A Chance Encounter

by Charlie Conwell

It is Monday morning and we are packing up the car to take Ray back to his parents. He is less excited about the trip this time. We can tell he is sad to leave, so to make him happier, we start to sing his favourite songs and he comes around a bit more. The drive is long for a child, and we split it up, so he doesn’t get bored. We stop for lunch and he is full of chatter again. He gets a balloon in the restaurant and a picture to colour. When he has the picture coloured and has finished his food, we set off again. We meet Danny and Maeve in the same place. They are already there waiting. Ray waves and shouts out the window as we pull up. Danny opens the door. Ray jumps out of the car, gives him a hug before jumping down and running to Maeve.

  Em and I start to take out Rays bags from the boot and Danny comes to take them from us. As he sees the doll in one of the bags, he raises an eyebrow. I start to laugh as Em shuffles from foot to foot.

  “That’s Ray’s.”

  His eyes widen, looks at Em and then Ray. “Ray wanted a doll?”

  “He did but not for him, it’s for his girlfriend Leah.”

  I thought his eyes would pop out of his head. “His girlfriend? He’s four years old.”

  Em smiles and nods. “Yes, he is, and he has a girlfriend called Leah, they hold hands and he has kissed her cheek. He wanted to get her the prettiest doll for Christmas.”

  Danny looks at Ray and then grins. “My boy has game.”

  Em rolls her eyes. “Of course, you would say that. Does Maeve know?”

  “Does Maeve know what?”

  Em looks at Maeve and blushes. “I was just telling Danny why Ray is bringing home a doll.”

  She frowns and Em is about to explain but Ray pipes up. “It’s for Leah for Christmas, she is my girlfriend.”

  Maeve looks at the smiling Ray and laughs. “Is that the girl that waits at the door for you?”

  He nods his head and Maeve kisses him. “You are very sweet, and I think Leah will love that doll.”

  She puts Ray into his car seat. He gives Em and I hugs and kisses. Maeve also thanks us for taking him. As they drive off, we watch Ray wave to us. I put my arm around Em and hold her close to me.

  “I miss him already.”

  “Me too babe, but it won’t be long.”

  We get into the car and make our way back home. Em is quiet and I glance at her. “I know its hard babe, he is a great kid and a ball of excitement. You will have rest tomorrow, no 5.30am wake-up call.”

  She laughs at me. “Oh man. I didn’t realise he would be up so early. I thought we would get to 7 am at least. Thank you for helping, you were great with him.”

  “I had a great weekend and I love Ray, it wasn’t a chore for me.”

  Em calls in an order for Chinese, we collect it and chill out watching trashy TV for the evening.

  Chapter 13

  I am growing in this relationship and with Em by my side, I know I can do anything. She has made me a better version of me. I have been looking into enlisting again. I have the form and have spoken to a few people that are already enlisted and it is something I want to do. The downside of it is that I would have to leave Em for a tour of duty and that’s two years. That thought brings an ache to my heart.

  I call up my mom because she was the one that has gone through it with my dad.

  “Hi mom, how are you?”

  “Charlie, it’s great to hear from you. I am doing well but I sense there is a reason behind this call. What’s on your mind, is everything ok with Emily?”

  “Everything is good…fantastic actually between us. I need to talk to you mom.”

  “Charlie, what’s going on? If everything is good between you both then why do you sound so off? What is going through that head of yours?”

  “Mom, ugh…ok here it is, I want to enlist.” There is silence on the line. I take the phone from my ear and check to see if the call has dropped but it is still connected. “Mom, are you there?”

  “Yes, I’m here…just needed a moment to process what you had said. Your dad would be very proud of you.”

  “Thanks, mom, I know it’s hard for you to hear but it has always been something I wanted to do.”

  “I know that because you would always dress in your dad’s army shirt that was too small for him when he was gone on tour. I sent him that photo and he was the proudest dad there. What’s the issue you’re having baby girl?”

