A week had passed since Robbie had arrived and it been a long week for Charlie. He'd started at her station Monday and seemed to be everywhere she looked, he had also taken a shine to Brax. Sighing she dumped her tea in the sink and grabbed her keys "see ya later," she muttered and walked to the door.
Brax looked up from nursing his hangover "see ya later babe, I love ya," he said and looked back down groaning.
Charlie rolled her eyes "you shouldn't have had that much to drink, especially not with him," she huffed.
Brax looked over at her again "you wanted me to get to know him so I did…he's not actually that bad," he chuckled.
"Great," she muttered last thing she needed or wanted was Brax and Robbie being friends "so I'll be expecting him fixing my computers in the same state as you?"
Brax chuckled and stood up "probably," he said and kissed her "have a great day," he said and walked to the living room.
"Brax!" she yelled as he dropped onto the sofa "it's your own fault you're in that sate, you better go to work today!" she yelled and walked out the door.
"Yes mum!" he called and rolled on his side…a little nap wouldn't hurt.
Charlie arrived at the station and turned off the engine, sitting there for a few minutes she gave herself a pep talk on why it wouldn't be good to kill Robbie. Chuckling to herself she climbed out and walked inside-stopping when she found him lying across Jack's desk groaning to himself.
Walking to him she slammed her hand down causing him to jump "I don't care what state your in, go do your job!" she snapped and walked off to her office.
Robbie jumped up and followed her "are you mad coz I kept the hubby out all night?" he chuckled.
"No! and his name is Brax!" she hissed "go away and do your work," she said and sat down.
"I'm doing the two computers in here today," he said and sat opposite her.
"No you're not, you're doing the two in the back office today, I told you I needed this computer that you wouldn't be getting at it until Friday," she replied.
"Okay cranky pants," he said and stood up "don't get your panties in a twist."
"Just get out!" she yelled and picked up the stapler and threw it.
"Oww!" someone yelled that wasn't Robbie.
Groaning she stood up and hurried to the door, seeing her brother holding his nose she smiled sweetly "hey Pete…sorry," she added quickly.
"What the hell are you throwing staplers for!" he yelled rubbing his nose.
"Sorry, that jackass was annoying me…is it bleeding?" she asked walking to him.
"You need to control your temper Sergeant," Robbie chuckled as he walked by her.
"Get lost you!" she screeched.
"I told you to stay away from her and quit acting like a kid…go do your own work and stay away from this office," Peter said.
"Yes boss," he chuckled and walked out back.
"Sorry," Charlie sighed as they walked into the office "he just riles me up so much."
Peter chuckled and sat at his own desk "just one more day Charlz, just pretend he's not here."
"If only," she muttered and answered her phone as it rang.
….
After work Charlie sighed as she let herself in, throwing her bag down she walked into the living room and frowned at the emptiness "girls? Brax?" she called up the stairs. When no one answered she huffed and walked up the stairs, they all should have been home by now.
Deciding they could all look after themselves and make their own dinners she decided to get a bath and watch movies by herself. Just as she finished running the bath she heard Brax's voice, groaning she closed the door and locked it.
Brax walked into the bedroom looking for her, he'd seen her bag he knew she was home "babe?" he called and walked to the bathroom door "you in here?"
"I'm in the bath!" she called back.
"Okay…sorry I'm a bit late, I ran into Heath on the way in," he said and went to open the door "why is the door locked?"
"Didn't want Robbie just walking in," she replied.
Brax frowned sure he just let himself in but he didn't think he'd just walk into the bathroom "uh…okay…are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," she replied.
"You sure?" he asked.
"Yes, I just want a bit of me time!" she called back.
"Okay," he replied knowing to leave her alone "I'll be downstairs," he said and walked out of the room.
A while later Brax looked up from the tv as she crossed the room "I ordered us take out," he said watching her.
"Okay," she replied and walked into the kitchen.
Brax sighed and threw the remote down, standing up he walked in and leaned against the door. Charlie knew he was there but didn't look up from the mail "I'm fine," she said.
