Chapter 14
"Hello baby" Charles says as Liza answers her phone. He has decided to FaceTime tonight. With everything that has happened today, of all the things that he didn't like about the day, getting to talk to her and see her face is something that helps correct the wrongs of the day, he has missed her today.
"Hey handsome" Liza smiles at him, looking to see if he seems better than he did when he left the office today for his meeting with his lawyer and Pauline. He had a look of dread on his face when he left. She has been worried about him all day, she loves him so very much and when he is down, she is there with him.
"It's been the day from hell. I would love to have this day back again and omit the Pauline parts. Plus, I've missed you so much, I don't like being without you Liza."
"So, do you want to tell me about it? Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?" She knows that she'd do almost anything for this man, never thinking that she'd love him this much.
He sighs heavily, "Pauline is going to get an apartment in New York. She wants joint custody of my girls. Our lawyers say that we should switch them off between us, we each get them every other week. God Liza, how am I supposed to live without them for a whole fucking week?!" He rubs his forehead, face and chin, his frustration is clearly evident.
Liza takes a deep breath and speaks softly. "Charles, I know that it's hard, but you must think about the girls. If they want to see her, then you know you'll have to let them spend time with her. At least she is staying close and not wanting to take them back to California."
"Then she announces she doesn't want the divorce, she wants me to take her back! I told her that she was delusional, that it wasn't going to happen, that I don't love her any more and that our marriage was over before she walked out. She knew that too, she knew we weren't working for years."
"Oh…so she…uh" Liza doesn't know what to say, she cannot form the words as her mind starts to spin. The color has drained from her face, she suddenly feels sick to her stomach.
He immediately sees Liza's color drain from her face, he feels terrible for telling her about that part of the day, he needs to reassure her. "Liza baby, I promise that I'd never take her back. I love you and I want to be with you, not her. I want to get my divorce finalized so I can be with you. My lawyer knows that I'm proceeding with this divorce and that is that." Charles looks at her, trying to see that she understands that it's her, not his ex-wife that he wants to spend his life with.
"But does she know that? I'm scared Charles, you both have history… years of history…" Liza's heart is trying to break, and the room seems to be spinning, colors are fading. She thinks that she can't lose this man, not now, not after they have found each other.
"Liza, you are my love, I never expected you ever! Please believe me, you are my future, the only future I want. I love you, I've never known love like this. You're not going to lose me baby." He again works to reassure her, but she is still looking as if someone has drained her life blood from her body. He pleads, "Hey, come back to me, Liza look at me." She finally looks at him through the phone screen. "I love you, only you." He smiles at her gently, and now his heart is breaking to see her so scared, and he thinks again 'God, why did I tell her about that part of the meeting, I can't stand seeing her so frightened, so heartbroken, so uncertain.'
"I know that you love me, it's just scary. I get it, I know how wonderful you are, and she'd be crazy to not want you back. Was I delusional to think she wouldn't want you back? I promise I'm not going to let her return to New York and wanting you back screw with my head. I love you Charles, I know that we have something special."
"Liza, she wasn't crazy to leave me, our marriage wasn't working, I wasn't this man with her. Liza, it's because of you that I want to be this man I am today with you. With you by my side, I feel alive again, having you has made me whole. When you walked into my life you changed it and made is wonderful. I love you. I'll never stop loving you." He admits as his heart is in his throat, choking back tears.
"I just can't imagine how I'd survive without you and your love. I know that we should not define ourselves with the love we have for another, that we are our own person, but I don't want to be without you, I want you to be my greatest love, I want to be defined as your greatest love. Charles, you're the sweetest man I've ever known. I love you and I'll never stop loving you." She kisses her phone and wipes the tears from her eyes.
"Hey, why don't you come on over. It's not too late. The girls just got to bed, so just come over so we can hold each other tonight. I need you by my side Liza. I can get the girls off to school in the morning and then we can head to work. Or we can play hooky and just spend the day together. Come on baby, let me order you a car." He looks for her to say yes. "I need you."
She smiles, knowing she can't resist the invite. She needs him desperately, "Charles, you're getting bold! Having me over again on a work night, the girls are home. I don't know…what if they wake up and find me there?"
