Chapter Three:
iCan't Believe This
Three years had passed since Sam and Freddie first moved into together. Over time, the iCarly trio had all made excellent progress in college. Carly missed Sam and Freddie like crazy, but she enjoying dorm life at USW with Wendy. They learned everything there is to know about Broadcast Journalism. Sam and Freddie both attended the Art Institute of Seattle. Freddie was a Film major and Sam majored in the Culinary Arts. The workload came with its stresses, as did the bills for utilities from time to time. Not to mention, their occasional fights every now and again. However, no relationship is a cakewalk. Every couple has spats occasionally because no one is perfect. During the past few years together, Freddie and Sam learned to solve their problems on their own and compromise.
In the midst of their junior year along came the fall and it brought the cold, rainy weather with it. However; today was really quite nice especially considering it was Saturday, the beginning of October 2015. Sunlight shown through the curtains of Sam and Freddie's bedroom, causing Sam to stir awake for a moment. She savored mornings like this; mornings where she could stay in bed with Freddie until noon and not have to worry about much. Her eyelids grew heavy once again and the quietness in the air began lulling back to sleep. When suddenly her eyes popped open at that immediate, yet familiar touch of her boyfriend lightly stroking the hair out of her eyes.
"Mm, Freddie." Sam murmured happily, as she felt his hands travel lower down her body, and sighed when he pulled her closer to him.
Freddie once again let his hands slip gently underneath her shirt and caressed her supple, bare skin. Well, his shirt, she always wore one of his button-down shirts to bed, which were a little large on her small frame. Sam sucked in a sharp breath and shivered a bit when he left open-mouth kisses across her neck and collarbone.
Sam took pleasure in little intimate times like these. They reveled in the closeness they were able to share in bed together, even when it wasn't sexual. Times in bed together were still tender, loving, and comforting. She loved being wrapped up in Freddie's big strong arms, the tickling feeling of his breath against her, the warmth emanating from the sensation of his bare torso, and the feeling of his heart beat thumping away at her back. It made her feel protected and safe knowing that he was there with her. As girly and silly as it may be, she thought in moments like these that nothing in the world could ever hurt her again with Freddie next to her
"Good morning." Freddie whispered huskily in her ear, in between kisses, enjoying the way he made her feel, noticeable when her grasp on his bicep tightened and her breathing became ragged.
Freddie appreciated that he was the only that could make her feel this way. It made him feel manly and sexy He adored the feeling of Sam's petite, yet curvy body pressed against his, the tickling feeling of her blonde curls splayed out on his shoulder, her legs intertwined with his, and the soft grip from her delicate hands on both his arms. Freddie would sometimes watch her sleep before he drifted off to a state of slumber himself. At those times he thought she looked so peaceful, angelic, and sweet, which contradicted her demonic, aggressive, and brash behavior she had sometimes.
Those thoughts were pushed out of their minds when Sam turned over to face him. He knew the look. The look is different than a look. The look was when he knew she wanted so much more. She needed him and right away is what it meant and it was apparent by her lustful eyes and the red blush that instantly became clearer to him.
She moaned softly, staring directly in his eyes, and grabbing his shoulder, "Baby, I guess you want to stay in bed a little longer. I know. I do."
"Sam, we can't." He sighed mournfully, not intending to get his girlfriend in the mood, but just to take his time giving her some morning affection.
She groaned, frustrated, "Why not? After that, I'd figured you want to take things a little further." He got up out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Freddie explained from behind the door.
"I would, but I have plans with someone."
Sam asked curiously, "Oh yeah, where are you going?"
"Uh… I can't tell you," Freddie bit his tongue.
Sam questioned suspiciously, "And why is that?"
Freddie responded, "Can't tell you that either Babe."
"Ugh, you're being annoying Benson, will you at tell who you're going with? 'Cause if that's chick from your Film History class. She'll be…"
"It's not." He interrupted her with a peck on the lips; then countered, "Sam, have I ever given you a reason not to trust me? You know me better than that."
Sam breathed, "I know, and I trust you Freddie. But I don't trust all those chicks."
"Sam, don't worry." He reminded as he kissed her lips once more. She pulled away and insulted.
"Nice morning breath Nub."
He laughed off. "Funny that's not what you said a few minutes ago or do I not remember hearing, 'Baby, I guess you want to stay in bed a little longer. I know. I do?'"
"Yeah, yeah, you gonna make it up to me later?" She said with an eyebrow raise. Freddie replied in a silly French accent.
"But of course, my darling as soon as I get home."
"Alright," Sam giggled. "Since you're going out, me and Carls were thinking of hitting the Platinum's Gym. She can get over Lance and gawk at the new trainer Fabio. I can spar and by spar I mean hit people over the head and not get yelled at."
