The final installment of this arc-woo!

He blinked up at her. "You are?"

She laughed silently and shook her head, staring ahead before adjusting her gloves.

The night he'd proposed, she was fairly certain the guy had lost all sembalance of reason.

And frankly, now she was sure they both had.

...

She had stopped cold in her tracks before turning to face him.

"I'm sorry – what? It may be the margaritas getting to me, but uh, did you just-"

He nodded from his position on the couch. "I did."

She couldn't help it; she laughed. "Well, that's one way to end a fight. I was just thinking make-up sex."

"Sam."

If she'd been paying closer attention, she probably would have seen this coming. His more than usual neurotic behavior, should have clued her in. (Then again, this is him.)

He looked the most vulnerable she'd ever seen him –- she's not quite sure what to do with that.

She opened her mouth to say...something, though just managed a puff of air.

He stood up slowly then started to walk towards her with a new determination in his eyes, and when exactly did her life turn into a chick flick?

"Hi," she whispered when he was just inches away from her.

"Hi."

He exhaled. "I'm gonna try this again, okay?" he told her, softly, his hand grazing her palm.

She just nodded (trying to breathe), words failing her again, as he got down on one knee.

"You, are the craziest, most stubborn, wonderfully amazing person that I know." He bit his lip, reaching into his pocket to take out a ring.

Her breath had caught in her throat and she realized that breathing, just wasn't an option.

"So, I was wondering...Samantha Elizabeth Puckett, if you'll marry me?"

She laced her hair behind her ears before kneeling in front of him, placing her hands at his sides.

"You know how much I love you, right?"

He sneered quietly. "Why do I have the feeling I'm not going to like what comes after that sentence?"

Taking his hands, she stood the two of them up before tugging her jacket tighter around her.

"Freddie...I-" The look in his eyes made her pause again. "You are aware of how insane this is, right?...We haven't even finished grad school–"

"I know."

"We're both working part time-"

"I know that too."

"I mean, in a few years..." She ran a hand behind her neck. "How could you possibly know that you'll still...That you'll want to-"

"Sam," he interrupted her again, leaning in so his forehead was just barely touching hers. "I know," he whispered.

"I'll always know."

Before she could protest he leaned in the rest of the way and kissed her softly, melting any thoughts out her brain.

"The only question now is – will you?"

He reached for her hand to upturn her palm, placing the ring, that she noted was amethyst, her favorite stone, inside her hand before lightly pressing her fingers closed.

"Benson," she exhaled in a hoarse whisper.

"Hold on to it, okay? And just think it over."

She nodded slowly, before taking his hand to lead him back inside.

Once in their room she let go to place the ring in her jewelry box before she met him by where he was standing.

"I'm sorry I missed dinner," she hummed into his ear.

She kicked off her shoes, her gaze not leaving his, before she kissed him and gently ushered him backwards to the bed.

The next few days had felt like there was an elephant in the room. A giant purple elephant. With spots. Named Clem.

He didn't bring it up, neither did she...But the way he didn't bring it up – being so cautious, trying not to push her – it only made it worse.

She'd met with Carly for lunch, who although was understanding (as usual), couldn't quite grasp her hesitation.

Why would she?

He was freakishly, annoyingly, perfect and was willing to put up with her...for the rest of his life.

That thought had lead to more margaritas with the girls.

When class let out early Thursday, she'd come home to find him pouring over his paper from on the couch, his textbooks sprawled out over the coffee table.

She smiled and tugged at the ring, now on a chain around her neck, and angled herself on the cushion beside him.

The idea of loving someone that much, enough for forever – it wasn't one that she was used to.

And it absolutely terrified her.

"Hey," he murmured, looking up from his laptop. "Ordered us pizza." He smiled and motioned his head towards the kitchen.

"Then what are we still doing sitting here, Benson?"

He laughed as she pulled him up before he kissed her forehead.

What she was terrified most of, was screwing it up.

It felt like she was always just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

She'd gotten a call from Melanie a day or so later, letting her know she'd be in town to visit their mom and "it would be oh-so-great," to see her. Oye.

But then she thinks it might be exactly what she needed.

He stood brushing his teeth before bed when she came up behind him and tugged on his dark grey t-shirt.

"Mel's home."

Facing her after he spat in the sink, he rose an eyebrow at her. "You going to see her?"

She nodded. "That would be the plan."

He put his toothbrush down and moved a step closer. "And does this have anything to do with, you know, the question I asked you that we're still not talking about?"

"No," she told him flatly. "I'm just going home for the weekend, okay? Let's not make this a thing."