"Coulda fooled me," he said walking to her "wanna talk about it?" he asked leaning on the counter beside her.
"Not really," she muttered.
Brax took the mail from her and threw it down "are you mad because I stayed out half the night?"
"No," she replied "I'm not mad I'm jus…" she trailed off as she thought of what to say next "I'm tired of being the only one that remembers what Robbie did to Ruby, I'm tired of being the only one that wants to strangle him, I'm tired of listening to you all say how great he is…I'm tired of him being around," she looked over at Brax "I sound like an idiot I know."
Brax chuckled and wrapped his arm around her "you don't sound like an idiot and I haven't forgotten about what he's done to Ruby annnd," he drawled "I never said how great he was."
"You don't need to, I can tell by the amount of time you're spending with him," she mumbled.
"He's going home tomorrow, the girls are going with him we'll have this place to ourselves for a few weeks," he said and pulled her to him "Charlie I know this isn't easy for you, apart from the fact he's Ruby's dad he's also your ex so I understand you don't want him around or listen to anyone talk about him."
Charlie sighed again "I'm just being an idiot, I am happy he's spending time with Ruby and I am happy you two are getting along. Robbie is…strange," she settled on "he's always been that way, I can take him in small doses, he's killing me now I just want him gone," she chuckled.
Brax leaned in and kissed her quickly as someone knocked at the door "he'll be gone before you know it," he said as he walked by her.
The next morning Charlie groaned and slapped her hand on the alarm, rolling over she snuggled into Brax "I can't believe it's morning already."
Brax wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer "I know, I think I got about three hours sleep."
Charlie lifted her head "at least we finish up early enough today," she said and threw her legs over him "and we have the place to ourselves tonight."
Brax smirked as he ran his hands up her legs under her shirt "how about we start off now?" he said yanking her down to him kissed her slowly.
"We don't have time," she mumbled between kisses.
Brax pulled her shirt off and kissed her again "we can be late."
Just as Charlie settled on him Ruby knocked on the door "mum? Dad? You up?" she called in.
"No," Brax whined and held her tighter.
Charlie giggled and rolled off him before fixing her shirt "yeah!" she called back.
Ruby stuck her head in "sorry, I heard your alarm…is it okay if April and I drive up coast today?"
"up coast?" Charlie asked.
"For what?" Brax asked.
"April ordered clothes and they sent them to the wrong shop, it'll take another week for them to be sent here…she wants them for Miami," Ruby replied.
"I don't know Ruby," Charlie sighed "I'm not really happy with the idea of you two driving that far on your own."
"Mum we'll be fine, we'll split the driving…dad?" she asked looking at Brax.
"I agree with mum, I don't want you driving that far alone you two haven't even had your permits that long," he replied.
"Please," Ruby whined "I promise we'll be extra careful, we'll call when we get there and leave, we'll get the clothes and come straight home."
"Let me think about it and I'll let you know before I leave," Charlie said.
"Okay," Ruby mumbled knowing it was going to be a no "but remember my driving is excellent now…you said so yourself," she added and walked out of the room.
….
Charlie came out of the bathroom and grabbed her duty belt "so we're in agreement," she said as she fixed it around her "they can go as long they call us and take it easy?"
Brax nodded and fixed his laces "agreed, and I'll be calling them along the way too."
"Let's go tell them then,," she said and walked to the door "we're still meeting for breakfast right?" she asked as they took the stairs.
Brax nodded and kissed her "ten o clock in the diner," he said and walked into the kitchen "morning girls," he said and walked to the coffee pot.
"Morning," they both replied and looked at Charlie.
"Okay," she said and leaned on the counter "me and Brax have decided that you can go-but!" she said loudly as they started to talk "we have some rules you agree or you're not going."
"Okay," April nodded "what are they?"
"You check your petrol before you go anywhere," Brax started "you're to pay extra attention to the roads, no blaring the radio or anything like that, keep focused on the road."
"You make sure you know exactly where you're going before you leave," Charlie said "we will be calling a few times throughout so you need to decided now who is driving so we can call the other."
"I'll drive up," Ruby said.
