A/N: Just so y'all don't get confused, Penelope and Sam are the same person. Penelope is the name I originally chose for Ethan's girlfriend, and I really thought it would work. But, the more I began writing about her and truly began developing her personality for this particular fic, I realized that the name just didn't suit her, so I changed it. I think y'all will find that "Sam" truly is a better fit for this character :)
P.S. I do have to give credit to The Young and the Restless because Tessa ended up being the model for how Sam looks. Though it wasn't intentional, the way I had written Sam's personality reminded me a bit of Tessa, and it's literally who I pictured in my head for her character.
Ethan tossed a towel into the hamper after drying his sandy-blonde hair. He then walked into the bedroom and ungracefully plopped down on the bed.
Sam loudly grunted before she complained, "If I end up having something dislocated, it'll be your fault."
"Old habits die hard," he responded. He then took a breath and apologized, "I am sorry though. Really, I am. You know I'd never want to do anything to hurt you."
"I know you wouldn't," Sam assured him with a smile. She then continued, "You've more than proven that in the last two years we've been together and even more so in the last three months we've been married."
Ethan couldn't help but smile before he pointed out, "You do realize I was winging it those first few months you were my girlfriend, don't you?"
Sam couldn't help but chuckle before she told him, "I had a feeling you might have been. I think I knew before we had even began dating; you couldn't quite hide your surprise when I told you that was really into you, too."
He only shrugged before he admitted, "Well, I'd never felt, you know, serious, about a girl before, and I had no idea how to tell you that I was. It just happened to come out while we were talking and closing up the bar. You happened to feel the same way."
"You know, I'm not sure it just happened. I knew that we had feelings for each other, but I thought it'd be good for you to figure it out," Sam said with a grin.
"I know you're right, and I did need to figure all that out, but I still feel like you could have saved me some trouble," Ethan replied with a grin of his own.
Sam only shook her head before she teased, "But that wouldn't have any fun," with a giggle.
Ethan rolled his eyes before his wife leaned over and kissed his cheek. She then genuinely spoke, "You know I wouldn't change anything about you - or us."
"Yeah, I do," he told her with a smile.
He then moved her raven black hair behind her ear and cupped her face with his hand. They then shared a sweet kiss with Sam threading her fingers through Ethan's hair.
They pulled back slightly and rested their foreheads against each other's, just savoring the moment.
When they pulled away, Ethan tilted his head as he noticed something. He tapped his nose as he asked, "Hey, Sam, where's your nose ring?"
She briefly stiffened before she shrugged and answered, "I just didn't want to sleep in it ."
Ethan tilted his head once more for a moment before he commented, "I get that. I mean, the nose ring's cool, but I have no idea how you wear it."
Sam couldn't help but laugh. She then told him, "Especially considering the fact that you can barely stand getting blood drawn at the doctor's office."
With a shrug, Ethan replied, "No one actually enjoys being stuck with a needle. Youjust found a way to get used to it between your tattoos, nose ring, and all your ear piercings."
Instead of an eye roll, a head shake, or a slightly teasing or sarcastic comment, Sam remained uncharacteristically quiet as she ran her fingers over the wrist tattoo that consisted of two small red hearts and a quote.
With concern etched over his features, Ethan asked her, "Hey, you okay?" running his hand through her hair, his fingers brushing against her dark blue highlights.
Sam quickly nodded her head before she reassured him, "Yeah, I'm fine." She took a breath and thought about her words before she explained, "I'm just a little nervous about keeping Anna Elizabeth and Calin's family straight. There's so many of them."
Ethan couldn't help but chuckle at that. He then conceded, "I know how you feel. Finding out I had a brother was one thing, but meeting his fiancée's close-knit extended family was a little overwhelming."
Sam nodded before she added, "Especially since it was just me and my mom growing up - and the few close friends I had moved away for college," a thoughtful expression on her face.
"There's that look again. Are you sure you're alright, Sam?" Ethan implored, sounding increasingly worried.
Sam ran a soothing hand up and down his arm as she assured him, "Totally. It's like I told you before - Anna Elizabeth and Calin have a big family, and I'm just not used to it."
Ethan regarded her for a few moments before offering a satisfied nod. He then asked her, "Want me to tell you who all is gonna be at Elsa's birthday party?"
Sam couldn't help but grin as she answered, "That is what I was getting at."
With a shake of his head, Ethan then began, "Well, you have Anna Elizabeth's parents, obviously. Emma's the sheriff while Killian restores and builds houses."
