Sam Evans left his apartment that Monday with a spring in his step. He had plans for that evening that he just couldnt get out of his mind.

All that day in his classroom, his mind was on Rachel. She had been unusually quiet the last three weeks and it was starting to worry Sam. He knew that if he was going to help her, now was his time to take action.

After the long school day ended and the last of his students left, Sam called Rachel. "Hey, babe. Im going to stay after today to grade some papers. I should be home in about an hour. Get dressed. Im taking you out tonight."

"Sam, I look terrible today. Im still in my pajamas. The last thing I want to do is go somewhere," Rachel whined into the phone.

"Please just do this for me?" Sam begged. He really needed to get Rachel out of the mood she was in. "I promise you wont regret it."

She sighed, "Fine but take your time. It may take me more than an hour to get ready," Rachel said.

Sam chuckled, "Rachel, you would look gorgeous in your pajamas."

""Shut up," she hung up.

Sam worked quickly through his papers, too eager to get home to Rachel. It still took him well over an hour before he left to pick up Rachel.

When he arrived at the apartment, she was applying her makeup. "I told you to take your time," Rachel said when he walked into the bathroom. She wore a form-fitting black dress that did nothing to hide her growing baby bump. Her hair was tied up in a bun.

Sam smiled, "Rachel, you look perfect. Theres no need to finish."

"Sam Evans, stop making me blush," Rachel laughed. She put the finishing touches on her makeup before moving into the bedroom and slipping on shoes.

"Can you walk in those heels?" Sam raised an eyebrow at her.

She hit his arm, "Do you want me to go with you or not, Sam?"

"Im sorry, youre right. It completes the outfit you look wonderful Sam smiles softly.

"Now youre just saying that to be polite," Rachel turned to glance in the mirror. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and said, "we both know I look fat."

Sam came up behind her. D wrapped his arms around her waist, placing his hands over hers, "No. You look pregnant and youve never looked better."

She stared at their reflection in the mirror and sighed, "You at least know how to make a girl feel better. Damn hormones."

Sam chuckled, spinning her around to face him. He placed his arms around her torso, pulling her body close to his. "Rachel Barbra Berry, What did I say when you first approached me about being a surrogate for Kurt and Blaine?"

"That its not the size of my belly that counts, its the size of my heart," Rachel rolled her eyes. "Thats still the cheesiest thing youve ever said."

" But its so true," Sam gently pressed his lips to hers. "Your heart matters most to me. And this..." he placed his hands on her stomach. "This is temporary. Youre mine entirely."

"Okay, youve reached your limit of cheesiness today," Rachel stepped away from him. "Take me out to dinner before I change my mind and go on a date with Netflix."

"Right, because your sappy romance movies arent cheesy enough," Sam teased.

They were soon on their way to the restaurant Sam had booked reservations at earlier in the week. He grabbed her hand and led her inside.

"Sam, this is too much," Rachel breathed, admiring the beautiful architecture of the building. She glanced up at the chandelier in the entryway and gasped, "Its beautiful."

"Because someone as beautiful as you deserves a beautiful place like this," Sam said, kissing her cheek. He then followed the hostess to their table and pulled out Rachels seat for her.

They ordered their food in time. Rachel was quiet, like she had been for a couple weeks. She stared at her hands for a long moment after the waiter left.

"Are you okay?" Sam asked, reaching across the table and taking her hands in his. "Im worried about you. You havent been yourself since the incident."

"Im just tired," she shrugged. "I forgot how tiring pregnancy can be."

"Rachel, come on, I know you," Sam said, squeezing her hand in comfort. "Its more than just that. Please talk to me. Dont keep your emotions bottled up. Itll make things worse."

She took a deep breath. "I just cant get it out of my head, what happened a couple weeks ago. It was terrifying. I keep thinking about Belle. I cant imagine what shes going through. I hate the thought of her getting mistreated."

"Shell be okay," Sam said, trying to reassure himself as well. He couldnt guarantee Bells safety, but he hoped more than anything that she was safe.

