Accidents Happen - 23. Chapter 23 - The Morning After

Chapter 23 – The Morning After

Charlie woke in the morning and found himself tangled up in Scott’s arms. It brought a smile to his face and he would have loved to stay in bed but his bladder had other plans.

Well that was better than I expected. I guess I should have checked before we started though. I just never figured Rick would take my condoms. At least I know he is playing it safe with Wade.

Charlie smiled as he carefully slid out from Scott’s arms. He paused for a moment seeing the handsome man still asleep in his bed.

I guess I am going to have to get used to that snoring too.

Charlie blushed at the thought and padded off to the bathroom. He took care of business and then grabbed a hot shower. The heat felt good and as he looked in his shower mirror to shave he noticed that Scott had left a few reminders from last night.

“Oh crap. I have hickeys,” he muttered to himself. I can’t even remember the last time I had them never mind gave a hickey. Tina would have flipped out at me if I had left any on her.

Charlie had just finished washing the last of the shampoo from his hair when he heard a thump behind him.

Charlie blushed as he realized Scott could see his ass. After last night he should have felt completely comfortable but he was still adjusting. He still didn’t know what made him so bold to ask Scott to stay anyway. Keeping his back to Scott, Charlie reached for his towel only to have Scott place it in his hand and lean in to give him a kiss on the cheek.

“Morning, handsome.”

“Morning.”

“Regretting last night?”

Charlie could hear the worry behind the quick question.

“Not in the way you fear. Let’s say I regret not being as prepared as I should have been.” Charlie blushed as he admitted this to Scott.

Scott laughed out loud.

“Well care to join me for my shower then?”

Charlie paused and really looked Scott over in the light. He noted the strong curve of shoulders and the taut muscles that formed his chest. He had spent a great deal of time last night exploring that chest and Scott’s perk nipples. Charlie had been fascinated with the thick covering of chest hair that seemed to only pause when they reached his dark brown nipples. Those he had learned last night were very easy to awaken and that Scott enjoyed having them played with.

“Charlie? Are you going to join me?” Scott asked again and broke Charlie out of his reverie.

“No. You go grab your shower. I’m going to go get our breakfast started.”

Scott looked disappointed.

“I think you might have more fun in here with me.”

“Oh, I think I might too. However this way I know we won’t get carried away. Besides I have to make sure you eat something. What time do you have to be at the book-store today anyway?”

“Spoilsport. Having to remind me of work,” Scott teased as he stepped naked into the shower. Turning on the water and reaching back to grab Charlie’s body soap he called over his shoulder, “I’ve got to be into the store by nine am.”

Charlie looked through the bathroom door and could see the clock on his nightstand announcing it was now seven forty eight am. Scott had about a half hour till he had to be at work.

“I’ll race out there and cook you something so you don’t go into work hungry.”

Charlie started to head out as Scott began to sing the opening lines from Billy Joel’s Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. Charlie smiled and paused a moment to listen as Scott’s deep voice soared with the song he was singing.

Pulling on a clean pair of shorts, Charlie rushed out to the dryer. He pulled out Scott’s clothes and walked them back to the bedroom. He pulled out his clothing steamer to get the wrinkles out of Scott’s shirt. If I hadn’t allowed myself to get so damn distracted his shirt would never have gotten this wrinkled. I really need to control myself better. In just a few moments the shirt hung wrinkle free.

Charlie went back out to the kitchen to figure out breakfast. Checking through things he figured he better keep it simple. He scrambled up a few eggs, added some milk, cheese, some ham left from Wednesday’s lunch, a little chopped onion, and some salt and pepper. While the omelet cooked he tossed up some bread for toast and then started up his coffee maker.

“Yum, that smells good, Charlie. I have to keep you around. You cook really well and if I am not careful you are going to make me fat.” Scott announced as he strode from the bedroom buttoning up his shirt.

Charlie just smiled and tried to concentrate on cooking breakfast.

Scott walked up and hugged him from behind. Charlie could smell his body wash and that little something that smelled naturally of Scott. Scott nuzzled his neck until Charlie shooed him away.

“Go sit down. Coffee is done; Orange Juice is in the fridge if you want it. The omelet will be done in a minute or so for us.”

