Hey everyone:) Thanks for all the reviews for the last chapter.
This one is a belated birthday present to my fellow Irish cailin! Breithla shona duit Ash:D..
Excuse any mistake's I've made with the fishing, not an expert!
Hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I did writing it and continue to review:):)
~Purplemonkeyys xxxxx
The noise outside Ruby's bedroom brought Joey to awaken, her first thought was to wake Charlie and tell her their guests had awoken. But there was no need, Charlie was already gone. Joey sat up, pulling the blanket with her taking; a moment to get her bearings. Her stomach lurched, what seemed such a good idea last night suddenly seemed as if it could have been a mistake and Joey fretted that maybe it's what Charlie was thinking too. Keeping the blanket held high around her bare chest, using her hand Joey searched underneath for her pyjamas. As she pulled them on she became more apprehensive. She had to face Charlie and her family in the kitchen, and what if Charlie was awkward around her? Knowing she had to face them at some point Joey crept down the ladder unsure if Ruby was still in the room or not. Just as well I put on the pyjamas Joey thought, seeing Ruby lying peacefully in the bottom bunk. I hope she stays asleep for another while; don't think Charlie would feel too sure about facing Ruby this morning. Taking her clothes from the evening before Joey crept out of the room shutting the door behind her and made her way down to the bathroom.
How ironic, a few hours ago I sat in the very same spot, convincing myself it wasn't the time for getting intimate with Charlie, yet here I am…
Charlie had woken bright and early the feeling of security from Joey's embrace didn't last long as guilt quickly came over her. She was disgusted with herself for her lack of self control. The problem wasn't really that she had slept with Joey it was that she did it with her daughter sleeping below them. She would have never ever even contemplated doing anything with Ruby in the house not to mind with her in the same room. There was no justifying it, but she new Joey made her do things she couldn't explain, and made her feel ways she had only ever dreamt of feeling.
She was sitting on her on in the kitchen nursing a large mug of steaming coffee when her Dad came in, she leapt up from the chair and ran over to hug him "Dad what are you doing up so early your on holidays remember?"
"Ah it's a lovely morning how could I sleep in? Especially when I wanted see my daughter." Ross smiled lovingly down at her "You look great Charlie, how have things been lately?"
Charlie let herself out of his grasp before pouring him a mug of coffee and accompanying him at the table.
"Thanks." She returned his fond smile "We're great, Ruby's doing fantastic at school, she has a lot of friends. We're happy."
"What about you Charlie you haven't mentioned that guy you were dating… What's his name?"
Charlie tried not to show any change in her expression at his inability to remember their conversation when she called him to inform him of their breakup "That was Roman Dad, you met him before. I ended that a few weeks back, things weren't really going anywhere."
"You should have told me Charlie." Ross said, sounding downcast.
Charlie was saved form having to explain to him that she had previously told him, by Morag's presence.
"Charlie, how are you?" Morag questioned in her usual tone, pouring herself a glass of orange juice.
"Great." Charlie replied a lot more enthusiastically than she felt; her mind was elsewhere; wondering where Joey was. "Sleep well?"
"Well yes, when we eventually got here that is." She laughed rubbing her hand across Ross's shoulders as she came to sit beside him. "Where's Ruby?"
"Should you even have to ask?"
"No, suppose not. We should do something today don't you think?" Morag asked.
Joey was standing in the doorway trying to find an appropriate time to enter, but one didn't really seem to present itself, she moved slightly forward and entered the room hoping Charlie would notice her.
"Hey, morning everyone." Joey announced shyly.
"Hey Joey," Charlie smiled at her before introducing her to her Dad and Morag.
"Joey had to stay here last night, her car wouldn't start when she went to go home, think the battery was dead or something." she felt the need to justify Joey's reason for being in their house.
Ross stood up to shake Joey's hand, which cause Joey to become a little embarrassed. Charlie noticed and smiled inwardly, Joey was should a confident person behind closed doors, but seeing her timid in front of her parents made Charlie's heart leap.
"Nice to meet you." Joey took Ross's hand and returned the handshake.
"Would you like something to eat Joey?" Charlie sat cross legged cradling her coffee.
"I actually better head I've got work soon, but I'll have a mug of coffee if there's some going?" Joey wasn't sure where to put herself, if this was any other day she wouldn't have been so nervous, but she could see Charlie out of the corner of her eye. The last time she had seen Charlie, they were comforting each other after making love.
"Here." Charlie passed her a mug.
Ross pulled out the chair beside him "Sit down here Joey, so what do you do?" he asked with great interest.