"I just feel so helpless, so emotional," Rachel said. "I want our family to be whole again. I feel so terrible for Kurt and Blaine. This has been so hard on them, more than its been hard on us. They raised her."

"I wish I could make you feel better," Sam said, rubbing his thumb along the back of her hand. "I always wish I could make you feel better when youre sad or angry. I wish I could protect you from every form of harm. These last few months have been so difficult, and I wish I could take your pain away."

"Sam, youre here. Thats enough," Rachel smiled sweetly, causing his stomach to flip. "As long as I have you, I can get through anything."

"Im glad you feel that way. I want to be here for you through everything in life, Rachel. I want to comfort you. I want to be there for every sad and for every happy moment," Sam took a deep breath. "I would have done this more properly with a ring, but I sold it to help Belle."

"Sam..." Rachel whispered. Tears formed in her eyes. As Sam got to the floor on one knee. "You dont have to do this."

"I know that your family wont be complete without Belle, but I also know that Ive been the luckiest person to be a part of this family so far, and I want to make it official. So..." Squeezing her hand, he looked deeply into her brown eyes and asked, "Rachel Berry, will you marry me?"

The room went silent, as people noticed Sam on his knee. Sam hardly noticed the stares, because all he could focus on was Rachels bright eyes. A moment seemed to drag on forever.

"Yes, Sam Evans, I will marry you," Rachel beamed, as tears flowed freely down her cheeks. She climbed out of her booth and pulled Sam to his feet.

Dazed, Sam kissed her forcefully before he gave her a big hug. "I love you, Rachel."

She whispered in his ear, "I love you too." It was the only sound Sam heard over the applause that filled the restaurant.

"Read chapter seven for your homework tonight and answer the questions at the end of the chapter. Well discuss your answers in class tomorrow," Sam said, just as the bell rang. "Have a good evening." His class began to file out of the room and Sam started putting things away in his desk drawers.

"Knock knock," Blaine entered the classroom, as the last few students filed out. "Do you have a minute to talk?"

"What are you doing here? Shouldnt you be at work?" Sam asked.

"We were slow today, and I wanted to come talk to you before you went home. I need to ask a favor of you, but I didnt want to worry Rachel," Blaine said. He took a seat at a desk in the front row. "And this wasnt an appropriate conversation for my place either."

"Whats up?" Sam asked, leaning against his own desk.

Blaine sighed, folding his hands on the desk, "Jills meeting with her father in a couple days, and shes worried about going alone."

"Didnt she tell her dad shed be alone?" Sam asked.

"Yes, and we want him to think shes alone without actually being alone. The problem is that my Uncle Tim knows Rachel, Kurt, my mom, and myself," Blaine explained.

"And he doesnt know me," Sam concluded. "So what do you want me to do?"

"Be in the same place. Be close enough just in case she needs you but not enough to be suspicious," Blaine told him.

"I dont know," Sam shrugged. "I wouldnt know what to do if he did something."

"Hes not going to do anything. Well have the police in range this time. Last time we made a mistake but were going to have the upper hand this time."

"How?"

Well make sure the police are there before Tim is. Hes not going to hurt Jill," Blaine said. "Im going to bring up the idea with the detective handling our case. If Jill gets anything out of him, the police will be right there to help us."

"Im just... nervous after what happened last time," Sam shrugged.

"If I could show up myself, I would," Blaine stood up. "I dont care what it took, Id do anything for Belle. She needs me more than I need fully working body parts."

"Then what good am I in any of this?" Sam questioned. He moved to the back of the classroom and picked up several sheets of paper off the floor.

Blaine rose from the desk and followed him. "Sam, you are an important part of this family. Youre basically a third dad to Belle. I know she misses you so much." Blaine sighed and added, "Kurt and I need you, Sam. We need you to help us. Were not expecting it but we would appreciate it so much."

Sam stared into his best friends eyes. They were full of a deep sorrow that had settled there months ago when Belle disappeared. It pained Sam to see his friend hurting so much and he knew he had to help any way he could. "Okay," he nodded.

"Youll do it?" Blaine exclaimed.

