Charlie had purposely left her phone at home when she decided to leave. She knew that the majority of the time she would be gone she wouldn’t be able to check it, and the few times she would have the time she didn’t want to be tempted to call Sean. She was devastated that he didn’t trust her enough to believe her and just needed to get away from the situation for a little.

After graduating her basic training at the top of her class, the PJs had told her that when she was not deployed, she would always have the opportunity to help train new recruits. With the guys leaving on a road trip for almost 2 weeks, she had decided to take up their offer.

She remembered that basic training was intense. She had lived through it herself. But she never realized just how tough it was for the instructors. Not only did they have to lead the training exercises for the recruits, but they also had to keep up with their own personal fitness. She often didn’t get to sleep until 10 at night and found herself waking up at 3 in the morning for her daily run before training began. Most people wouldn’t choose to live this kind of lifestyle for any period of time, but to Charlie this was comforting. It was what she knew how to do, and she did it well. She also started talking to the on-base therapist about what she had experienced, and how it was still affecting her. In the two and a half weeks she acted as a guest instructor, she was able to start healing from the mental wounds that had been inflicted by her previous deployment. But through the whole experience, Sean was never far from her mind. Even though she was hurt and mad, she still missed him. She had gotten used to cuddling with him watching whatever hockey game was currently on and having his warm body next to her at night. She refused to watch his games, but monitored the scores online like she had in Afghanistan. She was proud to see he got an assist against Calgary on New Year’s Eve, and felt bad that she wasn’t there to celebrate with him. She had to remind herself that it was his fault they were having problems. She was even more proud when he scored a goal their first game back home against Montreal. It was his first goal in weeks, and she knew that it lifted some weight off his shoulders.

Charlie never thought that she would ever want to do anything other than be deployed, but being a basic training instructor gave her a new sense of pride. Through her guidance, many of the students really improved on their skills. Her favorite activity was running real life rescue simulations, where the students had to work together like a real team and perform tasks that PJs often have to face. It reminded her of her own training, and the bonds that she formed with her team through those weeks of hell. And it showed her and the others who was capable of performing the activities needed to be successful.

She was disappointed when her time on base was up, but she knew that it was time to go home and face the elephant in the room with her boyfriend. At least, she hoped he still wanted to call himself that. She had really enjoyed her two weeks on base. Maybe when she retired to the reserves, she would take up their offer on a full time training position.

When she got to her apartment, she dropped her bag by the door and collapsed onto her bed, unsure of what to do next. She picked up her phone for the first time in over two weeks and saw that she had hundreds of messages and missed phone calls, mostly from Sean. A few were from the other guys on the team and some were from her brother. She decided to listen to her brother’s voicemails first and deal with him before dealing with the guys.

“Charlie. Sean called me. He said you left. Give me a call, okay?”
“Char, seriously. Give me a call. Please.”
“I’m not kidding around, Charlie. It’s been a week since anyone has talked to you and you’re freaking everyone out. I don’t care if you call me or Sean or whoever, but tell someone where you are.”
“Just tell someone where you are and that you’re not lying in a fucking ditch somewhere please.”
“God damn it, Charlie. Where the fuck are you? This isn’t okay.”
“If you don’t fucking call me soon I’m going to hunt you down. And I’m not going to be nice about it.”

Well, shit. She should have called him before she left, but honestly she forgot. Taking a deep breath and preparing herself for the tirade that was bound to come her way, she called Drew. He answered on the first ring.
“Charlie?”
“Hey Andy....”
“Where the fuck have you been?”
“I’ve been guest instructing PJ basic training.”
“Why didn’t you tell anyone? Do you have any idea how fucking freaked out everyone has been?”
“I know... I just made an in the moment decision and decided to take them up on an offer. I’m sorry, Andy. I didn’t mean to scare you all. I just needed to get away for a little bit. Please forgive me?”
He sighed. “Of course I forgive you. But Char, you can’t do that to me. Or the guys. Especially not Sean. He’s been worried sick about you. Have you called anyone else?”
She laughed. “I’m sure he has. And no, you’re the first.” She said with edge in her voice.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Is something going on?” Of course he caught on to that.
She launched into an explanation of what had happened on Christmas and Drew listened intently.
“I think- I don’t really know what to think.” He said when she was finished.
This wasn’t the reaction she was expecting. In the past whenever Charlie’s boyfriends had done something to upset her, Drew had become the stereotypical over protective brother, threatening to kick their ass.
“He messed up, not trusting you. And for that I might beat the shit out of him the next time I see him. But- He’s called me multiple times over the past two weeks, hoping that I’d heard from you. He’s going crazy not knowing where you are or if you’re safe. It’s obvious that boy loves you more than anything. I didn’t know about it before, but now that I think about our conversations, it’s clear that he regrets what happened. Let him make this right, Char.”
Charlie sniffled. “But he doesn’t trust me. How can we have a good relationship if he doesn’t trust me?”
“Charlotte Rose Coleman, listen to me carefully. I’m telling you this because I’m your brother, and I love you. Don’t lose him over this. Let him explain what was going on in his mind. You were happier those few days I came to visit you than you have been the past twenty years I’ve known you, and it was because of him. Give him a chance, Char. And don’t ever disappear for two weeks without telling someone where you’re going again.”

