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"Well…" Brax pulled back from the kiss and Charlie chuckled as he pulled her completely onto his lap "If you really want to thank me…" he cocked an eyebrow suggestively and Charlie simpered at him

"What did you have in mind? She grinned as she saw the mischievous look in his eye

Leaning in close Brax brushed past her cheeks, bringing his lips to Charlie's ears "How about I show you" before Charlie could reply he held her thighs firmly before standing to his feet and walking them into their room

…

Making sure to keep quiet as not to wake Brax up, Charlie now sat on the edge of the bath tub, her fingers tied inside one another as she waited for what seemed like the longest three minutes any person had ever had to endure. Her bare feet tapped inaudibly against the tile floor, her teeth taking away at her bottom lip, her back ridged straight and her gaze glued to the test that she had set on the toilet seat. Hearing movement from the bedroom, she held her breath steadfastly hoping Brax had not yet woken; this could yet be a false alarm. Her ears pricking up she listened but heard nothing else and allowed herself breath before her gaze flew back to the white stick that seemed larger than the bathroom in which she sat; impatiently

Having taken her phone with her she glanced down at the time and wanted to scream. When she had taken the test and looked down at her phone it had been 1:23 now the time read 1:25. She glared at it, convincing herself her phone had stopped working, it must have, there was no other explanation for why time seemed to have stood still, much to her annoyance.

But then it finally happened. Her breath caught in her throat, her fingers scratching rapidly against one another as the time shifted to 1:36. Odd; she had been almost impatient with her waiting but now, knowing that the result of what she wanted so badly lay on that stick in front of her had her reading to crawl back into bed and forget she had bothered taking the test. She could be wrong. What if she was wrong? She asked herself, pondering on the possibility of having spared Brax's hope but in the process having lifted hers. All this could have been all for nothing, she said to herself, but if she didn't look she would never find out.

Looking down at the screen of her phone again, she almost let out a laugh as the time now read 1.29. Trust time to pick up pace again when fear loomed inside her. Drawing in a much needed breath, she shut her eyes tightly before prying them open as she leaned over and picked up the stick, it was much better to remain seated just in case she had truly gotten her hopes up for nothing. Slowly bringing the little white stick towards herself, she spoke a silent prayer before her eyes met the test.

There it now was, in front of her

…

Brax rolled, spreading his arm out wide and smiling as it enclosed around Charlie. He pulled her closer to him and noticed that her back that had been bare when they had fallen asleep was now covered. One eye cracking open, he frowned as he saw she was now wearing one of his shirts. That moment Charlie turned to face him, her eyes still drowsy with sleep

"Hy, you get cold?" he asked, drawing her closer

Charlie frowned unsure what Brax was talking about. Seeing this Brax added "I remember you being a little less covered up when we fell asleep"

Charlie looked down to see she was still in Brax's shirt that she had thrown on that night when she had gone to the toilet. Looking back up at him he smiled "Yea I was just a little cold" she lied

Brax grinned, lowering his head and placed a soft kiss on her lips "You should have woken me, I would have gladly helped you warm up"

Charlie chuckled "I was being considerate. You worked hard last night" she grinned at him cheekily

"I don't mind, a good exercise session is good for the both of us" replied Brax and Charlie giggled as he ran his hand over her bum. He grinned as he realised she may have put his shirt on but there was definitely nothing underneath "You know I've heard it's good to start the day with at least 30 minutes exercise" gently pushing Charlie onto her back, Brax hovered over her supporting his weight with his arms

Charlie's hands slid up his back, her legs locking around him "Well I was going to go for a run" she smiled cheekily "You can come with me"

Brax's grin widened "I think I've got a better way to burn some fat… fast" he rocked against Charlie, making her aware of his already aroused state

Charlie sucked in a breath at the feel of him. Out of her control, Charlie breath came out husky "Why don't you show me"

Brax's gaze darkened with hunger as Charlie pushed herself further into him. A low growl travelled from his chest "I plan to" His lip fell on hers, taking them in a deep and passionate kiss

…

"Did Ruby not come home last night?" asked Charlie as she dressed Caleb and Brax dressed Hope

"Forgot to tell you, Heath called last night but you were fast asleep and said Casey and Ruby had fallen asleep on the couch, so he would drop her off this morning"

Charlie smiled "Well that's a good thing right"