"Of course, its for Belle," Sam said, setting the papers on a desk. "I want to follow through with being a member of this family."

"Thats a spot you earned a long time ago," Blaine nudged him with his elbow.

"But Im making it official. I proposed to Rachel yesterday," Sam said, knowing Blaine was the first he wanted to tell.

"You did?" Blaines eyes widened. "Sam, thats wonderful!" He paused, watching Sams expression. "Wait. She said yes, right?"

"Yeah, she did," Sam said.

"Then why do you look like you wish she hadnt?" Blaine stepped closer.

"I just hope she didnt say it for the wrong reasons," Sam said. "I thought It would be a good way to ease her mind but I want Rachel to want this because she truly wants to."

"Why wouldnt she want to? Youre a great guy. Shes been with you for years," Blaine said. "If she didnt want you, she would have left you by now."

"Yeah, I guess youre right," Sam said. "I just know Rachels been through a lot of heartache in her life... Losing Finn, losing you, and I just want to make sure shes truly happy."

"Im sure shes happy," Blaine clapped a hand on her shoulder. "Along with heartache comes caution. I think Rachels learned to protect her heart well."

"What if things go wrong with Jills dad?" Sam asked. "I dont want to hurt her more."

Blaine chuckled, "Sam, youre going to come home Thursday. Its going to be fine, I promise. The police have this under control. Youre mostly just going for Jills sanity."

"Just for Jill?" Sam asked.

"Yes. I would do it myself but Jill wants to approach her father without causing too much suspicion. Shes worried he wont cooperate if we arent careful."

"And youre willing to take your time? Why dont they just arrest him for being a suspect?" Sam said, moving back to the front of the classroom. He grabbed the eraser and cleared the chalkboard.

"We dont even know how to find him without Jill. We have no leads. Im hoping the police will arrest him by the end of this dinner. Jill just begged to give him a chance," Blaine told him.

"And you agreed?" Sam raised an eyebrow, setting the eraser on its tray.

Blaine shrugged, his expression turning from, "This is my daughters life were talking about. If Jill says we need to be careful, I dont want to be forceful."

"I guess youre right," Sam said. He placed his hands on Blaines shoulders and said, "This is going to work out. Were going to get Belle back."

"I hope youre right," Blaine said weakly. "But thank you, Sam. I appreciate your help. Im lucky to have you for a best friend."

Blaine and Sam arrived at the restaurant fifteen minutes before Jill and Tim were scheduled to be there. Blaine wasnt staying but he didnt want to send Sam alone, and Sam was grateful for that.

"Mr. Anderson?" A woman approached them, as they entered the restaurant "Im Officer Kelly Delano. We discussed your daughters case a couple days ago."

"Hi. This is my friend, Sam Evans," Blaine motioned to Sam. "Hell be with you since I cant be seen." Blaine turned to Sam and added, "Jill requested that we be casual for fear of Tim not cooperating."

"We have a couple officers on standby if you would like to wait with them," Kelly Delano said. "This is all just precaution because we dont know what were up against."

"That would be great, thank you," Blaine said. Turning to Sam, he said, "Be careful, okay? Hopefully well have something figured out by the end of this."

"Yeah," Sam nodded, feeling lightheaded. "See you soon." He still couldnt understand why they had to do it like this. Why couldnt they just arrest him?

"Shall we have a seat?" the officer asked.

"Sure, Officer Delano," Sam said.

"Please, lets make this easy. Youre having dinner with me. Call me Kelly," she smiled. "Im here to help. Annabelles case has been important to me. Theres something truly awful about missing a child."

Kelly and Sam took a seat in a booth and waited patiently until Tim and Jill arrived. Sam noticed Jill right away walking next to a strange man. "Thats her," he told Kelly.

Jill and Tim were seated in the booth behind Sam and Kelly. With his back to them, Sam tried to keep his face from view. He knew Tim wouldnt recognize him but he felt paranoid.

Kelly casually began rambling about her younger sister Heather getting into NYU. "Im really proud of her, you know? Shes come a long way."

