Charlie strolled into the station with a spring in her step. She had hated to leave Joey, but she was just so happy that Joey had chosen her that she doubted anything could put a dampener on her good mood. "Good morning Aden," she practically sings out.
"My, someone is on cloud nine."
"I must have woken on the right side of the bed," she replies. Until Joey told Angelo, Charlie decided to say nothing to anyone about the situation, not even Aden.
"Well, your mood may be about to get better, we just got a signed confession by the guy who hurt Joey."
"You're kidding! Who was it, why wasn't I notified, where is he?" she fires off the questions, much to Aden's amusement.
"He's in a cell awaiting a bail hearing and I didn't feel the need to drag you out of bed when the guy walked in and confessed all."
"So who is he?"
"Basically, he's a kid who wanted to prove he was cool by stealing, sorry, borrowing something of the new Sergeant's wife as part of a dare."
"I don't believe this."
"He was told that the house was empty in the afternoons because they both worked, so when he broke in and Joey came home and sprung him, he panicked and hit out. He didn't look back to see how hurt she was because he just bolted. Anyway, when he heard on the news how hurt Joey was, his conscience got the better of him and he came in with his mum and confessed."
"What the hell do kids think they are doing, breaking into people's places as a dare."
"I doubt a whole lot of thinking goes on in these situations Charlie. He was new in town, trying to fit in and found himself doing something dumb but going by how bad he feels, I'm betting he's going to learn from this and not waste his time trying to fit in with these type of kids."
"Did he say who these others were?"
"No, but I notified the principal of the school and she's going to hold an assembly about it. I guess this means Angie is off the hook."
"He was never really on it, to be honest, I just hope he sees that we were just doing our jobs."
"I've gone over everything Charlie, if Angie tries to kick up a fuss against you and Georgie, he won't have a leg to stand on," he assures her. "I guess we should tell him that he's been cleared and is now free to see his wife."
"Is Georgie still in bed?" Joey asks when she joins Martha in the kitchen.
"Yeah, she's still catching up on her sleep."
"I'm sorry I added to her extra long day."
"It's not your fault you were attacked Joey. How are you feeling?"
"I have a headache but I'm so happy I barely notice it." Joey accepts the cup of tea from Martha. "Thanks again for letting me stay and I'm sorry about this morning."
"You have nothing to apologise for Joey and if this is going to make you happy, then you've made the right decision in ending your marriage."
"I'm definitely certain this is the right decision and I'm unbelievably happy at the thought of being with Charlie but I'm dreading facing Angelo and telling him our marriage is over. I never wanted to hurt him." Martha nods, glad she'd never been placed in such a situation. "I'm also worried how people will react when it gets out."
"Gossip is unavoidable but you can't let it get to you. If you truly believe this is the best thing for you."
"It is."
"Then don't let anyone tell you differently."
"There's also Charlie's job and how this can affect it. I just don't want Charlie to suffer because she wants to be with me."
"Charlie's a big girl, she can handle anything." She reaches across the table and takes Joey's hand. "Joey, I've never seen Charlie like this with anyone before, she loves you and you make her happy and for that, I'm glad she met you because I was worried she'd just go from one night stand to one night stand and miss out on what others of us have found with those we love. You're the best thing to have happened to her Joey."
"I wish I had made different decisions in the past but everything has still lead back to Charlie, as if it was meant to be."
"Maybe it is. Things happen for a reason, like you meeting a certain blue-eyed beauty one night all those months ago and then by some weird chance, you move to the same town she lives in."
"Because she was always the one I was meant to be with," Joey muses. "And everything happened to make sure I'd find her again and realise that."
"I told you I didn't do it," Angelo says smugly. He was still furious that he'd been treated like a criminal, but now, sitting here with his name cleared, he felt extra satisfaction that Charlie and her bitch of a cousin were proved wrong.
"Well, we had to follow all leads and you were a legitimate suspect."
"The wrong one. If that's all Senior, I'm going to see my wife and celebrate." He was up and out the door before Charlie could say another word.
"Shit," she reaches for her phone to warn Joey he was on his way.
"Thanks for the heads up," Joey says, feeling trepidation at the impending confrontation.
"Do you want me there?"
"Martha and Georgie are here so I'll be fine."
"There's something else, we got the guy who hurt you," proceeding to fill her in on the details.
"It does seem familiar," Joey says once Charlie had finished.
"Are you remembering more things?"
"Flashes really, but they make more sense now with what you've told me. What will happen to him?"
"Because of your injuries, there will be some punishment, but he came forward and has expressed genuine remorse," which Charlie believed he meant after confronting him earlier. "And it's a first offence, so I'm guessing he'll end up with community service or a good behaviour bond."
"I would hate for one bad mistake to ruin his life."
Charlie smiles down the phone at Joey's compassion. "I'm sure he'll learn from his mistakes. Are you sure you don't want me there with you?"
"I'm sure. I need to face him alone and if things get too heavy, I can call out to Martha and Georgie."
"I know it's not going to be easy Joey but I'll be there with you, even if I'm not there physically."
"Thank you Charlie."
"Call me if you need me."
"I will. I love you Charlie."
"I love you too."
Next Chapter, Joey talks to Angelo. Will Angelo make her change her mind?