Adam and Peter sat at a table in Angelo's while Jack sat at the bar talking to Brax he hadn't told them about Charlie and just as well he had just found them when Brax called. "So listen mate," Jack started "I overheard Pete asking Adam did he want to go back to Melbourne with him-said that's what he came here for."

Brax nodded "when?" he asked a little disappointed.

"Tomorrow morning," Jack replied.

Again Brax nodded "so that's our trip off then," he sighed inside he felt a twinge he was looking forward to it.

"Nah mate he said no he wanted to go with you," Jack said causing him to smile.

"What did Pete say?" He asked.

"That he needed time away from here and to give Charlie a break but if he didn't wanna go he couldn't force him."

"That was the whole idea of this trip," Brax said and walked to the fridge, grabbing two beers he walked back "but if he wants to go I think he should it's up to him I guess."

Jack looked back at Adam he sat slumped in the chair looking around while Peter talked he looked bored out of his mind. Chuckling he turned back to Brax "nah mate for some reason he's chosen you I mean I'm his damn uncle and I couldn't even get through to him. Pete may look and sound tough but even he won't get through to him and Adam knows he's just wasting his time whereas with you he wants to be here he wants to talk to you he clicked with you and now you're stuck with him," he chuckled again.

"Suits me fine," Brax chuckled and pulled out his phone as it rang "be back in a sec," he said and walked away "hello," he answered.

"Hey just me," Hayley said "um Charlie's just left she's heading to the pier."

"What! Are you crazy!" He yelled "why did you let her leave alone in that state!"

"Brax chill I'm not a moron she's fine she's sober she's eaten and slept she's fine alright, I told her I said I'd call you- she told me she'd be at the pier."

Brax sighed heavily "okay thanks for calling and sorry I snapped."

"Don't worry about it but listen she's really fragile at the moment so try be understanding and all that."

"Okay," Brax said again "I'll talk to you later bye Hayley," he said and hung up.

"Something wrong?" Jack asked concerned.

"Nah mate," Brax said and grabbed his keys "everything is fine."

"So why did Hayley call you?" he asked.

"Because I asked her to when Charlie woke up- but she's not there anymore," he added.

"Where is she?" Jack asked worried.

"She's at the pier waiting for me so I'll talk to you when I get back- tell Adam he can go home when he's done eating," Brax said and walked out the door.

...

At the pier Charlie sat on a bench with her legs tucked under her shivering from the cold she didn't care though it was keeping her awake. She looked up as footsteps approached and smiled weakly.

Brax walked over and sat beside her "hey," he said turning to face her.

"Hey," she greeted back and moved so she lay across his legs "I'm sorry about earlier- not answering your call, I didn't know what way to act after I brought you there I was thinking a lot of things in my head."

"Like what?" he asked and started to play with her hair.

"Like what you must be thinking for one- I know you probably have a lot of questions to ask me so I'm hoping I'll be able to answer them… if you wanted to ask," she said and shivered.

Brax nudged her up "how about I take you home and we can talk there," he suggested.

Charlie nodded and stood up- smiling she slipped her hand into his and took a step closer to him "thank you for coming I wasn't sure if you would or not…even though I didn't ask," she chuckled.

Brax took another step closer to her "I understand this is hard for you Charlie if you feel it's too much we'll forget about it okay- I've gone this long without knowing what went on I'm sure I can wait until you're ready to tell me."

Charlie stood up on her toes and kissed him she giggled when his hands slipped around her waist, pulling back she started to walk and pulled him along "let's get moving then."

Brax led her back to his car "so where are we going mine or yours?"

"Mine-I know Ruby's not there, she's out with friends from work and Adam will be with Jack and Pete for the day…I don't want either of your brothers walking in on me crying," she giggled and pulled the door open. Before she got in she leaned over the door and kissed him quickly-she couldn't get enough of him pulling back she smiled and climbed in.

Brax chuckled and shook his head closing her door he walked to his own side and climbed in "do you wanna get something to eat- we can bring it home with us?" he asked.

"Nah I'm good Hayley made me eat- we can get something later," she said and clipped her belt on. Nodding Brax started up the car and headed off for her house.

...

