Later that evening Jack was finished his shift and had just arrived home, he heard the shower on and grabbed himself a beer and flopped onto the sofa. He really wanted to go to this dinner but he wasn't in the mood now, he'd dealt with two drunk women- one of them Brax's mom and they just drove him mad sending him into a bad mood. He was that pissed off he took Cheryl (Brax's mom) and put her in his office until Heath came to pick her up, he hated calling Brax unless he really needed to the guy had his hands full with Angelo's- whereas Heath bummed around all day doing nothing.
He looked up as Brax came down the stairs "alright mate," he said sitting beside him "rough day?" He asked nodding to the beer.
"You could say that again I'm beat and I'm supposed to be meeting Charlie and an old friend but now I couldn't be bothered listening to them to chatter while I sit and look around."
Brax was disappointed he wanted to see Charlie again "well if it helps she text me to come too I wasn't going to but if you really wanted I could just so you're not left alone."
Jack looked at him for a minute then laughed "dude that is lame."
"What?" Brax asked confused he thought he acted pretty casual there.
"You are crushing on my sister and don't deny it, it's sick but she's crushing on you too," Jack laughed again "alright I'll go but you keep your hands to yourself, I'll just go get ready." He laughed again as he made his way up the stairs.
"I am not crushing on her! I'm doing you a favour mate! Last time I'll do one of those!" Brax yelled up after him with a smirk on his face.
Charlie had met Bianca earlier than planned and they both now sat in the diner with a coffee "so where's April now?" Charlie asked.
"Oh she's following over Monday she had an exam today so she wanted to finish her last day there and spend the weekend with her friends."
"Aw that's nice my two can't wait to finish they're probably giving their teachers hell today knowing they'll never be back there- actually, I'm sure they're home by now I better call them and make them pack up some more, they can't use homework as an excuse now," Charlie giggled and pulled out her phone "sorry I'll only be a sec," she said getting up and walking outside Ruby already ringing "hey sweetie," she said.
"Hey mum I was just about to call you, you said you'd be home early."
"Yeah I got held up that's why I'm calling well you remember Bianca?"
"Yeah April's mom, we talk to April all the time on facebook and emails."
"Really? Anyway they're moving to the bay too and I ran into her this morning, I've just sat down with Bianca and were going to have dinner, are you two okay to look after you own dinners?"
"Yes mum were not twelve Lou isn't here anyway."
"Where is she?" Charlie asked slightly panicked.
"Um Stacey's I think, I had to catch a ride home with Matt from a couple of doors down."
"Ruby, you know I don't like her driving on her own yet will you please go find her."
"Mum she'll be fine she lives on the next street otherwise I wouldn't have let her go chill, go catch up with B and tell her I said hello."
"Fine pack up the rest of your stuff and tell Lou the same, I've arranged for a removal van tomorrow I'm going to text her to be home for nine I love you be good and I'll be home late."
"Love ya too mum stay out as late as you like we'll be fine."
Charlie hung up and went back to Bianca "sorry Ruby told me she didn't come home with Louise and I sorta panicked."
"It's fine look at that hottie by the counter," she said eyeing up a man with tattoo's "wonder who he is."
Charlie laughed "Bianca Scott you haven't changed a bit, so about April does Gavin still not talk to her?"
Bianca turned back to her "no," she sighed "I even told him we were going to France because I needed his signature to take her out of the country he didn't care and signed it. I told him I'd keep him updated on her progress and he said not to bother, so I didn't," Bianca shrugged "she's better off he was the biggest mistake of my life I can't believe I wasted two years on him."
"I know the feeling I'm glad Grant never found out I was pregnant I'm so glad he moved after he did well you know," Charlie said sadly.
"Aw Charlie I'm so sorry there's me going on about Gav I'm sorry I didn't think."
"Well they were best friends their names were bound to come up sometime."
"Well now they'll never be mentioned again. So what's this place like you've booked for dinner?" Bianca asked quickly changing the subject.
"Well it's called Angelo's it's a lovely little place, Jack's house mate Brax actually owns it, B you should see him he's so hot," Charlie giggled.
"Ooh and I'm the one who hasn't changed? Will he be here tonight?"
