It was now Friday evening and Charlie was pacing her kitchen waiting on Brax. All day she was on edge-she had to leave work early because she couldn't concentrate on anything other than Daryl staying the night at Brax's- every scenario possible was running through her head. She looked up as she heard footsteps outside, seeing Brax walk by the window she hurried to the door and pulled it open before he could even knock.
Brax chuckled he could tell by her face she was nervous "I take it by the worried look you're not so happy to see me?" he teased.
Charlie walked back into the kitchen without a word, Brax followed her and closed the door he sighed and walked over to her as she started to pace again "Charlie relax alright, he's gonna be okay he's too excited to even think about home," he said and put his hands on her shoulders "calm down."
Charlie sighed "I know I know I'm sorry I'm all over the place, I didn't sleep a wink last night thinking of all the things that could go wrong."
"Nothing is going to go wrong I have it all planned out, he's gonna have so much fun," he said and pulled her into a hug "don't worry okay."
Charlie leaned into him and blew out a breath "I'm just uneasy it's the first time he's stayed anywhere new in a long time."
Brax tilted her chin up "he'll be fine," he said and lowered his head kissing her softly. When he pulled back he smiled at her and stepped back "what are your plans tonight?"
"I'm going for dinner with the girls," Charlie replied.
"Nice and are you gonna have a few drinks?"
Charlie shrugged "we'll see where the mood takes us but knowing us I'd say so."
Brax chuckled "as long as you have a fresh head tomorrow."
Charlie giggled "you know I can handle my drink."
Brax chuckled "I know you can I was kidding…where's Daryl?" he asked.
"He's in his room watching cars-make sure you remember to take it," she said and walked into the living room.
Brax nodded "I'll remember, like he'll let me forget anyway…do you want me to hang around for a bit?"
Charlie looked at the clock "if you want to I don't have to go until eight," she said and sat down on the sofa.
Brax sat beside her "have you decided who's minding him tomorrow night?"
"No," she sighed "I didn't even think about it, I was kinda hoping we could both talk to him before we went- you know make sure what happened the other night doesn't happen again."
"I'll talk to him about it when we get to my house," Brax said.
Charlie looked over at him "well he seems to listen to you more than me anyway," she grumbled.
"Hey," he said scooting closer to her "you know that's not true he just doesn't understand why I want to spend time with you when I'm his daddy."
Charlie sighed heavily "I know but what if he kicks off again?" she groaned "we won't be able to go out."
Brax leaned over and kissed her "we're going out, he'll just have to get used to us being together," he said and pulled her back deepening the kiss.
Just as Charlie moved closer Daryl came down the stairs "daddy!" he screeched "what are you doing to my mummy!" he yelled and ran over.
Charlie bit her lip and dropped her head into Brax's chest "uh hey buddy," Brax smiled.
But Daryl wasn't having any of it "what were you doing to my mummy!" he asked again.
Brax chuckled as Charlie giggled into him "I was saying hello," he said.
Daryl giggled "that's not how you say hello silly that's what Ruby and that boy do."
Charlie's head snapped up "what boy?" she asked she didn't know Ruby was seeing anyone.
"Uncle Casey," he giggled "I sees them yesterday do that."
Brax burst out laughing "and what did she tell you she was doing?"
"That she liked him very much and that's what grown up's do."
"Well I like mummy very much," Brax said and pulled Charlie closer "so we're allowed to do that."
Daryl frowned "but you said you loves mummy."
Brax's eyes went wide he glanced at Charlie who was just the same "how about we go get your dvd and go to my house," he said and stood up ushering Daryl up the stairs "I told you that was a secret mate," he whispered loudly.
Charlie sat on the sofa in shock did he just say that? Shaking her head she looked towards the stairs 'he's four he doesn't know what he's saying' she said to herself.
She looked back to the stairs when she heard them coming back down "we're gonna head, all ready now aren't we buddy?" Brax asked.
"Bye mummy!" he yelled and ran off out to the car.
"Bye baby be good!" she called after him.
"So we'll be off then," Brax said and walked to the door.
"Oi!" she called after him and leaned over the sofa "you should know not to tell a four year old something you don't want mummy to know-remember mummy always knows," she giggled.
Brax chuckled and walked back to her thanking god she wasn't freaking, leaning down her kissed her softly "I'll call you later, you have fun tonight," he said and walked out the door.
