If || rsl & r5 (SLOW UPDATES)

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Charlotte's POV

I woke up the next morning with a sigh of relief that Mel was finally back home. I scrambled out of bed, making my way into the kitchen and seeing my best friend already at the counter.

"Morning, sleepyhead." She flashed me a grin, a coffee mug nestled between her hands.

"Finally! You're back Mel!" I pulled her into a hug, squeezing the breath out of her as she gawked, swatting my arm.

"I can't breathe!"

"Sorry." I sat down at the table, smiling widely when Ian ran over to me, jumping onto my lap and wrapping his arms around me.

"Morning, sweetheart."

"Good morning, Mommy." He kissed my cheek and I returned the kiss, brushing his blonde locks out of his sleepy face.

"So, how are things with Ross?" Mel sat down, placing a coffee cup in front of both of us as I bounced Ian up on my knee.

"So awkward. Never ever leave me alone with him again."

"Why was it that bad? As I recall, you admitted that you wanted to see him again."

"I had no choice. You left and didn't even tell me that you were going to get Ross to come over."

"I wanted to surprise you."

"That's not really a surprise if I'm honest. He keeps telling me the same thing over and over again and I'm just tired of it. I'm tired of him being here."

"Mommy, don't you like Ross?" Ian chimed in, smiling and I suddenly feel my eyes fill with tears because of how much he resembles Ross.

"I do, honey, but it's complicated. Listen, bud, how about you go and get changed and we'll go to the zoo today, okay?" I watched his face light up with excitement as he jumped down from my knee and ran into his room.

"So, how are you and Cam?" I turned to Mel who was grinning.

"We're good. He's been a bit distant because we haven't seen each other but now we're great. We sorted things out yesterday." Mel smiled at the mention of her boyfriend and I smirked at her when I noticed a mark on her neck.

"I can tell how well things went, Mel."

Her face turned bright red as she shook her head, sipping on her coffee and I did the same before going into my room to get changed.

I didn't even know why the zoo was the first place I wanted to go with Ian. I simply just wanted to spend a day with him because it had been too long since I had a proper day with my little man, and I also wanted to have that conversation with him that I was absolutely dreading. I know I promised Ross that he could be there when I told Ian but I didn't want to make things worse.

I got changed into my skinny jeans and a t-shirt, applied a small layer of makeup and fixed my hair before pulling on my long sleeved jumper. I heard Mel call my name and I hoped that it was my mum who arrived, but as soon as I left my room, Ross came into my view with an awkward smile.

"Uh, hey, Ross."

"Morning, Char." I glanced at Mel who made kissing and moaning noises before disappearing into her room, leaving Ross and I in an even more awkward situation.

Ross smiled shyly as he placed his arm around my shoulders and I looked up at him, finding myself involuntarily grab the hem of his jacket.

"Look, Ross, I know I told you that you can be with me when I tell Ian, but I think it'll be better if I'll do it by myself. We're going to the zoo to have a day together."