Thomas' POV
I accepted her answer but I could see hope drain from her eyes and all he felt in that moment was shame and resentment for my family.
We went back to our seats and were silent for the rest of the trip. She would stare out the window but I could her should shake as she silently cried, and when she wasn't crying her face was red and puffy. I felt sick to my stomach and all I wanted to do was hold her in my arms.
We finally got back to the city but I knew that she wanted nothing to do with me at the moment and that if given half a chance she would go home. We had a car waiting for us at the airport and I directed them to take us to my families mansion, I just wanted a little more time with her to perhaps convince her to stay.
Charlie sat looking out the window but she looked dazed, like she couldn't focus, once we pulled into the drive it was as if a light flipped on, she looked amazed but it didnt tae long for her to realize what I had done because her face went from awe to anger within the blink of an eye and she turned her angry gaze towards me.
"Thomas I want to go home, I haven't even gotten to talk to my family, they don't even know I'm alive"
"Charlie you haven't had a good nights rest since we left to go on that damn cruise" She interrupted me sharply: Actually there were many nights I slept better then I ever have. Her eyes cut into me and I knew exactly what she meant. I too had never slept so good as I did when she was next to me, her warmth and love like a blanket to my soul.
"You know that's not what I mean! Please Charlie, one night and Ill take you to get breakfast and coffee anywhere you want to go in the morning before bringing you home." I gave her a grin and could see her resolve start to weaken so I added: I respect your feelings you will even have your own bedroom… tell you what, how about you stay for dinner and then if you still want to leave, I will personally take you home myself.
She smiled before saying: Do you even know how to drive? I gave her a playful glare and she giggled before agreeing to stay at least for dinner.
I took her hand and guided her out of the car to find my family waiting to greet us. My Uncle Franklin was the first to reach out and shake my hand. My father second and my mother who was crying walked up to me and gingerly planted a kiss on one cheek before taking a step backward next to my father. I glanced at Charlie to see a look of sadness and confusion as she watched my family greet me. I know to most people it would look odd and unfeeling, but it was normal for me and I wouldn't think anything of it if she wasn't here.
My sister however was smiling from ear-to-ear and ran jumping into my arms and wrapping her arms around my neck giggling and yelling: I MISSED SO MUCH BROTHER!!! Please don't EVER leave me alone with the parentals again and if you DO need to leave you MUST take me with you!
I hugged her tightly, she was the only one who could be so theatrical and not make me want to tear out my own hair. From the time she was born I was wrapped tightly around her finger, she was a fat little baby who stumbled around with pink cheeks and fuzzy hair and even now thats all I could see.
I sat her down and turned to Charlie and introduced her to my family one by one. They all looked at her with suspicion except for Tiffany my sister, no Tiff walked right up to Charlie and hugged her right off the bat. This is why she was my favorite out of all of them.
"My goodness you're so skinny! Maybe I should get stranded on an island, we can call it the Island Diet" Tiff laughed and took Charlies arm, locking it around hers and Charlie smiled.
Franny stepped out from behind my uncle with tears in her eyes. She put her hands out to hug me and I leaned down to take her in my arms as she kissed my cheek and wrapped her arms around me: Nothing was the same without you Tommy! Oh!
She pulled back with wide eyes: Excuse me, Mr. Parker.
"That's okay Franny, I missed you too" she relaxed and said: Well dinner is ready to be served so come on in now.
We were all at the table eating and talking and I could see Charlie savoring each bite of food as if it were her last meal. We talked to them about some of the experiences we had, Charlie told them I saved her life in the ocean and how I brought us to shore and built a shelter and I told them how Charlie had drug my body miles bringing me back to the shelter, how if it hadn't been for her, I would be dead. My mother was surprisingly nice to her and even said: Dear you must stay at least one night, let us pamper you and you can go home in the morning.
Charlie finally agreed and Tiff told her she could use some of her clothes. I brought her to her room, opened the door and turned the lights. I heard Charlie gasp and when I turned she looked shocked: Good lord, this is bigger than my house!
I went into the bathroom and turned the water on in the jacuzzi tub and ran her a bath. I laid out toiletries as well as a towel and robe for her. I turned on the heated blanket under the covers to warm her bed for her as she walked around looking at everything. She turned to look at me as I walked up to her and took her hands: Charlie are you sure you don't want me to stay with you?
She took a deep breath, and she looked as if she was trying to hold back tears: I am, I'm sure.
I was disappointed but I understood why she wanted to hold her ground, that piece of shit Mark hurt her and even though Tillie and I weren't in love or even dating I did understand her position, I told her where she could find me if she needed to but I left her to her privacy.
I walked out of her room to find my father waiting for me, he gestured to follow him so I did into his office. He poured two glasses of Scotch and handed one to me which I gladly took. We sat in silence for a few minutes just sipping our dink's before he finally spoke: Son, did I ever tell you where I met your mother?
I shook my head and he continued: I met her at a little whole in the wall diner, I had just gotten off the plane and my driver was late for whatever reason, I was starving so I started walking down the street and that's when I saw her. You mother was the prettiest thing I'd ever seen, so I walked in and sat at the table and when she came over to ask what I wanted the very first thing I said was "Your number".
It was hard to imagine my mother stepping foot in a diner let alone working at one, I was completely taken back and before I could think I heard myself say: What happened to her?
My fathers eyes widened and his mouth dropped staring at me for a moment before grabbing his belly and laughing: You know, I don't know! His smile gradually faded, and his face became stern before adding: I think when someone isn't from our world and then all of the sudden, they are thrown into it, they either adapt around to our world or they force our world to adapt to them. I don't regret loving your mother, but I do regret how my world changed her.
"Dad, what exactly are you trying to say?" My father shrugged his shoulders and said: Know what you want in life, make sure it isn't something you will regret and then fight for its survival in any way you can son.
He lifted his glass as if to cheers, he drank it down in one sip and stood to leave, only stopping for a moment to put his hand on my shoulder and left me with my thoughts.
Once I bathed and got into bed there was just no way I would be able to sleep without Charlie beside me. I felt sick and had to sick up and drink water Maybe Charlie was right about the food. I laid back down and was awake for hours till I heard a knock at my door.