"I don't know I told Jack to stop in and see you if he wanted so I told him to come too if he was free."
"Aw I can't wait to see Jack," Bianca said happily.
At eight they both made their way into Angelo's and were seated straight away "it is a nice place," Bianca said looking around "ooh Charlie there's that guy again… he works here!" Bianca hissed as the tattooed guy from the diner walked towards them with menus.
"Ladies," he greeted and handed them a menu each "can I get you a drink?"
"Two white wines please," Charlie answered- Bianca was too busy drooling.
"Coming right up," he smiled at Bianca and went behind the bar.
Brax and Jack were walking along the beach to Angelo's in silence, until Brax began to get uncomfortable "mate, Charlie is a very nice girl she's nice to talk to that's all it is I've only just met her."
Jack smirked he was usually very over protective of Charlie but with Brax it seemed different and he knew Brax was a nice guy, in the three years he'd been living with him not once had he seen him bring a girl back for a one night stand. "You can say whatever you want man I know you like her and consider this your one and only warning, you screw around with her and I'll kill ya… ask her out if you do- if not leave her alone and don't be giving her the wrong idea."
"Got it, you know I wouldn't mess with her," Brax replied deciding to drop it there he was relived he'd gotten Jack's consent and a little throw by his threat.
They walked up the stairs to Angelo's stopping in the doorway as the tattooed guy leaned on the back of Charlie's chair. "Looks like someone got there first," Jack said as Charlie laughed at something he said "you yes- him hell no, get him away from her before I do."
They walked up to the table "haven't you got some work to be doing?" Brax asked glaring at him with his arms folded over his chest.
"I was just filling these lovely ladies in on our specials," he replied stepping back under his glare.
"Well this lovely lady is Jack's little sister so beat it and stay away from her," Brax said pulling him aside "and I'm pretty sure the other one is off limits too."
"Wow Buckton's sister sure is hot," he chuckled.
"Heath! Go be a waiter and stay away from them- bring the food and leave."
"Chill mate I am allowed to look," Heath replied glancing back at them.
"If you want to keep your eyes you won't!" Brax snapped and walked back to the table.
"Jack!" Bianca shrieked and hugged him tight "how are you doing?"
"Aww, good thanks Bianca, you? Charlie tells me you're moving back."
"Yeah I finished my temp job in Paris yesterday and they found me a place here in the Bay to replace one of the teachers he's going to Thailand."
"Yeah that's Miles he's actually a friend- oh Bianca this is Brax," Jack said nodding to him.
"Oh Brax hi, Charlie has already mentioned you… ouch!" she hissed and looked at Charlie who was looking the other way as if she'd done nothing.
"Nice to meet you Bianca," he said shaking her hand "and I hope she was being nice about me I did help her carry in a load of boxes today."
"Yeah all good things to say, she said you own this place, how you finding it?"
"Yeah it's great, it's busy and the food is great well I'd like to think that, I've never had any complaints about it."
"Yeah it looks like a well-run place… so Jack, still the copper?" Bianca asked turning to him.
"Yep senior Constable in Yabbie Creek," Jack replied with a smile.
Bianca laughed "you two in the same place? How the hell will that work? You guys killed each other when we were growing up."
Brax chuckled "that's not the best bit… tell her Charlie," he said nudging her.
"Well not that I like to rub it in or anything, but I've just been made Sergeant there," she said smiling at Jack who rolled his eyes.
Bianca laughed "oh this is too good, Jack… she's gonna be your boss," she laughed again.
"Yeah yeah can we move along please?" Jack grumbled as they all laughed. "Bianca how's April?"
"She's good she's still over in Paris, she wanted to finish up her exam she'll be following me over. I need to fly back Saturday night to organise my stuff to be shipped over but she's great she doesn't mind coming back, I don't really think she liked it anyway."
"That's good I'm sure Lou and Rubes will love to see her."
"Okay who's April?" Brax asked completely lost.
"Sorry Brax we go back to toddlers, April is my daughter I had her when these two had theirs," Bianca said nodding to Charlie and Jack.
"Right right so she's sixteen too?"
