Convergence

Twenty Seven

"Charlotte, I've asked my mom to babysit for us so you can come with me to a benefit" said Jared coming into the kitchen. I had heard him chatting on the phone, but hadn't paid any attention. I looked up frowning, "ah, no" I said simply. He raised an eyebrow, "why not? What are you doing?" he asked, looking at the counter. "I made banana bread" I replied as if it should have been obvious. He looked confused, "Who for?" he said. "Anyone who wants it" I shrugged. "Is it vegan?" he asked smiling and coming towards me. "Yes" I replied rolling my eyes and turning my back to him, he grabbed me around the waist pulling me against him. "Aww Charlie" he said nuzzling my neck. "It's just bread ..." I started to say, "thanks Charlie" he said loudly drowning out my protests. "Let me go I need to clean up" I said, suppressing a smile. "So, it's on Friday night ..." he said letting me go. "No, I'm not going" I said firmly. "I want you with me" he said. "I'd feel so out of place" I argued. "You're my girlfriend and you're coming with me" he said sharply as if that was the end of the discussion. "I can't leave Oli, he's never been with anyone he doesn't know. What if he .... he might get anxious .." I started to say. Jared started shaking his head, "he's spent some time with my mom, he'll be fine and she knows what she's doing" he said. "People are going to talk ..." I whispered. He nodded, finally understanding why I was so worried. "Charlie, they've already seen us. Can you stop worrying please?" he said. I exhaled and shook my head, "no ones ever made me banana bread before, when's it gonna be ready?" he said grinning, looking into the oven and ignoring my comment. "I wouldn't feel comfortable" I said, frustrated by his refusal to take no for an answer. He looked up at me and gave me a sexy smile, I suddenly forgot to breathe. "Please Charlotte, I need you" he said taking my hand and kissing my palm. "Fine, fine" I sighed resignedly. He grinned knowing he'd used the only line I'd never argue with, "It'll be fun" he promised. I raised an eyebrow, "it better be" I said, but I relented giving him a small smile. How could I refuse him anything?

