Love in the Dark

Chapter Eight: So It Begins

"Do you want me to hold her?" Carlos asked, noticing how a sleep-deprived Charlese was clearly struggling a bit with a very fussy Kaia, who was upset from being woken up earlier than usual.

They were in the middle of the bustling private jet terminal, waiting to board. It wasn't going to be a short flight, and he didn't want Charlese to exhaust herself handling Kaia, who was about to experience her first flight.

Charlese nodded gratefully and gently passed Kaia over to Carlos' arms. He cuddled the little girl close to his chest.

"Let's give Char some rest, Kaia," Carlos said softly. Kaia initially stretched her arms towards Charlese, babbling incoherent words. However, as Carlos spoke to her, Kaia turned her head to him, staring up with her big eyes. It was as if she comprehended every word he said. Kaia placed her small arms on Carlos' shoulder, burying her face in his neck, giving up on her attempt to reach Charlese.

"She understands me," Carlos chuckled, looking over at Charlese. Her eyes were fixed on Kaia, a smile so breathtaking on her face that Carlos got lost for a moment. He realized it was the first time he had seen Charlese smile, and for some odd reason, he felt compelled to want to see that more often.

___

The boarding process for their private jet was quick and smooth. As they settled into the comfortable seats, Kaia's eyes widened with curiosity at the unfamiliar surroundings. Carlos kept her engaged in a one-sided conversation, while Charlese took a moment to close her eyes and relax.

As the plane taxied and took off, Kaia whimpered slightly at the sensation, clutching tightly to Carlos. "It's okay, Kaia," He murmured, gently rocking her. "Look at the clouds outside." He pointed towards the scenic beauty of the sky visible from the window, making Kaia look at the scene before she turned to look at Carlos again, babbling some words that sounded like a question, making him chuckle at her actions.

"I think she's going to speak soon," Carlos mused, still smiling at Kaia who looked up at him. Not getting any reply from Charlese, he looked up and saw that she was now sound asleep. He smiled softly, glad that she was getting some much-needed rest.

Carlos felt a mix of emotions as he held Kaia. He was still grappling with the weight of the decision they had made, feeling both the enormity of the responsibility and the necessity of it. He knew that taking care of Kaia was the right thing to do, but the reality of their new roles was daunting.

As Kaia continued to babble and look around, Carlos couldn't help but think about how natural Charlese seemed with her. Despite the exhaustion and stress, Charlese handled Kaia with a kind of innate ease and tenderness. Carlos admired her strength and resilience, especially considering everything she had been through.

"You're lucky to have her, you know," Carlos whispered to Kaia, who responded with a string of incoherent sounds. "She's amazing. And we'll do our best for you, Princesa."

The hours passed by slowly as the jet soared through the skies. Kaia eventually dozed off in Carlos' arms, her tiny fingers clutching his shirt. Carlos took this time to think about the future and how they would manage everything. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to make it work.

___

"Do you think the weather is bothering her?" Carlos guessed, looking at Kaia who had been very grumpy as she was in Charlese's hold.

"I think so, but she'll be fine in no time," Charlese said, gently coaxing Kaia to let go of a handful of her hair she had fisted.

They had landed in Miami an hour earlier, and both Carlos and Charlese believed it was the heat that was bothering Kaia, making her a bit difficult to handle. Despite this, Charlese managed to soothe her with a calm patience that impressed Carlos.

"How about this," Carlos said, leaning down to talk to Kaia, who was settled in Charlese's lap. "The three of us go to the beach tomorrow?" He smiled, watching Kaia perk up at the mention of the beach. She was clearly a smart kid who understood that the beach meant water—her favorite thing.

"Will you not be busy tomorrow?" Charlese asked as they settled into the car, heading to the hotel where Carlos and his team were staying.

"Yeah, I have my media day tomorrow," Carlos acknowledged, nodding his head as he glanced at Charlese, trying to read the uneasiness in her expression. "But I'm sure we can go after that."

Charlese nodded, still looking a bit uncertain. "I just don't want to be a burden," she murmured, her voice barely audible over Kaia's babbling. "You're already doing a lot for both of us. We don't want to trouble you further." She despised the fact that there was no way she could take care of Kaia alone and not burden Carlos with their situation.

Carlos reached out and gently squeezed her hand. "You're not a burden, Charlese. Neither of you are. We're in this together, remember?"

Charlese gave him a small, grateful smile, though the tension in her shoulders didn't entirely dissipate. She turned her attention back to Kaia, who had started to calm down, her little fingers now exploring Charlese's watch.

As they drove through the bustling streets of Miami, Carlos couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and anxiety about the days ahead. The responsibility of raising Kaia and supporting Charlese weighed heavily on his mind, but he was determined to make it work. He admired Charlese's strength and how natural she seemed with Kaia, even under stress.

By the time they reached the hotel, Kaia had fallen asleep in Charlese's arms, her little face relaxed and peaceful. Carlos carried Kaia while Charlese quietly followed him to the hotel reception.

Once inside the room, which was for Charlese and Kaia, Carlos gently laid Kaia on the bed, careful not to wake the little girl up from her slumber.

"Do you think she misses them?" Carlos asked softly, looking at Kaia who peacefully slept as Carlos gently stroked her hair. He couldn't help but be curious about it, especially knowing that once she was older, Kaia wouldn't remember of Matteo and Esme.

"Of course," Charlese replied, her voice just as soft. It was still raw in their minds that Matteo and Esme were gone, and they were honoring their memories by taking in on raising on Kaia.

Charlese was certain that even if Kaia was too young to grasp what was happening around her, she would surely notice the absence of her parents. And despite all the efforts Carlos and her were putting in for the little girl, Charlese still dreaded the day she would have to explain Kaia of what happened with her parents.

"We'll be okay," Carlos whispered with a soft smile on his head as he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Kaia's head before getting up and looking up at Charlese, knowing they would make, whatever it was that they were doing, work, for Kaia's sake.

"I think it's best if we both get some sleep now," Carlos said making Charlese nod as she passed him a small smile, pushing her sadness away. "My room is in front of you if you need anything," Carlos said as he walked over to the door with Charlese following behind him.

"Good night, Carlos," Charlese said, smiling at the driver who looked at her for a few seconds before nodding his head, moving out of the door.