"Yeah well she'll be seventeen in two weeks, actually so will Rubes. Charlie any idea's what you're doing for it?"
"Well I was kinda hoping to have a surprise party in my house but since we're moving and all I can't see her with that many friends by then."
"Ah she'll be fine if they hang with Casey, there's a group of them that hang out together here they're a nice bunch of kids. She'll have a great party," Brax said.
"So who are these kids?" Charlie asked.
"Well there's Casey- my brother. Xaiver- he's actually the principal's son, then there's Dex, Sasha and Indi- they're Dr Walker's kids, then there's Romeo- he's a lifeguard on the beach and the oldest out of them. Then there's Aden and Nicole- her dad used to own the diner with Leah before he went back into the navy and sold his half back, he took Aden on after his dad died so they're pretty close. Then Irene the older woman in the diner foster's two kids Geoff and Annie, and finally Jai- he's from Thailand Mile's adopted him but he's not going back with him, he's staying in the house with Romeo, Aden and Nic."
"So let me get this straight, four kids will be living alone when this Miles goes off?" Charlie asked shocked.
"Well no, Alf lives there it's his house he owns the caravan park, he'll be there with his daughter Roo and another woman called Marylyn- that's actually them at the table in the corner along with Gina the principal," Brax said nodding to a table that held three women deep in conversation.
"Okay so they'll be okay with them, the girls I mean?" Bianca asked.
"Well yeah, if you're worried about the boys don't be, there are three that are single and I wouldn't be worried they're harmless," Brax replied.
"So who are the single ones?" Charlie asked.
"Let's see, Xaiver and Sasha, Indi and Romeo, Nicole and Geoff, Annie and Jai. So that leave Casey, Aden and Dex but seriously I wouldn't worry I've reared Casey to respect women and that Dex is kinda weird in a good way he's into all science and stuff, he's always in here with his nose in a book or on the laptop, and Aden is a quiet guy he keeps his head down and gets on with it," Brax said looking to Charlie then to Bianca.
"Sounds like April's kind of guy- Dex I mean," Bianca said.
"Well we'll have to wait and see," Charlie said as their food was being brought over "oh Jack I just got you two a pizza because you were late."
"That's fine you know me and Pizza Charlz," he said as Heath placed it down in front of him and walked away sulking.
"Is he okay?" Charlie asked.
Brax laughed "what Heath? Yeah he'll be fine, I just told him to stop looking at you and to stay away from the table."
"They always sulk when you tell them what to do?"
"Well when I can hit them yeah," at her horrified look he laughed "no Charlie not like that, Heath is my other brother he helps out when I'm short of if I have to go off."
"Right right," Charlie smiled at him and turned to her own food.
As dinner was finished Charlie's phone went off "sorry," she said and pulled it from her bag "Lou," she greeted causing Jack to watch her.
"Charlie! I am going to kill Ruby!" She snapped.
"Why, what's going on?"
"Nothing mum she's just being a baby!" Ruby yelled in the background.
Shut up you!" Louise screamed and threw something.
"What is going on? Don't make me send someone around to you!" Charlie snapped.
"I told Stacey we'd watch a movie and Ruby ate all the popcorn I made and is hogging the tv!" Louise snapped.
"I am not I was already there when she got here mum!"
"No you weren't! You only ran down when you heard me and Stacy in the kitchen! I'll kill you!" Louise screamed and what Charlie thought was dive on top of her.
"You two better stop that right now and listen to me!" Charlie yelled.
"Charlie what's going on?" Jack asked.
Charlie shook her head, standing up she hurried away outside leaving the others looking after her. When she got no reply she listened and heard both of them fighting "RUBY AND LOUISE BUCKTON! ONE OF YOU BETTER ANSWER ME RIGHT NOW!" she screamed thanking god she'd walked outside she was losing it.
"Um Charlie it's Stacey," another girl said into the phone.
"Stacey what is going on?"
"They're killing each other on the floor."
Charlie sighed she couldn't even go out for one night "break them up kick them if you have to and get one of them on this damn phone," she said in her cop voice.
After listening she heard panting and Ruby grab the phone "mum she jumped on me!" Ruby panted.
