Little Moments: Like Mother, Like Daughter

by ReeseHolden

Nathan and Haley's little girl was growing up fast. It began one summer day. His green eyes, brown hair, and that uniform were all it took. Charlotte fell hard and she fell fast. She fell in love. Spin off of Little Moments. Try it out!

10. In Sickness and in Health

Little Moments: Like Mother, Like Daughter's

Chapter 10: In Sickness and in Health

Disclaimer: Nothing. I own nothing related to OTH. My creativity and original ideas: yes!

A/N: Oh man, I know it's be awhile guys. Sorry 'bout that. This chapter might be considered fluffy and Charlotte heavy but I wanted to hit a few specific things before I dive into the next part of the Charlotte and Graham relationship. And both Nathan and Haley are in this. They sorta just popped up as I started writing. Hope none of you mind that, and that you like the new chapter. Enjoy!

OTHOTH

The ride from Tric to Charlotte and Sawyer's house didn't take long, and the heat in Haley's car started to get warm about the same time she pulled onto their street. Haley parked alongside the curb next to her daughter's house and sarcastically laughed when she saw Sawyer's car. "Of course she's here." Haley turned off her car rolling her eyes, "Why would Sawyer be at work?" She shook her head in disbelief because her niece had a bit of a habit in setting her own work schedule.

Haley had been in the studio with Peyton working on their latest project, but when they took a break, Haley wanted to come check on Charlotte. It seemed she'd come down with that late December funk. Runny noise, scratchy throat, nothing fun or festive for the upcoming holiday.

The Winter air bit at Haley's cheeks as she got out of the car and walked toward her trunk. She pulled out a covered hand-painted sign. It was Graham's birthday present Charlotte had gotten him. Charlotte was supposed to pick it up at Tric but considering she'd fallen under the weather, Haley was bringing it to her. His birthday was in a week and Haley knew that Charlotte would need it before they left for the Outer Banks.

The sign was covered now, but Haley had gotten a glance of it at Tric. It was a simple sign that made more sense with the story that was behind it, and Peyton had done a fabulous job with the design. Graham was a big sailboat person and apparently the saying had some meaning a trip he and Charlotte had taken a couple months back.

Haley walked to the front door and pushed open the door. "Charlotte?"

"Hey, Mom." Charlotte perked her head over the couch and smiled at her mother. Even with her froggy throat she was still enthusiastic. "Oh, you got it. Thank you so much!"

"Where should I put it?"

Charlotte sunk back in the pillows on the couch, "Anywhere is fine."

After Haley set the sign on the table, she took off her coat, and walked closer to her ill child, "How are you feeling?"

"Lousy." Charlotte had a blanket spread over her body and a tissue box resting on the ground next to her. "I don't think I have the immune system to work in a school." The younger brown eyed Scott sniffed and her glasses fell down the bridge of her nose. Charlotte nudged them back up and took a deep breath. "I'm just glad we're on Winter Break so I have some time to recuperate."

Haley knew the feeling. She remembered her days of teaching, and as much as she enjoyed pushing those kids to dive into literature, Tree Hill High was the place to get the latest cold. "It'll get better." Haley smiled at her youngest and sat down. "Can I do something? I can make some soup."

Slowly shaking her head, Charlotte smiled, "Graham's bringing some by."

"So which one?" Sawyer walked out from the back and held up two DVDs. "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood or Top Gun" She was leaning more towards the military drama considering both of their boyfriends donned a service uniform. "Aunt Haley..." Sawyer froze mid step surprised that her aunt had stopped by. She looked down to her sweatpants and baggy shirt. "I..." Sawyer rose her hand toward her mouth and fake coughed, "I think I'm coming down with something." Considering she'd failed to show up to work, Sawyer was fumbling to cover herself.

Haley knew this game, "Oh, really?"

"Yeah..." Sawyer cleared her throat and tried to sound convincing. "I must have gotten it from Charlotte." Throwing in another cough and moan, Sawyer was trying her best to convince her aunt she wasn't playing hooky from work. "Did Mom not get my message? I called to tell her I wasn't coming in today."

Haley was trying not to laugh because it was so painfully obvious that Sawyer was riding Charlotte's sick coattails. "I guess she must have missed it."

Sawyer gingerly walked toward the oversized chair that she'd been laid up in and sat down, "It was weird. Like this morning I was feeling fine and then it was like Charlotte coughed all over me and I came down with what she had."

Charlotte bit her lip because she could tell that Sawyer was making up an exaggerated story, and that her mother had caught on. "Yeah, Mom." Charlotte sniffed and tried to help out Sawyer, "I think I really did give it to Sawyer. Her head was burning hot this morning."

Haley nodded, "Well that's too bad. You know we're picking out the mix for our annual compilation CD. But I think your mom and I can handle it on our own."

