Sorry for the lack of update yesterday. I had a bit of a bad day. But I hope you enjoy the chapter. This one comes with lots of well wishes to Jensy25. Love, IJKS xxx
Chapter Eleven
"Are you still in love with her?" Brax asked.
His tone was quiet but demanding as he sat in his chair, his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped together.
"How am I meant to answer that question?" Charlie replied.
"With the truth," he said, snapping a little.
"You know how I felt about Joey," she reminded him.
They had sat down and had that particular conversation a while ago. And she had been pleased that he had reacted a lot better than Angelo had done.
"And how do you feel now?" he asked.
"I don't know!" Charlie snapped.
She jumped when he stood up quickly. She was on edge after everything that had happened that day.
"You and I are supposed to be taking Ruby and Casey off for a whole new life, Charlie," Brax said. "And then I walk in to find you snivelling all over your ex."
"She'd been stabbed, Brax!" Charlie yelled, not caring about hospital etiquette. "She could have died! She might still die!"
"And if she lives?" Brax asked, his voice low and dangerous.
It reminded her of the side of him she had always been uncomfortable with.
"What about it?"
"Will you see it as some sort of chance to right your wrongs?" Brax asked. "Are you about to leave me for her? I know she's the one you've never been able to let go of."
Charlie sighed, wincing from her injuries.
"She'd never go anywhere near me again," she said.
His eyes blazed. She knew she had given the wrong answer.
"So if she did, you'd go for it?" he snapped, his voice caught between anger and hurt.
"That's not what I said!" she protested.
"Then why don't you tell me exactly what you mean?" he demanded.
"Brax…"
"I thought I was going to die from grief today, Charlie!" he yelled.
Her heart broke at the way his voice caught. He rubbed his eyes and began to pace the small room.
"The thought of losing you… I thought Jake had killed you or something!"
"Jake?" Charlie said, confused.
"He got let out of prison a few days ago thanks to Hayley," he explained. "I thought he'd come to find you, tried to kill you or something. I tore across the country trying to save your life and as soon as I knew you were safe I realised I might lose you anyway."
"You're not losing me," Charlie insisted. "Nothing's changed."
"I saw the way you were with her!" he protested.
"Brax…"
He gazed at her. She had no idea what to say.
"Look, it's been a long and shitty day," she said. "Let's just take a break. Breathe. Calm down. Be grateful that we're all still alive. We can deal with everything else tomorrow."
He nodded and took her hands, kissing each in turn.
"That's a good idea," he agreed. "The Doc said you're okay and you can be discharged. Let's get you out of here and you, me, Rubes, Casey and Xavier can all go home."
"I can't leave," Charlie said quickly.
He dropped her hands.
"The Doctor said it was fine," he said.
"I can't go until I know Joey's going to be okay," she told him.
He stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind him.
Charlie was resting in her room when Ruby knocked quietly on the door. The moment she saw Charlie, she rushed up to her and burst into tears. Charlie reached out and held her, stroking her hair and whispering assurances that everything was going to be okay.
"I thought I was going to lose you," Ruby sobbed.
Charlie stroked her face, brushing her tears gently away.
"I'm fine," she promised. "A bit battered and a bit bruised but I'm okay. I swear."
But Ruby continued to cry.
"Things have to change between us," she said. "They can't carry on the way they are."
Charlie looked panicked.
"I want you to be my Mum, Charlie," Ruby said.
The police officer couldn't stop smiling.
"I mean, I know that you are my Mum," Ruby said, sounding a little flustered. "But I want our relationship to be… more."
"What would you like?" Charlie asked, hoping she could deliver.
"When Casey, Xavier and I were driving over here today, I felt sick with fear," Ruby explained. "My heart was pounding and I just wanted to cry because of all the things that I might never get the chance to say."
She swallowed.
"I love you, Mum," she said sincerely.
Charlie felt like she wanted to cry.
"And we might not have the most conventional relationship in the world but I'm so happy you are my Mum. I see myself in you and I'm so happy because I think you're the most amazing person on the planet. I'm so proud of us."
Charlie smiled and squeezed her hand.
"I love you too, Ruby," she said. "And I can't even tell you how much it means to me to hear you say that. It's all I've ever wanted."
In the recovery room, Joey woke up with a start. She barely registered where she was and immediately panicked that she was under threat. She sank back against the mattress when she was sure that Robbo was nowhere inside.
"Charlie…" she managed. "Charlie!"
She hit the panic button.
Next time… Charlie is relieved to be able to see Joey…