Freddie remembered, "Isn't that how you got kicked out of the last Platinum's Gym?"
She shrugged, "Maybe or maybe not Fredward, reportedly he fell down the stairs."
He jokingly reprimanded, "Sam, be a good girl." Sam brought herself closer barely inches away from pressing herself against him.
"I thought you like it when I'm a bad girl." Her lips curled into a smirk and he said softly.
"Hmm sometimes, I like both, but honestly I love that you're my girl."
She smiled and grabbed her sweats, "That was dorky and sweet just like you. Okay well. I'm going to change and head out."
A few minutes later, Sam got dressed and went out to her car. Freddie looked to make sure he was out of their house before he made an interesting phone call.
"Hey, you ready to go?"
A woman answered, "Yep, you sure she doesn't know what we're up to?"
"Positive." He told her, "And you made sure not to mention any of this to Carly? 'Cause you know she'll tell Sam on us."
The woman responded, "Of course, let's go to the place."
A half hour later, he went to pick up Wendy, they drove to the jewelry store and walked in. A female clerk greeted.
"Hello Sir, welcome to Mischka Jewelers. How may I help you?"
Freddie replied politely, "Hi, I'm Freddie Benson here to pick up an engagement ring I picked out a couple weeks ago. I placed an order for it to be resized. I was told it would be ready today." The store clerk went over to her computer.
"Benson… Benson… Oh here we go!" She exclaimed cheerfully as she cross-referenced the store database. "Your ring is all set. Let me grab it for you."
He said with a grin, "Thank you." The store clerk asked, looking over at Wendy.
"Is this the lucky lady?"
Wendy shook her head, "No, I'm just the lucky lady's friend."
"Ah, I see here's the ring." The store clerk surmised as she handed him the ring. "Always helps to get a woman's perspective when buying a ring and good luck with the proposal Sir."
"He'll need it with that soon-to-be fiancée of his." Wendy snickered in a quiet voice as she and Freddie left Mischka Jewelers.
Freddie chided, "Wendy!"
"Sorry!" She apologized throughout bouts of laughter. "Hey Freddie, can I ask you a question?"
"Shoot."
Wendy wondered, "Why'd you ask me to help you pick out Sam's engagement ring and not Carly? She is her best friend and all."
"Yeah, I know but you and Sam like the same stuff and we both know Carly can't keep a secret." He pointed out with a small chuckle.
Wendy laughed along with him, "True, but you owe me big Benson. I spent the last two weeks keeping this quiet and I helped you pick out a ring for Sam."
"How 'bout this, a big Strawberry Splat on me and I tell you what Brad wants for Christmas?" He suggested.
Wendy rubbed her chin thoughtfully, "Hmm throw in a doughnut and we're even."
He nodded they walked a couple blocks up to the Groovy Smoothie and had some casual conversation, which started off with what Wendy should get Brad for Christmas and ended with how Freddie planned to pop the question. Meanwhile after working up a sweat at Platinum's Gym, Carly and Sam took a well-deserved trip to Skybucks. The girls ordered some ice coffee and sat at a table by the window. Carly noticed that Sam was being unusually quiet.
"Hey, Frothy got your tongue?" She mentioned, trying to make her best laugh or say something. After a few sips of her coffee, Sam finally spoke worriedly.
"I think Freddie's up to something."
Carly quizzed, "What could he possibly be up to?"
"I think Freddie's cheating on me." Sam blurted out. Carly nearly spat her out coffee, and then stood up.
"Sam that's insane!" Carly reassured. "Freddie loves you."
"No it's not Carls." Sam explained, "For the past two weeks, we haven't been out a date. We go to bed at different times. And I saw receipts for lunch for two at Pini's and the Groovy Smoothie in his pockets when I was doing the laundry." Carly took Sam's hands in her to comfort her.
Carly rationed, "So, maybe he and Brad hung out there."
"That's what I thought at first, but then some chick at Pini's called and said there was a wallet that belonged to a Freddie Benson and a tube of Strawberry-scented lip gloss." Sam sighed.
"Sam I'm sure he's not… oh my god!" She yelled at the sight of Freddie outside the Groovy Smoothie opening the door for Wendy. Sam's face scrunched.
"Wha…" Carly moved turned Sam's head toward the direction of the window.
Sam first saw Wendy and Freddie laughing outside the Groovy Smoothie. Then he hugged her a little too long for Sam's liking and he also kissed her on the cheek. Sam was so enraged and angry that the remanence of her coffee squirted on the ceiling. She was red in the face. She wanted to march over there, yell at the both of them, dump Freddie, and kick him right where it hurt.