Brax nodded "I think so" he looked down at Hope to see she had taken one arm out of the top he had just worn for her "Hope Elise stop that" he sighed as he tried putting her arm back into the top but being as stubborn as a Braxton got Hope locked her arms against her chest and shook her head "I no want to wear this no more"

Brax rolled his head back and groaned as Charlie laughed at the both of them. She looked down to Caleb, who was now dressed a smile on his face "I ready mum"

Charlie nodded "Yeah you are. You're just like mummy " she ran her hand over his hair and grinned at Brax as Caleb turned around to Hope sticking his tongue out at her "I go watch TV" not waiting for Charlie to answer he ran out of the room

"No running Caleb" Charlie shouted after him and shook her head

"It no fair" said Hope, her green eyes widened, her eyebrows narrowed "It my turn to watch my TV in the mowning"

"Well maybe if you wasn't so picky on what you wore, you would be out there with Caleb" said Charlie and she almost burst out laughing at the look of shock now expressed on Hopes face

"I no picky" she shook her head, her bottom lip pursed out as she turned to Brax "I no picky" she said to him "I no want to wear this no more I want to wear my dwess"

Brax nodded and chuckled "Yeah sure, you're not picky" he took her other arm out of the top and gently puled it over her head

Hope turned to Charlie and stuck her tongue out a smile on her face "See daddy say I no picky"

Charlie chuckled "Most definitely your fathers daughter" she mumbled the words just loud enough for Brax to hear what she had said. Glancing at Brax with a grin she walked over to Hope's wardrobe "Very sorry sweetie" she glanced at Brax who was smiling in amusement "So what would you like to wear instead?"

Hands going to hips, Hope walked over to her wardrobe and stood beside her mother. Brax cleared his throat as a way of stopping the laughter wanting to break form his lip as he watched his daughter. Charlie looked down at Hope and chuckled quickly

Her head tilted up, Hope sighed "Mummy I no see pwoperly, I no big like you"

"Oh of course" Charlie rolled her eyes and lifted Hope up "Better?" she asked and Hope nodded and she surveyed her options

A smile broke out on Hope's face as she saw the one she wanted to wear. Stretching her hand out, she tugged on the bottom of the blue lady bug dress "I to wear this one" she turned her head up to Charlie

"You sure because you don't get to change your mind again"

Hope nodded her head "I sure"

Placing Hope back on her feet, Charlie pulled the dress out of the wardrobe and handed it to Brax "I might go check on that son of yours, he's been awfully quite"

Brax took the dress from Charlie and looked down to Hope "Come on then miss picky"

"Daddy" Hope stumped her feet and Brax laughed "You say I no picky"

Brax held his hand up "I'm sorry. You're not picky"

Hope surveyed him for a moment before nodding "Good. Now I wear my dwess"

Brax's head shut up at the sound of Charlie's voice

"Caleb Ross Braxton"

He looked to Hope and winced, as Hope giggled "Oh Caleb be in twoble" the grin on her face made it clear she was anything but saddened by the thought.

Pulling the dress over Hopes Head Brax tied the little bow at the back and looked up to see Charlie at the door accompanied by a chocolate covered sheepish looking Caleb. Quick to clear his throat not wanting to laugh at the wide eyed look on Caleb's face, he looked to Hope to compose himself before looking back over at the door

"Daddy look" Hope pointed at her brother "He messed up his clothes"

Stood by the door with chocolate on his face, hands and somehow smothered all over his shirt, Caleb looked at Brax as if asking Brax to save him from Charlie's wrath

"He got into the cake in the fridge" Charlie blew out a breath. She hadn't been aware he could even get into the fridge; she would have to get some sort of luck on it

Brax couldn't have helped chuckling if he tried. He stood to his feet and picked Hope up. Walking over to the door he grinned at Charlie "I guess you were right. Just like his mother" stealing a kiss he quickly edged out the door "When you're done we'll be waiting" he called and heard Charlie muttering under her breath

…

"I'll meet you guys at the beach" said Charlie as she placed Hope into her car seat

Brax nodded "Tell Bianca I don't want her keeping you too long"

Charlie nodded and placed a kiss on his lips "I'll pass on the message"

Walking into her car she smiled as she started the engine and made her way down the road.

