[Christmas Night – Charlie's House, 7:45 PM]
The turkey smelled like victory. Charlie had been basting it all afternoon like it was the key to world peace.
Lisa was in the kitchen arranging side dishes like she was plating for royalty. Mashed potatoes with perfect little gravy wells. Roasted vegetables in color-coordinated sections.
Laura, meanwhile, was at the counter finishing off her "Christmas Slap You in the Face" hot sauce for the wings. She was also singing along loudly to the Christmas playlist, changing half the lyrics to something inappropriate.
A few minutes later...
The doorbell rang.
Charlie opened it to find Berta, wearing a Santa hat and hauling a diaper bag that looked like it had survived three wars. Next to her stood Naomi, her daughter, holding a one-year-old baby in one arm and a suspiciously large purse in the other.
"Naomi, my darling," Berta said loudly, "this is Charlie. He's feeding you tonight, so no talking about your ex unless it's funny."
Before Charlie could respond, a young woman slid out from behind Naomi like she'd been waiting for her cue. She was wearing ripped jeans and a crop top.
"Prudence," she said, looking Charlie up and down. "I came for the pie." She winked. She was eighteen, brunette, and had that smirk that made Charlie instinctively check his shirt buttons.
Berta groaned. "That's my granddaughter. She's trouble. Keep her away from liquor and men named Terry. Also you."
"Jesus," Charlie muttered, ushering them inside before the neighbors heard. "C'mon in."
[Fifteen minutes later]
The doorbell rang again.
Charlie opened the door. It was Laura's mom, Irina: tall, elegant, wearing a coat that probably cost more than Charlie's car.
"You didn't invite me," She said with an eyebrow raised.
"Yeah, sorry about that. Didn't want it to be awkward," He replied while scratching the back of his head.
"Why? I didn't say anything when Laura said she's dating you, did I now? And Charlie, I would never come in the way of my daughter's happiness," She said as she walked closer to him. Then she whispered. "Whatever you do, keep her happy. And the moment you break my girl's heart..." She kissed his right cheek. "...I'll destroy you."
She pulled away.
"Yeah, no worries. C'mon in," Charlie invited her in and introduced her to everyone.
Lisa already knew her since Irina fought Alan's divorce settlement case and destroyed Judith. As for Laura, she just stared at her as if saying, 'I told you not to come. Arggg! You never listen to me.'
A few minutes later, the doorbell rang again.
'Who is it again?' Charlie wondered as he opened the door to find Rose. She was glowing in a fitted red dress, holding an expensive-looking wine bottle like it was her golden ticket.
"Hey," she said innocently. "I was in the neighborhood. Thought I'd bring you a little something."
Charlie hesitated. "Rose…"
"Charlie," she said with a lonely expression.
'Fucking hell! She looks gorgeous in this red dress. But looks kinda sad. Is she acting again? Or is it genuine? Damn it! I can't just send her away like this. It's Christmas, and she kept her promise not to interfere with my personal life. Oh, what the hell,' He thought for a moment.
"C'mon in," He said.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Charlie stepped aside and Rose walked in, giving the place a once-over like she was appraising it for a heist.
..
[10 minutes later]
Inside, the living room was now a war zone of appetizers, gift bags, and Berta's diaper bag, which had been placed in the middle of the floor like a booby trap.
Prudence was on the couch, scrolling on her phone with one leg draped over the armrest. She looked up as Rose picked up a wine glass, gave her a quick once-over, then zeroed back in on Charlie.
"So," Prudence said, flipping her hair, "is it true you have a recording studio here?"
Charlie froze halfway to the kitchen. "Uh… yeah."
Her eyes lit up. "Like… a real one? With, like… microphones and stuff?"
Charlie nodded. "That's generally how studios work."
"Do you also shoot videos there?" She asked.
"Sometimes, and photoshoot too. It all depends on the music and mood," He replied.
She leaned forward. "Could you show me later? I mean… you know… for educational purposes."
From the kitchen, Berta's voice cut through like a buzzsaw. "The only education you need is how to keep your pants on."
Prudence ignored her. "Do you teach piano? Because I've always wanted to learn."
Charlie chuckled nervously. "I… guess I could—"
She interrupted. "Cool. We could start tonight."
Rose appeared beside Charlie with a smirk. "Wow. Bold. Usually people wait until dessert before hitting on the host."
Prudence shrugged. "Life's short."
