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Chapter 36.
-5 days later.-
Charlie stood in her kitchen making lunch for her, Brax and Zoe whilst father and daughter played outside in the garden with the new addition to the family, Kibbles Braxton. "Grub's up, guys!" Charlie called out of the patio doors as she walked past and over to the table, placing the plates down.
"Oh god, look at you two, you're all sweaty," Charlie screwed her face up as Brax and Zoe walked through the back door.
Brax chuckled and Zoe giggled at her mother, "It too hots, mamma," Zoe sighed as she slapped her hand on her forehead.
"I know, sweetie," Charlie laughed, "Go and eat your lunch and then we'll need to give you a bath and get you nice and clean."
"Whys?" Zoe questioned, widening her eyes.
"For Ruby's bir-" Brax didn't have time to finish as Charlie whacked his chest, "Ow!" Brax shouted.
"Mamma, you no hit my daddy." Zoe pouted as she hugged Brax's legs.
"Sorry, honey, it was a reflex," Charlie grinned as she looked at Brax before walking back into the kitchen.
"I know I've told you this before, but by god, aren't you just the perfect role model?" Brax commented sarcastically as he followed Charlie into the kitchen,
"Come on," Charlie laughed, "If you told her she would have been so excited, she'd have told Rubes." Brax laughed lightly before walking up to Charlie, wrapping his arms around her from behind, Charlie groaned as he kissed her neck.
"Brax, you're all sweaty." Charlie repeated, sighing as she pushed him away.
"Fine," Brax rolled his eyes, "Is it okay if a grab a shower here?"
"Yeah, just go and eat first," Charlie smiled before gently kissing his lips.
"Maybe you could join me?" Brax tried with raised eyebrows, Charlie shook her head, "My examination's in a day or two."
"So?" Charlie shrugged, "Need I remind you of what happened a few days ago?" Charlie questioned, referring to when things had gotten pretty heated with Brax, again.
x-x
"Brax, stop it." Charlie moaned as he lifted her onto the kitchen counter at his place, softly kissing her neck.
"I can't," Brax shook his head, "We've been waiting ages for this."
"I know, but I'm worried you're not well enough," Charlie sighed.
"Please," Brax begged, "Zo's asleep... for once, we've got the place to ourselves, and if anything hurts, I promise you, I'll stop."
Charlie bit her lip, as if thinking for a moment before nodding, "Fine."
"Thank god," Brax sighed, satisfied that he had managed to convince her. A mischievous grin appeared on his face as he lifted Charlie into his arms, the pair of them found their way into a passionate kiss as they walked towards Brax's bedroom.
"Do you realise how sexy you look in red?" Brax breathed as he sat down on his bed, allowing Charlie to straddle his waist.
"Not half as sexy as you look with your shirt off." Charlie grinned as she lifted his t-shirt over his head and threw it aside, trying to ignore the bruises that still had yet to fade from Brax's accident.
Brax grinned before lying down on the bed as he undid the zip on the back of Charlie's dress and lifted it over her head, "You're definitely much better with your kit off," Brax commented cheekily as he pulled Charlie down on top of him, his lips meeting hers again.
Charlie giggled against his lips before forcefully pushing her body down on top of his as her hands roamed down his chest, she stopped as Brax yelped in pain, "What? What is it?" Charlie asked as she leaned back, allowing Brax to sit up. He didn't answer her, "It hurts, doesn't it?" Brax bit his lip as he shook his head, "Liar," Charlie scolded, "Brax, I knew we should have waited."
"Charlie please," Brax pleaded, "We'll find some other way to do it... you got me all excited."
"That's tough!" Charlie cried, "I told you we wouldn't be able to do this and you didn't listen," Charlie sighed as Brax pulled her back onto the bed so she was kneeling between his legs, "And you can stop with those puppy dog eyes," Charlie commented before slyly running her hand down Brax's chest, watching as his pout turned into a look of discomfort, "Baby," Charlie sighed.
"Okay, fine. It hurts." Brax admitted, "But after 10 days, shouldn't it be better?"
"I don't know, I'm not a doctor," Charlie answered.
"Well you'd make a damn sexy nurse," Brax flashed his cliché grin.
Charlie sighed and shook her head, "Just wait until you're at the hospital and Sid will tell you what's going on, okay?" Charlie asked as she stroked the side of his face.
"Okay," Brax nodded in agreement, sighing once more before he lay back on the bed, pulling Charlie with him.
x-x
"In my defence-" Brax began.
"Shut up, Brax," Charlie grinned, "There are no excuses, you were in so much pain after what we tried to do, and don't you dare try and deny it. I heard you getting up in the middle of the night to take some painkillers."
"Fine," Brax nodded, "You win... again." Charlie grinned at him knowingly, "But I get the feeling it's something else too, not just me?" Brax suggested as he stepped closer to Charlie, placing the palms of his hands against the counter, either side of Charlie's hips.
