Well, the eviction has been cancelled tonight so in celebration of the lovely Corin getting at least another week in the house, here is another update for you. And things are certainly moving on... Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Eleven

The afternoon was drawing to a close but both Charlie and Joey were reluctant to go home. With Ruby fast asleep in her pram, the two friends were still on their blanket. They'd eaten good food and talked a lot. Charlie had managed to play with Ruby and she was feeling partly proud of herself and partly horrible that it was such an effort.

"Thank you for today," Charlie said.

She lay back and on her side, propping herself up on her elbow.

"It's my pleasure," Joey replied, mirroring her position. "I've had a wonderful day."

"So have I," said Charlie. "And so has Rubes."

They smiled at each other. Closing the gap between them, they shared a soft, innocent kiss. Both blushed as they pulled away. Joey reached out and held Charlie's hand, smiling lovingly at her.

Joey, Charlie and Ruby stopped off at the Diner in order to take the hamper back and then Joey walked Charlie and her daughter home. Ruby had had a very happy day and was now sleeping with a contented smile on her face. Charlie had to admit it was cute. And she felt like she had made a lot of progress today. Being with Ruby had been easier than normal and Charlie was certain that it was because of Joey's comfort and encouragement.

"We're home!" Charlie greeted when she and Joey stepped through the door.

Ross and Sandra were pleased to see them. They hurried over and checked on Ruby.

"Did you have a good day?" Ross asked.

"We had an awesome day," Charlie confirmed.

"Ruby can play the drums!" Joey grinned.

Charlie's parents looked confused.

"I'll get her to show you later," Charlie promised. "It's very cute."

Ross and Sandra were pleased to see Charlie looking happier than she had in a long time.

"Can Joey stay for a bit?" Charlie asked.

"Um... sure," Ross replied.

Charlie glanced at Joey, took a deep breath and scooped Ruby up in her arms, careful not to disturb her as she carried her up to bed. Joey followed and once Ruby was settled again, they headed into Charlie's room with the baby monitor. Charlie sat on her bed and Joey came to sit beside her.

"I think my parent's heads are spinning right about now," Charlie said.

"Why?"

"Because I took Ruby out for the day. Because I've tucked her into bed. Because I've been affectionate with her."

Joey reached out and squeezed her arm gently.

"I'm sure they're proud of you," she said.

"Well, I hope so. Because they've been pretty disappointed in me up till now."

"I'm sure they haven't," Joey tried.

"They have," Charlie said certainly. "Home has been hell for a while."

They exchanged sad smiles.

"You've made my life better, Joey," Charlie said sincerely.

"I aim to please!" Joey grinned.

Charlie laughed.

"And to be honest, you've made my world a better place too," Joey said.

Charlie looked touched.

"Things haven't been easy," Joey ventured. "For the last few years I haven't... I haven't really been very happy. But being friends with you... it... it makes me feel better."

Charlie leant forward and captured Joey's lips with her own again. They kissed tenderly for a few moments. Joey stroked Charlie's face. Both of them were tingling but neither of them were entirely sure what it meant. They didn't want anything romantic with anyone, neither girl felt ready for something like that. But it felt nice to kiss each other, to express affection. They kissed again.

As the weeks went by, Charlie and Joey became inseparable. They spent all day at school together and then spent time together after school and every weekend, they took Ruby out to do something nice, even if it was just a walk along the beach. Charlie couldn't help but marvel at just how good Joey was with the baby. She seemed to love her as if she was her own. She stepped in where Charlie struggled and encouraged her to overcome her anxiety. One evening, having said goodnight to Joey and put Ruby down to sleep, Charlie sat in the lounge with her parents.

"You and Joey get along pretty well," Ross ventured awkwardly.

Charlie studied his face, wondering where he was going with this.

"She's my best friend," she said.

"And uh... well, you don't think...?"

He glanced at his wife.

"What?" Charlie asked.

"Well, do you think maybe you might be leading her on a little bit?"

Charlie looked utterly bewildered. She worried that her parents or someone might have seen them kiss. It was a regular occurrence now, although nothing more had happened. They hadn't really talked about it. Kissing was just something loving that they shared. And Charlie was certain that she loved her. Joey meant everything to her and she thought Joey felt the same. She seemed to anyway.

"Well, you spend so much time together and she's a lesbian and..." Sandra said.

"So?" Charlie snapped. "Why does her sexuality impact our friendship?"

"Well, we were just worried that she might be... you know, falling for you."

"She's not," Charlie said. "We love each other and we're best friends. That's all."

"But how do you love each other?" Ross asked.

Charlie just shrugged, unsure of how she could explain.

"Charlie, we know you've been through a lot," Ross said. "And it's natural that you'd be weary of boys after Grant but..."

"Whatever I feel or don't feel for Joey has nothing to do with what happened to me," Charlie said, offended.

"We're just concerned about the amount of time you're spending with her," Sandra admitted.

"You mean you're concerned about the amount of time I'm spending with a girl who's helped me get my self-esteem back, who helps me feel able to hold my baby, to change her, to feed her, to love her? Yeah, Joey's really not good for me, is she? She's not helping me be the mother I'm supposed to be!"

She stood up angrily.

"I can't believe you're judging her, when she's been so amazing to me, just because she's gay."

Disgusted, Charlie hurried to her room.