Chapter Sixteen
"Have you seen my…?"
Charlie trailed off when she entered the living room and found her daughter, Elsie playing with her phone, exactly the thing she was looking for. She crouched down on the floor and carefully prised it out of the four-year-old's hand. Elsie pouted at her, perfectly emulating her mother.
"Seen your what?" Joey asked, appearing in the room from the kitchen.
Charlie waved her mobile at her. Joey nodded and grinned. It was such a routine that she wondered why Charlie ever looked anywhere else for it first. Elsie had an obsession with phones these days.
"Breakfast's up," Joey said, heading back into the kitchen.
Charlie scooped Elsie up, deciding it was easier to carry her to the table than to try and negotiate with the toddler to walk there herself.
***
It had been five years since Joey had thrown herself off the boat and swum back to Charlie's waiting arms. From that day, they had pledged their lives to each other and had not looked back. Once they had arrived back in the Bay, they had settled into a comfortable relationship, although the week that Charlie was injured had been frustrating. After six months, they had said goodbye to Leah and moved into their own apartment. They'd bought a two-bed place so that Ruby could live with them too. She'd moved out and into a rented flat with Xavier when she'd finished high school. Three years ago Charlie and Joey had their relationship blessed and celebrated with the friend and family, including Ross who was proud to see his daughter 'married' before he passed away a few months later in Morag's arms. On the night of their wedding, swept up in their romance, the women had decided to have a baby together. And now, they had Elsie Elizabeth Buckton, named after both their mothers. So that Charlie didn't need to leave work for maternity leave, they had decided that Joey would carry their baby. Joey had spent as much time as possible on boats for pleasure now that she was only working part-time on the trawler. When Elsie was old enough to go to school, Joey planned on increasing her hours quickly, although she would miss devoting almost every second of the day to her daughter.
***
Charlie finished her breakfast, glancing at her watch and worrying about being late. Elsie was eating painfully slowly and making as much of a mess as she possibly could.
"I hate to abandon you guys but I've really got to get to work," Charlie said.
She kissed the top of Elsie's head, avoiding her messy mouth and stood up. Joey stood up with her.
"See you later, Detective!" she grinned.
It was the first day of Charlie's promotion. Charlie beamed back at her as Joey walked a couple of paces with her to the door. Joey reached her arms around her and kissed her goodbye.
"Good luck," she said. "Not that you need it."
"Thanks. Are you guys still up for lunch?"
"Of course."
Joey kissed her gently on the lips one more time.
"I'm so proud of you," she whispered.
Charlie blushed. She liked making Joey proud. She liked making her happy. It was the best feeling in the world.
***
Well, here we are at the end of the line as this story comes to a close. Thank you to each and every person who read this story. I truly hope you enjoyed it. And extra special thanks to everyone who took the time to review. It's the feedback that keeps me writing and it honestly means the world. IJKS xxx