Nothing felt quite as official until she was standing with her father in the kitchen, waiting for the procession to make its way outside. Even after seeing Freddie in his tux and a receiving a pep talk from each and every one of her girlfriends, it didn't feel like anything was truly happening until she saw her father in his formal attire and his hair smartly parted, beaming with a unique mix of pride and acceptance. That's when it began to feel like something big was truly approaching. When he held out his arm for her to grasp, kissed her forehead and told her how beautiful she looked with his voice clogged with restrained emotion, it suddenly felt real.

All at once the nerves returned, then dispersed at the memory of her seeing Freddie just an hour before. He was waiting for her, and that's what mattered.

"I can still sense your nerves, snug bug," Steven whispered lowly enough for nobody else to hear.

"No you can't," Carly denied in a hushed tone. "I'm fine. I'm great…no you can't!"

"I can," he insisted with knowing smile. "Because while you're keeping the shaking to an impressive minimum, you're gripping my arm with a strength I almost envy."

Carly looked down at their linking arms and noticed that the knuckles of the hand gripping his bicep were white. She immediately loosened her hold, only slightly embarrassed. "Sorry, dad," she apologized. "I swear I shouldn't be this nervous. I'm not really nervous about anything."

Steven shrugged. "Of course you're not. You're marrying the love of your life, everyone here loves you, and you look positively stunning. Maybe you're not as nervous as you are…anxious."

Suddenly the amplified strumming of an acoustic guitar floated through the air and all the attendants, paired and linked by their arms, stood a little straighter. One by one Taryn, Dallas, and Sam turned their heads to give Carly one last comforting look with Sam taking just a moment longer to mouth "I love you" before returning her gaze forward.

"You're right," Carly whispered as she looked up at her father. "I'm not nervous. Just anxious."

Smiling wide, Steven gave a reassuring pat of her hand. "I, nor anyone here, would ever let you do something that wasn't absolutely right for you. There's nothing more right than you and Freddie, honey. I could not be happier for you than I am right now. You know, I always thought that on this day I would feel like I was mourning the loss of my little girl, but…you haven't been my little girl for a while. You've accomplished more than people twice your age and now you're moving on to the next chapter. I'm just…excited for you."

With an exhale, Carly let out the last of the remaining jitters one and for all as she rested her head on her father's shoulder. She watched Taryn and Jax exit the house through the back sliding doors first.

"I couldn't do this without you, Dad. Thank you for being so wonderful."

"Of course could have done this without me. I'm just so grateful that you didn't have to."

Grinning and struggling to hold back tears, Carly leaned upward and kissed Steven on the cheek. After a few seconds, Dallas exited with a tall figure that looked like Brad, but couldn't be confirmed as they were already out the door.

"Wait, was that Brad?" Carly hissed. "I thought Gibby was her partner! Where is he?"

Spencer and Sam both turned their heads. Carly immediately noted that neither of them looked alarmed.

"You look beautiful, little sis," Spencer whispered.

"Thanks," she replied cautiously. "That doesn't really answer my question, though."

"It's totally fine!" Sam chimed in. "Everyone's where they're supposed to be, darlin'. Oh, we're up! Let's bust a move, Spence."

"See you on the other side, Carls!"

The pair quickly made their exit while Carly's mouth opened and closed repeatedly like a fish. This earned her another reassuring pat on her hand.

"It's fine, sweetheart. You're about to be married in less than ten minutes. Nothing else matters."

While she still worried, she acknowledged that he was right as the stepped into the frame of the glass doors.

"Ready?" Steven asked.

"I think so." Carly thought for a moment, then amended more confidently. "I am. I'm ready."

Steven nodded his head, then faced the small crowd of standing guests with squared shoulders. Carly followed suit as she prepared their trek down the steps of the deck.

Her eyes immediately found Freddie's. She vaguely took in the elegant décor of the staircase wrapped in lavender fabric and accented with pastel-colored bouquets to match those of the wedding party. She only just managed to register the ivory runner covered in pink rose petals. Her peripheral just picked up the sight of Owen, in a fitted teal dress shirt with rolled up sleeves and a purple bowtie, sitting off to the side with a guitar and a lowered microphone as he played a beautiful marching tune. She missed Gibby's position at the center of the flower-adorned arch entirely.

