Sobs emitted through the wooden
door with two girls leaning on either side.
"Beth? I can hear you crying, do you need me to check it ?"Charlotte speaks through the door trying to comfort her best friend, holding her legs tightly to her chest.
On the other side Beth Dutton tried to smother her sobs in the arm of her sweater while staring at the pregnancy test. Her chest heaving up and down in panic at the result.
" Beth? Open the door please, let me help you."
Charlotte was going to continue to beg when the sound of the door unlocking, pushing her self off the floor she turned the doorknob and peaked in the bathroom.
" Oh Bethany, " falling to her knees Charlotte threw her arms over the Dutton girl who began sobbing in the younger girls arms. Charlotte leaned back when her eyes caught on the pregnancy test.
" Did you take it? Do you want me to look? I'm sure its not -"
"It's positive " Beth cut her off avoiding her eyes.
Charlotte's mouth dropped open, "What do we do? Should we tell your dad?, I can go get him ."
Beth grabbed the younger girl's shoulders," Go get Jamie ."
"Jamie? Why would you want me to get him?"
Beth stopped the girl," Jamie is smart and he will know how to fix it, please Charlie he will help if you ask him."
Noticing how scared Beth was Charlotte decided to listen. Rising up from the floor she kissed Beths head and left the room to search for the Dutton boy.
Walking down the stairs she quickly spotted the college boy sitting at the kitchen counter studying.
"Jamie"
The boy spun around with a smile ," Charlie, hey - his smile dropped seeing the girl's shaken appearance. Jumping from his spot he quickly embraced her in a hug, " hey hey hey whats wrong ?"
Charlotte knew the older boy had always liked her - romantically and her granddad always told her to deny his advances, telling her that a boy his age had no business going after a girl her age. At this very moment the girl couldn't help but sob in his chest and let him comfort her. Jamie put his hands on her face and drew her back to look at her face.
" Charlie talk to me whats wrong ."
Charlie brushed the tears off her face and decided that she needed to be brave for Beth," Jamie it's Beth, we need your help."
Charlotte couldn't help but keep glancing at the rear view mirror to check on Beth, only for the Dutton girl to avoid both her and Jamie's eyes. The weight of Jamie's hand on her thigh was another weight on her chest, normally she would shrink away but at this very moment the young girl clinged onto any source of comfort. The truck pulling to a complete stopped made the girl look out the window to see the clinic that resided on the Reservation.
Jamie turned to look at both girls with a sad smile," I'll go in and get everything sorted out."
Both girls watched him walk into the building before Beth spoke up," Will he hate me ?"
Charlottes eyebrows furrowed in confusion ,"Jamie ?"
Beth shook her head with tears in her eyes before nodding to the cross necklace on Charlottes neck ," Will god hate me ? Will you hate me ?"
The brown haired girl felt the sob that caused her chest to quiver, she quickly unbuckled and twisted her body to be able to reach the Dutton girls hands, " No Beth , no I think- I think he would understand, he loves you Beth- I love you. I could never hate you Bethany."
Beth and Charlie held hands for what seemed forever when Jamie opened their doors. Beth was the first one to speak up to the boy,"Is it okay ? "
Jamie looked down at both girls with tears in their eyes , completely terrified. He had a solution that would keep this coming back to haunt the family name. He would take care of the problem.
He nodded and gave them a small smile," it's okay - it'll be okay."
Both girls let out a breath of relief before hopping out of the truck and walking in the building holding each others hands.
Once they walked in Jamie went to walk back to the counter when he noticed Charlotte following him, he quickly stopped and reached out to hold on her shoulders, " Hey why don't you go keep her company ?"
Charlotte looked back at Beth who was already being prepped by the nurses ," I was going to go ask what we should do for her after care and ask a few questions for her sake ."
Jamie quickly felt himself panic knowing they if she started asking questions she would figure out this was not the typical abortion. He drew a fake smile on his face and pulled her in a hug," I really think she would appreciate company , I have everything handled babe."
