Thanks so much for all of the reviews guys. They really do mean a lot. This is a kind of filler chapter but I hope you enjoy it anyway.
Chapter 45
"Hey" a soft voice caused Ruby to whirl around in surprise. She released a sigh of relief when she noticed Charlie leaning on the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Charlie" she smiled weakly at the older girl and relaxed "Come in" she motioned for her mother to enter and sat down on the bed.
"How are you doing?" Charlie asked quietly as she moved further into the room. She hesitated for a moment before she dropped onto the couch next to Ruby "Are you okay?"
"As okay as I can be" Ruby shrugged and dropped her gaze to her lap "We are about to go to our Dad's funeral after all"
"Yeah" Charlie sighed and shuffled closer, wrapping an arm lightly around the younger girl's shoulder "I'm sorry Rubz"
"Its okay" Ruby sniffled slightly and leaned into the offered embrace "It's not like it's your fault" she reached out and took Charlie's hand, clutching it tightly in an effort to comfort both herself and the older girl.
"I'm here for you" Charlie said sincerely as she dropped a soft kiss on Ruby's head "You know that right? Anytime; day or night. If you need me..."
"I know" Ruby nodded slowly "Thanks Charlie...I don't know if I'd be able to do this without you and Joey"
Charlie shrugged "I'm not being all that helpful right now. I'm just a mess"
"You have every right to be a mess" Ruby said firmly as she pulled away slightly to look at the older girl "You don't have to be strong for me Charlie. What you said works both ways. We can't get through this if we don't stick together"
"You're right" Charlie smiled weakly.
Ruby returned to Charlie's embrace content in the thought that Charlie understood that she was there for her too "I'm sorry that Joey had to take off last night"
"It couldn't be helped" Charlie sighed "'Family stuff' calls...Probably her stupid brother"
"I know" Ruby said softly "But it must be lonely without having her with you"
"I missed her" Charlie agreed slowly "But she'll be back soon and anyway...I had you with me last night. That helped"
"Sorry about that" Ruby winced "I just...I can't sleep much, right now. I keep thinking about him and it just seems that I can't sleep without being close to you. I know that sounds stupid since I'm old enough to sleep without you holding onto me but I just need to know that you're there. That you're okay. It makes me feel better"
"It's not stupid" Charlie argued quietly "It really helps to have you there too"
"Plus..." Ruby smiled weakly "I missed your cuddliness"
"I am not" Charlie laughed softly.
"You are too" Ruby nodded as she pulled back and looked up at the older girl "When I used to sleep in your bed or you used to sleep in mine I'd always wake up with you practically wrapped around me. Face it Charlie: You're a cuddler"
"Fine" Charlie blushed "I admit it"
"It's definitely a good thing though" Ruby said quietly "It makes me feel safe. You make me feel safe"
"Good" Charlie smiled and tightened her hold on her daughter "Because I never want you to feel like you're not safe with me. I'll protect you no matter what"
"I know" Ruby smiled faintly and they fell in a short silence "When is Joey coming back?"
"I don't know" Charlie frowned "We have to leave for the...Funeral in 20 minutes"
"Then she'll be back by then" Ruby said confidently "You know she would never leave us to go through that alone"
"I suppo..." before Charlie could get the words out of her mouth Joey rushed through the doorway breathlessly.
"I'm here" she panted "Sorry I'm so late..." she straightened up slightly and smiled softly at Charlie and Ruby. She moved forward and pressed a tender kiss to Charlie's lips before ducking her heading slightly and dropping a kiss on Ruby's forehead "Hey" she sat down next to them still trying to catch her breath.
"Hey" Charlie and Ruby said in unison.
"Is something wrong?" Joey asked hesitantly "More than the obvious I mean?"
"No" Charlie answered "We were just talking, right Rubz?"
"Right" Ruby nodded with a small smiled as she glanced at Joey "Like the fact that Charlie is a cuddler"
"You are" Joey confirmed with a fond smile as she glanced at Charlie "But I love that about you" she wrapped an arm tentatively around Charlie's waist "I'm sorry I had to take off so fast last night. I hate having to leave you alone...Both of you" she glanced at Ruby in concern "I wish I could have been here"
"Its okay" Ruby answered softly "We were okay last night, right Charlie?"
