Chapter 2

Bend like the Willow, so you will not break

For Redbanker, who should be careful what she wishes for, because it might not always turn out as she expects :)

It's a week later when it happens.

Charlie is napping as Bass finishes up a few small repairs in the living room. The kitchen was finished the day after Miles visited, the dining room the day after that. The bedrooms still need new windows and are boarded up for now, but he's pleased with the progress they've made so far. He was right that the damage to the long empty home was mostly cosmetic.

He's sweeping the floor when there's a knock at the door.

Bass assumes it's Miles, because no one else is beating down the door of Former President Sebastian Monroe and isn't he grateful for that, the thought of Charlie bringing a soft smile to his lips as he opens the door to the visage of Rachel Matheson.

Rachel jerks back slightly at the sight of a smiling Bass, looking years younger than the last time she'd seen him. His beard's been shaved into a neat goatee, his curls, with not a hint of gray, unlike Miles, are running rampant and a bit longer than he typically wears them.

Bass props his arm against the door as he looks down at her. "Rachel. How are you?"

"I'm good, Bass. Thanks. I was hoping to see Charlie?" she asks, peering around him into the living room.

"She's taking a nap. I can tell her you came by when she wakes." He answers genially.

"Well, it's not just me," she says pointing to Miles and Gene coming down the drive with a seconded loaded wagon.

Bass moves past her on down to the porch. "What's all this?" he calls out to Miles, who exchanges looks with Gene.

"Charlie asked me to bring Gene over. Imagine she wants him to look her over." Miles replies.

"Prenatal care is so important, especially these days," Rachel says

from her spot behind him.

"Yes, yes it is," Bass murmurs as Miles and Gene make their way to the porch.

"Noticed you needed some windows replaced, so thought I'd bring some over. We can get them put up today, if you're up to it."

"Sure, maybe after we've heard what Gene has to say. We were seeing a midwife before we headed home," he explains to Gene holding the door open for him.

"I hope you don't mind, my Charlotte was a bit of a hoarder. I brought some things I thought you might be able to use."

"Thank you, Gene. I'm sure Charlie will appreciate that."

Slipping into the bedroom, Bass makes his way to the side of the bed, brushing a strand of hair out of Charlie's face. He watches as she stretches languidly, releasing a sweet sigh as she turns towards him.

"Time to get up already?" she asks with a sleepy smile.

"Your family is here," He tells her, laughing when her lips twist into a mewl.

"You knew it was only a matter of time." He reminds her as he strokes her belly, the child inside chasing his hand.

In the living room, the members of her family stand listening to the muted voices coming from the down the hall, followed by the distinct sound of a moan that causes Miles to clinch his fists.

Watching, Gene shoves his hands in his pockets rocking back on his heels. "Just how exactly do you think she got pregnant in the first place?"

Both Miles and Rachel are saved from answering that question as Charlie emerges from the room at the end of the hall, Bass right behind her.

"Charlie!" Gene smiles, embracing her.

"Hi, Grandpa, how are you?" She asks as he pulls away, his hands still on her shoulders.

"I think I should be the one asking you that question."

Charlie smiles, rubbing her belly. "We're good," she replies, reaching for Bass' hand.

"Charlie?" Rachel says softly, getting her daughter's attention.

Charlie turns towards her mother. "Mom."

Rachel covers her mouth with her hand at the sight of Charlie's pregnancy. "Look at you," she exclaims happily, her eyes watering. "May I?" she asks holding out her hand.

Charlie nods mutely, having never seen her mother act this way towards her before. Watching as Rachel, places her hand over the swell of her belly, while bringing the other up to cup her cheek.

"A baby," Rachel grins as a tiny foot kicks at the unfamiliar touch.

Charlie smiles awkwardly, taking a small step back, relaxing as her shoulder hits Bass' chest.

"I guess congratulations are in order," Rachel says with an attempted smile at Bass.

"Thank you, Rachel," Bass says, turning his attention back to Charlie, "How about I go put some tea on while Gene takes a look at you?"

Charlie nods with a smile taking the offer for what it is. An out from being with her mother any longer.

"That's a good idea. Rachel and Miles can bring everything in and when we're done, we'll have an impromptu baby shower," Gene says, guiding Charlie back from she came.

"What's a baby shower?" Bass hears Charlie ask Gene just before the door closes.

Bass chuckles, turning to Miles. "Sometimes I forget how much she doesn't know. I'm going to go make that tea. It's a special blend we picked up in Mexico. Make yourselves at home."

