Chapter 7************* Together again****************************
Charlotte woke up next to Matthew at his uncle's house. Matthew was just staring at her.
"What'd I drool all over myself ?" Charlotte noticed Matthew was staring at her.
" You're gorgeous. Can't believe I let you go "
Charlotte hopped up in bed and whispered in his ear. "Wanna play dirty cop and bandit?"
Matthew laughed. "It's tempting but you have to go home today. I'm dropping you off at the convenience store this morning. Early before it's crowded and there are witnesses. Do you remember what I told you to say?"
" I remember." Charlotte pouted as she got out of bed and went into the bathroom to get ready.
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Meanwhile Cooper met Charlotte's mother and brothers at the local pancake house.
After they exchanged hello's and ordered their food. Landry began the conversation.
"Sorry We have to meet under these circumstances Cooper. Last time we met you was when our father died."
"I agree. When Charlotte comes home we'll have to have you guys all out for a visit. We'll show you the sights." Cooper really hoped Charlotte would be coming home again.
"Any news on Charlotte?" Duke asked while eating his pancakes.
"Nothing. I call twice a day for an update but there's nothing new. The only leads are what you told them about Charlotte's ex and his family." Cooper was disappointed.
"Let's hope she's with Matthew's family. At least we know they'd never hurt her. They adore Charlotte." Landry explained.
"What would his family want with Charlotte?" Cooper was confused.
"Charlotte's a doctor. They'd want her to take care of them when they were injured. They couldn't go to a hospital because the hospital would call the cops." Landry told Cooper as he stuffed his face with pancakes and eggs.
"And Charlotte would help them?" Cooper asked.
"Had no choice. It was her husband's family." Landry answered.
"Didn't you say her husband was a cop?" Cooper was trying to figure this out.
"Dirty cop. If you ask me." Duke added.
"No. I don't think he's dirty. He just can't help who he's related to. " Landry answered looking at Duke.
"Come on! He's dirty. That's why he works for the FBI. He gets inside information to tip his off his family. Don't you realize they planned it like that" Duke argued with Landry.
"He's not dirty. Matt's a good guy and a good cop." Landry told Duke.
"You're a naïve man if you believe that." Duke answered back.
Cooper and Momma King just watched the exchange between the brothers.
Cooper's cell phone rang. He took the call out in the lobby. When Cooper returned to the table he was very excited. "That was Detective Ryan. They found Charlotte. She's alive and okay. They dropped her off at a convenience store in Monteray. The cops are bringing her back to L.A. right now."
"Thank God!" Momma King said and then started to cry.
"Momma. Cooper just told us Charlotte's okay. Stop crying." Landry rubbed his Momma's shoulder.
"They're tears of joy. Tears of relief. You nimrod." Duke told Landry.
They wont be back to L.A. for a few hours. Would you like me to show you around L.A. in the meantime?" Cooper asked trying to break the tension. Cooper was so happy Charlotte was okay and coming home he didn't mind showing the Kings around all day if he had to. He wanted to get to know Charlotte's family better.
After Charlotte was finished talking with the police investigators she walked out to find Cooper, Momma, Duke. and Landry waiting. Charlotte couldn't hide the expression of shock on her face.
"What are y'all doin here? Charlotte had no idea her family came to L.A.
"They were worried about you Charlotte." Cooper walked up to her and squeezed her so tight Charlotte could hardly breathe.
After a minute Charlotte pulled herself away from Cooper. "I'm fine. You shouldn't have came here." Charlotte said looking at her mother and brothers.
"Charlotte." Cooper said giving her a look like a parent would give a child who said something rude.
"And why are you here Cooper?" Charlotte said rather brash.
"I'm sorry. Charlotte's just been through an ordeal. Do you mind if I talk to her for a while. You're all invited to dinner at my friend Violet's house tonight. I'll call you in a little while with the time and directions."
"Okay Cooper. That would be nice" Momma King said as she came over and gave Charlotte a gentle hug and kiss on the cheek.
Landry and Duke each took a turn to hug their sister and then went on their way leaving Charlotte and Cooper to talk.
"So Charlotte. Are you okay? Did anyone hurt you?" Cooper asked quiet and very concerned.
Charlotte was annoyed "I'm fine Cooper. No one hurt me." Charlotte took a long deep breath and sighed "Now I don't want to talk about it anymore."
Now Cooper was annoyed "You never want to talk about anything. That's the whole problem with you Charlotte. Were you ever planning to tell me you were pregnant?"
Cooper started getting louder.
"How'd you find out!?" Charlotte was yelling. She looked around the parking lot as they walked to the car to make sure no one was listening to them.
Cooper lowered his voice a little. "Dr. Jones called. You missed your appointment and she told me because I'm the father apparently."
"Yes you' re the father. It happened from the mistake sex we had at Maya's wedding. Remember you told me it was a mistake. So I guess this baby is a mistake to you too!" Charlotte was yelling again as they both got into Cooper's car.
"I'm sorry I said it was a mistake Charlotte. The sex was not a mistake" Cooper lowered his voice again and in a quiet calm tone looked at Charlotte and said "I love you."
Charlotte wanted to believe him but so much had happened. "You wouldn't be saying that if I wasn't pregnant." She growled at him. "I don't need you. I can raise this baby on my own."
"That's not gonna happen Charlotte. It's my child too." Cooper kept his composure and talked to her her calmly. They had been arguing for months now and he was ready for it to stop. If only he could make her see it wasn't because she was pregnant but he really did love her. "I could take you to see Dr. Jones now if you like. She told me she would squeeze you in for an appointment whenever you got back."
"Fine" Charlotte said. This confirmed it to her that Cooper just wanted her back because she was pregnant.
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Cooper came in the room with Charlotte for the prenatal exam. Everything looked good and Dr. Jones placed the doppler on Charlotte's abdomen and searched for the baby's heartbeat. Cooper and Charlotte looked at each other when they heard the sound. Cooper grabbed Charlotte's hand and squeezed it tight. Charlotte smiled at him. Even though she was still mad she was also amazed that they created a life together. Too bad Cooper told her that it was a mistake they had sex the time she got pregnant. She decided she wouldn't think about that now and just enjoy the sound of their baby's heartbeat.