"Happily Never After"

Hi guys and gals!

Thanks once more for your fantastic support!

Well Chapter 50 - who'd have thought we'd get this far...and still the pair aren't together?

Believe me I thought this fic would be over and done with in about 30 chapters but it went off on a life of it's own and every twist it's been through - and every twist to come! - has taken quite a bit longer than originally planned so if you're still here 50 chapters later - thank you so much!

This chapter is for the lovely duo of Laclex & CJ4eva who both caught up on the last five or six chapters of the fic and reviewed each chapter! Great effort!

Lil - Again with the compliments! I'm glad you still like the uncertainty of everything. And well as for giving you hope and ripping it away...no comment just yet on what'll happen next... Haha I love after the massive twist in TTH you read into all the subtle hints in the stories! As for CJ sleeping together after the flashback...hmm...nope not gonna answer that :P

Bethers - Well I did think of Joey giving birth but the timing as such worked out with Joey at six months pregnant so I thought that'd be too soon and I'm not sure I could pull off writing about Riley's birth...but it doesn't mean there can't be a small amount of drama surrounding the pregnancy here

Kirsty - You know I wasn't sure it was believable that a pregnant Joey could deck Angelo so painfully but then again we're all for Angelo getting what's coming to him. I'm glad you liked it!

Tubs - Keep you guys hanging - 'tis what I do!

JSCO - Angelo is a constant thorn in CJ's side in many fics isn't he?

Laclex - Kaitlyn disappear in a puff of smoke - do I look like a magician? But yes great thought - I'll take it into consideration...and once again thanks for catching up! Glad you enjoyed what you missed :P

CJ4eva - A finale on this fic now? No way it's far too early for a finale...that's right - there's so much more of this fic to come. 50 chapters and they aren't together yet - I've still got to get them together, prove they can make it work by settling back into a normal relationship together, get over the hurdles they'll have to endure by being together again and then give them a happy ending...but is there still more to come after that...? *grins evilly*

Now is that enough 'possible spoilers' for you all?

Enjoy the conclusion of the flashback...I hope it ends okay - I was stuck on the ending for ages and couldn't quite get it to work the way I wanted

Chapter Fifty

Present Day - May 2015

Joey gripped tightly onto Charlie's shoulders as she massaged her hands against them. Though her grip was slightly causing Charlie pain from the bruises she'd been inflicted with, Charlie was comforted by the slow rhythm of Joey's hands over her skin. She could tell that Joey needed to hold onto her gently to make sure she was safe as Joey choked up with tears several times as she recalled the painful memory of nearly losing Charlie over four years ago.

Flashback – December 2010

Joey's eyes slowly fluttered open as she took in her surroundings of the small hospital room she was in and the hospital bed she was lying in. Aden immediately hopped up from his chair next to her and took her hand, as he sat on the edge of the bed. Though he tried to hide it, she realized he'd been crying.

"What happened?" Joey croaked out. "You collapsed from exhaustion a couple hours ago in the waiting room," Aden answered gingerly, "Shoulda listened to your Doctor…and to us." "Is Charlie…?" Joey suddenly asked panicked as the painful memory of being told her wife could die was bought back to her.

Aden squeezed her hand, "Charlie's still in surgery. Ruby's still out there in the waiting room while I'm looking after you. She saw Rachel over half hour ago and was told that things took a turn for the worst in the surgery but they managed to stabilize Charlie and she should be due out of surgery in the next hour or so." Joey nodded weakly, then placing her hand over her stomach, her eyes widened, "Is the baby…?"

Aden leant forwards, stroking his best friend's hair out of her face, "We're not sure. The Doctor's have been examining you and they took you to have an ultrasound while you were unconscious. The Doctor should be back any moment now to let us know if there's been any complications with little Riley. So…little Riley huh? Ruby told me while you were getting the ultrasound that's the name you and Charlie have settled on…I like it!"

"Thanks…it was Charlie's suggestion…and it just felt right…whether it's a boy or girl," Joey blinked back tears, "I'm sorry I should've listened to you all when you kept telling me to go home to relax." "Doesn't matter now. The same thing probably would've happened at home as you wouldn't have stopped stressing. You got lucky with the fact you collapsed at a hospital with staff on hand to help," Aden told her gently. "But what if something's wrong and the baby is…?" Joey choked out.

Before Aden could answer her, a Doctor stepped into the room, "Glad to see you're awake Mrs. Collins. I'm Doctor Ryan Chase. How are you feeling?" "Weak and exhausted." Joey answered him, "Aden told me you did an ultrasound while I was asleep. Is everything okay with the baby?"