Charlotte felt a bit uncomfortable in his arms but she looked at a quiet Beth sitting on a hospital bed and knew she needed her, and Jamie was smart he probably would figure things out anyways.
She nodded and walked back to Beth.
After the operation and the ride home , Charlotte had Jamie carry Beth to bed as it was nearly midnight when they made it back to the Dutton Ranch.
" Thank You Jamie, I couldn't have helped her by myself-"
Jamie cut the younger girl off," It's my job Charlie , I'll always take care of you - you both."
Charlie nodded and bid her good nights shutting Beth's bedroom door. Look over at the quiet Beth she decided to take it upon herself to help the Dutton girl prepare for bed. Collecting the girls pajamas and a hair brush she sat next to her best friend.
" Bethy? I'm going to brush your hair and help you get ready for bed ok? " the Dutton girl nodded her head avoiding her friends eyes. After a few strokes of the hair brush Beth spoke up in a choked up voice.
" I don't know if I should tell the father ."
Charlie slowed the brushes and thought to herself before speaking ," Its up to you Beth, I'm sure Micheal would understand you guys never seemed super serious-."
"It wasn't Michaels"
Charlie knew that her best friend was a bit rowdy , she never judged Beth for her choices but at this very moment she was a hit thrown off by the answer. Just as she was about to tell Bethany that it didn't matter and that what was done was in the past Beth spoke up once again, this time bringing Charlie's brushing to a stop.
" It was Rips , I'm sorry Charlie ."
Charlotte felt like she just received a blow to the chest , knocking all the wind out of her lungs. She withdrew the hairbrush out of Beth's hair with a shaky hand," Oh - uh."
She was at a loss of words , Beth spun around with an angry expression - a look that was never used for Charlotte.
" I know you went on a few dates but come on Charlotte you couldn't have seriously thought it would go somewhere." The brunette slowly sank back in shock from the sudden anger and the shocking revelation from her best friend. "You can pretend all you want Charlie , you can ride at all the rodeos and sing all the karaoke songs you want but your never going to be more than a girl from a trailer. I mean you didn't seriously think he would stay interested."
Charlotte slowly rose up off the bed and went to grab her stuff around the room not giving in to the anger.
" Hey I'm talking to you, " Beth's voice rose up in anger at not getting the response she craved, " I knew it , you hate me now ."
Charlotte smacked her hand on the door frame ," Knock it off Bethany," the Dutton girls jaw dropped at Charlottes voice raising over the normal soft tone that she speaks with everyone ," I don't hate you Beth, I don't not for sleeping with the guy I maybe loved or what happened today , I love you and you could be right I might never make it out of the trailer park but this side of you is so ugly Beth, I love you and I know your hurting but don't take it out on me ." Charlotte spoke up with a angry look casted over her delicate features.
Beth's anger and shame sadly took over in this moment - ruining the best companionship she ever had," I don't want to see you anymore ."
Charlie scoffed ," You don't mean that -" Beth cut her off," Jesus Charlotte have some pride for once in your life , I don't want you here - Rip doesn't want you here. You are a joke I mean what do I need to do for you to get that message , seriously do I need to drop dead like your parents to be alone."
Charlotte felt her body go cold at that and shook her head at the Dutton girl , raising a hand stopping the conversation," I'm sorry for you Beth , I really am because you will be miserable your entire life with that anger in you, no matter if you have Rip or whatever man of the hour you have by your side. You will always be in that pain. "
Charlotte opened the bedroom door to leave when her concern brought her to a stop, she reached in her purse bringing a bottle of water and a bag of medicine out. She threw them on the Dutton girls bed without looking at her ," Nurse said to take it every 4 hours - she didn't give me anything for the parts of you that hurt on the inside . Have a good life Bethany." A slamming door followed her last sentence leaving both girls hurt.
