Chapter Five Hundred and Seventy Seven

Charlie and Joey had spent the rest of the day in the city. It had been a day of bliss. They'd gone sightseeing and acted like ridiculous tourists, high on love as a newly engaged couple. They'd indulged in a ridiculously luxurious lunch, which Joey had insisted on paying for after all the lavish treats Charlie had spoilt her with the previous day. She could still hardly believe Charlie had proposed to her – live on the stage of a musical in front of hundreds of people. It felt like a dream. But then she looked down at the beautiful engagement ring that Ross had given Charlie for that exact purpose and she knew it was real. She knew it was forever.


Back in Summer Bay, Bianca was not having such a good day. She glanced at her watch, feeling guilty that she was unlikely to be able to attend Charlie and Joey's surprise engagement party tonight at Bucktons'. She had so wanted to be able to celebrate with them when she had heard the news from Ruby this morning, who, with the help of Claire and the rest of the staff at the restaurant, plus Leah, Watson and Kerri, had spent the day scurrying around organising the party.

However, Bianca's plans had come crashing down several hours ago when April had completely lost it with Liam at school. She hadn't quite got to the bottom of it yet but he had messed up some stationary she had carefully laid out and she had completely overreacted. They had got into a huge argument back at the house, to the point that Liam had become extremely worried about April and called Bianca for help.

After talking to April herself and getting advice from Irene who had been living with her little sister for weeks and been expressing concerns over her repetitive habits, Bianca had persuaded her, she hoped, that she needed help. She had also decided to move back into the house to be with her and to look after her. She felt sad about leaving the tent and the happy little home she and Liam had created. Secretly, she had hoped that Liam would move into the house with her. But he had just got grumpy about it all; he didn't understand that she needed to be with her sister and make sure she was safe and well. Even if she didn't appreciate it.


"Ruby wants us to meet us at the restaurant," Joey said, reading a text from the passenger seat of Charlie's car. "She wants to treat us to dinner. In our own restaurant."

She grinned, making Charlie laugh.

"Well, I hear the food is pretty good," the police officer said.

Joey giggled and said that Ruby had instructed her to head straight there.

"She's the boss," she said. "Apparently."


"Does everything look okay?" Ruby asked nervously.

She, Scott, Blake, Claire, Romeo, Nicole, Casey, Leah, Kerri and Watson had been working tirelessly to get the restaurant perfect for the party. Ruby had avoided Romeo like the plague throughout. He had done the same but in more of a wounded and less hostile way than she had.

"It looks amazing," Casey enthused. "They're going to love it."

"They are," Watson agreed. "But I swear this is the last time I'm going to put up that damn banner. I feel like Charlie's personal town crier. It's starting to get ridiculous!"

Leah laughed, admiring the large banner declaring Charlie's love for Joey.

"It looks good," she said. "Now, if only I could find someone to love me that much!"

"He's probably right round the corner," Watson said.

"Am I late?" Miles asked cheerfully, walking through the door. "Or early? Am I early?"

"You're exactly on time," Leah assured him, taking his gift to the present table.

"Ooh! Nice banner!" he enthused.


Within half an hour, everyone had arrived. Ruby had continued to successfully avoid Romeo and was now also avoiding Indi, as well as Dex, Marilyn and Sid. Sticking with Claire and Casey seemed like the safe thing to do. Morag had sat herself at a table with Colleen and was enjoying a nice glass of red wine; she was tolerating the company.


"I hear congratulations is in order."

Charlie rolled her eyes when Brax approached her and Joey outside the Surf Club. All she wanted was for her and her fiancée to go to the restaurant and enjoy dinner with their daughter. They had had such a wonderful time away together. She didn't want Brax to spoil anything.

"Don't feel obliged," she replied, keeping her arm around Joey's waist.

"So, uh, how does that work exactly?" Brax asked, following along beside them as they made their way towards the building. "It's just that the last I heard, two chicks couldn't get married. It was more of a man and woman kind of thing."

"Well, hopefully the law will catch up soon," Joey said tightly.

"And in the meantime, we'll just do our own thing," Charlie told him. "We don't care what it says on a piece of paper. It's about being in love with each other."

"How sweet," he mocked.

