A/N—Sam and Jo are featured in this chapter. I think they need a little TLC. Yes, I will still keep it T (PG-13; TV-14). Oh, and Happy (Belated) Valentine's Day.

Chapter 25

A month later. The kids are in school. Jo is at the spa with Daniella Sanchez. Sam is at the house, inspecting the repairs. The insurance's home inspector is with him.

Inspector: Well, Mr. McGuire, your home passed.

Sam: That's great!

Inspector: So, if you're ready to move in, you can move in anytime.

Sam: Jo's gonna be so excited. Thanks. He shakes the inspector's hand.

The inspector leaves, while Sam looks at the house. The kitchen is completely redone, with new cabinets. The stove is a Jenn-Air. A double oven graces the place where the old oven sat. Each of the appliances have Braille on them as well. He decides that they will move in that day. "It's still early in the day," he says to himself. He chills wine in the refrigerator and sets a bouquet of flowers on the island. The rest of the house has been cleaned, with only few things needing replacing. Of course, the wall, frames, and doors that were charred have been replaced. All the walls have a fresh coat of paint.

He goes upstairs, and starts in Lizzie's room. Her computer and other equipment have been cleaned and are in good working order. "She'll be glad to have her stuff back instead of having to rely on the school's loaner." Matt's room is back in shape; cleaner than it was before the fire. Then, he goes to his and Jo's room, and lays a bouquet of roses and a box of her favourite chocolates on the bed.

He leaves the house, and begins moving his family from the hotel to the house. He checks out of the hotel and looks at his watch. "Jo's gonna be calling for me to pick her up." As if on cue, the phone rings.

Sam: Jo?

Jo: I'm just finishing up here, and I need you to pick me up.

Sam: I'm on my way. Do I need to swing by and get the kids?

Jo: No, Lizzie's spending the night with Miranda and Kate. Matt's spending the night at Lanny's.

Sam: Oh yeah, that's right. Grinning from ear to ear. So, we've got the room to ourselves?

Jo: Uh, huh. She purrs.

Sam: Okay. See you in about ten.

Sam picks up his wife from the spa. Danielle is talking to Jo in the lobby. They see Sam drive up.

Danielle: Have fun tonight. She winks.

Jo: Flashes a grin. Oh, we will.

Sam gets out of the car and kisses her on the cheek: You look beautiful.

Jo: Thanks.

Danielle: Waves. I'll bring Lizzie back tomorrow afternoon.

Sam: Thanks. He opens the door for his wife. Then, they drive off.

Jo notices that they are not driving back to the hotel, but instead are driving to the house. She's very curious.

Jo: What's going on?

Sam: I just thought you might want to see how the repairs are going.

Jo: When do we get to move in?

Sam: Not long. He tries his best to hide the wide grin he feels growing on his face.

They drive up to the house and get out of the car. Sam unlocks the door, and whisks his wife into his arms.

Sam: Welcome home! He carries her over the threshold.

Jo: Are you serious? She hugs his neck.

Then, he puts her down so she can look at her house. She holds his hand as she tours her newly repaired house.

Jo: The kitchen looks great! She looks over at the stove and gasps. I love the Jenn-Air! She touches the controls. Braille! Oh, Lizzie's gonna love you! Her face falls.

Sam: What is it?

Jo: We've gotta get Lizzie cooking again. A tear falls.

Sam: She will. We'll help her. He puts his hands on her shoulders. Everything's going to be all right. Jo nods, biting back more tears. This is our day. Just you and me right now. She slips into his embrace. Let me show you the rest of the house.

They tour the rest of the house together, ending in their bedroom.

Sam: Close your eyes.

Jo: Laughs. Sam?

Sam: C'mon, Jo, just do it.

Jo: Closing her eyes. Mmkay.

Sam: He leads her into the room. Now, open them.

Jo: She opens them and gasps with delight. Sam!

Sam: Welcome home. He gets the bouquet and places them in her arms. These are for you.

Jo: She sniffs the roses. Oh, Sam they're beautiful.

Sam: There's more. He grins. I'll be right back.

Jo: Okay.

He leaves and she studies her bedroom. She spots the chocolates and traces the box with her index and middle fingers. Then, she decides to model some of her purchases she made earlier in the day. Sam comes back up with the wine and two glasses on a tray. He sees his wife lying sideways on the bed. Her hair is down in loose curls. She is not wearing her glasses. Sam's eyes travel down her body. She is wearing a garnet and black coloured two piece lingerie set, with spaghetti straps, a plunging neckline and a hem, barely skimming her mid-thigh.

Sam: He sets the tray on the table beside the bed. You look great. He places a gentle kiss on her lips.

Jo: Thanks.

He opens the bottle and pours a couple glasses. He makes a toast.

Sam: To us.

Jo: To us.

Their glasses clink, and they take a sip. They put the glasses back on the tray. Then, he takes out a piece of chocolate, and gently places it in her mouth.

Jo: Mmm! These are so good. She feeds him a piece, and returns his kiss.

Sam: He begins kissing her neck. So, you had a good time at the spa? He asks, between kisses.

Jo: Uh, huh. Sam kisses a spot and she instantly starts purring. Mmm! She begins breathing hard.

Sam removes the straps from her shoulders. He continues kissing her neck, shoulders, and moves to her breasts.

Jo: Sam. Mmm! Her back begins to spasm. Wait.

Sam: Stops. What's wrong?

Jo: Ow. She repositions herself, hissing. Sorry. My back hurts a bit.

Sam: Are you okay?

Jo: Oh, yeah. I was lying wrong and my back was starting to spaz. She lies on the bed, with her head propped on a pillow. She wraps her arms around her husband's neck, and brings him close. Their lips meet.

The next morning, Jo wakes up with a smile. Mmm! She mumbles. Sam you were great. She reaches her arm across his side of the bed, expecting to place her hand on his chest. Discovering he is not in bed, she sits up in surprise. Sam? As if on cue, Sam comes in with a breakfast tray and a slender vase with a single red rose. Jo smiles.

Sam: Good morning.

Jo: I love you.

Sam: I love you, too. He places the tray on the bed between them.

Jo: Picks the vase and smells the rose. Sam, you're so good to me.

Sam: You deserve it. You deserve the best.

Jo: Gets misty-eyed. Aww! First, the spa, and then coming home, and last night, and breakfast, and last night. She grins from ear to ear. Did I mention last night?

Sam: We're free until dinner. While you were asleep, I checked on the kids.

Jo: How are they?

Sam: They're fine.

Jo: Do they know we're out of the hotel?

Sam: They've known. I promised them to secrecy.

Jo: Begins laughing. Oh, you're too much! Kisses him on the cheek. I'm so glad I married you!