June 20, 2020

10:47 p.m.

I'm baffled by how an idea can drastically change from a seemingly amazing one to an awful one in a matter of moments. I'm usually the man that thinks of everything, so how did I incur such a glaringly obvious oversight? More importantly, why wasn't anyone around to warn me that my idea was, in fact, bad?

When I bought the ring I had considered it a mere formality. I would slip the diamond on her finger on our two-year anniversary and we would begin planning the ceremony of her dreams…and it would have to be modeled after her dreams, because all my dream entailed was for her to finally have my last name, no matter how that came about. We'd exchange vows, kiss as husband and wife, and continue our lives as the Bensons. When I began putting money aside for the ring it had seemed simple enough. It wasn't until well after I had purchased the ring, while I was gazing at it in the privacy of my own apartment, when I realized that I had overlooked a vital aspect of all this:

I would have to ask her if wanted to marry me in the first place. More importantly, she would have to say "yes." Honestly, how did I forget that?

Maybe because, in my mind, it's quite simple. I want to spend the rest of my life with her and have made that painfully obvious since we were twelve. For me, there's nothing to consider or mull over: Carly Shay is the one I need to grow old with. Period.

The problem is that I can't help but think about how Carly needed to be persuaded to be with me. I know she says that she's always loved me, and I totally believe her, but I still can't stop the old insecurities from cropping up. Do I love her more than she loves me? Am I moving too fast? Is marriage even something that she wants?

Another thing that worries me is that, while I don't doubt that I make her happy right now, Carly's never brought up the subject of "forever." Not once. It wasn't anything that worried me before because, in my mind, there was no question that she would be in my life until the end, hence why I probably never felt a need to bring it up. It was so obvious to me. It wasn't until I heard stories from Spencer and Shane about how their wives made it clear that they wanted to get married, or how they just "knew." I thought I knew, but now as I sit here, less than two weeks from the day that I'm supposed to propose, I just don't know. I don't know what she's thinking and it frightens the hell out of me. In an instant I've returned to the same, insecure boy I was at sixteen. And I hate it. I hate him.

So at this moment, I'm trying to drown 16-year-old Freddie at the bar around the corner, one beer at a time. As I nurse my second beer, I'm thankful that McDougan's is a short walk from my apartment, especially as I contemplate getting a third beer. I can hear my phone chiming Carly's designated ringtone and my stomach instantly flips. With everything weighing on my mind today and the ring growing heavier and heavier in my jeans pocket, I've managed to, uhhh, "miss" every one of her calls. I resolve that I'll call her back tonight, when I've had time to unwind and quell all of these nerves and doubts. I don't want to scare her; I just need time to myself to think.

The bartender approaches as he wipes down the counter. "How's that beer treatin' you?"

"Good, Brick, thanks," I answer as I observe how the glass is getting shallower and shallower.

"You think you'll be getting a third?" he asks.

"That depends on whether or not he plans on crawling home," says a familiar voice from behind me. I don't have to turn around to know that it's Carly, but I do anyways. She's standing there with her arms crossed over her chest and her phone in her hand. She doesn't look upset, but more amused or concerned. I give her a weak smile.

"You know," she begins, approaching me and easing into the stool next to mine, "if you're trying to hide, maybe you should try going a little further than a few paces from your apartment."

"I wasn't hiding," I answer defiantly, though deep down I know that I kind of was.

She gives me a small, sad smile. "Maybe not well, but you were hiding, Benson."

I duck my head and Brick the Bartender asks Carly for her drink order.

"Rum Runner, please," she asks politely, which takes me by surprise as she is not a big drinker at all. She notes my shock and shrugs. "By the looks of it, I have some catching up to do."

My smirk is met with her tell-tale concerned expression. I know she's dying to ask me something, but she holds back until she gets her drink, of which she takes a big, long swig before setting the drink down a little harder than necessary.

