The Greatest Secret

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own iCarly

A/N: Yes, I'm skipping over the Pie episode and the Japan episode, but things in there kind of don't work for this story. From here, the story will begin to stop following the series and continue to tie up the plot. I'm expecting quite a few more chapters before it's over though.

Chapter 87 (Spencer's Proposal)

Several months passed by and the group found themselves preparing for Christmas. December was a fun month for the group, presents were shared and time was spent with the family. Spencer and Sasha were still dating, but hadn't told Emily about it yet. They were planning to do it soon, though.

Spencer had taken Robert with him to a jewelry store, he wanted help to search for a ring. Robert didn't really know who or what Spencer was looking to buy a ring for, but he figured he'd help his son out regardless. This would be where Spencer would tell his father about the love of his life that he intended to propose to by Christmas day. Robert leaned against the wall of the shop as Spencer looked for rings, grinning brightly.

He was searching for a wedding set, those included a engagement ring and a wedding band. One would propose with the engagement ring, then attach the wedding band when the wedding came. Robert was rather amused to find that Spencer appeared to be wanting to propose to somebody. He crossed his arms and smiled as Spencer spotted one he thought he liked. Robert walked over and looked at the set, he thought it was a beautiful ring. "It looks great Spencer, so who is it for?" Spencer smiled and looked to his father, no more keeping it from his dad or from Emily. Tyrone could suck a lemon for all he cared, he didn't need to know.

"Sasha. As in Sasha, the daughter of Mr. Benson's sister." Robert rubbed his chin and smiled, he had met this girl. He liked Sasha pretty well and thought that her mom was a very nice person. He could approve of this, but he couldn't help but wonder just how long Spencer had been with Sasha. Spencer figured that his father might be wondering, so he decided to let him know. "We've been together a little over a year now. I love her very much and I know she loves me. I believe we're both ready to start a family."

"Wonder what your grandfather would say?

"I could honestly not care any less than I already do. Sasha's the woman for me, you think I'm going to let my grandfather control who I love?" Spencer looked into Robert's eyes and smirked slightly. Robert felt the statement more than Spencer probably intended. Spencer, Freddie, Carly, none of them had actually been abused by Tyrone when they were young. Tyrone used fear to get Robert to not speak up against him. It wouldn't work on him again, but would the others be immune to fear? It seemed Freddie was strong in the belief that nothing would stand in his way from loving Sam. Spencer was smart enough to deter anything Tyrone said or did. So what was different? Sure, they weren't easily scared children.

"Tyrone won't use abuse anymore, most likely." Spencer raised his eyebrow and Robert patted Spencer on the shoulder. "If Tyrone is displeased, he won't physically, verbally, or mentally harm you. He did that to me, that's why I couldn't be with the woman I loved…" Spencer blinked once but shrugged his shoulders. He wasn't entirely sure what Robert was talking about, but he figured it had something to do with his relationship with Tyrone. "I think Sasha's a great girl, she will be very happy when you decide to propose." Spencer already knew when he wanted to propose.

"I want to ask her on Christmas day." Robert smiled and nodded his head, he felt that was a perfect plan. "Dad, I'm in love with this girl, more than life itself. I know she feels the same. We kept it hidden because we were unsure of how Mrs. Benson would take it. We were unsure of how Tyrone would take it. Sam, Freddie, and Carly found out months ago, but we had them never speak of it." Robert couldn't say he was surprised at all.

"I understand…and yes, there are a lot of secrets going on. All because of Tyrone. Hopefully some day, those secrets and lies will be no more." Spencer gave a slow nod and Robert glanced toward the jeweler. "Spencer, would you like to buy Sasha this set?" Spencer nodded and took out his checkbook, this was a very big day for him. Sasha Everett would become Sasha Shay, but only if she accepted the proposal. Why wouldn't she? He was purely confident that she would. The jeweler took out the set and rang up the price. Spencer then wrote all the necessary info on the check, endorsed it and handed it to the man.

"I wish you the best of luck," The man said with a slight smile.

"Thank you, I'm sure she's going to say yes," Spencer responded. He walked with Robert out of the building and into his car. He placed the box firmly in between the seats. Robert couldn't help but to be proud of Spencer. He knew Emily was proud of the boy.

They made it to the apartments and entered inside, Spencer couldn't wait to tell everyone that he was going to ask Sasha to marry him. They made it to their floor and Spencer quickly entered his apartment. Spencer found Carly lying on the couch, she was resting peacefully and staring up at the ceiling. It seemed that she was bored. Spencer tapped his chin and looked to Robert. "Hey dad, could you go get the others? I want to tell them about Sasha…" Carly quickly sat up and stared at Spencer, she smiled and crossed her arms, glad that it looked like he was going to talk about Sasha.

