When Love Breaks Down Chapter 19 - by Maro Z
Party time! How will Noah deal with his 'unexpected' reaction to his ex-wife?
Cheers all for your well wishes! I have returned tired but refreshed from a busy yet relaxing weekend away....if that makes sense!! And wow are you all keen! 19 comments......almost got the elusive 20....but there you go:/
(From Chapter 17- Wellwisher - I agree that there is nothing worse than bouncing from one relationship to another, too many people are scared of being alone, and that's the saddest part. As for the 'hey?' I do use it a lot looking back, but think it's because I want people to like the story and maybe it's a subconscious search for reassurance?)
And last chapter:
Anonymous - Addicted? Me too! Hope this is quick enough!
Silky - still a few peaks and troughs. Nothing is ever that simple!
Shweta - I'm glad you like the ladies. None of us are perfect, we all have flaws, but we all deserve a good life I think! And this is the first time I've revisited old characters like re introducing Katie and Dan, glad you like it.
Cia - Thanks for the comments! Nice to see new people commenting! Noah is starting to wake up. Hope it's not too late!
Wellwisher - I just went a few hours away with family and friends; a nice house by the beach in Devon (UK), nice weather, food drinks and company....can't be bad! As for the time, I try to write an hour or two late at night when everyone else is in bed! But my life does suffer when I get really into my stories....constantly jotting down scenarios and character traits wherever I go. As for Noah - he's a Muppet, just hope it's not too late to realize how stupid he has been!
Salma - LOVE new names commenting. I do try and post most days....if my life can accommodate it! I so LOVE the term douche bag too!
Tavita K - gotta love a cliff-hanger:) Hope my absence wasn't TOO long! Anyway I'm back now! And yep the tide is turning!
Katie - I know LONG time coming hey!
Alison - couldn't have put it better myself. Regret is so powerful! And so glad that Charlie gets the Alison stamp of approval. I think she has the most realistic traits of all my heroines to date. It was funny when you posted your version of the story how similar it was to my plans....We're getting too similar!! Glad to see a comment again, hope you manage to post another one soon!
Emis - :) Were you tempted to leave this story? Hope not!!
Bethany Fellows - Noah :/, Bethany :D Ha ha ha ha! We'll see!
Alena - so sorry that you were hanging on a cliff edge! Noah is nowhere near safe yet, and don't think for a minute this is the end! There are a few more twists and turns, because whilst this is fiction, him getting the girl now would be far too easy!!
Abio Beka Kevin - Thank you so much! Had a lovely trip, and hope that you're still enjoying this!!
Justine.A - Charlie has done well for herself; she's got a nice new life...why would she want him??? Can't be that easy surely?
Kim - I SO did Kim! And yep Noah is just a great antagonist isn't he? I love him too!!
Nessa - I've been slow to bring his POV into it as I felt it was important to keep him as a bit of a mystery until now! Hope it works!
Tia - Oh that it is....but is it reciprocated? :)
Annie - I didn't get this chapter submitted until 9am UK that day, this was a real record posting turnaround from Buzzle! As for regret......long way to go yet!! :)
Zee - Jack just has to be a really good friend doesn't he? I was tempted to bring him into the equation, but he's been Charlie's rock. Without him she's struggle....saying that he won't like Noah sniffing around her again so who knows!! Ha ha
Am really loving this story too. Not too far to go, but still a few more twists and turns to go....Thanks all for sticking with me!
=======================================================================================================================================
Charlie was attacking the heavy work unaware that she was being watched. She could feel the perspiration running down her spine, between her breasts, but she wanted to make the most of this opportunity of time without the children. So she worked tirelessly.
Noah was frozen. Completely captivated by the sight of Charlie hard at work. He didn't want to disturb her, didn't want to see the contempt in her eyes as she looked at him, didn't want to disturb the moment. So he stood quietly for a few minutes longer.
After less than a minute but what felt more like ten, he stepped in to the garden and coughed, loud enough to make her stop.
Turning around to face him, Charlie gasped in surprise, "I wasn't expecting to see you yet! I thought it'd be Saturday before you arrived."