“Okay, so you like your coffee light, right?”

“Paying attention were you?”

Scott laughed again. He nodded and poured out two cups of coffee. He made them both up a cup and took them to the table. Once he had them in place he walked back into the kitchen and began to open cabinets.

“What on earth are you looking for?”

“Your glasses. You said you had Orange Juice. I can’t very well pour it into my coffee now can I?”

“You know you could have asked,” Charlie said trying to stifle a laugh. He walked over to the corner cabinet and pulled out two drinking glasses, handing them over to Scott.

“I could but then I wouldn’t have the chance to see you move around in your element to get them for me. Besides when you reached for them I got to see how nice a butt you really have.” Scott winked at Charlie and the smirk on his face told the story completely.

Charlie shook his head and turned back to the food. Carefully, he took the folded omelet, cut it in half with his spatula, and then slid them neatly on to the plates he had laid out. The toast he put onto another plate and then he carried the three plates over to the table. Scott sat down as Charlie went back to grab the butter and peach jelly out of the fridge.

“Charlie, you do realize it is just the two of us? My god, how much did you make?”

“I just wanted to make sure you went in with a full stomach. Nothing is worse than getting hungry hours before you can get something to eat. Besides I bet your store is going to be packed with customers. You know so many of the kids will be there to get something new to read. I personally suggest that in addition to the book you had selected some of them might enjoy the collection of fairy tales you have from all over the world. That seemed to excite a lot of the kids. The parents have asked what books might work best to keep their children’s interest in reading. We really will have to sit down and figure this all out, Scott.”

“Hmm,” Scott murmured around a mouthful of the omelet.

Charlie shook his head. Scott just smiled and was happily eating his way through the omelet. He paused only long enough to grab a slice of toast and butter it up.

“Well you could come to work with me today. We could figure it all out and then do lunch.”

“You mean I could figure it all out and then watch as you dump the store into Julie and Nick’s hands.”

“Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it dumping, Charlie.” Scott tried his best to look hurt but he couldn’t keep the smile completely off his face.

“Nah. The school is closed down till Monday. If you want, I’ll swing by then.”

“Wait a minute. You mean I have to wait till Monday to see you again?”

“No, I said I would come down to the store till Monday. I never said I wouldn’t see you till Monday.”

Scott smiled and sat back in his chair.

“How about you meet me tonight at the store?”

“I am not doing the work tonight, Scott.”

“No, silly. I figure we can do dinner and I can show you my place.”

Charlie stopped moving, the fork was half way to his mouth. He put the food down and looked over at Scott.

“Your place? I’ve never been to your place.”

“Duh. Why do you think I am suggesting it? I’ve intruded into your place more than once now. I figured you might like to see where I live.”

Charlie paused before answering. Of course I want to know what your place looks like. I mean it is one way to get to know you! However, if anything goes to happen between us will I be as comfortable at your place? The thoughts raced through his head before he smiled.

“Of course I would love to see your place. It will give me a chance to see what you like.”

“You mean it will give you a chance to snoop.”

“That too,” Charlie said with a laugh.

Scott smiled and grabbed his coffee. The two finished their breakfast in comfortable silence. Charlie could barely keep the smile off his face. He enjoyed how Scott didn’t try to tell him what to do or ask a lot of questions about things. Scott simply let Charlie take the lead sometimes but mostly he was content to let Charlie follow at a pace he felt comfortable with. Here Charlie didn’t feel he had to try harder to make Scott feel good. Scott just seemed to accept Charlie for who he was.

Charlie was so lost in thought he didn’t notice at first that Scott had gotten up and put his dishes in the sink.

“Hey, you can leave that. I will take care of it all later. Off of work today, remember?”

“I don’t want to leave you with a mess.”

“Don’t worry; I think I can handle a few dishes.” Charlie shook his head and chuckled.

“I like when you do that,” Scott huskily whispered.

Charlie stopped and looked at Scott. “When I do what?”

“Laugh like that. Your whole face lights up and your nose scrunches up. It is cute.”

Charlie looked around and could only find the dish towel so he tossed it at Scott, who caught it in flight.

“Sorry, Charlie,” he laughed, “but it is really cute.”

“Grrrrr.”

