Here is the next chapter for you loyal readers. Thank you to those who keep reviewing, adding this to their alerts and favourite and keep reading. Been a little bit demotivated since watching this weeks home and away, so I hope this chapter is ok for you guys. let me Know what you think. After this chapter a lot of drama is gonna start to unfold hopefully I will have the next chapter up mid week. enjoy and review. :)


"Brax" Jack called after his friend as he left the exam room

"So how does it feel, finally we're exam free", Jack sighed heavily as his face beamed with happiness at the thought of having taken his last exam.

Brax's face shared Jacks enthusiasm before speaking "It feels great... now me and Charlie can hang out for more than five minutes without her suggesting that we study or stressing out about how she's gonna do in the exams"

Jack quickly interjected in agreement with Brax "Tell me about it, it's all Martha as been able to talk about lately, these exams have put a serious dent in our alone time... if you get what I mean ", Jack smirked as Brax let out a small laughter, composing himself as they were interrupted by the sound of Martha's voice

"What's that about me?" Martha looked at both boys as she wrapped her arms around Jacks waist

"Nothing just agreeing that you guys can stop stressing now that the exams are over" relied Brax a he pointed at Charlie

"Well we still have to wait for the results", Brax turned to Charlie as she spoke. Pulling her closely to him he quickly responded

"No, I am not spending my summer break worrying about results, we are gonna have some fun and relax, no arguments"

"Yes sir", Charlie cheekily saluted as she gave him a quick kiss

As they were joined by Bianca, Leah and Miles who all harboured the same expression of relief they all made their way out of Summer Bay High glad to put all the stress behind them.

Walking towards the beach Brax walked alongside Jack and Miles as Charlie and the girls followed behind. Jack watched Brax slowly, Amazed at how far he had come since he first started at Summer Bay high. Hearing the laughter that fell from Charlie's mouth and noticing how it instinctively brought a smile to Brax's face, he silently smiled to himself. Never had he known two people have such effect on one another, he had amusingly studied them occasionally and was taken by the effect Charlie had on Brax and vice versa. In each other's presence Jack could not recollect a time he saw anything but smiles on their faces and heard laughter in their voices. Catching Brax steal a glimpse at Charlie, Jack punched him lightly on the arm

"Ow... what was that for?" Brax looked over at Jack confused as to what he had done to deserve the punch as he rubbed his arm.

"You are so whipped", Jack chuckled as he replied

Brax returned the gesture as he lightly hit Jack "I'm not... and honestly you're not one to talk, every time you look at Martha you have this stupid grin plastered on your face like a school girl"

Miles instantly burst out laughing at the expression Brax had used, but was soon shut down by Jack who gladly handed him the same gesture Brax and himself had received

"Ow... what did you hit me for, I didn't even say anything", Miles exclaimed dramatically as he rubbed his arm

"You didn't have to, you laughing said it all... and seriously you shouldn't be laughing, Leah as you wrapped around her finger"

"She does not", Miles quickly defended himself

Brax gladly interjected "Actually Miles... Yeah she does"

"Whatever... we're just all as bad as each other", Jack and Brax slowly nodded in agreement as they took a quick glance at their girlfriends before all three boys chuckled to one another.

Watching on as the boys interacted with one another, Charlie observed Brax as a smile uncontrollably crept up onto her face.

"You are so smitten it's almost sickening", Bianca turned to Charlie as she spoke. Reluctantly taking her gaze off Brax and turning her attention to Bianca, Charlie raised her eyebrow questionably unsure of what Bianca was talking about.

"Don't play Dumb, you with Brax; you are so smitten looking over at him every five seconds".

"I do not, I was j..." Charlie tried desperately to defend herself as she felt her checks heat up

"Charlie yeah you do", Leah laughed noticing Charlie's cheeks turning rose red as Bianca and Martha joined in.

"You guys can't talk", Charlie pointed defensively at Leah and Martha "the both of you are just as bad as me, maybe even worse".

"Now that I agree with", responded Bianca

Martha turned to Bianca "You can't talk"

Looking slightly confused Bianca questioned her "what do you mean... the last time I checked I was single"

Quickly grasping what or in this case who Martha was referring to Charlie joined in happy to turn the tables on Bianca.

"I think she might be talking about you and the other Braxton", Charlie winked over at Bianca as a sneakily smile crept up on her face before her and Martha started laughing.

"What... you like Heath?" Leah stumbled as she faced Bianca

Feeling an extensive amount of blood rushing to her face, Bianca turned her face keeping her gaze ahead as she quickly spoke up in an attempt to hide what Charlie and Martha obviously already knew.

"No I don't like Heath", she tried very unconvincingly to deter her friends from the truth

Leah raised an eyebrow as she continued to gawk at Bianca unconvinced "So you like Casey? I mean I know you've been single for a while but Bianca... that's just plain wrong". All three girls soon burst out into fits of laughter at Bianca as her face only reddened the more.

