Love Is Never Ugly

Chapter 51

The night was perfect. Absolutely perfect. A sky clear and full of stars, nightingales singing, all was calm. Alastor and Charlotte sat down, just to take a moment to admire the beautiful scenery. When Charlotte unconsciously moved her head to rest on Alastor's shoulder, he once again felt his anxiety threaten his goal for the evening. No. No he wouldn't lose his nerve. Not at this moment. He could do this. He had to do this.

"I'm so glad I was finally able to hear you sing." She sighed against him. "It was so wonderful."

"I'm glad that it made you happy." He willed his body not to sweat.

"Charlotte." Alastor collected both of her hands and looked at her in a way that was adoring yet bashful. "Are you happy here?"

"Why yes." She answered. "Everyone here is so kind and good. Vagatha, Anthony, Niffty-"

"With me?" She could hear the low self-esteem in his voice. "Are you happy with me?"

"Yes." She didn't have the slightest trace of hesitation. "Yes. You make me so very happy."

He smiled almost excitedly.

"Do you suppose that maybe you could be happy living here?"

"For good?" She asked. "Why do you ask? You're not breaking our deal are you?"

"No. Not at all. You're still free to leave tomorrow as we agreed on but I was wondering if you would be interested in coming back?"

"Of course. I would love to come back. In fact that's what I've been wanting to talk to you about."

"Really?" He became even more excited.

"Yes. I want to tell you this isn't goodbye forever. I'm still going home but I would like to visit here as often as I can."

"Well you know my dear, you don't have to just visit-"

"Father most likely won't approve of it at first but once I explain to him how dear you've been to me and that you won't try to take me away from him, I'm sure he'll consent to letting me see you all again."

"Take you away from him? What is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh well you know how close my father and I are. He needs me, especially now that my sister is married. I have to be there for him and take care of him. He's become so miserable since I've been gone."

"I'm sure once he sees your smiling face again and knows that you are in no danger, he will recover very quickly."

"I hope so and I'll do whatever I can to stay at his side."

"But you can't stay at his side forever. He wanted you to get married, remember? So he must understand that sooner or later you would have to leave him."

"The truth is I never expected to marry. I wanted to stay with my father so he'll always have someone. If I were to marry, my husband and I would have to be able to live in the country or the city so I can see my father often. I know it may seem like a lot to ask but I can't survive without him Alastor. He's getting so much older now, I need to be there for him in case something happens. It has to be me because my sister won't lift a finger for him. It's a cruel thing to say but it's the truth."

"So you would only marry a man if it was possible  for you to be in both their lives?"

"Yes."