Sorry I'm such a terrible person I'm supposed to be finishing all my other stories but I've had this for months now even before tell or I will…I couldn't wait anymore-it keeps looking at me , let me know what you think. No more new stories this is it now I promise- promise to finished all my un finished ones.
Charlie groaned and rolled over as tiny hands shook her awake she'd been on night shifts for the last five days, tonight she had finished early "Mummy" Mummy" Mummy!" they yelled excitedly.
Charlie opened her eyes "what Daryl?" she groaned.
"Mummy I starts school today!" he yelled excitedly and jumped up on the bed.
Charlie looked at the clock shaking her head she looked back him "I know baby but not for another three hours, get back into bed."
"Can I get in here?" he asked.
Charlie pulled back the covers "you have to go back asleep," she said as she climbed in beside her.
"I will mummy," he said and snuggled into her.
Another while later she groaned again as bigger hands shook her "mum time to get up," Ruby said softly.
Charlie opened her eyes to find she was alone in the bed "where's Daryl?" she asked.
"He's downstairs dressed and having his breakfast…he came into me about an hour ago," Ruby replied.
"Sorry sweetie he's just so excited," Charlie said and sat up.
"It's okay I know you're tired I don't mind looking after him…I made you breakfast too!" Ruby called as she walked out of the room.
Charlie rolled out of her bed and groaned as her phone rang she frowned when it was the station "Sergeant Buckton," she answered.
"Charlie hey, sorry I know you have a big day," came Watson's voice "but we're all over the place with paperwork here, all the file have somehow been mixed up and we need the full file for the Tenzin case can you come down after you drop Daryl off?"
Charlie sighed she was the boss she had to go "sure I'll be there about nine thirty," she replied
"Thanks and I'm sorry again but you have your system you'll find it faster than us."
"Don't worry about it I'll be there soon, I wasn't doing anything away," she said and hung up "except enjoying a few hours away from my overexcited son," she muttered. Dressing in her uniform she walked down to the kitchen.
"Didn't you just come from work like a few hours ago?" Ruby asked.
Charlie sighed again and sat at the table "yeah but there's a mix up on paperwork I have to go sort it."
Ruby nodded and handed her a cup "I gotta get dressed," she said and walked by her.
Charlie watched her go then turned to look at Daryl she sighed heavily he was every bar of his father…someone she hadn't stopped thinking about- almost five years later he was still on her mind from the time she woke up to the time she crawled back into her bed. She wondered what he was doing now, where he was, would he even remember her? Sighing again she stood up and pushed him to the back of her mind "hey buddy when you're finished we have to get you dressed, we have to go soon."
Daryl shovelled a few spoonsful of cereal in his mouth and jumped off the chair "I done mummy," he mumbled.
Charlie shook her head "you'll choke doing that."
"No I won't," he mumbled again and ran to the stairs "I dress myself!" he yelled excitedly.
Charlie chuckled and walked to the sink with her cup "I'll be up in a minute I left clothes on your bed!" she called after him.
She turned around as the back door opened "hey," her brother Jack greeted and walked in "where is he?" he asked.
"He's up getting dressed," Charlie replied.
Jack nodded and set a bag on the counter "why are you in uniform?"
"I have to go down and sort stuff after I drop Daryl off and you know I can't just come and go, I'll end up there for hours," she replied and walked to the mess Daryl had left on the table.
Jack nodded again "is he excited?"
Charlie scoffed "is he excited?" she laughed "he came into my room at five looking to get ready."
Jack chuckled "yeah he was running around my house like a lunatic last night before Ruby picked him up, it's good he's not nervous."
Charlie rolled her eyes "I know, Martha told me all about it."
"Uncle Jack!" Daryl yelled pounding down the stairs.
"Hey buddy," Jack said and picked him up "you all set for your big day?" he asked setting him on the counter beside the bag.
"Yeah!" he yelled "mummy gots me a buzz bag."
"Nice," Jack chuckled "I got you something too but since mummy already got you a bag you can have it later."
"Can I see it now?" Daryl asked peering at the bag.
"I don't know, mummy what do you think?" Jack asked looking at Charlie.
Charlie chuckled "let him have it you can't do that to him," she said and walked over to them.
"Okay," Jack turned to the bag and picked it up, placing it on the floor he lifted Daryl down "go on mate," he said and stepped back.
Daryl pulled the bag open and pulled out what was inside "mummy!" he shrieked "it's mater! Mater!" he yelled showing her the bag.
"Wow isn't that cool," Charlie smiled.
"Can I use him today?" Daryl asked.
"Sure, we can keep Buzz for the beach," Charlie said.
"I go show Ruby," Daryl said excitedly and ran off.
"Are you going to bring him to dads later before you go out tonight?" Jack asked.
"Yeah," she nodded "he's gonna take him to the movies then Rubes will take over when I go out."
Jack nodded "cool you deserve a few hours to yourself, I better head off I've to be in at half," he said and walked to the door "hope he has a great day and I'll see you down the station!" he called and slipped out the door.
"Bye!" Charlie called after him and walked to the bottom of the stairs "guys come on, Rubes if you wanna see him go in we need to leave now!" she yelled and walked to the door.
Not far away Daryl Braxton sat in his car with his two brothers bickering away, today they were coming to check out Summer bay, a restaurant he was interested in had gone up for sale and he wanted to look around before he went any further. Sighing he couldn't help thinking about her again she was on his mind all day everyday- he lost her number, couldn't remember where she said she lived or even her second name or where she worked, all he knew was her name and the names of the two girls she'd been with. He wondered if she ever thought about him the way he thought about her, if they'd be together now, he was pulled from his thoughts when the car behind beeped "you two shut up!" he hissed and pulled off "I mean it you're not coming into this place with me, go check out the beach or something."
"Brax chill, you never know that hottie could be here," his brother Heath teased he knew what Brax had been going through for the last five years and to be honest he didn't get it, he slept with her he had fun they parted ways end of…like he did with her mate Bianca.
A few minutes later they pulled into a spot in a lot and shut off the engine "this place is upstairs over the surf club, if you're finished before me wait at the car," Brax said and climbed out.
Heath and Casey climbed out "why didn't Kyle come?" Casey asked.
"He has his last exam today," Brax replied and walked on "and you two stay out of trouble… especially you Heath!" he called back and disappeared around a corner.
Heath shook his head "he really needs to get some," he said as he and Casey walked toward the beach.
"So this chick you were going on about back there…is she the chick he has the photo of in his locker?" Casey asked.
"Yeah," Heath nodded "we met them that year me him and Sam went up coast for a few weeks-joined at the hip those two were."
"So how has he no information about her if they were that all over each other?" Casey asked "or why hasn't she?"
"He gave her the address but he copped after she was gone he'd given her the old address and he lost his phone so he took her number instead…Sam puked in the back of the car on the way home all over the paper her number was on he chucked it out the window," Heath chuckled.
Casey shook his head "he must really like her to be still thinking about her."
"Yeah he must," Heath said and walked ahead "too bad he'll never find her!" he called as he walked to the water.
Casey shook his head and caught up with him he felt sorry for his eldest brother he hadn't been himself this girl must be really special.
Brax walked toward the surf club and stopped in his tracks as he spotted a girl with her back to him on the phone in a police uniform she looked so like Charlie, as she went around the corner he wanted to run after her but stopped himself, any girl with long dark hair he hoped was her-he really couldn't stop thinking about her, he even remembered the way she kissed him when her and her mates were heading home, sighing he turned into the surf club and up the stairs.
When he got to the top it was empty "sorry we're not open yet!" a guy called from the bar.
Brax nodded "I know I heard this place was up for sale I wanted to have a look around is the owner about?" he asked.
"Yeah that's me…Angelo Rosetta," he said walking from behind the bar "that was quick," he chuckled "the place only went up yesterday," he said and held out his hand.
"Daryl Braxton," he said and shook it "I've been waiting for something like this to open up, a mate of mine works in the retail place he called me last night."
Angelo nodded "well I can show you around now but anything else will have to wait I'm on my own till midday."
Brax nodded "I'm only here for a look anyway."
"Okay well this is the main area as you can see," Angelo said turning around "I'll show you the kitchen," he said and walked on.
Brax's head snapped towards the stairs when he thought he heard her laugh "get it together Brax," he muttered to himself and followed Angelo.
On the beach Heath frowned at the cop not far away "hey Case see her" he said nodding to her "she looks like the chick he was with…but I don't think it's her."
Casey watched her closely he'd only seen the photo a handful of times "don't you think we should find out for sure?"
"Aww look at that too bad," Heath chuckled as she climbed into her cruiser and pulled away.
Casey shook his head "doesn't it bother you how down he's been?"
"No," he scoffed "he's been a sissy he needs to get over it she wasn't anything special."
"Yeah to you maybe," Casey huffed and walked on.
Back in Angelo's Brax walked back out to the main are "yeah I like what I see, thanks for the tour mate" Brax said and walked to the door "I have your number I'll call later and we can arrange a time to meet again," he said and walked down the stairs.
"Nice to meet you Brax I'll be looking forward to your call!" Angelo called after him.
As he got closer to his car he stopped again when a cruiser drove by him "nah can't be her-I'm not that lucky," he said and walked on cursing himself.
Charlie walked into her office with her juice and sat down after she'd dropped Daryl off she came down and sorted out the mess only for her inspector to arrive and drop a mountain of paperwork for her to finish today. Sighing she pulled her draw open to place her gun in- her hand froze mid-air, putting her gun on the desk she reached in and pulled out the photo it was old and crumpled, flattening it out she picked it up again and smiled, her eyes travelled all over him as he sat behind her with his arms wrapped around her. Smiling as she remembered that day she looked up when someone knocked on her door.
"God that Photo I told you to burn that," Bianca said and walked in, taking it from her she sat on the desk "I've put on at least two stone since that," she chuckled and handed it back "stop pinning over him you know we hate to see you like this," she said and stood up.
Charlie sighed and placed it in the drawer "I can't help it, it's not like I can just walk away and forget Daryl is so like him, anyway, hi and what can I do for you?" she giggled.
"You sent me a message to come down," Bianca frowned.
"Oh right, I did," she nodded "sorry… stuff on my mind," Charlie said and smiled quickly
"Someone you mean," Bianca muttered.
Charlie shook her head "as you can see I am up to my eyes…literally," she said nodding to the pile of paperwork taking over her desk "so I was wondering if you could take Daryl for maybe an hour after school then my dad is gonna take him-I'll pick him up and drop him over."
"Yeah that's no problem I wasn't doing anything anyway my afternoon classes are off on a trip," Bianca replied and stood up "better get some goodies in then…I'll see you about two?" she asked.
"Yeah," Charlie nodded "and thanks B dad should take him about three or before if he can."
"No rush- see ya!" Bianca called on her way out "Buckton," she greeted as Jack walked in.
"Scott," he chuckled and walked to Charlie's office "hey, Pete said he can't meet you he's stuck in traffic on the way back from court."
Charlie shook her head "okay thanks," she said and went back to her paperwork.
Jack saw the drawer open and walked to it, looking in at the photo he sighed "I though we talked about this Charlz," he said and sat on the desk.
"We did," she nodded knowing what he was referring to "this is the only one I have left…and the one in my room," she added and smiled sweetly.
"Charlie you can't keep doing this to yourself you tried everything to find him and nothings turned up his name is probably not even Daryl."
"I know but Daryl is gonna ask about his dad someday and I would like to be able to show him at least one picture and his name is Daryl," Charlie said and stood up "now if you don't mind I'm really busy."
Jack stood up "he already knows about his dad…what we told him and he's seen pictures, you need to let go Charlie," he said and walked out of her office.
Charlie sighed and sat down looking in at the photo she slammed the drawer "damn you Daryl Braxton," she sighed and went back to the file in front of her.
….
Bianca walked out of the diner rummaging in her bag as her phone rang trying to hold a cake and coffee in her free hand. She cursed when someone knocked into her and knocked her bag off her shoulder "moron!" she yelled as they kept walking and bent down to gather her stuff.
Heath stopped and frowned he knew that voice turning around he smiled "Bianca?" he said and walked back to her.
Bianca stood up and put her bag on her shoulder she looked up and her eyes widened "Heath!" she shrieked.
"Yeah," he chuckled "how you keeping?"
"Good, good," she nodded "um what brings you down here?" she asked darting her eyes around like Charlie would appear any second.
"Me and the brothers are down to check out the place," he replied.
Bianca nodded cursing over and over again in her head "is Brax with you?" she blurted out.
"Yeah," Heath chuckled "now you mention Brax is that chick still about-the one he was with?"
Bianca looked down as her phone rang in her hand "I'm sorry I really have to get back to work, it was nice seeing you again…bye!" she called and hurried away.
"May turn into a permanent thing if you're interested!" Heath called after her as she all but ran to her car.
Heath chuckled and walked back towards the beach with drinks for him and Casey "here mate," he said and threw it at him.
"It took you that long to get two bottles of water? I've been standing here for about ten minutes."
Heath chuckled again "ran into someone I knew," he replied.
"Down here?" Casey frowned "who?"
"Bianca," he smirked.
Casey frowned again until he remembered why he knew that name "was Charlie with her?"
"No," he scoffed "she couldn't get away quick enough when I asked, my guess is to tell someone she saw me and maybe Brax is here too."
Casey nodded and saw Brax come up behind him "should we tell him?"
Heath shook his head "nah not yet," he replied "so how did it go?" he asked when Brax stopped beside him.
"Yeah great, I've set up for us to see a woman about renting her house, we meet at three so let's eat," he said and walked on.
"Now do you think we should tell him?" Casey whispered.
"No shut up!" Heath whispered back.
"What are you two bickering about now?" Brax asked
"Nothing," they both said and ran to catch up.
Charlie ran into the school "hey buddy," she smiled when she found Daryl waiting by the door.
"Hey mummy," he said gloomily.
Charlie waved to the teacher to let her know she was taking him "what's wrong baby-did you not have fun today?" she asked as she took his bag from him.
"No," he said "my new friend Brogan asked about my daddy…I told him he was away with surfing and he laughed at me."
Charlie sighed she should have known kids would ask all sorts of questions "well you don't mind Brogan sweetie, your daddy loves you very much, he'll be home as soon as he can," she said as she put him in his seat. She sighed and leaned against the car this was breaking her heart.
Climbing into the car she pulled away thinking about Brax she hoped one day he's get to meet his son, she hated lying to Daryl but what else could she say she couldn't tell him the truth he wouldn't understand.
Pulling up at Bianca's a few minutes later Charlie climbed out and took Daryl from the back "you're gonna hang with B until granddad comes okay?"
"Okay," he nodded "why?"
"Coz mummy has to get back to work," she replied and let herself in "B!" she called and placed him down.
Bianca came running from her bedroom "hey, hi," she panted "hey buddy we're gonna be having cake soon," she rambled.
Charlie raised an eyebrow "have you been drinking already?" she giggled.
"No, just full of beans," Bianca said quickly "hey Dar, why don't you go get one of the cakes April made for you they're on the counter," she looked up at Charlie as he ran off "don't you have to get back?"
Charlie frowned again "seriously why are you so weird?" she giggled "dad will be over soon and thanks again B," she said as she walked to the door "he's a little down some kid asked him about his dad."
"Yep, yep, no worries, like I said I wasn't doing anything…see ya later for drinks! And don't worry I'll cheer him up and take his mind of you know who!" she said and closed the door.
"Hey Dar stay in here okay I gotta do something real quick," Bianca said and ran back to her room. Grabbing her phone she dropped onto the bed "Hayls?" she said "you still there?"
"Yeah where did you go?" Hayley replied.
"Charlie got here…what are we gonna do?" she asked.
"I don't know B what did Heath say?"
"He said they were down to look at the place."
"So they'll check it out then go back home no biggie," Hayley replied.
"Then he said something about it might be a permanent thing!" Bianca hissed.
"Oh," Hayley said "um we're gonna have to find a way to keep her from him."
"How?" Bianca asked.
"Jack!" Hayley yelled "we tell Jack, he knows what they look like, he works with her he'll be able to watch her there and we can watch her at home."