  “I wanted to ask how you did it, mom. If I do this then I will be away from Em and that is the hardest part of making this decision.”

  “Charlie, it was hard, but I loved your dad and we were a partnership. It was what he wanted and needed to do, and I supported that. I loved him for his convictions and his bravery and he gave me you and that was the most beautiful gift that I cherish for all my life. When I look at you I see your dad with that same conviction and bravery. You say Em loves you, then talk to her and she will support you. Your dad always called me when he could, and those calls were the best things in the world. They were needed for the both of us and at times we could make them interesting.”

  “Oh my god mom…no don’t say things like that to me. I don’t want to hear that…I love you, I’m going to go now.”

  I hear my mother laughing. “I was merely saying that there are ways to make it work. I love you Charlie, come visit me soon.”

  “I will mom. Talk to you soon.”

  “Oh, and Charlie, bring Em along it would be nice to meet the girl that has stolen your heart.”

  “I will and Em wants to meet you too, so I will arrange it. Bye, mom.”

  “Bye Charlie.”

  I hang up the phone and try to wipe the last bit of that conversation from my mind. I laugh as I grab my keys to go and meet Em for lunch.

  I park the car and walk along to our favourite coffee shop. As I pass the window, I look in and see Em sitting reading a book while she waits for me. I smile and move a little faster to go inside. She doesn’t see me, and I lean down and kiss her cheek. She jumps startled and then smiles brightly at me.

  “Hey, baby.”

  “Hi, honey. What can I get you?”

  “I think I’m in the mood for a caramel macchiato today.”

  “Coming right up.”

  “Oh, babe can I have a biscuit too?”

  I smile at her cuteness. “Of course, what would you like?”

  “Surprise me.”

  I lean in and kiss her again. “I got this.”

  I go to place our order and bring her a milk chocolate marshmallow biscuit for my beautiful girlfriend. She is excited by my choice. Such unimportant things bring her such joy. She takes a bite, moans at the sweet taste and I sit back enjoying the moment.

  “I have another treat for you.”

  She looks up and quirks her eyebrow. “You do?”

  “I do.”

  I slide my hand across the table and lift it up revealing a chocolate heart. Em looks up at me and laughs. “You are so damn cute babe.”

  I blush and shrug. “I saw it up there, thought of you and wanted you to have it. Plus, that smile is worth everything to me.”

  She blushes, leans across, and kisses me. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  We enjoy our coffees, but I am shuffling in my seat and Em notices.

  “Babe, what’s going on? You look like you are worried about something.”

  I look over at her, push my cup away from me and sit back in my chair. “I have never been good at hiding things from you.”

  “Charlie, what is it? You are scaring me now.”

  I reach across and take her hands in mine. “I don’t mean to scare, I just need to talk to you about me.”

  “Charlie, spit it out.”

  “I was thinking of completing the enlisting form again and I need to talk to you about it because we are together, and this is a big decision. I want and need you in my life Em, I love you so much and you give me so much strength.”

  “You were worried about telling me that? Charlie, you know I will suppo
rt you in this. I know how important it is to you. I’m going to be right here when you come back from tour and you and I will be everything we are now. Yes, of course, I will miss you and you will miss me, but we are strong, and we will get through this together.”

  I smile as the tears threaten to fall. She stands up and holds out her hand to me. I take it and stand up as well before she kisses me soundly on the mouth. “Let’s go home and get that form filled out and then you can thank me in your own unique way.”

  I laugh and put my arm around her shoulder. “I love you Em, you are amazing.”

  She shrugs and laughs. “I know.”

  We get home and Em gets the form from my nightstand before we take a seat on the sofa. She waits patiently for me while I get a cup of coffee. She reads the form as I watch from the kitchen. I see the little crease that forms on her brow when she is concentrating, which makes me smile. I bring out the coffee, sit down beside her and she smiles at me as she takes her mug. She takes a sip and sets the mug to the side.

  “This looks pretty straightforward babe. We will have it filled out in no time.”

