I Kissed Ya
Chapter 35
Charlie stared out of the lounge window. She had been standing, staring for thirty five minutes and Ruby started to become a little anxious. One good thing, Charlie had not even attempted to eat chocolate since before the show; obviously happy in her relationship.
"Charlie."
Charlie didn't react.
"Charlie?"
"Huh?" Charlie said suddenly, coming back down to earth.
"Charlie, come and sit with me for a while." Ruby suggested, patting the empty seat next to her, on the sofa.
Charlie glanced over, then smiled at her younger sister and joined her. Ruby immediately wrapped her arms around her beloved sister and kissed her cheek.
"Are you okay, sis? You were miles away!"
"Yes, I was, wasn't I?" Charlie agreed, wrapping her sister in her arms in return.
The two sisters remained silent for a while until Ruby broke the silence.
"Not seeing Jo tonight?"
"No. She's gone to visit her folks for a couple of days and to sort out some things in her flat."
"So, everything's good between you?" Ruby asked quietly.
"Yes, of course, why?" Charlie asked, maybe a little too quickly.
"I just wondered. You've seemed distracted, all day."
Charlie sighed and unwound her arms from her sister then, slumped back onto the sofa.
"Ruby, I need to speak to you about something important." Charlie said, fiddling with her fingers.
"Oh God, Charlie, what's wrong?" Ruby said, fearing the worst.
"No, nothing for you to worry about, sweetheart. It's just... Joey wants to take our relationship a step further."
Ruby looked at her anxious sister with a frown.
"Well, isn't that what you'd like?"
"She's as good as asked me to live with her." Charlie said, slowly, wondering what impact her information would have on Ruby.
"I see." Ruby said, wondering a little. "And how do you feel about this?"
Charlie was quiet for a few moments.
"Well, we haven't known each other long; only a few months, but I do know Joey is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with, warts and all."
"So what's the problem?" Ruby asked, as only a person without responsibility could.
"There's lot's to consider. There's ..."
Suddenly, Charlie was finding it hard to come up with any reason, apart from Ruby, herself.
"There's me, is that what you were going to say?" Ruby smiled.
Charlie flashed an anxious look at her sister.
"No, darling. You're not a problem, but you are a huge consideration and as your guardian, I have to take all this into account."
"I could go back and live with Dad and Morag, I suppose." Ruby volunteered sadly.
"No darling! I don't want that to happen!" Charlie cried, hugging her sister tightly. "I want you with me!"
"Yeah, but what about Jo?" Ruby said, her mind beginning to wonder if it was such a good idea.
"Joey wants you too! Actually, it was her idea! She's seen a place – well, we've both seen it, where there is more than enough space for us all, so we won't get on each other's nerves. You have to remember Ruby that you and I are used to living together, but Joey isn't! It's always tough in a relationship to begin with, let alone three people trying to live and get along with each other! Anyway, that's what I'm considering." Charlie said, glancing up into her sister's eyes for some sort of reaction.
"Charlie, do you want to live with Joey?"
Charlie's heart fluttered at the mere thought of it. She looked back into Ruby's keen eyes and nodded her head slowly.
"Then you should do it!" Ruby said, trying to sound enthusiastic. "And I'll bend to accommodate, if you really want me with you!"
"Of course I want you with me, my darling, but will you want to be with me and Joey, together?"
"I'd rather be with you, with Joey, than without you at all!" Ruby grinned, but another thought was crossing her mind, which made her heart beat a little faster; but this she could not mention to Charlie.
Charlie sighed and laughed at the same time; very much relieved at her sister's words.
"Have you been worried about broaching it with me?" Ruby asked, tentatively.
Charlie nodded.
"God Yes! I have tried every which way, but couldn't find the right words. Thank you for helping me out, Rubes."
Ruby smiled.
"So, what's this place like then?"
