Chapter Thirty Eight

Charlie felt a little awkward as the evening drew to a close. Nobody had discussed sleeping arrangements for the night, although she knew that Judy, Joey and Romeo all had hotel rooms. However, she was desperate to spend the night, even if platonically, with her girlfriend. But she didn't want to suggest it, not with Joey's mother around!

"So, Joey, will you be coming back to the hotel tonight or staying here?" Judy asked bluntly.

Charlie turned bright red. Joey didn't seem to be fussed at all.

"It's up to Charlie, really," she said, turning to her girlfriend.

The former bodyguard cleared her throat a few times.

"Um… I uh… I don't mind," she managed.

"I think you've embarrassed her," Romeo teased.

Charlie glared at him. Joey giggled.

"Mum doesn't mind if we share a room," she assured her.

"I understand that you're adults," Judy confirmed. "My husband's head is probably exploding right about now but I don't mind."

Charlie almost returned to normal colour but was still a little flushed.

"I'd like to stay here," Joey decided.

She looked at Charlie.

"If that's okay with you?" she asked.

"That's perfectly okay with me," Charlie confirmed.

She was still rather nervous, even though Judy was doing her best to put her at ease.

"Well, I don't know about you, Romeo, but I'm pretty tired so I think it's time for me to go to the hotel," Judy said.

"Yeah," Romeo said, getting to his feet. "And I think it might be time to give these ladies some peace."

Charlie blushed all over again. Joey thought it was beyond adorable, although she resisted telling her so. All four of them got up and headed for the front door.

"I'll call you in the morning, Mum," Joey said.

"We'll do that tour of the city we were talking about," Charlie added.

Joey hugged her mother goodbye, whispering her gratitude for her being so wonderful. Judy smiled, a little nervous about leaving her daughter behind. She kept it hidden behind a mask but it was hard to see that her only daughter was all grown up now, ready to step into adulthood. She had a girlfriend. She was in an adult relationship and she was about to make all sorts of choices about her life. Judy just hoped that now they had forged a mother-daughter bond, Joey wouldn't leave her behind.

"See you guys in the morning," Romeo said, hugging Joey and then Charlie goodbye.

The couple waved him and Judy off and then shut the door, turning to each other a little shyly. It was the first time they had ever been alone together without any rules or regulations getting in the way.

They melted into each other's arms, holding each other close and kissing tenderly. Both felt shy, although contented to be together at last. It was a moment they had dreamt of for so long and had genuinely feared may never happen.

"You were so cute around my Mum," Joey teased, leading the way back into the lounge.

Charlie flushed again and followed her. She stood and watched as Joey cleared leftover glasses away and took them down into the kitchen. Silently, she marvelled at the spoilt brat turned domestic goddess. She followed her into the other room.

"I was kind of shy of announcing to your mother that I wanted to have you stay over here," she admitted.

Joey put the glasses down and hugged her.

"She can deal with it," she assured her. "She's actually pretty cool…"

"You sound surprised," Charlie commented.

"I kind of am," Joey admitted. "I mean, well Mum and I didn't really know each other all that well up till now. But she's really come through for me recently."

Charlie nodded. She felt the same about her own mother.

"But anyway, how about we talk less about my Mum and do more…?"

She leant in and kissed her. Charlie smiled against Joey's lips. She caught hold of her girlfriend's hand and led her back through the lounge and into the bedroom.

They kissed their way to the bedroom. Joey felt the bed hit the back of her legs and tumbled down upon it. Charlie leant over her, free of her former inhibitions. Their kisses became more passionate as their breathing became more laboured. Joey ran her hands through Charlie's long, dark hair.

Charlie closed her eyes, enjoying finally being close to the woman she loved. She dared to caress Joey's breasts over her skinny fit, black t-shirt. She smiled as Joey moaned quietly, drawing her closer.

"I love you," Charlie whispered.

"I love you too," Joey murmured back.

They refused to come up for air as they kissed, clinging tighter and tighter to each other, never wanting to let one another go.

"I think this could actually be the happiest moment of my life," Charlie admitted.

Joey offered her trademark cheeky grin.

"Well, I am good," she remarked.

Charlie laughed and brushed Joey's hair out of her eyes.

"So you say," she said.

"Care to test me out?" Joey challenged.

"I would," Charlie replied honestly. "But… and don't take offence here… you look like you could do with a nice, long sleep."

"Thanks," Joey pouted.

Inside she was relieved. As much as she had been longing for a night of passion with Charlie – her very first night of passion with anyone, in fact – she was exhausted. All she really wanted to do was curl up in her arms and rest.

"You still look beautiful," Charlie said sweetly. "You always do."

Joey smiled at her. She kissed her softly.

"You make me feel beautiful," she said.

"Pyjamas, hot chocolate, cuddles and sleep?" Charlie suggested.

"Perfect," Joey replied.

That night, Charlie and Joey went to sleep happier than ever before. They lay entangled in each other's arms feeling like all was right with the world at last. Nobody's objections to their relationship mattered anymore because nobody could get in their way. They had people on their side and they could finally be together. They loved each other and they were happy together and that was the most important thing. They had all the time in the world.

Next time… Ruby and Elsie want to visit while Charlie and Joey's fathers begin to hatch a plan…