Author's Notes: I'd like to thank SandraSmit19, Medieval Mystic, Westfan, AshMattXoXo, The Niki Reid, Rheya-Goddess and Fozzy-Floozy for your awesome reviews for chapter twenty-four. I don't tell y'all enough how much I appreciate every single one of your comments.
Additionally thanks to Gin (Disco Inferno1, USER ID: 339498) and Karen (IMissPadfoot, USER ID: 1133633) for your help with this chapter. You girls are the best!
Chapter Twenty-five: Merry Christmas, everyone!
Charlotte and Ellie awoke early on Christmas morning to the tantalizing aroma of a fried breakfast cooking. It was a family tradition that they started off with a big meal, despite the fact they'd been having a massive lunch a few hours later.
"Presents!" the sisters squealed in unison and raced down the stairs.
Waiting for them both underneath the Christmas tree was a huge mound of gifts, and Charlotte and Ellie wasted no time in opening them. Hurriedly the blondes tore through layers of wrapping paper, 'oohing' and 'ahhing' as they did so.
The sisters then turned to each other, and grinned and they found the gifts from each other.
Ellie tore into hers first, and squealed with delight, as she unwrapped the green, halter-neck mini-dress Charlotte had brought for her.
"Thanks, Charlie. This is lovely," she said, embracing her sister. "It'll be perfect to grab Cena's attention with on New Year's Eve."
Charlotte laughed, and shook her head in amusement.
"You're welcome, Ellie," she returned. "I'm glad to hear it'll be put to good use."
Ellie giggled, and then nodded her head that Charlotte should open her gift.
Charlotte grinned, and excitedly unwrapped the present, gasping in delight as she revealed PVC, bubble-gum pink, heart-shaped purse she'd been wanting for months.
"Oh Ellie, this is fantastic," she beamed.
"I'm glad you like it," returned Ellie.
"Like it? I love it," squealed Charlotte in delight.
A few minutes later, Loretta and Charles entered the room, Loretta handing both of her daughters steaming mugs of coffee.
"Merry Christmas, Charlie," she wished.
"You too, Mama," replied Charlotte looking up with a huge grin. "And thanks for the new pants, they're great."
"You're welcome, baby," replied Loretta, before turning to Ellie and wishing her a Merry Christmas too.
Ellie returned the gesture, and thanked her mother for the new leather boots she'd gotten her.
As Loretta and Charles settled on the sofa to open their gifts, Charlotte and Ellie continued to tear through layers of wrapping paper, revealing various presents like clothes, make up, CDs, books and jewellery.
Finally, the sisters had one large package left each, and they looked eagerly at each other before ripping into them.
Ellie gasped, as she pulled back the paper, and saw a brand new Laptop from her parents.
"Oh, Mama and Papa, thank you. This is the best present ever," she exclaimed joyously.
"You're welcome, sweetheart," returned Charles, a delighted smile on his face.
After momentarily staring covetously at her sister's gift, Charlotte tore into her own and squealed with delight as she revealed a huge, silver make up case, full to the brim with new products, brushes and equipment.
"Thank you, mum and dad, this is awesome," she said excitedly.
"We're glad you like it, honey," replied Loretta.
It was then the turn of Loretta and Charles to open the presents not only from their daughters, but off each other too.
Charles grinned, and unwrapped the first gift, which was a football signed by the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
"Thank you, Ellie," he said after looking down at the tag attached to the wrapping paper.
"You're welcome, Daddy," Ellie replied.
Charles smiled again, and then tore into his next gift, which was from Charlotte, and his eyes lit up as he revealed the season passes to every game of the Bulldogs.
"Thank you, Charlie," he said. "Now I know how I'll be spending my retirement."
"Glad you like it, Daddy," returned Charlotte.
Tucking the football tickets away in the top pocket of his shirt, Charles opened his final gift, the one from his wife.
