Chapter Eight

A/N: Again thanks to everyone who's been reviewing. Thanks much for all your kind words and support!!

Henry stood staring at the person standing on his doorstep. Six years hadn't changed Charlie very much. Her hair was cut shorter into a chin length bob, but her eyes were just as cold as they were the last time he'd looked into them. She had put on a few pounds since her second child, but to Henry she almost looked like a stranger. Charlie went to throw her arms around his neck, but Henry quickly stopped her.

"Charlie, this isn't some social call like you've been gone on vacation for a few days. Please don't expect things to be like they were." Henry said. Charlie narrowed her eyes at Henry. She hadn't really expected him to welcome her with open arms, but this Henry was much chillier than she thought he would be.

"Henry, I just wanted to stop by and talk; maybe see Aiden." Charlie said.

"Ok, fine we can talk here in the living room. Aiden is reading and I'm not going to disturb him." Henry said, motioning for her to come in. As she seated herself on the couch she asked:

"So, how long have you been back here?" Charlie asked.

"Just a few months." Henry said, "It's taken a little getting used to for Aiden. He's made a lot of friends though and he seems to have adjusted well." Henry said.

"What about Betty?" Charlie said.

"What about her?" Henry said, anger creeping into his voice.

"Don't get all upset Henry; I was just wondering if Betty's met Aiden yet?" Charlie asked.

"Yes she has, and yes they get along great." Henry said. Charlie and Henry sat looking at each other uncomfortably for a moment. Henry indicated Aiden's room with his head.

"You're welcome to go see him. Just don't be surprised if he doesn't pay much attention to you. He really gets into his books." Henry said with a small smile. Charlie walked past Henry and stood just out of sight of the doorway to Aiden's room. She looked at her son reclining on his bed reading as Henry came up behind her.

"He looks just like you." Charlie said.

"I know. He's a really terrific little boy Charlie." Henry whispered, motioning for her to follow him. They walked back to the living room and Henry offered her a spot on the couch. As she sat, Henry took up a spot in the chair across from the couch. Henry tried not to look at Charlie suspiciously but he couldn't stop the words that left his mouth.

"Charlie, what are you really doing here? Your note you left in Tucson sounded pretty final and if you're here to cause trouble……."

"Henry, I just wanted to see Aiden." Charlie said, "Is it my fault you look so handsome? I just wanted to know that you both were doing ok."

"As you can see, we're both just fine." Henry said.

"Well that's good." Charlie said, "Now I can move forward to my life knowing that you and Aiden are taken care of. Do you think I could come see him tomorrow?"

"I think that would be all right." Henry said, "How long are you planning on staying in town?"

"Only for a few days, but I really need a favor; I've got a hotel room for tonight, but it's booked for the next few nights. Do you think maybe I could sleep here for a night?" Charlie asked. Henry hesitated; on the one hand, the idea had all the makings of a disaster, on the other this was Charlie. It would give her time to spend with Aiden and would virtually ensure she got the hint that he was committed to Betty. He would just sleep with his bedroom door locked. He just hoped Betty would understand.

Betty sat in her father's living room, stuffed from dinner. She couldn't remember feeling so full in a long time. As she watched her father drying the last of the dinner dishes, she thought of Henry. She hoped that he and Aiden were doing all right. Ignacio hung up the dish towel and walked into his living room, sitting next to his daughter. Hilda and Justin were watching television not paying them any attention as he turned to his youngest daughter.

"Mi hija, something is bothering you. Tell your old father what's troubling you." Ignacio said comfortingly.

"Dad, Charlie's been looking for Henry and Aiden. Specifically Aiden. I'm scared Dad. What if she tries to take Aiden? What if Aiden decides to go live with her? That would kill Henry. What if Henry decides to try again with Charlie?" Betty whispered, tears filling her eyes. Ignacio pulled his daughter into a hug, talking to her as he had done many times when she was a child.

"Betty, Henry loves you. No one could look at him and not see that in his eyes. His Aiden seems like a very smart boy and devoted to Henry. He hasn't had a chance to know his mother because she took his chance from him. Don't sell that little boy short, he sounds much smarter than people think. And as far as you my little Betty, if he hasn't realized already what a tremendous gift you are, then he is not deserving of your love." Ignacio said, hugging Betty close. Betty hugged her father tightly as they watched Hilda and Justin watching Fashion Television.

Henry walked Charlie to the door as he bid her goodbye. She promised to come back tomorrow night and have dinner with them. If she was going to be staying here for a night or two, Henry wanted her to interact with Aiden some before he explained who she was. He wanted Aiden to be as comfortable as he could with his mother. As he opened the door for Charlie, Henry felt compelled to finalize things with her.

"Charlie, I want you to know I'm letting you stay here only for Aiden's sake. I think it's important that the two of you have some kind of relationship, but I love Betty now and nothing is going to change that." Henry said as he wished her goodnight. As Charlie walked outside into the cool night air his words echoed in her head.

Nothing is going to change that…. We'll just see about that, Charlie thought as she began turning an idea over in her head.