The Doctor glanced at Aden, "You the father?" Aden nodded, "Yes…duh I mean…well sperm donor is the more appropriate term." "My wife and I are having this child. What? Is that not in the baby's file?" Joey shook her head anxiously. "Right…sorry must have glanced over that section," Doctor Chase admitted, "So…do you want me to wait 'til your wife gets here?"

Joey fought back tears, and Aden placed his hand comfortingly on her back. "That's why we were at the hospital when Joey collapsed. Her wife, Charlie, was in an accident earlier and is in surgery. She collapsed from the stress of it all…of thinking Charlie might…"

The Doctor nodded understandingly, "I'm very sorry to hear that. I assume that your regular doctor, Dr. Armstrong is in surgery with Charlie which is why I had to take your case and if so your wife is in good hands." "Thanks…so do you think you can get to the part about whether or not my child's okay after I collapsed?" Joey asked impatiently. "Of course," Doctor Chase agreed as he flipped open the baby's file, "Your baby's fine."

Joey and Aden breathed sighs of relief. "Really?" Joey asked disbelievingly. "Absolutely, we couldn't find any damage on the ultrasound. While it's never a good thing for an unborn baby for their mother to take a fall like that, the only damage you did is that bruise on your cheek when you hit the floor and you sprained your wrist as you tried to cushion your fall with it. It also looks like you fractured two fingers…when you…um…punched some guy before you collapsed. Your nurse has already put a light bandage on your wrist and has strapped up the fractured fingers. We'll probably ask you to come back in a few days to double check that both are healing fine. You're very lucky Mrs. Collins," Doctor Chase grinned.

Joey closed her eyes, still trying to believe what the Doctor had told her, "Really really? I mean the baby's healthy and is perfectly fine?" Doctor Chase smiled gently at Joey's insistence to be sure that he was right. Taking a step forwards, he handed Joey the file and chart to read through herself, "Here you can see for yourself. Your child is perfectly healthy as you're entering your seventh month of pregnancy. Everything's clearly written right there in the file – the baby's size, position in the womb, heart rate, sex and-"

"The baby's…" Joey's eyes widened as her eyes landed on the last item on the file Doctor Chase had mentioned, "The baby's…sex." Doctor Chase's eyes filled with regret, "Oh…I'm sorry. God I'm sorry…you didn't already know…" Joey stared at the page, "Uh no…we were gonna keep it a surprise…guess that didn't work."

Doctor Chase took the file back off Joey, "I'm so sorry. I had no idea you didn't want to know. I'm such an idiot for assuming you knew." Aden rolled his eyes, "Maybe you better get back to your own patients then Doc. Or maybe learn to do a bit of reading up on new patients before you see them." "I truly am sorry," Doctor Chase told Joey, ignoring Aden.

Joey placed her hand on Aden's arm, holding him back in case he got angry at the Doctor, "You know what Aid…its fine. Seriously there's no need to apologise, Doc. I'm surprised and didn't expect to find out on a piece of paper…but I really am okay with knowing now. It's weird but…it kind of gives me some kind of hope that we're all gonna be okay…and that Charlie will make it through this."

Doctor Chase nodded silently at Joey's words then exited the room. Once the doctor had left them alone, Aden smiled down at Joey, "So you really are okay with knowing? And you're damn right, Charlie won't leave you now…she'll pull through…for both of you."

"I know she will," Joey said self-assured, "And I really am okay with knowing that we're going to be having…" Aden grinned, "Well c'mon you can't keep this big 'ol secret to yourself. Charlie doesn't have to know that you know yet. You can still act surprised when you see your baby for the first time."

Joey shrugged, "Oh yeah right because I look great acting surprised. Remember my surprise birthday party a couple months ago that Charlie spent days planning and you spoilt it when you asked me round to your place to 'distract me' for the day only to leave your bloody party invitation on the coffee table which I stumbled upon. And you were like, 'It's still okay Jo, just act surprised when everyone jumps out at you when you walk into your darkened house tonight.' Pfft do you know how annoyed Charlie was when she realized I knew after all her planning? And now you want me to act surprised right after I've just given birth to our child…gee no pressure. I'm sure that'll be the first thing on my mind instead of the pain!"

Aden chuckled at the memory of Joey glaring at him like it was his fault everyone wanted to surprise her, when he found her with the invitation which he'd forgotten to put away, "Okay fine then…tell Charlie if you must. You are right you couldn't pretend to be surprised if you tried. Don't blame Charlie for knowing you knew about the party. Pathetic effort Jo to try and act surprised…'Oh...wow a surprise party…for me…uh great.'"

