Perfect Match

Hi everyone! This is the last chapter of Perfect Match. I've been very sloppy with updates during this story and for this I apologise! I hope you have enjoyed it regardless of this. Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed, not only this story, but all my others too. With very best wishes. ~S&L~ xxx

Chapter 19

The early morning breeze was still cool as Joey and Aden heaved the copious amounts of luggage onto the little boat. Its brand new blue paint shone in the bright sunlight and its wavy reflection in the dock-side water spelt out the upside down word of 'Blueeyes' which had been painted on by Ruby, with much love and care. Charlie smiled as she watched it shimmering in the sun's rays. She glanced over her shoulder and caught Joey watching and smiling at her; causing a wonderful, warm glow inside her, and a little flip in her heart knowing that for the next six months... or maybe seven, they would be travelling together, visiting what Joey called 'remote and exotic isles, where they can spend quality time together, listening to the lapping water about them, feeling the wind in their hair and falling in love under the stars.'

Charlie straightened up and walked slowly, over to Joey and wrapped her slender arms about her waist and rested her head on Joey's very willing shoulder.

A clatter of feet came running down to the quay-side where the little boat was preparing to sail away from Summer Bay. It was Ruby, Leah, VJ and Anna the ex-actress; now student lawyer, who had been courting Aden Jefferies for the last eight months ever since the evening that Blueeyes and Browneyes' cover had been busted.

Ruby joined in a group hug with her sister and Joey, getting tearful as their moment of departure approached. Ruby would be staying with her father, Ross and stepmother, Morag while the girls were away but would take up residence with Joey and Charlie in a bungalow, all of their own, when the girls returned. Charlie was taking a sabbatical from the Police force but upon her return, (and as a carrot to encourage her to come back) had been awarded a promotion to Sergeant.

Anna joined Aden on deck and helped him load the last of the boxes.

Suddenly, a shout from the top of the quay made them all look up in surprise. There, stood the larger than life figure of Brett Collins; Joey's brother.

"Oh Lord! What does he want?" Joey muttered under her breath.

"Do you want me to go and deal with him, Jo?" Aden asked, stepping off of the boat.

"No thanks, Aden." And turning to Charlie... "I'd better go see what he wants."

"Okay, sweetheart, but don't let him upset you!" Charlie warned.

"I won't." Joey promised, kissing her soon to be ship-mate on the cheek.

"Were you going away without even saying goodbye to me?" Brett asked; strangely sober.

"Well, I wasn't sure if you'd want to... even talk to me, after... the other night." Joey said quietly.

Though Charlie and Joey's dream voyage had been planned for many months, Brett had not been informed until very recently. He had blown his top, declaring his younger sister was an idiot to be sailing away with a women, even one as hot as Charlie Buckton. Joey had done her best to convince her brother that Charlie was her soul mate and therefore, would be spending the rest of their lives together; either on land or sea; it was one and the same to them and there was nothing he could do about it. An argument had ensued and they parted bitter enemies.

"Jo, let's not leave it like this." Brett suggested, sincerely. "I'm your only family. I might never see you again!"

Joey looked at her brother suspiciously.

"What's all this, Brett? Worried I might not return or more to the point; forget to bring you back some duty-free whisky and cigarettes?"

Brett's brow furrowed and he looked hurt by her insinuation.

"No Joey. I-I want us to be mates. You're my only sister for Christ's sake!"

"Brett, you do understand that whatever you say, I'm with Charlie and gonna stay with Charlie forever; you know, 'Charlie – the woman'?"

"Yeah, yeah, I know who Charlie is." Brett said sulkily, glancing at Charlie who watched intently at the quay-side. "I know you and her are... well, together and I know whatever I try to do or say won't make any difference. And I know I've been a slob and a git to you Jo, and for that, I apologise. I haven't been much of a brother to you since Dad died. I really miss him Jo. And now I'll really miss you. You'll drop me a postcard from time to time, won't you?"

Joey smiled at her brother and nodded.

"Yeah, I'll do that."