"Okay and you've to call us both when you get there and again when you're leaving, same rules apply for the way home, we will be calling," Brax said.
"Okay, we agree," April said "thanks guys."
"Yeah, thanks," Ruby said and jumped up.
"I mean it girls," Charlie said stopping them "you've never driven this far alone before and we'll be worrying, so no messing or the car is gone and you'll never get another one, are we clear?"
Ruby kissed her on the cheek "we got it mum, I promise we'll be careful," she said before they both ran off excitedly.
Brax said down beside her and slid his hand onto hers "they'll be fine babe."
Charlie looked over at him "I know," she said and kissed him quickly.
"Oi," he chuckled and pulled her back as she stood up "where are you going?" he asked and kissed her sweetly.
"If I sit around I'll think of all the reason they can't go and they won't be going anywhere," she replied.
Brax wrapped his arms around her "they're growing up Charlie, plus we've both had them out driving, we know they'll be okay they're good drivers…they have to do it sometime."
"I know," she nodded "I just hate the growing up part."
Brax chuckled and rubbed her stomach "get ready to do it again," he said and stood up "do you want me to drive you to work?"
"Thanks but I'll be okay, are you leaving now?" she asked as he grabbed his keys.
"Yeah, I gotta look over stuff for the interviews today, and I've that meeting at twelve," he replied.
"Oh yeah, forgot about that," she said and grabbed her own keys "guess I'll go now too…girls!" she called "we're leaving now! Don't forget to call!" she said and walked out the door. Pulling Brax back she kissed him deeply "have a great day and good luck with the interviews."
"Thanks," he said and kissed her quickly "I love ya! Have a great day too!" he called as he walked to his car.
"Love ya too!" she called after him and climbed into her own car.
At ten Charlie sat in the diner waiting on Brax, she jumped as flowers appeared in her face "aw Brax," she chuckled when he dropped down beside her "what are these for…thanks," she smiled and took them from him.
"Coz I know you've spent all morning worrying about the girls," he said and kissed "hey beautiful," he chuckled.
"Well thank you I love them…how many times did you call them?" she asked.
"Uh, about nine," he chuckled "you?"
"Only about twenty," she giggled "I talked to Ruby just before I sat down here, they were just wrapping up in the shop so they should be on the road by now."
"Good to know, it'll be a relief once they're home…how was Robbie this morning?" he asked.
"Pretty good actually," she replied "he was quiet today just said hello and went to work."
"Probably afraid you'll get him with another stapler," Brax chuckled.
"Shut up," she giggled "nah, he was okay, today is his last day…life is good, what do you want to eat?"
"The usual…I'm just gonna call Ruby and see how long they'll be," he replied.
Charlie ordered and walked back to the table "how did the interviews go?" she asked placing a coffee in front of him.
"Yeah good," he nodded "I've two more when I go back but I'm pretty keen on one of the girls I had in, she's worked in a few restaurants so she had experience."
Charlie nodded "so no ideas for the second one?"
"Nah, I had a guy in not much experience but we'll see how the other two get on," he said "I might not even hire the girl, who knows."
"Exactly, wait until you've seen them all…wanna go out tonight?" she asked.
"Sure babe, where do you wanna go?" he asked.
"Town?" she asked "make a night of it?"
Brax leaned into her "I like they way you think," he said and kissed her.
"What time do you think you'll be home at later?" she asked.
"Hopefully by three, that gives this meeting an hour to run over and get the place sorted for the dinner rush," he replied.
Charlie nodded "hopefully I'll be out the door at two, I caught up on my paperwork so I wouldn't think about the girls," she chuckled.
Brax chuckled "god help us when they got off to Uni."
"Ugh, I don't even wanna think about that yet, in my head that's not happening" she chuckled.
…
Later Charlie was back in her office, looking at the clock she groaned it wasn't even twelve yet. She looked to her phone as it rang and smiled "hey babe," she greeted.
"Hey baby, someone's happy," Brax chuckled.
"I am, I had a great breakfast date…what's up?" she asked.