“Aw. Did I upset you?” Scott crossed the short distance to Charlie and soon wrapped him in his arms. He leaned down and passionately kissed him. The kiss took Charlie’s breath away. The kiss would have continued if the phone didn’t choose that moment to ring.

“I better go, Charlie, before I am late.” He planted a more innocent kiss on Charlie’s cheek as he rushed toward the door. “I’ll see you tonight.”

Charlie nodded and tried to gather his wits as he reached for the phone.

“Morning,” Charlie gasped into the phone as he tried to calm his racing heart.

“Charlie, thank god I caught you at home.”

“Maria? What is it? Is something wrong?”

“Dad didn’t call you yet?” Maria asked in a strained voice.

Charlie was getting worried. Maria was never one to panic. Of all his siblings she was the most unflappable of the group. His mother always joked that if there was an earthquake it would move around Maria because it took more effort to move her than to go around.

“Maria, I love you dearly but if you don’t tell me what is wrong I’m going to strangle you.”

There was silence on the phone for a moment before Maria spoke.

“God, you sounded just like her now.”

“Sounded like whom?”

“Mom. Dad called me about ten minutes ago from the hospital. Mom was rushed there with a heart attack.”

“Why the hell didn’t he call me? I live five minutes from it.”

“Well they are already moving her from the local one to Stony Brook Hospital.”

“They took her to the cardiac wing then. I know they have some of the best on Long Island there.” Charlie’s mind was a whirlwind. Who did he need to call? Who would he have to contact?

“Maria, are you coming down?”

“I’m making the phone calls.”

“I’ll take over. Once I’m done contacting everyone I can go right over to the hospital with Dad. Who did you call so far?”

“You.”

“Oh. Do you want me to call Joan for you?”

“No. I’ll call her. She will probably want to drive down with me.”

Charlie slipped into control mode. He systematically called the rest of the family. Those he couldn’t talk to directly he left messages for. Rick broke down on the phone.

“Oh, shit Charlie. I’ve been such an ass lately. Mom has been all over me. Tonya won’t talk to me half the time. William calls and if I answer the phone it is just one word answers I get from him. Ricky stays half the time over at Wade’s now and Krista just shakes her head. I’ve screwed everything up. I’m so sorry, Charlie. I don’t want anything to happen to Mom. She has to know I am okay with all this.”

Charlie let him babble for a few minutes just getting it all out of his system.

“Rick, you can be an asshole but right now Mom and Dad need us. Just let everyone know. Your family is the one I can’t seem to find at the moment, so it is up to you. Okay?”

“I won’t fail you,” Rick managed to get out between sobs.

“Rick, pull it together. You won’t do anyone any good if you show up in tears. God help you if Mom sees you like that.”

“You’re right. I promise I’ll pull myself together. We’ll be there soon. Do you know what room she is in yet?”

“No. I called Dad’s cell but it is turned off. That is to be expected if he is in the hospital with Mom. They don’t allow cell phones on near any of their sensitive equipment. I’ll be heading out in a few minutes. I’ll call as soon as I know more.”

“Thank you, Charlie. For everything.”

Charlie couldn’t answer. He was fighting to keep from falling apart himself. He simply hung up and raced to get dressed. Three minutes later he was slipping on sneakers and heading out the door of his apartment. As he was climbing into the car the phone rang. Without even looking who it is was, he answered.

“Hello?” Charlie tried to keep calm as he answered in case it was bad news.

“Charlie, how do you feel about Italian tonight?”

“Shit, Scott.”

“That isn’t the romantic answer I was hoping to hear.”

“I’d love to talk but going to have to cut this short. That call I was getting as you left, well it ended up being from Maria. Mom was rushed into the hospital with a heart attack.”

“Is Barbara okay?” The concern was evident in Scott’s voice.

“I don’t know. All I do know is they moved her to Stony Brook.”

“I’ll see you there later then.”

“Scott, you don’t have to do that.”

“The hell I don’t.”

“Thank you, Scott.”

“Charlie, please stop talking to me, get yourself to the hospital already.”

“I will.” Charlie hung up and looked out the window of his car. He felt like crying but didn’t have the time. As he pulled away from the curb a light rain began to fall and a rainbow could be seen.