Chapter 29
Jed talked to Saul Tuesday morning on the phone about the dinner plans for Wednesday. Gail was able to trade shifts with someone so they were able to go. Charlotte had already agreed to meet Jed for lunch today. They chose a restaurant that was about half way between the hospital and the museum. They met at the restaurant and found a seat. Jed told Charlotte that Saul and Gail would be meeting them Luca’s Chophouse for dinner. Charlotte thought that that was great. The two of them sat there eating lunch and drinking coffee.
They talked about work and how their mornings had went. Then Charlotte asked Jed if he realized that she had not slept in her own bed in over a week. Jed told her yes, and that he has really enjoyed her company. They decided to discuss the pros and cons of her moving in with him. The pros were first.
On the pros list they thought of several things to list. They would be able to spend more time together and less time driving back and forth. Charlotte could park her car in the garage and not have to scrape windows every morning. They would save money by eating at home more often. Charlotte would not have to keep her apartment and could save money for a better car.
When it came to the cons list, they had a little more trouble coming up with things to list. Finally, Charlotte stated that they would have to share a bathroom. Jed came up with the fact that he usually watches tv and Charlotte prefers to listen to music. Also, what would their parents think of them moving in together without being married, they were old fashioned.
This really got Charlotte to thinking. Jed was all for her moving in still. He felt that the pros way out weighted the cons. Charlotte was not so sure. Her parents reaction was probably her biggest concern. She knew that they did not even want her dating Jed, she could only imagine what they would think if she moved in with him. Of course, she was not ready to tell Jed that part of it. She was ashamed that her parents felt that way.
By that time, the lunch break was over and the two of them headed back to work after a quick hug and kiss. It would be a lot easier, she thought to herself, and what does it matter what my parents think, as she drove back to the museum. She got there about ten minutes early and found Miranda in the locker room. She quickly told Miranda what was going on. Miranda told her that she thought Jed was a great guy, and that she should go for it. Her parents would get over it eventually. Charlotte still had her doubts. They both went back to work.
After work, Charlotte went home and got ready for dinner, packed up some clothes for the night, and drove over to Jed’s to met him there. Jed had given her a garage door opener, so she parked the car in the garage. She went inside and there, Jed greeted her with a hug and kiss. He also told her that he loved her and she told him that she loved him too. Jed took her suitcase and carried it back to the bedroom. They headed out the door to meet Saul and Gail at Luca’s Chophouse.
On the way there, they talked more about Charlotte moving in with Jed. Charlotte finally asked Jed to give her just a few more days to think about it. Jed said that would be okay, there was no rush, and that he loved her. He also reached down and gently put his hand on hers. When they got to the restaurant, Jed found a parking spot and they walked inside hand in hand.
They met Saul and Gail in the foyer, where they were already waiting. Jed introduced Charlotte to Saul and Gail. Saul made a comment to Gail that Charlotte was the woman that hit his car. Jed quickly pointed out that it was his fault. Charlotte just chuckled. The hostess seated them.
The four of them sat and talked the whole time they were there. They talked about the accident and how the three of them had met that night about a month and a half ago. They agreed that on that night, they never imagined that later, they would meet again for dinner at Luca’s. Saul began talking about the case he was working on when he was shot. Charlotte gasped when she realized that the jerk that Saul was talking about was her brother. For some reason, she never had put the two together before that moment. Jed asked her what was wrong. Tears started to flow out of Charlotte’s eyes. She excused herself and went to the restroom. Gail followed her. Saul asked Jed if he had said something wrong. Jed replied that he did not think so.
In the bathroom, Gail tried to comfort Charlotte. Charlotte broke down and starting explaining to Gail why she was so upset. She explained that it was her brother that was in the car when Saul was shot. Gail told her that they had already suspected that, and that they did not hold her responsible for her brothers actions. Charlotte asked if Jed knew. Gail told her that they had not discussed it to her knowledge. Charlotte went on to explain that her family was furious with her because she was dating Jed. She told Gail that she had not talked to her mom in weeks because of it. Gail reassured her that it would not matter to Jed. She further explained that Jed had told them nothing but about how wonderful his new girlfriend was. Charlotte calmed down and asked Gail what should she do. Gail told her that she needs to talk to Jed and let him know what is going on. Charlotte agreed and asked if she would mind if she told him tonight at dinner. Gail agreed and the two of them returned to the table.
