by Dahlia Rose
She thought he’d say no? He gave a mental laugh at the thought. Charlie was a perfect package of intelligence, sexiness with innocence that was too sweet to pass up.
She was making French toast and an assortment of other breakfast foods. Angel and Caleb were coming over for breakfast with their son Lucas. He was almost four months old, and Charlie was amazing with the baby. She already had some weird little sailor suit picked out for spring so she could have his pictures done under the cherry blossoms. But their close friends were coming over for another reason. They wanted to fill their friends in on Charlie’s diagnosis and their plans. When the doorbell rang, John answered the door. Angel looked up at him in surprise.
“Hey, you’re here early,” Angel exclaimed. Her hair was up in a ponytail, and the red streak was visible. She wore it up lately so Lucas couldn’t grab her hair and put it in his mouth.
“I stayed here last night.” John stepped back and ushered them inside.
“Oh really,” Caleb said with interest in his voice.
“Get your mind out of the gutter,” John said and plucked the baby from his arms.
“Hey it’s my baseball baby.” John grinned at the baby whose toothless grin and baby drool enamored him.
“Yeah, you need to stop buying him baseball stuff for a few years. The catcher’s mitt is bigger than his head.” Angel dropped the baby bag on the couch and walked toward the kitchen.
“It really is.” Caleb chuckled. “I took a picture of it on his head, don’t tell Angel.”
“I already know. You sent it to me by accident on my phone,” Angel said. She kissed Charlie’s cheek as she stood by the kitchen island and dipped her finger in pancake batter. “Cheesecake pancakes, oh yes. Caleb, I told you it was good to come over here and eat.”
“Get the table ready, and we can eat,” Charlie said with a smile.
Her smile made John’s heart give a little trip in his chest. He’d long ago admitted to himself he loved her. He figured it out around year two in their long friendship. She’d dated a couple of assholes, and the last one John still had an urge to punch his teeth down his throat. He’d spent too much time in the friend zone, and he wondered if the transition for them would be seamless. She still needed romance, that was for sure. After the frogs in her life he was ready and willing to be her prince.
He watched her and Angel as they put food on the table, working around him dealing with the plates and utensils. She wore her long, dark hair down and had on yoga pants and a white tank shirt. On her feet was a pair of Christmas socks that were completely out of season in March. But that was one of the things he loved about her—no matter what, he could be assured she had on goofy socks. In the summer her toes would be painted in bright colors that belied the shyness she wore like a cloak of protection. From her skin to her brown eyes and her full lips, the warmth and love she showed those she cared about, John saw her as the perfect package.
“You can put the plate down, and then you could stare at her even more,” Caleb murmured.
“Shut up before I kick you,” John said through a wide, fake smile.
“Do it and Angel will get you,” Caleb said mildly and bounced Lucas on his knee. “Is that true, buddy, will mommy be upset at Uncle John?”
“Play nice,” Angel warned and sat before taking the baby from Caleb.
The rest of them sat and took hefty potions from the breakfast Charlie made. They talked and played with the baby as they ate, laughing when he almost devoured Angel’s finger when she dipped her finger in syrup and gave it to him. Finally, after the meal was eaten and the food cleared, Charlie told them about her visit to the doctor and what her diagnosis meant. Angel had tears in her eyes and vowed that no matter what they’d be there for her in all the choices she made.
“I’m going to have a baby,” Charlie said.
“Well, the doctor said you don’t have to make a choice for a few years…” Angel began.
“No, she’s having one as soon as possible, and I’m going to be the father,” John spoke and reached over to take Charlie’s hand.
“You bad man.” Caleb grinned and winked.
John rolled his eyes and chose to ignore Caleb for the moment.
“Oh!” Angel looked at them both and then asked. “Is that why you stayed over?”
“Dude, we just go the news yesterday!” John exclaimed. “We wanted to tell you guys and get your blessing, so to speak, even though we don’t need it…”
Charlie cut him off. “You’re family, and we wanted you to be a part of this from the beginning. A few months after the baby I’ll have the surgery to have a hysterectomy.”
“To remove your uterus and cervix?” Angel asked. “Honey, Barbara, said it’s not a serious concern right now.”
Charlie shook her head. “I’m concerned enough for me not to even risk a year or three. By the time my mom found her cancer she was in the fourth stage. The cancer was aggressive, and I saw her waste away like my grandmother did. When Gran died I had no clue what she had, except she was in so much pain. Then to see mom go through it… I don’t ever want to have any of you who I hold dear see me dying like that. I understand everything, Angel. I know what I want, and I want this.”
“Yeah, my mom had that in her forties, and it sent her into the crazy as my father called it,” Caleb said.
Charlie chuckled. “That won’t be happening to me. We’ve discussed my options and my ovaries get to stay, so I’ll have the hormones and won’t go into the crazy as you call it.”
“Menopause, Caleb, it’s called menopause,” Angel said.
“I know, I’m saying that’s what my dad called it,” Caleb retorted. “I know what it is, and I know there are advancements in stuff like this, so women don’t have to suffer the effects of menopause without treatment.”
Angel nudged him. “My Mr. Knowledge.”
