Thanks for the reviews they mean a lot. hope you like this one :). I haven't proof read this so apologies for any spelling errors
...
Four weeks later
Ruby sat with her legs curled under her, the wind brushed her hair to one side and she wrapped her cardigan tighter around herself watching the people on the beach. Her gaze roamed from the surfers determined to brave the unusually rough waves that lapped with aggression against the sand, to the couples walking hand in hand most making their way off the beach as the winds breeze turned cold, till her gaze settled on the small families as they packed up for the day guiding their kids off the beach… but yet she remained unmoved. It was the first time she had left Charlie's side all week; she had never been so grateful for the school break. She had left the house only to take a breather and yet she had somehow reached the beach and had been sat in the same un moving position for over half an hour.
All the days had started rolling into one and she couldn't believe how fast time seemed to be moving. It was almost time; she had been more than relieved when Sid had cleared Charlie for surgery but now, it was less than twenty four hours away and scared wasn't word enough to describe the fear coursing through her body. Everyone was so happy Charlie was finally going in for the surgery but the nagging feeling in Ruby's mind wouldn't stop. What if she never got to hear her voice after that… what if that was the last time she would ever get to see her mother's eye and face.
Ruby quickly cleared the lump forming in her throat and shook her head, refusing to take to the words her mind was playing. Feeling she had been alone for too long she moved to stand to her feet but stopped as her phone beeped. Pulling it out of her pocket she smiled at the name on the screen before opening the message
*Called this morning, hope you're ok. Call me or just text just want to know you're ok*
In the mist of everything that was going on Ruby found herself grateful for the presence of the Braxton men. In the short time they had been in both hers and Charlie's life, they had somehow made everything a little bit more bearable; whether it be taking their minds off everything or sitting and listening or just simply being there, they had done it all.
Pressing her fingers to the buttons on her phone she replied to the message before standing to her feet; her steps were small and slow as she allowed herself a little more time alone
…
Casey let out a relieved breath as a reply came through. He smiled as he read the message
*Sorry, I saw your call but I've been a little distracted today. I'm ok I promise, I'll call you later*
Walking out of his room and into the living room Brax looked at Casey as he peered down at his phone
"Is that Ruby?"
Casey looked up unaware Brax had entered the room. He nodded and looked back down at the phone before his head jolted back up "Wait, how did you even know that?"
Brax wanted to chuckle and let his younger brother know what both he and Heath and most probably Bianca and Charlie knew but decided against it. He knew perfectly well why Casey was keeping quiet about how he felt "Just a lucky guess" he shrugged casually as he glanced up at the time reading 6:28 before sitting on the single couch
Brax had been glancing at the time all day and in his opinion it was moving too quickly. He hadn't mentioned it, but Charlie's surgery hadn't stopped playing on his mind. He tried to keep his thoughts from drifting to all the things that could go wrong all the things that could happen but it was no use. He wasn't sure quiet when, why or even how but Charlie and Ruby and even Bianca had become a part of his and his brothers lives… but for whatever reason Charlie was different. He cared in a way he couldn't quiet explain. He put it down to the fact that she was going through what Casey had been through, but even that didn't quiet seem like explanation enough
"You spoke to Charlie today?" Casey over at Brax, who shook his head
"Na not today" he stood to his feet and made his way into the kitchen. He had wanted to call her; they had talked every day for the last two weeks, whether it be by phone or face to face. He chuckled lightly as he thought of how Ruby had punched Charlie's number into his phone and stated "Now you can ask her how she is yourself, instead of through Casey" the young girl smiled up at him before placing his phone back in his hands as she picked up another slice of pizza before making her way back to school. But today he had simply sent a text saying he hoped she was ok. He wanted to give her some alone time with Ruby… he knew although she would never admit it, Charlie was scared about the surgery. Another thing he couldn't explain was how difficult he found it not to call her and check up on her. Sighing he picked up a beer from the fridge before walking back into the living room. He cocked an eyebrow as Casey looked at him
"What?" he slowly sat himself back down on the single couch, one arm resting on the arm of the couch the other propping the beer up to his lips
"Why does it feel like it's not just me, you and Heath anymore" Casey worded it as a question but it came out as a statement and Brax knew clearly what he meant.
