N.B. BIG thanks for all your reviews hunnies! Mwahs…Dedicated as always, to my Dynamos & the Livettes xxx

Warning…'M' alert, 'M' alert!

*************

Chapter 4 Make Or Break?

*********

Slowly walking across the deserted courtyard, Donna glanced up into the evening sky. It was already growing dark, as the winter sun sank lower and disappeared on the horizon. It was still quite warm for that time of year, but there was a cool breeze blowing around the outbuildings and it made her shiver slightly. With her heart filled with anticipation of what the night held for her and her husband, Donna wrapped her red shawl tighter around her shoulders and came to a stop, at the top of the old stone steps to the beach. Just wanting to take a few moments to gather her thoughts and get things straight in her head, Donna looked back across the dimly lit courtyard, after she was sure she'd heard the faint sound of giggling and whispering. She narrowed her eyes, trying to work out if she could see anyone through the darkness, but soon gave up thinking it was her mind playing tricks and started to walk down the first stage of the steps in front of her. Donna gasped, as she turned the corner and was met by the sight of hundreds of candles lighting the rest of the way. They lined each side of the stairs and guided a path in the sand, leading up to a table by the beach bar. Finally reaching the perfectly laid table, Donna picked up a single pink rose and inhaled its sweet scent, looking around for her husband.

"I'm glad you came." Sam said softly, stepping out of the shadows and trying his best not to startle his pregnant wife. "You look beautiful Donna." He added, coming to a stop a few feet away from her and giving her one of his trademark smiles.

Donna stayed silent and just smiled softly, allowing her husband to pull a chair out for her to sit at the table. She didn't want to seem too eager to Sam, she wanted to be in total control of the situation, but it took all her strength not to lean forward and kiss his inviting lips right there and then. Handing his wife her napkin, Sam uncovered the plate of food in front of her and took his own seat opposite. Looking down at the plate, Donna realised someone had gone to a lot of effort to help her husband plan this meal…Rosie.

"This looks nice." Said Donna quietly, picking up her fork. "Did you make it?" She asked, trying a piece of chicken and glancing up at Sam.

Nodding, Sam tired the food himself and smiled at his beautiful wife. "Yes, with a little bit of help." He answered, now pouring them both a glass of sparkling water.

They spent the next ten minutes enjoying the delicious meal, both staying silent and stealing glances from one another. The atmosphere was still a little tense between the Carmichael's and Sam could tell his wife wasn't her usual lively self. He was pleased she'd decided to join him for dinner, even though he could tell she was still annoyed with him. It was a step in the right direction, to getting everything back on track and Sam knew, he'd stop at nothing to earn his wife's trust once again…They were both so madly in love with one another, that when it came to the thought of one of them cheating, it drove them both insane. Now Donna was pregnant, she was showing signs of feeling even more insecure and Sam had made them even worse. It was crazy, he'd never cheat on her, but Donna obviously thought otherwise, imagining god knows what else.

Taking a sip of water, Sam placed his napkin down on the table and gazed at Donna. "Can we talk about this darling?" He asked, as his wife wiped the corners of her mouth and gazed up at him.

"Well that's why you invited me down here isn't it?" Donna responded rather coldly, before picking up her drink and taking a sip. "To talk about how you messed up and made me feel like shit in the process." She continued, placing her water back on the table and not breaking eye contact with Sam whilst doing so.

Thinking about it for a few seconds, Sam finally nodded. "Yeah, I suppose so." He replied, watching Donna sighing deeply. "I never wanted to hurt you sweetheart. That would never be my intention…Can you forgive me?"

Playing with the napkin on her lap, Donna peered down at it. "I don't know Sam." She said barely audible to her husband. "It just seems to be one thing after another lately. Not just you, but me too." She continued, slowly raising her head to face him. "It feels like the trust is slowly dissolving between us and I hate feeling like that, I really do." She finished, feeling the tears beginning to form in her eyes.

"Oh sweetheart." Said Sam in a whisper, standing from his seat and walking round to kneel at the side of his wife. "Don't you ever think that." He said, hooking his finger under her chin and turning her face to look at him. "We have to trust each other…I promise you with all my heart, I'd never do anything to wreck what we have. You're my world."

Blinking back her tears, Donna swallowed softly. "You already have." She answered, turning her head away from her husband, to stare up into the twinkling night sky.

