#Chapter 137: A Lunar Holiday

Charles woke me early, making sure that we used another of his new condoms before work. However this time, we focused on quick pleasure to connect, at least briefly, before we parted ways. I went out and did another interview with Theo tagging along. If he knew what had altered my mood, he didn’t bring it up, but he didn’t mention how happy he was to see me smiling again. My exuberance lasted all day, turning into pure joy when I came home and heard childlike voices through the door. Charles’s family had arrived. I hurried inside to find them all sitting around the living room with Charles, talking. Soren and Emily jumped up and ran to greet me, each giving me a quick hug. My heart fairly melted. This was what having a family was like. This is what I had missed out on my whole life. And when things were safe and my career was settled, this was what I wanted for Charles and me. I was so glad to have a partner who understood my need to wait. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if his mother