5 YEARS LATER...

~ ~ ~ ~ SAM'S POV ~ ~ ~ ~

"So how was your first week?"

I studied Megan, watching her almost beam with excitement at me mentioning her first week at the University. She smiled widely as she placed her hands on top of mine, "It went great, I just hope not too many people drop my class throughout the semester."

I smirked, leaning back in the booth as I gazed at the dark-haired woman in front of me, "They wouldn't drop your class even if they were failing."

Remembering how Megan had busted her ass for the last five years to work and go back to school amazed me. She would teach at the high school during the day and right after she would head over to the university for her night classes. I had even stayed up late with her countless nights as she wrote papers and researched topics, and at times it actually overwhelmed me and I wasn't even the one going to school.

But she had done it, and now she was one week into her first semester at the University and I couldn't be more proud of her. She was finally doing what she had really wanted to do all along, and I could see how happy it made her.

Then her velvet voice interrupted my thoughts, "You don't have to go to Jinx tonight right?"

I shook my head, "On my birthday? As if. I'm all yours tonight."

She bit her lip slightly as she watched me, staying silent for a bit longer. When her and I had moved here years ago Danna and I had stayed in touch, and when I told her I had passed a bar that had recently shut down and was now for lease we took the opportunity.

Danna had been planning on opening up another Jinx near the University Megan and I had moved near, and whenever I let her know about the building she didn't hesitate.

It had taken us about two years to renovate and turn it into another Jinx, and even five years later we were still making changes every now and then. Danna and I had agreed to leave the right under her name for the original but I was actually part owner of the new one. Even though it came with a lot of responsibilities, and I mean a lot of responsibilities, I knew I could handle it.

And considering it was the only LGBT influenced bar downtown it was packed almost every single night we were open. It was mostly college students that stopped by but it only made the atmosphere of the place electric. I actually kind of liked this one better than the old one.

Megan sighed, taking my hands in hers as she looked at me, "So, I got you a gift...."

I frowned, "Megan, I told you I didn't want anything."

She glared at me, "Oh whatever, Sam."

I watched her dig in her purse and eventually pull out a box that was wrapped in red birthday wrapping paper with a little bow on top. She smiled as she handed it to me, "Open it."

I gave her a look that said "Thank you, but if it's expensive I will be mad" and began tearing the paper. I prayed it wasn't jewelry because that honestly wasn't my thing, but Megan knew that so her buying me a necklace or something didn't seem likely.

So it was actually a mystery as to what she had gotten me.

I pushed the tiny amount of wrapping paper to the side and looked down at the brown box, and then up to her, "Megan it better not be-"

"Open the damn thing and stop being so stubborn."

I frowned, seeing a sly smile on her lips as I removed the top of the box, exposing a brand new Apple IPod. I honestly hadn't expected it which really made me happy and excited, and then when I looked up to her she smiled.

"I know you've been going crazy since you can't catch your favorite rock station anymore so I decided to put all those songs you love on your IPod. Now you can still listen to your favorite music whenever you want."

I smiled like an idiot then, realizing how amazing and grateful I was for Megan and her brilliant mind. She was right, I had been going absolutely crazy listening to all that junk on the radio but now I didn't have to suffer any longer thanks to her genius mind.

I placed it next to me on the table, "It's amazing."

She smirked in victory, "I know."

I rolled my eyes and laughed, "Thank you."

She leaned forward on the table and kissed my lips, "You can thank me tonight."

I felt my stomach tighten at her words, something that never faded even after five years of being with her. Every day with her was a new adventure, and being with Megan was the one thing that I had gotten absolutely right in my life.

And I would be forever grateful for her.

Then my phone buzzed against the table, catching me off guard as I glanced at the screen. Megan protested, "That better not be work..."

I looked at her and smiled, "It's just Blair.

I opened the text and read, "Tony and I FINALLY decided on a name. What do you think about Camilla Blair?"

I smiled at reading her text and told Megan the good news, "Tony and Blair are naming her Camilla."

