Chapter Four Hundred and Thirty Three
Ruby was sat on her bed reading. Charlie and Joey had encouraged her to take school books with her so that while she was away, she didn't miss out on too much studying and feel too out of the loop. She'd not been quite convinced at the time. Studying was really the last thing she wanted to do. But actually, the continuity and connection with normal life was helping so far. They had been right. And her Doctor agreed.
Liam headed over to the restaurant, eager to get news of Ruby, if he could. He felt comforted by what Charlie had said to him earlier in the day. He just hoped that he could hold onto it and not let the situation, plus the loss of Bianca, get to him too much. He was afraid of falling into bad habits when he had previously been in such a good place.
"Hi, Alf," he greeted. "Are Charlie or Joey about?"
"Afraid not," he replied. "Charlie just collected Joey to go home. They're both pretty exhausted from everything."
Liam nodded.
"Hey um, you're not seeing Bianca at any point, are you?" Alf asked.
The teacher immediately felt awkward, not quite sure what to say.
"It's just that someone found her phone and handed it in here," Alf explained. "If you were seeing her, I wondered if you could hand it back? She's probably missing it."
Liam reluctantly agreed to be of service.
Charlie and Joey were glad to be home. Both had planned to finish right on time in order to spend the whole evening together with good food, a bottle of wine, a romantic DVD and the night to themselves. It was nice to spend the night together with no interruptions. They just wanted to forget about the world.
Joey smiled, standing at the stove, when Charlie stepped up behind her and wrapped her arms around her waist. She kissed her neck, holding her close.
"I love you so much," Charlie whispered.
"I love you too," Joey replied.
"Thank you for everything," Charlie said. "For always being the one to hold our family together."
"I only ever do fifty per cent of the work," Joey said. "We're a team."
Charlie kissed her cheek.
"I don't know what I'd ever do without you," she admitted.
Joey forgot about the food for a moment a turned around, looking into her partner's eyes.
"You'll never have to find out," she said. "Because you and I are forever. We'll always be a team."
They kissed passionately. Joey flicked the cooker off as they fumbled their way to the couch.
Miles had gone for dinner with Leah and VJ, Alf was at work and Marilyn had invited Nicole for a girls' night in Mitzy's caravan, leaving Romeo and Indi with the house to themselves. They were sat with a DVD but were ignoring it in favour of making out.
However, Joey's words were echoing in both their heads. Neither of them had yet communicated their fears about the night ahead and both of them were still terrified about doing the deed. Neither of them felt as ready as they wanted to be.
Now clad in only her work trousers, a bra and an open shirt, Charlie straddled Joey on the sofa. She ran her finger tips up and down her girlfriend's lean body, having made short work of all but her underwear, including her bra. She leant down and kissed each breast in turn, making them both tingle before capturing her lips.
Joey closed her eyes, giving in to every sensation being offered, she kissed Charlie passionately. She smiled as Charlie's tongue teased hers and her thumbs began to toy with her nipples. She felt like every nerve was on fire. Her whole body ached for Charlie's touch.
Joey's legs parted almost automatically, willing Charlie to come closer. With her mouth on Joey's lips and one hand on one breast, Charlie slipped her other hand obediently, between Joey's legs. Her fingers eased themselves inside Joey's underwear and immediately began to explore.
"Mmm…" Joey moaned.
Charlie smiled at how wet and ready she was. Joey kissed her harder, wrapping her arms around her neck. Needing no further encouragement, Charlie thrust two fingers inside her.
Joey gasped, moving her hips up to meet her, building up a steady rhythm. They kissed harder as Charlie brought Joey closer and closer to climax.
"I love you," Joey whispered, the only coherent thought in her brain.
She saw fireworks go off behind her eyes as she steadily began to reach her peak.
Liam took Bianca's phone round to her house. He felt anxious about it, considering that she had accused him of taking it in the first place. He hated that they were on bad terms now when for a brief moment in time, everything had been going so well. As he walked along, the phone suddenly burst into life. He jumped and then glared. Vittorio, of all people, was ringing.
Ruby put her book down and sat back on her bed. She looked up when her roommate, Claire entered their room.
"Hi," she greeted.
Claire was older than her and had been admitted for attempting suicide. She was kind and funny but very gentle and quiet about it. Ruby liked her and was glad that they had been put together. She felt like Claire had kind of become her guide. She made her feel safe.
"How's the studying going?" Claire asked, perching on the edge of her bed.
She was pretty, with shoulder length, blonde hair and blue eyes. She had finished her first year at University, only for things in her personal life to all get too much.
"Boring," Ruby complained. "But I promised my parents that I'd get it all done. And it's helping, like they said. Distractions."
Claire nodded.
"Did you get to speak to them today?"
"I did," Ruby said. "It was nice. They said they'd come and see me as soon as possible."
Claire smile sadly. Ruby immediately felt bad. Claire was pretty much alone in the world. It was one of the things that had led her here.
