Here we go, another update!
Thank you for the reviews, I love reading them. Things are going to get a little more interesting and dramatic soon ;)
Hope you like this one.
Chapter 25.
Charlie yawned as she slowly walked towards the front door. She was nice and comfortable on the couch with her cup of tea and her DVD and she silently cursed whoever was interrupting her at this very moment. Opening the door, Charlie jumped as she felt someone wrap their arms around her legs, she smirked when she looked down to see Zoe clinging to her, "Hey gorgeous." Charlie beamed as she lifted her daughter into her arms, who still had her eyes squeezed tightly shut as she clung to Charlie, "Where's your daddy, hm? Has he gone walkabout?" Charlie asked, stepping outside, she screamed when Brax jumped out. "BRAX YOU IDIOT!" Charlie yelled as her hand flew to her chest in an attempt to sooth her pounding heart.
Brax chuckled as he looked at Charlie, "I'm sorry, we had to do it."
Charlie looked down at Zoe who was giggling uncontrollably at her mother's reaction. When she eventually managed to stop laughing, she looked up at her mother with a mischievous grin on her face. "You're exactly like your daddy, you are." Charlie laughed as she ran her index finger over Zoe's lips before kissing her hand. "What are you guys doing here?" Charlie asked as she looked over at Brax.
"Well..." Brax grinned at her, "She's moving back in." He smirked as a grin spread across Charlie's features.
"Are you joking?" Charlie asked in disbelief.
"Nuh- so long as you're okay to look after her now and you feel up to it."
"Of course I am." Charlie beamed as she looked down at her little girl, "Mummy missed you so much, monkey." Charlie whispered as she held Zoe tightly. "So, did you have fun with daddy?" Charlie asked as she walked into the house with Zoe still in her arms, Brax following close behind.
"And Heaf." Zoe informed Charlie as she walked into the living room.
"I'm sorry." Charlie laughed, "You cheeky miss, you." Brax grinned at his daughter, "Did you have fun with daddy and Uncle Heath?" Charlie corrected herself.
"Bestest." Zoe grinned at Charlie, her smile faded as she looked over at Brax, causing him to frown at his daughter,
"What's up, cutie?" He asked. Zoe glared at her father before looking away from him and snuggling into Charlie's chest. Brax sighed as he looked up at Charlie who creased her eyebrows.
"Baby, what's wrong? Did daddy not look after you?" Charlie asked, knowing Brax did but wanting to get to the bottom of what was up.
"Dadda sad." Zoe looked up at Charlie as she spoke.
"Why is he sad?" Charlie asked as she looked down at Zoe, her heart broke when her big green eyes welled up with tears and her bottom lip trembled as she pointed to Charlie,
"You." Zoe whispered.
"Oh baby, don't cry." Charlie pleaded as she stroked her daughter's cheek, "Mamma's fine, and she loves you very much." Charlie smiled reassuringly as she looked down at her daughter before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Looking over at Brax, Charlie noticed him smiling sadly at her, "Shall I give daddy a hug too?"
Zoe grinned and nodded at her mother's words, Charlie smiled before placing her daughter on the couch and turning to Brax who had a small smile playing on his lips, "Come here then, you." She laughed before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around him. "Thank you for everything." Charlie whispered as she tightened her grip on Brax.
Brax rolled his eyes as he rested his head in the crook of Charlie's neck, watching as Zoe grinned mischievously at him from the couch, wondering what on earth his almost two year-old could possibly know about their situation and how on earth she could be smart enough to push them closer together at her age.
x-x
"DADDA BWAX!" Zoe squealed as she waddled in from the garden and into the living room where Brax was sitting by himself, waiting for Charlie to return with his coffee.
"Hello sweetie, how's my girl?" Brax asked, lifting his daughter into his lap. Zoe simply giggled in response as she wrapped her hand around Brax's finger, resting her head on his chest as she looked up at him. "You are just such a little cutie, you know that?" Brax asked as he held her tightly, sighing as she wriggled out of his grip and took him by the hand before crawling in the direction of the garden again.
x-x
After Zoe had played with Brax in the back garden, Charlie insisted on taking her for a bath to clean her up, leaving Brax and Ruby downstairs to talk. "Brax are you alright?" Ruby asked, knowing there was something bothering him deep down, he was just refusing to let it surface.