"Then maybe it's time we tell them that we are dating, that you are in my life and I'm not letting you go. I really need you tonight, and I can tell you need me too. Come over Liza."
"Ok, I'll put together a bag and some clothes for tomorrow, but we have to go to work. I unfortunately have a couple meetings tomorrow that cannot be rescheduled." She starts moving around her room picking out her essentials for a sleep over and a workday tomorrow.
Liza gets to the brownstone at 10:45 pm. He greets her with a soft kiss and they quietly go upstairs. "I'm having a drink, you want one?" Charles asks.
"Yes, I'd love one."
"Bourbon? Wine?" Charles asks.
"I'll have what you're having." She smiles as he pours her a bourbon.
They sit on the sofa and just hold each other. "Liza, I want to tell the girls that we are together. I want you to be able to come over and not have to sneak you in and out. I'm tired of sneaking around."
"But if we tell them, then that means that Pauline will find out. We can't ask them to keep that from her, nor do I think they could. Plus, it could cause issues with your divorce."
"Liza I was this close to telling Pauline today." He holds his finger and thumb up to show a tiny space between them.
"Are you really ready to do this? Do you think it's wise? Are you just reacting to her coming back and saying she wants to make it work?"
"No, if she hadn't come back, I'd still want to tell the girls. I'm ready Liza. Aren't you? Don't you want to be free of hiding?"
"Of course, I'm ready to tell them, but I think you should talk to your divorce attorney first. Get his opinion before we say anything. Let's see what he thinks, okay? If he's okay with it, then yeah let's do it." They both silently thinking about how wonderful it will be to open up to his girls, about being a family.
He leans into her and kisses her, tasting of bourbon "Mmmm, you taste good" she looks at him. "Ready for bed?"
He stands and takes her hand, they walk up to his bedroom and get ready for bed. They again just hold each other tight under the soft sheets and comforter in Charles' bed, feeling the warmth of each other, listening to each other breathe, both feeling content that they are in each other's arms, ending this hard day together as a couple. Liza pulls his t-shirt so that he rolls over to her, her mouth opening to his soft gentle kiss, moaning his name as they kiss. "Charles, I love you." The kiss becomes a kiss of need and necessity. Charles removes her t-shirt and her panties, then his t-shirt and boxers. He makes love to her tenderly and shows her how much he loves and needs her.
Charles, Nicole and Bianca are walking back into the brownstone after their week vacation at Disney World. It's been a month since Pauline showed back up and she has finally signed a lease on an apartment. The girls will be starting the new weekly stays between Charles and Pauline tomorrow.
The girls were reunited with their mother on the last day of school, which was about three weeks ago, the first meeting went well, better than what Charles expected, but when it was all said and done, he was glad the girls weren't traumatized by the encounter. Since then there were day visits with their mother, but no staying over at her hotel overnight. Tomorrow at her new apartment will be the first night stay. They've been there and even got to help pick out their furniture for their bedrooms, they seem excited to have their new rooms at her place. Charles is not happy, but he tells himself 'it's for the girls'.
Charles is exhausted, no amount of his daily workout routine could not have prepared his 44 almost 45-year-old body for Disney World, chasing around his two young daughters. He thinks if he never has to go to Disney World ever again, it will be too soon. It would have been easier to have another adult there with him and his girls. He would have loved to have Liza there, spending vacation as a family. But since they had still not told the girls about them dating, then vacation was just him and his girls.
Charles' divorce attorney did advise against saying anything about Liza to the girls and Pauline. "We're actually close to a settlement Charles. Since Pauline is getting to share custody, she isn't really pushing back on the rest of the divorce, just a couple loose ends to tie up on, so we'll get it done, get her to sign and then you can tell the girls about Liza."
A new work week and Liza is ready for it to start. She hasn't seen Charles for ten days, he has been on vacation with his girls, but today he'll be back to work and she can't wait to see him. Liza's heart and soul has missed him dearly, she had never missed David when he left on extended trips, if anything she welcomed the time apart from him. This love she has for Charles is so different, she wonders if she really even loved David, maybe it was love because he was the father of her daughter, but one thing was for sure, the love she has for Charles is beyond any love she ever thought possible for another human being, aside from her daughter.