Charlie was furious "I don't care who started it Ruby! There are six TV's in the damn house and you are fighting over one! I was out having a good time with your uncle and a friend I haven't seen eight years and another I've just met but no you can't even give me that!"
"I'm sorry mum I told her not to call you."
Charlie's eyes filled with tears and her voice became shaky "You are not sorry seriously Rubes how old are you two? The one night in how long I decide to stay out and you pull this! Have I not given up enough for you two? It's not like I go out every weekend, geez Ruby you two go out more than me." Charlie cried unaware Brax stood behind her listening.
"Mum I'm so sorry please don't cry."
Louise grabbed the phone knowing they were both in big trouble "I'm sorry Charlie I'm really sorry, I just wanted the living room please stop crying. I know you don't go out a lot please go back and enjoy your night I promise we'll behave."
"Yeah mum I'll get more popcorn and we can all sit in the living room we're sorry!" Ruby yelled.
"So I have to cry to get you two to work something out that you could have done in the first place without ruining my night?" Charlie said wiping her eyes.
"I'm sorry mum!"
"It's too late for that now, Ruby go to your room and Louise you go to your room with Stacey! I don't wanna hear a peep out of either of you until I call you tomorrow! I'm on my way home and neither of you are to come near me when I get there!" Charlie snapped and slipped her phone closed and leaned against the balcony "God damn it one fucking night," she whispered and wiped her eyes again.
"Everything okay?" Brax asked taking a few steps closer to her.
"Uh yeah everything is fine," she said wiping her eyes frantically and turning to face him.
"Charlie you make-up is all smudged what's going on?"
"Nothing it's stupid," Charlie said and shook her head.
"You can tell me," Brax said leaning against the rail beside her.
Charlie didn't say anything for a minute she wasn't used to someone asking if she was okay it was always Ruby and Louise "Ruby and Louise decided to kill each other and they had to wait for the one night I wasn't home before nine o clock… I'm going to have to go home now they'll be blaming each other and they'll start again."
"Charlie let them kill each other they'll eventually ware themselves out; you should enjoy your night it has to be a sign with Bianca showing up, don't worry about it."
Charlie sighed "I'm a mum Brax it's what I do, I'm not in the mood now Bianca will understand I'll see her tomorrow anyway."
"Why don't you send Jack to talk to them and you stay the night in ours?" Brax suggested.
Charlie snorted "do you really think Jack would go to the city? You live with him how many times has he been there when he was supposed to up with his daughter?" Charlie shook her head "nah I'll be better off going home I can't enjoy myself now."
"Okay if I can't persuade you to stay at least let me walk you to your car," he said feeling bad for her.
"I'll be fine thanks; can you just make sure Bianca gets home okay? She's staying at the Sands motel," Charlie replied as she walked back to the table.
"What was that all about?" Jack asked noting her messy face.
"The girls are fighting I have to go, B I'm sorry but I'll see you in the morning before you head back to Paris," Charlie said hugging her tight.
"It's fine Charlie I know what they're like, let me know when you make it back to the city."
"See ya guys," Charlie said and grabbed her bag Brax watching her go.
"Mate what was that all about?" Jack asked turning to Brax.
"Go talk to your sister," Brax said sharply he was angry but not at Jack. Charlie shouldn't have to deal with all this he said to himself. "Sorry mate been a long day," he said when Jack sat looking at him "the girls were fighting over the living room Tv and Charlie felt like she needed to go home."
"Aww April is the same with the girl we lived with I just left them to it and they wore themselves out," Bianca said.
"I told her to leave them but she says she can't help but worry and wanted to go."
"I better call her," Jack said pulling his phone out of his pocket.
"Nah leave her mate, she's upset and driving she doesn't need anymore distractions," Brax said stopping him.
"I'll call Louise then," he said dialling her number.
"Hey daddy," she said sweetly knowing she was going to get it.
"Don't daddy me Louise Kate Buckton go into Ruby's room and put me on speaker!" he yelled.
"Fine," Louise said and dragged herself to Ruby's room.
"What are you doing? Get out, you heard mum!" Ruby squealed.
"Dad's on the phone," she said putting the phone on speaker "right we're here let us have it."