Joey pushed the door open to enter the Surf Club, eager to get upstairs to the restaurant she loved so much.

"Hey, Charlie?" Brax asked. "What happens if you're married and you start missing the real thing?"

Joey caught Charlie's hand very quickly and pulled her into the Surf Club, reminding her that he wasn't worth it. Brax walked away, chuckling to himself. Charlie was seething all the way up the stairs. At the top, Joey took both of Charlie's hands and looked into her eyes.

"Don't let him do this," she said firmly. "Don't let him take away from the perfect happiness we've had these past couple of days. His opinion isn't relevant. Okay?"

Charlie nodded, resting their foreheads together. She asked her when she got so wise.

"When I started having therapy!" Joey joked.

Charlie laughed softly. Joey kissed the tip of her nose.

"He doesn't matter," she whispered. "And he cannot ruin this beautiful happiness of ours. Ever."

Charlie kissed her gently on the mouth, wrapping her arms around her.


"They're coming!" Ruby hissed. "Everyone hide!"

Everyone ducked into their allotted hiding places as Ruby rushed to the front door of Bucktons'. She pulled open the door for her parents, who were holding hands. They jumped in surprise when almost all of their friends and family jumped out and yelled surprise. Both began laughing in shock as they took in all the décor, including the huge sign that Charlie had bought for Joey to declare her love for her.

"I can't believe you're all here!" Joey said, clutching Charlie a little tighter.

Charlie kept her arm around Joey.

"Did you arrange all of this?" she asked Ruby, touched by the effort.

"It was a group thing," Ruby said bashfully, pleased that her parents were happy.

She led them further into the restaurant, hugging them and then leaving them to mingle. She was beside herself with wanting to know exactly how the proposal had gone and if everything had gone as Charlie had planned. But she knew she would have more time with them later. Other people needed their time now. She didn't want to be selfish.


Charlie and Joey made a beeline for Morag and subsequently Colleen. Morag stood to hug them both; both women congratulated them.

"I gather there was some prompting by Ross," Morag remarked. "He told me how desperate he was for the two of you to get married, even if it couldn't be legal yet."

"He gave me Mum's ring," Charlie said.

Joey offered her hand out to show her. Morag took her hand and admired the ring, smiling. Colleen also wanted to look, remarking that the ring was indeed beautiful. She loved that it was also sentimental.

"He loved you so much, Charlie," Morag said. "And he was so happy that you were so happy and settled with Joey. He loved you too, Joey."

Charlie reached out and held Joey's hand, squeezing it.


"Aww, they look so happy," Claire commented.

She was working behind the bar with Scott and Romeo. The restaurant was busy but at least everyone was relaxed and happy, as it was closed for the private function – which, retrospectively was a risky decision to take without the boss's approval.

"They do," Ruby smiled, looking at her parents, holding hands and chatting to Morag and Colleen. "I'm so happy for them."

"Me too," Claire said.

Casey remained quiet. He didn't know Claire all that well, although she seemed nice and he really didn't know Charlie and Joey very well, although he was happy for them. He just didn't think his opinion mattered.


Charlie and Joey had moved on, keen to mingle with the overwhelming number of neighbours who had turned up to wish them well. They stopped to thank Leah for all her help and say hello to Miles.

"You're very welcome," Leah said. "Although, I have to warn you – VJ's around here somewhere and he may be a little heartbroken that you're not marrying him, Jo!"

Joey chuckled.

"I'm sure he'll get over it!" she said.

"I don't think anyone gets over someone like you!" Charlie giggled, keeping her arm around her waist.

She never wanted to let her go.

"Um… you guys have a visitor," Miles said awkward, nodding behind them.

They turned and were surprised to find themselves face to face with Angelo, holding a card and a bunch of flowers.

"Hey," he said awkwardly. "I won't stay. I know things aren't… good. But I just… Congratulations."

He offered the card and flowers. Charlie accepted them, thanking him. Joey thanked them too.

"Well, I'll just…" he jerked a thumb towards the exit.

"Stay!" Joey called out.

He paused, looking hopeful.

"Really?" he said.

"Stay," she confirmed. "Please."

He followed them to the bar. Charlie ordered three drinks from Romeo, who congratulated Charlie and Joey both.

