Sorry for the delay in updating. I was off out this morning to get a new tattoo but I hope to be back to updating first thing by tomorrow. I hope you enjoy the chapter. Two left after this one... Love, IJKS xxx
Chapter Thirty One
Once he'd got permission from the bride and groom, the DJ had returned to playing more lively music. Charlie and Joey had remained on the dance floor, clearly a lot happier. They danced together, talking, laughing and stealing the odd kiss. Everything felt rather strange but both women were happy to have made the decision to be back together. And Joey was determined not to let any Hugo or Angelo hang-ups wreck what she had. For her part, Charlie could hardly believe what was happening. She felt like all of her dreams had come true.
"Hey, I want you to meet a couple of people," she said, catching hold of Joey's hand.
Joey looked confused and then very surprised as Charlie led her towards Ross and Morag, who were chatting with Ruby and Xavier to the side of the dance floor.
"Dad, Morag, this is Joey," Charlie said proudly.
Joey's surprised grew. Not only was Charlie introducing her to her family, but she was doing it happily.
"The infamous Joey," Morag commented, smiling and shaking Joey's hand.
"Pleased to meet you," Joey said shyly.
Ross introduced himself too and the newly reunited couple joined the table.
"So does this mean what I hope it means?" Ruby asked, eager for confirmation.
"We're giving it another shot," Charlie, who had not let go of Joey, said.
"I'm so happy for you!" Ruby squeaked, hugging them both.
She sat back in her chair, grinning broadly.
"Seriously, Charlie's been a nightmare without you," she said.
Charlie cringed.
"You don't say?" Joey teased.
Charlie cringed some more. Her behaviour over the last few months had definitely been questionable. But she felt like everything had been worth it if it meant being able to be with Joey like this now. For the amount of grief she had felt when they were apart, she felt the same amount of joy now that they were together again.
"Sorry about all of that," Charlie said shyly.
She gazed at Joey.
"Sorry," she said again.
Joey lifted Charlie's hand to her lips and kissed it, although she felt nervous in front of Ross and Morag in case they objected in some way.
"We're putting the past behind us now," she said. "We've got a second chance. Let's just be happy, okay?"
Charlie nodded eagerly, pulling Joey into her arms and kissing her. Apparently she had no issue with expressing affection to her girlfriend in front of her father and step-mother. This Charlie was a far cry from the closeted girl Joey had once known.
"I know it's taken us a lot of time and pain to get here but I am so happy right now, Joey," the police officer said. "I will never let you down again."
Joey smiled, stealing another kiss. Then they got up to dance again.
"Can I take you on a date tomorrow?" Charlie asked hopefully.
Still on the dance floor, Joey brushed a stray stand of hair from out of Charlie's eyes. Neither of them could seem to stop smiling.
"I'd love that," she said.
"Okay," Charlie replied. "Leave it with me and I'll make sure I come up with something really good."
Joey pulled her closer, making eye contact.
"You don't have to impress me," she said. "I'm happy just to be able to spend time with you."
"But I want to do something nice for you," Charlie protested. "I want to prove..."
"Do you love me?" Joey interrupted.
"With all my heart," Charlie replied.
"So just do that," Joey told her.
"But I need to..."
"Charlie," Joey said seriously, pulling her closer. "I just want to be your girlfriend. And I'm already so happy that we're giving ourselves another chance to be together. But we have to start from scratch, okay? We have to forget the past and everything that happened – the bad stuff anyway. I'm not intending on bringing the bad stuff with me and I don't want you to either. So please, just love me. Don't try to make up for your mistakes. I want us to start on neutral ground."
Charlie wrapped her arms around Joey's waist, unable to tear her gaze away. She felt emotional at the realisation that Joey really did love her and that for all the anger she'd dished out over the last few months, she wasn't planning to punish her anymore for past misdeeds.
"I can't believe I've got a second chance with the most wonderful woman in the world," Charlie said sincerely. "I never... well, I never really believed in love until I met you. I certainly didn't believe in the idea of 'soul mates' or 'the one'. But I feel all of that with you. And ignoring the fact that you're far too good for me..."
She paused momentarily as Joey put a finger to her lips and offered a stern look.
"I firmly believe that you're mine," Charlie finished, kissing the digit.
They smiled at each other and were about to lean in for yet another kiss, eager to make up for all the time they'd lost, when Aden and Belle approached.
"We're meant to be the sappiest couple today," Aden teased.
Both women blushed.
"Seriously," he said. "I am so happy that you're back together."
"So am I," Belle put in.
"Because, quite frankly, she's been a nightmare these last few months!" Aden smirked, jabbing a finger in his housemate's direction.
Joey glared.
"That makes two of us," Charlie said.
It was late when Charlie, Joey, Ruby and Xavier finally prepared to leave the party. Everyone had seen the bride and groom off on their honeymoon and slowly, the party had started to disperse. Still high on their new-found romance, Charlie and Joey had hardly left the dance floor – or each other's arms for that matter. Ruby had danced the night away with Xavier and Ross and Morag had gone home a couple of hours ago.
"Okay, I'm closing up," Alf said, nudging the remaining party-goers towards the door.
Charlie, Joey, Ruby and Xavier stepped out into the cool evening air.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay over?" Charlie whispered when she hugged Joey goodbye.
"I told you," Joey teased. "We should go on an official date first."
Charlie nodded and kissed her.
"Hey, Xave, are you walking my way?" Joey asked.
The teenager nodded, kissing Ruby goodbye and the foursome split off in different directions. Walking side by side with Ruby, Charlie was positively giddy with happiness. She doubted she would get any sleep that night.
"Joey!" she called back towards her girlfriend, who had crossed the road with Xavier already.
"Yeah?" Joey called back in amusement.
"I love you!"
"What?" Joey asked, genuinely not hearing her.
Charlie took the moment to dash across the road. With her eyes fixed on her girlfriend, she didn't see the car speeding round the corner.
Next time... Charlie is rushed to hospital...