Summer Bay
Charlie woke quickly to the sound of the phone ringing in the lounge; she slipped on her dressing gown and rushed to answer it "Hello" she said groggily.
"Hi I have some exciting news for you guys" the voice ion the other end of the line belonged to Lola.
"Oh Lola its 3am" Charlie moaned as she looked at the clock on the table.
"Oh my god Charlie I'm so sorry I was just really excited I didn't think to check my world clock" Lola felt terrible for waking Charlie.
"It's ok" Charlie giggled "If it was anyone else I would have shouted, so what's the exciting news?"
"Well me and Gav have just signed the papers for a new apartment in New York City" Lola almost squealed "And Charlie it's amazing, you'd love it"
"I'm sure it is" Charlie chuckled "It's about time you found somewhere. So is that the only thing you wanted?"
"Not exactly, I have sent you, Brax and Gracie some plane tickets so you can come over in a couple of weeks" Lola replied causing Charlie's jaw to drop.
"What no Lola you can't do that" Charlie stuttered.
"It's too late because I have and they are non-refundable or transferable so I really hope you aren't going to let me down" Lola said.
"No of course not" Charlie grinned widely at the thought of going to New York "So how are things with you other than this great new place?"
"Oh everything's good thanks Charlie" Lola seemed uncomfortable to talk about herself "Ok well I'd better go, I just wanted to share my news with you"
"Oh ok sweetie, I'll let Brax no, and Lola if something was wrong you would tell me wouldn't you?" Charlie sighed knowing full well Lola would do no such thing.
"Of course I would, give my love to everyone won't you…bye Charlie" Lola said quickly before hanging up. This left Charlie puzzled she had no idea what was really going on.
x-x-x
The next morning Charlie was getting ready for work, she had agreed to help Brax at Angelo's "Lola called last night" Charlie said to Brax who had just come out of the shower.
"What why didn't you wake me?" Brax asked curiously as he dried his hair on the towel he had draped around his shoulders.
"I kind of got the impression she wasn't calling for a chat" Charlie replied cautiously.
"What you think something's wrong?" Brax asked quickly "I knew it was a bad idea letting her go back to New York with all these rumours about Gavin cheating still circulating, I'm gonna call her"
"No babe that's not a good idea, she clammed up when I asked her about it last night" Charlie replied "What's to stop her from avoiding the conversation again?"
"Then I could just keep ringing her until she gives me a straight answer" Brax frowned as he pulled his boxers and jeans on.
"Or we could do one better than that, we could ask her face to face" Charlie smiled.
"Why is she coming back over here?" Brax wondered.
"No not exactly" Charlie replied.
"We can't go over there yet Charlie we still need to save some more money" Brax said as he looked through his wardrobe for a clean black shirt.
"No we don't" Charlie couldn't hide her excitement "Lola is sending us some tickets over"
"What, no she can't" Brax frowned "We can't accept them"
"Brax I don't think Lola is going to take no for an answer, besides have you thought about the possibility maybe she is sending them because she needs you?" Charlie's suggestion caused Brax to think for a few moments, maybe Charlie was right maybe Lola did need him and this was her subtle way of letting him know.
"When did she say the tickets were booked for?" Brax asked as a smile crept across his face.
x-x-x
New York
Lola had spent most of the day on the phone to Karen, making last minute wedding arrangements, she had also been trying to organise furniture for the new apartment. Lola was doing anything to avoid thinking about what was really on her mind, her pregnancy complications.
Gavin had just got back from a radio interview, when he spotted Lola at the top of a ladder painting the ceiling in what was going to be the nursery "What the hell are you doing up there?" he snapped a little more than he should have "I told you I would take care of all the high stuff"
"I'm fine Gav, it's just a bit of painting" Lola replied calmly.
"Yeah up a ladder, Lo you can't keep doing this what would you have done if you had fell" Gavin tried to get through to his wife.
"I don't need this" Lola snapped as she tried to walk past Gavin, but he stopped her "For god sake Gavin I'm pregnant not…"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence because that is where you are wrong Lola, you aren't just pregnant you are ill" Gavin argued "We both now how dangerous this pregnancy is, your life is at risk for god sake when are you going to start and take it easy"
"I am taking it easy" Lola protested.
"Yeah right" Gavin sighed sarcastically "Babe, you have been planning a wedding, sorting out this place, started filming a new TV show and are helping arrange a charity concert…" Gavin listed with raised eye-brows.
"Yeah I know it sounds like a lot but it isn't really" Lola continued to argue with Gavin "And arguing is more stressful than this"
"Alright fine, but can't we at least come to a compromise" Gavin suggested "Why don't I help with the apartment, you could let Karen tie up any loose ends with the wedding and I'm sure Carrie and Jasmine can handle the concert for a few days"
"Ok, but as long as I can still do some gigs and carry on filming" Lola frowned.
