Chapter Thirty-Three : Oblivious

Freddie had experienced a long day at work. By the time he arrived home. he was exhausted, but also glad to spend quality time with his family and have a chance to relax. Sam was holding little Fredward when Freddie walked in the door. "I'm so glad to see you," she said as she went into his arms and hugged him so tight.

"How was your day?" she asked him quietly, thinking her own day had pretty much been one from Hell.

Freddie hugged his wife. "My day was long. How was yours? Did the kids trouble you?" he asked, leaning in to kiss her.

Sam returned Freddie's kiss, hugging him tightly. "A- no, the kids were great. That wasn't the problem. It's Carly and Gibby. Carly's all into Adam, and Gibby's hurt. And when I just tried making a suggestion to Carly, she hung up on me," Sam explained. "I'm tired of playing matchmaker. Carly's impossible. I just feel bad for Gibby, ya know? He really loves her, and she doesn't appreciate him."

Freddie kept an arm round Sam as he listened to her talking. "Yeah," he agreed. "Carly tends to be like that. I mean, she's great, but doesn't always think about things such as Gibby's feelings. Should I talk to him?"

"Ohhh would you, Freddie? That's a great idea. Because I am getting nowhere talking to Carly. He really needs a friend right now. A guy friend," said Sam as she was looking into Freddie's remarkable dark-brown eyes. "He's really hurt right now..."

Freddie nodded, kissing Sam's head. "I got it," he promised with a smile.

He disengaged himself from Sam and headed toward Gibby's bedroom. He knocked on Gibby's door. "Hey Gibby, it's Freddie. Can I come in?"

Gibby opened the door to see Freddie standing there. "Sure, come in," Gibby said as he moved aside for Freddie to enter.

"I guess Sam told you about me and Carly. She isn't interested. It was all a lie," Gibby said solemnly.

After Freddie agreed to talk to Gibby, Sam took little Fredward upstairs to the nursery to play with his toys in the playpen. She checked on the twins, but they were both sleeping soundly in their cribs.

After watching her son play for a while, Sam put Little Freddie down for a little nap and then went to wait for Freddie in the kitchen. She knew after his chat with Gibby, he'd be wanting his dinner. She hoped that Gibby would be alright. Gibby hadn't much luck in the romance department, that was for sure.

Freddie felt bad for his friend as he stepped into Gibby's room. "Carly is a fool," he said honestly. "You're such a nice guy, Gibby; everyone knows you'd be good to her. But the thing with Carly is that she wants the things that she can't have. I'm sorry she hurt you."

Gibby nodded. "I would be good to her. The best. But she wants Adam more," said Gibby. "And you know what? It really hurts, because I lost Tasha, too. But somehow it hurts more with Carly, because she was my best friend. And now she doesn't even give a damn..."

Freddie nodded. "Yeah, I've noticed a lot that Carly is more self-involved. I know it hurts," he apologized. "I wish I could tell you it will get better, but it takes time to stop hurting. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Gibby just shook his head, looking sad and forlorn. "Thanks, you and Sam are the best, but I think you're right; it's all just gonna take some time," said Gibby with a heavy sigh.

"I hate Adam," Gibby added.

"Carly is missing out on a great guy. Adam will probably lose interest in her when some other girl comes along," Freddie said. "I'm not fond of Adam much either to be honest."

"Yeah, something about Adam makes me want to upchuck," said Gibby. "He always seems so...shady."

Gibby let out a deep sigh. "Well, thanks for the pep talk. I'll be alright," Gibby promised.

"I'm used to getting dumped," Gibby said with a small sarcastic smile.

Freddie patted Gibby on the shoulder. "If you want to talk more you can come find either me or Sam. Anytime; we'll help you get through this."

Then he left Gibby with his own thoughts as he headed downstairs again to find Sam.

XooooXooo

Sam took the ham and scalloped potatoes from the oven she had just warmed up for Freddie. She set the table, knowing Freddie was probably famished after a long day at work and then an engaging chat with Gibby. "How did it go with Gibby?" she asked after he entered the kitchen. "Is he okay?"

"He's upset and hurt, which is natural. He says he'll be alright, but I know it's going to take some time. I just hope he finds as girl that really likes him," he said, as he slid into his seat at the table.

Sam was seated at the table next to Freddie as they began to have their dinner. "Gibby deserves happiness," Sam agreed. "I'm glad you had a chat with him."

"I wish he could be just as happy as we are," Sam said as she gave Freddie a smile. They had three beautiful and happy babies, and they were blissfully in love. Gibby definitely deserved some happiness, too.

"I have a feeling Carly isn't going to find happiness with Adam," Sam added.

Freddie smiled. "I wish that, too. I know Gibby will make a great boyfriend to whomever will accept him for who he is. Yeah, I'm pretty sure that Adam isn't what Carly really needs, she just thinks she wants him."

"Adam hasn't shown much interest in Carly. Maybe that's why she's trying so hard to get him. Because we both know that once she gets a guy, then it's pretty much over for her," Sam said with a heavy sigh. "I don't think Adam wants Carly." Sam got quiet as she continued eating her scalloped potatoes and ham. Right now she didn't care about Carly's or Gibby's love life; she was hungry.

Freddie dug into his food as he was listening to Sam talk. He nodded his head after a moment. "You are right," he agreed. "She loves the chase, not the prize. I just wish she'd realize that, but we both know that will never happen."

After gobbling down more of her dinner, Sam replied to Freddie. "She better realize someday, or she'll never have the happiness you and I have," Sam said as she gave him a beautiful smile. "I have you now, Freddie, and three amazing children, and nothing is ever going to take that away from us."

But Sam couldn't have been more wrong. With Adam and Mrs. Benson's scheming and plotting, their world was going to get turned upside down. Very soon, the whole thing was going to implode. It was just a matter of time.

Author's Note- This may be the last chapter for awhile. I get so little reviews. Is anyone out there enjoying this story? Would you like me to continue?