**A New Chapter**

As I sat in the kitchen, sipping my coffee and staring out the window, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, and the birds were singing their sweet melodies. But amidst all this serenity, my mind was preoccupied with my son, Nick. His relationship with Charlie had been a whirlwind, and I was still trying to wrap my head around it. It had been a few months since they had made their relationship official, and I had to admit, I was still getting used to it. Nick had always been a bit of a private person, and it was only natural that he would want to keep his relationship under wraps. But now that they were out and proud, I couldn't be happier for them. I remembered the first time Charlie came over for dinner. He was so nervous, and Nick was being his usual protective self. But as I watched them interact, I could see the love and affection they had for each other. It was like they had known each other for years, not just a few weeks. As a mother, it was my job to worry, and I would be lying if I said I didn't have my concerns. What would the future hold for them? Would they face challenges that would test their love? But as I looked at Nick, I knew that he was happy, and that was all that mattered. Nick walked into the kitchen, his eyes still half-closed from sleep. "Morning, Mum," he said, giving me a quick peck on the cheek. "Morning, sweetie," I replied, smiling. "How are you today?" "I'm good," he said, pouring himself a bowl of cereal. "Just need to get through this day, and then I can see Charlie tonight." I raised an eyebrow, trying to play it cool. "And how is Charlie doing?" Nick's face lit up. "He's great, Mum. We're planning a trip to the beach on the weekend." I couldn't help but smile. Those two were inseparable, and it warmed my heart to see them so in love. Just then, Nick's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and his expression changed. "Mum, I need to go. It's Charlie. He says it's urgent." I nodded, watching as Nick quickly grabbed his bag and headed out the door. I couldn't help but wonder what was going on. Was everything okay? I pushed aside my worries and focused on the day ahead, knowing that I would have to wait until Nick came home to get the full story. As I cleared the kitchen, my mind began to wander. What could be going on with Charlie? Was it something serious? I knew that Nick would fill me in eventually, but for now, I was left with only questions. And as I sat down to plan out my day, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was about to change.