Hello!

Just a little filler chapter, I'm working on how to progress the story, I do have a written plan...but I don't want it to be forced.
So updates may be far and few (Like they have been recently..) whilst I work that out, I've also got three assignments in a week of each other for Uni and then I'm on teaching practice, so any writing I do, could possibly be work... However I won't rule out updating and don't fret those who have been here for a while, I WILL FINISH THIS. I promise you.

Anyway, enjoy.
Again any words you would like to leave me, please do.
Positives/Negatives whatever, I take everything on board as I'm writing to entertain you. (I hope I'm achieving that haha!)

Chapter Seventeen:

"Nice one little guy." Sam said ruffling Larry's hair as Larry played the final notes on his guitar. "You're a natural." He continued. Larry beamed at the compliment.

"Can I play it for Mum?"

"Not right now, Mum's out with Beth."

"Oh...ok." Larry said deflated. Sam noticed Larry's quick change in mood.

"What's up buddy?"

"I miss spending time with Mum. She's either at work or with Beth. We don't have family time anymore." Larry confessed. Sam stared at his son, his heart breaking.

"You're right; maybe you should talk to Mum. She'll be home soon."

"I don't want to upset her."

"You won't, Mum never wants you to feel upset or left out, neither do I. Mum's spending a lot of time with Beth at the moment because she missed a lot when Beth was growing up."

"I know, I just miss her."

"Don't worry, everything will be ok. I promise you that."

"Thanks Dad, I love you."

"I love you, too." Sam said pulling Larry into a hug. He hoped Quinn would be home soon, he hated knowing Larry was upset. "From the top?" He heard Larry say which brought him back to the present.

"Huh?" Sam mumbled.

"From the top?" Larry repeated picking up the guitar.

"Yeah, go for it."

Quinn and Beth returned a couple of hours later to find Sam and Larry asleep on the couch. Beth went upstairs as Quinn crept into the lounge and she slipped off her jacket and shoes. Slowly she slipped onto the small space. She watched their chests rise and fall as they breathed deeply. Sam sensed Quinn's presence and instinctively stretched an arm around her and pulled her close. He kissed the top of her head as she drifted off to sleep. She awoke still wrapped up in Sam's arms, she tried to get up without disturbing either of them but Sam tightened his hold, he whispered "Stay. Wait until Larry wakes." Quinn understood the message and just lay there content in her husband's arms.

The majority of the afternoon was spent waiting for Larry to wake up, Quinn and Sam watched his eyes flutter as he appeared to dream peacefully, unaware that his parents were just lying there watching him. He finally opened his eyes and saw them beaming at him. Quinn was the first to speak; her voice was quiet and soft. "I thought we could use a little family time." Larry's face burst out into a smile that illuminated the room. "So, pizza and a movie? How does that sound for a start to family night?" Sam suggested.

"Perfect!" Larry exclaimed clapping his hands together. Quinn went through to the kitchen to get the takeout menu, as she left the room Larry sat up on his Dad's knee and hugged him tightly. "Thank you." He whispered. Sam was slightly taken aback, "For what?" he asked.

"For speaking to Mum."

"I never said anything to Mum. We fell asleep and she was there when I woke up. I think she missed family time as much as you did." Sam admitted.

"I did." Quinn repeated as she came back into the room. "I'm sorry for not being around lately, Larry." She told him.

"It's ok, you're here now."

"It's not ok, but right now I'm making a start. I love you Larry, you're my special little guy and nothing could change that. Seeing you and Dad asleep earlier all cuddled up made me sad. I felt left out from the moment you two were sharing, it felt so long since we'd shared something similar as a family, it was then that I realised I'd done the same to you, with Beth." She confessed.

"See Larry, I told you everything would be okay, now what pizza are we having?"

Beth watched the family from the door frame as she had on several occasions. As she turned away, she heard Larry laugh at a joke one his parents had just told him. She made a conscious decision not to interrupt them, she felt like she'd already ruined their day by going out with Quinn. She grabbed her jacket and slipped out of the front door unnoticed.

"Hey Larry, I have an excellent idea for our next family time, well for one of them..." Quinn began as they finished off their pizza. "How about we take a trip out of Ohio, up to, say...New York?"

"Really?" Larry cried out.

"Yeah, Dad and I have friends up there, people we haven't seen properly in a while and people who haven't seen you since you were a baby."

"When are we going?" He asked excitedly.

"It's a surprise!" Sam interjected as he put the DVD into the player. "We have to sort out some details but maybe just after your birthday."

"That soon?" Larry said realising that his birthday was a lot closer than he'd thought.

The three of them sat on the couch, Larry in the middle with a blanket over them and silently they watched the movie; all three excited at the thought of going to New York. Larry's eyes never left the screen as they watched the movie. Sam and Quinn however couldn't keep their eyes off each other. They soaked up every ounce of love that they could.

Quinn knew she'd been distant with both Sam and Larry lately, she knew that would have to change. They were the main people in her life and they always would be. She didn't want either of them to question that, Quinn realised she needed to make them her priority again. She needed her boys, but Beth also needed her. She just needed a way to effectively balance them both.

What would they do when the baby was born? They hadn't even discussed that. Quinn didn't even think about it because Beth hadn't made a final decision on what she was doing, but her due date was looming; she was running out of time. The credits rolled onto the screen not only signalling the end of the movie but the end of Quinn's thinking time.

Larry dived off the sofa and exited the room. Sam closed the gap between him and Quinn, pulling her closer. He lent in gently and kissed her softly. "You're the best, you know that?" He whispered. As he pulled away, Quinn dove back in and kissed him quickly. "You're the best, I'm sorry for not being here, I feel like I've missed a lot lately, Sam. That won't happen again."

"I know baby. I know you're always here. I've never once questioned that." They kissed again, as they pulled away Larry re-entered the room with his guitar. "I've been practising everyday with Dad and I really want you to hear it. Can I play for you?" Larry asked shyly.

"Of course, I'd love to hear it." Quinn gushed.

Larry took in a deep breath and began to play the tune that he'd quickly mastered. A tear rolled down Quinn's cheek with pride at her little boy. Sam caught the tear and gripped his wife's hand. She absorbed every note that Larry played with pride. Larry was a mini-Sam down to the final gene. Quinn couldn't have wished for anything more in her son. Everything he did or would ever do would always be perfect to her. Larry finished playing and she stood up from the couch, she moved over and hugged the little blonde boy. "I'm sorry for not hearing this sooner that was amazing."

"Your Mum's right Larry, that was amazing. Mum and I will always be here for you, no matter what." Sam said joining them in their hug. "This was a great family night; I love you two so much. You two are the best family I could have wished for." Quinn told them.

"I can't wait for our mini-vacation." Larry said.

"It's going to be awesome. We could see a show, we could go skating in Central Park, or whatever." Sam added. Sam and Quinn already knew what show they were going to see, or more importantly whose show they were going to see...