Angelo grins at Joey as they dress the next morning. "What?" she asks, feeling self-conscious under his watchful gaze.
"I'm just thinking that it was a nice way to spend the morning, making love to my beautiful wife."
Joey smiles back at him. She was still feeling a little guilty for nearly giving in to Charlie when she woke, so when Angelo had instigated things, she'd been more than a willing participant and while it hadn't set her world on fire, she had enjoyed it. He grabs her hand, stopping her from zipping up her jeans. "I still have an hour before work, so I'm thinking we continue on with how we started this morning."
"Angelo, I have things to do."
"So do I," he pushes her down on the bed, feeling Joey's resistance waning as he tugs her jeans off and moves over her. His love for her growing with each day they were together, he smiles as he enters her. "I love you."
"I love you too," she says truthfully, as she tries to force other memories from her mind.
Despite having to work today, Charlie had gotten very little sleep last night. The second round of sex with Daisy had been far more enjoyable and she hadn't needed to fake it and for awhile, she had even forgotten Joey. Until Daisy had gone to sleep and Charlie was left to think things through once again and she had. She'd finally accepted that Joey was the one woman she could never have and this time, she was more determined than ever to get over her. And after the early morning wakeup call Daisy had given her, she was seriously considering taking her up on her offer of a repeat performance the next time she was in town, because each time with her had been even better than the last. She whistles softly as she walks up the path to her house, a spring in her step for the first time in months. "Yep, Daisy is definitely a good cure," she murmurs as walks inside and straight into an angry Ruby.
"Thanks for calling last night Charlie and letting me know you weren't coming home," Ruby says disgustedly.
Wincing at her lack of thought, Charlie apologises. "I wasn't expecting to stay out all night."
"Jesus Charlie, can't you keep it in your pants."
"Don't talk to me like that."
"Why not? You're supposed to be my guardian, yet you're hardly ever around because you're too busy fucking some random slut."
"Ruby!" shocked by her words and the anger behind them.
Realising she'd overstepped, Ruby takes a calming breath. "I'm sorry, I was just worried about you."
"Ruby, what is wrong with you lately, you've been so distant and this behaviour this morning, isn't like you."
"Nothing is wrong," she snaps.
"Ruby, please talk to me."
"There's nothing to talk about."
Sighing at Ruby's petulance and reluctance, Charlie walks over to the counter, needing a strong coffee. "I know I'm not always the best guardian and that I'm not there for you 24-7, but I do try Ruby and I'd appreciate a little more understanding and respect from you."
"Fine," she says sulkily.
"God, sometimes you remind me so much of your cousin."
"At least Georgie takes her responsibilities about family seriously."
"Ruby, I didn't have to come back here and stay when mum and dad died, but I did, because I didn't want to take you away from the only home you knew. I gave up everything for you, including my girlfriend and the chance for fast track promotion."
"I know that Charlie," she says. Feeling bad for the things she'd said, she hugs Charlie.
"I really do try Ruby."
"And I love you for it." She steps back. "And for the record, you and Shandi never would have lasted."
"Probably not, but at the time, we'd been together for nearly a year and for me, that was a record."
"I still don't know what you ever saw in her, I mean, she was a total bitch to you in school."
"Ruby, you were too young to remember that."
"Georgie filled me in."
"Yeah well, Shandi changed. When we ran into each other in the city, she was a completely different person and she never once cheated on me."
"I suppose Shandi wasn't all that bad and at least she brought out your fun side."
"Gee, thanks."
"You've been so serious for months Charlie and that bitch who cheated on you isn't worth moping over."
"It's got nothing to do with Bianca, but you're right, she was a bitch and I shouldn't have been surprised that she'd cheat on me after what she did to Liam." Though it had shocked her when she found her in bed with another woman and two men.
"I did try to warn you, so did Georgie but you wouldn't listen and you even ignored your own motto, 'never fuck a woman who likes real cock'."
Charlie stares at her in horror. "Bloody Georgie and her big mouth."
"Don't go blaming her, I heard you say it Charlie. Bianca slept with Liam's wife and made sure he knew it, just to get back at him when he refused to leave his wife for her so it was pretty obvious she liked the real thing."
"Bianca was a mistake I wish I could take back, but I was lonely and let myself get sucked in by a pretty face."
