Chapter Twelve: Charlotte's Dilemma

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Chapter Twelve: Charlotte’s Dilemma

                Charlotte Prescott had a problem. A huge problem. She didn’t know what to do about it, though, so she needed to find someone to confide in. Not her mother, of course. Adeline would have a heart attack if she knew about Charlotte’s indiscretions. Not Genevieve Tanner; she couldn’t keep her mouth shut to save her life. Meredith Benedict could possibly help, but that was still a question mark. Charlotte didn’t even know if Meredith liked her or not.

                Lisette could work. But then again, Lisette was never in a situation like Charlotte was in. So, she guessed Meredith was her best bet. How would she take it, though?

                Charlotte made her way over to the crowded Benedict house, praying Willis was working and she wouldn’t have to face him. This was the kind of thing that required careful planning and preparation, and telling Willis about it now could be disastrous.

                She knocked softly on the door and Evelyn; Willis’s 17-year-old sister, answered the door. “Yes?” She said, with a slight uppity tone to her voice. Charlotte didn’t really like Evelyn, needless to say. “Is Meredith home?” Charlotte asked.

                Evelyn nodded and called for her mother. Meredith greeted Charlotte at the door and invited her inside, a bubble of nervousness growing in her stomach.

                “So, Charlotte, what brings you here? Willis isn’t home right now.” She said, taking a tea kettle off the stove and pouring herself and Charlotte a cup. She twisted her dress with anxiety and thanked Meredith for the tea.

                “Ah, well, it kind of has to do with Willis, but I don’t know how to tell him or what to do, and-” Meredith cut her off.

                “Just spit it out, dear. What’s the problem?”

                “I’m pregnant.”

                Meredith’s cup slipped out of her hand and landed with a clang onto the floor. She stood frozen to the spot for a moment then cleared her throat.

                “Um, whose child is it?” She asked, avoiding Charlotte’s eyes.

                “Do you really have to ask that? I think you know who the father is.”

                Meredith nodded and let a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. “Well, ah, did you tell Willis yet?” She asked. Charlotte shook her head, her eyes downcast on the floor.

                “I’ve been trying to figure out what to do. I mean, of course I’m keeping the baby, but, my parents will surely disown me if they ever found out, and I would have no place to go after that!” Meredith stopped Charlotte’s hysteric babbling by giving her a hug.

                “Oh, sweetie, you can stay here with us if you need too! That would be alright with me! And I’m sure Bob wouldn’t mind, either.” Charlotte responded by hugging Meredith tighter, crying with happiness instead of helplessness.

                “Charlotte? What are you doing here? And why are you crying? Is something wrong?” Willis said, entering the kitchen where his girlfriend and his mother where sitting, crying.

                Meredith and Charlotte pulled apart, wiping their eyes. Meredith sent a small smile Charlotte’s way and got up. “I’ll leave you two alone.” She said.

                Just then Georgia, Willis’s ten-year-old sister, came running. “Mom! Arthur got his foot stuck in the slop bucket AGAIN! I told him not to do it, and what does he do? He puts his foot in the bucket and now he’s waddling around the yard like an idiot!” Georgia complained. Meredith rolled her eyes and shooed her out of the kitchen.

                Willis turned his attention to Charlotte. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt? What is it?” He said in a panicky voice, clutching her hands worriedly.

                “I’m fine, Willis. I just have something, ah, big to tell you.” She started. Willis’s eyes bore into Charlotte’s, worried and concerned.

                “Willis, you’re going to be a father.” Charlotte said quietly. Willis froze.

                Charlotte bit her lip. Oh no, what if he doesn’t want a child? What if he breaks up with me? Charlotte thought, a bubble of panic starting to form in her stomach.

                Then the ground disappeared from under her and she was being swung around in a circle. “We’re having a baby!” Willis shouted, bringing Charlotte in closer and kissing her full on the mouth. Relief and happiness rushed through her as she reached up and wrapped her arms around neck, kissing him as deeply as she could. Maybe they could make this work. Maybe, just maybe.

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OH MY GOSH!

I AM SOOO SORRY I HAVEN'T UPLOADED IN A WHILE!!

You know how finals are!

Then I lost my flashdrive and had to copy and paste everything into a new document on three computers and into Google Documents and have to keep them all updated!

Craziness!!!!

Well I hope you enjoy...

--Eliz♥♥

Charlottetown (Probably on hold forever. Or whenever I decide to update.)Where stories live. Discover now