The Safehouse
Charles led Monica into the living room where a charcuterie board and sparkling cider was set up on the coffee table.
"This is a nice place for being a safe house," Monica said, "Although I'm surprised you asked to meet me here."
"It's not my first choice," Charles said as they sat on the couch, "But I figured we might want some privacy."
"That can be hard to come by at the mansion," Monica said, "Or any place out in Port Charles."
"That's what I was thinking," Charles said.
"Is there something specific you wanted to talk about?" Monica asked.
"I do, but I find myself at an uncharacteristic loss for words," Charles said, "I'm not entirely what it is we should be talking about."
"I think I can relate," Monica said, "Ever since you spent the night at home, I've been out of sorts about it."
"Out of sorts how?" Charles asked.
"I suppose it starts with I was disappointed you had to leave at all," Monica said.
"I can't say I looked forward to leaving," Charles said, "I guess I"m not really sure what that means for us going forward. Our plan is to go slow and see how things unfold…"
"But this feels like anything but that," Monica said, "Then Tracy of all people had to stick in her two cents in."
"What did Tracy have to say?" Charles asked, skeptically.
"Something about being too old to be practical when you and I have a second chance," Monica said.
"You can always count on Tracy to be blunt," Charles said, "Kellie encouraged me to not concern myself so much with I think may or may not be proper when comes to how you and I move forward with each other. "
"I think it means we focus more on what we want rather than what we think others might think," Monica said, "Do you know what you want?"
"I do," Charles said, "But I also don't want to put you in an awkward position if we're not at the same place yet. I can wait however long it takes for us to decide on something."
"What I want," Monica said, "Is..is for you to come home. I know it's not what we talked about, but I want you know you're waiting for me or on your way when I come back to house.."
"I'd like that too, Monica," Charles said, "That night at the house was the first time a place felt like home since I came back."
"It sounds like we both might want the same thing," Monica said, "To move back into together like we had before, and move forward from here"
"I would like that," Charles said, "But only if you're sure…or if we want to give more thought a bit longer."
"I'm sure," Monica said, grabbing Charles's hand, "And it's not like it's going to happen tonight. We might want to work out some logistics first. I'll need to rearrange some space for you again and get some boxes of yours out of storage. There were things I wasn't ready to give away yet."
"We'll figure it out at whatever pace we need," Charles said, "I also know Kellie will want to look over the security. I told her she needed to ask you permission."
"She's welcome to," Monica said, "For whatever peace of mind she needs."
"Thank you," Charles said.
The conversation paused for a moment.
"Perhaps a toast," Charles said.
"I think that's a great idea," Monica said.
Charles opened the cider and poured it into the glasses. Charles and Monica each picked up their glasses.
"To a beautiful, intelligent, and gracious woman willing to give us a second chance," Charles said, raising his glass.
"To having you home," Monica said, raising her glass.
They both sipped from their glasses and set them down on the coffee table.
"And to see the look on Tracy's face when she realizes I actually took her advice," Monica said, causing Charles to laugh.
"That would be priceless," Charles said, "Do you want to give Tracy a heads up that I'm moving back in?"
"That would be hysterical," Monica said, "To see how long it takes her to notice."
"It is up to you," Charles said.
"I am tempted," Monica said, "But I think I'd rather focus on us. Whenever however Tracy and the others find out, it won't matter not when we have so much time to spend together."