When they sat down, Charlotte turned to Jed and started explaining that her brother Tony was involved in the robbery in which Saul was shot. Gail told Jed that Saul and her had already known this. Jed was a little stunned and stated that now he realizes why he has not met her parents yet. Charlotte went on to say that she does not understand why her parents are against her dating Jed, when he had nothing to do with any of it other then saving a man’s life. Gail explained that sometimes, people just do not get it, and get upset about stupid things. They all agreed that her parents had no reason to have bad feelings toward Jed, or even Saul for that matter. Both of them were just doing their jobs. If anyone was to blame, it was Tony for being involved in the robbery to begin with. Jed asked Charlotte if this is what the falling out with her parents was about. She told him it was. Jed comforted Charlotte and told her that maybe it would help if the two of them talked to her parents together. Saul and Gail nodded in agreement.
Dinner came, and the four of them started eating. Charlotte was still visibly upset. Jed took her hand. This comforted her. They continued eating. Gail and Saul reassured Charlotte that they had no ill will toward her and that she had done nothing wrong. Jed reassured her too. Charlotte starting feeling better. Jed had felt all along that something was holding Charlotte back and now he knew what it was so he felt better too.
Jed changed the subject of the conversation. He asked Saul how he was feeling. He also asked if they had heard anything about the tests results yet. Gail explained to Charlotte that her and Saul were trying to get pregnant and that they went for testing to see if anything was wrong because they had been trying for over a year. Then Saul and Gail talked about what the gynecologist had said, and some of the suggestions that were made. They discussed getting together again sometime soon. Then they agreed to meet over at Jed’s house for dinner and then maybe watch a movie or something next week. Dinner was over and the four of them left the restaurant.
On the way back to his house, Jed asked Charlotte why she had not told her about her parents. Charlotte explained, as best she could, that she was scared, and that her parents do not run her life, she does. She apologized to Jed for not telling him. He told her that he understood and that she could tell him anything. Charlotte thanked him for understanding. They pulled in to the garage and went inside.
Once inside, they put on a pot of coffee and then sat on the sofa. Charlotte asked Jed if the offer for her to move in with him was still good. He smiled at her and told her of course it was. They decided that she would move her stuff in this weekend. They talked about what furniture Charlotte would bring over and what to do with it. Her bedroom furniture would go in to one of the spare bedrooms. She also had a better dining room set then Jed did so they would put his in storage. The biggest discussion surrounded around the living room furniture. Jed finally agreed to put his in the other spare bedroom and make himself a den in there, and use Charlotte’s living room furniture in the living room.
He reminded Charlotte that he was on call this weekend so she might have to do some of the stuff herself. They agreed to, on Friday night, move the stuff from Jed’s house to where it was going to be. That way, in case Jed did have to leave, Charlotte would not have to worry about moving the furniture there by herself. She then suggested calling Steve and Miranda to help Saturday. Jed thought that was a good idea. Steve and Jed could move the heavy stuff while Miranda and Charlotte packed up the other stuff. Charlotte told Jed that she liked the dishes and other stuff that they had gotten and that her kitchen stuff could be packed up and put in the basement. Jed agreed to go and get shelves later this week to put everything on down there in the basement.
Charlotte started making a checklist of things to do. She made a box next to each one to be checked off as they were done. She started with giving the landlord notice to quit. She added that she needed to cancel the utilities, and the mail had to be forwarded to Jed’s house. Her driver’s license needed to be changed to the new address and she also had to notify the insurance company to cancel her renter’s insurance and change her address for car insurance. She asked Jed if he could think of anything else. He suggested changing her address at the bank and any credit cards she had. Charlotte put them on the list. That was all they could thing of so Charlotte put the list down and snuggled with Jed on the sofa.
After a few minutes, Jed suggested that she call Miranda. Charlotte agreed and called her to ask if they could help this weekend. Miranda squealed with excitement for Charlotte. Jed heard her and smiled. Miranda talked to Steve, still on the phone with Charlotte, and he agreed to help too. They arranged a time to meet at Charlotte’s apartment on Saturday morning. Charlotte hung up the phone, turned to Jed, and gave him a big hug and kiss. He asked what that was for. She then told him it was to thank him for being so understanding about her parents. It was getting late, so the two of them went to bed.
