Chapter 7
A further six months had passed by quickly and Phoebe had since given birth to her baby boy, Michael Bailey Braxton. Phoebe had decided on the baby taking Kyle's surname despite not sharing nuptials to keep the Braxton legacy alive.
Kyle was over the moon being able to finally hold his son in his arms the day that Phoebe had given birth; it was everything he had ever wanted, but the concept of fatherhood was still daunting to him.
While Phoebe and Kyle shared the Braxton house with their young son, across the hall Ricky still preoccupied with her now two year old Casey who was waddling around and proving to be a challenge on the young single Mum.
"Case come and get your shoes on," Ricky called to her son.
Ricky had just finished packing some toys and snacks in a small backpack so the two could spend the day over at Kyle and Phoebe's. Casey was reluctant to obey and chased to the bed laughing.
"Casey, come on; this is no time for games. You want to go see Uncle Kyle don't you?" Ricky asked.
Casey stopped playing about and stood beside the bed waiting for Ricky to come towards him with his shoes. Ricky lifted Casey up to sit on the bed and slipped on his tiny shoes.
"What are we doing at Uncle Kyle and Aunt Phoebe's?" Casey asked.
"Well Aunt Phoebe's making us a nice lunch and you'll get to spend time with Michael as well; you like that don't you?" Ricky replied, lifting Casey off the bed.
"Yeah, but sometimes Michael smells and Aunt Phoebe and Uncle Kyle have to change his pants and I don't like that," Casey pouted.
"Well the same happened with you when you were Michael's age, he's a baby just like you were," Ricky explained, and gave her son a kiss on the top of his head.
"Now come on, we better get going; they'll be waiting for us."
Casey kept his pout as Ricky took hold of his little hand and grabbed her bag, walking out the door and across the hall to Kyle's and Phoebe's.
"Morning," Ricky greeted, opening the door to the Braxton house.
"Hi Ricky, I was just about to feed the little one. Hi, little guy; how are you?" Phoebe asked Casey as she shook his hand gently.
"Good, Aunt Phoebe."
"Hey Rick, hey Case," Kyle greeted.
"Uncle Kyle!" Casey squealed and toddled his way towards Kyle who picked him up in a hug.
"Oh Kyle, I managed to find some of Case's old baby toys and thought maybe you'd like them for Michael?"
Ricky opened the backpack and handed over some of the old toys.
"Thanks Ricky. I'm sure he'll really like these and Phoebe and I really appreciate your help; well you haven't stopped helping us since Michael's birth."
"That's what families do," Ricky replied.
"Uncle Kyle, do you wanna see my new choo-choo toy?" Casey asked.
Kyle smiled at his nephew, he had already seen Casey's new train many of times, but the young boy was always excited to show his Uncle.
"Sure Case, I'd love to," Kyle smiled and placed the young boy down on the floor.
As Kyle was playing with Casey on the floor, Phoebe came back out from the bedroom.
"How's your little one?" Ricky asked.
"He's back to sleep again. Had a bit of a rough night with stomach upset," Phoebe replied.
"I thought you both looked tired," Ricky laughed.
"Tired is an understatement," Kyle spoke up.
"Did you want any help with the lunch?" Ricky asked.
"No it's fine; this is our treat to you," Phoebe stated and began to make her way into the kitchen then quickly returned, poking her head out into the dining room.
"Hey Ricky, did you see today's paper? Kyle picked one up when he went to the store to by the food for lunch."
Ricky shook her head. "No I haven't."
Kyle looked at Phoebe not wanting to bring up what was in the newspaper for it brought back too many painful memories.
Phoebe grabbed the paper and handed it to Ricky. "Here, take a look."
Ricky read the headline on the paper and her stomach dropped.
Prisoner gunned down and one prison guard left for dead in brutal prison fight.
Ricky continued to read the article and a wave of justice and relief ran through her but somehow inside it just wasn't enough.
On Thursday 28th July a brutal fight broke out at Yabbie Creek prison, fatally injuring a prison guard and a fellow inmate. The antagonist was none other than an inmate at the prison, by the name of Trevor Gunson.
Other inmates confessed that Mr. Gunston was planning an escape but information had leaked to the guards and the plan had been stopped, leading the young thirty-one year old man to brutally attack the prison guards with a knife that he had obtained.
The prison guard was left with a fatal stab wound to the liver and was rushed to emergency hospital. Trevor Gunston was immediately shot down by another guard and removed from the premises.
