Hey all, finally back with another story, there is a knack to it though, I have posted two new stories (the other is called Fresh start take two) but I will be doing them one by one so they don't build up again and become disasters where everyone forgets what's happening. I would like to know which one you all prefare more. The one with the most votes will go ahead regularly while the other will have to wait until one is finished or when I have some time...don't forget to review, and I hope you all enjoy this one.
Charlie sat in her car overlooking the beach in a daze, she still couldn't wrap her head around what had happened. He was there one second then gone the next, looking at the bandage on her upper arm she let a tear escape, this was all her fault.
Wiping her eyes she opened her door and climbed out, clutching something tight in her hand she walked to the rail and looked out over the water, how could her life be turned upside down in a matter of seconds?
Looking down at what she held in her hands she let out a little sob and stumbled into the rail.
"Mum?" Ruby said cautiously from behind her "why are you crying?"
Charlie wiped her face quickly she had forgotten she'd called her and asked her to meet her here. Turning around she looked at the innocent face of her daughter hating the fact she had to turn her life upside down.
Taking a step to her she stroked her cheek "I love you so much Rubes," she sniffed.
"Okay," Ruby said slowly now confused "what's going on? Why did you ask me to meet you here?"
Charlie blew out a breath "today in work we got a tip off for a stash house."
"Okay," Ruby said and leaned on the rail "it didn't go well is that why you're crying?" she asked.
"No it went well," Charlie replied leaning back on the rail beside her "we got everyone but…" she trailed off and closed her eyes "we missed one guy."
"Can't get them all I suppose," Ruby said still wondering why she was here.
"He came out of nowhere," Charlie started "he just started shooting at me."
Ruby noticed her arm "oh my god mum!" she yelled wide eyed "you were shot!"
Charlie looked at her arm and wished this was all she had to worry about "I hadn't got my gun drawn we were heading out when he appeared. I was inside on my own Granddad and Jack were outside and came running in when I yelled out in surprise."
Ruby nodded "so you got him then?"
Charlie blew out a shaky breath "he ducked behind some crates when Granddad and Jack started shooting…he came up behind me and let off a shot, before I knew what was happening Jack was yelling running towards me and granddad jumped on me." She paused and wiped her eyes "no one heard the second shot go off as me and granddad fell to the ground," she whimpered.
Ruby's eyes went wide, her hear rate sped up, she felt sick-now she knew why she was here and why her mother was so upset "I-is he o-okay?" she asked stepping closer to her.
Charlie bit on her lip and looked down at her hands "no," she whispered "baby I'm so sorry," she said and turned to her "granddad didn't make it."
Ruby stared at her not able to form any words just stare.
…
A few minutes later it sunk in and Ruby gasped "mum!" she cried as tears spilled over "please tell me this is a mistake!" she yelled as the tears fell faster.
Charlie let her own tears fall and pulled her into a hug "I'm so sorry sweetie I wish it was."
"Please tell me you're lying!" she sobbed and gripped Charlie tighter.
Charlie looked up to the sky she wished she could take her daughters pain away, her dad was like a dad to Ruby too. He was always there when she needed him, he gave her anything she wanted and watched out for her and protected her like a father should. Pulling Ruby closer she rested her chin on her head and started to rub her back "I'm sorry," she sighed.
After about ten minutes of silence Ruby pulled back "this isn't real," she sniffed "this isn't happening! He's not gone! He cant be," she said walking backwards "he said he'd always be here for me!" she cried.
"Ruby," Charlie said sadly and took a step towards her.
"No!" Ruby yelled backing away from her "you're lying! He's not gone he's not!" she cried and ran off.
Charlie watched her go her heart breaking more than it was before, turning back to the rail she looked down at her dads badge that had been given to her at the hospital along with his other belongings. She couldn't remember what had happened when Sid took her and Jack aside, she just remembered Jack asking a lot of questions before Sid explained and said he was sorry for their loss, then Jack threw his heads behind his head and said he couldn't be there before he took off and she just let him.
"I see you're just as nice with your own family as you are with the rest of us," Brax chuckled and sat on the rail beside her. "I just passed Ruby what did you do to her she was in floods," he chuckled.
