I'm so sorry this took so long. Between a wedding, a funeral, and starting my new job, things have been pretty hectic to say the least! But I am back now, and I promise to update as quickly as I can. Enjoy this next update! It is kind of a longer one. I hope it was everything you were waiting for ;)

Andy's eyes flew open at the sound of tires crunching over the path to the cabin.

She had stayed on the couch, awakening only once to put out the fire, lest it burn the entire cabin down. She hadn't cried last night and it had actually been one of the best sleeps she had ever had; the only other time she slept that well was in Sam's arms.

But now, Andy shed the remains of sleep as she leapt from the couch. She was in the middle of nowhere and no one was around for miles. Who could possibly be here?

At first, she thought it might be Oliver, but she knew that he was working today and would more than likely text her before showing up unexpectedly, even though it was his cabin.

Her cop instincts kicked in and she immediately started looking for a weapon to defend herself with. Spying the poker that she had used last night to stir the fire, she snatched it up. She heard footsteps coming closer and ducked behind the front door, holding her makeshift weapon aloft.

Footsteps pounded heavily on the stairs and then the wraparound porch. The door handle rattled and Andy cursed herself for forgetting to lock the door last night in her tired state. The intruder pushed the door open, almost cautiously.

She took a moment to steady herself and then leapt out, brandishing the poker in front of her, catching the intruder completely off guard. They held up their hands up in surrender, something falling to the floor with a thud.

A familiar voice exclaimed in shock and it caused Andy to drop the poker, sending it clattering to the floor, alongside the duffel bag that now lay there.

"Sam?! What the hell are you doing here?!" Andy shrieked, clutching her chest and attempting to catch her breath as she came off her adrenaline high.

Sam allowed his body to relax now that sharp objects weren't being thrust into his face. An amused expression crossed his face as he dropped his hands. "A fire poker? Really? You were going to stab me to death?" he smirked.

"Oh shut up," she snapped. Granted, she was still upset that Sam was here but at the same time she was relieved that it wasn't some serial killer out to murder her. She crossed her arms over her chest defiantly. "More importantly, what are you doing here?"

Sam kicked the bag and the fire poker out from in front of him enough so he could close the door behind him. He spread his hands wide. "What, you thought you were the only one who knew about Ollie's secret cabin?"

He was teasing her, she knew. She knew that he was trying to keep the mood light. He avoided fighting like the plague. But this was just too big. It needed to be talked about but neither of them knew what to say.

When Sam saw that humor was not helping the situation at hand, he dropped his hands and lowered his eyes. "Oliver didn't give away where you were for a while; that's why it took me so long to get here."

Andy's mouth was pressed into a thin line and she simply said, "I see." She didn't blame Oliver for telling Sam where she was. She wasn't stupid; she knew she couldn't hide out here forever. Plus, it was about time that they start discussing things. Even if they ended their relationship, at least she wouldn't be stuck in this interim of not knowing.

Sam was honestly surprised that Andy had yet to kick him out of the cabin.

They stared at each other in a stoic silence for a moment or two. Then, all of a sudden, Sam saw a tired look cross Andy's face. She let her crossed arms fall to her side and her shoulders slumped as she plopped on the couch. She wrapped the blanket she had fallen asleep with on the couch last night around her shoulders, making her feel a tiny bit better.

Sam took a few tentative steps forward and then, when Andy didn't move, he sat on the couch beside her. Not touching her and not too close as to scare her away when they were at least making some progress. But close enough that he hoped he was offering her some comfort.

"Look, if you want me to go home, just say the word. I'm not trying to make this more difficult for you. I was just really hoping we could talk," he said, gently.

It was amazing how far Sam had come over the years, Andy thought to herself. Wanting to talk about their problems as opposed to avoiding talking until it blew up in their faces. This is what helped Andy realized that Sam was serious about their relationship; much more so than it appeared in the past. She knew that she should listen to what he had to say. She needed to give him a shot to plead his case as well as get her own feelings out there. She was just so scared that it was going to end in flames, which she really didn't want to happen if she was being honest with herself.