"Don't be so cheeky you, has Charlie not done enough for you two? that you can't give her one night to herself."
"We said we were sorry dad."
"Sorry isn't good enough, you knew quiet well there's more than one tv in that house there was no need to call her, seriously guys you're not kids anymore. Charlie has left here in tears she can't even enjoy the rest of her night she has her own life too don't forget."
"Sorry Uncle Jack I really am, I know mum has given up a lot for us."
"Yeah I feel bad," Louise added.
"And so you should feel bad and what makes it worse is Bianca is here and she had to leave her to get home to you two because you're acting like brats! Charlie has given up everything for you two you should be grateful. You wait until you move down here things are going to change big time!"
"What you're actually gonna start noticing I exist and being a parent?" Louise yelled back.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"It means you don't give a shit about me dad, at least I know Charlie does she loves me she looks out for me… I hate you."
"I love you Louise… all three of you- you know that, you know what we've been through."
"Funny way of showing it, I gotta go, I need to be in my own room when Charlie gets back."
"Bye Jack!" He heard Ruby yell in the distance before the line went dead.
Bianca and Brax just looked at each other having heard everything.
"She didn't mean it mate she's just angry," Brax said after a minute.
"Yeah April tells me she hates me all the time she'll come around," Bianca said giving his hand a squeeze.
"She's right though, I gave up on them… I'm going to go," he said and stood up, he was gone before either Brax or Bianca could say anything.
"Well I guess I should get home, Brax do you need a ride home?" Bianca asked standing up.
"Nah my car is out there, I'll walk out with you," he replied walking to the door with her.
Back in the city Charlie had just arrived home and boy was she pissed, seeing both bedroom lights on when she pulled in she made her way straight upstairs going to Ruby's room and flinging the door open ready to yell, she found her on the floor looking through photo's, her anger faded as she looked up at her with fresh track marks down her face.
"What are you looking at?" She asked sitting on the floor beside her.
"Just pictures of Nan and D," Ruby said showing them to her.
"I remember that one you puked on D two minutes after that was taken."
Ruby laughed "I'm really sorry about tonight mum," she leaned on her shoulder "we're grown up's we should have known better. When we get to the Bay I promise you can go out every night if you want and we won't to call you."
Charlie smiled and dropped a kiss on her forehead "it's not going out every night Rubes it's me having time to myself once in a while, you know I would like to meet a guy that can stand you two someday," she laughed.
"I'm sorry mum but Karl wasn't for you, he hated me and Lou for no reason and I just wasn't taking that, you can do way better than him. You'll find a nice guy in the bay."
Charlie smiled "we'll see, I kinda sorta think that maybe I might just have."
"Mum!" Ruby shrieked and pulled back "who is he? Where did you meet him?"
Charlie laughed she always talked to the girls about possible interests "right you've met Brax, Jack's house mate?"
"Never spoke to him but I've seen him, mom he is hot, I can't believe this!" Ruby shrieked.
"Believe what?" Louise asked from the doorway.
"Well mum has her eye on Brax," Ruby answered.
"Wow, no way, he's hot," Louise said coming to sit beside them.
"Should I be worried all three of us think the same guy is hot?" Charlie laughed.
"Not really you're the only one that'll get a chance with him but we can dream," Louise giggled.
"Oi," Charlie poked her in the side and began tickling her "you're too young to be dreaming like that."
"Stop, Charlie oh please stop," she panted between laughs.
"I'll stop if you can-" Charlie screamed as Ruby grabbed her and started tickling her.
Ruby giggled and turned her head when Charlie's phone vibrated on the floor beside them "ooh Brax is calling mummy, will I answer?" She said reaching for the phone.
"You will not," Charlie shrieked and dived on top of her grabbing the phone first "hello," she panted.
"Charlie you okay?" Brax asked.
"Uh yeah just fooling around with the girls, hold on a sec- Lou your own room now please and Rubes you get into bed too," Charlie called walking towards her own room."
"But it's only eleven mum and it's Friday! Can me and Lou watch a movie?" Ruby yelled after her.
"I'm sorry Brax just another sec," Charlie said walking back to Ruby's room "where's Stacey? I thought she was staying."