For the boys it had always been the three of them, even when their mother was around it had still felt like all they had was each other. They cared for one another, gave each other grief but held each other's backs and for the first time all that was changing. Their loyalty had somehow extended beyond blood, somehow they had grown to care about the Buckton women like they would their own.
Brax propped the beer bottle on the other arm of the couch a sigh flaring through his nostrils "Probably because it's not"
Both he and Casey looked up as Heath walked into the house, seeming relieved as he shut the door behind him. He looked to Brax's hand and made his way to the kitchen coming back with a beer in hand. Sitting down next to Casey, he propping his feet up onto the center table and sighed in appreciation as his mouth met the opening of the bottle
"That is the best feeling" he looked at Casey and Brax who were now shaking their heads at him "What, it's been a long day"
"So I take it, it's going good then?" asked Brax
Heath had persuaded John to allow him help run the gym in assurance that he would help find ways to boost the business, and so far he was keeping to his promise. Heath nodded "Yep so far so good"
Picking up the remote he flipped through the TV channels for a few seconds before looking at Brax "How's Buckton today?" Heath asked Brax this same question everyday but yet still refused to accept that he had grown to somehow care about both her and Ruby, even Bianca.
"Not spoken to her today" replied Brax
Heath looked at him for a moment longer before nodding and turning his attention back to the TV screen. Not turning to look at either Casey or Brax he spoke again "I took the day off tomorrow"
Brax and Casey both turned their heads to the screen, neither of the two replying but hearing more than what Heath had said. They hadn't discussed being at the hospital during Charlie's surgery, they had hardly discussed the surgery at all but somehow the three brothers expected it of themselves.
…
Charlie shifted in her sleep as she heard the faint vibrating sound. A few more seconds and the sound became a lot clearly. Her eyes shifted open a groan leaving her lips as she slowly rolled over and took hold of her phone, stopping the harsh vibrating sound it was making on her bedside table. Her eyes opened lazily as she looked down at the phone. She looked at the time on her bedside table 10:18 before looking back at the phone. She sighed and smiled lightly as she answered the call
"Brax" She spoke his name as she laid her head back against her pillow
"Hy… you sleeping?" he asked noting the tired tone in her voice almost making him regret calling
Charlie shook her head then stopped realising he couldn't see her. She chuckled lightly "Not anymore"
"Sorry" Brax winced at his stupidity, she was probably trying to get as much rest in before tomorrow "Go back to sleep, it's late" as Brax dismissed himself, he stopped as Charlie spoke
"Brax" she chuckled a little "It's fine… plus we haven't spoken today" Charlie failed to understand why not haven spoken to him had made such a difference to her day
"Yeah, I figured you would want a little time… you know"
Charlie smiled, a little time alone was exactly what she needed. She, Ruby and Bianca had been fighting off half the town for most of the afternoon as they turned up one by one to wish her luck; but all Charlie wanted to do was savour the day, she was grateful that Brax had somehow in such a short time studied her enough to know she wouldn't want any fuss.