All she saw was Freddie, standing proudly with his hands behind his back and unshed tears in his eyes, like it was the first time he'd seen her in a while. Carly's heart clenched and her breath stilled as if it was the first time seeing him.

They reached the end of the walkway, with Freddy's mother and Isabelle sitting to their right and two empty chairs at their left. Carly blatantly gazed Freddie, who gave an almost imperceptible shake of head as he stared back in disbelief. "You're perfect."

Carly let out a shuttering breath, and mouthed, "I've missed you."

"Friends, family," Gibby addressed into a lapel microphone, no doubt provided by Freddie himself, "we are lucky individuals who were chosen to witness two of the best people I know finally come together as one. Today, Fredward Karl Benson and Carlotta Taylor Shay become husband and wife."

It wasn't until Gibby said the word "wife" that she realized that he was not the adorable elderly pastor that they had met the day before. Her dreamy expression momentarily collapsed into one of confusion, her eyebrows furrowed and her mouth drawn into a tight circle. Freddie caught it before she could say anything and inconspicuously cleared his throat, garnering her attention.

"Just keep looking at me," he whispered. "It's okay."

"But Gibby –"

"I know, baby, just trust me."

His genuinely calm nature pacified her enough to just allow for the ceremony to unfold.

"The greatest thing about this gathering is that everyone was brought here out of one simple thing: love. We all love these two people. We only want absolute happiness and success for them both. There is no hidden speculation or question as to how and if these two will last, only celebrating that these two will last forever. And I, for one, feel so blessed to be able to share this moment with them today."

Carly looked at Gibby with awe. He spoke of their love so beautifully and in a way that she would have never expected him to speak. She made a mental note to apologize for ever underestimating him.

"Who here gives away this gorgeous bride?" Gibby continued with a warm, pointed smile.

Steven cleared his throat before announcing, "I do, on behalf of her late mother and I." He then turned towards his daughter, placed his hands on her shoulders and softly kissed her forehead. He then took her hand and guided it into her waiting groom's outstretched palm, making sure to shake his free hand kindly before taking the closest free seat. Carly placed her other hand in Freddie's with a wide smile. The feel of him squeezing her hands eased her greatly. She had to stop herself from leaning in and kissing him and was comforted to see him doing the same.

"Another great thing about the group of us is that there's no need to waste time on superfluous musings and opinions. That's why we're going to skip the part where we ask if anyone is actually against this union. I think we're all on the same page in thinking that this absolutely needs to happen, am I right?"

The couple laughed at the general murmur of consent amongst the small crowd. Gibby plowed on.

"And I know these kids have written their own vows so…Carly?"

With a nod she turned to Sam, who stood diagonal of Gibby. She stepped forward and traded Carly's bouquet for her written vows. Once in her hand, she slowly unfolded the piece of paper and hoped that the words would do Freddie justice.

"Fredward," she began, "my love, my heart, my best friend. For years I sat just across the hall from you, literally and figuratively, wondering when I was going to find my great love. I kissed and dated a lot of frogs not realizing that you, my prince, were waiting patiently behind your camera and at my side. Year after year you put my happiness above your own, even when I didn't deserve it…especially when I didn't deserve it. Freddie, I'm so happy that I finally opened my eyes and saw what was just across the hall. I'm so grateful that I found you, my greatest love."

The muffled sniffling of Taryn and Marissa Benson could be heard as Carly battled her own tears. Freddie swallowed hard and exhaled slowly.

"And to you," Carly continued, "my greatest love, I promise to give you back everything you've given me and more: a lifetime of support, honestly, laughter, and peace. I promise to fight not only for us, but alongside you. I promise to give a kind of love and respect that will not only be worthy of you, but will make you proud to call me your wife. Fredward Karl Benson, I promise to be your greatest love, as you have been for me."

She was so relieved to have reached the end of her vows, for she felt like she had nothing left. For the first time she felt like she had removed her beating heart from her chest and held it on display for everyone to see. It left her wonderfully vulnerable, like she had nothing to hide or prove. Best of all, she didn't see a hint of skepticism from anyone. Every promise she gave was accepted happily and It was then that she realized that that's what she had been most afraid of: the possibility that nobody would believe that she could love Freddie in the way that he deserved. She was happy to see that that wasn't the case.

