Against All Odds
Disclaimer: I don't own iCarly
A/N:
Chapter 23 (Family Moment)
It wasn't long before the police were at the house and the three men were in handcuffs and being led away. Once they got a statement from Sasha and Spencer, the police were leaving, though James did mention he'd be back to check on how they were doing. After his shift, of course. Everyone was in the living room, Sasha and Spencer were watching Travis, who was on the couch with Carly next to him and Blake playing on his right knee. "So that's your grandpa, Spencer?" She'd never been so happy to meet a member of Spencer's family, and to think, Blake was meeting his grandfather for the first time.
"Yeah that's him." Spencer was leaning up against the wall, his arms folded flat against his chest and his lip curled into a subtle smirk. "I don't know what made him decide to come over here, but if Dad knew, then all hell would break loose." Travis lifted his head, he seemed he would dance for joy at being around his family.
"Aw Spencer, you wound me." Spencer's eyebrows rose in amusement as his grandfather bounced the laughing toddler on his knee. "I'm eighty years old, I could only hope to see my great grandson before I die." Spencer laughed and waved his hand in the air, smiling brightly.
"Come on grandpa, you're too fit to die anytime soon, I'd be surprised you don't live to be one hundred. So…you knew that guy?"
"Old friend back during my days as a stockbroker." Spencer clicked his tongue as Sasha smirked knowingly at him. Carly gave him an 'I-told-you-so' look and crossed her arms over. Travis lifted his eyes up to Spencer and smiled. "I figured I could talk Clarence out of his loan shark business."
"Honestly?" Spencer breathed in and closed his eyes, retaining his grateful smile. He put his arm around Sasha's shoulders and opened his eyes halfway. "Thank you, Grandpa…"
"Ah yes, I need to call your mother and let her know everything's okay. Plus…" He met Blake's eyes and spoke baby talk, causing the toddler to break out in laughter. He smirked at the baby and his eyes lit up. "I need to brag to your grandma about meeting you first, don't I, Blake?" Blake laughed again and Spencer slowly shook his head, chuckling softly. Sasha smiled and started walking over, hesitating only when she smelled something coming from Blake's rear. Travis clearly smelled it as well and chuckled, lifting Blake up. "I think he had an accident."
"Can I change him this time, Sasha?" Carly asked as she took her nephew in her hands, beaming with joy. "Besides, if Grandpa's about to call Mom, then you should be here to say hi!" Sasha lifted her eyebrows and smiled, eager anticipation filled her and she quickly nodded her head, agreeing with Carly.
"Sure, you know how to change a diaper, if you'd like to change him, you can. I'd love to talk to your mom!" Carly took Blake and hurried to the bathroom where the diapers were. Sasha watched Travis pat his knees and stand up, flashing his toothy smile as he pulled his cell phone out. Sasha never before thought she'd feel so comfortable around Spencer's family, much less, feel like family. She imagined them to be a bit snooty, but Travis didn't act that way at all. "None of you guys think I'm a, you know, a…" She couldn't say the word, she really didn't want to say it. Travis looked up from his phone and raised an eyebrow as Spencer looked over to her curiously.
"A what, dear?" Travis asked as he clicked the call button and put it on the speakerphone. Sasha bowed her head and felt embarrassed for bringing this up, being respectful of elders meant not cursing in front of them, right? She already started the thought, so she had to finish.
"Forgive me for saying this, but…a slut, or a whore." Travis smiled at her and met her eyes.
"We're not related to Robert in Tyrone in any way but marriage, dear." She laughed heartily. What a nice way to say they didn't think that about her. She stopped laughing when she heard a woman's voice over the phone. So feminine and enriching, the lady seemed calm, and yet classy at the same time.
"What's so funny over there?" The woman asked. "Dad, am I missing something?" Sasha felt butterflies in her stomach as her heart started fluttering about. She looked over to Spencer, who gently took her hand in his and winked at her.
"Yes and no. Guess where I am, Jessica."
"Where?"
"I'm with Spencer and Sasha at their house."
"Really! How are they? Is everyone all right?" Travis nodded his head and started looking around the house.
"Everyone's fine, the loan shark situation has been dealt with, and Carly is changing Blake's diaper." Sasha heard the woman take a big sigh of relief and smiled as she hurried over to Travis's side. She wanted to say something, anything, but was nervous as hell. What would this woman say to her? What did this woman think of her? Maybe they didn't think she was a 'whore', but surely they couldn't think much of a woman who ran off and didn't even go back to Spencer when the baby was born. Judgmental, that was still what she was afraid of? Travis didn't seem judgmental, so maybe Jessica wasn't at all. "Well, I have Sasha next to me right now, would you like to talk to her?" She froze up and waited as Jessica sounded out her approval.
"I'd love to! Hey Sasha, how are you?" Travis put the phone in Sasha's hand and smiled at her. She lifted her eyes skyward and resisted the urge to faint on the spot. Rather, she was simply standing there looking like an idiot. "Hello?" She snapped back into reality and shook her head, responding quickly to the woman.
"S-Sorry. I'm fine…" She inhaled deeply and breathed out, mustering up all the courage she had to talk to this woman. She probably didn't even have a reason to be afraid at all! It wasn't like she was talking to Robert. "Just a bit nervous, that's all."
