Chapter 23
Charlotte listened to the ring of the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey mom, it's Charlotte."
"Charlotte? Hi," Mary sounded surprised, "Is everything okay?"
"Oh, yeah, sure," Charlotte said, "I just thought I'd tell you – I have a job interview tomorrow!"
There was a silence. A sniffle.
"That's great, darling," Mary sounded happy… kind of, "Whereabouts?"
"It's at this new boutique in town," Charlotte explained, "I spoke to them yesterday. The boss is this lady a few years older than me. She seems pretty nice."
"That's fantastic."
Charlotte frowned. Something in her mom's voice sounded… different.
"Mom, are you okay?" Charlotte asked concernedly.
"Oh, yes I'm fine," Mary said unconvincingly.
Charlotte remained silent for a moment, "Are you sure? You sound different."
"I said I'm fine," Mary snapped.
Charlotte flinched, "Oh. Okay."
Mary sensed the hurt in her daughters' voice, "I'm sorry, Charlie," she said quietly, "I didn't mean to snap."
"It's okay," Charlotte replied softly.
"I'm just not having a very good day," Mary whispered.
Charlotte bit her lip, "Did anything happen or…"
"No, it didn't," Mary claimed, "I just… sometimes my mind likes to play tricks on me."
Charlotte nodded, even though her mom couldn't see it, "Yeah, I understand that. Really, I do. Maybe I should come over. You shouldn't be alone when you feel like this."
"Charlie, you don't have to – "
"But I want to," Charlotte pressed, "I know what it's like to be alone when you feel all…trapped in your own head… we don't have to talk if you don't want to… we could just watch tv, or sit."
Silence hung in the air for a moment.
"Okay, sure," Mary gave in, "That would be nice."
"Alright," Charlotte said, "I'll be over soon!"
"Charlotte, I don't know about this."
Charlotte hung her bag over her shoulder, "What are you talking about?"
"You're… vulnerable," Jessica settled on, "If Mary is feeling down… you don't know what she can be like when she gets these moods."
"Mom, I can't just leave her alone," Charlotte said incredulously, "I know what it's like to be alone. You know what it's like."
"I know, I know," Jessica held up a hand, "I'm not saying leave her alone."
"Then what? Mom, she needs family, not some stupid doctor who doesn't really care – "
"Charlotte, please," Jessica placed her hands on Charlotte's shoulders, "Don't get so worked up, please."
Charlotte took a deep breath and nodded.
"I'll come with you, okay?" Jessica asked, but it wasn't really a question.
Charlotte frowned, "You?"
"Please, don't argue me on this," Jessica took her daughters hands, "If I'm there, I can look after you."
"I'm not a child," Charlotte muttered.
"No… but I know how much you take on other people's feelings," Jessica spoke gently, "I just want to know that you're both okay. That nothing becomes…"
Charlotte sighed, "Toxic," she finished and nodded, "Okay, mom. I get it."
Jessica smiled with relief, "Thank you. I'm only trying to protect you, sweetheart."
"I know, mom," Charlotte nodded, "And I love you for that. I just, you're probably right. I hate to see people sad."
Jessica stroked a thumb over her daughters' cheek, "I know. You always have. Even when you were little and Ali would cry, the tears would well up in your eyes… I see the same with you now, but when she smiles, you smile. When you love someone, you care so very deeply…"
"Is it a bad thing, mommy?" Charlotte asked, pulling her bottom lip into her mouth with her teeth.
"No, honey," Jessica smiled, still tracing a thumb over Charlotte's cheek, "It just means you're more connected than most people could ever hope to be."
Charlotte smiled a little, "That's why I love you so much."
"I love you too," Jessica whispered, "Now, let's go."
When Mary opened the door, her eyes looked red, though she made an attempt at a confident smile.
"Oh, Jessica," the smile faded.
"Sorry, I hope you don't mind," Jessica smiled, "Charlotte said you weren't feeling too well?"
Mary shrugged, "I'm okay. It's just…" she stood aside and gave her daughter a hug.
"Are you really okay?" Charlotte asked as she hugged her mother.
Mary took comfort in her daughters' tight embrace, "A bit better now," she whispered.
Charlotte bit her lip as Mary led them into her lounge room and took a seat. Jessica excused herself to make them some cups of tea.
"What's wrong?" Charlotte asked, "Are you sad?"
