For you (ooh, she loves it when I come)
For you
That night, after returning from the fundraiser and another passionate round of lovemaking, they laid spent in each other's arms. This time it was Freddie nuzzled against Carly's breast, drawing lazy circles around her bellybutton while she softly stroked his hair. Oh, if only his younger self could see him now. He was sure pre-teen Freddie would've pissed his pants if he knew he'd one day get to be with Carly like this.
Freddie reached for Carly's hand, trying his best to stay awake, as her constant stroking was nearly lulling him to sleep. He rubbed his thumb over the stones of her ring. He couldn't count how many times he'd done that over the years, hoping for some of the luck she'd envisioned from the beautiful piece of jewelry to rub off on him. Maybe it finally had… She had agreed to marry him, after all. Technically, he agreed to marry her first, but who's keeping score?
Maybe it was destiny, like it was always meant to be there, even long before he'd flown to Italy and bought it for her. He was happy that it was finally on the hand of its rightful owner. He was also glad it was finally back on the correct finger. She'd moved it to her right hand before they'd entered the event that night, wanting their family to learn of the good news from them and not through pictures posted on social media. She was sure it would already be a big enough shock to see him there with her when he was supposed to be states away at some convention he'd lied about.
Finally, they could come clean and tell everyone. He could hardly wait. He'd hated lying to them, especially Millicent, but he'd do just about anything to be with Carly. He was glad that would soon be over with, there'd be no more secrets. …Well, almost none. She still hadn't answered him the many times he'd asked about the Spanish thing. He knew it wasn't just speaking Spanish as other things he's said didn't have the same effect on her. Maybe now that they were… officially official… she would tell him.
"Hey, Carls?" She gave a nondescript sound of acknowledgment in reply. "Since you're now stuck with me and we won't be keeping any secrets from each other from now on, will you answer something for me?" He felt her laughter from beneath him. "Okay, sure… What a strange way to ask that." "You sure? I'm pretty sure you're not gonna like it." He turned to cut his eyes up at her, gauging her reaction, but she waved him away. "It's fine… You're my person. I want to tell you everything." He intertwined their fingers, locking his hand beneath hers and holding it to his chest. "Will you finally tell me what it is that gets your motor running when I say those two words? I've tried other things in Spanish that you seem to like, but I definitely don't get that reaction out of you. So, what is it about "mi señorita" that does it for you?"
Carly laughed and hid her face behind her other hand. Of course, THAT would be what he wanted to know… "No, it's silly… You'll just think I'm ridiculous." She shook her head, her eyes still hidden behind her hand. Freddie raised slightly and slid back to rest his cheek on her shoulder so he could see her better, fighting to hide his smile as he tried to imagine what the reason could be if she was that embarrassed over it. "Trust me, after all of the weird skits and crazy antics we pulled on iCarly, I have a whole different metric for ridiculousness compared to most people. I promise that I won't think you any more ridiculous than I already do." He tried to hide his amusement, but he couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh, God… Fine!" Carly grumbled, finally dropping her hand. "Okay, so remember the possible-creep from that bar that tried to dance with me?" She paused a moment and Freddie gave a quick nod, signaling for her to continue. "Well… When you grabbed him and said… IT… Well, it was kind of hot." Freddie looked skeptical, so she kept going. "It's true… One minute you're my sweet Freddie and we're dancing and drinking and then suddenly you're all protective and… I dunno, feral. I've heard you pretty pissed off before, but that growl… I felt it all over. I mean, you were so threatening that he practically ran off with his tail between his legs… Like the alpha dog had spoken and wouldn't dare be challenged."
Freddie laughed out loud, but at her look he quickly backtracked. "I'm not laughing at you, I promise. It's just funny to imagine." "See, I told it was silly. It's just… When you say it with that low, sexy growl, even though it's not as intense or "scary"-" she made air quotes so he knew he hadn't scared her, unlike the creeper. "-as it was then, it takes me back to that moment… To you going all macho, tough guy to defend me. While I've always felt safe with you, I've never seen that side of you before. And the truck doesn't count because that's not what I'm talking about - you pushed me out of the way, you didn't threaten to destroy it if it touched me."
