A Helping Hand

Authors Note: I do NOT own Home and Away. All credit goes to the writers.

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Reviews:

Neena: Here is the next update, yay! I am definitely looking at exploring Brax's past more, especially in coming chapters. He can really identify with the struggles they are going through.
FrankElza: He does have a big heart, which is only back to get bigger in coming chapters. I haven't actually attempted to write a story with a teenage Ruby, so I am kind of hoping I frame her character right. You'll see more April helping out in this chapter. Hope you enjoy
RoRo90: This review melted my heart; I literally am lost for words. I don't think you have had to wait too long for this chapter and I hope you enjoy it. I have wanted to write this story for ages but couldn't put my thoughts into words, so I hope this meets your expectations! Enjoy!
JS: This a lovely review! I love the feedback. Life hasn't been good to them at all, but despite all that Charlie has brought up to well behaved and polite girls. Brax can definitely empathise with the situation and in later chapters we will learn more about that. Aw, it's so difficult because even I want them to gall head over heals in love but I know I have to take it slow! Glad you love this.
FanFiction.79: Hi Sandy, hope you enjoyed the last chapter, and that you enjoy this one too.
Lazza77: It was a lovely chapter, but here comes some drama at the end of this one, which I actually feel bad about! Hope you enjoy!

This chapter isn't everything I thought it would be, it just didn't seem to flow how I wanted it to, sadly. I hope you enjoy it and please let me know if you think this Fanfiction is moving to slow.

Thank-you to all those reviewed, warms my heart to see that you all love the idea of this story. Please enjoy chapter three!


Chapter Three: Something's Wrong.

20th Of December, 2015.

Charlie sat at the kitchen table twirling a pen in her hand as she stared blankly at the newspaper. The job section was about a column long which didn't give her much hope yet she had circled a couple potential interviews. A waitress at a café in Yabbie Creek, a receptionist at the local dentist and a house cleaner for an elderly couple.
The tv was buzzing in the background making her reasons for finding a job stand out, even though Brax had told them to treat the house like their own and that only room they weren't allowed to enter was his, it still made her feel horrible that she didn't have a job to contribute to the bills that her children were currently upping by sitting in front of the tv all morning. But she also couldn't bring herself to turn it off, they hadn't watched tv since they'd been on the streets and looking at them cuddled up under the blanket completely engrossed in watching a silly tv show, Charlie felt for a moment that they were acting like normal kids.

Blinking she turned back to the paper and stared blankly, she wanted nothing more than to take the job with Brax, it would be easier to get her life back together if she didn't have to hunt for a job but she felt like taking the job and living in his house would just be wrong. She didn't want to over crowd him by being in his work place and then in his home, it would mean she would wear out her welcome quickly and then she'd be forced back out onto the street with the girls.

"Mum?"

Charlie glanced up at the sound of Ruby's voice; the brunette was staring at her from the couch with a concerned expression. "Yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

Charlie smiled weakly. "I'm fine, just job hunting"

Nicole coughed loudly. "Any luck, mum?"

Charlie tried to smile reassuringly. "Trying my best sweetheart" She stood up and walked over, brushing her hand over Nicole's forehead. "How are you feeling?" She frowned. "You're burning up kiddo. How about a cool bath"

Nicole shook her head; an anxious expression fell over her small face. "Noooo" She moaned.

Ruby reached forward and rubbed her sister's arm, she understood why Nicole was panicking. "It's okay, Nic, Brax won't be mad. We can go and see his restaurant another day"

Nicole shook her head. "No. He promised we'd go today, what happens if he doesn't want to go another day?"

"I doubt that'll be the case" Ruby spoke softly, Brax didn't seem like he would go back on a promise. "You just need to get better. I'll go run you a bath while mum calls Brax"

Charlie brushed her hand over her daughter's hair. "You can't go out while you're sick, sweetie" She walked over to the house phone, dialling Brax's mobile number that he had written down beside the phone. She took a deep breath, she hoped he wouldn't be annoyed with her for using the phone but it would save him from coming all the way out to the house only to find out Nicole was sick and couldn't go anywhere.

"Hello?"