Charlie sighed and sat back "I think I love you too," she mumbled to herself and pulled herself up-time to get ready for her dinner.
….
Brax arrived at his house climbing out he walked to the back and lifted Daryl out "what do you wanna do first mate?" he asked as they walked inside.
"Are my uncle's home?" he asked.
"No buddy they're all out but they'll be back later, so for now it's just me and you," Brax replied as they walked to the sofa.
"Nemo?" Daryl asked.
Brax raised an eyebrow "who or what is Nemo?" he asked.
Daryl giggled "he a clownfish daddy and it's a movie, he gets taken away from his daddy and his daddy finds him, it's in my bag."
"Great, now I don't need to watch it," he chuckled and stood up "I'm just kidding buddy we'll watch it now-then I wanna talk to you about something," he said and walked into the kitchen.
They sat and watched the movie Brax chuckled anytime Daryl giggled he sighed and pulled him closer this is what it was all about-moments like these.
He looked behind him as the door opened and Heath walked in "cool Nemo," he said and dropped beside them.
"Do you have pizza?" Daryl asked.
Heath chuckled "I don't always have pizza mate."
Brax looked down on Daryl "do you want me to go get pizza?" Daryl nodded. Brax chuckled and stood up "I'll be back in a few minutes," he said and grabbed his keys "and Heath don't forget he's there!" he called on his way out.
"Yeah yeah," Heath called waving his hand "just me and you mate," he said pulling Daryl closer.
"Uncle Heaf," Daryl said a few minutes later "did you ever see my mummy and daddy saying hello?"
Heath chuckled "uh yeah mate why?"
"Did they kiss too?"
Heath's eyes went wide "no did you see them kiss?"
Daryl nodded "before we came here daddy and mummy were on the sofa and daddy has his arms around her and mummy had her hands on his face like this," he said and put his hands on each side of his face.
"You don't say," Heath chuckled Brax had some explaining to do.
"So they'll get married now and daddy will move into my house?" he asked.
Heath chuckled "probably…watch the film mate," he said Brax was gonna answer these questions not him.
Brax arrived at Angelo's and climbed out of his car and went inside, as he got closer he saw Charlie sitting at the bar…with some guy. Anger washed over him but he decided to play it cool and went to order the pizza first, leaning against the door he watched her she was just being polite nodding and smiling while the guy rambled on. He scoffed and walked behind the bar "hey babe," he smiled stopping in front of her.
Her face lit up "hey," she smiled and leaned forward kissing him quickly she turned to the guy "sorry Greg this is my boyfriend Brax."
"Alright mate," Brax nodded and turned back to her "where are the girls?" he asked.
"On their way- why are you here?" she asked.
Brax chuckled "our son wanted pizza so I'm just waiting for it."
"I'll leave you guys to it," Greg said and got up.
"Bye," Charlie called after him "oh my god thank you," she said leaning on the bar.
Brax chuckled "I could tell a mile away you were bored," he said leaning closer to her "you look gorgeous by the way."
Charlie blushed and looked down at herself "thanks," she said and looked up "so what are you boys up to tonight?" she asked.
"Movies pizza and beer…when Daryl goes to bed," he replied and stood up off the bar "I'm just gonna go see if my pizzas are ready back in tick," he said and walked into the kitchen.
While he was gone Charlie sat with a smile on her face, he had noticed she wasn't enjoying the guys company and he quickly took care of it, she looked up when he leaned on the bar again.
"What's with the smile?" he asked.
Charlie giggled "just thinking about you," she said and tiled her head to the side "about how well you know me already."
Brax looked beyond her to see that Greg guy watching them again-he didn't like they guy he was getting a bad vibe off him "you wanna know why that is?" he asked leaning closer to her "because I do," he murmured before claiming her lips kissing her slowly.
Charlie kissed back and ran her hand up to his cheek she didn't care that they were in a public place or that any of her family or friends could see her she was in heaven right now. She bit on his lip and giggled at the voice behind them.
"Put my daughter down and grab us three beers mate," Tony chuckled.
Brax pulled back and looked over her shoulder "coming right up," he chuckled and went off to get them.
"So you took our advice then?" Tony asked sitting beside her.
"Yep," she smiled "and please don't make a big deal out of it but we're going on a date tomorrow night."
Tony smiled "I'm happy for a sweetie…thanks mate," he said when Brax placed the beers in front of him.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out money "nah, nah, on me," Brax said stepping back.
