Life's Journey.
Disclaimer - I do not own Home and Away or any characters, or anything associated with the show.
Summary - A Changelo fic, with twists and turns along the way.
Authors Note - I have not written any fics for a long time, and this is my first Home and Away fic so be nice!
Chapter One - A party, and an upset.
Charlie walked through the door and let out a big sigh. She had been at work for the last five days putting in fifteen hour days and she was exhausted. All she wanted to do was have a bath and go to bed.
"Hey, Is anyone home?" she shouted. No response.
Charlie frowned at the silent answer, but was secretly pleased that she could have some peace and quiet for once. She loved living with Leah and VJ, and of course her daughter Ruby, but the house was often hectic and loud. Charlie walked over to the cafetiere and poured out a drink. She walked through the kitchen and flicked on the light in the living room, only to be met with screams of 'Surprise!'.
Charlie screamed in pain as her cup of coffee spilt over her arm. Ruby came rushing over to her.
"Don't just stand there Charlz, come and join us!"
"Ruby, what's this in aid of? Ow! My arms really stinging"
"Charlie, it's your birthday stupid! Don't tell me you'd forgotten"
Charlie realised that she had in fact forgotten her birthday. Work had been hectic lately, and with two officers off with a sickness bug, Charlie had had to pull several double shifts.
Rachel came over to see Charlie as she could tell she was in pain.
"Charlie, are you ok? Do you want me to take a look at your arm?"
"Oh, hi Rachel, yeah, it hurts pretty bad, the coffee was boiling"
"I think you've had a lucky escape, just run it under cold water for at least ten minutes and it should feel a lot better"
"Thanks Rachel. And thank-you Rubes, I can't believe you have managed to arrange this for me"
"I'm sorry we made you hurt your arm Charlz" Ruby looked dispondent.
"It's fine. I'm going to go and sort it out and get changed and then I'll be out ok? Why don't you pour me a glass of wine"
Charlie went to walk through to her bedroom, but stopped abruptly.
"Sorry everyone, I'm so rude, I guess I'm just tired, but I want to thank everyone for coming and I'll be out to get the party started very soon"
Everyone cheered and Charlie couldn't help but think she was lucky to have found a place like Summer Bay to live in.
Charlie was just slipping into a dress when she heard a knock on her bedroom door.
"Can I come in?" Said a familiar voice.
"Only if you've brought me a present" Charlie replied smiling.
Angelo walked into the room, and kissed Charlie gently on the lips.
"What happened to your arm babe?"
"Lets just say I was truly surprised when I came in from work and I dropped my coffee" Charlie said laughing, her arm, although red, was now feeling a lot better since running it under cold water.
"So did you get me a present?" Charlie said again, flashing a huge smile at Angelo.
"You bet I did babe" Angelo handed Charlie a box, inside of which was a diamond necklace.
"Oh Angelo, it's beautiful, thank-you so much"
Angelo placed the necklace around Charlie's neck and couldn't help but admire his beautiful girlfriend.
"You are so beautiful Charlie, I just want to stay in here and go to bed with you"
Charlie laughed and stated "That sounds like a wonderful plan, but it will have to wait until later, we've got guests who are going to get pretty annoyed with me if I don't show"
Charlie didn't see the flash of annoyance that ran over Angelo's face briefly.
"Ok, but I want you tonight, without fail" Angelo squeezed Charlie's good arm.
"Ow! Angelo! Too tight" Charlie grimaced.
"Sorry babe, come on lets get out there. The sooner we do, the sooner you're all mine"
Charlie smiled at Angelo as she followed him out of the room. They had been together for two years now, and although things were great most of the time, there was a side to Angelo that Charlie was a little afraid of. He had become quite possessive of her, and didn't like sharing her. He wanted them to live together, but Charlie was not prepared to leave Ruby behind.
The party went on for a couple of hours, and Charlie was exhausted by the time she waved the last of the guests goodbye.
She walked into the living room and sat next to Ruby.
"Thank-you again Ruby, you are a wonderful daughter"
"You're welcome Charlz, although I can't believe you forgot your own birthday! You look tired mum, go to bed and we'll sort the mess out in the morning"
"You mean you'll run off to school in the morning and leave it for my day off! But seriously, I am tired and am going to go to bed. Coming Angelo?"
"Night guys" Leah shouted.
"Night Leah, thanks!"
Charlie snuggled into Angelo and was happy to just be lying in her comfortable, warm bed. Angelo started to kiss her, and his hands began exploring her body.
"Angelo, I'm tired, I just want to go to sleep"
"Are you kidding me Charlie? I have hardly seen you all week, I couldn't take you out for a romantic meal tonight because of Ruby's party and now you want to go to sleep"
"I'm sorry Angelo, but it's my day off tomorrow. I'll make it up to you then"
"I don't think so Charlie, I'm not waiting any longer"
Angelo rolled on top of Charlie and started to pull down her underwear.
"Angelo! I said no, stop being silly" Charlie said.
"I'm being deadly serious Charlie, you know you can be very selfish sometimes. Men have needs you know" Angelo snarled at her and kissed her roughly on the lips.
"Get out of here now Angelo and don't bother coming back" Charlie shouted, pushing Angelo off herself.
Angelo climbed out of bed and pulled on his clothes.
"You know, we used to have fun Charlie. I don't know what happened to you, to us. Ever since you became Ruby's mother, you've changed and I don't like it"
"Just get out" Charlie whispered, tears running down her face.
Ruby was in the kitchen getting a glass of water when she heard someone behind her.
"Angelo, why are you leaving? Have you been called in to work?"
"I'm leaving because your mother is a selfish cow" Angelo shouted and slammed the door behind him.
Ruby rushed into Charlie's room and found her sitting on the floor crying.
"Oh Charlz, what happened?" Ruby asked, frowning at the state her mother was in.
"Just hold me Ruby, Just hold me"