If || rsl & r5 (SLOW UPDATES)

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Charlotte's POV

Mel and I held Ian's tiny hands and I couldn't help but grin when he jumped up and down, giggling. The playground came into view and he wriggled out of our grip, taking off towards the slide. I shouted after him "Be careful, honey!"

He replied, but I couldn't even hear him as he was too far already. I sprinted after him when he bumped into someone and I reached him within seconds, taking him into my arms as the stranger patted his head gently, "Are you okay, baby?"

Why wasn't my son even crying? He seemed calmer than me as I stroked his hair and pressed my lips to his temple.
He whined. "Momma, I'm okay."

I looked up when I heard a male voice and I froze in my spot. "Are you sure, bud?"

Ian quickly nodded and I kissed his cheek, my breathing still hitched from the panic. "Mommy, can I go and play now?"

He gave me a pouting look and I heaved a sigh, nodding, "Of course. Just be careful, sweetheart. I love you lots and lots."

"Charlotte?" I would recognise that voice anywhere.

Unfortunately.

Straightening up, I ruffled Ian's blonde hair as Mel reached us, cooing at Ian as he started pulling silly faces at me. "Mel, could you take him to the playground please? I'll be over in a minute."

"Sure." She nodded, smiling as she took my son's hands and walked towards the play area where Ian wanted to always be.

I stared into the distance, watching Ian climb the slide and squeal joyfully when he went down on it. I was pulled out of my thoughts when I felt someone's hand on my shoulder and I spun around, seeing the guy who was a break for Ian. Ross.

He hadn't changed since I last saw him. His blonde hair was slightly messed up and he was wearing a plain shirt with ripped jeans and converse.

"Are you alright?" His eyes seemed to be scanning mine as I nodded and looked away, pushing his arm off my shoulder.

"Yeah why wouldn't I be?" I sat down on a bench and mentally slapped myself when Ross sat next to me. "What the hell do you even want, Ross?" I suddenly snapped at him, causing him to give me a dumbfounded look.

"Charlie, it's-"

"Don't call me that." I glared at him.

"Uh, fine. Sorry, Charlotte. I-I just wanted to apologise for what I did and I wanted to tell you that I regret everything I ever did to you. I never meant to hurt you, you know I didn't. I could never stop loving you."

"Shut up." I ran a hand through my hair.

"W-What?"

"Just shut the hell up. If you hadn't realized, we had nothing to talk about for so long, and we won't start talking now, Ross. Please...just don't start explaining yourself for what you did. I get it but no matter what you do, I won't forgive you." I ranted, immediately shutting up and awkwardly biting my lip as I tapped my fingernails against my knee.

We sat in an awkward silence until he spoke up as we both watched Ian laugh on the swings when Mel pushed him.

"Who was that little boy?" Ross glanced over at me. I could feel his gaze burning into the side of my head.

"My son." I answered bluntly. I mean, what more could I say?

Now it was my turn to glance at Ross as he stared at the ground, twiddling his thumbs. He finally looked up and I somehow found myself staring into his eyes, "I-Is he my son?"

I remained silent, breaking the eye contact with him. I wish Mel would come back with Ian so that I wouldn't have to speak to Ross.

"Charlie!" His raised voice made me turn my head once again. "Tell me, please! I need to know!"

"You don't-"

"Yes I bloody well do! I wanna be there for you and him. I love you! Can't you see that?"

"Oh, yeah I definitely saw how much you loved me when you cheated on me." I argued, standing up as he grabbed my hand and I stared at him then at his hand who was still clutching mine.

"Please be honest with me. Is he my child?" His voice was now calmer as he stood up to be on my level and to my surprise, he placed his hand on my cheek, "I have to know, Charlie. I really do."

To my relief, Ian came running back to me with Mel attempting to catch up with him. I looked back at Ross, pushing his arm away when my son hugged me and I wrapped an arm around him, ruffling his hair, "He is."

Ross opened his mouth to say something but I grabbed Ian's hand in mine and walked away as Mel held Ian's other hand.

"Mommy, who was that guy you were talking to?" He looked up at me, giving me a puppy look and suddenly the only thing I could see were Ross's eyes and how similar my son looked compared to Ross.

I gave him an fake smile as we went to get ice cream, "N-No one, honey. Don't worry. He....was just an old friend."

Thought I'd update today since I got my r5 tickets and I'm meeting them on September 22nd and I'm really really excited!! Hope you're all having a great Friday though