Charlie just stared down at the badge sniffing she looked over at him "not now Brax," she said and looked down at her hands again.
"Don't wanna talk today?" he chuckled "you didn't have that problem yesterday."
"Brax please," she said and closed her eyes "not now," she added.
Before Brax could reply his next smart answer Charlie's best friend Hayley came tearing up behind them "oh Charlie," she panted "Martha called me I'm so sorry," she said and pulled her into a hug "I've been looking everywhere for you Sid said you just took off."
"I had to tell Ruby," Charlie muttered.
Brax frowned why did everyone look so upset? "What's going on here?" he asked standing up.
Hayley looked over Charlie "none of your business get lost," she said and wrapped her arm around Charlie's shoulder "come on Charlie let's get you home," she said leading her away.
Charlie looked back at Brax who was watching her go and just gave him a weak smile.
Brax watched her go what the hell was going on? And why the hell did she just smile at me? He asked. Shaking his head he walked off, making his way back to Angelo's he decided to grab a coffee on his way. Walking into the diner he stopped at the few people gathered around the till.
"Terrible," Colleen said sadly "he was such a lovely man and a credit to this town."
Irene sighed "poor Charlie it must have been so scary for her."
"I heard he jumped in front of the bullet to save her," Roo said "I can't imagine how she's feeling knowing her father died for her."
Brax's eyes went wide "Ross is dead?" he blurted out.
Leah came out from the back with her coat on "I'm going to see Charlie and Ruby," she said and walked out from behind the counter.
Brax caught up with her "is what they're saying true?" he asked "is Ross dead?"
Leah nodded "they were at a drug bust, they were wrapping up after loading everyone into a police van. Charlie was inside on her own having one last look around when one guy they'd missed started shooting at her. Ross ran back in with Jack and saw him sneak up behind Charlie with a gun so he pushed her to the ground and took it himself…got him in the heart," she sniffed "he died saving Charlie," she whimpered.
Brax sighed and hung his head "that's terrible," he said and looked at Leah "you tell Charlie Ruby and Jack I'm sorry for their loss and if they need anything to call me."
"Thanks Brax," Leah nodded "I'd say they'll want to hold the wake at Angelo's, Jack or Charlie will be in touch with you at some stage."
Brax nodded and started to walk with her "tell them it's on me, Ross was a great guy."
Leah nodded again and opened her car door "I'll pass it along," she said and climbed in.
Brax watched the car go and sighed "idiot," he said and smacked himself in the head "had to try rile her up today didn't you?" he muttered as he walked back to Angelo's.
When he got there Casey was sitting at a table with Heath "uh, what are you doing here?" he asked.
Casey frowned "I work here," he said raising an eyebrow.
"Shouldn't you be with Ruby?" he asked sitting beside them.
"Nah she's gone to meet Charlie, I'll see her later," Casey replied.
"I think you should go over there now mate she's gonna need you," Brax said and stood up "her granddad was killed today."
"What!" Casey yelled and shot up out of his seat "who told you that?"
"Everyone is talking about it in the diner and I saw Charlie and Ruby before I came here both were upset," Brax answered.
"So Buckton's really snuffed it?" Heath asked as Casey ran out the door.
Brax stared at his brother "you're such a moron don't talk like that around anyone else," he said and walked into his office.
….
Later that day Charlie walked along the beach she'd had so many visitors she couldn't take it anymore. Sinking into the sand she played with the badge she hadn't let go of since it was handed to her at the hospital "oh dad," she sighed "what am I supposed to do now?"
Up in Angelo's Brax was clearing the outside tables looking out towards the beach he spotted Charlie sitting in the sand alone. Walking to the bar he dropped the plates on it "get rid of them Kyle I'll be back in a few minutes," he said and walked out the door.
When he got to where she was he stopped in front of her waiting for her to look up "mind if I sit?" he asked.
Charlie nodded "sure," she said and pulled her knees up to her chest.
Brax sat down beside her "shouldn't you be at home with everyone else?" he asked.
Charlie shrugged "should be," she said and looked over at him "just don't wanna be."
