AUTHOR'S NOTE:

So, so sorry for the long wait, thank you all for your patience, especially to those that have been waiting for this story. A lot has happened so far this year, but I've worked extremely hard to get this up and it became longer than I thought!

Thank you to the wonderful BluePeacocke, who inspired the idea for one of the chapters and the wonderful Bella Lilac also for chapter ideas and Casey's name ideas. :)

I wanted to make this as average as possible and show Cheryl as a typical struggling Mum. I hope you all enjoy reading this story and that it doesn't disappoint. Again, so sorry for the long wait.

Feedback is always highly appreciated. Thank you. :)


Chapter 1 - Reflections of birth

Brax 12 years difference, Heath 7 1/2 years difference, Kyle 3 years difference (Kyle does not appear until far later in the story; sorry Kyle fans)

Brax picked up the dirt on his little brother's grave and tossed it back on the ground. It had only been two weeks since Casey Braxton had been killed when he had become involved in Jake Pirovic's scam with Andy, and Brax still didn't know how to deal. In all honesty he wasn't even sure if he ever would.

Casey's death had hit everyone in the Summer Bay community hard, including his other brothers: Heath and Kyle, and of course his girlfriend Denny.

As Brax sat down next to Casey's grave, all he could think about was Casey's life and how unfair it had been that such a young life had been ripped away early before it's time.

Brax would always remember the day his baby brother was born and every moment of Casey's life for as long as he lived: because Casey meant more to him than life itself. Brax got lost in a daze as he went back to the day everything started...

January 23rd 1995 –

It was a scorching Summer's day, and only a few more days before Heath and Brax had to return to school; much to the displeasure of both. Cheryl was heavily pregnant and due any day now.

Cheryl breathed heavily as she sat on the couch.

"How's me woman?" Danny Braxton asked, with very little feeling.

"Augh, just wishing this baby would hurry up and pop out already! Danny, get me an icepack would ya; this bloody heat is driving me mad!" Cheryl complained, while Danny grunted.

Meanwhile seven and a half year old Heath ran into the bedroom he shared with his twelve year old brother Brax.

"Brax, can we play football in the yard?" Heath asked.

Brax smiled at his younger brother. "Sure mate. Go grab it yeah?"

Heath nodded and ran off to grab the football. Brax was on his way to the yard when Danny called for him.

"Darryl, get ya mother an icepack will ya, I'm busy, and she's getting hot!"

Brax stared at his father slouched on an armchair with a beer but didn't dare say that he wasn't doing nothing. Brax grabbed the icepack and handed it to his mother.

"Heath and I are gonna play outside for a while," he informed.

"That's nice Darryl," Cheryl groaned, closing her eyes.

Danny just watched as Brax went out into the front yard.

"Pass it here Heath!" Brax yelled as he ran around the yard.

Heath tossed the ball but running as he did so, made him toss it too hard and completely miss Brax's direction. The ball flew high in the air and straight through the front window with a loud smash!

"Hey!" Cheryl yelled, followed by another loud yell from Danny.

"What the bloody hell was that?!"

Brax stared wide-eyed and both he and Heath began to panic.

"Heath, get over here now!" Brax ordered and waved at his younger brother.

Brax sensed by the sound of his father's yell and having broken a window in the house, knew they were in big trouble. Brax held Heath close as they heard heavy footsteps approach the door and seconds later the front door burst open.

"Who the bloody hell is responsible for this?!" Danny bellowed holding up the football that had gone through the window.

Brax held Heath protectively.

"Dad...it was an accident," Brax spoke out as confidently as he could; looking up at the tall large man in front of them.

"Did I ask you for an explanation Darryl? No. I asked who put this football through the damn front window and I had better get an answer soon before I make you both sorry you were ever born!" Danny yelled louder.

Danny's shout made Heath jump and start to cry. "I'm sorry Dad," Heath whispered.

Brax gasped as Heath admitted he was responsible for the accident. Danny lunged at his boys, throwing the football on the ground and grabbed Brax and Heath by the scruff of their neck.

"Get inside: Now!" Danny yelled and dragged his two terrified boys into their bedroom before he released them roughly.

Heath fell onto the bed and was sobbing while Brax tried his hardest to stay strong and protect his brother. Danny loosened his belt and took it off.

"Dad, we didn't mean it. We'll be more careful next time: we promise. Please Dad; don't do this!" Brax begged and quickly jumped in front of Heath.

"Dad please, I'll take Heath's share," Brax pleaded, doing everything he could to protect Heath from feeling their father's wrath.

Danny glared at Brax and shoved him out of the way. "Don't you worry you'll be getting your share Darryl!"

Heath shook, waiting for his father to approach him then he felt a harsh pain across his shoulders where Danny landed the first whack of the belt.

"Stop crying! I barely even started on ya yet! You boys had better learn from this!"

Brax couldn't do anything other than watch in horror as Danny belted his younger brother a few more times over his legs and backside. Heath curled up on the bed crying and Danny advanced towards Brax and sharply smacked him across the face.

"You learn to be more responsible for ya brother!" Danny spat.

