Against All Odds

Disclaimer: I don't own iCarly

A/N:

Chapter 39 (On The Road)

Tuesday afternoon, they'd reached South Dakota and settled into the super 8 motel. They were now going out to see Mount Rushmore, as a happy family. The motels were costing them some amount of money, thirty bucks for an overnight stay at each. That was going to be four motels, bringing it up to one hundred and twenty dollars. The total gas would definitely come out to eight hundred at most by the end of the trip, then adding in breakfasts and lunches at places like McDonalds or Burger King, the total for the entire trip would come out to be a little over one thousand dollars. It wasn't so bad, though.

Standing before the mighty mountain of presidents, Carly was to Spencer's left, and holding Blake in her arms so he wouldn't run off. Sasha was to his right, holding up a digital camera and getting a good picture of the mountain. Spencer had his arms around their shoulders and grinned at the majestic structure. Michael and Regina were behind them, admiring the mountain while Ulysses spoke with Socko on the phone, ranting on happily with everything that had been going on so far.

"This is so beautiful," Sasha commented while snapping the pictures. She looked over at Michael and called for him. "Michael, take a picture of us!" Michael walked over and took the camera as the family moved to the railing overlooking the mountain. They posed and watched as he lifted the camera to his face, aiming for them.

"All right cousins, smile." Sasha laughed and moved her hand through her hair, trying to keep the wind from blowing it in her face. Spencer smirked, and just before Michael clicked the camera button, he grabbed Sasha's waist and planted a firm kiss on her lips. Carly looked at them and laughed while Sasha sighed into the kiss. Michael snapped the picture and lowered the camera, chuckling softly. "Of course you do that." Spencer pulled away from his dazed fiancé and smiled into her eyes.

"I'm just making memories." They turned back to Michael, Sasha's cheeks were bright red. Spencer put his arm around her shoulders and smiled at the camera. Carly stayed standing next to Sasha, her arms around Blake, who eyed the camera with amazement. "All right Mike, take another, but we're saving that picture."

"Of course." This camera already had dozens of pictures of the mountains, lakes, and the family. Every picture, gave Spencer a deep fondness. Blake was a little confused about the constant traveling, but he seemed okay with it when they tried to explain that they were moving to see family. A somewhat difficult task to explain to a child only two and a half years old. The concept of moving probably fell short for him, but he did seem happy that he was going to see his grandmother. "Look natural!" They grinned and ignored the wind blowing their hair all over the place. What was one windy picture?

Ulysses walked up to them after the picture, a taco in his hand. He swallowed the bite in his mouth and moved his thumb to the truck. "I found a taco bell down the street, got everyone some tacos if you want any." At the mention of tacos, Spencer's stomach rumbled violently, he hadn't had much to eat during today's trip. They all graciously followed Ulysses to the truck and waited as he pulled out a large Taco Bell bag. Finally, some food, and there was even some food that Blake could eat. Sasha didn't usually want him eating too much heavy foods, but whenever they stopped at McDonalds or Burger King, he was able to eat the chicken nuggets.

The next day they left Rapid City, South Dakota, early in the morning. Halfway through the day, while passing through Omaha, Nebraska, Sasha was on the phone with an advisor from TCC. Mrs. Bryant was her financial aid advisor. Sasha had already filled out her application for the Spring Semester at TCC online when they stopped off at Butte. "So January 9th is the start of the Spring classes? My financial aid's been approved?"

"That's correct, your FAFSA's all filled out and everything, I would like for you to come in once you get in town. Someone from student services will give you a tour of the campus and you can meet your education advisor, who will be able to go over your degree plan."

"Okay, we should be arriving Friday, is the campus open Saturday?"

"There are a few people here Saturday, I'm sure it will not be a problem if you want to come in Saturday. You could come in Monday morning, if you would like, and get some rest in."

"I think I'll do that. Thank you very much." After she hung up, she gave Spencer a very satisfied smile. He looked back to her and put his hand over hers on her leg, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Looks like you're on your way to a degree. How does it feel knowing you get to start college soon?"

"Great, and in a few months, Carly and I might have the same classes. Right Carly?" She smirked teasingly at the girl in the back seat. Carly laughed.

"Maybe, but that's only if I go there or if I go to the university. Either way, I know what I want to do when I go to college. I was thinking politics, just like Mom."

"Sounds like a plan!"

Spencer breathed out and stared ahead at the road before him, listening to their conversation. It was nice to hear talk of the future, talk of plans, of goals. For the first time, he was noticing that the future actually seemed within their grasp. Now, what about Blake? He would be three next August, maybe then would be a good time to enroll him in preschool. It was not too young of an age, he could start Kindergarten when he turned four or five. "Sasha." She looked over at him, humming questionably. "When Blake turns three, you think we should send him to preschool?"

"Maybe…" The thought of sending her son to school scared her, but she did know it was coming. It would be hard, of course, since she'd be going various hours in the day without knowing how he was doing. Spencer flashed a smirk full of playfulness and met her gaze.

