The Greatest Secret

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own iCarly

A/N: Dear lord, I've actually reached 200 chapters? Well, rest easy friends, there's not a whole lot left to this story. I'm just so glad and proud it made it this far, and much better than that "fake/rushed" ending. I love this. Enjoy!

Chapter 200 (A Big Step)

Sam was finally back home, Bana was dead and Lionel was in a prison hospital. Freddie had been overjoyed when she was allowed back. They were currently sitting on the living room couch at his place, his arm was around her shoulder, and she was nestled up on his chest. Her legs were curled up on the couch. The fireplace in front of them was lit, and gave them a warm glow as it soothed their souls.

Freddie reached down and kissed the top of her head. He watched as she rubbed his chest with her head, sighing contentedly. "I'm so glad we don't have to keep this a secret anymore," she said. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back, exhaling softly. Of course they didn't need to keep it secret any longer, Tyrone wasn't out to get them anymore. Although, he was keeping a good eye on the man, just in case he got cocky. "A part of me wishes we could have announced it on iCarly…"

"Still thinking about that?" He frowned and his eyebrows rose. He was pretty sure that show was long gone, even if fans would love to see them all again, there wasn't a chance of bringing it back. Though, it was getting a bit cumbersome how both Sam and Carly were still going on about it. He understood the memories that came with it. "Sure it was a good thing, and it had a good run."

"I know, it still would have been nice. I know back then it was dangerous, but nowadays…I don't know, I just miss it." Things would be truly different if iCarly were up and running, that was definite, although he didn't know how different things might be. There was the thought that they could start up a video webcast with the band, but he wouldn't do it. There was a reason they pulled the plug on iCarly in the first place, and that reason still stood as good reason to not get involved with another webshow. "I guess we don't need to talk about all that, I'm just glad to be back home with my Aunt and Uncle."

"Aw." Freddie's lip curled into a slow, teasing smirk as he gazed down at her. "Did you not miss me? Only Morris and Maggie? Well, don't I feel special." Sam lifted her eyebrows and laughed, reaching up to kiss his cheek.

"I missed you most of all. Only, I knew I would see you again, so I didn't have to worry." He grinned as she moved her arms around his waist. "I love you."

"I love you too."

From the kitchen, Tyrone watched the couple with Arian, Angeline and Era. They were at the table, eating tuna salad sandwiches, just a snack for them. Tyrone enjoyed seeing this young love, which surprised him. He never really gave any thought to the concept of love, but now he understood the power of such an emotion, and he had Angeline to think for that.

He felt Era's bony fingers on his wrist and glanced over, meeting the woman's eyes. "They do make a loving couple, do they not?" The woman's wrinkled cheeks rose and her thin lips curled upwards. He smiled back at her and slowly nodded. On the table between the three of them, Angeline was to his right and Era was in front, was a box of pictures. These pictures were of his mother, Drita, and they were full of such emotional stories. Since the entire charade with Lionel and Bana, he'd changed his last name to Davidson, denouncing his Shay roots. "What are you thinking about right now, Tyrone?"

"A number of things." He moved his eyes towards Angeline and smiled gently as he watched her take a bite of her sandwich. "Why would I deserve to be happy, for one thing…" Era pulled her hand back and Angeline set the sandwich back down, swallowing her bite. "I've done so many things wrong in my life, and what amazes me is, it takes those two out there to start opening me up…"

"It was bound to happen," Arian stated. He was sitting next to Era, leaning back in his chair. His hand was next to his empty plate, and his right hand was brushing his white mustache, trying to remove any bread crumbs. He was amazed by how good his cousin looked at seventy four years old. Even Era, who would be turning 101 years, had a few wrinkles. Of course, Angeline was seventy two, and she was still beautiful. "You've been forgiven for everything, so you shouldn't bother yourself with the past anymore."

He pulled the right corner of his lips back and gazed out at the young couple. "Freddie's still unsure about me, I can understand why, but it kind of hurts."

"Freddie and his friend, Jonah, have always been very tough and protective people. They'll come around eventually, the more you show yourself to be a changed man, the more they'll trust you." He lifted his eyebrows and leaned back. It made a lot of sense, and it seemed especially true when it came to his family members, and Angeline. He knew it would take a while to earn everyone's trust, although he and Angeline had already declared the love for each other was still there. Angeline moved her eyes towards Tyrone, then slowly turned to Era.

"I'm curious, Era. Even though he's almost seventy-five, does he still have to participate in the culture?" Tyrone arched an eyebrow and felt his heart stop in his chest. His eyes widened and his palms began to sweat, the concept of marriage this late in life was almost nerve-wracking. He turned an anxious gaze to Angeline, then looked to Era, who was grinning proudly. "I know it's usually the mother and father that choose the whole thing, isn't it?"

