I can't believe we've got to chapter two hundred! And we're still only in 2009! Where does the time go...? Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter. Feedback always appreciated. This chapter is dedicated to Movie249, just because I think you're wonderful. Love, IJKS xxx
Chapter Two Hundred
"So, what are we going to do today?" Joey asked.
It was mid morning and neither she nor Charlie had quite managed to get out of bed yet, although they had been awake for sometime.
"Um... this?" Charlie asked, giggling and placing a series on kisses along her girlfriend's collarbone.
Joey laughed and surrendered to Charlie's touch. This definitely sounded like a good plan.
Nicole and Liam strolled along the beach together, hand in hand. Liam's gig the previous night had gone well and he was relieved to have received that sense of euphoria without the aid of drugs or alcohol. And now, the idea was for the two of them to spend a romantic day together. He frowned when Poppie, the girl he had given a music lesson of sorts to before the formal, approached them.
"Maybe you could try service with a smile," said a voice.
Dressed in his suit, ready to serve the whim of every customer staying at The Sands, Aden glared at his boss.
"I'm doing my best," he snapped.
He had spent the whole night crying on the couch and not opening Belle's letter and now he was emotional and exhausted.
"Well, you'd better try harder because this version of your best just isn't good enough."
Joey cried out in ecstasy and fell back against the pillows, gasping for breath. Charlie crawled back up the bed, also gasping, having been under the covers for too long, and curled up in her girlfriend's arms.
"It's not my birthday yet, you know," Joey smirked.
Charlie giggled and promised that tomorrow would be even better.
"Better than that?" Joey remarked. "Are you serious? I won't be able to get out of bed!"
Charlie kissed her cheek and hugged her closer.
"Here's hoping," she said.
Joey turned and lay facing her so that they were touching noses. She reached out and ran her fingers delicately through Charlie's messy hair.
"You truly are the best thing that's ever happened to me, Charlie," she said earnestly. "I don't know what I'd ever do without you."
Charlie leant closer and kissed her.
"You'll never have to find out," she promised.
Nicole was feeling decidedly rejected. Liam had awkwardly agreed to give Poppie and impromptu guitar lesson, although he hadn't looked like he'd wanted to. Unfortunately, Nicole knew that he needed the money and tried not to object too loudly. But the more she thought about it, the more she feared that things were not working out with her boyfriend. She wondered if he was ever meant to be more than a passing fling.
"I do have to disappear for a bit this afternoon though," Charlie added hesitantly.
"What?" Joey squeaked. "Why? That's not fair. You just said I'd never have to live without you!"
Charlie giggled.
"You can cope for an afternoon," she assured her. "And I think Ruby said something about not having much to do today so maybe you could hang out?"
Joey nodded, happy to spend time with her step-daughter.
"I suppose we were meant to be going fishing with Ross and Morag," Joey conceded.
Charlie nodded and sighed.
"I wish they hadn't had to go home early," she admitted.
Ross had caught a cold and although it was deemed not serious, rest had been the prescription so they hadn't managed to stay as long as they'd intended.
"Me too. Where are you going anyway?" Joey wondered.
"Well, someone rather special to me is turning twenty six tomorrow so I've got some preparations to make," Charlie purred.
Joey grinned, suddenly very excited.
"What kind of preparations?" she asked.
"Surprise preparations," Charlie told her.
She pulled her in for yet another searing kiss.
"Some of them might be naughtier than others," she whispered.
Joey's eyes widened in delight as she clutched Charlie tighter.
"What kind of naughty?" she asked.
"Well, the thing I'm heading out to get is something... visible."
Kissing Joey one more time, Charlie slipped out of bed in order to get ready to go to town.
On his lunch break, Aden was half relieved and half horrified to find Nicole sitting alone on the beach. At work, his date from the formal had approached him and mentioned in passing that her sister, Poppie, had slept with Liam Murphy. Now, Aden was burdened with knowledge that would break his friend's heart. Sitting down beside her and deciding she deserved the truth, Aden prepared to tell all.
"Are you sure you have to go?" Joey asked.
She wrapped her arms around Charlie's waist and followed her to the door. Giggling, Charlie turned round and cupped her face.
"I won't be gone long," she promised.
"You know, if it's a naughty gift for me then maybe I can help you pick it out..."
Still laughing, Charlie tapped her nose and told her no, she had to stay behind and be patient. Joey pouted. Charlie kissed her, disentangled herself and escaped through the door.
Nicole stormed round to her former home and burst through the door to find Liam holding his guitar and sitting on the sofa with Poppie.
"Hope I'm not interrupting anything," Nicole said bitterly.
Liam leapt up, looking guilty. Poppie looked unmoved. Nicole glared at her and demanded that she got the hell out. Deciding against arguing, Poppie hastened out of the house, eager to leave a potentially explosive situation behind.
"So, are you going to confess or insult me with more lies?" Nicole demanded of Liam.
