So this sadly is the final chapter (Though I was thinking about picking it up with a sequel later after a bit of a break maybe? Since I have all of the bonds already formed...What do you guys think?)
Anyway thanks for your continued support and reviews through this fic. I really appreciate it.
New fic will be up soon (Maybe tomorrow) :) Glad you all think I should continue writing CJ because I love writing them!
Chapter 41
2 months later:
Ruby knocked gently on the door in front of her "Charlie? Can I come in?" she glanced around nervously to ensure that nobody was around.
"Of course" Charlie called from behind the door "Come on in Rubz"
Ruby opened the door and entered the room shutting the door gently behind her. She turned to face Charlie and stopped short her breath catching in her throat.
"What?" Charlie turned away from the full length mirror in front of her to face her daughter "You look kind of shocked there Rubz"
"No..." Ruby shook her head slowly as she took in the full sight of the older girl dressed in her white figure hugging dress. She attempted and failed to push back her tears "You look Beautiful Charlie"
Charlie blushed slightly and smiled at her daughter "Hey don't start getting all teary on me already Rubz. The wedding hasn't even started yet"
"Sorry" Ruby waved a hand in front of her face in an attempt to compose herself "I guess all of this is just starting to hit me"
"Seriously" Charlie continued "If you keep crying you're going to make me cry and my makeup will be totally ruined" she opened her arms to the younger girl "Come here"
Ruby moved quickly into Charlie's embrace and hugged her tightly.
"Are you okay?" Charlie asked softly when Ruby refused to relax her grip "If something's wrong you can tell me you know Rubz. It doesn't matter what's going on, I'm still here for you"
Ruby finally pulled away and shook her head having managed to push her tears back down "Nope...Not on your wedding day"
"It doesn't matter what day it is" Charlie took Ruby's hand and led her over to the only chair in the room , gently pushing her down onto it "Just forget about all of this for a minute Okay?" Ruby nodded slowly and Charlie squeezed onto the chair next to her taking her hand again "Now what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry...I really shouldn't be bothering you with this" Ruby said quietly "It can wait until after the wedding Charlie, really"
"I told you to forget about that" Charlie smiled softly "Just tell me...I'm sure it's not that bad"
"You shouldn't have to deal with this" Ruby persisted "It's just me and my issues again..."
"Ruby!" Charlie's tone let no doubt that she wanted to know what was troubling her daughter.
"It just hit me all at once" Ruby finally conceded sadly "You know...You're getting married Charlie. Pretty soon you'll want to get a place of your own with Joey and that's understandable. I just...I kind of feel like I'm losing you. That's all. I mean I'm sixteen...I can't expect you to look after me constantly"
"Oh Ruby..." Charlie visibly saddened at the insecurity in Ruby's voice and pulled her close to her in a comforting embrace "You're not going to lose me Honey. Not ever. You seriously have no idea how important you are to me do you? I couldn't be anywhere you're not..." she pulled back to look into Ruby's eyes and smiled reassuringly at her "Even though you can be a bit of a pain sometime and you're constantly teasing me...Wherever I go you go, wherever you go I go...Got it? And I know for a fact that Joey feels exactly the same way"
"Got it" Ruby smiled softly at the older girl "I love you Charlie"
"I love you too" Charlie smiled back "But I told you not to make me cry and I'm really close right now so..." she blinked repeatedly trying to rid herself of the tears in her eyes.
"Sorry" Ruby pulled Charlie into a quick hug before pulling back to look at her "You do look absolutely beautiful by the way" she stood up slowly with Charlie.
"Thanks Rubz...You look pretty great yourself"
"For what it's worth..." Ruby spoke sincerely "I'm really proud of you" she leaned up and pressed a kiss to Charlie's cheek.
"For what?" Charlie asked curiously "I haven't done anything"
"For this" Ruby gestured around them and smiled happily at Charlie "For being able to be fully open with her even after everything that's happened. I know it's not easy for you but...I'm really proud of you Charlie"
"Thanks" Charlie shrugged and glanced down at herself self consciously "So I really look okay?"
"You don't look okay" Ruby responded "You look absolutely stunning!"
"I can't believe I'm finally here" Charlie said quietly "With the two most important people in my life...I never thought I'd get here a while ago. I certainly didn't think I'd have you standing by my side after everything that happened before"
"Well you do" Ruby smiled at her though she felt slight sadness at what Charlie was referring to "And there's nothing you can do to get rid of me now. So that's enough of all of the sadness. We have a wedding to get ready for"
"I wonder how Joey's doing..." Charlie smiled dreamily as she curled one of the tendrils of hair hanging next to her face around her finger.