Sawyer sat up rather quickly and shook her head. She coughed and cleared her throat, "No, I think this is a one day thing. I...I've just got a mild case of...what Charlotte's has. I'm sure I'll be good to go tomorrow."

Laughing with a large smile, Haley nodded. She looked back to Charlotte and raised her brow, "And you're sure you don't need anything? Do you have some Theraflu or do you need some cough drops?"

"I'm good, Mom. Thanks, though." Charlotte coughed into her arm and shut her eyes, "Hopefully I'll feel better soon."

"And if you're not feeling up for our Christmas Eve party in a couple days you know you can skip out on it."

Charlotte didn't want to do that. "I think I'll be okay by then. I hope so."

Haley knew that her twenty three year old daughter was more than capable of taking care of herself but her wanting to take care of her kids was never going to go away. No matter how old they were. "Alright. Well let me at least make you some tea before I go."

Charlotte looked to her mom with a smile, "The lemon honey kind?"

"Mmm-huh. Does that sound good?"

"Sounds perfect. The honey is in the cabinet on the far left and there should be a lemon or two in the little bowl on the counter." Charlotte watched her mom head towards the kitchen and she realized that it didn't feel so bad having someone take care of her.

Before Haley made it to the kitchen she stopped and turned around, "Sawyer, would you like a cup?" It came out a bit sarcastically but it was all in good fun.

"Yes, please." Sawyer nodded, "And maybe add in some sugar or something. That can't be too bad. It might help my throat."

Charlotte started to laugh. She shook her head toward her cousin and whispered over to her, "Sugar? Are you serious? You're not playing this down much are you?"

Sawyer shrugged, "What? I'm a naturally sweet human being. I can't help it my tea needs sugar."

"But it's 'feel better tea', not 'here, have a glass and sit out on the porch, tea'."

"Whatever, it won't kill me." Throwing the blanket off her legs, Sawyer hopped up out of the chair, "So what'll it be? Funny old southern ladies or sexy men in uniform?"

"Either one. They both sound good to me." Charlotte situated herself on the couch and pulled her blanket up to her chin. If she knew Sawyer like she thought she did, Top Gun's menu would pop up on the screen in a matter of seconds. It wasn't that Sawyer didn't like a good laugh, but at the moment she had a thing for guys in uniform. Naval aviators weren't exactly the same as Coasties but it was good enough. If they had The Guardian they could have watched that, but both girls would have ended up in tears.

Charlotte had been right, though. Top Gun it was. The movie started to play and when they were at the four minute mark the front door opened.

"Gah, it's cold outside." Graham walked through the front door and welcomed the heat inside the girls' home. He looked over to see a movie playing and realized that Charlotte must have been on the couch. "Ugh, Top Gun?" Graham smiled as he walked toward the couch, "The Navy has nothing on the Coast Guard. I can't believe you're watching this." It was more of a joke. Graham was only giving her a hard time.

He sat down next to Charlotte with a smile, and put the bag he was holding on the table.

"Hi." Charlotte wasn't exactly in world's greatest mood, but having Graham there made it better.

Graham had known before, but Charlotte Scott with her red nosed, glasses, no make-up, disheveled appearance was still the most beautiful girl he'd ever laid eyes on. "Feeling any better?"

"Not really."

Picking up the paper bag, Graham raised his brow, "This might help."

"Thank you so much for getting soup."

He nodded but didn't need her thanks, "Yeah, sure. You want me to go put it in the kitchen or do you want some now?"

"Mom's here making me some tea but I know I'll want soup later."

"Shh!" Sawyer turned to the two brunettes and furrowed her brow, "Don't you know you're not supposed to talk during a movie!"

Graham hadn't really noticed that Sawyer was bundled up over in the chair, "Are you sick too?"

Charlotte looked up to Graham and answered for her best friend, "No. She just decided to stay home."

For the six months he'd known Sawyer Scott, Graham really wasn't all that surprised. "I'm gonna go put this up." Charlotte nodded and Graham walked toward the kitchen.

Haley was squeezing some lemon into two mugs and she heard footsteps walking toward her. "Hi, Graham." She smiled when she looked over her shoulder to her daughter's boyfriend.

Smiling, Graham set down the bag on the counter. "That stuff smells great."

"Thank you. Just a simple recipe that should ease a sore throat. I used to make it when I sang a lot."

Graham nodded and started to take out the to-go soups. "My mom used to make something like that, too. I think she used Tang in hers."

"Tang? Really?" Haley let out a laugh because she didn't even know if that stuff was still around.

"Maybe it was something else. I'm not sure. I just know whatever it was, it worked for sore throats."

