Disclaimer: Anything you recognize is not mine.
Please read iCry before proceeding.
Thanks, Molly
Oh, and by the way, this is three months after iCry and the gang still doesn't know about the big engagement.
"Hey, um, Case…" Spencer started nervously, fingering the contents of his inside jacket pocket.
"Mm-hmm?" She replied, her head still resting on his chest as they glided across the dance floor of the crowded restaurant the pair was on a date at.
"There's something I've been meaning to ask you," he began.
Casey righted herself and looked at him. "Yes, love?" She batted her long, dark, eyelashes and he swept a long, red strand of hair out of her eyes.
Spencer pulled her close to him and twirled out to the center of the floor. As he did so, a spot light shone on them and a voice came over the loud speaker: "And another lovely couple in the house. Let's give them a warm welcome!" The crowd around them cheered and clapped, "Okay, now Mr. Spencer Shay, take it away!"
Spencer slid away from Casey and pulled out the ring that he had been fingering the whole night. He knelt before her and asked, "Casey Michelle Novak, will you marry me?" he held out the small ring case and opened it to show her a glistening 12 karat gold ring, complete with a karat diamond center piece and a diamond-studded band.
"I will, Spencer, oh, yes I will marry you! I will!" Spencer slid the diamond onto Casey's small hand and it fit perfectly, like Cinderella's foot into the glass slipper.
He rose to stand on two feet, and was nearly knocked over as Casey jumped at him into a passionate kiss, her arms wrapped snuggly around his neck and her legs wrapped around his slim waist. He had his hands cradling her butt, holding her close to him. Both refused to be the one to break off the kiss, so they just kept kissing until a voice rang out over the loudspeaker.
"Wowwee; that is SOME kiss. Look at 'em go! They are in lo-ove. Give 'em a round of applause! The future Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Shay!!!!!!!!"
They finally agreed to break off the kiss. When they did, Casey went to untangle herself from Spencer, but Spencer was having none of that. He slid her to sit on her side, her long legs still intertwined around his waist and her arms around his neck.
"Good God, Spencer. Will you ever let me walk again?" Casey laughed.
"Nope. Never-ever." He nipped at her nose and started kissing her again.
"Okay, let's get a dance in between kissed for Spence and his fiancé, Casey." The DJ laughed. He then blared 'Just Dance' by Lady Gaga.
Casey and Spencer overtook the pulsing dance floor, Casey still in Spencer's arms. She slid back to his center and the two danced to the beat of the music, the deep Bass could be felt thumping beneath Spencer's feet.
"God, I love you so much," Casey whispered into Spencer's ear.
"The feeling is mutual, Love," Spencer replied.
"Meaning?" Casey pushed.
"I love you with all my heart forever and always," Spencer grinned.
"Then yes, the feeling is mutual."
Casey and Spencer plunged back into a deep kiss, their surroundings, the music, the swaying bodies all around them, and the DJ talking over the loud speaker, all fading into the background, only the other person in focus.
* * *
"Carly, Olivia, I-I can't do this." Sam shuddered as Olivia drove her rented Sedan to a community counseling center a few blocks away from the Shay's apartment. "I'm scared, an-and embarrassed and I-I just ca-can't do this, Carls, I can't…" Sam stuttered, she was nervous and terrified, shaking.
"Sam, sweetie, there is nothing to be ashamed about. You can do this. The fact that you agreed to try shows me that you're strong. I've seen countless women all go through this, and they never regret getting help, Sam. You're ready for this, I promise," Olivia said encouragingly.
"Does doctor-patient privilege go out the window if someone goes in there with me?" Sam asked, looking from Olivia to Carly and back again.
"I honestly don't know, Sam, you'll have to ask Sophie," Olivia replied.
"Olivia, can I go in alone?" Sam asked, looking nervously at the large brownstone in front of her.
"I don't know about that, Sam…" Olivia looked skeptical.
"What about if Carly goes with me and you stay here?"
"That's between you and Carly, I just don't want you to go alone."
"I'll do whatever it takes t help you, Sam," Carly smiled softly at Sam.