Sam growled, fully prepared to walk out of there and bust him up, "He's a dead man!"
"Sam, maybe it's not what we think? Let's just go back your place and confront him there." Carly soothed as she pulled her arm back.
Carly paid for the bill and she drove them home. They got back got back to Sam and Freddie's house before Freddie. She was in their bedroom, millions of thoughts racing through her mind along with a mix of sadness, anger, and worry.
Freddie parked his car in the driveway, unlocked the front door, and immediately headed up to their with the ring box in his pocket.
He welcomed, "Oh hey Carly."
"Don't you hey Carly me mister. I may not be as strong as Sam but if you hurt her I will…" Carly threatened with a death glare. Freddie's eyebrows furrowed in confusion
Freddie wondered, "What are you talking about? Have you been drinking?"
Sam madly bolted up from the edge of the bed wiping tears off her face as she ranted, "No you idiot! We saw you with Wendy. I trusted you and you cheated on me with one of our friends. How could you? You bastard! Ah!"
Full of anger and resentment she wanted to hurt him just like she did when they were in middle school. Her hands flew everywhere, but missed every shot. Freddie kept dogging away. He was certainly the stronger of the two of them now because he held her hands still and pinned her back on their bed.
"Baby, Calm the hell down and, please let me explain." He said out of breath, turning his tight grip on her into tiny gently circular motions trying to soothe her.
She grumbled, "Explain what?"
"I would never cheat on you Sam. Look, I was out with Wendy because she was helping me pick out a very special gift for you." Freddie clarified.
"Yeah right," Carly said still in disbelief. She dialed Wendy's number. Wendy picked up the phone. They talked for a bit, "Oh my God! Really he got her a…"
Freddie snapped as he quickly covered her mouth and pulled her aside, "Carly don't spoil the moment. That's why I didn't ask you in the first place Blabbermouth. No offense."
"Hey just because you said no offense, it doesn't mean I wasn't offended." Carly pointed out in a hushed tone, "So when are you going to pr-?"
He answered "Tonight."
Carly and Freddie went back in the room to see Sam. Carly reassured her that things were going to be okay and Freddie really does have a huge surprise in store for her with an obviously leaving Sam befuddled as to what that was about. She said her goodbyes to Sam and Freddie and the talked. He leaned back in bed taking Sam with him and wrapping his arms around her. She threw her leg over his to feel closer, held him tightly in her arms, and rested her head below his chin. Sam began to break down and cry again. It was a definite change compared to their freshman year of high school, where she would never anyone, but Carly see her cry.
"I'm sorry," She cried, "I just love you so much and I didn't know what to think…"
"Shh it's okay Baby," He soothed, rubbing her back, "I haven't seen you break down like this since well… three years ago."
Sam sniffled, "I know. I know. I'm also sorry I tried to beat the crap out of you."
"Thank you for apologizing. Just know that I would never do anything hurt you. I love you, but we have to be able to trust each other." He added after he wiped her tears away with his thumbs, caressing her cheeks.
She nodded, still a little teary-eyed, "So, am I still going to get this big special gift from you?"
"Yes," he said with a knowing smile.
Sam breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he wasn't mad at her, "You gonna give me hints? Like what it is and what's it for Benson?"
"Nope," Freddie answered with a shake of his head.
Sam thought, "Well, what if I gave you a little incentive?" He got off the bed, looked at his watch and grabbed a black bag with his tuxedo in it.
"There's my cue to get ready."
Sam bounced back on the bed, "Ready for what?"
"You'll see check the clues!" He replied as he was getting dressed. She groaned frustrated.
"What clues? What is this man are we on Harry's Hints or something? Thanks way to be cryptic Honey!"
"You're welcome Darling! Clue one check in your closet," Freddie told her with an initial hint of sarcasm.
She went to check her closet. Moments later after fixing his cuff links and a splash of cologne, he snuck out of the room and into his car, unseen by his girlfriend.
While in the closet Sam thought to herself, "He left without me! Now I wonder what I'm supposed to be looking for."
She saw a box and opened it to reveal an elegant strapless blue dress along with a note.
"Put this on and meet me at the Beverly Garvin hotel lobby as soon as you can. Love, Freddie." It read.
She showered, put the dress on with some makeup and accessories. Sam reached the Beverly Garvin hotel waiting in anticipation to figure out what was. She spotted Freddie sitting in the lobby with a bouquet of white orchids. They were her favorite.
"First, these are for you." Freddie greeted her with a small kiss, "Second, follow me."
Sam protested, "Wait Freddie! You look really handsome and can you…"
"I'll explain everything when we get to our suite and did I forget to mention how stunning you looked?" He interrupted and he walked her to the elevator, guided her in, and pressed the button for the eighth floor. They headed down to room 239. He couldn't help, but give her a mischievous little smirk. She just looked at him in wonderment, not having the slightest idea what he was up to.
