If || rsl & r5 (SLOW UPDATES)

• 21 •

Charlotte's POV

I squeezed Ross' and Ian's hands as Ross knocked on the door, soon revealing Stormie in the doorway with a huge smile. "Sweetie!" She pulled Ross into her arms, giving him a tight squeeze as I giggled quietly, seeing him squirm and whine like a little kid in her grip.

"Mom!"

"I'm sorry, honey." She pulled back, smiling widely as she ruffled his hair and turned her attention to me and Ian before pulling me into a hug. "Hey, Charlie! It's so good to see you again, love."

I grinned. "You, too, Mrs. Lynch."

"Oh, don't be silly. We were on a first name basis." She pulled back and I nodded, remembering that I had always called her by the first name when me and Ross used to date.

"Mom, this is our son, Ian. You've met him before." Ross grabbed my hand again, pulling me towards him as he gently pushed Ian forward. "Buddy, this is your grandma."

"Hi," Ian gave Stormie a toothy grin, showing off his dimples and I could practically see the tears in her eyes as she looked at him, probably seeing how similar he looked to Ross when he was little.

"Come on inside, guys." She stepped aside and locked the door behind us. "Would you like anything to eat or drink?"

"Grandma, can I have some juice please?"

"Of course, honey." She smoothed out his hair, before disappearing into the kitchen. Ross kept his hand laced with mine as he led me into the living room, but let go when we were attacked in hugs by his siblings, with Rydel jumping up and almost tackling me to the floor.

"Oh my god, hiiiii!"

"Hey, Del." I laughed when she pulled back, looking like she was about to cry. "What's up?"

"I just missed you and I'm so happy that you and Ross are happy together. It's good to know that my little brother is finally happy, you know."

"You're speaking like we've never met before."

"I know, but he was a mess when you left." She stopped speaking quickly, smiling slightly as she let the others welcome me and Ross.

"I'll help you with dinner, mom." Ross offered and jogged into the kitchen.

~*~
I bit my nails when I felt the couch dip and I glanced over to see Rocky sitting down, biting his lip anxiously as he stared at his feet.

"Are you alright?"

"Uh....Yeah er...I'm okay." He was obviously avoiding eye contact and to be fair, I was doing the same.

"So um...how have you been? We haven't spoken in so long."

"I've been good, thanks. How about you?" Rocky propped his chin up as he glanced at me for the first time.

"Pretty good." I gave him a tight smile and he opened his mouth to speak as he shuffled a little closer.

"Charlie, you know that I've always liked you, don't you?" He muttered.

"Yeah." I stared at the floor, fiddling with my thumbs. "Ross told me that he did what he did because he thought I was secretly with you." I looked up at him, noticing how his hair was shorter than it was the last time I saw him, which was at the concert.

"That's not an excuse to cheat. I hate him for what he did. How are you back with him?"

"Rocky, don't say that-" I heaved a sigh, running a hand through my hair and tucking it behind my ear.

"I don't want him to hurt you again."

"He's changed so he won't hurt me, I know it. I'm back with him because I-"

"Come on, tell me. Why are you back with him even though he treated you like crap and then got you pregnant? Why would you even want a child of a cheater?" His hazel eyes now turned darker with anger as he crossed his arms over his chest.

My eyes widened at his question, finding myself completely dumbfounded. "You have no right to say that about him or me, okay? You were always my best friend other than Rydel, so I thought you'd at least support me in being with your brother. It's also not my fault that you had feelings for me all this time. Rocky, I'm sorry if I sent you mixed signals. I'm sorry but I don't like you that way. I'm with Ross because I....I love him and he's the best father a child could have."

"You love me?"