He had to swallow, his throat suddenly dry, he knew his voice would be a croak. The dusty smudges across her cheeks and nose were adorable, but the bikini top and ripped shorts were overtly sexy, yet innocent too. He was in pieces.
"I wanted some time with the kids before it got silly here! It looks like the weekend is going to be hectic!"
She nodded, removing the thick gloves that had almost prevented her palms from blistering. With a wince she rubbed her hands on her shorts then kicked of her work boots, next to her were the pair of flip-flops she lived in the rest of the time.
"Where are the kids?" he asked finally.
She smiled, "on the beach of course, with a friend. Do you want to go see them?"
He shrugged then averted his eyes as she slipped the shorts down over her thighs and then reached for a floral sarong to tie around her waist
"Come on then!" She strode through the gate and on to the hot sand, and then turned to him, "I just want to cool off, hang on a minute!"
With that she jogged across to the free standing shower at the back of the beach, kicking off her shoes and sarong as she went. Hitting the button she was immediately engulfed in icy cold water. He could see the goose bumps covering her flesh, then tried to ignore the prominent nipples that were so evident against the cotton of her bikini. After a healthy downpour onto her face, she turned to rinse her hair, he was barely able to think as her hands lifted to comb through her tresses, the freezing water running in rivers over her breasts, her stomach. It was the most erotic display he'd EVER seen and he was a gibbering wreck when she retied her hair, then skipped down to the sand and draped the sarong around her waist.
"They're over here! Come on!" she called over her shoulder.
Within moments he was swamped by his two children who giggled excitedly as they climbed all over him, dropping to the sand he let them sit on him as he nodded in acknowledgment to Katie as he was introduced, but was unable to formulate enough logical thought to hold a conversation.
Later that night after Noah had bathed both of them and read the, good night stories, he was mentally exhausted. Coming down the stairs, he heard music in the kitchen and made his way across the hallway, again he found himself paused, embroiled in a sight that was captivating, overwhelming. Charlie was placing the finishing touches to a large pirate ship birthday cake, a treasure chest, a mast and a skull and cross bones flag, all made from icing and sugar. An old Motown song was blasting out of the expensive looking stereo that sat on the work surface, and as she worked, she wiggled her arse in time to the music. He wanted to laugh, but it was too genuine, too innocent, too beautiful to ridicule. Leaning against the doorway he smiled, this was what he'd missed, this domestication, comfort, safety. He shook his head, and he'd thrown it all away!
Charlie sensed Noah long before she turned, smiled and asked his opinion on her masterpiece; he'd been strange today, morose, introvert. She was hoping that he was coming down with flu and this wasn't anything more sinister. The last thing she needed was him becoming depressed, suicidal even. She'd taken SO long to get to this point, to make her life happy, amicable. She couldn't bear that it all went wrong again, she'd had enough.
"It's unbelievable!" he announced when he finally focused on the cake. "Lucas is one lucky boy!"
She smiled, a beautiful smile, "he's such a pleasure that he deserves it! I'm sure he'll be happy come Sunday." She headed to the pantry and stored the cake out of the view of prying eyes. "Beer?" she turned to him, "I'm sure you're not in a rush to spend time alone in that apartment you're renting?"
He nodded, "ok a beer would go down well."
Charlie handed him an opened bottle, and perched on a stool near the breakfast bar with her own. He took a stool opposite her, and watched her drink. He had to shake out of this or it would be a really long weekend.
The next morning saw the start of the chaos, her father and Pam arrived, all bearing gifts for an excited little boy. After walks on the beach, supervising the party planning and providing food for everyone, Charlie was shattered, and glad to turn in that night.
The party started at two, and by three o'clock there were in excess of fifty people gathered all eating and drinking. A clown was making balloon animals on the patio and the majority of the children were swarming around him excitedly.
Noah arrived with his parents, and Charlie handed him Molly immediately, heading off to chat with her friends, step down for a moment. Katie was sipping a glass of white wine, leaning against a wall at the far end of the garden when Charlie approached.
"He's got it bad!"
Turning to look at her Charlie was confused, "What? Who?"
Katie sipped her wine again before nodding across the garden, "your ex! He has barely taken his eyes off you since he arrived!"