"Oh, Loretta Mae, this is beautiful," he exclaimed, holding up a sleek new watch, and then kissing her on the lips, "Thank you."
Loretta blushed, and nodded her head.
"It's nothing," she insisted, and then began opening her first gift.
Loretta smiled as she unwrapped the diamond earrings Ellie had gotten for her.
"Thank you, Ellie. These are lovely," she cooed, embracing her youngest daughter.
"You're welcome, Mama," returned Ellie with a beaming smile of her own.
Loretta then moved to the next present and grinned winder still, as she revealed a golden charm bracelet from Charlotte.
"Thank you, Charlie. This is wonderful too," she said, smiling warmly.
"It was nothing, Mama," shrugged Charlotte. "I'm glad you like it."
After putting on her new earrings and bracelet, Loretta then began opening her last gift – the one from Charles. As she pushed away the wrapping paper, her eyes clouded with tears and she beamed at her husband.
"Oh, thank you, Charles," she sniffed, taking the diamond encrusted necklace out of its cushioned casing. "This is really beautiful."
"Anything for you, my love," returned Charles, kissing his wife softly on the cheek.
The family stayed sitting in the living room for a while longer, commenting about each others' presents, until finally Loretta announced that breakfast was ready.
Then, they all headed into the kitchen, for a banquet like meal of friend bacon, grilled sausages, sautéed mushrooms, toast and fried tomatoes, served up with a jug of steaming coffee.
Loretta, Charles, Ellie and Charlotte gathered around the table and tucked in, falling silent for the first time in years, as they were so engrossed in the wonderful food before them.
Finally, with breakfast eaten, Charlotte returned to the guest-house. Ellie was washing up, as her parents' prepared Christmas dinner, giving the blonde the perfect opportunity to spend some time alone.
Despite the fact that she'd told her family about her relationship with Chris – and they'd been thrilled by the news – Charlotte wanted to open her gifts from him and Abby in privacy, and so flopped onto her bed and took the packages from her bedside table.
Starting with the one from Abby, Charlotte opened it slowly. Inside was a small jewellery box, containing a pair of diamond studded earrings.
"Oh Abby," she sighed, overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of the eleven-year-old.
Attached to the brightly coloured wrapping paper was a hand written card, and Charlotte smiled to herself as she pulled it from the envelope.
In neat, purple handwriting, Abby had left a heart-warming message for her.
Merry Christmas, Charlie!
Hopefully by now, you and Dad will have gotten your acts together, and admitted how you feel about each other.
And knowing Dad, he'll have already asked if I mind the two of you dating. Obviously, the answer is of course not, I love both of you and want to see you happy together.
However, I just wanted to tell you personally how thrilled I am about it. Since Mum and Dad got divorced, Dad hasn't the same until he met you. Now he's happy all the time, and can't stop smiling (it's pretty gross actually!)
I know at first, I was pretty horrible to you, but then I got to know you better and realized how great you are.
You make Dad happier than I've seen him in months, and I'm so grateful for that.
Anyway, that's all I wanted to say really.
Have a great Christmas, and I'll see you soon!
Lots of Love,
Abigail xxxx
Charlotte wiped the tears from her eyes, folded up the note and slipped it back inside the draw in her bedside table.
Even though Abby had already said she had no problem with her dad dating Charlotte, for the younger blonde to have gone to the trouble of writing a note to say this touched the make up artist's heart. Knowing Abby had no issue with her dating Chris made it all the more perfect for Charlotte, and she was thrilled the girl was being so understanding and accepting of her dad's new relationship.
With a contented sigh, Charlotte leant back against her pillow, picked her cell up off the table and sent a text message to Abigail.
Hey Abby! Merry Christmas! Thanks for the wonderful present – I loved it! I hope you liked yours too!
Also, thank you for that very heart-felt note. I'm so pleased I have your blessing, it means everything to me.
See you soon! Love Charlie xxx
With the text message sent, Charlotte turned to her final gift – the one from Chris.