"Home remedies do usually do the trick." Haley glanced at Graham and then to the soup containers. One of them had scribble on the top but she was able to make it out. Chicken noodle, extra noodle. It was like a flood of memories had been spun to the forefront of her mind. Nathan used to get her the same thing. He still did. Haley looked to Graham again with a smile, "But I have to say...chicken noodle soup really does the trick."

Feeling a bit like he'd just gotten a very nice compliment, Graham grinned and nodded, "And apparently extra noodle is the way to go."

Haley laughed, "That's my doing. I always liked..."

Back in the living room Charlotte and Sawyer were comfortably watching the movie but Charlotte suddenly looked to her cousin, "Sawyer!" It came out in a rushed whisper because she didn't want Graham to hear her. "Get the sign and hide it somewhere. I don't want him to see it."

Sawyer looked toward the door and furrowed her brow, "But it's covered. You can't even tell what it is."

"Please just get it. His other present won't be ready to get for a few more weeks so it's the only birthday present I've got for him. If he sees it he'll know what he's getting."

"Okay, okay. Just because I know your body aches are real I'll do you this favor." Sawyer inwardly groaned as she got up out of the uber comfy chair. "You want me to put it in your room?"

"Take it to the hall closet. That'll be better, I think."

As Sawyer walked toward the closet Haley came out of the kitchen, and Sawyer had to remember to fake cough. Haley just laughed as she walked to the living room and she set down one of the mugs next to Sawyer's chair and other by Charlotte.

"Here you go."

"Oh, thank you." Charlotte took a hold of her mug with two hands and gently sipped the warm tea. It was like some form of liquid awesomeness and Charlotte knew that she would be feeling better soon.

"I hope you feel better, honey." Haley checked her watch and sighed, "I should get back to the office but call me later, okay?"

The younger Scott nodded, "I will. Thanks, Mom. I love you."

Haley lightly squeezed her daughter's arm as she walked away, "Love you, too."

Graham had taken a phone call in the kitchen but once he was done he'd walked back to the living room. He sat down on the coffee table in front of Charlotte and touched the back of his his hand to her forehead, "I hate that you're sick."

Charlotte let out a laugh after she took another sip of her honey and lemon tea, "You're telling me."

He rested his elbows on his thighs and shrugged, "If you're still feeling bad in a few days you don't have to worry about going up to see my family."

"No, no. I want to. I do." Charlotte set down her mug and shook her head, "This will pass by then. I've got four days to knock this cold out and I'll be fine. Really. I don't want to miss that." Not only did Charlotte want to go up to the Outer Banks to see where he'd grown up, but she wanted to meet his mom, his dad, his brother and sister, and get to know the people who helped Graham be the man he was.

She had to be one of the most selfless people he knew. He grinned out of the corner of his mouth, "I gotta head back to the base but I'll come back tonight." Graham moved his hand to the side of her head and ran his thumb over her brow.

Charlotte's eyes closed at his touch and she took a deep breath, "Thank you for the soup."

He nodded while leaning down to give her a lingering kiss on her forehead, "I love you."

Amongst her flu-like symptoms, Charlotte could also feel the butterflies. Her brown eyes locked with his green ones, "I love you, too."

He placed another simple kiss on her forehead and got up. He shoved his hands in his navy USCG jacket, "If you need something else..."

"I'll call." Charlotte nodded.

Graham smiled, "Alright, bye."

"Bye."

As Charlotte heard the door open and close she almost instantly felt better. Her throat was still sore, her nose still runny, but she knew she was going to be okay. Everything was going to be just fine. No measly cold was going to bring her down. And even if it did, Graham was going to be there ready to help her back up.

OTHOTH

It was Christmas Eve, three o'clock in the afternoon, and Charlotte was pulling up the driveway to her parents' house. She could feel herself smile when she saw her dad. He was in sweats and bouncing that old leather ball against the hard pavement letting that familiar sound Charlotte had grown up around linger in the air. The cold December wind stung against her exposed skin when she opened her door, and Charlotte shuddered at the temperature.

Nathan put his ball against his hip and looked toward his daughter, "Hey, Char."

"Hi, Dad." Charlotte smiled as she walked toward her father.

He waited for her to get closer before he asked his question. "How are you feeling?"

"Better. A little bit crummy, but better." She gave her father a soft nod and then looked toward her childhood home, "I guess Mom wanted you out of the house while she got everything ready?"

Nathan laughed, "You know how she gets when a lot of people come over." He bounced the ball and shot towards the goal.

Charlotte knew exactly how her mom was. Type A. If things weren't going right she would get completely frazzled.

Picking up his the ball, Nathan turned to his daughter, "But that's why you're here." Nathan nodded towards Charlotte and dribbled over to her. "You always make it better for her."

Rolling her eyes, Charlotte snatched the ball from her dad. "I think you're overestimating me." She shot and they both watched as the ball went through the net.

