Millie

Chapter Forty Eight- What a Treasure

I stirred a little, the vibration of my phone slowly but surely rousing me from a deep sleep. I was wrapped up in Wrens body, after a heavenly night of rediscovery and love making.
Since we weren't alone in the house, we had to be quiet, and slow, gentle and careful. I didn't know how intense that physical intimacy would be, not after so long, and now with such a deep love, it was... indescribable. If I had been in a better place in my life right now, outside of our relationship, I could see myself proposing, and it wouldn't be years from now. Why wait, when you know, you know.

My eyes finally opened slowly, registering the vibration. I reached over to the bedside cabinet, grabbing the phone, it's cold exterior making a shiver run through me. I had forgotten to put the heating on overnight, my visitors would kill me. I glanced a little hazy eyed at the caller ID.

Charlie

I looked to the time, Five AM. For a moment I panicked, thinking of Veda, but then I remembered she was asleep in the room next door with Josephine.

I clicked to answer quickly.

"Charlie, what's happened" I asked, already worried.

"I'm sorry to call so early" he apologised.

"Its fine. Are you okay" I replied.

I could hear some noise behind him. He wasn't home, he was outside somewhere.

"My Gramma died" he finally told me. His voice was strained, like he didn't want to cry, but the emotion was there.

I sat up "I'm so sorry" I replied, removing myself from Wrens limbs slowly, and exiting quietly, down the stairs.

"I mean, she wasn't that well. I don't think I realised quite how much, not until I lived with her" he confessed.

I sat myself on the couch and covered myself in a blanket, pulling my knees up under my chin "I've learnt recently, that it doesn't make a difference, if a loved ones death is expected... it hurts just the same. No amount of knowing in advance takes the pain away when it finally happens. I'm just sorry Charlie, that she's gone. I know you all loved and thought alot of her"

"Thanks. I just wanted you to know. Im sorry too. I don't think I'll make the dinner Millie. Not this time" he apologised.

"That's fine. I understand completely. Do you want me to do anything. Can I help in some way?" I asked. "Should I bring back Veda tonight"

There was a pause, and I heard him speaking to someone else in the background as he got into a car "No, keep her with you for now. I need to clean up the house and organise some things. If you can, keep her until Friday. Daniels with me. He happened to be back in the neighbourhood last night, saw the ambulance and lights in the driveway. He came running"

"Daniel" I asked "he's okay... he's back"

Charlie sighed "Yeah, he's finally resurfaced"

"Is he okay" I asked again, concerned that he had been looking out for himself for so long.

"He's good. He's been with friends. He's wanting to see a recruiter with me this week"

"He's enlisting" I asked, taken aback.

"I think it would be good for him Mill. Give him a direction and a family, and keep him out of trouble"

"He's not even eighteen" I worry.

"He only needs a guardians consent Mills. That's me, now that Gramma's gone"

"Of course" I realise. "Charlie please consider coming for dinner during the week instead. Wednesday perhaps. My visitors will be gone. It will be just us. Please bring Daniel. I want to meet him. I know Veda would love that"