AN: The song featured in this chapter is Forget Me Not by Civil Wars. I suggest listening to it when Sam and Rachel are speaking to each other in the last scene or you can listen to it when you see the lyrics.

Sam pulled into the driveway and cut the engine off but didn't get out. Instead he stayed sitting with his hands resting on the steering wheel. He couldn't even gather the energy to clench it within his hands. The anger and despair that should have taken hold of him didn't. He didn't feel anything except acceptance. Sam knew something was wrong when he felt the pain in his chest five years ago and ignored it. Two years later the pain began to manifest into a slight distorted mark on the center of his chest—making it appear like a dark bruise. It was then he could no longer hide it from Rachel and he finally caved in to go to the doctor. But what they told him did not surprise him; the doctor had diagnosed the black mark as a new form of cancer. They did not how to begin treating it and so suggested chemotherapy but there was no guarantee it would work. Sam agreed to it, but after two sessions it didn't make a difference and so he abandoned it—deciding to spend the remainder time with his family instead of bedridden.

He stopped visiting the doctor, already knowing where this was all headed but Rachel begged him to see the doctor once more. Maybe they had found another way to treat him but Sam didn't think so. In order to indulge her, he made an appointment with his doctor the night before for this morning. It was then he found out that the cancer was no longer spreading in a steady rate—instead at a more alarming one. Within a few months, he might have to be hospitalized. "There's no use thinking about it now." He looked at the door longingly, knowing that she would be waiting for him in the living room. She didn't know that he had gone to the doctor and he sure as hell wasn't going to tell her because she would want to know what the doctor said. He couldn't ruin this day for her, he wanted her to happy, they deserved to be happy after everything they had been through.

Sam got out of the car and walked toward the front door. He unlocked it and pushed it open only to be greeted by the sound of cheering. He closed the door quietly behind him and locked it before moving further in. He leaned against the wall when he caught sight of her watching their wedding…again. The screen showed a much younger version of himself pulling her into a kiss before another wave of cheering echoed through the room.

"Twenty-five years." Her voice rose over the noise. Her dark chocolate brown hair was mixed with silver, her caramel eyes still continued to shone bright with affection but, in their depth, lay wisdom that could only be gained with the experience of living through the good and bad times life had to offer. Even after all these years the sight of her made his heart skip a beat, he longed sit next to her and pull her near. After being married for so long you would think that he would be used to her knowing when he was in the room when he didn't make his presence known. "Promise me we'll make it to thirty." She looked over her shoulder, her eyes glistened with tears and his heart broke a little more.

"I promise we'll make it to thirty," he said meeting her gaze.

A small sad smile curved on her lips before she turned to look forward and as he stepped forward he saw the various photo albums scattered over the coffee table. Photos filled with their family and friends stared back at him smiling. It showed proof of the happy life they were able to lead but that's not to say that they didn't have their difficult times. After all, it was the hard times that made them stronger and become closer. "Rach," he whispered, taking a seat beside her as she blinked tears away.

"I should turn this off before the children arrive," Rachel said, getting up.

"Leave it." Sam grabbed her wrist gently.

"I can't," She whispered to him. "They will know something is wrong."

He wasn't able to say anything when she stopped the film and turned the TV off as the front door opened.

"Mom! Dad!"

"We're in the living room!" Sam called out as he stood up hearing rapid footsteps approach. He turned around just in time to welcome Avery with a hug. "How have you been, baby doll?" He asked affectionately, kissing her temple.

"I've been good," she smiled, pulling away before greeting her mom with the same enthusiasm but when she looked around to see someone missing—she frowned. "Gabriel Leroy Sanchez, get your butt here now!" she snapped.

A three-year-old boy with dark chocolate hair and sapphire eyes stepped into the living room—pouting. Sam bit back a smile when he saw his grandson looking at the floor. "What happened this time?" he asked, approaching Gabe and crouched down to be at the same eye level. Instead of saying anything, Gabe threw his arms around Sam and he picked him up cradling him in his arms.

"He refuses to eat," Avery sighed, looking at her son concerned. "I don't know what's go on. I took him to the doctor to see if maybe he was sick but he turned out fine."

"Maybe he's upset," Rachel suggested, caressing her grandson's cheek.

"That still shouldn't stop him from eating."

"If I recall you were the same way," Sam poked Gabe on the belly, causing him to chuckle.

