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Brax chuckled "I thought I just relieved you of your stress"
Charlie shook her head "Na don't think it's done the trick"
Brax cocked one eyebrow playfully "Do you not?"
Charlie sighed dramatically "Nope. You must be losing your touch" just as she finished talking, she squealed as Brax flipped her onto her back, hovering over her, his weight supported by his arms
"I can't have you thinking that now can I" he grinned "Think I've got a few ways to redeem myself" he said before brushing his lips against Charlie's neck
…
Heath and Brax threw their heads back in what could only be described as frustration. Onto the sixth cake and still no decision had been made. Heath frowned as another cake sample was presented before them, never had he declined any sort of food or treat most especially cake but in the last few days he had tasted more different flavored cake than he felt any man should morally be subjected to. He almost felt to start weeping and start begging for mercy as the girls dug into the cake before turning to him and Brax expectedly
"Charlie" Brax pleaded with his eyes "Don't you think we should just pick one of the ones we've already tasted. I mean does it really matter"
It seemed it did, as Bianca, Charlie and Ruby glared at him as if he had just suggested they pick a puppy each and skin them alive in front of toddlers and the elderly
"Of course it matters" Bianca shook her head "The cake as to be perfect, it has to fit the theme of the whole day" Charlie and Ruby nodded their heads in agreement while still giving the two men a good stern look. Over the week leading up to the wedding Charlie and Ruby had gotten as obsessive as Bianca and now the Braxton men had three bridezillers scaring the live out of them
Heath groaned "Look, it's not like this is my wedding and to be frank regardless of what flavour the cake is I doubt I'll be eating any, most especially not since I am now pretty sure I am allergic to them as of now. So really why am I here?"
"You're here because I asked" said Bianca, her bottom lip trembling slightly "I just want this to be a happy day for Charlie…"
Charlie and Ruby frowned at Heath and he sighed, really what had he said to make her cry now
"I doubt the flavour of the cake will impact her happiness" he muttered and the girls glared at him
"What?" asked Charlie, one eyebrow cocked in a challenging manner. Knowing when to back down, Heath shock his head and offered a smile
"Nothing. Nothing at all"
"Good" Ruby smiled and handed both Brax and Heath a fork each "So you gonna taste it or what?"
Brax looked down at the cake with pleading eyes as if wishing it wasn't there, would make it disappear
"Can't believe Casey got out of this" muttered Heath as he reluctantly dug out a tiny piecee of the cake
Bianca shook her head "No, you need to get a bigger piece, get a real feel for the taste"
Heath and Brax glanced at one another before looking down at the red velvet cake as if it were their enemy, as they dug their forks in and came forth with a bigger piece as Bianca had requested. Heath glared at Brax as if it was all his fault
"You just had to go propose didn't you" he whispered before biting the bullet and shoving the cake into his mouth
Brax rolled his eyes and put the fork into his mouth and like Heath he offered a big smile hoping this torture was going to end now
Both nodding enthusiastically, they gave a thumbs up
"Umm good, really good I think this is the one. In fact I know this is the one" said Brax nudging Heath to say something, anything to set the both of them free
"Yep. Definitely the one" added Heath "It as to be. I like it so much that I think we shouldn't even bother with any more cakes. This is it" Heath pointed his fork as the cake for emphasise and watched as the girls beamed. For a moment a small smidgen of a merciful moment he and Brax smiled thinking it was all over before the girls adopted their thinking faces again
"What do you think Lucy?" asked Charlie
"The red velvet is always a favourite with customers" said Lucy who had been supplying them with different cake flavours for the past week "But I think you guys should try the butter white cake and we still have the butter pecan cake that you haven't tried yet. I think you will really like those two"
Neither Heath nor Brax had ever had the urge to even so much as hit a woman but in that moment, they both considered the possibility of jumping over the table and throttling Lucy till she stopped talking
Charlie nodded "Ok. We'll try those two. It can't harm to try all our options can it"
Brax groaned in utter conviction and Heath fought the urge to shout
'Really, Really. It can't harm? Well you're wrong, you're bloody wrong' instead he gave a little whimper and accepted the fact that they would not be leaving till he was ready to throw up every content in his stomach
…
Heath pluncked himself down on a stool at the bar, as Brax walked around the bar
