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Chapter Three - Love Is In The Air?

Angelo had not seen Charlie for over a week. She had taken some holiday from work, and Angelo knew it was to avoid seeing him. He cursed under his breath when he thought about how stupid he had been. He had always been the jealous type, and the more time Charlie spent with Ruby made him angry. He was happy for Charlie, that she finally had her daughter beside her, but he was fed up of becoming second best. When they had started dating, Charlie used to be care free and they had fun. That was the old Charlie. The new Charlie was serious, it was like she had forgotten how to live. Angelo sighed. Perhaps he was being too harsh. He knew how much Charlie had been through over the last couple of months. When he had listened to her telling him about the rape, and about Ruby, he was amazed by how strong Charlie was, and how lucky he was to have her. Now he had thrown it all away.

Charlie stirred in her bed. Another night filled with nightmares and no sleep. She slipped out of bed and walked across to the mirror. The reflection was shocking to Charlie. She was pale, her eyes surrounded by dark circles. She had hardly eaten in the last week. Her whole body ached, and her heart felt like it was being torn in two. On the one hand, she missed Angelo so much. All she wanted to do was run to him and kiss him, and pretend that everything was fine. Then she remembered how he had treated her. Drink or no drink, she hadn't deserved that. Or had she? Perhaps Angelo was right, she hadn't exactly been a good girlfriend lately. Charlie screamed out in frustration. If only she could rewind time and be back at the night of the party. Perhaps things would have been different. Charlie jumped out of her thoughts as she heard a knock at the door.

"Come in" Charlie sighed, knowing who it would be.

"Morning Charlz, how are you this morning?" Ruby came in and sat on the bed, gesturing her sister to join her.

"I'm ok Rubes, not much sleep, but I think I have made a decision"

"About Angelo? About time Charlie, you look dreadful by the way"

"Gee thanks Rubes. And yes, I think I am going to give Angelo one more shot. I haven't exactly been the perfect partner, and before you say anything, I know what he did was wrong, but I know he cares for me Ruby"

"There will never be an excuse for what Angelo did to you Charlie. I hope you can work things out though, I know how much you like him"

"Yeah, well I'm back to work this afternoon, so not much time to wait I guess. I'm going to go for a run, and then I'll meet you for brekkie?"

"Sure thing Charlz"

Ruby left Charlie to get ready for her run. She was pleased that Charlie had finally decided what to do about Angelo. Charlie had been like a stranger for the last few days, hardly eating and living in her bedroom, but Ruby could see a little spark back in her eyes today. She only hoped that Angelo would never do anything to hurt her mum ever again. She had felt guilty as she knew Angelo's issues were about her and Charlie's relationship. But Ruby knew that she would never lose her mum again.

A few hours later and Charlie walked into the Police Station. She greeted some of the officers and then walked into her office. She was surprised to see Angelo waiting there for her with a bunch of flowers.

"It's good to have you back Charlie. I've missed you this week"

"Thanks for the flowers, they're beautiful. We need to talk, are you free to go for a walk?"

"Sure" Angelo felt a bit nervous. He couldn't tell how the conversation was going to go.

Walking along the beach in silence, Charlie was trying to work out what she was going to say. Eventually she came to a halt and turned to face Angelo.

"This week has been one of the hardest weeks in my life. Pretty impressive considering what I've been through over the years. But that's how important you are to me Angelo. I have been trying to work out my feelings, which has also been hard. I love you Angelo, but I can't forget what happened last week very easily. I want to give you another chance, and I really want us to work. I know I'm not perfect, and that I haven't been there for you as much, but I'm going to try and be a better girlfriend. I do love you Angelo"

"Charlie, you don't need me to stand here and say I love you, because you know how much I care for you. I can't explain what happened last week. I do get jealous, and my male ego has been taking a hit with all the time you have been spending with Ruby. I can't help the way I feel, but what happened last week will never happen again. Charlie, the last thing I would ever want to do is hurt you, and I know I hurt you deeply. I just love you so much, I want to spend every spare minute with you"

"I understand Angelo, I really do. Ruby is my daughter. I am getting to know her as my daughter. I am going to need to spend time with her Angelo, and I need to know that you will be ok with it if I do. Can you promise that?"

Angelo did not want to promise, he still felt the ripples of jealousy whenever Ruby's name was mentioned. And to him, it sounded like he was still going to be second best. But he could not risk losing Charlie.

"Of course I can Charlie. I love you"

"I love you too Angelo"