When Love Breaks Down Chapter 9 - by Maro Z
More marital discord!
Guys you are all so keen, and SO involved in this! I'm so pleased that you appreciate the realism of this story, I really wanted it to be believable, and by your responses it seems that I'm getting there!
Liz - thanks for the comment and the Mwah on Chapter 7, I'm glad you like where this is going. You are right, Charlie could only take so much!
From the last chapter!
Julius, yep he's back....and it will always be with a bang. Don't know whether these two can ever be just friends!
Nancy C - thanks for commenting! Always nice to see a new name! I just hope you continue to enjoy this story!
Nessa - I wonder if it's too late for coffee, for dinner, he's been useless and that's the point.....is this too much to redeem?
Justine.A - They will continue to battle!! And yep, it can make your hair nicer....one of the few physical perks!!
Tavita K - sorry I didn't post every day last week! I struggle to fit a life in around the writing! There are a lot of unsettled times ahead, but things will change for Charlie......
Teona Pedel - thanks, so glad another new name commented!!
Bethany fellows - yep Jack is definitely in the best mate category, and I can't say whether that will change!
Liz - thanks so much for such positive supportive words. I'm really glad that you find this realistic. Ironically I think that a lot of your questions are answered in this chapter. He is emotionally abusive, and that's not good for either of them, it's a question of hurt rather than be hurt with him. Hopefully following this chapter they can both get past things, but their relationship is explosive, so who knows. Financially, he's worth a fortune, and any other divorcing couple would see alimony issues, which again may well get sorted soon!
Jasmin - thanks! I'm writing as quickly as I can! I promise!!
Evelyn - it's so difficult, isn't it. There are always two sides to every story and most people are seeing both sides. More to come, but not revealing yet what's coming!!
Wellwisher - so glad I've managed to lure you back! ;) No you're not unforgiving, you just have fairly concrete standards, and I'm glad that you feel that strongly. Love does make people do strange things, and you can't just switch it off can you? But Charlie is strong, and has the children to help get her through this. Noah is not sneaking back into her life anytime soon!
Annie - it's the old leopard and spot thing, hey??
Alison - a snapshot of anger from you! Another man you hate and girl you love! I'm getting good at bringing that out in you!! And you're not a million miles away (but then you seem to interpret my stories better than me!) with the plot, he's not one to back down, and sorry really is the hardest thing, hey?
Silky - I know, he doesn't deserve her. She needs to contemplate life without him. But you can't help who you love either!
So pleased with all your comments, hope they continue!
And already we're at chapter nine!
=======================================================================================================================
Noah was leaning against the closed door of his car, his arms folded and a scowl on his face.
"When did you email? I haven't received any email from you." Charlie turned on him, "in fact I've had NO communication from you since you walked out of the hospital."
He shrugged, "you made your intentions very clear that night."
Raising her eyebrows she bit back a sarcastic response, "and this is how you cope with rejection.....but then we've already experienced that haven't we?"
"I came to see Lucas and Molly, not to get embroiled in all this with you." He had the audacity to look down his nose at her.
Charlie shook her head, "this is all too much Noah. You have no control over me; you gave up any right to that a long time ago. I will not answer to you, and you cannot turn up here making demands!"
He laughed, "Yet you're happy to live off my money!"
"Is that what this comes down to?" She shook her head sadly, "I gave up everything for you, my friends, my job, and then my independence when I had Lucas. I have NEVER asked for anything until now. My lawyer says I'm not pushing for half as much as I could get with our divorce.....but I've never been greedy, I just want enough to be able to live until Molly's old enough that I can work." She snarled at him, "and I WILL work, and when I do any money you give me will go into the children's bank account. I can guarantee you that. Now, I'm picking the children up at 8 am, if you'd like to meet us back here in the morning they would love to see you. It's your choice."
As she entered the house she slammed the door behind her in a confidence that disappeared as soon as he was out of view. She crumpled hurt all over again. How could he STILL hurt her after all this time? Why hadn't she hardened herself to his nasty side she'd witnessed to many times already?
They were all waiting for him the next morning. Molly had been really well behaved at her father's, well, as well behaved as an eight week old baby can be; Lucas was more excited than she'd seen him for ages. He missed his father, and she was devastated looking at him that their marriage was ending imminently. She'd not married as a temporary decision; she really believed that it was for life. He laughed to herself, she'd probably love him forever, she just loved the children and herself more, that was what she had to keep reminding herself.
The screech of tires on the drive was accompanied by a screech from Lucas of "DAAAAD!" He'd been stood watching out of the window for too long but was rewarded by the presence of the large four wheel drive with blacked out windows.
She opened the front door and Lucas ran to meet Noah who was pulling large packages out of the back of the car. Nodding at him in acknowledgement, she made her way back to the house, as she entered the door she could hear Molly start to stir. Upstairs the little girl was staring up through a veil of tears.