"Oh really?" Nathan laughed as he got the ball from under the goal.

Charlotte shook her head, "It's you Dad. You're the one Mom needs. Not me." Nathan had passed the ball to Charlotte but she bounced it right back to him with a laugh, "I'm just here to do the little things. Set up the table, fold napkins..." Nathan passed the ball back to Charlotte but she didn't shoot. "I guarantee that...four minutes before everyone starts arriving she'll go upstairs, check her make-up, her hair, and you'll be there. She'll turn to you for a smile and kind words." Charlotte nodded, "I've seen it for the last...twenty three years, and it hasn't changed." A smirk appeared on the young woman's face, "You might be the one underestimating yourself, Dad."

Nathan knew that Charlotte was absolutely right. He turned to her with that same Scott smirk, "I guess so, huh?" He saw her nod, "But I'm thinking you better get inside before that cold of yours starts to flare up."

Charlotte sniffed and knew her dad had a point. "Yeah." She passed the ball back to her father and nodded. She turned to walk inside and took about four steps before Nathan called out to her.

"Hey?" Nathan waited for Charlotte to turn around, "If you happen to get in the fridge you could always swipe me a few of those little finger sandwiches."

Charlotte started to laugh, "I'll try." She headed back to the house still laughing. Both her father and brother had a certain soft spot for those little sandwiches. "Mom?"

"In here." Haley called out from the kitchen.

Making her way inside, Charlotte's eyes went wide as she walked to the kitchen, "Wow."

"I know." Haley looked around with a satisfied nod, "I got a lot done last night and this morning."

"Yes you did." Charlotte saw all the platters set out, the napkins, the plates. The only thing that really needed to be done was actually plating the food.

Haley grabbed a few bottles off the counter, "You feeling better?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Not one hundred percent but I'm getting there." Charlotte followed her mother's lead and grabbed a few bottles to stock in the bar area.

The next tasks were pretty nominal and much of the same but everything was coming together really nicely. Charlotte took note of the decorations and would have to remember to tell Bennet he'd done a great job hanging the garland outside. Her father and brother had really done it but Haley had said Bennet helped when he could.

After taking a Swiffer to the hardwoods for a last minute clean up, Charlotte turned to her mom, "What do we do next?" Charlotte looked to her mom with raised eyebrows. "You get to grab a couple of those sandwiches while I'm not looking and take them to your dad."

Charlotte started to laugh, "Right, because you've seen me take them for Dad and Jamie since I was..."

"Five."

Looking to her mother she shook her head, "And you never said anything?"

The two walked back to the kitchen and Haley laughed, "Honey, there is nothing I don't see. Especially when it involves you, or your brother, or your dad."

"And I thought we'd been getting away with it this whole time." Charlotte laughed at herself.

Haley laughed as well, "You'd be surprised what I know about you three." She opened up the fridge and pulled out the large container filled with the finger sandwiches. "Here."

Charlotte couldn't help but hesitate as she reached in to get a couple sandwiches because it still felt like she was sneaking around, even with her mom standing there. After she grabbed what her dad wanted, Charlotte quickly ran out into the cold to give her father his not so secretly stolen snack. Then she hurried to her car to grab her dress and heels. Had she been smart she would have taken them in earlier because her dress felt ice cold through the hanging bag.

The twenty something Scott ran back to the house and headed for the stairs. She looked to her mom, "Any thing else you need me to do?"

Haley shook her head and glanced to the clock. It would be just over an hour before guests started arriving. "No, go ahead and get ready."

Charlotte started walking to the stairs, "And Dad said he'd come in after he finished making his free throws."

Laughing, Haley smiled. That was just like Nathan.

As Charlotte made it up to the second floor, she walked to her room and had a bit of deja vu. Even if she was grown, it was still felt like every other Christmas Eve, but she knew it was going to be different. She'd still helped her mom out like normal, she was getting dressed at home, she'd shot a few baskets with her father, but this time someone was going to be coming that was going to make it even better. Yes, she'd had boyfriends come to the annual Christmas Eve party but not like this. Tonight she'd be a little extra excited, a little extra nervous, and those butterflies would be coming in droves. Graham had that way about him. And it was a good thing.

Charlotte took a super fast shower, dried her hair, and slipped on her black dress. The necklace she put around her neck was made out of small red and green bells, and Bennet had given it to her. It wasn't the most well made kindergarten craft but it went perfectly with her outfit. Liza was probably going to have one very similar. Red, green, and it even jingled. Fashionable, maybe not. Sweet and sentimental, yes.

She made her way downstairs when she was finished and realized that someone else was already in the kitchen. "Dad!"

Nathan turned around and coiled his hand away from the platter of food. "What? I was just...checking to make sure everything was...set up right."

"Mmm-huh, I bet." Charlotte laughed and arched her brow.

