Running Scared

Chapter 8: Mommy 'Me' Time

Tuesday morning, Charlotte was eating breakfast with Theo when there was a knock at the door. Her pulse immediately started racing, her thoughts running wild. She certainly wasn't expecting anyone today.

"Who's that Momma?"

"I don't know baby. Remember you have to be real quite until I say so"

He nodded his head, covering his mouth with his stick syrup hands as Charlotte slowly rose from the table and quietly walked to the door. She was on edge but let out a breath when she saw that it was only Jack. She opened the door to let him in.

"Morning Jack, what brings you here so early?" She gave him a quick kiss.

"Jack-Jack!" Theo shouted when he saw who came into the kitchen

"Hey Theo, what's for breakfast?"

"Momma made pancakes!"

"Um, looks good."

"Can I get you a cup of coffee?" Charlotte asked as she poured some more juice for Theo.

"No thanks, I'm sorry I didn't call first but I was wondering if it be okay if I took Theo out for the day? I figured you might want a day to yourself."

A day to myself?  Charlotte hadn't had one of those in years, the last one was long before Theo was born. She didn't trust many people to watch Theo. Every town she had lived at she made sure to never get too attached, she knew that she wasn't going to be there long. But as she looked at Jack, just like on the coffee date, there was something there that was breaking down her walls. Maybe it was because he was a Sheriff and she knew Theo would be safe with him or maybe it was because Jack was just a caring guy. Not many guys that she met wanted to get to know her once they find out that she has a son. What was one day anyway?

"That sounds like a great idea. What do you say Teddy? Would you like to spend the day with Jack"

"Yes please! Jack-Jack can take me to get ice cream!"

"We'll see about that. Let's get you cleaned up first."

Once Theo had been thoroughly cleaned of syrup, Charlotte buckled him into car seat that they transferred into Jack's car.

"Be good for Jack, Teddy"

"I will"

"Love you forever"

"Love you always Momma"

She gave him a kiss on the cheek, closing the car to turn to Jack "Take care of my baby you hear. Just because you're the Sheriff doesn't mean I won't come after you" she joked.

"I promise that I'll bring him back safe and sound. We'll see you later" He said as he jumped in the car.

Aday to myself. What am I going to do all day without having to look after athree year old she thought to self as headed back into the apartment.

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Jack hadn't planned to stop over at Alex's. He woke up that morning starting his rounds and found himself driving to her neighborhood. He couldn't stop thinking about the envelopes and how worried she always was. He didn't know if she had any family besides her parents, and even that was rocky. She had no one there for her, no one to assist her when gave birth or raising Theo. Jack wanted to change that, he wanted to be there for Alex and Theo. He didn't know if she would let him take Theo out for the day, but he was ecstatic when she said yes. He was getting her to break down the walls she had so carefully set up.