After the beach Charlie and Brax made their way up to the diner for lunch she couldn't believe how quick time had gone by or how much fun she had. Slipping her arm into Brax's she smiled as he looked down on her, getting to the counter where Colleen stood he went to pull away but she held him tight "two flat whites and two ham and cheese toasties please Colleen," she smiled.
"Certainly," she smiled "go take a seat I'll bring them over," she said and walked into the back.
"What just happened?" Brax asked as they sat down "no one is looking at us and she didn't say anything."
Charlie giggled "I don't know maybe she's trying to turn over a new leaf."
Brax scoffed "we're talking about the biggest gossip in the bay- no way in hell that'll happen she lives for the gossip."
"Two flat whites," Colleen said and put them on the table "it's good to see you two finding love again- if I'm honest I thought it would have been sooner. Toasties are on the way," she said and walked back behind the counter.
Charlie laughed "there's your answer," she said and slipped her hand into his "we're not hiding it Brax it's no one's business."
Brax smiled and laced his fingers with hers "I don't wanna hide it."
"Something you two have to share?" they both looked to see an excited Ruby raising an eyebrow at them, behind her stood a grinning Nathan.
Brax pulled away from Charlie and sat back "go order your lunch then we'll talk."
"So guess we'll have that talk now," Charlie said as the two ran to the counter.
"Guess so," Brax replied.
Ruby and Nathan ran back over and sat down "so?" Ruby said with a grin "are you two back on?"
"Hey princess, don't be getting your hopes up," Brax said seriously "we're still tryna figure out what this is ourselves."
Charlie nodded "we don't want you two getting excited and thinking things will go back to normal…we don't know where we'll be next week."
"But you're married can't you just pick up where you left off?" Nathan asked, Charlie's eyes went wide and she stared at him.
"Jessie told us and Uncle Pete confirmed it, you gotta watch what you say around Nate mum-even I know that," Ruby giggled.
"So you're not mad that we didn't tell you?" Brax asked.
Ruby shrugged "we were kids, you broke up… we didn't need to know."
"Yeah," Nathan said and sat forward" it's better we didn't know you two breaking up was hard enough on us- throw in a divorce we'd be worse."
Charlie nodded slowly "so you're okay with us being together?"
"Okay? Mum are you kidding that would be the best thing ever!" Ruby squealed.
"Ruby," Brax sighed "things don't always work out the way you want them to, please don't invest too much in the idea of me and your mum getting back together- as mum said we don't know where we'll be next week."
"So after this trial is done you'll make a go of it?" Nathan asked.
Charlie and Brax looked at one another they were still to tell everyone what Watson had told them last night "uh," Brax said and scratched his head "there won't be a trial," he said slowly.
"What!" Ruby shrieked "he has to pay for what he's done!" she yelled.
"Calm down Ruby," Charlie said and leaned closer "this is not the place for this conversation, but," she looked over at Brax who sighed then nodded "Shayne was killed in prison yesterday."
"Nice," Nathan chuckled and picked up his drink looking the other way.
Ruby stared back at Charlie she didn't speak for a minute "what happened to him?"
Brax shrugged "we were told he started at some guy when he got there and the guy used a knife on him and he didn't make it."
Ruby nodded "so it's all over then-we can move on?" she asked looking at Brax.
"Yes princess we can all start to move on," he said slipping his hand into Charlie's.
"So there's nothing stopping you two from starting again right now," Nathan said.
Brax chuckled "little late for that," he said more to himself.
Ruby smirked she had heard him "I know we heard you," she giggled as Charlie dropped her head to hide her blush "don't worry mum as gross as it was we're happy," she smiled.
Brax looked down at his watch "eat you two and we'll drop you back to school," he chuckled as Nathan dived for his food like he'd been waiting for the go ahead.
After dropping the kids back to school Charlie and Brax made their way home instead of going to the mall they decided to lay about at home and watch a movie before going for dinner. Walking into the house Charlie dropped onto the sofa and Brax walked into the kitchen "coffee babe?" he called.
"Yeah please," Charlie called back something had dawned on while they were out, pulling out the calendar on her phone she pulled up the month and counted on her fingers-closing her eyes she dropped the phone and sat back with a sigh.
"Hey," Lynne said from behind her startling her.
