The Greatest Secret

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own iCarly

A/N: As you know, thoughts are in italics and speech is in regular font.

Chapter 105 (Perfect Fourth of July)

A couple months later, two major things were happening. Emily was moving in with Robert while Spencer and Sasha were relaxing after their wedding. It was currently the fourth of July, the couple had become wed on June twentieth. Freddie had been slightly troubled before when he learned Sam told Carly she lived with him, but it didn't bother him much after a while. He figured Sam was still in the safe area of things.

Carly was sad to hear that Freddie and his family were moving elsewhere, but at least it wasn't far. She was thrilled about her brother finally getting married, it meant so much to her because he was happy. Tyrone wasn't on the invitation list for the wedding. In fact, Spencer specifically asked that if Tyrone showed up, he'd immediately be shown the door. Nobody wanted to have Tyrone ruin things for them. They were going to have peace, that's what they all wanted. If Tyrone dared to show up, he would be escorted somewhere far from the area. Fortunately for everyone, Tyrone never showed up and never seemed to pose any trouble at all.

One of Sasha's college friends had been her matron of honor, while Sam was the bridesmaid. Spencer's college buddy had been the best man and Freddie was the groomsman. Carly actually smiled when she saw Sam and Freddie walk down the aisle arm in arm, for some reason it looked so serene to her. She figured it was probably because at that moment, Sam had to act like she didn't hate Freddie, and Carly always did think Sam was a good actress. Sam couldn't wait until the day she married Freddie, it was going to be so great!

Carly was, in a way, sad that Tyrone hadn't been at the wedding. It would have been great, but for some reason Spencer didn't want him there. Perhaps it was because Sasha was related to Freddie, Tyrone didn't like Freddie at all. Amanda Becker hadn't been at the wedding, but that was probably because she was still on vacation with her family. Carly wondered what Tyrone would do when she returned home, probably nothing at all to worry about. She had also noted Jonah never once looked her way at the wedding, it seemed clear, and odd, that he didn't like her.

Currently, Robert was with Freddie and Spencer at his new home. The trio was discussing certain important things that would be coming up, such as Robert wanting to propose to Emily. "Do you think it's the right time?" Spencer asked with a small smile. Robert rubbed his chin and nodded, he'd wanted to marry her for so long. Of course it was the right time, why wouldn't it be? He cleared his throat and shifted slightly in his chair.

"I've been waiting for thirty years to marry her. If it's not the right time now, then when will it be?" Freddie had to agree, it was definitely good logic as far as he was concerned. If he didn't ask her to marry him, then when was he going to do it? "I was hoping to do it when the fireworks go off, maybe right before…" Spencer chuckled lightly and tilted his head, he could make something out of that statement. Though it wasn't a big joke.

"So you get to see two fireworks tonight? The one where she accepts and kisses you after so long, then the ones that go off to celebrate independence day." Robert nodded and smiled lightly.

"Yeah, in a way it's kind of symbolic to me...and I'm sure it'd be symbolic for Emily as well." This was true, July fourth was Independence Day for the United States, and it could certainly be Independence Day for Robert and Emily. The proposal, the wedding, it could signal freedom from him, perhaps. Though for Freddie and Sam, the true freedom of it all would probably be on their wedding day. The day when Tyrone could do nothing more to them without hiring a lawyer, and what lawyer would possibly tear Sam and Freddie apart only because of Tyrone's ignorance?

"I think it's a great idea," Freddie replied while placing his hands behind his head. "In fact, Jonah's hanging out with Valerie and Sam in the other room, you could ask him how married life is!" Robert chuckled and nodded his head, indeed he could do that. Robert placed his hands on his knees and took a deep breath, he was thinking of the perfect way to bring up the proposal. He honestly wanted Emily to marry him, and he believed very strongly that she would accept. He wasn't going to be nervous, not at all.

"I'm going to do it, tonight. Tonight I will ask her to marry me." Freddie and Spencer nodded their heads, they couldn't think of any better time than the very moment they had. The fireworks would start in an hour, everyone would go onto the upper balcony and watch from there. Sasha, Spencer, Valerie, Jonah, Freddie, Sam, Emily, and Robert were all hanging around to view the marvelous fireworks. Everyone had a feeling, a deep feeling that these fireworks were going to be some of the best in their lives.