"So you're going to tell Emily and Freddie about her?" Carly asked with a slight smirk. She knew Sasha was Freddie's cousin, she learned that before. Somehow she managed to not tell Tyrone, but he never actually inquired about it. Sam entered the apartment in a rush and plopped on the couch next to Carly.

"Hey Carly, how are you?" Sam asked with a slight smile.

"I'm doing all right, what are you up to?" Sam shrugged and leaned back in the couch. Sam wanted to talk to Carly since she hadn't been able to see her the prior day. She'd been sick.

"I'll go get your friend for you," Robert said while walking out of the apartment. He entered the Benson apartment and found Freddie reading a book. Freddie glanced up and gave Robert an acknowledging nod. "Spencer's ready to talk about Sasha." Freddie raised his eyebrow and looked up, it was nice to know. Spencer was already calling Sasha up to have her come over, so it wouldn't be too long. Emily walked into the room and looked to Robert with a smile.

"Hi Robert," Emily said as she stepped toward him.

"Hello Emily, you're looking as beautiful as ever." Emily blushed slightly and Robert gently kissed her forehead. "Spencer has something to tell us, would you like to hear it?" Emily nodded her response. Of course she wanted to hear what Spencer had to say. Emily and Freddie followed Robert out of the apartment and into the Shay apartment. Carly looked to Emily and smiled slightly. Over time, she had come to respect Emily a little more. Though with all that Tyrone said, it was difficult to fully trust Emily.

"Hello Ms. Benson, how are you?" Carly asked while slowly standing up. Emily smiled at Carly and crossed her arms.

"I'm doing very well, and yourself?"

"Not bad…" The group decided to wait until Sasha arrived. It wasn't a long wait at all, approximately ten minutes. When Sasha entered, she tensed up slightly at seeing everyone around her. Spencer walked over to her and smiled, he knew she was nervous, but he also knew she would be willing to do this. It had been long enough of a wait. Emily wondered what Sasha was doing there, but she had a feeling she'd be finding out soon.

"Are you ready?" Spencer whispered. Sasha closed her eyes and nodded her head. Spencer gently took her hand in his and turned toward the others. Emily raised her eyebrow as the couple smiled. "We have something to confess. Sasha and I have been dating for the past year. We kept it hidden because we were afraid of what people would say." Sasha nodded her head and Spencer gently squeezed her hand. "I frankly couldn't care less what people say. This is the woman I love, the woman I adore. If people are against us, I'll merely cast them aside."

"Spencer, isn't that a bit strong?" Sasha asked while blushing lightly. Sam grinned at the scene and Freddie crossed his arms over. Suddenly Spencer had a bout of bravery and confidence. Why wait? He loved her more than life itself. He didn't want to wait any further than this. In his pocket, burning a hole was the box holding the ring he had just bought. Sasha looked at Emily and smiled shyly. "Aunt Emily, I was kind of afraid of how you'd feel about me dating a Shay." Emily chuckled lightly and shook her head, she didn't care at all about that.

"I won't deny someone their true love," Emily said with a soft voice. Why would she anyway? She loved Robert Shay, how could she deny Sasha the right to love Spencer? "If you two are in love, then I am for you all the way." Sasha's eyes danced with joy, she couldn't believe it, Emily actually would have supported them. Spencer chuckled and Sasha looked to him with a raised eyebrow, she had to wonder what he was chuckling about. He turned to face her, gazing into her brilliant and beautiful eyes.

"I think we've waited long enough for this," Spencer said with a quiet voice. Sasha raised her eyebrow and watched as Spencer started to lower himself to one knee. Her eyes widened and she took a deep breath, he wasn't about to propose to her, was he? She put her hands over her chest and everyone else watched on with large eyes as Spencer pulled out the velvet box. He opened it and revealed the brilliant diamond ring. "Sasha, I love you more than anything in this world. You make me so happy to be alive. Please, please accept this proposal…will you be my bride?" Sasha gasped lightly and the women in the room grinned brightly.

"I-I…Of course I'll marry you, Spencer!" Spencer cheered and quickly stood up, he knew she would say yes. He hugged her close and kissed her passionately. It was like a dream come true for them. No longer would they have to keep their relationship a secret, nothing would stand in their way.

"I know it was sudden, I had it all planned out, but talking today…I just couldn't wait any longer." Sasha wiped her eye, she had tears going down her cheeks.

"I couldn't be happier, actually. I love you so much, Spencer. I can't wait to tell my mom, she'll be so thrilled!" Robert chuckled and looked to the others in the room, he felt it might be necessary to leave.

"Come on you guys, let's give them a little privacy," Robert said as he headed toward the door. Everyone nodded and parted their separate ways. Spencer and Sasha definitely deserved their privacy for now. Hopefully Tyrone wouldn't cause too many problems for them. They were sure he wouldn't do much, though, since Sasha wasn't a direct relative of Emily. In fact, Sasha was Lisa's adopted daughter.

I hope you liked that chapter. There's a lot more to come from that one...so stick around ^_^