Blinding anger was not a frequent emotion for Charlotte Atkins , she was a quiet and sweet girl but storming down the long gravel driveway in the middle of the night towards the stables with the intent of giving Rip Wheeler a piece of her mind. Knowing that since he became a part of the Yellowstone Ranch he slept in the spare room of the barn (until he proved himself worthy of living in the bunkhouse). Normally the girl would stop to pet the animal but she flew past the stalls and jerked open the maintenance rooms door to see a sleeping Rip Wheeler - an innocent look on his normally hard features , his long legs hanging over the too small cot.
The girl felt her body collapse against the doorframe, her body was just as unsure as her heart on how to approach the topic. Her eyes flitter over the boy and knew she didn't have it in her to be mad at him or Beth really, she knew they both had a lot of hurt in their hearts. Sighing she sank to her knees in front of Rip and gently shook his shoulder. It wasn't a surprise to her that Rip was a light sleeper but when her jerked awake at her touch she couldn't help but feel sympathetic.
" W-what? Lottie?" The boy was suddenly alert at seeing the pretty brunette appearing in his room this late- hell he thought he may he dreaming.
Charlotte felt her heart break for the first time when he used that damn nickname, " Sorry for scaring you ," she bit her lip and took a shaky breath , " I just wanted to let you know I'm leaving ."
Rip slowly sat up , now leaning over her one hand grabbing her wrist softly and the other leaning over to a box holding an alarm clock," leaving ? It's past midnight Lottie , did you need a ride or something ?"
The girl shook her head ,"Rip I'm probably not coming back to the ranch for a long time - maybe ever."
This seemed to wake Rip up ," Sweetheart what's wrong ? Let's cut to the chase. Did something happen ." He went to grab his pants off the ground by the cot when she grabbed his other hand stopping him.
" I know you and Beth are seeing each other ."
The boys face went white and he stilled," Lottie I'm sorry, I -I pussied out . It was a mistake please."
Charlotte shook her head and stood up now standing over the older boy," Rip what's done is done. It's ok."
Rip moved to the side to stand without knocking her out of the way ," Charlotte - I can do better- no I'll be better. I mess up everything in my life I didn't want to mess you up too-"
Charlotte pulled him close and stood on her toes arms wrapped around the boys neck pulling him into a passionate kiss- a kiss goodbye. It did not seem like it was long enough but she pulled back kissing him once on the cheek then headed to the door before looking back at him," Rip your not a mistake , you were never a mistake to me. I would like to think that if given the chance I would have be real good to you. Sometimes thing happen for a reason and I really hope there was a good reason this happened to us. Goodnight Rip."
Rip looked at her and gave her a small smile," Goodnight Lottie."
Beth had finally packed her last box for college and spotted the box of scrapbooks containing memories of summers with her best friend , moments on the ranch where she didn't feel as lonesome in the company of the Atkins girl. Beth shook her head and hauled the box down into the basement, in her mind permanently sealing it away from her consciousness. She knew what her last task was before she left the ranch and set down the driveway to complete it, she found the Wheeler boy digging fence posts near the barn.
She walked up to him, annoyed that he didn't hear her boots on the driveway she crossed her arms across her chest before speaking up ," What are you doing ?"
Rip hauled some tools up and glanced up at the Dutton girl," Working Beth, what does it look like."
The Dutton girl scoffed, " I'm guessing Charlie talked to you. I don't know what's wrong with her it's not a big deal-"
Rip slammed the tools down before cutting her off," It is a big deal , Jesus Beth. What we did to her is a big deal. "
Beth threw her hands up in defense ," It doesn't even matter , it didn't matter . I don't like you Rip," she wrinkled her nose at him," it's been over for awhile now."
He took his working gloves off shaking his head ," it's all over Beth- and if you don't understand what I mean then I don't know what to tell you."
