The next morning Charlie woke up and shivered looking around she sighed and stretched out, her and Brax had fallen asleep on the bed and there was no sign of Heath, she shivered again and scooted closer to him.
"You cold babes?" Brax asked wrapping his arms tighter around her.
"Yeah," she muttered.
Brax sat up and pulled the spare covers from the end of the bed and threw it over her "better?" he asked and pulled her back onto him.
"Yeah thanks," she yawned and snuggled back into him.
Brax dropped a kiss on her forehead "so Heath didn't come back last night."
"Doesn't look like it," Charlie replied.
They both looked to the door when someone knocked at it, Brax rolled her off him and walked to the door, opening it he was faced with Heath and Natalie "uh," he looked back at Charlie "I don't think she should be here."
"Two minutes and I'll be gone I promise," Natalie said stepping forward.
Brax looked over at Charlie again she lay looking at the ceiling not even registering what was going on "Charlie," he called "your sister is here," he said and stepped back to let them in.
Charlie sat up and moved to the side of the bed "I told you we were done," she said when Natalie stepped into the room.
"I know you did," Natalie nodded "we just wanted to let you know what was going on."
Charlie looked over at Heath when she said we, he cleared his throat and moved closer to Natalie "we've went to the hospital and did what we had to do, I am the father…so I'm gonna be involved."
Charlie nodded and stood up "and so you should be," she said and walked to the bathroom
"I'm going back with Heath!" Natalie called after her stopping her in her tracks.
Charlie turned back to her "and where exactly are you gonna stay? You've no family no friends no money," she said walking back to them.
Natalie glanced at Heath "I'm gonna be staying with Heath until I can get on my feet."
Brax scoffed and glared at Heath "and when were you gonna ask me about this?"
"Uh now," Heath replied "look Brax I'm tryna do the right thing here I can't just leave her…she told me a bit about what's going on with her and her family, I have nothing to do with that and either does my kid I'm not gonna turn my back on her," he said seriously.
Brax sighed and dropped his head if he was gonna be seeing Charlie she'd be in the house it wouldn't work but Heath was right he couldn't turn his back on her. He looked over at Charlie who stood looking back waiting on him to reply. He looked back at Heath and Natalie "no, I'm sorry," he said and looked at Charlie again "I'm dating Charlie it won't work, they can't both be in the house and after what she did to her I don't really want her there…Charlie comes first."
Charlie shook her head and walked to him "she can stay," she looked over at Heath "I hope you know what you're getting yourself in for…make your own way home I'm not traveling with her," she said and slipped her hand into Brax's and opened the door "and don't you dare go see Pete or anyone else," she said before she walked out pulling Brax with her.
As soon as the door was closed she pulled him closer and kissed him, Brax slipped his hand onto her waist and deepened the kiss "what was that for?" he asked when they broke apart.
Charlie smiled "for sticking up for me-thinking about my feelings, for saying I come first."
"You do come first," Brax said and slipped his arm around her shoulder "I don't know her but I do know what she's done, it's my house it was left to me what I say goes, she'll be gone in a few days."
Charlie leaned in closer to him as they walked "wanna hang out here for the day?"
Brax nodded "sure, got nothing else to do…are you avoiding someone?" he asked.
Charlie nodded "I can't deal with him as well today."
"He won't come near you, I'll make sure of that," Brax dropped a kiss on her head and led her to his car.
….
Back at Angelo's Ruby yawned as she set the tables Brax had text her at all hours and asked her to cover for him that something had come up she wondered why he hadn't called Charlie. She heard footsteps coming up the stairs "sorry we don't open for another half hour!" she called without turning around.
"That's kinda why I came now…mum about?"
Ruby's face drained of colour at the voice gripping the forks she had she slowly turned to face him her face full of anger "if I were you I'd turn around and walked out that door do you have a death wish!" she yelled.
"Rubes," Angelo sighed.
"No!" she yelled "you don't get to call me that- you don't get to call me anything! Get out!" she yelled and hurled the forks at him.
Angelo dodged them and started to walk towards her "all I want is five minutes with your mum."
