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Charlotte's POV

Ross pulled up in the parking lot, turning to face me as he bit his lip. I desperately tried avoiding eye contact when I felt his hand on mine. Mel peeked her head in between the seats with a playful glare. "You two, stop flirting!"

"Mel, we're not." I quickly pulled my hand away from Ross and climbed out of the car, going to the back seat to take Ian out. Once I had him secure in my arms, I turned around to face Ross who had gotten out of the car. "Thanks for the ride." I gave him a tight smile.

"Do you wanna come inside?" I heard Mel speak up with a grin as Ross was getting back into his car. I glared at her and rolled my eyes as she shrugged, whispering to me, "I'm not interested in him. I'm doing this for you, Char."

"Uh..sure." Ross followed me as Mel unlocked the front door and let me inside before locking the door. Ian woke up from his nap, rubbing his eyes tiredly as I sat down on the couch with him on my lap.

"Ross do you uh...want anything to drink?" I played with Ian's blonde locks as I looked up at Ross who was awkwardly stood by the door, and I realized Mel had disappeared into her room.

"Y-yeah, can I have some water please?"

"Sure." I set Ian down on the couch and stood up to go to the kitchen, starting to get a glass out and pouring some water for Ross.

"Can we talk?" He asked nervously, twiddling with his thumbs.

I turned around to face him as I sighed, "Fine. Ian will be asleep soon so we can talk."

"Great." He stared at the floor until I handed him the water. He lifted his head up to look at me, making my breath hitch when his fingers brushed over my hand. I instantly let go of the glass, not realizing that Ross wasn't holding it properly therefore causing the glass to shatter all over the floor and the water to spill everywhere. I crouched down, attempting to clean it up until Ross spoke up, "I'll clean it. You've got to rest."

"Nothing's wrong with me except the fact that you're here and every time you touch me, something goes wrong." I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest as Ross leaned down to clean up the mess.

I spun on my heel when I heard my son's voice in the doorway. "Mommy, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

I gave him a reassuring smile and went over to him, pulling him into a hug. "Everything's okay sweetheart. I'm okay." I pressed my lips to his head as I held him close.

"Mommy?" Ian spoke up again after a moment of silence.

"Yes, honey?"

"Who's that guy? We met him at the park and now he here. Why?" He looked up at me confused and I faked a smile.

"I told you, baby. He's my old friend and we saw him perform yesterday with his band, remember?"

"Yeah! It was fun!" He gave me a cheesy grin, revealing his newly growing teeth.

Ross straightened up once he was done and I sighed in relief. "Thanks for cleaning that up."

"No problem." He gave me half a smile as we went into the living room, Ian instantly sitting on my lap.

"Hey, buddy. What's your name?"

"Ian! What's yours?"

"Ian, I told you not to be like that-"

"It's fine, Charlie. I'm Ross." He chuckled softly as held his hand out to Ian who shook Ross's hand and yawned.

"Come on, baby. Let's get you to sleep." I watched as my son's eyes slowly started to droop, but he attempted to sleepily protest.

"Mommy, I'm not tired!" With that he fell asleep, and I carried him to his room, tucking him into bed.

Once I made sure Ian was fast asleep cuddled up to his teddy, I straightened up, seeing Ross in the doorway. I walked past him and entered my room, sitting on my bed and going on my phone as I ignored Ross who followed me and sat next to me.

"You're an amazing mom." He spoke up after a few minutes of sitting in an awkward silence.

"Thanks. He's only got me and I wouldn't change that for anything." I looked up from my phone.

Ross awkwardly scratched the back of his neck and exhaled a deep breath before speaking again, "Charlie, I know I said this so many times but I really am sorry for how much I hurt you. I didn't mean to, I swear. If only I could turn back time, maybe we would still be together-"

I interrupted him, "Things are fine the way they are. You've got your life. I've got mine."

"But you're still a part of my life. We've got a son and I haven't stopped loving you. I never will stop-"

"You sound like a broken record Ross. Please stop telling me you love me-"

This time, it was Ross's turn to interrupt me, "Just listen to me...please. Look, I was drunk at that party and I didn't know what I was doing. I-I saw you with Rocky and my first thought was that he liked you and that you felt the same. I was worried that you didn't love me anymore. That's why I got drunk. I didn't wanna see how happy you two looked together but I didn't wanna start a scene. That girl came over to me and I didn't even know her. She started flirting with me and eventually forced herself onto me. I was too drunk to push her away and that's when you came in and saw us." I stared at the floor - the memories of that party rushing back into my mind.

"Seeing me happy with your brother wasn't an excuse, Ross. I wouldn't have cheated like you did." I looked up at him, blinking back tears.

"I know what I did was wrong and I hate myself for that because I lost everything I needed. I miss you and I would do anything to turn back time... to make you mine again, to have to take care of Ian with you. These 7 years without you have been torture. When I saw you at that club, I had no idea how to make you forgive me and then we got drunk and it happened. When you left that morning, I realized I lost you again."

I noticed his eyes turn glossy too as his hand grabbed mine, giving it a squeeze. "I'm leaving in 3 days time and I know one thing, I can't lose you this time."

I stayed silent, my jaw dropping at his words. I had never let him explain the situation about what happened when we broke up and I could tell how genuine he was, unless it was all for show, which I couldn't tell right now.

I looked down at my lap, biting my lip to suppress a smile at Ross's hand which was still clutching mine. He lifted my chin up to make me look at him, brushing his fingers over my cheek, "I want to spend those 3 days with you and our son."

I stared at him, anxiously swallowing a lump in my throat when he tucked my hair behind my ear and pressed his lips against mine.

Ooohhh! Ross finally explained what happened & they kissed!! What do you think is going to happen?

By the way, it's less than 3 weeks until I meet R5 (can you hear me screaming?)

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