This chapter is mostly about Chax…enjoy
Back at Charlie's house Brax had just arrived and walked up the drive around to the back of the house. Getting to the back door he frowned at something on the steps-seeing it was flowers he picked them up- reading the card he sighed and opened the back door.
"Brax is that you?" Charlie called.
"Yeah!" he called back still looking at the note.
"I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me," she giggled walking into the kitchen. Seeing what he had in his hand she smiled "aww Brax you didn't have to do that."
"I didn't," he said and put them on the table "Charlie had a great time last night hope we can do it again sometime G oh and there's a few kisses too," looking up at her he threw it on the table "and I here I was thinking you were waiting back home for me…more fool on me right- I knew it was too good to be true," he said and walked back to the door.
"Brax wait!" Charlie called and ran after him- she had no clue what was happening.
"Ah save it Charlie I've done what you wanted me to do I've sorted your kid for you let's leave it at that- you don't have to pretend anymore I see where I stand!" he spat and stormed off to his car.
"Brax!" Charlie yelled and ran after him "it's not what you think I don't know where these came from!" She yelled walking in front of him. "Please will you calm down and let me explain!"
"Explain what?" he yelled shoving her out of the way "that while I was away with your son you were hooking up some guy leading me on, is that what you wanted if I thought you liked me I'd keep going with Adam?"
"No Brax how can you even say that, I do like you- a lot, I haven't been with any guy," she yelled back.
Brax scoffed and pulled his door open "you don't have to explain yourself to me Serge I'm just the guy that steps in to help out a kid while his mother screws around!" He spat and slammed his car door.
Charlie bit her lip as tears filled her eyes she wiped her face as he screeched away before walking back to her house bursting out crying.
….
Brax arrived at Angelo's and stormed in and straight to the bar "ah your back," Liam smiled "how was it?"
"What's it to you?" Brax snapped and grabbed a bottle from the shelf completely ignoring Jack sitting at the bar.
"What's up with you?" he asked.
"Mind your own!" Brax yelled and stalked off into his office.
"Trip didn't go so well then," Liam said.
Jack stood up "nah trip went really well I've already seen Adam…excuse me a sec," he said and followed him.
Brax sat at his desk not even bothering with a glass downing as much as he could "get lost," he growled when the door opened.
"Not until you tell me what's going on?" Jack said walking in and closing it.
"Why don't you ask your sister!" he yelled.
"Alright what's she done?" Jack asked dropping into a chair.
"What's she done?" Brax laughed "how about seeing another guy while I was gone- leading me on- being all over me when I got back… is that enough for you?"
"Okay back it up mate I have no idea what you're talking about what other guy?" Jack asked frowning.
Brax sighed "when I got to Charlie's there were flowers on her step," Jack nodded "I picked them up- the card wasn't in an envelope I wasn't gonna read it until I saw the x's at the end."
"So what did it say?"
"Something about him having a great time last night and they must do it again," Brax muttered.
Jack was surprised he thought Charlie was really into Brax "are you sure they were for her maybe it was a wrong address."
"Yes I'm sure it had her name on it!"
"Who were they from?"
Brax shrugged "it just said G on it…so that's that done- now I've told you please leave me alone to drown my sorrows in peace," he mumbled.
Jack stood up and began to pace "right Brax you've the wrong idea…it's a set up."
"How the hell can I get it wrong they were on her door with her damn name on them!" he yelled.
Jack leaned across the desk "think about it mate when have you ever seen Charlie with a guy since you moved here…never, because after Sean and a brief thing with Angelo she gave up on blokes. This is a big deal to her I know she's crazy about you-you know it too-as does everyone else, now I don't know if Charlie's told you what's been going on while you were away and I'm not gonna tell you- it's up to her if she wants you to know but just trust me mate she wasn't anywhere last night she was made stay at Pete's with him Watson and Ruby."
Brax sighed and looked up at him "she told me about some photos the other night."
