A few days later, Rachel was released from hospital while Kurt and Blaine could finally take their baby girl home. They sat Rachel and Ellie safely into the back seat of their car and began the drive home.

"Thanks for the lift." Rachel said.

"Rach, it's the least we can do. You gave us the most beautiful baby girl ever." Blaine smiled as he drove. Kurt turned back to smile at her and Ellie. Rachel also turned to Ellie, asleep in her car seat, and gently stroked her hair.

"She is lovely." Rachel smiled.

"And you can come visit her whenever you like." Kurt added.

"Thank you. Is Sam back at the apartment?" Rachel asked, unable to keep a smile off her face when she said his name.

"Yeah, he's got banners and balloons up to hold a mini homecoming for you. Which you weren't supposed to know about. Crap." Kurt said. Rachel's grin increased in size.

"Just act surprised when you walk in or we'll never hear the end of it." Blaine chuckled.

"No problem." Rachel smiled, looking out the window.

"Sam never told us what you two spoke about when he went to see you. Did anything noteworthy happen?" Kurt said, clearly pressing Rachel for information.

"Maybe." Rachel said with a sly grin.

"I KNEW IT! YES! Did he do the speech?" Blaine asked.

"No, it was so much better than that." Rachel said, blushing.

"Oh, this is so great! We can go on double dates and everything!" Kurt exclaimed, making Rachel laugh.

"Kurt's best friend dating my best friend; this is so meant to be!" Blaine squealed. Rachel rolled her eyes but was secretly feeling the same way they were inside.

…

Rachel opened the door to the apartment and gave her best shocked expression at the sight of balloons, streamers and a handmade 'WELCOME HOME RACHEL' sign. Sam sat up on the couch, filled with glee at the sight of her.

"Surprise!" Sam shouted happily as Rachel rushed over to hug him.

"Wow! This is so sweet!" Rachel said as they parted. Sam's face dropped.

"They blabbed, didn't they?"

"Yeah, kinda. But Sam, this really is lovely. Thank you." Rachel smiled, pulling him closer to her and kissing him passionately. They reluctantly broke apart eventually.

"I'm never gonna get used to how amazing that feels." Sam said.

"Me neither." Rachel smiled, kissing Sam again.

"So…how sore is it all, you know, down there?" Sam asked suggestively.

Is he suggesting that we…?

"Why?" Rachel asked.

"Well, if you're not in too much pain I want to take you out for dinner, but if you're still not right we'll order something and eat in." Sam said, kissing Rachel once more.

"You are adorable, you know that?" Rachel said, laughing when Sam nodded.

"Well, how about we eat in tonight as Kurt and Blaine said they're popping round later anyway and go out tomorrow?" Rachel suggested.

"Sounds good to me." Sam said, fixing a loose strand of Rachel's hair.

"Right, Deano, you need some food." Sam said, walking over to the dog's bowl. Rachel grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"I love you." Rachel said. Sam smiled.

"I love you too."

…

A few hours later, Rachel and Sam were cuddled the sofa feeding each other pizza, while Kurt fed slice after slice to Blaine as they sat on the floor, a sleeping Ellie in Blaine's arms.

"Sometimes you just can't beat a good pizza." Sam commented. Rachel laughed as she wiped a piece of cheese from Sam's mouth.

"Rachel, you got the guy, you don't have to laugh at everything he says anymore." Kurt joked with a grin as Rachel nudged his head with her foot.

"I know; I guess I just find him funny." Rachel said, kissing Sam passionately.

"Woah, slow down, we've got a baby present! Save that for tonight!" Blaine laughed.

"We haven't even gone out on a proper date yet, and you think we can't control ourselves?" Sam asked. Blaine nodded.

"Why would you think that?" Sam asked.

"Because I know you. Remember Georgia?" Blaine said. Sam went red.

"Shut up."

"What happened with Georgia?" Rachel asked, interested.

"Nothing."

"Sam, if you love me you'll tell the story." Rachel said.

"Rach, you know I love you."

"So tell the story then."

"…Okay, okay! It was just over three years ago. Me and Blaine went to a bar, had way too much to drink and I got talking to Georgia, the barmaid." Sam began.

"And?"

"And, we got on a bit too well. I think it was the alcohol." Sam said, embarrassed.

"What, and you two…?" Rachel asked.

"Within half an hour of meeting." Blaine added. Sam glared at him.

"Sam Evans, you slut." Kurt said with a smile.

"So you just snuck off to a toilet and-"

"-Oh, no, Rachel. Where did it happen Sam?" Blaine asked. Sam sighed and looked at Blaine again.

"…Behind the bar."

The group, bar Sam, exploded into laughter but instantly hushed down when Ellie made a ridiculously adorable noise.

"Stop it! It was a horrible experience. She got fired and I got banned." Sam explained.

"How did they catch you?"

"It was on CCTV." Sam said and Rachel laughed again.

"Oh, I'm actually quite turned on by this side of you. But we're never doing it behind a bar." Rachel giggled. She looked around the room at her friends, their baby she helped bring into the world, and her boyfriend, and had never felt safer. She felt like she'd found her place on Earth. She was home.

…

That night, Rachel and Sam got undressed and prepared to share a bed as a couple for the first time. They got under the covers and snuggled tightly together, Rachel resting her head on Sam's bare chest.

"Comfy?" Sam asked and Rachel smiled.

"Yeah. You're nice and warm." Rachel said, causing Sam to kiss the top of her head.

"I can't believe we're finally doing this." Sam said.

"I know." Rachel whispered, kissing Sam and moving her hand delicately through his hair.

"We've done well considering I thought you were Kurt and Blaine's lesbian friend when we first met." Sam chuckled, causing Rachel to laugh as well.

"I'd blocked that from my memory!" Rachel giggled.

"Oh well, we made it. That's what's important." Sam added.

"Agreed. And hey, I found it kind of endearing. After all, everyone's a bit of a weirdo, some people are just braver to show it than others. I liked that about you from the start." Rachel explained as Sam turned off the light.

"I'm very glad you did. I love you." He whispered, kissing her hair once more.

"Love you too, Samuel." Rachel whispered in reply. Sam chuckled.

"Shut up, Berry."