Charlie and Joey lay in each other's arms, having enjoyed another couple of rounds of lovemaking. It felt nice to be happy and enjoy their evening together, pretend there was no stress in their lives for a few moments. Right now, they had nothing to focus on but each other.
"Do you reckon we'll still be doing it on the couch in ten years when we're knocking on forty?" Charlie mused.
"Hey, in ten years, only one of us will be knocking on forty," Joey teased. "I'll still be in my youthful late thirties."
Charlie pouted. Joey kissed her.
"Alright, I'm not that far behind you," the younger woman conceded. "And yes, we will. Plus, we'll have the place to ourselves every night by then because Ruby will be twenty seven and living independently as a super successful woman, taking on the world."
Charlie sighed wistfully.
"Do you think she's doing okay?" she asked.
Joey took her hand, resting it on Charlie's chest.
"I'm sure she's doing just fine," she said. "She sounded good today. She said she'd made a friend who's been helping her. And we'll talk to her again tomorrow."
Charlie nodded, forcing herself to believe. She turned her head to kiss her girlfriend again. Tonight was a night to be happy.
Romeo and Indi broke away from their heavy make out session. They still hadn't spoken but things hadn't progressed either. Both of them were feeling awkward.
"I don't think I'm ready to do this," Indi finally managed.
"Nor am I," Romeo replied, relieved that his girlfriend had spoken up.
They hugged, deciding to keep things tame.
"Bianca?" Vittorio said.
Liam felt a knot twisting in his tummy, not sure how to respond, or if he should at all. Thankfully, the Prince continued talking anyway.
"Bianca, I'm on my way to Summer Bay," he said. "I need to see you. I'll be with you in two days. I can't stand to be without you. We need to sort things out. I want to fix things."
Liam hung up, devastated.
Charlie and Joey left the sofa and headed to their bedroom, without bothering to tidy up. They were normally hot on keeping things immaculate but tonight, they didn't care. Snuggling up in bed, they met in the middle, they kissed tenderly. Charlie ran her hands through Joey's long, dark hair. Joey moved closer, pressing her still naked body against Charlie's. Their kiss deepened. Perhaps it wasn't going to be such an early night after all.
Next door, Watson and Kerri, were having much the same kind of night. Having completed his homework and been allowed an hour on his Xbox, Danny was safely tucked into bed. The couple had pretended to start a DVD but quickly wound up in bed instead. It might have taken them a while to admit their feelings but now, they couldn't get enough of each other.
Over at Angelo's apartment, there was a lot of tension in the air.
"I can't believe you turned that money down," Paulie snapped for what felt like the hundredth time.
He shook his head bitterly. On the other end of the sofa, Angelo folded his arms and focussed on the television instead.
"I did what I felt was right," he said.
"Getting me killed and ruining Mum and Dad's business is the right thing?" Paulie demanded.
"We'll get the money somehow," Angelo affirmed. "But we'd be breaking the law by using that money. Plus, if anyone should use it, it should be Xavier. It was left to him."
"I don't give a fuck about some snotty teenager!" Paulie yelled. "I give a fuck about not getting kneecapped."
He stood up and stormed out, slamming the door behind him so hard that it opened up again.
Charlie and Joey climaxed at the same time. Charlie collapsed breathlessly on top of Joey beneath the blankets. Joey extracted her hand and wrapped both arms around her, holding her close. She kissed her passionately, whispering against her lips that she loved her over and over again. Charlie closed her eyes, her head swimming, taking in the words and all the feelings swirling in her body, her heart and her soul.
Bianca was surprised when she found Liam on her doorstep.
"Alf found your phone," he said, handing it over. "And before you accuse me of having it and making some sort of excuse, you can check and ask him yourself. You can even date and time it if you like. I honestly have better things to do that stalk you like that. But you did get a call on my way over here. Your beloved Vittorio will be here in two days."
He turned to leave but not before he could take in the look of horror on her face at the news. He was rather pleased.
"I'd really love my parents to meet you at some point," Ruby said.
It was time for lights out and she and Claire were lying in their own beds, talking.
"Really?" Claire asked.
"Absolutely," Ruby said. "I think you'd get on."
"I'd like to meet them," Claire told her. "They sound cool. Plus, a lesbian couple to look up to."
Ruby smiled. Claire had tentatively come out to her on the first day, nervous in case she wouldn't want to share a room with her. Ruby had been quick to reassure her and then told her all about Charlie and Joey.
"They are pretty awesome," she said. "I told them all about you today."
"Good things, I hope!" Claire said nervously.
"There are only good things to say!" Ruby assure her.
Finally spent, Charlie and Joey curled up in each other's arms. Sleep began to claim them as Joey nestled against Charlie's chest. They held hands, sinking in each other's embrace.
"I love you so much," Charlie murmured.
"I love you too," Joey replied. "And as long as we're together, everything in the world is going to be okay."
Next time… Charlie and Joey are allowed to see Ruby, Paulie has a bright idea about his money woes and Sid needs some serious advice about his girl trouble…