Jack nodded "that's only half of it Brax, I've had to get her locks changed and an alarm fitted I've had cops on Ruby-still do…go see her it's really not what you think."
Brax was beginning to feel like an idiot now he should have let her explain, standing up he threw his head back "what has been going on?"
"Go see Charlie and she'll tell you," Jack said walking to the door "oh and you might wanna apologise for whatever you called her or whatever you said," he chuckled. "I know you Brax," he said when he raised an eyebrow "I know you lost your temper and stormed off without letting her get a word in- get the hell over and talk to my sister," he said and walked out the door.
Sighing Brax dropped into his chair.
Back at Charlie's she sat at the bench with her elbows on the table holding her head as tears trickled down her face "and he really said you were screwing around?" Hayley asked surprised and rubbed her back.
"Yeah," Charlie sniffed "he just wouldn't listen just kept yelling stuff at me before he took off."
Hayley sighed she was surprised to get a call from Charlie even more surprised when she was sobbing down the phone, not being able to understand her she'd come right over to find her crying her eyes out. "I can't believe he'd think that does he not know you at all- I mean come on you clearly showed you liked him and not just for what he did with Adam."
Charlie wiped her face "try telling him that he thinks that's the only reason I'm interested is so he'll keep at it with Adam."
"Have you told him about the whole Gav thing you know the photos Ruby and that?"
Charlie sighed and sat back her eyes actually stung she'd cried that much "no I told him about the pictures the first night he knows nothing else."
"Gav is messing with your head Charlie you know he is- he can see Brax is making you happy and he just wants to ruin it for you…leave him to calm down and think about it maybe he'll call tomorrow," Hayley said and leaned in to hug her "don't worry Charlz he's a moron if he doesn't come back….wait until I get my hands on him," she mumbled.
"He said I didn't have to pretend anymore and I was leading him on... I wasn't pretending!" she cried and dropped her head onto the table.
"Aww Charlz he can't think you're only interested in him for Adam," Hayley replied.
"I don't think that," they both looked back at the door to see Brax standing in the doorway.
"You got a lot of nerve turning up here after what you said to her! Look at the state of her!" Hayley yelled and jumped up.
"I know I'm here to apologise," Brax sighed Hayley and everyone else got highly defensive when it came to Charlie-after all she'd been through who could blame them…Hayley was the worst though.
"Well save it you absolute moron! I mean what the hell is wrong with you!" Hayley yelled and walked closer to him "could you not shut your trap for two minutes to hear her out?"
"Look Hayley I was pissed alright I've had time to cool down."
Hayley scoffed "so now you're ready to listen! Well listen to me jackass she has done nothing but talk about you all week- she was so excited telling me you were home early- even more excited about seeing you tonight- why the hell would you think she'd be with someone else you know she's crazy about you!"
Brax walked further in "I know I know alright Jack had a word with me I know something's been going on and I'm here to find out and talk to her alright so can you please go?"
Hayley sighed and looked back to Charlie she wasn't there "fine- but if she calls me in tears again you'll be sorry….she'll be on the sofa," she said and walked over to him. Smacking him in the head she walked by him "that's for saying she screws around and trust me next one will be harder!" she called on her way out.
…..
Brax rubbed his head and walked to close the door walking to the living room he leaned against the doorframe watching her play with a pillow "so my temper may have gotten the better of me," he said pushing himself off the door and walking over to her "Charlie I'm sorry I don't know what came over me."
"I don't blame you for being angry," she muttered her eyes fixed on the pillow.
Brax got down in front of her and tilted her chin up "I'm sorry Charlie I shouldn't have yelled at you like that, I should have given you chance to explain," he said and wiped a tear as it fell from her face "I didn't mean any of it."
Charlie wiped her face and stood up "a lot has happened while you were away," she said with her back to him.
Brax walked over and turned her around "so tell me," he said leading her back to the sofa.
Charlie sighed and sat back "I told you about the photos," Brax nodded "well I got more. Sean's brother Gavin is behind it we just can't actually prove it."
