Rachel struggled into the apartment in the first week of May, her baby bump bigger than she could have possibly feared. She longed for the days when she was comfortable; she had forgotten what that was like in recent months. Her only comfort had always been Sam. Ever since they made up after their fight they had never been closer, and Rachel had been more respectful of his working hours and he had remembered to keep her updated on what he was up to. As she walked into the apartment on that sweaty, sticky afternoon, she was surprised that Sam was nowhere to be found until she noticed a note on the kitchen counter.

"Rach,

Spontaneously decided to take Stevie and Stacy to the movies. Dropping by Kurt and Blaine's on way back. Don't even THINK about making dinner; I'll bring something back. Rest up, Berry!

Trouty Mouth xx"

Rachel couldn't help but swoon as she read the note and tried not to read into the kisses at the end. She adored how he called himself Trouty Mouth. Even a letter from Sam was enough to make her heart beat faster.

It's just your hormones, Rachel, you don't love the guy.

She wasn't fooling anybody.

…

Sam came home a few hours later with bags of takeaway food in his hands, as well as a long, thin tube. Rachel's face lit up at the sight of him and she hugged him instantly, causing him to drop everything he was holding and gently wrap his arms around her.

"What was that for?" Sam asked.

"I just missed you, that's all."

"Rach, I've been gone about three hours."

"Yeah, but you worked yesterday until early this morning and you went out before I woke up and then you went out with Stevie and Stacy. I haven't seen you in over 24 hours. That's a first since the day I moved in." Rachel explained.

"True. Well, I missed you too, in that case." Sam smiled, kissing the top of Rachel's head as he started unpacking the food. Rachel went to lean over to pick up the tube but Sam got their first.

"Don't worry, I'll get it; don't strain yourself. It's for you, anyway. Surprise!" Sam said, handing the tube to her. Rachel instantly realised what it was. A poster.

"Is this what I hope it is?" Rachel asked.

"The store got a new Barbra Streisand poster in, so I guess it must be." Sam smiled.

"YES! Thank you!" Rachel squealed, kissing Sam on the cheek but regretting instantly afterwards she didn't go for his lips. She'd been wondering what his lips tasted like lately. She'd been thinking about little things like that more and more often. He'd told her in confidence a few weeks ago that he had been a stripped when times were hard for a while, and the thought had stayed with Rachel since. Sam Evans, stripper. Trained to be an expert in all things sexual.

He must be great in bed…STOP IT, Rachel! Don't let the hormones win! Stop thinking like that.

…

I bet he would rock my world, though.

Rachel blushed a little as she inspected the poster more closely.

"I'll put it up after we eat." Sam said happily, sitting on the couch with his plate of food and putting Rachel's plate on her tummy so it balanced perfectly. He smirked at her as he did so.

"It wasn't funny the first fifty times you've done it, it isn't funny now." Rachel said. Sam giggled adorably and turned his attention to the TV. Rachel smiled as she took a bite and rested her head on Sam's shoulder instinctively. Sam wrapped his free arm around her like it was the most natural thing in the world. They had done that for a long while now, and it had never felt weird.

…

"HOW AM I STILL HUNGRY?" Rachel shouted as she opened the fridge door. Sam just laughed and joined her at the fridge.

"I have no idea. I'm pretty sure you've eaten one of our pillows on top of everything in the fridge." Sam said.

"I know, I know, it SUCKS. This baby's gonna be HUGE, I swear." Rachel said with a sigh. Sam took her hand.

"Hey, not long to go now, Rach. You know this is all gonna be worth it. It's gonna be amazing." He said softly, comforting Rachel successfully.

"Yeah, you're right."

"Okay, I'm gonna go to the store and pick up a few snacks, okay? I won't be long." Sam said, grabbing his jacket and opening the door.

"Sam?" Rachel said, causing him to face her.

"You're pretty amazing too. And I've never meant anything more in my life." Rachel added. Sam blushed, giving a shy wave as he walked off. Rachel watched him go with a smile, for the first time in a while ignoring the discomfort the baby was giving her.

…

Twenty minutes later, Sam opened the door and saw Rachel sat on the sofa.

"Surprise bitch, bet you thought you'd seen the last of me." Sam said, smiling after finishing his latest impression. Rachel laughed as well as Sam joined her, placing a bar of chocolate on her lap. She looked at him and beamed.

"You're the best." She said, ripping open the bar and starting to eat it instantly.

"I know." Sam joked as Rachel playfully bumped into him.

"I mean it, though. Through these past nine months you've been so amazing. I thought the thing I'd get most out of this is giving Kurt and Blaine a son or daughter, but it won't be. It'll be gaining you in my life." Rachel said, sliding her hand into his.

"Rachel…" Sam said, embarrassed and coy.

"No, really. I don't know what I'd have done without you through all of this. You know, when I lost my dads I was certain I'd never smile again. Then I met you and…I don't know. You just bring out this happiness in me I thought I'd lost forever. So thanks." Rachel said, growing teary. Sam wrapped his arms around her and held her close, her burying her face in his chest.

"Rachel Berry, you are ten times the human being I could ever hope to be. And don't you forget that." Sam whispered as he held her close.

Tell her. Just tell her.

"Rach-"

"-I'm really tired. I think I need my bed. Sorry, were you gonna say something?" Rachel said.

"Oh, uh…don't worry about it." Sam said.

"Okay…goodnight, Sam." Rachel said, kissing him on the cheek again before departing. Sam watched her go with a smile, pure awe in his eyes.

…

2:27 AM.

Sam's door creaked open. Sam instantly sat up, rubbing his eyes at the sight of a very worried Rachel before him.

"You okay?" Sam asked. Rachel shook her head.

"We have an issue." Rachel whispered.

"What is it?" Sam asked. Rachel took a deep breath.

"…My waters have broken."