Thanks or the reviews. Hope this one is ok :)


"I can't help worrying but I will try and tone down over protective Brax… a little" Brax grinned lightly at Casey at which he shook his head

"I guess I'll have to settle for that"

Brax nodded "Yea you will. So come on lets go get this food" he smiled as Casey picked himself up and the both of them walked up the beach. Brax smiled as Casey walked beside him, his strength hadn't seemed to waver even after the surf. Knowing he shouldn't but not being able to help himself, Brax let himself believe that this only proved that Casey would make it out of his predicament and their life's could go back to the way it used to be. As dysfunctional as it may have been it was the life they were used to; and compared to the fear they lived in now it was a damn good life.

...

Like every morning since Charlie had returned two weeks ago, she ran down the familiar path as she let the early morning wind gush through her hair and hit against her burning skin. She had tried to ignore her own thoughts but the more she tried to push them to the back of her mind; they hit back ten times harder. Every time it seemed she had plucked up enough courage to say it, to tell them, no words seemed to leave her lips. The clot that would form in her throat always brought her words to an end even before they had begun. Charlie didn't know what to do and even after two weeks she was now more conflicted than she had originally been. Every time she had left in the past; she saw the look in their eyes, they were thinking the same as she always did; was this the last time she would see them? But now she was supposed to be happy, she was finally with them. Ruby had the same beautiful smile on her face every morning when she woke up and saw Charlie in the kitchen. So how was she now supposed to tell her daughter that her fears of losing her may still come true?

Charlie tried to act as normal as possible and some days were proving more difficult than others. She smiled and laughed but nothing seemed to get past the screaming pained voice in her head. Angelo seemed to always be off in his own world, and she knew something was bothering him but the same reply always came when she asked if he was ok. Charlie had known him long enough to know when something was wrong but she didn't seem to have the energy to fight him on it.

She slowed her jog as her eyes fell on him again. Every morning he would be out there in the rough ocean surfing, he rode the waves almost as if his life depended on it. Sometimes like this morning he would just be sat on his board letting the water carry him as he glared out into space. Like most mornings she caught his eye. They never spoke but had now grown accustom to giving each other a slight nod. His eyes always bared the same blank expression as if he was too scared to show any emotion. Charlie found herself wondering if whatever brought him out here every morning was as damning as her own reason; she really hoped not. He peered at her for a moment before nodding his head slightly; she instantly mirrored his gesture before picking her pace up again.

Brax couldn't find the strength to go up against the waves this morning so he sat on the board but soon began regretting this decision as all the thoughts he tried to push back returned on cue. Anger, pain, fear, he couldn't bring himself to feel any of these emotions. It felt selfish to feel defeated when Casey was the one going through this ordeal; but he couldn't help it. Everything he had ever done all the mistakes he had made every right and wrong turn he had ever taken, it was always for them. He never took a step without considering how it would affect Casey or Heath. The both of them, no matter how difficult they could be, they were the only thing that truly mattered to him.

He felt his gaze shift slightly as she came into view. He didn't know who she was or what her name was; all he knew was that she had been jogging past this same place for the past two weeks. Even from a distant he knew her outer exterior did nothing to reflect whatever she was feeling inside. Every time he caught her eye they seemed dull and lifeless; it seemed she was fighting against something. In the same manner as they did every morning he gave a nod acknowledging her presence, one she immediately returned before her legs began moving further up the beach until she was no longer in his sight.

Even thinking this to himself felt stupid, but regardless of never having actually spoken to her since the day she bumped into him, her shortly lived presence every morning brought him some comfort. His life had become so unpredictable not knowing what news each day was going to bring but this felt like a routine, something he could almost be certain of; this he was grateful to have in his life at the moment. Paddling back towards dry land he stood to his feet ready to face another day, but all he could do was pray that the evening came soon. For Brax every passing day was hopefully another step closer to having the old Casey back

Stirring, Angelo flipped to the other side of the bed only to realise Charlie was gone again. He didn't know when his feeling had changed to such extent, but every morning he woke to the empty space beside him he felt relived. The person he had loved for so long was the person he now did his best to avoid. Angelo could tell that Charlie knew something was wrong, and her endless questions were only making this lie even harder. He couldn't do it anymore, he felt as if he couldn't breathe.

Climbing out of their bed Angelo made his way into the living room knowing she would be back soon. He sat with his head in his hand wondering if what he was about to do was a good idea. How would he start, how do you tell a person you have fallen out of love with them and are now in love with another?

His head shut up as she walked through the door. The look on her face made it clear she was surprised he was awake "Why you up so early?" she asked as she walked over to him "I didn't wake you when I was leaving did I?"

Angelo shook his head as she sat beside him "No you didn't wake me, I just couldn't sleep" he answered. He felt his heart racing against his chest at the thought of what he was about to do

"Are you ok?" she asked as she moved closer and placed her hand on his

"Err I err..." Angelo took a deep breath and shuffled slightly till he was facing her "Charlie there's something I need to tell you"

"Ok" she nodded her head slowly unaware that he was possibly about to break her heart

"When you left..." he stopped mid-sentence as his gaze darted to the voice that had now joined them

"Hy guys" Ruby peered over at the both of them "Everything ok?" she asked casually as she made her way into the kitchen

"Err yea... what you doing up so early?" Charlie asked her gaze also shifting to Ruby

Ruby shrugged "Been up for about thirty minutes so I just gave up on trying to get back to sleep... and it's not that early" she replied as she walked back into the living room. She must have noticed the strained look on Angelo's face "I didn't interrupt anything did I?" she glanced at the both of them

"Actually..." Charlie went to speak but Angelo quickly intervened deciding this wasn't the best time to follow through with the conversation

"No Rubes its cool" He turned to Charlie who was looking up at him unsure "It's nothing important, it can wait till later" he smiled over at her

"You sure?" she asked with a raised eyebrow

"Yea... you should probably jump in the shower. You're sending a bad whiff through this place" Angelo quickly tried to lighten the mood as he poked her lightly

"I was wondering what the smell was" added Ruby as she grinned over at Charlie

"Oi" bellowed Charlie as she gave Angelo a light punch in the arm before sending Ruby a mock hurt expression

"I'll have you know I smell pretty good" she said as she stood to her feet making her way over to Ruby casually

"If you say so" replied Ruby but as she finished up her sentence Charlie engulfed her in a hug and laughed "Ewww mum No" Ruby wriggled out of Charlie's embrace a little less than impressed "Now I'm going to have to have a shower" complained Ruby

"Aww poor you" Charlie grinned widely before walking down the hall and into their room

Angelo couldn't help but smile as he watched the both of them. Then there it was again, the guilt that had been eating away at him for so long.

...

Ruby smiled after Charlie as she walked away with that grin. She looked down at Angelo and returned his smile before making her way into the main bathroom. Ruby knew that to outsiders their life was probably different maybe even a little uncommon but to her it was the norm. Charlie had joined the army straight out of school. And although she had never actually said so, Ruby knew it was Charlie's way of dealing with what had happened to her. People would think after five years Charlie would have found a way of dealing with it but at the time it still lingered with her painfully. Then Ross died two yeas after Elise and Ruby guessed Charlie needed an escape. Ruby was only five when Charlie had told her she had to leave her with their Auntie Michelle. Ruby didn't understand, she remembered she kept asking where Charlie was going and when she would be back. But even with that, regardless of the many struggles Charlie had faced she had never failed to be the best mother she could be. Angelo had been in their lives since Ruby was ten, and they had been living together since she was thirteen. He seemed to be the glue that always kept Charlie together, he kept Ruby safe when Charlie went away and for that and so much more Ruby was grateful to him. Ruby knew her father wasn't the sort of person she wanted in her life but that didn't mattered much to her. She had her mum and she had Angelo, for Ruby that was more than enough. Ruby had beckoned for the day Charlie would complete her service and get to return to her and Angelo for good; now twelve years later she finally had her mother back.