"Darling, I think you're talking about Hiram. He was the one that refused to touch his food when he was being stubborn. Avery was a glutton when it came to food."

"That's right." He grinned at his wife before looking back at his daughter. "You were a chubby baby."

"Dad!"

"What? I'm only saying the truth and a darn cute one, too."

"I remember when Mary couldn't stop pinching her cheeks," Rachel smiled as she poked Gabe lightly on the nose, causing him to smile. "Have you gotten in contact with Hiram?"

"Yeah, he said he was coming but wasn't sure at what time." A smile graced Avery lips as she heard Gabe's laughter echo through the room due to Sam tickling his belly.

"I swear if that boy is late I'm going to pull him by the ear," Rachel muttered.

"Pull who by the ear? Dwight?"

"I think she means you."

"What did I do?"

"Nothing," Rachel smiled as she turned around greeting both her sons Hiram and Dwight with a hug. "You came just in time."

"She was so referring to you," Dwight grinned at his twin, causing him to glare.

"I should have refused the corporation like Avery did and made Dad hand it down to you, then you would know how it feels."

"I don't think so, I would have made Dad pass it down to Shelby, plus you're the one who actually likes business."

"How's everything going with the corporation?" Sam asked his eldest son curiously.

"Everything is running smoothly and I even got Shane to cover the last meeting for me." Hiram pulled his mother closer to his side. "I told you I wasn't going to be late this time."

"I know." Rachel pulled him down and kissed his forehead before doing the same to Dwight.

"You should ask him about Lea."

Rachel looked at Hiram and raised an eyebrow when he looked away. Instead of putting him on the spot, Rachel handed him a box filled with decorations. "You're in charge of making the front look nice." He grabbed the box and walked toward the front.

"Dwight, you and Avery are in charge of decorating the inside. When Shelby arrives, tell her I am in the kitchen," Rachel said before walking away.

Sam turned around to face his children and barely caught the look they shared as they glanced at the photo albums and then back at each other. "I'll go talk to Hiram." He placed Gabe down and ruffled his hair before walking out but not before hearing Dwight ask Avery. "Why does Mom have the albums out? Is something wrong?"

"Hey."

"Hey, Dad."

"What happened between you and Lea?" Sam asked, grabbing some of the decorations and tried helping his son out.

"You know."

"Other than Quinn calling me and demanding why you and Lea broke up, I don't have a clue." He glanced at him. "I thought the two of you were doing well together."

"We are…we were…" Hiram frowned. "It's just that I…how do you know when she's the one or how do you know if you're the one right for her?"

"You don't know," Sam said simply. "It's a risk you make and, in the end, it's your decision whether to make it or not and whether you want her to be the one."

"Is that how it was for you and Mom? You chose each other?"

"The feelings were there in the beginning but, in the end, I wanted to be by her side. I wanted to love her. I chose to be with her just like she chose to be with me and love me back." A wistful smile curved on his lips. "It was the best decision I ever made."

Hiram stopped what he was doing and looked at his dad. "I'm going to call her tonight."

"You don't have to," Sam smirked. "You're mom made sure to invite her."

Hiram looked at the floor silently, debating his next move. Sam ruffled his hair affectionately. "Don't think too much on it because then you will begin doubting your every move when it comes to her. Just do what you think is right at the moment."

"Okay." Hiram felt a bit more confident after his conversation with his dad. "Dad?"

Sam was heading back inside when Hiram called out for him. "Yeah?" he looked over his shoulder.

"Is everything okay?" he asked frowning. "Mom was looking at the family albums again…and she only does that when…"

"Don't worry about it." Sam shook his head, grinning. "You're looking too much into it." Before they could expand the conversation, another car pulled into the driveway and a moment later the driver's car door opened. A young lady who looked very similar to Rachel with dark chocolate hair and caramel eyes stepped out. A huge smile graced her lips when she saw them. "Daddy! Hiram!"

Before Hiram knew what was happening, he was tackled into a hug. "Hey, Shelby." He greeted with a small smile.

"The world must be ending if you arrived sooner than I did."

"Ha-ha very funny, Shelby."

She winked at him before running up to Sam and hugging him. "Hi, Daddy, I missed you."

"I missed you, too, princess." He wrapped his arms tightly around her.

"I even got Mom and you a present for your anniversary."

"You didn't have to."

"I wanted to."

"Kiss up." Hiram coughed into his hand.

