For Jensy25. I hope your day gets better! Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Thirty Six

It had been a couple of weeks and everything was going well. Between themselves, school and the campus crèche, Charlie and Joey were looking after Ruby well. She'd settled quickly into her class and made lots of friends. And home was a very harmonious place to be. Charlie and Joey had so far, struck a good balance between studying and playing with Ruby, as well as maintaining housework. If Charlie cooked then Joey did the dishes and vice versa. On a Saturday, the three of them trekked out to the supermarket to do the family shop and it was an ever constant battle to stop Ruby dumping various extras into the trolley.

That evening, a Friday, Joey was busy cooking dinner. They'd set aside Friday nights to watch a DVD of Ruby's choice before bed. The idea was that they would have time to bond and strengthen their relationships with each other. And Joey was certain that Charlie was trying to make up for spending six months away from her daughter.

"Can I help?" came a little voice around Joey's hip height.

She looked down and found Ruby looking earnestly up at her.

"Do you want to whisk the dessert?" she asked.

She'd bought a packet of chocolate mousse that just needed milk. Ruby nodded eagerly so Joey picked her up and put her safely on a stool. Handing the whisk over, she told her not to make a mess. Ruby grinned rather wickedly.

"And don't eat any of it before it's ready," Joey added.

Ruby frowned, wondering how Joey knew her so well.

"Something smells good," Charlie commented, emerging from her room where she had been studying on her bed.

"We aim to please," Joey grinned back.

"I'm helping!" Ruby announced.

Charlie leaned over and chuckled. There was increasingly more mousse on the counter top than in the bowl.

"Well done," she said, kissing the top of her head. "I think it's done though so shall we put it in the fridge to set?"

Joey mouthed 'thank you' at her when Charlie removed the bowl from Ruby's grasp.

"Did I help?" Ruby asked.

"You did great," Joey said. "Thank you."

"Anything I can do?" Charlie asked.

"You can set the table," Joey said.

"I'll help!" Ruby said excitedly.

Charlie just about managed to catch her as she bounced off the stool.

"Careful!" Charlie squeaked.

"Sorry, Mum," Ruby apologised.

"It's okay," Charlie assured her. "We just don't want you hurting yourself on the hard floor."

It was late and Ruby had very reluctantly gone to bed. Charlie and Joey couldn't help but marvel at where she got all her energy from.

"Are you sure you don't mind me leaving the dishes until the morning?" Charlie checked.

"It's fine," Joey said. "You know you're the tidy bug anyway. I don't really care."

She grinned, making Charlie laugh.

"So, what are you up to for the weekend?" the wannabe police officer asked.

"Would you believe me if I said I was studying?" Joey asked.

"No!" Charlie laughed.

"Thought not," Joey admitted. "Well, we have supermarket shopping to do and then... well, whatever you want to do really. I'm easy."

"I know," Charlie smirked.

Joey choked on her drink, laughing.

"Cheeky!" she protested.

Their friendship was growing ever closer. Charlie was anxious about them becoming dangerously co-dependent. They were a little family unit these days and did pretty much everything together. Ruby adored Joey and Charlie was becoming increasingly hooked on her company.

"Well, I guess I'd better go to bed," Charlie decided.

Joey nodded, trying not to feel bereft of her company. It seemed to get harder and harder to say goodnight. Leaning over, Charlie hugged her. Both held on too long and both were aware of it. Drawing away, their faces remained close. Joey's heart pounded as she forced herself not to close the gap between them. Charlie struggled with the same thing. She licked her lips as she studied Joey's mouth. If you want to kiss her, she said to herself, then just do it. She wants you to. Charlie moved a fraction closer. Then she remembered the moment that Brax had informed her that Joey had made a bet on her virginity. She pulled away quickly.

"Well, goodnight," she said quickly, standing up and hurrying to her room.

Joey sat back on the sofa and watched her go.

"Night," she said sadly.

She felt increasingly confused these days. This was far from the first time they had shared a 'moment' and it wasn't the first time that Charlie had run away. Joey wished so much that Charlie could trust her again. If she could do that then perhaps there was a chance for them to start again. Joey was desperate for them to be back together.

Next time… Charlie overhears Joey and Brax talking about her…