...

"Charlie have you got any plans today?" Ruby asked as she walked out of her room to see Charlie sitting on one of the stools in the kitchen

"Err no not really, why?" Charlie turned back to face her

"Well I was thinking we could go into the city and make a day of it... maybe grab something to eat?"

Charlie smiled and nodded "Yea sure. I could go get dressed and we could leave now if you want?"

Ruby returned Charlie's smile "Ok" she turned around but then turned back to face Charlie again "How about if Angelo came too? We could make a proper day of it?"

"He can't, he's in the room getting dressed. He just got called into the restaurant not long ago... apparently someone's messed up the delivery orders so he has to go sort it out"

"Ok I'll go get dressed and we can head out" Ruby turned and walked into my room

Like every other day Brax found himself in this all too familiar position wishing time away. And like every day since this had begun, there that voice was again. The five minutes he had spent with her had somehow changed the course of his life. Her face he couldn't even picture, the only thing he still had memory of were her dark blue eyes and her words. It had been 17 years since she spoke those words and he had to admit he had almost forgotten that day till all this happened. But now, every so often he replayed the words that in some way made him the person he was today. His head tilted up gently as his door opened up

"Bro we should get going. Casey's going to be wondering where we are" Brax looked over at the clock before jumping up and grabbing his car keys. Time had passed him by unknowingly.

It was just him and Heath today, Casey was back at the hospital and had been there for over two days now. His composure and stamina had worsened, so the doctor had insisted he stay at the hospital for the time being making it easier for all three of us. Brax walked past Heath and Heath quickly followed his steps towards the car

Heath could have sworn that these days it was like Brax wasn't even here. Physically he was present but emotionally he just seemed so distant. Heath knew it was Brax's way of dealing with everything that was going on. He only hoped he doesn't fall apart if push came to shove. Heath needed him just as much as Casey did. He watched Brax as he sat static in the driver's seat, the only movement coming from him steering the wheel. Heath spoke up hoping to get a coherent response

"You ok?" Stupid question Heath knew, but he had to start from somewhere "You do know everything is going to work out fine... right?" Heath peered over at Brax but he said nothing, keeping his gaze firmly on the road they drove along. Heath sighed heavily not surprised by Brax's lack of response. But then his head quickly spun up at the sound of Brax's voice

"Yea I know it will... it has to"

As Heath peered at Brax his eyes never left the road. Although glad to see him finally respond with something other than a shrug, a grunt or a nod the uncertainty in Brax's voice was so strong. Just like Heath he was desperately trying to convince himself that there was truth in the words he had just spoke. Heath just hoped for both their sake that they were right and Casey would make it out of this

Ruby and Charlie had just had breakfast at the diner and where now making their way into the city. They were only ten minutes outside of Summer Bay when Charlie realised she had left her bag at the diner

"Ruby my bag, I forgot it" Charlie sighed realising they would have to go back

"Mum I swear you would forget your head if it wasn't screwed on" Ruby laughed at Charlie's never ending forgetful nature

"I'm not that bad" Charlie spoke as she turned the car around "And maybe we can check on Angelo and see if he's done at the restaurant, then he could come with us?"

Ruby nodded her head as they drove back to the diner "You go to Angelo's and I'll go get your bag"

Charlie nodded in response

...

