A Life Debt Repaid

However, Sam had already pushed Quinn away before she could tell him. But even if he did not love her or did not want to be
with her, she would never stay with Ryan.
She had been disappointed in Sam, wondering why he would give up so easily.
Was she that unimportant to him?
Therefore, if it were not for Zoe and Cordy showing her that video or telling her so much, she would never have known that he
loved her for years...
Sam’s heart ached even as he looked into Quinn’s tearful eyes.
He reached out a hand, but soon withdrew it-would he not burden her?
Even so, it hurt to restrain himself as he watched her, and he was actually getting the feeling that Quinn loved him...
But she already had Ryan’s child...
Well, he was fine with that, as long as the child was Quinn’s.
But would she not mind?
“I will marry you, Sam,” Quinn said slowly and clearly then.” Not because you’re a good man, not because you prepared so much
for me, and not because of how much you prepared for me, but because I love you. That’s the only reason I will marry you. It has
nothing to do with anything else.”
“Don’t you love Ryan?” Sam asked in disbelief, staring at her in turn.
“How many times do I have to tell you?! I haven’t loved him for a long time, and I told you before that it might have been a habit.
You’re the only one I love, and it isn’t out of guilt or anything else!”
Quinn was a little angry just then-he doubted her whenever she told him she loved him.
Still, it was less anger toward his self-doubt than him doubting her.
Why did he think she would never love him?! How could a man as fearless as him be so doubtful of himself because of his
family? Did the Saunders’ neglect since he was a child leave him thinking that he was incapable of anything?!

“Well, you’re pregnant...” Sam said gingerly.
Quinn looked down at her own belly, and then blinked at Sam, “Is that why you’re rejecting me?”
“No!” Sam promptly said. “I’d never reject you for anything- I’d love you even if you were a vegetable!”
Quinn was left wondering if she should cry or laugh-was he telling her to become a vegetable?
“No, that’s not what I mean—I mean I’d love you however you are,” Sam said, his voice turning despondent as he continued. “I
just think things are going well between you and Ryan, and you’re having his child. Why marry me? You don’t have to worry
about me-l love you and maybe no other woman in this life, but I have many friends, so I won’t be lonely.”
“You’d rather be forever alone than take one small step for me?!” Quinn snapped in annoyance.
“I don’t want to trouble you,” Sam said quietly.
Even if he had been neglected, he had never tiptoed like this!
“How many times do I have to tell you that it’s no trouble?! I want this, and I want to marry you! So are you going to marry me or
not?!” Quinn demanded loudly, almost coercing Sam just then.
The hall was silent, but Quinn’s demands left everyone restless.
Bob especially had had enough of Sam dragging his feet and bellowed, “Say yes if you’re a man, Sam!”
The others all echoed, “Say yes! Say yes!”
Quinn stared at Sam, pursing his lips, his whole body stiffened but remaining silent.
Her tears welled out of her eyes even after she did her best to stop herself, the rim of her eyes reddening.
But she stayed silent as she waited for Sam.
They stood there for a long while, with everyone else getting impatient from waiting.
Bob tried to instigate the crowd again, but Zoe stopped him —she was calm for once.
After all, it was up to Sam and Quinn to deal with whatever happened now and to overcome the obstacles in their minds.

With that, the hall became silent once again.