"Nervous? Don't be nervous, I'm not going to bite, sweetie." Sasha's lips curled up at the woman's humorous tone. Perhaps this would be easier than what it seemed. "I understand you're back with Spencer now."
"Yes, and I wouldn't change a thing."
"Well that's good news, I'd love to meet my grandson someday. It seems dad's beat me to that. Old man's always a step ahead of us." Travis laughed and Spencer snickered, clearly remembering age old memories. Family memories. Sasha could feel the nostalgia, it was relaxing. She watched them with a gentle, but sad smile. Why couldn't she have those memories? But she would. One day. "I'm so glad that Spencer's found someone who makes him happy. I'm also proud of you for going back to him, I'd hate to think I would have a grandson out there somewhere that I'd never see."
"Yeah, Blake deserves his dad, I just didn't think it was right for me to keep them apart." Her eyes glazed over and her heart started to swell. This woman really did have that calm, accepting voice that she hoped she would have. She wanted to meet her in person one day. "You're a very nice woman."
"Thank you dear, I think you're a good lady too. I've heard quite a bit about you, from whenever Ken or Travis talked to Spencer or Carly. I just don't understand why Spencer won't bring you all to Florida, or let us come up there and bring you back." Sasha nodded and shot Spencer a look. He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I'm trying to find a job, mom. I want to make the money myself, not ask you for money."
"But Spencer…" She sighed and Sasha lifted her eyebrows. "I'm afraid I just can't change your mind, it's made up." Travis laughed and pat Spencer on the shoulder.
"He's stubborn, just like you Jessica."
"Oh hush, dad." Travis laughed once more. Sasha closed her eyes and chuckled lightly, looking over as Carly walked out with Blake in her arms. Carly grinned as Blake began babbling. "Is that my grandson I'm hearing?" Carly's lips pulled back into a grin and she quickly hurried over.
"Hey mom!"
"Carly!"
"I have Blake here, want to talk to him?"
"Of course." Carly turned her eyes to Blake and pointed at the phone.
"Your grandma's on the phone, Blake." Blake's eyes grew and he stared at his aunt with questioning eyes.
"Gamma?"
"Yes." Sasha walked over and put the phone in Carly's hand. Carly held the phone up and Blake gazed at it. He did know what a phone was, it was one of those things Sasha taught him already. "Say hi to Grandma, Blake."
"Gamma! Gamma's in the phone." Jessica laughed heartily and sniffed, speaking back to her grandson.
"Yes I am, little one. Oh I wish I were there right now." Blake laughed and clapped his hands.
"Gamma!"
"Spencer, couldn't you use your laptop to turn on the webcam for me?" Sasha quickly looked over, interested immediately with the idea. Spencer turned his eyes to the laptop and clicked his tongue. He was well aware that his father still had the thing bugged. He received an email once from the man after talking to Socko on the webcam, Robert wanted to know why he still had money enough to use a computer. As if the man thought he shouldn't have any money left whatsoever. Perhaps Spencer wasn't as irresponsible as Robert initially thought.
"I wish I could, but I think Dad's still got some kind of access to my computer. He might hack in or something, I don't want him to find out that I'm talking to you…"
"So why keep the computer?"
"Important files…"
"Your father can hack into your computer, and you keep important files on it?"
"I know mom…but I just, ah…" He ran his hand through his hair and groaned with defeat. Sasha clicked her tongue and slowly shook her head. She knew his mom was right, it was stupid for him to even keep the computer. He couldn't part with it because there were important documents on there, but it would be better to just be rid of the laptop all together. Maybe it would be beneficial to start using paper. "I do not think it would be a good idea to risk…"
"Okay…just be careful Spencer. Webcam or not, I suppose I'll see my grandson one day."
"You will."
"Is your biggest problem just trying to find a job? I mean, is that what you're trying to prove, that you know how to go out and look for one? I'm sure you've proven that…all you need to do is make the money…"
"I'm handling it…and yes it's the money I'm worrying about. Please don't worry, Mom."
"I'm a mother, a grandmother, of course I'm going to worry. No one can tell me not to worry, because that will not happen." Sasha stifled a laugh and Carly's cheek bones rose with a wide grin. Spencer glared at the two and crossed his arms.
"Well then worry if you want to worry, but I'm dealing with it. It may not seem like I'm dealing with it, but I'm dealing with it. If that means I have to get food stamps, I'll get food stamps. I just don't want people thinking I'm irresponsible with money! Let dad eat his words. He thinks I have to rely on other people's money, then no, I'm not relying on anyone else's money."
"Okay. You know we'll still help you if you want our help…"
"I know. Thanks mom, and I appreciate what Grandpa did, don't get me wrong. I just…I need to think about things." Sasha looked down at the ground as Spencer walked off to his bedroom. She felt terrible, for the first time she was seeing just how much Spencer's father had affected him. The hard thing to swallow was, he was allowing it to affect his judgment and it affected everybody because of that. She looked to Carly and Travis, then gave them a tiny smile.
"I'm going to go talk to him. It was great meeting you Ms. Carlson!"
"You too dear…" She turned around and walked off, leaving the family to talk to Jessica. Besides, it was Carly and Blake's turn with the lady. She needed to check on her man, make sure he was okay.
Ah relief.