20-2

"Does he treat you right?" Jacob asks with a concerned look. "We're good. He's so sweet and caring...he makes me really happy." I end up gushing to them and the girls squeal excitedly in response. "He met grandma after Christmas too when she was staying over." "I'm so happy for you Charlie!" Poppy squeezes my hand with a bright smile. "How is he with Aria? Do they get on okay?" Jacob asks as they all look at me expectantly. "Yeah he's really great with her too. He even showed up to her sports day to participate when he heard she was upset about not having a father." "Oh wow, he sounds like a gentleman! You think he's the one?" Jessica asks with wide eyes. I bite my lip before smiling. "Yes. He even said to grandma that if we ever break up it would be because I didn't want to be with him anymore. Not the other way around." "Oh, my goodness marry him already!" Poppy squeals and we laugh at that whereas Jacob jokingly facepalms himself behind her. "I'm glad you found someone who loves you like you deserve." He smiles gently before shaking his head. "He sounds ten times better than Liam anyways." My smile drops momentarily and he narrows his eyes in response. "Uh...about that –" "Charlie, I swear to all that is holy if he's causing trouble for you again I'm going to kick his ass. And this time you won't be able to stop me." Jessica seethes angrily which makes me bite my lip. "We bumped into each other at a party. He saw Aria and now wants to be involved in her life." I explain but hesitate to tell them the rest. "But?" Poppy encourages curiously and I shrug. I sigh heavily before telling them everything that has happened. Including grandma's point of view and the incidents where he's tried to get a rise out of Theo. There's moments of angry outbursts and protectiveness but for the most part they listen silently. When I'm done I glance at Jessica to see her eyes lit up in fury. "Charlie...if you see anything...even if it's small you stop those visits. Do you understand?" She utters strictly and I nod in agreement. "Don't ever agree to anything unless its supervised by you. He clearly hasn't changed shit about himself to become better." "Did the university let you take the camera footage? You did tell your lawyer about everything he did right Charlie?" Jacob asks with a frown. "Yeah I told my lawyer everything and submitted the footage. We'll be meeting with the judge soon. They'll talk to Aria before that to see how she feels about this situation and then I'll know what the decision is on supervised visits." I explain and sigh heavily with tension. "I just want to keep her safe. His behavior flipping like a switch is concerning so I hope the judge takes that into account. My lawyer is confident Liam won't be granted anything based off his recent behavior and past record." "Everything will be fine. Don't stress too much alright?" Poppy soothes and I exhale deeply with a nod. "We're with you whenever you need us." "Thank you. I'm so lucky to have you guys." I breathe and they laugh before we grab each other for a group hug. My eyes flutter shut in the wonderful feeling of happiness and security I get every time I'm with them. It's something I've missed terribly alongside the carefree feeling. "Alright! Back to lover boy...do you have a picture of Theo? Can we see?" Poppy asks and I chuckle. I nod before unlocking my phone and showing them some recent pictures. A loud laugh escapes me when the girls' jaws drop and they glance at me with wide eyes. Jacob shoots me a thumbs up before rolling his eyes playfully at their reactions. "Bloody hell! He's hot as fuck Charlie!" Jessica slaps my thigh excitedly. "Does he have any single brothers?" "You two look so cute together!" Poppy squeals and the difference in their statements makes me smile amusedly. "He has two more brothers who aren't married but one is much too young for you." I grin and she chuckles in response. "So, he has three brothers?" Jacob asks curiously. "Five. No sisters." "What?!" They all exclaim in shock and I nod. "Oh wow, it must be chaotic in their house!" Jacob chuckles as he takes a sip of his drink. "Have you met his parents?" "Are they nice? Do they like you?" Poppy questions in concern. "They're lovely and so kind. They didn't have any objections of me dating Theo and love Aria too." I smile as I remember the look Michelle and Evan shared at the party. We talk about me and Theo a bit more before I switch it onto Jessica. She grins at me knowingly before telling us about her recent flame. We drink a lot more and reminisce on our previous years before eventually calling it a night around one in the morning. My feet hurt slightly as I get up and hug the others before bidding goodbye. "What time are we meeting up for breakfast tomorrow?" I ask just as I open the door. "Nine and we're meeting your friend, Zoe, at ten right?" "Yeah, okay great. I'll see you guys tomorrow, good night!" I wave with a tired smile before I step out. Poppy and Jacob are right behind me as they walk off to their own room down the hall. I cleanse my skin of makeup and take a quick shower before slipping into bed completely exhausted at this point. Texting Theo I look over at Aria who's fast asleep before settling down myself. However, just as I've closed my eyes my phone vibrates with a notification. I unlock it and frown at the group chat Jacob has made with just me and Jessica before my eyes widen at the messages. Jacob: I'm proposing to Poppy tomorrow. Jessica: WHAT?! NO WAY?! Me: Are you serious?! Where?! Jacob: I was thinking at DUMBO with the bridge in the back. She always loves visiting that place. Jessica: She's going to freak! I'm so happy for you two! Me: Me too! It'll be perfect! We can take pictures for you if you want? Jacob: That'll be great, thank you! I'm so nervous haha! Me: Don't be! We all know she's going to say yes! Jessica: Are you dumb? She's head over heels for you just like you are for her, of course she's going to say yes! I chuckle quietly at Jessica proceeding to freak out and fill the chat with love hearts and all the emojis relating to an engagement and wedding. I join in until Jacob tells us to stop in all caps. Grinning we talk about his plan in more detail and what images we can get tomorrow. I find myself getting more and more excited. They truly are meant for each other and I couldn't be happier to hear that they'll be engaged soon. Eventually we bid each other good night again and I settle down to get some rest. Tomorrow can't come quick enough!