***Important note: I have never been to New York so if anything is incorrect please let me know to improve the book. Thank you in advance! ❤️***

Chapter Twenty - The Big Apple

A few days later in New York.

Me and Aria knock on the door of room 128 and I smile when I hear rushed footsteps. Jessica throws the door open and screams when she sees us. Jacob groans and tells her to be quiet before he and Poppy join in on the group hug. They pull us in and we take a seat on the bed and chairs.

"I've missed you guys so much!" Poppy sighs happily as she pulls Aria against her in a hug. "Did you miss me Ari?"

"Yeah!" She exclaims with a nod and I chuckle when Poppy becomes putty in her hands.

"Oh, I just love you!" She pinches her cheeks before kissing them.

Jessica and Jacob show equal love which Aria accepts eagerly. They've always spoilt her and she adores spending time with them. We bring each other up to speed about our lives, jobs, and Aria's school. Because we all had breakfast before meeting up we're ready to head out early to start our sightseeing plans of Manhattan.

"I think today is definitely the day they take the huge Christmas tree down at Rockefeller Centre. We can head there and then pop over to the ice rink?" Jessica suggests and I nod in agreement.

"Yes! I can't wait! Let's go!" Aria grins before running to the elevator.

We laugh at her enthusiasm before stepping inside and going down to the lobby. Zoe will be joining us tomorrow as she wanted to give me and my friends some time to catch up. Thankfully, she's sent me tons of recommendations of the famous sights to check out as well as food places near them.

We take a taxi to the center and marvel at the Christmas tree. After taking some pictures of it and ourselves we head over to the ice-skating rink next. I help Aria put her skates on before she gets on the rink with Jacob and Jessica. I step on next with Poppy following behind and we burst into giggles when I almost lose my balance.

"A little rusty are we?" She winks and I roll my eyes playfully.

"Let me hold your hand please." I beg and she takes it with a loud laugh.

We skate up to the others before going around the rink a few times. The place is buzzing with people but I still manage to hear Aria's excited squeals and laughter which makes me smile. I'm happy she's having fun already and hope that she doesn't get bored of walking around after.

Me and Poppy decide to take a break and lean against the rails. I watch the others for a while before turning to her. I always do this every time we meet but I constantly feel anxious before I ask her, perhaps because of the impending hurt.

"How is...uh...how are –"

"Harry and his wife had a baby girl last week." Poppy tells me about my brother with a gentle smile.

Poppy's mother is best friends with mine. It's how we met and became friends too. Ever since my parents cut contact with me she's been my source of news of what my family is up to. I tried many times to reach out to my siblings but my parents really brainwashed them. Harry was graduating college that year and did nothing but berate me for "ruining my own life." At first I put it down to stress but my friends ripped that band aid off just as quick.

"Oh, that's great." I nod and the familiar pain comes back. "And the twins?"

"Final year of college last I heard. Dixie had accepted an internship in Tokyo." She replies and I smile sadly.

"That's nice. Anything about Donna?"

"She's been doing really well too. She has a job lined up as soon she graduates college and will be staying in London." Poppy smiles gently before taking my hand. "I'm sorry Charlie. I really hate to tell you these things knowing it hurts you."

"Don't be, I'm the one who can't help but ask every time." I chuckle as I look back at the rink again.

"There's something else." She murmurs and I frown at her in confusion. "The twins...they contacted me when they found out I was going to see you. They want to meet you and Aria."

"Really?" I whisper after a long moment of shocked silence. She nods and I sigh heavily. "I'll need some time to think about it but I'll let you know soon."

"Of course, take all the time you need. You know I'm here for you." She hugs me tightly and I smile at how supportive she is.

"Love you Pop." I chuckle when we pull away before changing the subject. "Anyways...last one to the other side buys dinner?"

"Oh, it's on!" She grins widely before we both take off.

Unfortunately, she wins and I roll my eyes with a playful huff when she boasts about her glory to the others. We skate around for a while longer before leaving.

We visit the Empire State building next before popping into the Morgan Library. As planned we next leave for the Statue of Liberty. I try to tell Aria as much as I can about the history and significance of each landmark.

