I am sorry that I have not updated recently. I have given you a longer chapter to compensate. I will try to update later in the week. Two train journeys are good for thinking as to were I am going next with this story.
While everyone was getting acquainted at Michelle's house Charlie was undergoing some tests just to check that everything was fine. She had an MRI scan to check that the nerve damage that Dr Jones had suspected was down to post op swelling was just that. When he did the test to check her reflexes he teased her that maybe Brax would get a better response. He explained to her that the first night she was in hospital that the staff had to prise Brax away from her bedside when they first started to do her obs. He told her that Brax was her unofficial bodyguard as well as her colleagues from Yabbie Creek Police station. Charlie smiled when she heard this.
Charlie had her first meal since she was shot that lunchtime. Soup followed by a big dish of Ice cream. Dr Jones told her that she would be on a soft diet for a day or two until she found it easier to swallow. He also told her that tomorrow she would move to another part of the unit before she went to rehab.
Ruby led everyone back to Charlie's room. She walked quickly to get there as though she did not want to be parted from her Mum any longer than necessary. Brax and her Aunt and Uncle followed in her wake. Brax found it amusing. Not many teenagers would want to be in a hurry to spend time with their Mum. But then not many teenagers had been through what Ruby had been through this last week.
After going through security Ruby hurried into her mum's room. For the first time since she was shot Charlie was sat in a chair. Apart from the tests she had had the nurses had helped Charlie have a shower and wash her hair. Dr Jones was sat in the room talking to her. Ruby dashed straight up to her and hugged her.
"Mum, how are you?" Ruby asked her Mum.
"I am feeling better than I did this morning." Charlie replied. Her voice was still husky but it was better than the croaky words that she had spoken with that morning. Ruby sat down on the chair at one side of Charlie. She still held her mother's hand.
Brax followed Ruby in saying hello to Charlie. He put his hand on her cheek and kissed her. They broke apart and Brax leant his head on Charlie's head gently. "Hey, you look better."
"Brax, I feel it." Charlie then glanced down at Brax's hand. She saw the bruises that she unknowingly inflicted on Brax the other day. "What happened to your hand Brax?"
Brax grinned at her before he answered. "Sergeant you had quite a grip on me the other day."
"That is true Charlie." Dr Jones told her. "I was worried in case you would not let Brax go and I'd have to keep him in as well."
Everyone laughed at the doctor's comment. Brax moved into the chair next to Charlie. Her Aunt and Uncle said their hellos to her. Michelle hugged her niece as though she did not want to let her go. Charlie was her only link to her much missed elder sister Elsie. There might have been a large gap between them but it had not stopped her worshiping her sister. She had always been close to Elsie and had enjoyed the same close relationship with Charlie.
Once everyone had settled down in the chairs Doctor Jones filled them all in on what was going to happen in the next few days with Charlie.
"Charlie, you will be moved out of here tomorrow to our halfway ward. Then you will be moved to the rehab place run by the police. There they can continue to guard you. We will start rehab here tomorrow. The physios will come and see you tomorrow and start getting you walking. The more you do here the quicker you will get through the police rehab centre. I have heard from previous members of the police force that I have had dealings with they have told me that they are very tough on you.
"All the tests you had this morning have come back fine. The MRI scan shows nice and clear. So once you move to the other part of the ward my job will be nearly done. Once you have finished rehab that will be my job done. I will see you before you leave. Do you have any questions?" He asked.
"I have one I would like to ask." As Charlie spoke to Dr Jones she watched Brax out of the corner of her eye. "Will I still be able to surf?"
"Yes you will still be able to surf. That will be no problem."
"Good. I couldn't before." Charlie replied. Everyone laughed. Ruby and Brax laughed the loudest knowing that Charlie had never wanted to surf.
Dr Jones laughed as well. "Goodbye for now." Dr Jones bent down and shook Charlie's hand and left the room. He turned back before he left the room completely to see one very happy group of people.
They all spent the afternoon chatting to each other. Brax and Ruby kept hold of Charlie's hands. They only let go when she wanted a drink. Half way through the afternoon the nurses brought Charlie and her visitors some drinks. Charlie also had another dish of ice cream to help her throat. Just as visiting times ended for the afternoon Michelle persuaded Ruby to give Charlie and Brax some time together without anyone else there.
As they left Ruby said to them, "Behave yourselves." Everyone laughed.
Brax smiled at Charlie. "I'm sorry this has happened Charlie."
"Brax I knew what I was doing. It is not your fault."
"No it is Heaths fault. If he hadn't raided Jakes crop none of it would have happened. There are times I could kill him." Brax dropped his head down for a minute.
Charlie let him be quiet for a minute before asking him, "Are you coming to see me tomorrow? I doubt they will let me have any visitors when I go to rehab."
Brax lifted his head up and smiled at her. "Yeah." He replied softly. "You won't be able to keep me away."
"Good. I am glad." Charlie paused. "How did Bianca's engagement party go?"
"It went well. Everything was just as you planned. Maybe you should come home and help plan the wedding. They are planning to get hitched next year."
"It depends on the trail. As they have Jake and his gang it depends on how long they get jailed for. Inspector Joyce rang today and asked when he could see me. He's coming tomorrow."
"Do you want me here?"
"No, I shall be fine." As Charlie replied the nurse came in to see if Charlie still had visitors. Brax leant over and kissed Charlie goodbye.
"I'll see ya tomorrow."
"Bye Brax." Charlie watched as he got up and walked out of the room. As he got to the door he turned and waved to her. He got outside the room and rejoined Ruby and her Aunt and Uncle. They left the hospital together. They said their goodbyes outside and went their separate ways.