~~LOVING CHARLIE~~
Well, we have the usual disclaimer; I don't own any of this, I make no money from this, etc, etc,etc. (Anyone who did the accent from the King And I when reading etc, etc, ect gets bonus points) Any references to songs, musicians, actors, movies, books, TV shows...anything universally recognizable, I do not own. Gosh I hope that covers everything. This is AU; ages have been changed as well as many other aspects. I'd give more detail up front but that would result in spoilers and I don't want spoilers before you've even read the first line. I love reviews (hint hint please). This is gonna be a long one...you've been warned. Oh, and the sea otter info was gathered from the Marine Mammal Center website. (Now your all kinds of curious, aren't you)
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May 1999
Charlie unfolded his legs, stretching his right calf a little before he climbed out of the Jeep. His green eyes took stock of the early morning activity on the waterfront before he pulled his bag out of the backseat and grabbed his travel cup, making his way toward the aquarium to start his day. When he was but a few steps from the door, it swung open for him.
"Morning, Charlie." Tommy Drussel greeted him. Tommy was just about four years shy of retirement and he'd been the head of security for the Marina del Rey Aquarium and Rehabilitation Center for the last fifteen years. Before that he'd been one of six guards at the facility.
Everyone working there loved Tommy. He knew them all as if they were family. He knew girlfriends, boyfriends, spouses and kids by their first names. He was even responsible for a few of the well used nicknames of the employees children. He was alone now; a widower ever since his Grace had passed seven years this spring, but he wasn't lonely. He loved his life and he loved his job; he had since the very first day he'd swapped his Navy uniform for a security guard uniform and walked through the door he was currently holding open. Well, not this specific door. The building had grown over the years, just like a child; been added on to, and redesigned and he'd seen almost all of it, save for the first few years it had been open before his stint as a Navy man had been up.
"Morning, Tommy. How's everything looking this morning?" Charlie asked, passing the older man on his way in the door.
"Ship shape, as usual." He raised a weathered hand to scratch under his collar, the early morning sun gleaming off the brass aquarium crest adorning his cap. "But the kids seem a little restless this mornin'. I think they're hungry."
Charlie chuckled. "You always think they're hungry when they're fussin'."
"That's cause the only times I ever seen babies fuss so was when they was tired, messed, sick or hungry. They only been up a few hours now, ain't got diapers to be messed in, so that leaves hungry." he said with confidence, checking to make sure the door was locked behind them since the aquarium wouldn't be open to the public for another couple of hours.
"You forgot sick." Charlie smiled, going along with their weekly routine. They had this conversation at least two or three times every week since the three baby sea otters had been rescued and brought to the aquarium two months ago in March.
"Nah. You watch'em too close for them babies to be sick without you knowin'. Besides, they ain't sick fussy-" The gentle voiced, African American grinned.
"They're belly empty fussin'." Charlie finished the well worn sentence with him, making them both laugh.
"See now, look how quick yu catch on." Tommy ribbed with a twinkle of glee in his brown eyes. "Knew since your scrawny behind started wandering around here when yu was just a bean sprout that we'd make a water critter man outta you yet!"
Charlie laughed, waving over his shoulder as he walked through the lobby and toward the back of the aquarium that was off limits to the general public. "See you at lunchtime, Tommy. Gotta go feed the kids. Heard they're fussin' cause they're hungry." he called back to the older man.
"That boy." Tommy chuckled, shaking his head and walking back to his small desk.
Making his way down a side hall, Charlie unlocked the door to the office he shared with Dr. Brady Scaggs, the facility's other marine biologist and animal behaviorist. He expected Brady would be along shortly; it was his turn to bring breakfast today, which was a sure fire recipe to make the man run ten minutes behind schedule.
Brady was one of those people who had the ability to be unbelievably flexible at work, but throw something, even the smallest change, into his morning routine and he'd be running just slightly behind.
It was a good thing both men made it practice to arrive an hour early to allow themselves time to start the morning in low gear.
It wasn't that Charlie wasn't a morning person. He just appreciated the opportunity to ease into the day. Brady? He wasn't so much a morning person.
