"You're here! I didn't think you'd make it in time!"
I smirk and drop my bags just inside Bianca's door before wrapping her in a hug.
"Cutting it a bit fine missy" Ricky teased as she set up her camera
Bianca nodded in agreement "Trust you to arrive on the actual day"
I hold up my hands and shrug "I wasn't gunna miss the day you made an honest man out of my brother was I?" I laugh reaching for a glass of champagne off the counter.
"Underage drinking in the eyes of a principal" Bianca gasped covering her face.
"How about in the eyes of a sister in law, where do I stand on that?" I ask hopefully.
She raises one eyebrow but grins "Don't tell your brothers"
"Scouts honour" I say with a wink, before tipping the glassful into my mouth.
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"Mate will you stop it" Brax groaned, whacking Heath as he struggled to loosen his collar.
"I'm hungry, why's the fridge empty?"
Brax rolled his eyes "Casey stop thinking of your stomach and get over here, we're leaving soon"
"Same old River Boys I see"
They look up as my figure fills the doorway. Casey's the first to react.
"Lily? You're here!" he cried lifting me into the air.
"No Case I'm just a figment of your imagination" I tease as he puts me back down.
"Still sarcastic as ever" Brax commented as he wrapped a strong arm round my shoulders.
Heath grinned at me, planting a quick kiss on the top of my head as he hurried round getting ready.
"Anyways, just came to say hey, see you there" I call, already out the door.
Their shouts of goodbye make me chuckle as they sound anything but prepared.
"There you are! Quick dress!" Ricky ordered, thrusting a purple summer dress at me.
"Wow, you're more stressed than the bride" I observe, nodding to where Bianca is sat reading a magazine on the couch, her wedding dress spread neatly either side of her.
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"You nervous?" I whisper to Bianca, as we pull up outside the marquee.
She smiled and shook her head "No way" she promised, giving Darcy's arm an excited squeeze as the driver opens the doors.
The white tent has been decorated with purple ribbons and balloons, flickering torches line the purple carpet that leads inside.
April rushed out squealing, squeezing her sister till she turns a similar shade to the decorations.
"You ready for me to give you away?"
"Absolutely"
Music starts and the two of them step aside to let me and Darce walk ahead.
As people stand up and smile at us I feel like a total idiot, but Brax, Heath and Casey are smirking away at the front and I struggle not to laugh.
By the sudden change of expression on Heath's face, I guess Bianca has appeared. Me and Darce hurry to our places before they can reach the alter.
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"Well we've definately had one heck of a journey" Heath began, earning a laugh from the guests "But I love you so much Bianca, and I promise to spend the rest of our lives trying to make you as happy as you make me"
Mum's obviously tearing up in the corner as Ricky snapped away with her camera.
Brax watched her, almost in awe and I roll my eyes. They'll be next.
"Heath you're a nightmare" Bianca began
"Amen" I mutter as she winks at me.
"But you're my nightmare, and I wouldn't trade you, or any of your family for the world. You Braxtons are amazing, and I'm proud to become one today."
The River Boys started cheering until Brax gave them the death glare. He cleared his throat to interrupt the two kissing, and presented Bianca with a box.
"Figured you weren't the tattoo kinda woman" he teased
"Too right"
"So we got you this"
She opened it to reveal a silver bracelet with 'Blood And Sand' engraved in it
"It's beautiful" Bianca whispered, instantly placing it on her wrist.
"Welcome to the family" Brax winked, patting Casey on the shoulder as he steps back into place.
The vicar pronounced them man and wife, and the clapping starts.
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"So, what a welcome back to the Bay huh?"
I look up to see Ricky and Brax standing over me grinning.
"I'll say" I laugh, looking over to where Heath and Bianca are mingling with their guests.
"How've you been kiddo?" Brax asked seriously
My mouth goes dry, as I avoid his gaze
"Fine, absolutely fine" I promise, crossing my fingers beneath my legs.
"Lily!"
"I'd better be going then" I roll my eyes at the sound of Casey's shouts.
Brax chuckled, ruffling my hair before turning his attentions to Ricky.
"You called?" I drawl, wandering over to Casey, who's arm is wrapped round the waist of a pretty blonde girl.
"This is Maddy, my girlfriend, she wanted to meet you" he smiled.
I raise one hand in a half wave as she grins at me
"How old are you?" she questioned, tilting her head on one side
"15...How old are you?"
"Just turned 17" she said, pausing as Casey kissed her cheek.
I stick out my tongue in disgust and they both laugh.
"Maddy and you should really talk this weekend, before you go back to Dad's on Sunday"
I nod and my heart sinks, I'd forgotten about him.
"Yeah great, I think I recognise you from last time you were here, but me and Case weren't together then"
I nod again, quickly excusing myself as they begin full on snogging in the middle of the sands.
Darcy ran over to me clutching a balloon.
"It's for Rocco" she explained, showing me where she'd written a message for her baby brother on the side. "You want one too?"
I smile and follow her to where a bunch of balloons are tied to a table leg. Heath and Bianca are stood nearby holding balloons of their own.
"You ready?" Heath questioned, holding out a hand to Darcy as his other entwines with Bianca.
For a moment I feel out of place, until I feel Bianca's arms go round my shoulders.
We reach the shoreline, and silently release the balloons, watching them drift up into the inky black sky.
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Hours later, Darcy is asleep leaning against me as I pick at some wedding cake.
"So this is where you've been hiding?"
I sigh, shoving the plate on the log beside me at the sound of Mums voice.