"Yeah Rubes, I'm fine." Brax smiled weakly, taking a sip of his coffee before returning it to its place on the table.
"Liar." Ruby sighed as she glared at him, "Tell me what's wrong." She prompted.
"I can't stop thinking about our baby boy." Brax sighed as he looked down at his hands, "Every time I look at Zoe I just think that we could have had another one of her, and I would've loved that, because she's so cute, and she's smart and beautiful, and it- it just hurts." Ruby tried to hold back her tears as she looked at a very much so broken Brax sat before her, "I want to grieve but I can't, I can't lose control because Charlie needs me to be strong for her, and if I give in I'm afraid she will too."
"Then let me be here for you." Ruby tried to convince him, but the look he gave her told her she'd need to do more, "Charlie's had time to grieve, so have I, we did our grieving 27 months ago." Brax tearfully looked up at Ruby, still unsure of what to do, "Brax for goodness sake, just let me be strong for you." Ruby told him, leaning forward as Brax collapsed into her embrace, finally allowing his emotions to show.
x-x
Charlie fought back her tears as she stood in the doorway having watched the whole interaction, Ruby was right, she had done her grieving 27 months ago and now Brax needed her and she was going to be there for him.
Charlie couldn't help but smile lightly at how grown up Ruby had become, she definitely was a proud mum. Walking over to the couch, she pulled Ruby up without saying anything before sitting in the seat her daughter previously occupied.
x-x
Instantly smelling her perfume, Brax looked up to see Charlie had taken Ruby's place, feeling stupid and embarrassed, he raised his hands to wipe his eyes but Charlie stopped him by catching his wrists, "Just let it out, Brax, let it out." Charlie pleaded as she pulled Brax closer to her rubbing his back, she soothing kissed his shoulder blade as she let him once again let out all the emotions he had bottled up for so long.
x-x
"I need to show you something." Charlie muttered as she separated herself from Brax having been embraced in a hug with him for around ten minutes. Taking his hand she led him outside and into the garden, walking over to the far side of the garden, she dropped his hand and pointed to something that lay in the neatest and most cared for area in the garden.
Brax frowned as he looked down to see a bunch of fresh lilies laid out where Charlie had pointed, waiting for an explanation, he looked over at Charlie as she began to speak, "For our little boy, so he knows how much we love him and that we never stop thinking about him." Charlie smiled, fighting back her tears as she looked back down at the patch.
"It's lovely." Brax said weakly before lacing his fingers with Charlie's again as he used his other hand to point to a pair of little blue booties beside the bouquet of lilies. "What are those?" Brax asked as he once again looked at Charlie.
"The first present anybody ever bought him, those are from Ruby." Brax sighed lightly as he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand before using the grip he had on Charlie's hand to tug her body into his as the pair stood with each other in another comforting embrace.
x-x
After settling Zoe in bed and bidding Ruby goodnight, Charlie decided it was time for her to go to bed too, as her and Brax stood up, she stopped him by speaking herself, knowing he was going to tell her it was time for him to go home, "I don't want you to go." Charlie said as she stepped closer to him, "I don't want to be alone tonight, and I don't think you do either," she spoke softly before looking up at Brax to see his lips curl into a small smile.
"You're right, I don't." Brax replied, his voice equally as soft as he too took a step towards Charlie. She smiled up at him before turning on her heels, leading the way upstairs and into her bedroom.
x-x
Brax groaned as he lay on the far side of Charlie's bed, staring up at the ceiling as she continued to move around in her sleep. She had been unable to remain still for more than 30 minutes, making it impossible for Brax to get any sleep. Turning his head to look at her, he couldn't help but chuckle lightly as Charlie flung her eyes open and rolled onto her back, in the same position as Brax, glancing up at the ceiling before looking over at him, "Sorry." She mumbled tiredly before yawning.
"Can I try something?" Brax asked as he rolled onto his side, facing Charlie.
"At two in the morning? Nuh." Charlie replied bluntly as she hugged the duvet.
"Shut up and come here." Brax encouraged as he extended his arms towards her.
