Pairing: Charlie, Dominique and Bill
Prompt: professional (I used profession. Sue me)
For the one character challenge where I had to write something with Dominique and hold
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Charlie knocks on the door to Shell Cottage, and waits patiently. He hears the sounds of his brother shuffling towards the door. Bill opens the door, his youngest daughter in his arms. Charlie takes in his appearance. He has bags under his eyes and his long hair is pulled back messily. But his eyes light up when he sees Charlie in his doorway.
"Charlie! I didn't know you were in town," he says. He gently bounces Dominique, but she won't stop crying. Bill looks slightly frustrated.
"You forgot already?" Charlie asks, a smile playing at his lips. "Here," he adds, holding out his arms. "I'll take her for a while." Bill gives Charlie a grateful look before passing Dominique into Charlie's arms. Upon nestling herself into Charlie's chest, Dominique stops crying. She looks up at Charlie with bright eyes, and gives him a smile.
Bill looks at him in disbelief. "How did you do that?" he demands. "I've been trying everything to get her to calm down."
Charlie gives him a grin. "She likes me better than you," he teases. "Isn't that right, Dom?" he coos at the girl he's holding in his arms. He takes a seat on the couch, and rests Dominique in between them. He picks up her feet and starts to move them, enticing a giggle from her. "Where are Fleur and Vicki?"
"Fleur took Vicki out. She didn't want Vicki to feel neglected because of Dominique. You know how two year olds are," Bill replies. "But Vicki's been pretty good with her. She gets upset when we tell her that she can't play with Dominique because Dominique is a baby."
Charlie nods. He covers his eyes, before uncovering them quickly. "Peek-a-boo." Dominique giggles and kicks her legs happily.
"Any kids in your future?" Bill asks, even though he knows the answer. Charlie isn't the settling down and having a family type; he never has been. But the way that he interacts with all the children in the family makes Bill wonder if Charlie even considers it a possibility.
Charlie shakes his head, causing his too-long hair to fall in his face. Dominique immediately reaches up to grab at it, but Charlie is slightly quicker. "With my chosen profession? No," Charlie answers in a slightly high voice. He gives the girl in his lap a grin. "Why would I want that when I can spoil my nieces rotten?" he asks. He tickles Dominique's belly. "Isn't that right, Dom?"
Bill watches as his brother continues to make her laugh. Charlie's always had a way with children. He gets up and leaves Charlie to entertain Dominique.
"Who's my pretty girl?" Charlie coos at her. She kicks her legs, which Charlie grabs and tickles. "That's right," Charlie praises. "You are." Dominique yawns and stretches her arms. Charlie picks her up in his arms again, bouncing her gently. Her bright eyes close immediately and it doesn't take long before she is sound asleep.
Charlie takes her to Bill, and switches her into Bill's arm. Once Bill returns from laying Dominique in her crib, Bill claps Charlie on the back. "You'd make a great father, if you ever wanted children."
He grins.
A/n – So many thanks to Joanna for beta-ing this for me.