LOVE AT THE FORUM

Charlie

AN: Sorry for it not going up yesterday. MAKE SURE TO READ THE OTHER BOOKS BEFOR THESE CHAPTERS!

Maggie's POV

I sat at the table, typing out the procession order for our wedding planner, matching up my bridesmaids with Harry's groomsmen. I wrote down Harry and his mom, Gemma who was our flower girl. I dreaded getting to myself. I had no mom, and no dad to walk me down the aisle.

I had gone back and forth on having Becca walk me down the aisle or just walking by myself. I sighed and sat back on the kitchen chair as Harry walked in.

"What's wrong babe?" He said, he placed his hands on my shoulders, kissing my check softly.

"I just don't know how I should walk down the aisle." I crossed my arms staring at the computer. I didn't want to look at Harry because I knew I would cry if I did.

"Can I suggest something?" He said softly and I nodded.

He reached over me, his body pressing against me as he copy and pasted names, moving things around. When I finally focused on the screen, next to me was Charles name.

"Charles?" I said softly and he nodded.

"I think it would mean the world to both of you. If it's not to weird. Obviously you've both moved on, we know he's proposing to Anita after all our wedding stuff is over, so I don't see wrong in it. Plus I feel like....he's always taken care of you. He always did until I came along. Sure he still does little things, but in a way, he handed it off to me. Which is essentially what the father does. I know you are strong and independent and we aren't using that language at our wedding, but you know what I mean. I'm just rambling now."

He chuckled and I did too, reaching up and holding his arms. We had agreed that whoever walked me down at the wedding was just there for support, not handing me off like a prize. So everything he said, made sense for Charles, he had been my rock for so long, Becca's as well. I leaned my head back against him and peeked up.

"Should I ask Anita first?" He leaned down and kissed my forehead.

"I think as your best friend she would appreciate that." He smiled and I nodded, taking a deep breath.

"We are doing yoga tomorrow morning together. I'll ask her then."

—

The next morning Anita and I took the 5am yoga class before heading out to buy smoothies from the shop next door. I felt so nervous to ask, though I knew deep down I had no reason to. Anita and I had definitely gotten to a place were boundaries existed when it came to Charles, but we also had a mutual understanding about what he meant to Becca and I.

"Mags, you've been quiet all morning. You nervous about the new shows this week?" She asked as our drink orders came up. She grabbed them and we headed back to our seats.

"No. I just have something to talk to you about, and I don't know I feel silly even asking I guess." I said sticking my straw in my drink and taking a long sip.

"You never have to feel silly with me. If you felt the need to talk about it, it means it's important." She smiled and I did too. Anita was the best person, she just always would be.

"Well, yesterday, I started writing out the bridal party order and all that for how everyone is going to walk down the aisle, and so I have to make a decision as to who is going to walk me down the aisle. I was getting frustrated and Harry suggested....well he suggested Charles walk me down the aisle. But obviously I'm only going to do it if you feel comfort—Maggie, stop. You honestly didn't even have to ask me first, but thank you for doing so. Of course he should be the one to walk you down the aisle. I agree with Harry's choice." She smiled brightly at me and I bit my lip trying not to cry.

"Promise?" I said, my voice cracking a bit and she laughed a bit nodding.

"Maggie, he's been through so much with you. Are you kidding? He's been your rock, why would I ever stand in the way of him being your rock on the most important day of your life?" She smiled big and took a sip of her smoothie, "He's going to cry like a baby when you ask him." She giggled and I did too nodding.

"Oh I know. I am too. It's just going to be a giant sob fest." We both kept laughing and she shook her head.

"I think we are all at a place where the things that would of been weird before aren't now. I'm territorial, we all know that, but I also trust him and know how much he loves me. Also, how much we both love you. So, go for it, ask him. I think Harry finally thought of something smart."

She shrugged and I couldn't help the laugh that came from me as I nodded, "Thank Anita. I love you too."

—

I knocked on Charles office door at the end of the day. Work had been hectic this month for us both and we often ended up working late to try and catch up.

"Come in." He called out and when I walked in he was setting up the new filing system I had ordered him that he as working out for me.

"Hi, I bring tacos from down the street." I smiled waving the brown bag at him and he smiled.

"The best part of working in Inglewood." He chuckled and I nodded, walking over and sitting at the chair in front of his desk taking everything out.

"I have soda and a couple beers in the mini fridge."

"After today, a beer please. Did you interact with the band? Fucking assholes." I said as he grabbed two beers and walked over sitting across from me. He opened them on the table and handed me one. We clinked them together before taking a sip each.

"I can't get over their riders. The specific room temperature. It's ridiculous." He said taking his tacos and beginning to unwrap the foil from them.

"And the only reason the lead singer stopped hitting on me was because one of them told him Harry was my fiancé. If not I don't think he had plans of stopping the harassment." I shook my head biting into one of my tacos.

"I told you I would of stopped him." He said adding salsa to his taco and I licked my teeth before speaking, shaking my head.

"No, I feel like it would of only made things worse." I took a deep breath and shrugged.

"I guess. So how's the wedding planning going? It's just around the corner, Anita and I already booked our hotel." He smiled at me and I smiled back.

"It's going. Honestly I don't know how brides that aren't crazy type A like me do it. There is so much room to look over the tiny things." My eye went wide and I rolled them as he laughed.

"You were just built for these things, Margarita." I laughed and nodded.

"I actually wanted to ask you something, about he wedding?" I said raising a small eye brow and he mimicked me causing me to laugh.

"Sure, what's up?" He grabbed a napkin and cleaned his mouth.

"Well, ummm, I just....will you walk me down the aisle?" I said, not being able to look at him.

He was quiet for a while, which only added to the tension, and I took a deep breath finally looking up at him. He had tears in his eyes, and looked dumbfounded.

"I mean you don't have too."

"Don't be stupid Margarita. Do you know how much that would mean to me? I would be honored to stand by you in that way on that day." He smiled and the tears soon started coming from me too.

"Charlie," I said pressing my lips together and he got up, walking over as I stood up and hugged me.

"I love you, Mags. I'm so happy for you. Thank you for letting me be a part of this."

"I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner."