Charlie Ever After

59

Tanner

Last night went so well. I was so glad that she liked all of her gifts, and the moments of pure intimacy between us— not even the sex, but the laying together after the fact— was completely unrivaled. I fell more in love with her last night for the millionth time all over again.

I could tell in the morning however that there was something weighing on her. She still had that carefree light to her that I loved so much, but there was also a melancholy tinge to the air around us.

I came to stand behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist as I pressed a light kiss to the side of her neck. "What's wrong, my love?"

She melted into me, letting out a content sigh as she did, but when she still didn't reply, I squeezed her against me. "You can talk to me."

Another moment or more of silence before she let out a slow sigh.

"I'm just going to miss it here." I caught the ghost of a small smile pulling at her lips.

"Being here with you and your family has been so nice... I don't want to say goodbye."

My heart broke at her words, but I just squeezed her tighter. "I know, but we'll be back soon." The news about the party was on the tip of my tongue. I was so tempted to tell her, just to see the smile back on her face.

"I know..." Was all she said as she turned around to face me, giving me a soft kiss before scurrying off to pack up the rest of our things.

I had to admit, I was going to miss it too. Everything about this place was home to me, and adding Charlie to the mix made it feel even more so. I always felt such a sense of peace when I returned home, even with the neverending chaos of the girls— I welcomed it.

I made sure we had everything from outside, dry bathing suits and clothes and then went back inside to make us a quick lunch for the road. I knew that it was going to be a long day for the both of us.

As soon as I heard Charlie's footfalls come closer, I smiled and turned around, handing her a fresh cup of coffee before kissing her softly on the lips. "Happy birthday, baby." This was probably about the umpteenth time I've told her, but she deserved to hear it a million more. She deserved for this weekend to be the most magical and meaningful weekend of her life.

She kissed me back before taking a sip of her coffee and eyeing me over the rim of the mug. "Thank you." She finally said in reply to my happy birthday and for the coffee. "I don't know how I got so lucky." She mumbled against her next sip as her eyes fluttered shut, enjoying the brew.

"I'm the lucky one here." I couldn't break the grin from my face even if I tried, and my words were more than true. I was so beyond lucky to have this amazing girl in my life. I didn't even want to think back to what life was like before I met her. I don't think I had even been living up until that point.

When I met Charlie, she brought an entirely different side of me out. One that wasn't afraid of living. One that wanted to see a million tomorrows if they meant being by her side. When Tessa died, I had a really hard time accepting the fact that she was gone. I went days wishing it was me that was washed away by the current and not her. She was so sweet and innocent. She deserved the million tomorrows, not me. I knew my guilt was futile. I knew there was no way that I could've saved her. But still, even in my twenties— far wiser and more mature than I was as a young teen when Tessa died— there was still that inkling of guilt that told me that I could have done something. That I could have somehow swam faster and saved her. No matter how many times people told me that my guilt was unwarranted, I couldn't make it go away.

The morning weather was a balmy eighty degrees and I already knew it was going to be a hot one today by the way the sun was beating down on us.

I hauled all of our bags into the bed of my truck and by the time I was done, I was already breaking a sweat.