Hey guys, sorry it took us so long to update, but we had our end of year exams so it was a bit hectic. Hope this chapter was worth the wait :) please review.. we love your input!thanks for the continued support xx

3 months later...

CHARLIE'S POV

'I'm okay, honestly,' I assure Ruby, as she leads me up the familiar walkway towards Leah's house. I have to laugh at her, mothering me...that was supposed to be my job.

'Yeah, I know,' she says, her arm around me as she ushers me towards the house. 'I just want to make sure.' She puts her other arm around me then, hugging me tightly. 'And I've missed you!' Instinctively, I hug her back.

'I've missed you too,' I say with a smile.

It feels weird to be walking a familiar path again, when for the past three months I've had to adjust to such different surroundings and to such different people. It was hard not being around friends, and even harder not being around Brax as often as I'd like to have been, but it was hardest of all not being with my daughter, not knowing exactly where she is and how she is at all times. I know that my being placed in that psych ward of the Northern District Hospital was really for the best, but it doesn't mean it was easy.

But I am determined to put the past behind me. Those horrible few days leading up to my being institutionalised are now but a memory that I intend to forget as much and as soon as possible. I have no choice but to look towards the comparatively bright future that I am going to make sure I have.

'Well, here we are,' Ruby says with a smile, 'home sweet home.' She puts my suitcase down beside the door and lets go of me for the first time since we got out of the car. 'Okay, gotta go, see ya.' To my surprise, she starts running off back the way we came.

'Hey – wait!' I call after her, laughing. 'Where are you going? Don't you want to come in and spend some time together?'

'Aah, yeah, I would love to...later though.' She runs back up to me and kisses me on the cheek. 'Good to have you back mum.'

'But you're already sick of me.'

'with a keen eye like that, you should have made detective by now.'' she calls out over her shoulder as she skips off. I smile, so glad to be back in her life like before.

I unlock the door with the spare key Leah keeps under a plant just outside the door – I guess it didn't occur to Ruby that I may not have my own keys with me. I drag my suitcase inside, already feeling at home again after having just walked through the doorway. It takes me a while to realise that something, though, is not quite right. But in a good way.

No lights are on, but there is a faint orange glow coming from the living room. The house smells as if something has been freshly cooked, but I know that Leah is not home...I follow the source of the light and the smell, heading cautiously into the living room, not sure what to expect. Whatever I was expecting, it was definitely not what I found.

BRAX's POV:

It had been a LONG three months only being able to see Charlie when the visiting hours of the hospital had allowed. I really missed her lying in the bed next to me, cuddling around her, knowing she was safe. She couldn't go to Brodie's funeral, I needed her there... it was hard for me to be there. After all that had happened... I guess Charlie wouldn't have wanted to go anyway...

Things had calmed down after the events at the hospital. Hammer was arrested and charged which made me so relieved. He is a crazy person, and would go to any lengths to hurt me and Charlie. At least now Charlie will be safe.

I was so excited for Charlie to come home. I had to make a special night of it. I called Ruby and told her of the plan. She was to pick Charlie up and drop her home, but was NOT, to stay at home. The dinner table in Leah's house was decorated with a table cloth, and two long lit candles. I had slaved away for hours this afternoon trying to make an amazing meal for her, but it didn't go to plan... why did cooking have to be so tricky? I ended up getting food from the diner. The two plates are set up ready for her arrival. I hear her amazing voice talking to Ruby, and I know that now is the time...

CHARLIE'S POV:

I gasp as I see the amazing dinner that Brax has organised for me. He is standing there in suit pants and I nice shirt.

"Oh my gosh!" I say, as nothing else will come to mind. I was absolutely breath taken.

"Welcome back baby!" he says to me as a tear begins to form in my eyes.

"This is amazing!" I reply as I drop my suitcases, make my way towards him, and indulge in a passionate kiss, of which I had missed so much.

"Maybe...we...should...eat" I mumble between kisses.

Our lips disconnect, and Brax pulls out my chair for me to sit on. "When did you become the gentleman?' I giggle.

He smiles his cheeky smile, and takes a seat opposite me. We begin to eat the food he has set out. It is surprisingly good.

After a while we're finished and I ask him about the meal.

"Did you cook all that food?" I ask, still a bit shocked as he has never been one to cook well.

"Uh... I'd love to say yes, but... I mean I tried... but the diner made this wonderful food" he says, sounding somewhat disappointed in himself.

"That's okay, you set up all of this! It looks amazing! How can I ever thank you?" I smile cheekily at him, hoping he knows what I'm suggesting"

He says nothing, smiles, stands up and makes his way towards me. My smile widens, as he picks me up off the chair, and begins to kiss me as we make our way to the bedroom.