Carrying on the Torch

Disclaimer: I don't own Good Luck Charlie

A/N:

Chapter 18 (First Date Anxiety)

Minutes before her date, Charlotte was nervous and pacing the floor like crazy. Looking back on her sister's videos was not helpful enough for her, which was odd as hell. Of course, she'd told Skyler about the date, and the lady was willing enough to help her prepare. Mason had it easier, it seemed, his Uncle was out of town, working with some up and coming artist that he thought had some potential. She was still mildly confused as to whether the man was a recording artist or a choreographer. Mason said he was both, so she was impressed.

"Charlotte dear, why don't you have a seat?" Skyler was on the left end of the couch. She was rocking the sleeping baby in her arms. Charlotte was dressed up in her best red dress. It had a V-neck and flowed outwards with folds at her ankles. The sleeves went down to her elbows, stopping only an inch above. Her cheeks were pink from a very light blush. She wasn't one to wear makeup, but Skyler said a tiny bit would be fine. She was pacing the living room, scared that Mason wouldn't like something.

"What if he doesn't like my dress? What if I choke up, spill something, eat the wrong way, the list goes on and on!" She ran her hand through her hair and groaned slightly. Skyler raised an eyebrow and smiled at her. Charlotte took a deep breath and sat next to Skyler, burying her face into her hands and sliding them to her cheeks. "I'm stressing out aren't I?"

"It's your first date honey, it's okay to be anxious." How bad could it be? Her stomach was still a bit upset from the whole crab thing at the restaurant, but hopefully she wouldn't throw up on her date. Who the hell throws up on the first date? Her blood ran cold and she slowly looked at Skyler. Skyler met her eyes and held her reassuring smile. "What is it?"

"I'm just thinking…god I hope Mason is a good driver and we stay away from any overly curvy roads." Skyler thought for a minute, then laughed. She reached around Charlotte's shoulders and pulled her into a hug.

"You'll be just fine, sweetie. I can't promise you won't have a couple nauseous moments with the way you've been feeling, but I think everything will be all right."

"I hope so." She wrapped her arms around Skyler's waist and brought her head to her shoulder. Her eyes drifted to Teddy and her lips curled into a smile. "You think Teddy will laugh at my last video when she grows up?" Her last video consisted of a Kwikki Chikki report and advice that since PJ was allergic to shellfish, and so was she, that if she ever went to that restaurant and had the crabmeat, she would need all the good luck in the world.

"I'm certain she will. I bet she'll appreciate each and every video you make just as much as you appreciate your older sister's." Her heart lifted and she quickly nodded and leaned back in the couch. "So, aside from the nightmare, would you like me to tell you how my first date with PJ was like?"

"Yeah!"

"All right. Well, we ended up having a picnic anyway with new food of course." Charlotte laughed and leaned forward. She smiled brightly as she started absorbing all the details of Skyler's story. "PJ was very sweet and romantic, we sat there and talked for hours, even though it felt like it went by way too quickly. We talked of the future, of school and family, each other…a number of things."

"It sounds so beautiful."

"It was, and I promise you, your first date will be as beautiful as you could possibly imagine." She felt her heart quicken its step and thought about how handsome Mason may just be. As she felt her mind slipping into a daydream state, she quickly shook herself, not wanting to start that process. Either way, she couldn't help but to feel elated.

"How was my sister's first date? Did she ever talk about it?" Besides through the videos, she was sure to have talked about it to her close friends. Even though it was Spencer that she'd gone out with, and Coach Walsh was a prick now. "I mean it was Spencer, but you don't have to tell me…"

"No, she told me. They went to this dance with Ivy and Emmett, and this was back when Emmett was so obsessed with your sister." Charlotte laughed and tried to picture Emmett's obsession, but for some reason, she just couldn't picture it. "Emmett kept trying to get in between the two, but in the end, he and Spencer both started having this crazy dance-off, forgetting about their dates."

"That's horrible!"

"I know, right?" Skyler snickered and looked towards the baby with a subtle smile. Teddy covered in a pink blanket. She pulled the blanket up a bit and cradled the snoring infant. "Well in the end, while driving the car, Ivy got Emmett to pull over somehow and get out of the car. Your sister climbs into the front seat, starts rambling like a nut, and then Spencer kisses her." Charlotte gushed and let out a very feminine squeal, she cupped her hand over her mouth and her eyes widened as her cheeks turned red.

"That sounds very romantic. We're going to ignore that noise that just came out of my mouth, okay?" Skyler laughed.

"Okay, it never happened."

"Exactly!" The doorbell rang and Charlotte leapt from the couch, immediately her relaxation fled and her anxiety returned. What if she wasn't supposed to be so well dressed, what if Mason was wearing a t-shirt and jeans! "Skyler, I don't know what to do!" Skyler let out a gentle sigh and moved to answer the door, clutching Teddy close to her chest. Charlotte's heart jumped to her throat and her eyes grew large as she watched her reach for the doorknob. "No wait! I'm not read-" The door opened and everything froze.