She has a cute summer dress on with flat sandals, her hair is down and wavy, just how he likes it, she dressed for him today, she is hoping he will like what he sees. She is at the office early, wanting to get a couple things done before everyone gets in, she knows once he walks in her attention will be on him, she will be distracted, knowing she will be looking for him throughout the office as the day goes by, hoping to run into him, sneak moments with him or to possibly catch him looking for her or at her. Those moments between them, when she catches him watching her, it's heady and she wants to just run to him and breath him in or do whatever he desires, she can tell at times those looks are full of desire, she wants to give him whatever he wants. Yes, he can be a distraction, she must work hard at her job now that she knows who the real Charles Brooks is, Charles Brooks after hours, Charles Brooks behind closed doors, the romantic and sexy as fuck, Charles Brooks makes it hard to concentrate.
Charles walks into the office with his long confident stride and is dressed in a nice blue suit and he is tan from his week in Florida. Liza sees him first, as Kelsey and Diana have their backs to his entrance. Liza's mouth goes dry 'dear lord' she thinks, 'he's tan, and looks more handsome than ever' she licks her lips. Charles gives her a smile as he sees her, his beautiful smile, looking oh so much more beautiful, is it because she hasn't seen him in 10 days, or could it be the tan, either way, it's simply the most beautiful sight to her right now. "Charles, you're back!" Liza tries to sound normal, she is melting at the sight of him.
"Good morning Liza, Kelsey and Diana." He also tries to sound normal, but the sight of his girl standing there with her hair down around her shoulders, shoulders he wants to kiss, wearing a pretty summer dress. He just wants to take her hand, drag her to his office and kiss her, a lot. He's missed her, more than he expected, at times his heart hurt not having her with him. 'No more vacations without her!' he thinks to himself.
Diana asks "How was Disney World? Looks like you got some sun while you were there." She looks him up and down, she is affected by his presence, she always has been.
"It was a good vacation, but exhausting. Do you know how hard it is to keep up with two young girls in that place? My old dad bod can't handle that type of vacation, I really needed help." He chuckles and looks quickly at Liza, he is secretly letting her know that he would have loved to have her there with him. "I'm glad to be back home and back to work."
Liza immediately thinks 'Oh, your old man bod is just fine Mr. Brooks!' Shaking her head and trying to sound professional, "We're glad you're back, will we see you at our morning meeting? Kelsey and I have possibly found a new author that we'd love to tell you about."
"I'll be there. I guess I better get to work then." The girls watch him walk to his office. It's hard not to watch him walk in to or out of a room, he's just that kind of man. Liza knows that she's not the only woman that can't keep her eyes off him, he has that effect on women, and probably men.
Liza's phone pings when she gets to her desk. It's a text from Charles. 'You look very pretty this morning. I need to kiss you. Come see me before the meeting.'
She smiles and replies 'You look delicious with that tan. God I've missed you.'
Ten minutes later she is wrapped in his arms as he leans up against his desk, she is between his long legs, pressing to him and kissing him. "Are you still coming over tonight?" Charles breathes in between kisses and nibbling at her ear, his hand caressing her ass under her skirt. "I can't wait for the work day to finish. Let's go out for dinner and then we'll head to your loft, pick up some clothes for you, the girls are gone for the week, let's just shack up together all week, see what it's like, who knows maybe you'll like it and want to make it permanent." He smirks but he is also very serious. He wants her in his home, he wants it to be her home.
"You're crazy! But I'd love to play house with you! Even if its only a week at a time. I missed you Charles." She loves the feel of his body touching hers, she can feel he is excited she is back in his arms.
"I missed you too. No more vacations without you Liza. I had fun with the girls, but I sure wished you had been there with us. I want us to be a family." He looks at her and is about to kiss her again, when they hear a knock at his office door. "Shit!" He allows Liza to lift away from him and he decides to move back to behind his desk and sit down, as it could be embarrassing to see how excited he is right now. "Come in!" Charles acknowledges the knock at the door. It is Kelsey.
Kelsey knows what they have been up too, she is trying to become more accepting of their relationship. She has tried telling herself that maybe she was a bit harsh on Liza about the lie, and with Charles for his choices. She has been missing her friendship with Liza and even Charles, he has always been on her side and believed in her as a young assistant, an editor and then founder of Millennial. She is unfortunately still upset with them though, it is hard getting over the fact that she was lied too, she wonders why they couldn't confide in her.