"Hey chicken!" she scooped her daughter up and held her close, nuzzling at her hair, breathing in the delicious smell that is baby. "Are you hungry?"
She changed Molly adeptly, and then settled into the rocking chair. Unbuttoning her shirt, she let the baby start to feed and silence replaced the hungry grizzle. Leaning back she closed her eyes, and sighed.
She was still in that repose when she heard the door crash open. Slowly she opened her eyes and saw Noah stood in the doorway, he was poised, anger still evident on his face, but the sight of her feeding his daughter had wrong footed him. She knew that he had found her feeding Lucas sensual, innocent and beautiful. He'd loved to watch her, but felt guilty for doing it too. She could only imagine his discomfort, his despair at finding her like this.
"You wanted me?" she finally asked.
He mumbled incoherently under his breath before backing out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
Half an hour later, Molly was finished and already heading back to sleep, but Noah had barely seen her. So Charlie jiggled her gently trying to keep her awake as she searched for the two males. As usual they were up to no good, scooping large spoonfuls of ice cream into glasses of coke.
"I used to have these ALL the time when I was a kid!" they chuckled in a conspiratorial manner as the drinks foamed over the top of the glasses. "Sshh. Don't tell your mother!"
Charlie sighed, ignoring the fact that a four-year old was eating more additives and sugar in one hit than was really helpful, she was just pleased that the two were spending quality time together.
"Well that looks lovely Lucas!" she smiled at her happy son sipping the cloudy mess through a straw. Noah was staring at Molly with a wistful look on his face. "She's tired, but I think she'd like a cuddle."
He took her eagerly, wrapping the baby in his arms, stooping to kiss her forehead, "so beautiful, aren't you darling?" Smiling he couldn't contain the pleasure at seeing his daughter, his first proper cuddle, and the first time he'd seen her outside the hospital environment. "You say she sleeps well?"
Charlie nodded, she'd sent him daily emails and the detail in each one had been ridiculous, but it was nice to see that he'd digested the information, she hadn't wasted her time. "She sleeps most of the time; she's even sleeping for six hours at night....already!" Reaching for the kettle, she filled it from the cold tap, "coffee?"
He nodded but his eyes didn't leave Molly who stared up at him with her rich blue eyes, the look of innocence was commanding every inch of his attention. Other than the odd smile at Lucas, he was completely absorbed with singing and talking to his daughter.
She fell asleep in his arms, and she encouraged him to take her up to the nursery to sleep.
Charlie was preparing lunch for Lucas when she felt Noah's presence back in the kitchen.
"He's fallen asleep too, in front of the DVD. Do you want me to put him up to bed?"
Nodding she turned to him, "this is what happens when grandparents get involved! Do you want some lunch?"
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
Charlie laughed, "I'm never anything but nice....and honest. We are parents to these pair for the rest of our lives. We can hate each other or make things as easy for them possible."
He nodded, "I suppose that's an insinuation that I'm neither?"
She shrugged, "you have to sleep at night Noah, whatever that takes."
They ate huge triple decker sandwiches with more coffee, and Noah laughed at her hearty appetite.
"I need energy!" she protested. "You have no idea how hard it is to feed a child! Zaps you of your energy!"
He grimaced at the sudden awkwardness of the topic change, "I'll take your word for it. Just nice to see someone eating well."
"I doubt Stephanie eats much!"
Shrugging he reached for another sandwich, "she has her moments, it's more of an erratic pattern than not eating." He finished chewing then sat back in his seat, "I suppose we should discuss the divorce Charl. I don't want to fight in court over everything."
"I don't want anything."
He laughed, "It's not an option, though is it? The kids get it if not you. I presume you don't want the house."
She shook her head defensively, "not after seeing you...." her mind shook back to the vision of him and some low life woman in their marital bed. "Urgh, no chance."
"Well there's the London flat...." he spotted her shake her head. "The villa in Spain?" He jumped on her hesitation as agreement. "You take that, and the allowance I'm paying now?"
It was so difficult trading their life together in such a businesslike manner. "I know that my solicitor will be gutted, he was seeing pound signs just looking at you."
"If you want anything you can just ask!"
"Ha! Whilst you're still being nice to me! It'll be all change tomorrow."
He groaned, "I don't know, I......"
"I know, you don't really mean it!"
Reaching for her hand he stared at her, "I wish I had treated you better."
And then as his mobile phone rang, the moment passed and the distance and animosity returned.
******
A few days later a large envelope arrived, containing the details of the deal she'd made with Noah, as well as the document that signaled the end of her marriage. Her decree absolute.
Were you supposed to be pleased? Were you supposed to celebrate? As she looked at the document she just wanted to cry. It wasn't meant to be like this. He was her forever lover, her one and only, now she was just another one in a long list of statistics of poor judgment and heart over mind decisions.