"I think I might be going into a sugar coma" groaned Heath. He had all but shouted in sheer joy when the girls had finally picked a flavour for the cake, meaning no more cake testing
Brax groaned but didn't say a word, afraid if he opened his mouth he would actually be sick. They had dropped the girls off at Leah's before coming over to the restaurant
"Boss" Brax turned around as one if his waiter's, Sam, walked up the stairs "A delivery came for you this morning, with some paperwork. It's in the office"
"Ok. Thanks" Brax pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge passed one to Heath, before downing the whole bottle. Water had never tasted so good
"If I ever ask Bianca to marry me, we're getting eloped. I won't survive another round of cake testing" said Heath as Brax opened the office door and walked in, Heath following behind him
"Good luck with that" replied Brax
Seeing the stand that was leaning against the back wall of the office, Brax smiled knowing what it was
"What the hell's that?" asked Heath as Brax walked towards it
"It's the new sign for the restaurant" he glanced down at the paperwork on the desk, picking it up and quickly flicking through it. There had been a lot more involved with changing the name than he had thought, but now the restaurant's name was no longer Angelo's
"Cool" Heath nodded and walked over to the live size sign, hidden behind a number of tissue paper. Ripping threw it he nodded with a grin "Buckton's gonna love this". He personally couldn't wait to get rid of Angelo's name
Brax turned to look at the sign as, Heath tore through the last of the tissue paper
"Yeah, see is" he smiled
…
"Brax this better be good" said Charlie as she walked up the stairs to the restaurant "Leah had only painted one nail before you called"
Brax chuckled "I thought you guy were doing all that pampering stuff the day before the wedding"
Charlie nodded "Yeah well this is just practise" she leaned over the bar and gave him a quick kiss "So what was so important it couldn't wait till you got home later"
Brax smiled and nodded towards the office, he had now balanced the new sign against the desk so she would see it as soon as she walked in
"Go have a look in there" he grinned
Charlie frowned but did as instructed. Pushing the office door open, a slow smile covered her face and she turned only to find Brax stood behind her
"It's here" she said and Brax nodded
"Yep. and all the paperwork as arrived. So as of now the restaurant is officially called 'Braxtons'"
Charlie smiled, leaning up on her toes and placed a soft kiss on his lips "Thank you. I know you said this wasn't for me but I know it kinda was"
Brax smiled "It's for the both of us"
…
One week later
It was the day before the wedding and the gang were booked into private flats in the city. Charlie buried her head into Brax's chest, his arms wrapped around her
"I don't want to go" she whined and Brax chuckled
"Don't think you have a choice, Bianca and Ruby will be barging in here if you're not out there in the next two hours"
Charlie sighed and lifted her head so she could look at him "What difference does it make if we spend the night together" she pouted "And who even made up this stupid rule. It makes no sense"
Brax chuckled a little louder as he tucked a strand hair behind Charlie's ear "And here I was thinking I would be the one protesting about being away from you for the night"
Charlie sighed "How about if you tell Bianca we don't want to spend the night apart"
Brax cocked an eyebrow and shook his head "Sorry babe, no way. That can only go two ways. One, she will cause me bodily harm with that right hook of hers or she'll start crying and frankly I'm not sure which one of the two I fear more"
"You're such a chicken" said Charlie and Brax laughed
"If that is so, then why don't you tell her? I mean you are plenty brave"
Charlie cleared her throat "You can't have the bride upsetting the maid of honour the day before the wedding" Brax laughed
"Yea of course, that's the only reason"
A knock sounded on the door and Charlie groaned as she heard Ruby's voice
"Mum you need to get ready, we leave in an hour"
"Go away" said Charlie and Ruby chuckled
"We'll be waiting out here for you. And good morning Brax"
"Morning Rubes"
"I'm pretty sure it's the night before the wedding we have to spend apart not the whole day" said Charlie
Brax held her face in both his hands and placed a soft kiss on her lips "Just think this time tomorrow, we'll only be a couple hours away from being married"
Charlie smiled "Umm… Can't wait"
…
The girls were now in a boutique salon and spa getting their nails done
"Will you stop checking your phone every five minutes? Anyone would think we had banned you from ever seeing him ever again. It's just one day Charlie" said Bianca
Charlie rolled her eyes "Fine, but don't think I'm ever gonna forget this. When both you and Ruby are getting married I will be there to keep you from seeing your other half all day" April sniggered "And you too April" said Charlie
"What did I do?"