"No," Charlie shook her head as she looked down, allowing her long, brunette waves to cover her face so Brax couldn't see her blush.
"Charlie," Brax sighed as he placed his hand underneath her chin, raising her gaze to meet his, he tucked her hair behind her ears before cupping her cheeks with his hands, "You can talk to me, y'know- tell me anything."
"I know," Charlie sighed as she took his hands in her own, moving them from her cheeks, letting them fall back down to their rightful place by his side, Brax squeezed both of her hands as he waited for her to continue, "You're right," Charlie nodded, "I don't know what it is, but every time you try something, it's like I want to- but I can't."
Brax smiled, he was happy that she was being honest with him, "Are you not ready or something?"
"Maybe," Charlie shrugged, "I don't know, and I guess I go with you for a certain amount of time so you don't get it anywhere else."
Brax sighed, "Charlie, I wouldn't want to get it anywhere else." Charlie smiled lightly as she looked up at Brax, "I'm glad you told me."
"Really?" Charlie asked doubtfully.
"Yeah," Brax nodded, "I won't pester you as much now," he grinned, making Charlie smile.
They found themselves in yet another kiss, when Zoe called out to both of them, "FOOD BE COLD!"
Brax and Charlie chuckled as they separated again, "Hey, do you think Zoe's cottoned onto us yet?"
Charlie giggled, "She's two years old, Brax!"
"No I know," Brax laughed lightly, "But she's a clever kid, and I've been spending nights here, you've both been spending nights at my place."
Charlie bit her lip, "She's too little, she's our little baby."
Brax grinned at Charlie, "Do you think you've done a good job of keeping this party a secret tonight for Rubes?"
"I hope so, we've all tried so hard to keep it a secret."
"Mm, but she's clever, like her mother. Our two clever little babies," Brax smiled proudly.
"Our babies?" Charlie asked with a huge grin on her face.
"Yeah, Zo and Rubes." Brax smiled.
Charlie's grin only widened as Brax confirmed that he thought of Ruby as his daughter, "You're always such a charmer."
"It's one of the reasons why you love me so much," Brax answered.
"Yeah, yeah it is," Charlie laughed before kissing him again, they both allowed it to deepen before once again, Zoe shouted out to them.
"DADDY...MAMMA... FOOD!" She squealed.
"Jeez, she's impatient like her mother too, ay?" Brax laughed as Charlie gently slapped his arm before the pair of them joined their daughter at the table for lunch.
x-x
-That evening.-
"Where did you say we were going again, mum?" Ruby asked as Charlie walked down the stairs with Zoe.
"Out for dinner," Charlie smiled, "We're just going to Angelo's and then you can go out with your friends or whatever."
"Alright," Ruby nodded, "I still can't believe you got her in a dress," she giggled as she looked down at Zoe.
"I know," Charlie smiled, "She looks gorgeous, although she's still in the phase of wearing those damn yellow sneakers Brax bought her with everything."
"So I see," Ruby chuckled as she looked down at Zoe who was grinning up at her. Charlie had done her hair nicely, she had left it in her usual brunette curls, but added a little clip on either side, and she had managed to get her to wear a cute little dress. Charlie had tried to put on a nice pair of shoes Ruby bought her for her birthday, however, Zoe was adamant to wear her yellow shoes from Brax, so Charlie didn't argue.
"Okay, babies, let's get going." Charlie smiled as she left the house with her two daughters.
x-x
As Charlie and Zoe walked up the stairs to Angelo's behind Ruby, Charlie grinned as she awaited Ruby's reaction.
As she reached the top of the stairs, she turned back to Charlie, "Charlie, it's pitch black, I think it's closed."
Charlie simply shrugged before the lights went on and everybody jumped out, "Surprise!" They all shouted in Ruby's direction
"Mum!" Ruby squealed as she turned back to face Charlie, "What is this?"
"What does it look like? It's a surprise party, happy birthday sweetheart!"
"Did she know about this too?" Ruby asked as she pulled away from Charlie's hug, looking down at Zoe.
"Does it look like she knew?" Charlie laughed as Zoe cowered behind her leg, wondering why so many people were at the restaurant, "Come on honey, let's go and see daddy, hm?" Charlie asked as she lifted Zoe into her arms and walked into the restaurant to find Brax.
x-x
Brax grinned as he studied Ruby's reaction, she clearly had no idea about the party. He looked down at chuckled as Zoe hid behind Charlie's legs, no doubt confused by all the people.
His grin only widened as Charlie lifted Zoe into her arms and walked toward the bar, "Hey," Charlie smiled as she walked around the bar so she was standing behind it with Brax.
"Hey you," Brax grinned, "You look stunning," Brax quickly looked around to make sure nobody was watching before placing a lingering kiss on Charlie's cheek.
"Thank you," Charlie smiled, "You're looking very attractive yourself," Charlie grinned as she admired his smart black jeans and dark blue shirt.
