Just us.

47. I need you

(Charlottes Pov)
I turn onto our road when I notice a car parked outside of the house. Slowing down, the two people stood outside become more clear to me. Oh my god.

Nathan is banging on my door while a blond is stood with him. Ashley I presume.

I quickly turn the car around and drive off before they can see me. Oh my god. What the hell am I going to do? He's back.

"Mummy where are we going?" Isla asks from the back seat,
"I thought we could go to the part sweetie, it's nice and sunny out"
"Yay!" She smiles before going back to daydreaming out of the window.

"Mum? Why is dad here?" Ellie asks from beside me in a hushed tone,
"I don't know sweetheart, It's okay, don't worry" I try to comfort her but can tell from her face she is scared. How is that an innocent girl like her is scared of her own father? It's not right.

...

I pull up in the car park of the playground across town. Isla practically jumps out of the car and runs to the gate,
"Mum what are you gonna do?"
"I'll sort it Ellie. Go play with your sister" I smile. She walks off and I release the breath I've been holding onto. Crap crap crap.

With a shaky hand I take out my phone. There is one person I need right now.

Mia
I need you
Where are you? x
Playground off London Road

She always seams to text back straight away and I love that. I really need her right now.

...

In less than 10 minutes Mia arrived, which is strange considering she lives 20 minutes away.
"You came" I wrap my arms around her as soon as I see her
"Of course I did sweetheart. What's wrong?" Once I pull away I tell her about Nathan.

"So he abandons his children to go on holiday, then comes back and wants full custody?"
"What am I gonna do? I can't take them home to him when he's kicking off" I look over at the girls and they're playing on the slide together.

"Here" she hands me her keys, "take these. Go to mine. I'll meet you there in a bit"
"What are you gonna do?" As much as I want her help, I don't want her to get in trouble for me. And I know she will choose violence if necessary
"I'm not the one you have to worry about sweetheart"

"Mia! What are you doing here?" Isla smiles as she runs up to us
"Hey princess, how was school?"
"It was okay, will you play with me?"
"I'm sorry, but I have to get going. But how about you come and play at my house? Does that sound fun?"
"Yeah I want to go!" She beams.

"Are you sure about this?" I ask
"Of course Sweetheart, I'll see you soon, okay?" I nod. I don't want her getting hurt. I don't know what she is going to do or how this will plan out. I just want her and the girls to be okay.

...

(3ed person pov)
Mia pulled her car to a stop outside of Charlotte's house which caught the attention of the blond leaning against the other car.
"Who the hell are you?" Ashley questions as Nathan turns to see Mia
"Not the question you should be asking sweetheart"
"Your Mia" the man looks her up and down. Mia wasn't aware than Nathan knew who she was but didn't let the surprise show. She assumed that the girls told him about her. She is a rather popular topic ;)

"Mhm. I'd say it's nice to meet you but that would be a lie" she smirks before looking over at the other woman, "I'm guessing you're Ashley. Tacky jacket"
"Where's Charlotte?" Nathan asks.
"That's none of your business. You won't be seeing her or the girls any time soon"

Nathan storms up to Mia angrily yet the woman remained unfazed
"They are my kids" he spits.
"Right, so where have you been then? Do you really think you can just abandon your children so you can act like a fool with whatever that thing is"
"Excuse you?!"
"Your excused babe. Charlotte is the best mother to those girls. You have no idea what you've lost. And now you're acting like this? Just shows how pathetic you really are"
"You need to keep your nose out before I shut you up myself" he spits
"Aww, are you flirting with me, now?" She smirks just to rile him up.

"Hey!" The blond squeals. "You better watch it" Mia laughs at the pathetic woman. She was far from intimidating. Rather just embarrassing.

"Relax babe he's not my type. Now you have about 15 seconds to leave before I remove you myself"
"I'm not going anywhere"
"Okay. Your choice" Mia shrugs.

The woman kicks Nathan just below the knee, causing him to loose balance. Ashley comes up behind Mia and reaches her hand out to grab and her hair, yet Mia spins around and stops her hand before punching the woman.
"You asked for this"

...

Charlotte was currently sat on Mia's sofa staring at her phone. Awaiting a text, a call, anything to say Mia was okay. But nothing came.

Not knowing what was going on was stressing her out. She knew that Mia would be okay. But she still needed that confirmation. As she stared aimlessly at the name on the screen, memories of the two together filled charlottes mind. That very first time they ever really talked. When Charlotte found Mia in the bar. When they came back here. To this sofa.

Ellie came to sit down next to her,
"Have you heard anything?"
"What?" Ellie looks at her mother with a serious expression,
"Mum I'm not stupid. I know she went to speak to dad"
"I'm sorry Ellie, I would have told you but I didn't want you to get upset" Charlotte puts her phone down on the table in front of her,
"It's okay mum. I'm okay. But I'm worried about Mia"
"I'm sure she's okay sweetie, Mia can take care of herself"

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear" she red head smirks from the door way. "Hello sweetheart" charlotte stands immediately but notices the red stains on the woman's hand,
"What happened?!"
"Relax Char, it's not my blood"
"That's supposed to make me feel better?"

Mia walks through to the kitchen and the two brunettes follow her,
"Where's Isla?" She asks as she washes her hands in the sink,
"Asleep. I put her in the other room"
"Okay. And what about you miss Ellie? You didn't have to wait up for me" she smiled
"I wanted too. Isla did too but she couldn't help falling asleep" Ellie replied. "Are you okay?"

"Of course I am sweetheart, come here" the red head pulls the girl into a tight hug and gently kisses her head, "you too" she smiles as char before pulling her in too. "My favourite girls"

The three pull apart and Ellie yawns,
"Okay, bed time" Charlotte laughs,
"Mhm. Night mum, night Mia"
"Good night sweetheart"

Ellie leaves the two women alone,
"Thank you" Charlotte smiles softly at the red head who pulls her in close, connecting their lips.

Charlotte couldn't get over how much her girls adored Mia. And Mia loved them too. No matter what, she would always be there to protect Charlotte. She felt safe around her. Mia was all she never knew she needed. She loved her...

"I love you Mia"