Hello everyone!!! Sorry for the late update! Lolz I just went to gold coast and didn't have time to !!! anyweiz, thank you for the constant reviews and comments and like what I said I'm starting to redeem myself! Lolz
Joey eventually finished the planning and discussed everything to Charlie and Angelo. The couple agreed and just told her that they'll start as soon as possible and will not waste any time and would call her if something's up. Joey however informed them that she will be on a indefinite holiday, but reassured them by telling them that Josie her sister will be taking care of everything. She told them that she already prepared alternatives if in case the original plan didn't work. Joey also gave Angelo and Charlie business cards and names of people they can contact, from wedding dresses and suit to catering services. She said it would be easier and faster if they already have numbers to contact for those things, instead of looking from scratch. All through the meeting, Joey has been professional, and didn't dare to look Charlie straight in the eyes. No one knew that all through the discussion, Joey has been taking all her will power to continue without breaking down, as every word she says feels like a knife stabbing her in the heart over and over again in the same place, wounding the already wounded heart.
Angelo thanked Joey profusely at the end of the meeting, feeling happy and grateful for Joey and her help. He also silently apologised to her in his head for thinking bad of her before.
Charlie was just quiet all through the talk, feeling like Joey was helping her dig her grave. But she reminds herself over again that, she asked Joey to do it for her, but only because she thought she could spend time with Joey more, while she still hasn't decided what to do about the wedding. But now she learned that Joey would be away for indefinite period of time and she is pretty sure that Joey will be with Gaby during those times. She tried no to feel jealous, reminding herself that she doesn't have the right to, but the image of Joey and Gaby cruising on Joey's lily or driving around the country on GT keeps on popping in her head and it made her hate herself more, for being indecisive and gutless.
After the wedding discussion, Charlie tried to have a private talk with Joey, but Joey refused to, saying that she really needs to go as she has a bit of packing to do. Charlie was about to insist, but before she could, Gaby showed up taking Joey with her. Charlie saw the look Gaby gave her and wondered why the woman gave her an apologetic look. Deflated and defenceless, Charlie watched Gaby take Joey away.
******
Joey spent the rest of the day packing few of her clothes silently. She knew Josie was watching her every move and wanted to talk, But Joey felt like if she opened her mouth, she will eventually break down, plus she felt like she's already exhausted enough from the dreaded talk she had with Angelo and Charlie.
Josie just watched her sister do all the packing. She, herself don't think it is a good idea, but she knew she just have to support her sister. She and Aden actually thought they could all have a fun time together; like a continuation to what they had when Joey and Charlie went to visit them in the city, which seemed like very long time ago when it was just a week ago. But then Josie thought, who would've known the both Joey and Charlie's world, could turn a full 360 degrees in just a span time of a week,
Later then, all four headed for the city. Josie came with them to pick some clothes and go back to Summer Bay the next day. Joey decided to join Josie and Aden in the car, wanting to get some sleep at the back sea, hoping that she could at least have a break from thinking of Charlie and from convincing herself that she's doing the right thing by staying away from the woman she loves, but could never have even in dream.
Gaby was on her Harley driving just behind Aden's car. Gaby as much as she wants to believe that she's helping Joey, she still can't help but feel like she's helping her not for the best but helping her do the biggest mistake she could ever done in her life. Gaby thought, Joey was about to do what she'd done ages ago, that wished she didn't. Gaby remembered how she moved away thinking it was the best, instead of telling Joey how she feels. She remembered how, if she told her, they could've been together. Now, she regrets going away as it didn't made her forget. And basing on her experience, she is quite sure that she wouldn't want Joey to feel that. Then again, in her hearts of heart, she knew she wanted nothing but to be alone with Joey, be with her and have her attention all to herself. Now she found herself torn from wanting to do the right thing and from giving in to her desire.
