CHARLIE'S POV:
I quickly sat down in the chair by Brax's bedside as I felt like I was going to collapse…
"What's the news then?" Ricky questioned, setting her bag down on the side
"I thought" I began, clearing my throat awkwardly "I thought you weren't back till next week?"
"I managed to get compassionate leave" she informed me "so what's this news you've got for us? Come on, don't keep us in suspense"
I looked to Brax and then back at Ricky… "It's nothing"
"You can't just fob me off by saying that" she informed me "I heard you say you love each other"
"Ricky, I'm sorry, I…" Brax began
"Just stop" she begged "deep down I've known since we started this that you've been in love with her. I just wish you'd had the guts to tell me yourself"
"I wanted to, so many times" he admitted
"Then why didn't you? There were plenty of times you could've sat me down and said I'm sorry, but I'm in love with Charlie" she replied "and I also know the reason why you both fell out in the first place"
"Can someone explain to me what's going on please?" Casey inquired
"I will" Ricky informed him "your brother and girlfriend's Mum are in love, and are going to be together, and fell out because whilst they were sleeping together, Brax kissed me"
"What?" he questioned, turning to both of us
"I'll pack my things" Ricky admitted, grabbing her handbag from the side again
"Ric, wait" Brax sighed "I'm sorry. You do believe me, don't you?"
She nodded her head, signalling yes… "All I ever wanted was for you to be happy. I just wish it could've been with me"
"I'm sorry too if it's any consolation" I admitted
Ricky nodded her head, signalling yes… "I just hope you realise how lucky you are"
"I do" I replied
Nodding her head, she made her way out of the room and shut the door behind her…
"I don't believe this" Casey admitted, running his hands over his face
"We're sorry, Casey" I sighed
"You don't have to be sorry for falling in love" he informed me "I just wish you'd been honest from the start, then none of this would've happened. Ricky wouldn't have been hurt, Brax probably wouldn't be in hospital, and everything would be a lot simpler"
I nodded my head in agreement and glanced up at Brax...
"So you're saying you're okay with this?" Brax asked Casey after a minute's silence
He nodded his head, signalling yes… "Everyone knows you two are meant to be together. We'll all be glad you've finally got your acts together"
BRAX'S POV:
Two weeks later I was discharged from hospital and life was good. My leg was healing well and I wasn't going to need physiotherapy as first thought. The wound on my stomach was healing well too and Charlie and I were happy. After much deliberation with Ruby and Casey over what was going to happen living arrangements wise, the four of us had decided that myself and Casey would move in with Charlie and Ruby, and whilst I was in hospital, Casey, Charlie and Ruby had moved our things into their place…
"What are you doing?" Charlie questioned as she made her way out of the bedroom
"I asked Case to bring the books home from the restaurant for me to check" I informed her
"You're meant to be resting, not throwing yourself straight back into work" she sighed
"It's not as if I'm behind the bar organising drinks" I replied "I'm just checking the books to make sure business is good, and it is, which means we can take that holiday when this thing comes off as planned"
She smiled at me warmly and moved to sit next to me… "Where are we going to go?"
"Where do you want to go?" I inquired
"I hear the Maldives is lovely this time of year" she informed me
"Oh really?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at her
"Aha" she replied, smirking at me as I moved closer to her, pressing my lips against hers
CHARLIE'S POV:
"God" Ruby's voice proclaimed, Brax and I jumping apart
"Sorry" I replied, burying my head into Brax's chest as she shook her head at us
"You've got a bedroom for that sort of thing, which is what you'd tell me and Casey" she informed me "and I know you two are in love, but please, we don't wanna see it"
"Okay" I stated, biting my lip to stop myself from laughing as she disappeared into the kitchen
"What're you thinking, Buckton?" Brax asked as I looked at him
"I'm thinking we should go to our bedroom and pick up where we left off" she informed me
"What about Rubes?" he questioned
"She said we've got a bedroom for that sort of thing" I replied "so I say we go and make the most of it"
"Well when you put it like that" he stated
"Come on then, Sir Limpalot" I chuckled, helping him to his feet, letting him grab his crutches and follow me into the bedroom, both of us laughing as we heard Ruby groan and the door slam behind her a minute or two later