"And Killian is actually Anna Elizabeth's uncle who raised her since she was four. And then he and Emma married when Anna Elizabeth was five," Sam then interjected, gesturing with her hands.
"You got it. See, you're not so bad at this," Ethan then told her with a lopsided smile. He then kissed the side of her head while she rolled her eyes.
Ethan then continued, "And then there's Emma's brother, David, who is also sheriff, and his wife, Mary Margaret, who's a teacher."
He then paused as he realized that his wife was simultaneously processing and thinking.
She then spoke, "And they have two kids, but only one of them will be there with her little boy, Leo, her boyfriend, Alex, and then Alex's daughter, uh, whose name I completely forgot," burying her face in her hands.
"It's Kimberly," Ethan stated as he ran his hand up and down Sam's back. He then told her, "And don't worry, it's pretty much impossible to forget that little girl once you meet her."
Sam giggled before she rested her chin in her hand. She then spoke, "And then you have Anna Elizabeth's aunt and uncle who actually aren't related to her in any way."
"That'd be Regina and Robin. She's a lawyer who works with lots of kids and family type stuff while he coaches Little League and manages the sporting goods store."
Sam nodded before she asked, "Anna Elizabeth has a brother, doesn't she?"
"Mm-hmm," Ethan hummed in response before he elaborated, "Liam is a senior in high school who actually likes hanging out with his family."
With a roll of her eyes, Sam then posed, "You're gonna tease him aren't you?"
"Come on, do you really even have to ask that?" Ethan rhetorically questioned, folding his hands behind his head.
Sam only shook her head in response. She then told him, "You can really be an annoying idiot sometimes."
Ethan grinned mischievously as he pointed out, "Maybe, but you're the one who married me," holding up his left hand.
Sam couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head. She then asked him, "Is that everyone?"
Ethan thought for a moment before he answered, "Almost. There's Killian's sister, Belle, her husband, August, and their two kids, Colette and Matthew. But only Belle will actually be there."
He paused before he finished, "And then last but not least, there's Gia and Alexandra, two of Anna Elizabeth's friends."
In response, Sam only ran a shaky hand through her hair. Ethan pressed a soft kiss on her shoulder before he told her, "I'm sure you'll be able to remember everyone."
Sam nodded in response. She then turned to face her husband and spoke, "Speaking of remembering, did you pack Elsa's present? You have more room in your suitcase."
"Considering that I haven't packed anything, that'd be a no," Ethan told her, rubbing the back of his head.
Sam rolled her eyes before she pointed out, "Ethan! We're leaving tomorrow."
With a shrug, he told her, "You know it won't take me 10 or 15 minutes to get my stuff together. Including Elsa's present."
He then paused and said, "How'd you even know what to get her? You know as much about kids as I do."
"Which isn't much. I'm pretty sure Elsa still can't wear that leather jacket you got her when she was born," Sam teased with a chuckle.
"She'll grow into it," Ethan defended. He then asked, "How'd you know what size to get in the outfit?"
"I called Anna Elizabeth," Sam answered, and she couldn't help but smile. Her smile grew as she added, "And you did do a good job with picking out a toy. Elsa's gonna love those blocks."
Ethan smiled back as he told her, "I thought it seemed like something she'd like. Calin says she's curious about everything, so I thought she'd like building stuff."
"I think you're right, which makes you a great uncle," Sam told him, resting her chin on his shoulder.
"Well, I'm trying to be," Ethan sincerely spoke. He then adjusted his position and wrapped one of his arms around his wife.
He then added, "And you're a pretty amazing aunt. I think Elsa really liked you."
"I don't know about that - she's still a baby, and it's been a month since Anna Elizabeth and Calin visited us with her," Sam pointed out.
Before Ethan could even form a response, she had hopped up from the bed and said, "You may wait until the last minute to pack, but I just can't do it."
As she began walking to the bathroom, Ethan called out, "I thought you were already packed."
"I am, but there's a few more things I need," Sam called back. A couple minutes later, she returned with three bottles of foundation and a box of black hair dye.
She promptly placed the items in her duffle bag, which was near the bathroom door. She knew that Ethan wouldn't ask any questions because he wouldn't notice.
Or so she thought until she heard him ask, "Why do you need hair dye? Didn't you just get it dyed a couple weeks ago?"
Her brown eyes widened in surprise. Instead of answering, she quickly deflected, "Since when do you pay attention to a little thing like a box of hair dye?"
