Thank you for all the wonderful reviews, PMs, alerts etc, it's much appreciated :-)
Just in case anybody gets confused, Laila is Sam's girlfriend, just a character that I invented. I haven't had time to proof-read this so again and the chapter's long-ish, so there are probably going to be quite a few mistakes which I'm really sorry for if there are. Anyway, hope you enjoy this one!
x-x
Chapter 14.
Charlie smiled as she sat up in the sand, reading her book as her skin soaked up the sun, Zoe happily playing with the sand beside her, until a certain somebody caught her attention.
"DADDA!" She squealed, her scream causing Charlie to jump. Charlie groaned as Zoe jumped up, Charlie ripped her sunglasses off her face as she worriedly watched Brax running towards the water, unaware of his daughter calling him, "DADDA!" Zoe screamed again as she ran towards him.
"ZOE!" Charlie yelled, "ZO, STOP!" Charlie yelled as Zoe continued running towards Brax, and closer to the water.
Brax frowned as he heard a faint calling, "Dadda... Bwax!" He turned around, a large grin spreading across his face as Zoe excitedly ran towards him. Brax let out a small laugh when Zoe stumbled over herself and fell, face-down in the sand, Brax quickly picked up his pace and began running towards her, he dug his board in the sand before picking Zoe up in his arms,
"Hey baby," he smiled lightly as he held her close to his chest, brushing the sand off her face, Zoe's eyes turned big and watery as she looked at her father, "Come on now, now crying, beautiful, us Braxtons don't cry, eh?" Brax smiled before kissing her cheek, Zoe nestled her head into Brax's chest as he picked up his board, tucking it under his right arm as he walked towards where Charlie was sitting.
Charlie sent Brax a warm smile as he approached her, "Hi,"
Brax returned her smile, "Hey, you guys are out early," Brax laughed lightly.
"Brax it's 10am, it's not that early."
"I suppose," Brax kissed his daughter's forehead before putting her back down on the sand and once again, placing his board in the sand too, "So you're still into sunbathing, not so much surfing?" Brax observed.
Charlie laughed lightly, "Definitely not."
Brax grinned down at Charlie, "Looking good in your bikini though." Brax winked at Charlie,
"Oi," Charlie warned before slapping his leg lightly. "So what are you doing out so early?" Charlie asked.
Brax smiled lightly, "Just clearing my head."
"Anything I can help with?"
"Nuh," Brax replied shortly, causing Charlie to let out a small sigh before she once again looked up at him. She frowned as she looked up at his chest, at what appeared to be a new tattoo over his heart, "Like what you see?" Brax grinned cheekily as he caught her eyeing him up.
Charlie laughed as Brax sat down beside her, "No, I don't actually." She commented smartly. Brax stuck his bottom lip out, feigning sadness, "Oh stop being such a baby." Charlie rolled her eyes as she laughed at his facial expression, "So you got a new tattoo?" She asked.
"Uh-huh," Brax smiled proudly, "Two new tattoos actually, this one I got soon after I left." Brax informed her as he pointed to the tattoo on his chest, below the Blood and Sand tattoo. Charlie put her book down beside her before pulling one hand on his left shoulder-blade, the other on his right bicep as she turned him towards her so she could see the tattoo properly, "Oohh, so touchy-feely." Brax grinned as Charlie gave him an unimpressed look.
"Behave yourself." Charlie ordered him before looking at the tattoo again, "So what does it mean?" She asked before removing her hands from Brax's body.
"Never you mind," Brax smiled lightly, the real reason he didn't want to share with her just yet.
"So where's this other one then?" Charlie asked.
"Here." Brax laughed, lifting up his left hand so Charlie could see it, "Got it yesterday." Charlie smiled as she took his hand in her own so she could see the tattoo properly, the name Zoe in fancy script, between his thumb and his wrist,
"Brax," Charlie smiled lightly as she ran her hand over the tattoo before letting go of his hand, Brax smiled at her,
"I would've got one with your name too, but hey." He laughed as Charlie nudged him playfully before getting Zoe's attention,
"Look Zo, Daddy's gone and gotten your name permanently inked on his skin." Charlie teased, grinning at Brax cheekily as he shook his head at her. Zoe grinned as she looked at her parents, evidently having no idea what they were discussing.
