Stronger

Chapter Five

When Liam came back I was still in the same place. "Charlotte? Are you okay?" He asked, holding a bag of food. I nodded slowly.

"Where's Sammy?" He nodded behind himself to where Jake was with him holding a container of ice cream in his hands. I wiped my eyes and smiled at my handsome son, who looked so much like his father. I felt a shot of pain in my stomach at that thought.

"Mommy?" He asked, not sure what was going on. I smiled weakly at him standing up.

"Mommy's okay. Let's go set up dinner." I sent him off putting the ice cream in the freezer, shoving the crumbled up paper in my purse, hiding the evidence. Liam and Jake kept giving me looks through dinner.

"I must getting going. It's almost Sammy's bed time." Jake nodded tossing me his keys.

"We'll be there later." He gave me a look making me roll my eyes.

"Gross. We work here." I pulled Sammy out of the room and into the parking garage.

"Mommy will you read me a book tonight?" I looked at my son and nodded.

"Of course, baby. I will always love to read to you, my little Sam-I-am." He smiled at me as I buckled him in and took him home....

I didn't sleep at all that night. I couldn't stop thinking of Avery and Sammy, I had to tell him. All the feeling I had for him that I thought we long gone came rushing back like a tidal wave. I felt sick, remember the times I tried to call him when Sammy was little and I couldn't take it. When I needed the help. The unanswered calls, the unanswered prayers. I sat in the shower for what seemed like an eternity trying to wipe away the hurt and the sadness, but mostly the tiredness that sat in my bones.

"You look like hell." Liam said when I walked out of the bathroom after. I glared at him and walked back to my room. I got dressed and made myself presentable before getting up Sammy for day care.

"Mommy, are you sad?" He asked as I helped him pull on his shirt.

"No, baby, just tired." He pouted.

"You look sad." He put his arms up for a hug and I greedily took it, squeezing him tight.

"Oh, Sammy you know just what it take to make me feel better." I ran my fingers through his gold locks and kissed his head. "Never change." Stay Gold, Ponyboy. He pulled back and smiled.

"I love you, Mommy." I tied his shoe and took him to the kitchen to grab his breakfast. I cooked him some eggs and toast, putting it in front of him. I kissed his head and rubbed at his curls. I walked to the stove and made some for Liam as he made himself some coffee.

"You sure you are alright?" He asked sitting down as I put the plate in front of him.

"I just didn't sleep good. Nothing too new." My eyes shot to Sammy, then back to Liam, warning him not to bring it up to Sammy. "We should get going soon. Hurry up." I walked out of the kitchen and into Sammy's room. I made his bed and took his laundry out of the hammer.

"Char, you ready to go?" I nodded putting the laundry basket on the washing machine for later. I walked out of the room as Sammy ran to hug my legs. I lifted him up into my arms and hugged him.

"Lets get you to Day Care. Mommy's got a big day ahead of her." He wrapped his arms around my neck and put his head on my shoulder. I brought him to day care and dropped him off before heading to work. I sat down at my chair and pulled out the number Avery gave me last night. I have to do this, for Sammy.

"Hello?" A husky voice came through the phone after the fourth ring.

"Avery?" I cleared my throat. I didn't want him to hear how nervous I truly was. "It's Charlotte." I heard some rustling and movement.

"Charlie," I couldn't help the nerves that I felt. "I didn't think you'd actually call."

"Yeah, well." I ran my fingers through my hair nervously. "I was wondering if we could talk, you know in person." I waited listening to the silence.

"Sure, I have to make that appointment for later on today." I nod.

"Mr. Morgan has an opening at 11:30 today." I could almost hear his smile.

"We could get lunch after?" I couldn't help the corners of my lips from turning up.

"Sounds like a plan. I'll see you later then."

"Can't wait." I hung up on him putting my head in my hands. How am I going to tell him about Sammy? I heard a knock at the door. I looked up to see Liam standing there, staring at me.

"You okay, Kid?" I nodded at him.

"I scheduled you an appointment at 11:30. For Avery Carter." He nodded and sat down at the chair in front of my desk.

"As in Sammy Carter?" I gave a stiff nod. "You going to tell him?" I gave a sad laugh.

"I have to. I owe it to Sammy to have a father. No offense, but you guys as a father figure just isn't cutting it anymore."  He laughed at me.

"None taken. Jake and I were talking last night." He fussed with his watch. "We were thinking of trying adoption again. Jake really wants a baby." I smiled at him.

"Liam that's great! You two will be great parents." I turned on my computer and checked my email. "You should get going, you have a meeting with Mr. Campbell at 9 then a 1 clock meeting with Mr. Chapman." He stood up and fixed his suit.

"Charlie, you keep this business running. I swear." He left me for his office. I answered some emails took a couple phone calls before heading in to take notes for him. I was standing in the bathroom in my office a little after 12, my hands shaking.

I could do this. I could confront, Avery. I can tell him about our son who wants to meet him. I can do this. I fixed my hair and straightening my shirt, I shut the light off and walked out.

"I didn't think you were going to come out." Avery said from where he was sitting in the Liam sat in this morning.

"Sorry, I didn't know you were here." I blushed shutting down my computer and grabbing my purse.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked standing up. I nodded as he fixed his shirt and smiled at me. "Then come on, we have a lot of catching up to do." He put his hand out for me to take. I can do this.