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Some parts of this chapter are not suitable for minors. Please be warned! Thanks and Enjoy
Chapter Four - If Tomorrow Never Comes
When Charlotte awoke the following morning, it was to the joys of approaching motherhood, in other words, she was gonna be sick. After brushing her teeth and rinsing her mouth out, she wondered downstairs. She found a note tacked on the refrigerator from Landry, letting her know that they were down at the hospital.
Charlotte sent him a quick text asking him for an update on Duke. When the reply came back that he was awake and talking, she smiled.
Whilst pouring herself some coffee, she thought about Coopers email again. She felt like she was back in high school having received a love letter from her crush. But it was more than that. Or at least it would be if she replied. However Charlotte wanted to do it different this time. She needed to be sure. Wanted to know that when Cooper learned the full truth about her, that he'd still be there. So she needed to tell him. She just didn't want to.
This was not gonna be easy.
xxx
After getting ready, Charlotte went down to the hospital to visit with Duke. It was good to see him sitting up and talking. His words were a little slow, but that was to be expected.
It was good to be back home. Not under these circumstances, but now that Duke was on the mend, it was nice.
After checking her watch, Charlotte realized it was time for her appointment. As she made her way down the hallway she thought about the last time her and Cooper had been together. Physically. It wasn't one of their best moments, but it certainly was memorable. When he'd followed her into the bathroom. Watched while she took off her dress. She had watched him through the mirror. Watched his eyes darken, his jaw clench. She'd asked him if he was gonna stay for the whole show. The next thing she knew she had been hoisted up onto the side and his lips were on hers with his tongue in her mouth. She thought about fighting it. Fighting him. But it had been so long and she'd missed him, missed him touching her. Touching him.
It had been fast and hard. Just like in the beginning of their relationship. But god it was so good. The feel of him pressed against her, inside her. Like he was meant to be with her. He was. He was hers. She had to let him know. Every time he pushed inside she had whispered mine, mine, mine. She had needed to reclaim him. Let that stupid other woman know he was taken. Because he was. He was hers. Not Jordana Sampson's. Hers damnit.
When she peaked, the love bite she left on his neck would proclaim him as hers. Except it didn't. Cooper had been silent. He'd fixed his clothes and then left. No words, no eye contact. Just gone. And then he really did go. Took off with Violet to go and touch monkeys. But that was ok. They weren't together. He didn't owe her anything.
Maybe their relationship wasn't worth saving after all. But she wanted to. Wanted to save it. Throw it a damn life jacket or something. But it had to be done together. It was with this thought that a plan slowly formed in her mind.
xxx
Cooper hadn't slept. He'd spent most of the night refreshing his email hoping that a reply from Charlotte would be appearing. It hadn't. Around four am he'd eventually given up and laid down to sleep. After tossing and turning for two hours he realized sleep was not gonna happen for him tonight, so he got back up and got ready for work.
When he arrived at the practice he went into his office and booted up his computer. He wanted to be logged in, in case she replied. He hadn't yet thought about what might happen if she didn't.
After checking his patient register for the day, Cooper went and made himself some coffee. He took it straight back to his office and again hit refresh. Still nothing. He needed to be patient.
xxx
At 1 o'clock that afternoon, Cooper breathed a sigh of relief. Those kids got him every time. They always had to talk to him at the same time. And when he would listen to one the others would get louder to be heard. And it would go on and on, whilst their mother stood there and looked on.
He sat down at his computer and hit the button. The one he was convinced didn't work anymore because he'd pushed it so many damn times.
Except this time. This time there was something there. And it was from Charlotte.
Hi Cooper.
I know you're probably pissed right now. I know you're wondering why I never replied to your email earlier. I know you've hit that refresh button too many times to count. I know you.
And that's the problem.
I know you. But you don't know me. Not really. You know I laugh, I cry, I bitch, like any human being. You know what shampoo I use, what perfume and what conditioner. But do you know my favourite colour? Do you know my favourite sport? Favourite song?
No, you don't. And that's not your fault. That's mine. And I know it is Coop. I know that my inability to communicate in a relationship has helped put us where we are now. But it wasn't just me. You hurt me Coop, real bad. The things you said...I never thought you could be so cruel. I wanna believe that you're as sorry as you say you are. But it's gonna take time. And maybe I will forgive you. But I will never forget.
I need to apologise as well. I know I said things, made you feel things. Inadequate. Less of a man. But you weren't Coop. You were plenty man enough.
So here's my plan. You obviously know I'm not in LA, so I'm gonna stay where I am for a while. And we're gonna play a game. I'm giving you a free pass. Or passes should I say. Ask me. Ask me whatever you wanna know. But remember Coop, you wanted this, the whole talking thing. And if you don't like the answers, just remember...that's why I'm not coming home yet.
Cell reception is crazy here, so email or IM's would be best. I'm out for the rest of the afternoon, so don't panic if I don't reply straight away. Whatever you ask, I will answer. I promise.
Ask me Cooper. Just ask.
Charlotte xxx
TBC
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