Brax pulled into the hotel he was to meet Mr Robinson at, shutting off the engine he sighed and lay his head back on the headrest. His phone had kept ringing and binging for messages he knew most of them would be Charlie and maybe one from Ruby or Bianca. Pulling it out of his pocket he went through them- two from Heath and a voice message, a message from Ruby asking him to let her know he got there okay, replying to her he moved onto the next message it was from Jack Charlie's a mess here I've called you heaps of times call me back. Sighing he moved onto the next one his heart sped up as it said one voicemail from Charlie dialling his mailbox he skipped the messages from Heath and moved on to Charlie's "I know you told me not to call," came her voice she paused for a second before going on "I'm so sorry Brax I know I hurt you and I hate myself for what I said- please call me back," he heard he sniff and then say "I love you," before the line went dead.

Throwing his phone beside him he scrubbed his hands over his face he so wanted to call her- to tell her he forgave her but it wasn't that easy. Looking at the time he turned off the phone and climbed out of the car. Going inside he headed straight to the bar, sat down and ordered a drink he still had half an hour before his meeting.

...

Charlie let herself into her house and walked into the kitchen, she stopped in the doorway when she spotted Ruby and Casey setting up for the party.

"Hey Charlie," Casey greeted happily as he walked by her with two bowls of chips "we just have to lay everything out and then we're done."

Charlie nodded "thanks Case," she said and walked into the kitchen "Rubes," she said softly and stopped beside her.

Ruby stopped what she was doing and turned to face her "let me get one thing straight here- we're not okay, but for tonight we're gonna play the perfect happy family and I swear to god Charlie, if he doesn't come back I'll never ever forgive you!" she hissed and walked by her.

Charlie stood there as tears filled her eyes Ruby hadn't called her Charlie in years. Taking a shaky breath she walked into the living room "I'm just going to get a shower," she said and slipped up the stairs.

"Is she okay she seems a bit quiet," Casey asked.

"Yeah," Ruby smiled "she's fine just had a rough day," she said and walked into the kitchen. Seeing her phone flashing she picked it up and opened the message I'm fine don't worry about me honey I'm here safe I'll see ya later love ya and have fun tonight I'll call when I'm done here. She smiled and put her phone back on the counter.

She turned around as the back door opened "hey B," she greeted.

"Hey mum home yet?" Bianca asked.

"Yeah she's in the shower might be out now," Ruby said and grabbed some plates.

"Okay I'll be down soon to help out," Bianca called and ran up the stairs. "Charlie," she called knocking on her bedroom door.

"Yeah," she called back. She looked up when the door opened "hey," she smiled weakly.

"Hey," Bianca said and walked to the bed and dropped a bag on it "present," she said and sat down.

"Thanks I didn't have time to go myself," Charlie replied and picked up the bag.

"You gonna do it now or wait for Brax?" Bianca asked.

"Yeah, now, get it out of the way," Charlie said and got up off the bed. Walking into the bathroom she placed the box down on the sink and looked at herself in the mirror she'd had a feeling for a while now but hadn't said anything to Brax just in case- she knew how much he wanted to have a baby. Sighing she pulled the test from the bag and ripped it open.

A few minutes later she walked out with the test in her hand and sat on the bed "so?" Bianca asked slowly.

"So I'm pregnant," Charlie replied.

"Wow oh congrats Charlie," Bianca squealed and dived on her. She pulled back and frowned when Charlie sniffed "I thought you wanted this."

"I do," she replied and wiped her face "oh B I've messed up so bad!" she cried.

Bianca jumped up and hurried around to her "Charlie what's wrong?" she asked kneeling in front of her.

"Brax- we argued and I snapped I told him he wasn't Ruby's dad- he walked away from me…I don't know if he's gonna come back!" She cried "what'll I do B I love him so much!"

