There's only one chapter left after this one so I hope you enjoy it. Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Forty Nine

Charlie woke up feeling very peaceful. Snug and warm under the blankets, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation of Joey's body tangled up with hers. Opening her eyes, she adjusted to the light in the room. Smiling, she turned her head and studied Joey's serene face, fast asleep with her luscious dark hair splayed out all around her on the pillow. Feeling daring, Charlie gently reached out and stroked Joey's face with her fingertips. She pulled back when she thought she had disturbed her. But Joey just mumbled something and resumed her dreams.

Extracting herself somewhat awkwardly from Joey, Charlie slipped out of the bed. She could hardly believe that she had spent the night completely naked – especially not with another naked person. She had always been a pyjamas kind of girl. Slipping some underwear and an old t-shirt on, Charlie grabbed her robe from the back of the door.

"Morning, sweetheart," she greeted when she a found pyjama clad Ruby sat on the floor in front of the television.

"Happy birthday and one day!" Ruby squeaked jubilantly.

When Charlie took a seat on the couch, her daughter clambered up into her lap.

"Did you have a fun party?" she asked.

"I had a very fun party," Charlie confirmed.

"For your next birthday, I'll be six, you know," Ruby said.

Charlie tried not to look too amused, knowing exactly where she was going with this.

"I know you will," she said.

"So, if I'm six, do you think that's old enough to be at the party?"

Charlie hugged her and kissed the top of her head.

"Maybe," she said. "Let's just deal with that closer to the time, shall we?"

Ruby looked doubtful but nodded.

"I'm very grown up for my age, you know," she said. "And I'm the best at spelling in my class. So I think I'm big enough to be at your party."

Charlie grinned and kissed her again. Popping her back on her feet, Charlie stood and began to rummage in the cupboards, debating what they should all have for breakfast.

Five minutes later, Joey emerged, looking happy but still sleepy.

"I wasn't expecting you to surface for a while," Charlie remarked.

"She smelled bacon," Ruby concluded.

Feeling particularly peckish, Charlie had decided that bacon sandwiches were the way to go.

"She's right," Joey admitted. "I did smell bacon."

Charlie chuckled and kissed her over the counter that separated the kitchen from the dining room.

"Good job I knew you would and made extra then," she remarked.

"I'm not sure whether to be thrilled or horrified by how well you two know me," Joey said.

"Thrilled," Charlie and Ruby said in unison.

"I think you're right," Joey agreed, pulling up a stool.

Later in the day, having established that nobody wanted to get up or dressed or really do much more than hang out and watch movies, Charlie and Joey were cuddled up on the sofa with Ruby sitting on the floor by their feet. They seemed to have started a Disney fest and everyone was enjoying it.

Joey turned and gazed at her girlfriend as she watched Beauty and the Beast. She studied her hair and her pretty face. Last night was still happily playing on her mind and she was so grateful that she had managed to prove herself enough to Charlie have been given another chance. It hadn't been the easiest road but she was ecstatic over where they were now. She felt like that night had been the start of the rest of their lives.

"Why are you looking at me instead of the TV?" Charlie asked, not turning her gaze away from Chip the teacup being exceptionally cute.

"Because you're so beautiful," Joey said. "I can't quite seem to help myself."

She saw Charlie blush and leant in to kiss her cheek.

"Last night was so amazing," she whispered.

"It was," Charlie agreed happily, turning to face her girlfriend. "I'm looking forward to doing it again."

Joey offered a cheeky grin.

"I didn't put you off then?" she asked.

Charlie laughed. Ruby turned back to look at them rather quizzically before resuming watching the television.

"Well, there was always a risk of things not living up to expectation, considering how long I put it off for..."

Joey looked worried.

"However," Charlie said. "That was pretty much the best night of my life. I've never felt so safe and so loved, so like a family. I know it took us a while to get here but I am the happiest I have ever been in my life right now."

"Me too," Joey whispered, stealing a gentle kiss. "Me too."

Next time… Charlie and Joey celebrate their graduation and Ruby's birthday…