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Chapter Three - Happy Now?
Charlie felt warm and comfortable, which was strange really considering she was lying on a beach. She shifted position, and realised that she was no longer on the beach, but lying in a bed. Charlie sat bolt upright, her heart pounding in her chest, and looked around the room with panicked eyes, trying to figure out where she was. As she scanned the room, she saw a man sitting asleep in a chair. Charlie lowered herself back down against the pillows, her heart rate slowly returning to normal, and smiled as she stared at Angelo. He was snoring. Charlie didn't know how she had got to the hospital, or how long she had been there, but felt immediate relief at being back in Summer Bay. Charlie thought about waking Angelo, but decided to watch him sleep instead. This did not last long however, as the door opened and Rachel walked in. Angelo shot up out of his chair, the noise disturbing him from his slumber, but he noticed Rachel smiling. He followed her gaze and realised Charlie was awake. He rushed over to her side and took hold of her hand.
"Hey baby, how are you feeling? We've all been so worried about you" Angelo said, planting a gentle kiss on Charlie's nose.
"Hey. I've got a bit of a headache, and I feel exhausted. How did I get here? How long have I been here?" Charlie looked at Rachel with worried eyes.
"Charlie, you need to keep calm. You have been here for 3 days. You were unconscious when you arrived and this is the first time you have woken up. You have a fractured skull, which will explain the headache, but this will heal by itself. No other physical injuries, other than exhaustion, which will get better with lots of rest. You have had everyone very worried, especially Ruby"
"Is she ok? Where is she?"
"She's fine. She wouldn't leave your side for the first 2 days, but I finally persuaded her to go home last night. I'll go and phone her and let her know you're awake"
"Thanks Angelo" Charlie smiled as he left the room.
"You know he hasn't left your side either. No-one could persuade him to go home and get some rest" Rachel informed Charlie.
"I'm very lucky. How long do I have to stay here?" Charlie replied.
"I would like to keep you in for a couple of days, just to keep an eye on you. I don't expect there to be any problems, but I want you to rest, and the only way I can be certain you will rest is to keep you in. How do you feel?"
"My head does hurt........" Charlie trailed off as she remembered Hugo hitting her over the head with his gun. Her breathing became rapid, and colour drained from her face.
"Charlie, stay with me" Rachel said loudly to get Charlies attention. Charlie looked at Rachel and started to calm down again, realising she was safe.
"I'm sorry, I was just remembering what happened" Charlie said shakily.
"Hey, it is completely normal for you to feel like this, and to be honest it probably won't be the first time. All I ask is that you don't bottle things up. Make sure you talk to someone about how you are feeling, don't struggle with it on your own" As Rachel was finishing talking, Angelo came back into the room. He took one look at Charlie and knew something was wrong.
"What's going on? Are you ok Charlie?"
"Charlie just had a small panic attack about what happened to her. She's fine now, but I have told her to make sure she talks to us about what she is feeling. I am going to get you some pain relief Charlie, and then I want you to get some more rest"
"Thanks Rachel. I do feel quite tired again"
Rachel left the room to get the pain relief. Angelo sat next to Charlie on the bed, and stroked her hair.
"Did you get through to Ruby?" Chalie asked, followed by a long yawn.
"Yes, she was very excited. She's coming right over"
"Thank-you for being here, I'm sure you have been a good support to Ruby too, which means a lot"
"I'd do anything for you Charlie, I thought I'd lost you. I love you"
"I'm not going anywhere. I love you too"
Rachel entered the room.
"Here, these should help with the headache, then I want you to rest. I'm sure I can count on you Angelo to make sure that happens"
Charlie swallowed down the pills, enjoying the cool water rinsing round her dry mouth.
"I don't think that will be a problem, I feel exhausted again. I don't know how I can be, I've slept for 3 days" Charlie looked worried again.
"Charlie, you have been through a huge trauma, it will take you a while to feel 'normal' again. Now sleep!" Rachel smiled sympathetically at Charlie. It did feel strange watching the normally strong police officer that Charlie was looking so vunerable. Rachel slipped out of the room.
Angelo stayed on the bed stroking Charlie's hair as she slipped off into a deep sleep. He noticed that she looked more peaceful than before, and he smiled to himself. Perhaps this was the beginning of a new chapter for them, a happy one. He kissed Charlie on the head and then sat back in the chair to watch her sleep.