A Mialotte Story: Good in a crisis

Trying

Mia and Charlotte were now both asleep cuddled up on the sofa, Mia couldn't bare to wake Charlotte, she looked so peaceful and she knew she needed the rest. It was still fairly early in the evening so she knew Char would wake up when she got hungry. Suddenly there was a knock at the door, Mia being a heavy sleeper didn't even twitch. Charlotte shot up from Mia's chest in confusion, not expecting anyone. She tiptoed to the front door trying not to wake her love. "Carly? Come in! Is everything okay?" Charlotte was puzzled. Carly had only ever been to her house for gatherings or parties, it was unusual for her to just show up unannounced.

Charlotte took Carly to the kitchen letting her know that Mia was asleep on the sofa. "I'm so sorry, Char, I wouldn't have come if I knew Mia was back, I don't wanna ruin your time together. I just didn't know who else to talk to." Carly blurted out with a pang of guilt in her voice, yet, panicked. Clearly it was important.
"Woah woah woah, Carly calm down, okay. Tell me what's happened." Charlotte was now concerned.

Char sat with Carly at the kitchen island with furrowed brows, you know, the worried kind. Then before Carly opens her mouth... "Sweetheart?" Charlotte heard Mia calling from the living room. She rolled her eyes at the inconvenient timing and politely told Carly she'd just be one minute. Charlotte went to the living room to tend to her girlfriend. She kneeled down and kissed the top of Mia's head as she said, "Hey baby, did you have a good nap?"
"I did, until I realised my gorgeous girlfriend had disappeared." Mia replied in a raspy voice as she yawned. Charlotte giggled a little.
"Just to let you know, Carly's in the kitchen. She wants to talk about something and it seems important, so maybe just give us a bit of time?" Charlotte suggested timidly, she would never want to make Mia feel uncomfortable, she wanted her house to feel like her home. But she was ultimately worried about Carly and had a feeling that she wouldn't open up in front of Mia.
Mia looked anxious, she knew if Carly came to talk to Char face to face then something must be really bothering her. "Okay sweetheart, I'll pop my head in and say hello at least, and then I'll go out and get some things for dinner." This was one of the things Charlotte loved about Mia, she never questioned her, she just understood.

"Hey Carly, don't worry, I'm not staying. I was just popping to the shop, are you staying for dinner?"
"Oh erm, yeah I guess, thanks Mia!" Carly wasn't fully warmed up to Mia yet, but she could see she was really trying and knew that if Char loved her then there must be some redeeming qualities.
"Great, well I'll be about half an hour or so." Mia turned to Char leaning in and sharing a goodbye kiss with her. As she left the room, she lingered a little in the doorway and she shot her sweetheart a wink, which made Char smile. There was an understanding between the two in that moment. Charlotte was grateful that Mia gave her and Carly space to talk, but it warmed her heart that she invited her to stay for dinner. She didn't know what to expect from Mia when it came to Carly. She knew Mia felt bad about her first interaction with Carly and wanted to make up for it, but Char still feared that Mia couldn't let go of old habits so easily. Charlotte just mouthed, "Thank you," to Mia with a loving look. She was so proud of her mean redhead for her attempt.

Charlotte drew her attention back to Carly and realised she hadn't offered her a drink. She went to the fridge and took out a Diet Coke, she knew it was Carly's favourite. Carly thanked her and then looked down to her lap and started twiddling her thumbs. She wondered how to approach this conversation. Charlotte could see the hesitation in her face, so sat on the seat right beside her, she gently placed her hand on Carly's for reassurance. "I'm listening, okay, please tell me what's bothering you."