Charlie jumped slightly at the sound of his voice as it came over the phone. "Brax, it's Charlie, I know you were going to pick us up for lunch but Nicole's spiked a fever so I think it's best to stay home"

"Of course, I understand. How bad is the temperature?"

Charlie bit her bottom lip; she didn't have a thermometer to check her daughter's temperature. She felt her heart drop, why was life unfair at times, she didn't understand what she had done to deserve this life. "I…"

"Sorry" He had forgotten briefly. "There is a thermometer under the bathroom sink. I'll bring some pizza home for you and Ruby, and some soup for Nicole"

Charlie's eyes widened. "You don't have to do that"

Brax chuckled. "I want to, plus I don't think you'll find much in the house. I'm meant to go food shopping tonight. I'll be home in about an hour"

Charlie hung up the phone, exhaling loudly. The man didn't seem to understand that he was doing too much for them. He was completely and utterly helpful which made Charlie feel pathetic. She wanted to be able to pay him back for everything he was doing.

Ruby looked across the lounge room at her mother as she emerged from the hallway, she could see the tears clouding her mother's blue eyes. "What'd he say?" Ruby asked anxiously, by the look on her mother's face she could only assume it was bad.

Charlie blinked back the tears, looking over at her daughter. "It's fine. He's bringing home some lunch for us"

Ruby looked concerned; she didn't see why her mother would be nearly crying. "What's wrong, mum?"

Charlie shook her head. "Nothing sweetie" She wouldn't dump her troubles onto her daughter, no matter how old the teenager was. Charlie's worries and troubles were not something she ever wanted her daughters to bare; they had already been through enough. "Why don't you watch your show, I'm going to check on Nicole and take her temperature" Charlie walked down the hallway quickly, she didn't want to stand there in front of Ruby for a moment longer, she was concerned if she did then she'd break and suddenly everything would come pouring from her lips.

Ruby sat down on the couch, her eyes wandering around the living room. She'd be lying to herself and everyone if she said she wasn't disappointed that they would now be staying home. She wanted to explore the town and see Brax's restaurant but she knew how disappointed Nicole would be if she was left behind.

"Hey Ruby" Brax called quietly as he stepped into the house, shutting the door behind him, he could see Nicole was soundly sleeping on the couch beside her big sister. "Leave it, I meant it when I told you to treat this place like your home" Brax told her when he saw the teenager reaching to turn the tv off.

Ruby smiled weakly, it wasn't that she didn't understand his words, she just felt weird about using his belongings while he was around. "Thank-you" She stood up to follow him to the kitchen.

"I brought you some pizza and Nicole some soup from the restaurant. How's she doing?" Brax asked as he placed the things on the bench.

Ruby shrugged. "She's exhausted, her fever has gone down a little but she vomited over the bathroom floor, uh, mums cleaning it though" She added quickly, she didn't want Brax to think he would be left with such a chore.

Brax nodded. "No stress" He opened the pizza box. "Help yourself, kiddo. It's just hawaiian pizza since I wasn't sure what you would like" He smiled at Charlie as she entered the room. "Hey"

Charlie smiled softly as she looked at Ruby who was helping herself to a slice of pizza. "Hi, thank-you for lunch"

"No worries, I brought some chicken noddle soup home for Nicole as well, I'll put it in the fridge for after and I stopped by the chemist to grab this" He tossed a bottle of medicine at Charlie. "A dose of that might help to fight whatever bug she has"

Charlie felt her heart leap, she was so grateful. "Thank-you so much" She whispered, it had been in the back of her mind that Nicole might need some type of medicine but she had absolutely no idea how she was going to pay for it. "I…thank-you"

Brax rolled his eyes, all he ever heard out of the three mouths was thank-you, he wasn't sure they knew many other words. "I have to go out to my brothers in a little while; I was thinking Ruby might like to come with me"

Ruby looked up, her eyes going straight to her mother. The thought of going somewhere without her, alone with Brax was nerve wracking. "I…"

Charlie looked back and forth between her daughter and the man who was placing soup in the fridge. "Why would you…"

Brax shut the fridge door. "I told you before he has a teenager daughter; I thought it might be good for Ruby to meet someone her own age. When Nicole's better we can take her over to meet Darcy" He glanced at Ruby. "Only if you want to though, I was going to go over before I go to the supermarket"

Ruby blinked, she hadn't had friends in ages, she wasn't even sure she knew how to make friends anymore or if Brax's niece would even like her considering she'd just come in off the streets to live with the girls Uncle. "I don't…What if she doesn't like me?" Ruby blurted out in panic, her face turning white.

