Chapter 40: Untold Tales Aren't Fairy-tales

Silent crashed throughout the whole room. They felt as if their world was flipped upside down. His words spun them around like a carousel, it never stopped turning. As much as they wanted to believe he was actually saying the words, their hearts just couldn't believe it.

The words," I'm Charles Smith, I'm your son" came rolling off the man's tongue. Like it's said,"The carousel never stops turning" Their ears popped and their heart began to pound.

FP who usually kept his emotions together, just started tearing. Was this really happening? He shook his head and kept muttering to himself. This wasn't happening. Your son is dead, he's not your son. But his heart was telling him to believe the man in front of him.

Alice looked at the man and knew instantly that her suspicions were correct. Adam was indeed her son and she was right along. "C-Charles?" Her voice cracks as she meets her baby's eyes.

He looked like his father. His hair, his smile and her generosity. He was her son and there was no doubt in her mind. "Mom.." Adam— Charles's voice wavered as he stepped into the room.

His mother was right in front of him. He needed to know why she gave him away. He had so many questions and they all couldn't be asked at once.

FP dropped his jaw, slowly walking up to man and felt himself getting hugged by him. His son? It was his son. His son was alive and thriving. "C-harles… we thought you were dead."

Charles slowly approached his parents, almost scared that they would reject him. "I was never dead." His throat started to close up. He clears his throat and looks at his parents.

"How? Chic he killed you?"

"Chic?" They both nod at the same time," Oh no, he tried to kill me. I faked my death to get away. I changed my name, I had to get a new identity and moved to Wisconsin and became Adam Smith." Alice and FP were both speechless. They were still trying to comprehend the fact their son was actually alive and not dead.

Alice's eyes were blinking back the tears as she looked at her son. "Oh god, Charles." She breathed out as she embraced him.

It was a soft hug, her arms were around him and he was breathing hard. "Why did you give me up?" The way his voice cracked made her want to fall apart.

Alice felt breathless, even her eyes ached as she stared at her son with teary eyes. She could see the pain and resentment in his eyes. He looked just his father, FP Jones. She remembered how his eyes flickered with the same resentment the day she ended things with him.

"Charles…" His name gently falls off her lips. She sees him trying to hold back his own tears and feels awful about what she's caused. "I never wanted to. I was forced to give you away by Hal. He refused to have his reputation ruined by my "mistake" he called you. I never thought you a mistake. I was devastated when they snatched you away from me. I never got to hold you. It was painful. I had to have you naturally and without any pain meds." FP watched as little teardrops fell off his son's eyes.

"So… it was all Hal Cooper?" Charles asked as his jaw loosened and he slowly took a seat next his mother. Alice was crying into her hands as she felt the guilt all over again.

"Yes, Sweetheart. It was his fault I didn't get to keep you. If I just would've told FP, maybe things would be different." Her eyes waved over to FP. She could see that he had been crying, everyone was crying.

A father, A son and A mother were all reunited. Nothing they ever expected to happen, happened anyway. She didn't want to think Chic killed her son and she was happy that bastard was dead. He caused her baby pain and you never mess with a mama bear and her cubs. If you do? You better wish to be lucky to tell it.

Xxxxxxxx

The Jones family reunited, even the kids were stunned by the fact that Adam was actually Charles. Cheryl sat in the living room drinking Cherry hot chocolate. It was rare but she paid big money for her supplier to import them to her. She looked Charles in the eyes and felt him twitch.

"So… Charles," Her lips smirk as she crossed her legs and sees him twitch even more. "What happened during your escape from The sisters?"

"Cheryl!" Betty hisses as she glares at Cheryl, before turning to her older brother." You don't have to answer if you don't feel comfortable. Right, Cheryl?"

Cheryl rolls her eyes and focuses on the oldest Jones." Fine, Betty." She groans before sipping her coco.

Charles stayed put in his spot and inhales for a few seconds before he exhales. He knew Cheryl was just protecting her family and he appreciates that very much. He knows the pain and suffering the— his family has been through.

The fact that Betty who's actually a Cooper AKA: Blossoms also Cheryl was originally a Blossom as well. His younger brother's Mom tried to kill him and he's still traumatized by that. I mean who wouldn't be, Charles thought to himself as he reflected his eyes to his brother. His family has been dragged through mud and blood. He hates that fact his family was torn up by Hal Cooper, Hiram Lodge, Penny Peabody, Gladys Jones, Polly Cooper, Clifford Blossom and man the Coopers have issues.

