Finding Charlie Rose

Charlie was walking around the garden talking to the flowers with Ross. She was pointing to a rose "That Charlie" she stated. "you are Charlie" Ross replied. "Charlie Rose, silly," Charlie told Ross. "Oh yes that's a rose like in your name" Ross replied. "Pretty," Charlie said walking along the garden.

Sam and his brothers watched on as their father and grandfather argued. They had no idea that their grandfather had harmed his wife but they realised why their father was like he was. He had been brought up that way. They looked at their grandmother seeing the broken woman she was. They knew now they would never be like the older men in their family. Females were not beneath males like their father and grandfather had taught them. Their mother had shown them that and had brought them up better than that. They each silently vowed to show Charlie how a man should treat a woman.

Jackson punched his father in the face dropping him on his arse for going towards Charlie before spitting on him. "You are not a man. You are a pathetic excuse for a man. I'm sorry mum but I won't allow him to harm my daughter. It's your choice mum him or me because I won't be around a piece of shit like him" Jackson spoke. "You deserve better mum and I'm sorry I didn't stop it sooner" Jackson whispered to his mum and kissed her on the head.

Maree stood there crying. She didn't want to lose her son, he was all she had and she had stayed with her husband as he had threatened to take Jackson away from her. After her husband had killed their daughter she knew he would harm Jackson if she went against anything he said. "I'm leaving Jackson, you took one child from me you won't take another" Maree told her husband before walking over to her grandsons. "I'm so sorry, I take full responsibility for what my son did to your mother. I should have got him out sooner. Please I would just like to meet my granddaughter" she whispered out with tears running down her cheeks. Sam nodded his head "I'll introduce you to her Grandma" Sam told her.

"Come on boys let's get our princess and head to lunch at Mum's favourite restaurant" Liam told them all. "Sam, can I please meet my daughter with mum? I won't stay" Jackson asked cautiously. Sam looked at his brothers before giving a small nod "I'll introduce you as a friend so she doesn't freak out again. If she gets upset you will leave" Sam firmly stated to which Jackson nodded.

"Charlie baby girl, I have a few people I would like you to meet" Sam said kneeling down in front of his sister to which she nodded her head. Maree stepped forward "Baby girl this is our grandma" Sam said pointing to Maree. "Welcome," Charlie said to the woman. "Hi, you have a very pretty dress," Maree said to Charlie who did a twirl while smiling. "And this is our friend Jackson" Sam spat out. "Bad man" Charlie cried lifting her skirt up to cover her face. "I won't hurt you ever, precious girl," Jackson said kneeling down next to Sam.

Charlie peaked out from behind her skirt seeing Jackson next to Sam. "No hurt Charlie?" Charlie whispered. "I promise baby girl, I won't let anyone hurt you" Sam told her. "Otay Sammy," Charlie said putting her skirt down. "We really need to work on her not lifting her skirt when meeting people" Byron joked. "What's your name precious?" Jackson asked his daughter. "I Charlie Rose" Charlie said. "That's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl" Jackson replied. "Mummy says I special like Rose," Charlie said pointing to the roses. "You are very special Charlie" Jackson whispered.

After 15 minutes Charlie announced she was hungry. Jackson and Maree said their goodbyes to everyone before Sam invited Mrs Harper and Ross to lunch at the seafood restaurant that Sally used to love. They all headed to their cars and drove off to Watson's Bay. Charlie fell asleep in the car on the way. When they parked the car at Watson's bay, Byron picked up Charlie holding her to his chest. They all walked to the seafood restaurant and were seated in front of the restaurant with a view of the water. They ordered seafood platters for the table and sat talking about Sally and sharing stories about her.

"Charlie wee wee" Charlie called as she woke up. "Come on munchkin" Oliver said taking Charlie quickly to the bathroom. When they came back to the table the food had arrived but Charlie was too interested in the water. "Charlie swim?" Charlie asked. "After lunch, I'll take you down princess," Byron told his sister. "What do you want to eat babes?" Liam asked. "Henry, melon and chippies oh and paws" Charlie told Liam. "What's Henry?" Liam asked. "That Henry silly" Charlie said pointing to the octopus. "Ok, babes how about you point to what you want?" Liam said as he wasn't sure what paws were either. "Otay"

Charlie said and began to point to the octopus, the fresh prawns, the chips and the watermelon which Liam put on her plate. He peeled the prawn for Charlie and then put some food on his plate. "Lee Lee, what that?" Charlie asked pointing to the scallops. "They are scallops babes do you want to try some?" Liam replied. Charlie nodded her head. Liam cut a scallop in half putting it on Charlie's plate. Charlie ate it and said "More Lee Lee". "Please" Liam added. "Peas, I no like peas" Charlie replied shaking her head causing Byron to laugh. "Not Peas, please. When you ask for something you have to say please" Liam replied trying not to laugh at his sister's face. "Oh, peas Lee Lee" Charlie corrected herself.

Sam put some more scallops on Charlie's plate along with a little lobster mornay. "What dat Sammy?" Charlie asked. "Lobster baby girl" he replied. "Peas Sammy" Charlie replied thinking she needed to say please. "No problem" Sammy chuckled back. Charlie tried the lobster mornay and liked it a lot. "You my dear have expensive taste" Ross told her causing Charlie to smile. "I full," Charlie told her brothers. "Ok babes have some water and when we are all done Bee will take you to the water ok?" Liam told his sister "otay" Charlie replied happily sipping her water and watching the people at the beach.