42. Chapter 42
Charlotte
Cozying up in the seat opposite Hannah, I take in her face to see how she’s truly feeling.
I know all about putting on a brave face for others.
But she looks content, happy, and I can’t help but feel this is exactly what Nate would have wanted for her.
I hope one day I can get to that stage with how I feel about my parents.
My mind drifts away as I look out the window, watching the birds in the trees, and I go back to how fast-paced mine and Jake’s relationship has gone.
Are we even in a relationship? In the space of a couple of months, I’ve gone from not remembering him to fooling around with him, and my head is telling me I need to put the brakes on.
My heart, however, tells me something completely different.
“Charlie? Is something on your mind?” Hannah asks, and I shake myself out of my trance.
“I’m just thinking about me and Jake. I know he’s your son, but you’re also my friend, and I can’t help but feel like things are going from zero to a hundred really quickly.” It feels good to get that off my chest, even if it’s to his mom.
“You can always come to me for advice, and I’m going to give you this advice as both your friend and Jake’s mom, ok?” I nod, ready to hear what she has to say.
“Life is short, you never know what’s around the corner.
If what you’re doing with Jake feels right, then go with it.
Listen to your heart.” She reaches out and takes my hand.
“Jake loves you, and I know deep down you love my son too. Even if you can’t feel it right now, I know you do. Don’t run from it.”
I absorb her words and I know she’s right.
Deep down in the recesses of my heart, I know there’s a strong connection with Jake, and I can’t and won’t let him go.
“You’re right, I’m going to go with what my heart tells me, and that tells me I want whatever is happening with Jake to continue.
” I shoot her a smile, feeling lighter than air now I’ve said that out loud.
“Now, I was actually hoping you would finally show me how to knit Bella a sweater?”
Hannah claps her hands and lets out a little squeal.
“Oh absolutely, I’ve been wanting to show you for ages!
I always hoped Alyssa would want to learn, but she says it’s for people in retirement homes.
” She laughs and then continues, “I mean, she’s not wrong, but it allows my brain to switch off.
It’s also a handy skill to have for when I’m blessed with grandbabies.
” She gives me a wink, and you could fry an egg off my face with how hot it is.
She comes and sits next to me on the sofa, much to Bella’s annoyance, and shows me on the sweater she’s already started how to purl, cast on, and bind off.
We sit there for ages while I concentrate on making Bella’s sweater. I'm not doing a bad job for the first time, but it definitely takes practice.
The front door opens, and Alyssa walks around the corner before coming to a halt. “Oh no, Moms got you knitting? Charlie! I thought you were cool,” she pouts.
“I have never been cool, and you know it,” I say back to her, and she just rolls her eyes and shakes her head.
“If you must know, Charlie asked me to teach her. You’ll be next.” Hannah points her knitting needle at her daughter.
“As if. Keep dreaming, Mom. Where’s Jakey boy?” Alyssa asks as she looks around.
“He’s training with the guys; he shouldn’t be long, and then we can get some dinner,” Hannah says, not looking up from her knitting.
“Ah, my three favorite ladies all in one room,” Jake announces as he comes in, and Bella looks at him as if to say, “And what am I? Chopped Liver?” He sees her disgruntled little face and goes over to her, bends down, and proceeds to plant kisses on her head.
“Sorry, sweet girl, you’re my favorite of them all.” Pacified with my response, she flops back down and rests her head back on Alyssa's lap.
“I got some steaks for the grill, some salmon for you, Lotts, and some bits to make this mango salad I saw on TikTok,” he says, showing us the bags of food as he moves into the kitchen.
“I thought I could get the firepit going and we can hang out in the garden. I feel closer to Dad out there.” The last part comes out bashfully.
“I think that’s a great idea, honey,” Hannah says, and I can see Alyssa wiping the corner of her eye, careful not to disturb the winged eyeliner she wears every day without fail.
“Lyss, you want to come and help me?” giving her a chance to talk to him alone. It’s clear she’s struggling with today, and I’m glad he’s picked up on it. Alyssa gives him an eye roll, but then follows it with a grateful smile before heading in his direction.
Hannah and I join them outside a little while later to eat the amazing food Jake has prepared and listen to them talk about their favorite memories of Nate.
I wish I had gotten to meet him; I would have liked to have thanked him for teaching Jake to be a gentleman.
I have no doubt if he had been watching over him, he would be so very proud of Jake. I know Hannah is.
Heading off to the kitchen, Hannah comes back with a tray full of plain sugar cookies, a handful of bowls, and other goodies. “I was thinking maybe we could have a little friendly competition,” she says as she lays out everything on the table in front of us.
“Friendly competition?” I glance at Jake. “Do you even know how to do that?”
“Of course, baby, I can be very friendly when I want to be,” he waggles his eyebrows at me, making me laugh.
“Eww, is this a thing now? Do I need to start carrying around a sick bag, because this is vomit inducing,” Alyssa gags, clearly revolted by her brother.
“Better get used to it, Lyss, I don’t plan on stopping,” he replies as he nuzzles my neck whilst Alyssa continues making gagging noises at us.
“Will you two stop it and behave like adults for once,” Hannah admonishes, and the pair of them stop but fold their arms, sulking. “Ok, the rules are you each have thirty minutes to decorate four sugar cookies, and the winner—picked by myself—will win a favor from the loser,” Hannah declares.
Jake and Alyssa are talking a good game, bragging about how they’ll win, but I like to think I’m the dark horse here. I want to win against Jake for the bragging rights alone—I’m definitely in this to win it.
Hannah starts the timer and we’re off. I decide to keep my design simple and work slowly, making sure I don’t mess up. Slow and steady wins the race, after all. Jake and Alyssa are fighting over some icing, like children, not adults in their mid-twenties.
I’ve gone for a simple design of flowers, and so far, they’re looking pretty good.
I have no idea what Jake’s doing. It looks like an icing explosion from what I can see, and Alyssa’s are just covered in sprinkles.
I think it’s safe to say I’ve got this in the bag.
Hannah looks up every now and again as she fixes my stitches on Bella’s sweater.
The timer goes off and it’s time to assess our work. If I don’t win, it’s definitely rigged. Hannah takes her time looking over each individual cookie before she makes her decision. “After careful consideration, there was only one clear winner. Congratulations, Charlie, you are today's winner!”
I smile, trying not to be too smug at my win, and wait to see who’s going to be crowned the loser. To be fair, it’s going to be close, they’re both terrible.
“So, it seems both my children lack any kind of creative bone in their bodies,” Hannah says whilst chuckling. “There can only be one loser today, however, and that is…Jake.”
Oh, the power I have with this favor.