What About Charlie?

by Haley Michelle Howard

  “Yes. I’ve missed this.”

  “Me too. We’ve wasted so much time.”

  Charlie couldn’t allow herself to speak, less she say something foolish like telling Evan that she loved him. The time wasn’t right. Let the closeness between them build, let him see what they could have before she told him and scared the living daylights out of him.

  Instead, she lay both hands on his cheeks and gently pulled his face down to hers, their lips finally touching after several incredibly long tension filled seconds.

  They were both hungry for each other, feverish in their desire – tasting, their tongues dipping into each other’s mouth, dueling. Charlie’s hands had long left Evan’s face and were now running up and down his body. He wore no shirt, only pajama bottoms. He skin was warm and smooth. She longed to kiss every square inch of his body.

  She was going to let it happen if he wanted it to, if he felt the time was right.

  He lifted off her and searched her eyes. “That was fantastic. I want to be inside of you so badly and make love to you.”

  “But?”

  “You’ll probably think I’m losing it, but I wanted last night and this morning to be an intimate time for us. Holding each other close and talking, really talking is the best type of intimacy for us right now. That is what we need the most.”

  Charlie had prepared to feel the same old hurt at his rejection. Instead, she felt happiness. Happiness that she was finally seeing beyond the obvious. It wasn’t that Evan didn’t want her. He did very much so. She could feel the physical evidence pressed against her thigh. No, he was being tender, romantic. Her heart soared. If he didn’t perhaps love her, care for her, he would take her and find quick release.

  Instead, he was wanting the time between them to be special, to build, to be meaningful for both of them. Did he love her? She smiled. Perhaps he did!

  Her eyes welled up with tears and she chided herself for being so silly. She willed herself not to speak unless something silly came out, but the words slipped out, seeming to come out of nowhere. “I love you, Evan…” Fearful of his reply, Charlie quickly continued, “…I have a special day planned for you. This is your day.”

  ***

  Evan gazed through the trees to the water, seemingly mesmerized by the beauty that surrounded him.

  He turned to look at Charlie, whose face was lit up with a smile of great pleasure, pleasure that she’d surprised him and pleased him.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

  “Whose land is this? We can’t be but a mile or so from the farm?”

  Charlie leaned against the four-wheeler they’d ridden to get there. “It’s right at a mile. And all this is ours, Evan. In fact, we have several miles of riverfront property.”

  Where they stood was cool despite it being a hot summer’s day. Large oak and cottonwood trees shielded them from the sun. It was quiet and peaceful. All he could hear were birds chirping, the wind blowing by his ears, his breathing.

  “I had no idea.”

  “I am glad you are surprised. This is part of your special day. I’ve borrowed a Sea Doo from William McGhee. You remember him don’t you? We’re going to spend the day on the river swimming, riding the Sea Doo, perhaps ski or ride the boogie board. William says we can do that, too.”

  He looked at the craft, still on its trailer. “How do we get it in the water?”

  Charlie pointed just past his shoulder. “There’s a boat ramp there, though you can’t see it from here. Daddy had it built. He used to go fishing a lot.”

  The day turned out to be perfect. They swam, rode the Sea Doo, even tried their hand at water skiing though they were in the water more than on the skis.

  “I haven’t had this much fun in a long time, Charlie.”

  “Me neither. Do you want another sandwich?”

  He shook his head and a companionable silence surrounded them.

  They were sitting on a blanket in the shade overlooking the river bank, eating lunch. A light breeze blew, gently blowing Charlie’s hair from her face. She watched him as he lay on his back, closing his eyes.

  Should she have told him she loved him? He didn’t say anything at the time, except give her a smile that reached all the way to his green eyes. Perhaps the timing was wrong, but it needed to be said none-the-less. For their future, all must be revealed.

  “Charlie?”

  She jumped in surprise. She thought he was asleep.

  “Yes?”

  “Did you find what you were looking for when you came up here last month? Have you finally found your peace?”