"I don't know" Ruby grinned "But she damn well better be wearing that dress by now...Your fiancé is so difficult. It's absolutely impossible to go shopping with her"
"Hmnn I know" Charlie beamed happily.
---
Joey gazed contemplatively at herself in the mirror. She was dressed in a form fitting white dress, her hair hanging loose and straightened around her shoulders. A light knock at the door caused her to glance at it and a moment later Aden walked into the room his hand firmly over his eyes.
"Are you decent?" he grinned and closed the door without removing his hand from his eyes.
"It depends what you mean by decent" Joey laughed as she turned around to face him "But if you mean decent as in dressed...yes I am"
"Good" Aden removed his hand from his eyes and his jaw dropped slightly when he looked at her "You look...Wow"
"Good wow?" Joey asked apprehensively as she tugged at the dress.
"Definitely good wow" Aden nodded "You look gorgeous Jo"
"Thanks" Joey blushed brightly "You look pretty damn fine yourself"
"I know!" Aden grinned causing Joey to roll her eyes.
"Hey can you do me a favour?" Joey asked hopefully.
"Sure" Aden answered instantly "What is it?"
"Zip" Joey grinned "It's stuck and I can't quite get it...Do you mind?"
"Not at all" Aden moved over to her as she turned around to face the mirror again. He reached up and gently moved her hair so that it didn't get caught when the zip got to the top.
"Breathe in" He joked as he started to pull the zip up slowly.
"Shut up!" Joey laughed though she tried to keep as still as possible.
"There!" Aden said when the zip was finally pulled up to the top of the dress "All done ma'am" he looked up and met her eyes in the mirror his expression turning slightly more serious "You really do look beautiful Joey"
"Thanks Aid" Joey turned around and engulfed him in a tight hug "For everything. I don't think I would be here at all if it wasn't for your support."
"No problem" Aden smiled as he returned the embrace before releasing her and moving slightly backwards "Now as your best man I have a responsibility to get you to your wedding on time" he offered her his arm which she instantly took.
---
Joey waited nervously at the end of the aisle her heart feeling like it was about to beat it's way out of her chest.
"Calm down" Aden smiled from her side "She'll be here" he looked up as he spotted Ruby making her way down the aisle slowly "See? There's Ruby"
Ruby winked at Joey as she took a seat at the front in between Leah and Morag. Joey offered a small wave in response.
"I never thought I would get here Aid" Joey said softly "Especially not with Charlie"
"But you are here" Aden smiled as the music started "Now look out here comes your bride"
Joey looked up and the aisle and felt her heart skip a beat in her chest as her eyes settled on Charlie, walking down the aisle with her father at her side "Oh my God..."
"You look so beautiful..." Charlie whispered when she finally reached Joey at the end of the aisle. She reached out to lace her fingers with her girlfriends.
"Your dress looks way better on you" Joey countered resulting in a soft laugh and eye roll from Charlie.
The priest at the front raised his hands to the group of people gathered in front of him "Dearly beloved we have gathered here today to witness the marriage of Charlotte Buckton and Josephine Collins"
Joey rolled her eyes when he said her full name and Charlie couldn't help the grin that tugged at her lips.
"...And now the couple have a few words to say to each other" the priest continued "Charlotte?"
Charlie smiled quickly at him before she turned to Joey and tightened her grip on her hand slightly "Joey...I never thought that I would be standing where I am today...With you by my side. I was always the sister or the unemotional cop but...You changed all of that. When I tried to push you away you didn't let me...You fought even harder for me. Nobody's cared enough to do that for me before. Before you I was filled with darkness but now the darkness of my soul has been replaced by a light. A brilliant light which is standing before me right now agreeing to marry me...And I do not deserve to be this lucky. I don't but...I am" she paused for a moment and gazed at a tearful Joey with nothing but love in her eyes "You asked me once what I see when I look into the future and I refused to answer the question but...I see you Joey. I promise that I'm going to love you and fight for you until my very last breath"
Joey sniffled tearfully when the priest turned to her "Wow...Difficult speech to continue from. Maybe I should have gone first" The group of people gathered chuckled at Joey's statement "Okay..." Joey looked up into Charlie's eyes sincerely "I've never really seen myself as a bride or even the object of somebody's love. But here I am...Looking into the eyes of this incredible woman who I love with all of my heart. I've made a few mistakes in our relationship by being unsure of myself and our love but...You show me every day that love is possible. That I'm actually deserving of the love that you give me. You've shown me everything through our relationship. You've taught me about love, about being loved and about family. Real family. You taught me about gratitude Charlie...I thank God for you every single day and...no matter what some people say we deserve this. We deserve this love and happiness. Now and forever"
Charlie smiled tearfully at her and squeezed her hand.
"If anybody know any reason why these two cannot marry speak now or forever hold your peace" the Priest said as he looked to the teary audience.
