The Entanglement [Charlie Barber]

Chapter 15: Together

A/N: This chapter is (ahem) ...different. The only trigger warning I can give is: emotional distress. This is a necessary step to keep the story going in the right direction. Thank you for trusting the process and sticking with me. I love you and I'll see you on the other side. -xo

Update 2/11/21: due to the circumstances in this chapter, it's been requested that I provide a detailed TW. Y/N does experience a miscarriage, so please only read if you feel emotionally ready to do so.

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By the next afternoon, you were already starting to feel better, having spoken to the doctor's office and getting an appointment scheduled. You'd have to wait a couple more weeks per their instruction before they could run more tests which seemed like an eternity. But you promised yourself you'd keep busy with things like reading, working, being with friends, decorating your apartment, and most definitely not getting pounded every night by Charlie Barber.

Nope. You were a new woman. And it was a new day. Charlie was trouble and you needed to detox your body of him... in more ways than one, most likely.

You sat in the chair next to the window as you sipped your coffee and watched the hustle and bustle outside. People all bundled up from the cold as they walked their dogs, carried their groceries, and commuted to and from work. Which reminded you of the fact that your fridge was empty and you should probably go shopping. You missed cooking and hadn't had a chance prepared a meal yet in your new apartment.

Strolling down the market aisle, clutching your hand-basket, you studied a jar of canned tomatoes comparing one jar to another for quality. Some homemade marinara sauce was calling your name and you wanted to get the good shit.

"Bitch... what do you think you're doing here?"

Stunned, you turned around and saw Jeffrey standing behind you. You gave him a diva's glare before smiling. "Umm, biiiitch. I live in this neighborhood. What are you doing here?" you playfully replied back.

Jeffrey leaned over to lightly kiss your cheek. "I'm headed to some lame-ass engagement party and they actually asked their guest to bring an appetizer," he scoffed. "Can you believe that shit? Like... who the hell do they think I am? Martha fucking Stewart?"

You chuckled at his predicament. "Well, I can't relate, I love to make stuff so that actually sounds fun to me." you put the jar of tomatoes in your basket as you began walking down the aisle while Jeffrey followed you.

"Ooooh right... You ARE Martha fucking Stewart." he rolled his eyes. "Okay, well what should I bring then? It needs to travel well and be literally effortless on my part."

You approached the cheese counter and motioned with your hand. "Any of this could work," you suggested. "Most people like cheese."

Jeffrey nodded, picking through the selections trying to find something fancy yet inexpensive. "So how are things with daddy going?" he asked, not looking up from the cheese he was studying.

You rolled your eyes and sighed. "God, please don't call him that," you turned away, on the hunt for some parmesan. "Things are...you know. Whatever." you gestured fluidly with your hands.

"Uh oh," Jeffrey put the cheese down and looked at you. "Trouble in paradise already?"

You didn't want to share any details so you just kept things general. "We... or I ...just need some time away from him."

"Ew," he sneered.

"What?" you said, snapping your head around to face him.

Jeffrey raised his brow at you, giving you a knowing look. "You silly bitch," he took a step forward, pointing his cheese at you. "You're falling for him, aren't you?"