"Something wrong, Annie? You seem awfully quiet." Sam said.
Annie took a sip of her champagne. "I'm fine."
Sam sat down beside her, and stroked the wisps of hair from her face. "Come on. What's bothering you?"
"It's nothing, really. I'm just..."
"I thought our relationship was built on trust." Sam said. "You can tell me anything."
Annie looked away, blinking back tears.
I can't tell you this, Sam...
He put his hand under her chin, turning her toward him. "Annie, you're crying. Something must be wrong."
"I-I'm sorry. I just..."
"Please, tell me. I hate to see you hurting like this."
A tense silence enveloped the room.
"Sam, I don't think this is working out."
"Wait... What are you talking about?"
"I was wrong to just barge in on your life. Yours and Jonahs. I mean, we didn't even know each other and-."
Sam touched her trembling lips with his finger.
"Annie, no. You're not an intrusion. The day you came into my life was one of the happiest I've ever had."
"But what about-."
"Maggie?" He finished.
"Yes."
"Maggie's gone."
"But you still love her."
"I'll always love her." Sam said. "But I love you, Annie. You make me happy. And Maggie would want Jonah and I to be happy."
Annie took his hand. "I just don't want to come between you and Jonah."
"You couldn't." Sam said, leaning over to kiss her.
"I love you, Annie Reed."
"And I love you, Sam. I'm sorry."
"Sorry? For what?"
"For doubting you... us... what we have together. I'm just not used to... you know... being part of a family."
Gathering her in his arms, Sam held her close.
"Well, I'll tell you what. Why don't we go out of town together? Just you and I."
Annie's face lit up. "Really?"
"I know how much you miss your family. I thought maybe we could go up to Baltimore and-."
Before he could finish, Sam's lips slowly descended to meet hers.
"But what about Jonah?" Annie asked, her mouth still burning from the kiss.
"Well, Jonah can stay with Clarice. She'll make sure that he gets off to school and-."
She kissed him more passion than she thought possible.
"I don't know how to thank you."
"You already have." Sam said, pressing his lips against hers once more.