My Only Hope

[Chester-Sam]

I'm glad they gave Charlie full custody.

Romeo and Ruby, aww! And nicole with the memories was beautiful.

This chapter is so sad, but in a precious kind of way

Loved this, can't wait for the next chapter.

- Sam!

[callyha]

Well worth the wait lollypop.

Im glad the Bledcoes gave full custody to Charlie, it was the best thing.

this chapter was so amazing, emotions and everything wow.

So glad that you've updated, and I like how you've added more characters into the story and have Ruby surrounded by them is nice

More soon please

[lollypop]

My latest chapter. Sorry it's so long, but I felt guilty for not updating sooner. Hope you enjoy it and thanks so much for the comments.

Chapter 12

Flicking through her wardrobe, Charlie tried to think about what to take and what to leave behind for her and Ruby’s temporary move to Perth. Although she knew regardless of the outcome that they would eventually be coming back to the Bay, six months was a long time to be away from home. Which was probably why she was having so much trouble deciding what to bring with her to Perth? The one thing she was positive she wouldn’t need for the move, her police uniform. Having informed her superiors of her current circumstances, and her need to be on the other side of the country, they were more than willing to allow Charlie the extended time of work.

That was certainly a load of Charlie’s mind. It was one thing worrying about Ruby and doctors and moving to Perth, she didn’t want to have to worry about finding a new job. Although she quickly realised how insignificant that detail was when she remembered that they were doing all this to get her daughter better. It was mind blowing to Charlie that she could love someone this much. Whenever Angelo mentioned moving in to a place together, she would run a thousand miles in the opposite direction and have a panic attack. Yet here she was, packing up her life to move to the other side of Australia. But that’s how much Charlie loved her daughter. She would drop everything in a heart beat; do anything, go anywhere for Ruby. So long as she was happy, and healthy, then Charlie was content with life.

Looking at the clock, she noticed the time and sighed. Two whole hours she had spent trying to sort out her packing, and she was still no better off than she was a week ago when she had originally started. Throwing down the shoes she was holding in her hand, she decided to call it a day. It was coming up to lunch time and she needed to check Ruby’s blood sugar levels. On a good day, Ruby would go about her day as if she were never ill. But on a bad day, Charlie’s full time nursing job would take on a lot more work in the day. Not that it bothered Charlie. But it did bother Ruby. It made her feel like she was losing her independence. And that was not something a very headstrong teenager accepted very well.

Walking into the living room, Charlie made her way over to the couch and found that Ruby was still napping. It didn’t seem fair to wake her, especially since she had been so ill recently, but Charlie knew she had to do it to check Ruby’s levels. Charlie made her way around t the head end of the couch were Ruby’s head lay. She gently placed her hand on her daughters arm and stroked it before gently giving it a nudge, to rouse Ruby from her sleep. Her eyes slowly began to flicker open, but only remained half open. The bright light beaming in through the window was too sharp for Ruby’s sensitive eyes. Slowly, she began to gather herself up into an upright position and then she turned to face her mother.

“Hey”, Charlie said in a soft soothing voice. “It’s time to check your levels”, she finished as she stroked Ruby’s cheek. Standing up, Charlie made her way into the kitchen and began making up a light snack that Ruby’s terribly nauseous stomach would be able to handle. Once the sandwich had been made, she removed freshly squeezed orange juice from the fridge and half filled a glass to go with the snack. Picking up the glass and the plate, she made her way back into the living room and sat the food down on the coffee table in front of Ruby. Before sitting down, removed Ruby’s insulin kit from the cabinets and handed it to Ruby. Taking a seat next to her daughter she took the pen and pricked Ruby’s finger, swiped some blood onto the strip and placed it in the monitor. When the reading appeared on the BSL monitor she jotted it down in the little diary and placed it back in the kit.

