Prologue: Hello, boys and girls, fellow imagineers. So, this is it. The last episode of my very first fanfic. I'll tell you more afterwards. I really hope you'll enjoy and like this episode. Happy reading:)

Episode 7 iTrue Love

Things were normal in the house of Pucketts. Aside from Sam's grief due to the recent events, that was. Once again, she had no appetite for food. Her sister tried to provide solace.

"Come on, Sam eat something. You know you love it!"

"I don't want to, 'kay? I'm not in the mood for anything right now!"

"You can't seriously think that Carly really meant those things. I'm sure you'll become friends again in zero time."

"You weren't there to see her, sis. She has never been more mad and infuriated. And I bet she was also very sad. By telling her that I made Freddie broke up with her, I touched a very sensible chord of her…"

"Sam, you know Carly all those years, how great of a person she is. And you've been through so many things together. Just give your friendship a chance."

"I really wish I did, Mel. But I don't know if I can't… And I'm going to miss that cool nerd so much…"

Sam seemed ready to burst into tears. Melanie rushed to hug her. The doorbell rang a few moments later. The family's honors student took charge of it, as usual. "I'll return immediately afterwards, ok? she told Sam.

"Ok…"

Melanie opened the door. She was happy when she saw the person who waited.

"Carly! What a pleasant surprise! Please, come on in!"

"Hi, Melanie! Nice to see you too! Is Sam here?"

"Yes, she is. Right over there!"

"Wow, you're staying in the same room? I thought this wasn't possible because… because…"

"Because we're like day with night?" Melanie smiled. "Sam reconsidered and finally agreed to move to our room again! She can be irritating and misbehave frequently, but she has her good side-especially if you know to press some buttons. Besides, nobody's perfect!"

Glad to hear! Melanie, I want to talk to her about what I said before. Is she very mad at me?"

"Why don't you go and see for yourself?"

Melanie's reply wasn't what Carly hoped for, even though her tone wasn't discouraging, but she rather told her so with a sweet smile. Carly slowly walked towards the room Sam was. She knocked on the door a few times, then entered.

"Ummm… Hi Sam…"

"Carly! Why did you come here?"

"Look, Sam… I didn't really mean you're not my friend anymore… I'm so depressed that Freddie's leaving… And when I heard you saying that… I'm so sorry…"

"Carls, Carls, chillax. You had every right in the world to get angry on me."

"Still, I overreacted with turning my back at you and telling you we're no longer friends. Please, forgive me Sam. I don't want to lose you, especially not now… I need you…"

"I'll forgive you only if you forgive me for doing that horrible thing to you and Freddie. I need you too, bestie…"

Reconciled, the two best friends hugged. Sometime afterwards, Melanie joined them. The 3 girls talked for many things. Eventually, the discussion brought up Freddie.

"You know, Freddie came by here."

"Really?"

"And how come I didn't notice?" Carly and Sam asked Melanie, respectively.

"I'll tell you." Melanie remembered her meeting with Freddie.

The doorbell rang. Melanie went at the door.

"Freddie! How are you? It's so good of you to come here! Come on in!"

"Hi! I'm fine, thanks for asking. And you?"

"I'm ok. Let me guess. You are here to see Sam?"

"Actually, no. I've already talked to Sam and I believe it would be awkward and sad for both if we talked again. I've come for you, Melanie."

"For me?" Melanie was surprised. "You are finally convinced that I'm not Sam?"

"Yeah…"

"These are great news!"

"You were so much different than Sam that night in so many ways. How you dress, how you tend yourself, how you treat others-especially me. I don't think Sam could do those things, no matter how good of an actress she is or ever becomes."

"I told you so!" Melanie smiled.

"Melanie, you're such a nice, kind and sensitive person. And I treated you so badly that day I first saw you, I was a total jerk. So, I came to apologize… Please, forgive me Melanie."

"Don't be like that Freddie, I know what my sister put you through all this time-and continues to do so, even though less frequently."

"Come on Melanie, don't deny it. Almost every time I talked you, I surely made you feel awful. And for that, now I feel awful… Please, forgive me."

"Ok, if that will make you feel better, of course I forgive you!"

"Thank you very much Melanie. You know, I'd take you out for another 'date', to make it up to you. But the thing is… Ummm…"

"You're in love with somebody else? A certain brunette webshow hostess maybe?" Melanie wasn't teasing or joking, not at all.

"Yeah. It shows that much, huh?

"It shouts from miles away!"

