Sorry for the late update… work got in the way… anyweiz here's another chapter that hopefully you guys will enjoy. Again sorry for the type errors etc. and also please let me know if you still want me to continue this story. Thank you for all the comments and reviews.
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Charlie was in awe as they board the Lily. Charlie has an idea how much a yacth could cost and Lily already looks expensive from the outside but now that she has seen the inside, she can only just imagine how much this beauty cost Joey. The yacth is really neat, spacious, classy and luxurious.
Charlie walked in and inside she found the, what she assumed to be the lounge room. It looks a lot like a house with a mini bar on the side or she thought looked more like one of the expensive suite in one of the expensive hotel minus the bed. At the far end there's a door frame, turned left and a stairs that goes up can be found. Upstairs are where the wheel and all the things to get a boat running. Turned right however is the stairs to go down, where the bedroom is located.
Charlie turned right and goes down to check out the bedroom, Joey however went upstairs to check everything is good and all the necessity needed if in case something happened. Charlie poked her head onto the bed room door before actually stepping inside, living the door open behind her. Charlie's eyes wondered around the room. It's a big bedroom, the floor is carpeted, and the bed is in the middle of the room against the wall. On its right side it has a small drawer and on the left located is a small fridge. At the corner there is a big plasma TV and around is the complete surround sounds equipments. Charlie also didn't fail to notice two things in the room. One is the guitar right at the other corner and another is the two paintings in the room. One painting is located on the wall above the bed's headboard. It is a picture of the sea with the yacht, which Charlie can identify to be Lily as it has its distinctive feature, which is the lily painted on the boat. The other painting is a little one which is on the top of the drawer next to the bed. It is a painting of different kinds of Lily flower, but right on the middle is the stargazer Lily.
"So… what do you think?" Joey sneaked in behind Charlie, making Charlie jump a little bit, but calmed down immediately when Joey wrapped her arms around Charlie's waist and rest her chin on Charlie's shoulder.
"It's beautiful! Very luxurious!" Charlie praised, as she hold on to Joey's arms around her.
Both women didn't bother to notice how physical they are becoming. Joey didn't have the time to even think about her actions, knowing that she isn't normally a physical person and so is Charlie. Both just felt like it's the most natural thing and both just brushed aside the screaming voice in their heads telling them to be rational and don't let themselves lost in the other's company.
"You haven't seen the best part yet…" Joey whispered in Charlie's ear.
Charlie turned her head on the side to look at Joey with an amuse look on her face. "There's more? What? You have a pool in here?" Charlie joked.
"Uhm… not quite."
Joey let out a chuckle as she saw Charlie frown her brows. Joey then took Charlie by the hand and led her to the frosted glass door inside her room. "Close your eyes first Charlz." Joey instructed her which Charlie obliged instantly. Joey then guided Charlie inside the frosted glass door.
"You can open now."
Charlie opened her eyes and again the look of shock crosses her face. "A Jacuzzi? You have a Jacuzzi?" Charlie exclaimed as her eyes scanned the room. In the middle is a big Jacuzzi. On the side she can see a frosted sliding glass door that she can assume to be the shower room, on the other side of the bathroom is the sink. At the corner there's another frosted sliding door. "What's in there?" Charlie asked and pointed at the door.
"Toilet. It doesn't look good with all the Jacuzzi, so I've decided to isolate it a bit. But don't get me wrong I do appreciate its purpose." Joey giggled and so did Charlie knowing exactly what she meant.
Charlie then continued to scan the room, when her eyes spotted another door. This one is a sliding door as well but not with a frosted glass.
"How about that? What's in there? Charlie asked intrigued.
"Geez, Senior… being a police officer really runs in you huh? There's no dead bodies in there or drugs or weeds…" Joey tease, not realizing that they still have their hand intertwined, she pulled Charlie lightly to follow her towards the door she's asking about.
Charlie chuckled at Joey's comment, "Oh, so Joey Collins is awake now, huh?" Charlie teases back knowing it wouldn't take long before she gets bombarded with witty remarks. But nevertheless she still followed Joey's lead.
Charlie found out that it's just another walk in wardrobe. She was amazed at how neat and organized and coordinated the clothes and shoes are and wondered why Joey keeps so many clothes in a yacht.
