When I'm with you

Before and after

The big drops were still pounding mercilessly on the glass, but Charlotte didn't care. The black, heavy clouds that lavished their tears on Sanditon no longer frightened her. Everything changed as soon as she was in Sidney's arms. A heavy weight, like a stone that had lain on her heart all these years, suddenly fell and crumbled to dust in the torrents of this summer's cleansing rain. She walked around the room, looking around curiously. It was so warm and cozy that Charlotte quickly warmed up and felt at home.
She looked down at her bare legs protruding from beneath her long plaid shirt and was embarrassed, but then she smiled to herself, wondering what effect she could have on Sidney.
They arrived here about half an hour ago and he immediately sent Charlotte swimming. With pleasure, after lying in a huge warm, foam bath with beautiful molded legs, Charlotte was able to relax and think about her next actions. Everything she knew about Sidney was untrue, and five years ago, a terrible mistake had happened that had changed their lives. The kiss at the waterfall and their mutual caresses so captured Charlotte that she did not want to return to reality for a long time. It was Sidney who put her back on the horse and brought her here.
Although Charlotte had lived in Sanditon for a long time, she had only glimpsed The house, and certainly had no connection with the Parker family.
- Hot tea - said Sidney, coming into the living room and bringing a tray with a fragrant drink and delicious-looking buns.
Charlotte smiled at him and pulled her legs up under her and settled herself comfortably on the sofa.
He handed her a Cup, still steaming, and she accepted it gladly.
Sidney's heart stopped at the sight of her. Charlotte was wearing his shirt, which could not hide her long, tanned legs. The unbuttoned collar of her shirt slid down to reveal one shoulder as she reached for her tea. Charlotte was so beautiful and sexy that Sidney felt dizzy and breathless. The desire to throw off all decency and plunge back into the waves of her passion and tenderness was so strong that he had to get up and walk around the room, pretending to check the already lit fireplace. He couldn't stop thinking that Charlotte was wearing nothing but that damn shirt. Her long, still wet hair falling over her bare shoulder, her huge, deep eyes, and soft, relaxed lips were driving Sidney crazy. He was looking at Charlotte again, coming out of his dreams, with the only difference that he could touch her and smell the exciting scent of her body.
He stirred the fire again, trying hard to control himself so that he wouldn't do anything stupid.
- Sydney, are you all right? - Charlotte asked anxiously, getting up and moving closer to him.
"Oh, God, if only she knew what she was doing to me now" - Sidney thought, taking a deep breath.
- Yes, Yes, it's all right - he replied without turning around - I'll bring blankets, I don't want you to catch a cold.
Sidney went out, leaving Charlotte alone again. She gave him a startled look and returned to the sofa, picking up a steaming mug of tea.
In less than two minutes, he returned, carrying several blankets.
- That's better - he said in a trembling voice, covering Charlotte with a soft, knitted cloth.
- Thank you - she said, smiling.
- So Lady Worceterer insists on reception? - Sidney asked, wanting to distract himself from thinking about Charlotte.
- Yes - she said, smiling as if reading his mind - to introduce Tom's project to the public. Susan thinks it's necessary to create a buzz around Sanditon.
- Susan Worceter is as wise and thoughtful as ever. A real Diamond - Sidney said - and if she had lived at any other time, she would have been his Majesty's favorite.
- Oh, Sidney - said Charlotte, smiling and looking around, adding - you know, it's really nice here. What is this place?
- The Parker family house - he said shortly, still trying not to look at her bare shoulders.
- Wow - said Charlotte - None of the Parkers ever spoke of him.
- The house has been abandoned for a long time, it's old - continued Sidney-Tom always liked Trafalgar house, which was built by our great-grandfather, his full namesake, back in the 19th century, when he tried to turn Sanditon into something similar to Brighton.
- He didn't do very well, did he? - Charlotte asked.
- Yes, grandfather was a kind of genius, with very progressive ideas - said Sidney - but unfortunately the Manager from him came out quite mediocre, if not worse. He spent a lot of money and the family had to get him out of debt prison.
- God, was it that bad? - again asked the Charlotte - this is so sad.