"I was calling to see would you be okay if I stayed her an extra hour? The woman I'm meeting with has a flat tyre she's stuck somewhere waiting on someone to arrive, she asked me could I hang on."
"Yeah that's okay," she replied "I was only gonna have a nap anyway," she giggled.
Brax chuckled "I could do with one now, anyway I better go my last interview is waiting so I'll see ya bout four then, I love ya."
"Love ya too, see ya at home," she said and hung up.
Just as she hung up her office phone rang, going to answer it she looked down when it stopped ringing. Seeing it had been answered at the desk she shrugged and went back to her paperwork.
A few minutes later she looked up as a tap came to her door "come in!" she called "Georgie, hey," she smiled as Watson walked in "did you get your break yet?" she asked "I think Jack is out back if you wanna g-"
"Charlie," she cut in.
"What?" she chuckled "you wanna go on a longer break with my other brother?"
"Charlie," she said again and took a few steps to her "we just got a call in."
Charlie looked at her face, something was wrong "okay…is everything okay?"
"No," she said and closed her eyes "it was the highway patrol," she said and looked at her.
Charlie's heart sped up, her mouth went dry, highway patrol responded to main roads and intersections…the ones April and Ruby were on. Standing up slowly her body shook as she walked around her desk "and?" she squeaked out.
"I'm so sorry Charlie, the girls have been involved in an accident," Watson said.
Charlie stumbled backwards onto her desk "are they okay? What happened?" she whimpered.
"Charlie you need to come with me now, I'll drive you," Watson said softly.
"Are they okay?" she screamed causing Watson to jump.
Watson sighed as a tear rolled down Charlie's cheek "April was conscious, she asked the patrol to call here."
"Ruby wasn't conscious?" she cried.
"Charlie we need to go now," Watson said she hated giving news like this-who didn't?
"Is my daughter okay?" she yelled.
Watson sighed again, she'd known Charlie long enough to know she wouldn't get anywhere until she answered "she was unconscious with a head injury…she's being airlifted to our hospital."
"Oh God!" Charlie yelled and hunched over, she felt like she was gonna be sick.
"Charlie," Watson said and jumped as Charlie shot by her.
"Call Brax and Pete," she said to the officer on the desk "Robbie!" she yelled "you gotta come with me now!" she yelled and ran to her car.
An hour later Charlie paced the hallway as they waited for news, she saw Ruby for a second before she was rushed off to surgery. Peter Jack Their dad and Robbie watched her pace, no one had been able to reach Brax.
"Charlie," April sniffed behind her.
Charlie whirled around quickly April too had been rushed off when they'd arrived "thank god you're okay," she cried and hugged her.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry!" she cried and gripped her tighter.
"It's not your fault," Charlie sniffed.
"It is! I was driving! I didn't see him!" she sobbed.
Charlie pulled her back and placed her hands on her face "April listen to me, it's not your fault okay? He cut into your lane."
"Any word on Ruby?" she asked.
"She's still in surgery…what did Nate say about you?" Charlie asked sitting her down.
"Broken arm," she said nodding to the cast "bumps bruises and mild concussion, but I'm okay to go home," she added as Charlie's eyes went wide.
"What happened April?" Jack asked.
"Ruby had just ended a call with Brax, before I could ask what he said this guy came flying around the bend, he was in our lane I swerved to avoid him but he swerved too and came at us head on…Ruby went flying forward and banged her head," she whimpered "I don't remember much after that."
Jack rubbed her hand "it's okay sweetie…I'm gonna take you home now."
April shook her head "I'm not going anywhere until I know Ruby's okay."
"You need to rest April," Peter said.
"I don't care, I'm staying…please let me stay Charlie?" she asked.
Charlie sat down and wrapped her arm around her "you can stay for a while," she said and pulled her into him.
Everyone looked as pounding footsteps came towards them expecting it to be Brax she sighed as Casey Dex and Kyle ran at them.
"What happened? Where is she? Is she okay?" Casey rambled.
"No news yet mate," Tony answered "she's in surgery."
"Is she gonna be okay?" Kyle asked sitting beside Charlie.
