Sam did not doubt Ali's love. Or did he?

He knew Ali wanted him. Knew what his touch did to her body. Knew she would stand by him.

Ali had proven it last night. Even when evidence of his potential cheating looked more damning than her possible transgression. He had been in Vicky's bedroom, half-dressed. Yet Ali had listened to him, defended him. Even with the overwhelming circumstances. Sam had not even seen her kiss Noah and thought the worst of Ali.

Why did he not believe Ali loved him as he loved her?

"I...I don't know," he finally replied.

"Not good enough," she persisted.

And it hit him. It was there in her words. He was not enough for Ali. Not for a long-term relationship. Their connection started only because Ali needed a partner in the fight against her ex-husband. But could that last? What happened when she outgrew needing a saviour?

"Exactly. I'm not good enough for you." Sam admitted aloud.

Once it was out, the churn in his stomach ceased. This was it. He was always afraid Ali was going to leave him, find someone better.

A look of pain crossed Ali's face. "That makes no sense."

"Doesn't it? You only gave me the time of day because of your situation with Jack. You needed an ally, someone to help. I was...convenient." Ali blinked at Sam like he had just admitted poisoning the president.

"How can you think that?" she whispered. "I didn't pick up my life and move across the country because it was...convenient." She spat out the last word like it actually was poison.

Sam tried to explain. "I know, I know. You think you love me. You...mean it now. But what happens when...you don't need me anymore? When you meet someone better?"

Ali grasped Sam's face, asking him to look at her. "Sam," she said slowly and deliberately, "there is no one better for me." He tried to move, to turn away from what he saw in Ali's cobalt eyes but she tightened her grip, forcing Sam to stay, eyes locked together.

"You're more than good enough for me. You're the only one for me." Her face softened along with her grip. "I didn't know what love was before you showed me. I didn't know it was possible to feel this way." Ali bit her lip before continuing. "I don't love you because I need you. I need you because I love you. There will never be anyone for me but you."

Her words washed over him. Sam wanted them to be true. In Ali's eyes, he saw the future. It was right there. Something inside him shifted.

"But..."

"Nope," she cut him off.

"What if..."

"Un uh," she shook her head.

"You might..."

Ali cut him off again. "Never," she paused, "ever going to happen. You are everything."

A lifetime ago, or at least what felt like one, Sam had sworn this to Ali. It had been an attempt to convince her to stay with him. She had stayed then. She stayed last night. She was going to stay.

"I..." Sam was at a loss for words. Ali was standing before him giving Sam the one thing he had not even realized until now he wanted from her. Certainty. He searched for a way to tell her he finally understood. There was only one way. "I love you."

"I love you more."

All hesitation melted away. He believed her. Or at least Sam believed Ali thought she loved him more. There was no way Ali could love him more than Sam loved her at this moment. In every moment from now on. Sam would never doubt Ali again.

Leaning forward, Sam pressed his lips against Ali's. It was a soft, slow kiss. A kiss between two people who loved each other, who were not perfect but where equal.

Pulling at the tie on her bathrobe, Ali removed the article of clothing, let it fall on the floor. Next, she grasped the trim of Sam's own robe and led him to the bed. Sam let her discard his clothing before they both tumbled together onto the mattress.

Sam planted soft kisses along her jawline while his fingers skirted down Ali's arm. He revelled in the softness of her skin, the warmth radiating from it, the comfort it provided. He found her wrist and pulled her hand towards him. Kissing each finger, he then placed it on his cheek. She caressed his face, rubbing her thumb along his cheek. Sam closed his eyes and simply enjoyed the sensation for a few heartbeats.

Ali swiped away the errant strands of hair that had fallen in his eyes. Sam was so eager to explore her body. It had been too long. His fingers found familiar curves, his mouth tasted his favourite places.

Ali responded with small moans of pleasure. Sam adored making her feel this way. He never wanted it to end. Her mewing sound reminded him there was no expiry date anymore. Things felt different.

Better.

Sam felt Ali's hands clutching at his hair. He raced up her body and took over Ali's mouth with his. She responded in kind, hands grasping at him, pulling his hair, squeezing his arm, tugging him closer. As Sam sank sweetly into her, Ali wrapped her arms, her legs, her body around him.

It was like coming home.

Yet it was not the same.

It was a better place, one that had been strengthened. Sam was not making love to Ali. He was making love with her. The little doubts that sometimes crept in, the thought of Ali leaving him someday, the need to please all of her desires at the cost of his own, that this could be the last time with her had – vanished. She would always be here with him.

Sam believed in her, in them, in their love. It was more than infatuation, temporary, fleeting. This was real. This was forever.

With each thrust, Ali reinforced the walls of that home, responding to Sam's every move. No, not responding, she was just with him. They were one. In body but also more.

Locking on to Ali's eyes, Sam saw her love for him reflected in those sapphire irises, the boundless, honest reality of it. He felt their souls sing. United. Together. Equal.

Sam moved slowly, wanting to take his time. Not because he had to because he could. Needing to feel every ...everything. To be with her. To watch Ali come undone first, wanting to give her all of him. He focused on the moment, the way Ali felt, how her breath hitched as he plunged into her. How she quivered as he withdrew. The feel of her hands on his waist, pulling him deeper and deeper. The warmth of her body, accepting him.

A single drop of clear liquid fell on Ali's cheek. Was she crying? Her eyes were swimming, but the tear had not come from her. It was him. He was crying. Tears of joy. Because he knew, in the very fibre of his being there was no reason to hold anything back ever again. He could give in to this moment fully, trusting in her.

Trusting in them.

Sam felt Ali start to tense beneath him. He felt the waves of her orgasm, rippling around him. Every nerve was scorching with electricity. He lost all control and erupted savagely, racked with pleasure. Minds, bodies and souls swirled together in sweet ecstasy.

Moments or minutes later, Sam could not tell, he found himself lying on top of Ali. His hand still clutching hers. He shifted to better hold her and she let out a little sigh of contentment. Moving his lips to her ear, he tried to express his thoughts, whispering "I love you", "You're my world", Never knew it could be this way" and "I love you" again.

As the endorphins pumped through his body, Sam could not stop himself from babbling. One question kept pulsing in his mind. The answer did not scare him anymore. If it was not the response he wanted, Sam would ask again and again. Till the end of time. The words bubbled up from his heart and were out before he knew what he was saying.

"Ali, marry me?"

Sam thought he might be dreaming already, but he heard her say yes.