I Love You No Matter What

Chapter 12: Charles

"What makes you think I'm going to allow you move to California?" Mom yells.

"Because I'm a grown woman," Faith yells back.

"Faith has a point. She is old enough to do what she wants," Scott says.

"Don't defend her," Mom snaps at him. I sit back in my chair. This is going to take awhile before they stop.

"You let Hope leave and she is twenty-two," Faith argues.

"You're not Hope," Mom says. "You are the child who actually listens to me."

"Then I should be rewarded," Faith says.

"You don't even know this Nick. He could be some serial killer," Mom says.

Even I roll my eyes at that. "Nicholas is a good guy," Ben speaks up.

"I don't know him,"  Mom argues.

"But I do," Faith cries.

Mom stands up from the dining table and raises her hands in defeat. "Fine. I give up. Do whatever the heck you want to do. Don't come crying back to me when he breaks your heart." Mom leaves the dining room.

Faith sits back in the chair with her arms crossed. "Why do I feel like she wants me to fail?" Faith asks no one in particular.

"Harmony doesn't want you to get hurt," Scott says.

"I understand that but what if we do get hurt? We won't know how to handle ourselves," Miracle says.

"Miracle has a point," I say.

"You all are going to leave eventually. Why not now? Your mother just needs to accept it," Scott says sadly.

"You're okay with me leaving?" Faith asks Scott.

"I am. Just like I am with Hope and as I will be with the rest of you," Scott answers. "When will you leave?"

"When we go back to California to promote," Faith says.

"That's in a few weeks," Ben states.

"I might go out there earlier," Faith says.

"How early?" I ask fearfully.

"Friday," she says.

"That's tomorrow," I exclaim.

"I got ahold of the pilot for the private jet. I can't stay here any longer with Mom," she explains. She just decided she was leaving three days ago.

I nod. "Just stay safe," I tell her.

"We should get some sleep," Scott suggests.

                                                                                             *

 When I wake up, I go downstairs to say goodbye to Faith. She has all her things in the car already.

I pull her in for a big hug. My eyes become watery. I can feel Faith's on my neck. "Call when you land," I say shakily.

"I will," she promises. Faith hugs the rest of the family, except for Mom.

"Your Mother will get over it," Scott tells Faith. Faith nods.

"I haven't met Nick, so I'm a little skeptical. If he hurts you I'll kick him in his soft spot," Miracle says.

Faith laughs. "No need to worry. Nick is a sweetheart," she says.

"I hope so," I say.

"I will come back home if anything bad happens," Faith says.

"See you in a couple of weeks," Ben says.

"See you."

We wave goodbye to her as she hops into the car. The car drives off down the driveway. Miracle puts a hand on my shoulder.

"You still have us," she says.

I place my arm around her waist. "Just promise me that you won't leave anytime soon," I say.

"Not anytime soon," she tells me.

We smile at each other. "I'll be in my room sulking," I say. I turn to go back into the house.

Ben smirks. "Have fun," he says.

I open up my notebook when I'm in my room. With an artist accepting my last song, Marcus wants me to create an entire album for the artist. I have one month to compose twenty songs. It took me a month to write that last song. I should be happy to get an opportunity like this. The thought of Mom being the reason I got this job is unsettling. My only talent is having a talented mom. I can't even get a job(not that I need the money). I won't go down in history as a great producer, only Harmony Andrews, and James Grant's son. I feel like a failure. Mom must think I am too.

I sigh and walk out of the room. I think best at the piano. Once my fingers start playing at the keys ideas begin to flow. I soon get lost in my work.

Hands touch my shoulders, causing me to jump. I turn to face the person. Amber's smiling face greets me. "Hey. What are you doing here?" I ask with a smile.

She sits down beside me. "I heard about Faith. I'm really sorry. Figured you'd need some comforting," Amber answers.

"That is considerate of you. I'm glad you're here," I say.

Amber lays her hand on mine. "I'm always here for you, Charles," she says.

We hold one another's eyes. Amber truly is always there for me. Next, to Faith, she has been my rock. I'd love to date her, but I haven't found the courage. I had lied to Faith and myself that it was because I work for her father.

Amber breaks our staring contest to look at the writing in my notebook. "This your new song?"

I don't take my eyes off of her. "Yeah. I have to write an album for Willow," I explain.

"Big artist," Amber comments.

"I am afraid I'll mess up."

"Let me take you back to my place. You look like you could use a break before continuing this long project," she suggests.

I don't hesitate on answering. "I would love that."