Alsie is quiet as I cleaned up the kitchen. A little too quiet for my liking. I grab a bottle of water and my beer heading into the living room. She is sitting crossed legs on the sofa, staring at the television, but with that dazed look on her face I know she isn't really watching it.

"Alsie, everything okay?"

She doesn't say anything so I repeat myself. It's not until I sit next to her does she notice I'm there.

"What's on your mind?" I asked handing her the bottle of water. "You haven't been yourself since you came home from work. Did something happen?"

"Caroline came into my office today."

"Whatever Caroline said don't take it personally. She can be a bit much. She's been working with me for years and I don't know what the hell will come out of her mouth at times. What did she say this time?" I study her face, hoping to get an indication of what is going on inside her mind, but she doesn't give me anything to go off of. "Alsie?"

"I don't want to talk about Charlotte anymore than the next person, but is she leaving?"

Of course, Caroline would run her mouth about that. Which means Kenza ran her mouth first.

"Depends on what you define as leaving?" I try to dance around the question. Alsie is looking at me like she is ready to kill me. "What?"

"Are you seriously going to sit here and think I'm joking? Is she leaving?" her voice raises slightly.

"Yes and no. She and Chase will be moving to one of their other homes for a bit."

"Is it because of me?"

"I can't answer that, because I'm not Charles and I wasn't there when the decision was made about her leaving. That's between her and Chase." Which is the truth.

"Are you mad that she is leaving? Are the guys mad she is leaving?" she tilts her head looking at me.

What the hell is with all these questions? "No, I'm not mad and neither are the guys. How about we don't talk about Charles anymore? I want to focus on us before the baby comes. We still don't know much about each other—"

"Isn't Charles a huge part of your life? Was she the person to tell you to choose me over her? Is that why you so casually said it this morning. Because I know you wouldn't just say it on your own."

I stand up. "If you want to pick an argument tonight isn't it. Also, if you feel that Charles is such a huge part of my life you would—never mind. I'm going to call it a night."

"No finish what you were about to say. I would what?"

"Why are you trying to pick a fight with me? Alsie, Charles is literally like a sister to me. I've known her for a decade now. Charles and I never had anything going on between us. The only thing I could think of that was remotely sexual was back in college Charles caught me masturbating in my room. I've never been more embarrassed in my life."

I'm lying on my bed, masturbating when my room door opened. I open my eyes looking towards the door. She looks just as embarrassed as me. I slowly reach for one of my pillows covering myself.

"Are you going to leave?" I ask watching her look like a deer caught in headlights. Quickly, she walks backward closing the door. I get out of bed rushing to put my sweatpants on. Damn it, Charles, what the hell is she thinking peeking in my room. I need to talk to her about privacy. I open the door and what the hell she is still here.

I clear my throat.

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't hav-"

"Walked in without knocking?" I raise an eyebrow at her.

"Right. I should have knocked. I didn't think anyone was home."

"So, you just go around walking in other people's room without their consent? Are you some kind of thief Charles?" I tease her.

"I'm not-I don't but..."

"Charlotte Withers, how may I help you?" I decided to put her out of her misery. She looks like she is about to burst into tears or start hyperventilating. "Charles?"

"Oh, right. I was actually looking for Vincent's room." She looks up and down the hall. "I am not sure which one he is staying at. You guys don't have anything to tell your rooms apart and the inside of them are different, but none of you have photographs inside of them."

"You say it like we are in a hotel," I laugh. "Also, did you go snooping inside the rooms?" I reach out, cupping her face. She tenses up.

"Oh my fairy godmother, let go of my face."She gasps in horror. I smirk at her, letting my hands fall back at my sides. She pushes me with all her might. "Darren that is so disgusting of you. You were just in there, choking your chicken and then you put your hands on my face!" She screws up my face and makes a run for it, upstairs.

"Serves you right, peeping Tammy." I laugh.

"First off Darren that is gross." Alsie screws up her face. "Second—"

"There is no second. Alsie, what Charles wants to do with her life and family is up to her. If she wants to leave Croakington Estates for a while that's her decision. She is always welcome to come back here anytime she wants. She owns a part of the Estate like the rest of us. I want to move forward with us and I don't want to go back and forth with you about Charles." If every fight is going to be about Charles I don't think Alsie and I will make it. I don't think she is someone I want to move forward with, in my life. Co-parenting would have to be our only option.

Alsie opens her mouth to say something but quickly closes it.

"So what do you want to do? Move forward and focus on us or bring up Charles every other hour of the day? I'm not focusing on Charles and hell you shouldn't either. The guys and I are fine with whatever decision she and CHase make. Hell, the only people who live in these estates right now are me, Everett, Vincent, and Chase. Do you think I mope around because of the other guys' arent here? No. We all have our own lives and right now I'm trying to start one with you damn it."

"Whoa, watch it." Alsie stands up now, closing the distance between. "I'm not Selena don't talk to me crazy."

"I know you aren't Selena because if you were we wouldn't be having this conversation about Charles. At least she trusted me." I snapped. This conversation isn't going anywhere. I really want her to see that I want to make it work. I want us. I want my family.

"And look where that got you. Divorced and cheated on. Just to name a couple." She scoffs rolling her eyes.

I take a step back. "Whoa, low blow Alsie. You have a goodnight."I don't want to argue with her anymore. "I don't know what really is pissing you off tonight and I don't care anymore." I turn on my heels and head upstairs. I should really consider just moving into the guest bedroom. We could co-parent in the same house. I've seen enough TV shows where that happened before. Alsie and I are fourteen years apart and I know people say age is just a number, but right now in this situation, it means a hell of a lot more than that.

Seriously what the hell was I thinking at the club that night, hooking up with her. Accidentally, knocking Alsie up has to be the worst thing I've ever done since graduating college.