The Greatest Secret

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own iCarly

Chapter 83 (About Time)

Robert walked to the elevator and rode it up to Emily's floor. He then walked down the hall and stopped between Carly and Emily's doors. He reached up and knocked on the door of the woman he loved. After nearly thirty years, this just wasn't something that could or should wait another second. He heard Freddie's voice ask who it was, so he answered. "Robert Shay." It was a necessary precaution for Freddie and Sam, since they've known Carly to knock at the wrong times. Freddie said for him to come in, so he entered. Sam and Freddie were sitting on the couch, Freddie had his arm wrapped around Sam's shoulders and the television was on.

"Hey Mr. Shay, are you looking for mom?" Freddie asked with a slight smile. Robert nodded his head and looked to the television, they were watching some western with John Wayne in it.

"Yeah, do you know where she is?"

"She's in the shower right now, but if you wait, she should be out in a few minutes." Robert nodded and sat on the couch next to Sam and Freddie. The group looked to the TV screen in time to see John Wayne grab a horse.

"So, what are you watching?"

"A western that was playing while we were flipping through the channels…we stopped on this one since it looked interesting." Robert gave another nod and smiled as he closed his eyes, there was a pretty relaxing feeling in the air. Sam looked over at Robert and smiled at him.

"So, I hear you want to ask Emily on a date, is that true?" Sam asked in a subtle voice.

"Yeah, I can't go another moment without her," he answered.

"That's understandable. Don't go without her. You loved her, she loved you, so you two deserve to be with each other."

"Thanks."

"Heh, you might have been too late," Freddie remarked. He was thinking about the prior week taking care of Lewbert and when he thought his mom was starting to date him. "Apparently they weren't dating and Lewbert just got the wrong idea."

"This is why I say Freddie looks too into things," Sam joked while lightly flicking the back of Freddie's head. He raised his eyebrow and stared at Sam with a subtle smirk.

"You know, sometimes you are just too cute." Sam smirked and raised her eyebrows up.

"Well I think I should be cute, just for you. Do you have a problem with my cuteness?"

"No I don't, but I do wonder what I should do with your cuteness. Perhaps reward you for being so adorable."

"Hah, what's the best you can do?" Freddie's eyebrows rose up and down seductively as his smirk grew. An idea soon came to his mind.

"You know how ticklish you are?"

"Oh no, don't you dare!"

"Oh I'm going to dare." Freddie began tickling Sam, causing her to yelp and laugh. She jumped up and Freddie quickly stood up, grinning as he and Sam squared off. Anytime Sam jumped to the side, Freddie moved in front of her. "Here I come!" Robert watched the scene with amused eyes, he hadn't seen something like that in such a long time. It reminded him of the playfulness that he had with Emily when they were children.

"Well, let's see here…um, bye!" Sam turned around and laughed as she ran toward her bedroom. Freddie lowered his arms and chuckled.

"Looks like I win." Freddie then plopped onto the couch and looked to Robert. "You know, if Mom does start going out with you, it might be a good idea not to let Tyrone know."

"I know, but if Emily thinks it's best for him to know, then we'll talk about it then. All I know is that it could be highly dangerous if he did know."

"So don't tell him, simple as that. Sam and I both support you dating mom, so you know we trust you. We believe mom trusts you as well." Robert smiled and leaned back in the couch. It was good to hear that they trusted him, he wanted them to. "Just let me ask…at what point of time did you start hating your own father?"

"The minute he tore us away from each other. He was physically abusive, so back then I was afraid to do anything at all. I should have said something, anything…but I didn't. Now I want to make things right. I love Emily with all my heart, I can't possibly be satisfied without her by my side."

"That's how I feel with Sam, you know. Without Sam, I am nothing at all. She's probably the sweetest girl in the entire world, and she's mine. I wouldn't let Tyrone take her from me, even if it meant my own life. I have another question for you."

"What is it?" Freddie sighed and turned off the television. He crossed his arms and lifted one leg, resting it over his other.

"Why didn't you guys ever tell me Spencer was my half brother?" Robert's eyes widened as Freddie closed his eyes. He wondered how Freddie figured it out. "You and Mom were as in love as Sam and I were, I'm sure you've succumbed to that desire, just like we did once. Sam didn't end up pregnant, but I think you said you had a child with the woman you loved, and I am pretty sure that's mom." Robert closed his eyes and smiled, Freddie seemed just as smart as Emily was.

"You're right. Spencer is your brother."

"Then why, why do you two keep that from us?"