Back at Angelo's Adam Peter and Jack were still there "are you sure you won't come with me mate?" Peter asked.

"No Uncle Pete I wanna go with Brax," Adam whined.

Jack chuckled "quit been a baby and Pete I think it's safe to say you lost this one."

"I can see that," Peter chuckled "but I guess I'll tell you both now while you're here I'll see Charlie and Ruby myself…I'm coming back for good."

"No way!" Jack yelled "they're finally giving you back to us," he said and slapped him on the back "It'll be great to have you back bro."

Peter smiled "yeah it will be- I caught the guy I've been chasing since I was sent over there so once the paperwork is done and he goes to trial I'll be back."

"Cool so you'll be working with mum and Jack again?" Adam asked.

"I sure will mate…and that's not all," he said and looked to both of them "I'll be bringing someone back with me."

"Oooh Pete's got a woman," Adam laughed.

"How'd you know that?" Peter asked.

"She's a friend of mums on facebook she saw some of the pictures of you together and sussed it out."

Jack laughed "busted- you know you can't keep anything from Charlz."

Peter chuckled "yeah and here I was thinking it would be a surprise…did she say how she knew her?"

"Nah I just overheard her telling B and Hayley you were looking pretty cosy with a girl she went to the academy with," Adam answered.

"So she's a cop?" Jack asked.

"Where else would Pete meet a woman," Adam chuckled.

"Oi," Peter laughed and slapped him on the head "yes Jack she is a cop, when she's not an instructor at the Academy she works out of my station."

"Nice," Jack nodded "well I for one will be happy to see you back…where will she be working?"

"She got a place at Reefton lakes and she'll be instructing at the Academy with Charlie twice a week."

"So she's on gun training and self-defence with mum?" Adam asked.

"Nah mate she'll be doing the driving course and the obstacle courses," Peter said and stood up "anyone fancy a walk on the beach before dinner?"

"Yeah I could go for that," Adam said and stood up he stopped when he spotted Hammer walk in with his boys "shit," he muttered.

"What?" Jack asked and looked to the door "oh hell no! You lot out you're not welcome here!"

"Oi Holden I told you not to screw up didn't I?" Hammer yelled.

"Get lost you lot or you're going to lock up-all of you!" Peter yelled.

"Jake wants a word with you he's not happy you ratted him out and tell Braxton to watch his back," Hammer laughed.

Adam flipped and stormed over to him "why whatcha gonna do?" he asked stepping closer to him.

Hammer smiled and took a step back "when the time is right you at that moron will find out," he said and walked out to the stairs.

"Leave it mate," Jack said and grabbed him when he went to lunge at him "he's not worth it."

"Yeah Adam don't let him scare you he's not gonna do anything," Peter added.

"Not if I get there first," Adam spat and pulled away from Jack "forget the walk!" He yelled and stormed out of Angelo's.

Back at Charlie's they sat at the kitchen table "so?" Charlie said.

"So where do we start?" Brax asked.

"What's the first question you have?"

Brax thought for a moment "how did she die?" he asked cautiously.

Immediately Charlie's eyes filled with tears but she pushed them back she was going to do this. "I was called to an emergency at work- I was still on maternity leave but this came from headquarters so I had to go, Sean had been out drinking with his brother the night before so he'd a bit of a hangover, so I dropped Ruby and Adam to school and went on my way. I called throughout the day to check up on Sienna he said she was fine she'd just had a bottle or she'd gone back to sleep he knew I was worried it was my first time leaving her," Charlie sighed and sat back "my neighbour called later in the afternoon asking was everything okay she could hear yelling from my house, I told her I was at work she offered to check it out for me but I said no just in case something was going on so I went home to check it out myself," Biting her lip she looked down at the floor.

Brax slipped his hand over her "it's okay take your time," he said softly.

Wiping her eyes Charlie continued "I got to my house and let myself in I froze when I got to the living room he was shaking her hard yelling her head was flopping from side to side, I screamed at him and he just threw her into her crib and stepped away. When she didn't cry I ran over my heart was in my mouth I felt sick I didn't know what to expect. I picked her up and held my breath her eyes were closed her chest wasn't going up and down she wasn't moving she was just all floppy in my arms. I don't know how I managed the next part but I took my hand to her neck and felt her pulse there was nothing I screamed at him to call an ambulance while I lay her on the floor- she was so tiny I was afraid to press on her chest. While I did it he stood there looking at me not saying a word, after a few minutes I knew she was gone... as much as it killed me I stopped and just sat there!" she cried and threw he hands over her face "he just stood there looking at me my baby had died and he stood there looking at me!"

