All too soon, their getaway was over. Leo looked over, as he parked the car in front of the loft.
"Wondering if Michael and Fi survived?" he teased, seeing the tension in Sam's shoulders.
"I'm sure they're fine." Sam's eyes showed a hint of worry.
But as they walked through the door, Jackson came running, a wide smile on his face, jumping into Sam's arms.
"Daddy!" he yelled, squeezing his neck.
Leo saw Michael, who had a tired smile on his face as he gave them both a hug. Jackson finally let go of Sam, going to Leo and giving him a hug too. Leo took Jackson out to the car, while Sam and Michael gathered Jackson's stuff.
"How was the trip?" Michael asked.
"Amazing, how was Jackson?"
"He was good," Michael replied, his eyes softening. "Kept asking when you'd be back, though."
Sam chuckled, glancing out the window to see Leo lifting Jackson up, making him giggle as they headed toward the car. "Looks like he missed us."
"Yes, I told him you two would be back today last night. Big mistake - he stayed up, fighting sleep."
Sam chuckled, looking around for Fi.
"She went to meet a client."
Sam nodded, glancing out the window to see Leo lifting Jackson up, making him squeal with laughter as they headed toward the car. Michael watched him as he smiled at the sight.
"He's got it good, you know. Kid like him, two parents wrapped around his finger."
Sam nodded thoughtfully.
"Yeah, we're lucky. But speaking of kids and settling down…"
He gave Michael a sidelong look, eyebrows raised.
"Do you and Fi ever think about expanding your family? Maybe a few little ones running around here too?"
"We've talked about it, and… I don't think kids are for us. Neither of us feels like we'd be good at that kind of life." Michael chuckled, but there was a hint of hesitation.
"I know, you're probably thinking it's selfish, but we just don't have that, you know, 'parental instinct.'"
Sam crossed his arms, studying Michael with a hint of a smile.
"You know, I remember a time I would've said the same thing. Thought I wasn't the type to settle down, let alone be a dad. But look at me now," he said, gesturing toward the window where Jackson's laughter echoed.
"Turns out, sometimes what we think isn't 'us' just hasn't found us yet."
Michael's face softened as he looked out the window at Jackson and Leo, a mix of emotions crossing his features.
"I hear you, Sam. And you've made it work beautifully with Jackson and Leo. But I don't know if that's us. Fi and I… we love our independence, you know?"
Sam nodded, understanding but still thoughtful.
"I get it, believe me. But don't sell yourself short. Fi's got a huge heart, and so do you. You'd both make amazing parents if you ever changed your mind."
Michael gave a small, appreciative smile.
"Maybe," he admitted, glancing out again at Jackson with a faraway look in his eyes.
"But for now, we're happy just being here for you all. That's family enough for us."
Sam clapped his shoulder, a supportive gleam in his eyes.
"Well, no matter what you two decide, we will help out. Family's family, however it looks."
Michael nodded, and Sam left, going out to the car, smiling as he got in. Leo drove home, Jackson talking a mile a minute. Halfway home, the back seat went quiet, and Sam looked back, smiling. Leo caught him looking in the corner of his eye.
"Is he asleep?" Leo whispered, holding out his hand.
"Yeah." Sam looked over at him, seeing his hand and grabbing it, holding it until they got home.
They got home quickly. Leo carried a sleeping Jackson into the house, carefully laying him in his bed. As he straightened the covers, he lingered for a moment, watching the peaceful rise and fall of Jackson's chest. His heart swelled at the sight, but his thoughts were already turning to Sam. When Leo stepped into their room, he found Sam sitting on the edge of the bed, staring down at his hands. The room felt heavy, the kind of silence that carried a weight of its own.
"Hey," Leo said softly, sitting beside him.
Sam looked up, a faint smile pulling at his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. They carried something else—uncertainty, hesitation, maybe even guilt.
"What's on your mind?" Leo asked gently, giving his knee a reassuring squeeze.
Sam exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.
"I've just been thinking… about Jackson. About us. About how I've been lately." His voice faltered, and he looked down at his hands again.
"I feel like I've been distant, Leo. Not just with you, but with everything. Even with Jackson sometimes. I mean, the trip helped, but before that… I don't know. I feel like I've been in my own head too much."
Leo frowned slightly, his concern clear.
"You've had a lot on your plate, Sam. You don't have to do it all alone, you know that, right?"
Sam nodded, but his expression didn't lighten.
"I know. And I don't want you to feel like I've been pulling away. It's not that. It's just... I don't know. I've been trying to figure out how to give Jackson what he needs. How to give you what you deserve."
Leo turned toward him, his gaze steady.
"Sam, you already do. For both of us. But you don't have to have all the answers right now. We figure it out together."
Sam met his eyes, searching for reassurance.
"I just... He deserves stability. He deserves to know he belongs somewhere. With us."
Leo smiled softly, nodding.
"He does belong with us. And tomorrow, we'll figure out how to make it official. Not just for him, but for us, too."
