Like Father, Like Son
Author's Note: Alright folks this is the first ever Charlie exclusive chapter to set up where he's been since his release and what has he been up to since then. This will start when Charlie is finally out of prison after serving a 15-year sentence for his sexual assault against Sarah Wakefield (Sarah Carpenter now) he doesn't know he has a daughter and now with all that said, time to check up on the Creepy Creep Creep.
Disclaimer: I obviously don't own Girl Meets World. I'm not getting paid by the writers to write stuff like this (but I wish I was) Sadly they wouldn't allow stuff like this to air because it's Disney!
September 2037
It had been 15 years since Charlie Gardner had set out into the world and free from prison. Charlie Gardner was now a free man again to walk around the earth as he so chooses however, the people knew who he was due to the news report about him being released and that he is a registered sex offender. He cannot be around children or any environment where children are around and that really does limit his options in jobs. As Charlie was beginning to walk around New York, he stumbled across his ex-girlfriend's old apartment. That was the place that sealed his fate as he was arrested at that apartment. The apartment at one time belonged to Sarah Wakefield, he could still remember the day that NYPD pursued him and came down on him with an arrest warrant and arrested the former High School Basketball standout and Sharpshooter from John Adams High. Charlie even still remembers the day of the trial.
He finally found himself an apartment that he could stay at in Hell's Kitchen the name had some symbolism behind it as people know he was a criminal. Some were more forgiving than others which he was thankful for while others still see him as a rapist and woman beater. He didn't care all of that was numb to him, ever since was released he's had great difficulties getting a stable job to help pay for the rent and the utilities he was in his mid-30s now and the Charlie Gardner people knew in High School has changed. During his time in prison, Charlie gained numerous tattoos known as "homie tattoos" her grew his hair out as his hair was reaching down the middle of his back and is very aware of his surroundings. Days passed as Charlie went in for job interviews but due to his criminal record, he was denied work. Charlie understood why he was denied as if he was in their position he wouldn't hire a guy with a sexual assault charge on him and numerous assault charges.
Charlie was running out of time to pay up for rent, as he was getting off the subway and making his way to the bus to get a ride home, he saw that the bus was very full and people gave him a dirty look. He doesn't blame them after all his name was on the news recently about his past crimes. As he sat down in the back another very tall man entered the bus and paid his fair. The other tall man noticed the empty seat that was beside Charlie "Excuse me sir is that seat taken?" The man asked. Charlie raised his head to look at the man.
"Billy Ross?!" Charlie exclaimed running into his former High School Basketball Teammate.
"No way! Charlie Gardner!" Billy Ross exclaimed having not seen Charlie in years as they embraced each other like brothers as the two sat down beside each other.
"Wow man, you look great! How's everything nowadays?" Charlie asked noticing that Billy Ross was in relatively great shape and looks like he's more built.
"Well I'm married now man and I have a 13-year old son." Billy told Charlie as he punched his phone's passcode and showed Charlie a picture of his son.
"He looks great Billy! What's his name?" Charlie said congratulating his former teammate.
"His name is Xander Ross. He's a great kid too, he's gonna be heading to John Adams High next year." Billy told Charlie as he placed away his phone in the pocket of his black pants.
"What have you been up to?" Billy wondered as he asked Charlie.
"Well, I've been trying to get a job but due to my criminal record, I can't get a job." Charlie told Billy as he sighed being unsuccessful in getting a job.
"Hey man, lemme ask you something…You still a good cook like you were back in High School?' Billy asked Charlie remembering the times they hung out together during school and Charlie also had a passion in cooking.
"Ya man I can cook up a good meal no problem, you wanna come over and eat?" Charlie asked him.
"No man I'm not talking about having a meal together although we can do that after work." Billy told his friend.
"What do you mean man? I know you got a job but I don't," Charlie said looking confused.
"Actually you just got yourself a job. You're hired!" Billy told Charlie that he was hired at Billy's bar.
"No way! Are you serious?! Thanks so much man!" Charlie exclaimed in excitement hugging Billy.
"Not a problem man, just be over at 10am to prep for the day and the bar is on 9th avenue and 42nd street. The place is called: The Real Fan's Bar and Grill.
"So it's a sports bar right?" Charlie asked Billy as he began to remember the intersection of the bar and the name of the bar.
