I hate summaries, but essentially, AU. Charlotte and Cooper never married. He ended it over the whole ex-husband situation. They are separated when mason enters the picture. Can he help them get back together, or is it really over for good. Erica is not involved in this story. In this, Cooper has sole custody of Mason by the time Charlotte meets him.
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Elbow deep in a mountain of paperwork at OWG with an even bigger mountain waiting at St Ambrose Charlotte frowned a little as she heard a knock on the door shift her focus
"Come in," she called harshly and lifted her gaze just enough to realise the small frame stading in the doorway as the door pushed open.Her tone and demeanour softened ever so slightly (not fully, she was still charlotte king after all and an unwelcome interruption was never going to be good) as she realised that in fact it was a child seeking her attention.
"Hello," she croaked out impatiently, her hand still gracing a document with her signature.
"Are you Charlotte?" the small boy asked with way more confidence than she had expected. Taken aback by him knowing her name, she replied a little harsher than intended and fought the scowl rising on her face"I am indeed." "What can i do for you?" she asked, severely hoping the kid wasn't in need of medical advice. There was no way she could handle that. Sexology with adults was one thing, but sexology with what appeared to be an 8 year old would be a whole other ball game.Her train of thought was broken by an answer escaping the childs lips"Well, erm, you see," he stuttered, unable to phrase his answer correctly Noting he seemed less confident now, she tried to listen intently whilst her mind strayed to exactly who this child could be and why he was interrupting her in the middle of the day.
She kept her eyes trained on a spot below her but gave him a small smile and montioned for him to continue."My dad said to find you if i couldn't find him, and im pretty sure he's not here because i looked and can't see him." The child rambled.Confusion was very evident on her face now as she had no clue why anyone would offer her services as a babysitter, especially as she was notorious for her dislike of children.She took this opportunity to really look at the child for the first time, and it struck her. The big expressive eyes, the dark mop of hair, the cheeky smile, his demeanour, the fact he was here in her office. The more she looked at this child, the more she realised how much he resembled the love of her life, her ex, her Cooper. A fact that deeply startled her. He couldn't possibly have a child. They had dated for years, she would know that he was a father, right?
"Are you okay, Charlotte?" the child asked, breaking the spell her own mind had cast once again."Yes, im fine," she responded, feeling anything but fine. Curiosity got the better of her, and she had to know"Can i just ask, who exactly is your dad?" Seeking clarification that her psyche wasn't playing tricks and finding elements of him where there was none. It wouldn't be for the first time this week or even today.
"Oh, that's easy," he replied, his earlier confidence creeping back in. "Cooper, well, i guess you might know him as Dr Freedman."He's a doctor, that's cool, right?" Well, maybe not to you because your a doctor, but it is to me." he started off into another ramble, but Charlotte was far away.
She couldn't stop the involuntary gasp escaping her lips as he confirmed her suspicions. She knew that originally they were just sex but she had opened up damn it the man had broken her walls before he broke her heart over a secret from her past yet now his secret child stood in front of her. She felt anger burning at his deception and rage filling her body. He had said some awful things and made her feel inferior over something she kept from him because it happened long ago. He had called off their engagement and ended everything over it, and yet he had an even bigger secret in the form of a whole darn child. Despite the fresh wave of hatred for him, she couldn't stop a tiny thought of hope creeping in. Maybe this child could help her build bridges with the man she hated, admitting she still loved. They clearly both had secrets, but if she forgave his (admittedly, he would suffer first - ice queen, remember and he did lie and hurt her) maybe he could finally forgive her.
She swallowed, remembering the child was still standing by her doorway and forced her attention to him again."Well, young man, do i get to know your name, seeing as you know mine?" she questioned."Oh yeah," he giggled. "Im Mason," he stated arm outstretched as he entered the room. He reached Charlotte at her desk and firmly shook her hand. An odd manner for a child she conceded but one she liked anyway. She wondered if Cooper had suggested a handshake knowing she was a woman who appreciated prosessionalism in any form.
"Well Mason its nice to meet you," she responded, not actually lying for a change. "Why dont you take a little seat and I'll go on a hunt for your dad?" she finished sounding a little unsure. She pushed her fear aside and focused on her hurt and anger. Slowly getting off her chair, stacking the paperwork and heading in search of the man that often occupied her thoughts despite the fact she had been avoiding him for weeks.