Joey smacked Aden's arm as he impersonated her, "Quit teasing, still in a hospital bed here." Aden smiled, "Very well. Just trying to keep the mood light. But c'mon you gotta tell me…so am I having a god-son or a god-daughter?"

Before Joey could tell him that if anyone was gonna be the next to know it'd be Charlie, Ruby and Rachel walked into the room. Ruby flung her arms around Joey, "Joey, you're awake. Thank God! Is everything okay with you and…?" Joey held onto Ruby tightly, "The baby's fine Ruby. How's Charlie?"

Ruby unlatched herself from Joey and took a step back next to Rachel. Rachel stepped up next to Joey's bed, "Charlie's in recovery. The surgery went on a lot longer than we thought as the surgeon had a difficult time getting the bullet out of Charlie's shoulder. You should all know that…we lost her for a few seconds…but we managed to get her back for you and we hope that she's gonna pull through this."

"You hope?" Joey repeated, "Is that all you've got for us?" Rachel sighed gently, "Charlie nearly died so we're not sure that she will recover from this accident fully. We are very hopeful and so far the signs are promising." "Can I go see her?" Joey begged.

"I'll need to double check that's okay with your Doctor before you start getting out of that bed. But Joey, Charlie's still unconscious and she probably will be for another few hours so I would recommend that you get some rest first for the baby's sake and when it looks like she's waking up…we can come get you," Rachel informed her. "I need to go see her now," Joey pleaded, her eyes wide with fear. Rachel glanced at Aden and Ruby before nodding at Joey, "Okay."

Joey was in a wheelchair when Rachel wheeled her into Charlie's room. She gasped softly as she saw all the tubes and wires strapped to Charlie's body. Rachel wheeled her up to Charlie's bed, and Joey immediately reached out and took hold of Charlie's hand. Rachel smiled, "I'll leave you two alone. If you need anything or feel dizzy or weak please call for a nurse and they'll get me here as soon as possible." Joey nodded and thanked Rachel before the Doctor left the room.

Once she was alone, Joey squeezed Charlie's hand as she stared up at her wife, "C'mon Charlie…come back to me. Don't leave me." Joey's pleading fell on deaf ears as Charlie continued breathing softly in her unconscious state. Joey closed her eyes, feeling tired once more. Struggling to keep her eyes open, Joey soon rested her head against Charlie's chest on the bed and fell asleep.

Several hours later, Joey woke up again. Her head flicked up immediately as her memories flooded back to her. Charlie was still unconscious. Joey squeezed her hand, hoping it would convince her wife to come back to her. Joey sighed as it didn't work and Charlie's eyelids remained closed.

Joey stared up at Charlie and begged her wife to wake up, "C'mon sweetie I need you. We need you. Don't you dare think for one second I can do this without you. I did not want us to start a family just so I would lose you. You need to be here and help me Charlie. I won't do this alone…so you got no choice here…you gotta wake up."

Joey exhaled sharply as she thought she'd felt Charlie's hand move but sighed miserably as she realized it was just her imagination. Looking away from Charlie, Joey's eyes landed on Charlie's handbag which was sitting on the table next to Charlie's bed. Joey assumed that Charlie had it in her possession when she was shot and one of the nurses had left it in her room for her. Awkwardly standing up from her wheelchair, Joey reached out for the bag and fumbled around in it until she pulled out Charlie's IPod.

Slipping one of the headphones in her ear and one in Charlie's she hoped she could find some relaxing music that would help pass the time until Charlie woke up. Sitting back down in her wheelchair, Joey leant herself forwards and took Charlie's hand once more in her own. Joey stared up at her cautiously as she flicked the IPod onto 'shuffle' to select the song for her as she was too weak to decide on her own.

Joey felt tears brimming in her eyes as the music flowed softly.

"You were always there
Why did they take you away?
I was never scared
In your arms I felt invincible

Wanted you to see, the world beneath my feet
I wish that you could stay
I would tell you; you're unbelievable

And I want you to know
You're who I wanna be
And I'll sing with everything
I have inside of me
You're always in my heart
There's no letting go
You gotta know
You're unforgettable"

Joey squeezed Charlie's hand tight as the lyrics washed over her and in a panic she felt as if the song was preparing her for the worst...and she would need to let Charlie go...