Attached to the present was a small tag, which simply said 'I Love you.'
Charlotte grinned to herself, and began opening the carefully wrapped present. As a small, hard black box fell out, she looked at it with curiosity.
Her hands trembling with anticipation, she lifted the lid, and then gasped in shock. Nestled in the velvet lining was a white gold chain, a heart-shaped pendant suspended from it.
Taking the necklace and attached charm from the box, Charlotte noticed as the light caught the gleaming pink rubies encrusted around the edge of the heart.
"Wow," she breathed, turning the pendant over in her hands and caressing it lovingly.
On the other side was a message engraved on the smooth surface of the precious metal.
To my Princess with all my Love, Chris xxxx
Charlotte felt giddy as she stared down at the declaration, and emotion clouded her eyes. It really was the most perfect gift she'd ever received.
The sound of her cell phone going off shook Charlotte from her trance and she picked it up, assuming it was Abby replying to her text message.
Looking down at the caller ID, Charlotte's heart thumped in her when it informed her it wasn't Abby, but Chris.
With a Cheshire cat like grin, the blonde answered the call.
"Merry Christmas, Princess," Chris greeted.
"Merry Christmas to you too, sexy." Charlotte returned "Thank you so much for my present, it's gorgeous."
"I'm pleased you liked it," her replied with an amused laugh. "And thank you for yours, it's perfect."
"You're welcome, babe," she said, referring to the silver chain with a Celtic cross pendant on it that she'd gotten for him.
"So, how has your morning been? Got any good presents?" Chris inquired
"It's been great so far, thanks. I got a new make up kit, come clothes, CDs and books off my parents. Ellie brought me a heart-shaped purse, and Abby got me some diamond earrings," Charlotte informed, with an amused grin. "How about you?"
"Wow, sounds like a good haul. Yeah, I'm having a fantastic day, thanks," he returned. "I got a new guitar from mum and dad. Evan got me a season ticket for the Winnipeg Moose and Abby brought me a watch."
"Sounds impressive," she commented. "Abby really went all out with the presents, didn't she?"
"Yeah, I must be giving her too much allowance," joked Chris. "Did she send you a note too? I got one telling me how pleased she is that we're together."
"Uh-huh, me too," giggled Charlotte. "It was so sweet, bless her heart."
"So, when am I going to see you again?" inquired Chris. "I miss you, and cannot wait to see you wearing the necklace I brought you."
Charlotte giggled and contemplated the question momentarily. "Well, I'm meeting up with Paulo and the girls on the day before New Year's Eve, and then we're back at work. Unless you're free before then?"
"I'm flying home tomorrow, so we could meet up the day after, if you wanted?" suggested Chris.
"Sounds good to me," agreed Charlotte. "Although, it can't be here. I don't think I'm ready to have you meet Mama just yet."
Chris chuckled, and Charlotte knew he'd just rolled his eyes at her comment. "Oh, come on, she can't be that bad? I'm sure if your mum's anything like you, she'll love me."
"That's what I'm afraid of," teased Charlotte. "Seriously though, maybe it would be best for you to hold off coming home with me until after the holidays? You know, to give everyone a chance to calm down a little."
A few moments of slightly tense silence passed between the couple, until finally, the wrestler voiced something that had been bothering him for a few days now.
"Charlie, are you just making excuses because you're having second thoughts?" accused Chris. He was feeling a little frustrated. Even before they'd gotten together, he'd introduced Charlotte to his family, and since telling her he loved her, the wrestler assumed she'd be dying for him to meet her parents. However, this was now the second time he'd hinted at it, and she'd brushed the idea away.
Charlotte was stunned by the question, as it couldn't be further from the truth. She loved Chris, and couldn't wait for him to meet her mum and dad. However, she also knew her mother would make a huge fuss over it, and as they'd only been together for a few days, she wasn't sure she was ready for that yet. Charlotte quite liked the little bubble they were in at the moment, where it was just the two of them, and she knew as soon as they got back to work, their time together would become limited. All she wanted was a few more days of peace, before their lives became hectic again.
