GEN III: Chapter 2: Part I

Like he promised, Charlie was in the park at approximately 12:05 to meet Daphne. Daphne trembled with excitement when she saw him walking toward her. For the smallest of moments she wondered why she felt this way now? She had, after all, already known that she loved him. The moment he hugged her good morning, and she again registered the love each of them had for the other, and she knew that was the reason for the anxiety. She knew he loved her back, even if he hadn't said it yet.

Charlie stroked Daphne's cheek and said "I am terribly sorry I was not there for you this morning. This wasn't what I had in mind for today, at all. I wanted nothing more than to wake up next to you, and kiss you good morning. Maybe even make you breakfast." He winked at her and chuckled at his own sarcasm.

Daphne smiled at Charlie, but then she blushed, "Don't worry, you're forgiven. I'm sorry for the things I thought about you though." Daphne admitted to Charlie that she thought him a coward and that he was just looking for one thing, before she found the note.

Charlie admitted how she could see things that way and apologized again. Then he challenged her to a game of chess. She accepted and they played for a few hours. By the time the game had finished, the couple had attracted quite a few onlookers.

Daphne stood up and pulled Charlie up to her. She hugged him warmly and held him, "Charlie, I have to go now. I have a few things to do tonight, so I won't be able to see you. I will be available tomorrow though, if you are interested."

Charlie looked slightly disappointed that they had to part company so early in the day, but said he understood and would be there for her whenever she could see him. He wondered though what she had to do, her house was not dirty - last night anyway - and she didn't currently have a job, but he trusted her explicitly and the thought dropped quickly from his mind.

They kissed goodbye, a kiss that lingered, and parted ways. Charlie couldn't help but watch her over his shoulder as he walked his own way, and Daphne couldn't help but watch him leave as well.

Just before Charlie walked in the door, Hayden decided it was finally time to retire from his old job. As much as he loved it, he was not getting any younger and would like to save his last years for his family. He called his boss and told him the news. Then James and Isabel joined him for a small celebration. Isabel clapped and cheered, and James threw confetti all over Hayden. They passed out hugs to one another and went off to do other things.

Charlie walked in just as the party ended. He offered his own congrats to his dad along with a hug then went to do the work he had been putting off. For over a week now his boss had asked him to write a story on the bookstore, and give it some good ratings. Also he had been hired to write a biography on his own brother Cedric. What better person to do it? So he worked on the article first, then the bio, though it was difficult when all he could think about was Daphne. Outside, he heard his mom call for Hayden, with a hint of panic in her voice. He briefly wondered what was happening before his mind went back to his original thoughts, Daphne.

Isabel had been enjoying some time in the hot tub when suddenly the water turned an ugly green and slightly solidified. The fountain stopped spraying water and the motor made a horrible lurching sound. Isabel jumped out of the water as quickly as she could and yelled for her husband.

Hayden came running when he heard her, and asked her what was wrong. By the sound of her voice something had been attacking her. Isabel told him that it was the hot tub, it had broken or something.

Hayden rolled his eyes and grinned, "Sweetheart, what would you ever do with out me?"

She reacted quickly to his question, "Hire a repairman!" She smiled back at him, "But I wouldn't enjoy the view so much if it wasn't you."



Charlie went out to the bookstore to offer for them to read his article before getting it published. They read and approved of it. They appreciated it so much they handed Charlie a handful of cash right there. He thanked them and went to give his boss the article. While he was out, he thought about calling Daphne but he did not want to disturb her.

When he got home, he even pulled out his cell and started to dial the number. He disconnected the line before it really dialed, and put his phone away. He didn't want to seem to eager to see her, and she did have things to do, so he would give her that time. Charlie looked up to see that Hayden had invited Crystal to come for a visit. He waved to her, then joined his brother in the sitting room for some quiet time.











"Did you know that Charlie has a girl in his life??" Hayden whispered to Crystal. "Of all three boys, I thought Cedric would be the one knocking them down. But here's Charlie, the first one to be in love!"

Crystal giggled at her uncle, "Shhh, Uncle Hayden your horrible. I'm happy for Charlie. I hope his girl is nice, maybe I'll meet her one day."

They talked for a short while more, then hugged and Crystal left.

In the morning, Charlie's obligation to give Daphne some time alone had expired. It took only about thirty minutes for him to be out of the bed and at her door. She invited him in at first but then looked around. She felt embarrassed by her small home, especially since there was nothing to do there. The only thing was a bed, and as much as they could do in that, she wanted to go somewhere else.

Charlie saw what looked like discomfort in her expression as she gazed around, "Would you like to go to Red Rendezvous with me? I'm in the mood for some Foosball!" Daphne seem relieved, and Charlie figured that he had solved the dilemma in her eyes.

At Red Rendezvous the two of them spent a few hours on the Foosball table before the music seeped into their bones. Charlie offered Daphne a dance and she gladly accepted. Charlie had served some virgin screwdrivers when they arrived, but neither of them had any. The other people in the hangout took advantage of the free drinks though, and pretty soon the four glasses were drained.