"Then everyone better get ready. As for me, I'm going to head in and see how the cookies are going." Freddie got up from his seat and walked into the next room. Jonah was leaning against the counter and watching the girls, so Freddie decided to lean next to him. It was silent, the girls were focused intently on the cookies. Freddie could make a joke of the situation. "And here we have two primitive females engaging in the wondrous act of baking cookies. We'd best not disturb them, else we fall to their wrath and anger these timid and beautiful creatures." Jonah closed his eyes and snickered.

"Damn Freddie, if I thought you'd make a documentary of the girls making cookies…" Freddie laughed once as the girls turned to him and raised their eyebrows.

"Primitive?" Sam asked with a curious tone. She was wondering what Freddie meant by that. Freddie chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

"How goes the cookies?" Freddie asked while sniffing the air. He could smell the treats, it was almost like he could taste them at that moment. Sam smiled as Valerie opened the oven and took out a tray that was filled with rows of star shaped cookies.

"Well the stars are done…" Sam picked up a second metal tray and showed them to Freddie. They had rows of flag shaped cookies, they were unbaked at the moment. "These go in now." Sam pushed the cookies into the oven and closed the door. Normally, they would have put both batches in at the same time, but they chose to just do it one at a time. Some of the cookies were sugar, some had chocolate chips, some were peanut butter. The girls enjoyed mixing them together as well.

"Well, I've got the best cookie of them all." Freddie smirked and Sam raised her eyebrows up.

"Oh do you? And what cookie is this?" Freddie walked around the counter and placed his hands on Sam's waist. Jonah and Valerie smiled and watched their friends knowingly.

"You. You are the greatest delight of them all." Freddie gently kissed Sam's lips and slowly moved his arms around Sam's waist. "You are the one I can't get enough of. I love you more than anything."

"I love you too, Freddie." Valerie rubbed her chin and looked into the oven at the cookies. She blinked and glanced back to Freddie and Jonah.

"Hey, you boys said you were making hotdogs and hamburgers tonight, right?" Valerie asked. Jonah nodded and grinned. Freddie and Jonah were going to bring out the grill and grill the hotdogs and hamburgers. Everything was going to be perfect tonight. "Then don't you think you should go up and get everything ready?"

"Oh yeah!" Jonah said as he stood up straight. "Freddie, get the patties and hotdogs, I'll grab the buns. Let's get out onto that balcony and get the charcoal burning!" Freddie nodded and the two rushed to get everything they needed. Soon, they were up with the grill. Jonah sniffed and smiled. "The smell of a good fire…"

"Yeah, let's make these things perfect. We aim to please." Jonah chuckled and nodded his head as he and Freddie placed the hotdogs and patties on the grill. They had a table set up nearby with all the ingredients for the hotdogs and hamburgers. "You know, Jonah…I think mom and Robert have come a long way."

"Everyone has, Freddie…" Jonah glanced out over the balcony and toward the stars. He chuckled lightly and crossed his arms. "You know, after three years, you'd think Tyrone would have figured Sam out by now."

"I'm not sure, but I think maybe her mom's spirit is out there, keeping her safe. I don't think anything's going to happen to Sam." Freddie flipped a patty over and raised his eyebrow. "So, what should we do if these burn?"

"Take the burnt thing and throw it over the balcony of course." Freddie laughed and Jonah smiled, it was good to hang out with just the guys every now and then. After some amount of time, the girls came out and set two plates filled with cookies on the table. Jonah sniffed the air and grinned. "Those smell great!"

"Thank you, Jonah," Valerie said as she softly kissed Jonah's lips. Jonah blinked and gave a dazed smile.

"What was that for, honey?"

"The compliment you just gave me, of course." Valerie giggled once and Sam smiled. The four looked over as Robert, Spencer, Emily, and Sasha all moved out onto the balcony.