“Charlz, I don’t think I can eat this”, Ruby said looking at the plate. Her face was pale white and she looked as if she were going to be sick any minute. She licked her lips to moisten them and placed her arms across her stomach. Trying to settle the wave after wave, of sickness that was being lashed upon her like a raging storm. She knew that the nausea pills the doctors had given her took a while to take affect. But when it was bad, she wished they would just hurry on up and get into gear. Ruby felt like she was on a never ending merry-go-round she couldn’t get off and it was beginning to take its toll on her.

“Rubes, I know this is hard for you. Believe me I do. But you have to eat. If you don’t your diabetes will get worse and you’ll just get sicker”, Charlie tried desperately to encourage her daughter to eat. She knew this was tough on Ruby, but she had no choice. Not eating was not an option. Ruby needed to sustain a healthy eating pattern if she wanted to keep up her strength, fight her illness and keep her diabetes in line. It was hard, but Charlie was determined not to let her daughter slip at any cost. The move to Perth and a possible future for Ruby was a matter of days away. Now was not the time for letting everything fall apart. Not when they had gotten this far. Ruby looked at the food again and tried to push the sick feeling to the back of her mind. But she couldn’t do it. She wasn’t physically strong enough.

“I can’t do it. I’m sorry Charlie”, Ruby said in between her sobs. She felt like she had let her mother down. Ruby wanted to be able to eat. She knew she needed to eat. But when she was feeling so sick, so tired and so weak, she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. Charlie looked at her daughter, then at the plate. To her it was only a sandwich, but to Ruby it was a challenge. Glancing back at her daughter, she could see the upset in her eyes. Leaning towards Ruby, Charlie engulfed her in a comforting hug. Gently she stroked her back as she whispered tender words of support into her daughter’s ear.

“Okay, it’s okay. Why don’t we get you get you into bed for some proper rest. We can try this again later”, Charlie said as she wiped the tears away from Ruby’s face. Looking at her mother, Ruby nodded and then gently tried to stand up with the support of Charlie’s arm wrapped around her waist. Together, they made their way into Ruby’s room. Pulling back the bed covers, Charlie sat Ruby down and gently helped her mover her chest catheter for comfort. When Ruby was finally settled, Charlie leaned down and gave her a small kiss on the cheek and then left the room.

Walking over to the coffee table, she picked up the uneaten sandwich and the glass of juice and carried them out to the kitchen. Just as she was placing them on the worktop she heard a knock on the door. Turning on her heel, Charlie made her way to the door and opened it.“Well, well, well. If it isn’t good old Charlie Buckton. I see time has been very kind to you”, the woman said with a big grin on her face. “Oh my Gosh. Jodi, what are you doing here”, Charlie replied with a smile on her face. “I haven’t seen you in, oh God, what’s been, ten years?” she finished, still looking the tall blonde woman up and down.

“Yeah something like that. Now are you going to invite and old friend in or am I just going to stand here all day?” Jodie replied sarcastically. Stepping aside, Charlie invited her in and they made their way into the living room. As they did so, Charlie asked Jodie to keep the noise to a minimum as Ruby was sleeping. And that was when good old, subtle as an atomic bomb, Jodie decided to dive right in to some long overdue questioning. “So Charlie, I was in the diner earlier getting some lunch and I asked a nice old lady about you. She kindly filled me in on some details I appear to have missed out on. Want to fill in the blanks for me?” she said. As she finished she could see Charlie’s face drop as she realised that Colleen had obliged in telling Jodie probably everything about her past.

Over the next two hours, Charlie and Jodie engaged in a very deep conversation about what had been going on over the last sixteen to seventeen years. Charlie told her about the rape, conceiving Ruby, running away, the lie her parents came up with about Ruby being her sister, Ruby finding out, Grants murder, everything. There was no point in holding back. Ruby was her daughter and that was the story of her conception. She wasn’t ashamed of her daughter so she wasn’t going to continue hiding it anymore. Not with everything else going on.