Brax rested his hands on his knees "I'm sorry about earlier I didn't know then."
"It's okay," she replied "no one did, I'd just told Ruby that's why she was crying."
"I'm sorry Charlie," Brax sighed "I can't imagine what you must be feeling now."
"It should have been me," she mumbled "that bullet was for me….I should be dead."
"Don't say that," Brax said scooting closer to her.
"But it should have!" she cried "he came up behind me I didn't see him, my dad jumped at me I didn't know what was happening!" she sobbed.
Brax wrapped his arm around her "you're his daughter Charlie he was protecting you."
"And look where that got him," she sniffed.
"Charlie," he said pulling her closer "you're a parent you'd do the same thing for Ruby."
"I know I would," she mumbled into him "he's gone Brax," she whimpered "my dad is gone because of me."
"It's not your fault Charlie you have to stop blaming yourself your dad wouldn't want that."
"I need a drink," Charlie sighed into him.
Brax pulled away from her and stood up "come on then," he said holding out his hands "I'll take you up to Angelo's."
"No," Charlie replied "I can't take the pity looks or the stares and I defiantly can't take anyone else telling me they're sorry."
"We'll use the fire door you can sit on my office," Brax replied.
Charlie looked up at him "why are you being so nice to me?"
"Because I'm a nice guy," Brax replied and held out his hands again "look you're upset you shouldn't be wandering about on your own. If you come with me I promise I won't mention it you don't even have to talk if you don't want to."
Charlie finally slid her hands into his and let him pull her up "good because I don't wanna talk about it," she said and walked ahead of him.
A few hours later Brax had closed up and went back to his office, he stuck his head in the door "you ready to go home?" he asked walking in and shutting the door behind him.
Charlie looked down at her glass "no," she sighed "I just spoke to my brother I forgot to call him when it happened I wasn't thinking."
Brax frowned "I thought Jack was there."
"He was," she nodded "I have another brother…he's living in Melbourne."
"Didn't know that," Brax replied and sat beside her "is he coming home?"
Charlie sighed "that's what he called for, one of the inspectors called him saying they needed a detective at Yabbie creek…they want him to replace my dad. He thought he was gonna be working with my dad" she scoffed "he's only dead a few hours and they've already given his job away."
Brax sighed "they know you and Jack are gonna be out for a while."
"So is Pete," Charlie replied "did they not know he was my dads son?" she asked angrily "I mean he worked there for years before he moved on."
"Charlie it's almost midnight let me take you home?" he asked.
"No," she said and stood up "I can't go home I can't face any of them…just give me another bottle and I'll sit out on the beach."
Brax shook his head and stood up "I'm not giving you another bottle you've already drank the other one I gave you," he said picking up the empty whiskey bottle "and you're not sitting on the beach alone at this time."
Charlie scoffed "I'm a cop I know everyone I'll be fine."
Brax sighed "if you won't let me take you home let me take you to Hayley or Bianca's?" he asked.
"They're all at mine," she muttered "don't worry about me Brax I'm a big girl," she said pulling the door open.
"Wait!" Brax called and followed her "last option is I take you to my house."
Charlie chuckled "your mum will love that."
"She's not there," he said grabbing her arm and pulling her along "you're going home or you're coming to mine what's it gonna be?"
"Lead the way then," Charlie replied and let him pull her outside.
A few minutes later Charlie frowned as they turned away from his house "you don't live this way," she said looking over at him.
"I do," he said and looked ahead of him.
"Brax I've been to your house like a million times for Ruby where are you taking me?" she asked slightly alarmed.
"I moved out two months ago," he said pulling into an apartment complex "on my own," he added.
Charlie climbed out of the car and followed him "how did I not know this?"
"And what?" he chuckled "have you and your lot at my door every day?" he said as he punched in the code for the gate.
"Shut up," Charlie said and pushed him through the gate.
…
"Wow," Charlie said looking around in surprise "this place is so clean you sure you live here?"
"You have me confused with Heath," Brax said handing her a beer.
Charlie took it from him and walked to the fireplace "pictures and all?" she asked looking back at him.
Brax shrugged "figured I may as well make it feel like home," he said and sat on the sofa.
