"Happily Never After"
Just a quick hello to everyone reading and reviewing this fic. Just a quick update as I'm running late for work - like that's any different from the norm - so I can't reply to all the last reviews but you all know I love reading them.
Movie249 - Get your butt off your strike and get back to reviewing that's an order! lol!
Blu74 - Well that better be all you need...*cutebabe looks around scared*...or else I'm in some trouble huh? LOL!
Yes I know Joey's stil being a total moron and I swear I never intended for her to be written that way at all but someone's gotta be the bad guy and have 'issues' that'll stop this pair getting back together straight away...but like I've said before they both have to start fighting for each other if they're ever gonna work stuff out and one of them has to make the first move so we'll soon see if Joey takes Charlie's lead and start doing a 'lil fighting of her own...
Chapter Twenty
Aden leaned over to Charlie passing her a beer. Sitting down on the couch next to her, he opened up his own bottle. Charlie shyly passed him back her bottle for him to open for her. Without a word, he did so and gave it back to her. Both took a quick swig of the liquid, before placing the bottles in front of them on the coffee table. "So you're here for good? You're not gonna take off if things get tough?" Aden enquired. "No I'm not. I'll stay here for as long as I'm needed," Charlie insisted. "I really hope you mean that this time Charlie. I don't want you hurting them again," Aden replied softly. Charlie looked over at Aden, "I mean it. I know I've made so many mistakes...I've screwed up the two most important things in my life."
"Not gonna disagree with you there," Aden confessed. "I deserve that from you," Charlie agreed, "I know this might take some time but their worth it. I don't care how long it takes...I'm gonna be here for them, in whatever way they want. How's Riley? Can I go up and see him?" Charlie started to stand but Aden held her arm, softly pulling her back onto the couch. Charlie stared at him confused. Aden sighed, "Riley's fine, he's asleep. Joey's up there watching him...and uh...Kaitlyn's kinda up there too." Charlie's confused expression turned to pain, "Kaitlyn's up there with...Joey?"
"Well she came over tonight to check on the two of them and...Joey kinda asked her to stay the night. Not like that kinda 'stay the night.' Joey's watching over him and if she gets a chance she'll be crashing on an air-mattress in Riley's room, and Kaitlyn's in Joey's room...at least I think that's the sleeping arrangements. Joey didn't really go into great detail about that. Look Joey only asked Kaitlyn to stay over 'cause she's a doctor, and Joey feels safer knowing if she has any problems with Riley then Kaitlyn's just next door," he explained. Charlie turned, staring up the stairs, "So that's the only reason she's here?"
"Charlie...I think you should know..." Aden hesitated. "They're seeing each other aren't they? For real this time," Charlie realized. "Yes," Aden answered, "Joey told me about it tonight when Kaitlyn was upstairs giving Riley his painkillers. They're taking things slow...and they still don't want to make anything official but...yes they're together. I'm sorry." Charlie took her eyes away from the stairs, leaned forwards to take her drink and take another sip, "I guess I should've expected as much. She freaked today and goes running to her high school sweetheart...I deserve that."
Aden looked at Charlie concerned, "What do you mean she freaked?" Charlie closed her eyes, "We shared a...moment together this morning." "A 'moment'...meaning?" Aden pushed. "We almost kissed," Charlie whispered. "That's great...or um...I mean..." Aden stuttered. "Yeah I thought so too but now I guess Joey's realized that it was a mistake," Charlie said sadly. "Or she's terrified of getting hurt again...and is doing what she always does when you hurt her...runs away," Aden suggested calmly. "You mean like the time I ruined our marriage and she walked out on me...running away to you?" Charlie said, the hurt evident in her voice.
Aden leant back on the couch, "You don't like me very much do you?" Charlie stared over at him. "It's fine Charlie. I'm not blind to the way you look at me and speak to me...especially over the last few months when Joey came here to live. I just don't know what I've done wrong," Aden confessed, "I was only trying to help them." Charlie exhaled, "You haven't done anything wrong Aden...you've done everything right. You've been there to support Joey through everything...when I wasn't." Aden nodded, "You think I've taken your place?" Charlie nodded in agreement, "I don't want to feel that way but...I can't help it. Over the last year, whenever Joey had a problem...she went to you. Even before her and I started having problems. She always turned to you...and I'm jealous of that."