Mary clasped her hands together tightly, "A little."
"You've been crying," Charlotte touched Mary's face lightly.
Mary sighed, "A little," she repeated.
"Um," Charlotte bit her lip again, "Are you… I don't mean to sound accusatory or anything, but are you taking your medication?"
Mary closed her eyes but nodded, "Yes, I am."
"Okay," Charlotte took her hand, "Sorry – "
"It's okay, I understand why you asked," Mary looked at her hand in her daughters, "It's just, even on the medication, sometimes I have days… "
"I used to get sad days like that too," Charlotte said quietly, "I just got so sad and I didn't even know why. I would just feel so alone and depressed… I thought it wouldn't end…I'm on the medication too but I don't get too sad very much anymore."
Mary squeezed her daughters hand, "I didn't know, honey," she pulled her hand away and put her head in her hands, "Of all the things I could pass down… I've done nothing but hurt you."
"No, no," Charlotte took her hands, "That's not what I meant. I just wanted you to know that you're not the only one who feels like that. Mom, it's not your fault. I love you."
"I don't deserve you," Mary whispered.
"Don't say that, mom," Charlotte looked sad, "I'm really glad you're in my life. It's been really great getting to know you. I'm glad you and mom are getting, you know, kind of civil. I know it must be hard for you, trying to adjust to the outside but I really do think you're doing okay."
Jessica entered and set a tray of tea down on the coffee table.
"She's right, Mary," Jessica said quietly, taking a seat beside her sister, "I can see you're really trying and things with us are going to take some time, but please know I do care about you. Really."
Mary's eyes widened and she wrapped her arms around her sister. Jessica was surprised but returned the embrace.
Charlotte nibbled on her lip and then she hugged both her mom's too, making them both smile.
"Maybe we should stay here tonight," Jessica said gently as she pulled away.
Mary sniffed, "Oh, you don't have to – "
"We're family," Jessica said firmly, "It's not about have to. It's about wanting to make sure you're okay."
Charlotte nodded, "You shouldn't be alone when you feel like this. Trust me, I know."
Mary turned to Charlotte, "You said… sometimes you feel like this. What would you do when you felt like… this?"
Charlotte bit her lip, "Well, I lived by myself back then too. But I would call mom," she looked at Jessica and smiled, "and she would always come to me. Sometimes, I didn't want to be around anyone, even mom… but I promised her I'd call her if I felt like that because sometimes it could get really bad. Then she would come and she would hold me and we would just watch movies or lay there or go get milkshakes! Eventually the moods would pass… but if I didn't call mom and I was by myself," she nibbled on her lip, "it would last for much longer because I was all trapped in my head. It was horrible. Sometimes my head would get so dark…"
Mary's eyes welled up as she listened to her daughter speak, "Oh, honey," she pulled her daughter close, "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you," she pulled back and looked at Jessica, "But I'm glad you were."
Jessica nodded.
"What do you want to do?" Charlotte asked, "We could just talk or we could watch some tv or we could – "
"I just want to sit a while," Mary said quietly.
"Okay," Charlotte smiled and leaned into her, "We can just sit a while."
Charlotte stood at Mary's doorway and watched her mother sleep. At least she looked peaceful now. Charlotte felt a touch on her waist and turned to see Jessica.
"Come back to bed, Charlie," Jessica murmured, "She's fine."
Charlotte nodded and with one last look at Mary, she followed Jessica back to the lounge room where they were sleeping on the fold out bed.
"I'm just worried, mom," Charlotte whispered as she climbed back into the bed, "It's so hard to be alone."
Jessica ran her fingers over Charlotte's face, "She isn't alone, sweetheart."
Charlotte nodded, "I know. I just want her to be happy."
"It's just going to take some time, Charlie," Jessica said, "You know that."
"Yeah, I know," Charlotte sighed and she moved closer to her mom, "I'm so lucky to have had you through everything, mommy."
Jessica smiled, "And Mary is just as lucky to have you. We both are."
Charlotte was sleeping peacefully, her head in her mom's lap. Jessica smiled down at her, touching her hair lightly.
"Hello?"
Alison's voice rang through the house.
"Shhh," Jessica put a finger to her lips as her daughter rounded the corner.
"Oh, sorry," Alison whispered, "Wasn't sure if you were home. How is everything, is Aunt Mary okay? Is Charlotte?"