Megan smiled, "I really love that name."

I knew Blair and Tony had been talking about it for a long time, and it looks like they finally settled the dispute by giving her a Spanish influenced first name. I absolutely loved it, and leave it to Blair to get her way with giving her daughter the middle name of her mom.

The name sounded pretty perfect to me.

I typed back, "It's perfect."

I set my phone down and looked at Megan, shaking my head, "I can't believe I'm gonna have a god-child."

Megan laughed slightly as she raised her brows in worry, "I can't believe Blair's that brave..."

I protested, "You don't believe I'll make a good nanny?"

Megan shrugged and sipped from her cup, "I know you will, I was just messing with you."

I winked, "I'm gonna be the fun, lesbian nanny!"

Megan frowned, "What about me?"

"You're obviously going to be the mediator, you know, the one that tells me what's okay to do with Camilla and what's not."

Megan laughed once more, making my heart melt with those adorable dimples and that killer smile. She was still perfect and beautiful and could get my heart pumping fast inside my chest.

I took her hands and smiled like an idiot, "Thank you, for bringing me here and for the gift... for everything actually. I love you so much, and this was the best birthday yet."

She sighed, "Can you believe you're already twenty-five?"

I gave her a look that said I disapproved as I laughed, "Are you making fun of my age?"

She shook her head, laughing, "No, of course not!"

I leaned back in my chair and smiled, "Better not be, considering you're gonna be thirty in December."

Not that I thought thirty was old but she honestly didn't look that old at all, and she had barely changed since I had met her when she had been in her early twenties. Now I was in my mid-twenties and she was turning thirty in December, which seemed so surreal to me knowing we had been together for so long.

And everything still felt brand new with her.

Then suddenly I remembered the conversation I had with my brother this morning and spoke, "I forgot to tell you, Shawn's gonna be flying in from Florida this weekend with Casey and Ben."

Considering the fact that Blair had insisted I be the god-mother of her first child she had demanded Shawn to pick someone else as his. Shawn and Blair had argued about it for months while Casey was pregnant and ultimately decided to let Casey's older brother be the god-father and for Megan to be the god-mother of Ben.

Shawn put up a hell of a fight though, but there was no competing when it came to my best friend. Blair had won the argument and now I was going to be a god-mother of her baby in a few months.

Megan sighed, "I can't wait to see Ben. I still can't get over how much he looks like Shawn."

She was right, not only did Ben have the blonde hair and the blue eyes but we compared Ben to Shawn's old baby pictures and realized he also had Shawn's ears and nose. He was nearly a replica of my older brother, and now that he was almost one year old the personality was coming out.

And Shawn had told me Ben was "just like me", which meant he was obviously a handful.

I held Megan's hand, studying the ring that was on her left hand that I had given her recently this year for our anniversary. It was more of a promise ring than anything, and I knew I wanted to propose but I wouldn't do so until same-sex marriage was legal in Missouri.

Which unfortunately didn't look like it would be anytime soon.

I wanted her forever, and I knew her views on marriage and what she wanted, and that's all I wanted to do. I wanted to give her what she wanted, and she had wanted a ring, she had wanted something to show everyone that she wasn't available anymore...

She wanted to show people that she was mine.

I also had a ring that Megan had given me, which had actually been a surprise since she hadn't sized my finger. We had discussed getting her a ring but not one for myself, and when she had presented mine at dinner the night of our anniversary... well I had been quite surprised.

After five years of being together it finally felt real, the whole "I'm yours and you're mine" deal. There had never been any doubt in my mind since I was nineteen that I wanted Megan forever and no one else, but the rings made it real for us.

If only they would make it legal here so I could finally give Megan the wedding she deserved, but we had to wait.

"Have you talked to your parents recently?"

I nodded, "Mom and dad called me this morning to wish me a Happy Birthday. I'm gonna go and see them in a few weeks once the summer finally dies down."

