Chapter 25-2

"I was also thinking of getting a tombstone put in here. I wouldn't want to disturb her body but I was thinking we could get a tombstone so we can visit her whenever we wanted." Charlotte held in her sob and turned around the face Chase who had been washing her back. "You would want to do that?" She sobbed as her tears mixed in with the water. She watched as Chase nodded his head and she quickly threw her arms around his wet body. Chase gently place his arms around her and held onto her as she cried. "She was our daughter Charlie, and though I will never get to meet her, she is and will always be our daughter and I will always be her Dad and you her Mum." Charlotte lifted her off his chest as Chase lent his forehead down, so they were touching. She wanted to kiss him to show how much she cared for him, but her lip was still fat, swollen and starting to crust over the stitches. So instead she placed her sore lips on his cheek. "I didn't think you would ever forgive. He told me you would hate me forever. He said I deserved all my punishments because Ava's death was my fault. He said you wouldn't want me or the baby if she had lived." She sobbed as the hot water created a fog around them and Chase gently with his thumbs wiped away her tears. "Never, I could never hate you and I forgive you for not telling me. I can understand why you didn't. It hurts that I wasn't there to support you, to hold her and apart of me blames myself for not knowing you were pregnant before you left. Or even checking up on you." Charlotte shook her head. She didn't blame Chase for anything because the blame was all on her. She should have told Chase the moment she found out, but she was young, scared and was in a foreign place and by the time she got the courage it was too late and she didn't want to burden him with the grief she felt after losing Ava. "You know I haven't said her name in almost 4 years. That makes me such an awful mother. What mother doesn't say the name of her child. Every time I used to cry and say her name, he would hurt me sometimes with words or fist or he would burn one of her few possessions." Chase was still looking down at her and she could see the anger in his eyes. Not at her, but at Landon. "Charlie, that isn't your fault. Come, let's wash the conditioner out so we can get dressed and have some breakfast." She tipped her head back as Chase massaged all the conditioner out of her hair before turning off the shower and stepping out. Charlotte followed and watched as Chase wrapped a towel around his waist before he passed her a blue fluffy matching towel. Charlotte carefully wrapped the towel around her body as Chase held another out for her. Quickly twisting her hair into the towel, she slowly walked into the bedroom and sat down on the edge of the bed. Charlotte waited until Chase bought her some clothes that came from his sister. She dressed in some track pants and a white shirt that made her feel warm, safe and comfortable. Chase watched at Chase got dressed into black track pants and a green t-shirt that hugged his lean, toned body. Chase disappeared into the bathroom and came out with a hair dryer. Charlotte untangled her hair from the towel and sighed when her fringe covered her forehead. "I hate this haircut." She sighed and listened to Chase hum, and he turned on the hair dryer. While Chase dried and brushed her hair Charlotte closed her eyes and tried to ease her panic about the police coming. She was terrified about the consequences, but she was more terrified that she wouldn't be able to say anything. She knew the police could do nothing and Landon would kill her. "I don't know if I can talk Chase." She whispered. She knew Chase didn't hate her about Ava, but she was still terrified of Landon. He scared her in a way that she couldn't explain. Every night she would wake up in a fit of panic that she was back with him and it scared her what would happen if she told the police the entire truth. "Charlie, it's scary I understand but you need to. He can't get away with what he has done to do." The hairdryer was turned off as Charlie looked down at her lap. "It wasn't always his fault; it was mine as well sometimes I would push him and if he hit me it was my fault. Plus, who will believe me? I tired once to report him, but they laughed at me and sent me back home. The police didn't believe me because he has police in the back pocket. I told you he isn't a good person Chase." Charlotte felt the bed dip next to her as Chase gently grabbed her hands. "Charlie, I believe you. Look at your face, he nearly broke your hand, your painting hand, how is that fair that he gets to walk away like nothing happened. Please just try to talk to the police. They might be able to help." She knew the police wouldn't be able to do anything but there might be someone who could help her, but she didn't have her phone or wallet. "Chase do you remember the charity dinner we want to a few months ago. I need to get in contact with Nathan Falls, the charity owner. I think your sister has his number; can you get it for me?" She whispered and watched as a frown crossed his beautiful face. "Okay, can I ask why." She shook her head. She knew what Nathan did wasn't legal, and she didn't want to get Chase in trouble or involved. She watched as Chase took and a deep breath before nodding his head. "Okay. Let go make some breakfast. The police called and said they would come around 10am to talk to you." Charlotte nodded her head and followed Chase down to the kitchen to have breakfast. **** The sun was heating her skin as Charlotte sat on the back porch. She had been out here for a while as she slowly bought the china cup to her lips, gently blowing across the steaming surface before taking a tentative sip of the hot coffee inside. A cool spring breeze blew through the yard, swaying the leave on the trees that were blooming again after a chilly winter. Charlotte's right hand ached to draw the way the leaves blew with the wind she would add a tiny figure sitting under the blowing tree. The colours would be warm with green and orange tones. The tiny figure would have a toy rabbit sitting next to her and a small tea party set out around her. The tree would be full of colour and new life, while the tiny figure having a tea party would be painted as a silhouette. Charlotte tried to flex her fingers, and all she felt was a hot sharp pain travel to her wrist.