Gibby grunted past the lump in his own throat then gestured for Freddie to continue with his vows. He pulled the scripture from his pocket and unfolded the perfectly creased paper excitedly.

"Carls," he began, his voice smaller than Carly anticipated, "my heartbeat, my soul mate, my best friend. Of all the things that I was so sure I knew, I always felt that what I knew most of all – more than anybody, since we were kids– was how to love you. For the longest time, loving you meant being there for you, coming to your aid when you were in need, and being your biggest fan. From this day until my last breath I promise to continue to do all of those things and more as the definition of loving Carly Shay continues to evolve.

"Carly, loving you means waking up next to you each and every morning and thanking God that I get to. It means considering your tears more precious than my own and not being afraid to let you see mine, even if that means that you're the only one that gets to. It means one hundred percent honesty with zero percent cruelty. It means calling you 'my partner' and not just 'mine.' It means that no secret will ever be worth jeopardizing your trust in me. It means offering my opinion and not my judgment. Most of all, it means allowing all of me to be with you, through our best and our worst. Carlotta Taylor Shay, I promise to live up to, and exceed, that definition today, tomorrow, and forever."

There was no stopping the tears as the dam in just about everyone broke. Carly let out a combination of a sob and a giggle as her unmitigated joy overtook her. Knowing that the man that stood before her was unflinchingly all-in was the greatest feeling and she could not be more ready to become Carly Benson. Through the tears of Gibby, their parents, and most of their wedding party (sans Jax, who simply looked upon them both with a quiet, yet beaming pride) they exchanged rings and made a final declaration of their bond. Then finally, after years of reaching this particular point in their lives, Gibby finally cried, "You guys…it's totally official! I now pronounce you husband and wife…what are you waiting for, Benson?! Kiss your bride, dude!"

And there was no waiting. Carly and Freddie immediately gravitated towards each other in a perfect embrace. Their lips connected and Carly could feel her body positively hum at the awaited contact. This felt old and new all at once, this faithful action feeling so much more important than it was just a minute ago. The roar of their small group could be heard echoing against the water and the trees. Everything felt absolutely right.

Owen strummed a hearty celebratory tune and the recession they previously rehearsed suddenly felt unnecessary. Everyone cried, hugged, congratulated the new couple, and danced on the back lawn until Owen's guitar was replaced by the sound of actual music blasting from a rigged laptop on a small table.

Carly smiled until it hurt, then smiled some more. Freddie held her tightly, not even letting go fully to accepted congratulatory hugs from their family and friends. After some time Jax moved the few chairs off to the side to clear some space. Sam and Owen danced closer and closer as the minutes ticked. Gibby lifted Dallas and leapt into the lake, which inspired Jax to do the same with Taryn. Steven politely danced and chatted with Marissa. All the while, Carly and Freddie swayed to their own beat.

They eventually had to part when a friendly neighborhood caterer finished setting up a small pasta and salad bar, which everyone dug into with little apprehension. As they sat around the picnic table, Gibby made a toast that was much closer to the brazen teenager that Carly, Freddie, Sam, and Spencer grew up with ("May the only rockiness you experience in your union exist between dem sheets! Crap. Sorry, Spence. Double crap! I'm really sorry, Colonel Shay and Mrs. Benson! Shit."). They laughed and started to eat, but Carly and Freddie were quickly pulled to the side by Sam, who they expected to be the first to partake in the meal.

"Can you both come inside for a sec?" she asked quietly. Wordlessly, the pair stood and followed her through the sliding glass doors and into the quiet house.

"So…I thought about writing a toast to you guys," she told them, looking off to the side as she tended to do whenever she was speaking nakedly. "But we all know that would have turned into a declaration of my undying love for Carls and a roast of Freddie, which I'm all about, but…today's a really special day and I wanted the three of us to have a special moment, no jokes. Together. Just us."

Carly looked to Freddie, who simply gave Sam a crooked smile and allowed her to continue.