"Thank you," Joey said.

She and Romeo had both agreed to put the situation with Romeo behind them as best they could. He and Charlie had made no such agreement. Angelo threaded his way to a table; Charlie and Joey followed, both feeling anxious about sitting down with him.

"Thank you," Angelo said. "I appreciate you making the effort with me after everything that's happened."

"Well, if we can't draw a line under it all today of all days then when can we?" Charlie mused.

"I really am happy for you both," Angelo said. "And I would really like to be friends again."

"Thank you," Joey said. "And it sounds good to me."


"Who is that?" Scott wanted to know, nudging Claire and not taking his eyes off Angelo, who was now deep in somewhat shy conversation with Charlie and Joey.

"That's Angelo," Claire said.

"The guy you replaced," Ruby put in helpfully.

"Oh, he had better not be here to try and take his job back!" Scott declared.

Claire chuckled. She liked Angelo a lot but she and Scott had clicked immediately and she definitely didn't want him going anyway.

"And you had better not say you think he's attractive because that would freak me the hell out," Ruby warned him.

"Well," Scott said, tilting his head and studying. "He's okay but you know I'm a one man kind of guy now so…"

"Oh really? What about when you look at Romeo?" Casey challenged.

He regretted it immediately. Just the mention of Ruby's fling, working only a few metres away made things terribly awkward. However, thanks to Scott, the moment passed very quickly.

"Oh, that's a completely different thing. He's not a man. He's like a god or something!" Scott announced. "Ruby, you know what I mean!"

He smirked at her and she burst out laughing. Only Scott could make her laugh over the worst mistake of her life.

"Seriously, though, I have texted you like twenty times for measurements and you haven't replied," he added. "Do I have your number right? Please tell me I'm not WhatsApping Colleen because those are some messy emojis I'm sending!"

Ruby snorted. Even Casey laughed, having previously been irritated at the hero worship of all things Romeo.

"I think you'd know about it if that was the case!" Claire laughed.


Charlie and Joey left Angelo with Liam, who didn't seem to be in the greatest of moods. They gathered that there had been some kind of incident at school that day with April, which had resulted in Bianca calling in professional help for suspected OCD and deciding to move back into Irene's to support her. They planned on contacting their friend the next day to find out what had happened and to see if there was anything they could do to help.

Moving onto the next table, they sat down with Watson, Kerri, Danny and VJ, the latter two of whom were deeply involved in video games. Still, Danny glanced up to say congratulations and VJ stopped the game to hug them both and tell Charlie that if someone else was going to marry Joey, he was glad it was her.

"High praise indeed," Watson chuckled.

"I think so!" Charlie laughed.

"Congratulations," Watson added. "So, uh… anything you want to ask me? And not your mate Bianca who didn't even turn up to your engagement party?"

"Georgie!" Kerri scolded.

Joey looked confused but Charlie laughed.

"Georgina Watson, would you please do me the honour of being my Best Woman?" Charlie asked.

"I will!" Watson declared happily, launching at her for a hug.

Joey and Kerri both laughed, shaking their heads.

"I'm guessing this is a pre-proposal based conversation?" Joey said.

"It is," Charlie said. "I'd also recommend that our friend, Watson gets some jealousy therapy around our other friend, Bianca."

"We're working on it," Kerri assured her.

"It's resolved," Watson assured her. "I won. I'm the Best Woman. Best. Woman. Best. Nothing else matters."


At the other table, Angelo was still listening to Liam's tale of woe. It was a little boring and quite irritating. At least Liam had a girlfriend. And she clearly loved him. And she was a good person who was devoted to her little sister and wanted the best for her. She wasn't breaking up with him by moving out, she had no choice but to rearrange her living situation in order to look after a teenager who needed support. She had even invited him to move into the house with her. What was his problem?

"I think you just need to go with it, mate," he said. "Be supportive of what Bianca feels she needs to do."

"But what about the life we're building?" Liam said. "We've been so happy out there on our own. And now…"

"And now reality is kicking in and she has to look after her little sister who completely relies on her."

"She's got Irene," Liam said sourly, swigging the beer that Angelo was surprised he was drinking.