Charlie looked back at the photos moving along she stopped at a picture of him Casey and Ruby "that's a really nice picture," she said holding it up "Ruby looks really happy around you," she said placing it back down.
"She's a great kid," Brax replied "Charlie come sit down you're making me dizzy," he said watching her walk up and down.
Charlie walked to the sofa and sat at the other end "how come Heath or the other two didn't come with you?"
"Because I told them they weren't," Brax replied.
"Don't you miss them?" she asked.
Brax shrugged "they're here all the time or I'm at mums so no not really."
"I miss Pete," she mumbled and looked down at her bottle "don't get me wrong me and Jack are so close and I love him to bits and he's by far my favourite brother but it's not the same as what me and Pete have-had," she corrected.
"Why did he move away?" Brax asked curiously.
"To be honest he was wasted here," Charlie said "he's such a great detective nothing ever happened here, he wanted to be in a big station where he actually got to do stuff other than help me out."
Brax nodded "how long is he gone?" he asked since he'd arrived he hadn't met him or ever heard about him.
"Remember the night you and your lot came up to Angelo's?" Brax nodded "well that was his leaving party…he'd already left," she giggled "we just partied on in his honour."
"So that's why you were totally wasted with mascara halfway down your face," he chuckled.
"Oh yeah, forgot about that," she giggled and took a sip of her beer.
A while later Brax yawned and stood up "I'm gonna head to bed you can either have the sofa or I can call you a taxi I can't drive you home."
"The sofa?" she asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yes the sofa," he replied "I got a one bed place to avoid Heath having sleepovers before finally moving in….I don't give up my bed for anyone," he said and walked to the linen closet.
"Such a gentleman," Charlie said as he threw blankets at her.
Brax shrugged "you wanna sleep in the be with me go right ahead, but I won't be responsible where my hands or anything else goes," he smirked and walked into his room.
"Eww," she laughed "can I have something to sleep in?" she called in.
Brax threw her one of his shirts and sweatpants "night," he said and closed his door.
Charlie went to the bathroom and changed into the shirt she never could sleep in bottoms. Pulling the door open she jumped back "Jesus Brax!" she yelled "you scared the crap outta me!"
Brax chuckled "I thought you'd be asleep already…nice legs," he said looking her up and down "you actually look hot in my clothes if I do say so."
Charlie blushed and tugged at the shirt "I can't sleep in bottoms…night," she said and walked by him.
"Nice butt too!" he called after her and walked into the bathroom.
Charlie shook her head and looked over at his open bedroom door, smirking she stood up and tiptoed into the room. Pulling up the covers she slid under and lay down flat, pulling them back over she giggled to herself what the hell was she doing…it was the alcohol "yeah the alcohol," she giggled and flattened herself out again when she heard him come out of the bathroom.
"Night!" Brax called as he walked into his room, shutting the door he walked to the bed and climbed in, pulling the covers over him he lay down and rolled onto his side.
Under the cover Charlie bit on her lip as she slowly slid her hand towards him "BOO!" she yelled and grabbed him.
Brax flung back the covers and jumped out of the bed, banging on the lamp he glared at her "what the hell are you doing?" he asked trying to ignore how far the shirt had risen.
Charlie giggled and scooted up to the pillow "you scared me I scared you we're even."
"Right," he said slowly "now get out of my bed."
"Nope," Charlie said and snuggled into the covers "this bed is the most comfortable bed I've ever been in."
"Alright stay there," he said and climbed in beside her.
"What are you doing?" she asked looking over her shoulder.
"My bed," he said and closed his eyes "go asleep or go back to the sofa," he muttered.
Charlie lay her head back down and looked around "this is a nice room," she said a few minutes later.
"Charlie," he muttered "it's dark you can't see anything go to sleep."
"I can see," she replied "and it's nice."
Brax sighed and scooted closer to her leaning up over her he opened his eyes "have I to kick you out?" he asked.
"I'll be good," she giggled.
"Great," he said and dropped down beside her "not another word."
"Yes boss," she giggled "…Brax," she said a few minutes later
"What?" he groaned.