Liza and Charles have been giving Kelsey her space, not pushing anything on a friendship, they are just work colleagues with her. They've been keeping it very professional with her. They both agree, if it's meant to be then that friendship will conquer all.
"Sorry to interrupt. But Liza and I really want to meet with you about our latest author, her ideas and her manuscript. We're going to bring it up at the morning meeting, but we need to set up a meeting with you so we can go into this book with more depth. Do you have time for us today or tomorrow?" Kelsey's professional side can be one of the best.
"I'll look at my calendar for today and tomorrow and get back with you on that. Is that ok with you both?"
"Sure, thanks Charles." Kelsey smiles. "It's time for the meeting, maybe we should head that way." Kelsey and Liza head out. Charles follows.
No one in the office seem to have noticed that Liza was in there alone with Charles, they just see the girls coming out with Charles, as if they were all in a meeting. Charles and Liza are doing a great job at keeping their relationship quiet, or so they think. They have done well at staying professional around everyone else while in the office, but if they get a moment alone together, they can't keep from little touches or quick kisses or sweet words to each other. They are hoping to stay under the radar until his divorce is final, then they plan on talking to HR.
Getting back to the brownstone, Liza and Charles are carrying some things of Liza's up to his room and hanging up her things in his closet. Charles had moved some things around in his closet, cleared out half of the drawers in his dresser and has also cleared out part of the bathroom closet so that she can place her things and leave some things if she likes. He's already made up his mind that once his divorce is final, the girls know and accept her as his girlfriend, he's going to ask her to move in. He wants her there every night and morning.
She decided to just bring enough for a couple days. If they don't end up driving each other crazy spending their days and nights together and they still want to spend the rest the week together she'd pick up more things later in the week.
"I just don't want you to think I'm moving in. What if you don't like seeing me all the time?" She looks at him.
"Liza, I love seeing you all the time! Don't worry about it, we'll play it by ear and see if we can tolerate each other as much as we think we can. I'm hoping that we enjoy this and maybe someday, my home can be your home." He kisses her softly.
They sit down after putting her things away, they have changed into their evening 'hanging around the house' clothes and are talking about finding an author that has a paranormal novel to publish. They both enjoyed the trip to Savannah and the ghost/paranormal tours, it was something that they both want to pursue into a best seller. Charles wants it to be an Empirical book with Liza as the lead editor. Her promotion as executive editor was not only for Millennial, but also for Empirical. She is contractually hired by Empirical, she is not tied to only Millennial. Charles also wants her to move exclusively to Empirical in about a year. The senior editor at Empirical is planning on retiring in a year and he is wanting to get Liza set up to take over at that point. She has been working close with Michael the senior editor for Empirical, attempting to get the feel for the promotion. "I think if you prove yourself in this executive editor position, bring in a couple best sellers, work closely with Michael, then you'll be ready for Senior Editor at Empirical when he retires."
"Charles, are you doing this because…." She looks at him.
"Absolutely not! You're great as an editor Liza. If you weren't with me, I'd still be pointing you in this direction. I know you've got what it takes, and you know you can do it. You are young, you'll have new insights, new ideas and hopefully will be here until you retire, until we retire, you and I are the future of Empirical Liza, I think with you and me together, we'll push Empirical to new heights in the publishing world." He reassures her, he knows that some people may think she is getting this job early in her editorial career, but he knows she has what it takes, she may not have the years of experience, but she is very smart and will do well with her new career.
"Enough about work, this is our first night together 'playing house'." He laughs and starts a playlist on his stereo system. "Wanna dance baby?" reaching for her hand. As the music plays, Charles pulls Liza in his arms and they dance around the room. They are dancing to all different speeds of music, slow and close, even fast and fun. They are laughing, kissing and holding each other tight, they make each other feel like they are young kids in college during times like this.
"Dancing with you is the best, I really love it. It doesn't matter where we are, I love that you want to dance with me Charles. It's romantic, sexy and it makes me so very happy. It's something very new to me, I've never had a partner that loved to dance as much as you."
"It's an excuse to hold you close Liza." He dips her and kisses her neck. "Those guys that didn't ask you to dance don't know what they were missing out on. Clearly they were losers."