- Yes, everything ended very lamentably - agreed Sidney - tell me, does this remind you of anyone? Sometimes I think that some evil fate is hanging over our family.
Charlotte sighed heavily and nodded at Sidney.
- We almost sold it five years ago, but it wouldn't have helped Much - Sidney said - his debts were enormous.
- Yes, I remember - Charlotte said softly.
Sidney smiled at her, trying to sweeten the pill.
- But the house doesn't look abandoned at all right now - Charlotte said, trying to get away from the sad subject for both of them.
- I supported him as much as I could while I was in Australia - Sidney replied - My parents, unlike Tom, loved this place, and for me it will always be my childhood home.
- I understand - said Charlotte - and it's also the memory of those who are no longer with us.
- Yes, - Sidney said sadly-  there is much I would give to again see my parents and say how much I love them.
He sighed heavily and stared at his hands, which were twisting the edge of the knitted blanket. Sidney was plunged into sad memories of the terrible accident that had claimed the lives of his mother and father.
Charlotte's heart ached to comfort him, to protect him from the world around.
Without a word, she put the mug down on the table and, throwing off the blanket, got up and walked over to Sidney.
He looked up and froze, feeling the closeness he wanted. Sidney could hardly keep, not to push Charlotte to yourself.
She ran her hand gently through his hair, down to his stubbly cheek.
- I'm sorry they died - Charlotte said in a barely audible voice, her voice trembling with the pain and bitterness that had suddenly come over her - I'm sure they were a very good people and they would be very proud of you.
A single tear slowly rolled down his cheek. He wiped it off automatically, not wanting to appear weak. Sidney was touched. No one had ever spoken to him like this before, or felt his grief as their own. No one else could ever compare to Charlotte.
She pulled him gently toward her, and Sidney, feeling confident, buried his face in her stomach, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist and back. Her light hands, like birds fluttering on his shoulders, enveloped him in warmth and tenderness. Charlotte leaned over and kissed the top of Sidney's head.
Time seemed to stand still for both of them. No one wanted to move, for fear of disturbing the idyll of this magical moment.
- I'm so stupid, so guilty before you - finally whispered to Sidney - I was such a coward. I should have called you as soon as I found out I had to leave. I doubted you, thinking that you would not want to follow me and be so far from home and family.
He looked at Charlotte and saw tears at the corners of her eyes.
- My God, we were going to get married, I should have trusted you...  - Sidney exclaimed angrily - but I was afraid and only wanted to buy time, not thinking about the consequences. I have no excuse.
- I'm as guilty as you are - Charlotte said - that I didn't want to give you a chance, that I didn't want to listen.
- I've missed you so much all this time - Sidney said honestly, catching her every move, every look.
Charlotte smiled and kissed the top of his head again. Sidney hugged her even tighter.
Finally, drawing back a little, he looked up at Charlotte.
- Can you ever forgive me? - he asked - I always knew you were the best thing that ever happened to me in my life.
Charlotte nodded curtly, untying his hands for further action.
- God knows I tried to forget you, Charlotte - said Sidney - tried to live a different life, thinking about how happy you are away from me, but.... each time again and again returned to thoughts of you.
- Sidney, I'm... - Charlotte began.
- Please at least give me a chance - almost cried Sidney - don't leave me alone. You have no idea how much I love you. And loved you all the time.
He stared at her, trying to catch the slightest change in her beautiful face.
Charlotte leaned over and kissed him gently on the mouth, making his heart beat faster and faster. Sidney reached up and buried his fingers in her soft, still-damp hair, then stood up and held her close with his other hand. The kiss was hot and fervent, burning her lips and making her forget everything else. With each passing moment, the fire between them grew stronger and stronger, threatening to wash them both away in a wave of powerful and irrepressible passion.
Reluctantly, she pulled away from him and looked into his eyes, dark with desire and excitement. He gasped for air, wanting to be the one with her again.
- I love you, too, Sidney - Charlotte whispered softly - and these five years have also been the longest of my life....

#Sanditon #Sidlotte #Sanditonfanfiction