Chapter 8:

Freddie had just finished dropping off Daphne and Velma after work and was just pulling into the parking lot of Shaggy's apartment complex when a thought struck him. Just as Shaggy and Scooby were getting out of the van, Fred turned around and said, "Hey Shaggy-- can I ask you a question?"

Shaggy shrugged and answered, "Sure, ask away... just follow me inside, my sandwiches are calling..." He ran up and unlocked the door. Fred followed slowly behind him.

They entered the kitchen, where Shaggy and Scooby each quickly and efficiently assembled half a dozen quadruple-decker sandwiches each. Freddie wasn't sure exactly where to begin.

"Well, I know this sounds really shocking... but I actually haven't dated as many girls as you." It was true. Shaggy had had a total of six girlfriends in his lifetime; Freddy had never really dated anyone besides Daphne. "I... I guess I don't really understand them as well as you... I need some advice, since there's something I really want to say to Daphne but I have no idea how..."

Shaggy looked up from his sandwich. He really was listening, absorbed though he might be in his food.

"How do I ask her to marry me?"

Shaggy almost choked on his sandwich, truly attempting not to laugh. "Well, you buy a ring, find a pretty spot, kneal down, ask her 'Will you marry me?' and that's about it." Honestly, that was how it happened in the movies...

Fred shook his head. "I meant... right now it's not that simple. You know, with the baby and all..."

"All the more reason to ask her," Shaggy responded, shrugging.

"That's exactly the problem..." Fred's voice trailed off. "If I ask her now, it might look like I'm only asking her to be responsible and not because I want to. But if I don't ask her now, and she has her baby and I still haven't asked her, she might assume I'm never going to, and then she'll start going out with someone else and... and I might never get to marry her." Fred lowered his head.

"Well, do you want to marry her?" Shaggy asked simply.

"Of course I do!"

"Then ask. If she doesn't want to marry you she'll say no, and if she does want to marry you she'll say yes, no matter what she thinks your motivations are."

These were the most intelligent words Fred had ever heard coming out of Shaggy's mouth. They actually made a lot of sense. But still...

"Like nothing ventured, nothing gained!" Shaggy added when Fred hadn't said anything. This coming from a guy who was scared of his own shadow...

"Okay," breathed Fred. "I-I'll ask her." Famous last words.

"Just one question, Freddie..." Shaggy asked through a mouthful of kielbasa.

"What's that?"

"If she says yes, can I be 'best man'?"

Freddie smiled, the first he had since entering Shaggy's apartment. "Definately."

He started to head towards the door, then turned around.

"Thank you so much, Shaggy..."