Mason was leaning a bit to the right, his left hand in his pocket and his right hand holding on to a bouquet of flowers. He was wearing a red dress shirt, black slacks, and a black coat. His hair was combed back and his lip was curled in a cute smirk that made Charlotte's heart melt. Skyler lifted her eyebrows and smirked as she looked to her adopted daughter. "Well you two, I certainly hope you will have a good date. Now once you come back to earth, Charlotte…do you mind if I get a picture of you two?" Charlotte quickly snapped back to reality and gaped at Skyler, who continued her smirk. "You knew it was coming."

"Aw man, and I thought his Aunt would have been the one to do that."

"All moms and mom-holding positions will tend to take photos of their kids on their first date. So buck up, I'll go grab the camera, and do not try to run. I will find you." Charlotte watched as Skyler set Teddy carefully in her carrier basket, then left the room to find her camera. Charlotte knew not to test her, the lady actually would go so far as to find them at the restaurant to take their picture there. She brushed her hair back and looked over to Mason with a smile.

"You look…" He stepped inside, his eyes studied her dress for a minute, then moved back to her eyes. "Beautiful." Her cheeks burned with greater intensity and she stretched her hand out to take the flowers.

"T-Thank you." Don't stammer now. She lifted her eyes to the ceiling and groaned inwardly. How stupid must she be to be so nervous around him now when she'd known him for years? Maybe she needed to act natural, but what if natural wasn't what he was looking for? Then again, he asked her out, so he knew how she was. Could he even tell how nervous she was? Was she that readable? Did her sister have this much trouble on her first date? "I don't advise slipping out, Skyler will hunt us down until she gets that picture."

"I'm not all that worried. I know how it goes, Aunt Ivy just had to try and pick out my entire wardrobe." She laughed heartily and moved closer to Mason, she felt as though five feet was too far away. "So, you as nervous as I am?"

"What, you're nervous?"

"Hell yeah I am. I've uh…never been on a date before. Aunt Ivy gave me a quick rundown of the whole dating game. She says to just be myself, so, I guess I'll just do that."

"Well, I am dating you because I like who you are." His eyes filled her with comfort and confidence, enough that she unconsciously reached over and took his hand in hers. A spark was generated from the contact and both looked down at their hands with red faces. She felt good holding his hand, though. Her heart was at ease and her body was filled with pleasure, this feeling, she wanted to hold on to.

Skyler came in walking, studying her camera. "Okay, I'm back." She looked up and smiled at the new couple. "Aw, well don't you look cute together." Charlotte blushed and Mason grinned. The two turned towards her and Mason slipped his arm around his date's waist. Her blush deepened and she flashed a bright, toothy grin. "Okay, hold that for me…" Skyler lifted her camera and quickly flashed the picture. "All right, you two are free to go and enjoy your date! Have fun, and Mason, please have her back by ten. Also remember, I do know not only how to rearrange your inner organs, but I know what parts of your body are more useful and vital than others." She smirked lightly and Mason quickly paled. Charlotte snickered and shook her head.

"Skyler! Come on, he's my first date, don't scare him before the date even happens."

"Sweetie, be lucky, you wouldn't even have a first date if your brother were around. Mason or not." Charlotte snickered and nodded her agreement, PJ was very protective, so she was grateful to have Skyler seeing her off as opposed to PJ. "Now go and have fun."

"All right. I'll see you in a couple hours, Skyler."

"Not too late now." Skyler reached over and hugged Charlotte close. "You're growing up way too fast, you know that? Too fast." Charlotte chuckled and hugged her back. She didn't mind too much that Skyler was getting emotional. It wasn't embarrassing, Mason would just have to deal if it was a problem.

"Okay, I need to go now. I'll be safe."

"Right. Mason." Skyler turned to him and he flashed a smile. She lifted her finger and locked eyes with him. "One major rule you need to know, because I've been there. I know you probably wouldn't, and I wouldn't throw you under the bus just for being a football players, but in my experience, football players like to fool around. Spencer Walsh did that to me and her older sister…If you ever hurt her, break her heart, fool around with her or go behind her back, I will find you. I just wanted to reiterate that point." He smiled back at her and slowly nodded, looking cool even under pressure.

"I can promise you, I wouldn't hurt her like that."

"Good. I'll be watching. Now get moving." Charlotte chuckled nervously as Skyler pushed them out the door. She knew the woman probably had some stuff she wanted to do while they were away, so there was no sense in holding her up. "I love you Charlotte, stay safe, and if you're not home by ten, I'm going to come looking."

"Got it. Thanks." Skyler closed the door and Charlotte brushed her hair back cautiously as Mason flashed a smirk. She rolled her eyes toward the sky and laughed. "So protective."

"It's good that she's protective like that, not hard to understand why."

"True."

A "cute" chapter, perhaps. Nice to see a little bonding there between Skyler and Charlotte, as well as some of Skyler's protectiveness. Hope you enjoyed the chapter