Game Changer: a Josh Richards' Story

57- Charli

Your parents were being so supportive and it felt amazing. You were officially over 18, but Jaden was almost 20 and they were JUST coming around about him choosing music. You decided to not rock the boat and throw at them that you were moving in with Josh or the baby news you just knew Charli was delivering right then.

You just needed to talk to Josh, but as you pulled up to his street, you started to wonder... did he need to talk to you? He sat with the baby in his arms, playing like he didn't have a worry in the world. He was trying to show Ben how to high 5 and Charli's laugh made them seem like such a beautiful, happy family. What if you hadn't given him closure and instead she was his future? Could you be just a bump in the road?

*Charli's POV*

Charli: "You seem so different... I mean in a good way. You're really happy."

Ben finally connected with Josh's hand as he laughed out loud, chanting:
"YOU DID IT, BUDDY?! That's right high 5!!"

Charli didn't let it distracted from her curiosity so she pushed ahead, asking:
"So tell me about this girl."

Josh: "She's honestly so outta my league I have no clue how I landed her. I mean, she's just amazing. You'd really like her."

Charli: "You love her..."

Josh suddenly realized this was the 'how serious are you' talk and answered, gently:
"More than I thought I'd ever love anyone again."

Charli: "I'm really happy you have that. I could tell how much that girl loved you from the moment she mentioned your name."

Josh: "What about you? Anyone in your life?"

Charli: "I mean, I've been on dates but it's hard raising a baby on my own and having a life."

Josh: "What if maybe you don't have to do it alone anymore?"

She knew he was talking about being there to help with Ben, but when he reached his hand out to hers, her heart broke a little. She looked up and saw his girlfriend parked across the street looking as if she was going to get sick.

Charli: "Uh... Josh?"

Josh pulled his hand back without another thought and put it back on Ben's back to steady him before asking:
"What's wrong?"

Charli pointed across the street and saw her looking in an absolute panic as she fumbled with her keys in an attempt to restart her car. Josh hurried to hand Ben to Charli and promised:
"Crap. I'll be right back. Here, take Ben."

She smiled softly across the street hoping she hadn't caused any problems by coming. She whispered to a confused, Ben:
"Daddy will be right back. Yeah, that's your Daddy, Ben. Whatcha think, should we stick around?"

*END CHARLI'S POV*

Josh rushed over to your car and you flushed with embarrassment. You didn't want him to think you were spying. You hadn't meant to anyway. You just froze when you saw them looking like a family You had no business interrupting. Josh pulled open the car door:
"Baby, why didn't you come up?"

You: "I- I didn't want to interrupt."

Josh: "You're never interrupting. I've been waiting to find out how your parents took the news?"

You: "I didn't tell them."

Josh pulled back, confused:
"Wait, why? Did you change your mind?"

You: "I guess I thought maybe you would."

Josh: "Baby, no come here."

He pulled you the rest of the way out of the car and kissed the top of your head as he hugged you tight.

Josh: "You and I are in this together, that's what you promised, right?"

You nodded your head against his chest, afraid to pull away and lost the fight you'd been having with your tears.

Josh: "Come on, I want you to meet someone."

He led you across the street, hand in hand, and only let go to crouch down and take the baby back out of Charli's arms. You expected a dirty look of some kind but Charli just smiled up at them.

Josh: "This is Ben... my son."

Almost as if on cue, the baby started getting really fussy. Charli was quick to interject:"It's not you, I promise. It's past feeding time and he needs a bottle."

Josh: "Imma be real, the only bottles we have in there aren't filled with milk."

Charli: "I have his formula here, I just need a bottle of water if you have it."

Josh: *passing the baby back to her*
"That, I bet I can do. There are enough girlfriends in and outta here that bottled water usually gets stocked."

The moment Josh went inside, Charli handed the baby to you:
"Can you grab him for a sec while I get his bottle ready?"

You: "Uh- I-"

The anxiety you were feeling started to improve the more Charli seemed comortable with you. She wouldn't be smiling so sweetly if she was getting ready to steal your whole life... would she? As she measured out the formula she seemed to answer your worries:
"I promise I'm not here to take him. We are ancient history and besides, obviously, you're good for him. The old Josh freaked over the thought of growing up and now look at him... Dad mode."

You laughed nervously. She was right but it all seemed surreal. Josh came back out with Dixie following:
"Look who I found. It's Aunt Dixie."

The baby was more excited about the bottle than anyone standing on the porch. As you watched Charli feed Ben and Josh chat with her while gripping your hand, you couldn't help but wonder... would it all be okay?"