If || rsl & r5 (SLOW UPDATES)

• 16 •

Charlotte's POV

I reluctantly opened my eyes, seeing Ross next to me with his face hidden in the pillow as he held me close. Every now and then he would pull me closer, holding me tightly. Ross had been living with us for two days and I knew that it would take a lot longer than that to get used to him being here with me again.

I leaned closer to him, brushing my fingertips over his cheekbone. "Ross, wake up."

"Mhmm... five more minutes, gorgeous." He shuffled closer to me, still keeping his eyes closed.

"Ross, come on, please."

"Char, please let me sleep five more minutes." He opened his eyes and I could see how tired he looked.

"You were next to me pretty early last night. Is it because of Ian waking you up?" I threaded my hand through his messy hair.

"Of course not! But I kept tossing and turning. I couldn't stop thinking about how I messed things up and now the thought of losing you all over again scares me to death."

My eyes widened at his statement, noticing how scared and vulnerable he sounded, even if it was just his tiredness kicking in. "Ross, I know you're tired, and you haven't had much sleep and I understand that. But, are you going to be okay spending time with me and Ian...like you promised?"

"Of course. I'll just have a coffee and I'll be fine." He smiled, propping himself up on his elbow as he cupped the back of my neck with his other hand. "Can I have a morning kiss to fully wake me up?" His lips curved into a smile as I laid on my stomach, resting my hand on his chest and the other messing with his hair.

"Maybe once you eat breakfast with us and brush your teeth, I'll consider it." I bit my lip to suppress a laugh at his pouting face.

~*~

I rested my hand in my lap as we ate lunch at one of the local restaurants in New York. We had decided to show Ian some famous and well known landmarks, and I loved seeing the grin on my little boy's face.

I smiled when Ross placed his hand in mine and I rested my head on his shoulder, inhaling the scent of his cologne. He wrapped his arm around my waist, his hand discreetly slipping under my top to caress my skin which for some reason, made me burst into a laughing fit. I noticed Ian grab my phone off the table, and I couldn't help but laugh even more at his concentrated face when he was using my phone.

He giggled cheekily and I shook my head when he handed me back my phone, seeing that it was on the camera app. I decided to go into my camera roll and I scrolled through the countless pictures that Ian had taken of Ross and I.

"Awww, this one is so cute!" Ross grinned as he looked over at my phone and I found myself smiling at the photo of me and Ross looking at each other.

I twiddled my thumbs as I smiled one last time at the photos, deciding to set one of the pictures as my phone background. My gaze was then focused on Ross and an older gentleman as their hushed whispers reached my ears. He as holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Sir, would you like to buy this bouquet of flowers for your beautiful lady? Only two dollars." He smiled hopefully and Ross instantly nodded.

"Uh...of course." Ross handed him the money and took the roses, looking through the stems to make sure they didn't have any thorns. "Thank you." The man smiled gently at the two of us before making his way over to another couple

"Mommy, why aren't you and daddy married?" Ian chimed in and I shrugged.

"Sweetheart, it's complicated. Me and your daddy haven't seen each other in a long time."

Ross looked up from the bunch of roses he was holding and placed them down, grabbing my hand that was on my knee.

"But I plan on making it up to you two." He smiled as he wrapped an arm around me, pulling me towards his chest again and I let my hand rest on his knee.

"What would be your perfect wedding, Mommy?" My eyes widened at Ian's sudden interest in a wedding and I nervously lifted my gaze up to meet Ross', only to see him grinning.

"Well, I think mine would be on the beach. What about yours?"

"I really don't know. I haven't thought about it." I caressed Ross's fingers, playing with his rings. I enjoyed the cool metal against my skin. "I haven't thought about marriage at all since..." I trailed off, awkwardness lingering in the air. When Ross flinched slightly, I knew I hit a nerve. But it was the truth. After finding out Ross cheated on me, marriage was the last thing on my mind. And then Ian came along, and finding a guy to settle down with seemed unimportant.

Ian was the most important person in my life.

"Sorry," I whispered, not wanting to ruin the great day we were having.

"You don't have to apologize for my mistake. I'll never forgive myself for hurting you the way I did, but I'm gonna try my hardest to make it up to you. I swear, Char. I'm gonna be the man you deserve."

I squeezed his fingers. "I know."

~*~
After an exhausting, but amazing day exploring the Big Apple, we trekked back home. Ian had fallen asleep on the way back, my little boy completely worn out from his adventurous day. But that was only proof that he had so much fun today. I swear, I had never seen him smile and laugh so much like I did today. My phone was filled with dozens of pictures of Ian alone.

Ross carried Ian inside, not wanting to wake him up. I claimed a spot on the couch while he brought Ian to his bedroom, wanting to tuck him in. A part of me was worried that Ross would run away after a few days living in the same household with a toddler, but seeing him step up, actually be the father Ian deserved...I was happy.

Was there a sliver of worry still buried deep inside? Yes. But like Ross had said, he was proving himself.

"He's still out," Ross announced, coming back into the room and settling down next to me. "Didn't even wake up when I put his pajamas on."

"He's exhausted. He should be out all night." I nestled myself into his side, his arms automatically coming to wrap around me. "No interruptions tonight, so you should be able to get some sleep."

"I'd rather be exhausted than alone without you two."