"Charlie," Brax said sadly and pulled her into him he could't believe this, how could her dad to that to her-how could anyone do that to a child? "I'm so so sorry you had to go through that no mum should ever have to deal with that."

Charlie sniffed and stood up "after a few minutes just staring at her I turned to the side and threw up on the floor, looking up at Sean my anger took over I jumped up and punched him so hard- later I was told I'd broken my hand but at the time it didn't stop me. He fell to the floor and I jumped on him punching him over and over just screaming while he struggled under me. My head snapped to the door when I heard Adam say it was strange both our cars were in the drive."

"Sean took that as his chance to flip me but not before I'd pulled my gun and fired off a round- I missed him but I swear to god Brax if he hadn't of did what he did next that gun would have went off several times in his head," she said angrily.

"What did he do?" Brax asked.

Charlie had turned away from him and was now leaning on the sink looking out the window- she stood like that for a few minutes before she turned back to him. Lifting her top she showed him a jagged scar across her lower abdomen "he stabbed me when I shot my gun at him again."

Brax's eyes widened "where the hell did he get a knife from?"

Charlie shrugged and walked back to the table dropping into a seat "there was a towel on the floor and the fridge was open so I guessed he was making something for the kids."

Brax nodded "you said you heard them at the door."

Charlie nodded "I did after he stabbed me he punched me a few times- I think he was in shock I shot at him, I dropped on the floor beside Sienna I was in shock I just lay there I couldn't even bring my hand up to cover the wound Sean stared at me wide eyed for a minute or two before he jumped down beside me and covered it. I heard Ruby screaming and heard footsteps, then I heard Sean yell and heard Adam take off. A minute later I heard my neighbour that was the last thing I remember before I passed out."

Brax sighed "did you find out why he did what he did?"

"Yeah," she scoffed "he said he-" she was cut off by the door bouncing off the wall and Adam storming by them. "Adam?" she called as he kept walking.

"I'm fine mum!" He yelled back and stomped up the stairs.

Charlie looked at Brax "go on we can finish this another time," he said squeezing her hand.

...

Charlie stood up and walked to the stairs when she got to his room she tipped the door open and leaned against it "everything okay?"

"Yeah," Adam sighed and got off the bed "I guess I better start packing," he said and pulled a bag out from under the bed.

Something popped into her head stepping into the room she closed the door over "if you wanna go see your dad I won't get in your way."

Adam stopped what he was doing and turned to face her "seriously?" He asked titling his head trying to read her.

Charlie nodded and walked to his bed- sitting on it she pulled him down beside her "you know what he did so no I'm not happy with it but if it's what you need to do go do it…I just didn't want you to get hurt- but you're sixteen it's your choice, just remember it's been a long time since you last saw him he's not the same person we knew."

Adam smiled and kissed her on the cheek "thanks mum I can take care of myself I won't get hurt one visit is all I need…thanks for letting me go I know this is really hard for you," he said and slipped his hand into hers "don't take it out on Brax I came to him I asked him to come with me he just wanted you to be okay with it before he agreed."

Charlie smiled "I know sweetie I've already apologised," she said and ran her fingers through his hair "you're really getting along with him aren't you?"

Adam smiled "yeah he's great I feel like I can tell him anything I can't wait to go on this trip," he said excitedly.

Charlie smiled and stood up again "I hope you two have a great time I wanna see loads of pictures and hear loads of stories when you get back," she said walking to the door.

"We're not girls mum we won't be sitting around taking pictures of each other," Adam chuckled.

Charlie giggled "just humour me I wanna see a few nice pictures of you having fun.

"Or is it a picture of Brax you want?" Adam smirked "you know so you can keep it beside your bed."

"How about I just have Brax in my bed?" Charlie smirked at the horrified look on Adam's face "that shut you up," she chuckled.