“Oh Charlie. I’m so sorry”, Jodie said. Suddenly all the pieces fit together. All the blank questions had been answered and now she felt deep remorse for not knowing this. She and Charlie used to be best friends when they were younger. “I wish you’d told me. You know it all makes sense now. You were always the overprotective older sister. But, I guess, you weren’t. You were a mother worried about her daughter. Just like any parent”, Jodie finished as she sympathetically placed a hand on Charlie’s arm.

“Yeah, but you know what? I’m done feeling sorry for myself and being bitter about the past. What Grant did was horrible. And that will always be with me. But out of all that evil, all that spite and hate, came the greatest love I have EVER known”, Charlie explained, emphasising her words with hand gestures. “Ruby is the most important thing in the world to me and that will never change”, she said, smiling as she thought about her daughter. Jodie looked over Charlie’s shoulder and spotted a picture of Charlie and Ruby together on top of the cabinets next to the phone. She pointed at it causing Charlie to turn around.

“Is that Ruby?” Jodie asked as Charlie went over to the cabinets to retrieve the picture. She picked it up and handed it to Jodie so she could get a closer look at it. “Wow. She’s grown up so much. I remember her as the curly haired little kid who used to pound on that piano in your front room for hours on end. Used to drive your mum and dad crazy”, Jodie laughed as she reminisced about old times. Charlie laughed as she remembered exactly what her friend was talking about. “I hate to say it, but I can see a little bit of Grant in her. You know, cause they have the same wavy hair, skin tone......” Jodie trailed off as she continued to gaze at the photograph. Charlie flinched at what Jodie had just said. Feeling uncomfortable she made an excuse to exit the room.

“Um, I’m just going to make myself a coffee, do you want one?” she asked. Jodie replied with a simple nod of her head and with that Charlie made a beeline for the kitchen. She walked over to the kettle, filled it with water and sat it back down....How could anyone think Ruby looks like Grant. She looks nothing like Grant. Or maybe I care too much about Ruby to see what’s really there.... Charlie thought to herself. She cursed herself. How could she think such a thing. Sure fifty percent of Ruby’s DNA came from Grant. But that was it. He had nothing to do with the person she had become. Once the kettle had boiled, Charlie made up two cups of coffee and headed back for the living. She was stopped in her tracks at the doorway by Jodie who was on her way out to meet Charlie in the kitchen. They just managed to stop themselves from colliding.

“So Charlie, what’s this darling daughter of yours doing in bed at this hour of the day anyways?” Jodie asked. Curious as to why a teenage girl who lived by the beach would be indoors on a beautiful day. Charlie gasped realising she had never mentioned to Jodie about Ruby’s illness. Before she could open her mouth, they were interrupted by the quite voice of the pale girl standing limply behind them at the doorway of one of the bedrooms. “Charlie”, Ruby said as she clung to the door frame. Placing the cups down on the dinner table, Charlie walked over to where Ruby was standing and place and arm around her shoulder. Jodie was stunned into silence as she stared back at the young girl next to Charlie.

This was not the young girl she had seen in the photograph. She looked desperately ill. Her face was pale and her cheeks were sunken in. Her eyes were lifeless and she looked like she would collapse at any minute. She looked at Charlie hoping that her body language would give her some answers. But Charlie was focused completely on Ruby. After a couple more awkward silent seconds, Charlie finally spoke. “Rubes, you remember Jodie. One of my friends from back in the city. Went to school together”, Charlie reminded her. Ruby looked at the woman and gave her a weak smile. “I’m sorry I don’t mean be rude”, Ruby started before turning back to face Charlie, “Charlie I feel really hot”, she said.

Charlie placed her hand on Ruby’s forehead and could almost feel the heat radiating from Ruby before she even touched her. “Oh Rubes you’re burning up. You’re getting a fever again. Go back to bed. I’ll be right in with a cold towel and something for the nausea. Charlie watched on as Ruby made her in to her room. When she was out of sight she turned around to face a very quiet Jodie, who was leaning against the door frame of the kitchen. Before Jodie could even ask any questions Charlie began to speak.