With a sigh, Ethan told her, "Look, I don't pretend to always know how to read you, but I do know when something is bothering you. Just let me help."
Sam was quiet for a few moments before she shook her head and told him, "It's nothing to worry about." A moment later, she added a plausible excuse: "Maybe I just want to bring out more of my natural color."
Ethan gave her a strange look and commented, "But that doesn't even make sense. I'm pretty sure your hair couldn't get any darker, and it would probably cover up the blue highlights."
Sam's eyes flitted down to the ground, and a realization hit Ethan.
He then perceived, "Unless you're trying to cover the blue. That's what you're doing, isn't it?"
Sam turned away from him and leaned against the doorframe leading to the bathroom, trying to push down the emotions bubbling up.
She felt her resolve weakening when she felt Ethan wrap his arms around her.
He then told her, "I meant what I said before. Just let me help - I get the feeling that you're worried about meeting Anna Elizabeth and Calin's family for more reasons than there being a lot of them."
Sam pulled away from him and turned to face him. She planted her hands on her hips and stated, "Fine, I am. Is that what you wanted to hear?"
She then marched over to the closet. She yanked it open and grabbed a blouse off the hanger.
Ethan raised an eyebrow at the garment and told his wife, "Light pink and lace is not your thing, babe."
With a deep breath, Sam then admitted, "Look, I just want to make a good impression. I'm trying to seem a little less…weird."
Ethan crossed the room and placed comforting hands on her arms. He then assured her, "You are wonderfully weird, and uh, perfectly unique. I'm sure everyone will love you."
"You mean like Calin did when we first got together?" Sam pointed out as she crossed her arms.
With a sigh, Ethan refuted, "Calin was being an idiot, and he knows it. He will happily correct anyone who mentions anything about you being too different. Hell, I'm pretty much in the same boat with you."
"That's my point! I don't want to give anyone a chance to even think that about me!"
Sam then sank down on the bed, clutching the blouse close to her. Ethan sat down beside her and began running his hands up and down her back.
He took a breath before he spoke, "Can I ask you something?"
"Uh, sure, I guess," Sam replied as she played with a string on the bedspread.
"It's just that you've never cared what anyone thought about you before. Why now?"
With a sigh, Sam began, "They're our family, too, and I feel like their opinion matters."
She started tracing circles on the bedspread as she begrudgingly continued, "And they're pretty much the perfect, all-American, small-town family."
In an attempt to make his wife feel a bit better, Ethan joked, "You do realize that Anna Elizabeth is half English, don't you?"
He only received an annoyed look in response, so he covered, "I was only joking, but I really do think you're worried over nothing. Just give them a chance."
"I just don't know, Ethan. Anna Elizabeth and Calin are like…like…the girl and boy next door. And their family is pretty much the same way. How am I supposed to fit in with that?" Sam lamented, burying her face in her hands.
"You don't need to fit in - you just need to be yourself," Ethan tried to reason, only to receive a grunt in reply.
He raked his fingers through his hair as he thought about what he could say. He smiled as it came to him.
"You know, the whole 'being yourself' thing worked for us."
Sam looked up with an expression that was one part curious and other part confused. She then asked, "Ethan, what do you even mean?"
"Just think about it. When we first started working together, I was the guy who was constantly cracking jokes and making sarcastic comments who also decided to rename all of the drinks and who also complained when any classic rock song came on.
"You were the girl who literally doesn't meet a stranger and pretty much became friends with every customer we had. You see mixing drinks as an art, and you were always cranking out new creations. And then there's the fact that you're a walking encyclopedia for all things music and art related, as well as any and all mysteries to ever be documented.
"We were never anything other than ourselves, and look at us now. I never thought I could be this happy and in love, but I am thanks to you."
Sam smiled brightly at him before she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him sweetly - a kiss he happily returned.
When they pulled away, Sam told him, "You always have a way of making me feel better."
Ethan smiled at her as he replied, "I do what I can," running his fingers through her hair. He then asked her, "So, you're not nervous about meeting everyone?"
"I wouldn't quite say that," Sam admitted. She then took a breath and continued, "But I'm not gonna be something I'm not."
"Good," Ethan told her, kissing her forehead. She then offered him another smile before she nodded.
She then looked back at her duffle bag and surmised, "I'm guessing I won't be needing that hair dye and those three bottles of foundation."
"I'm guessing not," Ethan conceded. He then asked her, "Why did you need all that extra makeup anyway?"