The front door opened and they heard somebody walk in. Nathan was surprised at who it was but Charlotte was the first to speak.

"What? What are you doing here so early."

"Don't act like this is a surprise." Sawyer narrowed her eyes to her cousin and walked to Nathan giving him a side hug, "You both can't honestly say that it's that strange."

Neither Charlotte or Nathan said a word.

"Oh come on!" Sawyer furrowed her brow, "Whatever. I'm starving." Sawyer glanced toward all the food and she started to smile. "Why is it that my mom sucks at cooking and your mom gives all the catering companies in Tree Hill a run for their money?"

Charlotte couldn't think of a very good reason, "I don't know."

The three Scotts that were downstairs conversed for a little while and pretty soon everybody started to arrive: Jamie and his family, Skills, Junk, and Fergie, Sawyer's parents and brother...it was just a matter of time before it would seem like all of Tree Hill was there.

The multitude of cars that were lined up and down the Scott's driveway made it easy for Graham to realize he should park on the street. Walking up the driveway wouldn't be too bad. He got out of his Tahoe and took in a deep wintry breath. The last time he'd been there things hadn't ended up so well. Last time he'd been insecure and worried, but this time he knew better. This time he knew that nothing was going to get in his way with regards to Charlotte Scott. Maybe her cold, but that was only temporary.

As Graham walked up to the house he noticed an old beat up, black 4-Runner and he instantly smiled thinking of Ben. He wouldn't put it past his goofy blonde haired friend if he had dressed up as Santa. Ben was just that kind of guy. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't.

Not sure if he should knock or walk in, Graham stood at the door for a moment and widened his eyes when it opened.

"You know you seem kind of suspicious just standing by the door. Someone's gonna think you're a creep if you don't come in."

Graham laughed at Sawyer, "Maybe I should come in."

"Uh-yeah. And it's freezing outside, so unless you're one of those weirdos who likes cold weather then I would say yeah, you might wanna come in."

As Graham stepped inside he looked around, "I saw Ben's car."

"Yeah, he's around here somewhere. Talking with my dad or something."

Charlotte was walking out of the kitchen and noticed Sawyer talking with Graham. A smile started to creep across her face and she made her way over to them. "You're here."

He turned to the voice coming from his right and saw the black dress hugging her curves. Her hair was down and he was pretty sure she jingled as she walked. "Hey." Graham took a step closer to give her a kiss but had to settle for her forehead when Charlotte ducked. Apparently she was worried she was going to give him whatever sickness it was she had, even if it wasn't contagious.

"I'm gonna go find Ben..." Sawyer figured she could leave the couple alone for a minute.

Graham let out a laugh while Sawyer walked away.

"What?" Charlotte arched her brow and shook her head.

"You know, it's not gonna kill me if I kiss you."

A blush she'd inherited from her mother crept across the brunette's cheeks, "I just...I'm not...It's only..."

"I won't get sick."

Charlotte narrowed her eyes with a smile. She wasn't trying to torture him but she knew that it had been a while she they'd kissed. Really kissed.

"Graham!" Little footsteps echoed through the foyer as Bennet ran up to his aunt and her boyfriend.

"Hey, Bennet."

The little boy's eyes got wide, "Santa's coming tonight! You know what I asked for?"

"What?"

"Earplugs!" The enthusiasm in the little boy's voice was contagious.

Charlotte made a funny face and looked down to her nephew, "Earplugs? What? I thought you wanted a trampoline?"

Bennet nodded, "That too, but earplugs first because Claire cries a lot."

Graham couldn't help but smile at the newly turned six year old. "Well you know what? If Santa forgets some earplugs I can bring you some heavy duty ones we wear in the helicopter."

"You can?" Bennet got an excited look on his face.

"Yeah, sure."

"Awesome, I'm gonna go tell Dad."

Charlotte laughed as the little blue eyed boy ran off to find his father. "Well that was interesting. I've never heard of a kid wanting earplugs for Christmas."

"That's because you were the youngest." Graham shrugged, "It's a whole different story when you've got a baby brother or sister. I remember Crawford cried forever when he was little."

Charlotte grimaced. She probably kept Jamie up all the time when she was a baby. One day she'd have to remember to apologize for that.

Charlotte slipped her arms around Graham's waist and looked up to him, "But you'd do that? You'd get him those fancy earplugs?"

Graham nodded, "I think I can manage to grab a pair."

In that moment Charlotte knew that this man was incredible. The way he was with her, and the way he looked when he'd said that, the way he'd talked with Bennet. It was the smallest of things but it was everything.

"I love you." Charlotte looked up to Graham with a nod. "I do."

Graham smiled, "I love you too." He couldn't help but remember exactly what Charlotte had told him on the Diligence a few weeks ago. "Today, tomorrow, and the day after that."