Charlie shrugged "Well you didn't fight my corner so you're getting it too"
Leah chuckled as she sat back and relaxed "It's a good thing I'm already married then"
Charlie groaned "Yea it is"
"Really mum. This time tomorrow you'll have him all to yourself" said Ruby, rolling her eyes
Charlie's phone bleeped and she smiled as she read the message
'Really wish I could see you. Can't wait for tomorrow. X'
"While you guys are swapping love letters tell Braxton he shouldn't even contemplate trying to sneak you out of the apartment tonight. We're all gonna be on watch" said Bianca
Charlie groaned and muttered under her breath before she replied to Brax's message
'Missing you and can't wait for tomorrow either. X'
Bianca groaned and rubbed her baby bump "Will you keep still for just a moment little guy. You're causing havoc in there"
The girls smiled
"Yea well I think he's just trying to tell you he's on Aunt Charlie's side on this one"
Bianca chuckled "More like, he's hungry and wondering why on earth I'm not shoving food down my throat right about now. I swear, if I eat anymore I won't be fitting into my dress tomorrow" she continued rubbing her stomach
…
Charlie blinked and picked up her vibrating phone from the bedside table. She smiled as she saw Brax's name flashing on the screen
"Hy" she whispered, not willing to take the risk of having the girls hear her "You have any fun today?"
Brax grinned "Na just chilled. Had a few drinks with the boys then jammed in front of the TV"
Charlie chuckled "Sounds like a true Braxton gathering"
"What you doing right now?" asked Brax
Charlie grinned "In bed. Why?"
"The girls asleep yet?" he asked
"Yep. At least I think so"
"Good. Met me downstairs, I'm at the front door"
"Brax" she tried to sound stern but she was already standing on her feet "You know if the girls find you here, they won't be pleased" she pulled on her shorts, and slipped her feet into her sandals and slowly opened her room door, her phone still to her ears
"Then we just have to make sure they don't see me"
Charlie shook her head and tiptoed to the lounge, before opening the door as quietly and slowly as she could manage. Glancing behind her she breathed a sigh of relief before closing the door behind her. Racing down the stairs she giggled as she saw Brax stood a grin on his face
"Hy" Brax pulled her to him and placed a deep kiss on her lips "So I know we're not allowed to spend the night together but I promise to get you back in plenty of time to get some sleep"
Charlie pulled away a little so she could look up at him "Get me back? Where you taking me?"