"I got you guys a present!" she announced cheerfully. "It's lame, but it's coming from a person who clearly isn't lame, so it's awesome by association." The three of them laughed while Sam went into the kitchen and pulled a glittering silver gift bag from under the sink. She made her way slowly to them. "This trip has been a real eye-opener in a way that I've never experienced nor expected to ever experience. Over the past few years things have changed around me, some great and some not-so-great. I realized after I finally booted Wesley that there was something really lacking that made my life so much worse than it had to be. It's the same thing that had you almost fighting over an e-mail. I was missing that open communication that we used to have when we were kids. We told each other everything – maybe too much at times – and when we did we had the strength to do anything."

"You're right," Carly agreed softly. "It's true. We never kept anything from each other."

Freddie nodded. "Yeah. It was definitely the source of a lot of TMI moments, but…overall, it was a positive thing." They laughed while Sam nudged his shoulder playful.

"Well, in that same spirit," Sam said as she looked at the gift bag in her hand, "I got you guys these." She handed the bag to Carly, who immediately rid it of the white tissue paper inside and dug her hand in to pull out a simple silver flip phone, then a yellow one, followed by a purple one. They matched and looked like they weren't capable of much more than making calls and showing a mildly entertaining display on the screen.

"Sam," Carly called in a questioning tone. "You got us new phones?"

The blonde shook her head side to side, indicating that the explanation wasn't quite that succinct. "I wouldn't say they're our new phones. I think none of us want to give up our smartphones for these. No, this is just for us…kind of like a Bat Signal or a 'break-glass-in-case-of-emergency' kind of thing.'" When her explanation was met with two matching puzzled expressions, Sam rolled her eyes and continued her explanation. "You guys don't get it? This is an emergency line for just the three of us. I added it to my phone plan for next to nothing. We don't share the numbers with anyone is a way for us to always be able to reach each other when we feel like we can't turn to anyone else. I don't know about you guys, but there are people always calling my phone who just aren't that important or are calling with some chizz that I'm trying to avoid, so I'm not always in the mood to pick it up." She reached out and took the purple phone from Carly's hand and waved it between her fingers. "But if I hear this little guy ring, I'm picking it up no matter what…whether it's to hear Carly worry about her job or Freddie second guess himself about some amazing app he's developing that I'm going to eventually make fun of."

Rather than look indignant, Freddie reached out and affectionate squeezed Sam's hand as he took the silver phone from Carly's hand. "Sam…"

"I just don't ever want us to feel that distant again," she blurted. "I know things are gonna change and it's going to get harder to make time for each other with each passing year, but…let's just hold on to this one thing. Let's always be there for each other and let's never have a filter between the three of us again."

"Sam, this is beautiful," Carly said breathily as she looked at her new yellow phone, which now seemed so much more valuable.

"I love you guys." Sam sniffled. Freddie stepped forward to wrap his arms around her and kiss her on her temple.

"We love you, too, crazy."

Sam sputtered a laugh as Carly stepped forward to wrap her arms around her new husband and the woman she always considered a sister. The trio stood just like that for a few reflective minutes before returning to the feast.

The party continued into the setting sun, where Steven and Marissa took their leave and the remaining group found themselves around the fire pit, eating the delicious amaretto cake that Brad and Isabelle gifted them. They all had comfortable seats around the fire while they listened to Owen and Jax play songs that everyone knew. Dallas and Gibby, still wet, cuddled and kissed. Spencer eventually stood up and walked across to the newlyweds.

"Things are winding down. I'm thinking now's a good time to give you your gift."

Carly lifted her head from Freddie's shoulder and gasped. "The room! I totally forgot about the secret room!"

Spencer chuckled. "Well, there was a lot going on, so…c'mon, I'm eager to show you guys!"

Freddie smiled and stood to his feet, offering a helping hand to his wife. Carly let herself be tugged upward until she was fully upright. The three made their way to the house.

"So I kind of cheated and started working on some of this stuff the minute you guys told me that you were an official couple," Spencer explained. "Call me cocky, but I just knew that you guys would eventually end up here." He thought for a second, then added, "Well, not here, but y'know, married and such. You get it."

"You were always rooting for us, Spence," Freddie observed with a smile as they ascended the small steps leading up to the deck.

Spencer turned just long enough to flash a grin. "What can I say? There's something about you crazy kids."