With a deep breath, Sam then admitted, "I was going to try to cover my tattoos." She paused before she elaborated, "I can easily cover the hearts and quote on my wrist," running her fingers over it.
She then held up her other arm and surmised, "But this dreamcatcher is another story."
"I don't see why not - it only covers your entire forearm," Ethan jokingly offered with a grin.
Sam rolled her eyes and nudged his shoulder with hers before she told him, "You're ridiculous."
"Yeah, I know," Ethan agreed with another grin, earning a giggle from his wife.
She then said, "I should probably unpack the hair dye and foundation. And this," holding up the pink blouse.
"And just what are you gonna do with it?" Ethan then asked, inclining his head toward the shirt.
Sam tilted her head as she ran her fingers over the fabric. She then suggested, "I could always keep it."
"When would you ever wear it?" Ethan dubiously asked, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"You never know when it could come in handy - just like our impromptu wedding," Sam told him, lightly elbowing him in the side.
Ethan rolled his eyes before he pointed out, "You're the one who wanted to know where things stood after we spent the night together, so I told you."
Sam couldn't help but smile as she spoke, "I don't think I expected you to be quite so romantic about it all," turning to face him.
With a shrug, Ethan said, "I mean, it's not like we hadn't talked about having a future together and maybe heading down the aisle one day. Waking up next to you just solidified for me."
He couldn't help the fond smile that appeared, and Sam found herself smiling as well.
She then commented, "I guess my flower-print wrap dress ended up being perfect for our little ceremony."
However, her smile soon faded, and she slumped her shoulders and let out a disappointed sigh.
Ethan furrowed his eyebrows before it dawned on him. He then perceived, "You're thinking that our wedding - and how we ended up there - is just another reason that we, mainly you, are considered too different."
"I'm sorry, okay, but I can't help it," Sam began, her voice thick with emotion. She then sighed once more and continued, "Look, I know I didn't want the white dress and veil with all the flowers and the bridesmaids and the something borrowed and blue, and that only makes it worse."
She then got up and started pacing the room as she began to ramble.
"I know I shouldn't obsess over being different and a little non-traditional, but I look at Anna Elizabeth and Calin with their literal white-picket fence…"
"Sam, come on," Ethan called to her in an attempt to get her attention. No such luck, as she kept pacing and blathering on.
"…and then there's the fact that we're not exactly "settled down" even though we're married…"
Ethan sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He then called out once more, "Sam, I really don't think this is helping anything."
She never even heard what he said, as she had taken to absentmindedly twisting her hair around her finger as she continued listing out all of the reasons she and Ethan - mainly her - wouldn't fit in.
Finally, Ethan got up and positioned himself in front of his wife. He grabbed her by the shoulders to make her stop pacing.
"Sam, I really think…" Ethan began, but he cut himself off when he realized that she was still talking.
He then took a deep breath and told her, "Samantha! Please stop!"
That time, Sam stopped at the sound of her full name. She then asked him, "What's with "Samantha?" You never call me that."
"It was the only way to get your attention," Ethan began. He then took another deep breath before he continued, "Look, you're not entirely wrong, okay? Calin did misjudge you when we first started dating, and it is because you're a bartender with tattoos and piercings."
With crossed arms, Sam told him, "If this is your idea of helping, I'm just gonna go to sleep."
"Just let me finish," Ethan said. He paused before he continued, "But then he found out that you have this amazing, kind heart, and you help me see what's important. If you ask any of our friends - or anyone who comes into the restaurant - they'll say the same thing.
"And I promise you that everyone at the party will see it, too, okay? Just give them a chance."
Sam took a deep, calming breath before she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you," she whispered in his neck. Ethan nodded against her as he ran his fingers through her hair.
When they pulled away, Sam said, "I know it's kind of early, but I'm gonna crash. Maybe sleep will help me somehow."
She then glanced over to their bed where the pink blouse lay. She then groaned and complained, "I still have to put up the foundation and hair dye."
"I got it. You just go to bed, alright?" Ethan reassured her. He then grinned and offered, "I might even pack my stuff while I'm at it."
Sam shook her head as she said, "No, you're not. You're gonna wait until the last minute like you do with everything else."
"Oh well. It was worth a shot," he replied with a lopsided smile. He then released her and began walking over to her duffle bag.
Sam couldn't help but chuckle at her husband, who always found a way to make her laugh. She tossed the blouse back in the closet before she turned out the light and crawled into bed.
