Falling Again ✔️

Chapter 46

I decided it was time to see Charlie. It had been too long, and I owed him more than just an apology.

As I pulled up to his house, memories of his wedding flashed through my mind—how I had been there, but not really present, my mind clouded by everything I had been dealing with.

Charlie opened the door, his eyes widening slightly before he greeted me with a grin, despite the knowing look in his eyes. "About time you showed up." He said, pulling me into a quick hug before leading me inside.

Daniela was in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared something. She greeted me warmly, squeezing my arm before giving us space.

Charlie and I sat ooh his garden, the cool air settling around us. I exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck. "I've been a shitty friend," I admitted. "I wasn't there for you like I should've been. And I'm sorry."

Charlie leaned back, studying me for a moment before shaking his head. "You were going through hell, Jacob. I get it. But I won't lie—there were times I wished you'd let me in, let me help."

I swallowed hard, the guilt settling in my chest. "I didn't know how."

Charlie sighed, nodding. "Yeah, I figured. But you're here now, and that counts for something."

We sat in silence for a moment before he chuckled. "You know, Aiden would've told you to quit being dramatic and just show up with a six-pack."

I laughed, the weight on my chest lifting slightly. "Yeah, he would've."

Charlie clapped me on the shoulder. "We're good, man. Just... don't disappear on me again."

I nodded, a small smile forming. "I won't."

Charlie leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head. "So," He said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Now that you're back to being a functioning human, what's next?"

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "Honestly? I don't know." It was the truth. Getting clean and sober had been the goal for so long that I hadn't let myself think about anything beyond it. Now that I was here, sitting on Charlie's couch with my mind clear for the first time in years, the future felt like a blank slate- excited and terrifying all at once.

Exciting, because I was looking forward to my future with Aria. I wanted to see how much we could achieve together- how much more love we had to share. Terrifying, because my sobriety was hanging by a thread and I was shut scared that anything could set me over the edge and back down that rabbit hole.

Charlie arched a brow. "No grand plans? No deep, soul-searching revelations?"

I snorted. "Not unless you count realising I have no idea what the hell I'm doing with my life."

Charlie laughed, shaking his head. "Man, you sound like me when Daniela told me she was pregnant."

I blinked. "Wait- what?"

Charlie grinned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah. She's about three months along."

A slow smile spread across my face. "Charlie, that's amazing."

He shrugged, but I didn't miss the way his chest puffed up slightly. "Yeah, it is. Scary as hell, it amazing."

I leaned back, letting the news settle in. My best friend was going to be a dad. A year ago, I would have felt a pang of jealousy, a reminder of how far behind I was in life. But now, sitting here with a clear mind and a steady heart, all I felt was happiness for him.

"You're gonna be a great dad." I said sincerely.

Charlie scoffed. "Tell that to my future kid when I inevitably screw something up."

I smirked. "Oh, you'll screw up plenty. But that's what parenting is, right? Trial and error?"

"Pretty sure that's not how Daniela will see it." Charlie mutters, but his grin gave away to his teasing nature.

We sat in companionable silence for a moment, watching as the sky darkened. The street lamps flickered on, casting a soft glow over the street.

Charlie cleared his throat. "You know, Jacob, you don't have to have it all figured out right now."

I turned my head to look at him.

He shrugged. "You just went through the hardest thing of your life. Maybe it's okay to just... be for a while."

I let out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding. "Yeah. Maybe you're right."

Charlie smirked. "I usually am." I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped me.

"I know Aria and I are still figuring things out, but... yeah. I think about being a dad a lot."

Charlie leaned back, studying me. "Look at you, getting all domestic on me."

I chuckled, but my chest warmed at the thought. "It's more than that. When I was in rehab, they always asked what we as for our future and what we wanted to achieve when we got out of there. It sounds stupid, but I always thought of the family I'd have with Aria. Bunch of kids running around, and we'd... we'd love them properly."

Charlie's expression softened. "Doesn't sound stupid to me."

I nodded slowly. "It kept me going. Like... maybe that version of my life wasn't out of reach. Maybe I could be that guy. The one that shows up and sticks around."

Charlie smiled, genuine and wide. "You are that guy now."

I looked down at my hands. "I want to give Aria everything. A home, a family... all the things I thought I'd never be able to give anyone. And yeah, maybe we're not ready yet. Maybe we need time. But for the first time, it feels possible. Not just something other people have."

Charlie was quiet for a moment, then he kicked out softly, his foot kicking my calf. "You're gonna be a damn good dad, man."

I laughed, a little choked up. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves." I've barely figured out how to be a good boyfriend again."

He smirked. "Start with not burning soup and remembering birthdays. The rest comes with practice."

We both laughed, and the air between us settled into something easy, something whole. "I'm happy for you, Jacob." Charlie said after a pause. "And I'm proud of you. For making it through, for choosing to come back. For letting yourself dream again."

I met his eyes and nodded, feeling the truth of his words settle deep in my chest. "Yeah." I said quietly. "Me too."