Tony shrugged and turned to Charlie "I like him already," he chuckled and stood up "I'm going to sit with John and Sid," he said and walked on "enjoy your night sweetie!" he called back.
Charlie giggled and turned back to Brax "so where were we?" she asked pulling him back to her. After a minute or so she pulled back "you should get back to Dar, I'm assuming he's with Heath since I just ran into the others at my place."
Brax nodded "you'd be right," he chuckled and kissed her quickly "I'll leave you to it," he said when he spotted Bianca Hayley and Leah walk in. "Call me when you get home!" he called as he walked in for his pizzas nodding at the girls as they passed him.
"Did we just see him kiss you?" Bianca asked with a smirk.
Charlie bit her lip as he walked out with his pizzas winking at her as he went she smiled at him and turned to Bianca "yep he did and we're going on a date tomorrow," she said excitedly.
"Wow," Hayley chuckled and sat down beside her "I'm glad it's all working out."
"Yeah Charlie you deserve a bit of happiness," Leah said and sat beside Hayley.
"We are so getting wasted tonight," Bianca squealed and leaned on the bar calling the barman down.
…..
Later over at Brax he was putting him to bed "daddy is mummy not saying goodnight?" he asked.
Brax sighed "mummy is still out with her friends mate," he said as he pulled the blankets up.
Daryl pouted and his eyes filled with tears "but mummy always says goodnight before I watch Lightning," he whimpered.
Brax sighed and stood up "alright I'll call her," he said and walked out to get his phone calling her, he walked back to his room "hey sorry I know you're still out but Daryl is getting a bit upset coz you didn't say goodnight."
"That's okay put him on I was gonna call in a few minutes anyway," she replied.
"Alright hold on a sec," he said holding the phone out.
"Mummy?" Daryl said.
"Hey baby you having fun at daddy's?" she asked.
"Yeah me and Heaf watch movies with daddy and we gots pizza," he said happily.
"Aww really that's great baby, you're gonna go to bed for daddy now aren't you?" she asked.
"Yes mummy you say goodnight first," he replied.
Charlie chuckled "okay goodnight baby I love you," she said "daddy will bring you home in the morning okay."
"Okay night mummy I loves you too," he said and handed the phone to Brax "tell mummy you loves her too," he said.
Brax chuckled and took the phone "watch your movie," he said and walked to the door "I'll let you get back but remember to call me when you get home," he said seriously.
Charlie chuckled "I will…that creep is still hitting on me would you believe that?" she groaned " he came over to me again as soon as you left even with the girls here…anyway I'll talk to you later I think I'll be hea-"
"Hey," he cut her off "Heath is here I can come bring you home if you need me to," he offered.
"Aw thanks but I'm with the girls I'll be fine…hey get your hands off!" she yelled.
"Charlie what happened?" Brax asked.
"That creep grabbed my ass, anyway he's gone now I'll call you when I get home," she replied.
"Right, well ring me if he comes near you again," Brax replied trying not to let his anger get the better of him.
"Aw is someone getting jealous?" she giggled.
Brax chuckled "you know me so well...go on, I'll talk to ya later-have fun."
"He doesn't' have a chance…bye," she chuckled and hung up.
Walking back to the room he saw Daryl had fallen asleep, walking to the living room he dropped onto the sofa with a heavy sigh.
"What's eating you?" Heath asked.
Brax sighed again "some bloke is hitting on Charlie down there he got up and left when I got there but he came right back as soon as I left Charlie said."
Heath chuckled "did you give him any reason to think she was free?"
Brax looked over at him "she is free…kinda," he sat forward "it's going through my head she called him a creep so obviously she's not happy with the attention."
"So go down there," Heath said like it was the most obvious thing to do."
Brax scoffed "and do what punch him and have her not talking to me?"
Heath chuckled again "say someone called you for something you do own the place Brax you can use whatever excuse you want…go on Daryl will be fine with me," he said and turned back to the tv.
Brax sat thinking for moment he sighed and stood up "I gotta make sure she's okay," he said and grabbed his keys "I'll be back soon, keep an eye on Daryl," he said and walked out the door.
Charlie came out of the bathrooms and groaned as Greg smiled back at her, walking by him she moved further away when she saw his hand reach out "I told you already to cut it out!" she hissed and walked on.