She watched him roll his eyes, clearly not convinced before he brushed past her, shaking his head.

"Bull."

"Excuse me?" she asked, following him back into the bedroom.

"You're running away, Sam!" He exhaled and ran his hand behind his neck.

"I told you, I just still need to think!"

"Listen," he told her, the bite from his tone gone. "I'm not trying to pressure you, I promise. But, I thought that..." He trailed off, apparently unaware of how to proceed and she walked over to him, draping her hands over his shoulders.

"I didn't say no, Freddie," she whispered.

"You haven't exactly said yes either."

She smiled palely before shaking her head at him. "Why would you wanna go and marry me anyway?"

He laughed quietly and leaned his head down. "So I can kiss you anytime I want."

And then he did.

The second she walked through the doors she'd immediately realized this was a mistake. (She could barely breathe through Melanie's tight hug.)

Her sister instantly started in on the questions once she caught sight of the ring.

Sam ignored her best she could...but this was Mel, so clearly that wasn't too much of an option.

"So, you're still thinking?" she asked, squinting as if she were trying to look through her.

"Is that not what I just said?" She rolled her eyes halfheartedly. "For someone getting their masters in psych, you don't listen too well."

Melanie sighed at her. "Yeah, I missed you too, Sam." She paused adjusting the pillows on the couch so she could shift closer. "I'm just trying to help."

"I'm fine," she answered. "I'll figure it out."

"Whatever you say, Samantha Elizabeth." She got up from the couch, her hand resting on her shoulder before she'd started to walk towards the stairs.

"Glad you're seeing things my way, Melanie Alexandra," she shot back.

Things got worse before they got better once her mom was home. She's snapped out of her gaze at the fridge to find both her and her sister hoovering.

Yeah, home was without a doubt mistake.

It took a while for it to click after that –– she'll be the first to admit she's a little slow on the uptake when it comes to all things emotional.

But she gets it now, why she's so terrified.

Why she feels her and Freddie are somehow destined to fail.

The thing with her mom and her parents, she's tried to tell herself that's she's over it –– and she is, mostly –– but every now and then these thoughts creep up into her subconscious and refuse to leave her the hell alone.

The thoughts that tell her she'll end up just like Pam.

Alone.

She's also reminded now that she's not her mom and she doesn't have to accept that fate if she doesn't want to. (She doesn't.)

"Hey, Mel-" She knocked on the door of their old bedroom. After a few seconds she heard a mumbled 'come in,' and she slid in the room and over to the bed and joined her.

"I'm sorry."

"What was that, Sam?" she teased.

She wasn't about to say it again, so instead she just offered her sister a well intended glare, slightly elbowing her.

"I think I've got an answer for him now."

Mel just gave her a knowing look and a warm smile.

...

"Wanna know a secret, Benson?" she asked, turned towards him again now.

He half laughed with a sniffle, his nose as red as his cheeks from the frigid air. "Sure."

"I think you've always scared me –– even when we were little. More than I scared you, maybe."

"How's that even possible?" He tugged on her scarf, punctuating the gesture with a smile.

"You've just always been so sure," she continued, attempting to explain. "Of who you are, what you wanted. Of everything, really. Me...Not so much."

"Sam-"

"And then you just had to go and get under my skin and make me fall for you, making things even worse –– I hate you for that by the way," she added.

He tilted his head, nodding thoughtfully. "...I'm sorry?"

"You should be," she let him know, smirking. "Because I don't do well with fear. Makes me all itchy."

She took a breath and ran her hand through the base of his hair "And I guess a part of me has been terrified ever since we got together that one day you'll, I don't know...come to your senses and start running."

"We're not your parents, Sam," he answered, softly.

She snickered, shaking her head at his ability to see right through her, as always.

"And if I'm running anywhere –– you're coming with me."

"I get that now," she whispered, taking a hold of his jacket collar.

"Yeah?"

"Always."

He smiled and leaned his forehead against hers. "Always."

"So..." She shifted back with an expectant look. "Go on..."

He laughed, obviously catching on as she slipped the ring back into his hand. He held it up with a growing smile before catching her gaze.

"Marry me?"

"Hmmm..."

She bit her lip in mock though and he gave her his best glare.

"Yes, Freddie." She wrapped her arms around his neck, beaming. "I will marry you."

He leaned in to kiss her and smiled against her lips, and right then, was the surest she'd ever been about anything in her life.

Ta-dah. :) Thinking of sprinkling pieces of this story-line throughout. I.E the events leading up to the wedding and such. Thoughts?