"She's not here and if she was you'd have to go through me first!" she hissed.
"Ruby I know she's here she's not at home…please?"
"She's not here! Get out you, won't be getting near her anyway!" Ruby yelled.
"I'm not leaving until I see her," Angelo said and crossed his arms.
Ruby smiled sarcastically "you do that and see what happens," she said and went to walk off.
"I'm back for good!" Angelo called after her.
Ruby scoffed and whirled back to face him "then you really do have a death wish…no one wants you here, you're not welcome in here so I suggest you leave before Liam or anyone else gets here."
"Like I said-I'm not going anywhere," Angelo said.
"Oh I think you are," came a voice behind them "what do you think Jack?"
Ruby looked beyond him to see Peter and Jack with their surfboards under their arms, every morning they'd drop in after a surf. She smiled and walked off "don't wreck the place I just set up!" she called as she walked into the kitchen.
Angelo turned to face them "I want to see Charlie."
"Well she doesn't wanna see you," Jack replied and placed his board against the wall "and you must be really really stupid to come back here at all," he said taking slow steps towards him.
Peter placed his board against the wall and walked to where Jack was "what could you possibly have to say that she'd want to hear?"
Angelo shrugged "between me and her."
"Well you won't get to her so it's between you and us now," Jack said.
Peter sighed "you wrecked her life, you slept with her sister, you got her pregnant, and you left with her. Charlie is moving on she's happy now do you really think we're gonna let you ruin that? I suggest you take off and don't ever come back."
Angelo chuckled "she's not happy she's just putting on a front for all you she still misses me."
Jack chuckled "you haven't met her new bloke, she's happier than I've ever seen…great bloke," he chuckled again.
Angelo's eyes went wide "she's dating someone already?"
Peter chuckled "what did you expect her to do sit there and mope over you…you really don't know Charlie at all," he walked closer to him "she's happy she's over you she hasn't given you a second thought and it's gonna stay that way," he stepped even closer "this is the one and only warning you're getting, you've already broken up a family if you want to live to see that kid born you won't come here again, you won't go near her house, you won't hang around places she goes you'll take off and don't ever come back, you got it?"
Angelo stepped back he couldn't believe that Charlie had moved on already he shook his head "you don't scare me I'll hang around if I want."
Jack chuckled "we're cops we can easily turn a murder into an accident, take off and don't so much as think about my sister again…the one you're not sleeping with."
"How is Nat by the way?" Peter asked sarcastically "does she even know you're here pining after your ex?"
"You'd have to ask her that!" Angelo hissed and walked by them "the baby is not mine!" he said through gritted teeth.
Peter burst out laughing "oh so that's why you're back?" he looked at Jack "hoping he could pick up where he left off."
"Seems Nat can do something right," Jack chuckled "can't say I'm sorry mate I hope you feel as much of the pain you caused Charlie…get lost," he said and walked up the bar.
Peter watched him in the doorway "go now or those stairs will be the last thing you see," he said and walked up to Jack.
Angelo stood looking at them he always hated how protective of Charlie they were, if he wanted to see her he'd have to pick his moment "I'll be back!" he called as he took the stairs.
Back in the city Charlie and Brax were lying in a park after some breakfast and some window shopping looking up at the clouds, Charlie groaned as her phone rang, pulling it out of her bag she saw it was her brother "Jack," she greeted.
"Hey, where are you I'm at the house," he replied.
"I'm up in the city with Brax for the day something wrong?" she asked.
"No," Jack said slowly seeing the flowers from Angelo on her step "just wanted to see what you were doing for the day, was gonna go see dad," he said as he picked them up and threw them in her bin.
"Oh right…um, I'll be home later if you wanna go evening time?"
"Nah you go have some fun I'll bring Rubes and Maddy," Jack replied.
"Alright then," she replied "I'll be home around dinner time, I'll drop over to yours haven't seen Maddy all week."
"Cool see ya then…bye," Jack said and hung up, looking into the bin he shook his head "Charlie doesn't even like roses you'd think he'd know that," he scoffed and slammed the bin lid down.
