Hello people! Here's the last chapter of this AU "A Sneeze and a sudden Difference". I hope as always that it match your expectations. I thank every one of you who has been so kind to me! Your support means a lot!
PS: I've had some trouble with the space between the lines. I hope it isn't too annoying. I'm trying to find a solution.

Well, here it is!
Enjoy!

It didn't take long before he reached the door. Even though he was determent to talk things straight with her right here and now, he hesitated with opening the door. He wasn't completely sure how to approach her yet again. He had no idea exactly how mad she was at him and what exact words that would make up for it. But he knew he had to find out when he was beside her. So with no further hesitating, he turned the knob and pushed the door open.
She sat on the edge of the bed, in darkness, with his jacket around her torso. She didn't react to his presence. He moved closer to the bed and indeed, she had been crying. Her eyes were red and she kept snuffling. He wasn't aware the snuffling was caused by their argument or her cold.
She kept a straight look on her own feet. Sam found himself unable to break the silence between them. As everyone knew, words weren't his strong point. But he would give it a try when he saw an opening for it. Instead he sat down beside her for now, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, which apparently made her loose up a bit.

"Hey," he whispered as he tightened his grip around her shoulder.

"I'm so sorry for what I said. I shouldn't have judged you like that."

"No, you shouldn't," she sobbed.

"And I'm sorry I did. Deep down I know you would never do such thing. Just…Leave me behind.
I just wanted you to know that you have a choice that you have to make. And I only want what's best for you. I want you to make the right decision. The one that would make you happy."

"I know, Sam. That's not why I'm mad. I'm mad because you thought that getting a book published would mean more to me than you. Than us. Than what we have."

"I'm not saying that's the truth, I'm just insecure that I won't make you-"

He paused. She turned her head and glared at him.

"That you won't what?"

"That I won't…make you happy."

She looked broken. As if she actually felt sad for him.

"Sam, is that- is that what you're afraid of? That you're not enough for me?"

"It has always been like that. I mean, admit it, you could do so much better if you wanted to."

"But that's the problem, Sam. I don't want to. You mean everything to me. Without you, I wouldn't be me. You're a part of me, Sam. An important part of me. One I will never want to lose. One I will never lose."

"That's the thing, Diane. If I ever lost you, I would be heartbroken. There would be no joy in living. You know that. You've seen it."

By this, tears ran down her cheeks and a weak smile appeared.

"I mean it when I say that you mean everything to me too, but I would rather let go of you than holding you back from your dreams. Just knowing that you'd be happy, well, that would make a part of me happy too."

Her cheeks were all wet by now.

"Sam Malone, this is why I wouldn't ever leave you again. I finally know by now that I mean as much to you as you do to me. After years where I've been doubtful, I finally know for sure.
Which mean you should know that I'd never be able to live a life without you."

She always made him feel that way. Loved. No matter the condition of their relationship, he knew that she would always care in some way. No matter how bad he had hurt her, she would.
That's what he'd gotten to know by becoming engaged to her. He had finally realized that all he ever should have done to make her become his was to tell her how he really felt.

"You know…I told you this before, but, yeah, I guess it doesn't hurt to tell you one more time.
I really felt something special the first time I saw you. I saw 'hope'. Hope, that if I wanted to, I could turn my life around with you. Have a second chance at being happy.
I know that we don't discuss our previous relationship, but it still means a lot to me. Everytime I look back at how things were, I look at us now and think about, how much things have changed. We've both learned from our mistakes. People always judged us for our differences, and they probably always will, but I don't care. As long as I know that we're happy."

"And we are, Sam," she smiled at him. "You know why?" she asked tender leaning closer.

"Why?" he whispered.

In a slow pace she took his hand and put it on her breast just as she put her other hand on his.
They both felt each other's fast beating hearts.

"Because we love each other," she whispered.

"Yes, we do," he barely said before their lips touched.

When the kiss broke there was a pause where their foreheads touched and only inches of air parted their lips.

"I've already made my decision," she whispered and opened her eyes and right into his.

"And?" he said.

"I called Sumner just after I left you to tell him that I wasn't interested."

"But you were," Sam said.

"Not under these circumstances."

"What if you never get an opportunity like this again?"

"Then that's the way it is."

"No, no it isn't," Sam said as he broke their embrace and rose from the bed.

"Call Sumner and tell him that you changed your mind."

"No, Sam, I already-"

"Diane, we'll find a way," he said and took her around the shoulders.

She looked him in the eyes.

"Alright then," she murmured. "I'll tell him that I'm interested after our honeymoon."

"But what if he don't accept that?"

"Then I'm absolutely uninterested."

"Are you sure?" he tried.

"I don't want this to interfere with the wedding. I want us to enjoy this in peace and quiet."

"But what if he wants a date for when you can begin?"

"He will get one."

Sam looked confused.
"Sam, don't you think Cheers would do nice for a wedding ceremony?"

"You- you want the wedding to be held at the bar?"

"Why not? It's our place, won't you say?"

"I thought you wanted it like a princess wedding in a beautiful church or something?"

"I changed my mind. I want to be a little 'spontaneous'. Something out of the ordinary."

"But what day did you have in mind?"

"Well, how long do you think it'll take the guys to make the place look like there's about to be held a wedding?"

"I don't know. A day? Are you really ready for this?"

"I've been for a long time, Mr. Malone."

He took a long and serious glare at her, but her smile only convinced him that this was the way it should be.

"I'll call the guys and tell them that they have to pick out a nice outfit for tomorrow."

"That would be lovely," she chuckled.

"Alright. I'll see you in a bit, Mrs. Malone."

"Ah-ah! It's still Chambers," she teased.

"Not for long," he said and kissed her on the forehead. "I thought, you should get used to it," he winked and left the bedroom.

She sat on the edge of the bed and ran her hand up and down his baseball jacket.

"Mrs. Malone," she whispered to herself and she couldn't help but smile.

THE END

Not sure if I should do a follow-up on this. What do you guys think? Should I leave it as it is or would you like to see a continuation? Thanks for your help!