A/N: OMG I'M FINALLY BACK!! So, normally I'd give you guys a bunch of excuses as to why I haven't been writing, but I'm pretty sure you don't really care. I've been SUPER busy with a whole ton of stuff (mentioned in my previous A/N) and I finally have no homework, so I'm able to update! YAY!! Hope you guys are still reading :-).

CHAPTER 8

"Any intelligent woman who reads the marriage contract, and then goes into it, deserves all the consequences."

~Isadora duncan

~*Last August*~

Sam looked at herself in the mirror, a bundle of soft pink roses clutched in her hands. Light make-up dusted her face, and bright cherry gloss was smooth as silk over her lips. Her hair was up in a small up-do with golden curls cascading down her back. Carly stood next to her, adjusting her strapless pink dress around her waist.

"I hate you," she grumbled, fiddling with the bust of her dress. Sam furrowed her brow.

"Why is that?"

"Because you actually have boobs." Sam chuckled lightly. Carly stopped fidgeting and stared at herself in the mirror for a brief moment. She shrugged, deciding she was satisfied with the appearance of her dress and moved on to her hair. "I also hate you because your hair can take a curl."

"My hair is naturally curly…." Sam responded, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, you know what I mean," Carly replied, attempting to fluff out her silky, straight brunette hair.

"Carls, you look fine," Sam insisted. "You gotta be out there like, soon." Carly sighed, snatching the bundle of flowers she'd left on the dressing table.

"I know," she answered, heading out of the dressing room and towards the entrance of the sanctuary with Sam close behind her. She made her way to her place right next to Freddie. Since he was the best man, he and Carly would be walking down the aisle together. Carly had asked Sam repeatedly if she was ok with it.

"Carls, it's your brother's wedding," Sam had responded. "I think I'll live if you just follow the procedure of marriage."

Carly took a deep breath, looking over at Freddie.

"Ready?" she asked nervously. Freddie nodded, holding out his arm.

"It's time," he whispered. The doors opened, and Carly linked her hand through Freddie's waiting arm. She gasped quickly, trying to play it off as shock of her brother getting married. In reality, Carly had been gasping at the feeling she'd gotten when her hand connected with Freddie's arm. Her heart began to speed up as they walked down the aisle and suddenly, Carly wasn't at her brother's wedding anymore. She imagined walking down the aisle in a beautiful white dress with Spencer at her arm. She imagined Freddie in a tux, standing nervously at the altar, waiting patiently for his bride to be.

"Carly?" Freddie whispered. She smiled lightly to herself, still lost in her fantasy. "Carly!' Freddie whispered a little more loudly. She jumped slightly, turning to Freddie.

"Sorry, what?" she asked.

"You can let go of my arm now." Carly gasped, letting go of his arm as if it was on fire.

"S-sorry," she whispered, walking up to the altar and taking her spot next to where Lizzie would be standing. She grumbled silently, mentally kicking herself for even having thoughts like that about her best friend's boyfriend. Sam quickly took her place next to Carly, smiling warmly. Carly nodded slightly, turning back towards her brother. As the service carried on, Carly found herself staring across the altar towards Freddie's warm chocolate eyes. He had grown up so much since high school. He was bigger, more muscular, and completely, totally hot. She shook her head slightly, trying to clear the thoughts from her head. The new couple said their vows, and Spencer kissed the bride. Carly closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths to calm herself before making her way back down the aisle. Once they exited the sanctuary, Carly was met with a bony elbow to her ribs.

"You alright, dude? You've been spacy through this whole thing," Sam asked. Carly opened her eyes, turning to face her best friend. She put the best smile she could muster on her face.

"I'm fine," she said, hoping her voice was reassuring.

"Well let's go!" Sam said. "We've only got a few hours until the reception and we have got to look hot." Carly giggled.

"You already have a boyfriend, who do you need to look hot for?" she asked.

"For my boyfriend!" Sam said matter-of-factly. She turned towards Freddie, smiling slightly. Freddie winked as he disappeared into the men's dressing room. "That boy gest me going," Sam growled. Carly laughed.

"You said the same thing about some kid in high school," Carly commented. Sam nodded.

"But this time I actually mean it." She turned to the brunette, a serious look spread across her face. "Carls, I'm seriously in love with this kid. This whole time I was imagining our wedding…me in the white dress….him kissing the bride…" her voice trailed off as a small grin spread across her lips. "I sound like such a pansy right now," she remarked. Carly rolled her eyes, hoping the guilty thoughts weren't showing in them.

"There's nothing wrong with imagining your marriage with the guy you love," she said softly. A half smirk formed on her lips. "You guys were made for each other, after all."

"You think so?" Sam asked, making her way back towards the dressing room.

"Sam, you've been dating him for, like, years now. Obviously you two were made for each other." Sam grinned, happiness shining in every crevice of her features.

"I hope you're right," she answered. "Who'd've thought I'd actually want to spend the rest of my life wit Freddie Benson?" she asked hypothetically, giggling to herself. Carly nodded, her face blank.

"Yeah," she said absently. "Who'd've thought."

A/N: Wow it's been a while since I've written. I'm kind of tired, so I'm not sure how well this chapter flows. But, R&R and I promise I'll try my absolute hardest to update whenever I can!

Xoxo~Liz-Beth