Charlie sighed and thought for a minute before wriggling into Brax's embrace, her head nestled firmly into his chest. "Mmm," she mumbled, satisfied with her new-found comfort.
"Better?" Brax asked as he gently massaged her hair while the other gripped her hip.
"Yeah." Charlie whispered in response, "Thank you." Smiling as she breathed in Brax's scent, Charlie spoke up again, "You smell good." She grinned as Brax placed a kiss on her temple.
"I always smell good." Brax laughed, as did Charlie before the pair eventually fell asleep.
x-x
-The following day.-
Charlie lay on her bed that evening, staring at the ceiling as her thoughts continued to swirl around in her head. Her heart skipped a beat when her phone vibrated against the bedside table, startling her. Charlie smiled as Bianca's name flashed across the screen, taking a deep breath she answered her call.
"Bianca, hey!"
"Hey Charlie- so listen, I hear Brax has been spending a lot of time at yours, AND he spent the night last night?" Bianca asked, startled she hadn't heard the news first-hand from her best friend, but through Heath Braxton.
"Maybe." Charlie giggled as Bianca groaned in frustration.
"Charlie!" Bianca snapped.
"Okay sorry. Look yes, he's been spending a lot of time here, to look after me and Zoe. And yes he spent the night yesterday, but nothing happened- nothing."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Bianca replied, unconvinced.
"Look B." Charlie snapped to get her point across, "It's just- with me telling him about the twins I don't want to be alone, and I'm afraid he'll do something stupid if he's alone." Charlie told her best friend honestly.
"Sorry, you know what I'm like, especially due to the pregnancy hormones."
"Yes, yes I do know- I have been pregnant twice before, you know." Charlie laughed.
"And don't I know it, I'm the proud aunty of two beautiful girls."
Charlie laughed again, "Except for the fact you aren't their aunty."
"You're right- I'm better." Both girls laughed, "Anyway, I have to go, the bub is craving chocolate! Bye!"
"Bye you." Charlie grinned as she hung up the phone before flopping back down on her bed again.
x-x
Ruby giggled as she looked at Zoe, sticking her head in the pot of pasta sauce as Ruby stirred it, "Sweetie, stop doing that," she laughed, "I can't cook it when you do that."
Zoe glared at Ruby blankly as her big green eyes widened, "You're gorgeous, you know that?" Ruby gushed as she kissed her sister's forehead, Zoe grinned before jumping, startled as the doorbell rang, "The door's open, honey, just see who that is." Ruby smiled, knowing exactly who it was, she had invited him over for dinner.
Zoe lifted her arms up, signalling for Ruby to lift her onto the counter and put her on the floor. As soon as she hit the floor she crawled on all fours until she reached the front door.
x-x
Brax shifted on the spot, ringing the doorbell again waiting for someone to answer the door, peering through the draught door a wide grin spread across his face as he saw his little girl crawling towards him. Opening the door and stepping inside his grin only widened as Zoe looked up and gurgled when she saw him, "DADDA!" She shouted, throwing her giraffe toy down before she got up and ran into his arms.
"Hey trouble." Brax smiled, placing a forceful, yet gentle kiss on her forehead. Zoe placed a kiss on her father's chest before looking up at her him, "Where's mummy?" Brax asked, he gained a response when Zoe pointed to the stairs, her head remaining firmly nestled into his chest. "Have you been a good girl for her?" Again, Zoe simply nodded as she tucked herself further into Brax's arms. "That's my girl." Brax smiled proudly before walking into the kitchen.
"Hey Brax." Ruby smiled as she turned to see Zoe in Brax's arms. "She's her daddy's girl."
"Hey Rubes, and that she is." Brax laughed. "So what are you making?"
"Spaghetti carbonara." Ruby grinned.
"Sounds good." Brax smiled before placing Zoe down on the counter, looking down at his daughter, "I'm just gonna check on Charlie." Brax smiled again as Zoe looked up at him curiously, "Where's daddy's kiss?" Brax asked Zoe as he leaned forward, she giggled before kissing his lips, her giggling had yet to cease as Brax tilted his head, offering his cheek to Ruby too, "I need one from you too, Buckton." Ruby giggled before kissing Brax's cheek. "That's better- I'll be back in a minute." Brax grinned, ruffling both girls' hair before he headed up the stairs.
x-x
Charlie looked up as a soft knock came on the door, "Come in," she laughed as Brax poked his head through the doorway, "You're around here an awful lot these days." Charlie teased as Brax stepped inside and sat on the end of her bed.