"Why do you have so many clothes in here?" Charlie asked, not wanting to be nosy but curiosity gets the better of her.
"I don't know." Joey answered simply as they get themselves outside the room and to their way upstairs. "I guess I just want to be prepared just in case, I get fed up with the reality and just want to disappear." Joey continued.
Charlie looked at Joey in disbelief. But silently agreed, she herself sometimes wants to be invisible or wish that she can escape at things.
"Ok. But let me know, when you do. I might wanna come with." Charlie said without thinking, surprising Joey and herself. She saw Joey turned her head and look at her for a while then smiles.
"Sure." Joey said sincerely. Honestly when she thought about going away with her yacht she imagined herself going alone as she likes it that way. But now, if she's going to be honest, she would prefer it a thousand times with Charlie.
Few minutes later, Joey and Charlie set to sail. Joey behind the wheel and Charlie seating onto what Joey calls 'the captain's chair', at least 1 and a half steps behind the wheel, watching Joey engrossed with what she's doing.
"So Captain, how long 'till we get to our destination?" Charlie asked as she sips the wine that Joey had on her mini bar.
"More or less an hour and a half…" Joey answered as she seats herself on the arm rest.
"Oh, sorry… do you wanna seat here?" Charlie asked and was about to stand up and let Joey seat on the chair but Joey stopped her.
"It's ok Charlz. You can stay there, it's no big deal." Joey smiled.
"But…"
"No buts Senior! I want you there. Ok?" Joey then watched Charlie did what she was told, little did Charlie know that Joey actually never lets anyone seats on that chair. Well… except now, that is.
Joey made herself comfortable seating on the arm rest. Charlie leaned more on Joey's side her head against Joey's arm as she had her arm draped on Joey's lap.
"Do you want some?" Charlie offered her glass of wine to the girl sailing the boat.
Joey turned to her and smiled, "will you be willing to get up and get me one?" she asked teasingly.
"Uhm… well, I was actually considering sharing the same glass… but if it bothers you then,"
"Nah! Sharing is good."
Joey interrupted Charlie before she can finish her sentence. Charlie smiled to herself, knowing full well that she much preferred to share glass with. And as for Joey… she as well will always choose sharing a glass with Charlie. She doesn't know exactly why, but she's not interested to know, knowing that it would give her nothing but confusion and questions that she can't find answers to.
The two women spent an hour talking and laughing as always. They spent it getting to know each other more as both amazes each other with every little fact they learn about one another. Although for the whole hour it's mostly Joey getting to know Charlie as she kinds of the one the throw questions after questions to Charlie which of coarse the taller brunette answered some willingly and some not so willingly. But nevertheless she answered every single question.
Joey found out that Charlie became a cop because of her father. Because she wants to make her dad proud of her. Joey learned that, growing up, Charlie always longed for her father's adoration and time. She put two and two together and now can see that up until now the amazing brunette is still dedicated to earn that. The only thing Joey isn't sure of is, if Charlie hasn't earned that yet. As people of Summer Bay looks up to her and respects the Senior Constable of the town. She also doesn't understand how anyone can neglect a person like Charlie. Because ask for her opinion, Charlie is the type of person that has the personality that stands out in any crowd.
"You know, I think he's already proud of you. I mean, your father. He just probably doesn't know how to show it. I mean, who wouldn't be proud of you? I'm not even related to you and I am proud of you." Joey said sincerely "you'll probably make detective before you hit your 30's." She continued while focusing on sailing Lily. She didn't dare to turn and look at Charlie, knowing how that will turn out.
Charlie felt elated hearing that Joey is proud of her. Although she still feel a little sad, hoping that what Joey said about her father is true. She hoped with all her heart that her father just doesn't know how to express his gratefulness towards her achievements. Because for all her life, she feels like he didn't even know that Charlie exists. The only time that he seemed to be paid attention to her was when she and Angelo went to see him and let him know about their engagement. Her father seemed to really like Angelo for her for some reason.
"Yeah, I hope…" Charlie whispered but enough for Joey to hear. She leaned more against Joey who instinctively wrapped her arm around Charlie and rubbed her arm gently, as if soothing whatever pain Charlie is feeling and letting her know that everything will be fine.