Joey and Charlie tensed as if expecting something to happen but when nothing did the priest continued slowly "Charlotte do you give yourself to Josephine, to comfort, honour, love, and protect her, forsaking all others to be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"
"I do" Charlie answered him sincerely.
The priest turned to Joey and repeated the same question.
"I do" Joey responded quietly.
Charlie turned toward Joey when the man nodded at her "I Charlotte take you Josephine to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward. For better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish for the rest of our lives. This is my solemn vow."
Joey smiled barely able to fight the urge to move forward and kiss her soon to be wife's tears away "I 'Josephine' take you Charlotte to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward. For better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish for the rest of our lives. This is my solemn vow"
"Bless the rings that will be received to be a symbol of the love exchanged her today..."
Charlie turned around and her Dad handed her the ring with a tearful smile. Charlie took Joey's left hand "I give this ring as a symbol of my vow. With all that I am and all I have" she slipped the white gold band onto Joey's finger.
"Charlie..." Joey shakily took the ring Aden handed her and took Charlie's hand in her own "I give this ring as a symbol of my vows. With all I am and all I have"
"With the declaration of the vows I now pronounce you as one. Like the loops of the rings now encircling your fingers may your love have no end" he paused and smiled when both women looked at him hopefully "You may now kiss the bride"
"At last" Joey laughed tearfully as she stepped closer to Charlie. She gently moved a strand of hair from the older girl's face before she leaned in and kissed her softly. Their friends and family erupted in applause.
---
"So..." Aden said at the reception as he stood up with a glass of champagne in his hand and looked over at Joey and Charlie seated at a table "I'm going to make this short and sweet because I'm not very good at speeches" he laughed nervously before he continued "I met Joey probably not under the best circumstances and she soon became one of my best friends. I'm incredibly proud of how far you've come Jo and I want to congratulate you both on the wedding. You both deserve this and so much more" he raised his glass "To the happy couple"
"To the happy couple" everybody echoed before they sipped at their champagne.
"Uh..." Ruby stood up at Charlie's side and raised her hand "I kind of wanted to say something" the room fell silent once again and Ruby began to walk away from the table.
"Ruby..." Charlie caught Ruby's free hand in her own and gazed at her in confusion "What are you doing?"
"I have to do this" Ruby squeezed Charlie's hand before pulling away and moving nervously to the centre of the room "So I'm not really very good at these speeches either but I have to be better than Aden, right Aid?" she looked over to where Aden sat with his arm wrapped around Belle. He stuck his tongue out at her in response and Ruby turned back to look at Charlie and Joey "So this year hasn't been exactly easy for us. It's had its highs and its lows. First of all I want to say how happy I am that Joey's now officially a part of our Family. Not that it mattered now for the hard part..." She paused slightly and took a deep breath before focusing her gaze on Charlie "All my life I've had somebody there to take care of me, to protect me...To love me. I think I took that for granted before but I just wanted you to know that I've always noticed. Charlie...You're my protector, my sister, my guardian angel, my..." Ruby choked slightly on emotion as tears slid down her face "You're the person I can go to, to talk about anything with. You've taught me how to be myself, how to be proud of who I am no matter what anyone may think. You deserve all of the happiness in the world Charlie. You both do. And I'm proud..." She closed her eyes briefly before she opened them again and gazed sincerely at the tearful older girl "I'm proud to call you my Mother"
Charlie's hand shot to her mouth as a choked sob escaped her. Joey smiled tearfully at her before she released her hand. The older girl had longer for Ruby to call her that for years.
"Ruby..." Charlie stood up and rushed to meet her daughter in the middle of the room gathering her in a huge hug "I love you so much"
"I love you too Mum" Ruby grinned as Charlie showered her with hugs and kisses.
"Definitely better than my speech" Aden said as he leaned close to Belle and wiped tears from his eyes.
"Yeah..." Belle agreed tearfully "But you were still great"
"Not a word about this, yeah?" Aden smiled still slightly tearful "I'm a man...I'm tough"
"Course you are" Belle laughed before she leaned forward and kissed him.
---
Look
into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your
heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search
no more
Don't
tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not
worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it
for you
"Very appropriate song" Joey noted softly as she swayed gently with Charlie in her arms later that night.
"I suppose you're right" Charlie whispered as she pressed a soft kiss to Joey's cheek before she pulled back to look at her "Jo?"
"Yeah?" Joey smiled.
"I really can't believe that we're here" Charlie spoke softly "Me and you...Ruby's speech. This day has been so far beyond amazing"
"Yeah..." Joey responded quietly "I really wasn't expecting that...Your daughter certainly is something, isn't she?"