Sam bit back a smile when Shelby turned to glare at Hiram who went back to decorating. "Your mom is in the kitchen."

Shelby remained silent when she turned to look at him.

"Is something wrong?" Sam asked concerned.

"No," She said, forcing a smile before walking passed him and into the house. Sam watched silently as Shelby reached the living room. "You weren't kidding when you called saying that Mom had the photo albums out. What's going on?"

Sam sighed rubbing a hand over his face. There was no use keeping it hidden from them, but today was not the day to share such news.

"I hope we aren't too early."

He looked over his shoulder to see Quinn and Finn walking up the driveway with Lea behind them. Hiram visibly gulped and went stiff. "Not at all." Sam greeted them with a smile.

Quinn kissed Hiram on the cheek before going up to Sam and pulling him into a hug.

"Good luck," Finn whispered to Hiram, patting him on the back before walking up to Sam and shook hands with him. "How about we give the love birds some privacy?" He glanced at Hiram and Lea.

"Of course." Sam glanced at his son to see him looking at Lea.

It didn't take long for the day to become night and the others began to arrive. The house was filled with music, laughter, and conversations. As Sam looked around the living room, many things changed with the years but yet there are some things that never changed.

Mike and Stevie were busy picking on the younger generation. Puck would have joined them but the year before he had been killed in a robbery that left Shadow Falls shaken. The close knit of friends felt the loss. Sam and Rachel made sure to go with Santana whenever she wanted to visit Puck's grave and—when he couldn't—Rachel would tag along. Santana was never the same after Puck's death, she was more closed off to others but she was slowly recovering with their help. Yet, Sam knew that the Latina would never be the same—even after she recovered and that scared him. He knew how strong she was but the moment she had heard the news of Puck dying, she broke right before his eyes.

Rachel's strength rivaled that of Santana's, a part of him feared that, in the end, he would break her. Sam glanced at Rachel to see her laughing at something Brittany said. She was surrounded by Quinn, Santana, Mercedes, Kurt, Stacy and Tina. Hiram and Lea were sitting on the couch, if the smile on her lips was anything to go by, Sam would say things between them was going smooth again. It was then he noticed the couple in the making leaning against the wall.

"You noticed them as well?" Finn asked, coming to stand next to him as Shane pulled Shelby to the middle of the living room and began to dance with her.

"I don't know what to think of them," Sam said as he watched his little princess laugh at something Shane said, while he looked at her with a gentle look in his eyes.

"At least you know he's a good man and is best friends with Hiram." Finn continued to watch the dancing couple. "It's strange you know…whenever I look at him—I see Puck. They're so similar and yet different."

"That's the only reason that keeps me from marching over there and pulling Shelby away from him," Sam chuckled.

"The wonders of being young."

"What are you talking about? We're still young."

"Because, clearly, we have yet to hit our midlife crisis."

"Exactly."

"Well…Mike seems to be on his way."

"Dad!" Mike and Tina's son Henry snapped. "You put that Grey Goose down right now," he warned.

"Remind me not buy liquor next year," Sam said as he watched Henry wrestle the Grey Goose bottle out of his father's hand, while the boys placed their bets on who would win.

"Should we stop them?"

"Nah, let them go at it."

"I think it's time I put Gabe to sleep." Avery picked up her son and began carrying him out the living room but not before letting him kiss his grandparents goodnight.

"See you tomorrow, Uncle Finny," Gabe waved at him sleepily.

Finn's heart skipped a beat, no one had called him that since his grandmother passed away. "Goodnight, Gabe." He pressed an affectionate kiss against the boy's temple. Finn watched him go with a smile and sighed. "I can't wait to be a grandpa." He glanced at Sam. "Do you know if they're going to tie the knot soon?" he asked motioning to Hiram and Lea.

"Mind if I sit next to you?"

"Go right ahead."

"Should I be worried that you're out here by yourself?"

"No, I just needed some fresh air."

"So it's safe you say you enjoyed yourself today."

"Of course." She reached for his hand. "Did you?"

"I always do." He held her hand firmly in his.

"Even when Avery had the fever?"

"It was beautiful."

"When Hiram and Dwight threw up the moment we were about to walk out the door and have a romantic dinner?"

"Hands down—amazing."

"How about when Shelby walked in on us?"

"That was unforgettable."

Rachel's laughter echoed through the night. "Each of them were memorable." She laid her head on his shoulder.

