A/N: I really should have ended this in the first chapter. I'm not sure why I wrote this part, other than to cave too my girly need for a kiss-ending. If you like the uncertainty of the first ending then stop right now and go back and reread the first part. If you need a kiss for you to feel like a love story is complete then read to the end of this.
*What I had Marissa call Freddie at the end of chapter one was not a coincidence.
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Sam wandered into the Shay apartment in a daze. She dropped her backpack by the coat rack but then proceeded to stand there staring off into space.
Spencer was on his way from his room to the kitchen when spotted the blond. "Hey, Sam," he said brightly. "Carly had to run too the store for a minute, she instructed me to tell you you may await her in her room if you like." He made a bowing motion towards the stairs.
"Kay." Sam stumbled over to the couch and slowly lowered herself onto it.
Spencer, out of concern, changed his course to join her. "What's up? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"More like a bear," she mumbled.
Spencer's eyes widened and was about to ask her where in the city of Seattle she'd seen a bear, but she continued.
"I think Freddie just told me he likes me as... you know, more than a friend." She glanced at the older Shay sibling. His startled expression was enough to know it wasn't just her who thought all this was crazy.
"You think that's what he said? But you're not sure."
"It wasn't really clear, he told me a story and at the end he made it sound like the two characters who got together were him and me. Sort of."
Spencer pondered that for a moment. "And this is a bad thing?" he asked seriously.
That's what was requiring the extra thought. She sighed and shook her head. "No, not really. Just unbelievable."
At that moment the door opened and Carly came in. "Hello peoples." She balanced a jug of milk in one hand and a bag of groceries in the other. She slowed her walk as she passed the couch. "What's going on?"
Spencer smiled at her. "Girl talk."
Carly paused eying him suspiciously. "What kind of girl talk?"
"Oh you know, talkin' about boys." He tilted his head to the side in what he hoped was a charming move.
Carly laughed and started again for the kitchen. "Is that why Sam's in zombie mode? Did you mentally scar her by telling her something that no girl should ever hear?"
"Ha ha ha very funny, but no. Freddie just told her he loves her." Carly froze when Spencer spoke, nearly dropping the groceries.
His words also seemed to wake Sam up. "Hold up! No one said anything about love."
Spencer shot his sister and her friend sympathetic looks (though for different reasons). "Do you want it to be love?" he directed that question to the blond beside him. Carly came over, joining them to hear her answer.
Sam's eyes snapped to Carly's, the brunette simply stared back, unsure of what was being asked in the look Sam was giving her. Sam sighed in defeat, looking back down at the floor. "Yes." It was little more than a whisper but both Shays heard it.
Carly got up and squeezed her slim frame onto the couch on the opposite side of Sam from Spencer. She wrapped her arms around her blond friend. "Does he know?"
"No." She pressed her palms to her temples.
"How long have you felt this way?" Spencer asked as he gently set one of his large hands on her shoulder.
She stared off into space again. "I don't know. Just now? Always?"
The siblings shared a look over Sam's bent head. Carly gave the girl one last squeeze before releasing her. "I have to go get something. Sam, are you going to be okay for a second?" She wavered in indecision when her friend didn't answer.
When the brunette girl looked at Spencer he nodded in reassurance. "I got her, Sis. Go get what we need." Carly nodded and was out the door.
Spencer was startled when Sam spoke. "What's wrong with me?"
He smiled and rubbed her shoulder. "Nothing's wrong with you. You're just in shock."
She glanced at him, indignant. "Wouldn't you be?"
"Yes. If I found out that Freddie loved me I'd be in shock," he chuckled. She smacked his chest and he retreated is hand from her shoulder to rub the offended spot.
Carly reentered the apartment dragging someone behind her. "Where's the fire?" Freddie asked jokingly as they crossed the threshold. He stopped short, unintentionally jerking Carly's hand back, when he saw the two on the couch. "Hey, Spence. Sam."
Sam looked up then slowly stood to face the Tech Producer. She opened her mouth but nothing came out so she shut it once more.
Carly looked between the two and raised a brow. "So, Freddie, Sam says that you love her."
Sam and Freddie's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at her blunt declaration. "Hold up, Carls," Sam interjected, "he didn't exactly –"
"That would be correct." Freddie nodded once, never taking his eyes off Sam as his expression softened.
She closed her mouth with a snap and Freddie took a few steps forward. When she finally found her words again she shook her head in disbelief. "Why?"
"Why what?"
She punched him weakly in the chest. "Why did you tell me like that?"
He smirked a little. "I thought it would be less painful that way. It was a way of giving you time to think about it if you needed, and if you didn't feel the same way then it also afforded me time to escape a beating."
"There's a slight flaw in your reasoning."
"Oh? And what's that?" He cocked a grin.
She punched him hard on the arm. "If you'd had a beating coming it would've been unavoidable."
"Good to know," he gasped out as he clutched his arm. When the pain had dimmed he gave her an appraising look. "So, you're not mad, or disgusted?"
She shrugged one shoulder. "Guess not."
He nodded vigorously. "That's good. Well, thank you." He felt awkward, he hadn't wanted that. He glanced at Spencer and Carly then back to Sam. "Well, I'm gonna go. I gotta help my Mom." He thrust a thumb in the direction of the door.
He'd taken a few steps towards it when Carly's voice stopped him. "Is that it?" Carly screeched, looking between the two. They both looked at her surprised. "I mean, aren't you going to kiss or something? You two are supposed to be together!" They were stunned by her emphatic statement.
They looked at each other, their expressions shifting with uncertainty and desire. Finally Sam found her legs and walked towards the Tech Producer. She rested her elbows loosely on his shoulders, only having to raise on her toes slightly.
He didn't know what to do with his hands, finally settling them on her waist. When his hands had found their place she smiled at him. "Sam?" he asked, still unsure.
"Prince Freddiebear," she murmured.
He instantly relaxed. "My Snow White." He leaned down and her lips came up to meet his.
They were too occupied with each other to hear the simultaneous "ahs" coming from the Shays.
End
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A/N: I toyed with the idea of writing another version of the ending in which Sam doesn't get what's gong on and needs someone to explain it to her. But right now I'm calling this baby done. Please let me know your feelings, likes/dislikes, opinions on this piece. Thank you to all those who reviewed, favorited or simply read! I honestly appreciate the attention to my work.
Also, I would really like to hear what your favorite fairytale is, or if you know of one that's unusual. It would be difficult to find one I've not heard of (unless it's very regional to your area) but please tell me anyway.