A couple of nights later I found myself in the back of an SUV being driven to the benefit. I had to admit I felt really amazing. My hair had been styled and I had been made up and dressed. "You look beautiful" said Jared into my ear, I turned to beam at him. "Thank you, you're not looking so bad yourself" I said smiling. He was breathtaking in a tuxedo jacket and pants and a shirt with the buttons undone. His hair wild and artfully tamed, framing his beautiful face. "Don't leave me" I said in a slightly panicked voice, as we pulled up to the event. He turned to look at me reassuringly, "of course I won't, don't worry" he said. I nodded and grasped his hand as he helped me out of the car. The photographers went crazy snapping madly, calling out our names. I laughed and waved to a couple of girls I knew and even went over and hugged one of them. "Well look at you!" she said laughingly in my ear as we embraced. I giggled as I posed for her, Jared, just as he promised was right behind me, he put his arm around my waist pulling me in closer. We walked off and into the ballroom. People were coming at him almost constantly, photos and interviews, and sound bites. Asking us both about 'the baby', wanting to know all about him. I refused to say anything, thankfully Jared took over. He smiled and shook his head, the only thing he would give away was that he was a boy. "Our little guy is great, he's gorgeous" was all he said and then moved us along. After the formalities were over, we mingled a little more, even though I knew absolutely no one there, I stood around with him, joining in when I could and smiling. He was wonderful, keeping me close and including me in conversations. I was getting tired, I missed Oliver and I wanted to go home and feed him. "Do you want to go? You're looking weary" he murmured. I nodded, "would you mind awfully?" I said gratefully. "No, not at all" he said with a smile. I excused myself to go to the bathroom, while he chatted to someone who had just approached him. As I emerged from the stall, I was shocked to see Isla walking in. "Well well, if it isn't the baby mama" she sneered. "Isla" I said curtly, going around her to the basin. "You poor thing, I do feel a little sorry for you" she said in a fake sympathetic voice. I turned to look at her questioningly, "and why might that be?" I asked. "Haven't you figured it out yet? He's only with you out of pity. He told me, he feels sorry for you. Obligated was the word he used, because of the baby" she said. I almost gasped, my stomach dropping at her words, but I quickly pulled myself together. "Well, I wonder why he would bother to bring me here if that were true" I said, with a bravado I didn't feel. "He has to, otherwise you'd be suspicious. Wondering why he didn't want to take you. Why do you think I'm here? We were planning on meeting if you hadn't come" she said in explanation. "Luckily, I'll be here when you're gone. In fact, he's counting on it" she said smiling. "Goodbye Isla" I said coldly walking off and leaving her standing there. I was shaking with anger as I walked back to Jared, a feeling of fear and sadness gripping me. What if what she said was true? My mind went back to the morning I saw her all over him, he hadn't looked like someone who wanted to get rid of her. Maybe he'd lied to me. I didn't want to believe it, I almost felt like bursting into tears but I held it together admirably. I took a deep breath trying to remain calm as I reached him. He frowned briefly, "what's wrong Charlie?" he asked quietly. "Nothing, I'd like to go, now" I said quickly. "Of course, I want to go as well" he said taking my hand and leading me to the exit. I wondered if he'd seen her, and if he did would he tell me? "Charlie you look like you've seen a ghost, what's the matter?" he asked as soon as we got in the car. "Nothing, I want to go home. I want Oliver" I said, struggling to hold back tears. "What happened between you leaving me and coming back?" he demanded. I shook my head, silently dashing away the tears I could no longer stop. He exhaled frustratedly, "what the fuck" he growled. I looked away refusing to speak, I couldn't quite trust myself not to explode. As soon as the car stopped I jumped out, not even waiting for him. I walked into the house looking for Constance. She was sitting on the sofa with a book, she looked up smiling. "Hey honey, he's been fine. He had something to eat, had his bottle and is sound asleep" she said standing up. I nodded, "thank you" I said sniffing. "Are you okay?" she said standing up and coming over to me. I heard Jared walk in behind me, "I'm fine, I'm just tired. Thank you so much for looking after him" I said gratefully. "It was my pleasure" she said kindly. "Well I really need to lie down, I'm just ... well anyway, goodnight" I said to her. "Charlotte, come into my office" I heard Jared say, I glanced back at him but I turned, hurrying away. "What have you done?" I heard his mom ask him as I left. "I've got no idea" he replied. By the time I got into my room I was a mess, I tore off my dress throwing it onto the bed. Pulling out my beautifully styled hair furiously, it felt like I had taken chunks of hair out with the pins I was pulling it so aggressively. I walked into the bathroom, sobbing, feeling sorry for myself as I washed the make up off my face. I felt a hand on my arm, "come with me now" said Jared. I shook my head, "I don't want to wake up Oliver so come into my room" he insisted. I tried to pull my arm out of his grip but he wasn't having it, "you're going to tell me what the fuck is going on. Now!" he said angrily, letting me go and closing the door. I took a deep, shuddering then spoke. "I saw Isla, did you see her?" I demanded. He looked surprised, "no I didn't see her, where was she?" he said. "In the bathroom, she cornered me" I said. "What the fuck did she say?" he asked. "She said .... she told me that you were only with me out of pity. You felt obligated because of Oliver. That you felt sorry for me and you only took me tonight so I wouldn't get suspicious. But she was there in case I didn't go. She said you were counting on her .... that she'd be around when I left" I blurted out the whole sorry story. I covered my face with my hands, sobs gripping me again. I felt his hands on my arms, "Charlotte you know that's not true, none of it is true" he said adamantly. "No I don't know, that morning. You were .... you were talking to her, placating her, as though you wanted her around. Perhaps you're just pretending until I leave" I cried angrily. "Are you hearing yourself? You're going to take her word over mine? She went to the press, made me look like an asshole because I told her to fuck off. I don't want to be with her" he growled. "She sounded pretty convincing to me" I snapped. "I think I'm going crazy. I can't believe that you would take anything she said as truth. I've never ever lied to you, I love you. I've turned my life upside down for you and Oliver" he said exhaling, I could sense frustration. "I never asked you too" I countered. "Jesus! I know that!" he exclaimed. "Did you see her? Tonight, did you see her, talk to her?" I demanded. "No I told you, I didn't see her. She must have been avoiding me. Clearly she saw you as an easy target, she just wants to get back at me by upsetting you. Charlotte you have to believe me" he begged. I wasn't sure what to believe anymore, he had always been honest with me. But my jealousy was eating me up inside, the mere thought that what she'd said was true, was devastating. I pushed past him and out back into the bedroom, I checked on Oli, he was thankfully sound asleep. I threw on a singlet and slid under the duvet. Jared had followed me out and was in the process of undressing. I turned away from him giving him my back, but moments later felt him slide his arm around me. Pressing his back up against mine, "I love you Charlie. Please believe me" he whispered, lips gently kissing my shoulders. I felt tears well up again and a deep shuddering sob ran through me. He held me a little tighter, whispering in my ear. Telling me how much he loved me, loved Oliver. That he was telling me the truth. He finally stopped talking, I sighed, exhausted. I slowly drifted off to sleep, my heart heavy and sad. I hoped I'd be able to get passed this, I felt utterly defeated.