"And they will continue to be."

"Sam?"

"Yeah."

"How bad is it?" Rachel gulped, already feeling dread creep over her.

"What do you mean?"

It was a subject they had been trying to avoid but it could no longer be. "Please, Sam, just be straightforward with me…I know something is wrong."

"I don't see why we can't talk about this tomorrow."

"And I don't see why you can't tell me now. It won't change anything."

"I don't want to ruin our anniversary."

"You can never ruin it," she whispered to him.

Silence reigned over them for a moment.

"It's spreading…at an alarming rate."

"…"

"They don't know exactly how much time I have." He heard her breath hitch. "It doesn't matter in the end because I just want to spend my time with you and the kids."

"Sam…" She whispered his name, her voice cracking. "The kids…they know something is wrong."

"That's only because you're acting suspicious." Sam gave her a small teasing smile.

"What are we going to do?" She asked, cupping his cheek as she tried to blink back tears. "What am I going to do when you're gone? I don't know…"

"Don't." Sam pulled her close and pressed his forehead against hers. "Don't think about that now. Just enjoy the present with me."

Rachel bit her bottom lip to keep from crying.

"Remember, we still have to make it to thirty years," he grinned. "I'll try my best to make sure it happens."

"Even if you gave me thirty years, I don't think that would be enough." She caressed his cheek. "I don't even think eternity with you would be enough."

"Then let's make it enough." He said it with such conviction that she ached to believe it was possible.

Rachel wrapped her arms around him. "Okay."

"Even if I'm gone, I will leave you reminders of my love for you." His hand trailed slowly down her back. "Our children are proof, the various photos, every memory we share that brings you warmth." Pressed a kiss to her temple. "As long as you remember, my love will continue to live inside you long after I am gone."

She buried her face into his shoulder.

"And in the afterlife, I will wait for you…until you're by my side again."

"How can you be sure?"

"Because I can never be at peace if you're not by my side."

"I love you."

Sam didn't say anything as he tightened his hold on her.

"I love you so damn much." She fisted his shirt meeting his eyes.

Sam wiped the tear that slid down her face as he pressed his forehead against hers again. "I love you, too." His lips brushed against hers as he uttered the words before pressing them fully against hers.

I just wanna hold your hand
Hang on every word you say
Let's write a song for us
And sing until we're old and grey
Forget me not my dear, my darling
Forget me not my love

The End

AN: I want to give a personal shout out to my beta MissBreePhoenix613 for helping me when I was stuck and without her this fic would have not been completed until a much later date. My head is still spinning; I can't believe we actually got this one done. =)

AN 2: I would like to thank everyone who read this fic, added it to their favorites or alerts or both, those who reviewed (it's long list) and especially those who were with me since the beginning and saw it form to what it is today or joined close in the end. You know who you are. ;) Thank you everyone for your support and amazing reviews it means a lot to me. =D

AN 3: When I started writing Lies I knew exactly how it was going to start and end. What I didn't know was how I was going to get them from the beginning to the ending I had planned. With each chapter I wrote, it ended up completely different from what I had planned to write. That's what I enjoyed because I would surprise myself while writing it out. This ending I dedicated a whole day to fighting back tears because of the finality in it. I knew since the beginning it was going to end like this, I never thought I would get this attached to the fic that it would hurt like this but at the same time it makes me smile. Even though Sam is going to die I wanted to show that he lived a life full of love, laughter and those hard times in life that can't be avoided, but that didn't break him or Rachel instead it made them both stronger over the years and that was how they reached the level of intimacy they have in the Epilogue and I hope that I was able to convey that. I truly hope that you enjoyed the ending…no not just that, but the entire fic itself. (^_^)

AN 4: I made a soundtrack for this fic because these are songs I used in the fic as well as listened while writing this fic.

Lies Soundtrack

Secrets by OneRepublic (Main Theme)

Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley

As Time Goes By by Frank Sinatra

Say When by The Fray

She's So High by Tal Bachman

Your Body Is A Wonderland by John Mayer

Hemorrhage (In My Hands) by Fuel

Letters From The Sky by Civil Twilight

Shimmer by Fuel

Everywhere by Michelle Branch

Brighter Than The Sun by Colbie Caillat

Time To Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman

Never Gonna Leave This Bed by Maroon 5

Can't Let You Go by Matchbox 20

Forget Me Not by The Civil Wars (Ending Theme)