roses ⇾ chenry oneshots

twenty three ⇾ dear charlotte

"just sign here and here." the lawyer instructed, pointing to indicating lines where henry signed his name.

he wore a sad look on face, tears threatening to fall but he didn't let them. he wouldn't succumb to the overwhelming pain he felt in his chest.

"the divorce has been finalized and you no longer have to see each other, but do remember the child custody arrangements. charlotte will have them twice every month, which includes alternating holidays and henry will have them at any other time." the lawyer spoke as he stood up from his seat.

henry's heart broke at hearing the words the man spoke. he couldn't believe that after so many years, they'd end up here, in a small office signing divorce papers. 

henry and charlotte both walked out the office, an awkward silence filling the air as they walked into the main lobby of the building where piper was waiting with their kids.

once piper saw them, she ran over to henry, hugging him in the process as he tried to keep his tears from falling, the only sound leaving his mouth being a small hiccup.

charlotte awkwardly coughed, making piper let go of a brokenhearted henry to look at the women who had made him this way. piper glared at her, her niece and nephew coming up to her in the process.

the seven year old boy and the three year old little girl, looking at their father with a warm smile. he offered them a sad smile back as he bent down to envelop them in hug.

"i'll be back in town in two weeks to pick them up." charlotte said, her serious expression not faltering. 

henry stood up before looking at her. he wondered how she was holding herself together, not seeming fazed by the situation while he barely had the strength to hold himself together. he figured that even though it had been her idea, she would at least be a little broken up about it.

"yeah, just, uh, give me a call or something." he spoke, his voice coming out as a hoarse whisper.

she nodded, not wanting to feel further guilty about how she was making him feel. she didn't want to seem like she wasn't hurt about the situation but the pain wasn't strong enough for her to reflect the same emotions as the man standing in front of her.

"zach, reign, say bye to mommy." henry said, lightly pushing his kids towards their mother as she crouched down to wrap them in a hug.

"i love you both so much. always be on your best behavior for daddy, okay? i'll see you guys soon." she whispered to them as they both nodded. "we love you, too, mom." zach replied, as he grabbed his little sister's hand and walked back towards henry.

"hey, why don't we go get in the car and wait for your dad?" piper asked, as she took their little hands in her own and walked out of the building, giving the newly divorced couple some privacy.

they stood their awkwardly for a few seconds before henry decided to break the silence. he knew that it was time for them to part ways.

"well, i guess this is it." henry spoke up, a sad smile placed on his features. charlotte nodded, not wanting to make things harder than they already were.

"i'm really sorry, hen." she apologized, as he shook his head, biting his lip to hold back his tears. just hearing her call him by his nickname was enough for the overwhelming feeling to grow stronger.

"don't." he mumbled, looking away and shutting his eyes. he was not going to cry in front of her, he owed himself at least that. "don't apologize. if you think this is best, then maybe you're right." he continued.

he pulled a small envelope from his back pocket and held it out for her to take. her name written in neat cursive on the middle of the white envelope.