We're greeted by amazing views of New York at each site and take lots of pictures to look back on. Around lunch time we get back into the city and visit Central Park which has transformed into a winter wonderland. It looks magical and I smile at Aria, Jessica and Jacob throwing snowballs at each other.

"I'm starving! Let's go get food!" Poppy eventually admits and we all laugh before picking a restaurant close by.

I'm grateful for the rest as we take our time with our meals. Combing my fingers through Aria's unruly hair I pour her more of the apple juice. She smiles up at me before laughing at something Jessica said. Her nose and cheeks are a bright red and I put her hat back on.

"You tired Ari or do you want to keep exploring?" Jacob asks with a cheeky smile.

Aria shakes her head vehemently as she perks up. "No! I want to see more!"

"Alright." I murmur as I caress her cheek hoping to warm her skin somehow. "Just let me know when you get tired. We have tomorrow too."

"Okay!" She grins before digging back into her lunch.

We soon set out to visit the High Line next which is an abandoned elevated railroad. The walk itself flies by with us goofing around and taking pictures. On our way to Times Square after we walk past the Flat Iron building where we stop for a bit before continuing. I get a bit distracted when Theo starts texting me and I send him some pictures I've taken. Even miles and miles away he still manages to make my heart flutter and race like a schoolgirl.

"Loverboy is it?" Jessica asks from ahead and I blush fiercely as I put my phone away.

"Just checking in." I murmur and groan when the three of them start teasing me.

"I want details later." Jessica sends me a knowing look and the others nod in agreement.

"I know." I sigh with a small smile as I catch up to them.

Times Square is amazing yet intense. It's incredibly busy and packed with people going about their daily life. Like the pictures there's billboards, signs, and digital screens everywhere. By now the sun has set so the colors pop out even more. After shopping around, taking more pictures and having dinner we finally make it back to our hotel.

Aria's feet are dragging by the time we reach our floor. I tell the others that I'll join them in a bit before guiding her into our room. Her eyelids are drooping as I change her into pajamas and brush her teeth. As soon as her head hits the pillow she's out like a light.

Although she knows I'll be just a few doors down if she were to wake up I still leave a note by her side. Making sure the door is locked I walk down to Jessica's room where they've already ordered some drinks. I smile and shake my head before accepting the mocktail from Poppy.

"I'm so tired but today was great." Jacob grunts and chuckles when he puts his feet up.

"Same thing tomorrow, we'll be wrecked by the time we get on the plane." Poppy grins and it makes us all laugh.

"I've missed you guys. Let's not let it go too long before our next meetup yeah?" I murmur with a content smile as they nod.

"So, how are you and Theo?" Jessica wiggles her brows and I blush.

"Does he treat you right?" Jacob asks with a concerned look.

"We're good. He's so sweet and caring...he makes me really happy." I end up gushing to them and the girls squeal excitedly in response. "He met grandma after Christmas too when she was staying over."

"I'm so happy for you Charlie!" Poppy squeezes my hand with a bright smile.

"How is he with Aria? Do they get on okay?" Jacob asks as they all look at me expectantly.

"Yeah he's really great with her too. He even showed up to her sports day to participate when he heard she was upset about not having a father."

"Oh wow, he sounds like a gentleman! You think he's the one?" Jessica asks with wide eyes.

I bite my lip before smiling. "Yes. He even said to grandma that if we ever break up it would be because I didn't want to be with him anymore. Not the other way around."

"Oh, my goodness marry him already!" Poppy squeals and we laugh at that whereas Jacob jokingly facepalms himself behind her.

"I'm glad you found someone who loves you like you deserve." He smiles gently before shaking his head. "He sounds ten times better than Liam anyways."

My smile drops momentarily and he narrows his eyes in response. "Uh...about that –"

"Charlie, I swear to all that is holy if he's causing trouble for you again I'm going to kick his ass. And this time you won't be able to stop me." Jessica seethes angrily which makes me bite my lip.

"We bumped into each other at a party. He saw Aria and now wants to be involved in her life." I explain but hesitate to tell them the rest.

"But?" Poppy encourages curiously and I shrug.

I sigh heavily before telling them everything that has happened. Including grandma's point of view and the incidents where he's tried to get a rise out of Theo. There's moments of angry outbursts and protectiveness but for the most part they listen silently. When I'm done I glance at Jessica to see her eyes lit up in fury.

