by Unknown
“Shall we take Jester for a short walk and check it out?” I suggested.
“We'll have to sneak out though as Chris thinks I should be lying around all day. He's driving me mad”
I showed Jester the lead and we both snuck out of the door. We walked along the pavement fast until we reached the corner and burst into laughter.
“I feel like a naughty school girl” Sarah gasped, holding her side.
“Do you think we'll get into trouble”
“Yep, but I'm sure we can get out of it”
We wandered along the road and saw the For Sale placard in the garden.
“It looks nice from the outside” Sarah murmured, as we stood on the opposite side of the road.
“Yes and think how good it will be to just pop in for a cuppa and a chat”
“Back to old times”
We linked arms and crossed the road before turning and taking a short stroll back and through part of the park.
“How are you feeling” I asked.
“Pretty good, a bit tired and hungry”
“Well, you're hopefully eating for two”
“Fingers crossed, soon I'll be as fat as Charlotte”
“Then you'll be lapping up all the attention from Chris”
Slowly opening the front door we snuck in and crept back to the kitchen table. Sitting down we tried to act casual when James and Chris walked in.
“Where have you been?” Chris asked.
“Yes, girls we need to know otherwise they'll be punishment in order” James joined in, trying to keep a straight face. I looked at him and smothered my giggles with my hand.
“Just out” Sarah squeaked before she grabbed a tissue to dab her eyes. We were both overcome with laughter and each time I looked at the guys they were trying to stop from joining in.
Charlotte and Mitchell came to the doorway and peered in at the laughing adults.
“Have you all been drinking” Charlotte asked.
“Nope, just coffee” I stuttered.
“Mitch thought we could take Jester for a short walk, maybe just across to the park”
Her comment just set us all off again but Jester padded to the door, registering the 'w' word and Mitchell picked his lead up off the windowsill in the hall.
“Come on, before your Mum says no” Mitch said, grabbing her hand.
Letting Jester run loose Mitchell steered her to the bench and they sat down.
“So you'd better fill me in on the plans for next weekend. I'm not happy about it but equally I want to make sure that she's put away for what she did to me and maybe what she did to your Dad”
“I think that now we have the car we can travel down to London and meet Zach and Sasha at his flat, probably have to stay overnight”
“I'll book a hotel, I don't think I can stay there, you know with you and him...”
“Mitchell, can we try and forget all that, we were never in love. I guess we both just needed each other at that point. Without Zach you'd still be in America”
She stood up and started to march back towards the gate of the park, angry that Mitchell had to keep bringing the past up.
Charlotte didn't get far before a sharp pain wrenched through her and she staggered and turned back to Mitchell. Her face turned white as she dropped to the floor.
“Mitch” she gasped “Quick”
He shouted Jester and ran to scoop her up.
“Shall I call the ambulance”
“Just get me home” she said, the pain starting to subside.
He carried her across the street and somehow pushed open the door.
“Dad, Steph” he shouted as he took Charlie through to the lounge and placed her on the sofa.
“Honey, is everything ok?” I said, Sarah right behind me looking pale and as if she might throw up.
Charlie nodded and tried a small smile that looked more like a grimace.
“Just a sharp pain again” she rubbed the bump and then felt the kicks and knew the babies were ok “Guess I over did the walk”
“Do you want to go up to bed, it will be more comfortable there” Mitch suggested. She nodded and tried to stand up but he shook his head.
“I'm taking no chances” he lifted her into his arms and made the stairs look easy. Sarah followed and walked straight into the downstairs loo, Chris heard her heaving and slipped through the door.
I looked at James who stared past me.
“So do I need to know something here?”
I walked into his arms and whispered in his ear.
“Sarah's pregnant too, about 3 months but it’s around this time in the past that she has lost her previous. I guess seeing Charlie must have dredged up a few unwelcome memories”
Pressing me tighter he brushed a kiss onto my hair before I looked up and our lips met. It was a kiss that soothed our worries about both Charlie and Sarah.
“I'll go and put the kettle on” I said. Chris came out of the cloakroom and looked at me and then James.
“I guess I'd better tell you the news, Sarah's pregnant” he said. His smile lit up his face as James shook his hand and I walked over and gave him a hug.
“Tea” I asked.
“Yes, I'll be out in a minute” Sarah replied. Apart from still looking pale she took Chris' hand and the option of the sofa.
With mugs in hand I took the stairs up to Mitchell and Charlotte's room.
“Can I come in, I've bought you a cuppa”
I opened the door and found both of them in bed together, Charlie asleep on Mitchell's chest. Mitch smiled and I placed them on the bedside table.
“I'll come down in a bit, when she wakes up”
“No rush” I whispered “Just look after her”
He nodded and I withdrew, feeling calmer. A quick visit to the Doctors might be in order so I rang up and booked her an appointment for Tuesday afternoon so I could go with her.
