Free Web NovelChapter 201: Chapter 204: Charlotte
"What’s the issue with that?" Brianna Bell didn’t see a problem. "We have several drivers. I can assign one to take you back and forth. Doesn’t that solve everything?"
"No, no." Mrs. Preston still refused. "That would be too much trouble. Lynn and I will go home. It’s enough to have Felix stay here with Charlotte."
Brianna Bell said, "How is that any trouble? Charlotte loves your cooking more than anyone’s. She would be so happy if you could stay here."
"Hahaha..." Mrs. Preston laughed and gently patted the back of Brianna Bell’s hand. "I know Charlotte loves my cooking, which is why I went to the market first thing this morning and bought plenty of ingredients."
"This place isn’t that far from my house, so it’s very convenient to bring meals over. Besides, all my pots and pans are at home. I’ll have a much easier time cooking for Charlotte there."
"Well..." Brianna Bell sighed, knowing she couldn’t change her mind.
"Alright then. I’m sorry to trouble you to come over every day."
Mrs. Preston replied, "It’s no trouble at all. Walking back and forth every day will be good exercise for me."
Brianna Bell said, "You’re in much better shape than I am. I’m cooped up at home all day, and it’s always one ache or another. I think about going out to exercise, but it always feels so boring to go alone."
"Well, why don’t you walk with me, then?" Mrs. Preston suggested tentatively. "You can come along when I bring the meals, and we can exercise together."
"Wonderful!" Brianna Bell was delighted. "Then I’ll go with you. We can both get in shape so we’ll be ready to help with Sandy in the future."
"Deal!" Mrs. Preston agreed.
While the two mothers chatted on the sofa, Jackson Shaw and Mason Shaw pulled Felix Preston into the yard for a casual talk. Charlotte Shaw couldn’t understand their conversation, so she just followed Hannah Sutton upstairs, joining Mina Jennings and Julia Dawson to huddle together, gossip, and talk smack.
Halfway through their conversation, a few of Charlotte Shaw’s cousins joined in, adding several juicy scoops to the gossip.
Charlotte Shaw was floored. "No way..."
"Oh my god..."
"You can even do that?"
The lively gathering continued into the evening. Only after dinner did everyone gradually begin to leave.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—
Charlotte Shaw was showering when someone suddenly knocked on the bathroom door.
"What is it?" she asked as she started getting dressed.
Brianna Bell was just outside the door. "Charlotte, are you finished in there?"
Charlotte Shaw answered, "Finished! I’m getting dressed now."
Brianna Bell couldn’t help but smile at the sound of her voice. "Charlotte, did you turn on the bathroom’s heat lamp? Are you cold?"
Charlotte Shaw pulled on her fuzzy pajamas, closed her eyes, and inhaled the sweet scent of the fabric.
Brianna Bell had prepared the pajamas for her. Before giving them to Charlotte, she had specially hand-washed them and dried them in the sun until they were filled with its warm scent.
"I’m not cold," she said contentedly. "I’m perfectly warm."
Brianna Bell said, "Then hurry and come out, Charlotte. Come out and let Mom dry your hair."
Charlotte Shaw immediately opened the bathroom door, looking up at Brianna Bell with a sweet, innocent face. "I’m out!"
Brianna Bell stroked her cheek, her expression brimming with a smile. "Silly girl, come here."
Charlotte Shaw followed her and sat down in front of the vanity.
She took out the blow-dryer and waited until the air was warm before carefully aiming it at Charlotte Shaw’s head.
"Is this temperature okay?"
"It’s perfect." Charlotte Shaw closed her eyes, relaxing into the feeling. "You’re so good at this, Mom."
Brianna Bell watched her in the mirror, her gaze incredibly soft. "Then from now on, will you let Mom dry your hair for you?"
"Of course," Charlotte Shaw said with a blissful smile.
Brianna Bell added, "You know, your father wanted to be the one to dry your hair."
Charlotte Shaw asked, "Really? Then why isn’t he here?"
"Hah," Brianna Bell scoffed playfully. "Because he couldn’t beat me to it."
Charlotte Shaw opened her eyes and tilted her head back to look up at Brianna Bell. "So where is Dad now?"
