Thanks to XTR for a great idea which I have tried to encompass into this chapter. Despite all the hurdles CJ have been facing, the anger they feel is never there for long ;)

"You knew?..."

"Of course…. I may be drunk but not totally ignorant of whats going on here".

"hmm…" Joey leant in further for a cuddle, enjoying the closeness she shared with Charlie. Closeness she hadn't felt in a long time. Since her return they didn't have a chance to settle in as a couple and enjoy a 'honeymoon period'. Charlies injuries had prevented her from a lot of activities in and around the house. Simple things like cuddles were until today a unexperienced thing. Joey was happy to sit back and enjoy these little moments. Charlie realized Joeys train of thought, every element of touch sent tingles up her spine. The electricity between them, that spark was very much alive.

Filling in Charlie on the options available to them as far as starting a family, Charlie was excited and attentive to Joey. The thought of having a family with her made her so happy. The future did not seem so bleak now… suddenly there was a bigger reason….

Joey noticed Charlie had zoned out, nudging her gently she quizzed her as to her thoughts. "I'm just thinking of you and me raising a family together. For all the mistakes I made and have regretted, meeting you and asking for another chance isn't one of them."

"I need you to support me on something Charlie, I…."

"what is it Jo?" she questioned with angst as to the possibilities of requests by her lover.

"This whole looking to the building a family, there will be hurdles and you and I…. we've struggled these last few months. Open communication about how we feel isn't exactly our strong point. I want you and me to do some couple counseling…"

"I don't know Jo, the last counselor I had basically pushed me into a belief that I was ready for moving in with Angelo. I got panic attacks and the relationship went downhill pretty quickly."

"Charlie…." Joey stammered, afraid of saying the wrong thing. "I want to do this together, to be attentive to each other, to understand each other. I can't build a family with you if every time things get hard we run out on each other. I want to be with you forever, you are my soul mate. The experience of being in a relationship where both of us are happy I just…. I don't think we've experienced it yet. Your experiences with Brax, his behavior and reaction to us. What he did to you. We have so much to overcome…"

"Joey… don't you think that my loving you is enough. Cant we just take it day by day?" Charlie was hesitant to the idea of counseling. She wanted eternal happiness without all the glitches but knew life wasn't built that way. The good times had to be taken with the bad.

Joey didn't want to push Charlie away so she stopped pushing the suggestion of counseling. "Please Charlie, just think about it. If for nothing else but the benefit of preparing to start a family."

"Ok Jo. I make no promises to that but I can make you one promise her and now, I will love you and cherish you. You are my one and only, now come inside and let us start afresh…" Charlie gently asked of Joey as she led her back inside.

Following Charlie back inside Joey stopped behind her and kissed her gently on the shoulder whispering in her ear "I love you".