"Freddie, are you planning on breaking up with me?" she asks in such a rush that I almost miss the question entirely.

"NO!" I practically shout. My God, that's the LAST thing I want her to think!

"Well, you've been acting strange all week, you've barely looked me in the eyes and you've been avoiding my calls all day - DON'T deny it!" she says pointedly, cutting me off before I even have the chance to plead my case. I didn't think I was being that obvious.

"Freddie, I hate to sound so insecure, but the last time you stops taking my calls…we didn't speak for four years." She says the last part almost into her glass before taking another sip. Even with a cocktail in her hand, she still looks like the scared teen I grew up with. The fact that I brought her back to that point, that I'm responsible for making her this scared, kills me.

I grab her hands and kiss both of her palms reverently. "Carly, I could never break up with you, ever. If anything, I'm scared shitless of you ever leaving me."

She looks up at me expectantly, as if she's waiting for me to elaborate.

"Do I make you happy?" I ask. "Be honest."

"Of course!" she cries with wide eyes.

"Because I need to know that I make you happy, Carly. Seriously."

"Freddie, look at me."

I slowly look up and my eyes meet hers, which are determined and unwavering. "I challenge anyone to find anything or anyone else that makes me as happy as you do. Nobody makes me feel as loved and as cherished as you do, Freddie, and I only hope that I make you feel the same way. Does that sound like I'm happy to you?"

A slow smile spreads across my face all on its own. She smirks in response. My girl loves me and is happy. For right now that's all I need.

Then she leans over and gives me a kiss so soft, yet so passionate, that it literally wipes all thoughts from my mind. The kiss takes a life of its own and suddenly, I need more. Much more. I pull away so that I can let her see how much I want her.

"Let's go home," I suggest in a low voice.

"Let's run," she responds, pulling out a bill for her drink and slapping it on the bar. I do the same and make a beeline for my apartment. We arrive in mere moments and she leaps into my arms before I'm even able to open the door all the way. I clumsily get us into the apartment and we barely make it to the bed before we already begin to get lost into each other.

June 21, 2020

1:08 a.m.

Her beauty continues to amaze me after all these years. Even when she's completely stripped of her make-up, her jewelry, and her stylish clothing, she is still, hands down, the most beautiful woman in the world. As she is now, there's nothing to marvel but skin, curves, lips, and shining eyes, and I'm devoid of any breath left in my body. The overpowering lust that fueled us hours ago is gone and all that's left is love; this drowning, heart-stopping love that renders me entirely speechless. All that's left between us this feeling, paired with the high I feel whenever we lay skin-against-skin, and I'm compelled to say something…right, something deserving of this moment, but somehow I feel like "I love you" is just not enough. Not for this. Not for her. I'm looking into her eyes now and gently stroking her cheek and I'm searching deep for the right words and I hope that I'm able to come up with something.

Thankfully, I don't have to.

And with a smile and the cutest bite of her bottom lip, Carly gently touches her lips to mine , then looks at me softly.

"Marry me, Freddie. Be my forever."

A/N: Hey, all! This ficlet was inspired by two separate ideas. The first being the Epilogue of my story, iHit the Open Road. (If you haven't read it yet, I hope you find an opportunity to read it!) The second idea actually came from Mr. Carl Rahl, who suggested that I write something where Carly proposes to Freddie. I didn't use it in my last story, but I thought it would be perfect for this one. Thanks, Carl!

Also, I've received a lot of messages from you guys about being interested in reading One Day, but wanting to wait until I finish this story so that nothing is revealed too early. I just wanted to clarify that the actual events of this fan fic DO NOT reflect the events in the actual novel! You can read the book now and it will not hint what will happen in this story in the slightest. Go ahead and read the book! If you do, feel free to tell me what you think of it. :o)

I cannot express how grateful I am for the support you have all shown! I appreciate it so much!

Hope all is well! Review, if you wish!

Hollaatchyagirl,

Phunky