"Hy is Angelo around?" Charlie asked one of the staff as she entered the restaurant

"Err no he actually left about fifteen minutes ago" the young boy answered her with a smile

"Did he say where he was going?" Charlie asked

"No sorry" the young boy replied "Just that he wouldn't be long

"Ok thanks" Charlie turned and walked out of the restaurant wondering where Angelo could be

Getting back to the car Ruby was already waiting for her

"Angelo not coming?" she asked noticing Charlie was alone

"He wasn't there, one of the staff said he left about fifteen minutes ago"

"Call him" suggested Ruby

Charlie took her bag from Ruby and rummaged through for her phone before looking up at her sheepishly. Ruby instantly caught on to what Charlie was about to say

"You forgot your phone at home didn't you?" Charlie nodded as she passed Ruby a grin

"Yea sure, not that bad" Ruby rolled her eyes playfully as she entered the car, Charlie following

"We'll just go get it and I promise we'll get going to the city" putting the key into the ignition Charlie made the short drive to the house

"Looks like Angelo came home" said Ruby as they parked up behind his car

"You wait here. I'll quickly grab the keys and Angelo and we can get going" Charlie jumped out of the car walking as quickly as possible.

Entering the house she instantly heard the shower from the main bathroom. She felt her eyebrows rise in surprise. Angelo always used the shower in their room unless Charlie was taking too long. Pushing the thought back she made her way down the hall walking towards the bathroom. Turning the handle she started to speak before she had even entered

"Angelo me and R..." Charlie staggered back as her stomach dropped and her chest shrunk and began suffocating her lungs. Her heart leaped rapidly against her chest trying to escape the sudden pain it had begun to feel. Her hand quickly searched for an object to balance her weight on as her legs started to give way. She felt the clouds form in her mind causing a cloudy mist over her eyes. She must have been mistaken. She quickly pressed her eyes together as they tried to discard of the image before them

"Charlie..." Her eyes flew open at the sound of his voice the image before her was till there, clear as day. He edged in front of Nicole as if trying to shield her from Charlie

"Charlie I..." Charlie glared at him dead in the eye. She wanted to run but she couldn't let go of the basin that was holding her up. It was just a bad dream, it had to be. He would never do this to her, he loves her. She kept her gaze on him as he quickly grabbed a towel for the both of them. She shook her head aggressively but the events before her wouldn't leave. Charlie heard his foot hit the tiles on the bathroom floor, his pleading gaze remaining on her

"Charlie I am so sorry" His voice low, almost afraid

It was as if Charlie had only just then realised that it wasn't her imagination, this was actually happening. Her gaze slowly shifted from Angelo till it landed on the figure that stood behind him. She hadn't even registered her own voice till she spoke

"N-Nicole..." her glaring eyes returned to Angelo. 'Her daughter's friend, her fiance was cheating on her with her daughter's best friend' the thought almost driving her crazy. "You and Nicole" the words felt so bitter in her mouth.

"Charlie I never meant for this to happen... please you have to believe me" Angelo edged closer to Charlie.

Charlie hadn't even registered the approaching footsteps, neither of the three of them had

"Mum what's taking you so long?" Charlie heard Ruby gasp behind me. No one needed to explain the obvious of what had been going on here, it spoke for itself. With the little strength Charlie could find she edged away from Angelo and backed out of the bathroom

"Charlie please I..." in that moment the sound of his voice made her sick. She couldn't be there. Before she knew it she was running out the door trying to get as far away as possible from the house

...

He didn't mean for this to happen, it wasn't supposed to happen like this. Angelo paced after Charlie as she fled from the house but there was no use. He already knew she wouldn't turn back. His head flew back at the stinging sound that filled the house. Angelo turned around only to see Nicole stood by the bathroom door with her hand placed across her right cheek. Ruby stood before her glaring at her with angry eyes

"It was Angelo... the guy you was telling me about was Angelo" Ruby felt a tear leave her eyes "You're supposed to be my friend... how could you do this?"

"Ruby I am so sorry" Nicole's tears fell from her eyes but before she had even finished talking Ruby had paced away from her and now made her way towards Angelo heading for the front door. Angelo quickly stood in front of the door hoping she would give him a chance to explain

"Ru..." she stopped him even before he had began. Angelo had never seen such anger in her eyes before

"If you have any kind of decency left you will be gone before we get back" she glared at him before trying to get past him but Angelo refused to budge

"Rubes..." she once again shut him down

"DON'T CALL ME THAT. How could you do this to mum... to me?" she glared at him but it seemed he had no answer.