Bianca stared back in shock she couldn't believe Charlie had said that to him- or that Brax had walked away she shook her head clear and stood up "he knows you didn't mean it Charlie he will come back he didn't walk away he had to go to the city anyway."

"You didn't see the look on his face it was like I broke his heart," she sobbed. "He won't even answer my calls."

"He's upset Charlie you gotta give him some space- look," Bianca said and pulled her up "you know as well as the rest of us he'd never walk away from you, so go get dressed we'll party he'll be home by the time you go to bed and you can tell him your news-go," she said nudging her towards her wardrobe.

Charlie smiled weakly and grabbed the test placing it in her beside locker she walked to her wardrobe and pulled out a red dress "I'll be down in a few," she said as she slipped it off the hanger.

"Right I'm gonna go help Rubes," Bianca said and slipped out of the room.

As soon as the door closed Charlie threw the dress on the bed and grabbed her phone, she paced up and down waiting for it to ring her eyes filled with tears when it went straight to mail "Brax please call me back or just even let me know you're okay," she sniffed and threw her phone down.

"He's fine," came Ruby's voice from the doorway.

"Have you spoken to him?" Charlie asked hopeful.

"He text me to say he was there okay…I need my shoes," she said and walked by her to the wardrobe.

"Did he say anything else?" Charlie asked.

"No," Ruby said coldly and walked out of the room.

Brax sat at the table in a daze as Mr Robinson spoke he wasn't even listening to him. He snapped back to life as a hand waved in his face "sorry sorry," he said and sat up properly "a lot on my mind."

"How is your daughter after yesterday?" Mr Robinson asked.

"Yeah she's as good as can be expected thanks, she was a little shaken and has a bump other than that she's doing fine."

Mr Robinson nodded "good good hopefully they caught the rat, it disgusts me," he said wrinkling up his noes "what kind of person preys on kids? Disgraceful," he said shaking his head "and to think what he took probably means nothing to him than the person he stole it from."

"Yeah he took everything they had bought- anyway, not to worry I've replaced it all for both of them, as long as they're okay nothing else matters," Brax said and took a sip of his drink.

"I agree family is what matters most- Christmas is nothing without the ones you love….anyway back to business," Mr Robinson said and looked down at the paperwork in front of him.

Brax thought about what he said and he was right…he didn't care about anything other than being with Charlie and his family, no matter what had happened earlier he knew he couldn't walk away from her. Without realising what he was doing he stood up.

"Something wrong?" Mr Robinson asked.

"Yeah I shouldn't be here," he said and grabbed his phone and keys "I'm sorry I should be at home with my family, I understand if you want to move on to one of the other buyers I'm sorry for wasting your time again truly I am."

Mr Robinson nodded and stood up "my wife would love you," he chuckled and held out his hand "I like you so I'm gonna give you the place get off to your family son we can sort this out after Christmas."

Brax shook his hand "thank you so much you have no idea what this means to me," he said happily.

"Well if you were willing to give it up for your family I can see I made the right choice now get outta here boy go see the family and enjoy your Christmas… I'll be in touch," he chuckled as Brax all but ran out the door.

Back at her house Charlie plastered a smile on her face and headed downstairs "hey all," she greeted her family and friends gathered in the living room.

"Hey Charlz," Jack said eyeing her carefully "present is under the tree."

"Thank you so is yours you can get it when you're going," Charlie said and poured herself some juice.

"You're not drinking?" Heath asked.

"Charlie and not drinking don't go in the same sentence," Jack laughed.

"I just took two painkillers I have to let them kick in first," she lied and walked to the kitchen "hey," she said when she spotted Leah Georgie and Bianca by the sink.

"Hey," Georgie said and looked to her glass "non-alcoholic tonight?" She asked raising an eyebrow.

"You're not drinking Charlie?" Leah asked.

"Ah it's still early," Bianca said sending Charlie a smile.