"No, I'm not having second thoughts at all," she assured him, and then explained her reasons for wanting to hold off introducing Chris to her parents.
"Ok, I'm sorry for being so accusing, Princess," he apologized. "I see your point now. Soon enough, we'll be flying from state to state, and I'll have Abby to think about too. It'd be nice just to have a few days alone."
"So you don't mind waiting?" checked Charlotte, suddenly feeling guilty for coming across as so uncaring.
"Of course not. We're together now, and that's all that matters," insisted Chris, feeling bad for putting pressure on his girlfriend. "There'll be plenty of time for me to meet your parents."
"Thank you, babe, I'm glad you understand," she returned, her voice softening again. "So, any ideas what you want to do instead?"
"Well, as we've never actually been on an 'official' date, how about I take you to dinner?" he suggested.
"What, no Taco Bell?" commented Charlotte facetiously, before agreeing, "Yeah, dinner sounds great."
"Ok, where do you want to meet up? Where are you meeting the girls and Paulo? Maybe we could book into a hotel or something?" inquired Chris.
"I said I'd meet them in Columbus, Ohio, as that's where the next show is," she informed. "So, how about we meet there and then we won't have to travel about too much?"
"Sure, sounds good to me, Princess," he agreed. "I'll book us a room at a hotel, and make dinner reservations."
"Perfect," returned Charlotte with an excited grin. "Right, I best be off, before Mama thinks I've fallen asleep or something."
"Yeah, I should go too, or Evan will complain that mum is giving him all the chores to so," replied Chris. "I'll see you in a few days, Princess."
"I cannot wait," purred Charlotte in reply. "Enjoy the rest of your day."
"You too," said Chris. "And don't forget, I love you."
"Love you too, babe," she returned, before hanging up and clipping her cell shut with a delighted squeal.
After taking a few moments to calm herself down, and splashing cool water on her flushed face, Charlotte returned to the main house. The necklace Chris had given her was now in a pride of place around her neck, and the diamond earrings from Abby were glistening through her hair.
When Charlotte entered the kitchen, her mother was just basting the goose – having gone for that over turkey, as they'd had turkey for Thanksgiving – her father was peeling some potatoes and Ellie was setting the dinner table.
"You've be a long time over in the guest house," commented Loretta, as she slid the bird back into the oven. "Everything ok, love?"
"Uh-huh," assured Charlotte with a nod. "I was just on the phone to Chris."
"Ohhhh," commented Ellie. "Did the two of you talk about anything interesting? And oh, what is that I see around your neck?"
Loretta snapped around to look expectantly at her daughter. Additionally, Charlotte also had the full and undivided attention of her sister.
Charlotte blushed and grinned sheepishly.
"Oh, this is what Chris got me for Christmas," she explained, taking the necklace off and handing it to her mother for her to look at.
Loretta took the pendant in her hand, and caressed the white gold of the heart.
"Wow, Charlotte, this is beautiful," she commented, handing the necklace to Ellie.
"You're telling me," agreed Ellie, eyeing the pendant covetously. "Chris must really love you."
Charlotte blushed, giggled and nodded her head. "Uh-huh," she replied with a school girl like squeal.
Ellie sniggered, as Loretta looked at her eldest daughter in a very strange way Charlotte had never seen her mother look at her like before. It was a mixture of somewhere between utter delight, pride and slight sadness.
"Soon enough y'all we be getting married and moving out. Then after Ellie is settled down, your dad and I will be on our own," she sighed.
"Whoa, calm down, Mama," insisted the sisters in unison.
"Chris and I have only been dating for a few days, I'm going no where yet," assured Charlotte.
"And I'm not even seeing anyone," added Ellie.