Lisa wandered in with a tray of deviled eggs. "What's going on?"
"Our guest is trying to schedule a private music lesson with me," Charlie said.
Laura appeared behind Lisa, eyebrow raised. "Is that what the kids are calling it now?"
Prudence grinned. "You guys are so funny. I just want to see his… process."
Berta stomped in from the kitchen, turkey baster in hand like a weapon. "His process is none of your damn business, jailbait. Now go play with your phone before I sign you up for the Marines."
Prudence flopped back on the couch and rolled her eyes. "I'm just saying, I'm open to opportunities. Especially ones that involve cool, older guys."
Charlie's jaw dropped. "Older guy?"
Lisa smirked. "Don't worry, babe. In her world, anyone over twenty-two is ancient."
Laura crossed her arms. "If she asks to see your bedroom, I'm dragging her outside."
Berta tossed Charlie a glare that could curdle eggnog.
Charlie held up his hands. "Hey! Don't look at me like that. I ain't hitting on no one. I am the victim here."
Rose sipped her wine and leaned in to Charlie. "Might wanna lock the studio door. She's got 'bad decision' written all over her."
From the couch, Prudence winked at him.
Irina couldn't help but chuckle at the situation. Heck, even she fell for Charlie on their first meeting, and she never dated anyone after that. And now that her daughter is dating Charlie, things have just gotten a bit complicated for her. So, for her daughter's happiness, she decided to just act normally and not interfere with her life.
Charlie groaned. "Merry Christmas to me."
...
[After dinner]
The night had gone from "wholesome holiday dinner" to "episode of Cops" in record time, but now the battlefield was clear.
Berta and her clan had left in a blur of Santa hats and diaper bag grenades. Prudence slipped Charlie a folded scrap of paper on her way out, whispering "Merry Christmas" like she was passing state secrets. He peeked just enough to see a phone number before tucking it in his pocket like it was radioactive.
Irina gave Laura a goodbye hug, leaned in and whispered something about always using protection, then said goodbye and left.
Now it was just Charlie, Lisa, Laura… and Rose.
Charlie ended up on the balcony with Rose, a bottle of wine between them. The air was cool enough to make the wine taste better, or maybe that was just the relief of surviving the evening. Inside, Lisa and Laura were cleaning up, which mostly meant "pretending to clean while casually watching the balcony like snipers."
Rose swirled her glass, eyes on the lights twinkling along the beach. "So, rock star, word is your little EP's turning heads."
Charlie grinned. "You've been spying again."
"I call it… keeping tabs on someone who once broke my heart but now apparently might win a Grammy."
Charlie choked on his sip. "A Grammy? C'mon, Rose, that's like saying I might be the next Springsteen. Or the next… I dunno… Ed Sheeran without the hair situation."
Rose shrugged. "I'm just saying, stranger things have happened. You're charming, and talented, and… well, people like sad guys who write pretty songs. The Grammys eat that up."
Charlie smirked. "Yeah, I can see it now. Charlie Harper: Best Original Song About Regret, Booze, and Bad Decisions."
Rose clinked her glass to his. "Hey, that's basically half the winners every year."
He laughed. "You know, you've gotten weirdly supportive lately. I almost miss the stalking." He looked at her with a serious expression, and his laugh disappeared as he realized what he had just said to her. "Don't take it seriously. I like the new you. So, don't become the old Rose. I mean, if I can change, so can you."
Rose's lips curled into that too-innocent smile. "Oh, Charlie. You are cute when you try to look serious. Don't worry. I remember my promise. And you are right. You've become a better man than the old drunk guy who never took his life seriously. I too like this new you."
Then she looked at her wrist watch.
"Oh, look at the time. It's late. I think I should go."
Well, Rose left with a cute smile.
Now, it's just three of them.
---
Prudence: Megan Fox [Had to increase her age to make things not weird.]
Naomi: Sara Rue.
--
[Vol: 2 will start with a 4-month time skip.]
...[Quick note: I opened a Youtube page. I'll be posting the songs there. There are already a few songs up. You can check it out. I'll be posting the remaining soon. Open my pat reon page and you can get to the YT page directly from the little play button under the name]
[POWERSTONES AND REVIEWS PLS]
Support link: www.patr eon.com/UnknownMaster
[6 advance chs] [All chs available for all tiers] [No double billing.]
+ [Brooklyn 99: 29 chs early access]