Chapter 16

16

In the quiet of the night, Nash silently relished in the joy that surged through him like a tidal wave. As he sat on the balcony with Charlotte, just outside the bedroom he shared with her. His heart felt lighter, knowing that he belonged to this family, that he was a part of something greater than himself. But that sense of pride came with a price and a heavy heart because his new truth became his younger sister's broken heart. It was like he'd traded his truth for hers. He wasn't the secret baby; she was, and that came with an uncertain past and the weight of decades' worth of trauma.

"Charlotte, I can't believe it," he whispered, his voice filled with wonder. "What a fucking plot twist."

"I'm happy for you, Nash. I know how hard these past days have been for you, and finding out Ben and Lilah are your parents…"

"It's a good feeling." He finished her thought for her, "But Dev…"

"I get it." Charlotte nodded as she stood behind the chair he sat in and rested her hands on his shoulders. "There is no real winner or loser here, Nash. You can't truly bask in the joy of your truth without the reminder of her truth being full of despair."

"I hate that she's hurting and wish I could help her." He admitted. "This one of those cases where I can truly say I know what she's going through, and it's hell."

"She's tough." Charlotte smiled. "She may have come into this world a different way than the rest of you, but she grew up a Stone, through and through. She's just as determined as you all are, and she'll get through this."

"It's so strange. I don't know what to say to her or how to help her." Nash admitted.

"Remember what she said to you?"

Nash nodded.

"Maybe start with something like that." Charlotte bent forward, enveloping him in her embrace as she pressed a tender kiss to his cheek. "Let her know you feel the same way about her that she did you. Nothing changes. You'll all get through this. One day at a time, honey. It'll take a lot more than this bump in the road to fracture this family. I mean, look at y'all now. Facing some brutal trials and tribulations, thanks to the brutal hand of my father, and here you are, winning."

"Oh, Jesus, Char." Nash reached for her hand and gently guided her onto his lap. "I'm over here wallowing while you have your own heartache to contend with. You know that if your father is indeed involved that, nobody blames you at all, right? We cherish you. You've been our rock these past weeks, darlin' –– months really when you consider the time and care you gave our Mama."

Charlotte's heart sank at Nash's words, her own emotions swirling in turmoil. While he reveled in his newfound sense of belonging, she grappled with the devastating realization that her own father might be responsible for the chaos and tragedy that had befallen their town. She squeezed Nash's hand tightly, struggling to find the words to express the heaviness in her heart.

"I appreciate you saying that," she began, her voice trembling with emotion. "The idea that my father might be involved in all of this. The attacks, the murders... everything. It's really hard to wrap my head around. I've never known this side of him. But I'm no fool and see exactly what y'all see. I will never stop apologizing for what he's done."

Nash's expression shifted from joy to concern as he listened to Charlotte's confession. He dropped a kiss on her shoulder, offering what little comfort he could in the face of such devastating news.

"I'm so sorry, Charlotte," he murmured softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "But whatever happens, whatever you need, I'm here for you. You know that, right? Nothing changes. You still have my whole heart."

Tears welled in Charlotte's eyes as she buried her face against Nash's chest, the weight of her guilt and fear threatening to overwhelm her. She clung to him as if he were her lifeline and finding solace in his comforting embrace.

"I love you, Nash," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

He tilted her chin up, meeting her tear-filled gaze with unwavering determination.

"I love you too, Charlotte," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "Forever and always, sweetheart. And I promise, no matter what happens, we'll face this together as a team. He doesn't get to hurt anyone anymore, especially you."

With a tenderness born of their shared love and understanding, Nash leaned in, capturing Charlotte's lips in a kiss that spoke volumes of their devotion to each other. It was a kiss filled with longing and promise, a silent vow to weather whatever storms may come their way.

In the hushed intimacy of the moonlit room, Nash carried Charlotte to their bed, their connection deepening with each passing moment as he laid her down, moved over her, and began to show her all the ways he loved her. From the intimacy of removing each piece of cloth between them to kissing every inch it revealed, he showed her pure and unadulterated love, and she felt every tender moment branding her soul and marking her as his. Their entwined bodies seemed to speak a language of their own, a silent symphony of desire and devotion that echoed throughout the room. Nash's touch seemed different now; it carried the promise of a forever igniting fire within Charlotte, filling her with a warmth she had never known before. As his fingers traced delicate patterns along her skin, she shivered with anticipation, her senses heightened by the sheer intensity of their shared passion.

With a tenderness that belied the urgency of their desires, Nash's lips met Charlotte's in a kiss that stole her breath away. It was a kiss filled with longing and a silent declaration of their love for each other. In that moment, nothing else mattered but the exquisite sensation of their bodies pressed together, their hearts beating in perfect harmony.

As the kiss deepened, her movements became more urgent, fueled by the raw intensity of her selfish need for his touch and he seemed happy to satisfy such needs by matching her pace. Her skin burned when Nash's hands roamed freely over Charlotte's body, mapping every curve and contour with a reverence that left her trembling. With each caress, he seemed to unravel her, unlocking the depths of her passion with a skill that bordered on the divine.

Charlotte responded, her fingers tangling in Nash's hair as she pulled him closer, her body arching instinctively towards his touch. In the heat of the moment, their inhibitions fell away, leaving only the raw, unbridled passion that burned between them like wildfire.

They moved together in perfect synchrony, their bodies melding seamlessly into one another, the world outside ceased to exist. Time seemed to stand still as she was lost in him and in the exquisite pleasure of each touch, each kiss a testament to the depth of their love.

Finally, they surrendered to the sweet release that washed over them like a tidal wave. In that moment of blissful Charlotte knew they were no longer two separate beings but one, bound together by an unbreakable bond.

The moon cast a soft glow through the curtains, bathing the room in a gentle light. She had found solace, strength, and a love that she'd never known before. Charlotte's heartbeat slowed it's wild racing as she snuggled deeper into Nash's protective embrace. This was different. He was different –– and it spoke volumes to her heart. She held no doubt that the love she had for him and the love he whispered to her would withstand the test of time. Wrapped in Nash's arms, she drifted to sleep, knowing that whatever tomorrow held, they would face it together.

Just before her body fully relaxed into sleep, Nash shifted slightly. Opening her eyes, she glanced up at him, noting the way his gaze lingered on her. Trailing a single finger down her cheek, he leaned down and kissed the top of her head, whispering her name into her ear…

"Charlotte?".

"Hmm?" she replied, still floating in a state of satiated bliss.

"I'm going to marry you." He said. "As soon as this is all over. I'm going to marry you and love you forever."