"Well during the days I work down at the docks, gearing up the trawlers, taking people out on fishing trips and things like that. Are you into fishing?"
Morag guffawed loudly "Is he what? This man wouldn't come in from the sea if he thought he could get away with it."
"Now Morag I'm not that bad," Ross paused, coming up with an idea "Charlie why don't we book a trip with Joey for this evening?"
Charlie immediately turned to Joey "Ah well Dad Joey's very busy and it's not enough notice. Maybe the next time you come down?"
They sat in silence for a few moments. Charlie was feeling guilty as they didn't know what the future held, her Dad was right and it would be a nice family day. Or even a last memory for them all to have. She immediately regretted her rash decision.
Joey felt stuck in the middle it would be no problem to take Charlie and her family out, but she was getting the distinct impression Charlie didn't want it. Or her.
"Charlie, it'd be no problem, I could take all of you out this evening, if you wanted." Joey spotted the change in Charlie's mood as soon as she had told her Dad they couldn't go on the trip.
"Are you sure?" Charlie asked quietly feeling guilty for refusing in the first place.
"Positive." Joey smiled softly in Charlie's direction, oblivious to the presence of Ross and Morag
"That's settled then!" Ross beamed.
The girls jumped slightly, drawn out of their trance.
"I better go now, but come down to the docks at about say, six and we can head out then?" Joey stood up and out her mug into the sink.
"I'll see you later, and don't forget to dress warm. Thanks for last night Charlie." She hesitated slightly, getting lost in Charlie's smile.
***************
That evening Charlie walked down the pier with her arm wrapped around Ruby. Ross and Morag were behind them. In the distance she could see Joey standing on the deck staring out at the sea. At that moment in time Charlie was lost for words captivated by her beauty, as Joey stood there ignorant to her audience. Joey spun around hearing the echo of footsteps on the wooden pier.
"Hey guys." Joey greeted them chirpily, mainly Charlie. She reached out and took Ruby's hand to help her aboard. Charlie stayed on the pier to help her Dad and Morag on as well before hopping on herself. When it came to her turn Joey reached out with two hands, Charlie stumbled getting over the edge, she shrieked thinking she was going to fall overboard, but Joey quickly grabbed her around the waist to steady her.
"Thanks." Charlie mumbled daring to meet Joey's gaze.
Joey didn't move her hands; she kept them firmly around Charlie "No problem."
Charlie tried to suppress a smile as her eyes surveyed Joey's face. She was wearing a charcoal grey beanie, her hair hung loosely from beneath it.
"What?" Joey averted Charlie's gaze.
"You just look cute that's all." Charlie smirked and moved away leaving Joey standing there dumbfounded.
Joey shook her head in an attempt to bring her back to reality.
"Ok guys I'll just get the engine started and we're off ok?"
They spent an hour sailing out far enough to catch some decent sized fish, Joey stayed in the cabin for the duration of the journey steering the small boat out to one of the best spots. She didn't want Ross to be disappointed with the catch. She frequently watched the family out on deck happily interacting with each other; she smiled fondly unknowns to herself. They were so close, she envied them. The closest thing she had to family was Charlie and Ruby. Sure with Toni she felt comforted and not alone, but there was never that sense of belonging with Toni's family. Leaving Toni had been the best decision she ever made. Aden would always be her best friend but he had Belle to love and she was his family. They always made Joey feel welcome, but it wasn't the same. Although what she and Charlie had could never progress into anything further, she felt at home when they were together. She gave one last glance out at the gang on deck before shutting off the engine. Ross was sitting with his arm wrapped around Morag, and Ruby had her head rested on Charlie's shoulder.
She went out to meet them on deck "Ok, well we're here." She turned to look at Ross "This is one of the best spots for evening or night time fishing; you know what you're at?"
"Does he what? All that practise surely pays off for something." Morag smiled at Ross as he got the fishing rods out of the large cabinet under the chairs.
"You'll be eating your words darling when I catch tomorrow nights dinner."
Ruby was having more difficulty "How do you use these bloody things?" she fiddled with the line trying to get it onto the spool.
"Let me help you," Joey moved over to assist her "Ok, first things first. Don't get stressed or impatient the fish will sense it immediately and you haven't a hope of catching anything. Ok?"
Ruby smiled diffidently "Ok."
Morag laughed watching Joey interact with Joey, and Charlie watched tentatively from the cabin doorway.
"Then," Joey picked up the line "Wrap most of this around the spool, and lead it through these hoops all the way up to the top."