"Hey," Charlie said and sat up "didn't think anyone was home."
Lynne walked around the sofa and sat beside her "Gary asked Jessie to help him move something…are you okay Charlie- you look a bit dazed."
Charlie looked up just as Brax walked into them "Charlie I have to head off for a bit the freezer at the restaurant is acting up I'll have to have a look at it," he said placing a cup down in front of her "Lynne do you want tea or anything before I go?"
"No thanks Brax I'm fine, you get off," she smiled.
"Won't be long!" Brax called as he hurried out the door.
Lynne turned to Charlie "so?" she asked.
Charlie sighed heavily "Jess told you everything?" Lynne nodded "okay….I'm late," she said and stood up "I never copped it before but I was due them last week…what if I'm pregnant for him Lynne?"
Lynne shook her head "it could be all the stress you were under Charlie- the abuse you suffered, it can affect your cycle."
Charlie nodded "I know but still all I can think about what the hell is gonna happen if I am…I can't have his baby," she muttered.
"Charlie," Lynne said and stood up "you can't think like that you've gone through a terrible thing your body is not the same, just get a test and get it out of the way- if you're not it's the stress, if you are Brax and everyone else will stand by you," she said and rubbed her back.
"I'm not so sure about that," Charlie said and sat on the arm of the chair "I don't want a baby- not even with Brax we've raised our kids… it can't happen," she sniffed.
Lynne pulled her into a hug "why don't you go have a lie down I'll run the chemist and be right back then we'll know for sure."
Charlie pulled away from her and stood up "thanks Lynne- oh and not a word to anyone."
"I know," she said and picked up Charlie's car keys "I'm borrowing your car," she said and slipped out the door.
Charlie walked to the bedroom and dropped onto the bed why could things never be easy for her?
A few minutes later she heard Lynne come in the door and walked to the living room "that was quick," she said and sat down.
Lynne sat beside her and placed a paper bag on the table "it was empty- I got two."
Charlie reached forward and picked up the bag opening it she took one out and stared at it "I never thought I'd be buying one of these again."
As the door opened she tried to shove it back in the bag but missed and dropped it to the floor. Thinking quickly as she saw Brax walk in Lynne kicked it under the sofa and grabbed the bag from Charlie.
"Sorry forgot the number I needed," he said and walked to the kitchen Charlie looked at Lynne wide eyed and bent down to get it while Brax was out of the room.
"Hey Charlie have you seen that date book I keep by the computer?" he asked walking back in.
"Uh no haven't seen it," she replied jumping back up.
"Damn it," Brax muttered and started to look around the living room.
Both girls eyes widened as he bent like he was going to look under the sofa "I think I saw it in Heath's room Lynne said quickly.
Brax frowned "what the hell would it be doing in there?" he asked and dropped his phone on the table by the door.
As soon as he was out of sight both girls jumped off the sofa and onto the floor…until Brax's phone rang-both sprang up off the floor and back onto the sofa as Brax hurried out to get his phone.
"Hello?" he answered "well that's great…alright, thanks mate I'll see you then," he said and hung up. "Crisis averted," he said and dropped down beside Charlie "Liam had the number in his phone and called the guy out." He turned to Charlie "so since I don't have to go anywhere how about that movie?"
Charlie nodded and stood up "you pick I'll make the popcorn…dvds are in your room," she added.
Lynne stood up "I'll leave you guys to your movie, think I'll take a walk and meet Jess," she said and picked up the bag.
"What's with the chemist bag everything okay with the baby?" Brax asked concerned.
"Oh yeah it's just vitamins," she said and walked into the bedroom.
Brax shook his head and looked at the few dvds on the table "hey Charlie!" he called "wanna watch die hard?" he asked picking it up.
Charlie groaned she had seen it on the table with a few others, how the hell was she gonna get the test without him noticing it? "Okay," she called back.
Lynne walked out of her room "I'm off I'll see you guys later," her eyes darted to the sofa and to Brax who was lost in reading the dvd, she walked closer and went to get on her knees watching Brax as she did so.
"What are you doing?" he asked and looked over at her.
"I dropped my phone," she said and held up her hand "… bye!" she called.
Charlie walked in with the popcorn and dropped down beside him groaning to herself she had seen Lynne and hoped she'd get it-now it was up to her.
….