"Nah not yet," she smiled and walked out the back door why was everyone asking was she not drink she wasn't a complete dipso. Sighing she sunk into the garden chairs and pulled out her phone she bit her lip and pulled up Brax's number, pressing call she put it to her ear-her heart sped up when it rang this time. "Damn," she sighed and hung up when it rang out.

Ruby looked around and frowned "where's mum?" she asked Casey.

"Haven't seen her since she went into the kitchen," he replied and walked over to April.

Ruby walked into the kitchen and looked around "hey B have you seen mum?"

"She went outside sweetie," Bianca answered and went back to her conversation.

Ruby slipped out the back door and walked around the side of the house spotting Charlie she walked over and sat beside her. Charlie looked up and did a double take "just wanted to make sure you were okay," Ruby muttered.

"Ruby you know I didn't mean what I said- I was angry I know it's no excuse I shouldn't have said it no matter what had happened, that cop called the station and I had to find out off him you have to understand where I'm coming from here you're my daughter-my world the thought of someone hurting you kills me," Charlie said shakily.

"It wasn't dads fault I knew you were sick you didn't need me adding to it I called him because I knew he'd come for me-not that you wouldn't," she added "I just didn't want to worry you and make you worse. I told him not to tell you mum- I begged him not to tell you and you know what the first thing he said to me when I asked him?" Charlie shook her head "you have to tell your mum she has a right to know you can't keep something like that from her."

Charlie nodded "sounds like Brax alright I'm sorry anyway just the cop said Ruby Braxton, it came back to me while we argued and I flipped I shouldn't have said and god knows I hate myself so much. He has been there for you I know that he always has been he is your dad Ruby no matter what… if I could take it back I would."

"Well you can't- I wish you could too, you hurt him and me, you need to find a way to make it up to him don't worry about me I'll deal with it. He's the best thing ever to walk into my life and yours….fix it!" Ruby said and stood up "he said he'd be home tonight," she said and went back inside.

Charlie sat watching her go she was right he was the best thing that ever happened to her, she didn't know what she'd do without him. Standing up she started to walk back to the house when her phone beeped opening the message she smiled I'm fine go have fun closing the message she walked back into the house to join the others.

...

A while later Brax pulled up outside the house looking at the clock he smiled it was eleven thirty now he had made it. Climbing out he locked his car and walked to the front of the house- he normally used the back door but knowing most people gathered in the kitchen he decided to slip in and find Charlie first. Getting to the porch he stopped at a figure sitting on the step "Rubes," he said and sat beside her "whatcha doing out here?"

"Ah headache didn't want anyone fussing…I'm glad you're here," she said leaning on his shoulder.

"I told ya I'd be back didn't I?"

"Yeah but I was still worried and mums in there not drinking avoiding people moping around, they're all asking me what wrong with her I'm sick saying she had a rough day."

"She didn't tell anyone?" Brax asked.

Ruby shrugged "Jack knows something I know he does he's watching he like a hawk and I'm pretty sure B does too she keeps shooting her looks."

They both looked behind them as cheers and claps came from inside "must be quarter to," Brax chuckled and stood up "come on let's join the party," he said holding out his hands to her.

Ruby took them and let him pull her up "guess I'm the centre of attention again this year I hate standing in the middle while everyone watches me open a present I'm not a kid."

"But you've always been the youngest," Brax chuckled "mum loves it and the look on your face so do it for her," he said and went to open the door.

"So does that mean you forgive her?" Ruby asked before he opened it.

"We'll see how it goes," he said and opened the door.

"Brax," Bianca said surprised and quickly looked around for Charlie.

"Mate where have you been you're missing all the fun," Heath chuckled.

"By fun he means him hogging all the beers," Casey laughed.

"Good to see you made it back Brax," Leah smiled.

"Yeah, how'd the meeting go?" Georgie asked.

"Yeah good to be home just closed the deal on the second restaurant so I'm happy," he said and walked over to them his eyes scanning for Charlie as he passed.

"She's in her room," Jack whispered "thinks no one saw her go."

