Temporary Nanny

Chapter 32

"Tell me what you want. Do you want her to see Stella or not? I'm taking my opinion completely out of it. It's yours. It's all yours. Tell me what to do Charlie. Tell me what you want so we can get past this and you'll stay."

"Do you love her?"

"That's not fair Charlie. I've known her my whole life. I married her."

"So that's a yes then."

"I love you Charlie."

"You aren't mine to love are you? You said it yourself, you grew up with her. You made a life with her. You married her."

"Please don't do this."

"You know, I think on some level I knew. I knew the wound was still fresh. I was your distraction, your rebound. Your one to get your mind off things. I truly was just temporary."

"Char-"

"Goodbye Michael."

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"I went to see Stella today." I mutter, placing a hand on my growing bump. "What? So you told Michael? What did he say? Why are you here? Oh god. Was he a dick? Do I need to-" Mia rambles. "Calm down." I chuckle at my best friend.

"I went to daycare and hungout for a bit. Nothings changed. Michael still doesn't know and you're not going to tell him." I look over at her sitting on the other side of the couch. "Charlie." She scolds. "My baby. My decision." I sniff. "What about Michael? It's not just yours." She states. "I know."

"Do you? Because you're not acting like it." Her lips pursed in a tight line. "Hey. You're my best friend, not his. You're supposed to be on my side." I frown. "You know I'm always on your side Char but this is stupid." She huffs. "Oh, so now I'm stupid?" I draw back.

She sighs, "Calm down hormones. That's not what I said. What is the point in this if you're still seeing Stel? Why is it okay to still see her but cut Michael off cold turkey?" She challenges.

"Because Stella's not in love with someone else. She needs me. I'm her mom." I reason. "That is the most sorry-ass excuse I've ever heard." Mia deadpans. "It's not an excuse, it's the truth." I shrug.

"I thought the whole point in this break up was so that they could live with whats her name and have a happy family and whatever BS you told Michael?" "It's not BS. I do want them to be a family and everything else that comes with that." I counter.

"Mhm and how exactly is Stella supposed to have that when she has you visiting her at daycare? Do you honestly think she's going to ever call that woman her mom if she still has you around?" Mia tries to reason. "Yes." I cross my arms and hold my chin high.

Mia fixes me with her best mom look. "Leave me alone. I'm pregnant and if you tell me I can't see my baby anymore I will start crying and I swear to you I will not stop." I warn, eyes already glassing over.

"I'm not telling you to stop seeing your kid Charlie, I'm telling you to let Michael see his." Mia says gently. "This is hard enough without you yelling at me everyday please just be on my side." I frown.

"Oh Charlie, I'm not yelling at you. I just want whats best for you, Mike and the bun in the oven. Michael should get the opportunity to be here. I think you know that." She scoots closers and wraps an arm around my shoulder.

"I just...he married her Mi, they had a life together. I can't compete with that." I shake my head, thick pregnant tears rolling down my cheeks.

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