“Thank you, I like to be appreciated,” Caleb said in a satisfied tone.
John snapped his fingers. “Hey, back to us please.”
“So, is this like a sperm donor thing?” Caleb asked. “Because I know how John feels…”
“No. We talked and kissed and then talked some more…” John said.
Charlie fanned her face. “In his eloquent way, John is trying to say we’re going to see if we click as a couple, and if we don’t he’ll still be a great daddy. You’ve seen him with Lucas.”
“And she will be a fantastic mom, this will work.” John lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.
“Right now you’re embarrassing her,” Angel commented. “Only black girl I know that turns so red.”
“I thought she was Spanish,” Caleb commented, and Charlie laughed at his confusion.
“I’m both,” Charlie said. “Mom was black and my dad was Dominican.”
“Ah.” Caleb nodded.
“You know hands down you both have our blessing.” Angel smiled. “I was waiting forever for you to get done circling each other like fencers and figure it out. I almost thought I had to intervene.”
John laughed. “Like that would be an issue for you.”
“Shaddup,” Angel retorted.
John had no doubt that Angel and Caleb would’ve supported them, but it was still good to get that small worry off the table. The next thought was the bigger concern that caused him to gulp down a half glass of orange juice. The act of making a baby with Charlie—would their first time together be as pleasurable as he thought? A lot was at stake.
* * * *
Ten days later Charlie was reading the ovulation kit directions while sitting on the closed lid of the toilet with a thermometer in her mouth. She read about the basal method of watching her temperature. She was following a chart for peaks and ebbs and peeing on an ovulation stick each day to see if it was time to make a baby. Each time she hoped, and each time it scared the crap out of her. It meant that she’d be naked with John… Eeep!
It wasn’t the fact that each time she was in the same room with him lately heat i
nfused her body, or each time he kissed her good night he left her knees weak. What if I’m not what he likes in bed or I can’t please him? That was her major concern, she was never good at the sex thing. Her last boyfriend told her he cheated because she was so boring. I should let John punch him in his stupid head, she thought mercilessly. She didn’t want to disappoint John. He was giving her what she truly wanted, and she was so pleased to be the woman that had his attention. She hoped she could keep it.
Charlie sighed and took the thermometer out of her mouth. Ninety-eight point six. Not even a spike in her temperature. John was being so amazing. He sent her flowers and took her out to dinner the night before. They knew everything about each other, and she just wished she knew more about what men wanted between the sheets.
The timer went off and she could finally check the ovulation test. Her heart soared and plummeted at the same time. She was on the first day of ovulation, and from what she’d read the next five days would be the best time to try to make a baby. Holy shit!
Charlie rushed out of the bathroom and looked around. What do I do now? She calmed herself enough to find her cell phone and press John’s number on speed dial. She wanted to shout, it’s time but she’d hold on to that until she was in labor, fingers crossed. Her hands trembled as she turned the phone and found John’s name in the recent calls list. There were a lot of calls back and forth. They talked a few times each day even though they saw each other at work. She pressed it and listened to the phone ring before he answered.
“Hey, honey.” His voice held warmth.
“John, the kit said it’s a go.” Charlie heard the tremble in her voice.
“You mean we can…” John’s voice trailed off.
“Yes,” she answered. “So, should we meet at your place or my place?”
“It’s not a business arrangement,” John said gently. “Charlie, how about I get a nice bottle of wine and make you dinner.”
“Okay, that sounds nice.” She pressed her hand against her chest, hoping to stop the wild beating of her heart.
“Baby, we don’t have to do this. We can wait for another month or two,” John said.
“I want to, John.” Charlie sighed in frustration. “I just don’t think I’m good at this or you know…sex.”
John chuckled. “How about you let me be the judge of that? Besides, I probably suck at it, too.”
“You seem to forget that we’ve seen a slew of your crazy exes,” Charlie pointed out. “Could it be because you were a sexual dynamo?”
“Or they were just crazy,” John pointed out. “Let’s just worry about us and what we can do together.”
“I don’t want to disappoint you,” Charlie said softly.
“Baby, when you kiss me, I’m already in heaven,” John said. “We’re going to eat and drink wine, watch a movie, and if it happens it happens, if it doesn’t then I’m completely satisfied getting to hold my girl all night.”
“You re sweet, do you know that?” Charlie asked.
“I like you telling me,” John said. “I’ll see you around seven?”
“That sounds perfect,” she answered.
“See you then,” John said.
The club was closed for the day. They did it every two to three weeks at random times to clean, update their security system, and take money to the bank. They picked a random way of doing this so no one watching the club could ever know if or when they’d have money in the safe or if it was already deposited. Charlie, Angel, and John all used to run the streets, and in Atlanta people noticed success. Both good and bad entities, so basically anything could happen. John always did the bank runs. He was adamant on that, and he always took special care, different routes, etc.
She had a few hours to get ready and decided to take it. She went to the hair salon for a wash and blowout. When she got home, she looked for one of her nice, simple sheath dresses and laid it out on the bed. Shit to formal, we’re eating in and watching a movie. Charlie was decidedly nervous and sat on the corner of her bed. She pulled her cell phone from her purse and pressed the speed dial button for Angel.
