⚠️Disclaimer, in this chapter there are talks off eating disorders, psych wards, self harm and other mental health struggles. May not be suitable for some readers. ⚠️
This chapter was inspired by the song 'I think he knows' from Taylor swift. (Nick and Charlie are so Lover coded.) ❤️
Charlie Pov - a couple days after last chapter
I had a great childhood, parents who raised me and amazing siblings. I had Nick and all in all I'm glad I was raised with the values I was. But I still had some issues with my mental health, no matter how good the environment you're in is, you can still struggle. So I was admitted to the psych ward at 15. I got diagnosed with anorexia, OCD and depression.
Over the years I got happier and my mental health improved gradually. I still am required to have annual sessions with a therapist as a former inpatient and today is one of those days (a/n, idk if this happened irl but just pretend). Today before my session I'm seeing my old school friends for brunch. We've kept in touch for over 20 years and still meet up regularly to see one another. The kids are staying with Nick's mother to give us some freedom.
Today Nick and I are meeting with Tao, Elle, Aled, Tara, Darcy and Sahar. Super exciting. Like Nick and I, they have all settled into amazing lives, Tara and Darcy and are married with 6 year old twin boys, Mason and Hugo, Tao and Elle adopted a Madison when she was 6 and is now 14, Aled is still with Daniel and Sahar has been traveling with her non binary partner, August around the world. Unfortunately August won't be joining us today as they are using this time back in England to visit some family. All our friends flourished as adults and it only makes me more excited to see them.
I've just finished getting ready for today. I'm wearing a navy blue button down shirt, black jeans and I'm adding the finishing touch of a little cologne. I'm adjusting my collar when Nick pops around our bedroom doorway, he is wearing a burgundy version of my shirt and light tan khakis. Deathly handsome. The way the shirt hugs his arm muscles makes me think things I shouldn't be thinking off at 11am on a Sunday. He is simply mouth watering. And he is mine.
"Ready to go char?" He asks sweetly but with a slight chuckle, knowing what I'm thinking. His words pull me from my dirty thoughts and I nod, and he leads me out the bedroom with his hand on the small of my back. He then leans into my ear and I feel his breath on my neck, his grip tightens on my waist.
"Wait for later, baby." He speaks seductively in a low tone that makes me weak in the knees and my palms sweat.
We continue our journey to the little cafe/restaurant we are meeting everyone at. We talk about how excited we are to see everyone again and boring adult stuff. Nick pulls us into the car park and I recognize Tao and Elle's car from across the car park. Once we are parked, I wait for Nick to come around, open my door and take my hand.
"You don't need to open my door every time." I say but still grin at his treatment.
"Yes, I do Char. It's the least I could do." he says and we walk to the restaurant front.
The waiter leads us to our table and I see Tao and Elle are sitting next to one another at a large 7 seater table.
"Charlie!" Elle yelled excitedly when she saw me, she gave me a big hug and I graciously accepted it. She is wearing a floral summer dress with a denim jacket overtop and a purple crossbody bag. When Elle releases me from her arms, I hug Tao and see he is wearing a striped shirt and gray cargo pants. We sit down again and Nick orders some drinks for us two, Tara and Darcy show up and we all give them big hugs.
"Oh my goddess, it's so good to see you guys!" Tara says while hugging Elle with a
Top tere smile plastered on her face. We repeat this welcoming process until all 7 of us are sitting around the circle table. We order food and drinks and soon fall into a comfortable conversation as if we were school kids again. Except now we were adults with kids and responsibilities. Just what I needed before my session.
Tao told us a story about his 14 year old daughter. "Madison had asked me to pick up some tampons for her and I spent over 45 minutes staring at the feminine hygiene section because I had no idea what 'super plus', 'extra absorbent' and all the different sizes ment and what Maddie would want. Then I ran into Darcy in the supermarket and was fully educated on what to buy." He said and we laughed but I started thinking about what would happen when Milli got her period. Thankfully it's a while away but I'm already stressed.
"What can I say, I know my shit." Darcy says proudly and leans back in her chair with a smirk. Tara playfully rolls her eyes and leans into Darcy. We continue talking and soon time flies and Nick and I are driving to the appointment.
Nick stops the car in front of the office.
"Call me if you need. Allright baby?" He asks kindly and I blush at the name.
"Yes Nicky, I will." I say and kiss his cheek.
"Okay then, love you baby."
"Love you more." I say and before he can protest that he loves me more I hope out of the car. I blow him a kiss as he drives off.
I take a deep breath as I approach the front desk.
"Hi, I'm here to see Dr Joanne Lemmings for my annual session." I say with a small quiver in my voice.
"Ahh yes, Charles Spring?" The receptionist asks while punching keys loudly on her computer.
"That's me "
"Take a seat and she will be right with you." She says and I do. I play mindless games on my phone in a little waiting room when my therapist comes around the corner.
"Charles Spring?" Joanna asks and I perk my head up, collect my things and head to her office.
"Just in her please Charlie." She says with a welcoming smile.
I sit on the couch and she sits across from me with a notebook perched in her lap. Once we are both situated she begins.
"How have you been lately Charlie?"
I hesitate with my answer and I begin to think I am 15 again sitting in my old therapist Geoff's office after I had been sent home from the hospital. I felt the bubble in my throat and my hands grip the coach. I try to speak but my mouth won't let me.
So I say the safe answer. "I've been doing okay."
"What does 'okay' look like Charlie? What's been happening with you?" She says politely and scribbles in her notebook.
"Nothing much, just getting tired from the kids." I say and feel myself get more comfortable. She motions for me to extend my statement.
"They have just been a handful lately and I'm struggling to keep up." I admit, I feel myself un tense as the words flow off my tongue.
"What has been happening that's making you stressed?"
"They have been getting into trouble at school and home almost everyday, I come home to a messy house and don't listen to me. Only Nick." I ramble out and it's only in that moment I realize the worry I've been carrying for a long time.
"Have you tried to express this to Nick?" She asks kindly
"No, because if I do, Nick will go strict on the kids, especially Alec and I will feel bad. " i say and try to calm myself.
"It can be hard to talk to him about this stuff but if it's causing you anxiety then we need to get it sorted." Joanne explains
"I'll try."
"That's all I ask Charlie." She says. Joanne then changes the subject and we shatter about work, friends and family. Soon our session is over and Joanne ahs something she wants to say.
"I'd like to see you again soon Charlie. I think that you could benefit from a fortnightly session." Joanna admits and I freeze. I'm going back to regular sessions again like I'm a teenager again? Am I getting worse? I promised i wouldn't.
She notices by worry. "It's just to talk about your stress levels. Nothing major."
I hesitate but agree, knowing if it's what I need then I should.
I find Nick in the waiting room and he leads me out to the car. I jump into the car and slump back into the chair.
"How did it go, baby?" He asks and starts to drive.
I sigh and brace myself. "It went okay, we talked about my stress levels and anxiety and agreed that she wants me to go to fortnightly sessions." I say sadly
"That's totally okay hun, if that's what you need we do it." Nick says firmly and places a tender hand on my thigh. I grab it and kiss his hand.
"You're the best. Nick." I say
"Only to you baby." He says and leant over the middle console to kiss my lips.
1641 words
—--------------------------------------------------------------
Hello yall
Another chapter written way too late at night. so excited for 1989 taylors version tomorrow. Did u enjoy the chapter?
Stay happy, healthy and hydrated
thx