"Nah she went home after we got off the phone to you," Louise said already climbing in beside Ruby.
"Alright well goodnight," Charlie said and closed the door. "Brax?" She said bring the phone up to her ear.
"Yeah still here," he replied.
"Sorry so what's up?"
"I'm just calling to make sure you're okay and you got home safe."
"Aww aren't you sweet, yeah everything is fine I came home guns blazing to find Ruby on her floor with pictures of my mom and Denise. I couldn't be mad at her and we got talking about a guy, then Lou joined us and we ended up in a tickle war."
Brax laughed "I don't wanna know- what guy were you talking about?" he asked curiously.
Charlie bit her bottom lip "oh no one, just some hot guy I met the other day, he's been really sweet to me helping me out."
A big grin spread on his face "oh yeah so he's hot then?"
"Oh yeah he's tall dark handsome got a body to die for if you ask me," Charlie could feel herself blush she wasn't used to being so forward.
"I'm sure he'd be happy to know that," Brax replied his wide grin still in place.
"Well you see I don't know if he likes me," Charlie flirted.
"He does like you, he'd be crazy not to…So are you two gonna go on a date?" Brax asked playing along.
"Hmm if he asked me I'd defiantly think about it."
"Well Charlie all joking aside how would you like to go out with me on Sunday night?" he asked nervously.
"Um sure Sunday night it is" she replied trying to keep excitement down in her voice.
"Great, I forgot to ask, how's Louise after her argument with Jack?"
"What argument?" Charlie asked.
"Shit I thought she would have told you I'm sorry."
"What happened?"
"Charlie I really think you should talk to Louise," Brax said uncomfortably.
"I'm asking you Brax," she replied.
"Well Jack rang and ripped into the two of them over you and said something about things changing when you got here. Then she said something about him noticing she was there and then she sorta told him she hated him."
"Oh no," Charlie groaned "why can't anything be easy? And the day before we move too look Brax I'll have to go I need to talk to her.
"Charlie before you go I'll just say one thing, I think you should just leave her she was still angry and he riled her up because he was shouting at them, she didn't mean it and she'll probably call him herself when she remembers what she said."
Charlie sighed "yeah you're right are you home now?"
"Yeah just walked In Jack's already in bed he's asleep I checked before I called you."
"Why, afraid big bro will kill ya?" Charlie teased.
"No I already got that warning," Brax yawned.
" Oh God," she groaned "Sounds like someone is fit for bed," Charlie giggled.
"Yeah I am and I have to help my hot new neighbour move stuff in tomorrow."
"Hmm have you your eye on someone else Daryl?" She flirted.
"Mmh defiantly not, this girl I like is pretty amazing so she'd be hard to replace, but I'll have to if she keeps calling me Daryl."
"Aww but I like it,"
"But I don't it doesn't sound right."
Charlie laughed "what are you twelve? It's your name I'm sure you've been called it heaps of times."
"Yeah, by my mum or teachers when I was in trouble… mum still does."
"Hmm bit of a bad boy are we?"
"Well I guess you'll have to find out, I better go my battery is beeping it needs to be charged up."
"Okay well good night then, I'll text you before I leave here in the morning."
"Okay night beautiful- sweet dreams," Brax said quietly.
"Yeah you too, goodnight," Charlie said and ended the call.
Sitting on her bed for a few minutes she sighed and got up, tiptoeing to Ruby's room she peaked in to see them both snuggled together with Ruby's arm around Louise watching a dvd, she smiled- this is what she loved watching, stepping back out she left them to it and crept to her own room.
The next morning she was woken by banging on her door, it felt like she'd only gone asleep, she hadn't slept well and had that dream again, looking at the clock and seeing it was only eight she groaned and pulled herself up and ran down to the door. Sleepily pulling open she was faced with removal men "hi sorry weren't expecting you guys this early," she moved aside to let them in. Leading them to the living room she turned back to face them "everything except the sofa, that coffee table, that unit and the two chairs," she said pointing to each as she said them.
"Okay Charlie we'll get to work now," one of them said.
"Oh hey Dan I forgot you worked for this company, when do you reckon you'll be taking the beds? Sleeping beauty's are still in them."