"Okay," Sam took a deep breath, "I want to do that. C'mon, Carly."
The pair climbed from the black Sedan and walk towards the tall building, arms linked. Sam walked up to the door and paused. She looked to Carly and back at the big double doors. She shuddered as a chill ran down her spine. "Carls…" Sam's big blue eyes were wet with tears as she looked at her best friend.
"Sam?" Carly turned to Sam.
"I'm scared…" Sam said, tears began soaking her cheeks.
"Me too, Sam…" Carly began to cry too, pulling Sam into a tight embrace, nestling her tear burdened face into Sam's golden hair, "I'm scared too…"
* * *
Elliot paced back and forth. Marissa was driving him nuts. He had started to sweat 15 minutes ago and she had made him change his shirt, and get this, asked him when he had started getting chest hair. "I don't know…" he replied, mildly creeped out. He looked at Freddie, who had his face nestled in his hands, breathing deeply.
It was the way his chest rose and fell that made him think of Dickie, a sleeping Dickie. "He's asleep," Elliot said, motioning toward Freddie.
"Yes, he is. Today has been a rough day and he is worried about Sam, poor baby…" Marissa sighed, moving towards Freddie, trying to pick him up.
"Here, let me help," Elliot whispered into Marissa's ear.
"Can you do it with out hurting him?" Marissa asked cautiously.
"Yeah, I have kids of my own," Elliot smiled lovingly as he thought of his kids, Maureen, Kathleen, Dickie, Elizabeth and Eli. Why had Kathy taken them from him? He may never know.
He cradled Freddie's head against his chest, his arms folded beneath his chin, protecting something in his hand. Elliot put his strong, muscled arm beneath Freddies knee and carried him to his bed.
Once Elliot sat him down, he slid off his shoes and socks. Marissa put a clean pair on and covered him up. She took the thing out of his hand. "Aw, look Elliot," Marissa held up the picture Freddie had held. It was a picture of Carly, Freddie, Spencer, and Marissa, all smiling at the camera, then there was Sam. She stood at the far left side of the picture, trying to hide behind Carly. She was smiling, but it was clearly fake, the kind of smile that couldn't fool a blind man. There were dark circles beneath her eyes, as if she hadn't slept in a week, then again, she probably hadn't. Freddie was worried about her. They all were.
* * *
"He-hello? I'm here f-for an 8 o'clock ap-appointment. I-I'm Sam, S-Sam Puckett," Sam said, leaning on Carly for support as she shook uncontrollably.
"Yes, a meeting with Dr. Sophie West. She's free, you can go in now," the receptionist said, smiling at the pair, "Better yet, hold on for a second." She hit a button on her phone and flipped down the microphone on her headset. "Yes, would you report to the front desk?...Yes, ma'am, the usual…Yes, in the lobby…Quickly…Okay, thank you, ma'am."
"Have a seat, Dr. West will be with you in a moment." She smile sweetly and nodded toward the large plush couches of the lobby.
Sam wavered and started to stumble. "Whoa, Sam, let's sit down…" Carly said, catching her and leading her toward the couches. Sam laid down, and put her head in Carly's lap. She closed her eyes and Carly stroked her hair.
Carly could feel Sam shaking in her lap. Poor Sam. She was so scared and ashamed and she seemed lost. It was a good thing that Sam had agreed to get help, she needed it.
"Mrs. Puckett, I presume?" A short, white woman, with curly black hair and big green eyes approached them.
Sam sat straight up, immediately at attention.
"Yes, this is Sam," Carly gestured toward Sam.
"And you are?" The woman looked at Carly, kneeling down to eye level.
"Carly, I'm Sam's best friend." Carly replied.
"Ah, and are you going to be included in our sessions?" Dr. West asked.
"That's up to—"Carly began.
"Yes." Sam finished, interrupting Carly and looking at the doctor.
"Okay." The doctor smiled, "Shall we go up to my office?"
"O-okay…" Sam stuttered, standing.
The three walked up to Dr Sophie West's, Sam's first step in the marathon of recovery.