Later that evening Charlie had gone for a shower Ruby was in her room doing homework Nathan and Casey were on the computer as always. Brax lay on the sofa watching a game, flipping on his side he cursed as the remote fell and rolled under the sofa, reaching over he stuck his hand under and started to feel around. His hand landed on something he frowned and pulled it out-falling off the sofa in shock. Jumping up he blinked a few times and looked at it again-no he was right the first time, after a minute or so of staring anger washed over him "RUBY BRAXTON!" he yelled all over the house "GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE NOW!"
Ruby walked out to Brax and frowned at his face "dad?" she asked cautiously she knew he was pissed.
"I told you I'd kill you didn't I?" he yelled.
"What are you talking about?" Ruby asked taking a step back.
Brax held out the test "…are you having sex?" he yelled.
"What!" Ruby yelled and blushed- not a conversation a girl wants to be having with her dad "no dad I'm not!" she yelled.
"So why the hell did I find it under the sofa I know it's not mine or Casey's!" he hissed.
"Ever think it could be Sasha's?" she yelled back.
"Sasha hasn't been here! I swear to god Ruby if you don't tell me why you have this I'm gonna go kill that kid right now!" he yelled walking closer to her.
By now Nathan and Casey had made their way to the door "dad what's going on?" Nathan asked.
Brax held up the test "Case is this for Sasha?"
"Uh no," he said and looked at Ruby "nothing to do with me…Rubes?"
"It's not mine!" she cried "dad I swear it's not mine!"
"Well then who the hell owns it? I'm pretty sue Lynne doesn't need one or that Bianca is pregnant already!" Brax yelled.
Charlie had heard the yelling and jumped out of the shower, without drying herself off she threw on clothes and hurried out just in time for him to ask that question "it's mine," she said quickly before he could yell at Ruby again.
All four heads snapped to her in shock "m-mum?" Ruby stuttered after she got over the shock.
"Charlie?" Brax said just as shocked.
Charlie bit her lip as her eyes filled with tears "kids go back to your rooms I need to talk to dad," she said and walked closer to him.
"But mum how can y-" Nathan started.
"Go!" Brax yelled- all three ran into Casey's room and shut the door.
Charlie took the test from him and sat on the back of the sofa Brax turned to face her "why didn't you tell me Charlie?" he whispered.
"I didn't want you to freak out," she muttered.
Brax sighed "so it is it a possibility?"
She nodded and bit her lip "I'm a week late."
"Damn it Charlie," he sighed and sat beside her.
"I'm sorry," she whimpered and clutched the test "this is the last thing I ever expected to happen."
Brax stood up again this was the last thing he wanted he couldn't raise another kid "so what are you gonna do coz to be honest I can't do it again Charlie- I just can't, we've raised our kids we're just getting our own lives back…I'm sorry if that sound cruel or whatever but I'm just being honest."
Charlie nodded and sighed heavily "I'm gonna do the test before I work myself up too much…I don't want it either Brax but if I am I can't change that," she said and walked into the bathroom. She was pissed at what he'd just said-even though she said she wouldn't want it she'd deal with it and love it…even if Brax wasn't around to help her. Slamming the door she sat on the toilet and wiped her face.
Outside Brax shook his head he'd regretted those words as soon as they left his mouth-he'd never leave her no matter what was thrown at them. Walking to the bathroom he turned the handle and walked in "I'm sorry," he said and closed the door "I'm not going anywhere Charlie if we have to do this I'm gonna be here."
Charlie burst into tears and Brax hurried over "I don't want another baby-I don't want his baby, Brax I'm so scared! I can't do it- I don't wanna know!" she sobbed and gripped him tight "this was supposed to be new start for us all."
"Hey it's gonna be okay, you could be working yourself up over nothing here it could be a false alarm," Brax said and pulled away. "Remember you thought you were pregnant again after Nate?" Charlie nodded "and what did that turn out to be?"
"Stress from the case I was working on…got them two days later while we were out on a date," she giggled she'd never forget that day and Brax wouldn't either.
"Exactly," he chuckled "Charlie you're under a tremendous amount of stress, after everything that has happened your body is all over the place….just do it when you feel up to it," he said and stood up pulling her to her feet he kissed her softly and pulled back "I'll be in the living room."