Brianna Bell freed one hand to gently tap the small beauty mark on the tip of Charlotte’s nose. "He’s in the study. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s sulking and making Felix play chess with him."
"Hee hee..." Charlotte Shaw giggled.
Brianna Bell finished drying her roots and started on the ends.
"Charlotte, honey, is Felix good to you?"
"He’s very good to me," Charlotte Shaw answered without the slightest hesitation.
Brianna Bell breathed a private sigh of relief before asking, "How so? In what ways is he good to you?"
"Hmm..." Charlotte Shaw thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I can’t really give an example."
"Why not?" Brianna Bell asked, her curiosity piqued.
Charlotte Shaw explained, "Because in my memories, there’s nothing about Felix that isn’t good. He’s thoughtful and patient, diligent and incredibly capable. He can be stubborn sometimes and won’t listen to reason, but in my eyes... he’s just wonderful."
"There are so many good things about him, I don’t even know where to begin."
"Not knowing where to begin is exactly right." With Charlotte’s hair now dry, Brianna Bell put the blow-dryer away.
She took Charlotte Shaw’s hand, leading her to the edge of the bed to sit down.
"Happiness is made up of countless little things. When you have enough of them, you can’t even find the words to describe it. Your heart is just full of joy and contentment, with no room for any other complicated thoughts."
"Even if someone tried to make you explain it, you wouldn’t know how. Because happiness is your own to define. All you need to do is trust your own heart."
"Charlotte, you chose the right man. I think very highly of Felix, too."
"Mm-hm!" Charlotte Shaw nodded emphatically, feeling her eyes grow hot and start to well up.
Brianna Bell patted her on the head, exchanged a few more words with her, and then stood up to leave the room.
Less than a minute later, Felix Preston slipped quietly back into the room.
"Charlotte."
"Hurry, get into bed." Charlotte Shaw patted the spot beside her, eagerly inviting him over.
Felix Preston obediently climbed in, then smoothly gathered her into his arms. "What is it? Miss me already?"
Charlotte Shaw said, "I did miss you, but I’ve been thinking more about that conversation we didn’t finish earlier today."
"Felix Preston, have you decided what you’re going to call me?"
Felix Preston raised an eyebrow, his expression instantly turning a little smug. "Of course I have."
"Tell me, tell me!" Charlotte Shaw urged, looking at him with wide, expectant eyes.
But he was in no hurry to answer, instead laying out his terms nonchalantly. "I’ll tell you, of course. But... aren’t you going to show me a little appreciation first, Charlotte?"
Charlotte Shaw was speechless. "..."
She knew what Felix was implying, so instead of answering, she took direct action.
She tilted her head up from his embrace and gave him a fleeting peck on the corner of his mouth.
Then she waited obediently for his answer.
"...That’s it?" Felix Preston was clearly unsatisfied.
Charlotte Shaw bit her lip, then resignedly gave him another peck on the lips.
"...And?" He was still not satisfied.
Charlotte Shaw shot him a playful glare before tilting her head up a third time to press her lips to his.
But this time, he suddenly lost his patience. He caught her lip between his teeth, taking the ’appreciation’ he was owed.
"Mm..." Charlotte Shaw let out a soft moan, her lips parting helplessly as she let Felix do as he pleased.
Felix was still a little unsatisfied. In the middle of the kiss, he gave her waist a firm squeeze.
Charlotte Shaw understood what he wanted. Clumsily but earnestly, she met his tongue with her own.
That seemed to please him. The squeeze on her waist softened into a gentle caress.
A soft gasp escaped him.
Their ragged breaths mingled as their bodies grew uncontrollably hot.
Felix nibbled on Charlotte’s lip and breathed out a single name.
"Charlotte..."
"Can I call you Charlotte? Is that okay?"
Charlotte’s eyes fluttered open, still hazy from the kiss, the outer corners flushed a rosy red.
"Yes," she breathed. "I love it."
Felix Preston chuckled softly and leaned in, about to continue.
But Charlotte suddenly put a hand up to stop him.
"We can’t."
Felix frowned. "Why? I—I just want to kiss you and hold you. I won’t do anything else."
Charlotte Shaw squeezed his cheek. "No kissing and no holding, either."
"But why?" Felix whined, his voice full of grievance.
