There were no signs of warning.
After the birth of their daughter, Sam knew that he had more responsibilities than ever. Not only he was taking care of a baby--his baby, trying to find a small part-time job while dealing with school work and graduating in time. Sam couldn't let Monica use her family's money for their living expense because if there was one thing he learned was that he can't mooch of someone. He was glad that Monica was there to help him tutor like the old times and even with such a hectic life, Sam somehow managed to spend time with his little family and his friends. By the time he graduated, Sam's plans were to take a year or two off before heading off to work as an attorney associate in the Hamptons. Sam felt really lucky when he got hired even though he has no experience at all but had learned so much as he continued to work there. As Stephy had grew older, Sam's protective side reappeared as he watched his only daughter playing with her friends especially the boys. Even with the fear of her heart getting broken, Sam knew that she will be fighter like he was.
Coming back to Brooks and stepping on the cruise ship once again made him smile on the inside. As he held on Monica's hand, Sam looks around and noticed that not much had changed except everyone has. Some of them had or were starting a family, some were on their way to building a career. There were some that he couldn't even recognize. Sam spent most of his time talking with a few of his old friends and when things were slowly dying down, he stumbled across one of his favourite spots on the ship. Sitting down on the soft, comfy crisp white couch, memories of Brooks came back all at once and one memory that really stood out was the first time he figured out his feelings for Monica. Without her, he was nothing. And without Brooks, he wouldn't have changed for the better.
