Revel (Second Chance Romance #1)(35)

“Oh that makes me so happy!” Melanie drawled. Melanie was from the country, out near Franklin, and Charlotte found her to be completely charming. She was one of her favorite patients.

“You really wanted a boy?” Charlotte said, smiling.

“Yes! Well… I would have been happy with just a healthy baby. But my husband really had his heart set on a son. He didn’t say it, just a feeling I get. And now I get to tell him I’m giving him one!”

Charlotte nodded, “When will you get to talk to him?”

Melanie’s husband, Jason, was in the army and on deployment in the Middle East. He’d had to leave soon after Melanie found out she was pregnant and, unfortunately, he probably wouldn’t be back in time for the birth.

Yet Melanie never seemed to let that get her down. She was a cheerful soul, always one to look on the bright side of things. Charlotte couldn’t help but be in a good mood after her appointments with her. Melanie had a special kind of contagious energy that injected joy into everyone she spoke to.

“We’re going to Skype tonight!” Melanie squealed. “Naked Skyping. Sorry, you probably didn’t need to know that. But I like to keep it spicy. Remind him of what’s waiting for him back home, you know?”

Charlotte laughed, “Naked Skyping. That’s a new one.”

“Yeah, all us military wives do the naked Skyping. Skype Sex! Oh my goodness I’m sorry. I’m just so happy, it’s making me say embarrassing things!” Melanie giggled. “But I guess being that you’re an OB you have probably heard a couple things about sex.”

“Just a couple,” Charlotte winked at her. “You really love each other. It’s a beautiful thing.”

“Yep,” Melanie said, her voice going soft for a moment. “Sometimes I wonder if I love him too much. Like, I love him so much I can barely breathe. I want to burst out of my own self half the time. I keep waiting for something bad to happen to me, because how is something like this kind of love possible? You know?”

Charlotte did know. Hearing Melanie say it out loud suddenly made her think of Declan, something she tried to avoid at all costs. But the only reason she understood what Melanie meant was because of her short time with him.

“I actually do know,” Charlotte admitted. “But Melanie, that’s not how the world works. It’s not always checks and balances. Incredible happiness does not need to be balanced out by sorrow. You should enjoy this time and enjoy what you have. Not everyone gets it. You’re very lucky.” Charlotte smiled. “And this baby boy is very lucky to be brought into a world where he will be loved so much.”

Melanie had tears in her eyes now and suddenly her arms were around Charlotte’s shoulders, pulling her in for an embrace.

Charlotte was usually coldly professional with her patients, so at first such demonstrative affection caught her off guard. But finally, she decided to just let it happen. Maybe it was time she did that more, after all.

Maybe it was time to start letting the world back in.

********

Charlotte met with her sister Vanessa later in the evening for drinks and conversation. Lately Charlotte had been so consumed with her practice and with work that the sisters hadn’t been able to spend much time together.

“So what’s new, sis?” Vanessa asked as Charlotte scooted into the booth at Piedmont Grill, their favorite hangout. “Long time, no see. You should call Dad, by the way. I am so tired of fielding his questions about you. I feel like the Sanders PR rep between you too.”

Charlotte sighed, “Phones work both ways. He can call me too.”

“He does. You don’t answer,” Vanessa said, taking a bite out of one of the complimentary tortilla chips. “And you barely answer when I call. We get that you’re doing well and you’re passionate about your work. But we miss you, Char. The last few years you’ve been so distant.”

“Years?” Charlotte replied. “Well, then maybe it’s just my personality. I’m not… Super communicative. I’m sorry about that. I’ll try my best to be better. And maybe in a few years I can settle down a bit, and work less. But right now I’m building my- “

“Yeah, yeah, I know. You’re building your brand, your business, your empire, your whatever,” Vanessa interjected. “But you don’t have to forget the people who love you while you do it. No one is so busy they can’t make a phone call once or twice a week.” Vanessa looked down at her lap. “We’re all we have, Charlotte. And sometimes I really miss you. I respect the hell out of you. But I kind of feel like you pour yourself into work to avoid things maybe you could be working on.”

“Such as?” Charlotte sat back and crossed her arms. “Please. Do tell me what I need to be working on.”

“Don’t take it like that,” Vanessa said. “It’s just, you’re beautiful and smart. And you have so much going for you, but you also have zero personal life. No boyfriend, no friends, no hobbies. I just don’t want you to wake up one day and regret not developing that part of your life.”

Charlotte shook her head, “Vanessa, you always pride yourself on being such a feminist. And now you’re telling me I need a man to be happy.”

“That’s not what I’m telling you!” Vanessa said. “I wouldn’t care if it was a man, a woman, a f*cking dog. But you need companionship, we all do. We need something outside of what we do for a living.”