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“So, I guess this is it?” I drag my eyes to Julius as he stands in front of me.
He shakes his head with a smile. “This isn’t it, Charlie. You guys will still be around.”
I push myself further up on the bed, then twirl my thumbs in my lap. I’ve been on bed rest for days, but Dr. Davis finally came by and gave us the okay to travel. I wasn’t expecting things to happen so fast, but nothing since I’ve been with the Hales has been slow. We’re always going, always fighting, always doing something.
“What’s going to happen to the club?” I ask. The Red Eye is the only thing left that any of us have. It’s the only thing left from Teddy.
“I’m going to handle it. The house too.”
I nod and look around the room. So much shit has happened in here, and I’m glad I’ll still be able to visit, to be close to the good memories and even the bad. They’re what helped me become who I am and will be a good reminder not to take anyone’s shit.
“I don’t want to leave you,” I admit, doing my best to hold back my tears.
These men have become my family, and I love them. The thought of leaving Julius and Carl behind makes me feel… sad. I know it’s for the best, but it doesn’t make it easier. With my dad gone, they’re all I have.
Julius sits on the edge of the bed and pulls me into a hug. “I’ll come see you, and you’ll come see me. Soon enough you’ll have Hale, and I won’t be so nice, remember? It’s probably best you leave now.” He smiles.
I jab my finger into his ribs and laugh as he buckles over. “You know you just want me gone so I don’t beat your ass.”
“Whatever you have to tell yourself.” He grins, straightening himself so he can squeeze me.
He stands, then leaves the room as Carl enters. I thought the sight of telling Julius goodbye was hard, but seeing Carl’s eyes shine with sadness and a touch of relief fucking kills me.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I state with a frown.
He shakes his head and looks the other way before turning back and closing the gap between us. “Take care of my boy, you hear me?”
I smile. “You know I will.”
He nods and leans down to kiss the top of my head. “I’m proud of you, Charlotte. And even though you may be away, I’ll always see you as our queen. You brought things into this family I didn’t think we needed. You’ve changed all of us in ways I never imagined, and I’m grateful.”
“You all changed me too.” I grip his waist and hug his center as he hovers above me. “I need you to take care of Julius, okay?”
His hands go to my back, rubbing soothing strokes up and down. “I will. And I better be the first phone call you make at the first sign of Hale making their appearance.”
I chuckle and squeeze him harder. “I love you, Carl.”
“And I love you, Charlotte. Keep your head on and remember who you are.”
Before I can reply, the door opens and Lucas walks in. He’s freshly showered and dressed head to toe in black. His gold jewelry shines bright against his shirt, and a smile pulls at his lips.
“You ready, baby?”
Carl backs away and grabs my bags sitting by the closet door as I swing my legs over the edge of the bed. “As ready as I can be.”
He nods, then opens his arms. I walk toward him and press myself into his side. As we walk out, I take my time looking at everything as we pass. I was so amazed by all of the beauty here the first time I came. I never imagined how much I would fall in love with this place and the people in it, but I did. And now that I’m leaving, I feel a sense of nostalgia.
I was brought here against my will and hated it, but that slowly changed, and after Teddy’s death, I fought like hell to come back. It’s been less than a day and I’m just packing up and leaving. I almost want to laugh at how bizarre it all seems, but I did what I had to do. I said goodbye and let go. Now it’s time to start a new chapter.
No matter what, this will always be home though.
Five months later…
The water crashes against the shore, creating a rhythmic tune. With the sun beating down on me and the smell of salt in the air, I can’t help but smile. This is the most peaceful my life has seemed in the past year. I guess I’m finally coming to terms with things. When I think about all that has happened, I don’t cry anymore. Sure, my heart still aches knowing that in a matter of weeks I’ll be birthing a child whose father is dead, and I don’t have my dad to help me either, but it gets better every day.
And Lucas finally took me to the beach. I was worried about leaving Julius and Carl—all of Northridge Heights really—but we compromised and came to a small California town. I got the beach I’ve always wanted to see, and Lucas is still close to his brother. I don’t think either of us really wanted to leave, but we knew it’d be best. Trying to raise a baby in the environment we were in just wasn’t practical. I wanted the baby to have a normal life. A life that didn’t consist of gun training and self-defense before she could even walk.
I want her to grow up happy and carefree, the same way my dad made it seem for me. I don’t want her to have to worry about me or someone else she loves being murdered, then left to figure out why.
