45

ABRM45

CHARLOTTE

I stepped out of the house, carrying a bunch of sauces with me. Charlie and Benjamin were done grilling the fish. Although Charlie never liked to add veggies on the side, because of Benjamin, Charlie didn't argue. “Something smells delicious.” I spoke out loud, making my way toward the table they had set for us. I didn't have to do anything at all. Boys did everything for me.

When I met Benjamin's gaze, he had his mischievous glint in his eyes. He pointed his finger at me and mouthed quietly. “You!” My eyes widened as I knew what he was referring to. I didn't know how to hide my embarrassment.

We all sat down on the table. Benjamin grabbed the first bite on a fork. He carefully blew on it then held it against my lips. My cheeks burned at the princess treatment. Smiling shyly, I opened my mouth and accepted the bite.

My gaze went to my son who was staring at us with such admiration. I saw pride glinting on his eyes for his parents. “And that's, how my son, you take care of your girl.” Benjamin added with a wink for his son. I grabbed Benjamin's arm and buried my face in his bicep.

It was kinda embarrassing, doing it in front of our son. But Benjamin was also right. He was growing up so fast. It was time he had learned proper etiquettes for being around girls and how to treat them.

Every girl wants to be independent in her way but I knew that no girl would ever say no to the princess treatment she gets from her favorite man. Charlie smiled shyly and nodded his head. We ate in silence after that. I was trying to avoid Benjamin's gaze for the rest of the meal.

After that, Benjamin set up the screen room. We watched a movie together, for the first time, as a family. Things were changing fast. And I couldn't say I didn't like it. We watched three movies together. We even had our dinner in the screen room as well.

By the end of the third movie, all of us were exhausted. “It was a fun day! I would like to do those often.” Charlie chimed excitedly once the screen turned off. Benjamin and I looked at each other, smiling at our victory. We wanted to give our son a friendly family environment and we didn't fail.

“Of course, son! We'll do family days on weekends every week. Events might be different but we will be together, for sure.” Benjamin replied, ruffling Charlie's hair again. I remembered how much he liked to play with my hair. It was almost the same with Charlie's hair.

We were about to get up when my phone buzzed. I found a text from the DA's office. It was a list of documents I was supposed to submit to the DA's office in the next week, before my first ever case as an ADA.

“What's wrong, babe?” Benjamin asked as he might have noticed me getting frustrated all of a sudden.

“I just found out that I need to go to Nana's tomorrow to get my documents from there. I have my first case as an ADA on Friday. I need to submit those documents by Tuesday and start with my preparations for the case.” I informed Benjamin of the situation that worried me.

“Well, no way! I miss Nana G too. Can we go together, please, dad?” I giggled as it was the first time I was seeing my son behaving like a regular teenage boy instead of behaving like a grown up man who had always been taking care of his mom.

“Alright alright! You don't have to act like a spoiled brat. I'll get the jet ready. We'll fly there to save time. So Charlie can enjoy it.” I watched Charlie jumping up and down in excitement when he heard Benjamin.

“I'll get to sit in the private jet, cool!” It was something new almost every single day. My baby was surprising me.

“Alright, go pack up before you sleep. We leave tomorrow at 7am sharp.” Benjamin spoke while patting Charlie's hair. Charlie nodded his head and ran straight into his bedroom.

I whimpered when Benjamin pulled me in his arms all of a sudden and carried me to our bedroom. “What are you doing? Didn't you have enough of me for the day?” I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck.

Smiling mischievously, Benjamin shook his head. It made me giggle again. Once inside the bedroom, Benjamin threw me on the bed. He had his way with me yet again. I couldn't say I didn't like all that attention. It was actually filling my heart.

I opened my eyes at 5am. Benjamin woke me up. I was impressed again when he packed things for us. “We are supposed to just take my documents and come back.” I tried to argue with him but he placed his finger on my lips.

“We can stay for a day, you know. Charlie is excited to meet your nana. And I need to apologize and thank them for everything they did for you and my son. So let's not rush it up, okay?” Although I didn't want him to be embarrassed in front of anyone because of the past we both were responsible for, I didn't argue with him either for Charlie's sake.

“Alright, if that's what you want. I won't argue.” I replied to him, walking into the bathroom to get ready. Of course, my husband didn't leave me alone there as well. The second I walked into the shower, he was right behind me, hugging me from behind, kissing my neck.

By the time we got ready, we were already running late. I quickly made us some sandwiches so we could have it on the plane. Benjamin made coffee for us both and strawberry milkshake for Charlie.

I sighed in relief when we finally made it to the airport in time. Charlie was very much excited for the whole trip. He didn't even want to eat as the plane took off. About one and a half hours later, we landed in Montreal. It hadn't been longer than six months since I left Montreal for a case and never came back. But for some reason, it looked like it had changed a lot.

Benjamin decided not to take any help from anyone. He drove from the airport to Nana's home by himself. Charlie was sitting in the backseat. Benjamin played his playlist and I was not surprised at all to watch the two boys singing along. Their taste in music was almost the same.