“Ruby was diagnosed with leukaemia eight months ago. She has good days and she has really bad days. As you just saw. That’s the reason we’re moving to Perth. At least temporarily. She’s going to undergo a bone marrow transplant”, Charlie finished. Walking passed Jodie into the kitchen she got a bowl out of the press and began to fill it with cold water. She picked up the bowl and walked back into the living room and placed it down on the table and stopped. Looking back up at a tearful Jodie.

“I’m so sorry Charlie”, she said as she went over and hugged her old friend. Charlie was received the hug with open arms, but was to distracted to allow herself to get lost in it. She pulled back and looked at the bowl and towards Ruby’s room. “I should really go be with Ruby”, she said not wanting to sound like she was pushing her friend out. Jodie nodded, picking up her handbag, understanding Charlie’s need to be with her daughter. “No not at all. Go be with your daughter. I’ll see you around again someday soon”, she said with a smile. Jodie made her way to the door. Just before she went to leave she turned to Charlie. “I really hope it works out for Ruby in Perth”. And with that she was gone.

Charlie took one last glance at the door before picking up the bowl and heading into Ruby’s room. She placed the bowl down on the bedside cabinet and went over to Ruby’s dresser to remove one of the towels they kept in Ruby’s drawer for situations like this. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Charlie stroked Ruby’s cheek. Grabbing a hold of the towel, she dipped it in the bowl of cold water and proceeded to dab it across Ruby’s forehead. The teen let out a small grunt as the coldness of the towel touched against her skin. She could feel the soothing affect.

As Charlie continued to trace the towel across Ruby’s forehead, she studied her daughter’s features. What Jodie had said about Ruby looking like Grant hit a nerve. It wouldn’t matter to Charlie if Ruby did bear a resemblance to her biological father. She loved Ruby for the person Ruby was. But she hoped for Ruby’s sake that the resemblance for Ruby stopped at just DNA. And that was exactly it. That was the one thing Grant would hold over Ruby for the rest of her life. That they both shared the same DNA. What he did to Charlie was one night she will never forget. But sharing the same gene pool was something Ruby would have to carry around forever.

Looking at her daughter Charlie smiled. Even after Jodie’s comments, she still couldn’t see the resemblance. All she saw was and angel. Sent from above to help her get through the darkest period of her life, and to guide her to richer more fulfilling life. As a police officer, a defender of the people and a protector of the most precious thing she held so dearly. A daughter she would love the world over, from here to eternity. Leaning down she placed a long lingering kiss on Ruby’s forehead and then lay down beside her. Instinctively, Ruby curled up into Charlie’s side and wrapped herself up in the arms of a mother who truly loved her.

[Inactive User]

Great chapter Loved the Charlie/Ruby parts at the end-so sweet and well-written Update soon xxxx

[callyha]

WowIf its gonna take you this long to update and you produce a chapter like that, then take all the time you need to write an update!

This was amazing! Really well written, the way you have described everything is just -wow!

The comment Joide made not something Charlie would want to heat on top of everything that is going on in hers and Ruby's life.

I love how Charlie just drops everything for Ruby, its a lovely image to paint to read.

Update Soon!

[Chester-Sam]

Loved the Charlie and Ruby stuff as always

Hopefully everything in Perth goes well

Can't wait for more,

- Sam!

[lollypop]

Found some down time to update. Hope you like it and thanks for the comments. I'm not really happy with this chapter but hopefully you'll like it.

Chapter 13

As she walked out of the surf club, Charlie was greeted by the warm summer sun beaming down form the bright blue skies. Today was the day that she and Ruby departed Summer Bay for Perth and Bianca and Leah had organised a going away party for them with all their close friends in attendance. It meant a lot to them that everyone cared so much. Even Charlie's colleagues and Ruby's school friends and peers had dropped by to wish them well. They were really enjoying themselves, until Charlie realised that Ruby had wandered off.