  “I’ve found it, Evan. Coming up here took me out of the cycle of feeling sorry for myself, feelings of no direction in my life. I’ve learned to focus on the future, not the present and it’s problems. Most importantly I’ve learned that peace and happiness come from within. We are all masters of our own destiny. I’d become so self-absorbed I couldn’t see what I needed to do.”

  He sat up, his forearms propped on his knees, his eyes fixed on her. “What do you want to do, Charlie? Have you decided?” He voice was filled with pain, even fear.

  She looked him straight in the eye. “First and foremost, we have to be truthful with each other and ourselves if we want our marriage to work. I love you, Evan. I’ve loved you for a long time. Do you love me? Can you come to love me?”

  Evan’s face broke into a smile that reached all the way to his eyes. “From the first day you came into my life, you’ve brightened my days, made me smile, given me joy. To think that I almost let all of that slip through my fingers because my fear of saying three words, three words that I felt but was afraid to say! I’m going to say them now, Charlie. I love you. Truly love you. I wouldn’t have slept with you if I hadn’t loved you. I sure as hell wouldn’t have married you if I hadn’t loved you, though at the time I don’t think I even realized how much I loved you. We went about things wrong, Charlie. You deserved so much more than a quick marriage of convenience.” He took hold of her hand, clasping it between his. “But that is the past, isn’t it? I want to start anew, too. I want to romance you. I want you to be my wife in every way. I want a family. I want you to be my best friend again. I want to share my life with you. We can make this work, can’t we?”

  Charlie’s eyes shimmered with tears of happiness, not quite believing her ears. Her dream had come true! Evan loved her!

  “Yes. Oh, yes! I want all those things, too, Evan.” Then all the mirth and happiness seemed to fade from her eyes. “Evan, I want to work.”

  He frowned. “You don’t need to. I can support us easily on what I make.”

  Charlie shook her head. “It’s not about having to work. I need to keep active both physically and mentally. I’ve talked to Ken and I’ve agreed to do some consulting work for him. This is important to me.”

  Evan nodded. “If it’s important to you, then do it. I want you to be happy and will do everything in my power to make it so.”

  “I love you, Evan.” She smiled. “I can’t keep from saying it.”

  He yanked on her arm and pulled her on top of him. “Let me love you properly, Charlie. This is our beginning.”

  EPILOGUE

  Christmas – A year and a half later.

  “When are your parents due to arrive at the airport?” Charlie asked as she dried a dish with a towel.

  Evan took the dish from her and put it in the cupboard. “They should be landing any minute now.”

  “It’s snowing pretty heavily,” Charlie commented as she looked out the kitchen window. “I hope they don’t have any delays. Are you sure they’ll be ok getting here? Perhaps we should have gone to get them.”

  “Michael is with them. He has the directions and will get them here. Don’t worry.”

  “I wish Michael was bringing his girlfriend. I would love to meet her.”

  Evan snorted. “He wouldn’t mind you and I meeting Claire. However, he’s determined that mother and father not meet her. Could you imagine mother’
s reaction if Michael were to bring a girlfriend to a family Christmas? She would automatically start planning for a wedding. Besides, I don’t think Michael is at all serious about her.”

  “Well, I’m glad we could have Christmas here at the farm this year. You don’t think your mother was too terribly disappointed about having Christmas here instead of in Boston?”

  Evan smiled. “I suppose she must have been a little disappointed. She was hoping we’d stay in the same guest room as last Christmas where we conceived Christopher. She’s anxious for another grandchild, a granddaughter this time.”

  Charlie laughed. “I believe we could have ten children and your mother would want more.” Charlie dried another dish and handed it to Evan. “Amy called a short time ago. She said Rich is officially out of the apartment and out of her life. He’s joined the Marines.”

  “She’s finally rid of him? I can’t believe it.”

  “Neither can I. She finally told him he had to leave, and with no other career options open to him he chose the military. It might be a good move for him. I know it’s definitely a good move for Amy.” Charlie handed him another dish to put away. “Evan, I’ve got an idea,” she said excitedly. “What do you think about introducing Amy to Michael?”

