'Get your hands off me,' Charlotte said wrenching her arm free from Nick's hand as he shoved her into the living room. 'You can't come in here.'

Feeling totally bewildered by what was taking place, Jamie scooted past his dad to stand by his mom. They both then turned to face Nick who was hovering in front of the door.

'Look I'm not going to discuss my private affairs standing on your doorstep with half the neighbourhood eavesdropping,' Nick said and Jamie did not miss the edge to his voice. 

Charlotte crossed her arms. 'Then you'll have to wait until Louis gets home, I'm not discussing anything without him here.'

'When are you going to grown up?' Nick snapped taking a step towards Charlotte and she took a step back. Watching Jamie suddenly realised how small she was, he was so used to her bossing them all around she seemed more imposing somehow.

'Why can't you leave her alone? Haven't you done enough already?' Jamie said finally finding his voice and Nick briefly glanced at him.

'I can well imagine the lies she's been filling your head with.'

Jamie shook his head and his mom let out a sigh. She turned and walked over to the coffee table, where she picked up the telephone and began to dial.

'Put that down!' Nick yelled when he saw what she was doing.

Charlotte ignored him, holding the receiver to her head. 'Louis can you-'

'I said put it down!'

Charlotte yelped as Nick yanked the receiver off her and threw it onto the floor. He then pulled the telephone cord from the wall before turning back to her, his face red with rage. Jamie could see the sudden exertion had left him gasping or maybe it was the effort to regain control. Nick ran his hand through his hair and inhaled deeply a few times while Charlotte was frozen to the spot. Her eyes flitted to the doorway but she'd have to get past Nick to get through it.

'I should have known you'd pull a stunt like this,' Nick said shaking his head, his voice steady again. 'I bet you've been biding your time, pretending things were amicable, taking advantage of the soft spot I still had for you.'

Charlotte scoffed. 'Soft spot? Is that some sort of new metaphor you've created.' She laughed but Jamie could see his dad was getting riled up by her sarcasm, and he willed her to keep her mouth shut. 'Well, maybe you can tell me about this 'soft spot', even after all these years I'd like to know why you did what you did to me.'

Jamie noticed that even now she wasn't speaking directly about what had happened, he guessed it was a habit she'd developed over the years.

Nick let out a weary sigh. 'What's the point of raking over old ground,' he said stepping into the centre of the room but keeping the doorway covered. 'I couldn't love you the way you wanted me to.'

Indignation flashed across Charlotte's face. 'The way I wanted you to?' She shook her head. 'Yeah, I wanted you to keep your hands to yourself, was that such a big ask?' Silently Jamie pleaded with his mom to shut up, he could feel the tension emanating from Nick, he was barely under control.

'You know it wasn't that straightforward, none of it was. But you always minimise your role in everything.'

Charlotte shook her head again. 'Stop deflecting. It's perfectly easy for normal men to keep their hands to themselves.' Jamie closed his eyes, dreading his dad's response but Nick simply laughed.

'Yeah if you're happy being married to a lap dog.'

Charlotte's eyes narrowed, and she stood up straighter. 'I think you should leave now. There's nothing more to say. Jamie's made his decision and you'll have to accept it.' Nick looked from Charlotte to Jamie.

'She's right dad, I have,' Jamie said quickly. He made himself look Nick square in the face, to convey his determination but Nick seemed more interested in his mom. He glared at her as if Jamie wasn't even in the room.

'This is all down to you,' he said, his anger barely concealed.

Charlotte recoiled, taking a step back. 'Okay Nick, you've had your say. Please leave.' Jamie heard her voice falter and Nick smiled as if he thought he had the upper hand.

'You want me to leave? That funny cos I'm just getting started.'

Jamie inhaled, holding his breath as Nick advanced on Charlotte, all pretence that he'd come for a friendly chat gone. He reached his hand towards her, taking hold of some strands of her hair and curling them around his fingers.

'All this time you think you left me?' he said softly. 'I let you go Charlotte. If I'd wanted to have you you'd still be with me.' Charlotte opened her mouth but no words came out. 'You were weak, desperate and I married you. I did you a favour but were you grateful? No. You wanted all hearts and roses like you were some god damned fairy tale princess. No wonder I got angry with you.' He tightened his grip on the hair in his fingers.

'Please Nick,' Charlotte said her words barely audible.

'Please Nick,' he mocked. 'That brings back memories.' Jamie felt bile rise up in his throat, and yet he was rooted to the spot as his dad continued his tirade.

'You ruined my life, marrying a teenage whore, and raising her bastard child. Sometimes I wonder if he's even mine.'

Jamie saw a flash of anger in his mother's eyes. 'I wish to God that he wasn't, I wish he could have had anyone but you as his father-' 

Nick brought his hand up, slamming it across Charlotte's face. She flinched but barely made a sound, Jamie, however, could hear his own voice roaring in his ears.

'Jamie, it's okay,' Charlotte said, her eyes imploring him. 'Go outside, go get someone.' Jamie stood uncertainly, he couldn't leave his mom all alone.

Nick turned, his face contorted. 'You're going nowhere,' he said, his hand twisted in Charlotte's hair, holding her in place. 'One move and she'll get worse.'

'Get off her,' Jamie said helplessly, not daring to move too close to his mom. 'Leave her alone.'

'And why would I do that? For years your mom's got away with this. She destroyed my reputation, turned you against me.'

'I didn't Nick,' Charlotte pleaded.

'You did it yourself dad,' Jamie said inching towards him. Nick raised his hand in warning and suddenly looked down at Charlotte's stomach, his face twisting.

'So you're gonna have another baby, how nice.' He reached a hand over her bump, almost as if he were going to stroke it. Jamie saw his mom's eyes fill with tears. The roaring in his ears was getting louder as he watched Nick, acting almost caring but he could see the threat for what it was.

'What's the matter Charlotte, not scared are you,' Nick said, his hand now firmly caressing her bump. The tears that Charlotte had been holding back spilt down her face.

'Don't touch her!' Jamie flew at his dad, his speed catching Nick unaware. He threw his weight against Nick, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the floor. 'I know what you did,' Jamie yelled, trying to pin Nick down. 'I know what you did to mom's baby. It was your fault. You killed her! You killed my sister!'

                                                                ~~~