"Melanie, I didn't want to play with your feelings, I'd never do such a thing. I thought you were Sam then and…"

"Freddie, don't start over again. As I've told both Carly and Sam, you're adorable! And how I view you won't change."

"I wish I've known you better, for more time, Melanie, you are a great person. I'd surely take you out again, at least as two good friends, if I wasn't leaving…"

"Sam informed me for that. You deserve that scholarship Freddie. But everyone is so sad that you're leaving."

"I know. Melanie, can I.. umm…?"

"Sure!"

Freddie and Melanie hugged.

Melanie didn't narrate the event exactly as it happened because she didn't want to make Carly and Sam feel even worse about Freddie leaving. After the girls talked some more, Carly prepared to leave.

"You aren't going to the..?"

"No, Sam. I won't go to the airport. I can't say goodbye to Freddie again, this time for good. And I can't watch that plane take off… I just can't… I'm going home."

"Ok, Carls. Take care."

"Goodbye Carly. I am very happy I saw you. Look out for yourself."

"Thanks Sam, thank you Melanie. You too. Bye…" The twin sisters were worried about Carly. And rightfully.

Meanwhile, at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Marissa and Freddie Benson were at the waiting room.

"Freddie, will you make that call already?"

"I will, mom, stop pressuring me!"

"I don't see you very eager."

Freddie picked up his cell phone and showed it to his mother. "Here! See?"

"Go ahead, Freddie. Make that call."

"I will. But mom, can you do me a favor first? Can you please go and bring me a cold drink? My throat has dried up."

"Alright, my son. But hurry up with that phone call."

"Don't worry mom."

After some delay, Freddie pulled a small piece of paper out of his pocket and quickly dialed the number that was written on it.

Carly didn't know how much time had passed since she returned to her apartment. And she couldn't care less about it. She was lying on her bed from the moment she arrived. Carly was inconsolable. She felt like her sensitive heart was broken into countless small fragments. On the outside, the sky was filled with rainclouds.

At some point, Carly muttered to herself. "Great! As if the rest were not enough, now I'm hearing voices in my head…" Carly stopped paying attention. However, whatever it was that spurred her, it was persistent. And started getting louder.

"There aren't voices in my head, it's coming from outside." Carly rose from her bed. The sound seemed very familiar.

"Wait! This song… It can't be!"

Carly ran as fast as she could and went out to the balcony. The initial shock she experienced while hearing the song quickly gave its place to a wide smile, probably the biggest she ever made, before letting out a scream full of happiness.

"FREDDIE!"

Freddie was also smiling at her. Carly ran once more. Spencer saw her while he was coming out of the bathroom.

"Get an umbrella, it's going to rain outside!"

Carly went through the door and kept running. She stormed her way to the lobby, unintentionally bumping with Lewbert who, made a spin before falling down and started his usual, angry, without meaning shrieks. But Carly was unaffected by the collision. She continued her dash. She sought out to reach that exit. Even then, she was running. Tirelessly. Carly remembered Freddie's position and knew how to get there. He was waiting for her. Carly fell right into Freddie's arms. They hugged with all their strength and remained in that position for a very long time. In the meantime, rain started to pour down.

"You came back! You came back for me!" said a Carly overflown with joy.

"I couldn't walk away from the love of my life (Carly gave him a meaningful yet smiling look)…again! And don't say I'm too young and immature to say that!" Freddie was smiling as well. He too was extremely happy- but tried to hide how much.

"How did you return from the airport? And what happened with your mother?"

"When I went to exchange goodbyes with Spencer, he gave me a piece of paper with a telephone number. He said that, if I was going to use this, I should use it before I get on the plane. I didn't understand then. In the airport, I sent my mother to bring me a drink-I was really thirsty. Then, I thought about what I was going to do, what I was going to leave behind. What Spencer gave me was Socko's cell phone number. I called him, he picked me up, brought me here and provided this stereo for me to.. signal you! I informed my mom while I was halfway here. She was angry as usual but she gave in and said she would drive back."

"What about the scholarship? It is really important to you."

"Scholarships, college, university, all of them can wait. But not you, Carly."

"But Freddie, you told me that you don't believe me, that you have doubts about my feelings..again."

"Yeah, well, that was just me being the most stupid guy on Earth. Both times." Carly giggled.

"Don't laugh. I'm serious. I can't believe I allowed myself to hurt you. You! You, the girl of my dreams. You, who gives color to my life. You, who mean the world to me. You make me who I am, Carly. And then, you said those words I always wanted to hear from you. It was just too good to be true."

"Freddie…" Carly was very relieved and happy. Her voice reflected that, as well as her tenderness.

