A/N: After much deliberation and reading and re-reading of my story, I've decided that I need to end it. I know it kind of seems like a bad time, but I want to move on from this story, and I'm suffering some MAJOR writer's block. So, here's the prologue. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 11

"Don't marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without."

~James C. Dobson

~*1 Year Later~*

Sam stared at her reflection in the mirror, an anxious frown plastered on her face. She ran her fingers through the curls in her hair for what felt like the millionth time in the past hour, trying desperately to get them to fall perfectly over her face. A figure appeared behind her in the reflection. She turned to look at it.

"You're sure you're ready for this?" Carly asked. Sam took a deep breath and nodded.

"I'm nervous," she replied, "but I've never been more sure of anything in my life." Carly nodded.

"Well, I'd better head on down there." She held out her arms, gesturing for Sam to walk into them. Sam walked over, accepting her friend's warm embrace.

"Good luck," Carly whispered. Sam nodded.

"Thanks." The girls pulled away, each one smiling at the other nervously.

"I'll be waiting right here after the ceremony."

"I'll hold you to that," Sam said, turning towards a set of double doors. She heard the faint traces of organ music beginning to play through them. "That's my cue." Carly nodded, an eager yet sad smile forming on her face.

"Ready?" A male voice asked from next to her. Sam turned to look at Spencer. She nodded, hooking her arm through his outstretched one.

"As I'll ever be," she answered. The doors opened, and the familiar tune of "Here Comes the Bride" began echoing throughout the church. The congregation stood and turned towards the door, earnestly staring at Sam as she began her walk down the aisle with Spencer at her side. It came as no surprise that she had asked him to give her away on her wedding. He was, after all, the closest thing to a father she'd ever had. After what seemed like hours, they approached the altar and a very nervous looking groom.

"We are gathered here today," the priest began, "in the sight of God and angels, in the presence of friends and loved ones, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition of beauty and love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite Freddie Benson and Samantha Puckett in marriage. Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, they must speak now or forever hold their peace." He paused for a moment. When nobody spoke out, he continued:

"Who is it that brings this woman to this man?"

"I do," Spencer answered. He gently placed Sam's hand into Freddie's outstretched palm and took a step back. Sam gingerly ascended the few steps until she was level with Freddie. The priest continued with his sermon as Sam stared lovingly into Freddie's eyes. She couldn't believe this day had finally come-the day she became part of Freddie Benson's life forever. The priest turned to face Freddie.

"Do you , Freddie Benson, take Samantha Puckett to be your wife? Do you promise to love, cherish, honor, and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only her 'till death do you part?"

"I do," Freddie answered sincerely. Sam felt her heart skip a beat.

"And do you, Samantha Puckett, take Freddie Benson to be your husband? Do you promise to love, cherish, honor and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only him 'till death do you part?"

"I do."

The priest continued with his sermon. Sam knew she should've been paying attention to what he was saying, but her mind was a whirlwind of emotion. It wasn't until Freddie took both of her hands in his that she began paying attention again. He looked deep into her eyes, reciting the all-too-familiar words of marriage:

"I, Freddie Benson, take you, Samantha Puckett, to be my wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, as long as we both shall live." Sam swallowed the lump in her throat, feeling tears begin to line her vision.

"I, Sam Puckett," she began, her voice slightly shaky, "take you, Freddie Benson, to be my husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, as long as we both shall live."

"The couple will now exchange rings." Freddie softly slid the cool piece of metal over Sam's delicate finger.

"With this ring," he said, his voice smooth and velvety, "I thee wed. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen." Sam repeated the process, trying to calm her shaking hands as they slid the ring over Freddie's finger. The priest continued with a reading from the Bible, the lighting of the candles, and a closing prayer. Finally, the priest approached the closing words.

"Freddie Benson and Sam Puckett in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony, you have promised your love to each other by these vows, the giving of these rings, and the joining of your hands." Sam began to feel warm tears cascade down her face. "I now declare you husband and wife. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance unto you and give you peace." He looked quickly back and fourth between the couple and smiled. "Congratulations, you may now kiss the bride." Freddie smiled, drawing Sam close to him. Before she could protest, he quickly turned sideways until she was bent almost parallel with the ground and kissed her passionately. The congregation cheered happily as the couple stood up.

"I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Benson." Freddie held out his hand, and Sam eagerly took it. Joyous smiles spread across their faces as they quickly made their way down the aisle. They burst through the double doors to find Carly waiting for them, a small child in her hand.

"Congratulations you two," she said happily, her voice soft. Sam looked down at the sleeping form in Carly's arms. "I finally got him to settle down and go to sleep," she explained. Sam nodded. She gingerly brushed the baby's cheek with her fingers.

"Can I hold him?" she asked quietly.

"Why, of course." Carly held the baby out to Sam, who gently took it in her arms. "Mr. and Mrs. Benson, I present to you your son."

A/N: If that was confusing, Sam kept the baby and she and Freddie are raising it together. Hope you liked the story! I actually plan to write another one soon, which is why I wanted to end this one. So, again, hope you enjoyed and keep looking out for me!!!

Xoxo~Liz-Beth