Chapter 22
"Heya," Charlotte stood up to give Mary a hug, "Sorry, I got thirsty," she gestured to her milkshake.
Mary smiled, "It's fine. How are you, darling?"
"I'm alright," Charlotte nodded, "How are you? How are you going… you know, being out… I mean, if you don't mind me asking," she rushed.
"No, of course I don't mind," Mary placed a hand over her daughters, "Thank you. It's nice to be out in the real world… it's sort of confronting though, it's been such a long time. I do get a little bored. I should find a job, I suppose."
Charlotte nodded slowly, "Oh. I mean, you have the money from mom, right? You don't have to – "
"Oh, I know," Mary agreed vehemently, "It's not the money. It's more about the boredom. Trying to find some kind of… purpose."
"Oh. Yeah, I get that," Charlotte supposed, "You know, I mean, you do have purpose," she fiddled with her fingers nervously as her eyes fixed on them, "I mean, I'm really glad you're a part of my life now…and I'm really glad," she stumbled over her words but looked into Mary's eyes, "I just mean, like… I love you, mom."
Mary's eyes widened and welled up, "Oh, Charlotte," she swallowed tightly, lost for words, "I love you too," she whispered.
Charlotte smiled, "I know," she thought for a moment, "Hey, maybe I can help you find a job!" she frowned, "I don't know how. I don't really work yet, either. I need to find a job too… "
"Well, being your mother, maybe I should be helping you find a job," Mary chuckled.
Charlotte grinned, "We can help each other!"
Mary's eyes softened, "That sounds very nice," she spoke gently.
"Um, is it okay… if I call you mom sometimes?" Charlotte nibbled on her bottom lip.
Mary took her daughters' hand and squeezed it tightly, "More than okay, Charlotte."
Charlotte smiled, "If you like, you can call me Charlie. Most people I'm close to do."
Mary rest her hand on Charlotte's cheek, "Thank you."
"A job?" Jessica sounded surprised, "I didn't know you were interested."
Charlotte rest her head in Jessica's lap, "I don't know. It's been really nice moving in here… with you. But I'm all settled in now and I like helping you plan those charity events but I don't know, it might be a good like… independent step to get a proper job."
Jessica ran a hand through her daughters' hair, "I understand. Well, what kind of job do you think you want? You could always go back to school, you know."
"Hmm," Charlotte thought, "Maybe. I think I'd like to something sort of… easy for a while. Not something too intense. I do want to go back to school at some point though."
Jessica smiled, "You've been okay, though, haven't you? I mean… emotionally?"
Charlotte frowned, "Oh. Yeah," she nodded, "I mean, I haven't had those problems for… you know, a while."
"I know, honey," Jessica ran a hand over Charlotte's face, "And I know you don't like talking about it but I'm your mom, I worry about you. You've been through so much."
Charlotte sat up, "I know, mom. I'm okay though, really."
"Good," Jessica murmured, "You promise you'll tell me – "
"I promise, mommy," Charlotte nuzzled into the hand on her cheek.
Jessica kissed her forehead, "I love you."
"I love you too," Charlotte whispered, pressing her lips to Jessica's.
Jessica responded gently first, then harder. She ran her tongue over Charlotte's bottom lip and then pushed her tongue into her mouth. Charlotte met Jessica's tongue with her own, raising a hand to her cheek.
The two sprung apart as they heard a quiet cough.
"Good timing, Ali," Charlotte grumbled.
Jessica hit Charlotte's stomach gently.
Alison smirked, "You guys are worse than teenagers."
"You mean like you and Emily on the couch yesterday?" Charlotte shot back.
Alison blushed and looked at her feet, "Well, I'm just going to go to my room," she mumbled.
Jessica spoke quickly, "What Charlotte meant to say," she shot a quick reprimanding look at Charlotte, "was that we're very happy for you."
"Well, duh," Charlotte rolled her eyes, "That's why I wished for it!"
Alison smiled, "Thanks, sis. Anyway, what's going on with you guys? Other than…the obvious."
Charlotte shrugged, "Not much. I saw mom…Mary today."
Alison looked surprised, "You're calling her mom, now?"
Charlotte bit her lip, "Oh. Well," she looked to her mom, "I didn't, I meant…"
Jessica took Charlotte's hand, "Hey, it's okay. She is your mom. Don't worry about me, okay? I don't mind."
Charlotte nodded.
Alison dropped the topic with a shrug.
"Charlotte's going to start looking for a job," Jessica said, "So if you hear of anything – "
"Oh!" Alison exclaimed, "That new boutique in town, you know? Across from the brew? They're looking for people!"
"Where you got that necklace?" Charlotte asked, "The one with the mermaid on it?"
"Yeah," Alison nodded, "You'd be great. It's fashion, it's just like telling people they look awesome and taking their money and stuff."
Jessica laughed at her daughters' description but poked Charlotte gently, "She's right, you are very fashionable."
Charlotte grinned, "Okay! I'll go talk to them tomorrow. I guess I need a resume, I've never written one before…"
"I'll help you," Jessica said quietly, kissing her daughters' cheek, "But now, I better get some dinner on, so after, okay?"
Charlotte nodded, "Okay! You want some help?"
"No, no, you stay and spend some time with your sister," Jessica kissed her cheek again before getting up and leaving for the kitchen.
"I got that necklace for Emily," Alison admitted as she sat beside Charlotte on the couch, "I haven't given it to her yet."
"Are you guys like…official now?" Charlotte asked.
Alison nodded, "Yeah, well we haven't told the other girls yet, but we're going to. I really love her, Charlie."
Charlotte beamed, "I know you do, Ali. I really am thrilled for you. You guys are so cute!"
Alison giggled, "Thanks, Charlotte."