"Right" Charlie nodded slowly "Though it would obviously have been better if you were here. We still had each other though so..."
"That's my girls" Joey smiled proudly "I knew you'd stick together" she glanced at the clock and frowned "Are you both ready for this?"
"No" Charlie answered shakily "But we have to do it, right?" she stood up slowly pulling Ruby gently with her due to their joined hands.
"Right" Joey nodded sadly and stood up, taking Charlie's hand in her own. She cast them a concerned look before walking out of the room with them.
---
"Ruby?" Charlie whispered as she leaned close to her daughter "Are you okay? You're shaking like a leaf. Are you cold?"
"No" Ruby answered quietly "I'm just kind of nervous about this...I never imagined seeing him like this" she leaned back into Charlie's arms and sniffled quietly.
"I know" Charlie nodded feeling her tears forming already as she squeezed the younger girl gently.
Joey glanced at them in concern and placed her hand on Charlie's knee in an attempt to provide comfort.
"We are gathered here today to mourn the passing of Ross Buckton" a loud voice spoke up from the front of the church capturing everybody's attention.
"Ross Buckton was an upstanding member of society and a devoted police officer. The most important things in his life however were his two daughters and his wife"
Ruby released a soft almost inaudible whimper causing Charlie to tighten her grip on her hand despite her own tears. Joey bit her lip, frustrated that she could do nothing to make them feel better and rubbed Charlie's back soothingly.
"And now...Charlie, I believe you have something to say?" the priest questioned as he looked up into her eyes.
Charlie nodded and slowly stood up from her seat. She glanced at a slightly surprised Ruby and reluctantly let go of her hand before she moved hesitantly towards the front of the church. Joey reached across the empty space between herself and the teenager and offered her hand. Ruby smiled tearfully before taking it.
"So..." Charlie's voice sounded as she stood nervously at the front of the church next to the priest "I never expected myself to be in this position...All my life I looked upon my Dad as invincible...Somebody who could survive anything but...He couldn't" she closed her eyes and took a deep breath for a moment before she opened them and focused on Joey and Ruby drawing strength from their gazes "My Dad was actually the reason I became a police officer...I wanted to be just like him. I wanted to make him proud of me instead of seeing as a failure. No matter what we went through...Arguments, fight, disagreements...I always knew he only wanted what's best for me. And...I hope I succeeded in making him as proud as he said he was" she glanced at the priest who smiled faintly at her before she shakily returned to her seat between Joey and Ruby. As soon as she was seated her tears began to come thicker and faster and both her wife and daughter wrapped their arms around her tightly.
---
Charlie stood tense against the slight wind as her father was lowered slowly into the ground. She pulled Ruby securely against her with an arm around her waist and leaned into Joey's comforting embrace.
"Are you okay?" Joey whispered into the older girl's ear.
"Not really" Charlie sniffled quietly as people slowly began to walk away "Ruby?"
"Hmmn?" Ruby turned around and looked up at her mother and Joey tearfully.
"Are you okay?"
Ruby shrugged "Not yet...I just want to head home as soon as possible"
"We'll go home soon" Joey said as she placed a hand on the younger girl's shoulder. They stood in silence for a few moments before Ruby spoke up again.
"Charlz?"
"What is it Honey?" Charlie looked concerned as she glanced at her daughter.
"I was really proud of you today...For being able to do that in the church. I just thought you should know that..." Ruby offered a small smile.
"Thanks Rubz" Charlie felt tears once again form in her eyes "That really means a lot to me" she pulled Ruby close and hugged her lightly.
"I think I need to get out of here for a while" Charlie spoke suddenly.
"What do you mean?" Joey asked in concern "Where are you going?"
"I mean all of us" Charlie sighed softly "Just to get away from all of this...It'll give us time to clear our heads"
"I think I agree" Ruby spoke up as she pulled away from Charlie and turned around to look at the two older girls.
"Well...If it'll make you feel better" Joey said thoughtfully "We can go anywhere you want." She kissed Charlie's cheek gently
"Thanks Jo" Charlie smiled softly "Now come on...We should get going" with one last sad glanced at Ross's grave she took Ruby and Joey's hands and led them away.
TBC