"Do you need go home?" Brax asked.
"Nope," Charlie said and looked up at him "just Jack seeing where I was."
Brax nodded and kissed her after he pulled away he lay back and pulled her with him "how do you feel about both of them being back?" he asked.
Charlie shrugged against him "just have to get on with it."
"Well they won't be allowed in Angelo's and if Leah sees them she'll tell them to stay away from the diner too," Brax said.
Charlie looked up at him "how about we change the name to Braxton's?" she asked.
Brax chuckled "that's my name you own the place…how will that work?"
Charlie shrugged "it's better than Bucktons and I so want the name Angelo's gone."
"So go with Ruby's then," Brax suggested.
"You wouldn't have a problem with that?" she asked.
"Nope," he replied and lifted his head to kiss her "not at all."
Charlie lay back down on him "we'll get it started when we get home."
…
In the car on the drive home Charlie was quiet she sat looking out the window lost in thought, she smiled when Brax slipped his hand into hers, lacing her fingers with his she looked over and smiled again "I'm fine," she said.
"I know you are," Brax said "I just wanna hold your hand," he chuckled.
"Aww aren't you so cute," she giggled.
Brax chuckled "I thought Casey was cute."
Charlie giggled "you're allowed to be cute too."
Brax chuckled and looked back to the road "almost there," he said after they passed the welcome to summer Bay sign.
A few minutes later he pulled up along the beach "do you wanna go for a walk before I drop you home?"
"Yeah I'm not in any rush," she smiled and climbed out.
Brax climbed out and walked around to her leaning in he kissed her, after he pulled back he leaned on the car "so we're still changing the name?"
Charlie nodded "but to what is another question," she giggled "thought we were going for a walk?"
Brax chuckled and pushed himself off the car holding out his hand he waited for her to slip her into it and started to walk "we are," he said and pulled her into him "how about we just come up with a name that doesn't mean anything to either of us?…we can always change it again," he said.
"To what like beach view or something?" she chuckled.
"I actually like that," Brax said.
Charlie thought about it "yeah I do too," she said and looked further up the beach, she stopped and felt like the wind had been knocked out of her.
"Are you okay?" Brax asked he moved his eyes to where she was looking and clenched his fist as Angelo stood looking back at them.
Charlie turned to Brax "can we just go the other way?" she asked and turned around.
"After I sort him out," Brax snapped and went to walk forward.
"Brax!" Charlie yelled and grabbed him "he's not worth it, please just leave him," she said pulling him away.
Brax looked down on her and sighed "fine I won't hit him now but I meant what I said he comes near you and he's dead."
Charlie leaned up on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck "how about you take me out on a date tonight?"
Brax smiled and slipped his hands onto her waist "our first date?" his smile widened "I'm sure that can be arranged," he said and lowered his head kissing her softly.
Charlie pulled back "can we go now? It's kinda uncomfortable knowing he's there watching us."
Brax wrapped his arm around her shoulder and started to walk "how about I drop you home we'll both get changed and whatever then we'll spend the rest of the day and night together."
"Sounds good," Charlie said and leaned into him-shooting a glance back at Angelo to see him still watching.
Charlie sat in her bedroom looking at two dresses "the white one," Ruby said from the doorway.
Charlie turned to face her "hey sweetie how was work?" she asked as she hung the white dress on the wardrobe door.
Ruby flopped onto the bed "fine… until Angelo came in."
Charlie snapped her head to her "he what?" she asked.
Ruby say up "he came in like he still owned the place saying he knew you were here after I told him twice you weren't…he still wouldn't leave."
"And did Liam not say anything?"
"No he wasn't in yet," Ruby replied.
Charlie nodded "Rubes did he do anything to you?" she asked trying to control her temper.
"No, Pete and Jack came in I walked off and left them to it…he left a few minutes later."
"Can't imagine why," Charlie chuckled.
Ruby stood up "I'm going to get a shower then I'm heading over to Casey to watch a movie," she said and walked to the door.
"You and Casey seem to be getting close," Charlie smirked.
Ruby blushed "yeah well he's not here that long he doesn't know many people, I'm being nice…gotta go," she said hurrying away.
