unexpected love [c.l.]

chapter two

Charles adjusted his grip on May's hand as they stood outside Evie's apartment. The morning sun cast a warm glow, reflecting off the nearby buildings and filling the air with a sense of anticipation. May looked up at him, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Are you ready to see Evie and Poppy?" Charles asked, a smile playing on his lips.

May nodded enthusiastically, gripping her stuffed Lightning McQueen that she carried everywhere. "Yes, Dada! I can't wait to play with Poppy."

"Remember, mon étoile, Poppy is younger than you, so..."

"She can't do everything I can yet, I know, Dada."

Charles chuckled and pressed the doorbell. Moments later, the door swung open to reveal Evie, her smile radiant as she greeted them.

"Good morning, Charles. Hi, May!" Evie crouched down to May's level. "That's a cute little car you have there."

"Thank you, Uncle Carlos gave it to me," the little girl answered, putting the toy in front of her so Evie could see it better.

Evie laughed and stood up, stepping aside to let them in. "Come on in. Poppy's been talking about you all morning."

As they entered the apartment, Poppy came running up, her tiny feet pattering against the floor. "May! May!" she squealed, throwing her arms around her friend.

May laughed and hugged Poppy back. "Hi, Poppy! I've missed you."

Charles watched the two girls with a smile, feeling a sense of warmth and contentment. He turned to Evie. "They seem to get along pretty well."

"They do, they really do."

Charles looked at Evie with a more serious expression, gently placing his hands on her waist to turn her so she was completely facing him. "How have you been? Any symptoms?"

"Just the nausea, really," Evie replied, grabbing one of his hands. "Besides that, nothing much, some cravings here and there."

"Cravings? What are you craving?"

"This is embarrassing," she said, putting her head on his shoulder to shield it from his face.

"Hey, tell me."

"You know those green gummy bears?" She could feel him nod. "With vanilla ice cream."

Charles stayed quiet for a bit. "Wait, but they don't sell the green ones separately."

"I know," she pulled her head from his shoulder and looked at him. "You have no clue how many open gummy bear bags I have in my closet so I can have the green ones."

Charles laughed, hugging her. "Don't laugh at me," Evie said with a fake pout.

"Sorry, pretty girl, but that is the funniest thing I have ever heard." He kissed her forehead. "So you just eat the green ones and leave the others in the bag?"

Evie nodded. "It's weird, I know, but the others make me nauseous and the green ones don't, so they are perfect. And mixed with vanilla ice cream..." she slightly moaned. "You have to try it one day, Charlie, it's divine. When I was pregnant with Poppy, I craved pickles, which for me were divine at the time, and now I can't even see them."

Charles let Evie continue talking as he looked at her with a smile on his face. He loved how passionately she was talking about her cravings while mindlessly playing with the rings on his fingers. It was a good feeling having her this close to him.

He took a quick peek behind her to see that their two little girls were playing together with toys already scattered around the living room.

Evie suddenly stopped talking, grabbing Charles's attention. "I'm boring you, right?"