Sorry for not updating when I said I would. I'm afraid I got seduced by the outside world and I might not be able to update every day for at least a little while. My life has got a bit busy but I will try and update as often as I can. I'm predicting weekends off. So, this is a somewhat delayed final chapter and I will be back with a new fic called 'Wife Swap'. I actually wrote it last year but it's taken a while to get round to posting it. I hope you like it – and I hope you like the final instalment of this one. Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Thirty Three

Charlie and Joey had been back together for almost a month and every day had been wonderful. They were fully immersed in the honeymoon stage of their relationship, the stage they'd never truly got to enjoy the first time around. Typically, with their feelings being so strong, they had rushed ahead in their commitment to each other. Aden and Belle had moved into a place of their own as newly weds so with a spare room, Joey had invited both Charlie and Ruby to move in. So far, everything was going well. The three of them lived happily together and Ruby had declared her joy at feeling like a family. She didn't know the truth about her parentage but with Joey by her side, Charlie felt like if the time did come, they would be able to handle it together.

On the afternoon of their anniversary, Charlie surprised Joey by taking her out onto the Blaxland for a romantic afternoon. It was the place where they had first realised they were in love. The last time they'd both been out on the water together hadn't been so successful but they were happy to be creating new memories, preferably ones that didn't involve self harming tendencies and vomit.

"Happy anniversary, sweetheart," Charlie said.

They'd settled themselves on deck with lots of pillows in order to be comfortable. Having eaten a nice picnic, they'd taken strawberries and champagne with them. They clinked their glasses together and met in a kiss.

"I think this could actually be the happiest day of my life," Joey admitted. "Being back with you has been perfect. It feels exactly like it should have always felt. I'm so happy that we've given ourselves a second chance."

Charlie leant forward and kissed her.

"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me," she said. "And I vow to love you for the rest of my life."

Smiling broadly, Joey shifted to rest in Charlie's arms. They snuggled against the pillows together. Charlie dangled a strawberry over Joey's lips. She smiled and took a bite.

"I have a gift for you," Charlie ventured.

"You do?" Joey asked in surprise. "Another one?"

This morning, after breakfast in bed, they had exchanged presents. Joey had bought Charlie a pair of earrings. Since their break up, Charlie hadn't dared to wear the ones that had led to Joey finding out the truth. While Joey had remained adamant that she didn't care, really she had noticed every single thing about Charlie, including that. She'd wanted to show her that the past was really behind them now and Charlie had accepted the gift with happiness. Charlie's present to Joey had been the entire box set of Ghost Whisperer, a programme that Joey was desperately in love with, even though every single episode made her weep.

"Yep," Charlie said.

Shifting a little, she reached out for her handbag. First, she pulled out a teddy bear. Joey couldn't help but smile.

"I looked after him for you," Charlie said. "Like I said I would."

Joey accepted him joyfully. He really was cute.

"Thank you," she said. "I love him."

Charlie grinned. Reaching into her bag again, she pulled out a small box that Joey had seen once before.

"Charlie..."

"You don't have to accept it," she said. "But I bought it for you while we were still together the first time. I have a vague recollection of trying to give it to you the last time we were on here together but..."

She smiled a little shyly and held the box out to her. Trembling a little, Joey accepted the box and opened it up, gasping a little at the beautiful diamond ring sitting on the cushion.

"It's... it's a commitment ring," Charlie ventured when Joey didn't respond verbally. "Which, I guess it kind of ironic considering what I did..."

Joey put her index finger to Charlie's lips, cutting off another of the apologies she always seemed to offer. She didn't want her to feel guilty anymore. She didn't want her to be in pain. She just wanted them to be happy. Charlie smiled and kissed Joey's finger. She took her hand and gazed into her eyes.

"I love you so much, Joey," she said sincerely. "And I want to spend the rest of my life showing you that. I tried to get a ring that I thought would suit you so I had to pick the most beautiful one in the shop."

Joey blushed.

"I wanted to give you something that when you looked at it, wherever you are and whatever you're doing, you can know in that moment how completely I love you," Charlie said. "Even when we're off working and doing our own thing, it's like I'll still be with you."

Joey crushed her lips against Charlie's, holding onto the box and wrapping her arms tightly around her. Pulling back, she stroked her girlfriend's face.

"I think I just fell even more deeply in love with you," she whispered.

Charlie kissed her one more time before taking the box from her and slipping the ring on her finger.

"My wedding finger?" Joey remarked.

Charlie panicked and apologised.

"I got confused!" she said. "I..."

Joey continued to look amused. Charlie met her gaze. She took a deep breath.

"Unless... you want it to stay there?"

Joey stared at her.

"Are you asking me to...?"

"I already know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you," Charlie said certainly. "So, if you wanted to, well, maybe we could have some kind of ceremony or...?"

"I was wrong," Joey said.

Charlie's heart sank.

"Now I've fallen even more deeply in love with you."

She smiled. Charlie leant in and kissed her. It had been a long road but they were finally experiencing the beginning of a happy ever after.