This is a fanfic about the family Braxton and the dynamics between them. I hope you will like it, please review.

Cheryl Braxton was alone her big house, again. With Brax and Casey moving out and Heath never at home, she felt lonely. She decided it was time to bring her family back together, so she called Casey. 'Hey Case' she started the conversation, 'what are you doing tonight?'. 'Just some studying, nothing major, why mum? Is everything okay?' Casey answered a little worried. 'Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, but why don't you come over tonight for dinner?' Cheryl asked. Casey was surprised by his mother's invitation and asked her 'Is there a special reason?'. 'No, no, I just want my boys together tonight, I'm sure you can find some spare time for your mother, after all the things I did for you in the past' Cheryl said, slightly blackmailing Casey into coming. 'So Brax and Heath are also coming?' Casey replied, not giving into his mother's attempt to make him feel guilty just yet. 'I still need to ask them, but I am sure it won't be a problem… It is not like Heath has something better to do and Darryl… he can leave that bloody restaurant to someone else for the night, so come on Casey… I will roast some beef, you like that don't you?' Cheryl attempted one last time. 'I'll come on one condition' Casey said 'Can Ruby come? She is my girlfriend after all'. Cheryl was glad Casey was coming and although she couldn't care less about Ruby, she knew Casey wasn't going to come without his precious drama queen, so she said 'Sure, bring her along, the more the merrier'.

'That went well' Cheryl thought to herself. 'Who were you talking to?' Heath asked coming into the house. 'Now where have you been?' Cheryl asked, 'I've been worried sick about you, you haven't come home in three days!'. 'Actually, four' Heath replied 'but you probably didn't notice the first day considering you were busy spending your last paycheck'. 'Well, I needed the distraction, you don't know how hard it is to raise three kids on your own' Cheryl defended herself. 'Mum, your youngest is 17 and he doesn't even live here anymore… Who are you raising?' Heath asked in his usual cheeky way. 'The fact remains that I was terrified something happened to you, you need to make up for that!' Cheryl said to turn this conversation back into her advantage. 'Okay, what can I do for you? I don't have any money to spend on the pokies, you know' Heath sighed. 'I don't need money' Cheryl replied, trying to sound offended 'I want you to come home for dinner tonight, Casey and Darryl are also coming'. 'Wait, is that all?' Heath asked 'Free meal, I would be crazy to say no, okay, count me in'. 'But now I need to go, Tegan finally agreed to let me see my daughter' Heath replied, already making his way out of the house. 'Yeah, yeah, don't forget tonight' Cheryl yelled, hoping Heath could still hear what she said.

'Now Darryl' Cheryl said. She dialed her oldest son's phone number and luckily Brax answered quickly. 'Why are you calling mum?' Brax asked in a rather concerned way. 'I want you to come to dinner tonight, Heath and Casey are coming as well' Cheryl came to the point straight away. 'Oh can't we do that another time?' Bras asked 'The restaurant is packed tonight and two of my waiters called in sick'. Cheryl knew her son was lying so she used more pressure in her voice and said 'You are coming Darryl, end of discussion, make sure you are here at seven!'. Satisfied, Cheryl disconnected the line, she knew Brax would do anything for her… so he would surely show up tonight.

At 7 PM in the Braxton house

'Oh Casey, there you are. Come in, hi Ruby… nice to see you' Cheryl said in her friendliest voice. 'So how have you been? Are you eating well? You look so skinny, you should come over more for dinner, at least then I will know you are eating well' Cheryl continued. 'Yeah, like you fed me in the past, no thank you mum' Casey replied, slightly worried why his mother was nice all of a sudden. Casey and Ruby were standing there really uncomfortable when they heard someone come in through the back door. It was Brax, Cheryl welcomed him with a quick hug and put on the same friendly (almost motherly) face as she did with Casey and Ruby. 'What is up with her?' Casey asked his oldest brother. 'I have no idea but it doesn't look promising' Brax replied. 'You boys, and my beautiful daughter in law of course, want a drink?' Cheryl acted 'Why don't you serve yourselves aye, I will check the oven'. Brax, Casey and Ruby were stunned and didn't know how to act. They heard a noise coming from outside, 'That must be Heath' Cheryl said as she checked if the beef was ready. 'Hi everyone' a female voice said in a rather playful way. 'What the hell are you doing here, Tegan' Cheryl said as she fell out of her roll. 'Well, this is a family gathering and considering my daughter is your granddaughter, I thought I would join you' Tegan smiled. 'Hey Darcy, is that a painting you have there, why don't you show it to me?' Brax intervened, knowing things could get ugly between the two women and desperately wanting Darcy not to be caught in the middle. 'You are no part of my family, missy! Your daughter is very welcome, but a lying, manipulative, sleazy skank like you… has no right to be here!' Cheryl yelled. 'If I had known the dinner was for the extended family, I would have invited Brax' girlfriend!' Heath said, definitely making an entrance for himself. 'What did you say?' Cheryl said trying to sound calm 'Girlfriend, what girlfriend?'. 'Heath is just joking mum, no big deal, don't stress' Brax answered, looking at Heath with eyes that could kill. 'Argh! Everyone sit down, and you' Cherly yelled, pointing at Tegan 'you get out of here, no one wants you here'. 'Calm down mum, she is Darcy's mother, Darcy wants her here… I am sure you have enough food for one more, besides I thought you two were friends ' Heath said, trying to reason with his mother. 'Oh you son of a bitch, are teaming up with her against me? Is that it aye? Screw her!' Cheryl yelled and ran off to blow off some steam. 'He has done that' Casey thought to himself, looking at Darcy…