Hi guys, thank you so much for the reviews. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I was going to stretch the Person 1 p.o.v, but I can't do it, I'm just going to reveal that it is Charlie. (I know most of you guys already guessed.)

Hope you enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter 2 - Pure and Innocent

Jacks P.O.V

We had arrived at the hospital about two hours ago and Charlie was still in labour, what was happening? Why was it taking so long? I had never been through child birth before, well literally I wouldn't be able to but I had never seen it either. I was hanging outside the room, even though we only had each other, we never really talked about me being in the room when she was giving birth. She needed her privacy until she called me in.

I sat outside the room on the floor waiting on news. At this moment I felt so jealous, I was envious, I wasn't being bitter but right now I wished to God that I had someone that I would be able to call my own. Charlie was going to have a baby and then she would have someone. Leaving her previous life would have been worth it. Would she even remember me?

Charlie's P.O.V

They were right when they said your life is hanging in the balance when you're giving birth, I didn't remember much when Ruby was born. I was young, naive and most of all I resented the baby. I cried not because of the child birth but the fact that I was giving birth to something, someone that I had no control or say over. This was different; it was supposed to be different. This was the life that I was supposed to be living back in Summer Bay, with Brax holding my hand and wiping my tears as I pushed out our bundle of joy. How far I was from that, I had my head propped up by pillows and I was watching the people in the room, everything was in fast motion apart from me. It was like I was watching the whole thing. What I would do to have Ruby or Brax here, even Heath wouldn't be a bad option right now.

I then suddenly realised I did have someone, and he was only one of the reasons why I had stayed strong and continued my life in witness protection.

I was put into witness protection after Jake escaped prison, Watson had come to warn me and before she had even told me I knew that I had to go in to witness protection. I had been that person who had given the news the other people so now roles had been reversed and I was about to go away from everyone I loved. Why? Just when I was about to start my life, the end to my new beginning was already written even before I had had a chance to step into new territories.

The scene was set; I was lying in a pool of blood, artificial of course. Watson was in my room alongside a few other officers. As predicted Jake did come to get his revenge but when he got there, he saw my lifeless body. He realised someone had already beat him too it, he laughed his evil laugh and just to show his joy he shot randomly across the room. If I had been standing there then the bullets would have surely penetrated through my body. Hearing the gun shots Watson and the other officers exited the room and tackled him and arrested him. Jake had been arrested but with his connections, it was not safe for me to be in the Bay. So that day without a single goodbye I left.

They had asked me if I wanted to watch my funeral, I refused on the basis that I didn't want to see my world broken into pieces. Ruby and Brax defined my world.

The only thing I did do was make Watson promise me that when my child was born she would somehow make sure that Brax saw the picture. Very soon Watson would have to keep her promise, fingers crossed.

I quickly came out of my thoughts and asked for Jack; one of the nurses came back with Jack following behind. He came wiped the sweat from my face, eurghh, I thought to myself. He came and held my hand and assured me everything would be okay.

I still hadn't given birth and it had been nearly three hours. I was in so much pain and all I could think was I hope Brax was feeling it too.

Brax P.O.V

I woke up this morning and I had a felling in my stomach, it wasn't like normal, normally I felt empty. Today I felt like I was weighed down. I had that hard felling in the pit of my stomach. It was like something was happening it was indirectly affecting me. What could it be? I had no idea but I hoped the feeling would pass.

Most of the morning had passed with the same felling, it wasn't passing, and it was in fact getting worse. I went to the fridge to take out a beer, maybe getting drunk would help me but then I thought there was no point running away. I might as well endure the pain; at least it was a different emotion. I went back to my room to sleep.

5 hours later

I was in the same position as I was in the morning, lying on my bed, Casey had come in to call me a few times but realised there was no response from me today. Even Heath had come in but he got the same. The only time I got up was now when I wanted to have a drink of water. I lifted my head of the pillow and saw a wet mark, oh God how embarrassing, I had been dribbling. I was about to wipe my face when I realised that my eyes were stinging, I rubbed my left eye and it felt moist. I had not been dribbling, I had been crying in my sleep.

Ruby's P.O.V

It felt like the world was passing by around me today. I felt like there was nobody in the world but me. I had not been home for about three weeks now, I had been spending time at Casey's, separate bedrooms of course, Brax wouldn't hear of us sharing a room. I knew, Casey knew and even Brax knew he had no problem with us sharing a room but he knew it was what Charlie would have wanted. I didn't argue as I was glad that Brax was implementing rules which my mum used to. It felt like she was still here amongst us.

I walked into the familiar doorway; it had not been the same since Charlie had died. It had been 7 months, 2 weeks and 3 days since she had left me. I even had the minutes but then I went past that phase, slowly; very slowly I was coming to terms with her death.

