Epilogue

Sam sat on a bar stool in the Black Penny. Six months, he thought. Six months since she moved out of Luke's house. He sat quietly, any one noticing he was there could tell by his body language that he did not want to be bothered.

Someone put some money in the jukebox; he heard a song come on. It was Maroon 5; the song was called "Misery", a self-depreciation laugh slipped past. It would figure that a song called Misery would describe Andy and his' relationship. It wasn't really true, he was just pissed right now. But that song was them…all them.

He looked at his cell phone on the bar in front of him. It was her, calling again. At first he was too angry to pick up, now he figured if she thought about it. She would know where he was. She could come to him.

The past six months had been heaven, mostly. Since her break up with Luke she wanted to take time before completely jumping into a relationship with him. That was a long week he thought, laughing to himself; didn't take her long to realize that they were already in a relationship.

One week of sleeping on Traci's couch. Andy all but lived with him now; of course everyone else thought that Andy lived with Traci. She was worried about appearances or something. He couldn't remember what anymore. Only the four of them, Traci, Jerry, Andy and he knew the truth. He was sure a lot of people guessed but no one dared asked.

That woman, he thought, for six months we played this charade. Months of dropping her off in the morning at Traci's so they could ride in together. Months of hanging around together at the Penny; pretending that they were just good friends, then leaving the bar to go home and act like they were a couple…so now she wants…a ring…a promise…a life together. Nobody knows we have a relationship…but now she wants a ring?

The ring was in his pocket, weighing down his jacket and his thoughts.

It's her birthday today, she had been subtly hinting, practically with a sledgehammer for weeks now. He wasn't stupid but he didn't let on either. He knew what she wanted and he would give her anything. It was going to give her it today before she exploded at him over a little tiny joke. That little tiny joke got him booted out of his own house.

They fought hard and loved each other even harder. But she would not listen this time. He had two boxes…one was wrapped up in beautiful paper, there was a lovely card attached. She yanked it out of his hand as soon as he produced it when they got home tonight. She opened the box, she was furious. She tried to hide it; the earrings were beautiful but she couldn't hold back.

At first he thought she was going to burst into tears but when she looked at him, it was not tears; it was flames in her eyes. Seeing her face he thought he better get the other box fast. She, it seemed wasn't amused.

That's when all hell broke loose. He turned to grab his jacket as he was turning back he felt the box hit him in the corner of his temple. "How could you?" she yelled. "For weeks now, you've known what I wanted, Sam Swarek and you purposely bought me earrings? What is this away? Why buy the cow when you're getting the milk for free?" She stood there ready to take him on; she was beautiful but wholly dangerous.

He was shocked speechless all he could say was, "You hit me in the head with your birthday present."

"It's going to be more then a tiny little box if you don't get the hell out of here right now."

"Andy."

She put her hand up to stop him, "I don't want to hear it."

"But Andy."

"Sam! I've done exactly what you wanted for months, I was ready to show everyone months ago that we were together but no, you wanted to continue this little game. Yeah because you were just so happy with the way things were, right? No real commitments?"

"What? What the hell are you talking about? I've been wanting this? Are you crazy? I have been doing this crazy routine because this is what you wanted! Not me, don't blame me! You know what, you're right I do want to get the hell out the of here!" He took the jacket that was in his hand already and stormed out of the house.

He saw Luke enter the bar, oh great, he thought. I still want to kick his ass. He sat there thinking about putting his fist through Callaghan's face when his phone rang again. That woman is going to be the death of me.

She managed to tie him up in knots in only a short time of knowing her and now? She was still tying, just bigger knots.

Luke hinted at him a few times about Andy and him. Andy didn't want him involved in that situation so he stayed out of it. It worked out anyway because Luke and Vivian only lasted a few weeks. Luke was now chasing after some other girl, somewhere Sam thought.

He never told Andy that he had heard gossip that Luke was cheating; it wasn't from a reliable source. He thought he would look like a begging idiot if he told her, Hey? I think your boyfriend might be cheating on you…so how about we hook up, pleeeaaz? Instead he just stayed close to her and tried to keep an eye on what was happening.

He was surprised as anyone when he found out it was true; he knew Luke didn't have the best reputation with women, but Andy? He really didn't think that Luke would be stupid enough to be stepping out on her. He never would. His home was happy; well it was happy…until a couple of hours ago.

What he really wanted to do was to take that ring box in his pocket and throw it at her. Now there's a hell of a way of saying. Will you marry me, Andy? He rubbed the spot on his forehead, damn she was a good shot, he thought laughing to himself.

The door to the Penny swung open, oh shit, he thought. He didn't have to look, he knew…it was her.

Andy didn't look in any direction but his. She walked right up to him and grabbed his cell phone off of the bar. She opened it up. Just as she suspected, 4 voice mails waiting and six calls missed. She snapped the phone closed and put it on the bar.

Sam did not move; he was still facing forward.

"If you do not turn and look at me, Sam, I swear I will make the biggest scene in here that anyone has ever seen." Andy said in a deadly whisper.

Sam turned his chair to the side, arms crossed he stared at her. She crossed her arms too and stared right back. She seemed more aggravated then mad but he wasn't taking any chances.

They were at a impasse, Sam only knew one thing to do. He jumped off of the bar stool not giving her time to react before grabbing her and dragging her to the back door of the Penny.

Once there he turned her against the wall and his lips were on hers. He kissed her hard, his lips trying to coax hers open. He ran his hand down her side; he knew just where to touch her. He licked her bottom lip and her mouth opened for him. She kissed him back with just as much passion and need that he felt.

He used his body and his lips to keep her pressed against the wall as he reached inside of his pocket. Once he opened the box and got the ring out; his hand was back on her…pulling her arm and then her hand. Without looking, without stopping their kiss, Sam slipped her ring on her finger.

When Andy felt the cold metal on her finger she quickly moved, ending the kiss. She looked at her hand and then at him. She was stunned. "Why did you do this?" she asked.

Sam did as he normally would do and just ignored her question.

"Andy McNally?" he asked. "Will you marry me?"

Short but sweet, I hope!

I didn't want to go on and on, I just wanted to answer a few questions and see them fight and make up one more time! lol

Thank you all of you, you all have been so encouraging throughout all four of my stories and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Please read and review...I hope you all like it and let me know even if you don't. Take care, Cheers! tina

BTW she really didn't hit him that hard with the box. ;)