To fix a broken heart.
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Previously.
Charlie improves enough to walk with one crutch and is still improving.
Charlie takes Joey away for a romantic weekend.
Charlie proposes again but this time with a date for them to marry.
Chapter 37.
It was now Christmas eve, Joey had given Aden and Romeo time off, until the 27th as they had a couple of big bookings between Christmas and New Year. She was so excited for Christmas, for the first time. Christmas had always been an excuse for her dad and brother to get drunk, and then beat her. Since her mum left she was lucky to get a present of her dad. This year she would be spending it with her Fiancé, Step daughter, Mum and her girlfriend Irene, Leah, Morag, VJ and Miles. She was busy helping Leah get the housework done and they had already decided that they would both cook the food the next day, luckily with the weather being nice they had planned to eat outside.
Charlie had finally gone back to work, she walked with a little bit of a limp but was now working out in the gym to build her fitness up again, she was working part time and slowly building the hours up, she was so happy, a few weeks ago she was in a wheel chair, not being able to feel her legs, she also had pushed Joey away and was on her own. Now she was back on her feet, getting back into work, and due to marry Joey on New Years Eve.
It was now Christmas eve, Charlie was working but couldn't wait for her shift to be over; she was looking forward to Christmas with her family, and had the day off. She was also excited for New Years Eve as she would finally be getting married to Joey the love of her life. The law on gay marriage had changed, and they were able to have the same rights as a heterosexual couple, before that Charlie didn't see the point in it feeling it was just a piece of paper. The only sad thought she had was that her mum and dad wouldn't be their on her special day. Just as Charlie checked the time again, half an hour to go, there was a knock on the door. "Boss we have a shout, a break in at a warehouse. Are you up for it or should I take Roberts?" Watson asked, popping her head around the door. "No I am ready, let's get it sorted as quick as possible, it is Christmas Eve and we have celebrating to do." Charlie replied jumping up to follow her friend and colleague. When she had returned to work she had pulled Watson into the office to make sure she was alright and knew Charlie had no issues with partnering her again, the first time they went out together Watson was really nervous but they soon got back to the way it had always been.
As they pulled up outside the warehouse, Charlie was pleased to see two further officers had attended. As the more senior officer Charlie ordered the officers to cover the back entrance while Watson and herself took the front, warning them all to be careful as they we're not sure what they would be walking into. Signalling Watson to open the door as she held her gun on the entrance they quickly made their way inside, a noise came from the back of the warehouse and they slowly and cautiously made their way over. Noting there was three people loading boxes into the back of a van. She stood up and shouted "Stop police; put your hands in the air. The two officers from the back door also rushed forward, taking the thief's by surprise, one of them rushed at Charlie but she was quick and braced herself crouching down, just before he reached her she leapt, grabbing him and taking him to the ground, quickly putting the handcuffs on. Watson quickly helped her boss up, and escorting him to the waiting police van. Once she had time for the adrenaline to calm down she could feel slight pain in her back, but felt she had finally got back to work, she had been nervous about being in a dangerous position, would she cope? Now she knew she could cope with anything and it felt fantastic.
Once they were back at the station, the quickly interviewed the three men, locking them up and handing over to the next shift on. She smiled at Watson as they were heading out of the door. "Are you going to Angelo's tonight?" "Yes Kim's family arrive in the morning, so we are celebrating tonight, what about you and Joey?" "Yes we are all heading down, Leah, Miles, VJ, Morag, Aden, Bianca, Irene, April, Joey, Ruby and me, so it would be nice if you joined us." "That would be great thanks, see you later."
As she entered Leah's house, She could here them all laughing and talking in the lounge. "Hey you're home." Joey said jumping up. Moving over to her girlfriend and giving her a kiss. "Good day?" She asked knowing although Charlie was trying to hiding it she was struggling to get back into work. "Actually it was great; we were called out to a break in at a warehouse. There were three men inside loading a van with stolen goods. One ran at me, I took him down and it felt great knowing I could still do it. Joey I'm back." She said smiling happily. "That's fantastic, well done. So I guess I will be back to worrying about you." She said kissing her again.
As they were in their bedroom getting ready for the night out with friends, Joey noticed Charlie wincing as she removed her uniform, "Babe what's wrong? Are you in pain?" "it's nothing, just aching a little. You could always give me a massage." She winked walking across the room to grab Joey in her arms. They had just started to share a kiss when the door suddenly burst open. "Oh shit, I am so sorry; I thought Joey was in the shower. I'll go." Ruby replied embarrassed to find her mum standing in her underwear kissing Joey. "Ruby what have we told you about knocking on the door?" "I'm sorry but I thought it was just you in here." She replied from the doorway. "What did you want anyway?" Charlie asked her daughter, whilst grinning at Joey. "I was just wondering how long you would be? Everyone's waiting." "Ok well if you get out of here I will be about ten minutes. Joey's already." "Ok I will let everyone know, are you wearing those red shoes you bought in the city?" Charlie looked at her daughter, "Yes I am, and no you can't." "Ok it was worth asking." She laughed shutting the door behind her.
