Page 26 of Charlotte
“You’re carrying twins, love. You shouldn’t be running.” I remind her gently as I pull her into my side. I can’t hide the smile on my face as I think about the amazing precious cargo she carries in her belly. It’s so hard not to be overprotective and dominating. It’s because I love her and the babies, but I have to remember not to smoother her.
“Mom!” Sara and Justin run across the tarmac. We wait patiently for them to reach us. They swallow Charlotte in their embrace. I step aside to give them some space but can’t stop smiling broadly. Charlotte’s face is lit up in happiness. Her hazel eyes are sparkling with unshed tears. It’s been hard for her to be so far from them and I momentarily feel guilty for taking so long to bring her home. It was in her best interest as it was just too dangerous before. Her countenance shifts as worry crosses her face but is gone in a flash. What is worrying her? It’s what her children will think about our situation and all the changes and challenges we will be facing in the next year. It is a little overwhelming when you think about it. Getting married, having twins, blending two families that live so far apart. I’m stationed in North Carolina and her family lives here in Kentucky. It will all work out there is no other acceptable outcome other than Charlotte and I being together. She is the air I breath. I crave her more than any addict could a drug. I am startled out of my musing when Sara shrieks.
“Whoa, Mom What the hell? Where did that come from?” Sara exclaims grabbing Charlotte’s left hand to look at the beautiful ring on her finger. “When were you going to tell us?”
“Now.” Charlotte says softly. “I wanted to tell you in person. It’s only been a little over a week. Please don’t be angry. We wanted to be with you when we told y’all about it.” Silently I move to her side, taking her hand, lending a silent support.
“Mom, we aren’t angry, just shocked. I didn’t realize you two were getting so close. It’s really fast. Don’t you think?” Justin inquires in a quiet voice.
“How about we wait to discuss all this until we are back at your place?” I interject wanting to take some of Charlotte’s distress away at least for the moment.
“We can talk in the car. It’s a long drive home.” Sara says. Charlotte huffs out a breath and moves to head toward the parking lot. This is going to be a long awkward drive. Placing my hand on the small of her back, I gently guide her as we head to the parking lot. She is quiet and contemplative as we walk. I assume she is wondering what her kids are thinking. I really hope they take the news of the babies well. I won’t stand for them upsetting her in her condition.
Justin insists on driving, so we settle into the back seat. Instinctively I reach over and buckle Charlotte’s seatbelt as I have been doing since we arrived back in the States. It didn’t cross my mind that her children might notice or even care. It’s just something we always do. Sara turns to look over the seat at us, giving us a quizzical look. Charlotte glares back at her with a raised brow.
“What?” She demands.
“Are you suddenly helpless? He’s buckling your seatbelt?” Sara smirks at us.
“Drop it Sara!” Charlotte reprimands in a tight voice. “I will not explain myself to you.”
“Look, Mom. We haven’t seen you in months except for a couple of days in the hospital. You haven’t even talked about dating after Dad died. Now you are here sporting a huge rock. I am sorry, but this is all a bit much for us to take in, ok?” Sara’s voice breaks with emotion at the end.
“I know. Ok? I am sorry. This hasn’t been very easy for us either.” Charlotte replies trying to placate them. “I realize Hawk and I have seemed to have moved too fast, but we are adults. We aren’t young. We don’t have endless time to build relationships. I would not presume to tell you how to live your life. I expect you not to try and tell me how to live mine.”
“Charlotte, it is understandable they are surprised, and a little hurt. They want to protect you. They don’t know me. Cut them a little slack.” I say softly. I reach over to cup her cheek and sooth her anger. “Sara, Justin I want to reassure you that I only want what is in the best interest for your mother. I love her and I will never do anything to hurt her.”
“Listen, we all need to calm down. I know this is an emotionally difficult situation, but we are family. Hawk is going to be a part of our family. I need you all to trust me that I know what I am doing.” Charlotte tells her kids with tears in her eyes. This pregnancy has her crying nearly every day. She has assured me it was a normal thing, but it still hurts me to see her cry. The need to chase them away is ever present.