Donna had managed for quite some time, to keep herself composed and not show any emotion, but now it was all becoming too much for her. When Sam had started talking about trust, it had really hit it home for her… He'd been looking at other women in a sexual way. Something that actually turned her stomach when she thought about it for long enough. True, a lot of men did it, whether their partners knew about it or not, but it was something she thought Sam would never do. She was carrying his baby and now she was seriously wondering if they had any sort of future together. As far as Donna was concerned, strip clubs were only one step away from getting involved with hookers. She wasn't stupid, she knew what these women would do for the extra cash, especially if they knew the guy was wealthy. She knew, because before she formed the Dynamos with her friends, she had almost been lured into the seedy world of stripping, in order to keep a roof over her head. They were desperate times, but thankfully Donna had been able to steer herself off that road to self-destruction.

"What are you saying Donna?" Asked Sam nervously, bringing his wife out of her distant memories. "Are you saying, you don't want to be with me anymore?" He finished, feeling his heart start to sink in his chest, as Donna turned back to stare into his eyes.

Sam felt his world start to crumble around him and the strange look in his wife's eyes was worrying him… He'd never seen her like this before. Yes, he'd seen her pissed at him, but it was usually sorted soon after and the look of love in her eyes never disappeared, no matter how mad she was. This time was different. Donna was more upset than he first thought and now he was beginning to doubt whether she would ever forgive him. The thought of losing her, due to him not thinking about the outcome of his own stupid actions, was killing him inside. He couldn't let her go and in his mind, it wasn't even an option. Sam had made a vow on their wedding day and he was going to stick to it, no matter what it took.

As a tear trickled down her cheek, Donna shook her head slowly. "I don't know what I want right now." She answered, flinching slightly, as her husband gently wiped away her tear with his thumb. "I trusted you and you abused it, thinking I'd never find out about New York…Maybe it's my fault. Maybe I'm not enough for you anymore." She finished, moving away from Sam's touch and standing from her seat.

"Donna, that's just not true." Responded Sam, straightening up to stand in front of his wife. "You are the only woman I need or want."

Turning away from her husband, Donna wrapped her arms around herself and closed her eyes to listen to the sound of the ocean crashing on the rocks. "Well if that was true Sam, why did you feel the need to go watch some cheap women taking their clothes off for you?" She asked, as her hand slid down to rest on her baby bump, after she felt a gentle movement.

Sam walked over to stand next to Donna and placed his hands in his pockets. "I was drunk, I wasn't thinking." He answered, with a sigh, as Donna rolled her eyes at his response. "I'm sorry darling."

Having heard enough, Donna was cold and tired. She didn't want to talk about it anymore. There was nothing either of them could say or do to erase what had happened and Donna realised she was going have to sort out in her head, what she was going to do…Could she trust Sam again? Would he do it again, making her out to be a fool? Was he just hanging around to see his baby and then he was going to leave her anyway? …Stop it, Donna thought to herself, as the questions floated around her head.

"The meal was lovely. Thank you." Said Donna, turning to face her husband. "Good night." She finished, turning in the sand and slowly walking off towards the candlelit steps.

"That's it, goodnight?" Sam asked in a raised tone, as he hurried after his wife. "I've said I'm sorry Donna. I don't know what else you want me to say or do." He continued, grabbing Donna's arm and bringing her to a stop in the sand.

Stepping round, to stand in front of his wife, Sam couldn't help the tears escaping his eyes as he stared at her. He couldn't quite believe what was happening and it certainly wasn't the way he had thought the evening was going to end up. Donna stared back at him, seeing such remorse and sorrow in his eyes. It broke her heart to think it was her that was making him feel like this, but it was exactly the way he had made her feel all day. Now they were both feeling completely miserable and at a total loss as to where their relationship was heading. Donna knew she had to clear one thing up, before she could walk away from him.

"Do you believe this can work?" Asked Donna, breaking the silence, as Sam let go of the tight grip on her arm. "Do you honestly think we can live like this…Without trust?" She continued, staring deep into Sam's watery eyes, desperately searching for answers.

"I will make you trust me again Donna." Replied Sam, stepping closer and tenderly stroking his wife's stunning cheekbone. "I can't live without you. You should know that darling." He finished, gazing into her piercing green eyes. "I love you."