Dan chuckled "well between the living room, Kitchen, dining room, the other back room and the garage I'd say we'll be moving upstairs at about ten half ten," he said looking at his watch.
"Okay thanks I'll go wake them now then, they've still stuff to pack. Dan you know where the coffee is if anyone wants one," she called running up the stairs.
"Yeah thanks Charlie!" He called after her.
Half an hour the living room and half the kitchen was done along with a few things the girls had brought down from their rooms. They now sat on the stairs watching their life been loaded into trucks. "Right girls go get what you want to keep with you and load up your car Lou, I have space in mine I already put my stuff in," Charlie said ushering them back up the stairs and into their rooms.
Sitting on her bed her phone beeped beside her 'Charlie, I know you finish up Monday I just need to know if you're up for your shift tonight It's fine if you don't feel you're ready to come back IA will be looking to talk to you too let me know- Sean. Charlie sighed she'd completely forgot she had the night shift tonight. Thinking for a moment she replied I'll be there thanks Sean. "May as well get it out of the way," she said out loud and continued on getting boxes downstairs.
An hour later all three stood in the empty house, the removal van had just left with the last of their stuff. "So girls this is it," Charlie said trying to hold back her tears.
"Yeah we've had great memories here," Ruby said shakily as her eyes filled with tears.
"It feels wrong leaving- but, a new start is what we need," Louise said tears rolling down her cheek.
"I know this is our last connection to Nan and D, but girls this house will always be here and we can come visit any time we want, this house is still ours," Charlie said as she pulled both girls into her.
Louise broke away from Charlie and walked into the kitchen everyday she'd come home from school her mum would be standing there by the counter with dinner ready for her and Ruby, looking around she let a few more tears fall "bye mum," she sniffed "I'll never forget you, we're off to start a new life but you will always be in it- look after Nan for me," she smiled sadly before running her hand over the counter and heading out the front door.
Charlie knew what Louise was doing and left it her to it deciding to take her own last look around. Finding herself outside her mum and dads rooms she pushed the door open and stood there. She'd never gone into that room since after the funeral, Jack and her dad had sorted her mums stuff out and gave them to charity. Taking a deep breath she took a few steps into the room and smiled the room was exactly the way her mum had it, the bed was made and the corner of the cover pulled down, her book sat on the edge of her locker where she left it every night, the dresser was still full of her hairsprays and perfumes- sure they were covered in dust but they were still there. Picking up the one her mum used the most she held it to her nose and took in the scent.
A tear dropped onto her hand and she sniffed "I miss you mum and I'm sorry I gave up for a while after you and D left us, I hope you guys are looking after each other, tell D not to worry about Lou I got her. I hope you can forgive me for what I've done, I never meant for it to go that far he just tipped me over the edge- the nightmares are my punishment I think, as I'm sure you know we're leaving the city I think it's best and time for a new start- I love you bye mum," she whimpered and rushed from the room with the perfume still in her hand.
Ruby had been listening she heard Charlie talking as she wandered around looking at all the empty rooms. Charlie had passed her without even noticing her, she stuck her head into the room Charlie had just come from "don't worry Nan I'll look after her, just please don't hate her for what she did, I still don't really know what went on but I promise I'll get her to open up to me, I love you and you too D," she smiled sadly and closed the door before going to find Charlie and Louise.
Finding both of them sitting on the hood of Charlie's car Ruby closed the front door and stopped in front of them "so are we ready for this?"
"Let's roll," Louise said excitedly and hopped off Charlie's car.
"Uh guys before we go I need you to know that I have to come back later I've to do my last two shifts, one being tonight," Charlie said before they got into the car.
"That's fine we'll be okay and Jack will be next door," Ruby said.
"Yeah he can stay with us tonight," Louise added.
Charlie sighed she was hoping they'd come back with her and stay in one of their friends "okay I was kinda hoping you'd stay in Stacey's or something but if you wanna stay in the new house that's fine- let's go," she said pulling her door open "Lou take your time and listen to Ruby, if you can't handle the busy roads swap and let Rubes drive okay?"