*****
After lunch, Angelo and Charlie talked about the wedding more. Angelo wants to have a least a little engagement party. He said it wouldn't be too much, even though it would be another thing to prepare on top everything else. Angelo also thought that they could have it along with Charlie's birthday so it would be less hassle, but apparently, he learned that his parents won't make it. So he decided to have it the weekend after. Busy with all his planning, Angelo didn't even notice that Charlie was just quiet. Not agreeing and disagreeing to anything he's saying and said. But Angelo was too excited that he assumed Charlie's silence means she's approving.
After Joey left, Charlie didn't seemed to recover from what she saw. The thought that entered her head when she fist saw Gaby holding hands with Joey, seemed to be coming true. When she watched Gaby taking Joey, what she saw was Gaby taking Joey away from her and from her life. She thought, maybe Gaby saw it in her eyes that she's in love with Joey that's why she gave her an apologetic look. But Charlie quickly brushes it off her head, thinking it was impossible. However, she still couldn't brush everything off in her head. Charlie could hear Angelo talking, but her head was full of Joey, that she couldn't pay any attention to what Angelo has been saying.
Later, Charlie out of nowhere asked Angelo to just drop her off to home to Leah's. On the way, Angelo tried to coax Charlie to a conversation, but he was answered by silence. He then finally noticed how Charlie's mind seemed to be parted from her body. He tried to bring Charlie back from her daze, but failed. Reaching Leah's house, Angelo leaned to give Charlie a kiss on the cheek, but Charlie didn't seem to noticed and just turned to get off the car and to the house's front door without much of a word.
Charlie coming back from her daze, found herself inside Angelo's car in front of Leah's house. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Angelo leaned for a kiss; she immediately turns to get out. Before Joey left earlier, she gave Charlie a quick soft kiss on the cheek, and Charlie didn't want Angelo's kiss to erase Joey's and so she left and walked quickly to the house. Without turning, she opened the door and let herself in. Once inside, she leaned back onto the closed door and there, she started to cry.
Charlie cried there until she could cry no more, grateful that no one seemed to be home. After a while of composing herself the best she could manage, she then made her way to her room and there she lay on her bed in the dark and started crying again. Charlie thought of everything that is going on in her life. After her talk with Ruby, she felt a bit relieved; realising that what happened was not entirely her fault. And it now gave her reason to stop blaming herself and stop falling for her father's mercy. But then, now there's Gaby. Charlie thought, even if she calls the wedding off, would she still be free to love Joey? Would she still be free to confess what she feels? She doesn't know Joey and Gaby's history, but they way Gaby looks at Joey and the way Joey seemed to be seeking some sort of comfort by holding Gaby's hand, it made her think over and over again if there's more to them than meets the eyes and the more she thinks about it, the more she feels insecure, but can't find a way to stop. Especially when she remembered the way Joey holds Gaby's hand secretly under the table. They thought on one could see it, the thought no one knew, but she did. Charlie accidentally dropped her for once, after heading they had the same birthday and when she bend to pick it up, she saw Joey and Gaby's hand intertwined. It made her angry at herself more and made her sad, thinking that even if she fights for her feeling for Joey, she'd probably lose the fight even before it starts.
Now, although she still tried to think about the flowers that Joey gave her, the promises she made; now Charlie could only think of one thing. That Joey is just a really great friend to everybody and that is just it. That she, Charlie, isn't special, like what she secretly thought she was to Joey. Now she thought, she just fooled herself believing that, because she is desperate for Joey to maybe feel the same about her. But Gaby's arrival proved her wrong and now she's more miserable than before.
******
On their fist day of adventure, Joey and Gaby decided to drive up north to Queensland. They both knew that it is impossible for them to make it to their destination as they both haven't done it before; going interstate via motor bike. But it was Joey's idea and she insisted. On the way, it wasn't lost to both of them that they're actually driving the same high way to Summer Bay.
All through their journey, Joey remained silent and lost in her own little world. Her head was as always, full of thoughts about the beautiful brunette that owns a pair of blue eyes. Normally, Joey enjoys side seeing while driving as she could see and really appreciate the beauty of nature. But, this time, she couldn't careless. If being honest, it doesn't interest her anymore, not after she saw the beauty of the world through Charlie's eyes.
