Chapter 3
Charlotte and her friends are all having fun at the party, what with Chestnut there to ride on, then about an hour into the party Ryan comes out of the house with a cake which has lit candles on it.
"Look Charlotte, look what dad has" says Shaun.
Charlotte looks when her daddy Shaun is pointing and sees Ryan with the cake, so she goes over to him and he kneels down before saying "Come on everyone, let's sing for the birthday girl"
All the party guests then sing Happy Birthday and while they are doing so Caroline notices that Max is crying and when Charlotte has blown out her candles she asks "Hey Max, are you ok? It's just I noticed you were crying a minute ago"
"Yeah Caroline, I'm fine, it's just my allergies, I promise, now are you gonna help me hand out these cupcakes, we have to be gone in like a half hour if we're gonna get Chestnut back home in time for us to go to work".
"Sure"
They finish handing out cupcakes and even hand out their business cards to the parents of Charlotte's friends.
Twenty minutes later Max gets Charlotte off to one side to talk to her alone. "Hey Charlie bear, me and Caroline have to leave soon"
"No, stay longer".
"I'm sorry honey, but we have to take Chestnut home before we go to work"
"Why?"
"Because we have to earn money"
"Why?"
"So we can pay our bills and also earn enough money to over here and see you"
"Okay, but come back soon and bring Chestnut"
"You got it, and maybe you and your dad's could come for lunch at the diner one day"
"Yeah"
"Cool, okay then, I'm gonna go get your friend Aubrey off of Chestnut, so why don't you give me a hug goodbye and then go do the same to Caroline"
"Okay
Max then hugs her daughter before going to get Chestnut ready to leave. A few minutes later Max and Caroline are saying goodbye to Ryan and Shaun.
"I've loved coming here today Shaun, you're one of the only people from my former life who will speak to me"
"I kinda have to speak you, we're family, speaking of which, I forgot to ask, how's your dad?"
"He's doing good"
"He's looking good to" Max interjected.
"Ignore her, now Charlotte, promise me you'll be good for your dads"
"Okay, I'll miss you Aunty Coco"
"I'll miss you too honey"
"And you Max, take care of yourself"
"I will Ryan, take care of yourself as well"
"Maybe I'll come see you at the diner"
"Eating there would not be taking care of yourself"
"Come on Max, let's go"
Max and Caroline leave the garden with Chestnut and a little while later they arrive home.
"Okay then, why don't you tell me the real reason why you were crying at the party" demands Caroline.
"I can't"
"Why not?"
"I made a promise, years ago, that I wouldn't say anything"
"You can tell me Max, it's obviously affecting you, and we live together, go on, tell me, I won't tell a soul"
"I can't"
"Yes you can"
"It's Charlotte"
"What about her?"
"She's my daughter"
End of Chapter