Jessica smiled, "Mary's fine, she just needed some company but you know, Charlotte… she stayed up half the night watching Mary sleep."
Alison chuckled, "That doesn't surprise me," she said quietly, "She cares so… deeply. I've never seen anyone like it…"
"She does," Jessica agreed, "She's very passionate."
Charlotte groaned a little and turned to look up at her mom, "You shouldn't tell Ali about our sex life, mom."
Jessica's cheeks heated up, "You! I was not saying anything about… I was saying you're passionate… not like that… " she shook her head, lost for words.
Charlotte giggled as she rubbed her eyes, "You're so easy to tease."
Jessica rolled her eyes, "Whatever."
Alison laughed too.
Charlotte closed her eyes again, "You're so cute," she murmured.
Jessica couldn't help grinning as she put her hand in her daughters' blonde hair, "You're one to talk," she teased gently.
Charlotte opened her eyes and smiled lazily.
"You can keep sleeping if you like," Jessica whispered.
"It's okay," Charlotte sat up sleepily.
"Well, I need to go to the shops to get something for dinner," Jessica said, "Do you want to come or – "
"I'll stay here with Ali!" Charlotte grinned at her little sister.
Alison and Jessica laughed at her enthusiasm.
Charlotte smiled sheepishly at her sister, "Is that okay? Did you have Emily coming because I can go so you two can have some privacy – "
Alison waved a hand, "No, no, I'm going over to hers later. You wanna watch a movie?"
Charlotte nodded happily, "Yep!"
"Are you in for dinner?" Jessica asked.
Alison shook her head, "No, Emily was going to make me dinner," she smiled.
"Cute!" Charlotte exclaimed.
Jessica laughed, "Well, then we have the house to ourselves," she squeezed Charlotte's shoulders from behind her, "Maybe I'll make you a cute dinner."
Charlotte grinned, "Yes please."
Jessica kissed her cheek, "Okay, I'll be back in a while. See you soon."
Charlotte hugged her mom tightly, "Love you mommy."
"Love you too," Jessica pressed her lips to Charlotte's briefly.
"See ya," Alison called as she sat on the couch and began flicking through channels, "Whatcha wanna watch…" Alison looked at her sister and rolled her eyes, "Or are you just going to stare at the space mom was standing until she gets back?"
Charlotte blushed and sat back down by her sister, "Sorry," she mumbled, "I miss her every second I'm not with her, Ali. I love her so much, like… " she shrugged, looking away, "Sorry."
Alison smiled, "It's okay," she tilted her head, "I think I kinda get it. Whenever I'm not with Emily, I want to be. I can't stop thinking about her," she sighed, "You're lucky. At least you get to sleep every night next to mom. I wish I could have that with Emily."
Charlotte smiled, "You will, Ali!"
Alison shrugged, "Her mom is a bit funny about me sleeping over now that we're together… she keeps coming up with excuses to check up on us."
Charlotte rolled her eyes, "Sure. I bet I could let mom let her stay over!"
Alison grinned, "Really? That's awesome! Can I tell you a secret?"
Charlotte's eyes lit up, "Of course!"
"Well, we were kind of thinking of getting a hotel room after the winter dance, you know…" Alison's cheeks burnt a little.
Charlotte nodded, "I know," she winked.
Alison pushed her sister gently, "Shut up."
"Ali, if you're both ready, go for it. I know how much you love each other… And even if you don't do…that… it's actually just really nice to have some time to yourselves sometimes. Without people or the world getting in the way. Where you can just focus on the other person… It's really nice," Charlotte finished.
Alison smiled, "Is that what it's like when you and mom go away?"
Charlotte nodded, "Yeah, it is. It's really freeing to just be able to focus on your relationship and nothing else for a while. Just a temporary escape to heaven."
Alison looked wistful, "So… you wanna lend your little sister some money, then?"
Charlotte laughed, "Okay, okay. I guess that's what big sisters' are for, right?"
"Exactly!" Alison hugged her sister, "You're the best!"
"You're so sexy," Charlotte murmured, her arms around her mom's waist as she stood in front of the kitchen cupboard.
Jessica smiled, nudging her off gently, "Now, now, I'm meant to be making dinner, you."
Charlotte pushed the cupboard door closed, "I'm not hungry… well, not for food anyway," she nuzzled into her mom's neck from behind.