Speak of te devil. At 6'3", with blonde hair, hazel eyes, and an athletic build, Brady was what his mother's friends called, "easy on the eyes." The thirty-three year old sea turtle specialist made his way through their open door, looking as though he was barely holding on to everything in his arms.
"Need a hand, buddy?" Charlie offered, sitting his coffee cup down.
"No. Thanks though." Brady peeked over the bag in front of his face to make sure his desk was clear where he was about to drop his armful. "It's like Jenga, bro. One false move and it all comes down."
"Tommy your hero again?" Charlie laughed.
"The man was sent straight from God to make sure I never get stuck standing outside, yelling for help until someone comes to let me in, I swear." he confirmed, finally getting his hands free. "By the way," Brady grinned. "Tommy says the kids are starving."
Charlie let out a hearty laugh. "I was like four minutes ahead of you. I barely got the door unlocked and my stuff settled before you got here, and when I came in they were only 'hungry'."
Brady put his hands up in jest. "All I know is what I was told."
"It's a conspiracy." Charlie muttered with a smirk. "Which one is mine?" he asked, looking at the wrapped breakfast sandwiches on Brady's desk. He scooped up the one pointed at and made for the door.
"Hey! You're not gonna eat with me?"
"Now what kind of a dad would I be if I didn't feed the babies first? Besides, they get blood drawn today, so I wanna spend some fun time with them first."
Brady unwrapped his own sandwich as he kicked his feet up on his desk. "You're making me look like a bad father, Charles." He called, knowing Charlie was still close enough to hear.
"At least I'm not making you look like a bad mother." came Charlie's disembodied retort.
"True enough." Brady mumbled around his sandwich.
Charlie punched in the code for the habitat, balancing three bottles of pureed 'baby food' in his hands. It didn't take long for him to find the boys once he was inside. Three little otters ambled at him as fast as their ten week old legs would allow, bringing a large smile to his face. "Good morning, boys. Let's have breakfast." he chuckled as he sat cross legged on the ground and they clambered onto his lap.
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The sheets felt cool against her skin as she stretched lazily, a product of the AC in the window and the large ceiling fan circling over the luxorious King size bed. If there were three more of her, it wouldn't fill the bed. The excitement of her situation permeated her sleepy haze like a really great cup of coffee and urged her eyes open with a bright smile.
Sara reached high above her her head, gave a jaw popping yawn and sat up. Her mind was racing with possibilities for the day. There were a ton of placs she wanted to explore today. She'd seen some of the area as she drove in yesterday, but it had been getting late in the evening and she'd decided the best plan would be to get some bare bones groceries at the nearest grocery store, which she'd found easily thanks to Dr. Preston's excellent directions, air out the house, unpack, and have some dinner.
The house was gorgeous. The pictures Dr. Preston had shown her didn't begin to do it justice. It was right on the beach and also boasted an in-ground pool with a spacious patio and an outdoor bar and kitchen. She'd enjoyed some soup and an egg salad sandwich on the patio last night, relaxing and listening to the waves washing onto the shore.
Dorleen 'Dorie' Preston and her husband had purchased the beach home in Marina del Rey twelve years ago and had spent nearly every summer since then here during summer break. This year, Dr. Preston, the 'he' Preston as Sara fondly referred to him as, had surprised his wife with a summer adventure exploring Greece to celebrate the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.
Dorie and Harlan Preston had been high school sweethearts and married two days after graduation. Both had gone on to attend Berkeley, graduating with Bachelors degrees and later with doctorates in Physics and Anthropology. Both of them had ended up being tenured and highly respected and loved professors at their beloved Alma Mater.
Doreen Prestn was Sara's advisor and had taught her Intro Physics class in Sara's first semester. The woman had taken an instant liking to the intelligent, but shy sixteen year old. She quickly took Sara under her wing academically and personally.
Sara's sophomore summer break, Dorie and Harlan had asked Sara to come spend the summer with them, but Sara had graciously declined. She had been living summer breaks with a friend who rented a small apartment just off campus. Karen had a pull out couch and a love of entertaining. It worked and was fun in the summer when Sara didn't have to worry about studying and was appreciated since she didn't want to rely on the system for a roof over her head anymore. Besides wanting a great education, there was a reason Sara had busted her butt to graduate high school early, be granted emanicipation and accepted to Berkeley.