Brax nodded and walked to the stairs "I'm gonna go get," changed he called and walked up to his room.

Opening the door he found her sitting on his side of the bed with her back to him "I'll be down in a sec," she said sadly without turning around.

"I think I'd rather stay here," Brax said walking over to her.

"Brax!" She shrieked and jumped up "I'm sorry I'm so sorry…I called you a few times I don't know what came over me I don't even think that I-" she stopped talking when he waved his hand for her to stop.

Walking to her he stopped inches away from her "what you said hurt me really bad and as much as I want to hate you for it I can't," he said and caught a tear as it rolled down her cheek. "I am in love with you Charlie and I realised I can't walk away from you, you're my life I don't have one without you."

Charlie sighed in relief "I thought that was it we were over."

"We were," Brax nodded "my plan was to have the day tomorrow we all deserved and then I was gonna go."

Charlie looked down and nodded the thought made her wanna die "what changed your mind?"

Brax sat on the bed and pulled her down with him "the guy I was having the meeting with started going on about how important it was to have family that it was all that mattered and he got me thinking about what my life would be like without you and I couldn't see anything-then when I thought of life with you and Ruby I saw everything."

Charlie bit her lip and stood up "everything?" She asked walking to her locker.

"Yeah," Brax sighed and lay back on the bed "everything- marriage, more kids, Ruby getting married- even Heath settling down," he chuckled.

Charlie giggled slightly and pulled the top drawer open pulling out the test she clamped it in her hand and climbed onto the bed "I know Ruby's always the one to get a present early but this year I think you should too."

Brax raised an eyebrow and turned on his side "why?" he asked and sat up "you do this every year what makes this one different?"

Charlie opened her hand "because next year it won't just be us….it's time to start our own-new tradition," she said holding it out towards him "happy Christmas," she said shakily.

Brax stared at it for a minute or two before he looked up at her "your…" he trailed off and scooted closer to her, taking the test from her he looked at the lines and smiled "you're pregnant?" He whispered.

"Yeah," she nodded "I'm not sure now is the right time to tell you I don't want you to think I'm trying to trap you here Brax, if you don't want to be with me anymore I understand- don't let this make your mind up for you I will never stop you from seeing them anytime you want."

"Were you not listening to a word I said a few minutes ago?" he said and stood up "Charlie I love ya I'm not walking away from ya- yeah we're not a hundred per cent back to normal but we'll get there," he said and pulled her with him "you're all that matters to me- you and my daughter," he said -emphasising the word my "and whoever is in here," he said placing his hand over her stomach.

Charlie smiled and kissed him on the cheek "our daughter will be opening her present in two minutes."

Brax chuckled and pulled her against him "like you said… time for a new tradition," he said and lowered his head to kiss her, pulling her closer he deepened the kiss-no way could he ever leave this woman she was it-everything he needed.

Charlie wrapped her arms around his neck and walked him backwards to the bed.

...

Downstairs everyone had gathered in the living room "where's Brax and Charlie?" Leah asked.

"Yeah can't do this without them," Georgie chuckled.

"I think they're upstairs I'll go get them," Casey said and moved towards the stairs.

"No don't!" both Jack and Bianca yelled.

"Something going on here?" Heath asked.

"Um no," Bianca said slowly "Charlie's…wrapping presents she told me not to disturb her she'll be down before twelve…Jack can you help me get something in the kitchen," she said and hurried out of the room.

"What gives mate?" Heath asked looking at Jack "we all know Bianca can't lie."

"Yeah what's going on babe?" Georgie asked.

"Uh nothing she told me she was wrapping a present that's all I know," Jack said and hurried after Bianca.

"Something's going on there," Leah said watching Jack hurry away.

"Yeah they're so lying," Casey added.

...

Up in the room Charlie and Brax lay on the bed "so how far are you gone?" Brax asked as he held her close.

"The test said five weeks," Charlie replied looking up at him.