"Baby" Charlie spoke rubbing her daughters back. "Of course she'll like you"

"April likes everyone. You'll probably get a big hug from Darcy. You'll do fine" He promised.

Charlie smiled. "It would be good to meet someone your own age, make a friend. If we are going to stay in the bay then you'll be going to school, maybe making friends will April will make that transition easier"

Ruby bit her lip. "Okay, but is it alright if I eat and shower before we go?"

Brax chuckled. "Yeah, we got plenty of time"

"How's the job hunting going?" Brax peeked over the table at the paper.

Charlie swiped it up and held it close to her chest. "Fine" She smiled.

Brax shrugged as he placed the plates in the dishwasher. "My offer still stands"

Charlie smiled. "And I still can't accept"

"Why? And don't just tell me it's because you have to earn the job" Brax leaned against the bench.

Charlie brushed the hair out of her eyes. "I don't…" She paused, she felt like she owed it with him to at least be honest. "I don't want to over crowd you. We are living with you; if I start working with you as well then we'll be seeing each other all the time. I don't want you to feel overwhelmed and we end up with the result of me and the girls having to leave. I don't want to jeopardize this"

Brax rubbed the back of his head, that thought had never crossed his mind; he just figured they'd be able to make things work. "Charlie, we are adults. I think if I am feeling overcrowded then we can talk about it. I'm not going to kick you and the girls out" He told her sincerely. "I actually like having other people around the house, less lonely"

"But it's not just that, I feel like you've already done enough for us. You don't know what kind of worker I am and you are completely willing to hire me"

Brax shrugged. "I want to help, Charlie and if I'm completely honest I feel like I haven't done enough. I feel like I could do more. It's Christmas, a time for giving and helping"

Charlie looked down at the floor at the mention of Christmas, yet another reminder that she hadn't been able to give her girls what they deserved over the last few years. "Brax…"

He nodded. "I know, you've got a couple of potentials circled. Set up interviews but if by chance you don't get a job know that there is a position waiting at the restaurant to be filled"

Charlie smiled. "Thank-you but I'm really hoping I can do this on my own"

Brax nodded in understanding, he could see she wanted to be independent to build a better future for the girls. She wanted to do it with as little help as possible so she could say to everyone that she turned her life around. "I understand but the offer is there"

"Thank-you. I could, well, I don't know how to repay you for all you have done but if you get the ingredients to spaghetti or any other meal you like I could cook dinner. I know it's not much but I can cook every night since you work"

Brax shook his head. "Perhaps not every night but if you wanted to cook a few times a week, I wouldn't be against it" He smiled. "You don't have to repay me, I am offering to have you and the girls here and I am not asking for anything in return"

Charlie nodded. "I know but I want to do my part. How about I cook Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays?"

"Alright but Friday is take out night" Brax told her, he always had take out night on a Friday.

Charlie giggled softly, she was happy they could come to an understanding. "And the girls, they could do chores" Charlie suggested.

Brax shrugged. "As their mother that is your decision but as long as they keep their room tidy I am not fussed"

Charlie's lips spread into a wide smile at the mention of their room; she never thought she would hear those words regarding her girls. "Okay, well maybe dishes at night would be another thing they could do" Charlie said as she saw Ruby step into the room, fresh out of her shower. "Hey sweetie, are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready now. Thank-you for waiting, Brax"

Brax chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. "I have one house rule. No more saying thank-you" He laughed, the amount he had heard that word in three days was ridiculous, he loved that they were polite but he didn't think he needed to hear it every time.

^..^

"Heath, you home?" Brax swung the front door to his brother's house open, surprise by the quietness and tidiness of the house. He glanced at Ruby with a smirk. "Something's going on…" He said in a teasing voice.

