Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Charles
~~
Charles watched from the window as Erik’s car vanished into the early morning traffic, headed to Rhode Island and the woman he’d once pledged his life to. His heart ached at the thought. He wanted to trust that Erik would come back to him, to them. He placed his hand on his still flat belly in an attempt to soothe himself.
He imagined the three of them as a happy family, the one he’d always imagined for himself growing up when he’d escaped into his mind to flee the arguments and accusations. The neglect and abuse that had steadily worsened until he got a scholarship to Oxford at 15 and fled after getting his mother to agree to send Raven to a girls boarding school near the university.
They hadn’t been home at the same time as their step father since. They were rarely home in the first place since Sharon-don’t call me mother it makes me feel old-didn’t care for their presence and had never bothered to hide the fact.
But he’d always had Raven; hopefully she’d be happy for him. She’d had her doubts about Erik since he first mentioned his infatuation with the handsome older man. He’d called her the very night they met after collecting Erik’s number and making his way home.
She’d been less than impressed to hear of his rocky marriage and loner/workaholic tendencies but Charles had seen through that, had seen the man Erik was beneath all the misery life had piled on his head. He wanted to unearth the real Erik, the man of passion and substance he sensed was still hidden in there.
He hadn’t expected to fall so quickly and deeply in love. But perhaps that’s how love works; Charles wasn’t an expert so he couldn’t really say.
By this point Erik’s car was long out of sight and Charles reluctantly turned from the window and headed to the bathroom to get ready for the day, grimacing at his ruffled hair and beleaguered appearance.
He could have cleaned up a bit to send Erik off to see his wife. He winced at the thought.
His EX.
Just not legally.
Yet.
Charles groaned, god he was so pathetic. At least he knew Erik thought he was cute first thing in the morning.
He stripped off his sleep shirt and took a moment to look himself over in the mirror. He looked the same of course he did, four days ago he hadn’t known anything was wrong. Or right, he smiled to himself as he palmed his belly thoughtfully.
He was so small, he’d always despaired of his tiny frame, and it would certainly make it more difficult to hide his pregnancy. He thought back to Erik’s reaction. He’d probably want him to wear crop tops to show off. He chuckled at the thought, happy he’d be biggest mid winter so Erik couldn’t convince him of the veracity of the idea.
The man should have been a lawyer. He argued so passionately for what he believed in. That wasn’t the only thing he did passionately. Charles’ lips turned up fondly that the thought.
“And look where that got you,” he murmured to himself, sticking his stomach out as far as he could, trying to picture himself bigger.
Sucking his stomach in again, he grabbed his phone and snapped a quick profile selfie of just his top half. The scientist in him wanted to watch his progress in real time. Perhaps when Erik got back he could convince him to measure his waist, he could do it himself now, but in the future he may be too big to even attempt it. Besides, he knew how much the other man wanted to be involved in the process. He’d been looking forwards to being a father for so long.
He frowned at the thought, something that had occurred to him in the early days of their physical relationship. Erik went for it like he’d been celibate for years. It made no sense, if he’d been trying to get pregnant, they would have been at it day and night.
Hell, they had been at it day and night simply because of their intense sexual compatibility.
It simply made no sense, and he while had no desire to find out any more than he already knew about Erik’s sex life with his ex, something about it just didn’t add up.
But, Charles was willing to admit, at least to himself- though surely Erik suspected, that he was almost insanely jealous of the woman who’d gotten a promise of forever out of the man he loved. So perhaps he was looking for something that wasn’t there.
For instance, perhaps Magda wasn’t still holding a flame for Erik; she’d left him after all and hadn’t come back. But his gut instinct told him otherwise, all he could do now was trust Erik and wish him luck in breaking the news.
He had his own issues to deal with, like how in the world he was going to tell his sister.
~~
“You’re what?” she asked offhandedly sipping her orange juice as they waited for their food to arrive.
“Pregnant.”
“What?”
“Preg-damn it I know you heard me, Raven!” Charles finally snapped, irritated by her silly games.