"You got it! The MLB playoffs are coming up, there's a huge MMA fight next weekend and the NBA season begins in a few weeks." Billy told Charlie expecting it to be busy.
"Speaking of the NBA, have you heard from Lucas and Zay since you got out back years ago?" Charlie asked him as the bus began to make its way out of the bus terminal.
"Well Lucas and Zay are doing very good, Lucas is going to be retiring at the end of the season. As for Zay, I know he's doing good but I haven't talked to them since the incident." Billy told Charlie still feeling guilty for playing a part in a crime which saw the demise of Riley's unborn child.
"Why is he retiring he's 37, the only reason he would be retiring if his body is beginning to breakdown due to injuries." Charlie told Billy wondering why Lucas made his decision to retire.
"Well he wants to spend more time with his kids." Billy began to speak until he was cut off.
"Wait he and Riley have how many kids?" Charlie asked.
"Three. I know that one is a boy and another is a girl after they videobombed Lucas during a post-game interview on ABC one night after beating the Dallas Mavericks. I can't bring myself to talk to him and hoping he and Riley could forgive me." Billy said as he placed his head down in shame still carrying the guilt since their incident back in 2019. There was a brief period of silence between the two, had their jealousy been kept in check, their lives would've been a lot different today but that is something both men know they can't change, they have to now live with the mistakes that they made in their past and must learn from it and become better because of it.
"Hey Charlie, if you ever saw Riley and Lucas again, what would you say to them?" Billy wondered knowing Charlie hasn't seen them in years.
"To be honest, I still hate Lucas for ending up with Riley I wanted her and I know he's been her since they were in High School and had their on and off periods but I felt that I was a breath of fresh air for Riley and thought that I really did sweep her off her feet." Charlie explained himself.
"Charlie my man, you need to let that go. They're married now and have three kids together and living a good life man, there isn't a thing you can do about their marriage! They're hopelessly in love!" Billy exclaimed as the bus was coming close to Charlie's stop.
"Hey man, we'll talk about this again soon ok?" Charlie told Billy as Charlie got up from his seat and got closer to the rear exit.
"Alright man, here's my card and give me a call when you get home so I know you're ok." Billy said wanting to check in with Charlie wanting to help him.
"Thanks Billy, and thanks so much for hiring me. I really appreciate it man." Charlie said as the bus approached Charlie's stop as the doors opened up and Charlie walked out and got off the bus.
It was now 3 in the afternoon as the kids were getting out from school, Charlie knew that the parents would have their eyes on him as he walked through the neighborhood knowing there were eyes on him out of the safety of their children. As he walked closer to his apartment he witnessed 2 boys getting in a girl's personal space, she looked like she was cornered.
"Hey boys! Cut if out over there!" Charlie called over to the young teenagers.
"Stay out of this old man!" One boy maybe about 14-15 years old told Charlie. The boy had a pale skin color and about an average build and looked like a thug that came from the early 2000s. Another boy with him, was an Asian boy a little bit smaller but looked a lot tougher and meaner. Charlie began to approach the two boys to tell them to stop until another boy, a girl, and a younger looking boy rushed over to help the girl that was cornered!
"Hey ass holes back off from my sister!" The boy told the two thugs as the unknown boy got in front of his sister while the girl and the younger boy helped the boy's sister.
"Stay out of this dumb ass you don't know what you're getting your ass into!" The thugs told the brave boy as Charlie looked on and respecting the brave boy's courage and ability to hold his ground.
"Oh yeah, looks like you were getting too close to her." The boy told them as he tightened up his fists and held it near his face readying himself for a fight! There was something about this boy that registered in Charlie's mind as familiar. A similar haircut to Lucas Friar and same hair color. Maybe a diehard fan?
"It's two on one dumbass besides so if you wanna get your ass beat, fine by us." The thugs told the boy as they began to corner him too waiting for a moment to attack. They stalked the brave boy like a prey and had him cornered until the younger boy ambushed the pale skinned thug while the brave boy jumped onto the Asian thug as the fight began. Fists were flying as the younger boy got kicked into a brick wall but then a large and tall black teenager rushed in and tackles the Pale skinned thug! The large and tall teenager looked
"Hey kid you're doing good, go help out your friend!" the tall black teenager told the younger boy as Charlie recognized some of his facial features! It was definitely Billy Ross' boy…Xander Ross! There was something strikingly familiar about the girl that was being cornered earlier…similar facial features to Riley and has her eyes what he didn't know is that it was Natalie Friar! Riley's and Lucas' daughter. The fight ended maybe about 20 seconds later as the thugs ran off and made an escape as the two boys were successful in defending Natalie.
