The Cherished Wife by Chweety

"Charles, don't you think you're a bit on edge?" It was not just Sean. Even Noelle thought Charles might be taking things too far.

Before long, Charles's phone buzzed to life. He glanced at the caller ID, a smirk playing on his lips, and shook the phone in front of Sean and Noelle. "Talk about perfect timing." Charles swiped to answer the call. "Hello!"

"Charles, it's me, your uncle!"

"I know," Charles said with a half-smile. "What's up, Uncle? What's got you calling me out of the blue today?"

"Have you got some time tomorrow? Let's catch up! It's been ages since we last hung out, right?" Milo's voice was firm and commanding, even over the phone.

in one hand while casually holding Noelle's hand in the other, his fingers playing with hers absentmindedly. "You're in Brookville, Uncle?" Charles asked, his voice giving nothing away. On the other end, Milo tensed up before replying, "Yeah, Janet's been gone for months. She stubbornly refuses to come back to Capiton. I miss her too much, so I had

not expecting Charles's usual calm to break

Charles just laughed softly. "I'll make time to see you tomorrow. It's been what, three years since that

words were loaded, and

not even muster a comeback. Even though he was

should be welcomed, so I'll pick the spot. I'll let you know tomorrow, Uncle. It's

grin playing on his lips, his eyes dancing with a mocking glee. Sean could not help but make a tsk-tsk sound. "Man, Charles, you're really stepping up your dame. Milo's your uncle, one of your elders. Aren't you worried

risk a fallout with me now, after all the effort he's put into setting me up with Janet?" Charles flicked his finger dismissively. "Show's over, buddy. Time for you to hit the road." "Charles, you're pretty good at ditching people once they've served their purpose!" Sean grumbled, but he knew