None of you expected this :D

One Year Later

Samuel stood in front of the mirror, attempting to tie his overly difficult and unresponsive tie. He frowned at it in the mirror and then broke into unexplainable laughter at his expression, one of complete bamboozlement. He sighed exhaustedly, releasing the tie from the odd position it had been tied into. He tried once more but it ended up worse than the first unsuccessful try.

"Here" Lindsay sighed gently, stepping into the room. He smiled slightly as she tied it quickly, with swift and nimble fingers. He stared down at it, gasping at her unfair expertise.

"Now why can't I do that?" Samuel muttered, frowning down at the impressive knot. Lindsay let out a short snort of laughter, patting his chest and fixing the buttons. He watched as she patted the suit all over, brushing away invisible lint bunnies that he was sure weren't there.

"You look amazing" He smiled, making her stop and blush. It was true; she had an ocean blue dress on that grazed her knees. It was one shouldered and the material ruffled over her shoulder, her hair tied back to tame the curls. She played absently with her earrings, which were an inch above her shoulder.

"Thanks" She giggled, her nervous hands moving to play with a curl.

"Stop playing with them," He scolded, "You look amazingly beautiful"

"I'm just nervous," She admitted. He nodded because he understood and if he was being completely nervous, he was insanely nervous. She smiled, the smile wavering ever so slightly.

"You have to see Maddie!" Lindsay suddenly exclaimed, grasping his hand tightly.

"If you insist" Samuel smiled, as Lindsay dragged him into the living room. Maddie sat on the couch, listening to Mrs. Pearce tell her how pretty she looked. Maddie grinned at Samuel and slipped off the couch, running up to him. He picked her up and smiled at her, placing a quick kiss on her rosy cheek.

"My, my, my someone looks amazingly beautiful" He smiled, ticking her softly. She let out a burst of laughter, grinning brightly at her father.

"Not as pretty as Lyn!" Maddie cooed, turning her grin towards Lindsay who smiled at the child. She pulled her out of Samuel's grip and held her in her own, placing an innocent kiss on the child's other cheek.

"Samuel!" Mrs. Pearce exclaimed, "You look so handsome"

Samuel chuckled self-consciously, "Thanks Mrs. Pearce"

"And me?" Lindsay laughed, mock-glaring at her mother. Her mum laughed and hugged her daughter tightly, beaming proudly at Samuel.

"Now, no getting any messes on that suit," She warned, "You need it for graduation!"

"Yes Mom" He teased faintly, as she shook her finger at him. He grinned and accepted the hug he and Maddie were pulled into.

"Are you sure you want to go honey?" Mrs. Pearce asked, pulling away and looking at both teenagers.

"Yeah" The both nodded simultaneously. She studied Samuel carefully for a moment and nodded her head, then turned to her handbag. She turned back with a grin and opened her palm, thrusting it towards him.

"Are you sure?" He asked, holding his hand out slightly hesitant. She nodded and pushed her palm closer to him, he grabbed the keys gingerly.

"Thanks Mum" Lindsay smiled.

"Not that I don't trust you Sam," Mrs. Pearce paused, "But take care of my baby and Lindsay of course"

"The car," He sighed and stared at it lovingly. Lindsay snorted and took the keys from his closed fist. He continued to gap at the car, only when Lindsay tapped him did he notice that she had packed the car.

"Lindsay," Samuel's voice shook, "This is the car"

"I am aware that my family owns a car," Lindsay giggled at his expression, tempted to clip him across the head.

"But Lindsay!" Samuel exclaimed, "Your parents are letting me drive the car"

"Samuel," Lindsay sighed patiently, "We need to get there on time"

Samuel clenched down on the steering wheel, trying to ignore Lindsay's abnormally intense gaze. Maddie was asleep in the backseat, clutching her new fluffy bunny. Lindsay had bought it for her third birthday, which she proclaimed it was Sir Bunny. There was an easy silence in the car, something that settled between them without needing to be changed.

"Samuel," Lindsay broke it, "I'm proud of you"

Samuel grinned, "How so?"

"You've been great this past year, really changed and I'm so proud," She smiled happily, "You're a great Dad and you've improved your grades so much that you got a scholarship! Samuel, I'm just proud"

Samuel blushed, "Linds, you shouldn't be proud of me for that"

"Fine," Lindsay chuckled, "I'm proud of you because you're not chickening out today"

"Then, I'm proud of you too" Samuel grinned brightly.

"You better be" She laughed loudly.

Samuel pulled up at the curb, flickering a hesitant smile at Lindsay. She placed her hand on his forearm and quickly kissed his cheek, reassuring him silently.

"No chickening out?" He smiled.

"Nope," Lindsay laughed, "You've been brave this year, don't be a wuss now". She made a move to exit out of the car, but Samuel held onto her arm and pulled her back.

"Linds," He sighed, "I'm really glad we'll be going to college together"

"Me too" She sighed, smiling brightly back at him. She got out of the car then, waiting patiently for Samuel to get Maddie. When he did, he stood before her and nodded hesitantly towards the house.