"Okay, okay, I get it… Cavemen are your thing." Carly rolled her eyes at him, but she was smiling. "Well, I don't want you to go picking fights, but you being there to protect me when I needed you... Like… willing to go to battle over me and claiming me as yours. You were just so… confident and powerful. I guess it just brought out some of my more primal urges."
"Primal urges, huh?" He seemed intrigued, but she thought he was mocking her and both of her hands went back to cover her face. "I can't believe I told you that!" She was mortified, but she'd misunderstood him. "Hey, no…" he started, pulling her hands down from her face. "Don't ever be embarrassed or ashamed to tell me about something that turns you on. I just want to understand… I like knowing what makes you tick. Besides, the better I understand what gets you going, the better I can pleasure you, right? I just want to make you feel good and enjoy yourself."
"You already do, believe me. I'm just not used to being so open about this kind of stuff, especially with you." Carly shyly admitted. "Well, you can always tell me anything… I look forward to learning everything about you, especially what turns you on. Of course, there were things I kept private before, but I've always tried to be an open book with you." She'd never thought of it that way… What had he been keeping to himself? "Like what? What's something you've never told me?" She was genuinely interested, completely forgetting about her previous embarrassment. "Besides how much I was still in love with you?" They both laughed at that. "Well, let's see… How about those short skirts you're always wearing? They make your legs look so long and sexy that I'm always fighting the urge to run my hands up them. Too many times I've spaced out imagining rubbing up your thighs under your skirt or bending you over a table and fucking you until you cry out my name."
"Ooh, really now?' He nodded and she couldn't help but lick her lips at the thought of her getting him so worked up without even realizing it. "In fact, that's part of the reason why I started working out so much… I had so much pent-up energy to burn off." That surprised Carly. "You never told me that. You said it was so you could defend yourself against Sam." He laughed as he shook his head. "Of course, I couldn't tell you… You would've freaked if I told you I was doing it to get my mind off of wanting to fuck you. It was either that or have a raging hard-on twenty-four-seven." Carly chewed on her bottom lip as she thought back to when he'd started using the Bushwell's gym more often… To when she'd first noticed the results, when his t-shirts started to fit tighter around his biceps. Thoughts about those arms had kept her up late many nights as a teen.
Even though they'd only finished making love a short while earlier, she was once again wet and clinching her thighs together and Freddie felt the tell-tale sign of her abdomen tightening beneath his arm around her. Knowing that she was getting worked up again made him harden against her. He rose above her, settling between her legs and she ran her hands up and down his arms, squeezing his upper arms in awe. "I can't believe you did this because of me. You got all of this because you were fighting off wanting me…" She ran her hands over his shoulders and down his chest as she finished. Freddie pecked her lips as he gazed into her eyes. "Te amo, mi señorita." He said it in that husky voice she loved, it was gravelly with his need for her. She reached up beneath his arms and pulled him down to her, taking his lips with hers and wrapping her legs around his hips; the invitation more than clear. He didn't need to be told twice and quickly pushed inside her, relishing in the sweet sounds of ecstasy that he was able to pull from his fiancée.
The next evening, they arrived home in Seattle. As soon as they left the elevator from the parking garage, they went straight to Spencer's apartment. Freddie had already texted his mother and Millicent to meet them there and Carly had done the same with Harper. They didn't want to risk getting cornered by any of them individually. Carly knew that Harper had already seen pics from the event with Freddie on her arm by the texts she'd been receiving. And if Harper knew, then so would the rest of their family. They considered coming up with some cover story about how Carly heard Beau was rumored to be there too, so Freddie had left his trip to help her save face, but they were tired of lying and hiding. They couldn't wait to tell everyone.
When the couple entered the large apartment, they were relieved to find everyone there, scattered around the room eating pizza. Millicent and Harper were on the couch in a deep discussion over a video playing on Millicent's phone, while Marissa was sitting at the table by the kitchen and Spencer leaned on his stone counter top enjoying the group around him. They greeted the group as Freddie shut the door and left their luggage next to it.
Harper was the first to address them. "Well, it's about time. Why haven't you been answering my texts?" she playfully exclaimed as she rose from the sofa towards Carly. "I've been trying to tell you how good you looked… Girl, I TOLD you that dress was fire!" Carly hugged her friend and quickly agreed. "Yes, and I'm sorry… But you were right, it was perfect. Thank you."