"How do you know it was him?" Brax asked.
"A few reasons-Jack located where all the photos were taken and pulled all the footage he could, he looked through them in every one there is a guy that is the double of Gavin except he has a hood up and it's not a clear image."
Brax sighed "so it can't be used as evidence to get a warrant," he said.
"No," Charlie shook her head "his parole officer has him up there for each time stamp on the photos, Leah also called Jack saying he was in the diner hassling Ruby the other day- Casey was with her, he came right out and told Casey everything about Sienna me trying to shoot Sean the lot. She said Heath intervened and dragged him outside when she asked him to leave and he refused."
"Why has he a parole officer?"
Charlie sighed "after the trial and Sean got sentenced he lost it and lunged at me- only for Jack and my dad got there first he'd have landed on top of me, he threatened me saying he'd get me for what I did to his family."
"But you didn't do anything to his family Sean did."
Charlie nodded "Sean was an angel he could do no wrong it was all my fault. So about a week after that I'd put the kids to bed Hayley and B had just left, locking up I went to bed myself I was still all over the place. A few hours later I started coughing and jumped up my room was all cloudy, I ran and opened the door, from the top of the stairs I could see an orange glow," she sniffed and stood up again and began to pace.
"I ran halfway down and stopped at a crackling sound I knew what it was- I ran back upstairs and got my phone before running in and dragging Ruby from her bed. She was screaming and crying the smoke was hurting her eyes the sound of things breaking and exploding downstairs were scaring her. Getting to Adam's room I pulled her in and shut the door just as an explosion rang out and the whole hallway lit up. Dragging Adam out of his bed I opened the window and called the fire department then Jack, he was staying with my dad not far away."
"Charlie," Brax sighed and stood up.
Shaking her head she moved away from him "Jack and dad got there before the fire department Brax I was so scared the kids were so scared I didn't know what to do so I did the first thing that came into my head. I picked Adam up and put him out the window thank god my neighbour came running with a ladder because the panic I was in I would have just thrown him."
"That's understandable Charlie," Brax said squeezing her shoulders.
"Jack got up the ladder and took Adam from me then back up for Ruby she was screaming she wouldn't let go of me, he finally got her off me and hurried down. Before I could move the door flew off the hinges and all the windows blew out, I dived onto the floor just as a wave of fire shot through the room I could hear my dad yelling I knew people were holding him and Jack back…they thought I was dead."
"So when it calmed down I jumped up and practically dived out the window down the ladder. I didn't care that glass was cutting me everywhere or that my hair was all burned or all that I had on was a shirt all I cared about was my kids. Once I knew they were okay I was going for my car- I knew who had done this and only for I was forced into an ambulance he'd have been dead that night he could have killed my babies!" she cried.
Brax pulled her into a hug "you amaze me Charlie how can one woman come out on top after all that?"
"My kids kept me going I had to be strong for them- then we moved down here and started again. They caught Gavin and he got five years for arson and life endangerment he got out a few months ago…so he sent the flowers," she added.
Brax chuckled "I never should have doubted you I can't explain it it's like I'm not myself around you like it's all a dream and you won't be there when I wake up you're way too good for me Charlie even I know that."
Charlie looked up at him "after all you've done for this family Brax it's you that's too good for me and trust me it's not a dream… if you can handle my screwed up life I'll still be here tomorrow and the next day and the next- I don't plan on going anywhere any time soon."
Brax smiled and stroked her cheek "I don't know what it is Charlie I know we've only been getting along a week or so and it might sound too soon but I'm gonna be honest here… I don't know what you're doing to me you're all I can think about-you're all I want to think about I am crazy about you."
Charlie bit her lip as her eyes filled with tears no one had ever said such nice sweet things to her before "it's not too soon I feel the same way Brax, I couldn't stop thinking about you- I couldn't wait for you to come home…I'm crazy about you too."
Brax lowered his head "that is my first time ever to let a girl know my true feelings you must be pretty special," he said and claimed her lips passionately.