"Clearly." She smiles and kisses his lips.
They dance to another slow song, this time they are holding tight, Liza and Charles both have their arms wrapped around each other. Her head is in his chest, his nose is in her hair, as they both breathe in each other. "I hope you'll always be this romantic Charles. Please don't ever stop being this way."
"I think as long as I have you, I'll be this romantic. You make me want to be romantic."
"Isn't it time for bed? And I need to see you 'dad bod', it's been too long." She looks up at him when the song is over. She has been yearning to be in his arms in more ways than one today. It's been too long since they have spent the night together.
"You read my mind baby. Come, I'll show you anything you want to see." He says in her ear.
They shut down the house and head to bed. He takes charge and makes love to her, bringing their first night of 'playing house' to a delicious end. "I love you Liza."
"I love you Charles."
They fall asleep feeling very happy about life.
A couple days later and it is Charles' birthday, he is 45 and looking very handsome, healthy and very much in love for this birthday. "What do you want to do for your birthday Charles? I know the girls will be with their mom, but we can do something, or if you want maybe she will let you have them for the day, and we can plan a small celebration."
"I've never been a big birthday guy Liza. You don't have to worry about me. And the girls and I celebrated early while we were in Disney World."
"No! You wouldn't let me say no when it was my birthday, so I'm not letting you get by without doing something for you. Do you want to go out? Or do we just celebrate with a couple friends?" She wants him to have a good birthday, plus after she has something very sexy planned for him, she remembers back to her birthday and the amazing sex, she wants him to have a good experience too.
Charles thinks about it and does admit it would be nice to maybe celebrate some. This is his first birthday with Liza in his life, so yes, he could celebrate somewhat. "I guess we can see about dinner out with Bob and Julia, maybe Maggie. Something quick and simple, nothing crazy and over the top, and maybe later you'll give me something special." The sexy look he gives her is enough to make her want to pass up any other celebration and move straight to her gift for him, but she tells herself to wait, she will get to his special gift later.
"Great, leave it to me. I'll call and see if we can get everyone together for tonight."
At lunch time Charles receives a call from his girls to wish him a happy birthday. "Aw, thank you girls."
"Are you having a good birthday daddy?" They ask as they FaceTime with him.
"Sure, I'm going to have dinner with some friends after work, and my co-workers even brought me a cupcake today." He holds up the cupcake with a single candle. "How about you two, are you having fun with your mom?"
"Yes daddy, but we miss you."
"I miss you too. Hey, I'll see you in a few days, so have fun with your mom okay?"
They talk for a few minutes. When he hangs up, he feels good and happy that he got to talk to them, it was an unexpected call, and it made his day.
Charles, Liza, Maggie, Bob and Julia celebrate his birthday later over dinner in a very nice Italian restaurant, there is a lot of great food, wine and conversation. There is laughter and Charles thinks, it's not been such a bad birthday celebration after all. During dinner he keeps his hand on Liza's thigh, softly rubbing it, his anticipation of more celebration with her alone has his blood flowing as well as the wine tonight.
After they get home Liza instructs Charles to get dressed for bed. "Let me get ready and I'll be in to join you." She kisses him seductively and walks into the bathroom. He wonders 'what is she up to?' but does as he is told, he strips down to his boxers and climbs into bed and waits. Liza opens the bathroom door and his breath hitches as he sees her. "Happy Birthday Charles" as she walks to the edge of the bed and presents him with a nice new tie that she has tied around her neck, she is wearing nothing else.
"Liza, that's the best birthday gift I could ask for." He reaches for the tie and pulls her gently to him. "Yes, the best birthday gift. I love you baby." She continues to give him his gift for hours, doing all the things he loves for her to do to him.
After they are laying sated in the other's arms, Charles kisses her and confesses, "We connect so well. When I'm with you I get lost in you Liza. How is it possible to love someone so much? I've never loved this hard before. Don't freak out Liza, but I'm going to ask you to marry me some day, just so you know."
She is looking at him as he confesses these beautiful sentiments, pouring his heart and feelings out to her. She kisses him softly and looks him in the eyes, holding each side of his face. "I've never loved this hard either and I look forward to the day you ask me to marry you. I know that we've only been together for a few months, but I know I don't want anything but to be with you."