Once she released Carly, Harper turned to Freddie who was hugging his daughter. "And you? How'd you end up being her arm candy? Weren't you supposed to be at some nerd fest this weekend?" "Yeah, Dad, I don't think you normally pull out the tux for tech conventions." Millicent added cheekily. Carly looked up and noticed Spencer watching her thoughtfully. She couldn't read his expression, but she thought he at least suspected. She never was very good at getting things past her big brother.
"Well guys, that's actually what we wanted to talk to you about…" Carly started and then turned to Freddie, reaching for his hand. He happily accepted and took over. "For the past six months, Carly and I have been, well, seeing each other." They heard the excited gasps, but Freddie continued "All of these solo trips we've taken… We were actually meeting up to be together." Freddie turned to Millicent for the next part, hoping to show how truly sorry he was for deceiving her. "I'm sorry I lied to you, but we wanted to keep it to ourselves until we were sure what it was… That it was actually real."
The "Oh my God" from Marissa and "It's about time" from Harper didn't allow them to continue and Harper quickly wrapped them in a hug. "Wait… Guys that isn't all." Harper released the couple at Carly's words. "Well, as of yesterday afternoon…" Carly began, giving him the nod before they spoke in unison. "We're getting married!" She pulled her hand from Freddie's grasp, raising it by her shoulder and wiggling her fingers to show off her engagement ring.
The room went silent for a moment until the shock wore off and the silence was quickly replaced with squeals and exclamations of excitement for the two. Once Marissa and the girls had a chance to congratulate the two, Spencer made his way over. He happily took his sister in his arms; he was so proud of the woman she'd become. "Congratulations! I'm so happy for you, kiddo." She held him tightly before finally pulling back. "Thanks, Spence. I've never been so happy." He could tell it was true, she'd been practically glowing the past few months. He'd known something was going on, but he wasn't quite sure what. Spencer then turned to Freddie. "Well, it's about time, Freddo. Now, you take care of my sister… Or else." He was laughing as he shook the younger man's hand, then pulling him into a hug. "You know I will… I always have." Spencer had no doubts about that. He'd watched them grow up; there was no one he trusted his sister with more than Freddie.
Carly was truly amazed by how happy Millicent was for them – there were no sly digs or quips, just pure joy and an embrace that Carly was more than grateful for. Apparently, Carly had really grown on the girl over the years; while Carly may be sickenly sweet at times, Millicent knew she really was a good person and she could see how happy Carly made her father. If there was no chance of her parents getting back together, she at least wanted them to be happy.
There were a few more minutes of congratulations, gushing over the ring and surprise about them keeping it a secret for so long. Everyone had hoped these two would find their way back to each other, they were just so surprised it took them this long to get their act together. "This calls for champagne!" Spencer finally shouted after a bit.
Before he could get very far, Carly slyly propped up her phone on the kitchen island, started it recording and got their attention again. "There's actually one more thing I need to say." Carly took Freddie's hands in hers and smiled at his confused expression. "Freddie, I love you so much. Over the years we've gotten through so many crazy adventures from parachuting into Japan to being held hostage – twice! Through it all, we always made it through because we stuck together. I know we can make it through anything life throws our way. Well, I guess life has thrown our next adventure at us… I'm pregnant." His jaw dropped in shock, so she elaborated. "Freddie, we're having a baby!" He grinned and confirmed he'd heard her correctly. "Are you serious? We're having a baby together?" She bit her lip and nodded before he took her in his arms, unable to hold back the lone tear rolling down his cheek. He held her close, then he picked her up and spun her around.
Once she was standing again, he kissed her, hoping to show her how happy he truly was. "Baby, why didn't you tell me? How far along are you?" He leaned back slightly, looking her up and down, searching for any changes he'd somehow missed. "It's still early… Just a few weeks. I was going to tell you the other night, but you got in so late. And then after everything yesterday… I wanted everyone to know about the engagement first. I don't want anyone to ever think I trapped you." She was starting to cry, so he pulled her back into his arms. "Nobody would ever think that. Oh my god, we're having a baby!" He kissed her again.
