A/N: Merry Belated Christmas! Hope all is well with everyone. Here's another installment, enjoy!
Dec 24 – Christmas Eve 2:30 pm
Freddie was in his room, gathering the rest of his personal belongings he was going to take with him on his holiday trip. He and his mother were going to Portland to visit his uncle and aunt for Christmas. Feeling the stress of holiday travel, Freddie picked up his cell phone and texted his neighbor from across the hall. He wanted to wish her a Merry Christmas before he left, so he kept his text message subtle.
Hope you have a Merry Christmas. See u when I get back frm Portland
After checking his watch, he quickly zipped his duffle bag shut and made his way to the living room where a pile of luggage was waiting. Freddie threw his bag into the pile and began pacing as he waited for his mother. Their flight was to leave in two hours.
"Let's go, Mom. We have to make it to the airport in an hour. Security check is gonna be brutal to get through!" Freddie said impatiently to his mother in the other room.
"Alright, let's go through the checklist," Mrs. Benson said as she brought in the last of her luggage, " All appliances and lights are off… check, got my suitcase …check, Freddie's bag…check, Freddie's allergy medicine kit…check, Freddie's hypoallergenic comforter…check, Freddie's medicated skin moisturizer… check…"
"The cab will be here any minute" Freddie said while hastily picking up his bags and on his way out the door. His mother picked up her remaining bags and followed her son. The door was knocking as both of them were preparing to leave. Much to the surprise of Freddie, Carly was at the door.
"Hey, I just got your message so I thought I'd walk you and your mom to the lobby," Carly smiled. Freddie couldn't help but blush at Carly's thoughtful offer.
"Well, isn't that sweet of you, Carly," Mrs. Benson replied, "And tell your brother I said have Merry Christmas."
"I will, Mrs. Benson," Carly was walking alongside Freddie and his mother.
As they entered the lobby, Lewbert the doorman, was on the phone complaining about the Christmas carolers in the building. The taxicab was already outside waiting for Freddie and Mrs. Benson. It was starting to drizzle as the gray clouds were circling the sky. Freddie stored their luggage into the trunk of the cab.
"Where to, ma'am?" the cab driver asked.
"Seattle International Airport, please," Mrs. Benson said as she closed her umbrella and swiftly entered the taxi. Freddie was holding a newspaper over Carly so she wouldn't get caught in the rain.
"So, I guess I'll see you when you get back. Have fun in Portland," Carly noticed the drops of rain falling from her soaked hair.
"Yeah, hope you have a Merry Christmas," Freddie smiled. He and Carly pulled in closer and gave each other a warm embrace. In a moment what seemed like forever they began to break away, as Freddie needed to catch a flight.
"You better get inside, it's pouring like crazy," Freddie said realizing that they were caught in downpour. He brushed a few beads of water off of Carly's cheek which he couldn't tell if they were raindrops or tears.
"…Bye," Carly waved goodbye as she hurried back inside. She watched from the lobby, seeing Freddie looking back and waving as the cab drove off.
5:30 pm
Sam arrived at the Bushwell Plaza apartment complex with her gift in hand. She wanted to give her best friend her present before she left for Christmas. Sam and her mother were going to visit Aunt Jodie who was up for parole. She ran into Lewbert, being the holiday humbug he is, kicked of bunch of Christmas carolers out of the lobby. He was now on the phone complaining to the radio station to stop playing Christmas songs.
"Geez, what a Scoorge," she said under her breath as she scurried to the elevator. Arriving at Carly's door, Sam greeted her friend with holiday cheer.
"Merry Christmas Eve!" the blonde exclaimed
"Hey Sam, I thought you were going to visit your aunt?" Carly asked
"I wanted to give you your gift before I go," Sam held out her present to Carly.
"I have your gift too. Wait right here," Carly ran upstairs. She returned with a small box wrapped in green wrapping paper. Both of the girls exchanged their gifts. They looked at each other with delight as they tore into the presents.
Carly opened her gift to discover a robin's-egg-blue T-shirt with the iCarly logo on it.
"I remembered that T-shirt you gave me for our fifth anniversary of our friendship. After I gave the first one to Rip-Off Rodney for those Cuddlefish tickets, I had another printed. This time I had our pictures screen printed on it. Hope this makes up for the shirt I lost," Sam explained as she showed softer side of herself.
"Of course, I love it," Carly hugged her friend, "Now open yours."
She opened the box that revealed an envelope. Sam ripped open the envelope to unveil tickets.
"Oh my God, tickets to the Seattle Chili Cook-Off. Thank you so much, Carly!" Sam leaping for joy, "Mmm, I can taste that chili con carne now."
"I'm glad you like it," Carly was pleased to see how thrilled her friend was.
"Well, I gotta get home. My mom's waiting for me so we can go visit Aunt Jodie," she said sounding dishearten having to leave.
"Good luck to your aunt," Carly said as they both hugged each other goodbye. Sam departed down the stairs as Carly looked on.
Holding up her gift in admiration, Carly was seated on the sofa noticing the picture of her and Sam printed onto the shirt. Spencer walked out of his room on the phone with a solemn expression on his face.
"Ok, well hopefully you can get here in time for Christmas. The rain's starting to come down hard. Let me know once you get your car running again. Gimme call…ok…love you too, Granddad… Ok Bye," Spencer let out a sigh.
"Was that Granddad?" Carly asked as she braced herself for bad news.
"Yup. He's at home, trying to get his car running again. Looks doubtful that he'll make it here for Christmas Eve," Spencer said with a dismal tone. Carly's holiday wish seemed to be moving farther and farther away as Christmas drew near.