Chapter 246: Reconciliation

Chapter 246: Reconciliation



It was evening, a few days later.

Charlotte pushed open the door, holding Miranda's hand, and found George sitting on the living room carpet.

The moment Miranda spotted him, her eyes lit up like fireworks.

She wriggled free from Charlotte's grip and toddled toward him on her little legs.

"Daddy!"

George looked up. Seeing them home, his face broke into an instant smile.

"Miranda's back?"

He opened his arms wide, scooping up the little girl as she launched herself at him.

"Were you good at preschool today?"

"Yes!" Miranda nodded vigorously, her tiny finger pointing at her forehead. "Teacher praised me!"

"Really? That's my girl." George grinned and planted a kiss on her chubby cheek.

Charlotte stood by the door, slipping off her shoes.

She watched the two of them on the carpet—one big, one small.

As she watched, something soft bumped against her heart.

Gentle. Warm.

Her mind drifted back to that day at the amusement park.

He'd leaned in like he was going to kiss her.

But the moment had been interrupted.

The past few days replayed in her head like a film reel.

He'd shown up every morning with breakfast, right on time.

He'd gotten jealous and moody when other men tried to ask her out.

When he looked at her, the light in his eyes didn't lie.

Standing there, Charlotte suddenly understood.

Why keep dwelling on the past?

Why not just follow her heart?

She still loved him.

Miranda needed her father.

So why not give him another chance?

Give herself another chance, too.

Charlotte took a deep breath.

She walked over and sat down on the sofa.

Watching George's profile as he helped Miranda stack blocks.

She spoke quietly.

"George."

George looked up. "What's wrong? Are you tired? Want me to get you some water?"

Charlotte looked at him, her heartbeat inexplicably quickening.

She twisted her fingers together and gathered her courage.

"Let's get back together."

The words hung in the air.

The living room fell completely silent.

George's smile froze.

The block in his hand dropped onto the carpet.

He stared at Charlotte, as if he hadn't understood what she'd just said.

His eyes were wide as saucers.

"What did you say?" His voice trembled. "Charlotte, what did you just say?"

Charlotte looked at his stunned expression.

All her courage evaporated in an instant.

She looked away, embarrassed.

Even the tips of her ears turned red.

"Nothing."

"If you didn't hear it, forget it."

But before she could finish—

George scrambled up from the carpet.

He practically tumbled over himself rushing to her.

He dropped to his knees in front of Charlotte, gripping her hands tightly.

"No! We can't forget it!"

"How can we forget it?"

"I heard you! I just want to make sure! Charlotte, say it again—say it one more time, please?"

His voice shook.

His grip on her hands was so tight it almost hurt.

Miranda, finding this whole scene hilarious, toddled over on her little legs.

She threw her small arms around Charlotte's leg.

"Mommy! Up!"

"I want to hug Mommy too!"

Charlotte looked down at George kneeling before her, his eyes shining like stars.

Then at Miranda, clinging to her leg with that bright, upturned smile.

Her heart melted completely.

She smiled and reached out to ruffle George's hair.

"Okay, okay. I won't tease you anymore."

"I said, let's get back together."

"No more divorce."

The moment those words left her mouth—

George let out a sound like a victory shout.

He shot to his feet and swept Charlotte up into his arms, bridal-style.

Charlotte yelped, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck. "George! What are you doing? Put me down!"

George had no intention of putting her down.

He spun in circles around the living room, holding Charlotte.

Like a fool who'd just received the most precious gift in the world.

"We're back together! Charlotte's back with me!"

"I have a wife! We're a family again!"

He was grinning like a kid.

Miranda chased after them, her little legs pumping as fast as they could.

Running and laughing.

"Daddy's carrying Mommy around!"

"Wait for me! Wait for Miranda!"

The living room rang with their laughter.

Charlotte was getting dizzy from all the spinning.

Her face flushed bright red.

She smacked George's shoulder.

"George! Put me down! Now! I'm dizzy!"

"Miranda's right here! Stop acting crazy!"

George finally stopped.

He carefully set Charlotte down.

But before she could steady herself—

He pressed her back against the sofa.

And kissed her.

The kiss carried all the wild joy of something lost and found again.

He kissed her with complete focus.

Charlotte's lashes fluttered.

Slowly, she closed her eyes.

---

From nearby came Miranda's drawn-out gasp of wonder.

"Daddy's kissing Mommy!"

---

Charlotte snapped back to reality.

Her face burned hot enough to fry an egg.

She quickly pushed against George's chest.

"George!"

"Miranda's right here!"

George chuckled low in his throat, finally releasing her.

He rested his forehead against hers, his breathing still unsteady.

His eyes glowed like they held starlight.

He wrapped his arms around Charlotte and buried his face in the crook of her neck.

Nuzzling.

Like a big dog.

"Charlotte." His voice was muffled, with a hint of pleading. "Can I stay tonight?"

Charlotte froze.

She pushed at his head.

"George, are you seriously pushing your luck?"

"We just got back together and you already want to stay over?"

George not only didn't let go—he held on tighter.

He buried his face against her chest.

His voice soft, a little aggrieved.

"I want to stay."

"I don't want to be apart from you."

"Everything before was my fault. You suffered so much alone."

"From now on, I want to be with you and Miranda every single day."

"Okay? Charlotte, please?"

He clung to her, rubbing his head against her.

Coaxing. Wheedling.

Charlotte had absolutely no defense against this.

She sighed.

Reached up and ruffled his hair.

"I must have owed you something in a past life."

"Fine. Stay."

George's head shot up.

His eyes blazed with light.

"Really?"

Charlotte nodded, face flushed. "Really."

---

That night.

After Miranda had been tucked in and fallen asleep.

The whole world went quiet.

Only a warm yellow bedside lamp glowed in the bedroom.

The light was dim and gentle.

George held Charlotte from behind.

His chin resting in the hollow of her shoulder.

His breath tickled the side of her neck.

He kissed her throat softly, again and again.

Each touch as careful as if she were something priceless.

Charlotte's body trembled slightly.

Three years.

They'd been apart for three whole years.

More than a thousand days and nights of longing and hurt.

In this moment, it all melted away.

George's movements were gentle.

Tentative. Careful.

As if afraid she might shatter.

Charlotte turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck of her own accord.