"And so it begins" Lindsay laughed, tugging him towards the front steps.

"It's that my baby girl?" Emily demanded, picking Maddie up into a tight hug and pressing quick kisses against the girls cheek. Maddie giggled and tried to squirm out of her Auntie's tight grasp, only making Emily hold on tighter.

"And are those my lovely friends?" Emil grinned, putting Maddie down and running over to Lindsay and Samuel. She hugged the both of them tightly, making them laugh loudly.

"You look amazing Emily" Lindsay smiled, standing back and holding onto the girl's hand tightly. Emily did a small twirl with Lindsay's help, running her hands through her short hair. She was wearing a red dress and bare feet, with the brightest smile on her face.

"OH MY GOD" Lindsay exclaimed, making Emily stop mid-twirl. I looked at her and then on instinct, towards Maddie who was curled up in Damian's arms and trying unsuccessfully to grab Cameron's glasses. Lindsay was pulling Emily closer and grasping Emily's left hand, basically bringing it up to her nose.

"Samuel!" She exclaimed, "Have a look at this!"

I did and grinned largely, my eyes landing on a bashful Bryce. He smiled back at us, moving slowly and wrapping his arms around Emily.

"Congratulations Man" I grinned, clapping his shoulder.

"Yeah," Lindsay laughed, finally letting go of Emily's hand.

"Thanks" They both smiled; Lindsay dragged Emily off, as she demanded to know every little detail possible. I laughed at Bryce's expression of pure adoration, as his eyes followed his fiancée's every move.

"I've wasted to much time without her Sam," He informed me, "I couldn't stand to loose her"

"Man," I smiled gently, "I'm really happy for you"

"Oh yeah!" He exclaimed, "You too! I heard about the scholarship!"

I shrugged off his enthusiasm, grinning sheepishly as he continued to grin largely. I watched Maddie laughing as Cameron pulled a face at her, my heart growing at her smile. Lindsay walked over to me, pulling a laughing Emily with her. Lindsay placed a tiny kiss against my cheek, making me smile down at her.

"Don't go getting any ideas," Emily mock-warned, "No stealing my thunder!"

"SAMUEL!" Hannah yelled, grabbing me in a bear hug. I felt other arms eclipse around me and pretty soon I was gasping for breath. Hannah pulled away, laughing at my stunned expression.

Ellis laughed at me and I noticed the boy that was clutching her hand, making me laughed

"Nice to see you Max" I grinned.

"You too" He smirked, kissing Ellis on the top of the head.

In that moment, there was easy atmosphere surrounding the room. As Emily flittered around, talking to people with enthusiasm.

"She never stopped fighting," Max murmured affectionately, as Ellis smiled up at him softly. Samuel felt pride rise in him, as Emily grinned brightly at the two.

"You two are going strong then?" Samuel looked questiongly at the two, trying not to laugh as they simultaneously blushed.

"What about you and Lindsay?" Ellis smiled brightly.

"I asked you first," Samuel teased, trying to get an answer out of her. She just laughed and shivered under Max's adoring gaze.

"But we all want to hear about you and Lindsay" A voice said sweetly.

My eyes met hers, the iciness in hers making me openly cringe. Lindsay pulled away from my side quickly, standing next to Emily silently. Marissa noticed the movement and shot her a glare, before returning it to me. I bit my lip and watched as Maddie pulled away from Damian, running towards Marissa enthusiastically. Marissa smiled, as Maddie clutched her mother's legs tightly.

Maddie's eyes flashed to Samuel, staring up at her Dad with worry.

"This is okay right Daddy?" She asked quietly. Samuel sighed and bent down to met her, staring into his daughter's eyes. Every day he looked into them, he thought of Marissa. How, even to the exact color and shape they were in essence her mothers.

"I love you very much Maddie," Samuel smiled, "So does your Mum"

He resisted the urge to call her Marissa, but when Marissa picked Maddie up; all his rage came back to him. He straightened up and stared into Marissa's eyes, trying to remember what he loved about her. He cared about her and always would, but the passionate love was gone completely.

"Hi sweetheart" Marissa cooed, kissing Maddie lightly and cradling the child. Maddie grinned brightly at her mum, breaking Samuel's heart. He hated how this worked out and how much pain it would cause Maddie in years to come. Emily showed the others out of the room and closed the sliding doors behind everyone, throwing Samuel a sympathetic smile.

"I-" Samuel paused; unsure of what he possibly could say.

"I heard about the scholarship," Marissa said lightly, "That's great news"

He was shocked by her sudden change of attitude, his mouth hanging open slightly.

"Sam," She said, "It was inevitable, our break up and I guess I am a bit bitter, about not seeing Maddie as much as I want. I don't hate you but I really don't like you"

He nodded, "That's fair enough"

They were silent for a moment, millions of thoughts running through their heads but unable to voice them. He sighed, staring at their daughter sadly.

"We should talk about this," He muttered, nodding towards Maddie.

"We should" Marissa agreed.

Finis

Keep reading forever x

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