"Yea well apart from you, Casey and Heath, I've had half the town at my door step. Ruby even had to sneak off for a while" she sighed and Brax could hear the strain in her voice as she spoke of Ruby
"How was she today?" he asked
"Distant… I just wish I could fix this for her" Charlie shifted her weight so her back lay flat on the bed her gaze pointed to the pale off grey ceiling " I just want this to be over"
Brax sighed as he lay in the same position as Charlie, his gaze following the small cracks on the ceiling of his room "Well this time tomorrow it will be" he spoke with such certainty in his voice something that Charlie had found herself thankful for over the passingweeks. his words always seemed to crush her doubts
"I hope so" replied Charlie. Her free hand lifted as she ran it over her head, the ability to feel her whole scalp still unfamiliar to her "Plus I really want my hair back… my head gets so cold I don't know how guys do it"
Brax chuckled "Well I think you getting your hair back is a great idea because as it is I can't keep my hands off you or that head of yours"
Charlie hadn't intended to, but her laughter came out in a burst, she suddenly realised why not haven spoken to him that day had felt somehow wrong. He could make her forget, but better still he could make her laugh even without forgetting. Waiting till her laughter subsided she shook her head and spoke as she heard Brax chuckling
"Thank you"
Brax drummed a finger on the back of his phone and frowned at her words "What for?"
"For that, making me laugh, making all this not so hard"
Brax smiled to himself "Anytime… that's what friends are for"
"Charlie smiled "Yea"
…
That morning had been different to the rest, there was no rushing against time to get to the hospital, there was no noise indicating the rush to be ready and out of the house. This morning was un ordinarily quiet, only small pats made by their feet's could be heard against the floor that morning as they gracefully maneuvered around the house preparing themselves for the day ahead.
Sid had wanted Charlie to spend the night before her surgery at the hospital but she refused, she needed a little normality before the surgery and she wouldn't get that laying in a hospital bed, No, she wanted to be in her house with her daughter and her best friend.
Charlie now sat at the dining table with Ruby and Bianca on either side, the both of them opting for cups of coffee instead of a breakfast.
"You guys not having anything to eat?" Charlie glanced at both Bianca and Ruby as they shook their heads simultaneously
"Not hungry" replied Ruby her gaze slightly lifting to reveal the tears that were edged around the corners of her eyes
Bianca exhaled and stood to her feet "I'm just going to get my bag" she looked down at her watched before leaving the dining table
Charlie's gaze followed her for a moment before she looked back at Ruby. Without a word, Charlie stood to her feet slowly edging round the table before taking a seat on the chair next to Ruby. She tucked her curls behind her ears and gently placed a kiss on Ruby's temple and that was all it took. Ruby's tears broke free and her body shook with aggression as her arms flung themselves around Charlie's waist. Charlie pursed her lips together keeping her own tears at bay as Ruby's tears soaked into her shirt. She held Ruby with every strength she could muster holding her so close, she almost feared for her breath. Not a word was spoken till Ruby's shoulders stopped their shudder and her tears could no longer be heard
Charlie eased one of her arms up to Ruby's head and gently stroked her hair
"I love you so much" Ruby sniffed back, her grip still firmly around Charlie's wait "I can't lose you"
"And if I have anything to do with it, you won't"
"I had an idea of what things were going to be like when you finally came home. Me and you and…" Ruby stopped not willing to reminded herself of the disappointment in her life "This isn't what I expected"
Charlie shook her head "It's not what I expected either. But soon enough we will be able to get on with our life's and I'll be able to do all the things I haven't done as your mum, like embarrass you in front of your friends" Charlie smiled as Ruby chuckled lightly "or grill that boy that might like you… I can be scary when I want to be"
Ruby finally pulled back and smiled up at Charlie "I know" she gave a grin as Charlie laughed lightly
"We just have to get through today" Charlie exhaled pushing out all the unwanted risks Sid had mentioned about the surgery. Though the chances of them happening after her examination had cleared her for surgery was low… he made it clear risks are still a factor and Charlie knew too well those were the things running through her daughters mind.
Ruby nodded at Charlie "If it means you're here, then you can embarrassed me anytime"
Charlie chuckled and cocked an eyebrow "I'll be sure to remind you of this moment when the time comes"
Both her and Ruby looked up as Bianca walked back into the kitchen bag in hand. She exhaled and passed a small smile "You ready?"