After some fast and thrilling dancing, Charlie had an idea. A nice soak in a hot tub would be great after a dance like that. He was sure Daphne would agree, but there wasn't a hot tub on the premises. Charlie offered Daphne to come back to the house with him and stay the night. Daphne seemed even more relieved by this offer than his idea to come out for the day. She really didn't want to be at home.

On the drive to Charlies house, she explained, "Sybil is back in town and staying with me for a few days. As much as I like my sister, she has problems. Also I just don't want to be crowded up. I have had a taste of living without her and Brooke, and I like it. I just didn't want to be around her right now." She paused and nearly under her breath she mumbled, "Also didn't want her around you."

Charlie heard her last comment and gave her a sideways glance and smiled. "You're not worried about her stealing me from you, are you?" He inquired, semi-sarcastically.

"No, I trust you one hundred and twenty percent! It's not really that, just ... weird things tend to happen around her."

They pulled up to the house, so that was the end of that conversation. When they walked in, James was just finishing up making a late lunch.




















Charlie and Daphne accepted the invitation to eat with James. Afterward they made their way out to the backyard for the soak they had been looking forward to. At first they tried to keep it as casual as possible. Before he really knew what had happened he was holding her in his arms and kissing her. Things really started to heat up in that water. Without warning, Charlie climbed out of the steaming hot tub and pulled Daphne up with him. She mentally noted that he was stronger than he really appeared.

Charlie looked at the paparazzi, he had gotten so used to them he normally didn't think of their annoying appearences. He really didn't want Daphne any unwanted attention out in public, so he whispered in her ear an invitation for a massage - inside. She smiled, knowing that it was just a ploy. She knew where he really wanted to be with her, she had gotten him pretty worked up with her teasing. Daphne took him by the hand and they walked inside, where he gladly rubbed her back, which was pink from the hot water.



After the back rub and a few more passionate kisses, Daphne and Charlie went to the closest double bed. This room would be better anyway, it was away from James, Isabel and Hayden upstairs. They wouldn't have to be as quiet down here.

Daphne laid in Charlies arms after their tumble and just smiled to herself. She was so happy to have found Charlie when she did. She inwardly thanked her sister for sending her to meet him that first night.

Charlie had different things on his mind. He lay next to Daphne and inhaled the scent that he loved, which made him smile. Then his happiness faded quickly when he remembered he had to work the next day. He didn't want to leave her, so this time he decided he would ask her to stay here and wait for him. That way she wouldn't have to go home and be confined with Sybil. He wondered if she would accept and stay.

The next morning, Charlie woke with an empty bed. He frowned at the fact that she wasn't there, but she had a habit of getting up really early when she stayed here, so his distress didn't last long. He went in search of Daphne and found her upstairs on the computer. When she heard him coming up she shut it off and stood to greet him.

Charlie had not told Daphne that he had to work today, and his alarm was in his own room - which they didn't sleep in the night prior - so he slept way to late. Charlie didn't even have time to take a shower before his carpool was there to take him to work.

"I have to go in today, but Daphne please, I know you don't want to be at home," Charlie started, "so please make yourself comfortable here. I want you to stay. Will you be here when I get back?" Chalrie asked her, he couldn't help keep the hope from his eyes.

Daphne smiled wide and nodded her head. Then she leaned into the kiss Charlie placed on her lips. Charlie dressed and walked away, leaving Daphne standing behind him. He smiled as he left, now he had a better reason to come home.

Daphne watched him go, he left her kind of stunned with that kiss. Maybe that was the point. Those kisses from him always left her slightly dazed, and she did enjoy them so.


Daphne spent most of the morning in the hot tub, skinny dipping. She was slightly shocked when Isabel joined her, and just a tiny bit embarrased by her nudeness. She kept her body concealed under the water though, which helped.

Isabel didn't seem bothered by the skinny dipping and held polite conversation with Daphne. She was happy that Daphne made her self at home here, and was even more thrilled when she learned that Charlie had asked her to stay and wait for him to come home. She couldn't help but wonder if her son was ready to settle down with Daphne. His birthday was only a week or so away, and she was hoping he would leave some time for grandchildren.

Upstairs, Hayden watched the news on his new television set.

"... out just buying a book when he was held at knifepoint and escorted down an alley. It is assumed that the assailant then took the victims wallet, since it has yet to be recovered. At this point we are unaware of what occured to instigate such violent behavior. The body was discovered this morning, a local has identified the victim as Leonard Campbell. A memorial service will be held at..."

Hayden said aloud to nobody, "What is this world coming to?" He then flipped the channel to sports, something not quite so depressing. Unless of course his team was losing.

When Charlie walked in the door a huge smile broke his face as he saw Daphne sitting at the piano. He had wondered all day, while he was working, if she did actually stay. He hoped she did. At that moment when he saw her, he knew what he wanted to do. What he felt he needed to. Charlie wanted it like this every day.

Isabel called the family to dinner, and everyone gathered around ot eat.

Just as Charlie was finishing up, he thought about the garden. Daphne hadn't seen it yet... that would be perfect.


To be continued...