"Noah!" Charlie laughed out loud, "oh no! He's many things, but not that! If anything he's missing his slapper girlfriend, she's been filming in the States for a couple of months."
Katie shrugged, "I'm not wrong Charlie. I've been watching him, be careful!"
Charlie thought for a moment, she didn't for one minute think that he was interested in her again, not suddenly like this. She'd dreamed about him wanting her again, but that was never enough. He'd hurt her beyond repair. She had loved him and he had ripped her heart out, chewed it then spat it out. His lonely libido was not enough to change her morals, her plans and her life. She'd trusted him once, never again.
Katie's warning was still blaring in her head as she tucked Lucas into bed later that evening. Molly had fallen asleep during the party, but Lucas had hung on until nine o'clock. Now here he was fighting sleep as she stroked his head and kissed her cheek. She had two baby monitor receivers so that she could return to the party, but ensure they were both sleeping and ok.
Charlie was just turning out his light and blowing a kiss to his already closed eyes when she felt something behind her, too late to stop herself propelling backwards, she bumped into someone. Spinning around she saw it was Noah.
"You scared me!" she gasped, a hand covering her racing heart.
He smiled apologetically, "sorry, just wanted to give him a kiss goodnight."
"Sorry," she muttered as she passed him, "he's gone straight to sleep. He's shattered!"
She made to leave the room, but his hand flew out to grip her wrist, instantly there was a surge of anticipation, electric sensations snaking from the skin that his hands touched. It scared Charlie, and it made her realize that he hadn't touched her since they were in Sydney, if he had, then she'd have remembered. As she raised her eyes to meet his gaze she saw a wave of lust hit him, his pupils widened and nostrils flared.
Shaking her head, she snatched her hand away, "no! Don't even think about it Noah!" Her voice was a whisper, but the tone and harshness indicated how determined she was. "It's taken too long to get over you. I am not going back down that road....do you hear me?"
Noah's expression was unchanged, lust, excitement, so she ran, away from him, back to the safety of her friends and family. She didn't need him, didn't want him, and there was no way he was walking back into her life.
=====================================================================================================================================
SO mad Charlie? Or right Charlie? Ha ha
MZ xx
(From Chapter 17- Wellwisher - I agree that there is nothing worse than bouncing from one relationship to another, too many people are scared of being alone, and that's the saddest part. As for the 'hey?' I do use it a lot looking back, but think it's because I want people to like the story and maybe it's a subconscious search for reassurance?)
And last chapter:
Anonymous - Addicted? Me too! Hope this is quick enough!
Silky - still a few peaks and troughs. Nothing is ever that simple!
Shweta - I'm glad you like the ladies. None of us are perfect, we all have flaws, but we all deserve a good life I think! And this is the first time I've revisited old characters like re introducing Katie and Dan, glad you like it.
Cia - Thanks for the comments! Nice to see new people commenting! Noah is starting to wake up. Hope it's not too late!
Wellwisher - I just went a few hours away with family and friends; a nice house by the beach in Devon (UK), nice weather, food drinks and company....can't be bad! As for the time, I try to write an hour or two late at night when everyone else is in bed! But my life does suffer when I get really into my stories....constantly jotting down scenarios and character traits wherever I go. As for Noah - he's a Muppet, just hope it's not too late to realize how stupid he has been!
Salma - LOVE new names commenting. I do try and post most days....if my life can accommodate it! I so LOVE the term douche bag too!
Tavita K - gotta love a cliff-hanger:) Hope my absence wasn't TOO long! Anyway I'm back now! And yep the tide is turning!
Katie - I know LONG time coming hey!
Alison - couldn't have put it better myself. Regret is so powerful! And so glad that Charlie gets the Alison stamp of approval. I think she has the most realistic traits of all my heroines to date. It was funny when you posted your version of the story how similar it was to my plans....We're getting too similar!! Glad to see a comment again, hope you manage to post another one soon!
Emis - :) Were you tempted to leave this story? Hope not!!
Bethany Fellows - Noah :/, Bethany :D Ha ha ha ha! We'll see!