"Just shut up you guys, I do not like Casey.. or Heath", Bianca mentally kicked herself as she knew she was doing a disgraceful job at convincing them they were wrong.

"Charlie unsuccessfully tried to compose herself as she spoke "Ok Bianca whatever you say"

"Yeah all the giggling and playing with your hair when you're around him must just be pure coincidence", Martha added in an overly sarcastic tone.

Leah still not sure how she had missed this spoke again "I honestly can't believe I haven't picked up on any of this before"

"Well you wouldn't have, you're always too busy shoving your tongue down Mile's throat", Leah blushed lightly before replying

"So there was something to miss, aww Bianca you do like him"

"I didn't say that", Bianca replied frustrated by how the conversation she had regrettably started had turned on her.

Martha, Leah and Charlie looked at one another before laughing loudly. Charlie managed to stabilise her laugher as she linked her arm in Bianca's.

"Hy for what it's worth I'm pretty sure he likes you. Even if you don't like him I just thought you would like to know" Charlie winked at Bianca before she picked up her pace in order to reach the boys.

"Hy", Charlie snaked her hand around Brax before giving him a quick kiss

"Hy", Brax replied as he leaned in for another kiss

"Whipped", Jack coughed under his breath as Brax shot him a look. Not long after Martha walked up behind Jack linking her hand in his as she also leaned up and gave him a kiss before breaking away at which point Jack was looking down at her with a smile on his face.

"What was that you were saying", Brax looked over at Jack with a smirk plastered over his face.

"Shut up"

"Are we missing something here" Charlie asked as she looked up to Brax

"Nup", he leaned over giving her another kiss

Charlie looked down at her phone suddenly remembering that she had promised her dad that her and Brax would look after Casey and Ruby after school.

"Hy guys we have to go, we promised my mum and dad that we would look after Ruby and Casey today", Charlie pulled Brax along as she walked in the direction of her house.

"We did?" Brax questioned surprised

"Yeah we did" Come on

Jack looked over at Brax as he smirked widely at him before motioning a whip movement in the air, causing Miles and Jack to laugh, as the girls looked on questionably.

...

"Lottie help Bwax is gonna get us", Ruby squealed as her and Casey ran around the lounge as brax chased them round the settee.

Brax ran round the chair lightly tackling both Casey and Ruby onto the settee before tickling them. As both kids let out fits of laughter Casey jumped into Charlie's hand

"Chawie help", Casey squealed through his giggles

"Oh I don't know Casey", Charlie bit her lip playfully "I could help you or... I could just do this", Charlie picked Casey up onto the settee besides brax and Ruby as she too proceeded to tickle Casey, who was now laughing hysterically along with Ruby.

As the front door opened, Ross and Elise walked in instantly laughing at the sight before them

"Daddy... help", Ruby giggled out loud as she squirmed out of Brax's grip running towards Ross.

Ross laughed lightly as he picked Ruby up, holding her up in the air towards Brax direction

"No daddy don't", Ruby squealed as he held her closer to Brax

"Say please", Ross teased as he continued to move her closer to Brax

"Pwease Pwease"

"Ok", Ross pulled her closer to him placing her on the floor besides him.

"I see you guys are having fun", Elsie smiled over at Charlie and Brax as they settled themselves on the settee, in an attempt to regain a steady breathing pace.

"Yh we did Bwax and Chawie was chasing me and wuby", Casey looked up at Elise face beaming with joy as Charlie placed him on the floor.

"You hungry", Elise looked down at Casey as she lightly ruffled his short brown hair playfully

Nodding enthusiastically, Casey rubbed his hand over his stomach causing everyone to laugh "Yh I weally hungry"

"Well why don't you and Ruby let Charlie and Brax get you cleaned up while I go and make us all something to eat".

Casey nodded once more as he eagerly latched onto Charlie's hand dragging her behind him in an effort to get cleaned up as fast as he could. Charlie chuckled to herself if there was anything the Braxton boys had in common it was their huge appetite

"Bwax come on", Ruby tugged repeatedly on Brax's shirt

"Erm Mrs Buckton", Brax turned to Elise

"I can't stay for dinner, I didn't tell Heath I would be eating here. There may be food in the house but Heath wouldn't know the first thing about making something decent or edible".

"Hy I can make decent toast", Brax turned towards the back door of the house to see Heath walking in.

"What you doing here?" asked Brax

"Mrs B called and said to come over for dinner, and since I'm stuck with your awful cooking night after night I couldn't possibly refuse", Heath smirked over at his brother as he took his usual seat in the lounge.

Elise and Ross looked over at each other trying to hold back their laughter. Amusing them was one thing Heath never failed to do.

"Did you at least say thank you?" Brax hit Heath lightly over the head

"Ow... of course I did, what do you take me for", Heath looked up at Brax as he screwed his face rubbing the back of his head.

