The next two months passed by without any major events. Kurt and Blaine came round regularly, of course, and Rachel and Sam spent most nights watching a film and most days laughing together over something unimportant to the rest of the world. To them it mattered, and Sam couldn't describe the pleasure he got out of making Rachel smile.
It was the middle of November, and Sam returned home from another shoot to the first ever bad day he'd had since Rachel moved in.
"That was exhausting. I could've sworn the photographer was flirting with me. Don't get me wrong, he was a handsome dude but-"
Sam stopped at the sight of Rachel, sat silently on the couch with tears running down her face. Sam's concern took over his body as he rushed over to her, kneeling down so they were on the same level and taking her hands.
"Rach, what's up?" Sam asked, worried.
"It's just that, um...I got up this morning and there was...a bit of pain...and it's gotten a bit worse." Rachel choked. Sam's heart stopped.
This is not happening.
"Okay, I'll take you to the hospital, okay? I bet its fine; your morning sickness has gotten worse recently, remember? It's probably nothing." Sam said, desperate to reassure Rachel.
"What if it's not?"
"It will be, I promise. Come on."
"Kurt and Blaine are on vacation for the week; I can't get hold of them."
"Rachel, its fine. Just breathe. If we need to, we'll find a way to get hold of them, but it'll be nothing."
"I can't let them down, Sam."
"Rach, you can never let them down. You've been amazing and you still will be. Come on."
"Sam...I'm scared." Rachel whispered. Sam's heart broke at the sound of her broken voice.
"I'm right here, okay. Scared is a superpower. Every emotion you feel is going into that baby and making them more of a human being. Scared is okay." Sam whispered, taking Rachel's hand firmly in his, kissing the top of her head and walking out, taking a deep breath.
…
Sam didn't know what to think as he sat in the waiting room, desperate to see Rachel and desperate for her to be okay. She'd been in the room for ten minutes, but even that had felt like an eternity. Eventually, Rachel walked out into the waiting area and straight into Sam's arms, uncharacteristically silent. A look from the nurse told Sam all he needed; everything was fine and Rachel's pains were normal. He held Rachel tightly for a few more minutes as she sobbed.
…
Sam sat Rachel down on the couch and noticed her reluctance to let go of him, so he sat with her and held her for a while longer.
"...You hungry?" Sam asked eventually. Rachel nodded.
"I'll order something, yeah?"
Rachel nodded again. Sam got up and ordered a pizza before turning on the TV and sitting next to Rachel again.
"Well, that was horrible." Sam said.
"I'm sorry I put you through all that for nothing." Rachel replied.
"Don't worry. I told you it would be fine, didn't I? But we needed to make sure." Sam said.
"You're an amazing guy, Sam. Not every guy could be as supportive and helpful as you've been since the very start. You're a great friend." Rachel said, snuggling into his chest. Sam smiled; Rachel had never called him a friend before. He could get used to that joy it gave him to hear that.
"It was my pleasure, Rach. Whatever you need, I'll be here for you, okay?"
"Okay."
The two watched TV for a further twenty five minutes before Sam realised Rachel was staring at him.
"...You okay?" Sam asked. Rachel smiled.
"Yep. Just thinking."
"About what?"
"...We should have sex." Rachel blurted. Sam looked at her in shock as Rachel leaned in to kiss him. He backed away and stood up.
"Rachel, no. You warned me about this. You had a scary day, but that's okay. We're not gonna do this." Sam said.
"Oh, come on! Just one time."
"No."
"Please? As a friend?"
"That is one thing a friend does NOT do!"
"It won't mean anything. Just once."
"Rachel, no. You're not thinking straight." Sam said, not believing what was happening.
My sixteen year old self must hate me right now. Hell, my present day self hates me right now.
At that moment, the doorbell rang.
"PIZZA'S HERE! Sit down, you horny short woman."
…
Two hours later, Rachel walked out of the shower in her dressing gown while Sam was watching a DVD.
"Hi." She said timidly.
"What up, Slutty Smurf?" Sam teased smugly as she sat down with a red face.
"Shut up. I'm sorry about earlier; you were right, I was stressed and upset. You did good, Evans. You could've given in, but you didn't."
"That's right, I did not." Sam said.
And I hate myself for it.
"So...we're good? I didn't make things awkward, did I?" Rachel asked.
"We're cool, Rach. It's been a while since a girl came on to me, so part of me enjoyed it. Let's just forget it and move on. Are you okay? I bet that was scary earlier."
"Terrifying, but yeah, I'm better. Thank you. Again."
"My pleasure. Again." Sam smiled and Rachel smiled back.
"You're gonna get the best Christmas present EVER from me, I tell you now." Rachel teased. Sam grinned.
"I bet my present for you is better." Sam said.
"Nah, I bet your present giving is like your cooking." Rachel joked.
"That was uncalled for. It is so on now, Berry."
"Bring it on, Samuel." Rachel laughed, standing up and messing up Sam's hair as she went passed. He watched her walk into her room and smile at him as she closed the door, the smile that made his heart skip a beat. He stayed looking at the door for a few more moments before it dawned on him.
I'm falling for this girl. Here we go again.