Charlotte's outside, sitting on a bench in the garden, eating a salad. She's stabbing her tomatoes with her fork as she sits there thinking. She looks around and sighs.
Cooper comes up behind her and rests his hand on her shoulder. He lowers his head and presses a kiss to her cheek. "I've been looking all over for you."
She jumps a little and drops her shoulders when she finally registers that it's Cooper. "I've been busy."
He walks around the bench and sits down beside her. He steals a tomato and pops it in his mouth. "Whatcha doing out here?"
"Just thinkin'." She shifts on the wooden slats and closes the plastic container. She's not very hungry. She untwists the cap on her water bottle and takes a long sip. She swallows and hooks her arm around his and rests her head on his shoulder.
He smiles. "Whatcha thinking about?"
"You should know."
"Anything worth sharing?"
"Not really." She hugs his side and lets out a breath. "Do you honestly think we can do this, Coop? More importantly, do you think I can?"
He twists his body towards her and traces the lines on her palm with his finger. He smiles at her and nods. "I do and that's my answer to both questions." He slides his finger up the length of her forearm and back down slowly as he continues. "She knows us, Char. We're not just some random strangers and we know what happened. That'll work in our favor." He squeezes her hand and looks at her.
"But don't you think that since we were there both times, it'll be harder for her?"
He shrugs. "I'm not saying it's gonna be a walk in the park, Char."
She lets out a breath and blinks. "I need more time to think about this." She leans against him, resting her head back on his shoulder.
He hooks his arm around her back and rubs her hip. "You planning on checking on Betsey later?"
"Why?"
"She mentioned something about you telling her more about your horse. I was just making sure you were still going to do that."
"I am."
He smiles. "Ok." He pauses. "How's your day going?"
She shrugs, looking at him, a faint smile on her face. "It's goin' ok. First half will no doubt be better than the second"
"Why's that?"
"Second half is heavy on the administrative side of my job—that means lots of meetings and phone calls and paperwork."
"Gotcha. If you need a break, call me." He gives her a quick kiss on the lips, drawing it out as he caresses her jaw line with his finger.
She melts into him, turning herself a little and kissing back. She stands up and smirks. "Keep your phone on." She laughs and heads back into the hospital.
He turns around and watches her disappear. He lets out a breath and leans back against the bench, taking in the spring air as it blows against his face. He pulls his phone out of his pocket and checks to make sure his volume is up. He puts it back into his pocket and sits there for a little bit longer.
Charlotte walks in the front door of the loft later that night, completely exhausted. She walks passed the couch and heads into the bedroom. She smiles and takes off her shoes, crawling into bed with Cooper, who's sitting up reading a magazine. She curves her body around him and rests her head on his shoulder, letting out a breath and a yawn as she relaxes.
Cooper sets his magazine on his stomach and hooks his arm around her, gripping her hip gently. He turns his head, his lips meeting her forehead. He kisses her and slides his hand up her side, pulling at her dress a little. "Long day?"
She nods, shifting slightly. "Remind me to bring my photo album to work tomorrow—the one with the grey cover."
He raises an eyebrow. "Why?"
"I have some pictures of Marjorie that I wanted to show Betsey."
He smiles.
"Just remind me, ok?"
He nods. "I'll try." He pauses. "You seem awfully into Betsey. Does that mean you're considering saying yes?"
She runs her hand up and down his chest, tugging on his T-shirt. "I already said I was thinkin' 'bout it, Coop. What else do you want?" She pauses, changing her tone when she says, "Betsey asked if I had pictures and I do."
"Mmhmm," he mumbles, sensing that that's not the full truth. He twirls a loose piece of her hair around his finger and closes his eyes. "I'm guessing you ate at the hospital?"
"I did."
"There's some leftover pasta in the refrigerator if you're hungry. I also saved you a red velvet cupcake."
She rolls onto her back and sits up. "I'm just gonna take a quick shower and get ready for bed." She pauses. "But don't even think 'bout stealin' my cupcake, mister. I'll have it tomorrow."
He laughs. "That would have been my next question."
She gets off the bed and opens her dresser, pulling out a pair of pajamas—some shorts and a tank top. She disappears into the bathroom and shuts the door.
He hears the scream of the shower turning on a few seconds later, so he lifts his magazine off his stomach and listens to his wife's off-beat and uninhibited singing through the door. He smiles and focuses on his tech magazine.
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