"Sure," Sam nodded. He listened intently, as Tim asked Jill what happened between her and her boyfriend.

"Daniel said that he needed space. He got a new job and he wants to move out of his apartment. He said it was just time for some changes."

"And that includes ditching you?" Tim asked, his voice sounding gruff.

Kelly kept up casual conversation while Tim and Jill discussed her last relationship. Sam knew she was trying to act normal, but it was hard to listen when he was focused on Jill,

"It wasnt until Jill brought up the discussion of his travels that they listened intently.

"Im glad we did this," Jill said. "Ive missed you so much. Ive been worried about you since uncle Michaels funeral."

"Why worry?" Tim asked shortly.

"Come on, you guys were close," Jill replied. "I know this was hard on you."

"Hm," Tim replied.

"Arent you sad that hes gone? Be honest with me," Jill said quietly. "I thought maybe that was why you left. I thought maybe you needed space to recover."

"Of course I am. He was my brother. I always thought hed be around," Tim replied. "He was the one that knew what he was doing all the time. I was so lost."

"Dad, I want to be here for you," Jill said sweetly. "I miss my boyfriend and you miss your brother. Cant I just be here with you for a little while?"

"I told you - "

"I dont have to be in your way," Jill said. "I just want to know that youre not alone. Im your daughter. Every girl deserves a right to be with her father, especially when they need each other."

There was silence from that statement. Sam could only assume that stirred something in Michaels mind.

"I love you, you know that, right?" Jill asked.

"Yeah," Tim said quietly.

"I heard about what happened with Blaines daughter, Belle, and I just dont want to lose time with you like Belle and Blaine are." Jill finally got to the point, causing both Sam and Kelly to go rigid.

"Belle," Tim mumbled.

"And I dont want to lose the time I have with you before its too late. Belles missing so much in her life, Family should always be together while they can. I dont want to regret things like you now do with uncle mike."

Silence followed once again. A long silence. Sam and Kelly strained their ears to listen. "Jill, I think I need to come home. Ive made a terrible mistake," he finally replied.

"What do you mean?" Jill asked. "I thought this business was important?"

"It was... until you reminded me whats really important. Youre my girl. I have something to take care of. Can I meet you at the airport for the next available flight to Ohio?" Tim suddenly jumped up from the table.

"I dont understand," Jill replied, playing dumb.

"I just - Ill see you soon," Tim leapt from the table and dashed out the door.

At this action, Sam and Kelly got up from their table Sam met Jills surprised eyes and said, "Im guessing you didnt know. "

"What do we do from here?" Jill asked.

"Were about to follow your father and see if he will lead us to Annabelle," Kelly said. She grabbed Sams arm and pulled him toward the door. Jill followed.

"I want to come," she said firmly.

"That is out of the question," Kelly said.

"Please, its my father," Jill pleaded. "I need to see for myself that I was wrong about him. I wont believe it until I see it."

Blaine and two police officers came up behind them and the taller one said, "How do we proceed from here?"

"We follow him," Kelly replied.

Blaine clapped Sam on the shoulder and gave him a stern nod. "Go home to Kurt. Let him know whats happening. I cant have you involved in this."

"I know Kurt. Hed never forgive me if I let you go through this alone. You need me," Sam reassures his best friend.

"Thanks, Sam," Blaine smiled, giving him a quick hug. He then turned to Jill and said, "I cant let you go trough with this. Go home to Kurt. Tell him were okay. Im sure hes worried."

"Blaine, please," Jill replied. "I might be able o help. Im all that matters to him anymore."

The two police officers behind Blaine exchanged looks. The taller one said, "make up your mind. Were heading out with or without you."

Sam and Blaine climbed into one police car and Jill into the other. Sam glanced in Blaines direction and noticed how pale Blaine looked. Placing a hand on top of Blaines, Sam noticed that it was trembling. Blaine glanced up at the touch and met his eyes. "Its going to be okay," Sam said quietly.

"I just hope this leads us to her," Blaine whispered.

"Were going to get Belle back," Sam reassured him. "Were going to go get her right now."