Charlie's Utopia

Dinner For Two?

"I will let Danny know you said hi," Gavin said to Charlie, who held Kathie in her arms as she sleeps with her face snuggled in her neck. Charlie smiled and nodded her head – she didn't say anything because of the sleeping child in her arm. Gavin glanced at Kathie and softly brushed his finger across her head and chuckled before he left. He wasn't kidding when he told her that he loved kids. Charlie could see the way his eyes lightened when he saw Kathie.

She was not in a good mood today, or else Charlie was sure that Gavin would have stayed and played with her longer. Kathryn started to cry a little after she and Marcus arrived at Charlie's apartment. No matter what Marcus tried, he couldn't get her to stop crying. Charlie stepped in and held her in her arms while she strode around the apartment and in no time, Kathie fell asleep. Charlie slowly closed the door behind her – making sure she doesn't make any sound to wake Kathie up. She turned around to see Marcus standing – while leaning against the wall. He had his eyes fixed on her.

Charlie smiled, "Let me put her in bed," She whispered to Marcus, who didn't say anything in return, instead, his eyes followed her in the room and out. Charlie was quick to put her in bed and placed pillows around her, just in case she rolls over in her sleep and walked out to find Marcus still against the wall. She couldn't help but chuckle, "What's up with you?" She asked as she cleared out the empty coffee mugs off the table.

Marcus heaved a sigh and pushed himself off the wall, "Nothing," He mumbled as he shrugged his shoulders. "I didn't know you were looking for a job," He added.

Charlie looked at him and squinted her eyes, "I told you I will be looking for jobs soon," She shrugged.

Marcus only nodded his head. He didn't want to say something and upset her. He doesn't have a problem with her working – she can work wherever she wants, the only thing that bothers her is her safety. After what she had to go through because of him, Marcus doesn't want it to repeat. Sure, Joe and Ben were in jail now but that doesn't relieve Marcus enough not to worry about Charlie's wellbeing anymore.

Charlie narrowed her eyes and goes, "Do you have a problem with me working, Marcus?" She couldn't help but ask.

"Of course not! I don't have any problem. You should do whatever you want to do. It is just – my stupid thoughts, nothing else. Don't worry about them." Marcus replied dismissively as he walked into the kitchen where Charlie followed him with the empty mugs in her hands. She placed them in the sink and turned around – resting her lower back against the edge of the sink. The metal cooly pressed against her body. Where else, Marcus stood by the fridge.

Charlie knew what it was about. She sighed and stepped closer to him. "Marcus, I know you are scared but you have to face it – you can't keep me or Kathie in forever. You need to fight against this fear of yours. No one will get hurt, I promise." She softly spoke as she placed her hand on his cheek and lightly brushed his skin with her thumb.

Marcus smiled and held her hand by her wrist and bring it to his lips. He softly brushed his lips to her palms and nodded his head, "I am trying – believe me – I am," He replied.

Charlie wanted him to speak about his fear. She wants him to talk to her about anything that bothers him – big or small, but Marcus never does that – not unless Charlie drags him to. Sometimes Charlie believes she is still not a habitual in Marcus's life. Often she feels left out – especially when Marcus hesitates to open up to her to when he keeps secrets from her. She doesn't want him to spill all his secrets to her, but she likes the idea of being included in his confidentiality – at the same time she doesn't want to force him. She knows how awful his life has been, therefore, she patiently waits and with love tries to make a permanent home in his heart. By watching the timid expressions on his face, Charlie decided to drop it.