She thought of how quickly her life had changes, after meeting Charlie. It started as her, getting a bit clumsy, talking to herself often, to not being in control of her feelings. She remembered the first time she caught glimpse of Charlie's beauty; it made her weak in the knees. The first time she got herself lost in her eyes and how it took her breath away. Thinking about it now, Joey chastised herself for not acknowledging it before. She thought that if she did, then she could've still hopefully prevented it from growing more. Joey remembered the poem she wrote out of desperation to get rid of whatever she's feeling and thought that if only she didn't ignore what she wrote, then maybe she could've distance herself from Charlie before her feelings went deeper for the police officer. And again, she asks herself 'Wasn't it already deep when started?'knowing that her feelings for Charlie made her cry even before she fully accepted it.
Gaby watched Joey driving before her, feeling her heart breaks more seeing how broken Joey is. She tried to coax her into a small conversation every time they stop to have some refreshments, but to no avail. She knew Joey from way back and she never saw her like that. Joey would always talk to her, even if it's not about what's bothering her; she would always talk. But now, even when she's driving, Gaby could see how lost Joey seemed to be. That's why Gaby took it upon herself to drive behind Joey, so she could always observe her driving.
On their second day, Gaby suggested to drive slower and to stop often. She continued to watch Joey and knew straight away and now sure, that no matter how far Joey away is from Charlie, her friend wouldn't be able to forget, as Gaby could see that Joey is physically away from Charlie but her heart and mind never left the beautiful Senior Constable of Summer Bay. Seeing Joey's actions and the way she is now, Gaby could only admit that Joey fell so hard for Charlie that, what she feels for Joey couldn't match the love that Joey feels for the blue-eyed brunette. And although, it breaks her heart more, Gaby now could only conclude that Charlie is 'the one' for Joey, even Joey still denied it to herself.
******
Missing Joey so much, even just a simple text from Joey could make Charlie's day. But unfortunately for the Senior Constable, she received non from her for days. Charlie tried to focus but thoughts of Joey never left her. Her mind would always wonder, where Joey might be, what she's doing, if she's having fun and if she thinks of her too, even just for a second. Charlie tried to call the woman in question but Joey's phone seemed to be never 'on' this days.
Charlie was just finishing her shift when she received a text from Angelo, saying Ross would want to meet them for diner on that night. Luckily for Charlie, they all got informed that one of their colleagues won't be coming to work due to sickness so they need someone to stay back. And before anyone could open their mouths, Charlie happily agreed to stay to cover the night shift. She's tired but she would always choose to say at work than to face her father together with Angelo.
******
It was Thursday afternoon and Joey and Gaby were looking for a good place to settle in for the night; a caravan or a motel preferably, but if they couldn't find any, they would just settle in, in a secure place where they can set a little camp.
As they continue to drive, Gaby caught sight of a sign indicating 'turn left to Summer Bay'. Gaby knew that they are far and past Summer Bay, but the sign felt like they were ought to turn and drive back. Gaby stopped her Harley and closed her eyes for a second to take a deep breath and then drive again, fast and past Joey. Driving in front of Gaby, she then motioned to her friend to pull over to the side, which Joey did.
"What's wrong?" Joey asked as soon as she removed her helmet.
"We're turning left." Gaby said, pointing to the sign.
Joey looked at the direction Gaby's pointing and saw what it said. She looked back at Gaby's eyes as if asking her 'why'. Gaby saw the questioning look Joey is giving her.
"Jo, what you're doing, isn't the way forward for you. Staying far from Charlie, won't work, especially when you heart never left her."
Joey was about to open her mouth to disagree and lie, but Gaby continued.
"Let's get you back to Summer Bay and tell her how you feel. If she doesn't feel the same, I'm here to take you far away to anywhere and… if she does feel the same, then… we both saved you from suffering, the way I am now."
"Gaby…"
Gaby held her hands up, stopping Joey from saying anything, as she pretty much know what her friend's gonna say, anyway.
"I don't want you to feel the pain the 'if only' words can inflict." Gaby briefly explained, "now, let's start driving back. If we're lucky, we might get there on time for your and Charlie's birthday."
