A/N: Thank you Sairs J, the best beta ever, and to everyone who has read and reviewed. It means a lot that there are people out there who are still interested in this story. I'm very sorry for the delay. Life has been really tough lately. On a happy note, my mom has just finished her last chemotherapy treatment and is doing well, and my puppy's heart defect is appearing to resolve slowly, so it looks like he won't need heart surgery. Thanks again for reading. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter.

"You sure you still remember how it all works, Ollie? It has been a while since you had a kid, eh?" teased Sam, his signature smirk on full display.

"You know what…" Oliver started, before deciding it wasn't worth it. He let out a sigh of temporary defeat, not wanting to dig himself into an even bigger hole with Andy by bickering with her husband and father of her unborn baby, especially after his earlier assumptions that hadn't put her in such a great light. "Consider yourself lucky that I'm not gonna kick your ass in front of your lady."

Andy chuckled at their antics, having already forgiven Oliver for assuming the worst. After all they had been through, she couldn't blame him, and was thankful that Sam had another person in his life that would always have his back, no questions asked.

A huge yawn escaped her mouth, the exhaustion making it too hard to mask, despite her best efforts. She hadn't realized how much she had missed observing the brotherly bantering between the two during her undercover stint, and wished she had the energy to spend time with everyone she had left behind months ago.

Taking that as his sign to depart, Oliver walked over to Andy, giving her a gentle hug goodbye. "I always knew that you and Sam were great. You always will be. I'm sorry about jumping to conclusions and assuming the worst."

Oliver paused, wanting to make sure she could really see just how much she meant to him as a surrogate daughter and the wife of his best friend. "I'm really that glad both you and the little peanut are okay. Get some sleep and I'll check up on you guys tomorrow."

"Thanks for always rooting for us, and for trying to protect Sam when things didn't look so great. Can't say that anyone else wouldn't have jumped to a similar conclusion given the spotty evidence and adrenaline filled night. Don't worry about it, alright?"

After giving Oliver a pat on the back on his way out, Sam made his way to the foot of the bed, sitting beside his beautiful wife.

Taking her hand in his, he gently stroked the back of it. He had never been good with words, but this time seemed to take the cake. He couldn't even begin to formulate how he could express his elation about having Andy back home safely, and to add to the joy, he was going to be a father. No words in any language he knew could fully convey what he was feeling. By the look in Andy's eyes, he could tell that she felt the same way.

"Come 'ere," Andy pleaded, her arms outstretched, wanting to have her husband close, to be able to bask in the feeling of being safe in his arms.

Sam cautiously moved toward her; a strong arm behind her, the other wrapped carefully around her flat stomach. He smiled knowing that just below his hand, their baby was growing within her. As he moved his hand in soothing patterns across her abdomen, he wondered how long it would be before her belly would be rounded, the evidence of their growing bundle of joy displayed for the world to see.

Both lost in their thoughts, Sam continued to move his hand over Andy's hospital gown. The warmth of her skin beneath his fingertips soothing him; reassuring him that she was really there, and that he would never let her go again.

Andy's thoughts mirrored his. She felt completely at peace, so loved; his gentle caresses bringing her a peace she had never felt before.

Andy let her heavy eyelids close as she recalled their small, unofficial wedding not too long ago. She never would have expected things to turn out the way they had, but she wouldn't take it back for the world. Now that she was back home, she knew they'd have another wedding, one where all their friends and family would attend, but the intimate ceremony would always hold a special place in her heart as well.

Flashback

Sleeping soundly in Sam's arms on the living room sofa of the lakehouse, Andy was awoken from her dreams by the man who had starred in them nightly. Feeling the tender kisses tracing her shoulder and across her collarbone, she stirred, not wanting to leave the warmth and comfort she was enveloped in.

It wasn't until she felt the sweet kiss he placed on her lips that she opened her eyes and exchanged morning greetings, their love evident in every syllable.

Sam slipped out of her embrace, and Andy raised her eyebrows in confusion. As he kneeled down on the floor beside the sofa, Andy sat up wondering what he was doing.

"Andy, I love you. You are the most amazing woman I've ever met, and you make me want to be a better man. We've had our fair share of ups and downs, but we've made it, and we will be together for the rest of them. I know this may seem sudden, but I don't want to waste any more time. You are my forever, and I'm hoping that our forever can start today. I guess what I'm saying is, Andy McNally, would you marry me?"

Her mind, still hazy from sleep, could barely comprehend the question he asked her. Once the immediate shock wore off, the tears came. Overwhelmed with emotion, it took her a few moments to find her voice.

"Y-yes... Yes. I will marry you," she practically screamed, as she launched herself into his arms.

End Flashback

A smile spread across her face as she recalled her enthusiastic agreement to marry him. In her utter excitement, she nearly tackled him to the floor, something that he would never let her live up, especially since it wasn't her first time having done such a thing.

Well, this time I admit that I did definitely did try to tackle him and try to kiss him.

Noticing Sam had stopped his soothing touches, she looked over and saw that he had nodded off. Another smile lit up her face as she took in the peaceful expression that graced his features. Allowing her eyes to close yet again, she went back to recalling the events that had changed her life for the better.

A/N: Wedding flashback coming up next. Hope you liked this transitional chapter. Have a great week!