Broken Descent (Bruno Mars)

The Story of Our Lives

Bruno and Charlotte stood behind Aaron, as a strong unit. The teacher sat there, nearly stone-faced. Aaron revealed his bruises and Bruno explained everything else. As Bruno spoke, she took down some notes, and smiled. She comforted Aaron and told him that she'd take care of it.

At the end of the day, Charlotte and Aaron hugged. He stayed there at school with the teacher. He wouldn't be going home that night.

The next day, Charlotte sat at her seat, arranging materials on her desk. Time passed slowly as more children filled the empty desks, every seat except Aaron's. A bit shyly, she approached the teacher's desk."

"Where's Aaron?" Charlotte asked.

"Aaron is okay, Charlotte. Don't worry," she said, preparing to go up to the board to begin her lesson.

"But where is he?"

"We'll talk later, okay? Go take your seat."

At the end of the day, the teacher finally had the time to talk to Charlotte privately. An extra chair was positioned next to the desk; Charlotte took a seat.

"Charlotte...Aaron is living with different foster parents."

"He doesn't go to school anymore?"

"He moved to another town. He goes to a different school."

"Oh," Charlotte said quietly.

"Do you have any questions?"

After a long hesitation, Charlotte shook her head.

Bruno picked her up a bit later and the teacher was the one who explained Aaron's new situation to him. Bruno noticed a change in Charlotte immediately when they got home. Charlotte struggled while doing her homework. After writing a word, a tear splattered onto the paper.

Bruno sat beside her, continuing to smile. It made Charlotte smile when she glanced up at him.

"I know you miss him...I know...but do you understand that it's better? He's going to be much better and happier living with people who care about him."

Charlotte nodded, trying to concentrate on her homework.

"Aaron is never gonna forget you...and you...are never gonna forget him."

Later that night, Bruno stood at her door, watching her stall as she put her stuffed animals a certain way before going to bed. When she got under the covers, Bruno noticed the tears that had formed down her cheeks. Pouting, Bruno pulled up a chair and sat near her bed.

"This is hard," she said quietly.

"I know...it might be hard for a little while."

"Dad what's a foster parent?"

Carefully constructing a response in his head, Bruno took Charlotte's hand.

"Well...when parents can't take care of their babies or their children, a foster parent will take care of them instead."

Furrowing her brows, Charlotte face began to show panic. "Like...like what you do...with me? Because Aaron said he lives in a lot of houses...and I..."

"No...no...Charlotte...I'm going to tell you a story...a very important story."

"Oooo..." Charlotte cooed, sitting up.

Bruno laughed a bit before continuing.

"It's about the day I became your dad."

Charlotte gasped, very dramatically, putting her hands over her mouth. Bruno gently grabbed her arm, rising from the chair.