Chapter 49- Making Up

Nathan wondered why he even tried to sleep. It was no use. His mind kept playing over the events that followed last night's dinner party. First, with the realization that his parents had reconnected. Secondly, with his and Charlotte's first real fight.

Charlotte had been right. Archie and Maise would not purposely reunite just to hurt or upset Nathan. There must have been something that drew them back together, but what? When Nathan had last visited Archie over two years ago, he had made no mention of Maise. Archie didn't ask where she was or what she was doing. He had taken to heart Nathan telling him that Maise had created a new life and that it didn't include him.

Nathan had been in a good place with both of his parents for the first time in… well, in forever. His mom was happy. She had created a life for herself and she was a caring grandmother to Allie and doting mother to Nathan. Archie had finally found his way. He had quit drinking and gambling and seemed to be holding a steady job. While Nathan had forgiven him, he couldn't quite shake the hurt he felt from the years of pain Archie had caused.

I need my family. Archie's words from when he was last in Hope Valley came floating into Nathan's memory.

Could they really all be a family again? The idea was one Nathan hadn't even considered since he was a small boy.

As for Charlotte. Nathan's stomach was in knots and his heart ached for the harsh way in which he had spoken to her. He had been taken by surprise with Maise's confession that she and Archie were spending time with each other again. He had also been angry that his mom felt the need to keep it a secret and to bring Allie into the middle. No matter how much time had passed it seemed the topic of his parents took him right back to being that hurt and scared boy of his youth and it was Charlotte who had received his backlash last night.

Would his reaction cause Charlotte to pull away from him? To regress on all the progress, she had made in recovering from Beck's abuse? The 'what ifs' were going to drive Nathan crazy. He needed to get up. Just lying in bed wasn't going to fix this.

Thwack…

Charlotte's eyes fluttered open to see the beginning light of dawn filtering in through her bedroom window. When had she finally fallen asleep?

Thwack…

Nathan. She instantly rose and made her way downstairs, not even concerning herself with brushing her hair or getting dressed. Instead she covered her nightgown with the robe that hung from the back of her door and wrapped it tightly around her waist.

Charlotte needed to see him. To talk to him. What had she been thinking last night leaving his side when he was so clearly upset?

She lightly tiptoed past Maise's bedroom, hopping from one floorboard to the next, avoiding the ones she knew were extra squeaky. Charlotte needed to talk to Nathan alone, without the interruption from her house guest.

Thwack…

Charlotte twisted the lock on her back door and quickly opened it. The vision in front of her stopped Charlotte in her tracks. She had, of course, seen Nathan chopping wood before, on the morning Charlotte had told Nathan she couldn't marry him, but today a new feeling washed over Charlotte.

Want.

Heat rose through her chest and into her cheeks. From her place on the steps she watched as the motion of Nathan's swing pulled the material of his Henley shirt taunt across his back and shoulders and the corded strength of his forearms popped from underneath the sleeves which he had rolled to his elbows.

She was breathless.

Thwack…

When Nathan leaned forward to pick up the split pieces of wood he finally caught sight of Charlotte standing a few feet away.

"Charlotte," Nathan whispered as he straightened and leaned his ax against the chopping block, releasing it from his grip. A summer breeze tossed his dark-brown hair about. The waves already askew and unruly from what she assumed was a restless night of sleep.

"Don't let me stop you," Charlotte's husky voice cut through the heavy morning air, a slow smile spreading across her lips. "Just remind me though that the next time we have a disagreement and I don't want to be woken up so early, I need to hide the ax."

A small chuckle came from Nathan as he took a few steps closer to Charlotte, gauging her reaction to him. She didn't retreat, instead she too took a few steps forward, until they were only inches apart. Nathan could smell the sweet honey and sandalwood lotion Rosemary had given Charlotte for a birthday present. It's intoxicating scent made it difficult for Nathan to breathe properly.

Nathan looked down between them, reaching his hands forward to glide down Charlotte's forearms before wrapping her hands into his. "I'm sorry for what I said last night. For snapping at you. Especially after what you have experienced. Charlotte, you didn't deserve that."

Charlotte squeezed Nathan's hands in reassurance. "Nathan, as close as you are to perfect. You have flaws. Just like I hope you are able to see mine. You feel so incredibly deeply and want to protect everyone you care about, but you are allowed to feel emotions and act on them. As long as we can talk about it. That's what is important. Communication."

Nathan's eyes were downcast, staring at where his thumbs were gently brushing back and forth across the backs of Charlotte's hands.

"Last night, you said I will never understand your childhood and you were right. I probably will never be able to understand all the hurt that you felt growing up like you did. Just like you will never be able to fully understand the pains of my past. But even though you didn't walk the same path I have, it doesn't mean that you weren't there for me every step of the way. You've pushed me when I needed it, held me when I cried, listened to my concerns, and have been my best friend through it all. I'll do the same for you. The only piece of advice I will give is this; I would do anything to have both of my parents back in my life and you have that opportunity. Which seems to me like such a blessing, but however you want to handle Archie and Maise's relationship, I'll support your decision. Just like you have always supported me."

Charlotte removed her left hand from Nathan's warm grip. Reaching forward she threaded her fingers through his unruly bedhead and pushed back the piece that always seemed to fall over his right eye. The action caused Nathan to raise his head so Charlotte could finally look into his eyes, their blue hue dark and stormy. A way that could only be described as needing.

Charlotte moved her hand so it rested on the side of Nathan's cheek, gently running her thumb along his chiseled jawline. Feeling the roughness of his morning stubble under her touch. The energy between them hummed.

"Can we now say that we've had our first fight?" Charlotte's eyes twinkled as she bit the inside of her bottom lip.

The action caused Nathan's restraint to snap as he wrapped his right arm low behind Charlotte's back and pulled her into his body. He could feel Charlotte's chest beat wildly against his own. Nathan's eyes searched Charlotte's for any sign of the ghosts of her pasts, but they weren't there. All he saw was a hunger and desire that matched his own.

"You know…" Nathan began, leaning forward, feeling Charlotte's warm breath against his cheek. "I think I've heard somewhere that making up is the best part of any argument."

"Maybe we should find out if that's true," Charlotte challenged.

"Nathan, I thought I heard you out here…" Maise's voice at the back door drew Nathan and Charlotte apart.

"Oh!" Maise's eyes darted back and forth between Nathan and Charlotte. Both were breathless, chests rising and falling quickly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I'll just…" Maise turned to go back inside.

"No. You weren't interrupting," Charlotte lied. "Nathan was just finishing up here and I need to go get dressed for the day, but after last night I think you two need to talk."

Charlotte started to step out of Nathan's embrace, but his grip tightened on her hand and he did not let her pull away completely.

"Mom, why don't you make us a pot of coffee while I clean up and Charlotte goes to change," Nathan offered. "I'll come over and then all three of us can sit down and talk. If that's alright?"

"I'd like that," Maise smiled at the pair before disappearing back inside.

Once the door was closed, Nathan gently guided Charlotte back into his arms, reaching up to tuck a strand of wind-blown hair behind her ear. "I hope that is okay. Inviting you along. You did say that you wanted to be there for me and I think your support and presence is just what I need today."

"Of course. I'll be there for you." Charlotte's arms wrapped around Nathan's sweaty back pulling him into a hug.

"Can I take you somewhere next week?" Nathan asked under his breath, pulling back out of their embrace to look at Charlotte. "There is something I want to show you."

Charlotte squinted her eyes and her nose crinkled slightly. "What are you showing me?"

"It's a surprise," Nathan grinned. "Now go get changed, while I clean up here and I'll see you in a couple minutes."