Weasley Twins - A Fate You Can't Escape

Chapter 126 - Charlie's Angel

Saturday arrives, and I spend the entire afternoon getting ready for my date.  I haven't had a reason in forever to wear makeup, and I had to order some specifically for the occasion.  I don't own a ton of clothes still, so I just wear my nicest pair of high waisted jeans and one of Charlie's shirts that I had made into a cropped top.  Thankfully the man had an excess of tee shirts.

I do my hair in a cute half up style and make sure my teeth are brushed.  I'm not expecting to kiss on the first date, but I wouldn't turn one down either.

At seven, I tuck Teddy in for the night, and make sure Charlie knows I'm leaving.  He reassures me that he's got everything under control and practically shoves me out of the door.  I tuck my wand in my purse and head to the path to the nearby village.  We had agreed to meet here and walk into town.

After a few minutes, she shows up.  She looks beautiful in the glow of the setting sun.  Like me, she's in jeans, making me feel better about my outfit choice.  

"Ready to go?"  I ask, and she nods.

"Absolutely."  She grabs my hand and we make out way down to the town.  She tells me about her family.  Apparently her relatives are spread pretty widely.  She grew up in London, but her parents were originally from India, where her grandparents still live.  Both of her brothers live in America, which is why she chose to go there for further training.  She wanted to be close to her little nieces and nephews.

I am pretty vague when she inquires about my family, letting her know I'm an only kid, but not going into detail about my parental struggles.  She seems to sense that it's a sore subject and doesn't push.

We reach the little bar after about twenty minutes and I hold the door for her.  We claim a little booth by the window and she grabs us some drinks, returning a few minutes later.  The evening goes really well, and we both agree to a second date for the next weekend.

It gets pretty late, and we have to walk back to the sanctuary in the dark.  I use a lumos charm to light the way, and our fingers are interlaced as we walk.  I take her back to her loft above the hospital, both of us giggling as we climb the steps.  

"I had a great time."  She tells me, pulling me close as we stand in front of her door.

"I did too."  I blush, brushing a strand of her silky hair out of her face.

"Can I kiss you?"  She asks, glancing down to my lips, and my breath hitches.

"Absolutely."  I agree, brushing our noses.  She smells like strawberry and cinnamon.  Her lips touch mine, and I practically melt.  She tastes of strawberries too.  My hands slip around her waist, holding her to me as I kiss her.  She sighs softly and the sound turns me on more than I care to admit.  She stumbles back, pulling me with her as she goes for the door.  Realizing, I break the kiss, trying to catch my breath.

"As much as I'd like that too, not tonight love."  I tell her, giving her a soft kiss. 

"Fair enough."  She smiles, her cheeks pink like my own.

I depart as she enters her loft, my heart racing.  It's late, and I don't want to keep Charlie up longer.  He has work in the morning, and despite the fact that he doesn't have to stay up, I'm sure he did.

I enter out house, grinning like an idiot.  As predicted, he's seated on the couch reading a book.

"How'd it go?"  He asks, glancing back at me.  "Ah, with a face like that, I'd say pretty good."

"It was great."  I sigh, leaning against the door.  "She's amazing."

"I can tell."  He teases.  "Come sit and tell me about it."

I kick off my shoes and jump over the back of the couch to sit beside him.

"So we walked to town, and she held my hand the whole way there.  And we got drinks and talked for a long time.  She told me about her family and her job.  And then when we got back, she kissed me, and it was amazing.  She tastes like strawberries and smells like cinnamon."  I say in a rush, my cheeks flushing for the millionth time, my heart racing just remembering it.  Charlie seems to space out for a moment.

"Yeah, that strawberries and cinnamon mix will get you for sure."  He murmurs, sounding lost in thought.

"You'll have to meet her sometime!"  I go on, leaning against his shoulder.  "You'd like her.  She's really sweet."

"Yeah, we can all have lunch together sometime."  He agrees, shaking himself out of his thoughts.

"Great!  I'll ask April the next time I see her."  I say, standing up.

"A-april?"  He stutters, and I turn to look at him.  His face is drained of color, eyes wide.

"Yes."  I respond slowly, having a bad feeling suddenly.  "Why?"

"And strawberries and cinnamon."  He mutters.

"Charlie, what is it?"  I ask, already starting to put it together.

"She... did she used to work here?"  He asks, meeting my eyes, and I can tell he's praying the answer is no.

"Yeah, Charlie.  She did."  I close me eyes, my heart sinking.

"Oh." 

"I'll break it off tomorrow."  I promise.

"What?"  He gasps.  "Hazel no!  You don't have to."

"No, I do.  You're more important, and I'm not going to date your ex."

"But she makes you happy."

"And she made you happy until she asked you the impossible."  I argue.  "I'm not going to date the girl you almost married."  Then something clicks.  "Oh Merlin, that's why she asked about Teddy's hair.  She thought he was your kid!  That's why she asked who his dad was!"

"Should have told her that he was mine."  Charlie mumbles, causing me to crack a smile.

"That would have been a bit funny."  I agree, sitting back down on the couch.  "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize."  He dismisses my words, wrapping my in a hug.  I put my head on his chest. 

"Thanks for being so cool about it."  I yawn, pulling my legs up under my butt.  "I'm still ending things though."

"I appreciate the loyalty."  He yawns as well, leaning his head against mine.  My eyes flutter shut, snuggled up to Charlie.  I drift off to sleep, his smell relaxing me.

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