CHAPTER 10 The Talks

Charlotte and Matthew arrived in Big Sur and were going for a hike.

"The drive up here was amazing. I forgot how spectacular the view of the coastline is." Charlotte comments as she hikes along the flowing stream.

"Is that why you wanted to come back up here? For the view?" Matthew questions her.

"That's part of it but I thought we could talk."

"We had some good times up here while we were married." Matthew smiles.

"We had some amazing times while we were married."

"Is that why we're here Charlotte? Are you trying to relive the past?" Matthew pushes some branches away so they could pass the through the trail.

"I guess. I just need to see. Ya know. I need to be sure I'm making the right choice." Charlotte looks at him.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you ever think about what life might have been like if we never got divorced Matthew? If I forgave you back then?"

"Sure. You cross my mind. Every now and then something makes me think of you. I think about how life would be different if I never cheated that time."

"Me too."

"It's normal Charlotte. I think all divorced couples think about that stuff."

"I should have forgiven you. I should have given you a second chance." Charlotte reaches out for his hand.

"That was a long long time ago Charlotte. We can't go back again. Too much time has gone by. Too much has changed." Matthew squeezes her hand.

Charlotte sits on a log off to the side of the trail. Matthew sits down next to her.

"I know. I've moved on. I have a good life now. Cooper wants to get back together. I'm having Cooper's baby but I can't stop thinking about how life might have been if I was still with you."

"Because it's easier. You and Cooper are having problems. You think life with me will be the way it was before I cheated. Don't make the same mistake twice Charlotte."

"What do ya' mean?"

"You didn't forgive me and you walked out. Now you're regretting it. Don't do the same with Cooper. Do you still love Cooper?"

"Yes. Although I don't know why. After the way he has treated me I shouldn't. I just can't turn it off though. Believe me I've been trying to."

"You still love him Charlotte and it sounds like he still loves you. Don't throw that away." Matthew advises.

"So you don't think we should give it another try? I mean you and me." Charlotte asks.

"Looking at you now I'm tempted to say yes but like I said before too much time has gone by. We're different people now. We can't go back again."

Charlotte's eyes started watering. Matthew gave her a hug. "Try not to think too much. That was then and this is now. We've both moved on. Go live your life with Cooper but remember if you ever need me I'm here for you. Always. Okay?"

Charlotte looked up at him. Now the tears were falling from her eyes. "Okay" She answers.

Matthew kisses her. Charlotte kisses him back. She didn't want this kiss to end. Neither one of them did because they knew it would be their last. When they finally broke the kiss they stood up and walked hand in hand along the stream.

"So I guess you should head back to LA Bama.".

"I hope I'm making the right choice" Charlotte says looking down at the trail as she walks with Matthew's hand interlocked with hers.

"Those were probably the best days we've ever known but it's all in the past Charlotte. Focus on the future. You're going to be a mom." He smiles at her.

"I guess I have some thinking to do on the drive home." Charlotte tells. "I just hope I am making the right choice."

"No regrets Bama."

"No regrets. " Charlotte replies.

Do you think Charlotte is making the right choice to return to L.A. and Cooper?

There is only one chapter left before the epilogue. Do you want Charlotte's baby to be a girl or a boy? Send me a message or leave it in your review. The majority wins. Then you can choose the name.

Thanks! Don't forget to review! : 0 )