Thinking about my parents no longer brought pain and suffering, but instead brought a lot of joy and happiness. Back after I graduated high-school I had agreed to have dinner and we had talked for hours and hours, and not long after that I had introduced them to Megan.

They were different people, especially my mom who had grown to actually accept the fact that I was a lesbian and that I had a girlfriend. She had told me that no matter who I chose to be with she just wanted me to be happy, because that's what I deserved. Dad had agreed and also told me in my ear before leaving that I had picked "a damn good keeper", and not to screw it up.

He still wasn't convinced Megan was a History Professor, but instead believed she was a Victoria Secret Model.

Even though it had been a long road mending our relationships over the past five years it had been completely worth it to me. They were finally the parents I had wanted all of my life, and I couldn't be happier and more grateful that they were better people inside and out.

Megan tightened her hand around mine, "Ready to go?"

I nodded, "Yea."

We left the restaurant, allowing the early September air to wrap around us. Soon it would start cooling down from summer as fall approached quickly, and I climbed into Megan's car. She had insisted on driving considering it was my birthday but I had naturally protested because I hated not driving my Camaro.

And yes, I still had it.

I climbed into the passenger seat as Megan took the driver's, and she looked at me, "Plug in your IPod."

I smiled, grabbing the Aux cord and bringing my IPod to life, scrolling through what seemed to be a million songs. She had really put a lot of time into this gift...

She began driving as I picked the one song that stood out from the rest, hearing the echo of the guitar through Megan's system.

She smiled, "Oh, this song brings back so many memories."

I listened to the beginning of Hysteria by Def Leppard, remembering the night that Megan and I had nearly had our first time at my apartment. It had been one of my favorite moments with her, the night I had asked her to stay the night with me. It had been beyond perfect, and I knew I would remember that night forever thanks to this very song.

I laced my hand through hers as I looked at her, wondering how on God's Earth I had gotten so lucky. Knowing I had fought for this woman made me proud, and having her made me feel accomplished, like I had finally found the answer to solve the world's problems or something.

I knew I sounded cheesy thinking that but it was true, she just felt so right next to me, and we had come a long way since I had first met her.

All the pain and suffering had been worth it in the end.

She stopped at a red light and looked at me, her blue eyes glowing in the beam of the street light we sat under. She was everything to me, everything I needed and wanted, and there was nothing that could take her away from me.

I loved her, and I would always love her.

"Cause it's a miracle

Oh say you will, oh babe

Hysteria when you're near"

I whispered, "I love you, Megan."

She leaned in, kissing me softly as she responded, "I love you more."

I smiled, leaning back in my seat and shaking my head, "That's not possible."

~ ~ ~ ~

"I don't think you can fit through the doorway anymore, Blair."

I felt a sharp pain in my arm as she hit me, walking in looking like she had a basketball under her shirt. She was big and I knew it wouldn't be long till she would pop, "Screw you, Sam."

Tony laughed behind me as I heard Megan calling from the kitchen, "Sam I need your help!"

I closed the door and darted back to the kitchen where we were cooking lunch for everyone, seeing her attempting to pour the noodles out of the pot. She began dumping them into the colander as I helped get all of the noodles out of the streaming pot, hearing Blair speak from the couch.

"So when's Shawn supposed to be getting here?" Blair asked.

I checked the time, "He should be any minute now."

Blair spoke, "I think it's time to get a bigger apartment, don't you think Sam?"

I sighed, "Well it's not like Megan and I have had much time to actually start looking."

"True, a college professor and a bar owner. Busy bodies."

I smiled as I mixed the noodles into the sauce Megan had made while she pulled out the rolls from the oven. It smelt divine in here and I knew if Shawn and Casey didn't hurry up we were going to dig in without them.

Then I heard a knock on my door.

I ran to open it and came face to face with Shawn, who smiled and pulled me into a hug, "Sorry we took so long, traffic in town was horrendous." Then he handed me a box wrapped in shiny paper, smiling, "Since I couldn't be here for your birthday."

I shoved him, "Shawn I told you I didn't want anything dammit, why does no one listen to me?!"

