Chapter 34
Charlie swallowed heavily as she walked up the garden path with Joey and Ruby on either side of her. She tightened her hand uncomfortably in Joey's own clammy one "Jo?"
"Yeah?" Joey breathed out.
"Cut it out" Charlie muttered "You're making me nervous as hell"
"I'm not doing anything!" Joey protested innocently.
Ruby glanced at them and shook her head in dismay at their worry before she sped up, moving ahead of them.
"Your hand's shaking!" Charlie said shakily "And you're breathing too fast for it to be normal..."
"Sorry" the younger girl apologised sincerely "I'm just really nervous. It's not everyday I meet my girlfriend's parents..."
"Right...You're right" Charlie nodded as they finally reached Ruby who was awaiting them impatiently at the door. She lifted her free hand shakily and knocked on the door before taking a step away with Joey. It swung open a moment later to reveal Ross standing there. He appeared pleasantly surprised to see them there.
"Ruby!" he exclaimed in surprise as the teenager hugged him tightly "Charlie...What are you doing here?" when Ruby pulled away Ross stepped back into the house allowing them to enter "Come in..."
Joey stepped nervously inside the house with Charlie and Ruby feeling like she was going to have a heart attack at any second. Her fear only increased when Charlie pulled her hand from hers to hug her Dad.
"We thought we'd come by to see you" Charlie smiled when she pulled away and stepped back next to Joey "I have some news too"
Ross nodded and turned his gaze to Joey thoughtfully "I feel like I should know who you are..."
"Oh, you don't actually know her" Charlie said placing a supportive hand on the bottom of Joey's back "This is my..."
"Joey" Joey interrupted smiling charmingly at him "Joey Collins" she held out her hand to him and felt a flash of relief when he shook it "It's nice to meet you Sir"
"Ross" Ross corrected with a soft smile, finding himself disarmingly endeared by the young girls' nerves "And It's nice to meet you too Joey"
Charlie released a sigh relieved that her Father seemed to have taken an immediate liking to Joey. Ross cast a curious look at her "You okay Charlie?"
"Me?" Charlie nodded innocently "I'm fine...Great actually"
"Okay..." Ross nodded thoughtfully "So the news that you have...Is it bad news?"
"No" Charlie shook her head quickly "It's not bad news. Well I don't think its bad news and Ruby and Joey don't think its bad news. Its good news right?" she looked over at her daughter and girlfriend slightly breathless from her rant.
Joey couldn't help but smile at Charlie's adorable babble as she nodded.
"Very good news" Ruby agreed enthusiastically.
"Well in that case I'm intrigued" Ross commented "What is it?"
"Maybe we should wait until a bit later..." Charlie said quietly "Maybe after dinner?"
"Okay" Ross nodded "Morag shou..."
"Charlie!" Morag exclaimed as she walked down the stairs. She drew Charlie into a hug before turning to Ruby who allowed herself to be hugged quickly. The older woman turned to Joey and smiled "Joey"
"Hey" Joey offered a small smile and wave in return.
"Charlie has some news she wants to share with us later" Ross informed Morag, his gaze remaining fixed on his daughter "It sounds important but apparently it's very good news"
"Well than I can't wait to hear" Morag's smile faltered slightly "It's about time we had some good news around here"
Charlie frowned at Morag's statement but nodded anyway "It is good news. Well I think its good news..."
"You said that already" Ross informed his daughter fondly, wondering what the news could be that would make her so nervous.
"Right" Charlie laughed nervously "I knew that" her hand twitched at her side aching to reach out to Joey but she knew she couldn't. Not yet.
"Okaaay" Ross drawled confused at Charlie's strange behaviour "Well let's not just stand here..." he moved into the living room, motioning for the rest of them to follow him. Morag gazed at the three girls suspiciously before following her husband.
"Phew!" Charlie exclaimed in relief "That was close"
"Could you have been any more obvious?" Ruby giggled at Charlie's inability to lie "I hope you tell him so because he's going to work out that something's up" she smiled warmly at the older girls before walking after Morag leaving Charlie pouting indignantly behind her.
"I happen to think you're adorable when you're nervous" Joey smiled as she took Charlie's hand in her own. She glanced around quickly to make sure that the coast was clear before pressing a light kiss to Charlie's lips.