Beth shook her head with a laugh," I just said that !-"
Looking up at the Dutton girl with a sad look on his face," Beth, normally people don't stick around after you mess things up ."
Beth was in denial and shook her head," She knows it was nothing , Charlie will understand."
Rip knew that Charlotte wasn't coming back and that she very well didn't understand why Beth and Rip stomped over her heart for a few minutes of drunken lust.
2 years later
It was around 5 am when the eldest Dutton boy called Charlotte's grandfather asking if they can come out to help around the ranch, and of course the girl couldn't turn down John Dutton ( or her grandfather). She knew at his old age he didn't get out much and he would enjoy being able to share his wisdom with the younger man so she was grateful when Lee came around to help.
" Oh Lee ! You didn't have to come get us , " Charlotte said when she opened the screendoor of their trailer home seeing the older man standing on the ramp.
"Don't worry about it kid, I hear old Matt is giving you a hard time." Lee joked seeing the in home care nurse push the older man out onto the porch. Lee felt very concerned seeing how Charlottes grandfather was doing with his recent diagnosis. The girl knew it wasn't long now but she couldn't help but feel protective over her grandfather knowing that he wouldn't want anyone looking at him with pity.
"Grandpa is looking forward to having a drink with your father Lee, right pa?" She made sure to raise her voice so that her elder could be part of the conversation, the older man gave her a weak smile.
"I sure am, that son of a bitch owes me a cup of bourbon." The old man jokes before erupting in a deep cough. Charlotte pats his back before waving the nurse goodbye and starts to lock up the door. Lee took the Liberty to start a conversation with the older man and helping him into the vehicle - packing up all the necessary equipment took a bit longer than Charlotte would like to admit but Lee was the polite gentleman that John raised him to be, always reassuring her that there was no reason to apologize," You have no reason to be sorry Princess, I'm here on the clock - so if you could go any slower my paycheck would appreciate it."
Charlotte giggled and shook her head hopping in the cab of the truck.
Pulling up the the Yellowstone Ranch turned Charlotte Atkins into a ball of nerves , she was no longer that heartbroken fifteen year old . Today was about helping John Dutton and letting her grandfather enjoy himself since we was riddled with bad health, today was not about her and her stupid feelings. On the front porch of the the house was John Dutton , most likely waiting for the Atkins Family. John Dutton quickly approached to help Lee and Charlotte with her grandfather .
"My goodness is that you Charlotte, all grown up!" John embraced the girl in a fatherly hug before opening her grandfathers door to shake his hand," Mathew you don't look a day over thirty."
Charlotte giggled and went to help the men with the wheel chair before hauling into the house.
As they walked in Charlottes breath caught in her throat at the sight of the Dutton kids at the dining room table around the corner, Lee must have known that the girls have had a falling out because he softly grabbed her shoulder before turning to her," Hey dad set up a few barrels for you if you want to grab a horse and practice? It would be great if you could give me some pointers." Lee batted his eyes and clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture.
Charlotte let out a breath of relief and grabbed Lees arm hauling him outside towards the corrals , thanking John Dutton for thinking ahead.
When John Dutton came through the house pushing Matt Atkins wheelchair Beth Duttons jaw dropped, after all the phone calls that she tried to reach Charlotte, all the times she banged on the door and Matt Atkins turned her away she never thought she would see another member of the Atkins family. Jamie stood up from his chair in confusion," Mr. Atkins ? It's nice to see you," he went to shake the man's hand who did not return the favor. The old man sent a harsh glare over his oxygen mask to Johns second boy.
John feeling the tension decided to speak up, " Mr. Atkins is here for business- Beth , Charlie is out in the corrals. It's been awhile since I've seen you two together ."
Beth felt hope rise in herself , hope that maybe this was fate. She looked over to see Jamie sport a excited smile at the mention of Charlotte being at the ranch on his face. Beth knew the glare on her face showed her disgust for her older brothers crush on her former friend- and to this Jamie did not care.