"I was actually gonna ring you later, I was wondering if I could have her tomorrow?" Brax asked.
Charlie smiled and nodded at him, "Sure you can, pick her up tomorrow morning?"
"Great, thank you." Brax smiled before standing up, "I'm gonna head out there then." Brax told Charlie before leaning on his board,
"Alright." Charlie smiled up at him before curiously looking at Zoe who giggled as she hugged Brax's leg.
"What are you giggling at, sweetie?" Brax asked as he lifted Zoe into his arms. She grinned up at her father before hugging him tightly, causing Brax to grin stupidly, "You're such a cutie," Brax laughed, "I love you so much, baby." Brax smiled before kissing her cheek, "Daddy will see you later." Brax put Zoe back down on the sand, "Bye baby." He smiled as he gently ran his hand over her head.
"Baba dadda." Zoe smiled as Brax picked up his board and ran out towards the Ocean.
Charlie picked up her book again and couldn't help but smile as Zoe eagerly sat forward, grinning as she watched Brax surf.
x-x
Charlie smiled to herself as she made lunch in her silent house, although she liked the peace and quiet when her girls were out, the excitement wore off and she ended missing them both like crazy, especially Zoe.
Charlie screamed as someone tapped her shoulder, she turned around and laughed as a tense Matt stood before her, "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he laughed slightly,
"No it's alright," Charlie laughed, "Did I leave the front door open?"
"You did indeed, I keep telling you not to do that, one day it's gonna be someone you don't know that'll come in."
"Nah, we're fine, it's a safe neighbourhood." Charlie smiled.
"Whatever," Matt rolled his eyes, "That's what they all say." He laughed slightly before pulling Charlie into his arms, "Anyway, hello." He smiled before kissing her lips.
"Mmm, hello indeed." Charlie grinned, "You're looking very sexy in your uniform by the way."
"Why thank you," Matt winked, "It's a shame you're not wearing yours."
"Yeah, well I'm not working today, speaking of which, why aren't you at work?"
"Well, I'm on lunch, and I figured I'd come and see you when I'm free, which isn't very often."
"Well I am not complaining." Charlie smiled before kissing his lips again.
"MAMMA!" Charlie and Matt smiled and parted from each other as Zoe ran into the kitchen, soon followed by Brax.
"Hey gorgeous," Charlie grinned as she lifted her daughter into her arms.
"Matmat," Zoe grinned as she looked over at Matt,
"Hey kid." Matt smiled before lifting her out of Charlie's arms and into his own, "I think someone had fun with daddy, hmm."
Charlie smiled as Matt walked into the living room with Zoe, leaving her and Brax time to talk, "Hey." Charlie smiled at Brax.
"Hi," Brax returned her smile.
"So what did you both get up to?" Charlie asked.
"We just went for some breakfast at the diner and then we went to the park."
Charlie smiled and nodded, "Well thanks for taking her,"
"She's my daughter, Charlie, if I could I'd spend every minute of the day with her."
"I know." Charlie blushed slightly as she felt Brax's heavy glare on her, "So, would you like to stay for lunch?"
Brax smiled, "Thanks, but I have to get to Angelo's, that's why I brought her back so early."
"Anyway, as it's a beautiful day, I was thinking about having a barbecue,"
"Oh," Brax couldn't help the disappointment in his voice, "Did you want me to come and set it up or something?"
Charlie laughed before shaking her head, "No Brax." She laughed at him again, "I was inviting you."
"Oh," Brax laughed lightly at his own stupidity, "Sorry I-"
"Don't worry about it," Charlie interrupted. "It's only going to be pretty small, Matt and I, Zo, you, Ruby and some of her friends, Sam and Laila, a few other Riverboys, Bianca and Liam, and Heath, provided he'll behave."