Pulling him closer Charlie wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
Over at Casey's Ruby was getting worried about Adam he should have been here half an hour ago, pacing the living room she called him for the thousandth time "damn it Adam," she muttered and flung her phone down- her head snapped up when the door opened and Adam strolled in.
"Where the hell have you been- why haven't you been answering me- why the hell have you got a black eye?" she yelled hurrying to him.
"Ah it's nothing I had a run in with the boys," he lied and shoved her off him "seriously I'm fine Rubes," he said and sat beside Casey- Ruby shook her head and walked into the kitchen.
"You get one or two in," Casey chuckled nodding to the blood on his shirt sleeve.
Adam laughed and stood up "yeah had to fight back don't tell her- Rubes did you bring the clothes from ours I had ready I wanna get a shower!"
"Yeah in Casey's room on the floor," she called in from the kitchen.
Going to the room and grabbing the bag he walked to the bathroom and closed the door, smirking he pulled off the shirt and turned on the shower- thinking back to what happened he chuckled as he got ready for the shower.
FLASHBACK: Gavin walked up and stopped in front of him "didn't think you'd wanna see me."
Adam shrugged "that woman can't control me I got the message on the house phone by the way not mum she doesn't even know you're here…well she might now," he chuckled.
Gavin turned around and chuckled "yeah she won't be happy to see me… you know what I did had nothing to do with you two I thought Uncle Jack had you."
"Ah don't worry about it ancient history," Adam said shrugging it off inside he was dying to smack him "so what's been happening what brings you here?"
"Dad wants to see you he had a feeling you weren't getting the letters he sent or messages."
Adam nodded "yeah we got them," suddenly he pulled the bar out and slammed it into Gavin's face "now here's a message for you! Stay the hell away from my mum my sister and anyone else you think you might get to. I saw you in my house- I saw you in my room with that damn camera, stop trying to get at my mum it's not working… take this as a warning-there won't be another!" he yelled and jumped back as Gavin jumped and punched him in the face. Adam lashed back smacking him with the pole again "oh and mum has a new bloke and next time I'll be bringing him and his brothers with me not to mention my Uncles and Granddad!" He hissed as Gavin rolled around in pain "I see you around here again you're dead!" he hissed and smacked him once more before running off with the bar throwing it far into the water as he went. END OF FLASHBACK.
Chuckling Adam stepped into the shower "well hopefully he listens this time."
…..
Back at Charlie's they lay on the sofa in silence, after their make out session they moved to the sofa intending on watching a movie instead Charlie lay on his chest and refused to let go of him. "So are we gonna lie here all night?" Brax chuckled.
"What else do you suggest we do?" Charlie giggled.
"Have you eaten?"
"Not since earlier," she replied.
"Alright up you get," he said sitting up pulling her with him "we're gonna get some food into us."
Walking to the kitchen Brax started to route around "what do you fancy?"
A smirk crossed Charlie's face "you," she said walking to him "you know the kids won't be home," she said sliding her arms around his neck.
Brax chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist "I do know that."
"So we better make the most of it," she said and kissed him softly.
Running his hands up to her neck Brax deepened the kiss and started to walk her backwards. Once she hit the door he picked her up and pinned her to it "what do you suggest we do then?" He asked nipping her neck.
Charlie bit her lip "I suggest you get me up to my room right now."
Brax pulled away from her and moved back to her lips settling her onto his hips he pushed the door open and carried her to the stairs. Getting to her room he slid her to her feet and opened her door, pushing her inside her was on her again kissing her fiercely.
Charlie slipped her hands under his shirt and ran them up taking it with her pulling back so she could pull it over his head, flinging it on the floor she pulled him towards the bed. Falling onto it she brought him with her, sliding her hands down she started to unbutton his jeans when he pulled back "not fair I'm half naked," he said.
Giggling Charlie lay back and let him slowly unbutton her shirt- leaning down he kissed her and slid it off her shoulders not bothering to throw it on the floor. Pushing her back her stated to trail kisses all over-as soon as he got near her scar she pulled away and tried to get him back to her mouth.