Charlie rolled over and kissed him on the cheek "thanks for looking out for me," she said and lay back down.
"Don't mention it," he said moving closer to her.
"What are you doing?" she giggled as he slid his arm over her and pulled her against him.
"My bed my rules now go to sleep," he said and buried his head in her neck.
….
Charlie lay looking at the ceiling she couldn't sleep, sighing she rolled on her side and wiggled back into Brax.
Brax gripped her hip as she did it again "you keep doing that and things I can't control are gonna start happening."
"Sorry," she said and did it again "I'm just cold and you're warm."
Brax gripped her hip tighter "Charlie," he groaned.
Charlie bit on her lip and lay her head down "sorry I'll stay still."
Brax threw his arm over her and scooted closer to her "you should warm up in no time."
"Thanks," Charlie said and closed her eyes.
A few minutes later Brax groaned again as she started to move opening his eyes he lifted his head up "seriously Charlie once he comes up I can't get him back down."
Charlie rolled to face him "should I take that as a compliment?" she chuckled.
Brax shook his head "well you are pretty hot lying beside me in just a shirt."
"So why haven't you kissed me yet?" she asked.
Brax's eyes snapped open and he shot up "what?" he asked.
"Like you said, I'm here in your bed I'm hot and half naked…why haven't you made a move yet?" she asked.
"I am not making any moves," he chuckled "you're drunk and not to mention everything else going on," he said and lay down.
"Aww come on," she whined "kiss me."
Brax rolled onto his back and looked up at her "I am not kissing you so go to sleep."
Charlie huffed and climbed on top of him "kiss me, it'll help it go away," she giggled.
"With you on top of me?" he asked raisin an eyebrow "I don't know if you know how this kinda thing works but it's not gonna go away."
"Just kiss me already!" she yelled
"Alright!" he yelled back and sat up a bit, kissing her for a few seconds he pulled back "now go to sleep," he said and lay back down.
Charlie rolled off him and lay down, she giggled a few seconds later as he rolled over to her and wrapped his arm around her. Rolling onto her back she looked over at him as he leaned up "still wanna sleep?" she asked.
"No," he said and lowered his head kissing her slowly.
Charlie opened her mouth and let him slip his tongue in, wrapping her arms around his neck she lay back pulling him with her.
Brax moved so he was fully on top of her "you sure you wanna do this?"
Charlie nodded and looked between them "and I think you do too."
Brax lowered his head and claimed her lips again "Brax!" she cried out when he slid her underwear down while trailing kisses along her neck.
"I like the sound of that," he murmured as he got rid of his boxers.
"Oh god!" she yelled out and gripped his shoulders.
Brax moved back to her lips as he started off slow "Charlie," he groaned and dropped his head onto her shoulder as he sped up-this was beyond amazing.
Afterwards they both dropped back against the pillows breathing heavily "my god," Charlie panted.
Brax chuckled and leaned over to kiss her "that was pretty amazing."
Charlie smiled and rolled onto his chest "look, the suns coming up," she said looking out the window.
Brax groaned and brought his arm down around her "you're not gonna make me get up and watch it with you are ya?"
"No," Charlie giggled and snuggled into him "I was gonna say we should get some sleep I have to go home soon."
Brax pulled her closer "night babe," he said dropping a kiss on her head.
Charlie smiled she'd never seen this softer sweeter side to him "night," she yawned and closed her eyes.
A few hours later Brax was shaking her awake "Charlie," he whispered loudly "Charlie come on wake up," he said and shook her again.
"What?" she groaned slapping his hand away.
"There's a guy out in the living room looking for you he said he was your brother," Brax said "get up," he added.
Charlie sat up "my brother?" she frowned.
"Yes, there's your clothes," he said nodding to the chair "he looks pissed so I said I slept on the sofa alright," he said and slipped out of the room.
Charlie scrambled out of the bed and pulled on her clothes, as she got to the living room she saw Brax leaning against the counter "where is he?" she asked pulling on her coat.
Peter stepped out so she could see him "have you any idea how worried we've all been?" he asked.
Charlie looked down at the floor "I needed to get away."
