Chapter 2
Charlie was tidying up a little for when her parents returned. They had called earlier when they had left to tell her they were on their way. Charlie was looking forward to them coming back, although her and Ruby were perfectly fine, she did miss her mum and dad. Just as she was finishing off the phone rang.
"Hello?" Charlie answered. Charlie's face went worried as she put the phone down and tear built up in her eyes.
"Come on Rubes," she said turning to her little girl. "We've gotta go out."
-
Meanwhile at the Braxton's the boys were sitting having lunch after they had got back in from the garden when the phone rang.
"Hello?" Heath answered the phone. "Brax They wanna talk to you." He passed the phone to his older brother.
"Hello?" Brax said. He talked for a couple of seconds before putting the phone down trying his best not to look to worried as he turned to his brother's.
"Let's put on our shoes," he said. "We're going out."
-
Yabbie Creek police station was bustling with activity as the sergeant asked a constable to sort out a room and make it child friendly as they had some news to break. The sergeant thought it would be best to have them all here as he told them as they were all in the same situation.
A while later the secretary put her head round the door.
"They're all here sir, do you want me to send them in?" the woman looked solemnly at her boss.
"Yes... Yes, send them in. The sooner it's told the sooner it's over." he said glumly not looking forward to what was to come.
-
The Braxtons made their way uncertainly into the police station with Heath sending a questioning look to Brax who put a hand on his brother's shoulder to comfort him. Brax had Casey in his arms which made the eldest boy feel far safer for some reason. When they arrived they saw a girl the same age as Brax sitting looking distressed sitting on a chair with a little girl about the same age as Casey snuggled up against her. Although this was neither the time or the place Brax found himself drawn to this girl and couldn't stop himself staring at her. She was beautiful. Heath nudged Brax to get his attention. He turned towards the desk with a young police officer standing at it.
"Umm.. We're the Braxtons and we were just called and told to come down to the station." The officer looked up and nodded.
"Ah, yes, if you could just go and sit over there and wait for a minute." he said beckoning towards two seats next to the girls. Brax nodded and wordlessly led his brothers to the seats.
-
The secretary returned and told all five of them to follow him. They walked in and found the sergeant sitting at a table that had a few chairs around it.
"Hello, there is no easy way to tell you all this and it's going to be very hard to take in so I'll just tell you all outright." the sergeant looked to each youngster in turn dreading what had to come out of his mouth next. "I'm afraid there was a car accident earlier on which involved Mr and Mrs Buckton and Mrs Braxton." he inhaled deeply as he saw the pain flashing through the eyes of the three oldest. "I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but nobody made it out alive." the three oldest just stared at the man in shock. They didn't know what to do or how to react. It didn't seem real. "I will leave you all for a while and then we can come back and discuss what can happen."
As the sergeant left the room Charlie broke-down and was sobbing while clinging to her little girl. Brax looked over to her and lay a comforting hand on her leg. He may not know her but they were both in the same boat. As soon as he saw the first tears roll down the side of her face his own heart broke. He couldn't understand why he felt what he did but he decided to go on his instincts and comfort her. Charlie smiled faintly at him while continuing to sob. Heath was the next one to cry Brax used his other arm to pull him into his side. He whispered softly to his brothers as tears made their way down his cheek,
"I love you guys and I will do everything I can to look after you and make sure you have a good life. We'll be fine." Heath looked up at his big brother,
"You already do that Brax. I don't tell you this enough but I love you." Brax tightened his grip on both of his brothers and whispered.
"I love you guys so much, you're both my world."
"Wuv oo too Bak" Casey said
Charlie was whispering to her daughter taking all the comfort she could from her daughter.
"I love you baby, we'll be fine. Grandma and Grandpa will look over us from above, they're in a safe place now." Charlie realised that she had to stay strong and continue to look after her daughter. All five sat in silence after that just taking comfort in the fact that they still had each other as the tears continued to fall.
The sergeant returned about an hour later followed by a friendly looking woman.
"Hello, I'm Sarah. I'm a social worker, I know this may seem very sudden but I want to get you five sorted out as soon as possible considering the youngsters." The two teenagers nodded as the other three just sat quietly. "Now Charlie, it seems that your parents have left the house and all their belongings and money to you and Ruby. Seeing as you're sixteen then you can stay alone with Ruby." Charlie nodded still processing the information. "Darryl, you are now sixteen also, so you, if you choose to can take over legal guardianship of Heath and Casey? What do you think?" Brax replied instantly,
"Of course I want that to happen, I've already practically raised them." Sarah nodded.
"Okay, we can get the paper work after. Now do you want to continue staying in Mangrove River?"
"Well, it seems like it's our only option till I can make enough money to move to the bay where they can have a better life." Brax replied.
"Well you see, I've been thinking, if Charlie consents, that you boys could move in with her. At least temporarily as you're both going through the same thing and Brax is the same age as Charlie and Casey is the same age as Ruby. It kind of makes sense, don't you think?" Sarah and Brax looked at Charlie, Brax seemed to be unsure of her reaction. Charlie looked up to face Brax, looking thoughtful,
"I think that's an excellent idea." Brax grinned at Charlie as she said this.
"Well then that's sorted, let's get you boys home to pack up then we can take your stuff over to the bay."