Jared's POV -
That fucking bitch. How dare she do this to us, I was furious. Charlotte finally fell asleep, her tears were like a knife to my heart. I hated seeing her like this. We'd been through so much, was it ever going to be simple for us? I sat up and grabbed my phone.
Despite the hour I decided to type up an email. An old acquaintance with some pull, Isla would quickly realize her mistake. Nothing was going to threaten my relationship with Charlotte. I finished and lay back down, snuggling up to her. In her sleep she tucked herself against me, sighing softly. I finally slept.

"How could you do this to me?" I heard a female voice screech into his ear early the next morning. "Stop screaming" he said casually. I had been sitting up in bed feeding the baby when his phone rang. "I know it was you, I lost a part in a mini series, how dare you try and ruin ..." she went on but he stopped her. "I've got no idea what you're talking about. But, now you know what happens when you go around trying to cause trouble. I don't want to hear from you again, do you understand?" he said. He hung up without waiting for a reply. I glanced over at him, noting the smug satisfied look on his face. "What did you do?" I asked warily. "Nothing" he said simply. "Wasn't that Isla, yelling at you?" I said. "Yes. But I'm fairly certain that's the last we'll hear from her" he said. "Did you ...?" I started to say, but he put up a hand to stop me. "I won't tolerate anyone trying to sabotage our relationship" he said with decidedly cold tone. I nodded slowly, he leaned in kissing me softly on the lips. "I love you Charlotte" he said. I nodded, he raised an eyebrow expectantly, "I love you too" I said with a roll of my eyes, but I could barely suppress my smile. A thrill ran through me, his cold calculating behavior toward Isla should have shocked me. I had no doubt he had somehow threatened her career. But I couldn't even feel sorry for her. Not after the way she had come after me. My doubts from last night faded, he was telling me the truth and I sighed inwardly with relief. I put Oliver down on the bed and watched him roll quickly to Jared. My phone signaled a message, it was from Charles. I gasped as I read it.

~ Tonight's the night
~ Oh Charlie I'm so thrilled for you. Do you think she'll say yes? Haha
~ I bloody hope so, I'll let you know

"What's wrong?" asked Jared curiously. I looked up from my phone. "Charles is going to propose to Clara tonight" I said. "Wow, really? Do you think she'll say yes?" he replied. "I hope so, or he'll be pretty upset" I said laughing. "When do you think they'll get married?" he said. "Probably this summer, they're both so easy going. I'm sure it'll be something small and intimate" I said. "I need to start looking for a house" I added with a sigh. "They wouldn't kick you out" said Jared frowning. "Of course not, but I know they want to start a family. They need their space" I said. "You could stay here, with me. You and Oliver could live with me permanently" he said. I looked at him surprised, "I .. uh, thank you. But I couldn't leave home, I couldn't leave Charles" I said. "You we're going to live here, remember? That's how we met, you were going to buy my house" he said frowning. "That was different. My life is very different now, I have Oliver. I need my family. You understand that right?" I said shaking my head. "I do, I understand. But what about us? I'm his family too Charlotte, where do I fit into your life?" he asked sharply. I exhaled, "I could ask you the same thing. I want you in my life and of course I want you in Oliver's life. But, I'm not ready to live here with you. That may change, but that's how I feel right now" I said firmly. He surprised me by nodding, "I guess that's okay, for now" he said. "Do you want to help me look for a house?" I asked him hopefully, "sure, I mean I'll be spending a lot of time there. I have to like it as well, right?" he said grinning, I nodded smiling back at him, the knot in my stomach suddenly disappearing.