"Yes dear," Era replied coolly. She straightened her shoulders and Tyrone closed his eyes. It wasn't that he didn't want it, he would love it, but the question was, did he deserve it? Sure, he wasn't getting any younger, and he wanted to make Angeline happy. Being with her made him incredibly happy. "Being that I am the only sibling of Drita that remains alive, I would be the one to decide who Tyrone's bride would be…should he choose to participate." Beads of sweat started forming at his forehead, and his body began heating up. He felt Angeline looking at him and slowly tugged on his shirt.

"Do you think you'd participate in the culture? I mean, sure you're an old man now, but why live out the rest of your life single?" Was she seriously suggesting marriage? Then again, she probably didn't want to be an old maid either. He cleared his throat and moved his hands along his pants, gripping his knees firmly.

"Well, I'm certainly tired of being alone…"

Arian smirked and brought his eyelids down halfway. "You know…" Tyrone shot a glare at him, if he started to twirl that mustache of his, he may just lunge across the table and rip it off his face. "If you did, it would show your family a lot of guts and courage. Maybe it would be a step towards cementing your name and a step in the right direction."

"I'm sure you understand the concept of our arranged marriage by now." Era gripped her coffee mug and brought it to her lips. Tyrone watched carefully and slowly nodded his head. "We choose a bride, allow time for you to date, for love to develop, and so forth. Granted that usually happens when you're younger and you need to wait until you're twenty for the marriage. For you, the process would be quicker."

"Yeah, I understand that. I'm just…I'm a little stunned that I'd be a candidate."

"And why not? You're unmarried, a part of this family, and you've never tasted this culture."

"Do I at least get a say to who the bride might be?" He chuckled sheepishly and Angeline smirked in his direction. Era and Arian laughed, then shook their heads, much to his disdain. "Okay, so…you have to choose from the women in my life. That's a pretty limited amount of people."

"Yes, but I've already done my research, and I already know who I feel your bride should be. I think you will like my decision, to be honest." His heart beat swiftly, then Angeline's soft hand curled around his beneath the table. His cheeks grew red and he looked to her through the corner of his eyes. She met his gaze and smiled. "There is nothing greater than to see two people who love each other so much be reunited after many years of painful separation. I've checked background information, and all that's necessary, and I honestly believe that Angeline would be a best match for you."

His heart shot up to his throat and his lips curled into a wide grin that he really wanted to keep hidden. Era's eyebrows rose and her eyes flicked between the two of them. "So, your choice is Angeline?"

"Yes, I do believe that is the best choice. Would you be willing to accept that?" His heart was aflutter, and he was certain that he was about to fall out of his chair from the shock. Angeline turned her head fully towards him, gazing inquisitively.

"Well Tyrone…would you be willing to give that another shot? I mean, you're making a lot of changes right now, I can understand that…"

"Yes he is." Era clasped her hands together and leaned forward, resting her elbows upon the surface of the table. "That's why I'm going to give you time. Once you decide, it isn't something that you can take back." Which made sense, Sam and Freddie wouldn't be able to get a divorce in the future, should they decide for some absurd reason that they couldn't find a way to resolve some stupid problem. "Our culture does not believe in divorce. It brings shame into the family…Which is another reason I've chosen Angeline, aside from the fact that you two are growing in your love together. A reunion of separated, divorced, lovers actually glorifies the relationship and the family."

"I see."

"I know it may seem a bit sudden to you, but let's face it. Each of us are getting older, to the point that we're not going to live much longer. Why live in misery when we can be happy in our final years?"

"She has a point," Arian stated simply. He grinned as Tyrone slowly closed his eyes. He was thinking long and hard, he'd been against arranged marriage for so long, but it was only because of biased ignorance and arrogance. He believed differently now, sure, but it still scared him. At least, he would be tied to someone he wanted to be tied with. "You don't have to get married right away, but it would still be nice to have that sentiment. Don't you think?"

He nodded and scratched the back of his head for a second. "I agree with that, it would be nice." He breathed in deeply and opened his eyes. He gave Angeline's hand a gentle squeeze and met her curious gaze. This was a big step he was about to take, more of a giant leap than that leap Neal Armstrong made on the moon. His heart pounded so, that it felt like a heart attack was on its way. "Angeline, do you think you'd want to…marry me…again?" He watched her smile and felt her tender hand brush his cheek.

"I think." She paused and looked into his eyes with a growing certainty. "I think I would like that very much…I trust you." In that instant, everything stopped, those last words commanded the silence forming in the air, and the joyous calm inside him. She truly did trust him? What was this amazement he felt? He slowly smiled at her and looked over to Era. He couldn't be happier than he was in this instance. He knew he didn't deserve it, but she deserved to be happy, and he would make sure she was happy.

"Then I think it's a good decision." Era smiled back at him and brought her coffee back up towards her lips, taking another sip.

"So then it's settled?"

"Yeah…it is." He glanced over in time to see Angeline rest her head on his shoulder. His heart warmed as his shoulder did, he was very pleased with the way things were going, and hoped everyone else would be as well. He was more than proud to take this step in his life.

Well, turning out well it would appear. I need to catch up on my writing, since I'm working now, it's difficult.