"Well... that's grand then, Jo. I hope you and ... Charlie have a beaut time!"

Joey glanced down at her girlfriend who was looking anxious.

"That, we intend to. And Brett, I do appreciate you coming to see me off. Thank you. Won't you come down and say 'goodbye' to Charlie too?"

"Err, na thanks Jo. It's not that I don't want to or anything, it's just she's seen me in some rather compromising positions and I'd rather not embarrass myself, if you don't mind."

"She's seen me in some pretty compromising positions too!" Joey giggled.

"Yeah, but that's you and her... well, you know... doing what girls like you do."

Joey burst out laughing and pulled her brother in for a hug. He smelt freshly showered and had shaved, and was in no way repugnant to her.

"I'll miss you Brett."

"I'll miss you too, Jo." He replied; his voice sounding thick with emotion.

"Well, I'd better go. Look after yourself and ... well, just look after yourself, okay?" Joey said, looking anxiously at her sibling.

"Yeah, don't worry about me. I've managed to secure that job you've left behind, so I'm a changed man now Jo. I'll be fine." He grinned.

"Good."

"Hey! And you take care too... The two of you. Look after each other, okay?"

"We will." Joey promised.

They hugged once more and when Joey escaped his strong arms, ran down to her boat; only looking back when she reached Charlie's arms, who mopped her tears with a tissue. Then, she watched as her brother walked away.

"Well, it's about time you two pushed off!" Aden said, glancing at his watch. "Otherwise, you'll miss the tide."

Joey and Charlie glanced at each other and smiled. Their journey through life together was officially starting. Ruby clung to her sister, who hugged her and shed tears of joy and sadness at their parting. Joey hugged Aden and then, Anna, whom she had come to know well and liked very much. Then both girls hugged Leah and VJ in turn; promising to bring back various novelties from exotic lands for the latter.

With all their farewells done, they turned once again to face each other and taking one another's hand, climbed into Joey's boat, 'Blueeyes' and prepared to 'away anchor'.

As the little blue boat sailed out of Summer Bay harbour and the shouts of 'farewells' were lost in the air dividing them from their loved ones, Joey snaked her arms around her love and rested her chin on Charlie's shoulder.

"Happy?"

"I am."

"Thank you for sending me a message Blueeyes. You turned my world upside down and inside out that day, and I love you for it."

"And thank you for answering my message, Browneyes. I love you so much and never want to be anywhere but with you. We are a perfect match, aren't we?"

Joey turned her love around in her arms and kissed her tenderly on her lips.

"Don't you think you should be driving the boat?" Charlie chuckled when Joey allowed her.

"Steering the boat, darling!"

Charlie laughed all the more; pulling her girlfriend and travelling companion in for another kiss.

Ruby watched as the little blue boat became a minute speck on the horizon. Aden wrapped his arm around the young girl and comforted her.

"She'll be alright, won't she?" Ruby asked, uncertainly.

"Course she will. Joey will take care of her, no worries. And hey! Can I buy you a choco milkshake and pancakes?"

Ruby's eyes lit up. It was breakfast time and she was starving.

"I'd love it!" She grinned. "But you don't have to, you know!"

"Well, perhaps I wanna buy you breakfast! After all, if it hadn't been for you and your interference all those months ago, Anna and I would never have met!" He said, grinning at his girlfriend.

Anna smiled and took Aden's free hand in her own, and the three followed Leah and VJ, heading off towards the diner.

Charlie and Joey watched as Summer Bay became just a piece of shoreline and then eventually, disappearing altogether.

Joey had at long last found the girl of her dreams and her dating site wish had come true.

'I'd love to take you with me on my voyage of discovery. Let's sail the seven seas together and find our true selves. We'll explore places where no one has dared go. Together, we'll hold hands and be brave enough to face the truth.'

And Charlie's dream girl was discovered, and now in her arms.

'I long for that special someone who will talk to me; one who will let me unburden my heart. I am a little complex, and though have had my share of cares, am now looking for a travelling companion to journey through life with me. Someone with a soft hand to hold and to share special times with.'

~The End~