I gave Benjamin directions. I watched him pull in front of Nana's home after a thirty minute drive. Charlie rang the bell before we could even get closer to the door. He was jumping in excitement. “Did you give him too much sugar?” I asked Benjamin who was looking at his son with a wide smile on his face.

“Not at all. It's his excitement that's buzzing in his head.” Benjamin replied, chuckling at his son.

The door opened, Nana was standing in front of us. She smiled looking at Charlie and I. Then she looked at Benjamin and I could see it in her eyes that she recognized Benjamin as Charlie's father. My boy was a walking copy of his father, except for his hair.

“Is that the one?” Still, Nana asked, just to be sure. Maybe, it's because she wasn't wearing her glasses.

“Yep! It's him.” I replied casually. Just as Nana was about to pull her slippers off of her foot, I stood between them.

“Nana! Stop! We…” I turned to look at Benjamin who was rubbing the back of his jech nervously. Nana stopped and was staring back and forth between me and Benjamin.

“You what?” She asked impatiently and I chuckled.

“We remarried.” I replied, my cheeks burning. As if on the que, Benjamin wrapped one of his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to his tall figure.

For a moment, Nana was quiet, staring at us as if trying to read something in between us. “Hmmm… you look happy.” I was surprised to hear that. Maybe it was the experience talking.

Nana held open the door for us. “Well, come on inside.” Charlie was the first one to run inside. Benjamin pulled me inside. It was awkward how Nana wasn't even aware of what was happening in my life.

“Uncle Kevin!” Charlie screamed in excitement and ran straight into Kevin's arms.

“Hey, my boy! I have missed you so much, my champ!” Kevin spoke out, hugging Charlie back. I could only smile looking at them.

“I missed you too, Uncle.” Charlie replied.

Once they split apart, Charlie quickly pulled his iPad out of his backpack. “Look, Uncle Kevin! I had a battle of fishing with my Grandpa. I defeated him with a dozen more fishes and he bought me this.” I giggled, listening to my son's excitement. No wonder he wanted to visit. He missed Nana and Kevin.

“Wow! It's good. Your Grandpa sounds fun. Tell you what! Let's go out. I'll let you play the new games we have here. And you tell me all about your grandfather and your home.” And there it was. The overprotective Kevin, trying to know everything about Charlie.

Charlie looked at us, seeking permission without any words. While Benjamin was sceptical, I nodded my head, letting him go with Kevin. “Kevin has always been Charlie's best friend throughout the years. Kevin never tried to be the father figure in Charlie's life. But he tried to stay friends with Charlie. To make sure that Charlie always has someone he can trust within the family.” I informed Benjamin, who looked worried about his son.

“Oh! Don't worry too much about your son. Kevin practically raised Charlie with me. Charlotte was mostly busy with her studies at first then her career. The bastard Stewart didn't let her breathe freely. Always keeping her for longer hours. Until his father decided to take Charlotte under his own wing. That's when Charlotte was able to make time for Charlie. But Charlie never once complained. He knew his mother was overworking herself just to provide everything for him.” Nana spoke as she took her seat in front of us.

I looked at Benjamin who was wiping his tears away when he listened to Nana. I knew he was overwhelmed. I rubbed his back to calm him down. “Charlie was the first reason why we decided to get back together and give our relationship another chance. He's the one who has lost the most due to our stupidity.” I informed Nana why I made that decision.

“If Charlie wasn't in the picture, I would have told you that it's a wrong move. But with Charlie, I think you made the right decision. He is growing up. He needs his father.” I smiled at Nana's response. Benjamin was the second man she hated the most. The first one would always be my brother.

“So! What brings you here? I know, you didn't just come here to let me meet your husband. Both you and your mother never came back without a reason.” Listening to Nana's complaints, I narrowed my head in shame. She wasn't wrong.

“Forgive me. It's because of me. But I promise to often visit you, whenever I can, with the whole family.” I giggled when I heard Benjamin speaking like my father. The first time mom and dad visited Nana was when I was about 4 years old.

“I am actually here to get my documents. I have joined the DA's office there, in Toronto.” I replied to Nana, feeling more ashamed as she was expecting this from me. Mom and I were not really different.

“Huh! Mother and daughter! Always the same. I hope your daughter will be a little different. Anyways! All your stuff is still in your bedroom. You can go and check. I get some milk and cookies ready for Charlie.” Nana informed me, standing up from her rocking chair.

I stood up and went upstairs. Benjamin followed me behind. As soon as we were inside my bedroom, he locked the door and pinned me against the door. Before I could say anything, his lips silenced me. He kissed me as if we were meeting each other after a long long time. One of his hands was wrapped around my neck to keep me in my place. While with the other one, he was stroking my thighs.

“It feels like I haven't touched you in ages.” He whispered in between the kisses. I turned my face when I couldn't breathe due to the intensity of the moment.

“Oh really! The who fucked me in the shower and got us late in the morning?” I asked, raising one of my brows at him. Chuckling in respy, he scooped me up in his arms. He cupped my ass to balance me in his arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. Benjamin sat down on the edge of the bed and we kissed each other hungrily.