The Bodyguard

Chapter 38

When we reach the door, my hands are shaking. Jamie grabs them and spins me around to face him. "No matter what happens, this changes nothing. You were able to live five years without them, and you can do it again. And casting you away like that... no parents should ever turn their backs on their children, no matter what the circumstance is."

"But..."

"No." He cuts me off with a kiss. "If anything, they should be the ones to beg for your forgiveness."

 "What? Why would they do that when it was all my fault?"

 "Because a parent's love should be unconditional." 

 "I know."

 "It's time, Charlotte."

 Taking a deep breath, I slowly rang the doorbell. As soon as the door opened, my heart felt like it was going to explode. "Charlotte, is that you?" 

 "Hey mom." 

"You're alive?! We thought you were dead!" 

 I shook my head. "It's a long story." 

 "Richard, come down here!" 

 As soon as my father saw me, he looked more than shocked. "Charlotte?!" 

 "Hi."

 "Oh my god. We thought you were dead!"

 "It's a long story."

 As he welcomed me into the house, he looked at Jamie and scowled. "Dad, he's with me." 

 "We saw the news and..."

 The door opened and made a loud banging sound as it hit the wall. I noticed Jamie reach for his gun, but immediately felt my heart drop as I looked at my best friend. "Charlotte?!"

 "Hannah?!" Before I can say another word, she took both of her arms and hugged me as tight as she could. 

 "You're alive! Oh my god!" She sobbed into my shoulder as I wrapped my arms around her waist. 

"Hi, Hannah."

 "I missed you so much! When you stopped responding, I was so scared! What happened? And why does everyone think you're dead?!" 

 An awkward silence filled the room until my dad finally spoke up. "Let's take this conversation into the living room, shall we?" 

 "Your father's right. I can have the maids prepare some coffee and an early lunch if you'd like." 

Jamie looked at me confusedly when my mother said "maids". I shrugged and smiled. "Some food sounds nice actually. We've been trying to keep a low profile for a while, specifically me. We didn't have anywhere to stop for food." 

 "Is Adam coming here?" Hannah asked concernedly. I try and rack my brain how to truthfully answer her question. 

I glance at Jamie and he shakes his head. "Hannah, we should give her some space. She got here a few minutes before you did." My father gestures towards the living room. "Shall we?"

 When we sit down, Jamie sits next to me and I look at Hannah. "So... what exactly are you doing here?"

 "When they heard the news that you were declared dead, I didn't want to be alone. I know you haven't spoken to them in a long time, but I knew that they needed the support."

 "Well, we are very grateful for you, Hannah. You've been a good help for Richard and I." 

 I looked at Hannah and raised my eyebrows. "She has?"

 My mother nodded. "She brought over two casseroles for us and our favorite apple pie." 

 "And... she also caught us up on some things." By the look on my father's face, I knew he had something on his mind. 

 "Richard, not now," my mother shook her head. 

 "Umm... what exactly did she tell you?"

 "Nothing personal, Charlotte. Only the things that we both hate about Adam." 

 "Like his mistress who you knew about for a while, or the way that he treats you like a piece of garbage rather than with respect. We raised you to have higher standards than that, Charlotte!" My father's voice grew louder and angrier. 

 "Richard, stop it! She'll leave us again if you don't keep your mouth shut." 

 The way my mother looked at him completely shut him up and nodded. "Look dad, I'm sorry. I never should've left you guys in the first place. It's something I've been thinking about a lot lately. Losing my relationship with you guys has really hurt me and I know that it's all my fault." 

"Oh sweetie, you know it's not your fault, I..."

 I scowled. "It is my fault. If I didn't have Hannah, I would've completely lost my mind." 

 "We're sorry for even making you choose in the first place. We just figured you would stay." 

"Mom, I think we should get off of this topic now."

 She nodded. "Of course. You're here now and that's all that matters, so why don't you share with us how this all happened."