"Well, enough about me. Let's focused on you now. Don't think I didn't notice that we've been talking more of me for the last hour."
Charlie averted the topic to Joey. She thought Joey's life is much more exciting than hers and has less drama in it. So far she found out that Joey is like a free bird, she does what she wants and go wherever the wind takes her. And yet Charlie can also not ignore the sense that although Joey seemed to have all the freedom, she still sensed that the girl still is a lost soul like her.
"What about me? I told you everything there is to know about me." Joey stated "My life isn't as exciting as you think you know. It's just me and my love for flowers and the sea. That's it!" Joey said.
Charlie poured the last of their wine onto the glass and drinks half of it then offered Joey the rest. Joey let the arm that was just around Charlie's; she then took the glass from Charlie and finished the wine. Joey hesitated to put her arm back to where it was before, but before she can even think of it, Charlie gently grabbed her hand and place it back to where it left. Charlie doesn't know why she did it and what prompt her to do it, but she just can't fight the wanting to feel that Joey is there beside her and close to her. She felt same somehow and very comfortable. Joey smiled to herself as she looked down at Charlie who comfortably leaned more to her. Joey didn't say anything; she just enjoyed the gesture that the woman made.
All their physical interactions don't bother them anymore like it used to before. They have seemed accustomed to it, and even if it does worry them at the very back of their heads, they just don't care anymore. Knowing that they can't stop it even if they tried to, it just happens naturally and it felt right nonetheless.
"I don't care… c'mon tell me more about you. Like why did you become florist?"
"Duh! I told you, I love flowers." Joey said chuckling as Charlie went bright red, realizing how dumb her question was. Joey is now turning the Lily, preparing the yacht to dock. "Besides we're nearly there, 5minutes tops and we'll be in full stop." Joey announced.
"Ok, so?"
"What do you mean so? We're getting off soon." Joey said.
"And until then, you may still answer me. So, why did you become a wedding planner?" Charlie asked.
"I'm not telling!" Joey said playfully and looked down to poke her tongue out to Charlie.
"Why not? I answered every question you threw at me. It's not fair!" Charlie said pouting.
"Life is never fair." Joey said.
"But you are!" Charlie argued like a kid "C'mon, tell me!" Charlie insists, poking Joey's side to tickle her a bit. "Tell me!!!" Charlie kept poking as she giggles seeing Joey struggling to keep her balance on the arm rest.
"Seriously Charlie, stop." Joey warned her laughing which made in less convincing and Charlie is relentless.
"Tell me! Tell me!" Charlie continued to poke Joey's side. Finally Joey lost her balance and fell to Charlie's lap. Charlie immediately wrapped her arms around Joey's waist preventing her to get up.
Joey hold on to the wheel tightly with both hands, so she won't lose control of it, silently wishing that autopilot is available. But then again that's one of the things she loves about sailing, getting to sail the beautiful lily. It made her brain focus and relax all at the same time. She fell on Charlie's lap and felt Charlie's arms snaked around her waist to stop her from standing up. She secretly smiled and settled on Charlie's lap seeing that the woman with blue eyes won't let go.
"Is this how you interrogate criminals, Senior? Is this how you get to tell them the truth? Coz if it is, they will surely commit crimes over and over again!" Joey teased and Charlie laughed.
".ha. very funny. But it won't let you off the hook."
"Fine! What exactly do you want to know?" Joey gave in, thinking if she wants to dock lily safely then she has no choice but to give in.
"I thought you're smart?" Charlie teased back, "I already told you. Why did you become a wedding planner?"
Joey slowly and carefully docked Lily before answering.
"Because I used to be a hopeless romantic."
Joey admitted feeling herself blushed as she waited for Charlie to laugh at her. But, she didn't. Charlie remained quiet as if waiting for Joey to continue. Sensing it, Joey continued.
"Because, I want to be part of the couples' happy ever after…" she said, as she felt Charlie comfortably rests her chin on her shoulder, "I didn't get to witnessed my Dad and my Mum's start of forever. So, I thought or more like expected that I'd see it in others and get to be a part of it, somehow…" Joey explained with a bit of sadness in her voice.
Charlie listened intently, still holding Joey and resting her chin on Joey's shoulder. Fully unaware of her doings and just let herself get lost.