"Well played mum well played but on a serious note… I'm glad you've found someone that makes you happy-you deserve it," he said walking to her, he hugged her "I think he's pretty keen too."

"Adam!" Charlie shrieked and shoved him back "we haven't even gone out yet or if we ever will."

"Well you better sort that out before we go tomorrow," Adam said and walked back to his packing chuckling to himself.

Charlie chuckled to herself too and walked down to the kitchen she was expecting Brax to be gone humming to herself she walked into the kitchen and stopped he still sat where he was before she went upstairs. Walking to him she slipped her hands around his neck and rested her chin on his shoulder "with the risk of sounding like an idiot…do you want to go out with me tonight?"

Brax smiled and grabbed her hands, pulling her around he pulled her onto his lap "are you asking me out on a date Ms Buckton?" Charlie nodded and bit her lip he chuckled at her nervous look "well I'd love to but it's on me and I get to pick where we go."

Charlie smiled and stood up "anywhere is fine with me," she said putting the kettle on.

Brax nodded and stood up "so I'll pick you up at eight then?"

"Aww you're going?" She asked turning back to him "I thought we could hang out and go as we are."

Brax walked over to her and stopped in front of her "I've a few things to sort out at Angelo's I'll back as soon as it's done."

"No it's fine you don't have to come back I just assumed you were free go do what you have to and I'll see you at eight," she said slipping her hands around his neck "gotta make myself all sexy for ya," she giggled.

Brax chuckled and kissed her softly, pulling back her stroked her cheek "you don't need to do anything you're sexy just the way you are," he mumbled and kissed her again.

Deepening the kiss he backed her up into the counter "get a room we eat in here you know," they both pulled away to see a smirking Adam in the doorway.

"Sorry," Charlie said sheepishly and stepped away from him.

"Yeah I'll uh see you later then," he said walking to the door "and I'll see you bright and early in the morning mate- six am!" He called on his way out.

"Is he serious- six am?" Adam groaned.

Charlie laughed "even I knew Brax was a morning person."

"Why don't you get him to stay here tonight- so we don't have to get up so early?"

"No way!" Charlie shrieked "Adam I've taken your advice and just asked him out for tonight… how will that look if I ask him to sleep over?"

"Well not in your bed obviously…he can have the spare room," he suggested.

"No," Charlie giggled "you'll just have to get up early- I'm gonna see Leah at the diner fancy a milkshake?"

"Mum it's nearly six shouldn't you be getting ready now?"

"I have two hours," she replied.

"Yeah so shouldn't you have started like three hours ago?" he teased.

"Hey I am not that bad," she defended.

Adam scoffed "why do you think I get ready at Uncle Jack's or granddads when we're having a family thing."

"Because Ruby hogs the bathrooms," Charlie laughed and grabbed her keys "I won't be long."

"Get me a strawberry milkshake!" he called after her. Sighing happily he watched the door close this was the first time in a long time he was actually happy and it was all down to Brax he really was a great guy and now he was making his mum happy too, Smiling to himself he went out to the laundry room to gather his tent.

Charlie arrived at the diner and walked to the counter "Marylyn where's Leah?" she asked quickly.

"Oh they're over there," Marylyn chirped and pointed to a corner where she sat with Bianca and Martha "shall I bring you a coffee?"

"No thanks not stopping!" Charlie called already on her way over "thank god you're all here," she said frantically and dropped into a seat.

"What's wrong with you?" Leah laughed "Hayls!" she called and waved her over.

"Yeah you look like you sprinted here," Bianca added.

"What's wrong Charlz?" Hayley asked as she sat down.

"Okay I can't stay long I just need opinions," they all nodded "I kinda asked Brax out on a date tonight and he said yes now I'm totally freaking out should I cancel?"

"I knew something happened last night!" Martha shrieked.

Bianca scoffed "I was totally wasted and I even knew something happened- no Charlz you shouldn't cancel you both like each other."

"Yeah Charlie just relax and go with it," Leah added.

"I agree it's not like you've never been on a date before go have fun," Hayley chuckled.

"But it's Brax am I doing it for the right reasons or just because of what he's doing for Adam?" Charlie asked panicked she was beyond nervous now.