…

Eyes opening slowly, Ruby squinted at the obscene amount of light that was making way into her room. A few seconds passed before realising she wasn't in her room. Moving to shift she found she was locked in by something or someone. Lifting her gaze, her eyes met the still sleeping face of Casey and then the events of the previous day and night played back in her head. After spending a little more time with Brax she had wanted… needed to talk to Casey.

She remembered the guilt she had felt when he had walked down the stairs but most of all she remembered the urge to throw her into his arm, she had missed him more than she had thought. As best as she could she had tried to explain how she was feeling to him as they walked aimlessly around the block, but most of all she had apologised for pushing him away. Still transfixed by the event of the night before she didn't realise when Casey had opened his eyes, watching every expression that crossed her face

"You ok?" he asked and Ruby snapped out of her thought

She smiled weakly up at him and nodded "Yeah. You?"

Casey sighed "I want you to be honest with me Rubes"

Ruby glanced away from him for a second before looking back up at him "I'm better than I was yesterday" she somehow moved closer to him and Casey was surprised but pleased by the gesture. They had fallen asleep talking the night before and he had held her, dreading the morning light in which he was sure she would push him away again

"I've missed waking up next to you" spoke Ruby and Casey smiled, his arms wrapping around her tightly

"I've missed waking up next to you too" he replied placing a gentle kiss in her hairline

They held each other for a few more minutes before Ruby pulled away and glanced around the house "Where is everyone?"

Casey shrugged before is eyes caught something on the coffee table in front of them.. Unwrapping Ruby from his arms he leaned forward and picked up the note. He smiled as he read it out loud

'Taken Reece and Abi out to the park. Bianca left some breakfast for the both of you in the oven. Heath'

Casey looked to Ruby. It had only been a week since he had seen her last and he could already see she had lost a little weight "Fancy some breakfast"

Ruby nodded with a light smile "Sure"

…

Ruby smiled lightly as she walked along the beach and saw Brax, Charlie and the kids. She chuckled at Brax running around with Caleb thrown over his shoulder, Hope in Charlie's arms giggling as Charlie tickled her. Walking closer to them she smiled at Charlie and Charlie looked up and saw her

"Hy" said Charlie. She stopped tickling Hope and Hope immediately ran over to Ruby

"Wuby, Wuby"

Quickly catching her sister, Ruby lifted her up in her arms "Hy trouble" Ruby brushed Hopes curls from her face

"You come play with us?" Asked Hope as she looked up at her older sister, her eyes hopeful. She had missed Ruby and Ruby could see it in her eyes

Although she had just wanted to walk a little and think, Ruby didn't have the heart to say no to Ruby so instead she nodded "Yeah"
A broad smile lit up Hopes face as she practically began bouncing in Ruby's arms "We have too much fun"

Ruby couldn't help but laugh at Hope "Yeah we will" she looked up at Charlie

"Hy" she smiled lightly

"You ok?" Charlie watched her carefully and Ruby nodded

"Getting there" she smiled and placed Hope back onto the sand. She looked up to Brax who still had Caleb over his shoulder "Hy Hope why don't you go and try and help Caleb and I'll come and give you a hand in a minute"

Hope nodded her head at Ruby before running down the beach towards Brax and Caleb a joyful squeal leaving her mouth

"No Casey?" asked Charlie and Ruby shook her head

"No he err… walked me home but he's gone back to Bianca and Heaths" she glanced to where Brax and the kids were before she sat down on the sand, Charlie following suit

"You guys talk?" asked Charlie

"Yeah" Ruby sighed "I feel like I've been so selfish. We both lost…" we both lost "It happened to him too but I've just been thinking about me"

Charlie sighed and shuffled closer to Ruby, her hand on her back she rubbed it lightly "Sweetie there is no selfish bone in your body"

"I don't think Casey would agree regardless of what he says"

Charlie shook her head "I think you're wrong. Casey would agree o. Neither one of you should have to have gone through any of this never mind knowing how you should act or feel. People deal with things differently and I think even Casey understood that you needed a little time"

Ruby looked at Charlie, and Charlie could see the kid in her eyes. Nineteen or not she was still her baby

"I keep wondering what he or she would have looked like" Ruby sighed "We're too young for kids but it doesn't make it hurt any less"