Greg got up and followed her "oh come on we were getting along fine until that guy showed up."
"Eh no," Charlie scoffed "I was just being nice and that guy is my boyfriend!" she called and sat back in her seat.
Greg stormed over to her and grabbed her wrist "you led me on! You were teasing me!" he hissed.
"Get your hands off me!" Charlie yelled and tried to pull away from him but he was too strong.
"Hey! Get off her you crazy freak!" Hayley yelled and jumped up "get off!" she yelled again and smacked him with her bag.
"Liam!" Bianca yelled panicked running towards the kitchen.
Greg pushed Hayley away and stepped closer to her "you better watch who you're teasing," he snarled "you never know what way it could turn out!"
"Greg let go of me now!" Charlie yelled and tried to pull away again.
Leah had been heading back from the bathrooms and saw what was happening she quickly turned to the door to go and call Dan when she ran into Brax "oh Brax thank god you're here!" she yelled.
"Why what's going on?" he asked frowning at her panicked state.
"Some guy is pulling out of Charlie!" she said and turned to go back inside.
Brax brushed by her and turned into Angelo's seeing Liam and the other two girls trying to get him off his eyes darkened with anger. Storming up he moved Bianca out of the way and grabbed him with all his strength, pulling him away he shoved him into the bar and gripped him tight "what the fuck do you think you're doing touching my girlfriend!" he growled-she wasn't his girlfriend yet but right now he didn't care.
"Brax no!" Charlie yelled as he raised his fist.
"Yeah mate let it go," Liam said and stepped closer "Jack will be here in a minute," he said and tried to pull him away.
Brax shook him off and turned back to Greg "you ever and I mean ever come in here again- come near her again- so much as even look at her you're dead you hear me?" he said and turned away from him. He looked over at Charlie "I'm taking you lot home."
"Maybe you should keep your girlfriend on a tighter leash, did you know she was leading me on all night!" Greg yelled.
"Brax," Charlie said and pulled him to her as he turned around again "please don't please can we just go?"
Brax sighed he really wanted to punch the guy "fine," he muttered "but you!" he said looking to Greg "one more word and you'll hit that floor!" he hissed.
"Liam are you alright to wait with him until Jack gets here?" Bianca asked as she started to usher the other girls out the door.
"Yeah you guys go on he'll be here in a minute," Liam replied.
"Thanks!" Hayley called as they walked outside.
Brax turned to Charlie "are you alright?" he asked.
"I'm fine my wrist just stings a bit," she replied and started to walk.
Brax followed her "did he touch you anywhere else?"
"No, he's wasted he could barely stand," she replied and turned back to him "why are you down here again?"
"One of the chefs called about one of the ovens," he lied "car is this way," he said and started to walk on.
Charlie grabbed his hand and pulled him back "liar," she said and leaned up to kiss him.
Brax chuckled and pulled back "fine, I lied," he said and walked to his car to let the girls in.
Charlie chuckled and smiled to herself as she followed him..
…..
After dropping all the girls off he pulled up at her house and turned to face her "how's your wrist now?" he asked.
Charlie looked down it was really hard to see in the dark "still sore but not as much as it did…I better let you get back to Daryl," she said and pulled off her belt. Leaning in she kissed him on the cheek "thanks for dropping me home," she said and opened the door "I'll see ya in the morning," she called and closed the door.
Brax sighed and pulled off his belt "hey Charlie!" he called and followed her.
She stopped just as she opened the door and turned back to him "yeah?" she asked.
Taking her hand he led her inside and turned on the light, tugging her closer to him he held out her wrist and sighed at the marks that were now visible.
Charlie saw the look on his face "I'm fine Brax," she said and stepped closer to him "really," she said when he looked down at her.
Brax nodded and looked down again "did he say anything before he grabbed you?"
"Just that I was leading him on all night-which I wasn't," she added quickly.
Brax put her arm back down to her side "I better go," he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek " I'll call you before I come over in the morning," he said and pulled the door open "night," he said giving her a quick smile before he slipped out the back door shutting it behind him.
Charlie frowned he had been quiet since they left Angelo's sighing she watched him climb into his car and back out of her drive does he think she was flirting with the guy? Is that why he didn't kiss her-or hug her before he left. As he disappeared she sighed again and walked to the living room knocking off the lights she made her way to her room she'd speak to him tomorrow.