Zach and Sasha had spent a relaxed morning together, taken lunch out at the local pub but now it was time for the drive home. Zach had never been in a long distance relationship, in fact he was out of practice full stop since they split up. While the car ate up the miles they talked.
“So I'll see you next weekend, I'll be down Saturday morning and you can stay at the flat after our night out”
“Sounds like a plan, it will be good for us to take it steady for the first couple of months”
“Yes, but I don't want it to be like this forever, I want you to live with me. We can buy a place together”
“Steady Zach, I love your enthusiasm but step at a time. Sam will need to get used to you and then we'll have to tell him that you're his Dad”
Zach sighed; he didn't want to waste time. Sasha was his chance to become the man he always used to be before that night. Yes a business man but also a family man and in time a husband and maybe a father again? The world was filled with so many possibilities since Charlotte had opened his eyes and heart again. He had so much to thank her for, more that perhaps she imagined. Feeling a touch on his thigh he glanced down and found her hand there. He took his foot off the gas slightly, not wanting their time together to end.
At the door she hesitated.
“I can't let you in this time as Mum is here looking after Sam and I haven't filled her in on us getting back together yet”
“No problem, this is all at your pace Sash”
“Thanks Zach” she leaned in and captured his mouth with hers, a sweet, seductive kiss that left them both wanting more.
“Till next weekend”
“Yes” he watched her step inside before returning to his car and driving to Lexie's house.
“Hey Sis” he said, stepping into their town house and nearly falling over a cuddly toy on the floor. His sister picked it up.
“Welcome to the mad house, Em's being such a pain in the ass today”
Zach followed his sister into the large open plan kitchen and lounge and picked up Emma from her spot on the floor.
“How's
my favourite niece today” he asked, feeling her cubby two year old arms around his neck.
“Unkie Zach, sweeties” she asked, smothering his face in wet kisses.
“I'll have a look in my pocket” he said, putting her down and finding a small bar of chocolate “but only if your Mum says you can”
“Yes, it will keep her quiet until tea time” Lexie sighed, handing him a coffee in return.
“Is Duncan in, I need a quick chat about next Saturday”
“You're not trying to avoid my interrogation are you” Lexie joked.
“Oh as if I would, just delaying it” he grinned.
“Staying for tea?”
“Yeah, thanks if that's alright?”
“Depends on how much gossip I get!” She watched as he wandered through to the office and stepped inside. She already knew too much about Saturday but if this was the best way for Zach to move on then she was in. After an hour in the office, Zach and Duncan emerged to the smell of Shepherd's Pie.
“Everything sorted?”
“Yes” Zach said, watching his brother-in-law nod and open a bottle of red.
“Drink” He asked. Zach and Lexie nodded and he poured them a glass to enjoy over dinner.
“So how's that dancer you were seeing, the one who collapsed on stage?” Duncan asked.
“She's good now, we were just friends”
“Huh, friend’s right, she was too gorgeous for you not to have gone there?”
“Ok, we were friends with benefits, anyhow I'm back with Sasha now” Zach blushed and swallowed some wine.
The rest of the evening passed with light hearted chat, each of them avoiding Felicity and the weekend to come.
“See you soon Lex”
“You too, don't be a stranger you and Sasha should come round for a meal soon”
“I'll get through next weekend first before I commit to anything” the one glass of wine feeding his sombre mood. She kissed his cheek and let him go. Zach drove to the London flat for the night, collecting a parcel on his way up. He opened it to find what he needed for next weekend, he had primed the courier to leave no delivery note and David was discretion incarnate. The only person who knew the full plan was Dan and that's the way Zach wanted it. He poured a drink, downed it and went to bed, alone and missing Sasha.
Chapter 48
Saturday came round with surprising speed as Charlotte stretched out and ran her hand down the spine of Mitchell. He turned over and reached for her, letting her body fill the gap between them.
“Morning gorgeous”
“Hey Sexy” her reply before their lips crushed together. Since the previous weekend Mitchell had been treating her with kid gloves, frightened by the incident in the park he had not let her out of his sight, even cancelling his few day’s work with Simon on the premise that he would start the following week.
“Are you sure you're ok? He murmured in her ear.
“Look, I've been fine all week and the Doctor said that everything's good as long as I take it easy, which I have been doing”
“We can cancel on Zach if you want, tell him you're not well enough. I'm sure his plan would work without you”
Charlotte sighed and held Mitch even tighter.
“I need to do this, for you, for my Mum and for the Dad I never knew, she needs to pay”
Mitch caught the fierce determination in her eyes before she let her lips touch his again, her tongue poke between them. She could feel his cock hard against her thigh and she yearned to have him inside her, but that was still a no go! He felt the passion pouring through her and let his lips trail a path lower, using his touch and tongue to show the depth of his feelings. She tasted sweet as he drew her to a tender orgasm before he let her loose on him. She drank it down and kissed her salty lips to his when she moved back up his body.
“Let’s just stay in bed all day”
“Well, you'd better bring me some food as I'm famished” Charlie giggled, her body wrapped in his embrace.