After Ethan had put away Sam's things, he returned to the bedroom. He saw her tossing and turning, and he knew it was because of how worried she was.
He ran his fingers through his hair as he tried to think of a way to help her. He frustratingly grunted when he drew a blank.
Falling in love with Sam had brought out Ethan's empathetic side, but he was still at a loss of what he could do to truly help her - despite how much he wanted it.
He ran his hands over his face before he thought of someone who could offer some insight.
He then tip-toed over to the bed and grabbed his phone from the nightstand. He watched Sam sleep for a few moments before he quietly made his way to the living room.
He plopped down on the couch before he dialed his brother's number.
Calin picked up on the second ring and greeted, "Hey, Ethan. What's up?"
Ethan couldn't disguise the worry in his tone as he questioned, "Do you think we could, uh, talk?"
Calin didn't hesitate to respond, "Of course. Just hang on for a second." The sound of mumbles followed by shuffling feet and shutting doors came next.
Calin then returned to the line: "You sounded worried. What's going on?"
With a sigh, Ethan then told him, "It's Sam. I don't know what in the hell I'm supposed to do," his voice shifting to panic.
"Just take a deep breath and tell me what's wrong. Is Sam sick?"
Ethan took that deep breath before he explained, "No, she isn't sick - but that would probably be easier to handle."
He then ran his free hand over his face and spoke, "I sound like a jerk, don't I? I'm such an idiot."
"Look, it's okay. I get it - you were never the best when it came to emotions," Calin began. He then surmised, "And I'm guessing that is what's happening with Sam."
"Yeah. She's freaked out about meeting everyone at Elsa's birthday party," Ethan explained, trying not to freak out himself.
With slight confusion in his tone, Calin then asked, "But why would she be…" trailing off when it dawned on him.
He then sighed and spoke, "This is because of me, isn't it? Because of how I misjudged her at first."
"I mean, it didn't exactly help anything," Ethan admitted, rubbing the back of his head. He then reassured his brother: "But I don't blame you - Anna Elizabeth is, like, the personification of a cheerleader."
"What? Ethan, that doesn't even make any sense," Calin pointed out, sounding one part amused and another part exasperated.
Ethan let out a breath before he hastily explained, "You know, it's just that cheerleaders are always, like, the super bubbly goody-two-shoes that everyone knows and loves."
Calin was quiet for a few moments before he conceded, "Not sure it's entirely accurate, but I get your point."
He then took a breath and sincerely offered, "But Sam has to realize that I know I was completely wrong about her, and I should have given her a fair chance."
"Of course she does, and she isn't mad at you. Hell, she even understands where you guys are coming from, but that doesn't make things any easier for her," Ethan explained, his voice thick with emotion.
Calin was quiet once more as he tried to think of what he could say. He then sympathetically spoke, "Look, man, I'm really sorry that Sam's going through this. Have you tried talking to her?"
"Yeah, that's why I called you - to tell you how great it's all going," Ethan sarcastically answered.
He could just see his brother's eye roll before he said, "Sorry, dude. It's just that she took out her nose ring, she was going to get rid of the blue highlights, and she was going to cover her tattoos. And wear some light pink lace shirt. I managed to talk her out of all of that, but I don't know how much it actually helped anything."
"All that just because she thinks she needs to fit in?" Calin incredulously asked. He could tell that this weighed on his sister-in-law, but he had no idea that she would try to hide who she is.
"Yeah - now you know why I'm worried about her," Ethan replied, running his fingers back through his hair.
Calin only hummed in response before he told his brother, "I understand how you feel - believe me, I do. You're just gonna have to remind Sam of how amazing you think she is, and that everyone else will see it too."
"Don't you think I've tried that?" Ethan frustratingly stated. He then continued, "I never once said anything about her tattoos, piercings, and blue hair except to say that I think they're pretty damn cool because it's the truth. I love how they're a way that she expresses who she is, and I happily tell anyone who will listen. And when it's just us, I show her how much she means to me in every way I know how. But none of that worked!"
He then took the phone away from his ear and tapped against his forehead to keep from throwing it, letting out a shaky breath as he did so.
He then put the phone back to his ear and spoke, "You still there, Calin? I didn't scare you off, did I?"
"No, man, you're good. Trust me, I know what it's like to see the woman you love hurting," Calin reassured him.
"Thanks," Ethan began, and he couldn't help but feel relief. He then asked, "So, what exactly am I supposed to do to help her?"