Joey smiled and followed Gaby's suit, feeling terrified and excited about going back. She thought of what Gaby told her and realises what it meant. It suddenly made sense, as Joey remembered what she told Gaby;
'You should've told me… if you told me… I would've been with you…'
Joey watched Gaby on her Harley driving in front of her. Silently in her head, she thanked the woman in front of her, for being a great friend.
******
Saturday came and although her Boss insisted for Charlie to take the day off, since it was her birthday after all, Charlie whole-heartedly declined. She doesn't really feel like celebrating. If it weren't for Ruby, Josie and Aden convincing her, she really would prefer to spend her day working and exhausting herself to a point where she's exhausted enough to just pass out.
Over the past days, Charlie every now and again would come and visit the shop to have a chat with Josie about anything but the wedding. But truth be told, she mainly go to check in Joey had come back. During those visits however, Josie relentlessly convince her to have, even just a little get together party at the Surf Club. And although Charlie really didn't want to, she eventually said yes, thinking 'who would be able to stop Ruby, Josie and Aden's force combined together'. Charlie agreed and was relieved that her Father wouldn't make it. He actually never made it even before, but Charlie was grateful for it now more than ever.
Charlie's shift eventually ended and now she found herself at home, staring blankly at herself in front of the mirror.
"Happy birthday Charlie…" she whispered and then bowed her head to look at the dried flowers she laid in front of her.
"Happy birthday Joey…"
******
Gaby and Joey finally arrived safely to Summer Bay after breaking heaps of speed limits. They went straight to Joey's house, deciding that they badly needed a quick shower before anything else. They however found the house empty, but concluded that Josie probably went to where Charlie's celebration party is being held.
Joey quickly mad her way to her room to take the much-anticipated shower, while Gaby used the bathroom downstairs. Once finished with everything and now ready to do what they came back to do, they head out of the house. But suddenly mid-way out the pathway, Joey realised something…
"Where do we go, but?" she asked, realising they didn't even know where the party is at.
"Good question. Wait, I'll give Josie a ring."
Joey nodded and then remembered something again.
"Ok. You do that and stay here, I just need to get some things." And with that, Joey ran from Gaby.
******
At the Surf Club, everyone seemed to be having fun, except the celebrant herself. The supposed to be a small get together party turned into a full party; Aden even hired a live band to play for the night as he and Josie paid and rent the place for the night solely for Charlie's birthday party.
Every since Charlie arrived, she didn't even bother going through and greet her guests, she just went and seated herself somewhere excluded. When Josie came however, Charlie immediately went over to Josie's table and joined her and Aden, and watches the live band playing.
Charlie, Aden and Josie were happily chatting while watching the band and also Ruby dancing with her friends, when Angelo came, still in his uniform. Angelo approached his fiancé to greet her, Charlie cringed when the inevitable happy birthday kiss from Angelo landed on her lips, but she quickly pulled away.
Later, after a while the foursome however managed to have an awkward but decent enough conversation. Angelo managed to bring up the subject of their wedding, when suddenly Josie excused herself to take a phone call. At the same time, Angelo got a call from work, saying that he needs to get back as they needed an extra hand to cover the night shift and since it was Charlie's birthday, their only choice for back up was Angelo.
Charlie on the other hand had her eyes fixed on Josie who was busy talking on the phone, and so she didn't hear Angelo saying that he needs to go. Angelo noticed the lack of response and thought Charlie was upset with him because he has to leave and work on her birthday and so Angelo decided to make it up to Charlie the next day.
Not long after Angelo left, and Josie returned. When she came back, she informed Aden and Charlie that it was Gaby the called and just wants to let them know that they're fine. Charlie secretly expected that Joey had passed a birthday greeting for her, but Josie didn't say anything about it and Charlie then concluded that it was probably her worst birthday ever.
******
Gaby just ended her call when Joey returned, with her guitar strapped around her back and a neatly wrapped square gift on her hand. Gaby raised an eyebrow.
"What?" Joey asked in her defensive tone.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you actually had plan for Charlie's birthday. And you already prepared a gift?" Gaby teasing her now blushing friend.