Kyle watched Ricky's face turn cold as her eyes stayed cast on the newspaper.
"What are you feeling?" Kyle asked.
Ricky gave a shrug and placed the paper down on the table. Ricky gently rested her hand on Casey's shoulder.
"Case, why don't you take your train into Michael's room and play there for a while?" Ricky suggested; her voice soft.
"But Uncle Kyle was playing with me here," Casey protested.
"Listen to your Mum, Case. I can play with you again later; promise," Kyle smiled.
Casey pouted and walked down to Michael's room.
"Ricky, are you okay?" Phoebe asked.
Kyle had now approached the older woman and wrapped his arms around her.
"I...I just don't know what to think. Yeah it's great that Gunno's dead but what good is that, seeing as he's already killed Brax."
"Well maybe at least this way you don't have to worry about him and Brax gets the justice he deserves," Phoebe pointed out.
"Yeah, maybe you're right."
Brax sat in his car outside the Braxton home; newspaper resting down beside him with the article about Gunno's death wide open for view. After so long the battle to stay hidden to protect his family was over but now that Brax had ample opportunity to rekindle his old life he wasn't so sure.
Switching the ignition of his car off and pulling the key out, Brax gave a heavy sigh and got out of his car, staring at his old house.
Brax slowly made his way up the driveway. What was he going to say? What would he even do? Brax hadn't thought that part through of what was going to happen if he just reappeared; his family thought he was dead.
Brax stood outside the door and heard laugher from inside and he peeked in through a crack in the blind; seeing the love of his life smiling and chatting away with Phoebe and Kyle.
"They all seem so happy. What if this is the wrong thing to do?" Brax questioned softly.
How could he just destroy their lives after they'd moved on? Brax watched Ricky leave to head to one of the old bedrooms.
Brax raised his hand in a fist to knock on the door but hesitated and pulled his fist back. Then the image of his little boy came to his mind; Casey could now be able to grow up with a Dad and Ricky wouldn't be alone. Brax took a heavy breath and made his decision.
Kyle and Phoebe were interrupted by a loud knock.
"You expecting anyone?" Kyle asked.
Phoebe hastily shook her head.
"I'll get the door."
Kyle approached the door and swung it open; staring wide eyed at the sight in front of him.
Kyle's hand on the doorknob became shaky as he stared in shock.
"Hey mate," Brax whispered after a few moments of silence.
"Brax?" Phoebe questioned, also feeling completely stunned.
"I thought...I...you were dead," Phoebe stated.
"It's a long story," Brax answered and smiled weakly at his younger brother.
"It's really good to see you, mate, and well."
Kyle stepped back and allowed Brax to walk into the house.
"Congratulations by the way," Brax announced, to which Kyle furrowed his brow in confusion as he stared at his brother wondering if it was some illusion.
"You know with the little one?" Brax pressed, trying to stop his nerves and get a reaction out of the two shocked faces.
"Thanks. Wow, it's great to see you...alive," Phoebe said, approaching Brax and initiating a hug.
"It's great to be alive. Say Kyle, you think I can get one from you?" Brax asked, opening his arms to indicate for a hug.
Kyle blinked any tears forming in his eyes away and connected with his brother, so the two could share a tight, rough man-hug.
Brax slapped Kyle's back. "I'm glad you're doing well."
"I...this doesn't seem real," Kyle muttered.
"Oh, I'm real. Where's Ricky?" Brax asked, now having pulled away from his brother.
Kyle and Phoebe stayed silent; unsure on how to break the news to Brax or to Ricky, but the young couple needn't wait long for the young blonde made her presence back in the room.
"Casey and Michael are getting on well. Who was that at the door?" Ricky asked but before gaining a reply she lifted her gaze and saw an image in front of her that she never thought she would see again.
"Brax?" Ricky choked out.
She could feel her knees going weak and ready to buckle out from under her. Gasping her hand over her mouth, Ricky was overcome with emotion; angry at the lies but also feeling a huge sense of relief for in the house stood the father of her child; alive.
Ricky burst into a wave of tears, gasping for breathes.
"Ricky?" Brax called; his eyes widening in concern for the one he loved.
"Ricky, are you alright?" Phoebe asked and approached the distraught woman, only to have Ricky push her away, unable to take her eyes off Brax.
Ricky couldn't hold herself any longer and her knees gave way. Brax rushed towards her and held her as Ricky collapsed to the ground in sobs.
"Brax, how could you be...Why didn't I know?" Ricky sobbed.