Alena - so sorry that you were hanging on a cliff edge! Noah is nowhere near safe yet, and don't think for a minute this is the end! There are a few more twists and turns, because whilst this is fiction, him getting the girl now would be far too easy!!
Abio Beka Kevin - Thank you so much! Had a lovely trip, and hope that you're still enjoying this!!
Justine.A - Charlie has done well for herself; she's got a nice new life...why would she want him??? Can't be that easy surely?
Kim - I SO did Kim! And yep Noah is just a great antagonist isn't he? I love him too!!
Nessa - I've been slow to bring his POV into it as I felt it was important to keep him as a bit of a mystery until now! Hope it works!
Tia - Oh that it is....but is it reciprocated? :)
Annie - I didn't get this chapter submitted until 9am UK that day, this was a real record posting turnaround from Buzzle! As for regret......long way to go yet!! :)
Zee - Jack just has to be a really good friend doesn't he? I was tempted to bring him into the equation, but he's been Charlie's rock. Without him she's struggle....saying that he won't like Noah sniffing around her again so who knows!! Ha ha
Am really loving this story too. Not too far to go, but still a few more twists and turns to go....Thanks all for sticking with me!
=======================================================================================================================================
Charlie was attacking the heavy work unaware that she was being watched. She could feel the perspiration running down her spine, between her breasts, but she wanted to make the most of this opportunity of time without the children. So she worked tirelessly.
Noah was frozen. Completely captivated by the sight of Charlie hard at work. He didn't want to disturb her, didn't want to see the contempt in her eyes as she looked at him, didn't want to disturb the moment. So he stood quietly for a few minutes longer.
After less than a minute but what felt more like ten, he stepped in to the garden and coughed, loud enough to make her stop.
Turning around to face him, Charlie gasped in surprise, "I wasn't expecting to see you yet! I thought it'd be Saturday before you arrived."
He had to swallow, his throat suddenly dry, he knew his voice would be a croak. The dusty smudges across her cheeks and nose were adorable, but the bikini top and ripped shorts were overtly sexy, yet innocent too. He was in pieces.
"I wanted some time with the kids before it got silly here! It looks like the weekend is going to be hectic!"
She nodded, removing the thick gloves that had almost prevented her palms from blistering. With a wince she rubbed her hands on her shorts then kicked of her work boots, next to her were the pair of flip-flops she lived in the rest of the time.
"Where are the kids?" he asked finally.
She smiled, "on the beach of course, with a friend. Do you want to go see them?"
He shrugged then averted his eyes as she slipped the shorts down over her thighs and then reached for a floral sarong to tie around her waist
"Come on then!" She strode through the gate and on to the hot sand, and then turned to him, "I just want to cool off, hang on a minute!"
With that she jogged across to the free standing shower at the back of the beach, kicking off her shoes and sarong as she went. Hitting the button she was immediately engulfed in icy cold water. He could see the goose bumps covering her flesh, then tried to ignore the prominent nipples that were so evident against the cotton of her bikini. After a healthy downpour onto her face, she turned to rinse her hair, he was barely able to think as her hands lifted to comb through her tresses, the freezing water running in rivers over her breasts, her stomach. It was the most erotic display he'd EVER seen and he was a gibbering wreck when she retied her hair, then skipped down to the sand and draped the sarong around her waist.
"They're over here! Come on!" she called over her shoulder.
Within moments he was swamped by his two children who giggled excitedly as they climbed all over him, dropping to the sand he let them sit on him as he nodded in acknowledgment to Katie as he was introduced, but was unable to formulate enough logical thought to hold a conversation.
Later that night after Noah had bathed both of them and read the, good night stories, he was mentally exhausted. Coming down the stairs, he heard music in the kitchen and made his way across the hallway, again he found himself paused, embroiled in a sight that was captivating, overwhelming. Charlie was placing the finishing touches to a large pirate ship birthday cake, a treasure chest, a mast and a skull and cross bones flag, all made from icing and sugar. An old Motown song was blasting out of the expensive looking stereo that sat on the work surface, and as she worked, she wiggled her arse in time to the music. He wanted to laugh, but it was too genuine, too innocent, too beautiful to ridicule. Leaning against the doorway he smiled, this was what he'd missed, this domestication, comfort, safety. He shook his head, and he'd thrown it all away!