"Deal" Gavin exhaled "Now sit; I want you to make it to the weekend"
"Why what's happening at the weekend" Lola teased.
"Haha very funny" Gavin frowned "Now stay there and I'll fix you some lunch"
x-x-x
Summer Bay
Heath was happy him and Bianca had been getting on so well, for once in his life things had finally stared to go right for him. He had just been to see Bianca when he received a phone call "Hello" he said nervously.
"Hi babe" Lola's voice echoed down the phone "I was just calling to see how you are doing?"
"Yeah we're good, what about you?" Heath asked quickly "Is everything ok?"
"Fine, Heath its ok I'm fine really" Lola realised Heath was panicking "The reason I'm calling is to see how you would feel about coming over to see me in a couple of weeks?"
"What to New York?" Heath asked.
"Look I'll understand if you don't want to leave Nevaeh and Bianca, that's why I thought I'd ask first before I book it"
"I can't really leave things at the minute" heath said slowly "I'm sorry lo"
"No babe don't be sorry I know you can't just drop everything Lola sighed "Hey listen why don't you leave it a few months until you get back on your feet and we can talk about it again then, who knows maybe you can bring Bianca and Nevaeh with you"
"Yeah sounds good" heath smiled "Are you sure that's all you called for" Heath added.
"Yeah course" Lola said unconvincingly "You know me I like to have things organised, yeah well I'd better go I've got things to do"
"Ok" Heath replied he was a little shocked Lola had cut him short.
"I'll be in touch again soon" Lola was trying hard to fight the tears "Love you"
"Yeah love you too" heath said, and with that the phone went dead.
Summer Bay
"Who was that?" Bianca asked as she sat on the sofa next to Heath.
"Lola" Heath replied slowly.
"Is everything ok?" Bianca asked as she handed Heath a beer.
"Yeah I think so" heath replied with a worried expression on his face. I'm just going to call Brax though"
"Ok" Bianca smiled as she watched heath get up and take hi phone out of his pocket.
x-x-x
Casey and Ruby were sat working on there revision when Ruby suddenly squealed excitedly "Oh my god" she screeched.
"What?" Casey gasped as he stood up and looked at what Ruby was reading on her laptop.
"It's an e-mail from Lola, she has sent us some tickets to go over there and visit" Ruby cried.
"What to New York?" Casey replied with a wide grin, ruby nodded frantically "Oh my god that's awesome"
"I can't believe this is happening I've always wanted to go to New York" Ruby exclaimed "What shall I pack, do you think I will need some new clothes?"
"Well you might not, but I'm pretty sure I won't fit in there wearing boardies" Casey laughed at how excited his girlfriend was.
"Oh your right" Ruby gasped "What if Lola takes us to some kind of celebrity occasion, we need to go shopping"
Charlie walked through the front door just as Ruby was rushing out. Luckily Brax was carrying Gracie and hadn't left the car yet
"I'm sorry Charlie we can't shop we need to go clothes shopping" Ruby called as she left the house.
"I take it Lola has sent you tickets too" Charlie giggled a she noticed how enthusiastic Ruby was.
"Yeah" Casey nodded with a cheeky grin "Apparently nothing in her wardrobe is suitable for any celebrity occasion we might be invited too"
"Oh gosh I didn't think of that" Charlie frowned "would you mind if I went with you" Charlie asked.
"No" Casey couldn't hep but laugh.
Brax looked up and was confused to see Charlie walking back outside "Babe I'm going to Yabbie Creek with ruby and Casey to get some clothes"
"OK" Brax looked confused "I'll see you later then" he added as Charlie kissed his clumsily and got in the car "Well princess looks like it's just the two of us" Brax chuckled as he carried his daughter inside the house.
It wasn't long after Brax arrived home that he heard a knocking at the door "Can I help you?" Brax asked when he saw the stranger.
"Yes I'm looking for a Lauren Braxton, I'm told she lives here" the man smiled.
"And you are?" Brax frowned.
"A friend" the man replied causing Brax to start and close the door.
"Nah I'm sorry mate I don't know a Lauren Braxton" Brax said as he started to shut the door.
"But you are Darryl Braxton right Lauren's eldest brother?" the man put his foot in the way so the door wouldn't close "And that was your family I have just seen leaving. I have to say you have a beautiful family Mr Braxton"
"What do you want with my sister?" Brax spat as he threw the door open and grabbed the guy's shirt.
"Nothing directly, I'm just here to pass on a message" the man replied nervously. Brax released his grip and straightened up the man's collar.
"What message?" Brax asked he knew at this moment the other man was intimidated.
"He wants me to tell you to tell your sister, he isn't finished with her yet?" the man forced out cautiously.
"Who isn't? Who told you this" Brax asked aggressively.
"A man called Nathaniel Hartley" he man stuttered.
"And Lauren knows him" Brax was careful not to give Lola's nickname away.
"She should do, she was married to him" the man announced causing Brax's mouth to gape…
To be continued…
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