She had to start again.........from scratch.....alone.
==========================================================================================================================
Thank you all!
MZ
Liz - thanks for the comment and the Mwah on Chapter 7, I'm glad you like where this is going. You are right, Charlie could only take so much!
From the last chapter!
Julius, yep he's back....and it will always be with a bang. Don't know whether these two can ever be just friends!
Nancy C - thanks for commenting! Always nice to see a new name! I just hope you continue to enjoy this story!
Nessa - I wonder if it's too late for coffee, for dinner, he's been useless and that's the point.....is this too much to redeem?
Justine.A - They will continue to battle!! And yep, it can make your hair nicer....one of the few physical perks!!
Tavita K - sorry I didn't post every day last week! I struggle to fit a life in around the writing! There are a lot of unsettled times ahead, but things will change for Charlie......
Teona Pedel - thanks, so glad another new name commented!!
Bethany fellows - yep Jack is definitely in the best mate category, and I can't say whether that will change!
Liz - thanks so much for such positive supportive words. I'm really glad that you find this realistic. Ironically I think that a lot of your questions are answered in this chapter. He is emotionally abusive, and that's not good for either of them, it's a question of hurt rather than be hurt with him. Hopefully following this chapter they can both get past things, but their relationship is explosive, so who knows. Financially, he's worth a fortune, and any other divorcing couple would see alimony issues, which again may well get sorted soon!
Jasmin - thanks! I'm writing as quickly as I can! I promise!!
Evelyn - it's so difficult, isn't it. There are always two sides to every story and most people are seeing both sides. More to come, but not revealing yet what's coming!!
Wellwisher - so glad I've managed to lure you back! ;) No you're not unforgiving, you just have fairly concrete standards, and I'm glad that you feel that strongly. Love does make people do strange things, and you can't just switch it off can you? But Charlie is strong, and has the children to help get her through this. Noah is not sneaking back into her life anytime soon!
Annie - it's the old leopard and spot thing, hey??
Alison - a snapshot of anger from you! Another man you hate and girl you love! I'm getting good at bringing that out in you!! And you're not a million miles away (but then you seem to interpret my stories better than me!) with the plot, he's not one to back down, and sorry really is the hardest thing, hey?
Silky - I know, he doesn't deserve her. She needs to contemplate life without him. But you can't help who you love either!
So pleased with all your comments, hope they continue!
And already we're at chapter nine!
=======================================================================================================================
Noah was leaning against the closed door of his car, his arms folded and a scowl on his face.
"When did you email? I haven't received any email from you." Charlie turned on him, "in fact I've had NO communication from you since you walked out of the hospital."
He shrugged, "you made your intentions very clear that night."
Raising her eyebrows she bit back a sarcastic response, "and this is how you cope with rejection.....but then we've already experienced that haven't we?"
"I came to see Lucas and Molly, not to get embroiled in all this with you." He had the audacity to look down his nose at her.
Charlie shook her head, "this is all too much Noah. You have no control over me; you gave up any right to that a long time ago. I will not answer to you, and you cannot turn up here making demands!"
He laughed, "Yet you're happy to live off my money!"
"Is that what this comes down to?" She shook her head sadly, "I gave up everything for you, my friends, my job, and then my independence when I had Lucas. I have NEVER asked for anything until now. My lawyer says I'm not pushing for half as much as I could get with our divorce.....but I've never been greedy, I just want enough to be able to live until Molly's old enough that I can work." She snarled at him, "and I WILL work, and when I do any money you give me will go into the children's bank account. I can guarantee you that. Now, I'm picking the children up at 8 am, if you'd like to meet us back here in the morning they would love to see you. It's your choice."
As she entered the house she slammed the door behind her in a confidence that disappeared as soon as he was out of view. She crumpled hurt all over again. How could he STILL hurt her after all this time? Why hadn't she hardened herself to his nasty side she'd witnessed to many times already?
They were all waiting for him the next morning. Molly had been really well behaved at her father's, well, as well behaved as an eight week old baby can be; Lucas was more excited than she'd seen him for ages. He missed his father, and she was devastated looking at him that their marriage was ending imminently. She'd not married as a temporary decision; she really believed that it was for life. He laughed to herself, she'd probably love him forever, she just loved the children and herself more, that was what she had to keep reminding herself.
The screech of tires on the drive was accompanied by a screech from Lucas of "DAAAAD!" He'd been stood watching out of the window for too long but was rewarded by the presence of the large four wheel drive with blacked out windows.
She opened the front door and Lucas ran to meet Noah who was pulling large packages out of the back of the car. Nodding at him in acknowledgement, she made her way back to the house, as she entered the door she could hear Molly start to stir. Upstairs the little girl was staring up through a veil of tears.
"Hey chicken!" she scooped her daughter up and held her close, nuzzling at her hair, breathing in the delicious smell that is baby. "Are you hungry?"