Defeated, Andy turned her head and looked Sam in the eyes. "Alright, let's talk."

Sam tried to keep the look of relief and delight from crossing his features, but he was sure that Andy picked up on it anyway. It wasn't much, but the fact that she was agreeing to talk at this point was a huge breakthrough in Sam's eyes.

"Alright," he said, standing. He went to retrieve his duffle bag that lay, discarded, by the door. "I'll just go bring this upstairs." At her nod, he made his way towards the stairs.

He paused, with one foot on the first stair, an idea coming to mind. "McNally, have you eaten yet?" he called, peering around the corner to see her.

"No, I was sleeping until you rudely broke in and woke me," she stated, matter-of-factly.

Sam angled his face so that she wouldn't see the smile that crept across his features. "I did not break in. The door was completely unlocked," he reminded her. Shaking his head, he continued, "Why don't I whip us up something for an early lunch and then we can talk?" He held his breath, anticipating her answer.

Before Andy could snap that no, she didn't want to pretend that everything was fine and talk about Marlo being pregnant over lunch like some much simpler problem, when her stomach betrayed her. It growled loudly in protest and she looked to see if Sam had heard. It was more than clear by his raised eyebrows that he had indeed heard her traitorous stomach.

"Lunch would be great," she mumbled, rubbing her stomach and rewarding Sam with a small smile that made his heart jump in his chest.

He began climbing the stairs. "Be prepared for the best lunch of your life!" he called down, his voice echoing in the stairwell.

Andy collapsed on her back, sprawled out on the couch, the blanket still wrapped around her. She threw an arm over her eyes, blocking out all the light. It was like this, with her eyes closed and Sam's cheerful voice echoing around her, in a secluded cabin that barely anyone knew about, that she could almost believe that nothing between her and Sam had changed. She could pretend that they were simply here for a romantic getaway as opposed to a talk that might end their relationship for good.

Between the food that both he and Andy bought to bring to the cabin, Sam managed to scrounge up some steak and cheese sandwiches and a nice pasta salad.

"Maybe not the best lunch of your life, but I would say it is pretty damn good," Sam said, placing two plates on the wooden table, just outside the bit of sand that surrounded the lake.

While Sam had been puttering around the kitchen, Andy had taken the time to shower and change into real clothes for the day. Her hair was pulled back into a neat French braid and her sky blue tank top and dark jeans showed off the nice tan she had received from being out on the lake for the past couple of days.

"And oh so modest," Andy teased. She kept trying to keep the atmosphere light for as long as possible. "I was promised the best lunch of a lifetime, so you better not disappoint," she began.

She took a bite of the sandwich and moaned in pleasure. The growling in her stomach slowly abated as she brought a forkful of pasta salad to her mouth.

"I don't know why I am always so surprised that you can actually cook," Andy said, talking around another bite of sandwich that was in her mouth.

"Probably because you can't even cook toast without the fire department on standby," Sam retorted, taking his own seat and digging in. Andy knew that he was (mostly) correct and so didn't bother with a snarky reply.

They both reached into the bag of potato chips that was open on the table and their hands brushed together. Andy yanked her hand back as if it were on fire, blushing furiously. She busied herself with her food to avoid the hurt look that crossed Sam's face.

Andy couldn't remember the last time she had felt so out of place around Sam. Even from the first moment they met they had chemistry between them and acted differently than normal friends would. Now, they were in a relationship and given their current problem, she wasn't sure what the proper way to act was.

Sam swallowed the mouthful of chips he had and said, "Okay, let's do this."

Simultaneously, they pushed their near-empty plates towards the center of the table and leaned back, assessing each other.

