I won't be updating over the weekend. I did wan't to take a second and Thank everyone who's been reading and reviewing! Hearing your thoughts and opinions is a great motivator for me! Enjoy the weekend and please, if you read, review!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters!
Charity's eyes grew wide as she took in the scene before her. Someone, probably her dad, had decorated the living room with streamer and a banner that read "Welcome home Charity!". They most surprising aspect was standing just a few feet in front of her. Tyler was in her home, waiting to welcome her back. She hadn't seen that one coming. Movement from the stairs caught her attention. She grinned as she saw Derek, followed by Lauren, making their way into the room. Charity let out a little sigh of relief; that explained the mix-up on the phone earlier.
She really wanted to talk to Tyler, but the burning pain in her legs was enough to signal that it was time for a rest. She slowly shuffled the walker across the floor, and with her dads help, managed to lie down on the couch.
"Thanks guys, for everything," she said, giving Lauren and Tyler a sheepish smile.
"Alright, well we're going to finish up your room," Lucas said, motioning for Brooke and Peyton to join him. Charity cocked an eyebrow as she watched her parent's and Peyton leave the room. She wondered how long it would be until a catfight erupted between her and Lauren's mothers.
"Guys, can you give Charity and I a moment?" Lauren asked when the adults were safely out of earshot. Tyler nodded and he and Derek headed into the kitchen.
"When were you going to tell me?" Lauren asked her softly, a dangerous mix of anger and sadness glinted in her eye. Charity shook her head, unsure of what she was supposed to be telling her sister.
"Oh come on, Charity. It's pathetically obvious. You want Derek," Lauren said coldly. Charity's eyes widened.
"What are you talking about?" Charity asked in exasperation. She had absolutely no idea where Lauren had gotten that idea. Granted, Charity had used Lauren and Derek's relationship against Lauren, but it didn't have anything to do with the way she felt about him.
"Let's see, you broke up with Tyler because of Derek, you used him as a guilt trip against me, oh and by a convenient twist of fate, he still loves you," Lauren said, ticking off the items on her fingers. Charity had already opened her mouth to defend herself, but she was rendered dumbstruck by Lauren's final point. Derek loved her?
"Watching my boyfriends fall in love with you is really getting old," Lauren said sadly, sinking down onto the couch beside Charity.
"I'm sorry." Charity mumbled. Lauren simply nodded. The silence nearly deafened Charity. She wanted to say something, anything, to undo all the pain she'd caused, but there were no words.
"I love you Charity, but I can't be around you right now," Lauren said, not meeting Charity's gaze. Charity reached out to Lauren, but she shook her head and stood.
"I'll see you later," Lauren said, turning to leave. She nearly plowed into Peyton and their dad.
"Where are you off to so soon?" Peyton asked.
"Absolutely nowhere," Lauren sighed, sitting down in the chair across from Charity.
"Good, because we have a surprise for you two," Lucas said, nodding towards Charity and Lauren.
"Fabulous," Charity muttered under her breath. Knowing her dad, it was probably something lame.
"Peyton and I are getting married!" he said, a jubilant smile on his face. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. A sudden movement caught Charity's attention. Her sister's feet barely seemed to touch the ground. The silence was soon shattered by the loud slamming of the front door.