I walked around the apartment one last time to make sure things were in their right place. When Megan knew we were having company she was extremely particular about what the apartment looked like. So while she had disappeared to her last class of the day I cleaned up and finished cooking what she had started before leaving.

Not only was Shawn coming visit but so was Blair, who was also bringing her boyfriend. I hadn't met the guy yet, but from what Blair told me he was basically perfect.

It had been about half a year since graduation. Megan and I had moved to Mizzou just like we had planned. Blair had also earned a full ride to the same university and was now living on campus in the dorms, which was about a five-minute walk from my place. Shawn was still working out of St. Louis and living in Baldwin, but was now planning on moving to Tampa, Florida to accept another promotion.

And now Megan and Blair's first semester was quickly coming to a close, calling for a small celebration.

Then I heard a key in the front door, indicating Megan was home from class.

She walked in and spotted me, removing her heavy coat. "Last day of classes; complete."

I approached her and snaked my arms around her waist. "Relieved?"

"For the most part. Until finals of course."

Our lips met and everything lit up. This was one of the many things I had never quite gotten used to. The way I felt when Megan touched me, or kissed me, or did anything really. It never faded. It was always strong. Always consistent.

Before we could get carried away the oven beeped, puling us apart. And as if on cue there was a knock on the door.

I sighed. "It's weird that Blair's actually early."

"She's nervous."

"It's her boyfriend that should be nervous," I suggested, walking over to the door to let them in.

When I opened the door Blair barged in, nearly knocking me over.

"Jesus, let us in. Its freezing out here!" she complained.

"Well hey to you too," I answered, turning my attention to the new face. "Hi, I'm Sam."

"Anthony." He gave me a dazzling smile. "But call me Tony."

Before I could close the door Shawn was running up to our door from the parking lot. I held it open and shut it behind him once he was inside.

I watched the introductions from afar and admired the way we all seemed so at ease around each other. Things couldn't get much better, could it?

We dished out dinner and gathered at our dining table, Shawn striking up conversation just like always.

"So mom and dad want to know if Megan's coming over for Christmas," he revealed. "They've heard all about her and are fed up with waiting."

I looked at Megan. "What do you think?"

"I'd love to meet your family," she answered. "Considering you met mine a year ago."

I sighed. "Yeah well, it's different this time."

"Yeah, you two are like... a thing now or something," Blair joked.

I kicked her under the table.

"Ouch," she whined. "It was a joke."

"So Tony," I started. "How much did Blair pay you to be here?"

Blair scoffed as everyone else laughed.

He leaned over and rubbed Blair's leg. "Just a few hundred."

"You're single again," Blair jabbed.

Come to find out Blair and Tony had been in the same English class and had clicked instantly. I had to admit they both looked cute together. Not as cute as Megan and I, but cute.

As we all sat at the table and talked I couldn't help but look around and enjoy the moment. Everything seemed so perfect.

After so many years of feeling alone and abandoned I finally felt full again. I felt the love around this table as I watched the faces of the people I cared most about. Not only did I have someone like Megan who loved me unconditionally, but I also had a best friend and an amazing brother who had supported me endlessly.

And of course we had our dysfunctional moments. Plenty of them, actually. But it only made us closer in the end.

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

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

I gave Blair a frown at the sudden attention.

Shawn laughed. "We should take a picture. She doesn't have many of those."

"Maybe because you two always ruin them," I mocked.

Everyone finished up dinner but my mind was still stuck in happiness mode. I didn't know when I had grown so sentimental, but I allowed myself to feel the emotion.

It wasn't until everyone began leaving that Megan's embrace pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Are you okay, babe?" she asked.

I felt my body light up under her touch. "I'm great. Just feeling very thankful."

And it was true. I was.

There had been so many moments in my life where I had believed I would never find happiness. This here was more than anything I could've imagined.

Blair and Tony left first, claiming that they would probably see us tomorrow if we wanted to get together. Then it was only Shawn, Megan and I left in the apartment.

"So I was thinking..." Shawn started.

"Oh lord," I joked.

"It's a good thought."

"Well then lay it out."

He rolled his eyes at me. "Danna called me and claimed that there's a building up for sale a few blocks away. She's thinking about opening up a Jinx 2."

"That's awesome," I claimed. "It would be perfect actually. I don't think there's many LGBT bars around here as it is."

"Right," Shawn agreed. "And she's looking for an investor and asked yours truly."

Okay, this was news.

Shawn continued. "I agreed on one condition."

"And what's that?" I asked.

"That she gives you the manager position," he finished. "She accepted."

My jaw must've been on the floor because Shawn was smiling like an idiot.

"I told her I would help the best I could since I have a year before finalizing my move to Tampa," Shawn said. "She wants to have it open by the end of next September and I told her that's perfect because you'll be twenty-one by then."

My shock silenced me.

"What do you say?" Shawn asked.

I nodded in shock. "Y-Yes, but I... this is all so much."

"This is all you've talked about for months." Shawn grabbed my shoulders. "I'll show you the ends and outs and make sure to set you up for success. You trust me, right?"

I took a deep breath. "Of course I trust you."

"Well then, looks like we've got some work to do."

Megan was ecstatic next to me, letting me know this would be a great opportunity. It would be a lot of hard work and commitment, but I was more than willing.

He hugged both of us before saying his goodbyes.

"I'll mail you some business books. Read them. All of them," he ordered. "I'll see you two for Christmas?"

"Of course," Megan said.

"Drive safe," I called out before he left.

I looked at Megan, who had one of the giddiest expressions on her face.

"Well, looks like you're gonna be too busy for me for the next few months," she teased.

I pulled her close. "I'll never be too busy for you."

Our lips connected again. My hands grabbed her waist as hers rested on my cheeks, holding my face close. I kissed her with a smile, realizing things would be up from here and I was excited.

She pulled away. "You know, I think you'll be a great manager."

"You think?"

"I know." Then she kissed me one last time before she pulled away completely. "Now, I have to start studying for finals."

"But it's Friday," I whined.

"Exactly. I only have two full days before my first one Monday."

I let her go and watched her from afar, admiring everything about her. Never in a million years would I have thought someone like me would end up with someone like Megan.

Smart, beautiful, driven... perfect.

I joined her on the couch. "Do you need help?"

"Only if you promise not to distract me," she stated as she pulled out a stack of flashcards.

I sucked in a tight breath. "I can't promise anything."

She handed me the stack and we got to work.

And maybe after so long of being broken, my scars were finally beginning to heal. With the help and love from Megan I believed eventually I would be the person I was meant to be, but it would take time. Just like anything good.

And I would be side by sidewith Megan the entire time.