"Okay Charlie you'll be right in front of me anyway!" she yelled already starting up her car. Charlie chuckled to herself and climbed into her own car- started up the engine and headed for the Bay.
Just over an hour later they were pulling into their new house. Charlie was still in a mood that she had to leave later that she'd forgot to tell Brax they were leaving. Climbing out of her car she saw the girls climbing out of Louise's car "girls just carry what you can lift and pick your rooms I'm going to get Jack and Brax," she said yelling over to them as she crossed over the lawn.
Knocking at the door she began to feel nervous up until now she'd forgotten Brax had asked her out last night.
Brax ran down the stairs in towel assuming it was Casey and Heath he opened the door and walked off "give me five minutes," he said walking back to the stairs.
"No rush I kinda like the view," Charlie giggled walking in.
Stopping in his tracks on the stairs he smiled and turned back to see her looking him up and down "see something you like? He teased walking back to her "I thought you were my brothers is your stuff here already?"
"Yeah sorry, that's why I'm here I'm kinda in a bad mood so I forgot to text you plus we all kinda got a bit upset before we left."
"Aww who put you in a bad mood? Call the girls over and I'll make you a coffee… I'll be down in two minutes," Brax said leading her to the kitchen.
"I forgot I had the night shift in the city tonight and IA wants to see me, so I'll have to go back up later." Charlie groaned "I have until four then I'll have to head so before I do anything I need to see B before she leaves for her flight."
"Why don't you go see her now? Case and Heath will be there soon and the girls can show me where things are going," Brax suggested.
"Yeah actually I'll do that thanks, is Jack here?"
"Yeah, he's in his room."
"Jack!" Charlie yelled up the stairs.
"What!" he yelled back.
"I need you to watch the girls tonight I'm on graveyard!"
"So am I Charlie I can't," Jack said running down the stairs.
"Shit what are we going to do?"
"Take them back up with you?" Jack said.
"They don't want to go back up, I already asked."
"Well they have no choice now, there's no one down here to watch them."
"Can't you take the night off?" Charlie asked slightly annoyed.
"No, why can't you?"
"Because it's my second last day and IA are looking for me- I have to go in!" Charlie looked at his face and none of this seemed to affect him in the slightest, he hadn't even asked why they wanted to see her at all "Forget it I'll deal with it myself, forget the coffee Brax thanks," she said and stormed out of the house.
Brax shook his head at Jack and went up to get dressed "what?" he yelled after him.
Charlie stormed into her new house "Lou, Rubes come here!" She yelled.
Both girls came down the stairs cautiously "yeah mum?" Ruby said.
"Pack an overnight bag I'm sorry you'll have to come back up to the city with me tonight."
"I thought dad would sit with us?" Louise asked.
"He's working the nightshift too."
"Can't he tell them he can't come in?" Ruby asked.
"I already asked him he said no, why can't I," Charlie huffed.
"So his job is more important typical dad, don't worry Charlie I'll see if we can stay in Stacey's tonight," Louise said and stomped up the stairs.
"Don't let him get to you mum, one more day of the city it's fine we'll come up," Ruby said before following Louise upstairs.
"Thanks girls and I'm sorry I know you wanted to stay here. I'm heading off to see Bianca now before she leaves Brax will be over with his brother to help so just show them your rooms, mine is the big one at the front."
"Okay!" Both girls yelled back down.
Charlie grabbed her bag and stormed out to her car she was still pissed, backing out of her garden she heard a whistle and looked up to see Brax walking towards her car. She rolled down the window when he got close enough.
"Hey are you okay?" He asked leaning in the door.
"I'll be fine I swear I could slap him sometimes."
"I'm not picking up for him but he's used to doing his own thing."
"Well things are gonna change, I better go and thanks for helping the girls know you're coming I'll be back soon."
"And hey," Brax pushed some hair behind her ear "try relax yourself and come back in a better mood."
Charlie smiled "I'll try I'll have a rant with B and get it all out."
"I'll see you in a while then," Brax said stepping back from the car.
"Yeah I'll be an hour tops."
"Take your time they're okay with me," Brax smiled and turned towards the house.
Charlie took off down the street a smile on her face already in a better mood and it was all thanks to Brax.