Gazing around, she tried to spot her daughter in the crowd of midday surfers and beach goers but wasn't having much luck. She was about to make her way towards the benches at the side of the club when she was stopped by someone calling her name from inside the building. Turning around, she saw Angelo approaching her in his usual black shirt and trousers. To this day she still couldn't believe that Angelo had been kicked off the force. But after much soul searching, he had decided to open his own restaurant and continued in his bid to get Charlie to make a serious commitment to him and realise that he was capable of caring for both her, and for Ruby.

Although they were still in a relationship, it wasn't how it used to be. Angelo tried to sustain the closeness they once shared, but quite often Charlie was too stressed or tired from taking care of Ruby to invest herself in her boyfriend. Every now and again Charlie wished she could fully commit to him, to a relationship. But her main priority was to be the best mother she could be to Ruby. Especially now in the given circumstances, and that was not something she was willing to compromise. Even if it meant neglecting Angelo and his needs. Something Angelo struggled with from time to time. He felt guilty for feeling somewhat jealous of the attention Charlie showered on Ruby, especially when he knew that poor girl was facing the fight of her life. But he couldn't help it. Angelo wanted Charlie and he couldn't handle the thought of not being with her.

"Charlie", he called out as he got closer to where his girlfriend was standing. Eventually he reached her, but he down trodden when he noticed the look of annoyance in her eyes. He was reluctant to talk to her, feeling the tension build the longer he stood there. But he had to get things off his chest before she left Perth. Especially since he felt like he was standing on uneasy ground as far as their relationship was concerned. "Charlie, we need to talk. About us?" he said as he tried to reach for her hand.

"Angelo I don't have time for this right now, I have to find Ruby", Charlie replied as she pulled both her arms away from Angelo's grasp. Looking up at him she could see the rejection written across his face. It upset her to know that she was hurting him, but she knew it wouldn't hurt half as much as telling hi the truth about how she was really feeling. While she stood there watching him trying to think of something to say to turn the situation around, she realised maybe it would be for the best if he did know the truth. Maybe then she could leave the Bay with a clear conscious.

"Charlie, I love you. I want to be with you. I want to build a life with you. We can move in together when you get back and we can start fresh and move past all this", he said with pleading eyes. And there it was. Charlie realised there and then that Ruby would always be an after thought where Angelo was concerned. Sure he got on with Ruby, and he realised she was part of the package when it came to being involved with Charlie. But it wasn't enough. Charlie wanted him to love Ruby like she was a member of his family. Not some after thought. And that wasn't acceptable to Charlie. Because to Charlie, Ruby was, and always would be, her whole world. The more she thought about what Angelo had said the angrier she got.

"So what, if this procedure fails and Ruby dies, I just come back Summer Bay, shack up with you, live happily ever after and forget about my daughter?" she said. As she continued to gaze at Angelo, she could see him realising his own mistake. He rubbed his hands against his head in frustration, knowing that Charlie was slipping further and further away from him. He had this sinking feeling not only in his stomach, but in his heart. When he refocused his gaze on Charlie, he could see it in her eyes that she was shattered his world.

"Angelo, we haven't been working for, a long time. Even before Ruby got sick..." she said but she was cut of by a hurt Angelo wanting her to just come out and say what he knew was coming next, "Just say what your thinking Charlie", he demanded. Looking out at the sea, her eyes glazing over, she turned back and continued. "I don't want to hurt you, but by staying in this relationship I'm lying to myself and to you. And that's not fair on either of us. I think it would be best if we ended this now and move on with our lives", Charlie finally finished.