Andy finally felt ready to get everything off her chest, so she began talking first. Once she started, she just couldn't stop. "Sam, I have been doing a lot of thinking these past few days. Despite the fact that I know you didn't cheat on me with Marlo, it still hurts to think about you sleeping with someone else when we weren't together. That being said, I'm even more pissed off that Marlo is having your baby. She is the one who is going to give you your first child. I wanted that to be something special between us in the future."

Tears started to fall silently down her face. She continued, not seeming to notice them. "What if you decide that you really want a family right now? You already are going to have one with Marlo. What use do you have of me anymore? She can give you everything. And you can't leave your kid without a father! This whole thing is just a mess." She covered her face with her hands, not sure what else to say and almost too embarrassed to look at Sam anymore.

She felt his presence; given away by the breeze that accompanied his movement and the sag of the bench as he sat down beside her. She was so conflicted; Sam was the one person who made her feel whole, but at the same time, he was the one who was breaking her heart. He wrapped one arm around her, pulling her close and gently prying her hands away from her face.

She looked up at him with her deep chocolate eyes, so filled with hurt and confusion. It melted his heart.

He placed one of his hands on the side of her face, the pad of his thumb making light strokes across her cheek. He felt her lean into him, waiting for him to say something – anything - to make this all go away.

Unfortunately, there was no way to go back and time and fix all of this. However, he could do some things to try and assuage her fears.

"Andy McNally, we have been through hell and back. We have been off and on so many times it makes me dizzy. But there is no doubt in my mind - now or ever - that we are meant to be together. And I will do anything to prove that to you, if I haven't already."

Andy tried to look down, but he made sure that she continued looking him in the eye. "I am so sorry," he said in a voice barely above a whisper. "I know that even though we weren't together at the time that it doesn't hurt any less. You know that when I was with Marlo, I couldn't think of anyone but you. I always have only wanted you. When I was with Marlo, I was convinced that you and I were done for good. I should have known better."

Andy's eyes had begun to harden at the mention of him being with Marlo, but Sam could tell she was still listening. "All it took was one night of lapsed judgment. She never said anything to me. I myself, still can't believe she is pregnant…" He trailed off for a moment as fear gripped his chest. "Andy, I don't know how to be a father. But I have to be there for Marlo because that is my kid. Despite that, I do not nor will I ever want to be with Marlo or anyone else but you. Maybe one day, we will have a family, and maybe not. But we don't have to rush into anything just because of what is going on right now."

Andy heard everything Sam was saying and it was very practical. But there was still a lot of things that were nagging her.

"I'm still scared, Sam," she said, finally, placing her own hand over his. "Marlo might not want me in her baby's life at all. What if I can't get over this? You are the love of my life and I know we can make it through a lot, but this… this is really big, Sam. What if we can't make it through this?" Her voice had risen in pitch with her increase in panic.

"It's going to be hard, I'm not going to lie," Sam admitted. "There are so many things that can happen. But we are going to ruin us if we keep thinking in 'what ifs'. I don't blame you if you want to run screaming to the hills."

"That isn't what I want," Andy protested, finally making a decision towards what she wanted. She knew she wanted to be with Sam.

"If you want to be with me, and I want to be with you, then we owe it to ourselves to are both scared and I know you are angry as all out hell, and you have every right to be. But I know that we love each other and we can make it. If at any point you feel like this is too much and you can't handle it, though, I will not stop you from leaving."

Andy stared at him. It seemed a fair enough proposition. Then again, nothing ever seemed as bad when she was with Sam.

"I really hope you are right," she conceded, finally.

Sam nodded, grateful that she was going to try with him. "We will get through this, just you and me. One day at a time."

Sam and Andy continued talking until the sun began to set. There was a lot of raised voices, arguing, and some tears, but all in all, they handled the situation as best as two adults could.

Sam placed his sweatshirt around Andy's shoulders and they watched the sun sink below the horizon together. Andy had to admit that it was a lot more beautiful when she had someone to share it with.

Eventually, Andy broke the peaceful silence. "Come on, let's go inside," she said, as she slapped a mosquito away from her neck. "I still have some beer left."