Charlotte recognized his words and seemed to forget about that pesky cold she had, because she'd lifted herself on her toes and met her lips with his. It was simple and sweet and nothing overly affectionate, but it was exactly what Graham had been missing while she'd been in her 'don't kiss me, I'm sick' phase.

He laughed when they parted, "I missed that."

Charlotte pulled him close and nodded, "Me, too. Sorry I got sick." She kissed him again before she laughed, "I guess I was pretty dumb, huh? To think it was better to stay away from this." Charlotte was staring at his lips big time.

Shaking his head, Graham looked down to her with a smile, "Charlotte Scott, dumb? I'd like to see the day."

She playfully rolled her eyes and grabbed onto his arm, "Come on."

Charlotte pulled Graham towards the living room and both of them new that this was going to be something that would happen in years to come. Obviously Christmas Eve, but it was more than just that. It was they way they interacted and they way things were going. It was so painfully obvious that both Charlotte and Graham were on a track leading to forever. Where that train stopped along the way was yet to be determined but somehow it wouldn't matter.

One thing was for sure though. Next on their list destinations: Kill Devils Hill, North Carolina. It was time for Charlotte to meet Graham's family.

OTHOTH

Three days later it was December 27th and Charlotte was feeling great. Her throat was fine, her runny nose had stopped running and the only thing left over from her late December funk had been a random cough every now and then. And it was one of those random coughs that let the curly headed Scott girl know the brunette was awake.

Sawyer was equipped with her coffee mug dressed in her new utility boots she'd gotten for Christmas. No, she had no intention on going outside, she wasn't even leaving the house, she was just like any other child was after they'd gotten exactly what they wanted for Christmas. The lanky blonde clomped down the hall to Charlotte's room and leaned on the door frame.

"These boots are the shit."

Charlotte had her back to her cousin while she double checked the contents of her suitcase, but heard that familiar Sawyer laugh. Turning around, Charlotte saw her best friend sporting boyshort pajama shorts and a long sleeve shirt coupled with those new boots of hers.

Lifting her one of her legs, Sawyer gave it a wiggle, "I mean seriously. Tell me these things aren't bad ass."

Smiling because Sawyer looked so ridiculous in her pajamas and boots, Charlotte couldn't help but smile, "Yes. They're definitely...fashion forward."

Sawyer furrowed her brow, "No, they're not." She shook her head and stepped further into Charlotte's room, "But...when the Tric parking lot is swimming in a sea of sludge and gravel...then they'll kick major ass." Sawyer took a long sip of her coffee while she nodded. She glanced toward the suitcase and raised her brow, "So? Are you getting nervous?"

Pressing down the folded clothes, Charlotte zipped her suitcase shut and knew she could only be honest. "Yeah."

"Really?" Sawyer kinked her eyebrow and she sat down on Charlotte's bed. "I thought you'd be ready to go up there."

"No, yeah I am. I just... It's his whole family. Mom, dad, brother, sister, niece, nephew..." Charlotte let out a deep breath, "I don't know. I don't think anybody could not be nervous."

Maybe Charlotte had a point, but Sawyer was pretty sure when she met Ben's dad that she could handle herself. Sawyer took a quick glance at the clock on the bedside table, "So when is he coming to get you?"

"Soon. It takes almost five hours to get up there."

Sawyer's eyes went big, "Five hours! Damn. Ben would drive me crazy if we were in the car that long together."

Charlotte laughed. Obviously Sawyer hadn't really thought about the day Ben would take her to Memphis. That would be a thirteen hour drive.

"What are you smiling about?" Sawyer turned to Charlotte curious about why she seemed so lighthearted about a five hour drive.

"Nothing. It's nothing." Charlotte kept her thoughts to herself and saved them for another day.

Looking out the window, Sawyer peeled her eyes, "Is that him?" She watched as a white SUV drove toward their house but it never stopped. "Guess not." Sawyer started to get off the bed and took another long sip of her coffee, "Well I'm going to wait out in the living room where there is a TV so..."

"Ha." Charlotte laughed, "Yeah, I'll be out in a second."

Charlotte watched her cousin leave her room and she walked toward her drawers. She opened up the top drawer and grabbed Graham's birthday card. She'd never been the best card picker-outer, but she smiled when she saw the picture on the front. It was an adorable puppy. One whose face was all pinched together and wrinkly. The words on the inside made her laugh. Sawyer had been out shopping with her and she was the one who'd been adamant about getting this particular card. It was symbolically important for Charlotte, but it was plain funny to Sawyer. I know what you're thinking. My wrinkles look better than yours, but at least you don't have hair on your butt. Happy birthday, you lucky dog. Charlotte pulled out a pen and opened up the card. She still needed to sign it .I love you. Today, tomorrow, and the day after that. -Charlotte.