Brax grinned and shrugged off his coat, before placing it around Charlie's shoulder "You'll see" he pulled on her hand and Charlie followed
"Brax it's nearly twelve in the morning"
"I know" Brax chuckled "Don't worry we're not far"
Sighing lightly Charlie followed him, her hand in his. As they turned the corner she smiled as she realised where they were going. Brax glanced at her and smiled, pulling her along
"Just wanted to spend a little time alone with you before tomorrow" he said as htey walked inot the park. Stopping in front of the bench, he pulled Charlie down with him, his arms winding around her waist, her arms settling above his
Charlie smiled as she remembered that day, the first time she had ever seen him
"Do you think if I hadn't shown up here that day that we would have still ended up together?" asked Charlie "I mean everything that happened afterwards, me going back home, moving to summer bay after my parents died. It all happened because of that one day. What if I hadn't come here or if we hadn't met"
Brax thought it over for a moment, his thumb circling the engagement ring on Charlie's finger. He shrugged "Honestly I don't know. Maybe or maybe not but regardless I'm glad everything happened the way it did, because you're kinda awesome"
Charlie smiled and shifted a little so she was facing him "I'm awesome uh"
Brax nodded "Yep. Not as awesome as me but still… awesome"
Charlie chuckled "I really can't wait to be back here tomorrow"
Brax's grip on her tightened a little as he placed kiss on her temple "Neither can I" tilting her head towards his, they met in a slow kiss till the clearing of a throat pulled them apart
Looking up, Brax and Charlie smiled sheepishly as, Bianca and Ruby stood above them, hands on hips
"Really guys" Bianca shock her head "It's just one night" she pulled Charlie to her feet and Charlie rolled her eyes. Brax chuckled
"I was just saying good night to her"
"And you had to drag her out here to do that. Good thing Ruby thought to check here first"
Charlie looked at Ruby "My daughter is a traitor"
Ruby shrugged "Sorry, but I thought she was gonna start crying or worse get violent if we didn't find you soon" she nodded at Bianca
"You're killing me here Brax" said Heath as he walked up to them
"You called Heath?" asked Charlie as Brax stood to his feet and Bianca nodded
"She even woke Leah and April up to man the apartment in case you tried to sneak back in while we were out looking for you" said Ruby with a yawn
"More like she shouted down the phone threatening my manhood if I didn't get down here" Heath shook his head "It would have helped if you had warned me about her violent tendencies before I knocked her up"
"If you don't take Brax and leave I'll be knocking you upside the head" said Bianca and Heath sighed
"I'll see you tomorrow" Brax said to Charlie leaning in to place a kiss on her lips but Bianca pulled her back
"No more kissing till you say I do"
Charlie glared at her before turning to Brax "See you tomorrow"
Brax gave her a wink, shuffled Ruby's hair and saluted to Bianca before he and Heath walked away in the direction of their apartment
"I'm staying in your room with you" declared Bianca as she, Ruby and Charlie walked back to their own apartment
Charlie glanced at Ruby who simply chuckled under her breath
…
"Mum, you ready?" asked Ruby from the other side of the door
Charlie blew out a breath, her hands running down the side of her dress. She smiled to herself in the mirror and nodded
"Yea. I'm ready"
Slowly pushing the door open, Ruby stood and smiled at the sight of Charlie
"You look really beautiful mum" she said as she walked over to Charlie
Charlie chuckled and nodded "Thank you" she blew out a breath "And you look stunning" she smiled at Ruby
"Thank you" replied Ruby "I didn't think you had your something new, so…" Ruby held out a little box "I've got these for you" she shook her head "Well no, Brax got these for you but asked me not to give it to you till today"
Charlie's eyebrows knitted together but there was a glint in her eyes as she took the small black box from Ruby's hand. Opening it, she sighed in awe at the white diamond earrings. She glanced up at Ruby
"These are…" she shook her head as if lost for words
"I told Brax you would love them"
Charlie nodded "Well you were right, they are beautiful" Slowly she turned back to the mirror and placed the box down on the dressing table and picked the earrings out before putting them on. She ran her fingers over one ear and smiled "Perfect" she said. Looking at her reflection the last year and a half flashed by in her mind and she couldn't believe how far they had come. After cancer, misunderstandings, Angelo and even kidney failure they were all here now and it felt amazing
"This is happening right?"
Ruby beamed with a smile and nodded "Yep it is really happening. And if you tell Brax this I will deny it but I think he is perfect for you mum"
Charlie's smile spread from cheek to cheek "I think he is too"
…
"Ready?" Heath asked Brax as he and Casey walked into the living room
Brax blew out a breath and grinned "As I'll ever be"
Heath grinned but added "Sure you're not having second thoughts? I could have you on a flight out of Australia by tonight if you are"
Brax chuckled "Never gonna happen. There is no way I'm missing this day for anything"
Heath nodded "Right answer. Come on then, we don't want Charlie and the girls getting there before we do, Bianca will give us hell for it"
Casey chuckled "Ready when you are" he said to Brax
Taking a deep breath, Brax nodded "Let's go"