Blair shouted from the living room, "Sam you used to like free stuff, what the hell happened?"

Shawn laughed as he made his way into my apartment, and I hugged Casey and kissed Ben on the forehead, "Good to see you two."

Casey smiled as she held Ben who seemed to be a bit overwhelmed by all the people. Casey spoke, "I think he wants a hug," and I watched as Ben held his tiny arms out to me, indicating for me to take him.

I smiled, "He missed his Aunt Sam."

I took him into my arms as I walked back into the apartment, joining everyone inside as Shawn and Casey sat at our bar. I walked up to Megan and spoke, "Here, say hello to your nephew while I finish cooking."

Megan's eyes lit up at the sight of Ben as she spoke, "Deal."

She took Ben from me as I hurried to plate all of the sides for our lunch and place them around the kitchen. Shawn was speaking with Tony while Casey mingled with Blair, probably talking about work and babies...

I was kind of glad I was busy.

Shawn then protested, "You gonna open your present or not?"

I looked at him, "I'm honestly scared to open your present, Shawn."

He groaned, "You're gonna love it. Megan gave me the idea."

I looked at Megan, "Of course she did," and I picked up the box I had set on the counter and un-wrapped it, seeing a brand new pair of aviator Ray Bans. I really did love them, but knowing he had spent nearly three-hundred dollars managed to anger me a bit.

But I wouldn't let it show because I didn't want to upset him.

I walked over to him and smiled, "Thank you."

He winked at me, "I knew you'd like them."

I gave him a sarcastic smile, "How could I not? You spent three hundred dollars to buy them!"

He laughed as he shrugged, "I like pissing you off, and besides... I think you deserve it."

I smiled forcefully, knowing I really did love the gift and my brother. He had always looked out for me, and I honestly couldn't have asked for better. All the times he put up with my shit and put his foot in my ass had really helped me and potentially saved my life. So he deserved to be able to feel good about himself today by giving me a present.

We all sat at the table, allowing me to look around and see everyone chatting amongst themselves and enjoying the moment. Everything seemed perfect between all of us, including Ben who was obviously enjoying the pasta as Casey fed him.

This was my family, and after so many years of feeling alone I felt full again. I felt the love around this table as I watched the faces of the people who meant most to me. Not only did I have someone like Megan who loved me unconditionally but I also had a best friend and an amazing brother. We obviously had our dysfunctional moments with each other but majority was good.

These were the people that meant most to me, who would always mean the most to me, no matter where life took us.

"Everyone, I believe Sam's having a moment..."

I looked at Blair who was laughing to herself after her comment, forcing all of their eyes on me.

Shawn smiled, "We should cherish that, Sam doesn't have many moments."

I gave him a sly look as I responded sarcastically, "I see you still like to tease."

Blair responded for Shawn, "And I see you're still... sensitive."

I glared at her, rolling my eyes and laughing, "Blair, don't start."

Everyone continued enjoying lunch as we caught up with everyone and what they had been doing for the past year. Shawn had moved to Florida not long after Tampa considering one of the companies he had pitched for really enjoyed him and offered him a job. He accepted quickly because little did we know until later that that's exactly where he had met Casey.

He didn't tell us that until they were official, and he quickly moved to Florida to start his new job and his new life.

So we didn't get to see him too often anymore, but he visited as much as he could.

There were times where Megan and I had discussed moving to Florida as well, but there was just something I didn't want to leave here in Missouri. As much as I loved Florida I loved it here too, my job, my life... everything seemed perfect just the way it was.

And maybe we would decide to stay here after all.

But things were subject to change, just like anything in life. Megan could get a job offering in Florida and I wouldn't hesitate to follow her if she wanted to go. I wanted to be everywhere Megan was no matter where she went, and you could call me whipped for that but I wouldn't care.

As long as I was with her I was happy.

But for now we were content here in Missouri, living our lives as we grew up and attempted to enjoy every moment.