Bowing his head, Angelo choked back the emotion that was caught in his throat. His heart breaking as he looked at the woman he loved before him, telling him that she wanted nothing more to do with. When he looked up he saw Charlie removing the necklace he gave her from around her neck. She looked at it for a second, remembering some of the good times they shared together and then placed it in his hand and closed it over. She leaned into him and gave him a long lingering kiss and then pulled away. "Goodbye Angelo", she said. He watched as she walked away. Leaving his life for what would be the final time.

As she walked away from the Surf Club, Charlie wiped away a lone tear that had fallen down her cheek as she walked away from her past and into her future. When she had finally composed herself she put her energy back into tracing down her daughter. It had been almost and hour since she had disappeared and Ruby still hadn't resurfaced. Charlie was beginning to grow anxious. She had never been separated from her daughter for this length of time without knowing where she was and who she was with. It worried her that Ruby would just take off on her own without telling anyone. As she continued on her trek, she was stopped again by the voice of someone calling out after her. She turned around and was surprised to see Romeo running towards her from the Surf Club.

"Hey, Charlie can I talk to you?" he asked as he stopped right in front of her. Charlie looked Romeo up and down. He seemed rather serious. Usually she would have stood there and listened to him no problem, but she was in too much of a rush to track down her daughter. "Romeo, I can't right now. Can this wait?" she asked as she turned to walk away from him. She had only gotten a few steps away from him when he spoke up again. "It's about Ruby", he said. His eyes softening as he said her name.

"What about Ruby?" Charlie asked concerned, thinking the worst. Why else would Romeo have run after her out of the Surf Club? Romeo looked down at the ground, his breathing becoming deeper as he became more nervous about talking to Charlie. "See, the thing is, I've liked Ruby a really long time. I care about her a lot and, well..." he trailed off trying to think of the best way to say what it was he was trying to say. Growing impatient Charlie shouted at him a little louder then she intended, "Oh for God sake Romeo will you spit out!"

"I LOVE HER", he shouted back. "I love her okay, and I need, I need her to know that before she goes to Perth", he said his eyes ablaze. He had spent so long bottling up his feelings for fear of hurting Indi. But he couldn't do it anymore. He loved Ruby too much and he couldn't bear the idea of her never knowing how he truly felt about her. Even if he never got the chance to be with her, he just need her to know that no matter what happened, somebody loved her and was willing to wait. He looked back down at the ground and then up again. When he did he noticed Charlie standing looking at him with sympathetic, slightly stunned expression. She scratched her forehead in confusion and the looked at Romeo again as she figured out what she wanted to say.

"If you love Ruby, really love her, then you need to tell her yourself. Because it means nothing coming from me and I don't want to fill Ruby's head with false hope and expectation", Charlie replied. She knew just by looking at Romeo that he was telling the truth. But as a mother, she had a duty to protect her daughter from being hurt, and that's what she intended to do. If Romeo loved Ruby he would tell her himself. But if he didn't, then it wouldn't be fair to tell Ruby something that wasn't true. Romeo looked at her understandingly. He knew she was right. He just wasn't sure if he was strong enough to tell Ruby how much he cared for her. With one last look Charlie turned on her heel and walked away. When Romeo turned around he was spotted by Nicole who was walking towards him.

"Hey, where'd you run off to? Have you been looking for Ruby too?" she asked. Then she noticed the serious look on Romeo's face and she grabbed his hand. Giving it a comforting squeeze as she tried to encourage him to talk to her about whatever it was that was bothering him. He looked her in the eye and decided to ask her advice. After all, she was Ruby's best friend, if anyone would know what he should do about his feelings for her, it would be Nicole. "I need to ask your advice on something. It's really important and I don't have a lot of time to make a decision". Nicole looked at him curiously as they walked back towards the Surf Club.

Standing by the fencing looking out over the beach, Charlie scanned the area. Just as she was preparing to give up and call out a search party, she spotted the familiar purple head scarf in the crowds. The sight of her daughter gazing out to sea, sending a since of relief through Charlie. She should have known where to find Ruby. The beach was her haven. It made sense that this was where she would escape to. Removing her sandals, Charlie made her way down the beach walk towards her daughter.