"See, I used to be a believer. Well, still am, it's just that… I sometimes doubt now. Before I don't doubt at all, I guess… I've been presented with the truth and reality too much, that I'm not so sure anymore about the things that my Mum told me when I was growing up." Joey said as she leaned in against Charlie after docking Lily; feeling comforted by the woman's very presence in there.
"Doubt what exactly?" Charlie asked
"About… love." Joey paused a bit unsure how to continue but go on anyway, "about meeting 'The One'." Joey feeling more at ease as she felt Charlie tighten her arms around her.
"The one? How do you know who or which one it 'the one'?" Charlie asked curiously.
Silence fell between them but not the awkward silence. Charlie waited for Joey's answer while Joey on the other hand remembered and contemplated on what her mother told her.
"My mum told me that… 'The one' is the person and the only person that could and would be able to let you feel emotion and feelings that you wouldn't couldn't fight. Like, it won't matter what's wrong or right because you wouldn't be aware of that and even if you are, you wouldn't care. Because it's that strong that fighting it is useless…" Joey pauses and breathes deeply, "She said, with 'the one' you'll feel the burning passion feeds your soul and will envelop your whole being…" Charlie listened very intently to what Joey is saying. "That 'the one' is the person that will introduce you to the…"
"Love that knows no rules…" Joey continued but surprised when Charlie said the exact same thing at the same time.
Both women turned their heads so they're facing each other. Joey holds on to Charlie's arms around her waist as their eyes landed in each other's, "Love that knows no boundaries." Both whispered in unison, but laud enough for them to here, still looking in each other's eyes.
"How did you… know?" Joey asked softly, not breaking the eye contact.
"Because…" Charlie maintained her eyes to Joey's, "I always asked HIM if there are such feelings, if… it exist coz I wanted to feel it. I always pray for it." Charlie said honestly.
"Me too…" Joey replied, "I've been waiting for 'the one' for as long as I can remember. I want to have what my Mum and my Dad had when they were still alive and together."
Charlie continued to get herself lost in Joey's eyes as Joey is too. Charlie wondered if it's the reason why she met Joey. At first she thought Joey is the sign to help her out of the wedding, then some how she turned out to be the one to help her with the wedding. But now, she wondered if god let them two meet each other because they are two souls praying for the exact same thing. That maybe, they are bound to help each other to find what they're looking for.
Although in the back of Charlie's head and in the deepest part of her heart, a tiny bit of thought that even Charlie herself is oblivious to, lingers that maybe… just maybe they are the one's that they're both looking for.
"I really wish you find 'the one' for you." Charlie said sincerely knowing that she wouldn't have a chance to find hers because she's already engage to be married to Angelo.
"I wish I'd know when 'the one' is right in front of me." Joey whispered, lost and unable to think. It downed to her what she said and what it seemed to somehow mean, when she saw the look on Charlie's face. It's not an alarming look or upset look. And if Joey is being honest she would actually say it's a look of some kind of glee, but then she can't be too sure. And she immediately reason out what she said. Blinking back, breaking the contact and secretly regretted it at the back of her head, to turn her face away.
"I mean… you know…" Joey tried to explain as she reluctantly removed herself from the comfort of Charlie's arm. "I wish I'd know if he's right there. Like, I'd know that… that person is 'the one'… I mean…" Joey struggled to make her point.
Charlie watched her, also disappointed that they've lost the moment. But also somehow relieved as what happened or what has been happening just gives her the question 'What moment? What kind?' she somehow realized that being with Joey disabled her mind to think and is always left to wonder. Little did Charlie know that it does and has the same effect on Joey as it has to hers.
"Coz you know how sometimes you tend to look pass or most of the time…" Joey rumbled as she started fiddling something on Lily, trying to make it look like she's doing something with the yacht buttons or something. "You can't usually see what's right under your nose."
Joey! Stop! You're embarrassing yourself! Get a grip! Joey told herself off.
"Yeah. I get what you mean." Charlie replied quietly as she continued to watch Joey paced back and forth.
"Anyway… Lily's all in place now. We can get off now." Joey turned to Charlie again, "We're here!!!" She exclaimed trying to put a cheerful tone, covering up the nerves she's having and also diverting the mood to lighter one.