"Fine, but you could have called someone, everyone's been out looking for you, Ruby is going out of her mind!" he yelled and looked at Brax "you should have brought her home."
"Don't blame him," Charlie jumped in "I was drunk he took me here when I wouldn't let him take me home."
Peter sighed heavily "get your stuff together I'll be in the car," he said and walked out the front door.
Brax pushed himself off the counter "you should go," he said picking up her phone from the table.
Charlie looked around "shoes shoes," she said "there they are," she said and picked them up "sorry about him just turning up here."
"How did he know where I lived?" Brax asked.
Charlie shrugged "I told you he was a great detective," she said and kissed him on the cheek "thanks for everything Brax," she said and hurried after him.
Brax stood at the door and watched her run to the parked car and jump in, closing the door he sighed what the hell had he done? He had taken advantage of her yeah she was pushy and wouldn't stop but he should have said no "not so easy to say no to the girl your secretly crazy about," he muttered and dropped onto the sofa.
….
Peter pulled away without a word, ten minutes later he glanced over at her "you okay?" he asked.
"No," Charlie said and looked out the window "I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing."
"So instead you get wasted and sleep with the nearest tool?" he asked "come on Charlie you were raised better than that."
"I didn't sleep with him," she said quickly "he gave me his bed for the night that's all."
Peter scoffed "and those nail marks on his back?" he asked "did he do that to himself?"
"I don't know what he does in his own time," Charlie replied.
"You slept with him and don't try to deny it your neck says it all!" he hissed as he pulled into her drive.
Charlie put her hand over her neck and climbed out "stupid Brax," she muttered remembering when he had bitten her.
"Mum!" Ruby cried and ran at her "I was so worried I called everyone no one knew where you were."
"I'm sorry baby," Charlie said wrapping her arms around her "I just had to get away for a while."
Ruby pulled back "aunt Michelle arrived last night she's in the living room."
Charlie nodded "I'll just get a shower and get changed then I'll be out."
"We need to sort out the funeral Charlie," Jack said appearing in the doorway.
"I know, I can't do it smelling like drink," she said and walked on to her room.
"What?" Jack asked when Peter glared at him.
"Why didn't you check she was with that idiot?" he hissed.
"What idiot?" Jack frowned.
"That guy that owns Angelo's" Peter said.
"Brax?" Jack asked "he's alright he would have looked after her."
"I asked the staff and they said he left with a pretty wasted Charlie, he took advantage of her!" Peter yelled "she was in his bed when I tracked his place down."
"Mum and Brax?" Ruby frowned "are you sure? they never get along."
" I know Brax he wouldn't do that," Jack said.
Peter scoffed "he tried to tell me he slept on the sofa."
"Then he slept on the sofa," Ruby said "trust me Pete, mum and Brax didn't happen and it will never happen."
Peter sighed "just keep him away from her she's not in her right mind she doesn't need him hanging around her."
"Don't come back here and think you can start telling me or Charlie what to do Pete!" Jack hissed.
"I'm looking out for her you idiot!" Peter yelled and shoved him hard "something you should have been doing when she was shot at!"
"So this is my fault!" Jack yelled and shoved him back.
"You weren't looking out for her!" Peter yelled.
"You two give it a rest!" Martha hissed "it's no ones fault! Show some respect."
Peter and Jack stared at one another before Peter walked off.
Charlie sighed as she pulled on clean clothes, standing up she made her to the living room "hey Shell," she said quietly and sat beside her.
"Hey love," Michelle said and wrapped her arm around her shoulder "I'm so sorry sweetie."
"Yeah you too," Charlie replied and leaned into her she never knew why but she'd always found comfort in her aunts arms and never her mother…wherever the hell she may be.
"He died doing what he loved and protecting his most precious thing in life, he would have wanted it that way," Michelle said a minute later.
"I didn't want that," Charlie replied as her eyes filled with tears "it should have been me."
"Do you really think your dad would stand by and let someone hurt you?" Michelle asked.
"He'd still be here," she muttered.
"And you might not be," Michelle said and looked over at Ruby "how do you think she'd feel now if it had been you she was told about yesterday?"