Brax held his face, remaining as strong as a twelve year old boy could be, but soon crumbled when Danny landed the belt down hard across his left shoulder. Brax cowered at the pain and Danny threw him on the bed, belting him hard over his legs, upper back, and backside. After a few more hits Danny glared at his sons.

"Let that be a lesson to you!" Danny then stormed out of the room.

Brax ignored any pain over his body and pushed himself up from the bed, scooting over to his younger brother and gently putting an arm around his back.

"Hey, I'm here mate. Are you okay?"

"I didn't mean to break the window," Heath sobbed.

"I know mate, it was just an accident," Brax soothed.

Heath sat up and hugged Brax. "It hurts," he whimpered.

"I know but don't worry 'bout it okay because you'll always have me."

The boys heard the front door slam and Brax raced across the hall to look out the window from his parent's room and saw his Dad take off.

"Darryl!" Cheryl shouted from the living room.

Brax ran out to his Mum with Heath slowly following behind. "Mum, are you okay?"

Cheryl noticed the bruise forming on Brax's cheek and waved her two boys over.

"You boys shouldn't have angered your father like that, you know how he gets. He's stormed off to the pub now," Cheryl groaned and pulled each of them down to gently kiss their cheek.

"Ah!" Cheryl screamed gripping her stomach.

"Mum?" Heath asked with worry.

"Mum what's wrong? Is it the baby?" Brax asked.

"Darryl: get me some towels and call for help," Brax looked confused.

"Now!" Cheryl shouted.

Brax looked down and saw liquid surrounding his mother's legs and panicked; she was about to have the baby.

"Heath go to our room, mate," Heath looked on confused, "Why?"

"Just do it!" Brax yelled and shoved Heath in the direction of their room as he gathered up towels, handing them to his mother.

Brax got on the phone to the ambulance. "They said they won't get here for another forty-five minutes."

"Ah! I can't wait that long!" Brax watched Cheryl groan and push.

Brax saw Heath stand in the hallway. "Heath, I told you to stay in our room,"

"Sorry Brax, I heard yelling," Heath whispered.

"Its okay mate; just do as I ask."

Cheryl gave a final groan and push and Brax then heard the small cries of the new baby. Cheryl shifted.

"Darryl, grab me the forceps from the kitchen and run them under boiling water before you bring them here!"

Brax quickly did as he was told, seeing the baby on the couch. Cheryl clamped the umbilical cord and broke off the excess, pulling her newborn baby into her arms. Cheryl flopped down exhausted and stared up at Brax.

"You have a little baby brother," she announced and Brax smiled.

There was a knock on the door and Brax went to answer. "Is there someone in labor son?"

"My Mum was but she's had the baby now," Brax answered the paramedic.

The ambulance rushed in seeing as Cheryl had already given birth. They gave both her and the new baby a check, then were on their way again. Cheryl groaned.

"Where the bloody hell is your father?"

"Can I help with anything Mum?" Brax asked staring down at Cheryl and the baby.

"No Darryl, you've done enough. Thank you."

Brax quickly ran to his room and grabbed Heath. "Come on Heath. Mum's had the baby! We have a brother!"

Brax pulled Heath into the living room to see his new brother. Heath furrowed his eyebrows looking at the tiny thing in his mother's arms.

"Gross! He's all wet and ugly!" Heath stated.

"Heath Braxton: Don't you dare say that about your little brother!" Cheryl scolded.

Heath went silent. "But he doesn't look like us and he's all squishy and wet," Heath mumbled.

"Heath Braxton, not one more nasty word about your baby brother or you can spend the afternoon confined to your room," Cheryl managed to get out.

Heath pouted, "I was just saying."

Brax wrapped his arm around Heath's shoulder. "He doesn't look like us yet mate because he's only a newborn and it takes babies a while to grow and look like us."

"Sorry Mum," Heath apologized. Cheryl gave Heath a smile.

"What are you gonna call him?" Brax asked.

"Your father and I haven't really talked much on a name yet; any ideas boys?"

Brax studied the small boy. "How about: Casey?" Brax suggested.

"Yeah I like that name too," Heath added.

Cheryl smiled at his two oldest boys. "Casey it is. Casey Braxton," Cheryl sighed and lay down against the couch exhausted.

Heath looked down at the water near his mother's legs. "Did you not have time to go the toilet Mum?" he innocently stated.

Brax's eyes widened. "Heath, don't say that, and don't you look at that either!" Brax said firmly. "Go on back to our room; you can play some video games."

"Will you come play later too?" Heath asked as he glanced at Casey.

"Sure mate."

Heath then ran back to the room to play. "You okay Mum?" Brax asked.

"Just tired Darryl,"

Casey started to cry and wasn't settling. Cheryl groaned, "Can you put Casey down for me Darryl?"

Brax was waiting for the moment to hold his new baby brother. Grabbing a towel he wrapped it around the naked newborn and held Casey in his arms.

Brax gently touched Casey's hand with his finger and within seconds Casey moved his little hand around Brax's finger holding it tight and ceased his crying.

Brax smiled at the content baby in his arms, it felt different than when he first held Heath; even though he was only young and had needed his mother to help him. Casey was special and it was at this moment Brax knew it was his duty to be Casey's protector and most of all bring the little baby in his arms to life.