Charlie pulled Ruby to her, Ruby's head now resting on her shoulder

"I think he or she would have been as beautiful as their mother and father. And you may not be ready for kids but that was still your child, you're allowed to hurt as much as you want. Cry as much as you want"

Ruby smiled lightly "Thanks for these past two weeks"

Charlie frowned; she didn't think she had done much. As much as she had wanted to comfort Ruby, she hadn't allowed anyone near her "I haven't done much Rubes" she spoke with sadness in her voice

Ruby looked up at her "You did a lot" she glanced at Brax "The both of you. For just giving me the space I needed but still not enough that I felt alone"

Charlie smiled and both her and Ruby looked up as Hope and Caleb ran over to them "Wuby come on" Caleb pulled on one of Ruby's hands while Hope took the other

"We too turn daddy to sand" said Hope

Ruby and Charlie glanced to wear Brax now lay to see his feet covered in sand. Charlie and Ruby chuckled as Ruby stood to her feet, Hope and Caleb still holding onto her hands

"We best be quick before he escapes hy" said Ruby and Caleb and Hope's eyes widened as they both nodded and tugged on Ruby's hand harder pulling her along towards Brax

Charlie watched with a smile as Ruby and the twins through sand over Brax's body. Her smile widened as she watched Brax say something causing Ruby to laugh; really laugh. Charlie felt her heart flutter as she thought of the surprise she had for Brax later that day

…

Rubbing his hands over his neck, Casey groaned at the stiffness on it. Sleeping all night with your head propped back on a couch proving to be anything but comfortable. He had just left Dex and Xavier who had both forced him out for a while but in all honesty he was glad to be away from them. He wanted to see Ruby, they had made progress the night before and that morning

He rounded the corner and smiled lightly as he saw Cheryl but his stepped haltered as another figure came into view.

As Cheryl flinched back from the figure, Casey paced and almost felt the breath being sucked out of him as Mick raised his hand

"Oi" he shouted causing Mick and Cheryl to look his way, but instead of Mick backing away lie Casey had expected him to, he stood rooted in front of Cheryl, his jaw twitching with obvious irritation

"Get away from her" Casey wedged himself between Cheryl and Mick and Cheryl instantly grabbed his arm

"Casey don't"

Mick growled in anger "What is it with you boys. You got some sort of tracker on her"

Casey stepped to him, standing taller than Mick; he clenched his jaw "I promise you if you ever so much as try that again, raise your hand on her or touch a single hair on her head you will pay"

Mick howled out a laugh, that the wind seemed to carry "And what? I'm guessing you'll be the debt collector" he laughed again but soon stopped as Casey stepped closer to him, fighting against Cheryl's grip on his arm

"Why don't you try raising your hand on her again and find out"

All laughter gone his smile vanished, Micks glaring eyes ran cold and Cheryl felt her throat dry up at the look in his eyes

"Is that a threat boy?"

Casey shook his head "Na but if you ever come near her again, you'll wish it was"

Mick blew out a breath and nodded his head. Looking over Casey shoulder at Cheryl he held her gaze "I'll be seeing ya" and with that he turned away and out of sight

Cheryl released a breath she hadn't been aware she had been holding as Casey turned round to her, his hands placed on her arms

"Mum you ok?" his eyes drew together in worry

Cheryl nodded her head "I'm ok"

"I'm gonna call Brax" Casey went to dig his phone out of his pocket but Cheryl stopped him

"No don't. He and heath have only just started giving me some space I don't want them worrying all over again"

Casey frowned "You're kidding right, that nut job was about to hit you and you think I won't tell Heath and Brax"

"Casey you won't tell them because I asked you not too ok" she looked at him pleadingly "They don't need this right now and neither do you. You need to be concentrating on yourself and Ruby"

"Mum…"

Cheryl interjected "if I promise that if I see him again, even if it's just from afar that I will let Heath and Brax know will you please let this go"

Casey shook his head "Mum I can't…"

"Casey please" Cheryl pleaded with him

Casey looked down at her and sighed, he could see she really dint want Brax and Heath to know but at the same time he knew Mick wasn't gone but yet he agreed "Fine, but if I see him again I'll tell them"

"Fair enough" replied Cheryl

…

The twins had been put to bed, Ruby had retied to her rom a few minutes before hand and now Charlie and Brax sat on the couch watched a film; Charlie wrapped in Brax's arms