"Genius, he'll keep tabs on her- hope she doesn't run into him first" Bianca whispered and stood up "gotta go Dar is coming see ya later," she said and hung up.
…..
Brax Heath and Casey were standing outside a house waiting for the owner to arrive and show them around. Heath shot Casey a look and looked at Brax "so I ran into Bianca earlier," he said casually.
Brax's head snapped to him "did she say anything about Charlie-is she around here too?" he asked.
"No she just said hello it was nice to see me again and the usual crap, but I did ask after Charlie but her phone rang and she had to take off I didn't get an answer," Heath replied.
Brax nodded he couldn't help the smidge of excitement that was coming to the surface "where did you see her?"
"Outside that diner place you know where we had lunch?" Heath replied.
Brax nodded again "did you see Hayley?" he asked hoping that if both her mates were here she was too.
"Nope just her," Heath said and looked towards the drive as a car pulled in "here's your woman now," he said and looked over at her as she walked towards them.
"Hey guys sorry to keep you waiting I'm Roo," she said and walked up to them "let's get you inside," she said and opened the door.
"That's alright we're not here that long," Brax said and followed her "I'm Brax and these are my brothers Heath and Casey."
Roo nodded and smiled at them "will it just be the three of you or any girlfriend's wives maybe?" she asked.
"No just us and another brother," Brax replied.
"Right," Roo nodded "okay so this is the living room Tv and everything comes with it…in here we have the kitchen, in there are the bedrooms and the bathroom… you can go look around and come back to me," she said and sat on the sofa.
Brax and Heath walked into the kitchen while Casey looked around the bedrooms. A few minutes later they all met back in the living room "we'll take it," Brax said.
"Great," Roo said and stood up "a month upfront and a month deposit I'll call you to arrange the keys and…sorry," she said and rummaged in her bag as her phone rang "it's my dad, one sec," she said and answered "dad?" she listened and sighed "well I can't do anything about that call Charlie," she said.
Brax snapped his head to her at the mention of Charlie's name he moved closer and listened again.
"No dad they won't listen to me remember, call Charlie she'll run them they'll see the cruiser and run they know not to mess with her once she's in uniform," Roo tutted "dad I'm viewing the house just call Charlie," she said and hung up "sorry about that," she said and walked back to them.
"Everything alright?" Brax asked.
"Yeah, yeah," Roo nodded "we own the caravan park and there are a few kids we'd love to strangle, they keep knocking the water off with their ball- not to worry the Sergeant here is actually a family friend she'll sort them."
"Charlie?" Heath asked.
Roo nodded "yeah…you know Charlie?" she asked with a smile "very nice girl."
Heath nodded "she is and I don't really know her I know her mate Bianca," he said shooting a look at Brax who was listening with great interest.
"Ah Bianca," Roo nodded again "she's another one- there's five of them joined at the hip that lot," she chuckled "there's Charlie, Bianca, Hayley, my daughter Martha and Leah…anyway I'm babbling as I was saying I'll call you later to come get the keys, months deposit month upfront- and I think that's us," she said and walked back to the door "sorry for the rush I'm on my lunch break, if you have any more questions you can call me or just drop into the diner-bye boys!" she called as she hurried to her car.
Casey turned to Brax "did you here that Brax, she's here," he said excited for his brother.
Brax smiled "yeah I heard," he said and walked to his car "I think it's time we celebrated."
"There's the Brax we know and love," Heath chuckled and climbed in beside him.
Later that evening Charlie yawned as she opened her front door and carried a sleeping Daryl in her arms "Rubes!" she called.
"Yeah!" Ruby called back from upstairs.
Charlie walked up and stopped at her door "can you go in and pull his covers back for me?" she asked.
"Sure mum," Ruby said and climbed off her bed. After Charlie had placed Daryl in his bed she walked back out with Ruby "are you still going out?"
"Yeah," Charlie nodded "are you still okay to mind him?"
"Yeah," Ruby nodded "April is on her way with pizza you don't worry about a thing and go have some fun."
Charlie chuckled "I'm gonna go asleep for a bit first or I won't last an hour," she said and walked into her room "call me if he wakes up he's been thinking about his dad again," she said and shut her door.
…..
