Charles & Darlene

"Alright, thanks man." I told him and watched him leave and went back inside "Drunk as a fucking skunk. Wonderful." I said and helped Mason stretch Dad out on the couch. We got a cover and threw it over him and it wasn't long before he was sawing logs. "You okay?" I asked my little brother.


I shook my head and took a deep breath "Not really...Asher's gone. Our brother isn't coming back...it doesn't seem real."


"I know. I'll stay with you tonight." I told him as we sat at the kitchen table all night, mostly in silence.

Charles had let me sleep in and when I finally woke up my lower back was killing me. I eased up out of bed and went to use the bathroom then made my way into the living room, rubbing my back.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" I asked, as she came through. "I made you and the kids breakfast, they've already ate and I sent them to do their chores."

"I'm fine. My back is just hurting really bad."

"Do you think it could be back labor?" I asked, growing concerned. The baby was due any day now.

I nodded a little. "Yeah it probably is. It's about time for the baby to be here," I said and eased myself down on the couch. "Damn... can you rub my back baby?"

"Yeah, of course." I went over and sat down behind her and began massaging her lower back slowly.

"Mmm... god it's so tight. I forgot how much this hurts and it hasn't even really started yet."

"It's been awhile, you're out of practice." I grinned and kissed the back of her neck.

I smiled. "Yeah, isn't that the truth," I said and leaned forward a little as he rubbed lower down my back. "That feels really good baby."

"Tell me a time when it hasn't." I teased.

"I can't seem to recall one," I teased back.

"Damn right, you can't." I chuckled as I moved my hands along her back.

"Mmm... Charles I'm in labor. Are you really trying to seduce me right now?" I teased.

"Always. We gotta prepare for the after party, right?"

I laughed and shook my head. "You know the after party isn't going to come until a few weeks after at least right?"

"This isn't my first rodeo, I know the drill."

"Are you sure you remember? It has been a long time," I teased.

"Oh, I remember. I could never forget, love them too much for that."

I smiled. "I know you do baby," I said and rubbed my belly when it got tight.

"Even when they act like assholes."

I laughed then moaned in pain when a contraction hit. "They are good at the aren't they. I love them to death though."

"I know you do and so do they." I said ""Honey, just tell me when you're ready to go."

"I will baby. There's no point in going now, that's just the first contraction. I'll just be taking up space if I go over there now."

"True enough, we'll wait it out and see."