Falling Again

10

Jaxson slightly increased the volume in his music player when Pink’s we will rock you started playing. Charlotte knows it’s his favorite song and slowly turned her eyes to the front mirror. She saw Jaxson humming the lyrics and driving the car enthusiastically. Her lips curled in a smile, she can’t help but remind about their old times, their first car ride and their kiss, and those passionate moments. Those are always her favorite memories to recall them over and over.

When Charlotte was looking at him and enjoying in her own little world, Jaxson turned his eyes to the mirror and caught Charlotte at the perfect moment where she couldn’t escape like in the morning. As soon as Charlotte noticed that Jaxson found her she casually turned her gaze to her side window, mentally crying for getting caught like this.

The morning he saw her peeking through her windows and was quite surprised yet he smiled to know that she has finally got an interest in him. This situation kind of reminded him of their first meeting. Sometimes Jaxson thinks about it and smiles during his lonely times.

Now or then, Jaxson still loves to see the cute side of her, he fell in love with her the moment his eyes met her eyes. He always wanted a never-ending relationship with Charlotte but she has broken his heart with no way he could repair it.

When he found out about Noah, Jaxson doesn’t want to let them go. He thought a lot before taking this decision and he clearly knows that this is the best thing for everyone.

And today he decided to speak out his heart; he is going to ask Charlotte's decision. He has given her enough time, there’s no more waiting hereafter.

“Noah, can I tell you something?” Jaxson suddenly started a conversation and Charlotte was curious to hear it more than Noah.

“Yes, J-Jax. What it is?” Noah turned his attention.

“When I was in high school, I had a friend, probably my only best friend at that moment.” “That person has this habit of stealing glances when I am not looking at,” Jaxson said and Charlotte looked at him.

“Oh, she’s creepy,” Noah chuckled and Charlotte arched her eyebrows by Noah's comment. How dare he call his mother creepy.

“Haha, maybe,” Jaxson laughed and looked at Charlotte’s frowned face through the front mirror.

“It’s not like that person is creepy, maybe afraid to do what she actually wants to do.”

Hearing that has made Charlotte sad. Like he said she’s afraid for all her life and now she’s more afraid compared to ever before.

After half an hour of travel, they reached the famous amusement park in the city. Noah got down happily and headed inside holding Jaxson’s hand and Charlotte followed them watching how happy they are. Jaxson took Noah to all the rides and bought hot dogs for them to eat. They sat on the grass in the children’s park as a real family, soon after eating the hot dog Noah went to play in the seesaw leaving a perfect moment for them to talk. The weather is beautiful today for nice family time, and a cool breeze relaxed them. There isn’t much crowd so Jaxson freely sat there without getting caught by cameras and fans

Jaxson cleared his throat and told, “Thanks,”

Charlotte turned to see him, “For what?”

“For looking after Noah so well. He’s a good kid and smart too, just like you,” he said.

“You know, he’s more like you compared to me. You might have noticed that. He won’t get angry but if he did then it’s too hard to console him,” Charlotte said with a smile.

“So you’re telling me that he inherited my bad temper?” Jaxson asked.

“No, no. I didn’t mean in that way. I just said that for an example. He also got your smile, and your confidence,” Charlotte said worriedly whether she has hurt him.

Jaxson’s lips curled in a smile, “I am kidding. Whether it’s anger or confidence, whether it is bad or good. He’s mine, my son and I have accepted him with all my heart. So don’t worry,” he said.

“By the way, how long he has been stuttering?” Jaxson asked.

“Ever since he started speaking,” Charlotte answered, “I have consulted a doctor and he said this will cure soon. Noah attends speech therapy every week. So hopefully he will soon start to speak normally.”

“Shall we consult some other doctor? I will look after all the expenses,” Jaxson told.

Charlotte thought for a moment, “But the current treatment is better and he has improved a lot. I think we should wait for some more time,”

“Oh... Let’s wait but if I don’t think there’s no improvement then you should listen to what I say,” Jaxson told authoritatively.

“Sure,” Charlotte agreed.

Then after an awkward silence, they both watched Noah playing in the merry go round with the other kids of his age.

“I am sorry, Jaxson. I sincerely apologize for what I did,” she said.