With shaky hands Charlie ripped the wrapped off the test and walked back to the toilet taking a deep breath she prayed things went her way.
Half an hour later Brax sat up on the sofa Charlie still hadn't come out of the bathroom yet "what the hell is she doing in there?" walking to the door he tried the handle "Charlie," he called and knocked.
Charlie placed the test down and stood up in a daze she walked to the door and unlocked it, pulling it open she walked straight into his arms and buried her head in his chest "sorry, got lost in thought," she mumbled against him.
Brax wrapped his arms around her "so?" he asked holding his breath.
"Negative she muttered and gripped him tighter.
A sigh of relief came from him and he rested his chin on her head "so are you okay?"
Charlie nodded and looked up at him "yeah, I'm fine I now this may sound bad but I didn't want it…with anyone, like you said we've raised our kids that's enough for me."
"And we're gonna be grandparents-we've Rocco too," Brax said.
Charlie giggled "grandparents make us sound so old."
Brax chuckled and pulled away from her smiling down at her he took her hands "come in here with me," he said leading her to his room.
"Brax no, the kids are right next door and probably waiting to know what's going on," she giggled.
"They can wait an extra few minutes and it's not for that," he said and dropped her hands, walking to his dresser he opened the top drawer and pulled out a box. Turning to face her he walked back to her looking down at it "so I lied earlier…I knew where our rings were-always knew where they were," he said and looked up at her.
Charlie smiled widely as he opened the box looking down at her left hand she cringed- she'd never taken off Shayne's ring. Sliding it off she threw it on the bed and turned back to Brax "still as beautiful as the day you gave it to me," she said running her finger over her engagement ring.
Brax smiled "I know how much you loved it, I know what I said earlier but if you still want to…I want you to wear this again-I want you to be my wife again," he said stepping closer to her "babe I love you with all my heart, I know we've a tough road ahead of us but I wanna be by your side I wanna know you'll be with me-I just want you."
Charlie bit her lip as a tear slid down her cheek she looked up at Brax and smiled "do I have to put them on myself?" she giggled.
Brax chuckled and leaned in to kiss her pulling back he took the white gold wedding band and slipped it on her finger then pulled her engagement ring out and slid that on too-neither aware they had an audience.
"Do I have to do mine myself?" he chuckled.
Charlie giggled and took his from the box sliding it on his finger she ran her thumb over it and looked up at him "I love you- I don't know how I got through the last few years without you."
Brax smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist "me neither, but we're starting again-we've a lot of making up to do."
"Hm I think so too," Charlie said and stood on her toes to kiss him.
"Okay stop!" Nathan yelled "before you go any further or say anything that was scar us all we are standing here!"
Charlie and Brax turned to the door to see a grinning Ruby and Casey and a slightly panicked Nathan standing in the doorway "shouldn't be eavesdropping," Brax said and pulled Charlie closer.
"We wanted to know what was happening," Ruby said and stepped into the room "mum are you…" she trailed off and looked at the floor she herself didn't want to know.
"No Rubes I'm not pregnant it's just all the stress, I'm sorry you all had to see that. I worked myself up earlier and Lynne went to get a test for me and just as I took it out of the bag dad came in the front door and I dropped it."
"So you just left it there?" Casey asked.
"Yeah," Nathan frowned "what if one of us had found it?" he asked wrinkling up his nose.
"I would have rathered that," Ruby said shooting Brax a glare.
"Lynne kicked it under the sofa but dad kept walking in and out before he decided to stay and sat down with me, we tried to get it back… we just didn't succeed," Charlie giggled.
"Explains it all- so dad I'm waiting," Ruby said tapping her foot.
Brax groaned "alright I'm sorry for flipping."
Ruby scoffed "flipping you were like a volcano ready to blow, I actually thought your head was gonna blow up."
"Yeah Brax I've never seen your face that red before," Casey chuckled.
"What would you expect me to say- you're my baby girl and I meant what I said I'll kill you then him," he said and walked by them "I still stand by it."
Charlie rolled her eyes "he won't- he's a big softie really," she whispered and followed him.
Ruby followed her "so can we all go for dinner?" she asked.
Nathan followed "yeah family dinner, get Ty and everyone else we'll make a night out of it."
"Yeah that way you can tell everyone you're married," Casey suggested.