"Bit hard to hide on a wide open beach isn't it?" I retort
"Don't get clever with me girly" she warned gently shaking Darcy awake. "Come on sweetheart, let's get you home to bed"
Darcy groggily hugged me before stumbling off to say goodnight to Heath.
"Why'd you come Lily?" mum pressed, folding her arms "Do you still qualify as family?"
"Why wouldn't I? Is it because I don't have the trademark tattoo?" I joke
She sneered at me "Grow up, It's a good job your Father took you in, because you'd never of had a home with me that's for sure!"
With that she spins on her heel and takes off over the dunes in search of Darcy.
Sighing in frustration, I angrily wipe my eyes before placing my head in my hands.
"Well that looked brutal"
Maddy wandered over clutching a can of beer, she holds it out to me but I shake my head.
"She's your Mum too right?"
I nod "Unfortunately"
Maddy snorted "No offence but she's a bit of a witch"
"Oh believe me I take no offence to any evil comment said about that woman"
She laughed, gently nudging my side
"Fancy a walk?"
"Where's Casey?"
"Scoffing the wedding cake with your other brothers, not my scene"
I giggle and traipse after her as she weaves, semi drunkenly over the sand.
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"Well, well, well if it isn't Baby Braxton"
Frowning, I look up to see 2 complete strangers standing above us
"Do I know you?" I ask tiredly
"Probably not, but we know you, your whole family in fact...What a bunch of losers"
I roll my eyes "Oh no please don't insult them in that way" I beg sarcastically.
"You trying to be funny Braxton?" the older one demanded, stepping forward.
I stand up which doesn't do much due to the fact I barely reach his neck in height.
"Looks like she's a feisty one bro" the younger one chuckled from the shadows.
Maddy dragged me back onto the bench "Don't be stupid" she hissed "They're clearly mental"
I pull away, she stinks of booze and right now is probably no help to me whatsoever.
"Come on, my car's down here" she muttered, pulling me up.
We start to walk away but the 2 boys follow us.
I panic, squeezing Maddy's arm. Sure we only officially met a few hours ago, but right now she's my only hope of safety.
"You're drunk!" I cry as she slips in behind the wheel, quickly slamming the door
"Would you rather stay here and get beaten to a pulp?"
I shake my head as she starts to engine.
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"They're still following!" Maddy cried out, pressing hard on her accelerator.
They start honking at us and I screw my eyes shut, certain we'll crash any minute.
Suddenly Maddy screamed and I get flung forward as she breaks heavily.
I open my eyes, blinking quickly to get back into focus.
I sigh in relief at the sight of Casey, and other wedding guests gathered in front of the car on their way home.
Maddy and I tumble out the car, running for Casey who just looks confused as he wraps his arms round us.
"What the-" he began, falling short as the other car comes to an abrupt halt beside Maddy's.
"What the hell are you two doing here?" Brax demanded from the beach steps where he's just climbed up.
"Why so rude Braxton?" the older one snarled, moving through the crowd towards us.
"They chased us, we could've crashed!" Maddy cried, tears running down her cheeks.
I was too shocked to cry as I realised she was right, we could've crashed.
"Case get them home will ya?" Brax ordered, glaring at the remaining guests until they get the message to leave too.
"You sure?" Casey checked, looking the 2 boys up and down.
"Go. Now"
Sighing, Casey leads me and Maddy home.
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"You okay?" Casey questioned later that night, as I sit curled up on the couch in silence.
"Fine" I reply "How's Maddy?"
"Shaken up, same as you. Roo promised to look after her though"
I nod dumbly, shooting concerned glances at the door.
"Brax will be fine you know. He's a big boy" Casey laughed, catching me looking.
"What if they hurt him? They would've hurt us if Maddy hadn't of driven away.
Casey sighed, collapsing onto the couch beside me and pulling me into a hug.
His loss of words isn't exactly reassuring, and I'm just glad Heath and Bianca escaped on their honeymoon before it all kicked off.
Around 1 am Brax stumbled through the front door.
I sit bolt upright on the couch, where I'd fallen asleep leant against Casey.
"Brax?" I hiss into the darkness "Is that you?"
"Yeah" he groaned "Go back to sleep"
"Not a chance" I retort, feeling my way along the wall for the light switch.
I can't help but cry out as light floods the room and Casey sits up.
Brax is covered in blood, his face particularly his nose is all bloody, and his once smart suit is now creased and stained.
"What have you done?" I demand stepping in front of him "You've killed them haven't you?"
He laughed, wincing in pain "No. I just taught them a lesson that's all"
Casey frowned as he grabs Brax some ice from the freezer. "Where are they?"
Brax shrugged "Don't know don't care"
"So they're still conscious?" I check
He ruffled my hair shakily "Don't sweat about it Lily okay, It's sorted" he promised.
Reluctantly, the three of us depart for bed.
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Next morning, I'm woken by hammering on the front door.
Yawning, I trail down the hallway to answer it.
It's the police.
"Is Darryl Braxton in?" they ask me bluntly
I scrunch up my eyes at the daylight, and rub my face tiredly
"Well?" they push, craning their necks to look inside.
"Is there a problem?"
I turn to see Brax behind me, half dressed in surf shorts, a top in his hand.
"Mr Braxton we're arresting you on suspicion of the assault of Josh and Andy Barrett"
They keep talking, but I tune out as Brax throws on his shirt before they snap the handcuffs on him and lead him away without a second glance.
I'm left standing on the doorstep in shorts and one of Casey's hoodies.
He eventually appears, his face creased into a frown.
"What was all that?"
"Brax has been arrested"