*

The afternoon passed quickly and soon it was dark outside, and I knew Shawn and Casey would be leaving to go to their hotel. Ben was tired and starting to get cranky, which meant the day was coming to an end for them.

I walked Shawn to the door as Casey was outside buckling Ben into his car-seat, giving me alone-time with my brother.

He looked at me, "Have you heard anything on the Smith trial?"

I remembered that night almost immediately, the burning trailer and the high-speed chase. I would never forget that night, and after I had left that summer Smith had claimed he was framed with the drugs. An investigation had taken place but the police had nothing to go off of other than his criminal record, the heroin, and the fingerprints they found on the bag, which so happened to be his.

Nothing had led them to me.

I shrugged, "He's in for life. He has to be."

Shawn took a deep breath, "You think you're safe?"

I nodded, "For now, but I'm not afraid of him... not anymore."

He smiled sadly, "If you need anything Sam I'm just a phone call away..."

I smiled slyly, "I'm a big girl now, Shawn... I can protect myself."

He nodded, "I know."

I hugged him, knowing I would probably see him tomorrow before they left to head back to Florida. I sighed, "I love you, Shawn."

He kissed my forehead and smiled, "Love you too sis, see you tomorrow."

As he disappeared into his car the visions of that night continued to haunt me till this day, and I knew it always would because I knew what I had done was extremely illegal. I felt safe for the most part though, because nothing had led them to me, but there was always that ounce of paranoia I had.

No one knew besides Blair, Megan, Ross, and Shawn... but telling Shawn had been the absolute hardest thing to do. He had been in complete shock for nearly an entire day, and to be honest he had seemed more worried about me than I was. It had taken him a little bit longer to wrap his head around it all but even though it had been the most extreme and illegal thing I had done, he had accepted it.

It didn't make it right, obviously, but it had set me free, and Shawn had known that from the start.

I snapped out of my day dream and turned around, seeing Tony helping Blair walk through the door. Blair swatted his hand away and spoke, "I'm pregnant dammit, not cripple."

I laughed as Blair looked at me, "I can't wait to have this baby, Jesus I feel like I can't walk three steps without getting winded."

I smiled, "I can't wait to see her."

Blair pointed her finger at me, "You better not corrupt her."

"Blair, go home and go to sleep."

She laughed, hugging me as her and Tony parted, saying their goodbyes before disappearing into their car. They had moved not long after Blair found out she was pregnant, knowing they would need a bigger place.

She and Tony had bought a house, it was actually pretty adorable and had enough room for them and the coming baby. I was happy for her, and knowing Blair had finally found someone to love her unconditionally made me happy.

She deserved someone like Tony.

I turned, heading back into the house and seeing Megan finish up loading the dishwasher and washing her hands. I placed my hands on her hips as I pressed my body against hers, knowing I had wanted to do this all day to her but hadn't had the chance.

But we were finally alone.

I felt her lips against mine, the softness overtaking me as I felt the passion that never seemed to die between us. Her hands cupped my face as she held me to her, allowing me to feel the velvety touch of her skin against my cheeks.

She mumbled against my lips, "I think I'm ready for bed."

I kissed under her jaw and responded quietly, "I think I am too."

I guided her to our room, landing on top of her as we sunk into our bed. As many times as I had done this with Megan it never got old, feeling her and touching her never seemed to get boring, but how could making love to Megan Adams get boring?

I moved on top of her, wedging myself between her legs and biting her lip as we kissed. I listened to her breathing become heavy as I let one of my hands run up her shirt, coming in contact with her bra. I started kissing under her neck as I reached around and undid her bra without even taking her shirt off.

I had done this so many times it was second nature to me.

I grabbed the edge of her shirt and brought it over her head, removing her bra at the same time. She shook her head as she smiled against my lips, "Always so eager to get me naked..."

I whispered, "I told you I can't help it."

She pushed me off of her and climbed on top of me, allowing me to get a good look at her naked body. She was perfect, every damn thing about her flawless, and I literally loved every single thing about her.