Kyle and Phoebe watched on, comforting each other.
"I wanted to tell you but I had to protect you and Casey; all of you," Brax whispered, glancing towards Kyle and Phoebe.
Ricky gripped her hand tight around Brax, hoping to never let go.
Not even a minute later the scene was interrupted by a small voice. "Mummy, what's wrong?"
Ricky had heard Casey's voice but couldn't move away from sobbing into Brax's chest. Brax however glanced up at the young boy, now being close enough to really see his features: scruffy brown hair and hazel eyes and soft skin covering his baby face; every feature a replica of him and Ricky.
Casey shuffled towards Kyle and Phoebe nervously. "Uncle Kyle, what's wrong with Mummy, and who's that?"
Brax now had tears in his eyes, watching his little boy. Ricky pulled away from Brax to look at her son.
"Casey, come here." Casey slowly approached, gripping his train tightly for comfort.
"Casey, this...this is your Daddy," Ricky choked out, holding her hand out for Casey to come close.
Casey's bright eyes looked up at Brax, and Brax smiled down at his son.
"Hey, little guy. I don't expect you to remember me," Brax whispered and gently slipped his finger through a lock of Casey's hair.
Brax and Casey gazed into each other's eyes briefly before Casey spoke.
"Daddy?"
"Oh," Ricky sobbed.
Phoebe rushed to Ricky's side to support her. Brax pulled his son in for a hug and held on tight, letting a few tears slip from his eyes; he was home.
Kyle smiled, feeling a piece of him rebuilding itself. Brax pulled away from Casey, planting a soft kiss on his head. Ricky wiped her eyes and held Casey in her arms.
"I guess we have lots to catch up on and I'm just about to make lunch; so get ready," Phoebe announced with a smile.
"Gee, times have changed," Brax joked, being well aware that Phoebe wasn't mush on preparing food before he'd left.
"I'm glad you're back," Kyle told his brother.
Brax gave a nod. "Well I'm glad you're around long enough for me to be back; you pull another stunt like the one you did in Melbourne and I won't let you live to regret it," Brax said firmly; slipping straight back into strong leadership Braxton mode.
Kyle, along with Ricky, who was carrying Casey in her arms, stared at the older man.
"How did you...?" Kyle started; thinking back to his incidents in Melbourne and his heart fluttered; he had been right.
Brax smirked. "Who do you think rescued you from getting your backside kicked from those thugs?"
"You: I knew there was something familiar about who came to help me," Kyle replied.
"What? You think I'd let my little brother get throttled by some no good thugs?"
"Thank you, thank you for protecting me."
Brax smiled and slapped Kyle on the shoulder.
"So how did you know Kyle was in trouble?" Ricky asked, finally coming around from her shock.
Brax wrapped his arm around Ricky's shoulder and smiled at Casey, who was playing with his train.
"I never left you. I've been keeping an eye on all of you since, well since the botched up prison transfer." Brax kissed Ricky on the forehead.
Phoebe clapped her hands. "Lunch is all ready, so gather 'round and take a seat. I'm going to get Michael." Phoebe left to the bedroom while Ricky sat Casey in his high chair.
"Michael huh?"
Kyle smiled, "Yeah, I'm a Dad."
Casey was running his train along his tray.
"Let's put this away while you have some lunch," Ricky suggested, taking the toy from her son.
"Hey, that looks like a cool train you got there," Brax smiled at Casey.
Casey nodded, "Will you play with it with me, Daddy?"
"Sure, I'd like that."
"Uncle Kyle was playing with me before."
Brax rubbed his hand over Casey's hair.
"I'm sure he was. Thanks Kyle, for looking after my son and Ricky."
"They're family and one thing I learnt from you was to look after family and on that, I'd like you to meet my son: Michael Bailey Braxton," Kyle announced as Phoebe walked into the room holding the baby.
Brax took Kyle's son in his arms. "I'm proud of you, Kyle."
Ricky hugged Brax and Kyle took Michael out of his brother's hold and the two couples were together, both with their young sons; right where they all belong: as a family.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hope you all enjoyed this final chapter and deepest apologies for the delay in the update. Thank you to all the readers, followers, favourites, and reviewers; your support has been appreciated so much. :)
Thank you:
Fanfiction.79,
Suzza100,
Gillian Kearney Fan,
BluePeacocke,
SammyFranks,
Anon,
fanficforyou,
atycool96,
Grace,
And Guests – for all the wonderful reviews. :)