"I have my reasons." Brax grinned before pulling Charlie off the bed, "Come on, Ruby's made carbonara."
"Yummy." Charlie grinned as she followed Brax out of her bedroom, "I wish I had her cooking skills."
"Trust me, so do I." Brax replied cheekily, remembering all the times Charlie had served him either burnt or uncooked food. His smart comment earned him a slap from Charlie, "You really need to stop being so violent." Brax pouted, "So how are you feeling?" He asked.
"I'm really good thanks, and thanks for everything with Zoe, she's a bit of a handful and I'm not sure how I would've coped without you."
"I'm sure you would have but it's no problem, I love spending time with her."
"Yeah, and she loves spending time with you, I was thinking you could take her some weekends and spend more time with her, seeing how much she loves it."
"Yeah." Brax immediately replied enthusiastically, "I'd love that." Charlie simply smiled at him before the pair walked down the stairs together.
Charlie felt herself blush as Brax's eyes were pinned heavily upon her, "Cut it out." Charlie told him.
"Cut what out?" Brax asked cheekily.
"Brax, seriously."
"I can't help it," Brax chuckled, "You're cute when you blush." He stopped laughing as he earned another slap on the chest. "Seriously?" Brax pouted again as he rubbed his chest.
Charlie smiled weakly as they both stopped at the bottom of the stairs, Brax stepped forward as he spoke softly, "It's gonna be okay, you know."
"I know." Charlie smiled as Brax grasped hold of both of her hands. "You're an amazing dad, you know that?" Charlie asked as she played with Brax's fingers.
Brax's smile grew at the words Charlie had spoken, "On that subject, I was thinking it's not all bad."
"What isn't?" Charlie asked out of confusion.
"This situation, after all, we're still young, we can make more beautiful children." Charlie laughed before shaking her head at him, unable to understand how he became so cheeky. "I know we're not together." Brax continued, "But I hope one day you'll change your mind."
"Yeah, and it might be sooner than you think." Charlie spoke seriously before a huge, cheesy grin appeared on her face, causing the same infectious smile to spread across Brax's.
"And there it is- what I've been rooting for." Brax laughed as he pointed to her lips.
Brax smirked as he watched Charlie's eyes light up, the pair stood at the bottom of the stairway, holding hands, gazing into each other's eyes before Ruby's call, informing them that dinner was ready broke them out of their trance. Sighing lightly Charlie removed her hands from Brax's, flashing him a quick smile before she walked into the dining room.
x-x
Charlie glanced at the empty plates scattered across the dinner table, standing up she began clearing them away, "No Charlie, don't." Brax protested, "We'll do it."
"Yeah mom, I made the food, I'll clean it up." Ruby chimed in.
"Listen guys." Charlie raised her voice before they went any further, "I appreciated what you've done for me over the past week, I really do, but I'm fine now, so I can clear up." Both Ruby and Brax kept quiet.
An eerie silence filled the room until Zoe broke it as Charlie picked up her empty plate, "No-no-no-no-no!" She squealed, mimicking what Ruby and Brax had done.
Charlie laughed as she ran a hand over her daughter's tanned cheek, "Cheeky monkey." She laughed, "You guys go into the living room and put a movie on, I'll be in in a minute."
x-x
Brax watched as Charlie walked back into the living room and stood at his feet, he knew what that look used to mean but he wasn't sure if it meant the same thing now. Deciding to take a gamble, he opened his legs, the way he used to when Charlie would sit between them.
x-x
Charlie smiled as Brax did as she expected, she turned her back to him before sitting on the couch, shifting backwards so her back was pressed up against his front. Her smile grew as Brax wrapped his arms around her waist and held her body close to his.
x-x
At that moment neither Charlie nor Brax could care less what it meant, after everything they had been through they just wanted to be close to each other.