"You don't have to be. I'm her best friend Charlie, I'm not her...you. There's nothing to be jealous of," Aden insisted. Charlie looked away from him, "Sure...what else would I have to be jealous about?" Aden nodded, acknowledging Charlie's question, "You think something...happened between me and Joey?" Charlie remained silent. "Charlie c'mon you can't seriously think that anything would ever happen between Joey and I! I'm hardly her type remember." Charlie took another mouthful of her drink, enjoying the refreshing alcohol as it gave her a bit more courage to be honest, "So...people change. I'd spent my whole life with men until I was twenty-nine and...'switched teams.' It's not impossible for Joey to do the same. Maybe she's a late bloomer like me."
"That's hardly the same thing," Aden replied, "Charlie don't be ridiculous! Joey is as gay as they come, she's never even thought of guys as attractive. On behalf of my sex I gotta say it's disappointing that neither of you are interested in us. But as a friend...I can't imagine either of you dating guys. I can't imagine you two with anyone except each other." "Tell that to Joey about Little-Miss-High-School-Sweetheart up there," Charlie growled.
"Wrong thing to say...sorry," Aden apologised, "Look Joey is gay end of story. You on the other hand...refuse to label yourself. You've been with Joey for the better part of the last six years and yet not once have I heard you discuss your sexuality. Hadn't really thought about it until Joey mentioned it a few months ago, but she's always been a little...disappointed that you still seem...afraid of what people think. I get that it's a private matter, but you two are...married...it hurt Joey that you were never 100% sure of who you are. Why are you so afraid to be who you are?"
Charlie shook her head, "I don't even know the answer myself. I'm just sick of people judging me. Not just for my relationship with Joey, for other things...getting pregnant with Ruby when I was fourteen and abandoning her, daughter to one of the best detectives and having to live up to his reputation, dating cop-killer Angelo...being a cold-hearted bitch of a cop." Aden raised his eyebrow, "Guess it's tougher to be you than I thought. And you're not a cold-hearted bitch Charlie...okay maybe on the odd occasion...but if you were like that Joey never would've fallen for you. I guess when you lost yourself into your work...maybe you lost who you are and that might just be what Joey wants - you to find her again."
"Guess that's why I'm here. Trying to work out how I managed to screw everything up and...if I can ever fix it," Charlie whimpered. "Do you want to fix it?" Aden questioned. "Of course I do," Charlie insisted, "I mean I have to at least try with Riley...but Joey...I've already lost her." "Just 'cause she's with Kaitlyn now doesn't mean you should give up on her. Maybe you being here will make her see who she wants to be with," Aden suggested. "And what if that's not me?" Charlie sighed, "Shouldn't even bother trying...she's made it clear she doesn't want to be with me." "Do you want her back?" Aden asked straightforwardly.
"I want things to be different, like they were before we split, when things were solid for our family. It's too late for that. I know I don't stand a chance at getting her back...and that's just something I have to learn to live with," Charlie realized, "But maybe if I do things right by them this time she'll..." "You just got to give her a chance Charlie. Trust me you being here is going to change things...maybe not the way you want...but it's a start and you need to be patient with her. Don't push her too soon...or she'll run away again," Aden revealed. "Right...check no pushing too hard," Charlie agreed.
"So what do you plan on doing about your job? You gonna hang out here when and if you can get free time?" Aden questioned. "Honestly...I don't know what I'm doing about my job...and for the first time in a really long time...I couldn't care less," Charlie smiled. "You really mean that don't you?" Aden realized. "Yeah I do. My work is important to me...but I've spent the last year missing out on Riley growing up...I don't want to lose any more time," Charlie decided. "I'm glad you finally realized that...'cause you're right you have missed out on so much since he's been here. He's a great kid," Aden replied. Charlie frowned, "Course he is...I mean he's your kid after all."
Aden crossed his arms across his chest, "Charlie is that what you have against me? Is that why you hate me?" Charlie placed her hand against her forehead, frustrated, "I don't hate you Aden. I hate what you represent to Riley. You're his father." "Riley doesn't even know that," Aden argued. "He doesn't have to...I can see it every time he looks at you," Charlie told him. "Charlie I'm not his parent. You and Joey are. I've never done anything to take your place in his life," Aden insisted. "No of course not...that's why Riley's living here with his parents...his true parents," Charlie shrugged.