Brax smiled and leaned down to kiss her "maybe that's why you passed out."

"Maybe," she replied and sat up "we should start heading downstairs now they'll be wondering where we are."

Brax groaned "can't we just stay here?" he said pulling her back down beside him.

Ruby looked around watching to see if anyone was looking her way and ran up the stairs stopping at their bedroom door she pressed her ear to it and smiled as she heard Charlie giggle "dad?" she called and tapped on the door.

"Come in Rubes," he called back.

She opened the door and found the two of them wrapped up together "um people are looking for you and Jack and B are acting weird you might wanna come down and save them."

"Come over here," Brax said nodding to the spot beside him. Ruby walked over to the bed and giggled when Brax pulled her onto the other side of him "I'm happy here with my girls," he said holding them both close.

"Aww I feel so left out," Casey chuckled from the doorway "I came to see what the hold up was everyone's waiting for you to open the present we've missed the midnight mark."

"We're starting a new tradition," Charlie giggled "tell…. April it's her turn this year we'll be down in a minute."

"Or if you feel that left out there's room for one more," Brax added.

"I'm pretty sure I'm not one of your girls Brax," he chuckled "I'll be downstairs," he said and walked away from the door.

"So we're all good now?" Ruby asked snuggling into Brax's side.

Brax looked down at her then to Charlie "yeah," he smiled "we're all good." Leaning over he kissed Charlie and pulled both of them closer.

"Right we really need to go down," Charlie said and sat up "I didn't hear any squealing so I'm guessing they're waiting for us."

"Fine," Brax sighed and stood up wrapping his arms around her waist he started to walk her towards the door "but try get rid of everyone early I got plans for you," he whispered.

"I so heard that!" Ruby yelled "I'm gonna be scared for life!" she shrieked and ran down ahead of them.

When they arrived downstairs Bianca and Jack smiled seeing their joined hands. "Case told us there's a new tradition going on," Jack said.

"Yeah, so April why haven't you opened it yet?" Charlie asked.

"Well we all agreed it was time for a new tradition and since you hold this party every year… happy Christmas Charlie," April said and handed her a box.

"I get to open one?" She giggled.

"Yeah," Heath chuckled "it made sense."

"Whose it from?" Bianca asked excitedly.

Charlie looked around it for a tag "Ruby," she said and smiled at her daughter.

"So open it," Leah giggled.

Charlie sat down with Brax behind her and ripped off the paper opening the box she took out something in bubble wrap pulling it off she gasped "Ruby," she said and looked up at her

"I thought you'd like it," she muttered and stepped behind Brax as all eyes fell on her.

"Whatcha get?" Jack asked.

Charlie ran her hand over the frame and turned it around "a picture of my family," she said happily.

"Aww that's beautiful Rubes and I actually look good in it," Bianca giggled.

"When was this taken I don't remember that," Heath asked as he examined it more closely "man look at the shirt I'm wearing where the hell did that come from?"

"That was the party in ours for my birthday remember?" Jack said moving closer "that is my shirt because you fell over and spilled beer all down your own."

"I remember that," Casey said "he was wasted look at him he's holding himself up on me," he laughed.

"Yeah you pinched my bum there Brax had to move me so we could take the picture," Leah giggled

"Yeah he tried that with me too hence me being on the end," Georgie laughed

"Yeah so because I was a kid me and Case got to hold him up," April said.

Charlie chuckled "I thought he was gonna fall over on me and Rubes."

"Alright I was drunk we were all wasted some of you are better at holding it together," he said looking at Brax.

"What can I say mate I can handle my drink," he said taking the picture from Charlie "we're all in it that's what matters," he said placing it on the fire place.

"That was a really nice idea Rubes," April said "and I know only one person gets to open a present but since you helped me out a lot… here," she said handing Brax a card.

"What's this?" he asked taking it from her.

"Just open it," Bianca said.

