Chapter 206: Guardians, Part 11

James

Rocking her back and forth, I murmur....... what? Something. I don't know what. Just whatever falls from my mouth. Nonsense words. Comfort noises. For myself as much as for her. I have no idea what I'm saying. Except that she is here and safe and we are together. She and I and Michael, together, as it should be.

For a long minute we rock and embrace together, my own strain easing as much I think, as hers.

"I like a woman who keeps her promises." It's Michael, his expression unreadable.

Charlotte jolts against me, wiping red eyes and streaming nose with the back of her hands. She blinks at him. "Um, sorry. What?"

Humour crinkling the corners of his eyes, "You did promise me a hysterical outburst once we were safe."

She bursts into laughter. There is a manic edge to it, but at least she's smiling. "So I did. Sorry about that. Just give me a minute, would you both."

She beelines the bathroom and after a moment there is the sound of drawers and cupboards opening and cl