"She is" Charlie nodded proudly
Look
into your heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all - I would
sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I
can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
"You know everything I said in my vows is true, right?" Charlie asked "I'm going to love you for the rest of my life Joey Collins"
"Good" Joey kissed Charlie softly "Because you're kind of stuck with me now"
Charlie beamed at her in response and wrapped her arms lightly around her neck pulling her closer.
"I think your daughter's drunk" Joey laughed as she looked over Charlie's shoulder.
Charlie turned her head slightly to seek out her daughter. She shook her head in amusement when she finally spotted her sitting between Belle and Aden and arm slung over each of their shoulders as she giggled uncontrollably "How did she get that drunk? I said one drink!"
"I may have refilled her glass a couple of times" Joey admitted guiltily "Sorry"
"It doesn't matter" Charlie smiled as she looked back at Joey "But I'm blaming you when she feels terrible tomorrow"
"Of course" Joey grinned happily.
"I have a feeling that everything's going to be okay" Charlie whispered as she leaned her forehead against Joey's.
"As long as we have each other it will be" Joey agreed softly. She ducked her head slightly and caught Charlie's lips in a tender kiss.
There's
no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All the time - all the
way
Oh - you can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I
can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you
- I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you - ya I'd die for you
Ya
know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
---
4 months later
Joey whistled happily to herself as she walked into their new house.
"Charlie..." Joey called as she walked into the room. Her eyes widened in panic when she saw what Charlie was doing. The older girl was balanced on a step ladder next to the wall trying to out a picture on the wall.
"Oh my God what are you doing?!" she rushed into the room and jumped onto the couch quickly "Are you insane?" she placed her hands on Charlie's lower back to ensure she wouldn't fall.
"I'm fine" Charlie smiled down at her "See?" she held her arms out "I'm not going to..." before she could finish the sentence she wobbled on the ladder and lurched forward landing in Joey's open arms "Fall?"
"Of course you're not" Joey smiled down at her "Good thing I was here to catch you..."
Charlie raised her hand to Joey's cheek and caressed it lightly, her eyes shining with love "Seems like you're always here to catch me when I fall"
"And I always will be" Joey leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Charlie's lips "No matter what" she found herself slightly surprised when Charlie pulled her back into the kiss but returned it quickly. They pulled back for breath after a moment and Charlie stood up slowly.
Joey smiled contentedly and stepped back off the couch. Her smile faded quickly however as she yelped in pain and began to hop on one foot "OW! MY FOOT!"
"What?!" Charlie asked in concern as she rushed around the couch to her girlfriend "What's...Oh" she bit her lips guiltily when she noticed the hammer she had been previously using lying on the floor.
"I stepped on the hammer!" Joey said through gritted teeth as she fell back onto the couch "Ow!" she clutched her foot in pain.
"I'm sorry Honey!" Charlie apologised as she sat on the couch next to the older girl "Are you okay?" she moved her hand to the younger girl's foot and rubbed it soothingly.
"I'm fine" Joey winced slightly "It was more surprise than pain I think..." she smiled weakly at Charlie and lowered her foot to the ground "See? I'm fine. Don't worry about it..."
"Are you sure?" Charlie asked in concern "Maybe we should get you checked out..."
"I'm okay!" Joey interrupted with a grin "But you can check me out all you want to. I won't mind at all"
Charlie blushed brightly and swatted Joey playfully on her arm "Joey!"
"Sorry" Joey wrapped her arms around Charlie and pressed a quick kiss to her temple "Wow...I guess we're done unpacking than"
"Yep" Charlie smiled happily "Which means we can really move in today!"
"Great!" Joey exclaimed enthusiastically "When does Ruby get here anyway?"
"Now!" Ruby stated as she entered the room and jumped onto the couch next to them "But are you sure you want me to move in with you? You guys need privacy and..."
"Ruby shut up" Joey grinned jokingly "there's no way we would go anywhere without you"
"Yeah" Charlie nodded "Like I said wherever we go you go. We don't leave family behind, right Jo?"
"Right" Joey smiled "Especially not our Ruby"
"Thanks" Ruby beamed and hugged them tightly.
Charlie smiled contentedly to herself as they all settled on the couch for their first night in their new home.
"Charlie?" Joey asked suddenly.
"Yeah?"
"I think we should miss Ruby's room out when we y'know...In all of the bedrooms" Joey grinned over at Charlie.
"Eeeew!" Ruby exclaimed "I don't need to know about that!" she punched Joey playfully in the room "Charlie tell your wifey!"
"Joey I agree" Charlie laughed.
"Ugh, I give up with you two!" Ruby exclaimed though she couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips.
Charlie and Joey exchanged bright smiles and settled back into the couch content in their love for each other and the start of the rest of their lives.
THE END