Brax laughed at her comment, "It should be fine."
"Great, so come around about 6 then." Charlie smiled.
"Okay, eh..." Brax hesitated, "Are you cooking?" He asked seriously.
"Brax, shut up!" Charlie squealed as she hit his chest, causing him to erupt in fits of laughter,
"I'm sorry, but if you're as bad as you always have been, do you blame me?"
Charlie sighed, "I've practised, and I've gotten better over time," Charlie defended herself, "But if that fails, I will get Matt to man the barbecue."
Brax laughed before shaking his head, "Well, I'll see you at 6 then."
Charlie smiled, "Yeah, see you later."
Brax poked his head into the living room on his way out, "I'm heading off now,"
"Baba dadda!" Zoe called.
"Bye mate." Brax added.
"See you both later." Brax smiled before leaving the house.
x-x
"Buckton!" Heath grinned as Charlie opened the door, causing her to sigh,
"Nearly three years, Heath." Charlie groaned.
Heath laughed, "You'll always be Buckton to me." He grinned before kissing her cheek,
"Heaf! HEAF!" Charlie laughed as Zoe ran towards him.
"Hey there cheeky." Heath grinned as he lifted Zoe into his arms.
"Hello again," Charlie smiled as she turned to face Brax.
"Hey you." Brax grinned before presenting Charlie will a bottle of wine, "I got you this, I don't know if it's still your favourite or not."
Charlie smiled as Brax handed her the bottle, "Thank you, and yeah, it's still my favourite, I can't believe you remembered."
Brax smiled and nodded, "Hard to forget."
"So, thanks for coming." Charlie smiled, breaking the awkward silence that had arisen between them before stepping forward and kissing Brax's cheek, Brax returned the gesture, both leaving their lips lingering on the other's cheek for a little longer than necessary.
"DADDA, DADDA," Zoe grinned, reaching her arms out towards Brax, Charlie and Brax both smiled at each other before Brax look at his daughter,
"Come over here then, you." Brax laughed as he lifted an enthusiastic Zoe out of Heath's arms and into his own. "Does daddy get a kiss?" Zoe nodded before planting a kiss on her father's lips.
"Fire." Zoe giggled as she pointed towards the garden, "Matmat, fire." Zoe told Brax as she pointed towards the garden again.
"Go on then, we better go and see this fire then, eh." Brax grinned before walking towards the garden with Zoe in his arms.
x-x
Charlie sighed as she tried to get Zoe into her pyjamas upstairs in her bedroom, it was nearing 8:30pm and Charlie wanted to get her ready for bed just in case she dozed off downstairs, "Baby, stop fidgeting." Charlie groaned as she slipped Zoe's pyjama top on her.
Zoe giggled as she looked at someone walking past the bedroom door, before fleeing after them, "Zoe Ava Buckton!" Charlie yelled before following her daughter into the hallway, "Get back in here." Charlie sighed.
"Dadda!" Zoe cried just as Brax picked her up before she ran down the stairs,
"Missy, what are you doing running around the place half-dressed, hm?" Brax asked before bringing her back into the room Charlie had walked into, Zoe giggled as Brax sat her down on the bed before buttoning up her top, "There we go." Brax smiled before kissing her forehead,
"Gigi." Zoe grinned as she pointed to her pyjamas, which of course were yellow with numerous giraffes printed on them.
"Yeah," Brax laughed before lifting her off the bed and back onto the floor. Charlie sighed,
"She always does as you say, she's a little angel for everyone but me." Charlie rolled her eyes.
"Because she's my little baby." Brax laughed.
"She's my little baby too," Charlie laughed lightly, "Anyway, what are you doing wandering around up here?"
"I was looking for the toilet." Brax laughed, "Where is it?"
Charlie laughed before looking down at Zoe who was looking up with her with a grin on her face, "Go on then baby, you show him where it is." Zoe's grin widened as she took Brax's hand before leading him towards the bathroom.