Her hands fumbled with my jean buttons and she was quickly pulling them off of me, along with my underwear. As much as she wanted to fuss at me for rushing to get her naked she did the same exact thing to me. We both couldn't help it because we craved that feeling we had whenever we were both naked, skin to skin and in the moment.

It was like a drug.

Her soft lips kissed on the inside of my thigh before she bought her face back up to me, kissing my lips quickly and passionately. She whispered, "I'm never going to get tired of this, Sam."

I kissed her lips once more before responding, "Good, cause I won't either."

It didn't take us long before we coming undone under each other, and everything in this moment was perfect. Every night I spent with Megan was my favorite, and every time we made love it was my favorite as well. Nothing ever got old with her, and loving Megan never got tiring or boring or any of that.

Everything was always so perfect and new with her.

I cried out, feeling the sudden pleasure rip through my body like an earth quake for the third time tonight, "Oh Megan!"

My legs were shaking and my head was dizzy as I tried not losing myself in this moment. I was holding onto the sheets for dear life as I felt Megan's lips travel up my stomach and finally landing on my lips.

I let go of the sheets, holding my eyes shut for just a second longer as I held Megan's face to mine. I wanted to cherish this moment just like I cherished every moment with Megan, as if it could be my last with her.

I had been like that ever since I was nineteen and was convinced I had lost her for good, so now every moment was special, even the little ones.

She whispered, "I love that sound..."

I smiled against her as she fell next to me, allowing me to pull the covers over our bodies as she curled up in my arms. The exhaustion was finally taking over as I glanced at the clock, seeing that it was already midnight.

I felt Megan's warmth surround me as I held her closer to me, never ever wanting to let her go. This was my favorite thing out of all of it, just holding her and knowing I would wake up next to her every morning. I would never have to wake up alone or without her, I would always have her as long as she wanted me.

I could feel her breathing slowing down as she began to drift off into sleep, which was the most comforting feeling ever. I didn't believe that my life could get any more perfect, and I didn't think I could wake up any happier than I was but I did. Every morning was filled with joy and was no longer laced with emptiness and sorrow.

I was whole again, after years and years of sadness and depression everything in my life was good, all thanks to the woman lying in my arms right now.

I would love her for the rest of my life to show her how much that meant to me.

I kissed her forehead then, smiling as I whispered in the dark, "I love you, Megan."

After believing she was sleeping it startled me a bit to hear her soft voice whisper a response through the night.

"I love you more Sam, forever."

***A/N***

Well there you go guys! That's chapter 73! I'm seriously going to miss these characters and of course #Segan because goddammit they're just so perfect together. I know you all seem to be praying and rooting for a sequel to AMA (which is flattering and bitter-sweet because I would LOVE to continue the Segan story) but I'm not sure if it's the best idea, at least for now. My readers did get me thinking though, which is a good thing because if I ever so happened to write a sequel to AMA I would need ideas to keep it going... SO, I can't PROMISE a sequel to AMA, BUT I seem to love Sam, Megan, and of course Blair too much to let them go...

So maybe somewhere down the road from now there could POSSIBLY BE a sequel. But like I said before I'm not promising anything because sequels are scary and the last thing I want to do is ruin Segan for you guys.

Second off, I've wanted to do this for a long time but figured it wouldn't be a good idea to do while AMA was being published, but now that's it's finished maybe my readers would want to do a little Q&A?

SO, this Q&A can be about ANYTHING, there is no limits. Ask me about my stories, my ideas, my life, advice for yourself, or advice for your own story... literally ANYTHING (with exceptions of course, yea, you know what I'm talking about). Doing this will be a really cool way to connect with my readers on a more personal level, which I always enjoy doing because you guys deserve it from all the support and love you give my stories!

So with all that being said, if you want to ask a question (Yes, it will be anonymous, I Will Not give away your identity) just Private Message me and I will answer it and post it soon onto Wattpad! I hope my readers participate because I'm really looking forward to it!

-Lauryn Brooks