"I understand your questions and regards, Cheryl but I have no interest on causing more pain than they already have been through." He slowly states as he looks around the room.

Alice watched her oldest with proud eyes and smiled as he smiled back. Jughead spots Betty standing close to their brother; which was still weird to think about. Charles was alive and was his brother. It only felt odd since he never knew he had a brother. Growing up it was just him and Jellybean.

"In the sisters of Quiet Mercy was terrifying. I wasn't allowed to believe what I wanted to believe him. Plus they used reverse submission on us to behave." Alice's stomach tightened at the thought.

Betty slowly ran a hand down his back for comfort. She could see that his eyes were holding back the pain and sadness as he spoke. "It would scare us into being good and doing what's right. Or what they thought was right. One night, the day I turned seventeen I escaped. I went to look for my real parents but a door was slammed in my face."

Alice's eyes welled up and her stomach churned. She knew that dig was meant for her. But she could also tell that he frowned after saying sorry. He hadn't meant to hurt her. He was still angry that he had no life growing up.

"Charles… I'm so sorry." He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. Her sobs started off quiet but grew louder and more powerful as the seconds went on.

FP wrapped her in his arms, she sobbed into his chest. This hadn't gone as planned. Maybe it was too soon for the news. Cheryl nervously bit at her lip as Toni held her by her waist. She only wanted to protect her family that's all.

Her family has been through their fair-share of trauma and heartbreak. Her mother's the bravest person she'd ever known. The torture she'd been through and she still can conquer like no other.

Xxxxxxx

Over the next few days, Charles learned more about his parents and siblings. He still found it quite strange that Betty and Jughead still dated but who was he to say they shouldn't date. It wasn't his place. Cheryl watched over the new arrival like a hawk. It wasn't like she didn't trust him. She did— but.. Alice and FP has been through so much. She just didn't want them to get hurt again, that's all.

"Charles..." Charles looked up from his book. He sat up from the guest bed and closed his book with a marker.

"Yes Cheryl?" His nose twitch, Cheryl's guard was down and he could see her true color. A vibrant soft personality blossomed underneath her strong heavy exterior. Nothing like he'd seen on Cheryl Jones. He didn't assume that she wasn't actually there's. Well the hair gave it away by a huge hair. But hair or genetics doesn't make family.

"I'm sorry for being harsh the other day." He heard a sigh leave her lips and he shifted his body toward her. Cheryl licked nervously at her bottom lip and fought the word vomit. "It's just I've spent time in the sisters and I've been trying to... I don't know... cope." Charles stayed quiet. He just let her speak.

Charles silently let his eyes scan the room as Cheryl's voice wavered. Cheryl's well-being was far off from what she was just two days ago. She just didn't seem alright compared to before.

"You chewed my head off earlier." He stated hearing a small laugh escape from her lips.

Cheryl"s smile curled onto her lips," I guess I did."

The silence dwelled, smiles appeared and laughs were heard. " Cheryl... The sisters is a God-awful place and I'm truly sorry you were there in the first place. No one should ever deal with them ever." Cheryl listened to the remorse in his voice. He sighed and looked over at her. "Look, kid, what we should've done was close them the day opened."

"Hell... I wished we did.." Cheryl sighed softly, chills were sent down her spine in sporadic movements and shivers.

Charles slowly started to embrace the ginger in his arms." We will, kid."Cheryl didn't move. She just stayed in place.

"Welcome to the family, brother." Finally breathed Cheryl as she embraced back.

Charles was shocked by the words but didn't bother. " Nice to be part of the gang." He heard a soft snort.

"Oh shut up, Charles. Don't make me regret it." She muttered through a stifled snort.

When FP and Alice returned from the grocery store with bags cutting off their circulation across their wrists. After they put away all the food, they found Cheryl and Charles hugging.

"Look." She uttered softly at the two figures." They're bonding." She squeaked as she pointed to Cheryl and Charles hugging.

FP grins," I guess so.." He chuckled to himself.

"you know we can hear you?" Cheryl's voice broke through. They could tell she was rolling her eyes and had a bitch face on.

"Yes, sweetheart, we do." Alice started saying as she took out her phone and snapped a shot of the two of them.

"Jeez, Mom!" Charles and Cheryl both groaned loudly. "Put that away!" Charles tried hiding his and his adoptive sister's face from their mother.

Alice smirks, FP rolled his eyes and bit back a loud snort as a pig would do." Aw! Already complaining together and protecting one another, I see?"

"Leave us be!" They exclaimed again.

All that matter was they were getting along and if they were protecting each other Alice's annoying picture snapping, then sobe-it.