"I hope to god she is," Robbie replied.
"Charlie? Robbie?" Sid called and walked away from the family.
Charlie and Robbie hurried over "how is she?" Charlie asked.
Sid looked down at his chart for a moment "surgery went well."
"Oh thank god," Robbie said and wrapped his arm around Charlie.
"So she's okay?" Charlie asked hopeful.
"I'm sorry guys," he sighed "it didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped."
"What does that mean?" Charlie asked gripping Robbie's hand.
Sid gestured for them to sit " we've stopped the bleeding but the bang she got cut off her brain receiving messages, which means she was without oxygen for sometime. I'm sorry guys she's in a coma…there's nothing else I can do for her at the moment."
Charlie began to sob uncontrollably, Robbie sniffed and tightened his hold on he had to step up now "wh..what does that mean? Are we…" he trailed off and sniffed again "are we going to lose our daughter?" he asked and started to sob too.
"At the moment I have no answers," Sid said and stood up "I'm really sorry guys, I wish there was more I could do…I'll come find you once she's settled in a room, you'll be able to sit with her then…I'm sorry," he said and hurried off.
….
Over at Angelo's Brax looked down at his phone as it rang yet again, sighing he cancelled Peter's call "sorry-my brother in law again," he said and smiled quickly.
"You sure are popular," the woman chuckled.
Before he could reply Heath ran through Angelo's "Brax! Where's Brax!" he yelled.
"Oi!" He called "here! What's going on?"
Heath ran to the table and grabbed him "we gotta go! come on!" he yelled and started to drag him "everyone has being trying to get in touch with you! why didn't you answer!" he yelled.
"Hey!" he yelled and yanked his arm away from him "I'm in a meeting, what's going on?"
Heath slapped him across the head "the girls have been in a car accident, come on, we've being trying to reach you for hours!"
"Wh-what!" Brax yelled "are they okay? Heath!" he yelled when started to drag him again.
Heath sighed and turned back to him "April broke her arm and is a little banged up."
"And Ruby?" he asked as his heart sped up.
Heath looked sadly at his brother "she's not doing too good mate…you need to come now."
"Everything okay?" the woman asked.
Brax stared at Heath for what felt like hours "my daughters have been in a car accident…I have to go," he finally said.
"I can't reschedule Mr Braxton I have other buyers interested," she replied.
"You'll have to sell to one of them then," Heath snapped.
Brax shrugged "my daughters are more important," he said and ran out the door.
Arriving at the hospital he saw Jack and Peter "where is she?" he asked frantically.
Peter and Jack held their tongues, they knew Charlie wouldn't appreciate them killing him now…it had been over three hours since they'd all tried to contact him "in there," Jack answered.
Brax walked to the door and looked in, he let out a little sob looking at Ruby in the bed, her face was cut and bruised she had a bandage covering most of her head, she had tubes all over the place. Blowing out a shaky breath he pushed the door in and stepped inside.
Seeing Charlie holding Ruby's hand gripping Robbie's with the other his heart broke, he had let her down again he had put Angelo's before them again. Walking to her he put his hand on her shoulder "how is she?" he whispered.
Charlie didn't even blink, she didn't even answer him, Robbie looked over at her before clearing his throat "she has a head injury, she's in a coma. Sid said there's nothing else he can do for her now…it's up to her."
Brax closed his eyes tight as tears spilled over, he couldn't take this in.
It had been over an hour now since Brax arrived and Charlie still hadn't taken her eyes off Ruby or said a word to Brax. Robbie slid his hand from Charlie's and stood up "I better go update my mum and dad," he said and walked out of the room.
Brax waited until the door had closed before moving over beside her, as he went to take her hand she pulled it away. Looking at her he pushed some hair behind her ear "baby," he said sadly.
"Why weren't you here?" she sniffed.
"I'm sorry," he said as his voice cracked "I'm so sorry."
"Sorry doesn't matter this time Brax," she said angrily.
"I hadn't got my phone on me in the meeting I'd only gotten it before Heath ran in," he said knowing it was no excuse.
