Leading Lady | Charlie Barber x Reader.

Selfish.

Saturday rolled around quickly, you were exhausted from all the previous rehearsals but you were excited to spend the day with Charlie and his son. When Henry arrived at Charlie's place he threw his bag down on the sofa and ran around the house, he had so much energy, it made you laugh, the last thing he needed was sugar.

"Hi Henry!" You beamed at him.

"Hey, ice cream lady!" He yelped, making you giggle. It was sweet of him to remember.

Charlie managed to calm Henry down and get him in the car, and you made your way to Dylan's Candy Bar. Once you were inside you felt like you were Henry's age again. It was like a modern day Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. It was sensory overload. Giant lollipop trees, dripping chocolate shelves, candy cane pillars and candy embedded staircases. There were artpop instillations everywhere and the air was full of a sickly sweet aroma.

Henry dragged your hand along to a large cotton candy stand, you both watched in awe as a lady made two perfect roses out of blue and pink sugar, spinning it round and covering it all in edible glitter. Once you'd finished eating those you made your way to the chocolate room. Charlie was busy enjoying his salted caramel truffles whilst Henry hoovered down several chocolate bunnies. It was so cute, seeing them laugh together and truly enjoy themselves.

After you left you were grateful to be back in the fresh air, you couldn't ingest any more sugar if you tried. You all took a seat on a park bench, listening to the crowds of commuters flood past you. Charlie had to make a phone call so you sat with Henry, playing a game of eye spy.

"Is it...a...cloud?" Henry asked, scratching his head.

"Yes! Good job!" You smiled at him.

"Woo! I'm good at this game," You both giggled. "Dad!" Henry shouted, getting Charlie's attention.

"What's up buddy?" Charlie asked, kneeling in front of him so he could hear him over the traffic.

"Can she come to our house for dinner?" Henry asked, pointing at you. You laughed under your breath, this kid was straight to the point.

"Sure she can...I mean, if you'd like to?" Charlie said, looking over at you. You nodded in acceptance, a smile was plastered on your face.

Charlie made dinner for you all, tomato pasta and homemade garlic bread. It was delicious, you finished your first bowl and had seconds. After eating Henry was desperately to show you some of his toys. You sat on the floor with him, playing operation and colouring in pictures whilst Charlie washed the dishes. Charlie watched you play with Henry, his heart swelling. You were so good with him, you didn't even try it was just effortless, you knew how to make him laugh, how to keep him entertained, Charlie felt extremely lucky to have you there with him.

Once Henry was burnt out Charlie took him upstairs to bed. He read him a story and kissed him on the forehead, making sure he was fast asleep before he came back downstairs. You were sat on the sofa under a blanket, your face illuminated by your phone, scrolling through the pictures you had taken with Charlie and Henry at the sweet shop.

"Thank you for today. Henry likes you." Charlie said, taking a sip of cold beer.

"He's a gorgeous kid," You said. You didn't get on with your step mom at all, she was the reason you hadn't seen your dad anymore, so the least you could do was make an effort with Henry. "He's very lucky to have a Dad like you."

"You never mention your parents." He mused.

"Well...my mum died when I was Henry's age, and my dad and wicked step mother have their own family now, so they don't bother with me." You sighed.

"I'm sorry to hear that." He said, gently stroking your thigh for comfort.

"That's okay, I have an even better Daddy now..." You teased, making him choke on his beer.

"Mm. Bad girl." he chuckled.

His phone suddenly started ringing and he excused himself to answer it. You noticed him pacing along the balcony, smoking. He smoked when he was stressed. You went outside when he put his phone back in his pocket and rubbed his back.

"That was Nicole, she's coming over tomorrow," He sighed, his face falling into a sad frown. "This divorce thing is...rough."

"I'm so sorry. I can't imagine..."

"I didn't want to say anything to you about it, or worry you, but it's been so difficult," He exhaled loudly. "The arguments, not seeing Henry, the stress of it all. I don't know what I'd do without you here."