Jessica chuckled, "You're insatiable," she turned around to face her daughter.
"I can't help it," Charlotte murmured, "You're so beautiful, momma," she kissed Jessica's lips gently, "And you're so sexy and cute and pretty and – "
Jessica watched the younger woman lovingly before pressing her mouth to Charlotte's. Hard. Charlotte couldn't help moaning and melting into the kiss. She felt Jessica's hands hold her waist tightly and pull her closer as their lips finally broke apart.
"You were saying?" Jessica smirked.
Charlotte bit back a smile, "That you turn me on."
Jessica grinned and nipped Charlotte's ear, "I know," she whispered, her hands moving to the younger woman's hips and then scrunching up the material of her dress, pushing it up her legs.
"I just had that ironed, you know," Charlotte grumbled.
Jessica laughed, "I know," she rolled her eyes, "Who do you think ironed it, baby? Plus," she added, "Do you really want me to stop?"
"Uh-uh," Charlotte shook her head as Jessica's fingers fiddled with the hem of Charlotte's underwear.
"Uh-uh," Jessica teased gently.
Charlotte giggled, "That tickles," she mumbled as her mom's fingers brushed inside her underwear and over her.
Jessica smiled and stroked Charlotte gently.
Charlotte snuggled into her mom's shoulder, moaning quietly, "I love you."
Jessica kissed the side of her daughters' head, "I love you too."
"Mm," Charlotte smiled as she felt her mom's hand in her hair, her other hand still playing with her teasingly, "Mommm," she whined.
"Charlotte," Jessica whined back before chuckling, "You can hold on a little longer for me, can't you?"
Charlotte bit down on the shoulder of her mom's blouse.
Jessica laughed quietly, "You're such a sweetheart."
"It's not my fault you're so sexy," Charlotte mumbled into her mom's shoulder.
Jessica kissed the side of her head again, "Maybe you just need to learn to hold on a little longer," she whispered.
Charlotte's cheeks burnt as she pulled out of Jessica's shoulder, "I can't help it," she shifted her legs, "You're so…"
"Don't be embarrassed," Jessica reassured her, "It's a compliment," she giggled.
Charlotte nibbled on her lip, "It is!" she agreed.
Jessica teased Charlotte's entrance with a single finger, making the younger woman shiver.
Charlotte nuzzled into Jessica's neck, kissing her and sucking at her skin.
"Good girl," Jessica whispered, "You don't want to wait anymore, do you?"
"No," Charlotte said quickly, "Please, mommy."
Jessica pulled Charlotte close as she pushed two fingers inside her, feeling Charlotte's body respond quickly as her hips began to jerk. She flicked her thumb over Charlotte's clit as she continued to pump her fingers.
"How's that?" she murmured.
Charlotte answered with only a loud moan as she moved her body in time with Jessica's fingers.
Jessica flicked her again, "Come for me," she murmured.
Charlotte's teeth drew blood as she bit into Jessica's neck as her body shook out it's orgasm. Jessica didn't mind as she felt her fingers coated. She pulled them out and collected the residue that had spilled onto Charlotte's thigh's before putting them to her mouth, moaning at the taste.
"Very good girl," Jessica licked her lips before pressing them to Charlotte's.
"Mm," Charlotte hummed tiredly but contentedly before spotting the trickle of blood on her mom's neck, "Oh no!" she exclaimed, "I made you bleed," her hand went to Jessica's neck, "I'm so – "
Jessica chuckled, "It's alright," she placed her hand over Charlotte's and drew it away from her neck, "It doesn't hurt, it's fine."
Charlotte bit her lip, "I'm sorry – "
"Shh, silly girl," Jessica murmured, "Honestly, I like it," she grinned.
Charlotte bit her lip before smiling too, "Really?"
Jessica moved forward and kissed Charlotte's lips, "Really," she mumbled, "You're so sexy when you're passionate like that."
Charlotte blushed, "You're so sexy when…"
Jessica tilted her head, "When what?"
"When you're all like…domineering," Charlotte admitted quietly.
"I think some people call that being a control freak," Jessica mumbled.
Charlotte shrugged, "Well, I call it sexy as hell," she giggled.
"Good to know," Jessica smiled slyly.
Charlotte grinned, "I think I'd think anything you were doing was sexy though."
Jessica giggled, "Cutie."
Charlotte hummed contentedly against her mom's chest.