“What’s the word?” Angel’s usual phrase instead of hello made her smile.
“The word is help,” Charlie answered. “Talk me out of the panic I’m in before I take a flight to Timbuktu and am lost to you all.”
“Ummm, okay, let’s not do that.” Angel gave a chuckle. “Lucas is down for a nap. Tell me what’s going on.”
“I’m ovulating, and John is coming over tonight,” Charlie explained. “I’m so not good at this, bonehead said that when we broke up. I do not have any good experiences in my life when it comes to sex. Men like to use…”
“Charlie, bonehead is an asshole and your teens don’t count,” Angel said gently. “You’ve had a series of guys that weren’t right for you. I see how John and you look at each other.”
“I don’t fit in,” Charlie said suddenly. “I’m not like you that people can say ‘oh she’s a sexy black girl.’ I’m a mutt, no one can tell who I am.”
“That’s not true, Charlie…”
“It is.” Charlie heard the own plea in her voice and she needed someone to understand. “I’ve dated black guys and I’ve been too high brown as one’s mother called me to be part of her family. Her grandbabies had to be smooth brown. I’ve dated white guys and been too ethnic, and they expect me to know every booty-shake dance and be this exotic thing. I like comic books and Harry Potter. I prefer to listen to classical than hip hop. I’m this freakish anomaly, and what if I don’t fit in with John and his friends…”
“Do you think John cares if you’re all black, no black, Spanish, or hell, covered in zebra stripes?” Angel asked. “He is in love you with you, Charlie, and has been for the longest time.”
“I-I don’t know what to say,” Charlie said softly.
“He sees the real you, beyond whatever image you see of yourself or what other people may think of you,” Angel said gently. “I know people fucked you up. I was raised in a small town mentality, and I see how people are here as well. Caleb and I get the looks when we’re out together and when we have Lucas with us. I had some guy say, ‘Sister, that’s how you treat us?’ I had to point out I’m not his sister and love has no color. I also threatened to kick him in the sacks. The point being, Charlie, you don’t give two fucks about what people think, do you? Be happy with John.”
“So you think the sex thing will work out between us?” Charlie asked.
Angel laughed. “I’m sure it will. The sparks that fly off the both of you… yeah, you’ll be fine. Go get pretty and stop stressing.”
Charlie sighed. “Okay, thank you for talking me off the ledge.”
“You’re welcome. Now go get your freak on,” Angel teased.
“I will, bye,” Charlie laughed.
“Oh by the way, you love him too, we know that as well. I think after all these years you guys need to stop dancing and really dance,” Angel said. “Be happy, sweetie.”
She felt better after their conversation and spent the rest of the day working on her computer. No one knew but she was working on her second dream, writing a novel. She’d already queried the first five chapters to a publisher who wanted to see the full thing. She was excited but didn’t want to share the news, not yet, not until she heard a firm yes or no. Time faded away when she was working on the book, and when she glanced at the time in the top toolbar of her computer she saw it was after six. Oh, shoot. She quickly saved her work and closed her computer. She got up and took a quick shower before putting on her makeup lightly. She decided on jeans and a cropped T-shirt that had the Iron Man shield on the front.
Charlie was right. They all knew her and her quirks, and John loved her regardless. Oh my god, he loves me. She grinned and shook her hair out. It was more than attraction on both sides, Angel was right, she needed to admit it and stop holding on to it like a secret. She loved John too. She hoped they had a good foundation started as friends and soon-to-be lovers.
/>
John rang the doorbell promptly at seven, and she looked at herself in the mirror one last time before heading to the door. Charlie opened it with a smile and took in his sexy looks in a long, greedy gaze. He was in a pair of gray boot cut jeans, and he wore his black biker boots. She loved when he wore those boots or shorts. The man had some sexy legs. His body was thick and his hips lean. On his broad upper body he wore a royal blue navy button-down shirt. He looked good enough to eat. In one hand he carried a bouquet of violets and a DVD and in the other a bottle of wine.
“Hey, sexy,” he said as she stepped aside to let him in.
“I’m wearing old jeans and a T-shirt,” she commented.
“Yes, and I like the Iron Man thing you have on the front,” John said. “Kiss?”
Charlie pressed herself against his body and stood on her tiptoes to reach his lips.
“How’s that?” she asked huskily when she finally broke the kiss.
“Smoking,” he answered. “I almost forgot dinner.”
“Oh no, I never went to the store. I don’t think I have anything in my fridge except for three frozen pizzas and some bottled water. You never sent me a list…”
He kissed her hard. “That’s because I already had a plan. Dinner is being delivered from Vincenzo’s. Seafood portofino, salad, and chocolate raspberry truffle cheesecake.”
Charlie smiled. “My favorite dinner from there.”
“I pay attention.” John grinned. “I also have your favorite red wine, flowers, and the new Transformers on DVD.”
“You’re the best date ever.” Charlie clapped her hands. “I was waiting to buy this on my own, and look at you getting me a DVD.”
“Let’s get these in water.” John walked toward the kitchen. “I’ve seen your collection, not really The Notebook kind of girl.”