The next morning Brax yawned at sat up looking over at Daryl he couldn't believe he was awake before him…maybe he knew it was Saturday he chuckled to himself and rolled out of the bed. Pulling on bottoms he walked out of his room and into the kitchen "what are you doing up?" he asked as Casey and Kyle sat at the table eating cereal.
"We're going to the city for the day with Ruby and April," Casey answered.
"Which we're gonna be late to if we don't leave now," Kyle said and stood up.
"Be back for six, I'm going out tonight and I want you three to have a night in with Daryl," Brax said and sat down where they had just been.
"We'll be back for six!" Casey called as the door closed.
Brax looked over as his phone rang on the counter he had left it out here in case anyone called and woke Daryl up. Standing up he walked to it and smiled as Charlie flashed on his screen "hey," he said.
"Hey," she said happily "is Daryl up yet?"
"No," he chuckled "still out cold."
Charlie giggled "it's Saturday it's like he knows he won't be woken coz I have to work or her has to go to school."
Brax chuckled again "I'd be the same so why are you up this early?"
"This is not early for me," she giggled "my dad called he's having a family barbeque and asked me to invite you and your brothers…wanna come?" she asked sweetly.
Brax smiled "and what about our date?" he asked.
"Shit I forgot about that," she groaned "um…forget about it we're going on a date," she giggled.
Brax chuckled "how about we go for an hour then the boys can bring Daryl back here for the night while we go out?"
Charlie thought about it for a moment "well he did say to be there for five so we could show our faces…okay we'll do that then."
"Right, I'll have to call them first but I'm sure It'll be okay" Brax replied "so what are you gonna do for the day?"
"I'm meeting my brothers this is the first Saturday we've all been off, doesn't happen very often," she replied.
Brax smiled up until he got here he knew nothing about her brothers but they did seem very close "and what are you guys doing?"
"Probably meeting at the diner then go for a surf," she replied.
"Nice," he smiled again "what time will I bring him home at?"
"Well you can spend the day with him if you want and just come over with your brothers and we can all go together later," she suggested.
"Yeah that'll do," Brax replied and looked up as his bedroom door opened "he's awake now," he chuckled as a sleepy Daryl walked towards him "do you want to talk to him?"
"Nah he'll be grouchy he won't speak to me," she giggled "you go on and feed him I'll call ya later."
"Alright talk to you soon," he said and hung up "hey buddy," he said turning to him.
"Hey daddy," he mumbled and sat beside him "any Cocos?" he asked.
"Yeah I'll get it now, I was thinking I'd take you up to the national park," Brax said and stood up "would you like that?"
Daryl nodded "after Coco's though," he said and walked to the sofa.
Brax chuckled he reminded him so much of Casey when he was that age.
…
Over at Charlie's she smiled as she watched Ruby and April climb into Kyle car with wide grins on their faces-the boys too. She giggled as the car pulled away something told her she was going to be seeing a lot of those two and it had nothing to do with the fact they were her sons Uncles. Walking to the living room she dropped onto the sofa she was nervous about bringing Brax to a family thing, they'd all be together and once her brothers got a few drinks into them the chose someone to annoy and she had a feeling tonight it was going to be Brax. Sighing she slid on her sandals and stood up she had to go pre warn her brothers.
As she walked to the diner she couldn't help the butterflies that were lodged in her stomach although they had talked about a date tonight they never actually decided on a place or what they were going to do she was excited to see what he'd come up with.
Seeing her brothers not far away she waved and dropped her smile they could read her like a book they'd all gang up on her and tease her about Brax "hey," she called once she was close enough.
"Where's little man?" Dan asked
"He stayed with Brax last night," Charlie replied and sat beside them on the fence.
"Wow and you didn't drive over to check on him or go get him first thing this morning?" Peter chuckled.
"I'm not that bad," she replied and punched him in the arm.
"Please," Jack scoffed "the first time he stayed at mine you called every ten minutes and was at my door at six the next morning."
"I did not call every ten minutes and we had work at half six you moron," she said and stood up "we getting coffee or what?" she said and walked on.
She looked back to see them following her smiling to herself she walked into the diner she couldn't wait to go on her date…if Brax survived her family.
Sorry for the lack of updates work has been mental and will be for the next week so apologies in advance if I get nothing else out-but I will try my best.
also sorry for the shortness or mistakes I'm too tired to go over it again.