The next day, after Liza has reached out to multiple agents over the last week to try to find a paranormal writer. She is starting to get call backs on her search and has requested manuscripts to be sent and they are starting to come in. Since this is going to be an Empirical book, she is working with Michael, the senior editor at Empirical and of course Charles is also hanging close, he is very interested in finding a new paranormal novel for Empirical. Liza is meeting with writers and reading everything first, she will be picking out the better ones, then she will present her findings and her ideas for editing on each potential novel to Michael and Charles.
Charles has been in touch with his girls every day this week. He is missing the girls, but they seem to be doing well at their mother's new apartment. He tells Liza that he wants them to be happy and he is coming to terms with having to split their time between the parents. "Pauline and I have created this life for them, I just want them to be happy and feel as normal as they possibly can. I know that her coming back and wanting to spend time with them is the best thing for them."
"Charles, they are adapting well, I don't think you'll have to worry about them."
Charles and Liza have managed to not get on each other's nerves all week. Liza is still staying with him. They are basically in 'domestic bliss', but both agree it would be much better to have his girls there and to have Caitlin there. One big happy family is what they are hoping for. But for now, they know they must wait for Charles' divorce to be finalized. They are waiting on telling Charles' girls until after, but they both think that they will be able to let Caitlin know.
"I'm wanting to set something up with her next week. I'll let her know then. She needs to know how happy I am, and I want her to meet you." Liza explains as she cooks dinner for them.
"Are you sure you don't want me to help?" Charles asks about dinner as he sets their places for dinner at the table, all along watching her move around his kitchen.
"No, I've got it really." She loves preparing dinner for him, their domestic bliss so far this week has been amazing. They seem to be doing very well at staying under the same roof for several days now. It is Thursday evening, they have been together since Monday.
Done setting the table, Charles walks up to Liza at the stove and places his hands on her hips and kisses her neck. "I love you. Thank you for fixing dinner tonight." He kisses her again.
She loves when he does this, placing his hands on her hips, kissing her neck, it is a very sexy move he has perfected quite well, he knows exactly what it does to her. Before they became a couple, only knowing him as a professional, as her buttoned up boss, seeing him around the office, she had never in her wildest dreams expected the way that he would be as a partner and lover. She had no idea how sexy this man would be.
She pushes him back with her butt, "you need to stop your sexiness or dinner won't get finished." She knows he knows this move he does always gets her blood hot. She thinks if she were to be mad at him, it is possible that he could use this move, and all would be forgiven and forgotten.
"I'm fine with that." He teases, pulling her back to him again and nibbling on her ear.
"Of course, you're fine with that, you're a man and it's in your DNA! Now behave and let's talk about the new editor you just hired."
"He's a good guy, he is smart, and he might bring a couple authors along with him, his name is Zane Anders and I think he will be a great addition to Millennial, since you will be moving back to Empirical. Zane is Kelsey's age and I think Zane and Kelsey will be able to work well with each other. He will be starting in a couple weeks."
"I've met him, he's a good editor, I think you did a good thing by hiring him. What did Kelsey say?"
"She was in on the interviews with him and she was impressed, I wouldn't have hired him without her approval, he will be working with her after all. It was nice to see her not push back on something else I'm doing with my company, or my personal life." He shakes his head, he is still frustrated with her attitude, but is trying to chalk it up to her age. "Do you ever think she will get over the lies? Frankly, it's time she moves on and accepts it. She's wasting too much energy being angry with us. God Liza I'm glad you're not in your twenties, I don't know how older men put up with younger women. I mean, I was ready to tolerate you as a twenty something, but…." He laughs as Liza turns to look at him with a look that says, 'did you really just say that?'
"Oh, tolerate me huh?" She tries to hide her smile, but she can't she knows he is teasing her.
"I think I'm going to try to talk to Kelsey again. Try to get her to move on and maybe we can all be friends again. She was always someone that I had faith in, to see her like this is disappointing. God, I'm sounding like a total dad right now." He shakes his head.
"Charles, I think that's sweet, you've always cared about her. You know my first day at Empirical, she told me about you and that you always had faith in her, she said you promoted her, and she was so very grateful for it. She has always thought a lot of you. Maybe you should try to talk to her, maybe I should too. I want to be her friend again."