A/N: Another chapter. Things sure do get complicated quickly!

Chapter 5

"Wow," Charlotte mumbled, eyes half closed.

Jessica licked her lips as she settled next to Charlotte, one hand slung over her stomach, "You good?"

"Mm, very," Charlotte smiled lazily.

Jessica's fingers lightly ran over Charlotte's chest, she could still feel her daughters' heart racing. She kissed her cheek.

"That was fun," Charlotte murmured, "I never knew it felt so… "

Jessica smiled, her fingers tracing soft patterns over Charlotte's skin, "So…?"

Charlotte bit her lip, "I don't know. Just really nice. Like… I don't know, I've kissed other people and stuff… but none of it ever made me feel like the way I feel with you."

"Stuff, huh?" Jessica quirked an eyebrow.

Charlotte rolled her eyes, "Don't get jealous," she teased with a giggle, "Nothing like…this. Just kissing mostly."

"With that Kahn boy," Jessica supposed.

Charlotte shrugged, "Mostly. He always wanted more but he was such a sleaze. He never wanted to talk or anything. Just drink and fool around. It's so… lifeless."

Jessica smiled, "Well, we can talk all you want," she whispered.

Charlotte grinned, "I know, mom. That's what I love about you. I'm happy spending time with you doing anything… and I think you are too… there's no, like, pressure."

Jessica kissed her lips briefly, "I'm glad to hear you say that."

"Can I ask you something though, mom?" Charlotte nibbled her lip nervously.

"Anything, sweetheart."

"Do I look… you know, okay… down there?" Charlotte asked quietly.

Jessica looked surprised at the question, but then figured it made sense that Charlotte would be self- conscious about her appearance, "You look beautiful," she said firmly, honestly, "Don't ever be ashamed of who you are, honey," she kissed her cheek again.

"I'm not… when I'm with you," Charlotte whispered, "You make me feel good about everything mom. And there were times I thought I'd never feel good about anything ever again."

Jessica sighed and pulled her daughter close, "I love you so much, Charlie. I'm never letting you go again, I promise."

Charlotte heard her mom's voice break slightly and hugged her tightly, "I know, mom. I love you too."

"Sorry to kick you out, Ali, it's just I've got debate practice," Spencer said, "You can hang around if you like."

Alison shrugged, pulling her shoes on, "It's fine. Thanks for letting me stay, Spence."

Spencer nodded, "Sure. You know, if you want to talk about whatever had you knocking at my door last night, I'll listen."

Alison nodded silently.

"Must be bizarre," Spencer thought aloud, "having her living with you now and all."

"You have no idea," Alison muttered.

"You guys getting along okay?" Spencer asked, trying not to push too hard.

Alison sighed, "Sure, with Charlotte. Things are still pretty tense with mom…" she trailed off, shrugging again.

"Well, you know my door's always open, Ali," Spencer smiled.

Alison dragged her feet but eventually made it to the front door and with a resigned sigh, opened it. She could hear talking coming from the kitchen and went through.

"Morning," her mom smiled.

She nodded wordlessly.

"Hey, Ali," Charlotte turned away from helping her mom wash the dishes, "How was your sleepover?"

"It was… fine," Alison muttered before continuing through to her bedroom.

Charlotte frowned after her.

Jessica watched Charlotte's gaze follow her little sister, "Go and talk to her if you like," she said gently, "Maybe she just didn't want to talk around me."

Charlotte looked at her mom and nodded sadly, "Yeah. Okay," she left the kitchen and padded down the hallway.

She knocked on Alison's door gently until it opened.

Alison sighed, "What is it?"

Charlotte blinked, "Are you mad?"

"No," Alison sighed again, "Sorry, I'm just… I'm feeling a bit sick, that's all."

Charlotte looked worried, "Oh, what's wrong? Can I get you anything, some – "

"No, no," Alison shook her head, "Really, I'm just going to sleep a while, okay?"

"Oh, okay," Charlotte nodded.

Hours later, Alison emerged from her room quietly. She slipped into the kitchen unnoticed to pour herself a glass of water. Charlotte spotted her sneaking back through the lounge.

"Hey, you feeling better?" she asked from the couch where her and Jessica were watching tv.

"A little," Alison shrugged.

Jessica stood up, "We were about to go down to the shops, do you need anything?"

Alison shook her head, "No… but… hey," she switched her gaze to Charlotte, "I thought maybe we could watch a movie or something. Can you stay?"

Charlotte's face lit up, "Sure, I can stay," she looked to her mom.

"Yeah, you stay," Jessica smiled, "I'll be home in a while," she hugged Charlotte and smiled at Alison, not that it was returned. She sighed and left the house.

Charlotte turned to Alison, "What do you want to watch? You can pick!"

Alison bit her tongue for a moment, "Can we talk for a sec?" she sat on the couch, still trying to figure out what to say. How to start such a… weird conversation.

Charlotte looked curious, "Of course," she sat beside her little sister, "Is everything okay?"

Alison stared at her sisters wide eyes before blinking and looking away, "Charlie… it's not… are you … " she stammered, trying again, "I know… " she took a deep breath, "It's not right. I heard… you and mom last night, I came home early because Emily was sick and… it's just not right, she's taking advantage of you – "

Charlotte felt her blood run cold, "No, no, Ali. I don't know what you think you heard – "

"Charlotte, I'm not stupid," Alison said firmly, "Don't lie to me. Don't you think you've done enough of that already?"

Charlotte flinched, the words stinging, "Fine, but she's not taking advantage. It's not like that at all."

Alison had known it was true, but hearing her sister admit it still shook her, "It's…true? You're actually sleeping with her…" her voice was weak, unbelievingly even though she knew it was true.

Charlotte ground her teeth, nodding, "Yes, but Ali, it's not so bad. She's not really my mom, so it's not that bad."

Alison frowned, "So on that logic… I'm not really your sister?"

Charlotte blinked, "No, that's not right," she shook her head, "You are my little sister. I love you like my little sister… I was there when mom bought you home from the hospital…"

"Well, if I'm your sister then she's your mom," Alison pointed out.

"Ali, please," Charlotte pleaded, "It's different, okay?"

"How?" Alison exclaimed, "How is it so different?"

Charlotte wiped her eyes, she hadn't even realised she was crying, "Because I love you like my little sister, I want to protect you and love you and see you grow up. But I love her like… she's always there for me and she makes me feel safe and good and I'm… attracted to her. I don't know, it's just different, okay?" Charlotte was sobbing now.

Alison watched her sister with pity, she wrapped her arms around her, "Shh, it's alright," she whispered, "I just… I feel like she was the only person you had in your life, maybe you didn't know there were other options… but she's not the only person who can love you."

Charlotte sniffed, "It's not like I never dated, Ali," she sniffed through her tears, "I know what it's like to date and hook up. It's different with mom. I don't want any other option. I'm in love with her, Ali," she pulled herself out of Alison's arms, "Do you think you can ever… accept that?"

Alison looked at the sincerity in Charlotte's eyes and bit her lip, "I… I don't know."