They entered the house once again as Spencer led them all the way to the closed door with a tie hanging loosely around the knob. He faced them dramatically.

"This is my best work yet." He turned and opened the door wide and stepped aside to allow Freddie and Carly to enter. Carly gasped again.

The bedroom lights were dimmed and candles dripped and flicked on each side table. The bed was covered in the same rose petals that littered the aisle earlier that day. Champagne chilled in a bucket of ice water next to the bed.

But what stole Carly's breath was the giant sculpture in the corner of the room. It was in the shape of Cupid, whose wings stretched a few feet. He had no face, but every inch of his body was plastered with photos of Carly and Freddie, from childhood until just before they left for Georgia. On his back was not a quiver, but Freddie's old camera case spray painted gold. Cupid was aiming a matching gold bow, but the arrow had been replaced by a handheld microphone. The missing button on the side let Carly know that it was her old one from a talent show she entered when she was very young. Though Cupid had no face, it emanated pure joy.

"I should be clear here and tell you both that I'm solely responsible for the art, not the whole…ambiance," he clarified with an uneasy wave of his hand. "The girls worked to put the rest together. I love you guys, but…there's something royally awkward about the brother of the bride setting up her wedding night quarters."

"Yup," Carly agreed loudly with a shake of her head. "Super weird. Let's not think about that anymore…but Spence, the sculpture…thank you so much. It's incredible."

"Yeah, Spencer, it's amazing," Freddie agreed, still staring at it as he wrapped his arms around Carly from behind. "This had to have taken you forever."

Spencer shrugged, a satisfied grin plastered on his face. "It was worth every minute. I'm just so thrilled you found each other. Oh, and before I forget, I'm leaving behind an addressed and stamped box. The shipping's already been taken care of. All you have to do is disassemble the thing – which is insanely easy – put it in the box and drop it off at the post office on the way to the airport when you leave. It'll ship to your place the next day. But I wanted you guys to enjoy it while you're here."

Carly stepped out of Freddie embrace to throw herself at her brother, wrapping her arms around his waist in a tight hug. "I love you so much, Spencer."

"I love you, kiddo," he whispered. They pulled apart so that he could give his new brother-in-law a bear hug. "Love you, Freddie."

"Love you too, big bro," Freddie replied as he clapped him on the back. When Spencer pulled away he nodded in acknowledgment at the both of them. "So I'm thinking you guys will want to spend the rest of the night here. Nobody's heading to the airport tomorrow until early afternoon, so I can just tell everyone that you both wished them a good night and we all can pester you before we leave."

Carly mumbled okay and wished him a good night as he exited. Once the door closed behind him, Carly turned towards Freddie. They were finally alone.

"Mr. Benson," she greeted coyly, her voice much huskier than she had intended.

"Mrs. Benson," he responded as he stepped closer. The candlelight danced in his eyes, softly illuminating his desire. He placed a few lingering kisses along her jaw line, purposely avoiding her lips. "You know, I always worried that calling you 'Mrs. Benson' would immediately remind me of my mom in a mega creepy way."

The kisses continued down her neck and caused her to giggle as he eased her into sitting at the edge of the bed. "Me, too actually! But it didn't."

"No, babe, it didn't." He got on bended knee in order to remove each of her shoes with care. It was simultaneously one of the sweetest and sexiest things he'd ever done to her. He lifted a foot to his lips and placed a feather-light kiss on her ankle. "You should know…" Another kiss on her shin. "…that I changed my mind about having kids again." He kissed up her leg slowly.

"Really? That fast?" she asked, though her breathing was growing heavy as he neared her thighs.

He peered upward and nodded. "Before I was worried about holding you back, but now? Soon as possible."

"Seriously?!"

"Seriously. And that stands whether or not you decide to take the job, Carls. Either way, we'll be fine. More than fine!"

Instantly, her hand framed his face and she pulled him upward until their lips met in a searing kiss. He crawled onto the bed until he was laying on top of her, kissing every inch of her face. Carly stilled his kisses by placing a hand on his cheek. He stopped in order to look deep into her eyes, searching as if he still needed to confirm that this was all real. Carly assumed he found what he was looking for when an easy smile broke to the surface.