Charlie sensed Noah long before she turned, smiled and asked his opinion on her masterpiece; he'd been strange today, morose, introvert. She was hoping that he was coming down with flu and this wasn't anything more sinister. The last thing she needed was him becoming depressed, suicidal even. She'd taken SO long to get to this point, to make her life happy, amicable. She couldn't bear that it all went wrong again, she'd had enough.
"It's unbelievable!" he announced when he finally focused on the cake. "Lucas is one lucky boy!"
She smiled, a beautiful smile, "he's such a pleasure that he deserves it! I'm sure he'll be happy come Sunday." She headed to the pantry and stored the cake out of the view of prying eyes. "Beer?" she turned to him, "I'm sure you're not in a rush to spend time alone in that apartment you're renting?"
He nodded, "ok a beer would go down well."
Charlie handed him an opened bottle, and perched on a stool near the breakfast bar with her own. He took a stool opposite her, and watched her drink. He had to shake out of this or it would be a really long weekend.
The next morning saw the start of the chaos, her father and Pam arrived, all bearing gifts for an excited little boy. After walks on the beach, supervising the party planning and providing food for everyone, Charlie was shattered, and glad to turn in that night.
The party started at two, and by three o'clock there were in excess of fifty people gathered all eating and drinking. A clown was making balloon animals on the patio and the majority of the children were swarming around him excitedly.
Noah arrived with his parents, and Charlie handed him Molly immediately, heading off to chat with her friends, step down for a moment. Katie was sipping a glass of white wine, leaning against a wall at the far end of the garden when Charlie approached.
"He's got it bad!"
Turning to look at her Charlie was confused, "What? Who?"
Katie sipped her wine again before nodding across the garden, "your ex! He has barely taken his eyes off you since he arrived!"
"Noah!" Charlie laughed out loud, "oh no! He's many things, but not that! If anything he's missing his slapper girlfriend, she's been filming in the States for a couple of months."
Katie shrugged, "I'm not wrong Charlie. I've been watching him, be careful!"
Charlie thought for a moment, she didn't for one minute think that he was interested in her again, not suddenly like this. She'd dreamed about him wanting her again, but that was never enough. He'd hurt her beyond repair. She had loved him and he had ripped her heart out, chewed it then spat it out. His lonely libido was not enough to change her morals, her plans and her life. She'd trusted him once, never again.
Katie's warning was still blaring in her head as she tucked Lucas into bed later that evening. Molly had fallen asleep during the party, but Lucas had hung on until nine o'clock. Now here he was fighting sleep as she stroked his head and kissed her cheek. She had two baby monitor receivers so that she could return to the party, but ensure they were both sleeping and ok.
Charlie was just turning out his light and blowing a kiss to his already closed eyes when she felt something behind her, too late to stop herself propelling backwards, she bumped into someone. Spinning around she saw it was Noah.
"You scared me!" she gasped, a hand covering her racing heart.
He smiled apologetically, "sorry, just wanted to give him a kiss goodnight."
"Sorry," she muttered as she passed him, "he's gone straight to sleep. He's shattered!"
She made to leave the room, but his hand flew out to grip her wrist, instantly there was a surge of anticipation, electric sensations snaking from the skin that his hands touched. It scared Charlie, and it made her realize that he hadn't touched her since they were in Sydney, if he had, then she'd have remembered. As she raised her eyes to meet his gaze she saw a wave of lust hit him, his pupils widened and nostrils flared.
Shaking her head, she snatched her hand away, "no! Don't even think about it Noah!" Her voice was a whisper, but the tone and harshness indicated how determined she was. "It's taken too long to get over you. I am not going back down that road....do you hear me?"
Noah's expression was unchanged, lust, excitement, so she ran, away from him, back to the safety of her friends and family. She didn't need him, didn't want him, and there was no way he was walking back into her life.
=====================================================================================================================================
SO mad Charlie? Or right Charlie? Ha ha
MZ xx
Post Comment | View Comments