"They say I've got your eyes
Still it's so much to see
I couldn't even say goodbye
'Cause you were taken without
Even letting go
This crimson runs through my veins
It's your life
You're the energy

And I want you to know
You're who I wanna be
And I'll sing with everything
I have inside of me
You're always in my heart
There's no letting go
You gotta know"

Joey felt the tears sliding down her cheeks as she silently imagined the horror of losing Charlie without being able to say goodbye. And even though she always reminded Charlie that she would always be in her heart no matter what...she couldn't imagine living without her...

"I just need to hear you speak
Hold onto my hand
There's nothing in between us
I know you're thinking of me
You'll be there when I reach

And I want you to know
You're who I wanna be
And I'll sing with everything
I have inside of me
You're always in my heart
There's no letting go
You gotta know
You gotta know"

Joey entangled their fingers tightly, not wanting to let go while she quietly begged Charlie to wake up. The lyrics giving her a platform to silently plead with Charlie to hold onto her and just give her the chance to hear her voice once more...even if it was to say goodbye...

"And I want you to know
You're who I wanna be
And I'll sing with everything
I have inside of me
You're always in my heart
There's no letting go
You gotta know
You're unforgettable
You're unforgettable
You're unforgettable"

As the song concluded Joey wept quietly and flicked the IPod off, unable to stand listening to another powerful song that could invoke such emotion in her. Joey's heartbreaking sobbing nearly stopped her from hearing the croaky voice, "You're...unfor...gettable."

Joey swallowed deeply and stared up at Charlie. Her tears stopped flowing as she felt Charlie squeeze her hand and watched as her eyes fluttered slowly, "Charlie? Baby are you okay?" Charlie grunted in pain but managed to lift her hand up to pull the oxygen mask slightly off her face to the side, "Hey you...nice song."

Joey smiled in relief and stood up so she could lean forwards and kiss Charlie's forehead, "Baby don't move...I'm gonna get one of the nurses to call for Rachel." Charlie suddenly gripped Joey's hand stopping her from leaving, then breathing difficultly while in obvious pain, "I'm sorry...I just...I don't think I'm okay."

"What?" Joey asked seriously concerned. Charlie struggled once more to talk, "I don't think I'm going...to be fine. Joey...I need you to know how...much I love you and...if I don't make it..." Joey pressed her forehead against Charlie's, "Don't you dare talk like that!" Charlie felt the tears brimming in her eyes, along with the tears that were falling from Joey's own cheeks, "You need to know..."

Joey closed her eyes and pressed her lips against Charlie's, "I know okay...but don't you dare leave me. I don't care how unforgettable you are...I can't live without you Charlie. You have to fight. I know you're in pain...but please Charlie...fight to live." Charlie stared up at Joey, wide-eyed and terrified of being torn apart from her, "I want to...I'm scared I don't have...the energy...to come back from this. I felt like I was dying and...my life was slipping away..."

Joey opened her eyes and begged tenderly, "I can't imagine how scared you were and I'd give anything to have been there with you...but you have to live Charlie. I don't know how to live without you in my life. Please don't leave me like this...you can't leave me alone to raise our son."

"Our..." Charlie took a sharp breath as she realized what Joey had just said. Joey stroked Charlie's face, "Sorry to spoil the surprise...I just found out by accident. Please Charlie...you're not just fighting for me...it's for him as well. Our son is gonna need you...I cannot do this alone...so don't you dare give up before he even has a chance to meet the wonderful parent that I know you're gonna be. Don't let him grow up without you. Make him proud by fighting to be there for him and me. Charlie please...I need you to live."

Charlie nodded slightly, the pain still etched on her face, "I want to...make him proud...and do this for him...for us. I won't...give up. I can't leave...you...I can't tear our family apart. I can do this...I can fight to live. Joey...get Rachel." Joey's tears were still flowing down her face at Charlie's declaration that she wouldn't give up on them.

Before Joey called for one of the nurses to get Rachel in to see Charlie, Joey pressed her lips against Charlie's in a soft and passionate kiss. Joey promised herself that she would always be inspired by Charlie's bravery to fight to save their family no matter how much pain she was in and that the pair of them together would never give up on their family...


Next time - CJ's reactions to Joey's flashback of Charlie nearly dying...

Okay since it is the 50th chapter and I am in a charitable mood...ahem I mean since you guys deserve it for putting up with the drama this fic has inflicted on you all - I will give you a spoiler...

One woman will make a move...but will the other reciprocate the feelings shown...or run away because the emotions are too much for her to handle?

Will it end in two hearts healed or more heartbreak for the pair?

And will I ever stop tormenting the pair and you guys...? Um don't answer that - you know you love it! :P