"Thanks Mrs Buckton", Brax looked at Elise flashing a smile

"It's nothing, plus I think Ross over here was starting to miss their little banter. Elise and Brax both laughed as Elise patted Ross face playfully. They all knew too well that Heath and Ross would soon find some pointless topic to debate about, both eager to prove their point. Brax found himself surprised at how smart Heath actually was.

"Bwax", Ruby dragged Brax along following the direction that Charlie and Casey had taken.

...

Settling down at the dining table Brax, Charlie and Elise all turned their attention towards Heath and Ross who were still sat on the settee evidently not having heard Elise calling them as they fell into another debate on another pointless issue.

"Boys", Elise raised her voice slightly in an attempt to get their attention.

Ross and Heath quickly turned around only to find everyone already seated at the table waiting on them. Ross and Heath slowly made their way over to the dining table taking a seat.

"Glad to see you both decided to join us", Elise spoke sarcastically as she dished out the food

"It was his fault", Ross pointed at Heath, and at this everyone burst out laughing. Elise shock her head looking over at her husband, he sounded like a three year old trying to push the blame on someone else.

"Mr B I can finish winning our discussion later, Right now Mrs B's cooking smells way too good".

"You weren't winni..." Ross spoke till he saw Elise raise an eyebrow at him. He instantly focused his attention on his food.

...

"I is full", Casey dropped his spoon as he polished off the last off his dessert as he once again rubbed his hand over his stomach.

"I would think so after all the food you put away", Brax laughed over at Casey as he ruffled his brothers hair.

After clearing the table they were now all sat around the lounge.

"Right guys we have something for the both of you", Elise smiled over at Brax and Charlie as she pulled out an envelope and a little box, handing the envelope to Brax and the box to Charlie.

Registering the confused looked on their faces Ross spoke up

"We figured we would get you guys a little something for getting through your HSC".

Charlie sat up right as she opened the box only to pull out a set of keys. Looking from her mum to her dad Charlie finally realised what they keys were for.

"You got me a car?" Charlie squealed as she jumped into her mum pulling her into a tight hug before proceeding to perform the same act of gratitude with her father

"Thank you, thank you THANK YOU" Charlie's face beamed with happiness as she held tightly onto the keys.

Charlie turned to Brax who was yet to take his eyes off the letter within the envelope. Brax head suddenly shot up as he looked over at Ross and Elise with utmost gratitude in his eyes. Not knowing what her parents had given him Charlie stared expectantly at Brax waiting for him to say something. Noticing the look on Brax face and the look in his eyes Ross smiled as he spoke

"You always talk about having your own business one day so we figured some hands on experience would be useful".

Charlie still not knowing what was going on took the letter from Brax and read through it. "A paid apprenticeship ... at the resort for the whole summer" Charlie looked over at her parents thankfully knowing how much this would mean to Brax.

"This is too much you guys really didn't have to do this", Brax spoke for the first time

"We know but we wanted to, you deserve it and it will give you a heads start maybe even help you decide what type of business you want to venture into", replied Ross

"But its paid, how did..."

"I know a few of the guys there so I just called in a favour", Ross was pleased with both himself and Elise.

Brax fought back the tear that had been lingering in his eye "Thank you guys so much, and I promise you won't regret this" Brax looked from Ross to Elise still trying to take in what they had just done for him on top of everything they had already been doing For him, he turned to Heath as he heard him speak

"Wow, well now I really can't wait till I finish school, Mrs B a car and a nice holiday will do me just fine", Heath let out his usual grin as Brax once again hit him lightly across the head as the others looked on laughing.

"You know Brax I think you should open up a restaurant as your business", Heath looked at Brax as he spoke

"Why so you can eat for free", asked Ross as he laughed lightly

"Yh of course", Heath gave him a grin before refocusing his attention on the TV.

As Charlie went to grab the remote Heath leaped up getting there before she could. Holding on to the TV remote Heath looked over at Charlie "No way Am I sitting through any more chick flicks".

Elise and Charlie giggled as Ross and Brax nodded in agreement. Heath flicked through the channels before settling on one. "Now this is what I'm talking about", Heath, Brax and Ross watched on as the car in the film blow up. Ross and Brax instantly grinned at the thought of getting to watch something decent.

"Well I better get these two to bed then, don't think they should be watching this", Elise stood up taking both Ruby's and Casey's hands in hers.

"Casey wanna watch too, I'm big boys now. I'm this many old now", Casey held up four of his fingers as everyone chuckled at how cute he was. Ever since turning four Casey had convinced himself that he was now old enough to do everything his brothers did.

Having also turned four two weeks prior Ruby spoke up "So am I, am this many big too", Ruby also held up her four fingers, Elsie bent down levelling herself with both kids trying to hold back her laughter.

"You guys can watch films like this when you are this old", Elise held up all ten fingers.

"That's long away", Ruby protested

"No it's not trust me it will fly by", said Elise as she walked off to their room each of them in line

Elise soon returned sitting beside Ross as they continued watching the film. Charlie looked around the room as the guys stared attentively at the screen. Smiling to herself she moved closer to Brax loving every moment of her life.