The Greatest Secret

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own iCarly

A/N: This story details what it would be like if Sam and Freddie were secretly together during the series. Read it, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Chapter 75 (Planning a Surprise Party)

A few weeks later, the start of April had come around. Sam's fifteenth birthday would be in nearly ten days. Freddie was considering a surprise party for her, but he'd have to set it up for her. He also needed to consider the guest list, Tyrone was definitely off of it. He didn't have a problem inviting the other Shays, and something told him Robert would be there anyway.

Valerie was going to bake the cake, Freddie wanted it perfect. It was going to be half chocolate and half vanilla, with some sprinkles, and an edible photo on the top of the cake. The image would be of Sam smiling brightly, with her golden locks flowing around her body. He wasn't sure who was going to be on the guest list, or where the party was going to be. Of course, that was only because the party hadn't been planned yet. Freddie was currently dealing with who would be on the guest list.

"Carly could come along, I would think," Valerie said while rubbing her chin. Jonah frowned and shrugged his shoulders, he didn't think it'd be too much trouble if she came. The only problem would be that Freddie would have to find a reason why he and Jonah were friends. Ever since Freddie told Carly about Valerie, she had become friendlier with her. "Jonah's my boyfriend, so I don't think Carly would be too confused about why he's there." Jonah raised his eyebrow and sighed, he didn't seem to mind much, but he wouldn't be talking much to Carly.

"I'm not doing much talking to her, though," Jonah replied while writing Carly's name down. Valerie smiled and rolled her eyes, Jonah's pride was just another quirk of his that she loved. "So, do you want me to put Spencer and Mr. Shay on the list?" Freddie rubbed his chin and nodded, he had nothing against those two. He had a feeling Robert wasn't much different than he was. Perhaps it was even the case that Robert loved Emily. If that were the case, the Freddie wondered if he had a sibling, in which case, where was this sibling? Could it be Spencer?

"Mark down Sasha and Lisa as well," Freddie stated.

"Right." Valerie leaned back in her chair and smiled.

"I work at a nearby café, it's not so huge that it will have a million people there, it's small enough for a surprise party," she suggested. Freddie thought about it for a moment, it seemed like a good idea. She worked at a place called Sherry's Kitchen. "I can get my boss to let us throw a surprise party for Sam there. Sam's birthday falls on a day that she closes it down, though."

"See if you can't get your boss to let you open it on that day." Valerie nodded and immediately went to a phone. Jonah and Freddie continued working on the guest list. "Is there any way we can prevent Tyrone from knowing about this?" Jonah didn't think that was possible, since they were going to invite Carly. Inviting Carly, she would tell Tyrone about the party and where it was. Freddie frowned and crossed his arms, he'd have to think of a way to keep Tyrone away. "How can we keep him out?" It was a tough question, they probably wouldn't be able to do it. Then again, Robert may keep the guy out in his own way.

"She gave the okay," Valerie said as she walked over to the guys. Freddie and Jonah grinned, it seemed things would be working out as planned. The only major thing was that Freddie couldn't do anything relationship-wise with her during the party. There would be quite a few guests on the list, including people like Shane. "So, will there be balloons and confetti?" Freddie chuckled and nodded his head in reply, of course there would be balloons, there always was.

"There's going to be a lot of planning involved, I'm sure. Someone should be the one to take her to the café, and I don't think it should be me." Jonah and Valerie nodded, it could be risky if Freddie took Sam to the café. They could probably have Valerie or Carly leading her to the café. "I think maybe Valerie should take care of it. I see no problem with Valerie taking Sam to the restaurant." Perhaps it would even be safer if there was another friend to go with her. All they knew was Freddie couldn't go with her. It was for the best that he remains as friend only on her birthday party. "Every year I say this, and every year I want it to be this way: This year has to be her best birthday party ever." Jonah chuckled and patted Freddie on the back, they could be sure to arrive at that goal.

"Next thing you know, Freddie. You'll have Sam going on a cruise for her anniversary!" Freddie rubbed his chin in thought and stared at Jonah, that wasn't such a bad idea actually. A luxury cruise for their second year anniversary, it was worth a shot if they could do it.