Charlie and Joey tidy Lily up before heading odd. As soon as Charlie got off the boat, she noticed that there's no other boats around, making her realized that Joey docked Lily in a private wharf.
"Uhm… Joey? Where are we?" Charlie asked, stopping and let Joey walked pass her.
"My place." Joey answered simply.
"And where exactly is your place?" Charlie followed Joey, wide eyes as she put two and two together, they're in Kirribilli. Charlie watched Joey head off few steps ahead of her, watching her walk towards a big-dirty-white coloured house at least 5metres or so away from the private dock.
Joey kept walking until she reached the little black gate at the back. She turned to see Charlie and saw that the taller woman stood frozen a few steps behind her.
"Hey Senior! " Joey called out waving her hand, gesturing for Charlie to come over.
Charlie walked towards Joey still in awe. She can't believe how big and luxurious Joey's house is. But then again she thought she should've expected it, after knowing about the Lily.
"Here is my place." Joey answered Charlie's question as she opened the little gate at the back of the house. She reached for Charlie's hand and pulled her inside with her and led them towards the back door of the house.
After a while, both women were inside the house. Charlie was mesmerized about everything inside. The house is neat and everything in there looks expensive. She felt a little uncomfortable, but do not want to show it. Joey however sensed the, 'for her' unexplainable feeling Charlie is feeling. Joey then held her hand tight, letting her know that it's ok, although she really didn't know what's not ok.
"Charlie? You ok?" Joey asked worried.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Charlie replied simply.
"Are you sure? Coz you don't look ok."
"Yes Jo. I'm sure. I'm just a little… overwhelmed I guess. And a little… little." Charlie answered honestly.
"Why?" Joey asked a little confuse.
"Nothing… it's just that, you know. The yacht, the house…"
"Ok. I get it." Joey interrupted her knowing what Charlie meant, "Charlz, you don't have the right to feel little. I mean… I know it could be a little overwhelming. But, all this… it's nothing compared to what you have."
"And what is that?" Charlie asked.
"Are you serious? You don't know? You still have your father Charlie and you have a nice step mother and a witty little sister. I only have a sister and Aden. I don't have either of my parents anymore and I'd trade all this, just to have my parents back. But I can't, so…"
"I'm sorry Joey. I'm really sorry." Charlie apologized sincerely, realizing how inconsiderate she is, letting material things make her forget all the things and people in her life. She felt embarrassed, without thinking she pulled Joey into a hug. She continuously apologized and thanked the girl in her arms now.
Joey's startled when Charlie pulled her and embraced her, but she is delighted. She hugged the woman back. They stayed hugging each other longer than necessary. Joey wants to stay in that hug, but she knows she needs to withdraw from her before losing herself again into the moment and might say something she shouldn't. The moment that they've been having every time they're together. The moment that both of them are not sure what kind, but made them feel at peace beyond measure and scared at the same time, from the unknown feelings.
They broke the hug and Joey asked Charlie to make herself at home as Joey needs to go and get the keys. Not long and she's back with keys in hand, 2 leather jackets in the other and is now wearing a knee high leather boots.
"Ready Charlz?" Joey asked the woman who has her back on her.
Charlie turned to Joey, noticing the jackets draped in Joey's arm and the hot looking boots Joey is wearing making the brown eye woman's legs sexier.
"What's with the Jacket?" Charlie asked to divert her attention to the jacket and not to Joey's legs and also intrigued.
"It'll look good on you Senior. Don't worry." Joey smiled and gestured to Charlie to follow her.
"Good look? On where and why?" Charlie asked again but followed Joey anyway, heading outside. "Aren't we going to the garage?" She asked confuse.
"Nope. There's nothing in the garage. Here, put this on." Joey handed Charlie one of the jacket, which Charlie accepted and do as she's told as Joey put hers on as well.
Joey continued to walk towards the front door of the house and out. She then turned to the parking space they have just 'round beside their house. Charlie followed and stood frozen as soon as her eyes landed to where Joey is standing next to. Joey took the helmets on either side of the handle and is handling one to Charlie. Joey turned to look at Charlie when the woman didn't seem to be wanting to take the helmet anytime soon.