Charlie looked back at Ruby and took her hand in hers before looking back at Ruby "Ready"
…
There was no waiting around this morning, no sitting in the hospital hallway checking the time every few second. As Charlie, Ruby and Bianca walked through the sliding doors, Sid emerged almost like he could smell their fear.
Sid approached them with neither a smile nor a frown; he kept moving till he stood a mere feet away from the three girls
"It's a big day" he watched Charlie as he spoke and she gave a tentative smile and a nod
"Yea" it was all she could think to say
"We're going to get you prepped straight away, it's still going to be about an hour before your surgery but we want everything ready to go" said Sid and Charlie nodded as a nurse made her way over to them, a sympathetic smile harboured on her face
"Nurse Jackie will help get you prepped" Sid took a glance at the nurse as she stepped up
"If you would like to follow me" she gestured down the hall and Charlie turned along with Ruby and Bianca as they followed her instructions
Sid watched them going and exhaled, there were three possible outcomes that this day was going to bring for Charlie and he was only willing to deliver one, he couldn't look into Ruby's or even Bianca's eyes and deliver the other two. With that thought he turned to prepare for the impending surgery.
…
Her clothes had been stripped and she now lay in nothing but the thin layer of the hospital gown. Her head was propped up by the pillows the nurse had placed behind her before leaving. It felt like she had been in the room for a life time but looking up at the clock that hung on the wall only a mere ten minutes had passed. She sighed as she shifted trying her best to get comfortable. She smiled as Bianca spoke
"You do know that after this you won't be getting as much attention right" Bianca smiled at Charlie who scoffed mockingly
"Please I will always be center of attention… you both love me too much"
"If you say so" added Ruby
"Oi" Charlie pointed at her playfully as the three of them chuckled lightly trying to ease the anxious air around them
"It's going to work out… I just know it" spoke Bianca once the silence had returned
Ruby and Charlie sighed and smiled, both hoping she was right
…
Walking out of the cafeteria towards Charlie's room Ruby and Bianca stopped as they saw the Braxton boys approaching the front desk
"Casey" Ruby called his name causing all three of them to turn around
"Ruby" he smiled at her as they walked towards her and Bianca
"You're here?" Ruby asked
Casey nodded "Of course we're here… where else would we be"
Ruby glanced between the three Braxton brothers and tilted her head slightly; she had thought of asking Casey but had decided against it. But the fact they he along with Brax and Heath had turned up without being asked meant more than she could put into words
"You guys are kind of amazing… even you Heath" she gave him a cheeky grin has the rest chuckled lightly
"How is she?" asked Brax
"Holding up" replied Bianca as the boys followed her and Ruby in the direction of Charlie's room. Bianca glanced over at Brax before speaking again "I think she could really use one of your peep talks" they stopped outside her room as she looked at Brax
Brax looked up at her and then at Ruby before realising they were giving him permission to go in for a few minutes on his own. Not giving them a chance to change their minds, he quickly nodded and stepped forward towards the door
…
Charlie looked up with a knitted eyebrows at the knock on the door, knowing Ruby and Bianca wouldn't bother to knock. she watched as the door creaked open; a smile making its way to her face as Brax came into view
"Hy" Brax was met by Charlie's gaze as she smiled at him but the question in her eyes was clear for him to see
"What are you doing here?" asked Charlie, she felt she knew the answer but yet she asked
"Why wouldn't we be here?" asked Brax as he stepped further into the room
"We?" Charlie's eyebrows knitted together again
Brax nodded "Heath and Casey are outside"
Charlie looked at him in surprise, she somehow hadn't expected this
"You didn't say you were coming?"