"Thanks monkey." Brax kissed her forehead and attempted to close the door but was stopped by Zoe standing at the door staring up at him, Charlie laughed as she walked past to see Zoe standing at the door,
"Come on Zoe," Charlie smiled, "You leave people alone when they go in there." Charlie and Brax both laughed before Charlie picked Zoe up and brought her back downstairs.
x-x
Charlie sighed as Matt hung up his mobile before approaching her, "Don't." Charlie sighed as she looked up at him, "It was work, wasn't it?"
"I'm sorry." Matt nodded, "They need me in."
"Fine." Charlie sighed heavily as she looked up at him.
"Charlie, I am sorry, I'd stay if I could."
"No, don't worry I understand, work calls." Charlie leaned forward and placed a kiss on his lips before letting him go,
"Oh and, you might want to get the little one to bed," Matt pointed over towards Zoe who was fast asleep on the couch, her head in Bianca's lap, her legs across Heath's legs.
"I'll do that right away." Charlie laughed before walking over to Zoe,
"Think the monkey was very tired." Bianca laughed up at Charlie.
"I think she was too." Charlie smiled before she picked her up in her arms,
"Charlie, I'll take her up, if you want." Charlie smiled as she turned and saw Brax,
"Are you sure?" Charlie asked.
"Uh-huh." Brax smiled before extending his arms towards Charlie, allowing her to place Zoe in them, Charlie smiled as he looked lovingly down at his daughter before he carried her up the stairs and towards her bedroom,
"Someone looks a little lost?" Laila laughed as she came out of the bathroom to see Brax walking about the hallway with Zoe in his arms, trying to find her bedroom.
Brax laughed, "Eh, yeah."
Laila laughed before walking down the hall, "Her room's in there," she smiled before opening the door for Brax and pulling back the covers, allowing him to place Zoe down, "She's such a cutie."
"That she is." Brax smiled before kissing Zoe's forehead and tucking her in before he left the room with Laila.
x-x
Charlie sat on the couch beside Brax as she finished her fourth glass of wine. Brax leaned over to her to tell her something, Charlie instinctively leaned back causing Brax to laugh, "Don't worry," he smirked, "I'm not trying anything again, I just want to tell you something, well, whisper you something." Charlie grinned before leaning towards Brax, allowing her to say what he wanted to, "I think Liam's jealous." Brax told her. Charlie giggled slightly as his breath tickled her neck, Brax laughed at how cute she was before watching as she turned around to see Liam intensely watching the conversation between Heath and Bianca.
"I think you're right." Charlie grinned as she turned back to Brax.
"Mmm," Brax nodded, "He's not the only one who was jealous." Brax commented, causing Charlie to raise an eyebrow,
"Who else?" Charlie asked curiously.
"I think your boyfriend was, just a little bit." Brax winked at Charlie.
Charlie giggled childishly before placing a hand on Brax's chest, "Maybe he's intimidated by your big, strong, tough exterior." She teased.
"Oh yeah, maybe." Brax played along.
"And because you have more tattoos than him," Charlie added.
"Ah yeah, I think you might be onto something." Brax grinned at her.
"Mmmm." Charlie groaned as she leant her head on Brax's shoulder,
"What's wrong with you?" Brax asked.
"I'm very, very, very tired." Charlie murmured.
"I don't think you should have had so much to drink." Brax sighed.
"No, no I'm fine, I promise." Charlie grinned as she pulled back and looked up at him.
"Yeah, well just to be on the safe side, I'll go and get you some water, eh? Sober you up a bit."
x-x
It was now approaching 11pm and most guests had gone, the few that remained were Bianca, Liam, Heath, Brax, Charlie, Sam and Laila.
Brax excused himself from the conversation he was having with Charlie, Sam and Laila as he went into the kitchen to grab another drink, just as he left, Liam started an argument with Heath, and Bianca,
"Lay off her!" Liam yelled as he pushed Heath away from his wife, he had had a fair bit to drink too.