"It's not like we want to…I know it hurts Emily a lot to have to deal with that." Freddie slowly nodded his head and stared at Robert, waiting a continuation. "When Spencer was born, Tyrone took him from Emily. It was almost right in the delivery room. He said that no one was to talk of Spencer, no one was to find out he was the son of a Benson. And if anyone found out, Spencer was sure to 'disappear' from the face of the earth." Freddie frowned and looked toward the floor, that was horrible. Robert let out a small sigh and slowly shook his head. "This can't leave this apartment, because if anyone does…I don't know what that asshole will do. Personally, I want him to know his true mother. I don't want him to have to go the rest of his life and not know who his real mom was." Freddie rested his elbow on the top of the couch and sighed, he agreed with that.

"Yeah, but it's a shame that he can't know or else risk something horrible happening. I suppose it explains why Spencer seems against Tyrone too, just that subconscious hate." Robert chuckled and nodded his head, if hate were a genetic thing, it would certainly explain Spencer's disgust for Tyrone. Freddie stared at the wall in front of him and tapped his fingers on the couch. "Now I wonder about Carly, especially since this kind of makes her my half sister…"

"Hey, I suppose it would be a bad idea for her to date you."

"Not like I ever planned on it, and even if she wasn't my sister, I still wouldn't date her. I have the woman I love with me, there can be no other."

"Are you still going to pretend to like her?" Freddie frowned and slowly nodded his head, but he was going to make it much more subtle than before."

"Yeah, I have to, but it's only to quell the crush she has on me. Our best bet is to find someone who will date her. Mr. Shay…" He slowly turned his head toward Robert and breathed out slowly as Robert raised his eyebrows. "For Spencer's sake there, and Carly, who needs to have a mother…date my mom. When the time is right, marry." Robert smiled and nodded his head.

"I plan on it."

"Good." Robert heard footsteps entering the room, so he quickly stood up. Freddie followed afterwards and turned to see Emily entering the living room. She was staring at Robert with wide eyes.

"Robert? What are you doing here?" Emily asked in a quiet voice. Robert placed his hand on the corner of the couch and walked around it. Sam entered the room and stepped next to Freddie, smiling as she slipped her arm through Freddie's arm and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Well first, are you and Lewbert…together?"

"What?" Emily raised her eyebrow and scoffed slightly. "I was being kind to that person, just helping him to heal…"

"Oh, I see…" That made him feel much better. "Emily, I've waited almost thirty years, I can't wait any longer…" Emily blinked and her lips parted slightly. Sam felt like she was about to tear up, she really hoped that Emily would say yes to dating Robert again. "Emily, will you allow me to take you to dinner?"

"You mean as a date?" Emily tilted her head slightly, a small smile was tugging at the corner of her lips. Robert nodded and took a step forward. Emily tapped her chin and made a slight humming sound. "Well, can I trust you? After all, before when Tyrone was putting me down-"

"The things he said to you were wrong, you didn't deserve to hear what he was saying about you. He's an asshole who deserves to bite the dust. Yes, I know I'm saying that about my own father, but I could care less if he was my father or not…If he's so willing to take the love of my life away or ruin the best thing I've ever known, then he is no father of mine." Emily's eyebrows rose and she slowly crossed her arms. She knew well that Robert would cut his ties with Tyrone whenever.

"Well he is still your father…"

"Sure he is, but that doesn't mean I have to listen to him. Emily, when we were together, I loved you. When we were torn apart, I still loved you. And for nearly thirty years, I loved you, and even today, I still do. If I have to wait for you, I will, but I will never stop caring for you." Emily smiled lightly and stepped close to Robert, she was perfectly happy to be with Robert if he wanted to. She never doubted his feelings for her.

"Robert, it's okay. I'm willing to give you another chance." Robert smiled lightly and Emily gave a small sigh. "However, I really don't want Tyrone to find out just yet."

"Then he won't. Believe me, this time things will be different. I will not allow Tyrone to take us apart again. I'm stronger now, and I'm sure you are too."

"I believe you. I believe you won't betray my trust, either."

"I would never." Emily nodded and slipped her hand into Robert's, a gesture that warmed them both, it was a feeling they hadn't felt in so long.

"I'll let you in on something, Robert." Robert nodded and Emily gently kissed his cheek. "I still love you, too." Sam wiped her eye and Freddie smiled at her. He never pegged Sam to be the emotional type, but this scene seemed to touch even his heart.

"It's about time," Freddie thought while smiling lightly at the scene before him. Still Tyrone posed a great threat, but this would at least help in some way.

Well to much wishing and talk, I've updated the next chapter. Robert has finally asked her out. By the way, check out my other story, Jessica's Dark Past, which I posted on my King Nate account. It was voted that people wanted to see that story first, so there it is. I think you'll enjoy it as it goes on. Anyone who hasn't read Sam's Dark Past probably could benefit from reading it, but it isn't urgent that you read that. Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter ^_^