That summer, Sara had landed a great job at a high class restaraunt. She had worked her tail off that summer to earn enough money to rent a small apartment of her own for the coming school year. It wasn't much but she'd been proud. It was her own and how many Junior's could say they had their own apartment without any help from parents.
But this was the summer before her Senior year. She was nineteen years old and had been working so hard for so many years to get out of the foster care system, living with her nose to the grindstone to earn and keep as many scholarships as possible to pay for school. So, when the Prestons had gone to the trouble to get permission from the Dean to pay her to beach house sit so no one could accuse them of favoritism toward a student and then her landlord had agreed to sublet her apartment for the summer, Sara had joyously accepted and had spent hours in the den with Dorie, looking at pictures and hearing all about the places she should visit while here.
They'd insisted on paying Sara for watching the house on top of paying the utility bills and letting her use their car. She'd argued at first, but they'd persisted, reminding her that she would be caring for things that they would otherwise be paying someone else to do. Plus, they wanted her to enjoy a summer without slaving away; a reward for all the hard work she did year round.
"You're helping us care for the house in our absence. Consider this an early graduation present." Harlan had been smiling, his arm around Dorie as they'd waited for Sara to give in and agree.
It was like an all expense paid vacation. She thought she may get a fun, part time summer job, just for fun money. She'd scan the paper in a day or two and keep her eyes peeled for something interesting when she explored.
Feeling carefree and invigorated, she jumped out of bed to start her first full day. "Breakfast first."
An hour later, she was fed, showered and dressed. She decided a little exercise would be good, so she pulled Dorie's bike from the shed and made sure everything was locked up before peddling off into the warm Marina del Rey morning.
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"You sure you don't want me to stick'em, doc?" The young intern the pup. "I could use the practice and I don't mind being the bad guy today." she offered.
"Thank you, Jenna, but no. And that's not a reflection of your good work or capabilities though." he told her sincerely. The college student had a natural ability with animals and she would be a credit to the field one day. She already was.
"That's okay, doc. It's a dad thing, right?"
Charlie laughed. "Yeah, I guess it is." He double checked the syringe. "Alright, Maurice, hold still now, little buddy and we'll be done before you know it."
"Don't watch, Maurice. It hurts less if you don't watch." Jenna told the little otter. He blinked at her.
Jenna caught Charlie's eye just before he inserted the needle. "That never worked for me." he shared, efficiently drawing the blood and removing the needle. "Good boy." he commended softly, giving the adorable critter a well loved scratch. "Never could look away when they did this to me. Still can't."
Jenna smiled at him, putting Maurice down and scooping up Robin. "Control issues, doc?"
He shrugged. "Just like to know when the jab is actually happening."
Robin squirmed a bit and Charlie stepped closer, helping Jenna hold him more securely. She repositioned her hold and Charlie quickly drew the needed blood.
"Do you think the tests will show any problems?" she asked.
"I don't think so. They've been holding healthy and steady the last month. If this test comes back good, we may start trying them on solids as early as the end of this week."
"Hear that, Barry boy? Real food." Jenna held the last pup, laughing softly at the trill the little guy let out. "He's singing for his supper."
Charlie chuckled. "So aptly named." he joked, drawing the last vial.
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Sara took a sip from her bottle of tea, tilting her face up to catch the disappearing rays of sunlight. She'd decided to have a light dinner at the park she'd discovered. It was a beautiful park, surrounded on three sides by the water. There was a large, grassy knoll where you could see most of the marina and there was a band shell as well.
Sara loved listening to the water and the sounds of the outdoors. Sometimes she swore she could determine the time of day just by listening to the sounds around her.
"This is my favorite time of day here."
Sara jumped, her eyes shooting open in alarm.
"I'm sorry, young lady. Forgive an old man. I didn't mean to scare you like that."
She took in the sight of the man suddenly standing just off to her left side. Tall, African American, kind eyes and mostly gray hair. "S'okay." she smiled. "I was off in my own world I guess."
The older man leaned toward her, but didn't take a step as he offered his hand in greeting. She suspected he remained where he was as a means to assure her that he meant her no harm. She didn't feel threatened by him, but she glanced toward the water and found a family on their boat. It never hurt to be safe and prepared. His eyes followed hers, but he didn't seem bothered by her caution. If anything, his smile warmed even more and she got the distinct impression that he was proud of her for looking.