"There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere", she said as she took a seat next to Ruby in the golden sand. Turning to face her mother Ruby gave her a half hearted smile. "I'm sorry", she replied, "I didn't mean to run off. I just a little overwhelmed seeing everyone. I just needed some time to myself", she said, running her hand through the sand as she picked up a handful and allowed it to slip through her fingers. Charlie watched Ruby's actions. Call it mother's intuition but she could sense that Ruby wasn't as happy as she was letting.

"Rubes are you really alright?" she asked as she placed a comforting arm protectively around her daughters. Ruby looked up at her and then turned back to face the water. She nodded her head and then took her mother's free hand in her own and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Yeah, I'm okay. I guess I'm just trying to get my head around the fact that we're actually leaving in a couple of hours. I'm really going to miss this place, and everybody in it. Especially Nic and Romeo. They've really been there for over the last couple of months".

Charlie nodded at her daughter understandingly. She felt the exact same about leaving. But she knew it wouldn't be for long and that they needed to go. Focusing on the task at hand made it a little bit easier for Charlie to come to terms with leaving Summer Bay behind. Even if it was temporarily. The mention of Romeo made Charlie feel a little uneasy as she thought back to the conversation they had just had. Although for now, she wanted nothing more than for her daughter to focus solely on getting better, deep down she hoped Romeo had it in him to tell Ruby how he really felt. Noticing the contemplative look on Charlie's face Ruby questioned her.

"Charlie, you okay? You seem lost in your own little world there", she said. Realising that she had been quiet, Charlie pulled Ruby closer to her and embraced her tightly. "Yeah I'm fine. Just taking it all in one last time before we go", she said, giving Ruby a small smile and planting a kiss on top of her head. Looking at her watched, she checked the time and began to shift. "Okay, we better get a move on or we'll miss our flight", she said as she stood up and helped gently pull Ruby up onto her feet. Taking one last look at the beach and the sea, the memories they had of their time spent there, they smiled. Clinging to each other, they made their way back to the Surf Club to say one last goodbye before leaving for the airport.

Two hours later, with their bags having been checked in and their tickets in hand, Ruby and Charlie hugged Leah and Irene one last time. "The best of luck darl, and we'll see you soon. I have every faith in it", Irene said as she cupped Ruby's hands in hers. "Yeah, we all do", Leah added as she gave the younger Buckton a kiss on the cheek. Charlie wiped away a tear that had escaped her and placed her arm around her daughter's shoulders. "We'll we better make our way to the departure lounge. We'll call as soon as we land", Charlie said to the women, and with that they waved them goodbye and made their way down the corridor, passing the security gate.

Once they were out of sight Irene and Leah turned on their heel and headed for the exit. Just as they were about to reach the door they saw a frantic looking Romeo and Nicole running towards them. Romeo pushed passed the crowd as he made his way up to the two older women. "Leah, Irene, where are they, have they left?" he asked waiting impatiently for an answer. Nicole finally caught up with him and stopped beside him waiting for them to answer. "Yeah, they just checked in they're heading for the departure gate now. You're a bit late", Leah said.

Looking at the defeated look on Romeo's face, Nicole grabbed his arm and pulled him after her. "Nic, what are you doing, they're already heading for the boarding gate. It's too late", he said trying to dig his heels in as she dragged him towards the security gate. Turning around Nicole stood toe to toe with him. "Look, my best friend is about to board a plane to Perth and we don't know if she's ever going to come back. Now I didn't break about fifteen different road laws for you to chicken out of telling her how you really feel at the last hurdle. Now come on", she said gripping his hand tighter. Realising she was right Romeo started to run towards the security check.

