Six months ago

Charlie sat at the kitchen table looking at Ruby, hoping she would soon stop staring at her and tell her what she was feeling.

'Let me get this right, you... and... Brax. As in Casey's brother Darryl Braxton. You're sleeping with a RIVERBOY.' Ruby increased her volume at the end of the sentence. She didn't know whether to be angry her mother was such a hypocrite, happy she was with someone and might back off from her relationship or shocked her mother had successfully hidden this from her for months.

'I really didn't think you had it in, I mean Brax.' Ruby stated, still in shock.

'I, I'm sorry Rubes, I never meant to hurt you, I never meant for this to happen. It was, I mean it started out just as... well you no.' Charlie started to explain not really wanting to have to tell her daughter that her relationship with the criminal had started out purely as sex.

'And now?'

'Now, I guess for longer than I have wanted to admit, I love him.' Charlie smiled at that thought.

'Wow, love. Erm, Charlie I need some space, I need to let this sink in.' The young girl explain still in shock her mum and her boyfriend's brother where together.

'Rubes, please remember I love you. That will never change.'

'Charlie, I just need some time. After everything, we promised no more secrets, we promised we would be honest with each other and you've lied again.' With that she got up and walked out.

Brax was in the restaurant, he had just finished explaining, or rather arguing with his younger brothers, Casey and Heath about his relationship with Charlie. Casey, who is so laid back he's almost horizontal most of the time, was more happy for his brother than angry. Heath however was a different story entirely, he was angry not only had his brother lied to him and left his beloved 'riverboys' but he had done all this for a cop. The exact same cop who, for the past however many months has been bending over backwards to put him behind bars. Heath had stormed out realising his opinion counted for very little in his brothers eyes.

'I'm happy for you Brax, maybe she will be a good influence on you.' Casey smiled shaking his brothers hand, knowing full well she was at least part if not the whole reason Brax was no longer involved in the criminal activity he previously had been. 'I'm going to catch up with Ruby, I guess she'll be needing me at the moment.'

'OK, Case, don't forget your school work though.'

Casey sighed at the thought of all the work he knew he had to do before leaving the restaurant to meet up with Ruby.

Brax was busy, it was lunch time at the restaurant and it was packed, he looked up from serving at the bar to see his girlfriend walk in. Looking at her, she was definitely a lucky man. She was stunning. Smiling he was more than shocked when she walked round the bar and straight into his arms. He held her and kissed the top of her head knowing she must of told Ruby about them.

'You know those people are all really, I don't just fill this place with blow up dolls to make it look good.'

'What?' Charlie asked looking up puzzled.

'The restaurants full, and there all looking at us. As happy as I am that you don't seem to care, I'm just a little shocked.'

'I just needed a hug, sorry.' She stated as she went to pull away, slightly disappointed.

'Don't be sorry, I'm just shocked. I take it you told Ruby then.' Brax said softly pulling her back into his arms.

'Yer, she was shocked. I expected shouting, tears, her storming out but she just sat there. Then when she spoke she sounded so disappointed in me. I really don't want to let her down. She's still my little girl after all.'

'I know, she's knows how much you love her. She'll calm down and realise that she just wants you to be happy. She just needs a bit of time; I mean you did just tell her, her mum was dating her boyfriend's brother. That's gotta be though to take.'

Pulling apart slightly so he could look into her eyes he smiled again at how beautiful she was. With that he leant down and caught her lips with his own. Stroking the side of her face, he broke the kiss.

'I love you Charlie Buckton.' He spoke softly into her mouth.

'I love you to Darryl Braxton.' Came the reply with a small smile.

'I almost forgot to tell you, I rang work after I told Ruby. I explained that I couldn't work on the drug crop case for personal reasons. I explained why and though he said he didn't agree in my choice of men there won't be a formal investigation.'

'That I have to agree with.' Charlie didn't need to look round to know who they reply came from. She kissed Brax quickly one last time before smiling and turning to face the other woman.

'Morag, Hi how are you?'

'I think we can save the pleasantries Charlie. I'm more concerned with the choices you make.'

'Look, Morag. I know you care about Charlie but so do I. I would never hurt her, or her career. I know how much it means to her.'

'Mr Braxton, this is between my step-daughter and I so if you wouldn't mind giving us some privacy.' The lawyer replied sharply.

Knowing he couldn't win, he turned to Charlie and told her to go talk and he would bring them some drinks.

Ruby was feeling much calmer after speaking to Casey; she still felt let down by her mother's deceit but was now willing to hear her explanation. She paused slightly at the sight of Brax but was reassured by the Casey smiling at her.

'Come on, let's go save Charlie from Morag's lecture.' Nodding in the direction of the pair sat on the sofa. It was clear even without hearing the conversation Morag was not happy, especially when she caught Charlie staring at Brax instead of listening to her concerns.

'Hey, Morag... Charlie, erm, can we talk?' directing the question more at her mum than step-grandma.

'Hello Ruby, I was just leaving. Maybe you can talk more sense into her than I have been able to.' With that the red haired woman got up and left.

'Thanks, you just saved me from strangling her.' Charlie smiled at her daughter and her boyfriend.

'I see Brax is already starting to rub off on you.' Charlie half laughed, happy that her daughter was making jokes about it, hoping this was the start of her forgiveness.

'Very funny. So, you said you wanted to talk?'

'Yer right. Look, Charlie I'm not going to pretend I understand and I'm still hurt you kept it from me for so long, but if you're happy then I guess I am to.'

'Ruby you have no idea how much that means to hear you say that.' Charlie spoke nearly in tears at how things where finally working out. She leant over and hugged her daughter tightly.

'Well you have Casey to thank, he made me realise Brax isn't that bad and you clearly love each other to risk everything.'

'Thanks.' She said smiling sincerely at the young boy. 'I never thought it would work both ways.'

'Both ways?' Ruby replied slightly confused.

'Yer, Brax made me realise you could do a lot worse than be with Casey.'

They smiled at each other breaking out the hug just as Brax walked over holding a pizza and some drinks. Ruby moved round so she was nestled into Casey leaving space next to Charlie for Brax.