Chapter Seven

Spencer Shay had known Freddie Benson since he was a child. The man sitting across from him was not a child any longer. That meant that he could no longer give child-like advice and sugar coat the facts. Sam was like his own little sister and whatever was happening, Spencer knew it needed to be taken care of. He can still remember signing the adoption papers all those years ago, tying Sam to his family. He could still remember all the pain that Sam had gone through while in his care. He had made a promise during those days that he would do whatever he could to protect her. He hadn't lived up to that promise as of late and it was about time that he did.

Looking at the younger boy Spencer could tell that what's been happening has affected him as well. The older man tried his best to be neutral about the situation at hand but his protectiveness for Sam was bleeding through. Somehow he thought that all those dark days had come to an end. The trios had grown up, gone to college, got real jobs and were starting their lives together.

"Tell me what's been happening Freddie," started Spencer.

Freddie fiddled with his hands for a second and tried to grasp at words before a few floated over him.

"It's all my fault," he started. "I caused this mess and I don't know how to undo it."

"What did you do?"

"I asked Sam to marry me,"

"You've been doing that for a while now, so what, she said yes this time?"

This was something new to Spencer. Sam always told Freddie 'no' even though he always thought the two should tie the knot.

"Spencer, I messed up everything," the younger man sighed, slumping farther into the couch. "I went from being so excited about starting a new chapter with Sam to having her staying at her dad's house. I know that she can feel that something is wrong and it's because I don't know how to talk to her about this."

"What seems to be the problem? Start from the beginning Freddo."

Freddie took in a breath and began his tale of the past few months and what's been on his mind. About how scared he had become over it, how regretful he felt for asking without being sure, about Sam wanting to be a mother and him not wanting to be a father, mainly because he didn't think he would be good at it. As the young man sat there and poured his heart out to his longtime friend he could feel some of the stress coming undone from his body.

"It sounds like you know exactly how to explain yourself, now you just need to go talk to Sam. She's a smart girl and will understand to some extent where you are coming from. But Freddo, you should have been honest from the beginning. Sam's got it in her head that you've finally realized that you made a mistake and want to leave her for another girl."

"What?" he snapped, almost jumping off the couch. "Why would she think that?"

"She's always thought that, even while you guys were dating. I think she's been on standby for a long time, waiting for the day when you meet someone more like you. Sam's always thought that you deserved that much, even though it would be hard for her to give you up."

"I thought that by now she would have realized that I'm not going anywhere."

"Well kiddo with the direction that your relationship has gone," stated Spencer. "It's not as though Sam asked you to propose. She was fine with how things were. But having that aspect of the relationship put up it led her to think about your guys' future. Kids are inevitable and not always terrible, as I recall from having all you guys running around my house all those years."

Freddie was surprised by everything that Spencer had to say, it definitely made sense.

Carly paced back and forth in Roger's apartment as Sam continued on explaining what's been going on while she's been gone. At first Sam had decided to just keep it to herself and just try to figure out how to fix it. Part of her had also wondered if she had the ability to actually fix the situation she was in. When had she become that girl? She couldn't pull forth a time that she was cut off from someone she actually loved. In all herself doubt and uncertainty she knew that she loved Freddie Benson. She even strived to become Samantha Benson at some point. But as time dragged on and with the purposeful distance placed between her and Freddie, it was become clearer to her that it might never happen.

One thing was for sure though, her brunette best friend standing before her wasn't too happy about what had happened.

"So let me get this straight, he's been coming home late, pretending to be working long hours and when you went to his work he was blatantly flirting with an attractive woman?"

"That's not all," Sam mumbled, completely deflated.

"What else could there be?"

"Before your wedding Freddie asked me to marry him,"

"Like he does every week?" at this point Carly had decided to take a seat.

"I said yes this time though. It felt like the right time, I don't know, I just thought that we were ready. I felt so ready, Carls. I saw this whole future suddenly and I wanted it so much. I never allow myself to think past a few days and there I was seeing me and Freddie with a few kids and a house and going on vacations together and watching our kids start kindergarten. I felt so much love for people that don't even exist. I feel as though this is where my life is supposed to be, with Freddie. Now it feels like he's slipping away and I don't know what I said or did to have this happen."

"Sam, you did nothing wrong. Something is obviously wrong with that boy and once I get my hands on him—"

For once it was Carly Shay promising violence and Sam Puckett sitting on the sidelines. It was almost like they had switched bodies.

"No Carls, it'll be worked out somehow. I'm giving him time to figure his stuff out and I'm sure he'll be over once he does."

Carly stayed silent for a second and took in what Sam had just said. How had things got to this point where Sam was completely defeated? It was like her best friend had checked out early and had given up. Never in her life could Carly say she's seen Sam this crestfallen, this punctured. It was so disenchanting to see a love—in Carly's opinion—go through so much only to end like this. In her heart of hearts she refused to believe this, because she had so much faith in the couple that it was impossible to see them without the each other. Freddie fought so hard to get Sam to be with him that it seemed almost foolish for him to be tossing it away without continuing to fight. Sam had finally given in completely, though Carly knew that Sam still doubted that Freddie would stay with her forever. It was a known fact that Sam has always placed up guards in the likely chance that Freddie did meet someone else. For some reason unbeknownst to Carly, Sam was convinced that she wasn't the right girl for Freddie.

Deep inside Carly felt that one couldn't exist without the other at this point.

"He'll come," stated Sam hugging a pillow off the couch. "He will."

Carly hoped that Sam's faith continued and that Freddie would show.

Panda Note: SUPER short chapter. I just needed to give you guys something. I need to edit the whole story a bit before I can really write more. I feel like there's a lot being left out that would make this story better. I read Birdhouse and I felt like someone else had written it, yet I knew I had. It was so fun to read and so moving at points. When I read Crane it felt disconnected. I think part of it is that I wrote it a few years ago and I've gone through my own romance troubles that it's given me insight more so now than ever. I think from this point I'll be putting more feeling into the story. I also want to apologize for being away. But I should tell you that if you send me a message or review or anything I receive them right away on my phone through email. Also I hope you all remember that I post updates on what's going on, on my profile so if you want to know if I plan to write anymore or if I quit any of my stories or just want to know what's going on, check there. I try to update a lot, so if I go MIA on this story again check on my page and see what's up.