Joey just smiled at her. Gaby smiled back.
"By the way… Happy birthday." Greeted Gaby, reaching to give Joey a hug.
Joey threw herself to Gaby and hugged her. Gaby wrapped Joey tightly around her arms, when her eyes caught glimpse of a flower behind Joey, slipped at the back of her jeans. She smiled, but didn't say anything about it.
"Thank you… for everything." Joey whispered.
"Anytime, you big doofus!" Gaby teased, before reluctantly pulled herself away.
"Let's go. Let's not keep the Senior Constable waiting."
Joey stopped at her tracks.
"What?! You told them we're back?" Joey asked alarmed. She wants it to be a surprise.
"No." Gaby answered. "C'mon, give me some credits. I just told Josie that I'm ringing to tell them we're ok and pretended to ask how they are and what they're doing. That's it."
Joey breathes out a sig of relief and apologised.
"C'mon! Let's take your Gt. I'll drive." Gaby offered, hopping on Joey's GT as Joey climbed at the back of her vehicle.
******
"You having fun there, Charlie?" Aden asked returning from getting the 3rs rounds for the night.
"Yes. Thank you." Charlie simply replied.
Aden nods. He was about to seat when Ruby cam bouncing towards him and asked him to dance. Aden of course, agreed and excused himself from Charlie and Josie.
"Ruby seemed to be fond of Aden." Charlie commented, watching Ruby and Aden do some funny dance moves together with Ruby's friend.
"Yeah. They reminded me of Joey, Gaby and Aden back in the days." Josie said thoughtfully.
"So, Joey and Gaby have been friends for long?" Charlie asked and regretted it as quickly as she said it.
Josie turned to look at Charlie, recognising the woman's tone of voice.
"Yeah. They were inseparable, way back. Gaby was the one that taught Joey how to play guitar and how to motor bike." Josie explains, "Joey on her part was the one that taught Gaby how to play piano and how to paint."
"Joey can play the piano and can paint?" Charlie asked impressed, disregarding the knowledge that Joey and Gaby are indeed really close.
"Yeah. But, funny she more interested in playing guitar now, whilst Gaby was now more into piano. And yeah, she can paint. She painted that flower on her boat, if you noticed it."
'She painted that lily? Joey then probably was the painter behind those calming paintings in her room.' Charlie thought.
Josie sense the police officer now deep in her thought.
"Don't think about Joey and Gaby too much. They're just friends." she said.
Charlie sharply turned to Josie, not sure what to make on Josie's comment. 'Does she mean what I think she meant? How did she… do I have tattooed on my forehead?' Charlie asked herself silently.
"What do you mean?" she asked playing innocent.
Josie smiled at Charlie.
"Whatever it is that you think I mean that answer is yes." Josie said as if reading Charlie's thoughts, smiling warmly at Charlie and then turned to watch Aden and Ruby her friends break their legs in the dance floor.
Charlie continued to gaze at Josie, 'Does she? She knew that I'm in love with her sister? How?'
"Josie…"
"Uhm?" Josie turned her head again to Charlie.
"How…" Charlie paused, she wanted to ask how Josie found out about her feelings, but changed her mind at the last minute. "I mean, what made Joey know that she couldn't be with Steve? That she can't be with him?" she asked instead.
Charlie remembered asking Joey once about it, but Joey didn't get to answer. And now, since Joey isn't around, she thought maybe Josie can answer it for her on Joey's behalf.
"It was weird. But, yeah, she said it was because of the dream she had." Josie answered.
Charlie quickly remembered Joey mentioning about that dream.
"Yeah. Uhm… what was the dream about? I mean, do you know?" Charlie asked intrigued.