"You're going to be one of those mothers that constantly goes to the school to check up on him aren't you?"

"I will not." She crossed her arms and huffed, then flicked her eyes to the rearview mirror. Blake had a tiny car in his fingers and was staring at it, turning it over multiple times. Her face softened and her lips curved up into a smile. Carly studied her and grinned, her eyelids slid down halfway and she slowly leaned forward.

"Yeah she is, Spencer. She'll be the mom finding excuse after excuse to see him, taking lunch after lunch to school. Or coats, or whatever it is that Blake 'forgets'." Sasha's face reddened and Spencer laughed at the visual of the kindergarten teacher having to see Sasha's constant face throughout the day. After all, Blake will likely have forgotten a number of things at one time.

"As long as I know my baby's safe, I'm happy." There was almost a certain guarantee that Blake would be well protected in the schools, but it was okay for Sasha to be a protective mom. Spencer reached over and rubbed her back for a split second, grinning at her from the corner of his eyes.

"It's perfectly fine if you want to be a protective mom, and totally understandable." When he reached back to the steering wheel, Sasha leaned her head gently on his shoulder and exhaled softly. She closed her eyes and moaned.

"I just can't wait to get to Florida, tired of the road."

"I know, we're almost to St. Joseph." He glanced out at a passing green sign, indicating fifty miles to go before they would reach St. Joseph, Missouri. He had a pretty good feeling when they reached the motel there, Sasha would likely crash on the bed with Blake. "Tomorrow when we get to Memphis, you guys still want to see Elvis's house or not?"

"I'd be up for it."

"All right."

Thursday, after the long day of driving and after having visited Elvis's home, the group relaxed in Memphis's Super 8. Carly was in the motel room with Blake, talking to Sam, Freddie, and Gibby on the phone. Ulysses was at the motel's diner while the others were in the pool area. Michael was swimming in the large pool and Regina was floating on her back, her red hair floated around her head like a pillow. Spencer and Sasha remained in the hot tub with the bubbles on high.

Spencer had his arm around Sasha's shoulders while she rested her head upon his. "Tennessee, the home of music legends." Spencer chuckled and leaned his head back, sighing softly as he felt Sasha slide her hand up his chest. She brushed her head closer to his neck and hummed. He was astonished with how relaxed her body was, but over the past couple of days, she'd been relaxed. Normally she was so tense and stressed out. "Am I mistaken, or are you actually not stressing out?" She opened her eyes halfway and softly kissed his neck.

"You're not mistaken. This has been the best week of my life…"

"Mine too." He kissed her forehead and squeezed her arm. "It's only going to get better from here. I promise. Tomorrow we'll be in Florida, we'll be home."

"Home…it just rolls off your tongue." He smiled and repeated the word, paying great care to it. He was astonished, it really did just roll from his tongue with great ease. "It's a lot warmer home, isn't it?"

"Well, in Florida, it almost never gets less than seventy degrees. It's like a tropical paradise." Quite the climate change from Seattle, that was certain. Though, it wouldn't just be the temperature, but the environment, the people, and the life. Especially to Sasha, people wouldn't be so damned cold in her eyes. He lifted his hand and gently caressed her face. She lifted her head and gazed into his eyes. "You deserve everything…" Her breathing lowered and her eyes grew sad for the moment.

"Why did we let it get so bad? Why didn't we just do this from the start?"

"Because I was stupid, but I promise you, I'll never let it get this bad again. You are the most important person in my life. You and Blake, and I'll do everything I can to ensure you have the best life possible. I love you. You've got my heart, my everything…"

"I love you Spencer." Her arms slid around his neck and she carefully leaned forward, bringing her lips towards his. He pulled her close and met her halfway, not rushing, but kissing her tenderly. After holding onto that moment for a few mere seconds, they parted and cuddled close together, holding each other's hand firmly. She moved her head back to his shoulder and closed her eyes. "You are my everything too…I couldn't ask for a better man."

'Man', not a boy, not someone who is irresponsible, but a man. Her man. His heart filled with glory and peace, he couldn't be happier to hear those words from her lips. He closed his eyes, listening only to the sound of the water bubbling around them and the splashing of the pool next to them.

Only one more day on the road, ten then they would be home. Surely everyone would be tired, poor Ulysses would have to drive all the way back to Seattle. He was already planning to wait a couple days before driving again, and he did mention he'd actually drive straight through, not stopping nearly as often. For them though, their dreams would start to come true, slowly but surely. Sure, there was still the problem of his father, but he wasn't about to let that bother him. Not when he was a man of his own, Sasha's man. He had a family to take care of, and this time, he would give it his all. They counted on him, and by god, he would give them a reason to know that they could count on him.

"One more day, baby," he whispered softly, squeezing her hand. She smiled cheerfully and cuddled closer. "Nine hours from home."

I hope you enjoyed that.