Charlie laughed as Ruby's brow furrowed in deep concentration "Wow Rube's haven't seen you concentrate so hard since… Eh I don't know. Ever?"
"Shut up Charlie, I'm concentrating as hard as you were last night."
Charlie stopped her jeering, her mouth now agape, and intentionally kept her stare away from Joey's; not want to imagine what could unfold next.
"So what do you do next? Like how do you get the bait on?" Ruby resumed her mission of getting her rod kitted out, leaving Charlie wondering what had just happened.
"Am you just," Joey began, now flustered "Get a hook and knot it onto the line. We'll start you out with a size two, that's a small one. Then if you can catch the small fish we'll move onto the bigger ones." She pulled out the hook from the tackle box. "Here, you try. Ross has the bait, and he'd only be too proud to show you how to cast."
Ruby scampered off over to Ross.
Charlie shivered and pulled her hoody closer to her body.
Joey observed.
"Cold? Wait there." Joey skipped into the cabin and found what she was looking for.
"Now!" Joey stated proudly as she pulled the beanie from behind her back, reaching up to put it on Charlie.
Charlie smiled broadly at her cute gesture and allowed herself to be dressed.
Joey took a few moments fiddling with the beanie to get perfect on her. When she finally decided it was just right she moved her two hands down from Charlie's head, onto her cheeks. She took in every tiny detail of Charlie, never wanting to forget this moment. Charlie's eyes were crystal blue, the tip of her nose red from the cold, and her cheeks pink from the breeze. "Perfect."
"Joey quick I think I've got something!" Ruby shrieked.
Joey walked over to the edge where Ruby was standing, swollen with pride. "Ok, I'm going to let you do it yourself. So start by reeling in slowly, ok that's enough." Joey bent over the edge to try and get a better view of what Ruby had caught, giving Charlie optimal view of her rear. "Yeah keep going, ok stop again, and now pull the rod forward, that's it. Ok do that again. And pull it out." She instructed.
Ruby lifted her rod out of the seawater and sure enough she had caught a fish. "Eww I'm not touching it they stink."
Joey laughed and took the fish off the hook "Fresh fish don't smell, want to keep him?"
Ruby grabbed the fish "Ross look, I caught one." She went over to the other side of the boat where Ross and Morag were sitting side by side.
Joey glanced at Charlie, as she was savouring the tender moment between her Dad and step mum. She quietly went over and stood behind her. From there she caught the hooks of Charlie's jeans and pulled her back against her own body. "You ok?" she whispered the heat of her breath creating a white mist between them.
"Yeah, just watching you know…" Charlie replied faintly allowing herself to be supported by Joey.
"I know." With one hand she moved Charlie's hair aside and subtly kissed her warm neck from behind. "Want to have a go?"
"Of you?" Charlie said cheekily, turning around to face Joey but not putting any space between them.
"Well I thought you already did, but you can always have a ride… free of charge that is." She joked, intentionally. "Come on, lets catch the biggest fish." She led Charlie to the side of the boat. Using the same method as she used for Ruby's rod, she got the rod ready; except this time she used the largest hook she had, thicker line and a larger amount of powerbait.
Charlie started at her wide eyed when Joey handed her the rod "Whoa I don't do fishing I don't know how."
Joey pressed the rod into her hand "Well Charlie Buckton, a little birdie told me you are very fast at getting the knack of things. I'll help." Joey's memory flashed back to the first night they got together after the club. Yes, Charlie definitely is a fast learner.
Leaving Charlie with the rod, Joey went over to check if Ross had caught anything. He had caught a few but nothing too big, Joeys inner pride made her want to get the biggest fish of the day but they didn't have long left as night was falling.
"Any luck?" Joey asked coming back to Charlie.
"The only thing I think I'll catch is a cold." Charlie laughed.
"Patience my darling." Joey giggled, resting her weight on the railing. She shuffled closer to Charlie, and smirked when Charlie did the same. Their hips were now pressed together, side by side.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Charlie was the first to speak; they were both staring out into the horizon, where the sun was retiring for the day.
Joey turned her head to the side, and watched Charlie as she stared into the distance; the sunset silhouetting her figure. "Yeah, you are." She couldn't quite put her finger on it, maybe it was all the fresh air but she felt hyper for some reason.
Charlie turned; she smiled and stuck her tongue out. Joey lunged forward and caught Charlie's tongue gently between her teeth quickly pulling it into her mouth. She pulled back as quick as she had moved forward. Ignoring any one else's presence.
"Joey Collins what will I do with you." Charlie murmured, maintaining eye contact.
