Hello all, so I'm back from my holiday and hoping I'll find a bit more time to get other updates done as well as this one.
Thank you for all the wonderful reviews, and I'm sorry for the wait. Hope it was worth the wait. :-)
Chapter 28.
Charlie found waking up the morning after her birthday party a living nightmare. She had far too much to drink and her memories of last night's events were patchy.
Brax was the perfect gentleman and brought Ruby, Charlie and Zoe home. After settling Zoe in bed, he carried Charlie up the stairs, and into her bedroom. Although she protested and begged for him to spend the night, he politely refused, telling her she needed to get her beauty sleep because before she knew it, Zoe would be needing her attention.
As Ruby entered Charlie's bedroom, she smiled as she watched Brax sit on the edge of Charlie's bed, holding her hand as he gently stroked the hair away from her face, "Hey Rubes." Brax had spoken softly to her the previous night, detaching himself from Charlie as he turned to face her, "I think it's more appropriate if you get her changed for bed." Brax laughed as he stood up and looked at his former lover's daughter.
"I think that's best." Ruby smiled before removing one of Brax's flannel shirts from one of the drawers in Charlie's room.
"Is that my shirt?" Brax frowned as he looked at the clothing item Ruby held in her hands.
"Yeah." Ruby nodded, smiling as she walked over to Charlie who was already half asleep. "She sleeps in it at night, and don't ask why." She chuckled as she looked over at Brax, who wore a pained expression on his face. "Is something wrong?" Ruby asked, frowning as she glared at him.
"No, nothing's wrong. I'm gonna head home now, I'll see you later, Rubes." Brax smiled, giving Charlie one final glance before he left the house.
x-x
The first thing Charlie thought about when she woke up was Brax.
Although she had almost passed out, the undeniable distressed tone of his voice was completely recognisable, especially to her.
Charlie smirked as she looked down to find herself in her usual bedtime attire, courtesy of Ruby no doubt; she was wearing her grey over the knee socks, combined with Brax's old red and grey check shirt which she hadn't had a chance to return to him since he left.
After climbing out of bed, she laughed as she checked on Ruby to find her still fast asleep, before checking on Zoe, who was also fast asleep before she went downstairs to make herself a much-needed coffee.
Adding her spoonful of sugar, Charlie stirred it into the warm liquid that filled the cup before she moved to sit down at her breakfast bar. She had only perched herself onto the stool when there was a quiet but firm knock on her front door.
Charlie frowned as she glanced up at the clock, informing her the time was only 8:45am. Wondering who on earth would call so early, she jumped off the stool and made her way to the front door.
A smile rose on Charlie's face when she saw Brax on the other side of the door, "Hi." Charlie beamed as she looked up at him.
"Hey." Brax replied tiredly.
"Are you okay?" Charlie asked, concern coursing through her at Brax's tiresome appearance.
"Yup." Brax nodded, "Are you?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks." Charlie smiled, waiting for him to break the silence that had arisen and quickly become awkward.
"So I eh... I found these in my car this morning." Brax smiled faintly as he handed Charlie her clutch bag and phone, "Figured you might need them, and I was passing by so I thought I'd chance it to see if you were awake."
"Oh." Charlie laughed a little, "Well thanks for that," she smiled before reaching out to take the items from Brax's hands.
"You're wearing the ring?" Brax sounded shocked and astounded as he glanced at Charlie's hand.
"Yes." Charlie frowned, quickly taking her belongings from Brax before placing them on the side table before looking back up at him, "Brax are you sure everything's okay?"
"Yes." Brax replied before shaking his head, "No." Charlie stood still and confused as she waited for Brax to give her an explanation that she feared wouldn't come.
Her fears were confirmed when Brax just stood before her, looking blankly down at her. "Did something happen last night that I don't remember? Did I do something to offend or hurt you?"
"No," Brax shook his head, "Definitely not."
"Then what?" Charlie asked, when another silence arose, she couldn't help but snap at him, "Brax if you're not going to speak, then just leave."
"My shirt." Brax spoke almost inaudibly as he stepped closer, his eyes glaring down at Charlie.
"This shirt?" Charlie asked, tugging on the loose material.
"That shirt." Brax confirmed.
