Made Up

Chapter 22

Charlie POV
I woke up this morning feeling better than I have in a while. I didn't realize how much stress I was under thinking about how the boy's families would react. The situation is far from perfect but at least now everyone knows and no blood was shed.
I head to the kitchen to get some coffee started. I'm halfway down the hall when I hear Lottie and Gemma talking in one of their rooms.
"That bitch has everyone fooled. She's going to ruin Louis and Harry. They will be lucky if they get out of this mess with their relationship intact let alone their careers." Lottie is practically screaming so I don't really think me listening counts as eavesdropping. I stand just outside the door.
"Lottie calm down. Charlie doesn't seem like a bad person. I think you two would get along if you would get your head out of your ass long enough!" At least Gemma seems to like me.
"Get along with her? I don't want to get along with her! I want to get her out of this house!"
"You are so dramatic sometimes. You're just mad because something about her reminds you of Suki! Charlie is not Suki. Charlie is not going to cheat on Harry and Louis! Even if she were to do something to hurt them you can't hate her before it happens. I know how much your brother means to you. Now if you want my advice I say suck it up and go make up with him as soon as he's up."
I can tell by Gemma voice that she is moving towards the door. I can't let them see me. I duck into the nearest empty room and don't move until I'm sure she has passed.
Well at least I know why Lottie hates me. Sadly there is nothing I can do to change it. I check to make sure no one is in the hallway and start off for the kitchen again.
When I get to the kitchen Gemma is already there. I try to act surprised but I fail miserably. When Gemma clearly knows that I heard everything I ask. "Who is Suki?"
   Gemma looks down the hall to make sure we are alone. "I'm only telling you this because in some weird way you're already involved. She was a girl that Lottie dated about a year ago. She was bisexual and cheated with a guy. Lottie really cared for her and she got hurt. She won't talk about it and I don't think anyone really knows how badly she's still hurting. Something about the three of you being happy and making things work is really pissing her off right now. She's not a bad person I promise. She's just lost I think." Gemma starts filling up the kettle with water and I get the tea and coffee from the cabinet. 
     I feel bad for Lottie. Heartbreak is a bitch, but what she went through has nothing to do with me. Why should I have to take the punishment for someone I don't even know. "Is there anything I can do? About Lottie I mean."
   "Just give her space. She is stubborn and she fights whatever she doesn't want to deal with. As soon as she sees you're nothing like Suki.  I think she will come around." Gemma gives me a half smile. She's quiet compared to Harry but they both have a peacefulness about them that makes even the worst situations feel just a little bit better.
   "Thank you for what you said by the way. I know we really don't know each other and I hope we get the chance to change that; I just want you to know it meant a lot to me that you trust me to not hurt your brother." This is one of the most awkward conversations I've ever had. The small amount of dating experience I had before Harry and Louis never reached meeting the family stage. I am at a total loss as to what I'm actually supposed to say.
     "Well there is just one thing you need to know about me. I love my little brother and I love Louis. if you hurt either one of them I will find you and I will hurt you by what ever means I have. But since they seem to think you won't do that I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt. Don't make me regret it." Gemma takes her tea outside and I'm left to wonder if I've seriously just been threatened or if she has more of Harry's sense of humor than I thought.

Louis POV
After breakfast I decide it's time to talk to Lottie. I don't like arguing with her and we only have a couple more days until we have to leave. Lottie wouldn't even come inside to have breakfast with the rest of us so as soon as I'm done I kiss Charlie and Harry goodbye. I'm taking Lottie out on a boat I rented for the day.
"Get up, you're coming with me." I kick the leg of Lottie's chair as I walk by.
"I'm not going anywhere!" Lottie has always been so stubborn.
"Yes you are. I got a boat for us for the day cause I know how much you like them."
"I'm not going anywhere with you all, and I mean it."
"It's just me and you Lottie, now will you please come with me. I want us to have a good time." I knew as soon as I said it was just us she would come around. Being on a boat is one of Lottie's favorite things. She would live at sea if she could.
The boat is not huge but it's good enough for what I have planned. Lottie wants to drive and honestly she's better at it than me so I just have a seat and let her set our course. She speeds around it wide circles for a few minutes and then finally picks a spot. I can still see the house from here. I look over at Lottie. "Are you ever going to be not mad at me?"
She looks at me and she looks so much like our mum. "I'm not mad at you. Well I am mad at you but only because you won't listen to me. I don't trust this girl. She said she was a writer.  How do you know she's not from some magazine just waiting to out you. Or what if she writes her own book one day?"
"I've met most of Charlie's family. Her cousin got married and we helped with the wedding. I got to know her dad, cousins, and her grandmother who is one of the coolest people I've ever met. I can't wait for you to meet her." I can see Lottie start to zone me out. "My point is that I do know her. I've seen where she comes from and I've seen what she's been through. I don't know everything yet but I know enough to trust that she's not trying to hurt me. If you can't trust her yet can you at least trust me?"
Lottie sits and looks out at the water for a long time. I keep waiting for her to say something but when she doesn't I try one more time. "Lottie we're only going to be here two more days. I don't want to leave mad. I don't want to waste the little bit of vacation I get being mad. No matter what you do I'm not breaking up with Charlie so will you please just try to move on." I get up go to the other end of the boat. I have said all I can say, the rest is up to Lottie.
It takes about an hour for Lottie to come sit beside me. "I'm not mad, I'm scared. We all knew Harry for years before you finally told us you we dating. He was already family and I knew I could trust him to love you as much as I do. I don't know Charlie and that scares me. The thought of someone taking advantage of you and Harry scares me. I don't like being scared. It's easier to pretend to be mad."
I take Lottie's hand and pull her into a hug. "Baby sister you are completely mental sometimes but you have a god heart. Thank you for looking out for me. I love you."
"I love you too."