"I'm sure you'd think of something." Joey winked.
"Ah!" Charlie yelped, feeling the rod jerk in her hand "Fuck, Joey it's really strong." She screeched.
"It's ok, I have you." Joey moved behind her, weaving her arms through Charlie's she placed her hands over hers.
Their bodies were now pressed tightly together "Ok Charlie remember what I told Ruby" Joey managed between breaths "Reel him in slightly, then pull on the rod, and do it all over again." Must be a big one, Joey thought to herself.
"Oh God." Charlie struggled to hold onto the rod, "Joey I can't."
"You can." Joey pulled even harder, arching her back to use her weight as an aid; this in turn made her pelvis jerk into Charlie's behind.
Charlie laughed loudly feeling Joey pressed against her "Down girl, down."
"Shut up Charlie" Joey laughed also, panting as they pulled the rod back again. "Now is not the time, well neither was last night. Ok one more pull." Joey gasped, the weight of their catch putting strain on every muscle in her body.
They flipped the rod over the railing of the boat, and a large fish landed on the deck. Charlie flopped against the railing, completely exerted. Joey stood with her hands on her hips trying to regain composure, satisfied with herself for catching such a beast.
Ross came over and unhooked the fish "I think we just found tomorrows nights dinner."
Ruby flinched as he snapped the neck. "I'm not eating that." She was revolted by the thought.
"You think that my girl, but wait until it's all cooked up into a beautiful stew. Well done Joey, I'm very impressed, they're quiet a set of hands you have."
Joey smirked, not daring to meet Charlie's eye "I think its Charlie's hands you should be praising, she did all the hard work."
Charlie glared at Joey, as a smile crept across her face from ear to ear.
"I better get this thing started." Joey said happily and then departed.
They pulled up at the bay just over an hour later; Ross had put the large fish in the ice box to keep it fresh for tomorrow. They all stood up at fence that separated the beach from the mainland. "Joey, thank you so much for today, it was truly wonderful." He made to hand her a wad of money.
"No! Ross, really Charlie and Ruby are my friends, I enjoyed this evening as much as you did. I won't accept anything of the sort. So put your money away."
"Thank you Joey, thank you." Morag said, touching Joeys arm; and Joey knew it was heartfelt.
"No problem, well I better head. It was really great to meet both of you, and I'm sure I'll see you the next time your around." Joey hugged Ross and Morag.
"What are you talking about girl, you'll be joining us tomorrow night and I won't hear of you declining us! This was your catch, we'll have dinner together."
Joey turned to Charlie, unsure whether she'd be ok with it or not. "You know I want you there, you're always more than welcome at our house."
Joey's heart skipped a beat, hearing Charlie say this meant more than she would put into words. "Wow, thanks. Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow then. See ya." Joey smiled and began walking away.
"Dad, can I've your keys? I'll drive Joey home, you guys can walk yeah?"
"Of course, here." He passed the keys to Charlie.
Charlie jogged after Joey "Hey Jo, come back!"
Joey spun around. "Charlie?"
"Come on, I've got Dad's car I'll drop you home."
A short while later they arrived outside Joey's house, Charlie turned off the engine and turned to face Joey. "Thank you so much for today, it meant more then I can tell you Joey."
"It's ok. I really enjoyed myself."
"Yeah I gathered that when you were trying to dry hump me when we were bringing the fish in." Charlie smiled and raised an eyebrow.
"And what were you doing to me last night?" Joey taunted, moving closer to Charlie, leaning across the gear box.
"Ok, you win." Charlie leaned in and met Joey's lips. Joey softly caressed Charlie's lips with her own, before letting her tongue skim across the warm flesh of her bottom lip; tasting the salt from the sea breeze. Charlie graciously opened her mouth and kissed Joey intensely.
Eventually Joey pulled back breathless "Ok, I'm going to go before we end up making out in your Dad's car." Joey opened the door and leapt out before she had a chance to change her mind.
"That's a good idea." Charlie laughed nodding in agreement. "So I'll see you tomorrow?" Charlie turned the key, which started the engine
"You bet, and Charlie?"
"Yeah?"
"Keep the beanie, looks hot." She closed the door leaving Charlie sitting there bursting with delight.
Joey waited until Charlie had disappeared down the road until she went inside, after having the best twenty four hours of her life.
Unfortunately the next 1-2 months aren't good with regards to my writing, don't know if there will be any updates and I apologies in advance but it just might not be possible. I'll try to get as many updates possible up over the next week or so just in case. However we won't worry about that just yet!
Please review and I'll try my hardest! X x