"Tom Drussel. My friend's call me Tommy."
Sara shook his hand.
"Think you can call me, Tommy too. I figure I owe you that much for taxing your heart." he chuckled.
"Sara. It's nice to meet you." She smiled, wanting to put him at ease as well. She would be cautious, but she wasn't afraid. "And my heart's okay, so no worries, Tommy."
They shared a bit of an awkward moments, but then Tommy slid his hands into the pockets of his slacks and rocked back on his heels, taking a deep breath. "I don't think I could live away from the water." He said, his voice rich, his tone reminiscent of someone talking to an old friend. "My wife used to tease me. She'd tell anyone who would listen that I have sea salt in my veins and my lungs."
"Have you always loved the water?"
"Oh, yes. In fact, when I was just a boy, I didn't even know there were places that weren't on the water. This was before any schoolin', you see." His eyes were focused on the water and got a little far off look before he smiled and focused back on her. "My daddy was a fisherman. My mama, my sister and I moved along the coastal towns with him for years until a fishing accident took him. Then my mama raised us on the water in a little bitty oyster town until I got old enough. I joined the Navy, saw a little of this big, ol' world, met and fell in love with the prettiest little gal I ever laid eyes on and courted her through letters for three years while I finished out my stint. I went back to where we met and dropped down on one knee." His smile was was wistful and warm. Sara couldn't help but to smile with him. "We got married and moved here. This was my Grace's hometown. Her folks still lived here and it was her heart's want to come back. So, we did. Been here ever since." He sighed.
"Would you like to sit? I'd love to hear more. I'm new in town and you're the first person I've really become acquainted with."
"How about a cup of coffee, Sara? It's going to get dark soon and I'd rather know you're not walking home alone after dark."
Sara stood and gathered her belongings, putting them into her backpack and picked up her bike. "Lead the way, Tommy."
They talked as they walked, Tommy pointing out local places and telling her some history of the old town, shareing tidbits only del Reyers would know. She, in turn, told him a little about where she was studying and how she came to be here. As soon as they reached the little cafe, he asked the waitress, who he called by name, for a piece of paper. He wrote his phone number and address down, insisting that Sara call him if she needed anything and to come over if she wanted some company.
"I know you young women are all very capable and independent, but I'm from a time when young ladies didn't usually live alone."
She smiled. Yes, she could take care of herself, but she found it endearing that this kind, older gentleman was being so protective of a young woman he'd only just met.
Their coffees came, he insisted on paying, and they picked up where they'd left off on their walk over. By the time Stacey poured them refills, the sun was pinkening and she'd learned that Grace had been living with her brother and his wife when Tommy and Grace had met because Grace's parents felt that she needed to see life outside of Marina del Rey. She also learned that Grace and Tommy had taken a walk in the park every evening that he wasn't at work since they moved here and that Tommy was head of security at the local aquarium and rehab center.
Sara was enjoying his company so much that she failed to notice how dark it was getting.
"Now I talked your ear off and kept you out after dark." He stood up a little slowly, his age showing a little in his stiffness, and patted her hand which rested on the tabletop. "Just let me get rid of some of this coffee and I'll see you home, Miss Sara."
Sara watched him walk toward the back of the cafe, feeling a little uncertain. He did seem genuine and very sweet. And she did have this sixth sense that he was totally trustworthy, but still, she was uncertain. After all, she was in an unfamiliar town and he was, despite sharing so much of his life openly with her, technically, a stranger. Should she really allow him to see where she was staying alone?
"Don't worry, honey." Sara jumped, not having noticed Stacey reappear. "Tommy's as safe as they come and he's got no ulterior motives for walking yu home other than making sure you get there safe. I'd trust that man with my life, and that ain't something I'd say about too many men these days." She gave Sara a wink and left with their empty cups and spoons.
Tommy reappeared shortly and offered Sara his arm. She stood with a smile and linked her arm with his.
"Let's get you home, Miss Sara."
Sara had made her first friend in Marina del Rey.
TBC...please take a few seconds and leave your thoughts. They're very much appreciated. Thanks for reading.