Plus One. How to Catch a Cloud - xvi

"Wakie, wakie, Grumps," Ara cooed as she opened the curtains in Charlie's room; he didn't budge.

Padding towards the bed, she crept up close, watching his chest intently as it rose and fell with each breath. With a sigh of relief, she sat at the edge of the bed and nudged him awake.

"Grumps, wake up... it's 9am."
She leaned in for a quick kiss as he opened his eyes.
"I'd love to wake up like this every morning," he said with a big smile as she got up from the bed.
"Ha! Dream on," she teased as she hopped off the bed. "What time are we leaving?"
"Soon.. Just let me get ready."
"'K. I'll be downstairs."
"You don't have to..."
"Oh just get up already," she chided and threw his shirt at him.

Hand in hand they walked towards Granny's bedroom, where she greeted them from her rocking chair.
"Charlie, you brought company..."
"Yes Granny, this is Ara. Ara, this is my Granny."
Granny looked at Ara intently with a nod, she smiled and insisted that Ara come closer.
"Come sit beside me, Ara."
"Ok," Ara did as was told.

By the end of the visit Ara had made plans to visit often and get to know Granny. The elder even insisted Ara call her "Granny". It was while they were in the elevator, tears fell down her cheeks and her heart ached for her own grandmother.

Charlie heard the sniffles and turned in time to see Ara wiping away the tears from her face.

Hooking his finger under her chin, he made her look up at him.
"You miss your Grandma, huh?"
She nodded.
He leaned down to kiss her lightly on the lips and hugged her tenderly until the elevator indicated they were on ground level.
Holding onto her hand while he let her have a few more tears fall, he offered, "Do you want to visit your Granny?"
She looked up at him in awe.
"Yes, please."
"Let me call work for a bit. I'll tell them I'm not going in. Maybe you should call Freddie and tell her you won't be in either."
"Ok," she agreed. She wasn't in any condition to work. Missing her Grandma so much felt like a loss so recent, she gave into the prospect of being with Charlie while she let go of her pent up grief.

For most of the afternoon they sat on a blanket in the cemetery beside her parents and grandparents. They talked about their lives growing up with their grandmothers. Some things they found similar, other things they found completely different.

He took her hand and promised, "I'll try to be the best I can be to you. If you ever find that I'm not who or what you need, please tell me."
Her jaw dropped and she slapped his hand away.
"How can you say something like that?!"
Not knowing what he said wrong, he replied, "I'm serious, Ara. You will let me know?"

After a moment of silence, staring down at her parents' tombstones, she realized he just need reassurance that he could be a great significant other, boyfriend, husband and father.
"Listen, here Charlie... there's nothing you can do wrong that can't be forgiven. Unless you cheat on me and then I'd never take you back. Mark my words. I don't just think you're cute. I don't just like you either. I love you, Charlie. So I'm sorry, but you're stuck with me until the day you tell me you don't want me."
"I'll never say that."
"Never say never."

Cradling her face in the palm of his hands, he whispered, "How did I get to be so lucky."
"I think it's too early for you to say whether you've hit the jackpot or not."
"Oh, but we've already had our first fights, so I know us at our worst."
"True," she smiled, her face still in his hands.
"Can I kiss you?"
She rolled her eyes, "Who's going to stop you? Not me."
He looked down at the names that surrounded them.
"Maybe, not here."
She laughed and pushed him away.
"Let's go home."
"Let's shall."
"Bye Granny, Grampy, Mommy and Dad... I'll visit again soon, I promise."

She turned towards Charlie, "Thank you for bringing me here."
In response he kissed the hand he held and went on their way.