There was no more doubt in Donna's mind, she could see it in her husband's eyes. He was telling the truth. He loved her, as much as she loved him and she had made him suffer enough, leaving him hanging.

"I love you too." Whispered Donna, placing her hand over Sam's on her cheek and closing her eyes.

Moving slowly, Sam inched his face towards his wife's and placed his lips on hers. His kiss was soft and tender, not wanting to rush things, but to show Donna just how much he needed her. Donna's body tingled at the feeling of Sam's tongue slowly moving across the entrance of her mouth, begging for access.

Pulling away from her husband's touch, Donna reached down to take his hand in hers. "Let's go upstairs." She whispered, entwining her fingers through his and leading him up to the courtyard.

********

Running his pregnant wife a relaxing bath, to soothe her cold body, Sam left her in peace and went to the kitchen to make her some herbal tea. He'd meant it when he said he'd earn her trust and resigned himself to the fact that he would do whatever it took to do so. Although the evening hadn't gone exactly as planned, at least Donna was now talking to him and had let him into their bedroom. They had argued before, resulting in him being thrown out of the marital bed and having to sleep in the guest quarters. He'd hated every minute of it. Hating the fact that his wife didn't want him anywhere near her, when all he wanted to do was hold her tight and fall asleep with the warmth of her body next to his.

"So, how did it go?" Rosie asked Sam, as she and Tanya walked into the kitchen, after checking the coast was clear. "Is she talking to you again?"

Pouring the boiling water into a mug and over the teabag, Sam turned and shrugged his shoulders. "Well she's speaking to me, but I think I'm far from forgiven." He answered, pulling open a drawer next to the Dynamos, in search of a teaspoon.

Sitting down at the kitchen table, Tanya topped up her glass of wine, from the bottle she was carrying. "Well that's a start Carmichael." She said, before letting out a loud hic-up. "I'm surprised in Donna's hormonal state, you didn't end up wearing that meal." She added in a drunken slur, after taking a gulp of wine to try and clear her hic-ups.

"Me too." Sam replied with a laugh, as he stirred his wife's hot drink and placed the spoon into the sink behind him. "Very surprised."

Pouring herself a glass of wine too, Rosie smiled at Sam and sat down next to Tanya. "Just give her a bit of time honey. I'm sure things will be back to normal soon enough and besides it's Christmas in a few days. Don loves Christmas." She said, after taking a small sip of her wine.

Nodding, Sam knew his wife's friend was right. Donna had been looking forward to Christmas and it had taken him all he had, to stop her hanging the decorations at the beginning of November. He laughed to himself, thinking about that day he'd found Donna searching for the ladder and her rubbish excuse about one of the tiles on the roof being loose, when she was standing right next to the box of snowflake shaped ornaments. His wife was a little bit crazy, but Sam loved her all the more for it.

"Look Carmichael." Said Tanya, standing up and staggering a little. "You need to go up there and give Donna a mind-blowing orgasm. That woman's too tense for her own good." She added, throwing her arm around Sam's shoulder and giving him a cheeky wink. "We promise to cover our ears."

Rosie laughed and rolled her eyes at the state of her best friend. Tanya must have consumed at least four bottles of expensive white wine since dinner a few hours ago and now her wicked side was beginning to show once more. Anyone who didn't know the tall brunette, might have been a little shocked at her upfront attitude, but all her friends were more than used to it by now and found it rather amusing.

"I'll bare that in mind Tanya." Sam replied with a laugh, as he picked up Donna's tea. "Good night girls and thanks for your help. I really appreciate it." He finished, giving the Dynamos a wink, as he left them to it in the kitchen and made his way back up to the bedroom.

*******

Walking into the bathroom to join his wife, as she combed her hair in front of the mirror, Sam handed her the mug of herbal tea and smiled. Donna smiled back and placed it down on the side of the basin, before carrying on with what she was doing. She was wrapped in just a towel, after just climbing out of the bath and Sam stripped off to take a shower, still studying his wife's stunning features in the reflection of the mirror, as he slid off his boxer shorts and stepped out of them.

"They must really like you, you know?" Said Donna, placing her comb down next to the sink and picking up her drink, watching Sam through the mirror behind her.

"Who?" Asked Sam, stepping closer towards Donna, so his body was nearly touching hers.