Calin remained quiet for a few moments before he uneasily spoke, "I have an answer for you, but I'm not sure you're gonna like it. And it might not make much sense at first."
With a sigh, Ethan replied, "That isn't at all reassuring. What the hell is it?"
"Let me start with this," Calin began before he said, "Alright, so you know that Anna Elizabeth gave birth through a C-section."
"Yeah…" Ethan said, not entirely sure where this conversation was going.
"Well, when Anna Elizabeth first found out that she would have to have a C-section, she completely freaked out about the permanent scar it would leave behind, and I wasn't the best at reassuring her fears," Calin explained, but his brother cut him off.
"But you should have been able to. I know that Anna Elizabeth means as much to you as Sam does to me. We're supposed to make everything okay for them so they won't have to hurt."
With a sigh, Calin then told him, "It just isn't that simple - we can't always fix everything. Anna Elizabeth had to realize by herself that a scar wasn't going to change how beautiful she was on the inside and the outside. Sam's gonna have to do the same thing."
Ethan let out a ragged breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. He then asked, "And just what am I supposed to do? Sit around and hope that she comes to this realization?"
"She will. And until she does, you're gonna love and support her - which I know you already do."
Ethan couldn't help but chuckle as he told his brother, "Yeah, I do. In my own, weird brand of love and support that involves jokes and sarcastic comments."
Calin found himself laughing before he commented, "Which is why I still say that Sam is a saint for putting up with you."
Ethan chuckled once more as he agreed, "Yeah, she is." His voice then turned serious as he spoke, "Do you really think she'll be alright? I love her more than I thought was even possible for me - she means the world to me, and I can't stand to see her hurting."
"I know, man. And it probably won't exactly be easy, but Sam will come around - you just have to keep being there for her. And don't even think about giving up on her," Calin offered with a hopeful tone.
Ethan couldn't help but smile at his brother's optimism. He then jokingly spoke, "You know, I'm trying to figure out how Mr. "I Can't Talk to a Woman Without Getting Nervous" managed to get so good at relationship and marriage advice."
This time, Ethan could just see Calin shaking his head. The younger brother then spoke, "To be fair, I can't take all of the credit. It's taken quite a few ups and downs - as well as advice from Emma and Killian - to get me here."
Ethan couldn't help but chuckle before he genuinely spoke, "Well, thank you for the advice. I really needed it."
"Anytime," Calin replied. He then paused before he added, "And I'm not sure how much this helps, but everyone's excited to finally meet Sam. Especially now that she's officially family."
"Yeah, well, knowing all of you, she'll pretty much be adopted by the end of Elsa's party," Ethan half-seriously spoke. A moment later, he became heartfelt as he added, "That's what I'm hoping anyway."
"Everything will work out. I know it," Calin reassured his brother, receiving another "thank you" in reply.
Ethan then said, "Sam's already gone to sleep, and I think I might, too. I am pretty beat."
"Alright, I'll see you and Sam soon - talk to you later," Calin replied before he let out a yawn of his own.
"Back at you, bro," Ethan said before he hung up. He then ran his hands over his face and through his hair.
As he stood up to make the trek back to the bedroom, he felt a renewed determination to help Sam. There were times where he still felt a bit out of his element, but he loved her more than anything in the world.
When he crawled into bed, Sam had stopped tossing and turning, and she was now resting on her side. Her dreamcatcher tattoo was visible, and Ethan gently began running his fingers over it.
He then began softly speaking, "This is probably crazy because you're asleep, and you probably can't even hear me, but I'm saying it anyway. I am absolutely crazy about you, and I know I always will be. I don't know how anyone couldn't see how amazing you are, and you know I'd tell them so. Even though I'd probably make a stupid joke out of it. Anyway, just know I wouldn't want to live my life without you, and I'm really hoping that everyone will see why. I mean, I know they will, and I hope you know it, too."
Ethan then pressed a soft kiss on her forehead before he rolled over to get some sleep.
Little did he know that his wife had been awake to hear his little speech, and her eyes fluttered open as she watched his breathing even out.
Sam couldn't help but smile - she was so in love with him. Sure, he may have brought new meaning to the phrase "rough around the edges," but she never doubted that he loved her with all of his heart.
And it was that love that would help her overcome the doubts and fears as she set off to meet the rest of her new family.
A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed the first installment of "Part of Us!" I'm currently working on the next part, and you guys will see it soon :)