As usual, her older brother was right. She apologized again and bid him goodbye before hanging up. After changing out of her uniform and into a pair of jeans and on of Sean’s long sleeved shirts, she got into her car and drove to his building. She sat in her car for a few minutes, trying to find the courage to just go in. She got so lost in her own thoughts she didn’t even notice Matt Read come out of the building and spot her until he knocked on her window.
“Charlie? Where have you been?” He asked, giving her a hug as she got out of her car.
“I was on base helping out with some basic training.” She replied, shrugging.
“Thank God you’re okay. Everyone’s been worried.” He said.
“I kinda noticed. I’m sorry.”
“As long as you’re safe, it’s okay.” He assured her. “A bunch of the guys are up at Couts’s place right now trying to cheer him up. He’s been miserable. He feels horrible about what happened. Please go talk to him. He needs you.”
She gave him another hug and took the elevator up to his floor. She knocked on his door and Hartsy answered it, a look of pure shock on his face when he realized she was there.
“Uhh... Couts? It’s for you!” He yelled, recovering from his shock and sending her one of his devious smiles. He disappeared back into the living room and Sean turned the corner from the kitchen, stopping dead in his tracks when he saw her standing there. She took a few steps into the apartment and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Where have you been?” He asked in a whisper.
“On base helping out with basic training.” She responded as he kissed her forehead.
“Why didn’t you tell me? I was so worried about you.” He was almost in tears. Charlie knew in that moment that even though she was mad at him for not trusting her, she forgave him.

“Uhhh we’re gonna get out of here, man.” Hartsy said, leading about half the team towards the door.
“It’s good to see you, Charlie.” A couple of the guys said on their way out.

“I’m sorry I ran away from our problems.” She said to Sean, choking back a sob.
“No, baby. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you. I pushed you away because of a stupid article. I didn’t trust in you, and that was so wrong of me. You’re my best friend and my girlfriend and I screwed that up. I got jealous of your relationship with him and I believed what I read, rather than what I knew in my heart. I know neither of you would ever do that, but I just got so scared that I’m not good enough for you. Because I’m not, Charlie. I’m so so sorry.” This time he couldn’t hold back his tears and a couple dropped down his face. “I talked with Schenner and I realized how much of a complete ass hole idiot I was to both of you. I understand if you can’t be with me after this, but I really would like a second chance. Please, baby. I’m so sorry. Please take me back.” He was pleading with her. If she hadn’t already forgiven him, she would have in this moment.
“Sean, I’m not too good for you. If anything, it’s the other way around.”
“Can we fix this?” He asked.
“Do you trust me?” She asked back.
“With my life. I promise.” He responded.
“Then there’s nothing to fix. I love you.” She stated simply, and reached up to kiss him. He deepened it, bringing her closer to him and nothing had ever felt better.
“I love you too, Charlie.” He said, breathing a sigh of relief. He picked her up bridal style and carried her to the couch, snuggling up in their normal position. The Rangers and the Capitals were playing each other, but she couldn’t pay attention to it. She was too focused on the man sitting next to her. Things were a little awkward between them, but it felt like they were healing.
“So tell me what’s been going on?” Sean asked. “Why were you helping out with basic training?”
“Well when I graduated, they told me I always had an opportunity to assist with it. They wanted to see me do more with my talents other than just on deployments. I decided since you guys were going away for two weeks, I would take up their offer.”
“And how was it?” He asked.
“It was really great.” She responded, smiling. “For the first time I feel like there could be something for me when I move to the reserves.”
Sean smiled back. “I’m really glad to hear that.” He said, kissing her forehead. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what you will do when you retire and I like that you have an option you clearly enjoy already.”
“Why have you been thinking about that?” She asked.
“I know you’re not the ‘sit at home’ kind of girl. Even when we eventually have a family, you’ll want to have something else to do other than hang out with the WAGs.” He responded.

Wait. Did he just say family? Like, as in kids? Together?

He immediately realized what he said, and could tell that she caught the implications of his words as well.
“I- Um. I mean- Uh. You know, like- Um.” He stumbled.
She smashed her lips on his.
“I want to have a family with you.” She said. “Not for a few years. But I do.”
The smile on his face grew like crazy. He jumped up and ran to his room, leaving her confused.

She understood his actions better when he came back with her ring in his hand.
“Please take thi-” He was cut off by her lips on his again. She stuck out her hand.
“If you don’t put that back on my finger where it belongs right now, Couturier...” She threatened with a smile.

He slipped it on her finger and kissed her. The kiss immediately went from sweet to searing to passionate in seconds and suddenly she found herself pulling his shirt off and guiding him towards the hallway. Getting her hint, he ripped her shirt off and picked her up by her thighs, heading toward the bedroom.

Notes