"Oi mate, I'm not doing anything." Heath defended.
"And you." Liam slurred, "We're married, and you flirting with another guy when you're pregnant with my child like some tart!"
"Liam," I sighed as I stood up and walked towards them, "Keep your voice down, Zoe's asleep."
"I'll do what I like." Liam laughed angrily as he turned to face Charlie.
"Not in my house you won't."
Liam angrily gripped Charlie's arms with his hands, his anger and frustration being vented onto an innocent Charlie, who had now begin to wince as his grip on her grew tighter.
Just as Sam was about to step in, Brax walked back through to the living room, infuriated by the sight he saw, "OI!" He yelled at Liam, "Get your hands off her." He spat before walking towards Liam and ripping his grip off Charlie before pushing him away, taking a firm stance beside Charlie.
"Looks like you've got yourself a Braxton to defend you." Liam laughed before he began walking towards Charlie again. Brax pushed Charlie behind him and stood in front of her protectively. "What is it with you Braxtons, eh?" Liam questioned as Brax looked down at him, "Always after the girls you can't have."
"What are you playing at, Liam?" Brax asked, "You've had way too much to drink."
"ME!" Liam yelled once again, "ASK YOUR DAMN BROTHER, HE'S FLIRTING WITH MY WIFE, PREGNANT WIFE!"
"Calm down." Brax said, his tone softer than before.
"Don't tell me what to do!" Liam yelled back before pushing Brax backwards.
Charlie angrily stepped in front of Brax, "Liam, I'm warning you, if you wake up my daughter-"
Charlie was interrupted as Liam stepped forward again, causing Brax to once again, protectively pull her behind him.
"I'm warning you, mate." Brax said venomously, "Don't you dare go near her."
"Oooh, little protective, eh?" Liam laughed.
"Over her, definitely." Brax said confidently, his tone remaining icy and infuriated. Liam glared at Charlie before looking back up at Brax, "If you ever, ever touch her again-"
"Ooh, you'll what?" Liam interrupted.
"Mate, you don't wanna even know." Brax said sternly.
Charlie found herself once again being pushed back, this time by Heath, who knew only too well what his brother's temper was like, especially when it involved Charlie.
"Get out." Brax spat.
"Nuh." Liam replied.
Brax took a step forward, "You can walk outta here, or I'll drag you out, your choice."
Charlie smiled with relief as Liam obliging left walking, escorted by Brax of course, Sam and Laila left too, leaving Heath hugging a distraught Bianca, and Charlie aimlessly standing in the centre of the room by herself. She looked up as Brax walked back into the room and straight towards her, "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" He asked.
"I'm fine." Charlie smiled lightly.
"Are you sure?" Brax asked, Charlie nodded. Brax sighed as he looked at her arms, "Charlie, you've got red marks on your arms, that'll bruise."
"Just, just forget about the damn red marks." Charlie frowned as she looked up at Brax, hoping he'd get what she wanted.
"Come here," Brax whispered before pulling Charlie into his arms and holding her tightly, "You know I'd never let him hurt you, right?"
"I know." Charlie replied confidently as she relaxed into Brax's arms, a place where she felt safe.
x-x
"Are you sure you don't mind me staying the night?" Bianca asked Charlie.
"I'm positive, the guest bedroom's all made-up anyway." Bianca smiled before bidding the boys goodnight and going to bed.
"Are you sure you don't want me to stay?" Brax asked as he and Charlie stood at the door,
"Yes."
"And you'll call me-"
"If Liam comes around?" Charlie interrupted, Brax nodded, "Yes." Charlie confirmed.
"Anytime of the night." Brax told her.
"Yes Brax, I got it." Charlie sighed.
"Okay, get some sleep." Brax smiled lightly.
