I figured I may as well update today as I have some time on my hands. I finished writing this story last night and it will finish at chapter twenty seven so I hope you enjoy it as we draw to a close. Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Twenty Two

"There's no case to answer and I'm absolutely sure that that's what the judge will rule," Morag Bellingham stated.

Charlie had brought Joey into the city to visit her stepmother.

"Thank you," Joey said.

Ever since Chris had declared his intention to sue, things had been stressful. The local media had got wind of the story and Joey and Charlie had both been hassled on a regular basis. While taking the opportunity to promote his business, Angelo had been more than happy to make malicious comments about them to the press.

"Can I ask you a serious question though?" Joey asked.

"Of course," Morag replied.

"Would it just be easier to give him what he wants?"

"No!" Charlie said quickly. "You deserve everything that Elizabeth left you, Joey. She made those choices for a reason."

"But he is her son," Joey pointed out.

"Her son that, like Charlie says, this woman disinherited for a reason," Morag said reasonably. "Obviously, if you do want to give your money away, I won't stop you. But it's not something I'd advise."

"Okay," Joey said quietly.

She nodded and reached for Charlie's hand, grateful for all her support.

"I just want this whole thing to go away," she sighed, sinking back in her seat.

On the Sunday before they were due to appear in court, Charlie and Joey took Ruby to the beach. The teenager was still feeling a little fragile but she seemed to have settled back into school easily enough, which was a relief.

"Enjoy the last of your cash," Chris said, appearing as if from nowhere.

Joey rolled her eyes from where she sat on a beach towel with her family.

"You've got one last chance to drop this, Chris," she replied firmly. "My lawyer says that the whole case is a farce. I haven't done anything wrong."

"Except for manipulating a vulnerable woman, of course," he replied.

"You need to get away from us," Charlie warned, having had quite enough of him already.

Since everything had kicked off, he had moved at least temporarily to Summer Bay. He had also buddied up with Angelo and both of them were eager to make their lives as miserable as possible.

"I wonder how much that mansion will cost to redecorate," Chris mused as he walked away.

Joey seethed and flopped back onto her towel. She shook her head and closed her eyes. Charlie shifted a little closer and held her hand.

"Joey…" she said softly when she saw tears creep from beneath her girlfriend's eyelids. "Joey, everything's going to be alright. You heard what Morag said…"

"I know…" Joey said, sitting up again and wiping her tears away. "I just… this isn't what I wanted."

"Well, of course you didn't," Charlie said.

Ruby sat quietly beside her, wondering if she should give them some space or not.

"I didn't think I'd recover when Elizabeth died," Joey said, addressing both of them. "Then I felt like my head was exploding when I realised she'd left me everything. I… I wanted to do right by her. I donated to the charities she liked, I was respectful of her wishes. And I followed her advice. I stopped missing you and I took the chance to come back here. And it feels like the minute I finally got everything I wanted, I finally got to be a family with you two… and it's all gone wrong again."

Charlie put her arm around her shoulders.

"I don't even need the money," Joey said unhappily. "I don't care about it. The only reason I'm fighting him is because I wanted to follow Elizabeth's wishes."

"And you've done the right thing," Charlie assured her.

She looked at Ruby, who nodded her agreement.

"I just want the three of us to be happy together," Joey said sadly.

"And we are," Charlie said gently. "Whatever happens tomorrow, we'll always be happy together now. We're a family."

Joey studied her face and then turned to Ruby. She held the teenager's hand and rested against Charlie.

"We are," she agreed. "Nothing else matters."

The following morning, Joey sat beside Morag in court, listening to people arguing about her character, Chris's and Elizabeth's. It was all very confusing and she wasn't completely sure of what was going on. But on Charlie's advice, she had put her full trust in her lawyer. She just hoped that whatever happened with the money, she could leave all the problems behind. For the first time in a long time, she was desperately looking forward to her future.

"In conclusion," the judge said.

Joey looked up sharply, figuring that this part was probably important. She caught sight of Chris at the other desk, also paying close attention what was being said.

"I can't find any proof that Mrs Lane was manipulated or not of sound mind when she made her will," the judge continued.

He was an older man, perhaps in his fifties, with very kind eyes.

"It seems to me that Ms Collins did nothing but make her last months as bearable as possible," he said. "And although Mrs Lane's choices may not be traditional, I can't fault them."

He looked directly at Joey.

"You did a good thing for your employer," he said. "And no criminal, nor civil charges will be brought against you. Case dismissed."

Next time… Angelo hassles Charlie and Joey and his brother comes to Summer Bay…