Taking a deep breath in Charlie pulled herself together. Not wanting to impose on Bianca and Heath was only part of the reason that she didn't want to go to the hospital. Brax had called her about 20 minutes ago to tell her that Bianca had a beautiful baby girl. Lightly tapping on the door Charlie gently opened it.
"Hey" said Brax his voice barely above a whisper, in his arms little Ava Braxton. Wrapped in a blanket with a little pink hat covering her head Charlie couldn't see her face but she could already see the love in Brax's eyes.
Looking round the room she smiled at Bianca who was sitting in the bed with Heath standing next to her. Her eyes drifted to Casey who was sitting on the other side of the bed and finally to Chloe who was sitting next to him. Brax had told her that she would be here but it still didn't stop a wave of uncomfortableness take over her body.
"Um hi everyone" said Charlie her voice quiet.
"Hi Charlie. You can come in" grinned Bianca. "And I keep telling Brax he doesn't have to whisper just because she is asleep. Ava has him wrapped around her little finger around and she isn't even a day old yet!"
Casey laughed "nothing wrong with having two fun uncles!"
Charlie walked into the room as Bianca carefully got off the bed "thank you for coming." She pulled Charlie in for a hug. "And it's nice to see you looking so good" she whispered the last part so only the two of them could hear it. Charlie felt herself blush praying the nobody else in the room could see it.
Chloe sat watching the scene without saying. She could see how uncomfortable Charlie was seeing her there but she wasn't going to leave. Brax was right that she had to move on with her life but the same could be said for Charlie. She had to get over the fact that Chloe was part of the Braxton's life because that wasn't going to change anytime soon.
Sitting down next to Brax Charlie looked over and took her first good look at Ava. "I don't think I have said it yet but congratulations Mr and Mrs Braxton. She really is gorgeous."
"Just like her Mother" add Heath.
"Aw Heath always a sweet talker. You know you have to do more then just talking now" Chloe said with a slight laugh. "Now its nappy duty and helping with the night time feedings."
"Don't you worry about that Chlo super Dad has it under control" he winked at her which caused Bianca to snort with laughter.
"Come see us in a week and we will see if it's the same story then. And thanks Charlie, though its still odd to be called Mrs Braxton."
"You want to hold her?" Brax asked looking over at Charlie. She nodded unsure that she would be able to form any words if she opened her mouth. The last baby this little that she held was her own daughter and the memories were coming flooding back to her. As he placed Ava in her arms their arm's brush together causing Charlie to blush a little. Her and Brax may be back together but she still wasn't sure how to act around his family.
"Suits you" joked Heath.
This caused her blush to deepen as she forced a light laugh. "I had a little bit of practice my sister." She groaned inside as soon as the words left her mouth, as she knew they were going to create new question. Put her topless in a room of strangers and she was totally comfortable yet put here in a room with her boyfriends family and she was totally lost.
"You have a sister?" questioned Bianca.
"Yep, I really miss her." It wasn't a lie, she did miss her. She looked down at the baby praying that there wouldn't be any more questions about her family. Running her finger gently down her little body she took in just how tiny she was.
Casey's phone vibrated loudly, a welcome relief for Charlie. Reading the message he looked up "Be back in a second just have to go find the wanderer."
Charlie didn't even hear his words as she got lost in little Ava's face. A sprinkling of light brown hair paired out from under her pink. Her tiny button nose sat perfectly on her face and the corners of her mouth curled up just a little into what Charlie could have sworn was a little smile. Her eyes opened slightly to show Charlie her bright blue eyes as her tiny fingers grabbed hold of Charlie little finger. She knew straight away how Ava could already have her Uncle wrapped around her finger.
The door opened again as Casey walked in holding his girlfriends hand. "I found her! She just around the corner." The second she was in the room she dropped his hand gasping. The colour drained from her face as she saw who was in the room.
When nobody said anything Charlie finally looked up from Ava to see who had walked into the room. Her heart started racing when she saw who it was. Even after so many years there was no question in her mind that it was her. She wanted to get up and hug but she was frozen to her seat.
Nobody in the room knew what was going on but they watched as the pair locked eyes neither of them moving. Their eyes stayed locked for the next couple of moments as they both studied each other.
Finally the silence was broken as the new comer spoke. "Mum?"
The second the words left her mouth she was out of the door. Casey looked at the now empty doorway then at Charlie before he went running over his girlfriend. Charlie gasped for air as she strangled to get air into her lungs. She felt like she was going to throw up and pass out at the same time. Looking down at the baby in her arms she knew she needed to follow her daughter. Getting up she gave the baby to Brax before running out of the room.
I have had this in my head since I started writing the story but it came out different when I sat down to write it! Let me know what you think :)
