He he he, no more school for me! And I don't start work experience until Monday... so I've just been chillin'. And today I was bored so I made cupcakes. And had the following conversation with my best friend over the phone about the cupcakes. "Hey I made cupcakes". "Hey I made a cake". "Well I have a cake with a cupcake on top, ha!" "Remind me once more who wears the pants in this relationship?" "We aren't in a relationship, moron". And my oldest brother chose to walk by that very second. "Oh way to let him down gently, Rhyles. Real nice!"

I didn't have the heart to tell him it was my best friend.

So, I've been catching up on the first season of Rafters. And writing. So, behold, the next chapter of 'Bailey'! And because I've been bored (having the house to myself for at least six hours a day results to boredom), I've started writing Bailey again. In an alternate universe. So there's an alternate universe to the alternate universe. Figure that out, I dare you. So I'm going to toddle off to my babysitting job, and leave you to read and review!

Rhyleigh xoxox


"Mum!" Nathan called. "Muuuuuum!"

"Whaaaaaaaaat?" Julie imitated, sticking her head back in the door of the house. "Nathan, what's going on?" sighing heavily, she set down the washing. Screaming through the house was usually Ben's way of dealing with things, but it seemed her younger son was taking a leaf out of his brother's book. "Nathan, I thought you were working today?"

"Yeah, well, I'm meant to be. I asked Dad if I could have the morning off".

Julie eyed him warily. "Should I be worried about something?"

"Mum, I love Sammy". He was flat out and Julie was taken back. She knew Nathan had always loved Sammy- despite the time that had passed, Nathan had never stopped loving her.

"Yes?" she had honestly expected more.

"Mum, I want to marry Sammy".

They had finalised their separation, years ago, without actually meeting face to face. In reality, they were divorced. But neither of them had got over it.

"Okay..." Julie's mind was having quite a lot of trouble processing the information her son had just provided her with. But she told him what she had been telling all her kids, for their whole lives. "Nathan, darling, just follow your heart. You'll know what's right".

"Mum!" Nathan threw his hands in the air. "You're meant to tell me what to do, not give me advice! What is wrong with you?"

"You are so much like your brother", Julie laughed, reaching for her washing basket once more.

"Mum! You aren't meant to say that!"

"What's going on?" Ben wanted to know, advancing through the house with his son on his hip. "Hey, Mum, I'm gonna get milk later-"

"Ben, you're a grown man, a husband and a father. Why can't you buy your own groceries?" Julie wanted to know.

"Its Carbo's turn to do the shopping and he isn't off work until this afternoon! I'll pay you back, I promise!"

"Gramma!" Logan squealed.

"Hello darling!" Julie cooed.

"Aren't you meant t be at work?" Nathan demanded.

"Aren't you meant to be at work?"

"Ben, buy your own groceries, Nathan, follow your heart".

"Ooh, what's going on?" Ben asked curiously. "Why's Nathan following his heart?"

Julie, laughing, went back to the washing line.

"Mu-um! That's not fair! You can't just leave me hanging like that!" Ben whined. And when his mother's laugh just followed, he spun to face his brother. "Why are you following your heart? What's going on with you and Sammy- oh dear God, you aren't breaking up with her, are you? After everything I've ever done for you, you're gonna dump her! Bloody hell, mate, what is wrong with you? Why can't you see that she is the only person in the known world that will put up with you? After everything- just wait until Mel and Rach hears about this. What about Bailey, huh? She's just gotten used to having a father, having a family, and you go and spring this on her!"

"Mate!" Nathan yelled. "I'm not breaking up with her! I was going to ask her to marry me".

That shocked Ben into silence- and he nearly dropped his son in the process. Nathan reached his arms out, taking the little boy from his brother's arms. "What kind of father are you?"

"You're going to propose to Sammy?" Ben's eyes were huge.

"If you start screaming once more, I'm going to throw the chair at you".

"Are we going to have a big elaborate shindig?" Ben said excitedly. "Yeah, let's have a big elaborate shindig!"

"I proposed to her in bed last time".

Ben's face fell. "Did you seriously?"

"Um, yes".

"How did I miss that announcement? That was where I proposed to Melissa! All this time I thought I was original... way to go, mate. Way to go".

Logan's blue eyes were bright, as they swapped between his uncle and father. Nathan set him down and the little boy toddled into the lounge room, eager to play with the toys Ruby had left out that morning.

"How was I supposed to know, it's not like you discussed it with me!"

"Are we seriously arguing about this?" Ben asked incredously.

"How did Jake propose to Rach?"

"Down at the harbour. The sun was setting and he asked her and she cried and came here to tell us, remember?" Ben chuckled, remembering how many tears were shed that night.

"Next question- do I involve Bailey?"

"No. Don't involve Bailey. Little kids have big mouths".

"She's my daughter!"

"What's the difference? She's got your mouth!" Ben grinned as his brother glared. "Fine, I'm sorry. But no, I don't think you should involve Bailey".

"Alright, no Bailey".

"Where are you gonna do it?"

"I don't know mate, I only just decided today!"

Julie laughed; as she watched her sons so intently discuss plans at the kitchen table. If only they had gotten along that well during their childhood.

And if only Sammy knew what was about to go down.