How wrong was I. Like every time I came or left the house I had to go and see Charlie. Today was no different, as I walked into her room; it felt like the room was heavy, like there was some sort of force pushing me out the door. It was like I was defying the laws of gravity, gravity pulled you down, and this was pushing me away.

I made it over to her bed and said hi to her bunny on her bed and then the same to the picture on her bedside table. It was of her and Brax on the beach, I stroked my finger on her face and it lingered there for what felt like forever.

People found peace, comfort in the oddest situations, mine was sitting in my mothers room, I would sit on her bed for hours on end talking to her about my day and sometimes I would fall asleep crying.

I had to fight to keep her room, Leah wanted closure, she wanted to rent out Charlie's room, but I wouldn't hear of it. Leah had roped in Brax in helping persuade me, there was no way I was going to sway, after all I was a Buckton and we were known to be stubborn, very stubborn! Brax's argument was that because we were moving anyway and her stuff had been packed, there was no point in keeping her room, I quickly had eradicated that problem, when no one was home I arranged everything back in Charlie's room, just the way she used to have it. When Leah came back she was furious and called Brax over to deal with me.

Brax had been my rock, he was the reason why I had been able to grieve and come to terms with the loss of Charlie. I was an orphan in everyone's eyes but not in my own. The day that Charlie died and the words Brax spoke to me made me realise that I had lost my mother, but gained a father and mother in the form of Brax. I was breathing so that he could keep his promise to my mum; I knew he would never be able to face her in the afterlife if I was not happy.

When Brax did come and saw what I had done, I saw him smile for what had felt like the first time ever. I knew secretly he was glad I had done it and decided to pay rent on the room just so WE could keep it as a way to remember Charlie. Sometimes when Brax came over he would do the same as me and go to her room just to feel her presence.

I know one day I will have to give up the room, but not yet. I sat on Charlie's bed and picked up the bangle on the bedside cabinet. I had bought Charlie it before we was going to move to the city. I was going to give it to her before we left. It had been inscribed with the words 'New Beginnings…'

I don't know why but I couldn't help myself, I was crying my eyes out, it was not the first time I had seen the bracelet but I felt so alone in them few seconds. I got of the bed, tears still running down my face, I ran and ran until I reached the door of the house of the one person who would be able to console me. I knocked at the door like there was no tomorrow.

Brax's P.O.V

I was in the kitchen getting a glass of water when I heard the door. Someone was knocking on it so frantically that I feared it was going to come of its hinges. I contemplated the idea of leaving whoever it was but this person was adamant as they continued knocking.

''Quit it, I'm coming'' I shouted as I walked over to the door.

I opened the door to a distraught looking Ruby, she was crying, before asking her or even saying anything, I took her in my arms trying to comfort her. I knew she would appreciate the hug more than asking her what was wrong. I once again found I had to push my feelings aside for Ruby, not that I minded but today was going to be difficult. I still had that horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach, I t hadn't subsided, in fact it had got so bad that it felt like it was taking over my body.

I settled Ruby on the couch, she was still crying, I went to the kitchen grabbed a glass of OJ, I knew if she was felling anything like me then she wont have eaten much, or even eaten anything at all. I was okay but she was diabetic, it was important for her to eat and drink. I sat beside her and held the glass up to her mouth, she was shaking and I knew she wouldn't be able to manage. I thought best to guide her, after drinking no where near enough I didn't want to push her so I placed the glass on the table.

I felt like now was the time to ask her what happened,

''Ruby darling what happened? Did someone say something to you?''

She moved her head side to side implying no. I didn't want to push her because I knew what it was like. After the first few weeks' after Charlie's death people realised not to push me as I would snap. Casey and Heath witnessed it a number of times. Heath the poor guy also had to feel the brute force of a head butt too. Thank fully he understood.

We were still on the couch, I was still hugging her, she was still crying but it had subsided to odd sniffles now. She took a gulp of her OJ and then looked at me with solemn eyes,

''Brax, I'm sorry I should have come here, I don't mean to do this, I just can't help myself. I started to cry and I just found myself running here''

As she finished speaking she tried to get up and I knew she was attempting to leave. I held her back,

'' Ruby darling, I've told you before and I'm going to tell you again, anytime, day or night I am here for you. So quit this about not coming here, I rather you be here then alone somewhere trying to deal with things.''

She smiled back at me and it was sincere, I wiped her tears, ''Ruby what happened, you do know everything will be okay.'' I was lying, nothing was going to be okay, no one was going to fill the emptiness, no one was going to bring her back, and absolutely no one would understand the pain of losing Charlie, they would understand losing someone yes but never feel the pain of not having Charlie around. Simply because she was not here to touch peoples life's anymore.