In the end Mitchell had given in to the offer of staying at Zach's flat so after lunch they took a steady drive to London. Charlotte still had her key card so was able to direct Mitch to the underground car park before they entered the flat.
“Fuck me, is he a millionaire or something!”
“No, he shares it with his sister Lexie, they were left it by their parents after they died in a plane accident”
She found her jar of Hot Chocolate and made them both a cup as they sat down and waited. Charlie tried not to remember the evening Zach had shared secrets and grown closer. She still had a soft spot for him, and guessed she always would.
“Hey, let's test this stereo system” Zach said, finding the controller and pressing play. The Jason Derulo track flooded the room, making her blush.
“Are you ok Charlie? You look a bit flushed”
“I think it’s just warm in here”
Mitchell listened to the song; it had only just entered the charts and was slowly climbing.
“This is a great track” he slipped off his shoes and started to gyrate.
“Stop it, you're making me even hotter and more frustrated that I was this morning”
“Come here, promise I won't be too energetic”
She couldn't resist and stood up.
“Here, spoon up to my front” and bending his knees a bit they fitted together. She pushed back against him and let her hands rest on his thighs. He hooked his under her bump, slowly grinding into her as they swayed.
“Mmmh this feels good” she sighed. Mitchell said nothing just nuzzled her neck.
“You’re my girl Charlie, my lucky star”
With the song finishing they heard the ping of the lift door and broke apart, scurrying back to sit on the sofa.
“Great, you're here already” Zach said, striding into the room and clicking off the stereo. He knew that the song playing would always remind him of Charlotte, both nights when they had fucked. Sasha followed him in and smiled at them.
“Nice to meet you both again”
“You too” Mitch replied.
“Do you want a drink?” Charlie offered, trying to get up off the sofa.
“I'll get some” Zach said “and order up some food as two of us will have to eat before we go out”
They all laughed nervously, the tension in the room palpable. The afternoon ticked by, Zach offered Charlotte and Mitch the master bedroom so they had the advantage of the ensuite. Charlie ran the bath and stripped off, hoping the warm water would sooth her increasing nerves. It was even better when Mitchell slid in behind her, rubbed her shoulders and washed her hair. She languished under his touch.
“Just promise you won't try anything stupid or let Zach put you in danger”
“I promise”
He watched her get ready, the delicate way she smoothed on body lotion, slipped into a corseted Basque to help hide her bump. Mitch tied it up for her, bestowing kisses on her shoulders. Then the silver dress went on and he gasped. She looked glorious, elegant and sexy at the same time. Struggling to bend down he knelt and tied the ribbons on her shoes, letting his hands run up her shapely legs.
Standing up she turned and he saw the pink heart necklace at her throat.
“I have something for you” she opened her make-up case and revealed the watch.
“I think this is yours? You'll need it later so you know when I'm coming out. Zach says it’s all very structured and that dessert is always served at eleven”
Mitchell held out his wrist and she clasped it on. She let her fingers stray up his arm and run down his jawline. His hands touched her cheeks and allowed him to tilt her head before his lips claimed hers.
“I love you Charlotte and when this is over I have an important question to ask you”
“I love you Mitchell and what happens tonight ends the terror for all of us”
He nodded and she wiped a single tear from his cheek, it clung to the lines on her palm before dropping to the floor.
&nbs
p; “Are you ready Charlotte, we need to leave”
“Yes, just coming” she replied, picking up her handbag and dropping her phone inside. Mitchell followed her out and came face to face with his mother's accountant.
“Mitchell this is Keith, he will make sure Charlie gets out to the car and Sasha will come in with him, then the two of you can come straight back here”
“But you're the accountant?” Mitch said.
“No, I'm a private detective, I worked for your Mum” he bowed his head “I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused, I'm here to make amends”
Zach gave Sasha a kiss and then flung his jacket over his shoulder.
“The taxi is waiting” he said, holding out his arm for Charlotte. Before she could take it Mitchell stepped forward and kissed her so deeply that she felt her stomach flip flop in double time.
“I'll be waiting” he said.
Zach and Charlotte stepped into the lift and the doors closed. She reached down and gripped his hand.
“Deep breaths Lottie, you can do this, just act like you love me, that will really infuriate her”
In the taxi she snuggled in to him.
“You look beautiful Charlotte, Mitchell is a lucky guy and so am I for having you in my life. You showed me that love was worth fighting for”
“No, I should be thanking you, helping me find him when I thought he was dead, letting me stay in your flat for the show. Everything really”
She turned to look at him, drowned for a second in his intense stare. He wrapped a hand round the back of her neck and reeled her in.
“Our last kiss” he breathed, her mouth opened and let him devour her. She let his hand tug her hair before trailing down her back and running onto her bare leg. She throbbed for him for a final time before they broke apart. She just had time to pull out her mirror and re-apply her lipstick before the taxi stopped. They would always share something that little bit closer than friends with benefits should have.