Brax knew what she was doing and slid his hand down to it running his fingers over it- she pulled his hand away, he pulled back and rested his hand on it "this babe is nothing to be ashamed of- it's a war wound, I know it holds a lot of bad memories but you're still here- you fought for your child and you should be proud of it," he said and lay down closer to her "you made a judgment call and you took it it's a pity you missed but you went to battle for your daughter not many mothers can say they did what you did."
Charlie looked up to the ceiling as a tear trickled down her face- she bit her lip as he stared to trail kisses down her chest and sides- she felt him hesitate when got to it, closing her eye tight when he kissed all along it and started to make his way back up. Opening her eyes she looked to see him watching her, smiling she stroked his cheek and pulled him down to her. How the hell could he say that and make her feel good about it all these years she spent hiding it from everyone and he comes along and she shows him within hours of talking to him. Kissing him she rolled them so she was on top- leaning back she pulled her bottoms off and went to work getting rid of his.
Brax took this as his opportunity and rolled them again, settling her underneath him he looked down on her "you're so beautiful," he murmured in her ear "every part of you," he said as he ran his hands down her sides towards her underwear.
Afterwards they lay wrapped in the sheets breathing heavily "wow," Charlie sighed happily.
Brax chuckled and leaned over her to kiss her "you got that right babe that was amazing," he said and lay back down.
Charlie moved and lay on his chest and tilted her head to look up at him "we don't have to get up again do we?"
Brax smiled down on her "nah we can stay here if you want to," he said pulling her closer.
Charlie's stomach rumbling interrupted the silence "okay maybe we do have to get up," she giggled.
Brax chuckled and sat up "come on then," he said and rolled out of the bed. Charlie rolled out of the bed and pulled on his shirt "that's my shirt," he said walking over to her pulling her to him by the collar.
"I know just wanted to see what it was like on," she giggled.
"Very very sexy," he chuckled and kissed her "looks better on you anyway," he said and walked to the door.
Charlie walked ahead of him and giggled as he slid his hand up her leg "Brax stop," she giggled.
"Can't help myself look at those legs…and that butt," he said slapping her.
"Brax," she giggled and turned to face him as they entered the kitchen.
Brax pulled her to him and kissed her hard, backing her up against the counter bracing himself with one hand he started to trail his hand up her leg causing her to giggle.
"Isn't this very cosy," someone said from the back door.
Charlie pulled away from Brax and turned around her eyes widened "w-what are you doing here?" she stuttered and stepped backwards into Brax- she had locked that door and set the alarm she remembered doing it.
"She asked you a question," Brax said holding her close.
Gavin chuckled and walked into the house "you see this," he said nodding to his battered face "your son done this turning him against his family Charlie?"
"You're not his family!" Charlie spat "what the hell are you doing in my house?"
"Go Adam," Brax chuckled and shoved Charlie behind him "unless you want another eye like that I suggest you take off," he said taking a step closer to him.
Charlie darted her eyes around and spotted her phone just where Brax had her a few seconds ago, stepping forward as both men glared at each other she pulled it behind the bench and called Jack, placing it on the stool she walked out behind him "what are you doing here Gavin?" She said loudly.
Hearing the name Jack was up and on his way calling for back up as he went.
"I told you you wouldn't get away with what you did," Gavin smiled.
"She didn't do anything it was that psycho brother of yours," Brax snarled and shoved her back again.
Gavin chuckled but before he could speak heard a car skid to a halt outside "I'll be seeing you real soon," he laughed and ran out the door over the fence.
"Brax no!" Charlie yelled as he ran after him, grabbing his leg he tried to pull him back but Gavin was quicker and kicked him hard in the face sending him to the ground.
"Charlie!" Jack yelled kicking in her front door while Peter, Watson and a few others appeared at the back door guns drawn.
"Brax!" Charlie yelled and ran outside as he pulled himself up.