"Uncle Brax" Darcy ran out of her bedroom and wrapped her arms around his waist in a huge hug. "I missed you"

Brax chuckled. "You saw me when I picked April up yesterday"

"Who's this?" Darcy looked at Ruby, tugging on her Uncle to make him respond. "Uncle Brax?"

Brax ruffled her hair. "This is Ruby; she's staying with me for a while"

"Hi, Uncle Brax" April walked out of her bedroom, smiling when she saw him. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to speak to your goof of a dad" He told her.

"April, this is Ruby, she's staying with Uncle Brax" Darcy told her sister. "That's my older sister, April, you don't want to be friends with her but we can be friends"

"Darce" Brax scolded. "That's not nice to say, why wouldn't she want to be friends with April?"

Darcy shrugged as though it was obvious. "Because she's a butt head?"

Heath groaned as he came in from the backyard. "Don't start again, Darcy. I thought I sent you two to your rooms. If you can't act your age…"

April rolled her eyes. "I didn't even say anything" She turned away from him. "Hi Ruby"

Ruby smiled awkwardly. "Hi"

Brax glanced at his niece. "I brought Ruby by because I was wondering if you had any clothes that you don't wear anymore if she could borrow them, and if Darce has some Ruby's younger sister could borrow"

April nodded; her Uncle had told her a bit about the family and their situation when he took her into Yabbie Creek yesterday. "Sure. I also have some books that she can borrow to catch up on for school"

Brax grinned. "Awesome. Is that alright with you Ruby?" He asked.

Ruby smiled weakly. "That would be great"

"Alright, you two should go do that but just quickly, Ruby this is Heath and Heath this is Ruby"

Heath smiled. "Nice to meet you"

"Nice to meet you too, Heath"

"Sorry about the mess" April apologized as they walked into the room. "My little sister was in here before ripping my room apart" She rolled her eyes as she pulled her wardrobe doors open and pulled out two large plastic bags. "There is nothing wrong with the clothes I just haven't worn them in a while or they don't fit anymore"

Ruby nodded as she looked around the room, she could only dream of what it would be like to have a teenage bedroom like the one she was standing in with a double bed, desk and belongings that were actually hers. "Thank-you" Ruby responded as the bags were put down in front of her.

"You can keep them because I don't actually need them. And I also have…" April walked over to the desk and grabbed some books. "These are the books we have been told to read for next year, I've already read these two so you can take them. If you have any questions then I can help you out" April smiled.

Ruby smiled back. "Thank-you, I appreciate this"

April shrugged; she didn't mind lending a helping hand. "Oh, don't worry about what Darcy said either. I'd love to get to know you better, maybe we could go for a smoothie at the surf club or for lunch at Uncle Brax's restaurant" April offered. "And I could introduce you to some of my friends if you like that way you know a few people before school starts up"

Ruby shifted awkwardly. "I…uh, I'm haven't had friends in a long time"

April smiled. "Well you're going to fit in around here, I promise!"

^..^

Charlie felt Nicole's forehead, frowning when she realised her daughters temperature had risen again. The young girl was sweating badly as she coughed. "Honey, how are you feeling?"

"Not good" Nicole moaned as she leaned over the side of the couch and vomited into the waiting bucket. "It hurts" She clutched her stomach.

Charlie's expression turned to one of panic as she looked down at her daughter. The blonde was red in the face, sweating and clutching her stomach. She knew her daughter needed to see a doctor or someone, she didn't have any medical insurance but she didn't have a choice at the moment.

"Mum, we are…" Ruby's eyes widened at the sight of Nicole curled up clutching her stomach. "What's happening?"

Charlie looked at Brax, tears threatening to spill from her eyes as she rubbed Nicole's back. "She's needs a hospital, or doctor, or…"

Brax dropped the shopping bags he was holding and moved to lift Nicole off the couch, he could see in Charlie's eyes that she was panicking. "We'll take her to the hospital. Come on"

^..^

I know this Fanfiction seems like it's moving slow, but I am trying to make sure I map everything out for you.
If you think it's not moving at the right pace please let me know!

Well, what are your thoughts? Read & Review?! Please.