Chapter Text
Charlotte checked the mirror one last time.
Her hair was clipped back the way she always wore it, half up, soft around her shoulders. She had chosen a pale floral dress that moved easily when she walked. Nothing too formal. Nothing that would make Mia feel like she had to compete with the setting.
Behind her, Emma was watching closely.
“You’re nervous,” Emma said.
“Why would you say that?” Charlotte replied gently.
Emma raised an eyebrow. “You’ve rearranged that clip three times.”
Charlotte smiled faintly. “That means nothing.”
Outside, the low sound of an engine pulled into the drive.
Sophie ran toward the window. “She’s here!”
Charlotte felt the familiar flutter in her chest.
She opened the door before Mia could knock.
Mia stood there in fitted black trousers and a soft cream blouse, sleeves rolled neatly to her forearms. Her red hair was loose, straight and smooth over her shoulders. She looked calm.
“Hi, sweetheart,” Mia said, her voice low and even.
“Hi,” Charlotte answered softly.
Emma stepped forward. “Hiya, Mia.”
“Hi, Em.”
Sophie walked right up to Mia and stared at her face.
Mia crouched down slightly. “What’s that look for?”
“You look different,” Sophie said.
“Is that good or bad?”
Sophie thought about it. “Good.”
Mia nodded. “Good.”
Charlotte noticed Mia smoothing her hands over her trousers, just once. Subtle, but there.
Emma noticed too. She walked closer and slipped her hand into Mia’s for a second, just a squeeze. Subtle. Quick.
“You’ll be fine,” Emma said quietly. “Grandad only tells the same three jokes.”
Mia looked at her, something in her expression softening. “Good to know.”
Charlotte noticed the way Mia’s shoulders relaxed just slightly.
“Ready?” Charlotte asked.
Mia nodded once. “Lead the way, Char.”
⸻
Charlotte’s parents lived fifteen minutes away, in the same house she had grown up in. It looked exactly as it always had. The hedges trimmed neatly, the curtains open, the familiar scent of something baking drifting faintly from inside.
Sean’s car was already parked outside.
Mia turned off the engine and sat still for a moment.
Charlotte reached over and rested her hand on Mia’s thigh. “You don’t need to impress anyone.”
“I’m not trying to impress anyone,” Mia said.
Charlotte raised an eyebrow gently.
Mia let out a breath. “Okay. Maybe a little.”
Emma leaned forward from the back seat. “If Uncle Ben makes a joke about your car, just tell him it cost more than his entire wardrobe.”
Mia smiled slowly. “I like her.”
“That’s my girl,” Charlotte said.
They walked up to the house together.
Charlotte’s mother opened the door before they could knock. “There you are!”
She pulled Charlotte into a hug first, then Emma, then Sophie. Then she turned to Mia.
“And you must be Mia.”
“Yes, nice to meet you.”
“You too, love,” Charlotte’s mother said warmly. She stepped forward and hugged Mia without hesitation.
Mia stiffened just slightly before returning it.
Charlotte watched closely.
Her father appeared behind them, tall and broad, smiling widely. “This must be the woman we’ve heard about.”
Charlotte flushed. “Dad.”
Mia extended her hand politely. “Pleasure.”
“The pleasure’s all mine,” he said, shaking her hand firmly. “Call me Peter.”
Sean came into the hallway with his wife and two boys behind him.
“Char,” he said, hugging her easily. “About time.”
Then he turned to Mia. “Hi, I’m Sean.”
“Mia, nice to meet you.”
They shook hands. Sean’s grip was firm but friendly.
“You survived the drive?” he asked.
“Barely,” Mia said. “Charlotte insists on following speed limits.”
Charlotte touched Mia’s arm. “They exist for a reason, Mia.”
Sean grinned. “You’ll be alright here.”
They moved into the living room. The boys were already asking Mia about her car. Sophie stayed close to her side. Emma hovered nearby but pretended not to.
Charlotte watched Mia kneel on the carpet with the boys, listening seriously as they explained the rules of some complicated game involving plastic dinosaurs.
She did not look out of place.
She did not look uncomfortable.
Charlotte felt something settle in her chest.
Her father sat beside her. “She makes you smile differently.”
Charlotte looked at him. “Dad.”
“I’m just saying,” he replied. “You seem lighter.”
Charlotte glanced back at Mia.
Mia looked up at that exact moment and caught her watching.
Before she could respond, Charlotte’s mother came in and clapped her hands. “Right my loves, everybody sit down at the table now!”
