Chapter Two:

Quinn woke the next morning in an empty bed. Sam had gone to work but would return around lunchtime in order to help her finalise the final arrangements for the wedding that would be taking place the following day. Quinn thought back to last night, she hadn't given Max much thought lately. She was pleased to have taken time off from work due to her forthcoming wedding; she could just take things at her own pace and enjoy the tranquillity of her surroundings. Tonight she'd say goodbye to Sam and drive over to her mother's house and spend the night there. She had a few friends coming into town to help her spend her last night as an unmarried woman...

"Quinn, I love you." Max whispered in her ear as they lay in bed one evening. "I don't expect you to say it back straight-"

"I love you, too." She interrupted. It had been three months since she'd told him about Beth and she'd never expected him to stay with her long enough to hear those three words...

"Miss Fabray, I'm calling to confirm the arrangements for tomorrow." Quinn's thoughts were interrupted by the ringing phone. "The flowers will arrive at your mother's house at 11am and a bouquet will be sent to the Evans family home per your request. Is this all correct?"

"Yes, everything seems to be in order Marilyn, thank you very much." She replied almost half heartedly.

"I wish you and Mr Evans health and happiness, Miss Fabray. Goodbye."

"Thank you and goodbye."

Quinn felt a sudden rush of joy transcend through her body. She was getting married. She'd been engaged to Sam for almost three years after dating for only six months. Most people thought it was too soon for them to be engaged but when Sam had proposed Quinn only had one answer in mind. 'Yes.' They'd dated in high school, been friends when he'd left and then re-connected several years later. Sam was the only person who really knew Quinn...except Max.

"Honey, I'll be home around six. I love you." Max said as he'd headed out of the door.

"Have a good day, I love you too." Quinn had replied. That was the last thing she'd ever say to Max. An hour later the phone rang to say Max had been in an accident and his condition had been described as critical. A car had pulled out on him whilst he was driving to work; Max had simply seen the car too late to do anything but prepare himself for the worst. Quinn had gotten a taxi to the hospital and as soon as she saw Max lying there hooked up to all those machines she'd broken down. "Come on honey, be strong for him, he needs you." The nurse had said.

Quinn stayed by Max's bedside night and day but to no avail. Max's condition was worsening by the day and the doctors believed it wouldn't be long before he died. Quinn turned to God in Max's hour of need. "Lord please, I can't lose him...not yet...not now. We'v-, he's got so much to live for. We've got so much we want to do together. Please...answer me." She pleaded for Max to make it through.

Two weeks later and Max was gone. He'd died through the night described as "peacefully" by the doctors. Quinn didn't know what to do. She was a wreck. The man she'd love was gone. They'd shared three blissful years together, graduated college together, had moved in together. Most importantly they'd declared their love for each other.

Quinn soon became isolated from the rest of the world. She locked herself in the apartment, their apartment, and spent the days sleeping and the nights lying awake crying about Max. She stopped eating meals and instead ate small things once a day. She'd lost her appetite and the love of her life. The phone would ring four times a day minimum, Quinn simply just ignored it. The day Max's mum came around to visit was the day Quinn realised that she had to be strong. She may have lost her boyfriend, but his parents had lost a son. "Quinn darling, where are you? I know you're in here somewhere."
"Hilary?" a distant voice replied.

"Yes darling, it's Hilary."

"I'm in here."

"I'm coming through..."

Quinn put the phone down and returned the kitchen. As she did Sam called out "Quinn, I'm home. Where are you?" he asked.

"I'm in the kitchen, come and find me." Quinn hid in the pantry knowing Sam would find her. She heard his footsteps on the tiled floor. She could smell him he was so close. Suddenly the door flung open and like a puppy Sam peered down at her. "I've found you" he said kissing her. Quinn kissed him back tenderly. He wrapped his arms around her and passionately kissed her. Quinn could feel the heat rising in the room but continued kissing him back. They pulled apart for a moment and she raised a finger to Sam's lips and whispered "Tomorrow." Sam pulled her close and hugged her. Silently they entered the cool air of their kitchen and just smiled at each other...

"Oh Quinn honey, are you alright?" Hilary asked.

"Honestly, I'm a mess. I don't know what to do. Max was the most important thing in my life."

"I understand that, I've lost my only son. We need each other to be strong during this."

"I just don't know if I can take it."

"I know you can. You're a strong woman who Max thought the world of. He wouldn't want you stuck in here feeling sad over him. He'd want you to remember all the happy times you shared. He'd want you to laugh at all the silly things the two of you did together. He'd want you to remember the love you shared and that he'll always be right." Hilary placed Quinn's hand over her heart.

"Together?" Quinn finally uttered.

"Together."