Brax looked at her suspiciously before opening the envelope and taking out the card opening it his eyes widened and his head shot up to April "are you serious?"

"What is it?" Charlie asked looking over his shoulder "wow," she gasped.

"Come on then out with it," Heath yelled.

"Three tickets to go see Steve Anderson and to meet him after… April you really didn't have to," he said walking to her "thank you," he said and lifted her off the ground.

"Well you can thank Ruby for the idea and I owe you, you really got me out of a jam,"April replied smiling at him.

"No way!" Heath yelled "he's the most famous surfer around."

"You're family of course i'd help you out," Brax replied and dropped a kiss on her forehead " and yes Heath he is... we shall have fun- but for now let'get this party started!" he said and ushered everyone to the kitchen "none for you missus," he said to Charlie and took the beer from her that Heath had just handed her.

"Can me April and Case have one beer?" Ruby asked.

"No," Charlie said.

"You can have one," Brax said from behind her.

Ruby looked at Charlie waiting for her reaction "you heard your dad," she said.

"Thanks," Ruby smiled and hugged her.

"Why can't she have a beer?" Jack asked suspiciously.

"Because I just took painkillers like I already said," Charlie said and pulled Brax away from the others "I need to show you something upstairs," she said leading him towards them.

"I like the sound of that," Brax said wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Not that," Charlie giggled and pulled away from him-grabbing his hand she led him to their room and closed the door. "Sit," she ordered and shoved him onto the bed.

"Are you sure you didn't bring me up here for some fun?" he chuckled.

Charlie giggled "later," she said and walked to her dresser "I've had these for a while," she said pulling the top draw open- pulling out a large envelope she walked back to the bed and sat beside him.

"What have you got?" Brax asked eyeing the envelope.

Charlie took a deep breath and turned to face him "me and Rubes were talking a few weeks back and she agreed this was the best thing all round... so that just leaves you to agree too," Charlie said and pulled out papers from the envelope "now i'm not looking for an answer right now you have to think about this," she said handing them to him.

Brax read the top of the page and his somach did summersaults "you want me to addopt Ruby?" he asked looking over to her.

Charlie nodded "So you can legally be her dad...she want's to change her name to Braxton anyway and since I will be when we get married and the baby will be a Braxton..." Charlie trailed off and but her lip.

Brax smiled and looked back at the papers "Ruby Braxton does have a ring to it," he said after a minute.

Charlie looked back to him "you don't have to answer me now Brax we can wait until you think about it."

Brax shook his head "I don't need to think about it she's my daughter no matter what...let's make it offical," he said grinning widely at her.

"Really you really really want this?" Charlie asked seriously.

"Yes," brax nodded "what could be better than life with you two," he said and pulled her down to him.

Charlie giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck "nothing can be better than that," she said and kissed him.

Brax pulled back and smiled down on her "so we're all Braxtons then?" he chuckled.

Charlie smiled and nodded furiously "happy Christmas," she giggled and kissed him on the cheek.

"Happy Christmas baby," he replied and kissed her slowly.

"HAPPY CHRISTMAS MUM AND DAD," Ruby squealled excitedly from outside the room.

"Ruby Braxton get your butt back down that stairs!" Brax yelled out.

"Yep she's a Braxton alright," Charlie giggled as Ruby muttered something and walked away.

"Nah she gets the muttering from you," Brax replied.

"She does not! you always do it!" Charlie shrieked.

"Whatever," Brax muttered and pulled her back down "now where were we?" he asked rolling her under him.

"If i were you I'd lock the door," Charlie giggled.

Brax rolled off the bed and walked to the door- locking it he climbed back beside her "this year has been great but i'm thinking next year is gonna be the best year of all."

Charlie smiled and snuggled into him "yeah," she said happily "it is."

A/N And that's the end of that-sorry for the wait lost track of time...this has not been proof read so apolgies for mistakes and thanks again for reading and Happy xmas to you all :)