Sorry for the lack of updates. Hopefully you had a great Christmas and New Year. Its been so hectic at my place I finally got some time to myself to bring you this next chapter. Please let me know what you think. Enjoy!

2 months later….

Charlie had been home for a week now, and day by day she attempted to get back on her feet and push herself a little more. Physiotherapy was a regular feature during the week and Joey was by her side each day. Ruby had adjusted to this major change, realizing her mother was truly at her happiest when she was with Joey. She couldn't ask for anything more than for Charlie to be happy. For a brief moment Ruby's life has spiraled out of control, with a break up from Casey, and Charlie being in hospital, and shattered dreams of living in the City with Brax and Charlie. All of the tumultuous times were now behind her, Ruby was content with living in Summer Bay with Charlie and Joey. Attending university was on hold for now, a part time job at the Diner instead filled the void. As a trio, they decided to move out of Leahs and found their own little place by the beach. A small cottage with big dreams.

Joey was finally able to breathe a little easier. Charlie was back in her life and despite all the hurdles they faced at the hospital, being at home in their own place was another part of the puzzle that had fallen into place. She had faced a lot of scrutiny from many people in the Summer Bay community, no less than from her own brother Brett. He wanted to make their life as difficult as possible but after several confrontations at the hospital he realized there was no way to change Joey's mind and she gave him a final ultimatum "Accept me or I am no longer your sister". In the end they parted ways, Joey was disgusted at the thought that her own brother tried to run down her ex and not tell her, and then with reconciliation on the cards tried to force her hand by saying she would never get a cent from the sale of their parents home unless she came back without Charlie. Joey didn't worry about Brett, as far as he was concerned, life was easier without him. Morag was asked by Charlie to look into Joeys case for access to her half of the sale of her parents home but right now Joey was so happy, she didn't mind if she couldn't get her half of the sale. She had Charlie and Ruby back in her life and that was all she ever wanted.

For Charlie, the hardest thing about returning home was the inability to move around. Dependent on a walking cane, every step was snail pace and it was driving her insane. Taking a seat out on the porch overlooking the beach she took in the view and sighed. Her happiness and that of Joey's was priority but in the back of her mind she couldn't help wonder whether this dream would burst its happy bubble sooner than later. Life was difficult with no work to keep her occupied and Joey doing all the housework with Ruby, Charlie felt like a burden. She wanted to be physically able to work and help around the house but right now rest and physiotherapy exercises was all her body allowed her to do. The test results had come back and having a family with Joey was now a non existent option. Brax had taken that option away. She couldn't have kids. This harsh fact was one that hit them both hard. Joey was ever the fighter and believer in optimism, reaching for Charlies hand at the hospital and said "We'll find a way, if its meant to be then we'll get there… together". Closing her eyes Charlie reflected on the last 2 months and realized Joey wasn't just sticking around to help. She was in it for the long haul. Her thoughts were distracted as she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up she smiled as she saw Joey holding a glass of orange juice. "Do you want some time to yourself or can I join you?" she asked.

Charlie laughed "of course you can join me…. Although a walk down the beach would be ideal, the sun's out and it's a perfect day."

Joey looked out and nodded her head in agreement "You're right, it's a perfect day but you know for now we have to take it slow. The sand would be challenging for you. Your body wouldn't be able to take it right now."

"I know" Charlie agreed. She hated the limitations placed on her life right now. All she wanted to do was take a run and swim, do all those things that until recently were so taken for granted.

"You'll get there Charlie, might take a while but…"

"Jo its not that I can't work, or run or swim. I just feel like such a burden on everyone. You and Ruby are running the house. Honestly I can't even do the washing up!" The frustration in Charlie's voice was clearly evident.

Joey looked at her girlfriend, she was a shadow of her former self. Her eyes were no longer bright and shiny instead masked by sadness and frustration. No words she offered right now would be the right ones. Instead she pulled her chair closer in, reaching for Charlie's hand and laying her head on her shoulder. "I love you Charlie" she whispered for Charlie to hear.

A small smile tweaked the edges of Charlie's lips, and as she relaxed on Joey's shoulder she fell into a slumber….

Later that afternoon, both girls woke up from their mini nap, awoken by a car parking up against their house. The motor didn't shut off. Thinking nothing of it Joey headed inside with the empty glasses and intentions to return with some afternoon tea. Charlie was always wary of visitors, she didn't want the pity that was so evident in her friends eyes. Most of the time they came round with food, sometimes just to have a chat but today was different. Charlie felt her skin get tingles of fear as she saw the gate open. Realising who the visitor was she tried to get up and get inside as quickly as she could, she cried out in pain realizing she had put her body under too much pressure too quickly. She tumbled to the floor, the chair falling to the side as she tried to move.

"Charlie!" Brax dove in, trying to reach her as she fell. He didn't make it in time as he saw her fall to the ground.

"Get away from me" Charlie gasped. Her breathing was heavy but the venom in her voice startled Brax. He stepped away, his hands in the air. Reaching for the chair, she tried to lift herself up to no avail. Brax wanted to help but on moving closer to assist Charlie had repeated not to come any closer. A third voice broke their trance, "Charlie!", running to her aid, Joey gently lifted Charlie back up onto her feet, and attemped to get her to sit down again. Charlie was adamant she would stand. Holding onto Joey for extra support, Charlie stared Brax down, demanding to know what he was doing there.

"I'm sorry Charlie, I came to apologise for everything, my behavior that day was inexcusable. I'm so sorry" he hung his head in shame, unable to look at the woman he loved and had destroyed.

Charlie was fuming, every part of her body was shaking with anger, she wanted to unleash hell on the man who had had destroyed her life but as she looked at the walking cane that had become a part of her so quickly the only thing she realized she could do was yell…

"How dare you come to my house Brax. How dare you think it is even ok to step foot onto these hallowed grounds I share with my daughter and my girlfriend. You're supposed to be in jail right now, and if I had my way you would be in there rotting away for a lot more than just what you did to me. The pain and angst you have set on my family can never be taken away, it can never be forgotten. You have left an imprint on me that has marked my life forever. I can never have kids because of you, I can never know what it is like to carry another baby, to recreate that beautiful bond. It's all your fault. All because you wouldn't let me go when I asked. So now I'm telling you get off this property, stay out of my life and stay away from my family. Unless of course you'd like to see what happens and try it again…."

Brax shook his head, turning back to the car that was still running. "I love you Charlie, I always will."

Charlie watched as Brax walked away, she was fuming. Shaking her head in frustration she stared at the car as it drove away. Joey had stood in the same spot since she came out, reaching for Charlie's hand she wanted to reassure everything was ok and that she loved her. Instead, Charlie dismissed her hand, yanking hers away, instead clutching her walking cane with both hands. For all the events that had led to this day, for the first time in a long time, Joey felt isolated and alone.