11 Years later
Freddie Benson yanked at the tie that constricted his neck. He untied the knot and retied it again and again, getting even more frustrated.
"I don't see why I have to wear this stupid thing!" He finally yelled in exasperation. Sam waltzed over and swung the tie around his shirt collar, tying it perfectly around Freddie's neck.
"Because it's a formal event." Sam answered, adjusting her husband's tie and kissing him swiftly on the cheek. Freddie grumbled and shrugged on his blazer.
"You're lucky you don't have to wear these stupid things." Freddie mumbled.
"Where's Bree?" Sam said, pulling her hair into a ponytail.
"Right here Mom." Bree chirped, walking into the room.
"Isn't that dress a little short?" Freddie said, looking at Bree's deep blue dress.
"Dad! It's right above my knees!" Bree whined.
"It should be down to your ankles." Freddie chuckled. Bree grabbed a pillow and tossed at him playfully. Freddie caught the pillow and lobbed it back at her.
"Don't mess up my make-up!" Bree shrieked, diving out the pillow's flight path.
"Why does it matter?"
"Dad, I have to look nice for Jason!"
"And why do I have to wear a tie to meet your boyfriend? Isn't seventeen a little young to be dating?"
"Oh, whatever Fredhead!" Sam laughed, "You were drooling over Carly in the sixth grade!"
"No I wasn't!"
"Oh Mom!" Bree said, "Kelsey called and wanted to know if you want to go out for coffee on Saturday."
"I will go answer that call." Sam whisked out of the room and down the stairs. Bree looked in the mirror and fluffed her hair a little.
"Hey, where's your sister?" Freddie asked, fidgeting with his necktie again.
"She's right here." Bree picked up a little five year old girl with brown ringlets of hair and shimmering blue eyes.
"Are you ready to go to Aunt Melanie's house with Angie?" Bree cooed, "I'll drive Gabrielle over there and then we can go." Freddie nodded and watched Bree saunter out of the room and downstairs. He was still shocked that she was able to survive a shotgun blast. Though she did retain a scar around her slender stomach, it wasn't too terrible. Sam said she was a miracle child. Freddie felt something soft brush against his hand.
"Hello Fat Cakes." He said, stroking the old dog's head. Fat Cakes wagged her tail and licked Freddie's hand affectionately. Freddie walked out of the bedroom and went downstairs to find Sam in a light conversation with Carly over the phone.
"-Yep, we're meeting him tonight at the Cheesecake Warehouse." Sam said proudly, "-Mmhm, okay, See ya Carls." Sam hung up the phone and turned in her seat. Freddie was looking nervous and jittery.
"Calm down Freddie." Sam said, smoothing out his jacket with her hand.
"I'm just worried about Bree." He said truthfully, "Y'know, after what happened to you, I just-"
"Don't worry. Jason is a nice kid. He would never even think about such a thing."
"I know I know!" Freddie bit his lip, "I'm just really nervous."
"I bet that kid is a hundred times more nervous than you are." Sam laughed. They heard a car door slam and two pairs of feet walking up the sidewalk. Bree opened the door with Jason standing slightly behind her. He was wearing a black suit and carrying a couple of Tulips.
"These are for you, Mrs. Benson." He said shyly, handing the tulips to Sam.
"Why thank you Jason, I love Tulips." Sam hurried off to put the flowers in a vase. Freddie took a step towards the boy and looked him right in the eye.
"Hello Jason, I am Freddie Benson."
"Hello Sir. I just wanted to tell you that I would never do anything to hurt Bree, ever."
"I know Jason. I trust you completely." Freddie thrust out his hand. Jason gripped it firmly and they shook hands confidently. Bree looked absolutely thrilled as Sam came running back into the living room.
"Alright! Who's starving for cheesecake?" She cried happily. Everyone cheered and filed out the door. Freddie took Sam's hand and squeezed it tightly. Maybe wearing a tie wasn't so bad after all.