"He went over go get him!" he yelled holding his face.
All officers took off except Jack "are you okay?" he asked tilting Brax's face to the side.
"I'm fine," he muttered and walked back into the house going to the freezer.
...
Over the fence Peter was gaining on him "wait till I catch you you're dead!" he yelled.
Gavin Laughed "better not let you catch me then I'm not done yet!" he yelled back picking up his pace.
Up ahead Peter spotted another fence that led to the motor way and looked back to see Watson and another officer "go around!" he yelled.
Watson and the other officer took off in another direction leaving Peter to catch up on him "I gotcha now," he hissed as Gavin started to slow down.
He ran and watched Gavin take few steps back before running and jumping onto the fence "later Holden!" he laughed and jumped down the other side taking off as Peter stopped at the fence.
"Damn it!" he yelled and slammed his hands into the fence "Watson he's over what's your twenty!" he yelled into the radio.
"He's gone he slipped by us on the motor way Jones is still in pursuit- a car stopped me going any further," she panted into the radio.
Peter sighed angrily "pull back," he said and started the long walk back to Charlie's.
A few minutes later a panting Watson jogged up behind him "we'll get him Pete at least we have proof he's around we can send out a warrant," she said falling in step with him.
Peter stopped and looked down on her "yeah we will," he said stepping closer to her "I gotta make sure Charlie is okay I'll see ya later," he said and lowered his head to kiss her.
"None of that on the job Detective!" Jones yelled as he walked back to them.
Watson giggled and stepped away from him "I'll see ya later," she said as he walked off.
"So you and Holden?" Jones said stopping in front of her.
"Shut up," she chuckled "come on we have work to do," she said and started to walk back to her cruiser.
Back at the house Charlie and Jack leaned against the bench watching an angry Brax pace back and forth- both jumping with their guns when they heard the back door open. Peter slipped in and joined them "how long has he been doing that?" He asked taking the cup Charlie handed him.
"About ten minutes took the head off me when I told him to sit down," Jack answered.
"So did you get him?" Charlie asked hopeful.
"No," Peter sighed "we lost him on the motorway."
"Damn it," Jack muttered "a least we can send out a warrant for his arrest now we have the evidence."
"Yeah," Charlie sighed "listen why don't you two head off while I talk some sense into him," she said and pushed herself off the bench.
"I'm gonna sit on the house just in case- Collins is on Casey's house so don't worry about them…and put some clothes Charlz, we don't need to know what you two were up to," Jack chuckled as she blushed and tugged at the shirt.
"Yeah you might wanna give him back his shirt," Peter chuckled "I'm gonna head back to the station Jack I'll call you in a bit- you," he said tuning to Charlie "lock the door and set the alarm."
"I will now go on," she said opening the door- as soon as they were both out she closed it and locked it-going to set the alarm she stopped... Gavin had turned it off…how the hell did he know the code? Going to the menu she went into settings and proceeded to change the code "Brax what's your birthday?"
"Twenty forth of May," he muttered still pacing.
Charlie smiled and typed in the new code, retyping it she set it and stepped back "will you come sit down now?" she said walking into the living room.
Brax sighed and scrubbed his hands over his face and followed her dropping onto the sofa with a heavy sigh. Charlie shifted so she was sideways, sitting forward and moved her leg so it was on the other side of him "tell me what you're thinking?" She asked softly.
Brax lay his head back on the sofa "how much I wanna kill that guy he was so smug I'd love to wipe that grin off his face."
"He's not worth thinking about Brax he's a good for nothing low life," she said scooting closer to him "Jack and the others will catch him."
Brax sat forward and sighed "yeah you're right but I can't help thinking about it."
"So let me give you something else to think about," Charlie said seductively and stood up holding out her hand.
Brax chuckled and let her pull him up "again?" he said wrapping his arms around her waist. Charlie squealed as he threw her over his shoulder and walked up the stairs "I like the way you think," he chuckled and threw her on the bed.