''I don't know why but today I miss her so much, its like she is in pain and is calling out for me to help her. Do you think they're not looking after her up there Brax? I know it sounds weird but do you think she is being mistreated.''

I looked at Ruby and as stupid as it might seem, everything I was feeling today fell into place. It did feel like that the feeling I was getting was due to Charlie and now maybe it was because she was in pain, but surely she was in a better place. An angel amongst angels.

I didn't know what to say to Ruby. I asked her the one question which I already knew the answer too,

''Ruby shall we go see your mum.''

Charlie's P.O.V

Oh this was getting ridiculous, why was he taking so long, I hope he would hurry up. I was so eager to have him in my arms. I still wasn't expecting him for another two weeks but now knowing the calculations had been wrong and my baby was ready to come out I was literally jumping out of my skin to have him close.

''Charlie we know this is frustrating but please just try pushing. We are going to give you another half hour and if by then the baby is not born we will consider the other possibilities''

''nooo, nooo, I want this to be a natural birth'' I replied in angst to the nurse.

I wanted a natural birth because I knew after having a caesarean – that was the other possibility, it would be impossible for me to bond with my baby. I had seen it before, your unable to move, hold and even feed your baby. It could also go the other way and I would be perfectly fine but I was not about to take the risk. I was going to muster up all my strength and get this stubborn baby out.

20 minutes later

''now one final push please Charlie''

I heard the nurse say amongst my screams, Jack was still holding my hand and still wiping the sweat, thankfully he had got a wipe to do it, dread to think the state his hand would be in otherwise.

I had to do it, I had no strength but I had to give one last push. I needed the motivation from somewhere, I needed to get the strength from somewhere and then it clicked. I definitely knew where my courage lay.

I pictured Ruby, it wasn't a moment I had seen before in my life or a moment that had happened in her life, yet, but I saw her. She was wearing the most magnificent white wedding dress, adorned with intricate lace details and the most beautiful veil which covered her face. My baby girl was getting married. This meant if Ruby was here then Brax would surely be around somewhere. I scanned the church and disappointment filled my face, he was nowhere to be seen. Why was he not at her wedding, what happened, had they fallen out? Just before I was about to come back to the present time I then noticed him, he was not anywhere in the church because he was the man stood next to Ruby, walking her down the aisle, he was giving away my, no he was giving our daughter away to her husband to be. As they walked up the aisle he had the biggest smile bouncing of his face. The way the sun shines of the sea, today I saw pride shining from every crevice in his face. As he laid Ruby's hand in Casey's, he went to stand back next to Heath, he glanced back towards where he had walked in and smiled his cheeky grin at me…

That's all I needed and with one final push…

6:43pm

'' Congratulations Charlie you have given birth to the most adorable little boy'' cooed Jack. He handed my baby, yes my baby to me and I knew everything would be okay.

''welcome to my world… Darryl Junior Braxton''

Brax's P.O.V

It was hitting 6:30pm and we were on our way to the cemetery to go see Charlie. I knew Ruby would find comfort here and so would I. We both sat in silence in the Ute. I parked outside the florist first and as I walked in, the short stubby lady, imagine Coleen but without her nosiness was stood behind the counter. She was packing away but when she saw me, she didn't say anything, she walked around to the front of the counter and towards the white roses; she took two out, cut of the thorns and only left a small stem. Just the way I liked it. She knew it was the only thing I came in for, and only once she asked me what they were for. The tear that fell down my cheek answered her question and she never asked ever again.

I made my way back to the Ute; even Ruby never questioned me about the roses. I had an explanation but it was not to share.

6:43pm

I looked at my watch and it read 6:43pm. As soon as I walked into thecemetery that feeling in the pit of my stomach disappeared. It was definitely weird but it had gone and once again it was taken over by emptiness.

We silently walked the familiar path towards her grave. I felt my throat tightening and my eyes welling up, I didn't want to cry and break down especially not in front of Ruby but even I couldn't stop the tear escaping my eyes. I was the tough guy, I was the notorious leader of the River boys, I was untouchable but I had some weakness and that was Charlie.

In the last seven and half months I had not looked at another girl, stuff that I had not even spoken to another girl with the same charisma as I would have done with Charlie, she definitely had left her mark deep on my skin, body, heart and soul. I didn't want to tarnish her memory, her sweet lips; our physical relationship; her body against mine, everything about her I wanted to keep a fresh in my mind. Sometimes at night whilst sleeping and dreaming about her, it was like I almost could taste her on my lips.

We walked and sat at the end of her grave and looked at it, we saw the coffin being lowered, we saw her funeral, we knew she was in there but sitting here now it felt like the grave was empty, like it was unoccupied, as if she was never in there.