"You should have known by the time," Charlie said "you were supposed to meet me at home at four its now after five."
"Baby I'm so sorry," he said scooting closer to her "the meeting ran over there was so much to go through."
"Angelo's again," she sighed "…Brax I need some space," she said without taking her eyes off Ruby "I need you to go and not be at home when I get there."
"Charlie," he sniffed "please don't do this, not now…I need to be here."
Charlie finally looked over at him "you weren't here when we needed you-when I needed you, you've let me down for the last time Brax, I mean it you had your second chance."
"Charlie please," he said as tears slid rapidly down his cheeks.
"I said go!" she screeched "go!" she yelled and slapped him "I needed you! She needed you! You weren't here! Again! I hate you!" she sobbed as she smacked him over and over again.
Brax managed to grab her arms and pulled her into him "I'm sorry babe alright I'm so sorry," he whimpered as he held her "I promise I'll never let you down again, I'll stop working at Angelo's I'll sell it if I have to…I love you and those girls more than life itself!" he cried.
Charlie just cried and gripped him as her sobs got louder "I can't lose my baby I just can't!" she sobbed.
"We're not gonna lose her you hear me?" Brax said pulling her closer "she's gonna fight through this, she's so strong just like you, she's gonna be okay."
Charlie pulled away from him and wiped her face "I still want you to go, I can't deal with you being here."
"Charlie I need to be here, I need to know she's okay," he replied desperately.
"You leave by yourself or my brothers will drag you out…I meant what I said Brax," she said and turned away from him.
"You're leaving me?" he asked quietly.
"I need space, I hate you right now I can't forgive you for not being here, please just go, this is hard enough."
Brax wiped his face and stood up "will you call me with news?" at her nod he walked to her and kissed her on the head "I love you Charlie, me and you that's the way it's meant to be." Walking to Ruby he rubbed her head a few times "I love you so much, please wake up soon," he said and kissed her on the cheek.
Charlie looked away and wiped her face this was heartbreaking but she had to do it "you'll stay at home with April tonight, she'll need you."
Brax nodded and walked to the door "you girls are my life, I love you with all my heart, you need me I'll be here in a second."
…
Arriving home Brax wiped his face and let himself in, walking to the living room he found Dex on the sofa with April asleep on his lap "how is she?" he whispered.
"Tired and worried about Ruby…how is she?" he asked.
Brax played with his keys "no change, your dad said he'd do regular checks."
Dex nodded and looked down as April moved "hey," he smiled "Brax is here."
April shot up "how's Ruby? Is she awake? Is there any change?"
Brax sat down beside her and pulled her into him "no change but Charlie said she'd call."
"Why are you here?" April asked "why aren't you at the hospital?"
"Everyone was asked to leave," he lied "it's just Charlie and Robbie now…Charlie wants me here with you tonight."
Dex stood up as his phone rang "sorry it's Indi again , I'll be outside," he said and walked off.
April snuggled into him she knew he was lying "she kicked you out didn't she?"
"Yes," he sighed "but she did say she'd call."
April wrapped her arm around him "she's just worried and mad looking for someone to take out on, she didn't mean whatever she said."
Brax held her tighter "nah," he said sadly "this time I think she did…don't you worry about me and Charlie, get some sleep," he said and dropped a kiss on her forehead.
"Things will be better in the morning," April yawned and closed her eyes "love ya Brax."
Brax looked down on her his heart was breaking knowing he had to leave, " love you too," he said willing the tears to stay away.
All he could think about was Ruby and what Charlie had said, she needed space from him, she wanted him gone when she got back…how had he screwed up this much? He knew he was in trouble, he knew Charlie would stick to her word. He loved them so much he couldn't survive without them-right there he knew what he needed to do to fix things once and for all
ANGELOS HAD TO GO!
Looking down at April again he smiled slightly, he loved them and would do anything to make them happy…he was selling Angelo's it seemed to be the cause of all their problems.
A/N sooo, what did we think of that? Was Charlie being too harsh? I feel bad for Brax, anyway, see ya soon JJ.