By now Charlie was awake and just out of her shower she dried herself off and threw on bottoms, walking down to the kitchen she smiled as she passed the sofa Ruby April and Daryl sat glued to the Cars movie. Chuckling she poured herself a glass of wine and walked back to them "guys I'm gonna start getting ready I'll be upstairs," she said and walked to the stairs she looked back and chuckled as not one of them acknowledged her presence.
Going to her room she put her glass down and walked to her wardrobe and pulled it open she still had no clue what she was going to wear. Pulling out a yellow dress she smiled she hadn't worn that since she went on her date with him five years ago, she was surprised she still had it… now to see if she still fit into it. Pulling off her bottoms and top she pulled it over her head and looked at herself in the mirror smiling again when it hugged her in all the right place and showed of her slim body. Going to the bed she sat down to see if she could still breath "this is the one," she giggled and picked up her glass she had a spare few minutes since she decided straight away what she was wearing.
…..
Half an hour later her Hayley Bianca Martha and Leah headed through the doors of Angelo's- Bianca stopping at the three guys at the bar "damn it," she muttered and turned to Hayley "take her to the tables outside and make sure she has her back to the rest of the place," she whispered and walked off "I'll get the first round!" she called.
Heath looked up as a white dress caught his eye he stood up when he copped it was Bianca, he looked down at Brax who sat looking into his drink then back to her "hey Bianca!" he called.
Bianca looked over at them and smiled "hey," she replied and turned her attention back to Angelo.
"Charlie with you?" Brax blurted out.
"No," Bianca shook her head "I'm with friends from work," she said and picked up the tray Angelo slid to her "see ya," she said and started to walk.
"Hey wait!" Heath called and walked over to her "when you do see Charlie will you please tell her he's been moping and pinning after her since she drove off that day."
Bianca scoffed "she wrote to him, she waited for him to call I won't be telling her anything."
"Yeah," Heath said slowly "that's kinda my fault he didn't call…I gave Sam a shot of vodka in the car and he puked on the seat and threw whatever he hit out the window…her number being one of them."
Bianca nodded "okay but why didn't he reply to her letters?"
"Mum moved a week before we went away he forgot, he went back to the house a few times but it had been burned out so the mail had been directed back to the mail place and probably thrown out," Heath replied "so can he have her number?" he asked.
"Nope," Bianca said and walked off "what's the point when he won't be around?"
Casey who had been listening stood up "we're moving here next week Brax has just bought this place…well he will have when he meets the owner tomorrow."
"Why are you all talking about him like he's not here?" Bianca asked and walked back to him "what have you to say for yourself?" she asked Brax.
Brax looked up at her "just tell Charlie I'm sorry I did try and if she wants to talk to me and let me explain here's my number," he said writing it on a napkin and handing it to her.
"So you won't lose your phone forget where you live anything like that?" Bianca asked as she took it from him.
Brax smiled quickly "just tell her I never stopped thinking about her," he said and turned back to his drink.
Bianca looked at Heath "he's telling the truth still takes it out on Sam for losing her number," he said.
"Not making any promises!" Bianca called as she walked away in two minds what to do...they could be making it all or he could be telling the truth.
"Well that went well," Heath said and sat back down "at least you know she's here and you're gonna be here for good mate," he said and slapped Brax on the shoulder.
A few hour later Bianca and Hayley had managed to keep them from seeing one another, Charlie stood up "I'm gonna go call Jack and see can he bring us home," she said and grabbed her phone Leah and Martha had gone on to a club- the rest weren't in the mood.
"I'll come," Hayley offered and jumped up off her seat.
"I'll be fine," Charlie chuckled "back in a sec," she said and went down the stairs.
Hayley and Bianca's eyes went wide when Brax walked out of the bathrooms and looked over he smiled and kept walking "that was close, how about we wait outside for Jack?" Bianca asked.
"Finish these then we'll go she'll be on the phone for a few minutes," Hayley replied.
Outside Charlie giggled "thanks Jacky I love ya see ya in a minute," she said and hung up. Walking back in to get Bianca and Hayley she took a few steps and jumped when a guy knocked into her "walk much?" she yelled after him-her eyes going wide when he turned back to her.