Raven flapped her hand dismissively, “I heard you but it doesn’t make any sense! You just met the guy! You haven’t even been together a year!”
“I know but-“
“Aaaand he’s still married! and oh right, he’s ashamed of you! You’re a fling, a mid life crisis or something!”
“Honestly what is with everyone? He’s not that old! And Erik is not ashamed of me-“
Their low voiced conversation was interrupted as their food arrived with a flourish. Not for the first time Charles was glad of their strict upbringing and the rules about not making a spectacle of themselves in public. Raven would never throw a fit in such a lavish venue. Which was exactly why he had chosen it. They continued softly after the waiter was out of earshot.
“So what are you going to do? Have you told him? Are you keeping it?”
Charles recoiled at her cold delivery of the questions, “Of course I told him! I told him as soon as I was sure. And you know how I feel about abortion,” he chided sternly.
She rolled her eyes, “Oh come on Charles, you’re pro choice!”
“Yes, choice and it’s not one I’d make for myself, that’s kind of the point Rave!”
Their server came with fresh beverages and gave the table a quick turndown before bringing the next course.
“So, where is the happy father? Already left you to do the heavy lifting alone?” she asked stiffly.
“Actually he’s taking care of that himself,” Charles retorted hotly, refusing to explain even when pressed, not wanting to hear her thoughts on Erik’s impending reunion with his wife.
Seeing his heels were dug in, Raven tried a different tack, “So, you’re sure this guy is sticking around?”
“Yes.”
“You’re awfully confident about that. I mean, you’ve introduced him to all of us, but you haven’t met any of his friends or family!”
“I haven’t even mentioned him to Sharon!” he huffed, exasperated.
“Oh please, she doesn’t count! You said he’s a mama’s boy!”
“I never said that!”
“It was heavily implied! And I bet she’s never heard of you either!”
“Actually she has and we’re going to his parents for brunch tomorrow,” Charles smirked at the look of surprise on her face.
Raven raised her eyebrows at that, “So, the parents meet the mistress.”
“Don’t be unkind Raven, this is hard enough as it is, I’d like to have someone in my corner if you don’t mind!” He sat back from his plate with an unhappy frown.
“I know, I’m sorry, I just don’t like this situation and I don’t want to see you get hurt,” she placated softly.
“I know, Raven but you don’t know Erik like I do, he’s a great guy and… I love him.”
That seemed to take her aback, “Yes, but does he love you?”
Charles thought for a moment before continuing, “I think so…I feel it, but we haven’t said it yet, I didn’t want to scare him away.”
That made her laugh, “So you told him you were pregnant instead? I guess if that doesn’t scare him away then nothing will.”
“I knew you’d come around,” he said dryly.
Raven chuckled at that, “You know I am happy for you right? You’ll be a great mom, I have no doubt. And if Erik is half as wonderful as you say then he’ll be a great dad too, lucky kid.”
They shared a sigh at the memory of their miserable childhood.
Charles gave her a soft smile, “you should have seen his face when I told him, he’s wanted kids for so long. I was overwhelmed when I found out but now I’m really looking forwards to raising this baby with him.”
Raven paused and chewed her food thoughtfully before responding “So, I hate to ask but…this was an accident, right?”
Charles flinched as if struck, “I can’t believe you even have to ask! I would never trap a man into a relationship with me! I would never want a child who wasn’t wanted and loved by both parents! The situation is not ideal but we’re making the best of it!” he hissed angrily.
“Sorry, sorry but it’s going to come up, especially once everyone hears. I mean the deck is kind of stacked against you guys,” Raven soothed, automatically glancing around to see if any of the other patrons had noticed his upset.
Charles sighed at that and tried to calm himself, “I know, but we want to make it work so we’ll give it our best shot. I’d like to have your support in this” he reiterated tensely.
“You have it, but I’ll be watching him with both eyes,” she said firmly.
“I know you will, and thanks,” he said, voice filled with genuine affection.
“What are sisters for?” she reached across the table and squeezed his hand even as she gestured for the check.
Charles squeezed back tightly. One down. All the rest to go.