“We might as well completely clear the air while we are at it.” Charlotte says with conviction. I stiffen beside her but squeeze her hand a little tighter in silent support.
“Charlotte, love, are you sure you want to do this now?” I asks her in a whisper.
“What’s he talking about Mom?” Justin demands in a harsh voice as he flicks his eyes from the rearview mirror and back to the road. Fear flashes across her face as she contemplates their reaction to our news. She blows out a breath and chews on her bottom lip. The silence drags on, so I reach over and take her face in my hands. When her eyes meet mine, I ask her quietly. “Do you want me to tell them?”
“No. I will tell them.” Charlotte declares as she takes a deep breath. “Hawk and I are going to have twins in about 7 months.”
The silence in the car is deafening. The roar of the tires on the road is a loud roar. Justin’s knuckles are white on the steering wheel. Sara stares out the window. Charlotte is tense so I continue to hold her hand, gently rubbing my thumb over the back of her hand. I hate this. I don’t want this to put a strain on our relationship. She looks to me and smiles sadly. When I slip my arm around her, she leans into me soaking up my strength. Before long she relaxes, and her breathing slows in sleep.
Chapter 24
Charlotte
The gravels crackingunder the weight of the tires wakes me we pull into the long driveway of my home place. A rabbit darts across the road into some dried bushes along the road. It is a beautiful old 2-story farmhouse. White vinyl siding, single oak front door, with large picture window gracing the front of the house. How I have missed this place. I bought it after my husband died. It was just too hard to stay there in our old house anymore, too many memories. Sara actually lives in the house where they grew up. Justin has moved about 40 miles away to be closer to his state police post.
We all pile out of the car. Justin helps Hawk get our bags and carry them into the house. Even though I slept on the four-hour drive here, I am exhausted after all the traveling. A nice long shower followed by a long nap is just what I need right now. Once we get inside, I am hit with nausea and dizziness again. I head for the downstairs bath. Hawk follows me. He knows that look. When we emerge from the bathroom, Sara and Justin are waiting outside giving us a hard look. I sigh heavily. Hawk pulls me to his side, pressing a kiss to my temple.
“Do you all need some time alone to talk?” Hawk asks.
“No.” I say. “You are a part of me and therefore a part of this family.”
“Look Mom. We just need some time to process all of this. We can’t just accept some new random man. I am not saying that someday, we won’t love Hawk like you do, but not today.” It’s Justin that drops all of the emotional words on us.
“Ok, I can understand that. Can you please try to understand that Hawk and I have been inseparable for the last few months? I need him. I’m sorry if that makes me seem weak in your eyes. I don’t want you all to know all that I went through in the Columbian jungle. Hawk saved me in the jungle, and he continues to save me every day when I relieve that nightmare.” I try to explain to them the closeness that Hawk and I have between us.
“Alright Mom, we get it. We will back off. I am glad that he is good to you.” Sara says with a smile. “I’ll run into town and get us something to eat for supper.” We nod and Justin carries our bags upstairs to my room. I give Hawk a tour of the house and the back yard. A large deck graces the back of the house with a nice large grill and patio table and chairs. The backyard has a large fire pit with lawn chairs surrounding it. Benches, chairs, and small tables are placed strategically around the space. There is nothing we love more than inviting extended family over for barbeques.
Sara returns a short time later and we settle in around the dining table to eat. I am conscious to go easy on the greasy foods in hopes of keeping some of it down. Hawk has been pushing water and Gatorade on me all afternoon. It’s really sweet how he dotes on me. The need to be near him and touch him is overwhelming. I lay my hand on his thigh as we eat. His left hand takes mine on his lap. Thankfully the conversation is easy as the kids tell us about their jobs, recent dates, and outings they have taken with their friends. It’s hard to stifle the yawn that escapes me as we are eating desert.