"Really?" Charlie blushed slightly. She bit her lip to suppress her huge grin.
"Absolutely" Joey grinned "And by the way..."
"What?" Charlie pressed when Joey trailed off.
"I hate not being able to touch you" Joey said softly.
"I'll tell them" Charlie promised sincerely "Tonight. Definitely"
"Okay" Joey squeezed Charlie's hand lightly before letting go "Come on...They'll be wondering where we are"
Charlie nodded hesitantly and they walked together towards the living room.
---
"So..." Ross said as he sat on the couch next to Morag across from Joey and Charlie "What's the big news?"
Charlie took a deep breath and gazed back at her father nervously. She had managed to put the conversation off for as long as possible but It was getting late and she said they would talk about it after dinner so Ross had pressed her for answers "Okay..." she glanced at Ruby gratefully as the teenager plopped down on the couch next to her and reached for her hand.
Ross gazed curiously at the interaction between Charlie and Ruby "I thought this was good news..."
"You might not think its good news" Charlie said quietly "In fact you might even get mad at me but before I tell you this you have to know I'm happy. Happier than I've ever been in fact. And while I really want your approval nothing anybody can say will change this... "
"And I support her 100%" Ruby added supportively.
"Okay" Ross smiled softly "So what is it?"
"I'm in love" Charlie answered shortly.
"Oh...Well that's good" Ross nodded, smile still firmly in place "So who's the lucky guy?"
Morag glanced between Joey and Charlie, realisation washing over her features.
Charlie felt Joey shift restlessly next to her and reached for her hand "There is no guy Dad..."
"Oh..." Ross's eyes widened in shock as his gaze landed on Joey and Charlie's joined hands "You're uh..."
"I'm in love with Joey" Charlie nodded nervously "I've never loved anybody like I love her. She makes me so happy. Like nobody else can..." she felt tears build up in her eyes when her Dad said nothing "Dad? Please say something. Anything?"
"Um..." Ross rubbed his forehead thoughtfully as his gaze lifted to Charlie "You're dating a girl? I mean you're...You've never..."
"There have been no other girls" Charlie responded "Just Joey..."
"Um...Right" Ross nodded slowly before he glanced at Joey who had yet to say anything "Do you love my daughter Joey?"
Joey nodded and gazed back at him sincerely "With all my heart and soul..."
"Okay..." Ross released a deep breath before turning back to Ruby "And you're supporting this Ruby?"
"Yes" Ruby nodded firmly as she squeezed Charlie's hand "I completely support them. They love each other and...Joey's awesome! She's saved my life more than once and she really cares for us"
"Hmmmn" Ross leaned forward and rested his head on his hands gazing thoughtfully at the three girls. He glanced at his wife and noticed that she seemed slightly shocked but happy for Charlie none the less "All I want is for you to be happy Charlie" he turned towards Charlie and smiled warmly at her "I'm not saying I'm not shocked at this revelation but if you're happy..."
"Thanks Dad!" Charlie beamed tearfully at her father "But uh...That's not all"
"It's not?" Ross raised an eyebrow in interest "Well what else is there?"
"I'm getting married"
Ross and Morag's eyes widened in shock.
"Uh...Wow" Ross spluttered "How...When did this happen?"
"I asked Joey to marry me a couple of weeks ago" Charlie answered proudly "I really love her and...I want to spend the rest of my life with her..."
"The feeling's mutual of course" Joey cut in with a bright smile.
"Wow" Ross repeated as he leaned back in his chair "That's...wow"
"I'm sorry I just sprung all of this on you" Charlie apologised guiltily.
"It's okay" Ross took a deep breath and turned back to Joey "Do you really love her Joey?"
"I do" Joey nodded instantly "I love her so much...How could I not? She's sweet, caring, beautiful, amazing...I don't know how I got lucky enough for her to love me back but...I do love her"
"And you'll take care of my girls?" Surprisingly Ross found himself close to tears.
"I'll protect them with my life" Joey vowed honestly "I would never let anyone hurt them..."