Sam tilted his head, eyebrows furrowing slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Leo reached into his pocket, feeling the cool metal of the small object he'd carried with him since their trip. He hadn't been sure when the moment would feel right, but now, sitting beside Sam with their son sleeping just down the hall, it couldn't feel more perfect.
"Sam," Leo began, his voice steady but filled with emotion,
"I want us to be a family. Truly, officially, in every sense of the word. Not just for Jackson, but for us. I want to be by your side for every moment—through the good, the hard, and everything in between."
He opened his hand, revealing a simple silver ring.
"Will you marry me, Sam?"
Sam's breath hitched, his eyes widening as he stared at the ring and then back at Leo. For a moment, he couldn't speak. The weight of Leo's words, of the commitment and love they carried, wrapped around him like a second heartbeat.
"Yes," he whispered.
Leo exhaled a shaky breath, relief and joy flooding his face. He leaned his forehead against Sam's chin, eyes fluttering shut as he let the moment sink in. Sam wrapped his arms around him, holding him tightly, then pressed a tender kiss to Leo's forehead. The quiet lingered, warm and full of meaning, until Sam's voice broke it—soft but steady, filled with certainty. The quiet was only broken by Sam's voice, soft but full of certainty. The next morning, the three of them got ready and went to see an adoption lawyer. As they waited with Michael and Fi, they weren't paying attention as Fi nudged Michael,
"Hmm?" he whispered.
Fi pointed at Sam's ring, and Michael smiled asking softly,
"Do you want that?"
"A ring?"
"A family." Michael leaned in, looking at her.
"I don't know," Fi whispered.
As they sat there, Jackson jumped up, running off. Sam got up to go after him and Fi set off to help Sam. Michael got up as Leo did.
"What's that about?"
"I don't know, we explained what we were doing," Leo said.
Sam, along with Fi, caught up with Jackson. Jackson had found a room with toys and was playing with a car. Sam crouched down, taking a car of his own and started pushing it around with Jackson.
"What's wrong buddy?" Sam asked.
"I don't want to go back."
"Who said you're going anywhere? We came here to get married, and officially make you ours," Sam said.
"That's what they always say, but I always end up back in a home full of kids."
Fi smiled as Sam moved closer to him and picked him up sitting him on his lap.
"Well that's not going to happen ever again," Sam whispered, kissing his head.
Jackson cuddled close to him. Sam looked up, seeing Fi, and Jackson did too, getting up and running over to her. Sam got up, smiling as Fi picked him up, holding him.
"Stealing my son, Fi?"
Fi smirked at him, saying, "Maybe. He's not officially yours yet."
Sam shook his head. They both walked back, finding Leo and Michael with a little girl. Michael had her perched on his hip, her arms slung around his neck as she giggled. Leo stood nearby, his hands on his hips, watching the scene unfold with an amused smile. Sam raised an eyebrow, glancing between the four of them.
"What's this? Did we switch partners and no one told me?"
Michael smirked, bouncing the little girl lightly in his arms.
"Nah, you and Leo are stuck together. Nobody's getting between the two of you."
Leo rolled his eyes but grinned, slipping his arm around Sam's waist.
"Good to know you two are ready to step in if we need a backup plan."
"Backup plan?" Fi said, narrowing her eyes playfully.
"Please. Michael and I would have this down in no time."
Sam chuckled, leaning against Leo.
"Sure, sure. Rookie confidence."
Michael scoffed, gently setting the little girl on the floor.
"You wish. But if Jackson keeps running to Fi like that, you might be out of luck."
Sam looked at Jackson, who was still snug in Fi's arms, and shook his head dramatically.
"Traitor."
Jackson giggled and leaned toward Sam.
"I love you all!"
Leo ruffled Jackson's hair with a smile.
"Good answer, buddy."
Fi handed Jackson back to Sam and shot them both a grin.
"Don't worry. We'll share him. For now."
Fi walked over to Michael and the little girl in his arms.
"Where did she come from?"
"We don't know, we were just waiting on you three to come back and she toddled in."
About that time, a man walked in, his face twisted with anger.
"There you are!" he bellowed, pointing at the little girl.
"How many times do I have to tell you to stay put, you stupid—"
The words froze in the air as Sam stiffened, his entire body going rigid. His arms tightened around Jackson protectively, and his breathing quickened. The color drained from his face, his gaze locking onto the man as if he were seeing someone else entirely.
"Hey!" Michael's voice cut through the tension, sharp and commanding.
"Back off."
The man glared at Michael but didn't move closer.
"She's mine. She keeps running off, and I—"
"You don't talk to her like that," Michael interrupted, his tone ice-cold.
He shifted the little girl higher on his hip, his grip firm but gentle.
"What's your name, sweetheart?"
The little girl's lip quivered as she glanced at the man, then back at Michael.
"Blake," she whispered.