  He gave her an incredulous look. “No, way, Charlie. That’s out of the question.”

  “But why? They might hit it off.”

  “But, more than likely, they won’t. Then we’d be stuck in the middle. It would be better to let them meet people on their own.”

  Charlie frowned. “I just want them to be happy, just as we are.”

  “I know, Charlie. That’s what I love about you. You have a good, generous heart, but it’s best to mind our business. Both will find someone.”

  She sighed. “I suppose you’re right.” She picked up another dish to dry and looked over at Evan as he leaned against the counter. “Is Christopher asleep? I don’t hear him on the baby monitor.”

  “Last time I checked he was. And you know what that means - mommy and daddy can play,” he said, giving Charlie a sexy smile.

  “It’s been what? One day?” Charlie teased.

  “Two. Come Charlie. Let me make love to you. We have yet to make love in our new bedroom.” They’d recently remodeled the house, enlarging the kitchen and den and adding two bedrooms in anticipation of spending much more time at the farm.

  Charlie dropped her towel and sauntered over to him, seductively pressing the front of her body against his. “You think you can handle me?”

  He dropped his mouth to her neck, and proceeded to plant light kisses from just below her ear down to the sensitive skin on her shoulder blade. Before Charlie knew it, he’d unbuttoned her shirt and was sliding it down her arms. In seconds it was laying in a heap on the floor. Then her milk-heavy breasts suddenly popped free from the confines of her nursing bra. Evan lightly rubbed his fingertips over the nipples, teasing her, driving her crazy. She pressed her breast into his hand, desperately needing him to massage it. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally took her breast in his hand, gently massaging it. Just as she moaned, he covered her mouth with his, kissing her, probing the hot moistness of her mouth with his tongue.

  Suddenly a shrieking cry pierced the quiet.

  They both stilled. “Christopher,” Charlie groaned. Reluctantly, she stepped out of Evan’s grasp.

  Evan sighed. “How come every time I begin to make love to you, he starts crying? It’s like he knows.”

  Charlie laughed at the dejected look on Evan’s face. “It’s all part of being a parent and it’s only going to get worse. He’s three months old now and mostly sleeps, but just wait until he gets older. What do you think will happen then? We’re going to have to sneak around like a couple of randy teenagers.”

  Evan shook his head. “It’s hard to believe the changes a baby makes in one’s life. Life will never be the same again, will it?”

  “Nope,” Charlie said as she righted her bra and grabbed her shirt off the floor.

  “And you know what, Charlie? I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love you and Christopher so much. I thank god every day that I have you two in my life. I don’t know where I’d be without you.”

  Charlie smiled and cupped Evan’s cheek with her hand. “I feel the same way, Evan. Where would we be today if we’d never rectified our problems? I am so glad we worked everything out. All the pain and heartache was worth it in the end.”

  Another shriek pierced the air, interrupting the tender moment.

  “I better go,” Charlie said. “It sounds like he’s hungry.”

  “You go. I’ll finish these dishes.”

  She tilted her head to the side and looked at him. “You used to like to watch me breast feed him.”

  “I love to watch you breast feed him. The only thing is I get so damned turned on watching it. There’s nothing I’d like to do more than suckle those luscious breasts and make love to you. It’s damned frustrating.”

  Charlie lightly kissed his mouth, playfully tracing his lips with her tongue. “Oh, poor baby…” she teased. “Well, my love,” she said, “after Christopher goes to sleep tonight, it will be our night.”

  “It will be my luck that Michael or mother and father will want to stay up and talk.”

  Charlie smiled. “I’m sure they’d understand if we feigned fatigue and went to bed early.”

  “They’d know what we were doing.”

  “Is that such a bad thing? After all, we are newlyweds and they are eager for more grandchildren…”

  Evan laughed, never feeling happier. “Go feed our son, my minx. And be ready for tonight…”

  ###

  Thank you for reading this story.

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