Martha sat forward "do you like him Charlie?" Charlie nodded "and have you liked him since before this all happened with Adam?"

"Yes," the rest of the girls answered and giggled.

"Okay okay that is true…what do I do?" Charlie whined.

"Look Charlie you get home get into a dress doll yourself up and go have a good time," Bianca said "you've nothing to worry about he is totally crazy about you."

"He is I've never seen him act like that with anyone else," Leah added "I should know I threw myself at him for months when they arrived," she muttered.

"Well unfortunately for you Leah he'd already set his eyes on our Charlie," Hayley chuckled "like B said go home get ready and have fun be yourself it's not like he doesn't know you so that saves all the getting to know each other crap…go on shoo," she giggled and shoved her out of the seat.

"Fine I'm going but if this goes to hell I'll be turning up at one of your doors so make sure you all have the fridge stocked bye!" She called and ran to the counter for Adam's milkshake before darting out the door back to her car.

...

At his house Brax had just showered and dressed walking to the living room he began humming to himself "someone sounds pleased with themselves," he turned to see Casey and Ruby on the sofa.

"Thought you were out with friends," he said and kept walking.

"She was I picked her up-so why are you so happy?" Casey asked.

"Well if you must know I'm going on a date," he said with a smirk.

"Oh," Ruby said disappointedly and turned back to the tv.

"With who?" Casey asked darting his eyes to Ruby they thought him and Charlie would eventually get it together.

"Charlie," Brax said casually and picked up his keys "I'll see you two later!" he called on his way out

"Have fun!" Ruby called after him smiling widely.

...

Back at her house Charlie had just finished getting ready and stood looking at herself in the mirror she chose a lemon yellow dress and curled her hair loosely with smokey eye shadow and black shoes adding a black bag and silver jewellery.

"You look beautiful mum," Adam said from the doorway.

"You don't think it's a bit too much?" She asked nervously and tugged at her dress.

Adam smiled "nervous?" He teased.

"A little," Charlie nodded and walked by him "I have no idea where we're going I hope this is not over the top," she said as she walked down the stairs and to the kitchen.

Adam followed and sat on the counter "mum relax it'll be fine."

Charlie pulled a bottle of wine from the fridge "I feel like a teenager going on my first date," she groaned.

Adam chuckled "that's because you haven't been out with a guy since Angelo…it'll be fine alright just go and enjoy yourself."

"I've gone on dates," Charlie replied.

"Yeah and on both occasions you called Uncle Jack to pick you up saying you had an emergency at work," Adam replied and jumped down "just relax it's not like he's a stranger it's Brax you'll be fine," he said and walked by her.

Charlie sat down and poured herself a glass sighing she swallowed it in one and refilled it hoping it would steady her nerves, looking at the glass she shoved it away today had been enough for her she was surprised she wasn't passed out somewhere but then again Hayley always did look after her. Standing up she placed the bottle back in the fridge and emptied the glass down the sink.

Brax arrived at her door and knocked when she opened it he opened his mouth to speak and stopped she was stunning "wow," was all he got out and stared at her.

"Hey," she said nervously and stepped back to let him in.

Brax followed her in and closed the door "you look amazing," he said and walked to the table.

"Thanks," she replied and pulled the fridge open "drink?" She asked pulling out a beer.

"You not having one?" he asked taking it from her.

"I think I've had enough today," she said and sat beside him "so where are we going?"

Brax leaned in and kissed her "been waiting a while for that," he said and sat back "you'll see when we get there."

"Ah good you're here," Adam said and sat beside him "a few rules before you take my mum out," he said winking at Charlie "one, she's to be home by at least twelve-two, no funny business keep your hands where they can be seen at all times and three…make sure she has a good time," he chuckled and stood up "or you'll have me to deal with…I'm off out mum have fun," he said and kissed her on the cheek.

"Where are you going?" Charlie asked before he pulled the door open.

"Over to Casey's he Ruby and a few of the others are getting a pizza and a movie she called me to come over."

"Aw isn't that nice," Charlie smiled "have fun sweetie and make sure you two come home together I don't want either of you walking alone."

"We won't stop worrying!" He called and walked down the drive.

