10 Years later
She had to admit, she had to laugh. Just thinking about what the last decade had brought her, surprises and all. It'd been quite a reality shock when she graduated high school and moved to Yale. She would've never guessed she'd spend the following years single and only concentrating on law school without anything to distract her. But, after graduating, an even bigger surprise occurred, she started dating Maybeck. Yeah, she couldn't believe it either. It had all happened so fast and sudden that she found it hard to believe it herself. But it had happened, and she was happy.
What started her reminiscing was the view she had from the local ice cream shop right around where she'd grown up.
I heard you laughing
In a crowd outside the restaurant
We used to go too
She gasped, she couldn't believe what she'd seen, but it made her smile without realizing it.
Caught a glimpse that stopped me in my tracks
And it took me back
"Wow," she whispered, not knowing what she should do.
You looked happy
With that little girl up on your shoulders
Happy
I know where she go those crystal eyes of blue
Time's been sweet to you
She noticed he looked equally shocked to see her, at the Frozen Marble of all places. He walked out the door with, which she assumed to be his daughter.
"Hi Charlie" he said.
"Hi Finn" she replied.
"Uh this is Wendy," he said, almost forgetting about the girl squirming on his shoulders.
"Daddy can I get down please" she whispered in his ear as he gently let her down, watching her walk up to Charlene.
"I'm Wendy miss," she said proudly, " and I have a mommy and a daddy" Wendy giggled, looking around to see Finn smiling broadly. "That's my daddy," she whispered to Charlene as if it was a secret.
Charlene smiled, a truly happy smile as she watched this little girl and how excited she was to meet her. "Why is your name Charlie?" she asked.
"It's short for Charlene" she answered.
"Ohhh..." Wendy said as Finn chuckled.
"Most curious preschooler in her class I'm afraid" Finn said.
"I can tell" Charlene grinned.
"I'll be right back," Wendy said as she raced in the ice cream parlor.
"How are you Charlie?" Finn asked seriously.
"I'm great, you?"
Finn turned around in the direction Wendy had taken off too and grinned, "Never better."
Charlene smiled again, honestly loving what she was seeing. She felt like she was finally getting the closure she'd need since high school. Not that she'd been thinking about Finn for 10 years, but more like getting a sense of relief that he was happy.
As bad as it was
As bad as it hurt
I thank God I didn't get
What I thought that I deserved
"Have...I mean, do you...um...?" Finn stuttered, nodding towards Wendy as she was making her way through the parlor again.
"Oh, no" Charlene answered quickly, "Someday though..." she paused She grinned shyly "hopefully soon."
"What's that grin for?"
"I'm waiting for Maybeck...I mean Donnie to pop the question" she giggled.
Finn's eyes got huge before he started laughing. "You're kidding, no way, that's awesome!"
"Yeah well, life's full of surprises" she offered a soft smile, which Finn returned.
Sometimes life leads you down a different road
"I guess we were pretty silly huh?" Finn said.
"Yeah" Charlene agreed.
When you're holding onto someone
That you gotta let go
Someday you'll see the reason why
Sometimes
Sometimes
There's good in goodbye
"Charlie, I never got to truly apologize for prom. I could've been more mature about it, and for hurting you, I am sorry" Finn said sincerely.
"It's ok Finn, really. Life turned out ok after all."
I don't regret it
The time we had together
I won't forget it
But we both ended up where we belong
I guess goodbye made us strong
"So" she paused, "can I meet your wife? I'm assuming you're married."
"You already have" Finn answered shyly.
Charlene realized she should've guess, especially by the look on Finn's face. As if right on cue, Wendy came rushing out of the all too familiar parlor, dragging her mom with her.
"Mommy, this is Charlene, but Daddy called her Charlie" Wendy said cheerfully.
"Hi Amanda" Charlene said.
"Hey Charlie!" Amanda said, sounding surprised.
"Why does they know each other Daddy?" Wendy looked up and asked Finn.
"Finn's head quickly shot up to look at Amanda, then at Charlene, his mind racing back to high school.
"We were all friends in school" Charlene smiled, not wanting to add any more detail.
"Oh" Wendy said again.
"How long have you two been married?"
"7 years" Finn answered proudly with Amanda nodding along, smiling sweetly.
All Charlene could do was smiled, for she'd never seen Finn this happy before. "I'm happy for you both, really" she said.
"Oh Charlie said her and Maybeck are pretty serious...who knew right?" he teased.
"Really? that's wonderful! Sorry to cut this short but we really should get her home, it's WAY past your nap time girly."
And now I'm happy
I've found somebody too
Who makes me happy
And I knew one day I'd see you on the street
And it'd be bittersweet
"But Mommy, I'm not tired" Wendy yawned, holding her arms up for Amanda to carry her.
"Bye Charlie, it was really great to see you again," Amanda said quietly as the sweet little girl was slowly drifting off to sleep.
"*Yawn* bye Charlie."
"Bye Wendy, Bye Amanda" she nodded as Charlene was left alone with Finn, who smiled.
"You have...a beautiful family" Charlene sighed.
"Thank you, I wish the same for you" he replied, "Take care of yourself Charlie."
"I will, and who knows, maybe we'll see you at a wedding soon" she winked.
"Sounds good" Finn nodded, "Goodbye Charlie."
"Goodbye Finn."
Sometimes, yeah sometimes
There's good in goodbye
Here's part 2! Part 3 will be coming eventually...hopefully I'll get some inspiration for Take My Hand soon...nothing is coming, it sucks!
Also, let's be honest guys, I don't like Charlene and I love Finn so sorry to the ones who review and are disappointed about the last chapter. Hopefully this chapter will cheer things up a little bit for the Charlie fans.
Comment! :)