Charlie sighed heavily and looked over at Ruby she seemed to be doing a little better, she knew Casey had a big part in that as he sat beside her holding her hand "like I'm feeling now," she muttered.
"Shall we start?" Elijah asked stepping into the room.
"We may as well," Peter said and sat the other side of Charlie.
"Okay," Elijah said and sat down "it will be at ten am Thursday morning, we need six people to carry him in," he said looking at Peter.
"Me, Jack, Noah, Dan," Peter said and tried to think of two more.
"Casey?" Charlie asked "I know it would mean a lot to Ruby if you were one of them…it would to me too."
Casey nodded "I'll do it."
"You don't have to," Ruby said.
"I know, I want to…Ross was there for me too," he added.
"I know Liam and Bianca aren't together anymore but he did know dad for years," Jack said.
"What about Alf?" Leah asked "he was Ross's best friend."
"Alf it is," Peter said "what's next?" he asked turning back to Elijah.
"Readings," Elijah said "Michelle already said she'd like to do one so did Hayley and Bianca so I need two more people."
"We'll do it," Leah said nodding to herself and Martha.
"Okay, I guess you guys would like to say a few words towards the end?" he asked looking at all three Bucktons.
Charlie nodded "I only have something small so I'll go first."
"Okay, flowers and songs?" Elijah asked.
"We haven't decided that yet but I'll say lilies for flowers," Jack answered.
"Okay," Elijah said and stood up "just come see me when you've decided what songs you'd like and again I'm sorry for your loss," he said and walked out of the room.
Charlie sighed heavily "I'm going for a walk," she said and followed Elijah
"Stay away from that bloke!" Peter called after her.
"Go shove it Pete!" she called back and slammed the door.
…..
Charlie found herself outside the surf club, walking to the fence she looked out at the water her and her dad loved watching the sunset over it it was so beautiful. Sighing heavily she leaned on the fence "this is the last one eh dad?" she asked.
Brax stood watching her from the doors of the surf club, battling with himself he finally gave up and walked over beside her "hey," he said and sat on the fence.
Charlie looked over and smiled quickly "hey," she replied.
"You okay?" he asked.
Charlie nodded and looked down at her hands "Elijah's just left ours…it's all sorted."
Brax slid his hand onto hers and squeezed it "anytime you need me you just call me."
Charlie chuckled "I don't have your number."
"Ruby has it or I can give it to you now," he offered.
Charlie looked over at him "what if I said I needed you now?"
"I'm right here," he replied scooting closer to her.
Charlie leaned into him and rested her chin on his shoulder while she looked out at the water again "I don't know why but I feel okay when I'm around you-I get comfort being around you."
Brax wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back slowly "everyone has their own way of grieving."
Charlie pulled back "what happened last night shouldn't have happened," she said seriously "but I'm glad it did," she smiled "I never knew you could be so sweet," she giggled.
Brax chuckled "don't tell anyone people might actually start to like me."
Charlie pulled away from him and sat on the rail "I was supposed to call you earlier is it okay if we have the wake at Angelo's?"
Brax nodded "I already had it booked in….Leah came by for Pizza before and mentioned it was Thursday."
Charlie nodded "are you gonna go?" she asked.
Brax nodded "Casey asked us all to go to show Ruby some support, but I can be there for you too," he replied.
Charlie looked over at him and smiled quickly "I'd like that," she said and stood up "I better get home before my psycho brother comes looking for me again, did you know he had the nerve to tell me to stay away from you?"
"Me?" Brax chuckled.
"Yeah," she said and looked away "he knows we slept together, no matter how many times I told him we didn't he still went on and on."
Brax chuckled and stood up "he thinks I took advantage of you?"
"Yeah but he's an idiot that thinks he knows everything…don't worry about him," she said and started to walk "I'll be back later with money for the wake."
"I don't want any money Charlie it's on me," he replied walking the other way.
"Thanks Brax!" she called "I'll get your number off Ruby since you so rudely forgot to give it to me!" she giggled and turned around as Brax waved his hand in the air before climbing into his car…how could he make her feel so much better?
A/N and there we have chapter one…how did we like that so far? J