Angelo had been asking himself that very same question for so long "I'm sorry" the only words he could think of fell from his lips

"I hate you" Ruby spat her words at him with such bitterness before shoving past him and walking away leaving him standing ashamed at the hurt he had caused the both of them. Angelo looked up to see Nicole still had her hand over the cheek that Ruby had laid her slap. Her tears cascaded down her face as she stared at him

"What are we going to do?" 'how did she expect him to answer that question' thought Angelo. He had just managed to break what had been his family for so long. How was he supposed to fix this?

Nicole walked up to Angelo and stopping dead in front of him. He hated that his coward ways had hurt her too. Angelo pulled her into him and she instantly buried her head into his chest. He didn't know what he was going to do or how they were going to get through this but he couldn't leave her. He had fallen in love with the girl before him; he had to fight for them

Ruby had been looking for Charlie for over thirty minutes and still no sign of her anywhere. She tried to push the image back but she couldn't. Her friend, her best friend and Angelo, how could this be happening? They were happy. the three of them were a family and in a flash Angelo had ripped that away from them. Ruby felt her anger increase as she thought back to the amount of times Nicole had spent the night at their house, She had thought Nicole was there for her but it wasn't about her, it never had been.

Ruby paced along the beach searching her surrounding. Finally she spotted Charlie sat with her feet up against her chest. Ruby felt her heart break as the sun glistened against the tears that left her face. She quickened her walk and was by Charlie's side in no time. Ruby stood peering down at her

"Mum?" Charlie didn't answer, she didn't even seem to acknowledge Ruby "Mum" Ruby crouched down in front of her but she seemed to just look through her. Charlie's cascading tears hit her legs harshly and she finally brought her gaze to meet Ruby's

"How could he do this to me?"

Ruby felt her own tears fall at the fragile sound of her mother's voice. She had time and time again faced many troubles but she had always been able to hide her emotions from Ruby. But now here she was unable to hide the pain the one person she trusted above anyone had caused her

"We were supposed to get married... I was supposed to be his wife" Charlie shook her head as if still trying to deny what they had both seen. "Maybe it's me" Ruby instantly shook her head at Charlie's words. How could she even think that?

"This isn't your fault mum" at Ruby's words Charlie's cries got a little louder. Ruby slumped down beside her before pulling Charlie into her embrace. They sat in the same manner for several minutes. Charlie's cries had finally stopped but yet they sat watching the ocean lapping against the sand

"I'm so sorry" Charlie's voice broke the silence and Ruby looked at her "I didn't even think about you" Ruby knew what she meant

"This isn't about me right now" replied Ruby

"Yes it is... I'm sorry you had to see that" Charlie shook her head lightly as she spoke "How did we get here?" she asked as she leaned away from Ruby slightly the ocean holding her gaze

Ruby shook her head in return "I don't know" her eyes fixated on Charlie as she noticed her sway ever so slightly as if losing balance even while seated

"Mum are you ok?"

Charlie shut her eyes for a few seconds before opening them and looking at Ruby "Yea" that was her only reply but Ruby wasn't so sure. Ruby had only just noticed the unusual pale tone on her face. She watched as Charlie once again shut her eyes tightly before reopening them

"Mum?" Ruby looked on, worry starting to overcome her

"I just err... I need some water" Charlie stood to her feet but didn't stand for long. Ruby leapt to her side as Charlie almost immediately fainted and hit the sand below her feet

"MUM" Ruby shook her lightly but she didn't respond. 'What the hell was happening?' Ruby thought to herself

"SOMEONE HELP" Ruby yelled as she looked around frantically at the crowd that had started making their way to them

"Someone please call an ambulance... my mum" Ruby watched through her tears as a young lady quickly flung her phone to her ears. her gaze flew back down to her mother. Ruby shook her lightly but Charlie lay limp in her arms

"Mum please wake up please"


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