The guy was Heath his eyes wide too "Charlie?" he said walking back to her "man am I glad to see you," he chuckled "guess who…" he trailed off when he heard his name being called.
"Heath what are you doing Case wants to….Charlie?" Brax gasped looking at her in shock.
Charlie looked at him in shock too her heart was hammering against her chest, she looked back at the door as Jack's car pulled up, she looked at Brax then the car again before she took a step down and took off.
"Charlie wait!" Brax yelled and ran after her.
Charlie jumped into the car "go please Jack just go!" she cried.
"What happened?" he asked she had been fine a minute ago.
"Just drive the fucking car!" she screamed.
Jack started to drive away and looked in his mirror to see some guy running after the car then stop and walk back to Angelo's "okay who was that?" he asked.
Charlie wiped her face "that was Daryl's dad," she sniffed she still couldn't believe it was him that he was actually here. She looked over at Jack as he slammed on the brake and started to reverse "what are you doing?" she yelled.
"Charlie you've wanted this so much you can't run away from it now, go talk to the guy," he said and stopped at the door "I'll get the other two," he said and climbed out. Walking to her side he opened the door "just talk to him you don't have to tell him about Daryl tonight just talk," he said and stepped back.
Charlie climbed out and followed him inside she stopped at the door and stared at him sitting at the bar with his head hung "go on," Jack said and walked over to Hayley and Bianca who were watching wide eyed now joined by Heath and Casey who thought they'd leave Brax alone.
Charlie slowly walked up to the bar and slid onto the stool beside him. Brax looked up and did a double take "you came back," he said.
Charlie nodded and smiled at Angelo as he slid her a glass of wine and walked off "yeah," she said and picked it up.
"I'm sorry," he said after a few minutes "you have to believe if there was any way I could have gotten in touch with you I would have."
"I wrote to the address you gave me a few times even called out to the house," she replied.
Brax nodded "so you saw what state it was in?" Charlie nodded. Brax turned to face her "I'm so sorry Charlie, mum moved the week before we went I was wasted and wasn't thinking when I gave it to you- then Sam went and threw your number away after her threw up on it…I was still looking for you right up until I saw you at the door there, I never stopped thinking about you."
Charlie sighed heavily "so what are you doing down here?"
"Hopefully buying this place," he said nodding around "I've just rented a house off a woman so I am sticking around for good…maybe one day we can have that date?"
Charlie looked behind her as Jack called her, she stood up and placed her glass on the bar grabbing a pen from behind the bar she threw it beside him and pointed to a napkin "number," she said and grabbed another one for her own number. Scribbling it down she shoved it into his pocket "don't lose it," she said and took his from him.
"I won't-not this time," Brax replied and took it out of his pocket "you wore that dress up coast," he said looking her up and down.
Charlie smiled-he remembered…only for she had photo's she wouldn't even remember she had it on "yeah I did," she smiled again.
"Come one Charlz!" Jack called.
"Boyfriend, husband?" Brax asked.
Charlie smiled and grabbed her bag "night Brax," she said and walked off.
Brax watched her go he sighed as the guy wrapped his arm around her and led her outside "of course she'd be taken," he said and turned back to the bar, he had left it too long. Shaking his head he stood up, clutching her number he walked through Angelo's feeling worse than he did before he found her.
…..
When Charlie walked in her door she turned to close it and jumped when Hayley and Bianca followed "guys I'm fine…honestly."
"We know you are," Hayley said and sat down kicking off her shoes,
"We're staying anyway," Bianca said and walked by her "mind if we steal some pjs?" she asked already halfway up the stairs.
Charlie shook her head and looked towards the door as Jack walked in "not you too," she groaned "I'm fine," she huffed.
Jack held up her bag "I was going to say you forgot this and we'll talk tomorrow," he said and placed it on the counter.
Charlie sighed "sorry my head is all over the place."
"It's bound to be," Jack said and dropped a kiss on her forehead "I'll see ya tomorrow- night Hayls," he said and walked out the back door.
"So how did it feel seeing him again?" Hayley asked cautiously.
Charlie sighed and sat down beside her "apart from my heart wanting to explode I don't know…it was like my body went into shock and all I could think to do was run."