"Well, she said, in her dream she was having lunch with Steve in a place she hasn't and haven't been before, laughing with him; when suddenly he saw someone. She said in her dream she could visibly see who that person was even though she was sure they haven't met before, but she felt like she have… like she'd known that someone. She said everything felt familiar and natural once she locked eyes with that mysterious person in her dream. But unfortunately, Joey said when she wok up, she couldn't remember that someone's face, but she could still remember or even felt how her heart skipped at the sight of that someone in her dream. Anyway, she said that in her dream, that someone was about to walk to her, but was interrupted by a ring. And then yeah, Joey woke up. She said she woke feeling excited and could still feel her heart beating faster, but she was sure that it wasn't because she's excited but because of something else she couldn't explain. And then yeah, she knew right there and then that Steve wasn't the one for her and was convinced that it was that someone in her dream." Josie told Charlie, "I wonder if she could still remember how she said, she's going to look for that person? She was actually pretty certain that she would meet that someone, before she dies, you know? We laughed at her because she looks like she'd fallen in love with someone in her dream that she didn't even know it that person really exist or not."
Charlie was stunned after hearing about the story behind Joey's dream. 'Could it be?' Charlie asked herself again as she remembered her own dream about Joey, way back, not long after they first met.
"Charlie? Are you ok?" Josie asked worriedly as she noticed Charlie's pale face.
"Does Steve have wavy brunette hair? Prominent jaw and likes wearing a plaid short sleeved polo on top of a shirt? And big round watch?" Charlie asked, the distinct feature of the guy Joey was with in her dream, not bothering to answer Josie's question.
Josie frowned at Charlie, looking at Charlie disbelievingly. 'Have Charlie and Steve met before? How did she know?' Josie thought.
"How did you… know?"
"I had a dream…" Charlie started, "about Joey, not long after we first met. In my dream, I was in a restaurant… I think it was in the diner, waiting for my order. And then I saw a familiar figure laughing and having a nice lunch with a guy who was a way brunette hair, prominent jaw, wearing a plaid short-sleeved shirt on top of a t-shirt and a big round watch. I looked closely and then the familiar figure turned, then I realised that it was Joey. But, she just looked at me as if she didn't know me, so I decided that maybe I should come over to her and say hello, but my phone rang. I turned to get my phone but when I turned again to look at Joey, I found her gone and found a gardenia flower on her vacated sea and then I woke up with my alarm going off and Ruby banging my door." Charlie finished.
Now it was Josie's turn to go pale. She couldn't believe her ears. She can't believe that it can be possible.
"It was… you? In Joey's…"
"Hello folks!" said the lead singer of the band that Aden rented for Charlie's birthday, in the microphone, interrupting the deep conversation that Josie and Charlie was having.
"Me and the group will just go grab ourselves some drink, but will be back later. Hope you guys are all having fun. And again, Happy birthday to Charlie Buckton." said and announced the singer, before stepping off the stage.
The music stopped and everyone went back to their seat to have a break as well. Aden and Ruby came to seat with the now very silent Josie and Charlie looking at each other quietly, whilst Ruby's friends went to get some drinks.
Aden noticed Josie looking at Charlie, wondering what's going on and why. Ruby too watched her sister looking back at Josie wondering what's going on and why. All four were to preoccupied that none of them saw the woman that now stands before them.
"Hello Guys!"
All four was brought back from their trance and turned sharply to look at the woman standing and grinning before them.
"Gabz!!!" Aden exclaimed, surprised but welcomed their friend warmly, nevertheless.
Josie gave Gaby a hug as well, after Aden, while Ruby gave the woman a friendly kiss on the cheek. Now it was Charlie, the police officer stood and awkwardly hugs the woman she felt insecure of.
"Happy birthday, Charlie." Gaby greeted the celebrant.
"Thank you." Charlie replied shyly.
"Here. This is for you." Gaby handed Charlie a neatly wrapped gift.
"Oh. Thank you. You shouldn't have."
"Oh, it's not from me." Gaby said, "It's from Joey."
Charlie's eyes visibly lit up at the sound of Joey's name and automatically look beyond Gaby's shoulder, hoping and expecting to see Joey. She frowned when she couldn't find the woman her heart longs for. She deflated instantly and lazily sat herself back on the chair, staring at the gift that was apparently from Joey.
Josie, Aden, Gaby and even Ruby saw Charlie's reaction and her instant change of mood.
"So, where's Joey?" Ruby asked innocently.