Aden stood up, looking down at Charlie, "He's here because Joey didn't have any other place to go. He's my godson, I wasn't gonna turn them away. I love him like a nephew not as my son...and he loves you in the same way he loves Joey. Like any kid loves their parent. I will never be able to take your place, and nor would I want to. As much as I want you here for them, if this is the attitude you're gonna have: hating me 'cause I gave you the son you and Joey both wanted...then get out of my apartment!"
Charlie looked up at him, tears welling up in her eyes, "I'm sorry. It's stupid of me for thinking like this. Being jealous of you because of the relationship you share with him. Being jealous 'cause a part of me is afraid Riley will never love me the way he loves Joey...or you. When you first offered to help us start a family...I was terrified this could happen. But Joey convinced me that you wouldn't be the type of person to interfere. And she was right you never did. Even when you took them in...you would have done that regardless of if Riley was biologically your son or not. I guess part of it is because of...Ruby and the way we still act like sisters...when we're not. She's my daughter and it's easier but painful...for me to treat her like she's my sister...'cause I don't want to hurt her. Is it painful for you...pretending he's not your son?"
Aden sat back down, "I don't have to pretend anything Charlie. I'm not his parent and I never will be. Okay...maybe it hurt when I first held him in my arms. The emotions overwhelmed me...but it had more to do with the fact...I wanted a son. I wanted a son with Belle to raise as our own and if she hadn't...maybe I would've been standing there holding my child I was gonna be a father too. It didn't take me long to realize that I'm not Riley's parent...not really...and I promised myself I would be the best uncle ever to him. That I'd never let him down. And excluding not being there last night...I've stood by him every day watching you and Joey raise him and I won't ever stop being there for him."
Charlie continued staring at him, tears rolling down her eyes, then suddenly she started laughing softly. "Now's not really the time to...I mean you're stepping on my moment here Charlie," Aden told her confused by her outburst. Charlie scrunched up her face, before stroking her hands over her face wiping away her tears, still laughing, "Look at me. I'm sitting here with you of all people...crying and asking you for advice. Do you know how much crap I've given Joey for all the times she turned to you instead of me with her problems? And now here I am...doing the same damn thing. It's a little funny."
Aden shook his head, before a smile broke across his face, "That is a little funny. Since when did I become the guy lesbians come to with their problems?" Charlie rolled her eyes, "Since your best friends with one, and her stupid wife finally realized you were never the problem with their relationship. I mean maybe you didn't exactly help things when you...forget it...I can't blame anyone for that...it was my fault. God why didn't I come to you sooner?" "'Cause you're stupid," Aden teased. "No wonder you and Joey are best friends," Charlie pointed out. "C'mon I love our similar taste in humour. That's why Jo and I are such good friends," Aden agreed, "So how you feeling now? That you've gotten some of your fears out and talked out your frustrations with yours truly?"
"Better, I feel relaxed...and ready to fight for them. Maybe I can't win back my family and have things the way they used to be. But I can do this...I can be there for them in whatever way they want. If Joey doesn't want to be with me...I'll just have to settle for being her friend and strengthening my relationship with our son," Charlie smiled contently. "Do you want me to tell Joey you're here?" Aden asked. "No I don't want to wake Riley. Besides it'll give him a surprise tomorrow morning, and I know he'll love that. I just hope it doesn't throw Joey off too much," Charlie replied.
"Joey might get quite the surprise too finding you here...but I don't think she'll be as surprised as you think," Aden said softly, "You sure you'll be right on this couch? It's not very comfy." "I'll be fine. I've had tougher nights struggling to sleep. I think I'll be fine here, knowing my family's close by. Besides you're kinda outta spare rooms," Charlie pointed out. "Good point. Thank you Charlie for finally stepping up and doing this...don't let them down," Aden warned quietly. "I won't. I've done that enough already and it'll never happen again. I love my family too much to cause them more heartache," Charlie confessed.
Aden stood up, nodding politely, "If you need anything, let me know. Hope to see you tomorrow morning." "You will, I'm not going anywhere else. Promise," Charlie told him truthfully. Aden smiled, then walking over to one of the cupboards pulled out a blanket and passed it to Charlie. Charlie took it gracefully as Aden made his way up the stairs, switching off the light. Charlie breathed deeply as she stood up, slipping off her jacket, then lying back down on the couch, pulling the blanket over her. Slowly she drifted asleep with one thought on her mind – I'm gonna fight for my family...do whatever it takes to prove how much I want to be a part of their lives...and I'm not giving up until I get them back.