"And the feelings?" Bianca asked dropping into a seat beside them flinging them both pyjamas.
Charlie shrugged "still there-still very strong, it was like electricity was bouncing off me when I sat beside him."
Hayley and Bianca smiled at one another "so what happens now…are you gonna tell him about Dar?" Hayley asked.
Charlie nodded "he's buying Angelo's –he's sticking around he should know about him."
"Don't push yourself Charlz," Bianca said "this is hard for you don't rush into anything."
"Yeah," Hayley agreed "don't take this the wrong way but you don't know him Charlie-I mean you spent a few days with him you don't know what he's really like."
Charlie nodded and stood up "I know I don't and don't worry my son comes first, I will be finding everything out about Daryl Braxton before he even gets within two feet of my son…I'm gonna go change," she said and walked off.
Hayley and Bianca looked at one another "well at least she's making sense," Bianca said.
Hayley sighed "I just hope he does stick around," she said and stood up "night cap?" she asked walking to the coffee pot.
"Sure why not we still have a lot of talking to do…so what are you gonna do if Sam shows up?" Bianca asked.
Hayley scoffed and held up her hand "married now," she said and turned to face her "what are you gonna do about Heath now he's gonna be around too?"
Bianca shrugged "nothing, we had our fun that's all it was…holiday romance," she smiled and took the cup from her.
"We'll see," Hayley said and sat back down.
…..
Over at the caravan park where the boys had managed to secure a van they all sat at the small table area looking at Brax "so uh what happens now?" Casey asked cautiously, he and Heath had stayed on a while after he left to let him cool down.
Brax sighed and sat back "I don't know, she gave me her number and took mine so I guess I'll wait for her to make the first move."
Heath nodded "that'll be best mate-gives her time to get her head around it, she looked like she'd seen a ghost before she took off."
"Yeah she'll get in touch once she's had time," Casey added.
Brax chuckled "she hasn't changed-not one bit," he smiled.
Heath couldn't help the smile that crossed his face he was happy for his brother he just hoped this chick didn't screw with his head "and she's a cop," he chuckled.
Brax scoffed "I know I saw her this morning and had to stop myself running after her saying it was my mind playing tricks on me."
Casey chuckled "at least you know where she lives now and what she works at."
Brax chuckled "yeah mate, I think I'm gonna like it here once we settle in."
Casey looked over at Brax again "so we're still going home tomorrow…Kyle called a few times wondering where we were."
Brax nodded " I forgot to call him, after I see Angelo and get the keys from Roo yeah we're going home- but to pack up, I wanna be back down here as soon as possible-you lot can stay up there if you want."
Heath scoffed and stood up "I'm with ya bro nothing keeping me there," he said and walked to one of the pull out beds "get some sleep we're hitting the waves at dawn," he said and lay down.
Casey stood up "we'll all be coming…do you want the other bed?" he asked.
"Nah mate I'm fine here, you take it," Brax replied.
Casey nodded but didn't move for a minute "I'm glad you found her Brax," he said and walked over to the bed.
"Yeah mate me too," Brax replied "let's just hope I'm not making an idiot of myself," he muttered and lay back on the makeshift bed.
"I just thought of something," Heath said and sat up "who was that guy she left with?"
"Heath!" Casey hissed wide eyed.
"What? I'm just asking, it's not like he didn't see her leave with him too…forget it," he said and lay back down.
Brax sighed heavily and dropped his head "I can't expect her to wait around for me all her life, if she's moved on I'll have to deal with it," even the thought of that made his heart crumble.
"So you'll be able to stay on here and watch her with another bloke?" Heath asked.
"Jesus Heath!" Casey yelled shocked at how stupid his brother actually was.
"What?" he asked again "simple question because if I was that crazy about a girl I know I couldn't."
"But do you have to bring this all up now?" Casey yelled "he's only just found her again let him have his time."
"Alright alright…sorry mate forget I opened my mouth," Heath said.
Brax sighed again that was a question, after he's spent so much time on her- thinking about her- looking for her, what would he do if she had another bloke? Guess we'll find out he said to himself and lay down unaware his son slept two blocks away dreaming about him.