This chapter takes place end of episode 2x11 and episode 2x12.
The Graceland Family have just pulled off the bank robbery: takes place a few weeks after the 1st chapter. Charlie is ~7weeks.
Briggs POV:
We had just pulled off the bank robbery, Charlie had cornered me in the parking lot, she wanted answers, and i wanted to give them to her, just not here. Out of the corner of my eye i saw Sid pull up, "we gotta go" i tried to turn but she stopped me "No, i want to talk about this"
"Charlie, i know, but we gotta go" i said guiding her with my arm.
We were driving back to the house in silence. She only spoke up when she noticed i had driving by our normal route.
"You just missed our turn, where you taking me?" she was very short with me.
"to the desert, i wanna show you something" i said looking at her.
"show me what?"
"I wanna show you the truth Charlie"
"naw" she answered quickly "i don't wanna hear it anymore, just take me home" i continued driving not looking up.
"turn around Paul" she said with more force.
"ya know what, i have been sleep walking for months, shit for years, i didn't even know it but you have been asking me to talk and your right, there are things you need to hear babe, to see, things you could never possibly-" i was cut off by a loud bang as i slammed on the brakes the car coming to an abrupt halt. Blood splattered the windshield.
My head snapped to Charlie, she was staring at the blood "you okay?"
She tried to cover her mouth with her hand "i think I'm gonna get-" she flung open the car door and started puking. I grabbed her hair to prevent it from falling in her face.
"-sick" she finished inbetween dry heaves. She shoved me away as she wiped her mouth. I got out to check on the deer. The doe was still alive...barely. it was suffering.
"baby, call animal control, she's still breathing, she's still alive" i said crouched down.
"take me home" she said stepping out next to the car.
"Comon, her ribs are broken, she's got-" i was cut off by the sound of a gun firing. Charlie shot the doe.
"You lit the match Paul" i turned around standing to face her.
"How long? how long have you had the tape?" i questioned.
"A couple of weeks"
i nodded "thats why you left the house?"
She shook her head, "god no, i left the house because i knew i was pregnant, the same god damn night i get a phone call from a friend at the LAPD and he plays the tape, why didn't you just tell me? i gave you every chance, every chance" she started to tear up.
"i was going to tell you" i started but she cut me off.
"you were going to kill Mike, instead of coming to me, instead of trusting me, you turned to that. is that who you are?!" she asked incredulously
"Charlie, look-" i tried to reason-
"too late!" she yelled as she walked over to the drivers side of the car.
"Catherine" i tried again, she ignored me and got in the car, driving away.
The walk home was long, but it gave me time to think about how i was going to fix this. I made my way to her room, i knew there was no way she would be in mine. i knocked lightly.
"is that you" she asked walking up to the other side of the door
"can we talk" i tried
"like this" she sighed "i thought you'd run like the last time.
"Charlie, last time i stayed for you, ill always stay for you, let me in"
"no, this is as close as we get" she said sniffling "you should move out" she continued.
"Sweetheart, I'm sorry thats simply not gonna work for me"
"you don't have a say in it"
"until you take it away from me, i do have a say" i said standing my ground.
"you really gonna force my hand" she whimpered.
"you listened to that tape, you know i didn't mean to kill him" i pleaded.
"this isn't about that, all the times you lied to me, did you really think you were protecting me?"
"no, i thought i was protecting myself"
There was a moment of silence before i heard her voice "goodnight paul"
"goodnight charlie"
Charlie POV:
"Charlie? are you okay" Johnny was standing on the other side of the door. In between dry heaves i answered him "I'm fi-" i puked again "fine". i leaned back against the cool tile. I closed my eyes, the events of last night played over and over in my head.
"Are you sure? do you want me to get Briggs?" Standing I opened the door to face Johnny.
"No" i answered shortly. Johnnys eyes widened at my reaction, i walked past him heading over to the sink rinsing my mouth out and brushing my teeth.
"What happ-" he started
"nothing happened, don't ask about it okay" i snapped at him. He started to back away like a dog with its tail between his legs retreating into the hallway. My phone went off- a reminder on my calendar- i groaned. i completely forgot.
"Johnny" i called out
"yes?" he peaked around the corner of the bathroom.
"can you take me somewhere" he nodded.
"Hey doc, whens the first time you realized you would be spending the rest of your life poking pregnant women?" i asked as i laid back on the table. He smeared the blue goo across my stomach pressing down with the wand.
"Miss. Demarco, lets just try to relax why don't we" he continued looking at the screen.
"Sorry, I'm nervous" i said staring at the ceiling. I wish Paul was here.
"there we are" he said moving the screen in my direction.
"what am i looking at" i inquired
"see this little black shape here-"
"is that my baby? it looks like a peanut"
"you won't recognize it as a baby for a few more weeks"
a sudden urge of concern surged over me "is it okay? is it doing everything its supposed to be doing?"
"you appear to have a very healthy fetus" he replied as he wiped my stomach off.
"For the next 33 weeks you and the peanut are in lock-step, your hungry the peanuts hunger, your tired the peanuts tired, when your distressed -"
"the peanut is distressed" i finished.
"you also have to make a healthy climate for yourself, because thats how you make a healthy climate for the baby"
"does that mean i have to quit my job?"
"that depends whats your job?"
"just clerical work" i lied.
"that should be fine"
"wow" i said looking back at the screen in awe.
"would you like a picture" he smiled.
"can i get 2"
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