Rolling her eyes, Donna sighed softly. "The Dynamos." She answered, putting her mug back down to the side and then returning her gaze to her husband's reflection. "Tanya wouldn't have come to give me a little talk today otherwise and Rosie would've never agreed to help you make dinner." She continued, with the hairs standing up on the back of her neck, at the feeling of Sam's breath tickling her.

He was standing close to her on purpose, breathing in her fresh lavender scent from the bath oils and knowing he was having some sort of affect on her. Sam could tell, because Donna's breathing had quickened slightly and he could see she was losing concentration on what she was talking about. Reaching up, he moved his wife's towel dried hair away from one side of her neck and leant in even closer. Donna flinched, at the feeling of his fingertips lightly moving over her shoulders, as he did so, causing goose-bumps to prickle up on her flesh.

"They know how much I love you Donna." Whispered Sam, raising an eyebrow, as his lips tenderly met his wife's neck and he felt her relax. "They know I'm completely besotted with you." He continued, beginning to plant slow, butterfly kisses around her neck and ear. "They know we can't live without each other."

Closing her eyes, Donna could feel herself melting with every one of her handsome husband's sensuous kisses. They made her feel warm inside, they made her weak at the knees and they made her feel extremely turned on. She knew exactly what Sam was doing, but she was enjoying the sensation too much, to tell him to stop. There was nothing she could do, but to surrender to him fully and as she felt his hands slip round to her front, where her towel was tucked in, she knew for sure it was too late.

"You are so beautiful Donna Carmichael." Whispered Sam, gently yanking at the damp towel from around his wife and continuing his alluring kisses to her neck. "The thought of me never seeing your body again, or kissing you, would kill me." He finished, allowing the towel to fall to the floor by their feet.

Not able to speak, Donna slowly opened her eyes and instantly locked gazes with her husband, in the mirror. Her breathing was becoming even shallower, as Sam's kisses intensified and he introduced slow flicks of his tongue around her burning skin. His arms slid around her, as one hand began to caress her bare breasts and the other moved down between her legs. With his touch still slow and teasing, Sam could feel himself becoming more and more aroused by the second. Donna parted her legs a little further, allowing her husband's fingers to carry on working on the spot that drove her wild with pure pleasure. He applied pressure, feeling Donna moisten even more with every strategic movement around her sensitive parts.

Leaning back against her husband's naked frame, Donna steadied herself and wrapped an arm around his neck. "Hmmmmm." She moaned softly, turning her head to find Sam's lips with her own.

Feeling Sam's solid erection pressing against her back, Donna was aching for him. Every single inch of him. Their kiss was deep and passionate, as Sam plunged his tongue into Donna's mouth, desperate to find hers. He wasn't disappointed, as his wife met his kiss with equal force and allowed her tongue to dance merrily with his. With the foreplay pushing them to the brink of desire for each other, it wasn't much longer before they knew they'd have to take it one step further. Donna moaned into her husband's mouth, as he slid two of his exploring fingers inside her warmth and moved them delicately within her. Wanting to stimulate his wife for as long as she needed, Sam waited until he heard Donna's breathing become heavy and ragged, then he carefully removed his touch from inside her. Donna groaned desperately, causing Sam to smirk confidently, as he slowly repositioned his stance behind her and slid his manhood into her highly aroused lower body.

"Oh myyyyyyyyyy..." Donna gasped, breaking from their kiss, as Sam groaned too and found her neck once more.

Wanting to be as tender as he possibly could, Sam kept his hip movements slow and his thrusts within his wife, shallow. Donna rested her head back against her husband's broad shoulder and met his movements with her own. Both of Sam's hands were now placed over his wife's pert breasts, teasing her all the more, as Donna's hands wandered behind her and trailed up and down her husband's masculine body. It was moments like this, that made the Carmichael's realise how good they were together and what they'd be missing if they ever parted. Rosie was right, they were made for one another, everyone including them, knew it too.

With his kisses to his wife's sweet tasting neck, starting to become more forceful and urgent, Sam moved his attention to Donna's ear. "I love you so much woman." He whispered, as the tip of his tongue explored the new territory.

"I love you too baby." Donna whispered in response, pushing further down onto her husband's throbbing length, causing him to go deeper into her.