***
Joey lay in bed at her flat in the City. She could hear the sound of traffic droning quietly in the background; a sound, which she didn't miss when she lived in Summer Bay. She glanced at the bedside clock; it read three forty five. Joey sighed and turned over to find a cool spot on the other side of the bed; in hopes of being able to sleep. Her night had been disturbed by thoughts of Charlie and Charlie's possible decision not to take the next step in their relationship. She was not worried about Charlie's commitment to her; Charlie had proved that on so many occasions during their short time together, but more of her willingness to move on. Joey had suggested a means by which they could do this, without upturning the family applecart too badly and still Charlie seemed reluctant. Maybe Joey was trying to push things through too quickly; if only she'd thought it out slowly and sensibly before mentioning anything to Charlie, and then maybe, given time, things would have naturally progressed in the direction that Joey longed for.
***
Charlie too, lay in her bed in Summer Bay. She stared at the bedroom ceiling, wondering if Joey was sleeping and if not, what her thoughts were at that moment. Charlie was happy that Ruby seemed to accept that Charlie and Joey would naturally commit to each other by moving on in their relationship, but Ruby was young and everything was 'romance' to her. Charlie suddenly needed reassuring again, and the only one she could get that reassurance from, was Joey, herself. She needed Joey to tell her she wasn't being silly for exploring all the avenues before jumping into the fire, feet-first, but what if Joey didn't see it that way? Charlie turned onto her side and glanced at the time. It was three forty seven. She could hardly ring Joey at that un-Godly time of the morning, but maybe she could text? If Joey was asleep, hopefully the text alert would not disturb her.
***
Joey sighed again and rolled back to the middle of the bed when her phone bleeped. It surprised Joey and she quickly sat up in bed and switched on the bedside lamp. Reaching for her phone, she had one moment of dread; could this be Amy? She toyed with the idea of ignoring the message, but then knew, if any sleep was due, it would be chased away well and truly by thoughts of her. She picked up the phone and pressed the button. Charlie's name flashed across the screen and Joey smiled joyfully and in relief.
'Are you awake? x'
***
Charlie lay back on her mattress looking back up at the ceiling; waiting to see if she got a response from Joey. Before she had time to fret, her mobile phone started to ring.
"Joey!" Charlie whispered; with much joy.
"Hey! You couldn't sleep either?"
"No, I've done nothing but toss and turn. I miss you."
"Me too. What's been on your mind, or need I ask?" Joey asked; a little worriedly.
"No, you needn't ask!" Charlie replied.
"Charlie, if this is all too much, too soon, we can put it on the back burner for a while until we're both ready." Joey said, closing her eyes in fear that Charlie would agree to it.
"Jo, I don't want that. I want to be with you and I have spoken to Ruby about it. She seems fine. I guess I just miss you and needed to talk it over with you."
"Charlie, I know this is a big step; it is for us all, but we can get through it. I know it all seems huge and messy, but together we can cope; we've coped with worse things!"
"I know." Charlie said, fiddling with her pyjama-top hem. "When are you coming home, Jo?"
Joey smiled; she liked the way Charlie termed Summer Bay as Joey's home, already.
"I'll come home tomorrow or now, if you want me to!" Joey laughed.
Charlie chuckled.
"I'm desperate to see you, but wouldn't want you coming home at this time of the morning! I love you, Jo, and I want us to be together and I know it's nothing else but nerves on my part. When you're back here and I can't keep my hands off you, it'll be different." Charlie said grinning into her phone.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come home right now?" Joey grinned, wickedly.
"No darling. I think I shall be able to sleep now that I've spoken to you. Will you really come home tomorrow?"
"I really will."
"Then I'm happy. Maybe we could go and see the house again; take Ruby with us?" Charlie suggested.
Joey smiled happily at the other end of the phone.
"That sounds like a perfect idea. I'll book another appointment for the weekend so we can all see the place in daylight. I miss you, sweetheart."
"I miss you too. Have a safe journey home tomorrow. Text me before you leave."
"I will. I love you."
"I love you too."
"Night, night."
"Night, night."
***
Charlie fell back onto her bed; her heart beating fast, not with nerves this time, but overwhelming love for Joey.
***
Joey switched off her light and took a pillow between her arms and cuddled it; pretending it was Charlie she was holding. She closed her eyes and sleep quickly washed over her.