-NEW SCENE-

"So, you guys are planning a surprise party for Sam, are you?" Robert asked with raised eyebrows and a small smile. Emily smiled and nodded her head in response. Robert rubbed his chin and walked over to the coffee pot in the kitchen. "You do know that your son invited me, Spencer and Carly to the birthday party, right?" Emily nodded her head once more, she couldn't be happier about that, actually. It was odd, but lately she had seen a side of him that she hadn't seen in years, it was the side of him that she loved.

Robert reached for an orange in the fruit basket next to the coffee maker. He chuckled and tossed the orange into the air, catching it with his other hand. Smoothly he placed the orange on a plate and started to cut it in half. Emily figured he was just showing off, but she didn't actually mind. "Well it'll be…nice having you and Spencer there, Carly as well." Robert grinned and began to peel the orange, he was glad to be at the party as well. He was glad that he was most likely getting a second chance, even though he and Emily really weren't dating at the moment.

"Would you like a slice?" Emily nodded and took a slice of the orange. She bit into it and glanced over at Robert. He hadn't really changed much in the last several years, though he did seem to have grown stronger. She wouldn't mind dating him, she actually wanted him to ask her out sometime, it would be great if he did. Robert wanted to ask her out, but he was concerned that maybe Emily didn't want him to just yet. There was even the possibility that she didn't want him to do that.

"You know Robert…" Emily closed her eyes and sighed lightly. Robert took a bite of his orange and glanced over at her. "I can tell you're definitely a changed man, and for the better. So maybe…" Robert raised his eyebrow and Emily shrugged it off, she wasn't sure if it was the right time. She thought it was, but then she just couldn't be one hundred percent sure. She wanted Robert to tell her he still cared, she wanted him to say he still loved her, that he wanted her to care for their son and his daughter.

"Marissa, I've been thinking…" Emily winced and narrowed her eyes, she hated her first name. Robert knew never to call her Marissa, but to call her by her middle name. They'd said that from their childhood. Though, Robert typically did that if it were something very serious. She looked to him with hopeful eyes, that he would say just what she wanted, what she needed to hear. Robert wasn't sure if it was the right time though, there could still be far too much tension. He looked to her and his eyes moved toward her lips, the very lips that he'd missed for so long.

"Yes?" Robert started to speak, but hesitated a moment. This was Emily, the same girl he loved for so long in his life. He wanted her back so badly, but could the timing really work? With Tyrone out there, he could cause more damage. He'd already hurt Emily a few times before, or at least tried. He didn't want to see Emily get harmed, it just didn't seem proper. Perhaps now was not the best time at all. He slowly closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Nevermind that for now…"

"Oh…" Emily frowned and looked downward, maybe she'd been expecting too much. Maybe he didn't care for her anymore. Who really knew? "Okay." Robert smiled sadly at her and Emily quickly shrugged her shoulders, she wasn't going to let it get the best of her. "Let's continue planning Sam's party."

"Yeah, I'm sure Freddie wants to make it perfect for his wife." Robert smirked and Emily stared blankly at a wall, her eyes wide with shock. Robert knew, and she hadn't even told him. She quickly turned to Robert and he smiled at her. "You don't honestly think I'm going to tell anyone, do you? I would never do that to you, Freddie, or Sam." She could see that he had a genuine look on his face, she had never known him to lie to her. It was just something about him that she could trust. He made an effort to care, no matter what happened. "Just another week and everything will be all ready, I'm sure Sam will enjoy it. Even better, it's going to be a Tyrone free party." Robert smirked and Emily laughed, how could anyone not enjoy a party without that arrogant asshole around?

"And you would talk about your own father like that."

"Yeah, why are you surprised?" After all Tyrone had done to him, to Emily, to Sam and Freddie, there was nothing that Robert could like about the guy. This wasn't the time to talk about him, though. They needed to discuss Sam's party and do whatever they could to get the planning done. After all, everyone had to do their parts. "You know, I think Freddie's starting to like me more. I'm hoping he does." Emily nodded her head in reply, it would help if he did. Maybe, just maybe, things would work out.

I hope you liked this. I know I've been updating this story a lot, and it feels like it's costing me some readers because my other stories haven't been updated...but I'm working on them, honest! It's just the way things have been going lately, it's been hard for me to write. However, I refuse to give up! Just bear with me because everything will be just fine! ^_^. Review if you want, they make me smile ^_^