"For the next seventy or so years I'm about to live my wildest dreams," Freddie mused, delicately moving a stray lock of hair off of Carly's forehead. She bit her bottom lip, trying to hold back any threatening squeals of delight.

"For the next seventy or so years I'm about to live a life that I never even dared to dream," she confessed. "But for now, let's toast to tonight."

Epilogue

"Baby Harlow is going to hate every dress we got her."

"Carls, Baby Harlow is a baby and literally cannot form an opinion just yet."

"What if she spits up in protest?"

Freddie let out a laugh as he dumped another pair of jeans into his duffle bag. "She will likely spit up and it will have absolutely nothing to do with her opposition of cotton and tutus. It's fine, babe."

Carly rolled her eyes at her own unwarranted anxiety, then grinned. "I know. This is just my first time meeting my goddaughter and I don't want…it's nerve-wracking, you know?"

"Hey, hey," he cooed, reaching out and tugging her by her hand until she was in her arms. "It'll be fine. We'll be fine. This isn't some test, you know. No matter Harlow is towards us, that doesn't mean –"

"I know, I know," she sighed, toying with an errant thread on his V-neck sweater. "I'm being ridiculous. Besides, her parents are two of the chillest people we know."

"Well, Owen's definitely chill. Sam, though...ow!"

Carly's pinch of the skin just above his pectoral was followed by a sharp glare. "I thought you said you understood her pregnancy mood swings! She only meant, like, a quarter of what she said to you over the past few months."

"I know, I was joking! Look, Sam and Owen are amazing, that baby is incredible and healthy and she's going to love Godmommy Carly and Godpop Freddie. We're golden."

Carly gave him a skeptical smile just before he leaned in and kissed her briefly.

"We'll just spoil her just to be sure, right?"

"That's a good back-up plan. " He patted her butt once before letting her out of his embrace in order for them to continue to unpack. "So do you ever think they'll get married?"

Shrugging, Carly replied, "You know, I don't think they're in a rush. They've got their little dream house in L.A., they have their family, a successful bar, they're insanely in love, I couldn't tell you anytime that Sam's been happier… I don't know, there really isn't a pressing need for them to get married right this moment, really."

"Yeah, you're right. When are Jax and Taryn getting in?"

"The same time we get there. Gibby's already there and Dallas's filming schedule is two days behind, so she's stuck in Boston."

"Damn, that sucks." After a final review of the bag he zipped it shut. "I was kind of hoping to break the news to everyone at once."

Carly nodded. "Well, we'll take a cute picture and send it to her while we're together. I think I'm gonna tell Chuck tomorrow before we go and get it out of the way."

When her declaration was met with silnce, she looked up to find him staring at her with raised eyebrows.

"What?"

"We're telling our bosses? That's, like, the step just before the SplashFace post."

"I know," Carly sighed. "But we got the go ahead from the doctor, right? Twelve weeks far enough along to get the word out."

"No, I agree…" His voice trailed as he took a seat on the bed. Carly moved in front of him until she was standing between his legs. His eyes were leveled with her stomach. Trailing his fingertips up and down her hips, he spoke directly to the barely noticeable bump. "You won't be our little secret anymore, lil' peanut."

Carly looked down with soft eyes – first at her husband, then at their growing baby.

"Good. Let's tell everyone."

A/N: It's a Christmas miracle. :-)

So this story was pretty much abandoned until the past few weeks. For MONTHS I struggled with writing this. Then I directed my focus on other stories and hoped that the ending would come to me magically. I eventually gave up until NaNoWriMo, where I attempted write my first original story.

All the while I kept thinking about how this story was unfinished. Truth was: as much as I tried, I kind of lost touch with these characters. That can happen sometimes when a show ends. I lost their voices and finishing the story, while always on the back of my mind, was just not a priority to me.

But I just don't like leaving things unfinished. So I decided to give the final chapter one more shot...and it flowed! I'm thankful that it finally did.

So to the people who touched base with me to see if I ever planned on finishing the story (and weren't rude about it): thank you so much for your patience. Thank you ALL (if you're still around) for your patience. I hope you enjoyed the final chapter. If you didn't...welp, it's already done, so it is what it is. LOL.

Leave a review and say hi! I'd love to hear from you all. :-)

Hope all is well and Hollaatchyagirl,

Phunky