Charlie chuckled and walked to her phone smiling when Brax flashed on the screen "hey," she said happily.
"Hey babes sorry I know I'm supposed to be there soon but Casey decided to use all the hot water so I'll be another while."
Charlie chuckled "getting ready for Ruby coming over?" she chuckled again "she's here doing the same thing, that's fine I'm not even dressed anyway."
Brax chuckled "he may have told me this is a first date."
Charlie giggled "I got told Casey doesn't know many people she was being nice…I knew they liked each other I was watching them the other day, anyway, I'll be ready before you then so how about I just meet you at Angelo's?"
"Are you sure you don't mind walking?" Brax asked "I'll be a half hour tops," he added.
"Well I could drive but what's the point it's around the corner I don't mind, I'll walk along the beach," Charlie replied and pulled her dress of the hanger "I'll see ye in a while."
"Okay, if you're sure, bye babes," Brax said and hung up.
Charlie walked to her bedroom door "Rubes how are you getting to and from Casey's?" she called
"Jack is dropping me off and Pete said he's working to call him when I'm done!" she called back from the bathroom.
"Okay….I'm leaving in a few minutes so I'll see you later okay?"
"Okay mum have fun!" Ruby called back.
"You too!" Charlie chuckled and walked into her room.
…
Fifteen minutes later Charlie was walking along the beach she thought about everything that was going on, smiling when she thought of Brax he was the only good thing to happen in a while-there and then she decided Angelo nor Natalie was getting in her way she was moving on and she was gonna keep moving. As she walked up the pathway she jumped when she walked into someone "sorry," she said and jumped back, looking up her stomach dropped.
"Charlie," Angelo greeted looking down on her.
Charlie stepped around him "I said all I had to say to you," she said and started to walk on.
Angelo grabbed her wrist and pulled her back "well I haven't said everything I want to say to you," he said and dropped her arm "I know I hurt you Charlie," he looked over when she scoffed and rolled her eyes and "I'm sorry if I could go back and change it I would, I love you."
Charlie laughed "you don't love me if you could do that to me you never loved me at all, I mean it Angelo leave me alone, just because things with my sister didn't work out doesn't mean you can come back here and mess my life up again!" she yelled.
"Yeah that's right you've already moved on," he said bitterly "didn't take you long."
Charlie couldn't believe what she was hearing "that's rich coming from you…what did you expect me to do?" she yelled "cry over you, pine after you, beg you to come back? Don't make me laugh, you Angelo- you cheated on me- tore my life apart, so don't you dare judge me for moving on!" she yelled and walked away.
"What has he got that I don't?" Angelo called after her.
Charlie shook her head again was he serious? Turning back to him she took a step back "everything," she said "and I trust him!" she spat.
Angelo shook with anger he took a large step to her and grabbed her arm "you belong with me Charlie I took you in after everything that happened up in the city. I was there for everything with Ruby and her dad, you're mine! We're getting married in a few weeks!" he hissed his grip tightening on her.
Charlie laughed "are you delusional?" she asked "and I am nobody's, we're not getting married and thank god for that, now get your hands off me!" she yelled.
Hayley who rounded the corner saw Angelo take a step closer to her, pulling out her phone she called Peter-her eyes widened as Angelo slapped her "Pete! You gotta get down to Angelo's right now!" she yelled as he ran forward "Angelo just hit Charlie! We're around the back!" she said and threw her phone down "get the hell off her!" she screamed and pushed him away from her "you get the hell away from her!" she said and shoved him away again. "Angelo!" she yelled and jumped in front of Charlie when he ran at her again.
"You're not going anywhere, you're mine!" he yelled.
Charlie grabbed Hayley as Angelo swung his fist toward her "that's right Angelo hit a girl!" she yelled.
Angelo stopped "you're going to be my wife!" he yelled.
Charlie shoved Hayley behind her "stop kidding yourself!" she yelled "you're a waste of space, I got a lucky escape and looking at you now Nat did too!" she hissed.
Angelo raised his fist again and went to lunge forward-stopping at the click of a gun behind him.