They walked hand in hand into the cabin, cleaning up their scraps from lunch as they went. They were back to being comfortable with each other, though they weren't one hundred percent back to normal. In time, perhaps they would be.

As Andy tossed their trash away in the bucket under the sink, Sam popped open two beers from the fridge and handed her one. In the next moment, he deftly reached behind her and switched on the radio that was perched on the kitchen windowsill.

"Smooth," Andy commented wryly as soft, sensual music poured out of the speakers.

Sam took a big gulp of his beer and then placed it on the counter. "Dance with me?" he inquired.

Andy was momentarily taken aback and sipped her beer pensively. Sam didn't usually act like this. But she wasn't really going to question it because she was a sucker for romance. "Of course, sir," she replied, in a terrible British accent, causing Sam to laugh as she arranged herself in his arms.

They swirled around the first floor of the cabin, laughing and clutching at each other. Eventually, they slowed down and Andy placed her head on Sam's chest, sighing deeply. She could hear his heartbeat through his shirt and listened as her heart slowed to match his. They swayed gently back and forth.

"I love you, you know," Sam said, placing a kiss on the top of her head and holding her close.

Andy felt his chest rumble as he spoke. "I know," she giggled, feeling like a teenage girl. "I love you, too."

They finished their beers, sitting on the couch with Sam rubbing Andy's feet and they listened to the music; Andy hummed along.. Once they were finished, Sam stood up to discard the empty bottles and returned to where Andy was sitting.

In a fluid motion, Sam whisked Andy off her feet and carried her up the stairs, pausing only to shut off the radio and the lights they had left on.

Andy wrapped her arms around Sam's neck and allowed herself to be carried into the bedroom that she had been staying in for the duration of her stay.

The moonlight cast an ethereal glow throughout the room. A soft breeze came in through the open window, sending goose bumps up Andy's arms; though she was sure this wasn't from the cold. There was a muted silence that surrounded the room, save for the sounds of crickets and other bugs emitting noises outside.

Sam made his way further into the room, pushing back the gauzy canopy that hung around the bed and placing Andy gently onto the bed. He stood in between her shapely thighs and searched her face for any sign of hesitation. "We don't have to do this if you don't want to," Sam said, in a husky voice.

Andy knew they still had things to work on and issues to work out. But it did not change the fact that she loved this man and she had missed him terribly in the days they had been apart. She hated sleeping alone.

"No, I do," Andy assured him. When he still looked doubtful, she tugged on his shirt so that he got on top of the bed, his legs on either side of her body and his arms above her head, hovering over her and looking into her eyes. "I want you bad, Sam Swarek." The lust was evident in her voice.

Sam gave in to his urges and lowered himself to start kissing her neck. He heard her breath catch and it made him shiver. He loved that he could make her feel this way.

A trail of fire followed anywhere their bodies touched. Sam lifted Andy's shirt and kissed his way down her taut stomach and teased her by going even lower. He felt her body jerk beneath his.

"Let me show you just how much I love you," Sam said, seductively.

Andy eased herself up from the plush bed, drawing back the canopy. She carefully stepped around all of their discarded clothing, clutching a blanket around her naked body. She made her way to the open window without making a sound, guided by the moonlight.

She couldn't sleep. Even though, Sam was here and although she no longer felt like crying herself to sleep, every time she closed her eyes, she could see Sam doing the exact same things to Marlo as he had just done for her.

She knew there was no point in torturing herself. Sam had slept with more women than just Marlo, granted he wasn't having a baby with them.

Andy sighed and glanced toward the bed, bracing herself with one hand on the frame of the window. Sam was lying almost on his stomach, one hand thrust under the pillow, the other almost dangling off the bed, and a blanket covering his lower half. His face was so serene and beautiful as he lay there sleeping. Looking at him and feeling the love that she had for him began to push the worries away.

She would be okay. One day at a time, she reminded herself. She just had to take it one day at a time.