We sat for what felt like an eternity. It was routine we would sit there thinking about her and then one of us would speak...

Today it was me, given the situation I put my hand in my pocket and took my wallet out. I pulled out a Tiffany and Co platinum diamond engagement ring from the inside compartment. I had bought it after I had given up the river boys for the last time and planned to move away with Charlie and Ruby to the city. I just wanted to make it official that Charlie was mine forever in this life and after.

I played with the ring in my fingers before i took Ruby's hand out and placed the ring in it,

'' Ruby I want you to have this, I bought it for your mum before she died, I was going to propose that day after her shift before we headed of to our new life. I never got the chance, I know it won't replace your mum or anything like that but I just would love for you to have it. It can be a reminder that I'm here even though your mum isn't

Damn! I could feel the tears stinging my eyes, I would have loved to keep it but I knew that Charlie would be happy with her daughter having it. ''Brax nooo, that's yours to keep,'''. I shook my head

''Please Ruby for me keep it''

Ruby p.o.v

I turned the ring over and noticed there was something written on it, it had the most beautiful inscription I had ever seen, 'CDB eternal love'

I felt like crying again but I helped myself, I simply looking at Brax and gave him a kiss on his cheek. He like my mum was truly one in a million, he pushed all his feelings aside just to protect me and make sure that I was okay.

''Brax, that is so beautiful, Charlie would have loved it and I know she would have said yes even before you could have finished asking her the question, I don't want this ring, it is yours so please don't argue with me, you need something to remember her by too''

''Ruby Charlie was your mother and you said yourself that I'm like your father,'' I nodded in response,

''So then don't I have the right to give my daughter something that she will be happy with, and you were the most important thing in Charlie's life, as long as you are here I have a piece of Charlie.'' I looked at him and then slid the ring on my right hand middle finger and simply replied '' thank you... Dad''

We sat there talking to Charlie and each other for about another forty mins before I saw Brax glancing at his watch. I got up on my feet and went to the headstone and kissed it ''bye mum, see you later.''

I walked to Brax who put the car keys in my hand and I walked away to the Ute. This is the way it always was, I left him at the end so he could say his private goodbye.

Brax's P.O.V

Ruby had gone back to the Ute; as soon as I knew she was away I looked up from where I was looking and moved my head straight at the headstone.

''Hi babe, how are you , I hope they looking after you up there, if not just give me a shout and I'll soon sort them out.''

If anyone saw me now they would not believe that I Darryl Braxton was talking to a gravestone, but I didn't care. My baby was in there and no matter how ridiculous it might sound. I sought comfort sat here, I sometimes was glad when Ruby was upset, because she was not the only one who felt better after coming here, I know it was selfish to feel like this but I couldn't help myself.

I couldn't control myself and spoke from my heart, feelings that I was actually feeling and not the feelings that I displayed to the world.

''Charlie babe, please, please I can't do it anymore; I don't want to go with my life without you, I'm ready to leave and find you. If it was up to me I would move heaven and earth to bring you back but seen as I can't do that I have to find a way to get to you. I'm lost without you''

I was talking with tears rolling down my cheeks; this was me trying to deal with it.

''Please babe tell me what to do, in a heartbeat I would do it. You changed my life and you changed who I was. I had a purpose to breathe, whilst you were the beats of my heart. Please Charlie, please Charlie.''

I was begging, it was pathetic but it was helping me. I looked towards the ground and saw my wallet resting on the ground; I picked it up and took the picture of me and Charlie out.

''did you hear what Ruby said about me not having anything to remember you by; she was wrong baby because I do. I have our picture; our memory, I was so happy the day you gave me this picture and told me that I was going to be a dad. It was the perfect start our new life. We should be waiting for our baby to be born not me sat at your grave, and just for the record... ''

I turned the picture over and read the comment she had written in her writing my fabulous daddy to be,

''Charlie you would have been the most magnificent mummy and I love you''

I walked to the headstone kissed it and then laid the two new fresh roses.

One represented my gorgeous girlfriend, she was pure and the other represented my unborn child, innocent.

***In this chapter I tried to put across that Charlie and Brax are true soul mates. And as they when one is in pain the other defiantly will fell it. Hence why when Charlie went into labour, Brax was feeling it and as soon as Charlie gave birth the feeling in Brax's stomach went. Ruby felt it too but not as much as Brax. I hope that came across in my writing. ***

Hey sorry about the length on this. It longer than the previous chapter. Hope you guys enjoyed it and please read and review. Oh and would you prefer me to post lengthy chapters or short ones.

Thank you; Izzy09, aisling9, katuium, Nikayla, EstherSteve and beebee483 for the reviews. Much appreciated.

Abz