"She seems better right?" asked Brax. Seeing Ruby smile that say had made him feel so much better about him forcing her to open up a little

Charlie looked up at him and smiled "Yea. I think the twins were just happy to spend some time with her today especially Hope"

Brax nodded "Yeah. I think the fact we had to literally peel her from Ruby's side to get her to go to bed proved that"

Charlie chuckled "I'm just glad to see her smile and not a fake one either "

Brax nodded "Yeah it was nice" Brax looked over to the wine that sat on the coffee table un touched by Charlie "Babe you ok?" he chuckled

"Why?" Charlie frowned

He nodded his head towards the untouched wine "You haven't touched your wine at all. I've never known you pass up a chance to get a little boozed up"

Charlie hit his chest "You make me sound like an alcoholic" Brax had already poured the wine before Charlie could decline and she didn't want him suspecting just yet

Brax chuckled "Well, you do…"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence Braxton" Brax laughed "I'm just not in the mood that's all"

Brax nodded "Well what do you say to an early night" he winked at her and Charlie chuckled before leaning into him and placing a kiss on his lips

"An early night sounds like a perfect idea"

…

Stepping out of her shorts and pulling her top over her head, Charlie walked over to her' wardrobe and pulled out one of Brax's shirts that she usually wore to bed. Pulling it over her head she closed the wardrobe and looked to the bathroom door through the floor length mirror on the door of her wardrobe

"Babe what time you start work tomorrow?" asked Bra from the toilet

Charlie opened up her drawer as she answered "10. Why?" she pulled out her surprise "Just wanting to know who was gonna drop the kids off with mum. But I don't have to be at the restaurant till twelve so I'll do it"

"Ok" replied Charlie as she looked down at the item in her hand "I'm only working till 5 tomorrow so I can pick them up on my way home" she tried not to laugh as she read the words

"Works for me" replied Brax as he walked out of the bathroom and Charlie quickly placed the item behind her back

Not noticing anything odd Brax turned to his wardrobe as he peeled his shirt from over his head and began unbuttoning his jeans. Smiling Charlie placed the item down on the bed so he could read the writing before she walked into the bathroom

"You working late tomorrow?" she asked glad for the wall that separated them as she couldn't have contained the smile on her face if she tried

"Na think I've got enough staff on shift to be able to leave by seven latest" replied Brax not yet having seen what Charlie had placed on the bed

"In that Case you can bring dinner home" she waited from him to reply but nothing came. He smiled ad called his name "Brax?" she waited but still no reply. Shutting off the tap that was running she dried her hand with a towel and stepped out of the bathroom to see Brax stood at the foot of the bed. He looked up at her as he held the item up in his hand

"Did you put this here?" he asked, Holding the baby grow up in his hand. The words on the front reading 'Sorry Ladies My Daddy's Taken'

Charlie nodded her smile wide. Brax had said a few weeks ago that it was a shame neither Hope and Caleb had worn that particular baby grow and that their next kid would have to

"Figured we should probably keep it close" she said

Brax glanced back at the baby grow with a frown before looking back at Charlie. Reading her face his eyes widened as he glanced back at the baby grow again, his jaw slacking for a few second before he turned to Charlie

"Am I reading too much into this or are you…" he glanced down at her flat stomach before looking back up to met her eyes

Charlie nodded and let out a little laughter "I think you're reading into it just about right"

"You're pregnant?" asked Brax

Charlie nodded "We're pregnant. I took a test last night and today when I said I was going to see Bianca I kinda lied" she stepped to him "I went to the hospital. Tests can be false sometimes so I went to make sure"

"And you're sure?" asked Brax

Charlie nodded "I'm sure"

Brax sucked in a breath, and a grin enveloped his face, his dimples forming deeply "We're having another baby" he chuckled loudly, dropping the baby grow onto the bed and pulling her to him ever so gently; one hand resting on the small of her back and the other on her still fat stomach

Charlie nodded with laughter "We're having another baby"

Brax's lips immediately took hers, slowly, meaningfully and with so much passion Charlie thought she would melt into him.

Pulling back from the kiss, Brax leaned his forehead against Charlie's as they both caught their breath. He chuckled again and placed a gentle kiss on her lips

"I love you" his hand still placed on her stomach

Charlie pursed her lips together, a smile adorning her face "I love you too"