"I'm always going to be here for you Charlie." You said, bringing him into your chest for a hug.

"I know."

You decided to pack your things and head back to your own apartment, allowing Charlie time with Henry and Nicole, you didn't want to get caught up in the crossfire, it wasn't your place. Charlie paid for your Uber and kissed you goodbye. It hurt your heart to be away from him, but it would give you a chance to readjust to your apartment.

When you arrived back to your place the memories of Vic came flooding back to you, making your gut fill with anxiety. You felt yourself reliving each moment of that horrible night, your bruise had faded but your scars hadn't. You knew Vic had been given a warning and if he came near you again then he would be punished, either by the police or Charlie. That soothed you slightly. You made sure the door was locked tightly and managed to drift off to sleep peacefully.
...
Charlie didn't sleep well that night without you beside him, the thought of having to talk to Nicole was gnawing away at him. 

When Nicole arrived she sat with Henry on the couch, he told her all about their trip to the candy bar, and all about you. Charlie tensed up, watching Nicole's facial expression drop. She set Henry up in the living room with a movie and some snacks to keep him occupied, whilst Charlie went and stood on the balcony. Nicole eventually went out and stood beside him, thinking of how to break the uncomfortable silence. She kissed him, making Charlie recoil.

"Please don't...we are over." He grimaced. Nicole rolled her eyes, she knew he was right but she still missed how he kissed her.

"Yeah...Henry told me about your new lead actress. How original Charlie." She snapped, not making eye contact.

"Nicole..." He sighed, not wanting to start another shouting match with Henry so close by. 

"You're embarrassing...you a selfish prick. The sooner this divorce is done the better." She hissed through gritted teeth.

"Lower your voice." He sighed, lighting a cigarette. "At least she makes me fucking happy, you never did."

"Fuck you Charlie. I'm taking Henry back to LA, for good. If you want to see him again I suggest you take that offer at UCLA." She snapped, making her way back inside.

Charlie balled his fists in anger, harshly putting out his cigarette. He had been offered a job at the University of Los Angeles, it was an amazing opportunity for him, but the thought of leaving you behind was what held him back from taking it. Now he was put a position to choose between you or Henry, and he was going to choose Henry every time, he knew it would crush you. But he knew you would want him to go and be with his son. He decided he would break the news to you after the show was finished.
...
Rose spent the afternoon with you at your apartment whilst Charlie was busy with Nicole and Henry. You knew they weren't physically intimate and they were getting a divorce but you still felt a tinge of jealousy knowing they would be spending the day together. Luckily Rose was busy filling you in on her own escapades, keeping your mind away from Charlie.

"Honestly, I'm telling you girl...Dylan knows how to please a woman." She grinned, blowing out smoke from the joint she just sparked. "Have you and Charlie...you know?"

"More times than I can count..." You admitted, giggling to yourself. "He is fucking incredible."

"Girl! Look at us! Who'd have thought it..." She winked, passing you the joint.

You spent most of your day getting high and watching shitty romantic comedies with Rose, sitting on your messy apartment floor, laughing until you cried. You checked your phone every so often but Charlie never made contact, you hoped he was just busy, making the most of his time with Henry. 

"So, you all prepared for opening night?" Rose mused, noticing your disappointed expression.

"As ready as I'll ever be. I can't believe it's only a few days away." You said, butterflies creeping into your stomach as you spoke. "I've got you guys some tickets, just give them your name when you arrive."

"Thanks girl. I heard a rumour that Elizabeth Marsh was coming to watch." Your ears pricked up.

Elizabeth March was the biggest talent agent in New York, she had the power to give you a career or destroy it. You'd heard that she was the most beautiful, stone cold bitch in the whole city. Knowing that she might be in that audience made your blood run hot with anticipation.

"Well, if that's true...lets hope I impress her."

*AN - Thanks for reading! Sorry this was only a short one, shit is about to go downnnnn, but trust me, it'll make sense!*