The night was a success for Angelo, the restaurant was packed, people found it hard to get a seat, the group he had booked were fantastic, Charlie watched her friends and family get up to dance, Joey never asked knowing her back was sore. When they were teased about being boring Joey said she had a bad leg, she told them she had slipped at work, knowing Charlie would get frustrated if they knew about her back and started to fuss. As the night was almost over, Charlie grabbed Joeys hand, "Come on lets show them how to dance." Standing up pulling her girlfriend behind her she joined her friends on the dance floor. The band began to slow the tempo down smiling the couple automatically wrapped their arms around each other. "Thank you so much." Joey said as her head was resting on Charlie's shoulder. "What are you thanking me for? It's me that owes you everything. I have messed you around so much, I promise no more. I can't wait until we get married. I love you." "Charlie, because of you I have family, friends, I'm finally having a Christmas I have always wanted. I am marrying the sexiest woman on the planet, I have a partnership in a fantastic business, and I am part owner of a house, that as a child I dreamt of owning. My life is perfect and it's all thanks to you." They stood still the music and people forgotten as they kissed passionately.
The next morning Whilst Joey was still sleeping Charlie sneaked out of bed to place Ruby's Christmas stocking at the end of her bed, then placing the other one she had made at the end of their bed with Joey's name on it. Smiling she climbed back into bed, this was their first Christmas officially together. Charlie wanted it to be the best; she wanted Joey to have everything she never had growing up.
It was 5:30 Charlie woke to find Joey sat up in bed with the stocking in her hands, a shocked look on her face. Smiling she sat her self up wincing as she rested against the pillows. "Merry Christmas, Sexy." Charlie smiled leaning over to kiss her girlfriend. "Charlie, where did this come from?" She asked. Once she had wished Charlie Merry Christmas. She was as excited as a little child. "Santa must have thought you were a very good girl." Charlie replied smiling. "Charlie I can't believe you have done this for me, thank you so much, I don't remember ever having a Christmas stocking." Charlie smiled kissing Joey's shoulder. "You know the idea is to open it and see what goodies are inside." She said amused as Joey was still staring shocked at the stocking. "I know but I want to saver the moment. This means so much to me." After another couple of minutes she began taking everything out slowly opening each present, she loved the little boat shaped bubble bath, the silly little key ring, the chocolate coins and the pen with her name on it." She hugged Charlie tight, thanking her over and over again. Charlie laughed "Joey this is little bits and pieces, if you're this excited now I can't wait until we open you're presents." Charlie replied laughing.
At 5:45 there was a knock on their bedroom door, Ruby Leah and VJ stood in the doorway wishing them Merry Christmas, and asking them if they were ready to get up and open their presents. Charlie told Ruby to make them all a drink and they would be right with them. Since moving in with Leah it had become a tradition that they would all get up early, and all opened their presents together, then have breakfast together, once their guests arrived they would share gifts with them. Even at 34 Charlie still got excited watching Ruby and VJ opening their gifts barely able to contain her excitement as Leah and herself then opened their own presents next. Ruby and VJ excitedly discussed what they had got in their stockings, Joey told them she had got a stocking this year, excitedly she explained she never had one growing up.
7:00am the five had opened their presents and thanked each other excitedly. VJ started playing with the games he received, Ruby was deciding from all the clothes she received, what to try on first. Leah was sat with her second cup of coffee, looking through the book; her son had bought her as part of her present. Joey sat on Charlie's knee trying to take in all the presents her family and friends had given her, she couldn't believe how special this Christmas was. Charlie had bought her some lovely jewellery, Clothes, a box set of the L word which was her favourite program on TV. And a book that she had mentioned she might get sometime. Charlie was smiling as she held Joey tightly in her arms, this was definitely the best Christmas ever, she thought. She felt very thankful for the lovely gifts she had received. Joey had bought her jewellery, a gorgeous dress with matching shoes, and a picture she had done from a photo taken while they were on a weekend away. They were sat together, outside a restaurant in a harbour with candle light. Once they finished their drinks they all got themselves dressed before breakfast. As Charlie and Joey were in their room, they kissed passionately before they both smiled and walked to either side of the bed bringing out a present they had hidden for each other. "This is to be opened in private." They said at the same time swapping gifts, as they opened the gifts they both laughed as they had both bought sexy underwear for each other. They kissed and thanked each other, both choosing to put it on under their clothes teasing their partner.
