Plus One. How to Catch a Cloud - xviii

"This feels so nice," she said as she rested her head against his temple. Wrapping her arms around his neck, he leaned in against her on the sofa and she soaked in the moment.
"Uh.. I might need my neck back to watch the movie," he said quietly.
"Mmmm... Just a little bit longer," she requested. "This feels too good."
"But it's like any other day."
"Mmm..."
When the movie began, she released her arms from around his neck and placed her hands in her lap.

Once the movie ended, her confidence to give him the 'good news' faltered.

Ara felt Charlie's hand in her lap. He took her hand and said, "I'm staying the night so we can leave for home tomorrow afternoon. Too late to drive tonight."
"OK, she replied."

She had been at Phoenix and Georgia's place for about two days when her brother came home early from his convention. Poor guy came home looking just as much a wreck as his future wife. Ranger had told him to go home because he looked so troubled and worried.

Georgia was someone to be worried for too, Ara was too scared to leave her side. She'd give the pregnant woman back rubs to soothe her after vomit sprees, and tried to accommodate Georgia's sensitivity to specific foods.

There was no way Ara could share her good news at a time like this. She was too scared.

And so, during the night the Charlie and Ara slept on the sofa-bed together. She doubted her big brother would ever check in on her, anyway.

Lost in these thoughts, she hadn't realize she was running her fingers continuously over Charlie's fingers. She faced the moonlit window with her back to his chest, as his hand was draped against her tummy.

"What are you thinking about?"
Snapping out of her reverie, she answered, "everything, I guess."
"Like?"
"Like... how I can't tell my brother about us."
"Because of Georgia you mean?"
"Yeah.. I'm worried. I don't want to stress them out more with surprise news."
"Is it that troublesome?"
"No, that's not the only piece of news I have..."
He stiffened behind her and she tried to soothe him by keeping his hand in hers, but somehow it turned to stone.
"What is it?"
She rubbed furiously and as soothingly at his hand that froze on her stomach. No response. She felt his tense air.

His head was still at her neck though.
"Grumpy babe.. what's wrong?" She cooed.
"Nothing," he wanted to pull his hand away, but she kept it there.
"Don't..."
"So what's your news?"
"I don't know if you'd like it. It means a lot of change and I know how you were thinking of moving here in Marsdale because your contract is almost up. But..."

Even his breathing was silent. Holding his breath?

"But.. I need to stay."
"Why?" He asked.

She turn in his arm to face him. She needed to see for herself if he'd care. She held on to the sides of his face and forced him to look at her. The moonlight hid her but revealed his eyes to her. She could stare at his beautiful face all night if she could. But after tonight, she wasn't sure what would happen.

She couldn't pick up and move.

"Jan's passing the diner over to me," she stated.
Hope rose in her throat. She needed his assurance or approval or something, just any reaction. But she got nothing.

"This means I'm going to be the owner." Still nothing. His face was so blank.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

Wanting to just turned around or better yet, leave the room she let go of him. But just as quick as she let go, he grasped her wrists in one fist and fished around behind him for something. It must have been the remote because the TV suddenly turned on.

"Look at me," he whispered.
Her tears openly fell. When she looked up at him, she saw the love in his eyes. He wiped the sparkles of tears away from her eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere," he promised.
"But what about work?"
"Do you need a business partner?"
"No. I don't want you changing your lifestyle for me."
"Too late, don't you think?"
"Mmm..." She answered noncommittally and looked away.
"Can you be honest with me?" She asked.
He nodded, "Yes."
"What did you think I was going to say?"
Silence.

Again he tried to let go of her, but it was her turn to trap him in an embrace.
"Spill it," she demanded.
"I want to do everything right for you."
"And...?"
"I was scared that may be we weren't too careful."
Her mouth formed an "Oh..."

"So does this mean you don't want children?"
"I do, but not this early in a relationship. You really need to find out if you like me enough, first."
"Oh I like you, alright. Just fine."
"You know what I mean."
"Yeah... I do. Maybe we should stay here in this house longer. That way we're sure to be safe from your worries," they chuckled.
"When will you tell Phoenix?" Charlie's eyebrows furrowed.

"Tell me what?!"
Phoenix's voice boomed from the living room door.
The color drained from the couple's face. Uh oh.

"Why aren't you guys asleep? Turn off the tv and sleep."
Relief washed over the two quickly and Ara found her voice.
"Uh... Ok, father!"
With a grunt Phoenix turned to go back to bed.
Turning off the TV Charlie shifted a bit in her arms for a more comfortable position that wouldn't give him a stiff neck.

In the darkness of the living room, Charlie whispered, "You think that there's a chance he already knows?"
"Not a chance. He's pretty dense. Took him how many years to figure out he loved Georgie."

Charlies deep rumble of laughter in his chest tickled her ear. What a great sound. He tilted her chin up and this time both their faces were lit by the moon.
"I'm very proud of how far you've gotten with the diner, Ara."
She blushed and he took the opportunity to steal a kiss.
"Time to sleep, Angel."
"Angel?"
"I don't think I have to explain it to you."
She smiled up at him and shook her head, "not at all..."
"Good night, Grumpy babe."
"Good night, Angel."

The next morning, Ara could swear she could hear Georgia and Phoenix in the room. She tensed as she realized her head rested squarely against Charlie's chest. Uh oh. She adjusted her ears to listen to the conversation between the engaged pair. A bet?!

"Two dollars..."
"Ten dollars..."
"You're pretty sure of yourself, Phoenix."
"If I'm wrong I'll let you name the baby without my say regardless if it's a he or she."
"And if I'm wrong, and I won't be... I'll promise to work from home on sickly days."
"No... Trust me, she's going to have a fit if she wakes up to find out where she is."

Were they seriously going to stand in the room and wait for us to wake up? Ara thought.

"Are you guys really going to stand there until we open our eyes?" Ara muttered lazily.

She felt Charlie's chest rumble quietly and caught Phoenix's jaw drop just as she opened her eyes.

Georgia held out her hand giggling, "That'll be ten dollars, Mister! And get used to the name Billie."
"No way!"
A laughing Georgia pushed him out of the door to leave Ara and Charlie alone.

Ara looked up at him lovingly and smiled.

"So you were faking sleep too?"
"It was too amusing... I wanted to know what he'd give up," he chuckled.
"He didn't freak out."
Charlie shook his head and gave a lopsided grin, "He didn't."

Kissing the top of her head he suggested they get dressed and pack up for their drive home.
She complied willingly.

During lunch they revealed and confirmed that she would be the new owner, that Charlie may leave drafting behind and that they were very much in love. All of which Phoenix absorbed and wished them the best. Adding of course that should Charlie hurt his little sister, he'd be a dead man. Typical big brother threats were lost on Ara.

They noticed it had been a full day since Georgia last had her headaches or nausea. With spoken wishes that the morning sickness had subsided to decreased at least, the couple set off for home.

Today was a great day, Ara thought.