Sam's jaw clenched, and he set Jackson down on the couch, his movements deliberate and slow. He stood, his hands trembling at his sides as memories he had long buried clawed their way to the surface.
"She's scared," Sam said quietly, his voice shaking but steady enough to carry weight.
He stood between the guy and Michael, Leo coming up behind him.
"She's just a kid, she doesn't need to be yelled at like that."
The guy took a step, but Fi moved between them, pushing him away.
"Unless you want to be knocked out by a girl I would suggest leaving."
The guy looked between the four of them. He backed up, leaving the room. Sam leaned against Leo, who pulled him to sit down. Sam sank back into the chair, taking a deep breath with his eyes closed. Leo crouched in front of him.
"Sammy," he whispered.
Sam opened his eyes, looking at him. Sam leaned his forehead against Leo's, as Fi and Michael looked at each other. Sam rarely showed vulnerability in front of either of them. Sam leaned back, looking at Blake, who was clinging to Michael's shirt, tears spilling silently down her cheeks. Standing up, Sam tried to steady his voice.
"Hey, Blake. You're safe now, okay?"
Blake looked at him with wide eyes, as if trying to decide whether to believe him. Slowly, she nodded. Fi looked between them, her jaw tight with resolve.
"We're not letting her go back with him."
Michael nodded in agreement, holding Blake closer.
"Not a chance."
Sam didn't say anything, but the look in his eyes said enough. Soon enough they were called to be seen by the judge. As they walked in with both kids, the judge gave them a look.
"I thought the two of you petitioned for marriage and to adopt Jackson?" the judge asked.
Sam and Leo looked at each other.
"Sam," Leo whispered, looking back at Blake.
"What's the story with her?" Sam asked.
The judge looked through her case files, getting Jackson's and somehow found Blake's.
"She was taken away from the biological parents at age two; she's six now, and she's been in and out of foster homes since."
Sam looked back at Michael and Fi; they looked at him.
"Still just want to be a fun uncle and aunt?"
They both nodded, smiling. He looked at Leo, who also was smiling
"Father to two?"
"And we're done after right?"
Sam nodded.
Leo sighed looking at Jackson then at Blake, who had wiggled away from Michael and reached for Sam. Sam picked her up while Leo picked up Jackson. Sam smiled as he looked at the judge.
"Three for the price of one?"
The judge smiled and twenty minutes later Leo and Sam were married, and Jackson and Blake were renamed Jackson Maverick Axe and Blake Leah Axe. They walked out as a family of four, Fi and Michael watching them, smiling softly. When they got home, Jackson got out of the car and quietly watched as Sam got Blake out. He followed them into the house. Inside, Sam set Blake down on the living room rug, spreading a soft blanket under her. Leo placed a small stack of papers on the counter, exhaling with a mix of relief and excitement.
"Well," he said with a grin, looking at Sam, "That's it. We're officially married."
Sam chuckled, coming up to him and wrapping his arms around him.
"Yeah. Married. I feel…. For the first time since Mikey, Fi, and Jesse found us I feel…."
He paused, glancing toward Jackson, who was still standing by the doorway.
"What?" Leo asked.
"Content? Happier I guess. Not that I wasn't before. I just..." Sam looked over at Blake then Jackson, then back at Leo.
"A family of four will do that to a guy," Leo whispered.
Sam nodded, looking over at Jackson. Sam walked over toward him as Leo followed Sam's movement. Jackson was turned away as Sam quietly approached him, his steps light as he closed the distance. Jackson was too preoccupied with his book to notice. Without a word, Sam bent down and, in one swift motion, scooped him up into his arms.
"Gotcha!" Sam exclaimed, his hands immediately finding Jackson's sides, fingers wiggling as he tickled him mercilessly.
Jackson shrieked with laughter, his tiny body wriggling in Sam's grip.
"No, Daddy! Stop!" he squealed, though his giggles betrayed how much he loved it.
Sam grinned, his own laughter mixing with Jackson's. He stopped tickling him, holding him close.
"What's going on in that head of yours, buddy?"
Jackson didn't say anything, just laying his head on Sam's shoulder. Sam sighed, kissing his head.
"We love you, you know that right?"
Jackson nodded, reaching for Leo who came and hugged both of them. Leo took Jackson, holding him close. A while later Sam looked at Leo, who had a look in his eye, after getting both kids down for the night. Leo pulled Sam close to him, as they lay down.
"This has been the best day of my life, Sam. I married you, and I became the father of two incredible kids. It feels like all my dreams have come true." His voice broke slightly as he tried to hold back tears.
Sam smiled softly, brushing his fingers along Leo's cheek.
"I hope those are happy tears, baby," he teased gently.
Leo nodded, a shaky laugh escaping.
"The happiest," he managed.
"No wonder we're perfect together," Sam said with a grin.
"We think alike—I've been feeling the exact same way about today. I love you so much, Leo. You're my everything."
They held each other close, their arms entwined as if they could never let go, and soon they drifted off to sleep, their hearts full and their dreams already realized.