The Bucktons were enjoying a nice family dinner, Morag looked a little uncomfortable at the dinner table as she gave Charlie some quick glances. Ross didn't seemed as concerned as Morag, but with his condition he didn't want to waste any time with ridiculous arguments with his children. Morag understood this, but deep inside she felt like Ruby shouldn't be living with Charlie and her lifestyle. Ruby is at a very impressionable stage in her young life, Charlie and her lover might not be the best role models for Ruby and Morag wanted to let Charlie know. Charlie was helping Morag clean up in the kitchen and Morag asked Ruby to keep an eye on her husband.
"Charlie, I've been giving this a lot more thought and I've come to the conclusion, that perhaps Ruby would be better off staying here with us and also she could help me out with Ross and all."
"We all decided, before dad's condition got worse that Ruby, staying with me was the best solution and so far it has been. I think that the real reason is that you don't want me to expose her to my relationship with Joey. Tell me I'm wrong, Morag."
"Charlie, Ruby is young and I don't want her to get confused about certain roles, I want her to live in a positive enviorment..."
"I couldn't be living in a better environment than the one Charlie is giving me!" Cried out Ruby, who was eavesdropping outside the kitchen door.
"Girls, please don't misunderstand me, but I'm just thinking in what's best for Ruby."
"Charlie is what's best for me! You have no idea how much we are there for one another and with Joey in the picture it's like having another sister who is just as nice and caring." Said Ruby.
"Morag, I know this is hard for you to get your head around, but don't think for a second that I haven't thought about this long and hard. I have and I put Ruby's welfare well ahead of my own. If Ruby wouldn't have accepted it, I don't know if we would be having this conversation." Explained Charlie.
"Let's ask Ruby what she would like!" Said Morag.
"What I want is for this conversation to end. I love Charlie and I don't plan on leaving her. She's made this wonderful home for me, Joey is an added bonus. I love you and dad, too. But it breaks my heart to watch dad deteriorate each and every day. Please, Morag this isn't an issue for me and it shouldn't be one for you either. Living with Charlie isn't going to change who I am or brainwash me, if that's what you are afraid of. I think that this whole situation has enlightened me in a way I never knew possible. Love is all that really matters in life and when you are lucky enough to find someone that loves you back the world seems like a better place."
"You have grown a lot young lady. I guess even an old lady like me can learn a few things from today's generation!" Said Morag.
"I know I learn so much from Ruby on a daily basis, the kid has so much wisdom that I wonder who the big sister is half of the time!" Said a smiling Charlie.
"Well lets go to the living-room, your father must be wondering where we all went. Ruby grab the cake, Charlie bring the napkins and plates, I've got the coffee and cups." Said Morag.
They headed towards the living-room, all of them feeling better about the conversation that they had. Morag wasn't worried anymore, she knew Ruby was in good hands and that Ruby was very mature for her young age. Sometimes it's good to let the fears out of one's system, the more people open up, the more they learn to live and accept one another in the world we live. While they were all enjoying the rest of their evening, Charlie excused herself and said that she's had a very big day and would retire for the night. She gave everyone a hug and went to her room. She sat on the bed and cried, she didn't really know herself why she was crying, but the tears that were spilling from within her must of been of relief, happiness or a combination of the two, also she was missing Joey very much and that might be it as well. She curled herself on the bed and took a deep breath, closed her eyes and fell asleep. The days events have been overwhelming and Charlie needed a goodnight sleep and thoughts of Joey made sure that her dreams would be as equally nice.