Sam moaned loudly, as his wife upped the pace of their lovemaking. It was Donna's way of telling Sam to stop talking and get on with what he was doing. What he was doing, was taking them both closer and closer towards an almighty climax, as he answered his wife's silent plea and thrust harder into her womanhood. Leaning forward slightly, Donna placed her hands on the sink unit in front of her and allowed Sam to move even deeper within her. It was now as hot as an oven in the small bathroom and the mirror was steaming up in front of the pair. All that could be heard, was the sound of heavy breathing and lust filled moans coming from both of them, turning them on all the more, knowing it felt so right and so good. Sliding his hand down to Donna's hip, Sam leant closer to her and tightened his grip, letting her know, he wouldn't be able to hold off coming much longer. With the new intensified feeling between their hot bodies, Donna was already reaching her climax fast and Sam could tell instantly. Her back arched and her lower body began to tense and contract around his manhood. With a few more hard grinding movements against her husband, Donna was there and she called out his name as a knee trembling orgasm ripped through her entire body. Feeling his wife's body contract and release for the last time, Sam knew he could finally release himself. With two more powerful thrusts, he was there too and Donna placed her hand over his on her hip, gasping at the sensation of her loving husband ejaculating deep within her.

"Donnaaaaaaa." Moaned Sam, as he gave her everything he had and finally came to a stop resting against her heaving body.

He held her close for a few moments, watching a satisfied smile spread across her face in the steamed up mirror. Sam was soon smiling too, as he slowly withdrew from his wife and placed a tender kiss on her sweat drenched shoulder. They were both still breathing hard and giggling at their erotic encounter in the bathroom, as Donna slowly bent down to pick up her discarded towel.

"And you really believe I could give all this up so easily." Asked Sam, giving his wife's rear a slap before she straightened up. "You must be mad woman."

Picking up her mug of now lukewarm tea, Donna handed Sam her damp towel. "Cheeky." She answered, raising an eyebrow at him and walking out into the bedroom.

Grabbing a quick shower, Sam soon got washed and dried before joining his wife in bed. Donna was still naked under the sheets and smiled lovingly at her husband, as he slipped under the covers with her. As she passed him the bottle of cocoa-butter, Sam squeezed out a huge dollop of if and began his nightly ritual of rubbing it into his wife's pregnant belly. Wanting to make sure she didn't get stretch marks on her growing bump, Donna had been told by a helpful local, to rub the cream in twice a day, right up to the birth of her baby. Fortunately, Donna hadn't suffered with them whilst pregnant with Sophie, but her skin wasn't like it used to be and anything that might prevent the medals of childbearing, scarring her, was definitely worth a try. There was something so special, about the way Sam tenderly massaged her expanding bump, leaning down to plant delicate kisses on it too.

Donna giggled and ran her hand through her husband's dark hair. "Stop that Sam." She pleaded, as he blew a raspberry on her bellybutton. "You'll wake baby up and then I'll be up all night having my bladder tap-danced on."

"I can't help it. It's just too tempting darling." Laughed Sam, now placing a slow kiss where his lips had just been.

Grabbing Sam's ear and pulling him up to meet her lips, Donna kissed him passionately for a few moments. "If I'm up, then you're up." She reminded him after breaking for air and raising her eyebrow at him, as Sam flashed her a naughty grin. "And not like that Mr. Carmichael."

Leaning over Donna, Sam turned out the bedside light and kissed her lips on the way back down. "Okay spoil my fun completely woman." He said sighing dramatically, causing his wife to burst out laughing at him.

Sinking down onto his pillow, Sam pulled Donna close against him and pulled the blankets up around their naked bodies. The temperature had dropped considerably outside and both of them were starting to feel the cold more, snuggling up as close as possible to stay warm. They both laid in one another's arms thinking about their past, their future and what Christmas had in store for them. The boys would be arriving from New York the following night and Donna was excited about spending some much needed bonding time with her sons, hopefully filling the gap until Sophie's return to the island of Kalokairi.

"Sleep well sweetheart." Sam whispered, gently stroking his wife's hair, as she soon fell asleep held tight in his strong embrace. "I love you."

********

A.N. Lil bit of 'M' to wake you all up! Lol… Well I couldn't have Donna mad for too long could I? hehehe… Churning these chaps out pretty quick for you all, but I might slow it down for a while if you don't do the right thing and press ittttttt! Lol… Love to you all, Liv x