For Born2Try. Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Three Hundred and Eighty Four

VJ felt like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders on Saturday morning, having spent most of the week trying to comfort his mother in the wake of Elijah moving out of their home. With Leah already at the Diner and nobody to babysit, even though he was convinced he was mature enough to spend a whole day by himself, he had been tentatively permitted to play some soccer by himself on the beach outside.

"Elijah!" he yelled.

The clergyman looked up sharply, from where he had been walking around with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Not only was his heart breaking and full of confusion over Leah, he had received word that morning that there had been an earthquake in West Danmar and he had been asked to travel there to help with the rescue effort. His missionary work had been a lot of trouble in theory but in practice, it would be even worse as far as his relationship was concerned. He just hoped that he and Leah could find some way forward.

"Hi, Veej," he greeted warmly.

"Why are you being so horrible to my Mum?" he demanded.


Joey was still sleepy when she hauled herself out of bed to answer the door, which Charlie had firmly refused to do.

"Flowers for Ms Collins?" the deliveryman said, offering out a bouquet.

"Um…" Joey managed, rather startled. "Thank you?"

She accepted the gift and watched him retreat back down the stairs.

"Do you like them?" Charlie asked, when Joey had shut the door and turned back into the apartment.

Charlie looked sleepy but happy in her dressing gown, leaning against the entrance to the room.

"What are these?" Joey wondered.

"Roses, I hope," Charlie replied.

"But… why?"

"Just because I love you," Charlie told her.


Marilyn was as confused as Joey when she answered the door and received flowers.

"No need to try and guess who those are from!" Nicole remarked cheerfully as Marilyn stared at them in the lounge. "I take it things are going well with Sid."

She hoped her enthusiasm didn't sound as forced as it felt. Ever since Penn had told her that Sid still had feelings for her, she was confused and uncomfortable. Her housemate seemed utterly smitten with the handsome Doctor and she herself was smitten with Penn. The whole thing just didn't sit right with her and she wasn't sure what to do about it.

"I suppose they must be," Marilyn mused, reading the card that was from her 'secret admirer'.


"This is a good way to spend a Saturday morning," Charlie murmured between kisses.

Her gesture had earned her a heavy make out session.

"I wish we didn't have to stop," Joey replied, teasing her through the fabric of her pyjamas.

"We don't have to!" Charlie declared. "We can do this all day!"

She pulled her closer for more kisses.

"We have a restaurant to complete," Joey reminded her soberly. "The decorations for opening night are arriving at lunch time. They can't really deliver if we're not there."

"You're no fun," Charlie pouted.

Joey merely raised her eyebrows.

"Okay, you're lots of fun!" Charlie conceded. "Which is why I'm disappointed that I can't keep you in bed all day."

Joey hauled herself off the mattress, pulling Charlie with her.

"You still get the pleasure of my company," she said cheerfully.


Ruby observed VJ with some concern but he was so deeply engaged with kicking a ball against a wall with rather a lot of venom that she decided not to interrupt. She sighed heavily and leant against the wooden fence outlining the beach.

It was tiring to keep up the pretence she had settled on. She'd hoped that telling her parents and Nicole that she no longer had feelings for Liam would make it come true. But it hadn't. She wanted him more than ever and the more she saw him so obviously smitten with Bianca, it cut her that little bit deeper. As if on cue, she saw them heading into the Diner together for lunch.


"Charlie, how on earth are we going to deal with all of this?" Joey shrieked.

They were in the restaurant, surrounded by boxes of decorations and everything seemed rather overwhelming. It wasn't long until deadline day and she was more terrified than ever that she was going to fail.

"We take a deep breath and be glad we organise reinforcements," Charlie replied.

"W… what?" Joey managed, looking utterly bewildered.

"Right on cue!" Charlie announced.

Joey's look of confusion grew as their friends began to pile through the doorway, ready to get started with setting up the restaurant and making it perfect. Ruby, Alf, Angelo, Leah, VJ, Indi, Romeo, Nicole, Penn, Marilyn, Sid, Liam, Bianca, Xavier April and Dex all arrived, mostly looking cheerful.

"What are…?"

"We're here to help you," Alf declared.

"Where would you like us to start?" Angelo asked.


One hour later, everyone was merrily working away and Joey was overwhelmed by the dedication her friends were displaying. She was particularly touched that Leah had shown up, despite being tearful over the end of her relationship with Elijah. He had come to see her that morning, after a bit of an altercation with protective VJ, and informed her that there had been an earthquake abroad and he had been asked to attend. Heartbroken at his desire to leave and not wanting to hang around waiting for him, Leah had ended their relationship completely. And now she wasn't sure if she had made the right or the wrong decision.


Across the room, Indi struggled to concentrate and not look too adoringly at Romeo. He was currently standing on a ladder, reaching up with his muscular arms to attach streamers to the ceiling in preparation for the upcoming party. She had never seen someone so gorgeous and perfect.

"Eyes facing front," Dex remarked, although he wasn't faring much better.

On the other side of the room, Sid and Marilyn were getting along far too well.


"I have a proposition for both of you," Joey announced, dragging Ruby over to where Liam was sort of working but mostly mucking around with Bianca.

"What kind of proposition?" Liam wondered.

"Would you perform some songs for our opening night?" Joey asked.

She and Charlie had discussed things the previous evening. They wanted to support Ruby's musical venture and if she was being honest about her reduced feelings for Liam then they were more comfortable with the situation.

"Really?" Ruby asked excitedly.

Liam also looking thrilled, although Joey worried that after being a rock star, he might consider her humble restaurant as a downgrade or an insult.

"If you'd like to," Joey said. "I do want opening night to be perfect after all."

Ruby launched herself into her arms, excitedly accepting the offer. Liam rather more politely thanked her and accepted the gig.


Indi tried not to look disappointed as Romeo lamented on how in theory, he liked the idea of a relationship but in practice he had no desire to get coupled up. Annie had hurt him too much and he was afraid of putting himself on the line again. She just hoped that he would eventually see what was right in front of him.


"You really have to let this go, Ruby," Xavier remarked.

He'd left April arranging flowers and stepped up to where Ruby was intently observing Liam and Bianca.

"Let what go?" she asked, feigning innocence.

"This crush on Liam," Xavier said. "It's becoming a bit scary and obsessive."

"I don't have a crush on Liam anymore," she lied.

"Yeah, right," he scoffed. "You'd better get over it quickly. April's giving it about thirty seconds before he and Bianca hook up. And she knows her sister pretty damn well."

Ruby tried not to look heartbroken.


Charlie crept up behind Joey, wrapping her arms around her waist and resting her chin on her shoulder.

"Surveying your empire?" she asked.

Joey blushed and nodded.

"I can't believe everyone came here to help like this," she admitted.

"Everyone loves you," Charlie informed her.

Joey continued to smile shyly.

"But don't forget that I love you best," Charlie added with a giggle.

Joey turned around in her arms and kissed her.

"And that makes me feel the luckiest of all," she said.


Next time… Charlie and Joey interview for staff, Ruby's claims about losing interest in Liam begin to be tested and Xavier rescues Bianca and April from homelessness…