Back at work, Aden struggled to concentrate and he had most definitely forgotten his smile. His boss was quick to criticise him for him.
"Look, if you don't back off..." Aden snapped.
"You're fired," his boss interrupted.
"What?"
"You heard me. Get out."
Needing no further instruction, Aden stormed out of the building, slamming the door hard behind him.
Joey and Ruby were enjoying a home cooked lunch together, although Joey was still desperate for Charlie to get back from her shopping trip. She was also hoping that perhaps she would get a sneak peek at some of her gifts.
"So, how are things with Geoff?" Joey asked, knowing that Ruby was desperate for any opportunity to talk about the boy she had fallen in love with.
"They're amazing!" Ruby said eagerly, breaking into a smile. "He is seriously the most wonderful boy ever. I am so crazy about him!"
Joey chuckled.
"I'm glad that you're happy," she said. "And so is Charlie."
"Even if it means a sexual relationship?" Ruby asked with a smirk, shyly whispering the most significant word.
Joey blushed and cleared her throat.
"Well, maybe we're not so thrilled about that but we accept that you're growing up," she said.
Ruby giggled. They were interrupted by an urgent knocking on the door.
Feeling a little shy, Charlie escaped into the dressing room and began to undress. Stripped to the bottom half of her underwear, she attempted to try on the lingerie that had caught her eye. It was a see-through, black lacy bra that attached to suspenders of the same material. The bra was trimmed with pink satin at the top and, looking at herself in the mirror, revealed a lot. The thong was made the same way. Scrutinising herself, she felt silly and wondered if Joey would even like it at all. She fretted that she might just be about to make a complete fool of herself. But then, if Joey did like the outfit then Charlie would love to have her enjoy it properly. Twirling around in front of the mirror, she pondered whether she ought to buy it or let it go.
Nicole, Ruby and Joey all sat round the living room together, analysing Nicole's most recent problem with Liam. He had confessed to sleeping with Poppie behind her back, blaming it in frustration at the way she kept him at arm's length.
"Dump him," Ruby instructed her.
"Do you think so?" Nicole asked. "I mean, maybe if I'd slept with..."
"Dump him," Joey said quickly.
Both teenagers stared at her. She was normally so careful not to make snap decisions.
"If he's got you thinking that you should have slept with him before you were ready then he is not the guy for you," Joey said firmly. "Nobody should make you feel like that. Ever. He was wrong to cheat on you. It's not your fault that this happened."
Nicole gazed at her, realising quickly that she was right.
Charlie was relieved to be home again by late afternoon. She had bought a few items and was just about confident about them.
"Yay! You're home!" Joey greeted joyfully, pulling her girlfriend into a hug.
"Glad to see you missed me," Charlie said, holding on tight. "Did you have a nice time with Rubes?"
"Yeah, it was fun, although Nicole showed up very upset."
"What's wrong with her?" Charlie asked, aware that Joey was trying to peer into her bags.
She hurried into the bedroom, hid them and warned Joey not to start trying to investigate. Joey pouted and moved to straddle her on the edge of the bed.
"So, what's wrong with Nicole?" Charlie asked.
"Liam cheated on her," Joey replied glumly.
"What?" Charlie squeaked. "Oh, that's terrible. Poor Nic. I thought he really cared about her."
"Yeah," Joey sighed. "Although to be honest, I think it's giving her a reason to leave him."
"She hasn't been happy for a while, has she?"
Joey shook her head.
"But anyway," she said. "I've been away from you for far too long. I need kisses... and stuff."
Giggling, they tumbled back on the bed together.
Aden's hand hurt. Having lost his job, he'd returned home to find Liam in a bad mood. Knowing exactly what had happened, Aden had picked a fight. It had just turned physical when Nicole walked in and broke them up. She sent Aden upstairs and from his room, with an injured hand from the punches he'd thrown, he listened to his friend and the man he hated break up for good. Nicole had stormed out of the house and Liam had departed shortly afterwards. Aden smiled and then felt terribly guilty. But he was glad that Nicole and Liam were over. He knew with horrifying certainty that he didn't want Nicole to date anyone, especially not a lowlife like Liam. Sighing, he spotted Belle's letter on his bedside table. His heart lurched as he began to opening it.
The evening rolled around and Charlie and Joey had ended the day the same way they'd begun it – by not leaving the bedroom. They were on holiday after all and it was the eve of Joey's birthday.
"Okay, I'm thirsty," Joey finally said, feeling significantly exhausted and dehydrated.
"But..." Charlie protested, although she was feeling the same.
Joey hopped out of bed and wrapped her robe around her, handing Charlie's over. They headed out of their room and into the kitchen. With large glasses of water, they were about to head back into the bedroom where there was knock at the door. Opening up, Joey was surprised when Aden fell into her arms in tears.
Next time... Joey celebrates her birthday, Martha catches Liam out and Ruby and Geoff consummate their relationship...