Her penmanship looked nice and when she was finished Charlotte slipped the card into the envelope. She tucked it inside her purse and then reached for her suitcase. With her purse, her suitcase, and Graham's birthday present, Charlotte hit the lights and left her bedroom.

As she walked toward the living room she heard the front door open and there he was. Right on time.

"Hey." Graham quickly closed the front door and smiled at Charlotte as he walked to her, "Let me get some of that." He reached for her suitcase and leaned down to kiss her kiss.

That blush of Charlotte's started to creep across her face paired with a smile, "Morning."

"Morning." His green eyes locked with her brown ones and then he looked down to her bags, "Is this it?"

"Yeah, I'm just gonna get my coat."

Graham watched her walk toward the hall closet and he turned to see Sawyer splayed out on the couch. He laughed at her outfit and pointed, "Nice boots."

For a second Sawyer thought he'd said, 'Nice boobs', but obviously she misheard him when she noticed that Graham's eyes were looking at her footwear, not her chest. "Yeah, they're pretty awesome."

Laughing, Graham nodded, "So I take it you're feeling better?"

"Oh yeah. That was purely situational sickness. You know? I mean go to work, or fake a cough and watch movies all day? Not a hard decision." Sawyer shook her head with a laugh. "What about you? Charlotte hasn't given you what she had, did she? I saw you two at the Christmas Eve party." Sawyer started to smirk because Charlotte and Graham had seemingly broken Charlotte's rule about kissing while sick.

"No, I'm fine."

"Mmm-huh. I'm sure you are." Sawyer started to smile and Charlotte walked back from getting her coat.

"I'm good, are you ready."

Normally Graham was the one who asked that, but he nodded his head, "Yeah. We should probably hit the road if we want to get there by lunch."

"Well you two have fun...at the beach...in the winter."

Charlotte just rolled her eyes as they headed for the door. Sawyer was probably just jealous.

"We will." Graham knew that Sawyer had said it as more of a negative thing, but there was nothing about the beach in the winter that he loved more. There was something incredibly peaceful about the water and the temperature colliding on a cold Winter day.

"Bye Saw, I'll call you later."

"Yeah, call me later. I'll want the dish on the in-laws." Sawyer flopped down on the couch and waved goodbye to Graham.

Charlotte got a little red in the face by Sawyer's choice of words. In-laws, the McFarlands were not. She took a deep breath and watch Graham pick up her suitcase. Charlotte had her purse and his birthday present in her hands and they were ready to go. They were about to set sail on an adventure across the blacktop of rural North Carolina, and everything was going to be just fine.

OTHOTH

Charlotte tossed her magazine down on the floorboard and gazed outside. She'd never really noticed it before, but North Carolina had a lot more farm country that she ever realized. Corn, tobacco, you name it, it was on the side of the rode.

"It'll be about an hour." Graham glanced over at his girlfriend and smiled, "We'll start seeing a bunch of ferry signs soon."

"Do we get to do that? Go on a ferry?"

He shook his head, "No. We take sixty four all the way up there."

Charlotte inwardly frowned, "Oh."

Graham caught on to her tone of voice, "You sound a little disappointed."

Shaking her head, Charlotte shrugged, "No, I just thought it might be kind of fun."

"Maybe one day we're there we can go down to Hatteras and ride the ferry to Ocracoke?"

"Ocra-what?"

Graham laughed, "Ocra-coke. Like the vegetable and drink." He smiled at her poor knowledge of the Outer Banks. "It's a little island just south of Hatteras. It's a great spot for tourist and there are some really good restaurants down there."

"That might be fun. Does the ferry run during the winter?"

"Yeah, it's the only way the locals can get to the mainland."

It all sounded like some novel setting. The isolation and separation, in someways it seemed romantic. Like two people could find themselves stuck in one place at one time. Charlotte had this image of an older man sitting by the ferry docks, waiting for the gray clouds to part, and hearing that fog horn blow. Hoping, wishing, knowing that that his longtime love was sailing back to him. But that was just an illusion. A novel her uncle might one day write.

Charlotte has been in a daydream thinking about the coarse Atlantic beaches when she decided to let in a little bit of fresh air.

"Wh...Charlotte, don't! Roll it up, roll it up!"

Charlotte quickly rolled up the window unaware of what she did wrong. Charlotte looked at Graham petrified, "Wh...what?"

Pointing his finger, Graham shook his head, "You see all those aluminum looking buildings?" The smell started to float through the car and Graham pulled his shirt up to cover his nose. "They're chicken coops. Thousands of them."

Charlotte's nostrils felt like they were on fire. She'd never smelled something that vile in her entire life. It was almost gag worthy. "Ugh, gah. That's nasty. Ugh."