"And look at my little monkey," Brax grinned, "What'd she do," Brax gestured to Charlie "To persuade you to wear a dress, huh?"
Zoe grinned as she lovingly looked up at her father, "You says I look pwetty in dwesses, so I wears it."
"You wore it for me?" Brax asked, grinning down at his daughter, nothing but love in his eyes.
"Uh-huh," Zoe nodded as she kissed her father's cheek.
"Aw, baby, daddy loves you so, so much." Charlie smiled as she watched Brax hug his daughter before he gently sat her down on the bar, "And just for the record, daddy thinks you look absolutely gorgeous in anything, cutie." Zoe giggled before hugging him again.
"You two are so cute," Charlie gushed, grinning at the pair of them.
"So- do you think Rubes is ready for present number two?" Brax asked.
"I think she might be," Charlie smiled as she watched Ruby greet the last bunch of people before walking over to her, Zoe and Brax.
"Thank you so much for all of this, guys." Ruby smiled as they joined her on the other side of the bar.
Brax grinned as he handed Zoe to Charlie before opening his arms, "Where's my hug?" he asked Ruby. Ruby returned his grin before stepping into his arms and wrapping her arms around him, "Happy birthday, kiddo," Brax smiled, kissing her forehead.
"Thanks, Brax."
"Just to let you know, I did get you a present, but I forgot it." Ruby giggled at him, as did Charlie, "So I'll give it to you tomorrow."
"No worries," Ruby laughed before she looked at her mother and Brax, "Okay, I know you've both been so happy lately but what's going on? You both look shifty."
"No we don't," Brax and Charlie answered.
"Oh those two are always shifty." Heath chuckled as he also joined them at the bar.
"Don't you dare," Charlie warned, looking at the menacing grin on his face.
"I wouldn't dream of it, Buckton." Heath smirked.
"Wouldn't what? What's going on?" Ruby questioned, looking from Brax, to Heath, to her mother.
"Turn around." Brax smiled as he nodded towards the doors of Angelo's.
Ruby frowned as she turned around; she froze as she saw Casey standing in the doorway, wearing a shirt and smart trousers as he held a bouquet of roses in his hands, "Happy birthday, Rubes."
"Casey!" Ruby squealed before she ran forward and jumped into his arms.
Charlie felt tears form in her eyes as she watched her daughter with Casey, "Aw come on, you promised no tears." Brax began as he sat on the stool, "I hate seeing you cry."
"I know you do," Charlie muttered, smiling as Heath took Zoe from her arms, "But these are happy tears," Charlie laughed lightly as a grin covered Brax's face. He took her hand and pulled her closer to the stool he was sitting on before wiping the tears from her eyes, placing a gentle kiss across her knuckles.
They both turned to see Casey and Ruby walking towards them, hand-in-hand, both looking extremely excited, "Mum, Brax- look!" Ruby giggled.
"We know," Brax and Charlie nodded, "We did get him here," Brax added with a smirk.
"Thank you so much... both of you," Ruby beamed as she kissed her mother's cheek, along with Brax's.
"So this must be my little niece then," Casey smiled as he turned to look at Zoe who was peering at him curiously as she sat in Heath's lap.
"Yeah, that's our baby," Brax smiled.
"Little Zoe." Heath added.
Charlie smiled at both brothers. "Go on cutie, meet your Uncle Case," Heath smiled as he handed Zoe to Casey.
She frowned as she looked at him, "You little,"
The adults laughed at the little girl, "Sweetie, Casey's quite a bit younger than Brax and Heath- they're the oldies of the family." Charlie clarified with a sly smirk.
Zoe giggled at her mother's comment, while Brax and Heath glared at Charlie, "There's no need for that," Heath shook his head.
"She's the spit of you, Charlie." Casey beamed, "But she has Brax's eyes."
"You think?" Charlie asked as she looked at her daughter, "I think she's all Brax," Charlie smiled as she looked over at her secret boyfriend, "Apart from her hair."
"Well, she's gorgeous, aren't you?" Casey cooed as he looked down at his niece, Zoe giggled as she rested her hands on his shoulders.
"Dadda Bwax buyed me a puddy cat, it do meow, meow. Its name's Kibbles Bwaxton." Zoe grinned proudly.
Brax and Charlie started laughing at their little girl, "Puddy cat?" Ruby asked as she turned to face the couple.
"Don't even ask," Charlie rolled her eyes as she looked at Brax, "I told you she'd copy you and start pronouncing it wrong."
"It's cute, admit it." Brax beamed.
"Yes it is, and she's adorable."
"She is," Brax nodded in agreement, "We did good."
"We sure did," Charlie smiled; Brax grinned at Charlie before both parents watched their daughter and her uncle play around with each other.
x-x
I've decided to split this chapter in two separate parts otherwise it would be ridiculously long haha!
I do hate having to separate chapters into two parts but oh well! I'm sure you'll all like the next chapter, I'll give you a clue... tattoos! ;)