Brax shrugged leaning against the wall "You didn't ask"
Charlie's eyes locked against his and a sigh left her lips "Thank you"
Brax shook his head as he moved from the wall and took the chair closest to her "You have nothing to thank me for, I want to be here, we all do"
"That's why I'm saying thank you" replied Charlie and Brax smiled as he searched her face with his roaming eyes. He had thought of telling her many a time but always put it off. His lip parted as he finally decided to tell her
"I have a secret" he began and Charlie concentrated on him clearly intrigued by his words
"A secret?" Brax nodded his head in confirmation to her words "What kind of secret? She asked
"A long time ago I met this girl…briefly. I was only sixteen at the time but I had made more than my fair share of mistakes. Then one day a girl in a park changed everything; I was on a downward spiral and I don't know how but somehow she saved me from myself"
Charlie's eyes widened slightly as she realised what he was talking about… it was her. She watched him wondering why he was telling her this; did he know it was her? She had saved him… how?
"I kind of found myself wondering if I helped her a little, if she took my advice and stopped running and I think she did… at least I hope she did. I still remember the words she said before she walked away" Brax leaned forward onto his elbows but before he could speak Charlie's voice interjected
'Only you can make your own destiny no one else, you just have to believe in yourself hard enough to try'
A grin adored Brax's face "You remember"
Charlie nodded in confirmation "Yeah I remember" her gaze roamed over his face "I didn't think you would"
Brax sighed "I figured it out the day you said those words to Casey. I suspected before, but that confirmed it"
"You suspected…how?"
"Your eyes" the answer came instantly "I never forgot them" he searched her face unsure what he was looking for as he spoke
Charlie looked at him unspoken for a few minutes, before finally finding her voice "That's how I remembered… your eyes" Brax smiled at her before she spoke again "You said I saved you?" her voice was low, her deep blue eyes glued to him
Brax nodded "In more ways than you know"
Charlie shook her head "I didn't do a thing"
"You did" Brax interjected "You did more than anyone had ever bothered to do Charlie" he locked eyes with her as he spoke "You may not have been there to see it, but this person I am today, every decision I have made concerning me and my brothers since that day at the park, has been connected to you. I stood in front of you in an orange jump suit and yet you took the time to look and actually see me" Brax exhaled "Those words you spoke to me weren't just words…they are what I have lived by since that day, and it's because of you"
And there was silence, no awkwardness, no tension just silence as she absorbed his words. All the time she spent wondering if she had made an impact on that boy, if his encounter with her had influenced even one decision he had made and now he sat before her telling her she had done so much more than she thought possible. And then she spoke
"She took your advice" Brax frowned in confusion before Charlie spoke again "That young girl you met at the park, she took your advice and stopped running and everything I have from Ruby, to Bianca to the life have lived is because I stopped running" she smiled at him both of them now aware of the influence they had unknowingly had on each other's life's.
"I may not know what you were running from, but the fact that you faced it head on shows how strong you are Charlie… I don't think anything can keep you down"
Charlie couldn't understand how he always did it, he always managed to lift her up making any problem seem significant to her strength
They both looked up as the door opened and Ruby walked in followed by Bianca then Casey and Heath.
"Hy" Charlie smiled up at the boys
"Hy" replied Casey and Heath
"Nearly time for you to go kick butt in there" spoke Heath and Charlie had to laugh. Taking a quick glance at Brax she looked back around the faces in the room
"Yep… I'm ready to kick butt"
Bianca and Ruby looked at Brax giving him a smile to thank him, he had only been in with Charlie a little over ten minutes and yet the positive change in her composure was evident for them to see
…
Ruby stopped as the doors closed before her, they weren't allowed to go no further and she watched as they wheeled Charlie further and further away till she was no longer in sight. Bianca stood to her right and Casey to her left with Brax and Heath directly behind her all of them watching.
Ruby felt Brax's hand on the top of her shoulder, a light squeeze coming from his hand as Bianca wrapped her arms around her. She turned to look up at Casey as he spoke
"This is a good thing… she's going to come out of there better than when she went in"
Ruby nodded and concentrated on Casey's words before she turned back to the door. She reached her hand out to her side and sighed gratefully as Casey seemed to know what she was looking for; his fingers laced into hers, giving her hand a light squeeze
"She's going to be ok" Brax murmured under his breath as the waiting began