Charlie smiled and watched him go thinking of something she turned to him "you know pizza and a movie doesn't sound so bad…and we have got the place to ourselves."

Brax chuckled and stood up "I am taking you for dinner then we can come back here for a movie I have something planned we'll be back here by ten if we leave now."

Charlie nodded "okay since you picked dinner I pick the movie," she said and grabbed her bag.

"Deal," he chuckled and followed her out the door.

...

Pulling up at Angelo's he turned off the engine and turned to her "since I didn't have much notice it's all I could come up with… sorry," he said and smiled quickly.

Charlie smiled and pulled off her belt "don't be silly it's perfect," she said and climbed out.

Brax got out and caught up with her slipping her hand around his arm they walked up the stairs together. Getting to the top Charlie saw it was busier than normal "wow sure is full," she said as she looked around.

Brax smiled and took her hand "people heard I got a brilliant new chef," he said and led her through the kitchen doors.

"We eating in here?" she giggled.

Brax chuckled and led her to a door at the back "nope," he said and pushed it open to reveal a flight of stairs "up you go," he said nudging her forward.

Charlie took the stairs slowly and kept looking back at him, when she got to the top her mouth fell open "wow," she managed and looked around "Brax," she breathed and took a few steps forward "how come no one knows this is here?"

Brax led her to a sofa and sat down beside her "because this is just for me…and I lock Heath up here sometimes," he chuckled.

"It really is beautiful," she said looking around. On the roof of Angelo's he had transformed it beautifully- a white sofa went right around the whole roof, in one of the corners he had a small bar even that looked so fancy, he had a water fountain in the middle it was beautiful fitted so well with the bar and sofa. Standing up Charlie walked to the table in the middle of the floor smiling at the bottle of her favourite wine in an ice bucket "this defiantly is perfect," she said turning back to him.

Brax stood up and walked to her "do you wanna see the best part?"

Charlie nodded and took his hand he led her to the side of the building and up a small ladder, sitting down on the ground he pulled her into his lap "look out there," he said and pointed off.

Charlie looked out and gasped "wow, Brax, this is so amazing," she said looking out at the ocean as it bobbed- the night light reflecting off it giving it a perfect glow "what could be more perfect than this," she said quietly.

"Getting to do this again with you," Brax murmured in her ear.

Charlie placed her hands on top of his and leaned back into him "I think it's safe to say that could be a possibility."

Brax chuckled and tightened his grip on her "five minutes then we're eating if you wanna watch that movie."

Back at Charlie's Ruby had forgotten her insulin (again) and had asked Adam to come back with her to get it, opening the front door she stopped in the kitchen "I can't remember where I left my blood machine," she said trying to remember.

"Aren't you supposed to carry that with you at all times?" Adam asked as he pulled a few drawers open- he stopped when the phone rang.

"Leave it let it go to the machine," Ruby said and started to rummage, they both froze and looked toward the phone as a voice filled it-one they hadn't heard in a long time.

"Hey Charlie I guess you already know who it is... um sorry I haven't been in touch for a while I guess I was just hard for me, I know I said a lot of things and done a lot of stupid things back then but I was mad- I could never believe my brother could do something like that, anyway I'm in town for a week or so I would like to see my niece and nephew…and you too, call me I still have the same number hope to hear back from you."

Looking at each other for a moment Ruby started to walk towards it slowly "mum can never know he called."

Adam followed and nodded "and she won't- delete it," he said.

Ruby pressed delete and sighed "what the hell does he want?" She asked angrily.

Adam thought of something "do you think dad sent him because of the letters we ignored… he did say he wanted to see us."

Ruby nodded "maybe but let's not worry about that now alright let's get out of here I remember where I left it," she said and ran up to her room.

While she was gone Adam pulled out his phone and pulled up a number "so Uncle Gav you still have the same number do you," he smirked.

"Ready!" Ruby called snapping him out of it, dropping his phone in his pocket he walked out behind her "we'll see what happens if you try get near my mum," he muttered to himself and climbed into the car.

A/N I cannot remember what the blood machine diabetics use is called my friend has one and for the life of me we cannot remember what it's proper name is-even she calls it her blood machine and for those of you wondering I will get back to the date in the next chapter.