  “Thanks. Em, I know this isn’t easy and it means that we would be separated for a while…”

  “Charlie stop, it’s ok, we are together, and we work well together. You will go and be the soldier you want to be, and you will come back to me or there will be hell to pay.”

  I laugh and pull her in close to me. “I know there would, and I will be coming back to you Em, I don’t want to live my life without you in it.”

  “You don’t have to, I’m right here.”

  She kisses me, and I pull her impossibly closer to me. She smiles against my lips and pulls away a little but not breaking my hold on her.

  “I love you and I want to share what makes you happy. Let’s get this form filled out and we can do something we both really want to do and what we really enjoy.”

  She turns, picks up the pen and begins filling out the form. Every so often she would ask for the answer to the question and would smile because she was learning more about me. I like that she is interested in my life - what my hopes and dreams are. As I watch her carry on with the form, I know one thing for sure is that I want this girl around me forever. I want to grow old with her and want her as my wife. I feel a sense of peace run through my body and I am calm. For the first time in a long time, I am truly happy.

  She finishes the form and hands me the pen. “I need your signature here please.”

  She looks so cute that I can’t help but kiss her cheek as I lean over to sign my name to the form. I see her smile and it pierces my heart further with the love I have for her. I place the pen on the paper and as I do, Em stands up and starts to walk towards my bedroom. With each step, an item of clothing is discarded. I quickly jump to my feet and follow her lead ripping my own clothes off along the way. She yelps in surprise when I easily pick her up and walk the rest of the way to the bed.

  I lay her down and move on top of her. I look into her eyes that are shining so bright and full of what can only be described as love. Her love for me transports me to a world I have never known or felt before. She has touched a place so deep within my heart I never knew was there. I lower my head and kiss her soft lips taking my time to enjoy the feel of her lips against my own. She nips my bottom lip with her teeth making me gasp in pleasure and she takes the opportunity to move her tongue inside, sliding in a dance of lovers with my own. We are unrushed, and I feel Em open her legs wider. Her hands that are in my hair and moving down my back, her nails scoring into my back. She puts her hands on my ass and starts to push me in against her. I feel the heat from both of us rising. I feel her wetness against my own. Our kiss breaks as we both moan at the feel of our hearts beating as one. My hips move faster into Em as she raises up to meet me. Our clits caressing each other ramping us higher and higher. Our slickness allows us to slide faster and harder into each other. I can feel that undeniable feeling in my stomach as my orgasm nears. I look into Em’s eyes and she feels it for what it is too.

  “I’m close too baby, cum for me, cum all over me.”

  My hips writhe into her faster until my orgasm crashes through my body and as it does, Em cums for me. I slow down my hips as we are both breathing heavy. Em’s hands roam my back and she moves my head so it is in the crook of her neck. My hot breath on her neck. “I love you Em, I love you so much, and I can’t even find the words to tell you.”

  “I love you too Charlie, just as much and what I felt there now between us is what speaks volumes to me.”

  My fingers stroke her sides and I enjoy luxuriating in the afterglow of what we just shared together. I smile softly at how this girl has come into my life and changed it in such a positive way.

  “My mom wants to meet you.”

  I feel her hands stop on my back for a fraction of a second before they continue to run over my back.

  “I want to meet her too baby.”

  “Are you nervous about it?”

  I feel her body shake as she giggles. “Maybe a little, but I’m excited too.”

  “I’ve talked a lot about you to her and now she wants to put a face to the girl that has made me feel so good in so many ways.”

  “You do the same for me, we are very lucky to have found each other.”

  I lift my head and give her a kiss. “How does spending the weekend with mom sound?” I see her eyes grow wide but then she smiles, and they sparkle.

  “Sounds like a lovely way to spend the weekend.”

  Chapter 14

  It is Friday morning and Stacey is knocking on my door. “Charlie are you awake?”

  I groan but I haven’t seen her in a couple of days. “I’m awake, come on in Stace.”