"I'm sorry, I'm just being silly. Ignore me," insisted Loretta. "It's just with CJ and Jeanie getting engaged, I realized how fast y'all are growing up."
"Even if we are, we'll always love and need you, Mama," promised Charlotte.
"Yeah, you're our mum, and we wouldn't even be where we are today without everything you've done for us over the years," continued Ellie.
"Oh, come here girls," Loretta returned, wiping her eyes on her apron and pulling her daughters into a tight embrace. "I love you both very much."
"We love you too, Mama," replied the sisters in unison.
Loretta out did herself with Christmas dinner. As well as the goose, there were roast seasonal vegetables – like carrots, parsnips, shallots and sweet potatoes. Additionally, there were mashed potatoes, apple and prune stuffing, green beans served in garlic butter, thick rich gravy, dumplings and cranberry sauce.
As Charles opened a bottle of Asti Spumante to have with the meal, Charlotte and Ellie took their seats.
"Merry Christmas, everyone!" Charles announced, popping the cork on the sparkling white wine.
"Merry Christmas!" replied Loretta, Charlotte and Ellie in unison.
The family tucked into their dinner, passing various dishes backwards and forwards and chatting about how great the day had been so far.
Loretta smiled contently, hearing how thrilled her daughters were with their presents, and seeing her husband hungrily eating the food she'd prepared. Even after hours of slaving in the kitchen, she was still full of life, as she watched those around her. Thinking of Christmases gone by, she thought to herself how she couldn't be happier.
Charles ate a mouthful of roast parsnip, leant back in his seat and sighed. For over twenty years, he'd been watching his little girls enjoy Christmas with delight, and even as adults this year was no different. Looking to his wife – who still looked as beautiful as she had on their first Christmas together – he caught a glimmer of the present he'd brought for her around her neck, and smiled to himself. He really was a lucky man.
As she tucked into the dumplings superbly cooked by her mother, Ellie looked around the table and grinned.
There was her mother, flour in her hair and gravy smeared on her cheek, but still looking like a woman to be respected and admired. And her father opposite, his blue eyes still twinkling playfully even at sixty. Then there was her older sister, Charlotte, who had always been more a best friend than a sibling.
Charlotte sipped on her Asti, and glanced around at her family. Her dad, joking as always, as he teased Loretta that her dumplings tasted like rubber, when in reality her cooking had been one of the reasons Charles had married her. And her mother, chiding her husband and threatening to withhold dessert. Even after forty years of marriage, they were still as in love as they'd ever been. Then there was Ellie, who was fast growing into a woman Charlotte felt proud and honoured to say she was related to. She was hard working and uncommonly loyal – who could ask for a better sister. As she looked down at the pendant Chris had brought for her, Charlotte smiled to herself and thought her life couldn't get much more perfect.
Suddenly, all four family members were brought out of their sentimental haze by the smell of burning and the smoke detector going off.
Loretta gasped, and leapt up from her seat.
"Oh my god! The dessert is on fire!" she exclaimed.
Hardly able to hide his amusement, Charles rose to assist his wife, as Charlotte and Ellie sniggered. It wouldn't be Christmas in the Robinson house without something going wrong!
With the Christmas pudding ruined, Loretta had to resort to serving up the vanilla ice cream she always kept in the refrigerator. However, with chopped nuts, grated chocolate and warm syrup to accompany it, the dessert was still very good.
Once dinner was over, and all the dishes had been cleared away, the family retired to the sitting room and put on one of the new DVDs Charlotte had been given for Christmas. As they all gathered around to watch Pan's Labyrinth, Charlotte, Ellie, Loretta and Charles had a good laugh over what a disaster dessert had been.
Charlotte spent the days between Christmas and when she was due to meet Chris doing nothing but relaxing. She'd been feeling a little off since Christmas night, and hoped she hadn't come down with food poisoning or something.
"Hey, Charlie. What'cha doing?" inquired Ellie, as she entered her sister's room and sat besides her on the bed.
