Josh POV

Today is the day. Charli is actually going to get in this cab and leave us...leave me...

Josh sits on the stoop and watches as Charli says her goodbyes. He wants to laugh at the image of Maggie peeling Diana off of her, but tears well up instead. His mind races back to that night three weeks ago when he returned home from Ireland. The first night Charli declared she was leaving for Idaho to do the whole murder trial warrior bit again. It was also the first night she broke up with him. It hadn't stuck though. She'd break it off citing some bull shit about not wanting to string him and Oliver along while she's away, but then they just couldn't stay away from each other and before he knew it they were in a vicious cycle of devastating breakups and passionate makeups. He'd talk her into trying long distance and then she'd lawyer her way out. He'd convince her that he could go with her and fly back and forth for Oliver and she'd argue that wasn't fair to him or Olly. They'd finally agreed to just love each other and see where things land. He was at the end of his rope...and now he was going to have to watch her leave him. Just like Claire had done...just like Liza.

Charles POV

Charles patiently waits as Maggie and Diana bid their adieus. His stomach flips when he sees Maggie guiding a puffy faced Diana in the direction of her apartment. I'm not ready! He screams internally as he fights to keep his face nonchalant and calm. Liza must be able to read his mind because she gives his hand an extra squeeze as she transfers some of her strength onto him. Without any preamble he blurts out "You can stay the weekend you don't have to report to court till Tuesday. The girls will be back from Pauline's tomorrow night we can have a final family dinner." He was grasping at straws Charli and the girls had already had their goodbye sleepover.

He was pouting and it wasn't cute, but he didn't care. He wanted her to stay damn it, everything was finally lining up in his life. He had the dream job, the girls were well adjusted and happy, their home was perfect, and his love for Liza grew deeper and stronger everyday...Charlotte was really tossing a wrench at all his happiness, she could really be inconsiderate...

"Chuckeroo we've gone over this I'll be home in three weeks for B's rocking pajama karaoke birthday party. I already have the tickets." She smiles up at her big brother and squeezes his forearm encouragingly sweet, like he was a child being comforted by an adult. This annoys him and his pout only deepens. Thank god for Liza who breaks Charli's contact with Charles when she scoops Charli into her embrace as she wishes her well.

"Here" Liza holds out a ziplock baggie of saltine crackers and a can of ginger ale "I know you get stress belly before flying so this should help with the cab ride over." She hugs her again and steps back "I'm proud of you Charli. I'll see you soon." Charles softens at the sight of Charli blinking away tears. Liza can make anyone fall in love with her even his smart ass kid sister. Liza pats his shoulder as she steps back to the stoop to stand with Josh and Oliver giving Charles a moment alone with Charlotte.

"It's not like last time Chucky I swear I'll be home more. Pauline is not going to blow up your world the second I get on the plane. You're happy and secure." She smiles up at him, and he can't help but agree with her. She wasn't the selfish Brooks sibling, he was...crap now I have to be supportive and let her go without a scene.

"You're right kiddo." He sucks in a deep breath and opens his arms for a hug. "I'm going to need to you text me at least once a day so I know you're alive. And I'm going to need Your assistant John's contact information so I can make sure he makes you eat, drink, and sleep."

"John has your contact info and he'll be in contact with you. I'll be sure to FaceTime the girls at least two times a week and call equally as much." She hops up in her tip toes to engulf her big brother in a bear hug. "I'm going to miss you Chuckster." They hold each other for a while and when they separate both have to wipe tears from their eyes.

Charles looks over his shoulder at Liza holding Oliver on her hip and a Stoney faced Josh. His heart aches for the kid, but he had a feeling this was just a bump in the road for their love story. They were endgame he was sure of it, looking back at Charli he tussles her hair and moves to join Liza so Josh can say his goodbyes.

Josh

His stomach stank to his feet as he made his way to Charli. It didn't help seeing that old man Chuck was fighting back tears as he moved to stand with Liza and Oliver. Charli smiles sweetly as he approaches her oh god I can't let her go! Liza can watch Oliver till Clair gets off. I can buy a last minute ticket at the airport. I'll buy new clothes when we land, I can't just watch her leave! He sucks in the smoggy Brooklyn air and says.

"Three weeks isn't so long." God he hated being an adult...

"It really isn't. Still sucks though." She swipes away a tear. "You should ask me to stay...right now." She looks up at him and he knows she means it. He knows that if he asked her she'd stay, she'd drop the trial and stay with him. He wants to drop to his knee and propose right there! His heart swells with love and happiness instantly, but just as quickly it deflates. He can't ask her to give up her career and stay here. They would be happy he knows that without a doubt, but their happiness would be on borrowed time. He knows what happens to women who trade their hopes and dreams for the domestication of suburbia. He'd been Liza's mid life crisis when she'd finally broken free from that life. He knew he couldn't subject Charli to that life. His insides felt like fire as he shook his head no.

"Go do this. Then come home to us. I'm not going to chase after you or beg you to stay. I chased Claire and we failed. I smothered Liza and she broke my heart. I love you too much to make those mistakes again. You're going to come home and we'll still be here. I love you Charlie Brown."

She has given up on wiping away tears and they flow freely down her face as she nods. "You're my home. I never knew I could love someone the way I-" her voice catches as she pushes through "you saved me Joshua Lee Younger. I love you." She embraces him and they kiss goodbye till Charles loudly clears his throat behind them. Their foreheads touch as she chuckles at her big brother.

"I know you'll keep them in check right?"

"Of course. I've got Maggie tagging in as backup." They hold each other for just a moment more till the driver asks if all the bags are loaded. She nods and piles into the car waving to her family as they drive away. Liza and Charles walk up and Oliver demands to be held by Josh. He kisses his son and they all head in. Josh can't help but smile at the image of Liza, Charles and himself united together as they we're in their pain and love. Things could not have worked out any better than the way they had. Thank God for Liza Miller and her lies!