"So your excuse was that you were just sad, pathetic and weak?" she says lightly.
"Pretty much," appreciating Ruby's levity. "I really should stick to my motto," she says, her mind drifting to Joey.
Recognising the look on her sister's face, Ruby groans. "Please tell me you haven't done it again."
"I didn't know she was bi at the time."
"I suppose you can't really ask them if they like real cock, at least not until you know them better."
"Can you please stop saying cock?"
"Ok, penis then," she grins.
Charlie grins back. "Are we ok Ruby?"
"We're ok and I'm sorry for being so bitchy lately, I just have things going on."
"Can't you talk to me about it?"
"I want to, I'm just not ready."
"I'm here whenever you're ready."
"Thanks Charlie and I know I don't say it much, but I really do appreciate the sacrifices you've made for me."
She puts her arm around Ruby's shoulders. "And I'd do it again."
"You're so-so as a mum, but you're a great big sister."
"Come here," she pulls Ruby into a big hug.
Their passion finally sated, Angelo kisses her lovingly, before settling down beside her.
"Joey, I've been thinking."
"That's never a good sign," she jokes.
He grins, propping himself up on his elbow. "I think we should make a baby."
"Unless that involves plastic or play-dough, that's a no."
"Why not?"
Joey stares at him. "You know my feelings on that."
"I know, but we're closer than ever, we've got a great life going and we'd make wonderful parents."
"No Angelo," she says firmly. "I've lost one baby and I can't go through that again."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up." He gets out of bed.
Hearing the disappointment in his voice, Joey sits up. "Angelo, I know it's not fair to you, but we've talked about this before."
"I understand why you don't want to be pregnant again Joey, I guess a part of me was hoping you'd change your mind."
She just shakes her head, ending the discussion on that topic.
Sighing, Angelo nods, accepting her decision. "I need to get ready for work."
"Aren't you going to wish me luck for my first day of work."
"Of course I wish you luck, I just wish you weren't working in a bar, I mean, how do you think it looks to have my wife as a bar tender."
"You're being ridiculous, not to mention being an obnoxious snob. Angelo, I need to do something and Martha had a job going."
"Take up knitting."
Joey stares at him, "I'm going to pretend that you didn't just say that."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that, I'm just a little upset that you took this job without even consulting with me first."
"It's a part time job Angelo and I thought you'd be happy that I'm making friends."
"I am happy you're making friends and you're right, there isn't anything wrong with working behind a bar but it's not like we need the money."
"I took the job because I like to work, unlike you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Angelo, you became a cop because it's what your father wanted."
"I love my job."
"But you'd have been just as happy to sit at a desk at your mother's company, letting everyone else do all the work for you."
"I admit I lacked purpose at times, that's part of why I joined the Force, to give me a purpose and the other reason is, the Rosetta's have a long tradition in the Police Force, one I'm more than happy to live up to," leaving out that his mother would prefer that he quit like his father had and join the family business rather than be a lowly policeman. Sometimes he wondered how his parents hooked up when his mother was such a snob. "Joey, we've both done things to please our fathers and we haven't regretted the decisions we've made, at least I haven't."
"I don't regret the decisions I've made."
"Really, because sometimes I feel like you want to be anywhere but here."
"My father is dying Angelo, I'd like to be there, by his side, is that so wrong?"
"Of course not but he's the one who encouraged us to make the move."
"I still don't understand why."
"He doesn't want you to see him so weak." He sits by her on the bed. "Joey, I know you're worried about him and I promise you, when the time draws nearer, we'll both be by his side." He takes her hands in his, gazing into her eyes. "Aside from your worry for your father, are you happy here?"
"I'm happy Angelo."
He nods. "I'm glad. I know this is all a big change, for the both of us, but I'd give it all away and go back home if that's what you want."
"You earned this position Angelo, I can't ask you to give it up."
"I'd give up everything for you to keep you happy."
Joey holds his gaze, feeling even more guilty now for nearly cheating on him. "That won't be necessary, now get going before you're late."
"I love you," he kisses her quickly, before rushing out of the room and house.
Joey lies back in bed, thinking that maybe she should have taken him up on his offer to leave Summer Bay, then all her problems would be over.