They started to get lost in each other, but were interrupted by their very excited family. They had initially held back to give them their moment, but they couldn't contain their excitement anymore. First an engagement and now a baby?! Millicent pushed her way through first. "I'm going to be a big sister? Thank you!... I mean, congratulations!" She hugged them both and then stepped aside for the eager grandparents. Marissa hugged Freddie while Spencer pulled Carly to him. "I'm going to be a grandfather?" She couldn't help but laugh. "Technically, an uncle, but yes." He kissed the top of her head, fighting the tears in his eyes. "I can't believe my baby sister is having a baby." He reluctantly released her and turned to Freddie. "I should probably strangle you, but since you're making an honest woman out of her-" "SPENCER!" Carly interrupted with wide eyes. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding… Congrats, man. Just know that I'm always here if you two need me."
Marissa was thrilled at having another grandchild. She'd always thought of Carly as a daughter, even if she had blamed her for a short time for Freddie getting hit by that truck. She knew how much her son loved her and that was enough for her. As for Harper, she was ecstatic to become an auntie but was quick to point out that she wasn't going to be changing any diapers.
Once the excitement died down some and Carly retrieved her phone, Freddie excused them and pulled her up to the studio so they could talk in private. They sat in the remnants of Vin Diesel, Carly perched upon his lap, his arms protectively around her. "I can't believe we're having a baby." He pecked her lips softly and placed his hand over her still flat abdomen. "Well, we weren't exactly careful and the pill isn't foolproof. Besides, what is it they say in that old dinosaur movie you like so much? Life finds a way?" Freddie smiled at that, surprised she even remembered. "That it does… So, how are you feeling? I didn't notice any morning sickness, so that's good right?" She nodded and began stroking her fingers over his hand. "Yep, no puking yet, thank goodness. I just felt… I dunno… off. Then when I was late, I took a test and it confirmed it. I've got an appointment later this week. I was thinking you might want to come with me." She said it shyly, afraid of sounding too needy. Freddie turned her chin to face him. "Hey, wild horses couldn't keep me away." He took her lips again, releasing them before things could turn too passionate.
They stayed like that, wrapped in each other's arms, content in their happiness for a few moments before something struck Freddie. "Carls, if you knew you were pregnant, why were you fighting us so much? You had to have known I'd be happy… And there's no way I'd ever leave you." He said it gently, trying not to upset her and ruin their moment, but he had to know. She nodded for a moment, gathering her thoughts before she finally spoke. "I did. I knew you'd be there for me no matter what. But I was scared… Like I told you, my mom really messed me up." Freddie just listened intently, holding her closer to him. "I figured we could've found a way to co-parent. I mean you and Gwen seem to make it work. But… I know it was stupid. I've wanted nothing more than to be with you since we were teenagers. And now? We're a family… Me, you, Millicent and this baby. It's all I've ever wanted." She couldn't help it; the tears came automatically.
"Those better be happy tears." he joked. She smiled, nodding at him. "They are… I've never been so happy… But this has to be all the hormones. I swear I've never cried as much as I have these past few days." She wiped at her eyes in frustration, but she was laughing. Freddie lifted her from his lap, standing her up and rising behind her. "Well, you look beautiful… But we should probably go back down and join the celebration before they come looking for us." She nodded and stepped down from the old car.
Just before they reached the door to the studio, Freddie pulled her back to him, needing to feel her against him, still unable to believe this was real. "Is this really happening? For so long I wouldn't even let myself imagine anything like this because it hurt too much. But now we're not only together, but engaged and having a baby?... Am I really this lucky?" Carly smiled and brushed her lips against his. "You'd better believe it. We have a wedding to plan and those dirty diapers and late-night feedings will be here before you know it." They laughed and Freddie took her lips again, unable to contain his excitement for their future. "I wouldn't have it any other way… Te amo, mi señorita." They kissed again, completely mesmerized by each other. Freddie was holding her face in his hands while Carly's arms were wrapped around him, holding him close.
They heard Spencer shout down the hall for them and reluctantly pulled apart, dropping their foreheads against each other. "Busted." Freddie laughed right as Spencer opened the door to the studio with his other hand covering his eyes. "Spencer, it's okay… Everybody's decent." Carly loved her brother, but he could be a bit much. "I just didn't want to take any chances. I mean, he already knocked you up…-" "Spencer!" Carly shouted again, but she was laughing. She hugged her big brother and then the three headed back down to celebrate with the rest of their family, all beyond excited for what the upcoming months held in store.
Ooh, I should be running
Ooh, you keep me coming for you