"Nothing much, just having a little lay down," replied Charlotte. "I haven't been feeling too good for the last few days."
"Damn, that sucks, especially when you're meeting Chris tomorrow," commented Ellie. "I hope it's isn't anything too serious."
"Yeah, me too. I don't wanna be sick for New Year's," returned Charlotte.
"So, what have you and Chris got planned for tomorrow?" questioned Ellie.
"I dunno," informed Charlotte with a shrug. "He said he's taking me out for dinner, but that's all we planned really. I suppose we'll just make it up as we go along. To be honest, I don't really mind what we do, I'm just excited about seeing him; I've missed him so much."
"I bet," agreed Ellie, before asking with a raised eyebrow. "Are y'all stopping in the same hotel room?"
"Uh-huh. We're both adults, so it's not like it's against the law or anything," returned Charlotte facetiously.
"You know what I mean, dumb-ass," teased Ellie. "It'll be the first time y'all are alone like that, and well, after what happened when he gave you a ride to the airport...well, you know?"
Charlotte shook her head in amusement, blushed and giggled. "Jeez, you're like a six-year-old who's just heard someone say 'boobies'," she joked.
"I'm being serious, Charlie. We all know you're no virgin, but this is pretty special. It'll be your first time together, and you really love him," insisted Ellie.
"Which is why I know everything will be just fine," assured Charlotte. "If something happens, great, but I'm not going to rush anything. There's more to life than sex, you know?"
"You ain't fooling me one bit, Charlotte," protested Ellie. "I know it's gotta be a big deal to you, and I'm your sister, I wanna help. If I was about to spend my first night with John Cena, I'd be shitting it."
Again, Charlotte laughed and shook her head, but then her face became serious and her brow furrowed a little.
"Ok, I'm as nervous as hell, alright," she confessed finally. "When we were fooling around in his car, it was amazing. I mean like nothing I've ever felt before, and in a way that's kind of scary. I haven't felt like this about a guy before, not even Dylan. What if something goes wrong? Or what happens if he thinks I'm no good?"
"Oh, come off it, Charlie. You're a sex kitten and we both know that," assured Ellie.
"Yeah, but Chris is like seriously hot. Damn, even thinking about him and what happened the last time we were together is making my knees weak. I just want everything to be perfect on our first time," sighed Charlotte a wistful look in her eyes.
"Then go in there, and rock his world," joked Ellie.
"Shut up, jackass!" teased Charlotte throwing a cushion at her sister. "I thought you said you wanted to help, but all you've done since you came in here is poke fun at me."
"Ok, I'm sorry. I'll be serious now," returned Ellie with a sheepish grin. "Ok, have you thought about getting some sexy lingerie or something?"
"Jeez, Ellie. That's like the most clichéd idea ever. I don't wanna look desperate and like I've planned this. It's gotta happen naturally," insisted Charlotte.
"Then just grab his shirt, pull him towards you and tell him you wanna screw his brains out?" suggested Ellie.
"Did you listen to nothing I just said about not wanting to look desperate and it happening naturally?" chided Charlotte. "Damn, with an attitude like that, you're gonna eat Cena alive."
"That's the plan," returned Ellie, grinning impishly.
Charlotte threw her head back in amused laughter. "You're terrible, you know that, right?"
"Uh-huh," agreed Ellie with a giggle, as she blew a huge bubble with her gum. "But you love me!"
"Only because we're related," teased Charlotte. "If anyone else made a comment like that, I'd be running for the hills."
"Oh, you're harsh," joked Ellie, and then pounced on her sister and began tickling her.
The sisters rolled around on Charlotte's bed, playfully hitting each other with pillows, until finally the make up artist collapsed on her bed, clutching her stomach.
"Damn," she complained. "I think I'm getting sick. I'm going to have an early night, and hopefully, I'll feel better in the morning."