Peter stood behind him with his gun aimed at his back " lucky for you I was in the surf club-take one more step and you'll hit the ground before you get near her!" he hissed.
"Pete!" Charlie yelled "put the gun down!" she said edging away from Angelo "come on Pete he's not worth it," she said putting her hand on the gun and tried to lower it.
"Hayley take her inside," was all he said.
"Pete!" Charlie yelled she was panicking now she could always talk him down but this time it wasn't working.
"Now!" he yelled making them both jump.
Hayley hurried over and grabbed Charlie's hand "he won't shoot him, as much as we'd all love that he knows what he's doing," she said and pulled her along.
As soon as they were gone Peter lowered his gun and walked to Angelo "we warned you didn't we?"
Angelo scoffed "I told you I'd be back you don't scare me."
Peter chuckled and pulled out his cuffs "you're under arrest for assaulting a police officer," he said and slipped the cuffs on, grabbing him by the back of his shirt he started to walk him towards his car "we just need to make a stop first," he said and opened the back door.
"Oww!" Angelo yelled as his head collided with the roof of the car.
"Oh I'm sorry I wasn't watching…mind your head," he chuckled and shoved him in.
Slamming the door he walked around to his own side and climbed in "hey Jack!" he called over the radio "get to Angelo's and make sure Charlie is okay."
"Why what happened?" he asked.
"Angelo happened, he overstepped the mark."
"And you have him?" Jack asked.
"Yeah I do-on the way," Peter replied looking back at him.
"Keep your cool Pete," he said and clicked off his radio knowing everyone could hear this conversation.
Inside Charlie and Hayley sat at the bar Hayley examining the red mark on Charlie's cheek "I don't think it's gonna bruise," she said and dropped her hand "what was he thinking?" she asked and shook her head.
Charlie shrugged "I don't know but he's lost it altogether, you can get off…I'm supposed to be on a date."
Hayley stood up "Brax I hope?" she giggled "…are you sure you're gonna be okay?"
"Yeah it's Brax," she giggled "and yes I'll be fine doesn't even sting anymore," she smiled "but thanks for calling Pete," she said and hugged her.
"I knew I couldn't stop him if he got any angrier," Hayley replied.
"Yeah but you tried anyway," Charlie said stepping back. "I'll send some pizza over for you and Noah as a thank you!" she called as she walked into the back towards her office. She meant what she had said she was moving on and he or no one else was gonna stop her or bring her down.
Closing her office door she walked to the mirror and looked at the red mark just above her cheek she sighed Brax would notice it right away, walking to her desk she sat down and lay her head back on the chair thinking what she could say when he got here.
….
Brax walked into Angelo's a bit later than he said he would be he couldn't help but try to make Ruby and Casey feel awkward when she arrived he chuckled as he walked to the bar "alright mate!" he called to Liam "Charlie here yet?" he asked.
"Yeah!" Liam called back "she's in the office but Brax I need to te-"
Brax held his hand up "we're going on a date no work stuff!" he said and kept walking.
Liam sighed and watched him walk into the office he wanted to prepare him about Angelo.
Brax closed the door behind him he looked over and saw Charlie with her elbows on the desk resting her face on her hands lost in thought, smirking he walked around the desk behind her and slipped his arms around her "whatchya thinking about?"
Charlie smiled "you," she replied and turned to face him "Mr Braxton you left me waiting," she pouted.
"Sorry babes," he chuckled and kissed her "couldn't help but have some fun with Rubes and Case before I left," he said and sat on the desk. Looking down at her dress he nodded "nice dress," he said seriously.
Charlie smiled and stood up "thanks, so we going or what?"
"I reckon we can stay in here for a while," he said and pulled her to him-he was yet to notice the mark on her face.
Charlie titled her face away from him "what exactly did you have in mind…Brax!" she shrieked as his hand ran up her leg "no," she giggled and pulled away "I'm actually starving here."
"Better feed you then," he said and stood up, pulling her back to him he kissed her deeply and pulled her closer.
