GEN II: Chapter 27: Part 2

That very evening, Hayden was offered his promotion. He had finally done it. He was the famous All-Star he always dreamed of being. He thought of his father, and wondered if he would be proud of him. He hoped so. Hayden posed for a few pictures for the Paparazzi. They would announce his achieved goal in the paper tomorrow. Hayden couldn't have been happier, he had reached his lifetime wish. He rushed home to tell his wife, and spend the rest of the evening with her.

**While Hayden was working...**

Charlie went to Sybil and Daphne's house. As he was walking up to knock on the door, he wondered how three grown girls could live in such a small place. He knew the sisters lived with their cousin as well, though he didn't know her name.
He knocked lightly on the door, and stepped of the porch to give whomever answered room to come out. He was surprised, yet not, to see Daphne step out and smile at him. She waved as she approached and invited him inside.

Charlie was even more surprised at the inside of the house. There was only one big room! It was a big kitchen/dining/living/bed room, all in one. The bed was in the middle of the living room. And it was only a double bed. Three girls could not live here comfortably.

"Welcome to my small abode!" Daphne said. She blushed as she said it, the color in her cheeks made more attractive to Charlie. "It's small, and if you wondering how the three of us live here, we manage because we are all on really different schedules. If we are all home for night, one of us sleeps on the couch while the other two take the bed. Showers are difficult, but we do it. Although normally I am last and have no hot water." As she said the last sentence she made a funny face, trying to look angry, Charlie suspected.

Charlie smiled at Daphne's attempt at anger. It didn't look like she could ever get angry, she was too lighthearted. "Well I came here to see what was going on with your sister, but I see she isn't here."

Daphne's smile vanished from her face and she stuttered her words, "Well, um, actually Charlie, uh .... Sybil is at work, yeah. She's working." She tried to straighten up and smile again as she said, "Let's not worry about her, do you want to get out of here? I know I do. Let's go to the Red Rendezvous!

Charlie agreed, and they left. Daphne swooned and wished Charlie would hug her the way she wanted, and finally kiss her. She longed for him more than anything, vied for his attention. How she wished he would just stop thinking of Sybil. She wasn't even available anymore, but he didn't know that. She felt bad for him, that Sybil had just did what she did without tell him. Daphne knew that Sybil was aware of how Charlie felt about her. Of course Daphne was not any better for not telling Charlie either, her reasoning though was that it wasn't her business to tell him.

Charlie and Daphne went to the Red Rendezvous, and ran into Cedric. He introduced Daphne to his brother, who gave him a wink in response. Then he had to leave, he had to get to work. Charlie gave him a quick congrats on the new house before watching Cedric leave. Turning to Daphne he offered a game of Foosball. She accepted with a smile and said "I bet I'll beat you!"




The first few games Daphne won. She was a good sport about it, and didn't rub it in too much. Actually Charlie was taking it a little easy on her at first, but when he noticed how good she was he picked up his game a bit. She still won. They were just starting a new game when Chase walked in and Charlie invited him to play too. Charlie was happy to see his uncle out and about again and wondered if his and James' visit helped him.

"Uncle Chase, this is," Charlie hesitated, he wasn't sure how to introduce Daphne, "...my friend... Daphne."

Daphne smiled at his hesitation, that was okay. At least he liked her enough to consider her a friend, though because of the hesitation she thought that he felt a little more than that. Maybe he was just to afraid to name it.

"Nice to meet you Daphne. I'm Chase." Chase opened toward Daphne and smiled at her.

"You too Chase. Come on, join our game." She offered.

Charlie smiled toward Daphne and his uncle. She was so nice and forward, and very friendly. He thought that Isabel would definitely like her. As they played their next game his mind was elsewhere. He thought of Daphne coming home with him, and introducing her to his mother. He wondered if Daphne would be okay with publicity, because if they ever went farther in the relationship the media would be all over the story. His mind was brought back to the game when he heard Chase laughing. He hadn't heard his uncle laugh in quite a while. Chase had been laughing at something Daphne had said, though Charlie didn't hear it.

And then...








Everyone in the place flocked around to see what was happening to the new face. Chase had passed away.

Chase looked at Charlie. "Say goodbye to your father and mother for me. Your brothers too. I'll miss you guys, and thank you for that wonderful and awakening visit. Don't be too sad for me, for I'm off to see Kenya again. I always took her for granted, and never realized how much I loved her until she was gone. Then it was too late." He gave a quick glance at Daphne and a meaningful look at Charlie again. "Don't ever take love for granted, and grab it when you can."

With his last words, Chase was greeted by the Angel of Death and shook his hand. They disappeared together.

**Okay, I just wanted to interrupt here to tell you - The reason Daphne is now in a bathing suit is because she was planning to have a pool party, but Charlie interrupted it and she chose to stay with him. But you know the game, it automatically had her change clothes anyway. lol I thought it was odd, but hey. Anyway, back to our regularly scheduled program...**

Charlie was shocked, and not sure what to do. He was going to miss Chase, but glad Chase was finally able to get to Kenya again. He was also happy that Chase found some joy before his departure.

Charlie looked at Daphne, and she opened her arms to him.










Daphne let Charlie cry on her shoulder, and consoled him as much as she could. She knew death was hard on family, knew better than she wanted to know.

Even though the hug started out innocent enough, it turned into something more. Charlie felt better just by her being there. Then he felt more than that. The warmth of her body against his, and she smelled so sweet. She still smelled like vanilla. He hugged her closer to him, and he drank her in with all his senses.

Before it went a little to far he pulled away and held her hands. Not sure what he was doing exactly he leaned to whisper in her ear an offer for her to come to his house to stay the night with him. His offer was innocent, he just wanted her company. He hadn't forgotten what had happened in the past hour, and he was still saddened by it.

Thinking of Chase again made him remember what he had said before he disappeared. Charlie felt a rush of emotion again, being so close to her was intoxicating. She was so close that he could brush her neck with his lips.

He started pull back slowly, then had the urge to kiss her.



Charlie didn't fight it this time. He kissed her right on the lips. She was not expecting it, he took her by surprise, but she enjoyed it. He was finally accepting how he felt about her.

Daphne smiled at him when it was over, and accepted his invitation to go to his house for the night.

"Good, I would love to introduce you to the family." Charlie said. He was slightly flustered by his own actions.

The two of them left, holding hands and drove to his house. As they approached voiced her opinion on the beautiful neighborhood and houses. She just loved the garden in front of Charlies house, as she loved to garden. Charlie told her that he would show it to her in the morning, but it was late now.



Charlie and Daphne went inside, and had a quick drink. Charlie had an idea that he thought Daphne would like. He pulled her up from her seat and out into the small hallway. He wrapped his arms around her and swayed to a rhythm in his head. There was no music, but they slow danced anyway. Daphne smiled at him and laid her head on his shoulder for a while. He felt so good to her.

No one else in the house was awake, it was after midnight. Charlie took Daphne by the hand and led her to his room.



They cuddled on the bed together and talked for another hour before falling asleep in each others arms. Each felt so good to the other just being there. So warm and caring. They were both so content they just fell asleep.

Charlie's thought as he drifted off was that he couldn't wait for her to meet Isabel. They probably wouldn't be up until late, but he also wanted to make her breakfast.