iMove On

Summary: An alternate way "iQuit iCarly" could have gone. Sam and Carly do not reconcile, and Freddie chooses Carly. What will Sam do now that she's lost her friends? Sam-centric. AU. OOC.

Disclaimer: iCarly belongs to Dan Schneider and Nickelodeon.

Chapter 3: iSay Goodbye

Before he and Mel boarded their airplane, Dad texted me their flight number and their arrival time (6:00pm) so I could check their flight status online. He also specifically told me to wait for him and Mel at the house and to not bother meeting them at the airport. But with Mom currently out, the loneliness of the empty house was feeding my depression. Unable to stand waiting at home after only a few minutes, I took the bus to Sea-Tac Airport. On the ride there, I'd texted Mom telling her I was at Carly's. I didn't like lying to her, but I wasn't going to tell her the truth just yet.

At the airport, I burned away three hours mostly keeping to myself and listening to my PearPod Nano. At one point, I ordered an overpriced bacon-cheeseburger and a Peppy Cola at one of the restaurants just for something to do. But surprisingly enough, I didn't have an appetite. I forced myself to eat it, though, since I didn't want to waste the fourteen dollars I'd spent. Afterwards, I found a relatively empty waiting area at the far end of the airport. I sat on one of the chairs cross-legged, with my hood up to ward off lonely strangers wanting a chat, and pretended to be asleep. This wasn't unusual since I saw several stranded passengers sleeping here and there; some while sitting up, some laying across four or five chairs, and some laying on the floor next to a wall.

At ten minutes before six o'clock, I made my way towards the baggage claim area. Luckily, Dad's and Mel's flight had no delays. Soon, people started trickling into the area. And once I caught a glimpse of a pair of golden hair at the far end, I ran towards it. I felt a happiness that I never knew I was missing flood my chest when I confirmed that the tall, blond man really was Dad. I haven't seen him in person since I was seven years old because Mom never allowed me to visit him or vice versa, and it was almost overwhelming to finally see him again.

"D!" I heard myself yell. I couldn't control my excitement. I saw Dad and Mel turned their heads in my direction and ran towards me. Dad ran faster than Mel and, with his long legs, he reached me first. I didn't even care about the tears that fell from my eyes when I felt his protective embrace surround me. Mel slammed into us a few moments later. For several seconds, we just stood there, in the middle of Sea-Tac Airport, holding each other.

"I told you to wait at the house," Dad said, breaking the silence. He pulled back and looked at me with a huge smile. "But I'm glad you didn't listen."

As we pulled up the driveway in the rented Audi Q7, the lights streaming out the windows told us that Mom was already home. I hesitantly got out of the black SUV and started walking towards the door. Dad and Mel must have noticed my apprehension because Mel was immediately at my side while Dad walked in front of us, as if to shield us.

Before we reached the door, it suddenly swung opened and Mom stepped out.

"Melvin," she greeted Dad stoically.

"How are you Pamela?" Dad asked sincerely.

"Let's see. You suddenly show up at my house with both my girls trailing behind you. What are you trying to pull, Melvin?" she asked accusingly.

"Pam, can we please talk inside?" Mom glared at him for a few seconds before turning around and walking back into the house. Dad followed her in, and Mel and I followed after him. We made our way to the living room. Mom sat on the loveseat while Dad sat on the couch across from her. Mel automatically sat beside Dad. I stayed standing not knowing where to sit. Mom, Dad, and Mel simultaneously realized that I hadn't sat down and turned to me, waiting to see what I'd do. Their eyes pleaded for me to choose their side. With a frustrated groan, I walked to the other side of the room and sat on the chair. I caught the small, accepting smiles on Dad's and Mel's faces and the slight worry in Mom's before they all turned away.

"So what's going on?" Mom directed at Dad through the uncomfortable silence.

"We're here to pick up Sammy," Dad answered bluntly. Mom turned her head to look at me again. I dropped my eyes on my lap, unable to meet her gaze.

"No," Mom said with finality. "She's mine, Melvin. You've already taken Melanie. I won't allow you to take Sam as well." I looked up to see that she was facing Dad again. The anger on her face and the strength projected by her posture was marred by the increasing worry in her eyes. The uncomfortable silence continued, and I decided it was my turn to break it.