"You boys did good!" Charlie said applauding the two boys: Aaron and Troy Friar.
"Thanks sir!" Aaron and Troy said together appreciating the compliment.
"And you big man! I think I may know who your father is." Charlie said looking towards Xander.
"Yeah man I didn't even get a chance to thank you so thanks!" Troy appreciated Xander's help as they shook hands followed by Aaron shaking Xander's hand.
"Are these your brothers?" Charlie asked Natalie. She nodded. Natalie also gained one habit from Riley her safety when it came to strangers.
"She won't talk to you since you're a stranger, the only way she'd ever talk to you is if she sees two forms of identification." Troy told Charlie knowing Natalie had that part of her mother's protectiveness. Charlie showed Troy his metro pass and his old driver's license where seconds later he showed it to Natalie.
"Well thank you Mr. Gardner!" Natalie said happily handing Charlie back his identification.
"Hey man, what's your name?" Aaron asked the big teenager.
"Xander…Xander Ross." Xander introduced himself. Charlie knew it, this was Billy Ross' boy but he was also amazed that he was Aaron's height at 6'3 and was deceivingly strong.
"Hey Xander, wanna come with us just to get something to eat?" Aaron offered.
"Yeah sure that'd be great!" Xander said accepting Aaron's offer.
"And how about you Mr. Gardner?" Natalie asked Charlie.
"Sorry kids, I can't. I got stuff to take care of." Charlie told them as Charlie knew that he couldn't be around kids and that he was to report to the Police and check in with them every Friday.
"Alright, thanks again Mr. Gardner for getting the thug's attention I didn't know we left Natalie behind until I heard your voice." Aaron said admitting his faults.
"No worries kid." Charlie told Aaron.
"And as for you." Charlie said beginning to turn his attention to Natalie.
"Be thankful for your bothers because you will need them, and they will need you so be appreciative for everything they do for you and take care of each other." Charlie offered some advice to the kids as they exchanged goodbyes and went their separate ways.
Author's Note: Hmmmm...Could this be a sign that Charlie has changed for the better? Did prison do a number on him that allowed Charlie to see the error of his ways? We will see in later chapters but there goes another chapter of Like Father, Like Son and if I could talk to the people that watch basketball here...HOLY SHIT! Two very good games this weekend Kyle Lowry putting the Toronto Raptors on his back and taking a victory away from Lebron James and the Cleveland Caveliers! What a shot in the dying moments of the game and also Stephen Curry's game winning shot during overtime on Saturday, February 28, 2016 plus breaking his own record for making 3 point shots in a season and they still have 20+ games to play which is even more astonishing! But getting back to business here, next time on Like Father, Like Son...Xander comes to Topanga's and Natalie is thankful of him and her brothers for bailing her out but the other girl that was with them was Chloe! Maybe there was a reason why Charlie didn't pay any attention to her for now ;) How will Lucas, Riley and the others react once Xander introduces himself? Find out next time on Like Father, Like Son! Please leave a review, follow, and/or fav this fanfic to keep up to date with the fanfic and also I wanna hear from you guys and what you guys are thinking! Again I am open to suggestions on where the story CAN go in the future so please feel free to talk guys which leads into...
Let's Talk! Gotta love doing these :D
4ne1: Well according to some married guys I do know they always say "Happy wife, happy life" and pretty much know they're the boss. And I hope you enjoyed Charlie's return Chapter and that I did his character justice.
Michaela: Well usually when a wife grounds her husband, it means its off to the couch with him and maybe for Riley and Lucas that's a rule they've come to an understanding on like how Topanga threw out Cory out of the apartment in Girl Meets The Truth for his comments about Topanga's chicken.
James Stryker: I agree people can change if they can see the mistakes they have made but we'll see later on if some of his jealous tendencies are still with him to this day!
Have a great day you guys and be safe out there :)