"Charlie...if you see anything...even if it's small you stop those visits. Do you understand?" She utters strictly and I nod in agreement. "Don't ever agree to anything unless its supervised by you. He clearly hasn't changed shit about himself to become better."

"Did the university let you take the camera footage? You did tell your lawyer about everything he did right Charlie?" Jacob asks with a frown.

"Yeah I told my lawyer everything and submitted the footage. We'll be meeting with the judge soon. They'll talk to Aria before that to see how she feels about this situation and then I'll know what the decision is on supervised visits." I explain and sigh heavily with tension. "I just want to keep her safe. His behavior flipping like a switch is concerning so I hope the judge takes that into account. My lawyer is confident Liam won't be granted anything based off his recent behavior and past record."

"Everything will be fine. Don't stress too much alright?" Poppy soothes and I exhale deeply with a nod. "We're with you whenever you need us."

"Thank you. I'm so lucky to have you guys." I breathe and they laugh before we grab each other for a group hug.

My eyes flutter shut in the wonderful feeling of happiness and security I get every time I'm with them. It's something I've missed terribly alongside the carefree feeling.

"Alright! Back to lover boy...do you have a picture of Theo? Can we see?" Poppy asks and I chuckle.

I nod before unlocking my phone and showing them some recent pictures. A loud laugh escapes me when the girls' jaws drop and they glance at me with wide eyes. Jacob shoots me a thumbs up before rolling his eyes playfully at their reactions.

"Bloody hell! He's hot as fuck Charlie!" Jessica slaps my thigh excitedly. "Does he have any single brothers?"

"You two look so cute together!" Poppy squeals and the difference in their statements makes me smile amusedly.

"He has two more brothers who aren't married but one is much too young for you." I grin and she chuckles in response.

"So, he has three brothers?" Jacob asks curiously.

"Five. No sisters."

"What?!" They all exclaim in shock and I nod.

"Oh wow, it must be chaotic in their house!" Jacob chuckles as he takes a sip of his drink. "Have you met his parents?"

"Are they nice? Do they like you?" Poppy questions in concern.

"They're lovely and so kind. They didn't have any objections of me dating Theo and love Aria too." I smile as I remember the look Michelle and Evan shared at the party.

We talk about me and Theo a bit more before I switch it onto Jessica. She grins at me knowingly before telling us about her recent flame. We drink a lot more and reminisce on our previous years before eventually calling it a night around one in the morning. My feet hurt slightly as I get up and hug the others before bidding goodbye.

"What time are we meeting up for breakfast tomorrow?" I ask just as I open the door.

"Nine and we're meeting your friend, Zoe, at ten right?"

"Yeah, okay great. I'll see you guys tomorrow, good night!" I wave with a tired smile before I step out.

Poppy and Jacob are right behind me as they walk off to their own room down the hall. I cleanse my skin of makeup and take a quick shower before slipping into bed completely exhausted at this point. Texting Theo I look over at Aria who's fast asleep before settling down myself.

However, just as I've closed my eyes my phone vibrates with a notification. I unlock it and frown at the group chat Jacob has made with just me and Jessica before my eyes widen at the messages.

Jacob: I'm proposing to Poppy tomorrow.

Jessica: WHAT?! NO WAY?!

Me: Are you serious?! Where?!

Jacob: I was thinking at DUMBO with the bridge in the back. She always loves visiting that place.

Jessica: She's going to freak! I'm so happy for you two!

Me: Me too! It'll be perfect! We can take pictures for you if you want?

Jacob: That'll be great, thank you! I'm so nervous haha!

Me: Don't be! We all know she's going to say yes!

Jessica: Are you dumb? She's head over heels for you just like you are for her, of course she's going to say yes!

I chuckle quietly at Jessica proceeding to freak out and fill the chat with love hearts and all the emojis relating to an engagement and wedding. I join in until Jacob tells us to stop in all caps. Grinning we talk about his plan in more detail and what images we can get tomorrow.

I find myself getting more and more excited. They truly are meant for each other and I couldn't be happier to hear that they'll be engaged soon. Eventually we bid each other good night again and I settle down to get some rest.

Tomorrow can't come quick enough!

Update schedule is: once a week whenever I find time!

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