"I know. It's the only thing I don't miss about home." He laughed and tried to blow away any of the smell away from his immediate airways.

"I'm sorry. If I'd known I would have never opened the window."

"It was my fault." Graham shook his head, "I should have warned you."

At this point, Charlotte was clamping her nose so hard that she was sure she was going to get bruise. It didn't seem to help though, Charlotte was pretty sure she could even taste it. "When does it go away."

"In a little while."

"How long is that?"

Graham started to laugh. He'd looked at Charlotte and it had to be one of his favorite looks. Furrowed brow, covered nose, her shirt was pulled up, and she even had raised her arm to shield the smell. That image was worth,or almost worth the horrible chicken coop smell.

"What? What did I do? Stop looking at me like I did this on purpose."

"I'm not." He laughed and shook his head, "I know you didn't do it on purpose." Graham laughed as he tugged the collar of his shirt further up his face.

Charlotte felt like a complete idiot for rolling down her window when she did. If she'd only waited a half a mile then they smell like an unkempt farm. A really, really, really dirty one.

"You hate me right now, I know it."

Graham shook his head, "No. But we'll be there in less than an hour and if that chicken smell is lingering on your clothes I kinds think my parents might."

"Oh my God." Charlotte looked down at her shirt and tried to think what she would do if she still reeked of chicken poo when they got to his parents' house. "Great. This is just great."

Seeing that Charlotte was getting pretty flustered, Graham arched his brow with a sarcastic smile, "I was kidding. It'll be fine. You'll smell fine, and my parents will love you." Graham was pretty sure it was safe to lower his shirt so he did. "I promise."

Charlotte still had her hands and everything she could covering her nose.

"They will." Graham reached his hand over the center console and waited for Charlotte to put her hand in his. She did and he looked to her with a nod. "Crawford loves the Bobcats so you're already good in his book. My mom's heard how important family is to you and that's her biggest thing. Dad's pretty quiet, but get him talking about the Banks or the legends behind the islands and you'll be his favorite person in the world. You and Lane are a lot alike and I think you two will get along great. Then Caroline and Harrison are the two little ones. I know how you are with Bennet and Claire so I have no doubt they'll attach themselves to your hip."

Hearing Graham talk about his family, Charlotte didn't know if it made her more nervous or relieved. It was probably a little bit of both. But no matter the case, as long as he was by her side, Charlotte was pretty sure this meet and greet was gonna be better than expected. It was going to have to. Charlotte loved Graham and that wasn't going to change. These people could end up being staples in her life.

They passed a sign that said it was only 28 miles away, and Charlotte knew it would only be about half an hour till they got to Kill Devil Hills. They were going to be there before she knew it.

OTHOTH

Ah, I know. Why'd you stop there? Cause the first part ended up being way long. There was no way I could write a chapter including what happens in the OBX without boring you to death with the length. It was already eight thousand words. But there are things we've learned in this chapter that might be worth remembering for next chapter.

Graham's birthday is coming up. What did Charlotte get him? Any guesses what that sign Peyton made is about or what Graham's other present might be?

Charlotte was sick. Is that going to rear it's ugly head and leave Graham sick too?

From the little description we got, which of Graham's family members do you think Charlotte will get along the best with?

Teasers for next chapter cause I know you all are probably mad I couldn't include meeting the McFarlands in here: Charlotte is convinced Crawford will hate her because something that Graham does. Graham's knowledge of the beaches puts him in a situation where he shows off his public service skills. Story time. Graham's gonna get a chance to tell Charlotte a story. Something he hasn't gotten to do recently. There's more but I'll let some of it be a surprise.

My reviewers are incredible and I cannot thank you enough for your continued support. I generously thank each of you, and I hope you've enjoyed the story so far.

Blurrystars: Yeah, it's kind of a toss up when it comes to favorite couples. Charlotte and Graham vs. Jamie and Liza. Most of the time my favorite changes. I'm glad you're glad that they got back together last chapter. And in regards to Graham having a moment...he may have. He could have had some sort of realization of the obvious but I think he knew all along that he'd made a mistake. But he'll have a more clear moment that will be touched on about Charlotte in the future. What will that moment lead up to? I'll keep quiet on that front. That foreshadowing was the obvious kicker that will and should have most people worried. Don't start freaking out yet though. It won't happen for a while.

MagicalNaley23: I fully understand that you weren't exactly a fan of Graham last chapter. He was putting Charlotte in a horrible place because he couldn't really seem to fight his own insecurities. Yes, last chapter gave a clue as to what's a head for Jamie and Liza in their story but there is still much more of that scenario still left to be told. I know you mentioned that you wanted Claire in the new chapter but I wasn't able to fit her in. Maybe you liked that Bennet was in there? Graham's niece and nephew will be included next chapter so that might be along the lines of what you're wanting to see.

Review Please!