"What's that great smelling stuff?" Sasha asked with glee as her eyes shifted over to the food. "Hot dogs, hamburgers, cookies…you've got an American meal planned for us tonight."

"You know it, Cuz!" Freddie responded. Everyone laughed and moved toward the table. They grabbed some buns and plates. Jonah and Freddie were waiting to serve the hotdogs and hamburgers while Sam and Valerie simply stood behind them. Sam leaned up and whispered into Freddie's ear.

"Valerie and I baked a cake for Robert and Emily. He mentioned to us before he wanted to propose, and we were so sure she'd accept that we made them a 'yes' cake. It says, 'after thirty years, she finally says yes! Congratulations Robert and Emily.'" Freddie smiled and lifted his eyes skyward at that, he loved how thoughtful the girls were. "Valerie scolded me because I wanted to eat it…" He nearly laughed at that, but stifled himself.

"Hey, aren't you girls going to get something to eat?" Jonah asked while looking to Sam and Valerie.

"Cooks get the food last," Valerie answered while holding a finger up in the air. Jonah shrugged and turned off the grill, all the cooking was done. After time, everyone finished their meal and was standing at the edge of the balcony. The fireworks would be starting up at any moment. Each couple had their arms around their other's waists and were gazing up into the night sky. Sam and Freddie were on the right of Emily and Robert. Spencer and Sasha were on the left, and Jonah and Valerie were behind the two.

"You know what, Em," Robert said with a quiet voice. Emily's eyes drifted over and a smile formed at her lips. "It's a beautiful night tonight, wouldn't you agree?"

"Yeah Robert, I'd agree with that," Emily said as she looked back at the stars. "The whole day has been great, I couldn't imagine spending my day with anyone else or anywhere else."

"That's good to know. You don't know how much that means to me. After thirty years of being away from you, it feels so great to finally be with you again." Emily's smile deepened and she rested her head on Robert's shoulder. "Now that you're with me, I don't want to lose you again."

"I don't think that's something you'll have to worry about."

"Sure it is, as long as you're not mine, it's something I'll always have to fear…" Emily raised her eyebrow and Robert turned to gaze into her eyes. The other three couples each looked at each other and smiled, knowing exactly what was coming up. "This is why, after thirty years, I have a question for you…"

"Oh?" Emily's phone began to ring and she quickly went to check it. "Ah, I have to take this…"

"Call them back." It was from one of Emily's relatives, a man that was pretty important to her. It was someone she hadn't seen in a long time.

"Yeah, I could, but what if…"

"I bet I could make you not answer that." Emily raised her eyebrow and smirked, ready to take him up on that challenge.

"Oh? I never skip over a call if someone's calling me, though. Over the years, I've learned that it could always be important and I should never miss a call." Robert shrugged and smiled lightly, he had to agree with her. So, the moment she was going to answer, he spoke.

"Marry me, Emily. Be my wife like you should have been thirty years ago. Will you?" Emily paused and her eyes widened in surprise. The others all grinned as she dropped her phone. The phone beeped, alerting a missed call. She slowly turned her gaze to Robert and spoke in a slight stutter.

"Did you just…ask me…what I think you did?"

"I believe you're the one stuttering, or did I in fact stutter? Will you marry me, Emily? We've waited long enough, don't you think?"

"Y-Yeah we have…"

"So, do I take that as a yes?" Emily swallowed and looked at everyone else, they were all grinning brightly at her, each of them expecting and knowing full well what she was going to say. She looked back to Robert and smiled.

"Yes!" Robert laughed, relieving him of the nervous feeling inside of him. Emily wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his lips with passion as the others all cheered for them. It was only a second later that the fireworks began shooting into the night sky. The happy couple broke the kiss and gazed at the fireworks with the others.

"It's beautiful…" Emily nodded and wiped her eyes. Words could not express how much joy she felt over the current situation. For everyone, this was truly a perfect Fourth of July.

Well, looks like they are now engaged. I hope you liked that chapter! Next chapter, a very important man shows up. You'll recognize him as the man that called Emily just now. Be ready, great things are coming your way as the Reunion Arc nears! If this chapter made you smile, then that's a great thing! Review and make me smile ^_^