The Bodyguard

Chapter 43

The next morning, I'm helping my mom with lunch. "It was nice of you to give the chef a day off." 

"Well, I can't always expect her to work everyday, can I?"

 "No. I've just never seen you this happy." 

 "He seems very sweet." 

 "He is mom." 

 "And strong, too." 

 "I know."

 "He definitely is a man with good morals compared to you know who."

 I roll my eyes. "He's an asshole. I'm filling out papers for divorce today and sending them to him." 

 "I can't believe you're engaged, honey!" 

 "I love Jamie. I really do." 

 She smiled at me warmly. "I'm so glad sweetheart." 

 *One hour later: "I have to say Charlotte, your mom and I are so glad you're here. This meal is good. Whenever she tries to cook, we get take-out."

 "Oh hush, Richard." 

 "I think it's delicious, Mrs. Harrington." 

 My mother gives him a warm smile. "See, that's how real men are supposed to act, Richard." 

 My father laughed. "You made me look bad Mr. Garcia." My father claps Jamie on the back while my mother rolls her eyes. 

 "You could learn a thing or two from him."

 "I think I got lucky with this one."

 A small smile comes across Jamie's face but he stays silent. "So, what are your plans now, Charlotte?" 

 "What do you mean?"

 "Are you going to announce you're alive?" 

 "I guess I haven't really thought about it." 

 "I'm so happy you're here."

 "We don't want you to go." My mother said, sadly. 

 "Your mother and I have been talking, and we'll help you in any way we can. If you need a place to stay, food, or clothing, you name it. It's yours." 

 "Anything sweetie."

 "I can even help get you a job, Char."

 "And with your dad's connection with the government, we could get you a new ID if you want to start all over." 

 "What brought this on?"

 "We love you, Charlotte. Your mother and I want to be part of your life again."

 "Letting you go all those years was the biggest mistake." 

 "We can make it up to you although we fully can't take it all back. We missed out on so many years. So many holidays."

 "Will you consider letting us back into your life? Let us help you." 

 "Of course, mom! I love you both. How could I not?" I get up and hug them both, seeing tears in their eyes.

 "We love you, too." 

 "I'll make some calls this afternoon. We'll do anything. Housing but we'd love for you both to stay."

 "I'd like that. I have to give it some thought. I feel like Jamie and I can't even go anywhere." 

"There may be a solution. What about the amusement park?"