final kiss by the side of the road.

Sean broke the kiss and brought his hands up to cup Sue's face. "I really hate to do this, but…"

"I know. I know. You have to go. Gosh, our timing always sucks!" Sue exclaimed.

Sean laughed softly, and moved to pull Sue into a hug. The sound of crunching glass stopped them.

"Oh no! My poor snow globe! I can't believe it survived the Glossners, only to end up like this!"

Sean gave Sue a puzzled look and said, "You're going to have to explain that some time, but right now…" He knelt down and worked to untangle Sue's note, now soaked, from the ruins of the snow globe.

Sue knelt down next to him and said, "I wouldn't bother. It's ruined."

"It says 'Love, Sue.' I have to keep it!"

Sue laughed and said, "I promise, there are lots more love notes where that came from!" She and Sean locked eyes, their gazes heating. Just as they leaned towards each other for yet another kiss, they heard a throat clearing. Startled, Sue started to tip over, but Sean quickly steadied her.

Mike and Frankie, carrying a roll of paper towels and the now-empty peach basket, were standing beside them. Mike said, "We can help with that. Sean, don't you have a flight to catch?"

"Yes, Mr. Heck. If you guys can take care of this, I need to call my parents and see what arrangements we can make about that flight." At Mike's nod, Sean jumped up and hurried over to his car to retrieve his cell phone. He carried his first love note from Sue with him.

Frankie squatted down beside her daughter and wrapped her in a quick hug.

"Mom, did you see that?! Can you believe it?! He loves me too!"

"I know! It was the most romantic thing I've ever seen! No one's ever done anything that sweet for me!" She shot a look over her shoulder at her husband, who took that as his cue to go check on Sean and his phone call. Frankie continued, "I took pictures! I tried to take a video, but the camera was upside down, so I'm not sure how well it turned out." She shrugged and started to clean up the remnants of the snow globe, dropping the debris in the peach basket. Sue, beaming with joy, moved to help.

Mike caught the end of Sean's conversation. "Mom, thanks so much for changing my flight for me. I know it's a hassle, but it's totally worth it. She's totally worth it! Can you believe she loves me too?" He paused, smiling, as he listened to his mom on the other end of the line. "Yeah, she's always been the one for me. And I think you've known that for a long time!" He paused again, waiting on her to finish speaking. "Yes, yes, I promise to never doubt your superior wisdom again! Now, I've got to say goodbye to Sue and the Hecks. I'll meet you and Dad at the airport," he checked his watch, "in about two hours. Thanks so much! I love you!" After the call ended, he turned and was startled to see Mike standing next to him. "Oh, Mr. Heck! I didn't hear you!"

"Did you miss your flight?"

"Yes, sir. But it's okay. This flight was just from Indy to Chicago. I was going to have a really long layover there. My mom found another flight out of Indy that should get me to Chicago in time for my next flight. But I need to leave soon, or I'll miss that flight, too."

Mike nodded and started to turn away. He paused as Sean spoke, "Mr. Heck, I just want you to know that I love Sue with my whole heart. I've always wanted what's best for her, and for her to be happy, ever since we were kids."

Mike was silent for a moment, then responded, "I've always liked you, Sean. You were a good kid. And from what I've seen, you've grown into a good man." Again, he paused for a moment, clearly uncertain if he should continue. Finally, quietly, "I liked what you said to her today."

Sean started to interject, "I meant every word…"

Mike continued, "I know you did." With a shrug, "That's why I liked it." In a sterner tone, he said, "Now, treat her well, and don't interfere with her last year of college, and you and I will get along fine."

Mike turned and walked back over to the women, who had finished cleaning up (and squealing!) and were standing and anxiously watching his interaction with Sean. Sean followed behind him, grinning broadly. After all these years, he knew Mike Heck well, and he knew that he had just received Mike's equivalent of a glowing endorsement.

Seeing Sean's smile and Mike's calm expression, Sue's anxiety vanished. She greeted Sean's return by exclaiming, "Mom tried to take pictures and video of us!"

"Wow! Thanks, Mrs. Heck!" He held up his own phone, and said, "I'd like a couple to take with me. Then I've got to head back to the airport."

"Here, let me!" Frankie shoved the basket into Mike's hands and reached for Sean's phone. Sue snuggled into Sean's side, as Frankie fiddled with Sean's phone. It didn't take long for everyone to realize she was as unskilled with his phone as she was with her own. By that time, Axl had approached. He took the phone from his mom and quickly snapped off several photos of Sue and Sean together – hugging, beaming at the camera, gazing into each other's eyes, saying "I love you"… He held up fairly well, until he captured them in yet another kiss.

"Ugh, c'mon guys! I'm doing you a favor here!"

"Get over it! I've seen you and Lexie making out dozens of times!" Sue snapped.

"Yeah, and remember what you said when you found out we were dating? That you felt like throwing up? That's me! Right now! Hand me the basket!" He shoved the phone at Sean, then moved to grab the basket from Mike.

"I said I felt like throwing up in a good way!"

"Yes, exactly!" Axl grimaced as he realized he had just inadvertently admitted that he was happy for them. Grossed out, but happy. Sue recognized what he was really saying, and threw her arms around him. He made a face, refusing to hug her back. He looked at Sean and said, "This is your fault!"

Sean smiled and shrugged, "Hey! I love it when she hugs me!"

"Yeah, I know!" Axl rolled his eyes and pulled away from his sister. He stepped closer to Sean and mumbled, "I'm sorry I got between you guys."

"Twice!" Sean reminded him.

"Yeah, twice," Axl agreed, pulling Sean away from the others. He spoke quietly, so Sue couldn't overhear. "Look, I don't know if you realize it, but she had a major crush on you when we were kids." Sean shook his head and smiled; he hadn't known it then, but he was happy to hear it now. "Yeah," Axl continued, "it was super embarrassing. She used to follow us everywhere and talk about you constantly. She even wrote you love poems! And they were terrible!" Seeing Sean's bemused grin, Axl said seriously, "I tried to keep it from you then, because I thought you weren't interested in her, and I didn't want her feelings to get hurt." He shook his head, "I didn't take you seriously on New Year's, and I didn't mention it to her. I kinda thought she might still have a crush on you; I mean, she was acting super weird that night you went out with Lexie – she kept insisting that it didn't bother her at all. And when Sue says something's not bothering her, you can bet that it really is." Sean nodded and glanced over at Sue with an apologetic expression; he'd have to explain to her sometime that it was that "date" with Lexie that made him realize he couldn't keep suppressing his feelings for Sue. "So, yeah," Axl finished, "I guess I was still worried that she might get her feelings hurt, if I told her what you said, and you hadn't really meant it."

"You should have asked me, Axl!" Sean exclaimed.

"Yeah, and you should have told her and not me!" Axl snapped back. The two men looked at each, then broke into laughter. Axl sobered and said, "I'm glad you two finally talked to each other. I may not always be a great big brother, but...she's my sister, you know? I think you'll be really happy together. Just, don't give me any details, okay?" Sean smiled and nodded. "Be safe. Learn a lot in Ghana. And be good to my sister!"

Sean replied, "I will! I hope this job in Denver is everything you want." They exchanged an awkward hug, then Axl headed back over to the Hecks' car to join Brick, who was still reading his book and completely oblivious to everything else.

Sean rejoined Sue and her parents. After a handshake (Mike) and hug (Frankie), Sue and Sean were left alone to exchange their final good-byes.

"I'm flying from Indy to Chicago and then to Brussels, before heading on to Accra. I'll contact you as soon as I can, but it might not be until Brussels. I'm going to have to rush to make those first flights."

"It's okay," Sue responded. "We've maxed out our data plan, so I probably won't be able to use my phone until we get to the hotel and can use their wi-fi."

They looked at each other, expressions downcast, as they realized this was only the beginning of three months of limited contact. Sue was the first to shake off her funk. She pasted on a brave smile and said, "It'll be okay. We've waited this long to be together. What's three more months?"

Sean stroked her cheek. "I love you, Suzy Q." A broad, genuine smile broke across his face. "I'll never get tired of saying that!"

"And I'll never get tired of hearing it! I love you, too, Sean." They shared a sweet, soft kiss, and then Sean walked Sue over to the Hecks' car and helped her get settled. He ran back to his car, then honked and waved before making a U-turn and heading off to the airport. Sue relaxed into her seat, dreamy smile firmly in place. She was in bliss, knowing that while she and Sean might be in different places physically, they were finally, FINALLY in the same place emotionally.