"I asked to live with him, Mom," I confessed, focusing on her. She wouldn't look at me, but that didn't stop me from noticing her eyes start to tear and her back slouch a tiny bit.

"Oh," she said, looking anywhere but at me, Dad, or Mel. "Well, you better start packing, then. Excuse me." She stood up to leave.

"Wait, Mom!" I shot out of my seat and grabbed her arm. "Please let me explain first."

"What's there to explain?" she began. She glanced at me, but turned away again almost immediately. "I'm actually surprised you stayed with me this long." The watery laugh she gave broke my heart. I loosened my grip on her arm. "I'd expected you to leave years ago. I…I know I've been a terrible mother, and I never deserved you." She finally looked me in the eye then gave me a warm smile. A few tears slid down her face, which she ignored. Her right hand moved, and I watched as she raised it towards my face, but stopped it partway and quickly brought it down again by her side. Her smile turned tight. "I guess the best thing I could ever do for you is to let you go. I love you, Sam. And I'm sorry." With that, she turned away and walked towards the stairs.

"Mom!" I called out to her again. She stopped on the first step, though she did not look towards me. "I love you, too. And I'm…I'm sorry, too," I finished softly, but loud enough for her to hear from across the room. She nodded and continued up the stairs. I listened as her footsteps slowly got softer until they disappeared when she entered her bedroom and gently closed her door.

The living room was silent for several awkward seconds until Mel broke it.

"I'll help you pack," she exclaimed with false perkiness. Caught in a daze, I automatically nodded and followed as she walked briskly up the stairs towards my room. Mel found my suitcase under my bed and started to neatly but quickly place my clothes in it. A short while later, Dad comes in with the two huge suitcases that we bought at a Nordstrom before heading here. (Dad and Mel also bought themselves clothes and other necessities.)

I was still in a daze as we packed all my belongings. My body was moving, but I wasn't completely there. The whole night had turned into such a surreal experience.

Between the three of us, all my things were packed in about twenty minutes. We each carried a suitcase down the steps and into the SUV. (Mel, of course, carried the small one.) Then we headed back inside to say goodbye.

"Mom," I called from outside her door. "We're leaving now." Silence answered me.

"Bye, Mom!" Mel said enthusiastically, purposely ignoring the awkwardness. "I love you. And I'll see you again during the summer vacation." With that, she turned and left for the Audi.

"Pam?" Dad started. "I'm sorry we didn't give you any warning before coming here." He sighed when he received no response. "Don't worry about Sam. I'll take good care of her. I'll take good care of both our girls." He paused. "You take care of yourself, Pam," he said sincerely before following after Mel, leaving me alone.

"Mom," I started. I lifted a hand to touched her door and kept it there. "I love you. Don't do anything stupid, okay?" No answer. "I'll text you later. Bye."

I walked slowly down the stairs hoping Mom would burst out of her room and run to stop me. She didn't.

"You all right, princess?" Dad asked when I eventually got into the Audi.

"Yeah," I answered softly.

I watched the house as we pulled out of the driveway. I continued to watch it as we drove down the street and away from the house. And as we turned the corner, I noticed Mom's silhouette at her bedroom window.

TBC

A/N: I split Chapter 3 into two parts since it was getting ridiculously long. Oh, and can you guess what my dream vehicle is? I know, I know. SUVs = gas eaters. But I can't help it. I love SUVs. If it makes you feel better, I'll make it a hybrid. :P Thanks for reading!

Also, be sure to check out the stories of the following authors and collaborations from the Cabal: arrossisce, aussiemma, axel100, BaalRules, BoxOfTrinkets, boxofpiglets, Commander Lagasse, Coyote Laughs, hartful13, ItalianBabexo8, iCabal, iCarlyangst, iLuvNathanKrEsS, JamesTheGreater, KingxLeon21, Myjumpingsocks, ober22, pairababes, Pieequals36, pigwiz, Tech-Man, The Earl of Sandwich, and xXACCEBXx.