Freddie said when he opened the door for her, his hand situated on the small of her back, "Here we are."
"Okay, so spill. You said you would tell me what we're doing here when we got to the suite." She reminded.
"I will, but why don't we eat first?"
She sighed exasperated, "Freddie, you're stalling."
Freddie tempted, "It's fried chicken."
"Where should I sit?" Sam asked already salivating at the mouth from hearing possibly her two favorite words in the entire English language.
"Here," he laughed as he pulled out her chair, "Go ahead eat."
Ten whole minutes went by as Sam polished off nearly that entire bucket of fried chicken. Freddie managed to consume a few pieces without losing a finger to his ravenous girlfriend.
He muttered to himself quietly, "Good thing I didn't hide it in the food."
"What'd you say Fredward?" She questioned while chewing the last piece of fried chicken.
Freddie came up with, "I said you liking the food?" She replied,
"Duh it's fried chicken. Now 'fess up and tell me why we're here."
He suggested, "Why don't we open up this champagne bottle now?"
"Freddie," she said clearly irked by now, but gave in, "Ugh fine!"
He tried to pop it open, but the fizz shot the cork against the wall, which made it sound like a car backfire.
Freddie mouthed, "Wow." Sam mentioned crudely as she messed with her heels.
"You made me get all dressed up, popped open a bottle of fancy-schmancy champagne, so we could do it at a ritzy hotel."
He sneeringly responded, "What a classy to way to put it Sam. No, that is not it!"
"I'm waiting." She waved off impatiently, still fiddling with her heels, "How did you afford all this? There's some pretty high-end stuff."
"DrinkMo! Gift cards, help from Wendy and Spencer…" Freddie trailed off. Sam was too busy trying to take her shoes off to listen. He quipped, "Oh for the love of God woman! Here let me."
He went over to her, took off her shoes, and massaged her feet after he placed them in his lap.
Sam sighed in relief, rubbing Freddie's leg, "Oh, mmm Freddie that feels so much better."
"Good." He replied simply, waiting until she got even more relaxed before he talked again.
She mewed in a whisper, "Freddie tell me what I want, an answer, like why are we here?"
"Not until you tell me what I want."
Sam asked, "Okay what is it?"
She gasped when he abandoned rubbing her feet, kneeling down on one knee. He pulled the ring box out of his pocket. He opened it. Sam could feel the tear flow coming. Freddie gave her hand a gentle kiss. She was actually shaking a little, realizing that this is what he had been up to all along.
He proposed, "Sam, I love you. I love having you as a part of my life. I want to share it with you forever. Marry me baby." He waited, anxious for her reply, still kneeling on the ground.
"Yes Freddie!" She finally mustered through the tears of joy.
He repeatedly excitedly like he couldn't hear her, "Yes!"
Freddie picked her up in his arms and helped her dab the tears off her face. They kissed. He slid the ring on her finger.
Sam said as she looked down her ring, "It fits."
Her ring was beautiful. It had a nice size diamond set in a platinum band, engraved with an S+F in a little heart. The fell back on the bed and snuggled up just as they did this afternoon. Freddie added.
"I'm glad."
She said repeatedly, "I love you. I love you I love you."
He said, "I love you too."
Freddie thought she would want to go back to what he started with her this morning, but instead they talked about anything and everything. After only a few mere hours of engagement bliss, Sam mentioned she wanted to go modern and have a co-ed wedding shower, so the only woman Freddie would see naked was her. Freddie mentioned he'd like to get married in July while they were on summer break. That way they could go on a nice weeklong honeymoon. Sam and Freddie showed each other just how much they loved each other and took some definite pleasure out of that.
Sam murmured against Freddie's bare chest, "You're amazing. You know that Benson?"
"So are you Puckett. So are you," he said quietly as he held her in his arms.
She smacked him on the chest, "Hey by July you can't call me that."
He asked drearily before he slept, "So what you're changing your name. I thought you said you'd never do that, even for me."
"I know, but I love you eh… I guess Samantha Joy Benson doesn't sound half bad."
Freddie whispered, "Samantha Joy Benson. I can't believe this."
She retorted and told Freddie to "believe it nub.". They kissed, cuddled up closer, and told each other once more that they loved each other so much. They had a wedding to plan. Sure, these plans weren't set in stone just yet. But they knew they didn't want an extremely long engagement and as long as they were marrying each other. No matter where or when the wedding will be, it'll be the perfect summer wedding. Well, as perfect as you could get, especially with the Puckett-Benson clans in one room all together at once. Who knew what craziness would ensue?