There was a pause. Afterwards, Carly continued.

"It was not just you, Freddie. All these times I've turned you down… If only I knew how much hurtful this was for you… And.. and I exploited your feelings for me, putting you to do all kinds of stuff.. .and you did. And you have been always there for me… You were even willing to give your life for me, you saved me!"

"But now, we're here, together! And no one can take it from us!" Freddie finally showed how truly happy he was.

"You know, I prayed for you. You did too?" they said simultaneously.

Carly and Freddie remained embraced, holding each other very close and tight all this time. The rain was getting stronger and stronger. But neither of them seemed to bother. They only cared about being together. They were looking each other in the eyes, smiling. And then, they kissed. Lovingly. Sweetly. Innocently.

Meanwhile, Spencer had also heard the song and was standing at the balcony, looking at them and smiling. He felt happy for his sister and Freddie. And proud. Suddenly, he heard someone knocking at the door. He went to open it and it was Sam.

"I was worried about Carls, so I-"

"You've got to see this!" Spencer took Sam from the hand and quickly led her to the balcony, from where she saw Carly and Freddie kissing.

"They are so cute, right?"

"You bet they are!"

They were both smiling on them. Spencer and Sam heard another knocking on the door.

"I'll get it!" Spencer said and went to the door. He was especially surprised by the person he encountered.

"Marilyn! Wow! It's been so long. What brings you here? Don't tell me that I or the kids broke another world record!"

"No, Spencer. I just wanted to stop by, greet you and tell you something."

"How is your boyfriend? The guy who never blinks!" Jealousy was evident at Spencer. He tried not to blink his eyes for a long time, but yet again, he couldn't do it. Marilyn laughed.

"That's what I wanted to tell you about. Me and Calvin broke up. Due to our works, it was difficult to stay in touch."

"Oh, that's sad." Spencer momentarily turned his back and slightly raised his fist in celebration, then turned back and faced Marilyn again, in rapid succession.

"So, I was wondering. That offer for some blintzes still stands?" Marilyn smiled.

"It sure does!" Spencer replied, also smiling.

At that moment, Gibby arrived.

"Hi Spencer! Can I come in?"

Hey, Gibby! Sure, come on in!

"You know where can I find Sam?"

"She is at the balcony, right there."

"Ok, thanks!"

Gibby went to the balcony.

"Hey Sam! What are you looking from up here?"

"Hey, Gib! Why don't you come and see for yourself?"

Gibby saw Carly and Freddie. "Finally, they got together! I am happy for them. They deserve it."

"Mama agrees."

"You agree? You don't want to puke all over the place again?"

"Actually, no!" (Sam looked at Gibby) "So, why you wanted to find me and called, asking me where I am?"

"I want to ask you something, Sam."

"What is it, Gibby?" Gibby smiled.

The rain was coming down mercilessly. But Carly and Freddie were interested only in each other.

"I love you, Freddie Benson."

"I love you, Carly Shay."

They kissed again. Carly was crying once more. But at long last, the tears that were coming out were tears of happiness. Freddie had these too. The two of them decided to enter Bushwell Plaza. But they didn't run for cover. They were just walking slowly, holding hands. All of a sudden, the rain stopped. A rainbow was seen in the sky.

Carly and Freddie reached their adjacent apartments. They kissed once more for their temporary separation, until the next time. They kept holding hands while going to the doors to their apartments, until they couldn't stretch them anymore. They looked each other intensely, smiling, before closing their doors at the same time.

Not even a few seconds later, both doors opened simultaneously. Carly and Freddie walked out, smiling, came close and held each other as before, very close and tight.

"Are you feeling sleepy?" Freddie asked.

"Not really!"

"Yeah, me neither!"

After that playful exchange of words, Carly and Freddie kissed again. It didn't look like they were going to stop any time soon.

Back at the Shays apartment, Spencer had left the radio open. A song that was playing was just reaching its end.

"That's the story of, that's the glory of love.

That's the story of, that's the glory of love."

Epilogue: Hello, it's me again!

First and foremost, thank you ALL very much for taking time to read my story!:) Also, thanks a lot to everyone who reviewed. Big thanks to the overwhelming majority who wrote such nice and encouraging comments!

Also, to everyone reading, I hope you really liked the ending. I also hope that you got a small idea about how I feel when I think of Carly and Freddie together:) That was mainly what I tried to pass to the readers- because words are just so inadequate to describe it like this. Actually I don't believe there are any to use. So, if you tell me that it brought tears to your eyes, I'd be really happy (don't get me wrong, you know why I say this) :)