Once Bass is in the kitchen, Rachel blinks back the tears that are threatening to fall. Miles moves forward, wrapping his arms around her. When he releases her, she wipes her eyes, giving him a shaky nod.

Bass joins them while the tea steeps and by the time Gene and Charlie emerge from the bedroom, their living room is full of boxes and furniture.

"How is she?" Bass asks, pulling Charlie into the safety of his arms.

"As far as I can tell they're both fine," Gene responds with a smile as Charlie and Bass share a soft kiss.

"What's all this?" Charlie asks looking around her living room, her eyes drawn to a piece of furniture. "Is that a crib, Grandpa?"

Gene nods. "Your grandma insisted we have one for when you kids came to visit. After the blackout I put it up in the attic and forgot about it till last week when we were going through everything. Even the mattress is still in good shape."

Charlie squeezes his hand. "Thank you, Grandpa."

"Your mom found some things for you as well," Gene says, turning towards Rachel who gives a shaky smile.

Charlie bites her tongue and moves to sit in the rocking chair that Miles is grinning obscenely over. She watches as her mother opens a box and begins to pull out baby clothes. Mostly pink, some yellows and greens with a smidgen of blue mixed in.

"Most of them were mine," Rachel explains, "but some were outfits your Grandmother had picked up for you and Danny and tucked in a drawer so Dad wouldn't see and then forgot about them till you'd outgrown them."

"But what if it's a boy?" Charlie asks holding up a pink onesie.

Bass takes the clothing from her, folding it neatly. "Baby clothes are baby clothes. Doesn't much matter what color they are these days. We'll take them and be grateful."

He lays the outfit on Charlie's lap with a smile, meeting her eye. "Of course. Bass is right. Thank you so much." Charlie tells her Mother.

Rachel looks from Bass to Charlie and back again and it doesn't take a genius to realize that this man that she's hated for what feels like forever is the only reason her daughter is even speaking to her. This man whom she holds responsible for the death of her husband and son is the only reason she's going to get to hold her first grandchild and her head is beginning to spin.

"Rachel? Are you okay?" Miles asks, moving to her side.

"Yes, I'm fine," she says, as he helps her stand. "I certainly wouldn't mind a cup of tea though. Maybe Bass can show me how Charlie takes it?" She suggests looking at Bass, leaving Charlie and Miles to look between the two.

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea," Miles says warily.

Bass cocks his head to the side. "It's fine Miles, it's just a cup of tea, right, Rach?"

Rachel smiles with a nod and letting go of Miles, heads towards the kitchen.

"Be right back," Bass says squeezing Charlie's shoulder as Gene distracts the bewildered duo by asking Miles to help him start moving things while Charlie directs them.

Bass reaches into the cabinet, pulling down two mugs. "Charlie likes her tea strong and sweet," he says, spooning honey into one of the mugs.

Rachel lays a hand on his arm, stilling his movements. "Bass. I…"

She takes a deep breath and meets his eyes. "I know I can never make any of it up to her. But if she can forgive you, maybe she can forgive me, too?" she asks, her eyes pleading with him. "I'm just asking for a chance."

Bass smiles, a smile that reminds Rachel of a man that she knew long ago, and turns, wrapping his arms around her. Rachel closes her eyes, resting her head against his shoulder. "Do you really think I'd pass up any opportunity to call you Grandma?" he whispers near her ear.

Rachel snorts, bursting into a fit of giggles as she pulls away. The rest of their family races into the kitchen to find them standing side by side, their faces alight with the camaraderie of their youth.

Charlie's not sure how she feels about this chain of events, but she loves Bass to the point of stupid and as long as he's happy and whole, so is she. She understands now what her Mom and Miles see when they look at each other. It might be wrong to everyone else, but it's right for them.

"I love you," Charlie whispers into the dark, against his skin, later that night when they're alone.

"I love you too," he responds, pulling a leg over his hip, sinking into her depths.

This. This is what's right for me, Charlie thinks, stretching her neck out for his lips and guiding his fingers over her clit as she cries out his name.

Willow Monroe is delivered by her great-grandfather, her father and grandparents watching as she takes her first breath, passing from one set of hands to the other until she's finally resting in her Mother's arms.

"Thank you." Bass whispers against her breast, as he watches his daughter nurse for the first time.

"No, thank you," Charlie murmurs as she holds her daughter in one arm and runs the fingers of the other through his curls. "This is our family, but it's not our only family anymore."