"Ok, honey. Get some rest, and I hope you feel better soon," commented Ellie, before inquiring. "Do you want me to give you a ride to the airport on my way to school tomorrow?"
"Yeah, that'd be great, thanks," returned Charlotte.
"Alright, I'll see you in the morning, Charlie. Sleep well," replied Ellie.
"Thanks you too," said Charlotte. "Night Night."
Once her sister had left the guest house, Charlotte headed to the washroom to change into her pyjamas, and suddenly felt another cramp in her stomach. Convinced she was going to be sick, the blonde lent over the toilet, but nothing happened.
Feeling groggy, and her head spinning, Charlotte climbed into bed and snuggled down under the duvet. She hoped the strange feeling she'd been having for the last few days was simply down to nerves, and tried to get to sleep.
The following morning when Charlotte awoke, she was feeling a lot better. A night of rest had done her the world of good. Aside from the odd twinge in her stomach, she was feeling fine – thank god!
The blonde pulled her suitcase from under the bed, and began packing. She had a lot to cram in, as not only did she need clothes for the few days she'd be spending with Chris, but also for lunch with her friends, her return to work and the New Year's Eve party too.
Finally, as Charlotte pushed the top of her case closed, Ellie entered the room.
"How you feeling this morning, Charlie?" she inquired.
"A lot better thanks," informed Charlotte. "Lemme just pop to the rest room and I'll be all ready to go."
"Alright," agreed Ellie. "I'll take your case out and meet you at the car."
Five minutes later, Charlotte climbed into the passenger seat of her sister's car, a small frown on her face.
"What's wrong?" asked Ellie. "You're not feeling sick again are you?"
Charlotte sighed and shook her head. "No, I'm fine. I've just gotten my period a week early is all," she explained.
"Damn, that kinda ruins any plans you had for Chris," returned Ellie sympathetically.
"Uh-huh, I guess it does," agreed Charlotte with a slightly frustrated sigh. "It'll be ok though, like I said last night, when it happens, it happens. What I'm more concerned about is it coming early, I'm usually so regular."
"Maybe your cycle is just a little messed up with the holidays and everything?" suggested Ellie.
"Yeah, I hope that's all it is. I don't fancy a trip to the gynaecologist, I always feel so awkward in there," commented Charlotte.
"You're telling me. Knowing someone is poking around down there give me the Heebie-jeebies," returned Ellie facetiously.
"Ellie, you get the Heebie-jeebies even when you visit a regular doctor," joked Charlotte.
"What?" protested Ellie indignantly. "Those places give me the creeps."
"If you insist, squirt," teased Charlotte. "Damn, I'm going to have to get some pain killers at the airport, these cramps are agony."
"Aww, you poor thing," said Ellie sympathetically. "Make sure Chris looks after you."
"Oh, I plan to," insisted Charlotte. "I'll be asking for lots of sugary snacks all day."
"Well, it could be worse. Now you know why you were feeling sick, and you have a good excuse to eat loads of junk," commented Ellie.
"Damn right," laughed Charlotte with a wicked grin, as they reached the airport. "Thanks for the ride, Ellie."
"Not a problem," assured Ellie. "Have a great time, and give my love to Paulo and the girls."
"I will do," promised Charlotte. "I'll give you a call tomorrow evening so we can arrange everything for New Year's Eve."
"Alright, honey," agreed Ellie. "I'll see you soon. Take care, babe."
"You too, honey," returned Charlotte, taking her suitcase from the trunk and wheeling it towards the main doors of the airport. "See you soon."
"Yeah, I'll catch you in a few days, Charlie!" Ellie called back through the open window of the car, as she pulled out of the parking lot.
After checking in, and putting her case on the luggage carousel, Charlotte headed to the airport shop to grab some pain killers, and came out with a packet of medication, a bottle of Coke and two frosted doughnuts.
Still feeling a little groggy, Charlotte gulped down the Coke, and then took a nap for the duration of her plane journey.
TBC ...