"In that case I'm very happy for the both of you" Ross smiled "Now Come on Charlie...Give your old Dad a hug" he stood up and opened his arms to Charlie who rushed into them. He pulled away and coughed embarrassedly at his show of emotion. He turned to Joey and raised an eyebrow at her "Do I get a hug from my future Daughter-in-law?"
Joey stood up and moved towards him, finding herself engulfed in a warm fatherly embrace.
"It's about time you found yourself somebody decent" Morag commented from behind them "I'm happy for the both of you...You both have my full support"
"Thanks Morag" Charlie beamed.
"You should all stay here tonight" Ross informed them as he glanced out of the window "I don't want you driving back in the dark..."
Charlie rolled her eyes at her father's protectiveness as she stepped back and entwined her hand with Joey's.
---
Joey sighed contentedly to herself as she snuggled further into the warm blankets surrounding her. Charlie had remained downstairs for a while talking to her Dad and Joey had wanted to give them space. She grinned to herself as the door flew open and she heard Charlie enter the room. The older girl got changed silently trying not to wake her apparently sleeping girlfriend before she slipped into the bed, snuggling close to her.
"Mmnn, you're cold" Joey murmured quietly. She turned over and wrapped her arms around Charlie pulling her close to her body in an attempt to warm her up.
"You're warm" Charlie smiled as she kissed Joey's forehead gently "I thought you were asleep..."
"Nope" Joey grinned at her "You know I can't sleep without you in my arms..."
Charlie returned the smile warmly before she leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Joey's lips "I've wanted to kiss you all day..."
"Don't let me stop you" Joey whispered pulling the older girl back into a passionate kiss. They pulled away after a moment slightly breathless and gazed at each other in silence.
"Your Dad was really understanding" Joey said quietly as she moved her hand under Charlie's shirt and caressed the soft skin of her back gently "He's really great"
"Yeah I know" Charlie smiled softly.
"I meant what I said you know" Joey spoke honestly "I would protect you and Ruby with my life...I would never let anybody hurt you"
"I know" Charlie repeated.
"Ruby told me that you were freaking out about what Brett said" Joey whispered "That you think something is going to happen to you..."
"Yeah..." Charlie sighed "I just wanted to know that you and Ruby would be okay if anything happened to me..."
"We won't be okay" Joey argued as she sat up slightly in the bed to look down at Charlie "Don't you get it Charlie? We'd be lost without you. I don't know what I would do and..."
"And?" Charlie prompted in concern.
"If it mean that you were safe I would do whatever I have to do to stop Brett from coming after you"
Charlie frowned "What are you saying Joey?"
"I'm saying...That I won't let anything happen to you" Joey said averting her eyes "No matter what..."
"Don't even think about it Joey Collins" Charlie warned fear clear in her voice "I need you with me so get those thoughts out of your head..." she leaned forward and kissed Joey deeply "I need you in every possible way..." she moved her hand under Joey's shirt "I need you so much Jo..."
Joey smiled contentedly into the kiss all thoughts of Brett disappearing from her head. When she felt Charlie's hand moving up her stomach she pulled away quickly "Charlie, we can't do this!"
"What?" Charlie frowned "Why not?!" she leaned back up to capture Joey's lips but the younger girl moved back even further.
"We can't have sex in your Dad's house!" Joey exclaimed obviously "He's right next door to us..."
"I'll be very quiet" Charlie smiled at her "Plus I locked the door..."
"Huh" Joey smiled "You think of everything don't you?"
"Yep!" Charlie nodded "Now come back over here and kiss me 'cause I'm still really cold...I need you to war....mmph!" she was cut off as Joey reclaimed her lips in a passionate but impossibly slow and tender kiss.
---
Brett glanced nervously around the dark street as a hooded man walked up to him. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked forwards meeting the other man half-way.
"Hey" Brett greeted clapping the guy on the back "How are you doing?"
"I'm good" the man nodded "You?"
"Been better" Brett shrugged before he glanced around self consciously "Did you uh...Did you bring the stuff with you?"
"I did" the man pulled a small packet from his pocket but held on tightly when Brett attempted to take it "Brett, are you sure you want this? This shit can seriously fuck you up. You know that."
"I'm sure" Brett took the packet from him and stuffed it into his pocket "Don't worry mate" he grinned sadistically "It's not for me..."
TBC