He thought he was meant to be sober.

"It's not the same," Angelo said. "They're sisters. They rely on each other. They always have, by the sound of it. April needs her. It doesn't mean she loves you any less or doesn't want to be with you."

Liam sighed. It wasn't what he wanted to hear, although he grudgingly admitted to himself that his friend had a point.

"But what am I meant to do?" he asked.


"Congratulations!" Nicole said, hugging both Charlie and Joey. "I am so happy for you! Honestly, you two are my 'couple goal' in life. If I can meet someone and be even half as happy with them as you two are together, I will consider that a success. Now, come on! Tell me all about how you proposed!"

She dragged them to the nearest table, desperate for all the details. Overhearing a few key words, Marilyn, Gina, Morag, Colleen and Leah all joined them.


Roo had joined Angelo and Liam's conversation and been quickly brought up to speed with Liam's plight.

"Well, the solution is staring us in the face," Angelo's new housemate said.

Both men looked at her in confusion.

"We have two spare rooms," Roo said. "Why don't you just move in with us?"

Liam's eyes lit up. Angelo's face fell. This was not what he wanted. He liked Liam a lot but he still had hopes that things might develop between him and Roo. With a third person in the mix, he had no chance, especially when the third person was a complicated, former addict rock star on the cusp of getting his heart broken. They weren't exactly in the same league.

"Really?" Liam asked. "Would that be okay with you both? I just don't want to stay there without Bianca. It won't be the same."

"Of course it would be okay!" Roo said. "And the rent would be useful."

Everyone looked at Angelo who cheerfully pretended it would be absolutely fantastic if he moved in. Liam thanked them both profusely and got another round in.

"Isn't he meant to be sober?" Roo asked Angelo, watching Liam go to the bar.

"I think so… I mean, I don't think alcohol was his poison but… I've never known him to drink before…" Angelo mused.


"I'm so happy for you, Charlie," Blake said sincerely, having arrived a little late to the party due to his shift overrunning.

He still felt nervous around his boss and especially hadn't got used to being casual with her when they were outside of work. But he was eternally grateful for how kind she had been to him both personally and professionally. He felt so much more capable at work thanks to her and he had since had the confidence to come out. He had thought the police would be a terribly toxic environment to a gay man but the team at his station had been very supportive and positive. He supposed it helped that the Sergeant and Senior Constable were both gay woman. Yabbie Creek Police Station was definitely flying the rainbow flag.

It was also thanks to Charlie that Blake had met his boyfriend, Scott, who worked for her and her partner, Joey at the restaurant. Blake didn't think Scott could be more different to him if he tried. He was so loud and brash and said everything that came into his head, even if nobody wanted to hear it. Blake adored and admired that about him. Blake had once asked him when he came out to which he had replied that he had never been in! Yes, there was so much Blake had to be grateful to Charlie for.

"Thank you, Blake," Charlie said, giving him a quick hug.

"Sorry I'm late," he apologised. "My shift ran over. But I left your gift on the table."

Charlie smiled. She wondered if he always had been and always would be so nervous all the time.

"As if you have to apologise to me for your shift running over," she chuckled. "Thank you for coming. I know sometimes the last thing I want to do after a long shift is socialise."

"I wouldn't have missed it," he said sincerely.

He glanced up to see Scott waving at him. Charlie turned too and chuckled.

"It's going well?" she asked with a grin that made Blake blush.

"It is," he said. "Thank you. You kind of facilitated that."

"I just wanted you to be happy," Charlie told him, patting him on the shoulder and sending him on to see his boyfriend who seemed to spend as much time gossiping as he did serving drinks.

Claire hadn't minded. She had stopped to chat when she could but Romeo, who had been desperate to try and talk to Indi but not found a single opportunity all night, was starting to get irritated. Indi had remained at a table all evening with Dex, Marilyn and Sid, her back to him, refusing to attend the bar herself when she wanted another drink. She still wanted nothing to do with him. Everyone in the room seemed happy apart from them. And Liam. Liam didn't seem happy at all.


Next time… Ruby and Casey get caught up in the conflict between the Braxton and Buckton families, Liam moves in with Angelo and Roo and Romeo and Indi attempt to try again…