FrankElza: Thank you for the review and for checking this chapter over. I like writing Brax when he comes over all protective of Ricky and his brothers. I enjoyed writing the scene between Jordan and Brax. You'll see what she decides to do in this chapter.

Braxton54: Thank you for the review. I'm glad you love this story, I love the couple too.

Abuse.

Chapter 26.

"Are you alright?" That was the first thing Brax asked, as Ricky let him in to Phoebe's house, the younger girl was sleeping in her room.

She shook her head, unsure.

"What's wrong?"

"What if I stuff up?" Ricky asked.

"Stuff what up?" Brax asked.

"Moving in on my own, this " Ricky rubbed a hand over her belly.

"You'll be a good mum, " Brax said.

"I don't know if I can do it, "

"Too late now, " Brax replied, thinking back to when she'd almost terminated the pregnancy.

"Not that. " Ricky shook her head. "Moving in on my own. "

"Let's just go and see the place, " Brax said.

"OK, " Ricky picked up her bag and followed Brax.

Brax drove Ricky to where they were meeting the estate agent. He stood outside, waiting for them.

"Miss Sharpe, " He said, extending his hand to her.

"Erica, " She replied.

"Are you ready to see the flat?" He said.

Ricky nodded, biting her lip as she and Brax followed Robert, the estate agent.

Robort unlocked the door, Brax and Ricky following them. He lead them through to the living room; it was a spacious room with a window. It had wooden flooring.

Brax looked at Ricky, not knowing what she thought. He reached out and touched her shoulder.

"Don't touch me, " She snapped.

"Whoa, Ricky" Brax said.

Ricky walked outside, Brax went after her, wondering what had switched her mood.

"I'm too young for this Brax, " Ricky wailed. It was all too much; with Andrew, he'd dealt with their bills, all she had to do was keep the house tidy, and cook for him, if she brought the house; all responsibility would be on her.

"You won't be on your own, " Brax told her.

"Would you like to continue?" Robert asked, once the two had returned inside.

Ricky nodded and followed Brax in to kitchen, it had a cooker, oven.

"How much is it?" Brax asked.

"The cost of the flat is $47, 000. "

"$47, 000?" Brax repeated, shocked, he knew buying was expensive, but had thought it would be cheaper. "What do you think?" He asked.

Ricky signed her name on the document that Robert put in front of her, she felt a sense of relief. He handed her the keys and then the couple went to get a drink

"How does it feel to own a home?" Brax asked, putting their drinks on the table.

"I don't know what I'm doing, " She answered; she'd used the cash her mum had given her as the deposit, at least that way, it had gone to good use, she now had to find a way to furnish the house.

"It feels like I live along with Heath and Case, "

"They have you, I don't have anyone, "

Brax reached across the table for her hands. "That's not true, you have me. "

Brax dropped Ricky off at Phoebe's, he was coming back to collect her later so he could help her move her stuff in.

"Phoebe. "

Phoebe stopped what she was doing, she seemed to be writing lyrics. "Are you ok?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine, " Ricky tucked a strand behind her ear. "I've found a place, "

"That's fantastic, " Phoebe got up and hugged her friend, only parting when they heard a key in the lock.

"Ricky, this is my father, Mark, Dad, this is my friend, Ricky. "

"How was your trip?" Phoebe tried to ask.

"What have I told you about having people around here when I'm not here?" Mark said.

"I'll go, " Said Ricky, sensing that father and daughter needed to talk. "Thanks for everything, Pheebs, "

Phoebe nodded and gave a tight smile. "Good luck, "

"Thanks, "Ricky said as she headed upstairs to pack her belongings, she hadn't brought much: clothes, camera

Brax was surprised to find Ricky standing on the pavement when he went to collect her a few hours later. He put her bags in the back.

"I've brought a few things, just to help you get sorted," Brax said as he started the car.

"Thank you, " Ricky smiled.

They soon reached Ricky's new apartment.

"I'll leave you to get settled in, " Brax said, grabbing her bags and handing them to her.

"Stay, " Ricky answered.

Brax looked at his watch. "I can for a bit, besides, I can't watch you struggle, "

"Haha, " Ricky stuck her tongue out at him, watching as he unloaded the things he'd brought.

Ricky pushed the keys in to the lock, finding it a bit stiff as it was new, but she managed it.

Brax followed her, carrying in the first thing he'd brought.

It was a mattress.

Ricky raised an eyebrow.

"Can't have you sleeping on the floor, " Brax told her, putting a sheet over it. Then he put pillows on it and a duvet, then he went back to his car, pulling out railings. "For the bed, " He put them together, before heaving the mattress on to it, as well as the pillows and duvet. He picked up a lamp now. He held it up, it was a small one, but it was all she needed for now.

"I'll make a start on the living room, "

There was already a couch in there. She'd go out in the morning and buy some pillows for it.

Meanwhile, she could hear banging. Worried, she went to see and her eyes widened to see what he'd done. He'd completed the bed: a small chest of draws stood beside the bed, the lamp on top of them.

"All in a days work, " Brax joked.

Ricky walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek.

"What was that for?" Brax asked.

"For helping me, "

"I'll help you anytime you need me too, " Brax told her.

Ricky let his words sink in for a few moments. "Brax, will you move in with me?"

Thanks for reading.

Have to admit, I'm torn. I want the couple to live together, but don't want Brax to abandon his brothers, what do you guys, think she should do: Should he move in with her, or should she have her independence?