She changed Molly adeptly, and then settled into the rocking chair. Unbuttoning her shirt, she let the baby start to feed and silence replaced the hungry grizzle. Leaning back she closed her eyes, and sighed.
She was still in that repose when she heard the door crash open. Slowly she opened her eyes and saw Noah stood in the doorway, he was poised, anger still evident on his face, but the sight of her feeding his daughter had wrong footed him. She knew that he had found her feeding Lucas sensual, innocent and beautiful. He'd loved to watch her, but felt guilty for doing it too. She could only imagine his discomfort, his despair at finding her like this.
"You wanted me?" she finally asked.
He mumbled incoherently under his breath before backing out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
Half an hour later, Molly was finished and already heading back to sleep, but Noah had barely seen her. So Charlie jiggled her gently trying to keep her awake as she searched for the two males. As usual they were up to no good, scooping large spoonfuls of ice cream into glasses of coke.
"I used to have these ALL the time when I was a kid!" they chuckled in a conspiratorial manner as the drinks foamed over the top of the glasses. "Sshh. Don't tell your mother!"
Charlie sighed, ignoring the fact that a four-year old was eating more additives and sugar in one hit than was really helpful, she was just pleased that the two were spending quality time together.
"Well that looks lovely Lucas!" she smiled at her happy son sipping the cloudy mess through a straw. Noah was staring at Molly with a wistful look on his face. "She's tired, but I think she'd like a cuddle."
He took her eagerly, wrapping the baby in his arms, stooping to kiss her forehead, "so beautiful, aren't you darling?" Smiling he couldn't contain the pleasure at seeing his daughter, his first proper cuddle, and the first time he'd seen her outside the hospital environment. "You say she sleeps well?"
Charlie nodded, she'd sent him daily emails and the detail in each one had been ridiculous, but it was nice to see that he'd digested the information, she hadn't wasted her time. "She sleeps most of the time; she's even sleeping for six hours at night....already!" Reaching for the kettle, she filled it from the cold tap, "coffee?"
He nodded but his eyes didn't leave Molly who stared up at him with her rich blue eyes, the look of innocence was commanding every inch of his attention. Other than the odd smile at Lucas, he was completely absorbed with singing and talking to his daughter.
She fell asleep in his arms, and she encouraged him to take her up to the nursery to sleep.
Charlie was preparing lunch for Lucas when she felt Noah's presence back in the kitchen.
"He's fallen asleep too, in front of the DVD. Do you want me to put him up to bed?"
Nodding she turned to him, "this is what happens when grandparents get involved! Do you want some lunch?"
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
Charlie laughed, "I'm never anything but nice....and honest. We are parents to these pair for the rest of our lives. We can hate each other or make things as easy for them possible."
He nodded, "I suppose that's an insinuation that I'm neither?"
She shrugged, "you have to sleep at night Noah, whatever that takes."
They ate huge triple decker sandwiches with more coffee, and Noah laughed at her hearty appetite.
"I need energy!" she protested. "You have no idea how hard it is to feed a child! Zaps you of your energy!"
He grimaced at the sudden awkwardness of the topic change, "I'll take your word for it. Just nice to see someone eating well."
"I doubt Stephanie eats much!"
Shrugging he reached for another sandwich, "she has her moments, it's more of an erratic pattern than not eating." He finished chewing then sat back in his seat, "I suppose we should discuss the divorce Charl. I don't want to fight in court over everything."
"I don't want anything."
He laughed, "It's not an option, though is it? The kids get it if not you. I presume you don't want the house."
She shook her head defensively, "not after seeing you...." her mind shook back to the vision of him and some low life woman in their marital bed. "Urgh, no chance."
"Well there's the London flat...." he spotted her shake her head. "The villa in Spain?" He jumped on her hesitation as agreement. "You take that, and the allowance I'm paying now?"
It was so difficult trading their life together in such a businesslike manner. "I know that my solicitor will be gutted, he was seeing pound signs just looking at you."
"If you want anything you can just ask!"
"Ha! Whilst you're still being nice to me! It'll be all change tomorrow."
He groaned, "I don't know, I......"
"I know, you don't really mean it!"
Reaching for her hand he stared at her, "I wish I had treated you better."
And then as his mobile phone rang, the moment passed and the distance and animosity returned.
******
A few days later a large envelope arrived, containing the details of the deal she'd made with Noah, as well as the document that signaled the end of her marriage. Her decree absolute.
Were you supposed to be pleased? Were you supposed to celebrate? As she looked at the document she just wanted to cry. It wasn't meant to be like this. He was her forever lover, her one and only, now she was just another one in a long list of statistics of poor judgment and heart over mind decisions.
She had to start again.........from scratch.....alone.
==========================================================================================================================
Thank you all!
MZ
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