Braxton House - the Garden
"Hey Emily, I'm so glad you could make it!" Ricky smiles.
"Like I was going to miss one of your family gatherings." Emily smiles, hugging Kyle. "Could I have a quick word?"
"Sure." Kyle lightly nods, moving towards the fence where it was quieter. "Is everything okay?"
"I've already had those meetings I was on about earlier." Emily says. "Turns out I won't be having anymore and I've never felt better about a decision I've made."
"What decision is that?" Kyle asks, briefly glancing down. "You took the New York job?"
"I quit modelling." She grins.
"What?" Kyle exclaims. "You love modelling, Em. Surely there was a way out of it other than quitting?"
"I used to love modelling, I don't anymore. I've decided I want to be a victim support worker." Emily says. "I've been looking into it with my parents after we met up, and they're willing to help me get into a course to train up. I want to help people who have been in the same position as me, or even worse."
"Babe, that sounds amazing." Kyle smiles. "You'd be amazing at it and you know you've got my support whatever you choose to do. I love you."
"I love you more." Emily smiles, leaning up to kiss him. "Anyway, do you know what this is about?"
"I heard Heath and Tyler saying it was to cheer me up. Least it's not a fake wedding this time." Kyle says.
"Aw, it shows they care if they're going to all of this trouble. But where's everyone else?" She asks, glancing over to where Ricky was talking to Heath and Tyler, who had come out. "Or is it just us lot?"
"Nope, Casey was shutting the gym up, Bianca went to get some things from inside with Lucas and Brax is in the flat. He'll be out soon, he just had some things to sort out." Kyle says.
"Yeah, I saw the police car parked outside, are they talking to him?"
"Yep." Kyle nods. "Three of the River Boys are in hospital after being badly beaten up. They automatically come here whenever a River Boy is involved in something, it's just something we've gotten used to."
"So he had nothing to do with it?"
"Nope." Kyle quickly shakes his head.
"That means yes, I know you." Emily says.
"Fine, but you have to promise it stays between us." Kyle says, getting a nod in reply. "It was the three Boys that told me to leave. Apparently when Brax found out it was them, they told him to kick me out and make Tyler 'top dog', whatever that means. He got mad, as well as some of the other boys, and it didn't end well for those three." He explains.
"It sounds like he had good intentions. It can't have been easy for him to hear that members of his gang don't like you." Emily says.
"They're not even River Boys anymore, Brax told Dean and Colby to make sure they never come near me again. I know he means well, I just don't want him to get arrested for something I could deal with." Kyle sighs.
"That's one thing a big brother never does. No one can even look at me the wrong way without my brothers getting the wrong end of the stick." Emily says. "Big brothers, what would we do without them?" She smiles.
"Don't tell them this, but I'd be a wreck." Kyle smiles, feeling stronger when he was with his family.
"Kyle, I brought you some of your juice from Angelo's, do you want some now?" Lucas asks as he walks out with the bottle, heading over to him.
"How did you find my stash?" Kyle asks, having thought he hid it well after Casey found his last lot of juice.
"I was going to hide mine in the same place and saw yours there." Lucas grins as the three of them walk over to the table to sit down. "It brought a couple home for you, more as a peace offering."
"No peace offering needed. We fell out over stupid things that Heath is to blame for, so go and blame him." Kyle says.
"Oi, you know I didn't mean anything bad by what I said." Heath frowns, knowing him and Kyle needed to have a proper chat about it at some point.
"I know, sorry." Kyle says. "Is Brax coming out soon?"
"Yep, Casey just got back as the police left, so they were talking. They were also going to help Bianca bring more things out." Lucas says, pulling Kyle in for a hug.
"Lucas!" Kyle smiles. "What's that for?"
"I missed you today." Lucas says, leaning in closer so no one else would hear. "I've realised I've fallen in love with someone and wanted to tell you."
"Who?" Kyle asks, staring at Lucas as he stays quiet.
"I've chickened out of saying, you're too late." Lucas blushes.
"Do I know them?" Kyle asks.
"You do." Lucas nods. "But please don't tell anyone!"
"Okay, as long as you tell me." Kyle says.
"I will, just not now." Lucas says as their two brothers and Bianca join them.
"Hey Emily, It's great that you could join us." Bianca smiles.
"Was that decided before or after your stupid job offer?" Brax asks, not having meant to say it as loud as he did.
"For your information, Brax, I quit my job." Emily says.
"You quit?" Brax raises an eyebrow.
"I did. I'm going to be a victim support worker instead. I feel like I would get more out of the job and could follow something that does good for the people who need it most." Emily says.
"Well good on you." Brax says, taking her by surprise, even though they got on better now. "Always knew you had more potential."
"I'm taking that as a compliment." Emily smirks.
"You do that." Brax says before joining Ricky as she starts the BBQ up.
"We won't be best friends yet, but I'll get there." Emily jokes to Kyle. "But I think that's a huge improvement, don't you reckon."
"Yep. It's quite amazing how many lectures it took me and Ricky to convince him to give you another chance, although it was mainly Ricky. You're proving him wrong, which is the best thing to do." Kyle says.
"It's great that everyone was free, it's been a while since we had a proper family get together." Casey says.
"And I'm not going to cause any drama this time, I'm going to leave that to someone else." Tyler says.
"Well now everyone is here, maybe we could tell them?" Heath says to Bianca.
"Tell us what?" Kyle asks.
"We've got some news for everyone, I think it could wait a little longer." Bianca smiles, knowing it would wind the boys up.
"We've got news for everyone as well." Ricky smiles, glancing at Brax, who nods in agreement.
"Anyone else?" Casey jokes.
"Come on, we're all here so what's the news?" Kyle asks. "You know it would cheer me up hearing some good news." He mutters, smirking at his two eldest brothers.
"This meal was meant to cheer Kyle up." Brax whispers to Ricky.
"Okay, well do you want to go first Bianca?" Ricky asks. "I know you wanted everyone together first."
"No it's okay, I'm excited to hear your news now." Bianca says.
"Okay." Ricky nods, walking further towards them with Brax as the BBQ was still heating up, so wouldn't be ready for a while. "Today has put a lot into perspective for me and Brax, well it has over the past week I reckon." She starts, glancing at Brax who carries on.
"We've decided that we've waited too long to get to this point, and have set a date for the wedding." Brax says, smirking at their faces, so decides to keep them in suspense a little longer. "Don't worry though, it's our thing."
"Tell us!" Lucas exclaims, lightly huffing as the couple laugh to each other.
"Please don't panic when we tell you. We've looked through everything and made a few calls, and it's doable." Ricky says, knowing it would make them panicked once they said.
"Oh no, this does not sound good." Bianca mutters.
"It's in three weeks." Brax says.
"Three weeks!" They all gasp.
"That's nowhere near enough time to plan a wedding! What were you thinking?" Bianca asks.
"It is!" Ricky grins. "We've got plans in place and have already started making a couple calls, it's going to be fine."
"Are you sure?" Emily asks, getting two nods in reply. "Well this is going to be something to look forward to." She smiles.
"So what's your news?" Brax asks Heath and Bianca.
"We're having a baby!" Bianca beams, placing a hand on her stomach.
"You're pregnant?" Casey asks.
"Yes." Heath nods, lightly rolling his eyes that it was questioned. "We didn't plan it, it just happened. We've talked about it, and we're ready to have this baby."
"And you complained about the house being full when I was there, now it's a baby." Tyler says. "But congrats, it might be good for you."
"Idiot." Heath mumbles under his breath, everyone congratulating them.