It was now 12:30 Guests were starting to arrive. Leah and Joey were busy in the kitchen, Charlie had been told on several occasions to get out as she was pinching food and getting in their way. First to arrive was Julie and Irene Joey's parents, followed shortly by Miles and Morag. They all sat in the lounge dragging Joey and Leah away from the kitchen, so that they could share presents. Joey was shocked to discover an envelope from her Mother and her partner. "It is a joint Christmas and wedding present, I hope you don't mind." Charlie handed the envelope to Charlie to open but Charlie said she should do the honours. It contained a two week honeymoon the Fiji. "Oh my god, mum you can't pay for this it's too much." "Of cause we can, we know you both have time off after the wedding, but haven't booked anything. Joey I wanted to spoil you and Charlie, I haven't been able to for a few years now." They both thanked her.
The food was fantastic; everyone commented how well Leah and Joey had done. They all decided they needed fresh air so they went for a walk along the beach before heading into the restaurant. Angelo gave them a free glass of Champagne, wishing them Merry Christmas, Nicole also came over to join the group with her son. It seemed nearly all of the bay had the same idea, Aden, Bianca, Irene and April were already sat having a drink, John palmer, Gina and Xavier arrived next, Roo, Elijah and his new girlfriend also came in with Romeo and Indi, they had arranged to meet Sid and Dex. They all sat talking and listening to music, some even got up dancing. Aden approached Joey and Charlie handing them the drinks he had bought them. "I'm moving out of the house tomorrow, ready for you guy's to move back in, I am really happy you are able to move back into the house Charlie, I know how much it means to both of you." Charlie quickly replied, "Aden you don't have to move out, there is plenty of room for all of us." Aden smiled, "I was happy to stay and live with you guy's because you know how much I love you, but Bianca asked me to move in with her at Irene's until we can get a place of our own. No offense, but a choice of you three and Irene, April and most of all Bianca, there wasn't really a choice." He smiled at them giving them both a hug. Ruby was sat with Xavier, Dex and April, since Casey had moved back to Mangrove River and left school to help his mother pay the bills she was single, but was enjoying Xaviers Company, nothing had happened between them, but Ruby was beginning to think how nice it would be if they did, unknown to her Xavier was thinking exactly the same, it had taken him along time to forgive April and Dex for cheating on him, but they were now friends again and strangely they seemed like a perfect couple.
The week between Christmas and New Years Eve, seemed to go past in a rush. Between work and wedding preparations, Charlie and Joey found it difficult to spend any alone time together. The night before the wedding, the couple were told they had to sleep separate, Aden as best man had organised a night in, at Joey's place. With a few of the blokes they knew. Whilst Charlie was staying at Leah's having a night in with the women. They had laughed when Aden and Leah discussed the party's they didn't know how to organise them, finally deciding since Joey worked with and had more contact with the men she would invite them, while the women would celebrate with Charlie. As Charlie packed her overnight bag, they both sat in their bedroom, moaning that since they already lived together they didn't see why they had to sleep separate. Ruby knocked on the bedroom door, telling Charlie it was time to head over to Leah's. Joey walked her to the door and they kissed each other goodbye, "I guess I will see you at the wedding." Joey said before kissing Charlie passionately again. Charlie smiled, "Yes, see you down the aisle, when we declare our love and lives to each other for ever." They hugged and Charlie told Joey she would miss her. Joey replied she would miss her too. Ruby shook her head laughing, "it is only for tonight, you will see each other tomorrow." They shared one more kiss before Charlie and Ruby finally left. Just as Joey was about to shut the door Aden, Romeo, Sid, Elijah, Dex, John and Xavier appeared. "let the party begin." Aden shouted holding a case of beer.
Both party's were in full flow, Charlie sneaked to the bathroom to phone Joey. An hour later, Joey rang Charlie, to tell her she loved her and hated not being with her. An hour later Charlie rang Joey and on and on until it was 11:00 Joey looked around at all the drunken men, sneaking out of the back door. Charlie checked her phone, she received a text from Joey telling her she had left a present in the bedroom for her, and she sneaked away from the lounge and went to the bedroom. As she entered the room she heard the door shut behind her, turning she was shocked and surprised to find Joey stood there. "Jo, what are you doing here?" She asked smiling as Joey made her way slowly towards her. Wrapping their arms around each other she replied "I told you I was lonely and needed to see you, I have needs only you can help me with." Kissing Charlie on the lips before making her way down her neck while undoing the zip on the back of Charlie's dress, they slowly made their way over towards the bed, just as Joey was slowly removing the dress, and kissing every part of the exposed flesh. The door suddenly burst open, Ruby shouted for the other women to come and look what she had found. Joey quickly began helping Charlie right her dress. The two were embarrassed to be caught but smiled at their friends guiltily. The women laughed then told Joey she would have to leave as they marched her away saying the couple were terrible.
Next time.
It's the wedding.