Charlie melted into him she ran her hands up his chest and slipped them around his neck- biting her lip when he moved onto her neck "keep doing that and we won't get a date at all," she giggled.
Brax pulled back "better get out of here then," he said and opened the door-stepping back when Jack appeared in the doorway.
"Alright mate," he said and looked in at Charlie "I was sent to check on you."
Charlie raised an eyebrow and shot a look at Brax "um I'm fine," she said narrowing her eyes at him.
"Where did he hi-" Jack started.
"I'm fine, now if you don't mind we're on a date," she said quickly and ushered Brax out the door.
"What's he talking about?" Brax asked as they walked to a table.
"Nothing, you know them always checking up on me," she smiled quickly and sat down.
Brax wasn't convinced but dropped it anyway, sitting down he looked over at Jack standing at the bar with Liam.
"What are you gonna get?" Charlie asked quickly she could see him watching Jack.
"Don't know yet," he replied and stood up "I'll get us a drink."
"No Brax, let one of the waiters get it, we're on a date," she said hoping he'd sit back down.
Brax looked down at her as she darted her eyes between him and Jack he saw relief wash over her face and looked to the bar to see Jack had left "alright," he said and sat down. Leaning in closer he looked at her "you wanna tell me how you got that mark on your face?"
Charlie sat back in her seat she'd hoped the redness would be gone by now "tripped over my shoes in my room," she answered.
Brax shook his head "wanna try that again?" he asked.
"Why?" Charlie asked "I just told you what happened," she muttered.
"And I don't believe you- for two reasons," he said "one, if you fell at home that would be gone by now and two, your brothers don't just turn up to check on you, so again what happened?"
Charlie sighed "do you really wanna ruin our date?"
Brax shook his head "no, but we can have many more...so?"
"Not first dates," she sat forward "if you must know…I ran into Angelo and he got a bit angry," she said and sat back.
"Angry how?" Brax asked through gritted teeth.
Charlie held up her wrist to show him the finger marks "he slapped me too," she sighed deciding it was better to get it all out in one.
Brax slammed his fists on the table and sprung from the seat "he's dead I swear to god he's dead!" he yelled already halfway through the restaurant.
Charlie stood up and smiled at the people looking at her "hey Mol!" she called "give us your shoes I'll be back in a few minutes…you can wear my heels until I get back," she said kicking them off.
Molly nodded and took off her shoes she knew the situation "here," she said and dropped them in front of her.
Charlie slipped them on "thanks," she said and ran after Brax. Getting outside she looked around for him, spotting him near the beach "Brax!" she yelled and took off after him "come on Brax what do you think you're gonna do?" she yelled.
Brax spun to face her "I told you if he came near you he was dead I wasn't kidding."
Charlie grabbed his arm and pulled him back "will you just stop!" she yelled "you're not gonna find him, he's down the station!"
Brax sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose "what exactly did he say to you?"
"That doesn't matter," Charlie replied "now I'm going back up to the restaurant to our table, if you're not there in five minutes don't bother coming back at all!" she called as she walked away.
Brax sighed heavily and watched her go, after a minute or so he followed her Angelo didn't matter- she did.
…
Getting back to the table he sat down and looked over at her, she sat with her head down pretending to read the menu "you made these Charlie you know everything that's on it so don't pretend you're reading it," he said.
Charlie looked up at him "this isn't how I imagined our first date," she said and picked up her water "arguing already and we haven't even ordered yet."
"What do you expect when you tell me your ex hit you?" he snapped.
"To be angry but understand I can handle it myself and have it under control," she replied and stood up "I think we should leave it for another night we're both wound up…I'll see ya tomorrow," she said and walked off.
Brax stood up "Charlie!" he called after her.
She stopped at the exit and turned to face him "there's no point he's already ruined it," she said and smiled weakly "I'll call ya later," she said and took the stairs.
Brax stood watching her go sighing he walked to the bar and took a beer from the fridge and walked into the office. Sitting down he saw her on the boardwalk looking out to the water he knew she was upset-he was too this had ruined their first date, sighing again he stood up and walked through the restaurant he shouldn't have let her leave in the first place.