Charlie looked at Brax expecting him to say no "Oh I don't know what do ya say babe, you ready for that?" he asked walking over to her.
Charlie smiled "I am if you are," she said wrapping her arms around him.
"Right Rubes you make the arrangements and let everyone know," Brax said and dragged Charlie towards the door "me and mum are going for a walk, let us know and we'll meet you lot there!" he called and closed the door.
A grin crossed Ruby's face and she turned to Casey and Nathan "I've an even better idea."
"Ruby no, I know that look- whatever it is forget it," Nathan said.
"You haven't heard what it is yet," she said and turned to Casey "we need help-family only…and Liam," she added.
"Why do I get the feeling this is not gonna end well?" Casey groaned.
Ruby smiled sweetly "we may get grounded for a month."
Casey shook his head and chuckled "alright fill me in," he said and dropped into the sofa.
…..
Brax and Charlie strolled hand in hand along the beach "so how do you think everyone is gonna react?" Charlie asked breaking the uncomfortable silence.
Brax sighed and stopped "I really don't know babe I think they're gonna be mad but they will get over it."
Charlie nodded "I know, I know B is gonna hit the roof we tell each other everything I can't believe I've kept it from her all these years-Ty is gonna flip too."
"But it doesn't matter how they react," he said stepping closer to her "I got you and that's all that matters- I don't care what anyone says," he said and leaned in to kiss her.
Charlie pulled back and smiled up at him "it's really only three of my brothers and two mates…and Heath," she chuckled.
"Heath won't care," Brax chuckled "Leah and Bianca will be over the moon and do that girlie squeal…I may have to hide from Tyler- I haven't worked that one out yet."
Charlie pulled her phone out as it beeped "we've to meet everyone at eight in Angelo's- and we've to dress up" she said and put it away "so we've got about two hours before we get eaten alive," she giggled.
Brax wrapped his arm around her shoulder "how's that arm now?" he asked "you haven't mentioned it."
Charlie shrugged "it's fine- pain here and there but nothing too bad, it's healing anyway… how's your head?"
"Fine," he chuckled "headache this morning that was it."
"Took us two days to ask each other," she giggled.
"We have a lot going on," Brax said and led her towards the water "how about a swim before dinner?" he asked with an evil smirk.
"Brax no," Charlie giggled and took a few steps back "don't you dare!" she squealed as he threw her over his shoulder "I'm warning you," she giggled "no sex for a month if you…Brax!" she screeched when he dumped her in the water.
Brax chuckled and waded to her "no sex," he laughed "you can't do that," he said and kissed her.
"You're gonna pay!" she huffed "I mean it Brax no sex for a month! Two months!" she yelled as she walked out of the water.
Brax followed her and wrapped his arms around her waist "I'm sorry babe I thought it would be funny."
"My phone was in my pocket!" she yelled with a smirk.
"Charlie I'm sorry I forgot I'll get you a new one in the morning," he said seriously and pulled away from her "I wasn't thinking about it."
Charlie couldn't hold it in anymore she burst out laughing and turned to face him "lucky for you I threw it on the sand before we got into the water," she said and shoved him out of the way.
"Funny," he said sarcastically "for that you're going back in," he said and ran after her, throwing her back over his shoulder before she got to her phone he walked into the water chuckling as she giggled, he hadn't seen her have so much fun in a long time.
A while later they walked up the strip dripping wet laughing away hoping to dry off on the way home, they turned the corner and bumped into someone with a few boxes "sorry," Brax said and grabbed a box as it fell.
"B?" Charlie said surprised.
"Oh, Charlie, hey," she said wide eyed and looked at the person behind the other boxes.
"What's with all the boxes?" Brax asked as he grabbed another one that had fallen.
"Gary?" Charlie asked "what are you doing here?"
"Irene is having a party," Bianca said very quickly "she wanted a lend of the party wear from Angelo's…Liam said it was okay, Gary was just helping me get it to my car."
"Yeah that's fine you don't need to ask," Brax replied "do you need a hand with these?" he asked nodding to the boxes he had caught.
"No thanks we just bumped into you that's why they fell we can handle them, my car is just over there anyway…see at dinner!" she called and took the boxes from Brax and hurried away before they could say anything else.
Charlie and Brax frowned at each other but continued to walk "so she was acting weird," Charlie said.