“Apology doesn’t compensate anything Charlotte so don’t say that word. But you’re right, we would have complicated our lives if I have stayed with you. I realized it now and there’s no use of talking about the past anymore,” he left out a sigh and turned to the other side. Charlotte got relieved that he has finally understood her decision.

“But I wonder why you didn’t contact me at all,” he said, “You might have seen me successful right. I am in the TV commercials for the past three years, you didn’t see me?” he asked.

“I did,” Charlotte nodded looking down.

“Then why you didn’t contact me? It won’t take a minute right?”

“After my mom died I tried to contact you but I was hesitant and afraid?” Charlotte bites her lower lip.

“Why? Are you afraid because I will get angry at you?”

“No, I am not afraid of that, I am afraid to be a hindrance in your successful life which you have just started now. And I am hesitant because you’re successful, it will look like I am coming back to you because you have gotten rich and I don’t want to look like a bad person,”

“When did you start thinking so selfish, Charlotte? Do you think I will ever let that happen in that way? You and your thoughts are too dramatic,” Jaxson rolled his eyes, “If you’ve come to me as soon as you found me, then I would be so happy. I know you, Charlotte even I can be selfish to you but you can never act that way to me,” Jaxson told. Charlotte couldn’t control her tears that rushing out of her eyes. She sniffed and wiped it as soon as it came out. At least he still believes that she didn’t take any of these decisions thinking only about her.

“You know, when I saw you that you’re winning in all your matches I was so proud of you, Jaxson and you don’t know how much I felt happy for you,” Charlotte told and Jaxson nodded with a smile.

“And you have struggled a lot and taken everything on your shoulders, don’t you? It must have been hard on you?” he asked and patted her shoulders gently.

“But you indeed did wrong. You have hurt my feelings and you have treated me like a dead person. If we have never met then I would have never known that I am a having son, right,” Jaxson showed his other side.

Charlotte didn’t say anything as she couldn’t answer his accusation, “Give me justice, how can you fulfill the six years that I lost without my son?” he asked.

Jaxson know there’s no use to talk about the future or accusing Charlotte yet he’s doing this to make her realize that getting back together is the only way. Jaxson can easily say, “It’s okay, Charlotte. What happened has happened, let’s forget everything and start new.”

He doesn’t want to do that instead he wants her to say these things.

He cannot always express and show that he wants her. In their course of relationship Jaxson took every step to be with her and she always searched for a way to walk out. It’s not like she isn’t in love with him, he knows that Charlotte is greatly in love with him but something is always deterring her way to him. He doesn’t understand why she has to be like this. Why she has to afraid to show that love on me is what making Jaxson so confused. So this time he has decided to give her the chance. If she really loves him, really wanted to spend the rest of her life with him and main importantly if she wanted Noah to be raised in his father’s protection and love then she has to take a step towards him. He’s just going to stand there and watch, it’s all in her decisions whether she wants it or just leaves it. Jaxson will wait until she holds his hand or going to walk away again.

He just... asked her a solution.

“What do you want me to do?” she asked

“I don’t know; you should decide for Noah. Whatever you say I will agree if only I was with Noah like how you do,”

Charlotte sighed under her breath and turned to see Noah who’s walking back to them after playing.

“So what do you say?” he asked.

“I… still need time,” she told.

“How long?” Jaxson.

“As long as I decide,” Charlotte said. Jaxson clenched his jaw seeing her attitude.

“Don’t be afraid, Charlotte. Just say what you want,” he told and Noah came to them.

“Mommy, I need water,” he told after getting exhausted playing for all this time.

“Let’s get some water,” she told and went with him to the café. Jaxson sat there thinking how much she’s stubborn. His heart ached and wanted to shout at her to just come back to him, but his ego doesn’t allow it.

“Jax!” Noah’s voice got his attention. He turned to see Charlotte and Noah standing there, if they have never separated then this situation will be so much different. He didn’t get that happy smile because he couldn’t get close to Noah and he still calls him Jax instead of dad.

Charlotte leaned to Noah’s ears and told something which Jaxson saw curiously.

“Daddy! Let’s get something to eat,” he told and Jaxson’s face lit up with surprised smile. He saw Charlotte and she smiled lightly giving him a small hope that maybe she will make the right decision.

Jaxson got Charlotte’s favorite hamburger which he still remembers. She’s is quite amazed and remembered the first time Jaxson bought this hamburger for her….