Promise from the heart

Chapter 26

The next day went by quickly and both Jordan and Charlie were excited for their upcoming date. Jordan had announced that he'd pick him up at 6 and they'd first go out to eat, and then he had a place he wanted to show him. 

Ariel picked up Julian, Ezra, Brooke and Charlie and together they drove to the mall to handle all of their errands. They even went to a photo booth and took a bunch of pictures. It turned out to be a really nice day. 

Slowly but surely, they were all starting to become used to the fact that they were home, they had a family and they were safe. That they had someone looking out for them, getting them new clothes and shoes when they needed them. That there was someone in their lives who cared about their needs. They were still a little uncomfortable accepting expensive items, and Charlie still got anxiety from seeing the price tags on some of the clothes she bought them. But he knew that someday he'd be able to give back to her, show her how grateful he was to her for taking them all in. Saving them from the foster system. And he also knew the great joy it gave her to be able to provide for them, spoil them rotten and shower them with love, as she would put it. She knew that's what they needed and that's what they deserved.

She got Brooklyn some new dance gear and his siblings couldn't help but think that he looked adorable in the colourful set and black dance shoes. Of course, the effect only increased when he beamed and kissed Ariel's cheek to say thank you. She all but melted then and there. 

Brooklyn really was a cutie, and all of his siblings felt very protective of him. He was the baby, but to Charlie, they were all babies. They were all the younger siblings that he'd sworn to protect. He didn't take that responsibility lightly. But as Ariel was taking on more and more responsibility, even Charlie was beginning to relax a bit. He was starting to feel that it was okay to let himself be protected too. To let himself be cared for and treasured. He was robbed of his childhood, but maybe now, as a teenager, he could finally begin to heal.

***

"So, are you ready for tonight?"

Jordan and Charlie were hanging out in the library, enjoying the silence and each other's company. 

"I am." Charlie smiled as he continued reading his book. 

Jordan moved closer, but Charlie kept his eyes on his book. 

"Charlie." he whined. "Talk to me, please?" 

Charlie smiled to himself. He wasn't able to focus on the book anymore, but he didn't want Jordan to know that. "What was that?" he asked, but this time Jordan caught his smile. 

Jordan put a finger in the middle of the book and lowered it. With narrowed eyes and an amused smile, he scoffed. "You're teasing me." 

"Who me?" Charlie put a hand to his chest. 

"Yes, you." Jordan shook his head. "And now... I think you should apologise." 

Charlie narrowed his eyes. "Or what?" 

"Or... I'll kiss you." He meant to sound suave, but he couldn't help his cheeks from turning dark red. 

Charlie decidedly sat there all quiet and Jordan took that as his consent. But just to be sure, he had to ask. "Can I kiss you?" he asked just before their lips touched. 

"Mhm." 

"Good," Jordan smiled against Charlie's lips. At first their lips just brushed against each other, sending tingling sensations through them both. But soon enough, they both wanted more. And as they wrapped their arms around each other, it felt right.