"Yeah, Gary didn't say a word he looked surprised to see us," Brax said.
Charlie shrugged "we'll see them at dinner," she said and climbed into the car.
…..
A few hours later they had dressed and were ready to go to Angelo's Charlie walked out of the room and into the living room "wow," Brax said and stood up "you look amazing."
"Thanks," Charlie blushed "haven't got dressed up like this in a while," she said as they walked out the door.
"Well considering what you've been through no-one expected you to be out partying," Brax said and followed her.
They arrived at Angelo's and climbed out walking inside and to the stairs Brax frowned at the darkness up the stairs "what's going on here?" he asked as he dropped Charlie's hand.
"It seems very quiet," Charlie said as they reached the top to find the place in darkness.
"Yeah it does what the hell is going on he should have called me, Liam!" Brax called and took a few steps in "watch you don't trip," he said and took Charlie's hand again.
They both jumped when the lights came on "SURPRISE!" everyone yelled.
Charlie looked at the banner behind the bar and giggled happy engagement/wedding "guys," she said and walked over to them everyone had turned out from her kids and Lynne to her brothers her three best mates, Sasha April Watson and Jayden too and Liam behind the bar-everyone important to her was here "so no one is mad?" she asked looking around.
"I wanna strangle you but I'll get over it," Bianca said and hugged her "Mrs Braxton," she giggled and pulled back.
Tyler walked over to Brax at first Brax thought he was gonna punch him-until he smiled and clapped him on the back "a few years too late but congrats mate no finer couple."
"Thanks," Brax said "sorry we kept it to ourselves for long."
Jack waved him off "between Pete and Hayls we know the story."
"So let's eat," Nathan chuckled and sat at the long table they had laid out.
Everyone laughed and joined him Brax looked up to see an uncomfortable Jayden sitting next to Ruby darting his eyes everywhere "relax panda face it's party time," he chuckled.
"Dad!" Ruby hissed.
"I'm kidding, kid if you can handle her by all means," he said and turned to Charlie who looked back with raised eyebrows "what?" he chuckled.
"What happened to I'll kill any bloke that comes near her?" she giggled.
Brax slipped his arm around her shoulder "don't care I'm too happy," he said and leaned in to kiss her.
"Aww aren't you so sweet," she smiled.
"And to sound sweeter that was our first public kiss as husband and wife," he chuckled.
"Better make it a better on then," Charlie said and pulled him back to her.
They both broke apart at the clinking of a glass and looked up to see Ruby smiling over at them. "I just wanna start off by saying thanks to you all for coming, this is our family and it always has been- we've been there for one another whenever we're needed. Even though mum and dad split they remained close and stayed friends."
"Friend my ass," Hayley giggled "I have never seen two people more in love than you two."
Ruby giggled "true, Hayls you just stole my next bit, anyway as I was saying mum and dad you both tried again with other people- tried to be happy for one another even though…" Ruby looked down and bit her lip she couldn't say his name.
Nathan took over and stood up "what Ruby is trying to say although Shayne was psycho and Tegan was a bitch you kept your feelings bottled up thinking the other was happy. How you found your way back to one another was horrible but we have never been happier-sad that we missed the wedding but happy you're back together- so," he picked up his glass "to mum and dad and their second chance."
"Second chances!" everyone yelled and raised their glasses.
"Now that's out of the way, we eat then it's party Braxton style!" Heath yelled.
"Hey we all have different names!" Hayley yelled.
"Alright how about, Braxton, Buckton, Lawson, Peterson, Scott, Baker, Walker…kids what's your last name?" Heath asked Jayden.
"Banks," he replied.
"Banks style" Heath finished.
Noah stood up "to save us all from that lame name how about family style like we normally do."
"Agreed," they all laughed and fell back into conversation with one another.
Charlie slipped her hand into Brax's and looked around with the biggest smile on her face, she was so glad everyone had accepted her and Brax being married. Sighing happily she sat back into her seat somehow she already knew her second chance was gonna be a good one.
A/n To all of you asking for Charlie to get pregnant I'm sorry to let you all down but I feel she's raised her kids- it's time for her and Brax to be together and have time to themselves- just to make it clear this wasn't the last chapter, it just looked a bit final there at the end still a bit to come ( and anyone wondering where Peterson came from Lynne's name is Lynne Peterson)