Almost a week later, Charlotte's sitting on the couch, staring at her glass of water. She's a little nervous, and justifiably so. Mason's coming over tonight and it's going to be the first time she's met him, the first time he's meeting her and Betsey. She takes a sip of her water as she waits for Cooper to get home. She shifts on the couch and leans forward, setting her glass down on the coffee table. She glances at her phone and then lets out a deep breath. She hears the jiggle of a key in the lock and hears giggling on the other side of the door. Here we go. She turns her head when the door opens.
"I told you to go to the bathroom before we left the office," Cooper says, walking into the loft and setting his stuff down.
"I didn't have to go before we left. Duh," Mason manages to spit out before he makes a run for the only bathroom.
Cooper shuts and locks the door and looks at Charlotte. He smiles and pads over to the couch, sitting on the coffee table. "Hey."
She smiles back. "Hey." She pauses. "How was your day?"
"Good. Mason and I spent his day off building stuff out of tongue depressors."
"Sounds like fun."
"How was your day?"
"Well, my day pretty much sucked. It was long and I'm really glad it's over."
He sighs. "Amelia?"
She nods. "Among other things."
"We're gonna have so much fun tonight."
"Mmhmm."
He sits on the couch beside her and presses a kiss to her cheek. "I was hoping for a little more enthusiasm, Char."
"This is all the enthusiasm you're gonna get outta me."
"What's wrong?"
She shrugs. "Nothin'."
He smirks. "I think I know what's wrong." He pauses. "You're nervous."
"I am not."
"Are too." He smiles at her.
"What are you five?" She sighs. "Ok, fine, maybe I am a little nervous."
"You don't have to be."
"Well, I am."
He sighs. "It'll be fine. Just relax." He stands up when he hears footsteps behind him. He turns around and smiles. "Hey, Mason, there are two people I'd like you to meet."
Mason walks over to the couch and stands beside his dad.
Cooper runs his fingers through his son's brown hair and smiles. "Charlotte, Mason. Mason, Charlotte."
Mason waves. "Hey."
Charlotte offers the boy a faint smile. "Hey."
"I saw your picture in my dad's office. You're his wife, right?"
Charlotte nods. "I am indeed."
"Prettier in person." Mason smiles.
Charlotte lets a soft laugh escape. She looks at Cooper and raises an eyebrow.
Cooper shrugs, letting her know he had nothing to do with what came out of his son's mouth. "Where's Betsey?"
"In her room. I'll go get her." Charlotte heads through the kitchen and knocks on Betsey's bedroom door. When she comes back into the living room, she has a little girl trailing behind her.
Betsey appears from behind Charlotte and looks between Cooper and Mason. She blinks. "Hi."
Cooper nudges Mason and the eight year-old steps forward. "Hi. I'm Mason."
Betsey smiles. "I'm Betsey."
Mason smiles back.
"Alright, enough flirting, Mase. Let's set up this Wii."
Mason twists his mouth. "Ew, gross."
Cooper messes up his son's hair and walks over to the TV. He looks at Charlotte. "You up for some Wii tennis?"
Charlotte lets out a breath, her shoulders dropping. "I'll sit the first round out."
"You really wanna watch me cream an eight year-old?"
"I think you're a little confused, dad. She's gonna watch you get creamed by an eight year-old."
"We'll see about that." Cooper stands up and moves the couch and coffee table out of the way.
Charlotte sits down and pats the cushion beside her. "Come here, Betsey."
Betsey hops up beside Charlotte and leans against her, turning her head towards Cooper and Mason. "Hi, Cooper! I forgot to say that before."
Cooper laughs. "Hi, sweetie."
Betsey looks at Charlotte and whispers, "Is Mason really my brother?"
"Somethin' like that, yeah."
Betsey shudders.
"What's wrong, sweet pea?"
"Is he gonna—he's not gonna hurt me, is he?"
"No, of course not. Why would you think that?"
"My last brother pushed me around a lot."
Charlotte nods. "Don't worry. Mason won't do that. I'm sure of it."
Betsey relaxes and turns her focus to the TV, where a heated game of Wii Tennis is taking place.
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