"Charlie? Are you ok?"
"Uhm? Yeah. It's just that… you have a DUCATI?" Charlie exclaimed after recovering from her shock. "What happened to the car?" Charlie asked as she actually prepared herself to be blown away by Joey's car that she thought would probably one of the most expensive cars around. She didn't expect a motorcycle but it blown her away just as much.
"Who says I have a car?" Joey frowned.
"Well…" Charlie went bright red "I thought… well I assumed you'd have a car. I mean… you know." Charlie struggled to find a coherent explanation. "But anyway, does your Ducati have a name?" Charlie teased.
"Yeah well… this beauty is the Ducati GT 1000 touring. But to be short I call her GT" Joey giggled.
"How come you don't have a car?" Charlie asked curiously.
"Well, it's hard to find a parking in the city. And…" Joey paused, thinking if she should reveal Charlie the truth.
"And?"
"Well I don't know how to drive a car." Joey answered, closing her eyes tightly and anticipated Charlie's laugh. But failed to hear it, she slowly opened her eyes and look at Charlie. To her surprise Charlie was just looking at her with an amuse look and smile on her face.
"What?" Joey asked.
"Nothing…" Charlie said.
"Seriously, what?" Joey asked intrigued.
"It's just that, I didn't expect that. Like, you can sail a boat, you can ride a Ducati and yet you don't know hot to drive a car? I mean, how was that possible?"
"I don't know. I guess… cars didn't interest me." Joey said while checking the motor.
"So how do you go to… like formal party or stuff like that?"
"Either I get picked up by one of my friends or Aden drops me off." Joey answered as she tied her hair at the back before putting the helmet on.
Charlie marveled on Joey's attire, wondering how the woman can maintain to look so gorgeous or even sexy even when she's almost all covered up. She studied Joey, she's wearing a knee high leather flat boots, the short short and the razor back singlet that she's been wearing since they left Summer Bay, which still can be seen underneath the leather jacket. And now with the helmet covering her whole head and face except the eyes. She continued to watch Joey as she board the Ducati.
Joey turned to face Charlie to ask her to hop in, but was startled when her eyes took in Charlie's form. The tall brunette is still wearing her shorts that only goes up to not even half of her thighs, white top singlet that hugged her body showing of her curves, that Joey could still see thru the gap between the jacket. And Joey thought that the jacket somehow made Charlie all sexier if that is even possible. Joey watched Charlie tucked her hair at the back, before wearing the helmet as if Charlie's moves are in slow motion.
Both caught each other eyes when both looked up at the same time after checking each other out. They only part of their face that is uncovered met. Both were thankful that they're wearing the helmet as it hides the blush that crossed their faces.
"Come Senior! Hop in!"
Joey watched Charlie hopped her long leg on the Ducati and positioned herself comfortably behind Joey. Charlie wanted to wrap her arms around Joey's waist but hesitated, thinking that she may have over-stepped some boundaries. Although she'd done it not even an hour ago at the boat. Instead she just put her hands over Joey's shoulder.
"Charlz, you might wanna hold on tight." Joey suggested as she turned the motor on and balance the Ducati with her feet, almost tip-toeing on the ground.
Charlie smiled as her inner desire has been heard. She then wrapped her arms around Joey's waist. Joey grinned under her helmet unaware that Charlie is doing the exact same thing.
Joey let her left foot, leaved the ground and allowed her right, to do the balancing. She roared the motor laud and then turned her head on the side.
"Ready Hon?" Joey asked with her teasing tone, as she pressed the remote to the front gate to open.
Charlie wrapped her arms tightly around Joey, "Fire away, Darling!" Charlie teased back.
Joey drove the Ducati out of the gate before Charlie can even blink. Both women were smiling, as both thought about the term of endearment they just used to each other. Both knew that if somebody have heard them or seen their past interaction with each other, they would definitely conclude that they're flirting and not friends just teasing one another. But neither one of them is even bothered to think it through, neither one of them actually cared at the moment. Although in the deepest part of them, that none of the women dared to put a light on, they knew that they don't bother because whatever and however way they get their heads on it, both knew they wouldn't find an explanation and is actually kind of scary for them. As their actions towards each other just comes naturally, as if that is how it meant to be.