"Thanks again Brax, and goodnight." Brax smiled and nodded before he turned and left the house.
x-x
-The next day.-
The whole morning Charlie had to put up with Zoe screaming dadda every five seconds, Charlie figured the only way to sort it was to take Zoe to see Brax. Liam had come over in the afternoon to apologise to both Charlie and Bianca and to take Bianca home, he admitted he hadn't gone to see Brax yet, Charlie knew that was sensible as Brax was likely to punch him.
Brax smiled as he looked up to see Charlie and Zoe walk into Angelo's, "Hey baby," Brax grinned as he kissed Zoe's forehead,
"Where's my baby girl?" Sam asked as he walked out from behind the bar to be met by an excited Zoe.
Charlie and Brax both smiled before they sat down in one of the booths to talk, "So how are you today? You sounded a little shaken-up on the phone earlier."
"I'm fine," Charlie replied, "Oh, that was before Liam came to visit."
Brax raised his eyebrows, "He came over?"
"Yeah, to apologise." Charlie smiled.
"Well, he should be sorry after the way he treated you." Brax replied coldly.
"Brax, you don't need to be angry still, he had his reasons."
"Nuh, Charlie, there's no excuse for treating a lady in that way." Charlie sighed lightly before she began grinning, "What?" Brax asked, a small smile playing on his lips as he looked at her,
"Nothing." Charlie smiled, "It's just that, I missed your protective side."
Brax smiled lightly, "Anyway, how're your arms?"
"Alright," Charlie sighed, "Small bruises, but they're okay." Brax nodded, "Brax, you really have to let this go, I know what you get like when you're angry."
"I'm sorry but I can't."
"Brax, you need to get your temper in check." Charlie warned him.
"Don't tell me what to do." Brax snapped.
"I wasn't."
"Nah, you were." Charlie shook her head before looking away as Brax stood up and got back to work.
"How's Bianca?" Charlie looked up and smiled as Heath slid into the seat opposite her, Zoe joining him soon after as Brax and Sam carried on working.
"She's much better this morning." Charlie smiled, "And she said to tell you thank you, for everything."
Heath smiled and nodded, "What happened with you and him then?" Heath asked, instantly noting his brother's foul mood.
"He thinks I was telling him what to do, that on top of how angry he already was with Liam is a recipe for disaster."
"Right." Heath sighed lightly.
Charlie looked up as Brax walked past their table, carrying some food to another table, he looked down at her briefly, their eyes met for a second before he looked away again, Charlie shook her head before focusing her attention on Zoe, who had her attention focused on her father, "DADDA!" She squealed as Brax walked back towards the bar, Brax smiled at her as he quickly walked past her, running his hand through her hair before he continued working in the busy restaurant.
x-x
Brax sighed as he watched Charlie get up and walk towards the toilets. He leaned on the bar as he thought about how he spoke to her, she was only trying to help him and he snapped at her, as per usual, he was a jerk, he sighed before shaking his head as he walked towards the toilets.
Charlie jumped as she came out of the bathroom to see Brax leaning against the wall outside, waiting for her, "I'm sorry." Brax immediately said as their eyes met, he lifted his body off the wall before stepping towards her, Charlie smiled before taking his hand and pulling him even closer to her, again, Brax knew what she wanted, and he was more than happy to give her it.
x-x
"Here's lunch." Brax smiled as he placed a pizza in front of Charlie and a bowel of mashed bananas in front of Zoe.
Zoe's eyes lit up when she saw her food, "Tankoo dadda," she grinned.
"My pleasure, honey." Brax smiled before placing a bib around Zoe's neck before she began eating.
"I can't eat all of this." Charlie sighed as she looked down at the huge pizza, "You and Heath are sharing with me." She told them both.
Brax laughed, "Budge up." Charlie slid further along the seat allowing Brax to sit beside her, "Why do you think I brought out such a big pizza?" Brax grinned cheekily before picking up a piece.
Charlie laughed as they began eating, she stole a quick glance at Brax and blushed when she caught him looking at her, Brax's grin widened as he noticed her blush before they continued to eat together as a family.