Walking up to the security guard Romeo leaned on the table as he grabbed his attention. "You got a ticket mate?" the guard asked. "No look I just need to get through for a few minutes. There's a girl just after walking through here with her mum and I need to talk to her before she boards that plane, so could you please just let me through?" he asked. The guard put his hand up and shook his head. "Sorry mate no ticket, no way through". Romeo looked at him pleading with the guard to let him through. "Please just give a couple of minutes...", the guard leaned on the table closer to Romeo and cut him off. "I said no". Getting annoyed Nicole stepped up to the guard and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.

"Look mister, my best friend is the girl he wants to talk to. She's leaving for Perth to have a bone marrow transplant and we don't know if it's going to work or even if she's going to survive", Nicole felt herself getting very emotional at the last part of her sentence, but continued on. "Now he needs to see her to tell her that he loves her before it's too late", she said, the determination present in her eyes. Looking between the two teenagers, the guard gave up and allowed them through. "Thank you" Romeo and Nicole said in unison.

Running down the long stretch of corridor, Nicole and Romeo stopped to check the board to see what gate Charlie and Ruby were departing from. After a couple of seconds Nicole spotted it and they continued running. As they brushed passed the rest of the people crowding their way, Romeo felt like he had been running forever, as he became more and more anxious to get to Ruby. Just as he was about to give up he spotted Ruby and Charlie walking towards the gate. Unable to get through the crowd of people, he stood on the waiting chairs and shouted out the name of the girl he sought out.

"RUBY! RUBY!", he called out. Hearing her name Ruby turned and spotted Romeo standing on the chair waving his arms for her to see him. She turned and looked at Charlie who had a smile on her face as she saw Romeo. Charlie turned to Ruby and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Go on, we have a minute before we can board", she said. Ruby took the small backpack off her back and handed it to her mother who placed the straps on her arm. Standing back from the cue she walked halfway up to where Romeo was standing and watched on as Ruby finally made it up to where Romeo was stood.

"Romeo what are you doing? I said I'd call you when I landed in Perth", she said looking up into his big blue eyes. Romeo reached for her hands and cupped them in his own. "What I have to say can't wait. Ruby, I love you. I've always loved you. And I know this terrible timing and I know you probably don't feel the same way. But I couldn't let you leave without knowing how I feel", he finished, waiting for Ruby to respond. Realising that Romeo meant every word he said, Ruby broke out into a huge grin. "I love you too", she said.

When what Ruby had said finally registered with him, Romeo smiled. He leaned down and cupped Ruby's face in his hands as they lost themselves in a passionate kiss. A kiss they hoped would be the first of many. When they pulled apart Romeo placed a chain around Ruby's neck with a heart on it. "I'll wait for you", he said before giving Ruby one last kiss. With that Ruby made her way back over to her mother who had tears in her eyes. As did Nicole who had been watching the whole thing unfold. Ruby looked at the big smile on her mothers face.

"You knew didn't you", she said realising her mother wasn't at all surprised by what had just happened. Charlie nodded her head and took her daughters hand in her own. "I knew how he felt. I knew he had it in him to tell, I'm glad I was right", Charlie said. Smiling up at her mother Ruby had one more question. "Are you okay about me and Romeo?" she asked. Charlie placed a hand on the side of Ruby's cheek. "Rubes, as long as you're happy, I'm happy" she said. With that the two women embraced and then made their way to the gate. Romeo and Nicole watched on until both Ruby and Charlie were out of sight. Romeo smiled as he saw the woman he hoped would be his future, take flight.

[Inactive User]

Great chapter. Loved it I hope it goes well for Ruby and Charlie in Perth Update soon xxx

[lollypop]

Hey, I forgot to mention at the bottom of my post that I'm not sure how much longer this fic will go on. As of now I'm undecided. I may have many chapters left to go, or only a short few. It depends on what path I decide to take this story in and how it will affect the rest of the charcaters i.e. will Ruby live or not? being the main concern.

Anyways thanks for reading.

[lollypop]

Due to certain circumstances, I don't think I will be updating this fic.