Unexpected love.

I know I say this every time I write a new chapter, but I really do love hearing your ideas and reviews. I have so many ideas for this story but it depends if you're still enjoying the story.

Previously.

Leah and Miles go on the holiday Emma and Charlie gave them.

The couple worry about VJ's crush on Emma.

Emma starts her new job.

Chapter 25.

Leah and Miles stood outside the airport waiting for Charlie to pick them up. She rang her mobile whilst telling Miles she had spoken to her last night so she couldn't have forgotten. Charlie's phone rang; Emma answered it while her girlfriend was driving. "Hey Leah, yes we are almost there, sorry the traffic was really bad, yes it was grid locked at one point, we will be about 10 minutes." As she hung up, Charlie glanced at her, "I cannot believe you lied to our friend's." She smirked. "Well if you hadn't kept me in bed, because you can't control yourself, we would have set off in plenty of time, and I wouldn't have to lie. Unless you would have preferred me to tell Leah the real reason we were late." She smiled teasingly.

As they pulled up at the airport, Leah and Miles made their way over to the car. Putting the luggage into the boot, they all hugged before getting into the car. "How was it? Did you enjoy yourselves?" "It was fantastic thank you. Just what we both needed, nice and relaxing? So what have we missed? Has VJ been behaving himself?" She asked as Charlie started the engine and pulled away from the parking space. Charlie and Emma shared a look before sighing. Emma had already spoke to Charlie on the way there about how and when to discuss VJ's crush with Leah. "Ok what has he done?" Leah asked sighing. "Relax Leah it's not like that, he hasn't really done anything." Charlie replied quickly. "Leah you have just stepped of the plane, this can wait, it's not a problem." "No I would rather know now, please tell me." "Well you know we have suspected for a while he has a little crush on Emma?" Charlie said trying to think how to carefully word the next part. "Well it has become more than a little crush, he has been like a shadow to Emma, he has even talked to her about having feelings for someone who had a partner, and did she think a big age gap mattered. He has been out with friends while I have been at home but stayed in when Emma was there. We have struggled for some alone time as he comes between us. He has also walked in on her in the bathroom after being told she was having a shower." Leah cringed "Emma I am so sorry, have you said anything to him?" "Leah it's not that bad, we thought it would be better talking to you first, we don't want to embarrass him." "Thank you, I will have a talk with him as soon as I can, I think it's a good thing we are moving out, tomorrow." "Thanks Leah I'm sorry to bring it up, I know in a couple of day's he will probably find someone else he likes." For the rest of the journey they listened to Miles and Leah talk about the resort, the food and what they had got up to.

As they made their way into the house, Leah was greeted warmly by Ruby and her Son. Miles thanked Emma and Charlie stayed long enough to watch them open their present then said he needed to get back to the caravan park. "I will see you tomorrow." He said as they kissed. Leah asked VJ if he had started to pack, "Do we have to move?" He asked disappointed. "I thought you liked Miles, and I thought you were pleased when we talked about living together." "I do like him, but why can't he move in here with all of us? I like living with Charlie, Emma and Ruby." "VJ Miles has to live at the Caravan Park, and Emma, Charlie and Ruby need a place of there own. We will still see them." He looked at his mum before saying "OK, do I get the big bedroom at the front?" "Nice try Son, but you know that room is mine and Miles's."

Emma was busy in the kitchen making dinner; Charlie went to help Leah with her packing. As she sat on Leah's bed she started wringing her hands together nervously. "Charlie what's wrong, you seem really nervous about something, It's nothing to do with VJ is it? or you haven't changed you're mind about the house?" "No it's nothing like that, I actually need some advice. You know about my past relationship disaster's, how I can't commit long tem." "Charlie do not tell me you have changed your mind about Emma, Charlie she has given up everything to be with you." "That's not what I'm trying to say, what do you think about me asking Emma to marry me? Do you think it's too soon? Do you think Emma will be pleased? Will she even want a gay marriage?" Charlie started to feel stressed. "Charlie relax, take a deep breath. If you're this nervous talking to me about it do you think you're ready to propose?" "I am ready; I just only plan on doing this once, and want to make sure I get the answer I want. I just panic at the thought of Emma saying no. I don't know her view on gay marriage." "Emma loves you and wants to spend the rest of her life with you. I'm sure if you talk to her things will be fine." "Well maybe you could sort of find out her views on gay marriage for me? Please Leah I wouldn't ask if it didn't mean so much to me." Leah shook her head sighing. "Charlie you should just discuss this with Emma yourself." Charlie gave her, her best puppy dog eyes. "Ok, if the subject comes up I will try and find out what she thinks. Now are you going to help me pack or not?" She replied. Charlie hugged her friend before getting a box to start putting things into.

