It had been a few weeks since Charlotte's last PTSD episode. Charlotte had agreed to start attending therapy sessions every other week. She hadn't been to therapy since college, after the whole Ben situation. While therapy was going well, Charlotte couldn't help but notice that she and Eddie were both avoiding the topic of Shannon. Ever since Eddie had told her that Shannon wanted to see Christopher, it had become the unspoken elephant in the room.
On the other hand, their physical relationship had become more frequent. Charlotte didn't mind this part at all. It was a welcome distraction from the world. It brought them closer in a way that words couldn't. The intimacy was a source of comfort and reassurance for both of them, even if it didn't address the underlying issues.
Charlotte felt a smile on her lips as she laid her head on Eddie's bare chest, "We can't keep doing this when we want to talk about something," Charlotte said with a laugh.
"It's a different way of working things out," Eddie replied.
"Mmh. I wish I could come with you to get the tree today. I know Christopher has been excited all week about getting it," Charlotte told him.
"The annual tradition of convincing him that no, a 16 foot tree does not fit in the house," Eddie said, causing Charlotte to laugh.
"My dad did the exact same thing when Brook and Robert were little. They always tried to convince mom and dad to get the 16 foot tree, but they never did," Charlotte said laughing softly.
Eddie kissed her one last time before getting out of bed. Charlotte propped her chin on her arms, gazing up at him. "You know he still won't tell me what he wants for Christmas."
"Well, have you tried taking him to see Santa?" Charlotte asked as she pulled her pants up.
"You mean the creepy guy at the mall with a fake beard? No," Eddie said.
Charlotte raised her eye, "Oh? I'm so going to get that story out of you," Charlotte exclaimed, throwing her shirt on and going over to kiss Eddie.
"I don't think you do," Eddie laughed out.
Charlotte looked up when she heard the door open, "Daddy!"
"Eddito?"
Eddie went over and opened the door when Christopher knocked on his door. "Hey buddy!"
Eddie hugged him and Christopher noticed Charlotte, "Charlie!"
"Chris!" Charlotte said, going over to hug Christopher.
Charlotte glanced over at Eddie, who was smiling warmly at her. His eyes sparkled with affection, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth in her chest as she returned his gaze.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Charlotte was walking into the station the next day and saw how tall the box of gifts were that they were going to take to the LAFD annual toy drive at the 118. "I think we're gonna need a bigger shop." Charlotte said as Nathan walked up next to her.
"Nah, I think all of this can fit in the shop," Nathan said causing Charlotte to look up at him shaking her head at his optimism.
One thing Charlotte has learned is that Christmas time was Nathan's favorite holiday surprisingly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Charlotte and Nathan somehow fit all of the gifts the other officers had donated into their shop with the help of Angela and Jackson of course. As they pulled into the 118 parking lot, Nathan turned on the sirens just for fun. "I think we just made the most dramatic entrance ever," Charlotte said laughing as she grabbed a handful of presents from the back of the shop.
YOU ARE READING
Haunted|| The Rookie x 911
Action"Come on, come on, don't leave me like this I thought I had you figured out Something's gone terribly wrong You're all I wanted Come on, come on, don't leave me like this I thought I had you figured out Can't breathe whenever you're gone Can't turn...
