The Other Side

Charli had found it incredible that they had fallen into parenthood that easily. Atalya had complimented them on their ability to juggle being parents with their work. Charli had managed to get freelance work doing content writing and that paid well. She worked on her deadlines whenever Stephanie was asleep and she wasn’t about to drop with exhaustion. It made her feel good that she was bringing in money as well, even though it wasn’t close to the millions Mark brought in.

They had got married a month before the birth, Mark saying he wanted to make an honest woman of her. Charli had protested that she didn’t mind if they were unmarried but Mark was full of tradition. They had a proper white wedding with no expense spared, Charli walking down the aisle in a cream dress that had made Mark’s eyes pop out of his head. It had been a fantastic day followed by a fortnight in Jamaica. Charli had made a note to go back to Jamaica once their daughter was born and she wasn’t waddling about like a duck about to lay an egg.

Despite enjoying their new roles in life, they had had to cope with other factors. Andy’s trial for attempting to murder Mark was due to start in the next week and both were due to take the witness stand against him. Charli wasn’t looking forward to it but it would give her some satisfaction to see Andy get what he deserved. After the grief he had put her through, seeing him in an orange jumpsuit and shackles was a relieving sight.

It was also a good look on Kimberly as well. Despite running off and leaving Andy to the wolves, Andy had told the police that Kimberly had been the one to obtain the arsenic for him. He had also confessed that Kimberly had given him drugs to improve his performance on the court. He had been cheating. So now Kimberly was facing time behind bars for several drug charges and accessory to attempted murder. Chances were she could face a longer sentence in jail than Andy.

Charli didn’t know what she would have done without Mark. He had been her rock, putting up with her tantrums and their arguments. But the make-up s*x was steamy and sometimes Charli looked for a fight just so it would happen. However Mark saw through her and didn’t rise to the bait. That didn’t stop him taking her to the bedroom and they didn’t come out for several hours.

Those hadn’t happened since the day before Charli went into labor, mainly because Charli was so sore after pushing a seven-pound baby out that she couldn’t think of having s*x. Even sitting down hurt like hell. But the bleeding had stopped and the bruising had disappeared. She was feeling better. Much better.

Mark joined her at the crib as Charli pressed a kiss to Stephanie’s head. Mark did the same and then Charli put their daughter in the crib. Stephanie didn’t stir but did let out a contented sigh.

Mark took Charli’s hand and they left the room. Charli shut the door and pulled Mark to her, pressing a kiss to his mouth.

“I don’t feel sleepy.” She whispered, running her hands down his bare chest. “Fancy doing something to help me sleep?”

The ball shot across the court and the flailing racket missed it, leaving the ball to bounce on the court before hitting the fence. It was followed by a squeal of delight.