Two days later Emma, Charlie and Ruby were on there way over to the caravan park Leah had decided they needed a party with a few guests to welcome her and VJ into their new home. After her conversation with Leah, Charlie waited to do anything about proposing until she knew how Emma felt. Leah promised if she got the chance she would have a chat with Emma tonight, knowing Charlie needed to propose as soon as possible before the doubts set in and she changed her mind.

The party was in full flow, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and Leah had provided plenty of food and drink. Emma was stood talking to Morag, Leah Roo and Coleen; Charlie gave Leah a discreet look, and then made her excuses saying she had to speak to her Daughter. "Leah you and Miles make a perfect couple, it's lovely to see you both so happy, you both deserve it." Coleen was gushing. Leah smiled thanking her, as she quickly thought this conversation could lead on too a conversation about weddings. "Well it took us a long time to get to this point but we love each other and want to spend the rest of our lives together." She said. "Watch out Leah you're starting to sound like an old married couple." Roo teased laughing. Smiling Leah let out a sigh, "I do not, besides I'm not sure we would want to get married, living together is quite enough thank you." "What about you? Would you ever marry again?" Roo looked at her friends, "I can't say I have thought much about it, but with the right person who knows." She replied. "Emma would you ever get married?" Emma was just taking a sip of her wine when Leah turned the conversation onto her. She could feel herself blush as everyone watched waiting for her reply. "Err well I haven't really thought about it, I mean it's a different situation for me. The only person I would ever want to be with is Charlie, and marriage between the same sexes is different." "Yes but the law has changed with regard to gay weddings, so it can be done." Leah replied, doing her best to keep the conversation on Emma. "Yes I know, I love Charlie and I am over here because I want to spend the rest of my life with her, I would love to have that final commitment, but it's something we haven't discussed as a couple, I don't know what she thinks about it. Either way I'm happy, we already live together." They talked a while longer before Leah excused herself to go and use the bathroom.

Charlie watched Leah leave the room and slowly discreetly made her way out, hoping to catch her in private. As Leah made her way down the stairs she smiled at Charlie sitting at the bottom of the stairs. "Well did you manage to talk to her?" She asked immediately, getting straight to the point. "Yes and you're girlfriend would love to commit herself to you through marriage if she thought you were interested." Charlie grabbed Leah happily. "Thank you, thank you. I am so happy. What are you doing tomorrow morning? Do you fancy going shopping with me? The sooner I propose the happier I will be." She said smiling. "In that case count me in. Have you thought about how and where you will ask her?" "I have had a few ideas, I want it to be as romantic as possible." She replied, just as Miles came through the door "there you two are, people have been asking where you to have disappeared to." He spoke before kissing his girlfriend.

The next day Charlie kissed Emma good bye as she set off for work, claiming she had paper work and house work to do on her day off. She then rushed to the bedroom to get herself dressed ready to pick Leah up from the caravan park. She felt nervous but excited all at the same time. As she entered the house she said good morning to Miles, Leah and Morag who were eating breakfast in peace after sending VJ off to school. "Charlie would you like a coffee?" Leah asked getting up to fetch another cup. "I would love one thank you." "Charlie we don't often see you this early what are you doing here? this early?" Morag asked. "I have a day off, Emma and Ruby has gone to work and school so I knew Leah had the morning off and wondered if she fancied doing something." "I would love to. Do you fancy going into town to do some shopping?" Charlie smiled. "That sounds good to me." With that decided they finished their drinks then Leah washed the dishes, kissed Miles goodbye, then they set off, Morag had already left to catch up with Irene.

