Hey Guys! Again thanks for the reviews, without them I'd fail to go on as I obviously wouldn't think anyone liked the fic, therefore it wouldn't be so worth my time. But! Youse seem to so that's AWESOME!
Again I'm trying to make the chapter longer! I always think I'm doing so well but when I upload it it seems to shrink because of the layout *frown*. Owell here we go again. R+R please.
Chapter 3
"She's what?!" Joey exclaimed in utter shock pacing down the beach.
In the past seven minutes Charlie had to ask Aden to sit with Ruby, and watch Joey's luggage until they 'sorted something out'.
Charlie had wanted to take Joey back to hers and explain, but Joey wouldn't let her, Charlie's expression telling her that she needed to know right there and then.
Charlie had taken Joey outside and sat her down on the sand, and explained all the happenings of how she had to tell Ruby of how she was her mother, after all the lies she had conjured up and Ruby's demanding to see her 'sons' grave. Joey stared out at the sea and silence had fell between them. Watching Joey fidget with her fingers, Charlie had gotten worried and tried to get a response from Joey when Joey had suddenly leapt up, asking the question she already knew the answer too.
Charlie got up after her but stood in her spot, watching the obviously stunned Joey pace back and forth.
"I'm sorry Joey. I know it's a lot to take in right now. I understand how you must feel." Charlie had to interrupt Joey's deep thinking, worried at the state Joey looked.
"And you were raped?" Joey looked deeply into Charlie's eyes, knowing of what it felt like to go through that emotional and physical pain overwhelming her. That part was more shocking than the mother part. How could Charlie, the strongest woman ever, the Senior Constable of the Bay, the love of her life, get raped.
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me this before- before I left. When we were together?" Hurt showed in Joey's features.
"Noone knew Joey. It wasn't important at the time."
"Is that why you were with me? You pitied me after going through the same as I did with Robbo?"
"What?! No Joey! I love you! You know this!"
Joey closed her eyes, taking in all the information. Charlie edged forward slightly towards her and reached out for her. Joey opened her eyes upon feeling the sudden closeness of the worried looking, but still stunningly beautiful woman. She leaned into Charlie's embrace, allowing her to wrap her arms right around Joey's body, her own hands up against Charlie's chest, along with her head, which was resting there.
"Charlie I'm so sorry you had to go through that. And to come out with a baby from someone who did that to you in the end – even if it ended up being someone as wonderful as Ruby, must have been horrible."
"It's ok now Joey. It was years ago. You don't need to comfort me. I just need to know you're ok."
Charlie could feel that Joey was shaking, wondering if it was the news or the cold that made her shake. She decided it was both.
"Joey you're shaking."
Upon being replied by silence, she tried again.
"Joey, honey, are you alright?" She rubbed Joey's back soothingly.
"It's just weird. A lot to take in.." Joey's teeth chattered, "A lot to process."
"Plus you're freezing. Here" She took off her black loose cardigan before wrapping it around Joey, and slid back into the embrace.
"Do you hate me?" Charlie asked as Joey snuggled into her chest more, trying to get more heat.
"Course not. It's just-"
"-Weird?"
"Yeah."
A few minutes passed silently before Joey allowed herself to talk, her breath on Charlie's chest.
"I mean, I've heard of Yummy Mummy's, but this is a whole new level." She smirked.
Charlie laughed, glad of the fact that Joey was being her cheeky self. "I'm sorry I never told you before Jo. You know how it was, and to tell you the truth, back then I was really only bothered about us. We had our own problems to deal with."
"It's ok Charlie. I understand."
"You do?"
"I do."
They both turned around as they heard Ruby shouting, and running towards them. "Charlie! Joey!"
She panted as she neared them and resumed talking; "Joey. Please listen to her. I mean it was a shock – a bolt from the bloody BLUE! When Charlie told me, but in the end I understood. I mean yeah it's a big secret to keep but please just-"
"-Rubz. It's fine. I'm fine...We're fine." Joey replied, taking Ruby out of her unnecessary rant.
"Oh."
Silence fell and Ruby suddenly, and very lately, became aware that the two had been hugging when she came rambling over to them, and Joey was standing beside Charlie now, with Charlie's cardigan over her bare shoulders.
"So... Is it too much to expect or are you two-" Ruby wiggled her fingers between the two reunited woman.
"Were going to be friends Rubz. Start slow." Charlie interrupted, smiling at her daughter.
Ruby was so glad to see Charlie smile, especially along side the woman who had made her smile so much a good few months ago. The woman who had changed Charlie's life in a matter of weeks, the woman who even after all the bumps in the road, still loved her mother, and she knew Charlie loved her back, equally as much, and arguably more. She was glad Joey was back, and not just for her mother's good, but her own too. She loved Joey like a sister of her own, she could talk about almost anything with her and she was glad she had her old friend back.
*****
Charlie, Joey and Ruby walked into the diner five minutes later. Charlie had her arm on Ruby's back, guiding her in while she didn't want to provide too much physical contact on Joey just yet, incase she wasn't ready for it. Especially after finding out she was a mother. Charlie cringed at the fact that Joey might be thinking of her as old.
"Hey Ade. Sorry about that. Thanks for watching my stuff." Joey offered Aden a smile, and he offered one back before looking at the other two girls beside his good friend, assuring himself things were ok.
"I'll help you home with your bags Joey," Aden stood up, taking the largest holdall on his strong shoulder and another in hand.
"Thanks Aden."
Joey turned to look at Charlie, "I – uh, see you around?"
She didn't want to sound harsh by that, so she gave a soft smile after it.
"Yeah, you'll be alright?"
"Sure. Aden will see me home." She smiled at her good friend Aden. Then back at Charlie.
"Oh here's your-" Joey began to lightly unwrap herself from the cardigan.
"Oh no Jo, you're walking home, you keep it. I'll get it from you some other time."
"Oh. Ok. Thanks Charlie."
"We'll see you later Jo, it was nice seeing you again" Ruby immediately launched herself forward giving Joey a big bear hug,
"You to Rubz" Joey managed to breath.
They pulled away from the hug and Charlie and Joey looked at each other, not knowing whether to advance or not. They both averted their gazes and Joey was first to talk.
"it was good to see you too Charlz"
"Yeah, you too" Charlie smiled and Joey opened her arms with a smirk on her face.
They enveloped in what was supposed to be a quick goodbye hug, and when Ruby coughed awkwardly they both re-opened their eyes and blushed. They glanced away with bright red faces and Joey managed to wander over to collect the rest of her luggage. She waved as Charlie and Ruby left the Diner, already whispering to each other. She saw Charlie slap Ruby lightly on the arm as they walked out, and it made Joey smirk thinking about what cheeky remark Ruby had conjured up.
"Ready to head home?" Aden asked.
"Yeah, thank's Ade."
*****
"So, you'll be alright from here Jo?"
"Yeah thanks again Aden" Joey hugged Aden and then he passed her her luggage as she opened the door. She waved and walked in the door hauling in her luggage with her.
Once Aden was away she closed the door and smiled, glad to be back. She thought about making a cup of coffee before bed, but then decided to take her luggage up first, instead of leaving it in the doorway. She stopped halfway up the stairs upon hearing a noise from one of the rooms. Stopping to listen, the noise didn't stop. After a few more seconds had passes, and movement from the floor just above her, Joey decided she was not alone.
To be continued...