The dining room table was already set for afternoon tea. Tiered stands held scones, small sandwiches and little cakes. The kettle whistled from the kitchen.
Charlotte felt a wave of familiarity settle over her. This house had always felt steady.
Mia stood close beside her, not sure what to do.
The children moved first. Sean’s boys immediately sat down at the table. Sophie stayed attached to her side. Emma hovered, pretending not to observe every detail.
They all sat.
Tea was poured. Plates were passed around.
Charlotte watched Mia carefully.
Mia listened more than she spoke at first. She answered questions calmly. Where she grew up. What music she liked. How she met Charlotte.
That answer made Charlotte’s mother smile knowingly.
“And how is my daughter at work?” her father asked casually.
Mia glanced at Charlotte before answering. “She’s patient. Kinder than most people deserve. The children adore her.”
Charlotte looked down at her plate.
Her mother noticed.
“That sounds like our girl,” she said softly.
Sophie climbed into Mia’s lap then.
Mia paused only briefly before adjusting her arm around her naturally.
Sean’s wife raised her eyebrows slightly and gave Charlotte a knowing smile.
Emma leaned closer to Mia’s chair, resting her chin near Mia’s shoulder for a moment.
Charlotte saw it all.
Mia did not push either of them away. She passed Sophie a napkin. She asked Emma about school and listened carefully to the answer.
Her father leaned toward Charlotte quietly. “She fits.”
Charlotte swallowed. “I hope so.”
He gave her a gentle look. “You look happy.”
Charlotte could not argue with that.
Across the table, Mia caught her watching again.
This time she smiled, small and private.
Charlotte felt her chest tighten in a way that was calm rather than overwhelming.
Then the front door opened.
“Sorry I’m late!”
Charlotte closed her eyes.
Ben. Ugh.
He walked into the dining room like he owned it. Taller than everyone except their father, mustache neat, hair slightly messy like he had run his hands through it on the way in.
He stopped when he saw Mia.
“Well,” he said. “You must be the reason my sister’s been smiling at her phone.”
Charlotte felt her cheeks warm. “Ben.”
“What?” he said lightly. “Mum talks.”
He held out his hand to Mia. “Benjamin. The favorite sibling.”
Mia stood and shook his hand. “Mia. The upgrade.”
Sean nearly choked on his drink.
Ben blinked once. Then he laughed. “Oh, I like you.”
“I gathered,” Mia said calmly.
Ben dropped into his chair, immediately reaching for a scone.
“So. Deputy manager, is it?”
“Yes.”
“Temporary power while the boss is away?”
Charlotte felt herself tense slightly.
Mia did not. “I manage quite well on my own.”
Ben leaned back. “Good. We wouldn’t want you overwhelmed.”
Emma’s eyes narrowed.
Charlotte opened her mouth to intervene, but Mia spoke first.
“Don’t worry,” Mia said. “If I ever need help, I’ll call your brother.”
Sean raised his glass. “Finally, someone sensible.”
Ben laughed again, louder this time. “Alright. Fair.”
Charlotte watched the exchange carefully.
Mia was relaxed. Not defensive. Not sharp. Just steady.
Ben studied her for a moment longer, then nodded once.
Challenge accepted.
Charlotte knew that look.
She also knew her little brother.
This evening was not going to stay calm.
“Go on then,” Ben said a little later, glancing at Mia. “What’s your story?”
Charlotte stiffened slightly. “Ben.”
“What? I’m making conversation.”
Mia took a sip of tea before answering. “I work. I drive. I spend time with your sister. It keeps me busy.”
Ben tilted his head. “You always this calm?”
“Usually.”
“Even when tested?”
Mia met his eyes. “Especially then.”
Sean let out a low whistle.
Charlotte felt warmth bloom quietly in her chest.
Ben leaned back in his chair, studying her. Not hostile. Just curious.
“Alright,” he said finally. “I respect that.”
Charlotte released a breath she had not realized she was holding.
The atmosphere remained light. Teasing, but not sharp.
Her mother refilled Mia’s cup without asking. Her father asked her opinion on football. Sean pulled her into an easy debate. The boys showed her something on a phone.
Mia handled it all steadily.
Charlotte reached under the table and rested her hand on Mia’s knee.
Mia’s fingers curled briefly over hers in return.
She was not nervous anymore.
She was not just surviving this, she was holding her own.
And Charlotte was falling just a little bit more in love with her.