"If you want it back, I-" she was cut off by Brax.
"No, it's not that, I just- how did you get it?" he asked.
"I took it." Charlie blushed as she looked down.
"From the house, after I had left?" Brax furrowed his eyebrows as he continued to stare at her.
"Yes." Charlie whispered as she choked back her tears.
"Charlie, do you know what shirt that is?"
"Yes I do." Charlie snapped as she looked up at him, "How could I forget?" Charlie asked angrily, upset at how Brax could insinuate she had forgotten. "It's the shirt you wore to Leah's kitchen; the first time we had sex." Charlie continued, "It's the shirt you wore when you took me out on our first date and it's the shirt you wore the night we conceived Zoe!" Charlie yelled the last part before stepping away from him, "It's your lucky shirt." Charlie whispered before stumbling back again as a few tears fell from her eyes.
"Charlie, I'm sorry, I've had an off day." Brax said softly.
"No it's fine." Charlie shook her head, "Really, I'm just tired and I don't feel good." Charlie sighed as she looked up to see Brax step closer to her, using his hands, he gently wiped her tears away.
"I'm not surprised, given all you had to drink last night." He laughed as a smiled spread across Charlie's face. "And I'm glad you're wearing the ring." Brax smiled again as he gently ran his hand across Charlie's middle finger, where the ring was placed before he stepped back again.
"Well why wouldn't I? It's gorgeous and I love it." Charlie smiled as her eyes met Brax's.
"So, is the bub up yet?" Brax asked as he glanced around before looking at Charlie again.
"No, if she was she'd be hugging the life out of you as we speak." Both Charlie and Brax laughed before Charlie gestured to the kitchen, "Can I get you a coffee?" she asked.
"No thanks." Brax smiled, "I'm heading out for a surf before I check up on Angelo's then meet up with the boys."
"Alright." Charlie smiled, "Well have fun." She added as she walked Brax back to the front door.
"Yeah, thanks." Brax smiled before turning away from her.
"Oh, Brax?" Charlie stopped him.
"Mmhm?" Brax mumbled as he turned back around.
"Thanks for looking out for me, Zo and Rubes last night, and for pretty much organising the whole thing, I had a great time."
"I'm glad to hear it." Brax smiled, "Bye, Charlie."
"Bye." Charlie gave him a small wave, watching as he walked down to his car before closing the door over and walking back into the kitchen to drink her coffee.
x-x
-Later that night-
"No, mamma." Zoe shouted as she ran back down the stairs and into the living room giggling.
Charlie groaned as she looked over at Ruby who was sat beside her on the couch, "I'll try this time." Ruby laughed as she stood up at picked her little sister up, "Honey, it's 9:30pm, well past your bed time."
"Wuby, I not tired." Zoe answered stubbornly as she glared up at Ruby.
"Well, that's tough." Ruby replied sternly before she carried Zoe up the stairs and into her bedroom before dropping her onto the bed and pulling up her sheets. "No wonder you couldn't sleep." Ruby laughed as she looked either side of Zoe to see that she didn't have the giraffe from Brax which she usually slept with.
"Gigi gone." Zoe's bottom lip trembled as her eyes welled with tears.
"No." Ruby shook her head. "No crying, your daddy wouldn't like to hear his baby girl's been crying, would he now?" Ruby asked.
Zoe instantly stopped crying and shook her head, "You find gigi?" She asked Ruby as she looked up at her with her big green eyes.
"I already have." Ruby smiled as she picked the giraffe soft toy out from under Zoe's bed before placing it in beside her.
"Now, one story before bed, okay?" Ruby told Zoe as she flicked the small lamp on beside her bed, Zoe nodded and closed her eyes, holding her toy giraffe close to her as Ruby began to read her a story.
x-x
Charlie continued watching the movie her and Ruby had started until an incessant banging began on her front door. She immediately jumped up and ran towards the door, in fear that whoever it was would disrupt Ruby getting Zoe to sleep.
Charlie opened the door and squealed as Brax fell into her arms, "H-h-hey you." Brax stuttered as Charlie pulled him inside and closed the door before pushing him back against it, giving him something to lean onto as she held onto his hands.