  Opening the door, she looks so sad that I frown and pull back the duvet. “Come on, get in and tell me what’s going on.”

  She smiles sadly at me, crawls into bed, curls into me and starts to cry. I did not expect this, and I am shocked. “Hey, why the tears, what’s wrong?”

  She burrows closer and does not answer. I fear that it has something to do with her boyfriend, but I hope I’m wrong. I hold her close and try to ease her. She cries so sorely for a time and I wait patiently for her to tell me what’s wrong. She moves her head and looks into my face with such a sadness that it makes my heart ache. She puffs out her cheeks. “Gary…he…he said it is over between us. He said he can’t give me what I want. I don’t even know what that means, I haven’t asked for anything.”

  “Aaaw Stace, I’m so sorry, this is not your fault, you didn’t do anything wrong. He is a douche for treating you like this and you deserve better.”

  She sniffles and smiles at me. “Thanks, Charlie.”

  I grin at her. “No matter what happens in our lives, Stace you are my best friend and I will always be here for you. Em and I are going to moms for the weekend, you are coming with us.”

  “I can’t do that Charlie, this is important for you and Em meeting your mom is a big deal.”

  “It is but my mom would kick my ass if you were here and I tell her you are upset, and you know that.”

  “Yes, momma Ellie would not like me here on my own and I have missed her. Em will be angry that I am intruding on your weekend.”

  “Em loves you just as much as I do and believe me, she will not want you sad and hurting here while we are gone.”

  I reach for the tissues and give Stacey one. She blows her nose and curls back into me again. I rub her back and let her cry in my arms. I can’t believe Gary would hurt her like this after everything they have been through. I hear Stacey’s breathing change and she has cried herself to sleep. I reach out to the locker for my phone and send Em a text to tell her what’s going on. About 15 minutes later, I hear the front door open and Em comes into the bedroom. She sees Stacey in my arms and sighs. She slips out of her jeans and t-shirt and reaches for one of my baggy shirts. She comes around and gets in the other side of the bed. She kisses me softly. “Morning baby, poor S
tace, is she okay?”

  “No, he has really hurt her, she cried herself to sleep.”

  Em looks pissed and lightly places a kiss on Stacey’s cheek without waking her up.

  “He doesn’t deserve her, she will come with us and we will take her mind off it for a while. I brought her favourite cupcakes too, we can have them when she wakes.”

  “You are so sweet honey, she will appreciate that.”

  She smiles, gets comfortable lying next to me and puts her arm around Stacey. I see her relax and I really have lucked out finding her. I stroke her hair with my other hand and see her lean her head into my touch. We relax for a little while until Stacey awakes.

  Stacy blushes as she sees that Em is in the bed with us. She tries to jump up but Em holds her arm around her a little tighter.

  “Don’t jump away, it’s okay Stace, you were upset, and Charlie comforted you and when I arrived I got in to relax and comforted you too. We are all friends and we are both here for you. When you are ready we will have cupcakes and coffee and then we will go to Charlie’s moms for the weekend.”

  “There are cupcakes?”

  I laugh and shake my head. “Typical Stace, looking after your belly. Em brought them for you to help with what you are going through.”

  She smiles softly. “Thanks, Em.”

  “You’re welcome and we will get you through this.”

  “I’m sorry for intruding on your weekend and you meeting momma Ellie is important for you guys.”

  Em smiles and shakes her head. “Stace yes, it’s a big deal but you are important too, so we will go meet Charlie’s mom and we will do something fun. It will be nice having you there and I’m sure it’s been ages since Charlie’s mom has seen you.”

  Stacey grins. “It has been a long time since I have seen her. You will love her, I wish she was my mom. She is awesome and makes the best apple crumble you will ever taste. I will go and have a shower and get ready. Thanks for doing this for me.”

  “Go have your shower, you don’t have to thank us, it’s what we do.”

  Stacey leaves the room. Em moves more into my body and rests her head on my chest.