Whilst in the car on the way to town Leah told Charlie she had taken VJ to one side and talked to him about his crush on Emma, "After denying it for a while he finally admitted he did like her, because she was nice and kind was into football, did a job he liked and was a hero. He did say that he had talked to Emma while I was away, and he knew it would be wrong and embarrassing to say or do anything about it." "Thanks Leah, it wasn't really that we had a problem with it although I wasn't that happy he walked in on her, but he's a lovely kid and we didn't want to hurt his feelings if he actually did something about his feelings. Believe me I had a crush on a friend of my mum's when I was younger, I made it obvious and he had to let me down gently but at the time I was devastated. Oh if you ever mention that to anyone I will kill you." Charlie said glancing at her friend quickly before putting her eyes back on the road ahead.

They parked in the car park nearest the shops, as they walked along the row towards the first jewellery shop Charlie noticed her hands were sweating, and she had a sickly nervous feeling in her stomach. Leah looked at her friend asking if she was alright. "Yes I'm just nervous; I want this to be perfect." They smiled at each other. "It will be perfect don't worry." "When I was growing up I always thought I would be the one that was proposed to, not the one doing the proposing." She laughed.

They entered the shop and were met quickly by a sales assistant. "Good morning ladies, could I help you with something?" The woman asked smiling. "Yes I am looking for an engagement ring." Charlie replied. "Well if you come this way I am sure we have what you're looking for. Do you have a price range in mind?" "To be honest I would rather look at the rings before I think of the price." Charlie replied. "Oh, he has told you to come and choose the ring you want for any amount, that's good. Will he come and pay for it once you have decided?" She asked, causing Leah to try to hide her laugh. "Actually I am here to buy the ring for my girlfriend." Charlie replied a little irritated. "Oh I see. I will be right back with some rings." The woman replied stiffly, before turning to walk away. "Who the hell does she think she is? Did you see her face when I told her I had a girlfriend?" After a couple of minutes the woman came back with a tray of big and cheep looking rings. "Is there any you would like a closer look at?" She asked, rudely. "Actually no, firstly I am not happy with your attitude, secondly these rings are horrible and garish, which until you were informed I was buying the ring for my female partner you were going to show me a totally different tray from that direction. And thirdly as a police sergeant of this town I would like to see you're manager with regard to you're attitude to homophobia." The woman stood shocked and silent as Charlie held her police badge out for her. Just then another woman appeared, "I am the manager of this shop, is there a problem?" Charlie explained what had transpired. The manager apologised and offered a discount, Charlie explained she would prefer to take her business elsewhere and advised her to have a word with her staff before someone made an official complaint.

The next Jewellery shop they went in they thanked the sales assistant but said they preferred to browse themselves first. As soon as Charlie saw the diamond ring set in white gold she new it was the one. She pointed to Leah who glanced at the ring and agreed, it was definitely Emma, it had one large diamond in the centre with two smaller diamonds either side. They signalled the sales assistant to ask for a closer look at the ring; Charlie was pleased when she held the ring as it was even the right size. It was as if it was meant to be. As she went to pay for the ring, the sales assistant made a comment about Charlie buying her own ring; here we go again she thought to herself. "Actually I have a girlfriend, this ring is for her." She said nicely, bracing herself for the same reaction she had from the other shop. "That's fantastic, good for you. I have been wondering whether to propose to my partner, I mean since the law changed on gay marriages, you know I think I will." He smiled at her. Charlie smiled back and thanked him for his help. Once leaving the shop they decided to head to the nearest diner for a drink and work out how she could romantically propose.

Emma was sat in the office with Sonia going through some files on the budget for the department. Sonia was in a happy mood and grinned when she checked her phone to find a text message. "I take it George has sent that message?" Sonia blushed before she nodded her head, "She wants to take me to lunch." "I'm really pleased for you, George is lovely." "Hands off she's taken, besides you already have one gorgeous woman you can't possibly have both." Sonia replied laughing. "Don't they look sexy in their uniform?" She said dreamily. Emma laughed, shaking her head at her friend/ boss. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Emma stood to open the door, surprised to find her girlfriend. "Charlie what are you doing here?" "Sorry I was in town and thought I would pop in to tell you not to make any plans for tonight as we are going out." "We are? I didn't realise we had made plans?" "We haven't that's why I thought I better tell you, I know what Sonia's like about dragging people out for a drink." "I can hear you." Sonia replied laughing. Charlie smiled. "What are you doing tomorrow? Do you fancy coming over for a meal? George has said she will come." "That would be good thank you; do you want me to bring anything?" "No just bring yourself." With that decided Charlie kissed her girlfriend good bye, and left her to finish her shift.

Charlie and Leah went to the diner to organise the rest of the surprise, they had decided Leah would cook a special picnic; Charlie would take Emma for a romantic picnic on the beach. "I could set everything up for you if you like, a table and chairs, candle light champagne etc." "That would be fantastic, are you sure you don't mind?" Leah smiled at her friend, no problem; you just concentrate on getting Emma and the ring there." Charlie hugged her friend, thanking her; she knew the night would be perfect if Leah helped her.

Emma arrived home to find Charlie had a bubble bath run for her, "Wow this is amazing, what have I done to deserve this?" "Just being you, can't I treat my girlfriend without her worrying something's wrong?" She smiled lovingly. "Are you joining me?" Emma asked as she stepped into the bath water. "I thought you would never ask." She grinned stripping her clothes of quickly.

It was now 7:00 Charlie had dressed in a sexy blue dress that clung in all the right places. Although Emma had no idea where she was going she also dressed in a black dress. Charlie drove them along the road towards the diner and beach. Parking the car Emma noticed how quiet she had gone. Emma stepped out of the car ready to head to the entrance of the diner, she was surprised when Charlie smiled, holding her hand she pulled her in the opposite direction. "Where are we going? I thought we were going for something to eat?" Emma said as Charlie led her onto the beach as they walked onto the sand Charlie stopped walking and pulled a blindfold from her bag. "Do you trust me?" She asked nervously, "You know I do but where are we going?" Emma replied leaning forward to kiss her. "It's a surprise, but if you trust me I'm sure you will like it." Charlie replied. She stepped behind her and gently putting the blindfold on, before holding her in her arms and guiding her along.

They slowly walked for a couple of minutes before Charlie began undoing the blindfold. Charlie rested her hands around her neck and kissed her tenderly before turning her to look at the romantic picnic set up. "Oh my god, Charlie, How did you get this done? This is perfect I love it." She leant in to kiss her girlfriend passionately. They sat at the candle light table; Charlie opened the bottle of Champagne pouring it into both glasses, and then sorted the food out from the picnic basket.

They enjoyed the food and conversation, although Emma noticed Charlie struggling. "Charlie are you alright? You look uncomfortable or worried about something. You know you can talk to me about anything." Charlie smiled across the table at her, "I'm fine, thanks." She replied "Actually there is something I wanted to talk to you about. Emma you know I love you don't you? And I really appreciate how much you gave up being with me. The thing is, I have never felt like this about anyone before, you mean everything to me. I have never been with anyone, who I want to spend the rest of my life with." Charlie looked at her nervously. "I love you too." Emma started to reply when Charlie quickly stood up and moved to Emma's side, going down onto one knee holding a jewellery box she said "Will you marry me?" Emma sat staring at Charlie. "I guess it was stupid, I'm sorry forget I said anything." She quickly spoke unable to look Emma in the eye starting to stand up. "Charlie stop," She said smiling widely, leaning across the table to hold her hand. "I was shocked. That's the only reason I didn't speak. Did you really ask me to marry you?" "Yes, yes I did, but if you don't" Again Emma stopped her from saying anything further. "I would love to marry you. Charlie I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to grow old with you." She replied crying and hugging her. They kissed passionately. "Do you mean it? You really said yes to marry me?" Charlie asked needing reassurance. "Yes. I would love to marry you." They hugged and kissed again before Charlie placed the ring on her girlfriend's finger. Emma burst out crying and said over and over again how gorgeous the ring was.

They moved to sit in each others arms on the sand, while they finished off the champagne. At the end of the evening they packed the picnic away and carried it towards the diner. As they took the items inside the diner Leah rushed over to them. "Well? Did you do it?" She asked Charlie. Emma held her right hand out to show Leah the ring. She screamed and hugged them both tight, causing several people in the diner to look over at them. "Irene, Bianca come quick." Leah shouted at their friends. "What is it darl?" Irene asked puzzled why they were making so much noise. "Look, Emma show them." Emma held her hand out to the two women while Charlie had her arm wrapped around her shoulder. "Congratulations." They both spoke then hugged the happy couple, followed quickly by everyone else in the diner. "We better go and tell Ruby and Morag before, they find out from other people." With that they thanked Leah then explained they needed to go.

Next time.

Ruby wants to organise the wedding and has both Emma and her mother worried with her ideas.

The happy couple celebrate with a surprise party their friends organise.