"You're drunk." Charlie smirked as she looked him up and down.
"I am not." Brax answered defiantly as he entwined his fingers with Charlie's, "Okay, maybe a little bit." Brax corrected as Charlie raised an eyebrow.
"Um... Charlie?" Brax whispered as he leaned forward.
"Yes?" Charlie asked teasingly, mimicking Brax's actions and tedious tone of voice as she too leaned forward,
"Do I live here?" Brax asked, causing Charlie to burst out laughing which earned a frown from Brax, "W-what?" Brax asked as he tugged on her hands, trying to get her to stop laughing.
"No Brax, you don't." Charlie answered once she had stopped laughing.
Brax nodded and dropped her hands before reaching for the door handle, "C-can- do you mind helping me h-home?" Brax asked as he squinted at Charlie, the light from the hallway lamp blinding him.
"No," Charlie shook her head as she turned the hallway light off before bolting the front door and placing her arm around Brax's waist, "You're staying here tonight, so I can look after you." Charlie told him matter-of-factly as she sat him on the arm of the couch, just as Ruby began walking back down the stairs.
"Why thank you." Brax grinned, "You're very, very kind." He slurred before standing up and latching onto Charlie, "I'm tired." He moaned.
"Okay, I'll get you to bed now." Charlie breathed a sigh of relief as Ruby walked into the room.
"Brax?" Ruby asked.
"RUBY." Brax screeched as he looked at her, "You know Rubes, I was just thinking, ay. You got your good lucks from your mom, eh?"
"Come on, let's get you to bed." Charlie sighed as she placed Brax's arm around her neck so she could get better control in bringing him up the stairs, "Rubes, can you just pull the duvet back in the guest room for him please?"
"Yeah, sure." Ruby smiled before scurrying up the stairs.
"No Charlie, I'm staying with you, you said you'd look after me." Brax pouted.
"And I will." Charlie groaned, "But you're not staying in my bed."
"But I like your bed, it's comfortable. And I like you." Brax added.
"Well, I'm glad to hear it." Charlie laughed as she brought Brax into the guest bedroom and stripped him down to his boxers.
"You're too good at that." Brax commented cheekily as Charlie pulled the covers over him.
"Oi, don't be so cheeky." Charlie giggled before kissing his forehead, "Goodnight Brax."
x-x
After saying goodnight to Ruby and checking on Zoe again, Charlie walked into her bedroom and sat down on her bed as she pulled her shoes off, she was about to take her top off when Brax barged into her room and collapsed on her bed, "Brax, what the hell?"
"You left me." Brax pouted.
"Oh for goodness sake, get back into the guest room." Charlie groaned as she tried to lift him off her bed, "Brax, move your fat self." Charlie sighed in frustration as she kicked him before giving up.
"That's mean." Brax sighed as he crawled up her bed.
"Fine, you can stay in here, but behave yourself, I'm just gonna get changed and brush my teeth." Charlie sighed as she walked into the bathroom.
"CHARLIE... CHARLIE!" Charlie quickly finished brushing her teeth upon hearing Brax's cries before walking back into her bedroom.
"Shut up Brax, you'll wake Zoe up." Charlie warned.
"Baby! My little baby girl! My monkey! Zo... ZOE!" Brax began yelling.
"Brax, shut up!" Charlie whispered harshly as she pounced on him, Brax's eyes widened as Charlie's petite hand covered his mouth, "You'll wake her up, now be quiet, understand?" Charlie clarified.
Brax simply nodded, Charlie removed her hand and crawled off him, "Yes, Serge." Brax smirked as he turned the lamp off and patted the space beside him,
"Yeah, I'm coming now." Charlie sighed as she turned off the main light.
"You used to scream that, a lot... in bed- with me." Brax commented cheekily.
Charlie couldn't help the smile that appeared on her face at Brax's comment, "So, so cheeky." Charlie laughed before crawling into the bed, being immediately smothered by Brax who firmly wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into him.
"You're so sexy." Brax mumbled as he leaned closer.
"Oh no you don't." Charlie grinned as she pulled back, only for Brax to peck her lips before Charlie pushed him away again, "Behave yourself." She snapped.
"Fine, turn around." Brax moaned as he tried to push Charlie onto her side.
"What, why?" Charlie asked, confused.
"I want to spoon you." Brax answered simply.
"No way Brax, no fucking way, absolutely not." Charlie spoke adamantly.
"But Charlie, you-"
"Fine." Charlie sighed, knowing Brax would never sleep if she didn't give in. Brax smirked as she rolled onto her other side, sighing happily as Brax engulfed her in his arms. She sighed again as Brax began kissing her neck, she squealed suddenly when he bit her. "Ow! Why did you just bite me?"
"I didn't." Brax looked at her innocently as she turned to face him.
"That bloody well hurt." Charlie pouted.
"I'll kiss it better." Brax replied wittily as he leaned closer.
"Nuh." Charlie cut him off, pushing his face away before she turned away from him once again and fell asleep.
x-x
Brax woke up the following morning with a raging headache and a foul taste. He groaned loudly as he opened his eyes and instantly recognised himself as being alone in Charlie's bedroom. He quickly ran into her ensuite, went toilet, washed his face and mouth out before walking downstairs.
"Good morning, sunshine." Charlie giggled as Brax walked into the kitchen squinting, wearing only his boxers.
"Morning." Brax grunted as he sat up on a stool at the breakfast bar.
"You look awful by the way." Charlie smiled sarcastically.
"And you look as radiant as ever." Brax bit back with equal sarcasm.
"Ohh, feisty." Charlie laughed before placing two tablets and a small glass of water in front of him.
"Thanks." Brax mumbled before downing the two tablets and the water.
"And here's a coffee for you." Charlie smiled before sitting down beside him.
"You've just got this all figured out, eh?"
"Uh-huh." Charlie giggled, "Anyway, I wanted to ask you something."
"Shoot." Brax smiled.
"I know it's short notice but I'm going out with Bianca tonight for some birthday drinks and I was wondering if you wanted to take Zoe for the night?"
"Ah man." Brax sighed, "I'd love to, Charlie, I'd really, really love to, but I can't, Angelo's is so busy and I need to be there."
"Right, that's okay." Charlie smiled faintly.
"Are you okay?" Brax asked.
"Yeah, fine, I just need to find someone to look after her, Rubes is going out and I need time to myself for a bit and I'm just so stressed out lately." Charlie groaned as she took a large sip of her coffee.
"Sounds like these drinks are much-needed." Charlie nodded at his words, "Listen Charlie, why don't you leave Zoe at my mom's place?"
"Brax, I don't know."Charlie frowned, "Your mom never really liked me."
"She does like you Charlie, and she loves Zoe, so much. I know she's only met her once, and she doesn't know her that well, but she can mind her at our place, Heath will be there too, and then I'll be home just after midnight, I'll take it from there."
"If you're sure she's okay with it?" Charlie asked, still not convinced.
"I'm positive, she'd love to."
"Okay." Charlie nodded, "Then it's fine by me."
"Great, well I'll bring Zoe from here to our place."
"Alright, thanks." Charlie frowned as Brax's cheeks suddenly went red, "What's wrong?" Charlie asked, she giggled as Brax's mouth fell open and he ran a hand across his face, "You remember last night, don't you?" She asked as she leaned closer to him.
"Fuck, yes." Brax groaned as he shook his head, "I am so, so sorry." Charlie simply bit her lip as she tried to stop laughing, "Did I ask to spoon you?" Charlie nodded, Brax let out another groan, "Did I kiss you?"
"Only a small one." Charlie nodded, "Definitely not your best work if you ask me."
"Well, I could give it another go?" Brax teased.
"I don't think so." Charlie laughed.
"Oh fuck, I bit you." Brax stopped laughing with Charlie and looked gobsmacked as he recognised the bite mark on her neck, "Shit, Charlie, that looks like a love bite."
"Well, it's not the first you've given me." Charlie answered cheekily before hopping up and walking over to the sink with her empty mug.
Brax simply stared after her in complete and utter awe, and he could not be more grateful that she took the whole situation as a joke and didn't resent him for his drunken actions.
x-x
This chapter was supposed to be different but if I added what I wanted to onto this one, it would've been so long, so I'll keep that for a separate chapter.
Hope you enjoyed it. (:
