Charlie was on her way back from the airport after dropping Bianca off, as soon as she told her he flight had changed and she had ordered a taxi Charlie had made her cancel it and took her. Driving around she felt she still wasn't ready to face Jack without punching him, sighing she pulled in at a diner and decided to grab a coffee and think through a few things.
Back in the house Jack still hadn't come to see the girls and Brax was pissed, they had been here two hours now. He could tell by Louise's face she was upset by it but was used to it at the same time, he felt sorry for her. "I'll be back in a minute," he said to Louise and walked out the back door towards his own house.
Flinging the door open he found Jack watching the TV "aren't you forgetting something?" Brax snapped.
"Uh no, I don't think so," Jack replied and turned back to the TV.
"Uh how about you daughter, niece and your sister moving in two houses away?"
"They don't need me there, they never needed me, they're doing just fine without me."
"Stop feeling sorry for yourself mate, if you're gonna feel sorry for someone feel sorry for you daughter over there moping about because yet again her daddy has let her down, or how about feeling sorry for your sister the girl who gave up her life so you could live yours," Brax shook his head he was close to hitting him. "Seriously Jack! Get your act together and get the hell over there!" he yelled before storming back out the door.
Jack sighed and flung the remote on the sofa he went and looked out the window seeing Heath and Casey lifting things off the truck and carrying them inside. He was being selfish and he knew it he just didn't know what he was supposed to do, his sister stormed off on him his daughter said she hated him what the hell was he supposed to do. Standing watching for another five minutes he grabbed his phone and headed towards the house.
When he went inside Brax was in the living room setting up the TV and dvd player "she's in her room second on the left upstairs," he said without lifting his head.
Jack nodded and walked towards the stairs "oh hey Uncle Jack," Ruby said as she ran by with Casey.
"Hey Rubes, are you settling in okay?"
"Yeah me and Casey are going to go grab drinks for everyone," she called running out the door.
Jack shook his head and continued up the stairs. When he got to Louise's room he heard her curse and stuck his head in, his heart broke as he watched her trying to put her bed together alone. "Need a hand?" He said stepping inside.
Louise looked up at him and smiled for a second before it was gone "I'm fine," she said and turned back to the bed.
"You know that bit has another bit attached to the other side that you need first," Jack said after a few minutes of watching her try ram a piece of wood through the headboard. He smiled when Louise held it out to him.
Half an hour later they had the bed ready "looks great," Jack said and stepped back.
"Yeah no thanks to me, dad you hadn't a clue what you were doing," Louise laughed.
"I did so- it didn't help you kept taking bits I needed and trying to put them somewhere else."
"Hey it worked didn't it?"
Jack laughed "so how do you really feel about moving here?" He asked after a few minutes.
"It's okay I guess, I'll be fine once make some friends and start the new school, Charlie is doing what's best for us."
"I know she is she's always done what's best for you girls."
"Yeah and now it's time she gets her life back… dad you've no excuse now I'm two doors away- it's not fair on her."
"I know sweetie, and starting from now I promise I'll always be here for you- Charlie and Rubes too."
"I'd like that… I've missed you," Louise said moving closer to him.
"I've missed you too baby," Jack said pulling her into a hug "and I'm sorry I've never been there when you needed me."
"Well that is all about to change isn't it?" She asked looking up at him hopeful.
"It is baby it is," he smiled back down on her and pulled her closer.
"You know I didn't mean it when I said I hated you."
"I know sweetie let's just forget it ever happened."
Brax stood in the doorway smiling he was so engrossed watching them he didn't see Charlie creep up behind him "what are we looking at?" she whispered.
"See for yourself," Brax said pulling her in front of him.
"Aww," she said looking in on them hugging.
Brax leaned over her and closed the door "they've a bit more talking to do, anything you need doing in your room while I'm free?"
"Um yeah, you can help me put the bed together before I go," Charlie said leading him to her bedroom.
"Whoa Charlie the size of that bed I think I'm gonna need help with this," he said eyeing the massive bed in pieces on the floor.
"Well I'm helping amin't I?" she replied smirking at his reaction.
"I'll need more than you, why don't you go do something else and I'll call Heath and Casey to help me."
"Hey, I took it apart by myself I think I can manage to put it together again."
"Okay if you say so- let's go," Brax said nudging her further into the room.
Brax stood for a moment looking at the pieces "right- have you got the key for it?"
"Um," Charlie looked around for something "ah up there, I put it in that shoe box," she dragged a chair over to the wardrobe and stood on it, rummaging in the box she stepped to the side to look in it when she lost her footing and tumbled off the chair with a squeal.
Feeling herself stop she opened her eyes and looked right at Brax, he had caught her and was now holding her bridal style "falling for me are ya?" He teased once he knew she was okay.
Before Charlie could reply the door burst open "Charlie! Are you okay? We heard a scr- oh," Louise said seeing the position they were in.
"I fell," Charlie blurted out looking at the five people stood in the doorway.
"Yeah sure you did," Ruby laughed along with Heath and Casey peering over Jack's shoulder.
"What, I did I was getting something out of the box up there."
"If you say so, everyone out," Jack said ushering them all out and closing the door again.
Charlie was blushing furiously "uh you can let me down now," she whispered.
"Yeah- right," Brax said dropping her to her feet. They stood looking at one another until Brax shook his head smiled and moved away from her.
"What?" She asked following him.
"Nothing," he replied going back to the bed pieces and kneeling down beside them.
"No tell me," she said kicking him lightly.
"Oi none of that and it was nothing," he laughed.
"Tell me or I'll knock you over," she said moving closer to him.
"Do and you'll be coming with me," he warned.
Charlie smirked at him and shoved her knees into him sending him flying and squealing when he grabbed her around the knees and took her with him "oww," she laughed when she landed on top of him.
"I told you I would," he laughed.
"I didn't think you'd actually do it, you could have just told me why you smiled and walked away."
Brax smirked again "well I was thinking about kissing you but thought better of it," he said moving his hands around her waist.
"Well think about it again," she said seductively.
Brax was just leaning his head up when the door opened "hey Brax I need your help- seriously dude? Get off my sister and get your ass out of her room," Jack laughed and walked back out.
"You gotta be kidding me," he sighed and dropped his head back to the floor.
"Well guess we'll have to wait and see what happens tomorrow night," Charlie smiled at him and jumped up "leave the bed I don't need it tonight anyway."
Down in the living room Ruby and Casey were packing out the dvds "so what are you doing later?" Casey asked.
"Aww I've to go back up to the city tonight mum's working and she won't let us stay here tonight alone."
"Right okay," he said disappointed.
"Why?" Ruby asked.
"Well Geoff and Romeo asked me to the cinema and they're both brining their girlfriends, I was gonna see did you wanna go but maybe another time then."
"Yeah, sure, another time then," Ruby smiled.
Charlie bounced down the stairs "right girls I leave in ten minutes go get ready!" she yelled.
"Charlie! Can I take my car again?" Louise called down the stairs.
"No sweetie, Ruby's is still up at the house she'll be driving it back down and I'm not letting you drive all this way alone."
"What this about a car?" Jack asked walking down behind Brax who threw a pointed look at Charlie.
"Aunt Charlie bought me a car isn't that great dad?" Louise said happily oblivious to her dads glare at Charlie.
"Charlie! You got her a car! A damn car?" Jack yelled.
"I told you we were buying her one when she passed her test and as part of her birthday present!" Charlie yelled back.
"Yeah we- as in me and you we!"
"Well you weren't exactly around half the time Jack! You didn't wanna know so don't you dare be angry about it now! What about you know what you're doing Charlie you don't need to call me?" she hissed.
"That doesn't mean go buy her a fucking car! How much did you pay for it?" He asked a bit calmer.
"I got her a car the same way I did Ruby when she passed her test, and it was nine," Charlie muttered.
"Nine grand! Charlie are you insane?"
"I don't have time for this- girls, in the car now," she said walking towards the door.
"No Charlie," he grabbed her arm and pulled her back "we're gonna talk about this now."
"You're hurting me!" she cried "I have to go to work I don't have time."
"Well make time," he hissed.
"What like you do?" she spat "Jack get your hands off me or so help me I will hit you so hard!"
"Let her go mate," Brax said stepping forward.
"This has nothing to do with you!" Jack hissed.
"It does when you're hurting her in front of me and her kids- let go," Brax said taking a step forward.
Jack looked at the horrified look on Ruby's face and then to Louise who hid behind Ruby holding her tight. He looked back to Heath and Casey who stood awkwardly in the corner he dropped her arm and looked at the terrified look on her face "Charlie… I'm sorry," he whispered.
"I have to go," she said trying to hold back her tears and ushered the girls out the door without a word.
"That was low mate," Heath said and shook his head in disgust before he walked outside.
"Yeah not cool man," Casey said and followed in Heath's wake.
Brax stood glaring at Jack "and you were worried about me hurting her? Well here's a warning for you, get your shit together and stop taking everything out on Charlie! You fucked up mate not her and if I ever! Ever see you put your hands on her again I'll hit you so hard you'll never get back up again… are we clear?"
Jack just nodded he was sick to his stomach, he'd never hurt his sister never that was something he'd never experienced before. "I-I-I don't know what the hell happened I just snapped I'd never hurt her," he stuttered.
Brax sighed he looked really cut up about it "you need to make some time for her mate, you really need to talk you can't be at each other's throats all the time, did you see the look on Ruby and Louise's face there?"
"I know I don't ever want them to look at me like that again."
"Well sort it out mate when she comes back tomorrow… if she comes back tomorrow."
Charlie had been driving for over a half an hour now and nobody had spoken a word since they left.
"I'm sorry Charlie," Louise whimpered from the back.
"It's not your fault sweetie don't worry about it," Charlie replied.
"It is if I hadn't opened my big mouth he wouldn't have went off on you."
"It's not your fault Lou," Ruby said from beside her.
"It's nobody's fault but Jack's, so let's forget it okay?" Charlie said as she dropped them outside Stacey's house. "Alright I'll be back for you at ten then we'll pick up your car Rubes- have fun girls and tell Stacey I said hi and tell her mum and dad I said thanks." Both girls climbed out and hugged Charlie through the open window. She watched them get inside before she headed for the station.
Pulling into her parking space she sat looking at the building, taking a few deep breathes she unbuckled her belt and sat back "you'll be fine just stick to your story and you'll be fine," she said out loud before climbing out and slowly walking towards the doors.
"Constable Buckton?" She groaned and turned around she hadn't even made it Wilson's office yet.
"I'm Don Fletcher from Internal Affairs can I have a word with you?"
"Um sure can I go see my boss first?" Charlie asked nervously.
"I'm afraid I have to come too we've already got statements from Sergeant Wilson and any other officers that were at the scene or the hospital so we can't let you talk to any of them just yet unless I am present."
"Okay but I'm just checking in getting my orders for shift," Charlie replied as she began to walk towards his office "hey Jen is he free?"
"Charlie hey," Jen jumped up and hugged her "how are you feeling?" she asked nodding to the stitches in her face and head.
"Aww I'm fine thanks, they hurt but that much."
"That's good to know, yeah he's free I'll let him know you're here," she smiled and hurried inside.
"Charlie," Sean stuck his head out "come on in and bring… your new friend with you," he said rolling his eyes.
Charlie walked into the office "so what am I doing tonight?" she asked.
"Well you'll be having a chat with him first," he nodded to Fletcher "he's not to keep you longer than a half hour, and then you'll catch up on the last of your paperwork. Seeing as its Saturday you're needed on the streets, I know you're always solo but under the circumstances Dave will be riding with you as he knows your moves best."
"Yes sir I understand," Charlie nodded.
"Okay if I don't see you during the night come see me before you go home to talk about your last shift."
"Yes sir thanks," she smiled at him and left the office Fletcher hot on her heels.
"Interview room one when you're ready," Fletcher said and smiled at her.
"Yeah I'll be there now just grabbing a coffee," she smiled back and went to the coffee machine trying to prepare herself. 'Relax its a few questions, you'll be fine- think of the girls they need you, he doesn't know anything' she said to herself as she walked along the hallway.
Charlie walked into the interview room and sat down across from Fletcher. He was all business mode "state your name for the record please."
Charlie noted the recorder on the table "Senior Constable Charlie Buckton."
"Constable, were you on duty on the night of the seventh of May o- twelve?"
"Yes I was," she replied trying to remain calm.
"And can you run me through your night up until you were in the presence of a one Aaron Cosgrove?"
"Yes- well I was called in as one of the officers had a family emergency; I stared at about nine the first hour I drove between Marks street and Canal Gardens. I pulled over a man for speeding then roughly an hour later I approached teens spray painting a wall. I took a break at eleven- thirty went to Moe's for a coffee, was there roughly twenty minutes before I headed back out again. I was called to car accident two men were arguing I dealt with that which was roughly a half an hour before I was on my way again. I made my way back towards Marks as I knew the pub goers would be heading home at this time which was roughly one am- I drove around for the next hour, noting happened everyone was just going about their business so I circled the blocks a few times. Then around twoish I saw Mr Cosgrove for the first time." Charlie stopped talking and looked up to him.
"So you were in contact with Mr Cosgrove before the incident in the Alleyway?"
"Yes, not actual contact- I was taking a short cut down an alley when I saw a man and a woman walking slowly in front of me, I flashed my light and asked them to let me by the woman replied and they both stepped aside and I passed by them."
"So you never knew it was Mr Cosgrove in that Alleyway?"
"No I did not, I waved to say thanks and he smiled at me I thought he looked familiar but thought nothing of it after that and went on my way."
"Tell me what happened when you got called back to that same Alleyway."
"I arrived to see a distraught woman being comforted by another woman while not far away a man had another man which at the time I never knew it was Mr Cosgrove pinned to the ground, I intervened and cuffed him placed him in my car and went to get statements."
"Giving your history with Mr Cosgrove did you two speak other than the related case?"
Charlie nodded "he said something like Buckton how's mummy doing I said very funny and that's when I placed him in my car."
"So what happened after you took him away?"
"I waited for the woman to be looked after and for others to arrive to go over the scene before I took off for the station. I was on Merion St when I was stopped at a red light.
"Which ones?" Charlie looked up at him "there are three sets of Lights on that street."
Charlie closed her eyes as she tried to visualise the street "it was the ones beside Elmo's bar and Nancy's Café."
"Okay what happened next?" He asked jotting down notes.
Charlie knew she had to be very careful with what she said from here on out. "The lights turned green for us to go, there were two cars in front of my cruiser, before I could pull off a guy who I assume well hope anyway was drunk yanked my back door open. Before I had my belt off Mr Cosgrove jumped from my car and took off down and alley way, I gave chase in my car and caught up with him on an abandoned warehouse site on Dalton way."
"So you followed him off the street where no one could see you and you never called for back-up?"
"No I didn't think I needed back up as he was already cuffed and I had no choice but to follow him he was my responsibility in my custody," Charlie replied.
"So what happened after you caught up with him?"
For the next ten minutes Charlie ran though it with him willing for him to call an end to it so she could get the hell out of there she needed to throw up- scream or just do anything.
"So if you hadn't shot him you may have been raped and possibly killed?" Fletcher asked.
"I do believe my life was under threat and yes I believe he would have raped and killed me if I hadn't of acted the way I did."
"So you believe this was self-defence?"
"Yes I do," Charlie replied looking right into his eyes.
"So your mother and sister's case wasn't on your mind clouding you judgment at the time?"
"No it was not, Mr Fletcher I take my job very seriously I would never let a personal matter get in my way and I would not cross the line and kill someone over a personal matter either. I am trained to kill in only life or death situations on which I respect and follow through, if I had the chance to bring him in alive I certainly would have- regardless of what he did to my family."
Fletcher smiled at her and switched off the recorded "you can go now I have all I need."
"Thanks," Charlie muttered and walked out of the room, she walked until she was sure he wouldn't see her ran bolting to the bathrooms throwing up and burst into tears. Her stomach was in knots and her chest was tight and her hands were shaking, she could feel her heart beat pound off her chest, she tried her very best not to show signs of guilt in there. Fixing herself up she went to find David."
Back in the Bay Jack sat at his desk staring at the picture of him and Charlie, he couldn't believe he snapped like that, sighing he pulled his phone and called her.
"Hey," she said quietly.
"Hey are you okay?" He asked not liking her tone.
"Uh yeah just tired been a busy few days- what's up?"
"Charlie about earlier I'm sorry I flipped I never should have did what I did."
"It's fine Jack just let it go."
"No I won't Charlie I was way out of line, we really need to talk can we go out for dinner tomorrow night and have a proper talk?"
"Um… well I kinda have a date tomorrow with… Brax," she said slowly.
Jack laughed "you two didn't waste any time did you? I just hope I don't run into you in his shirt during the night."
"Hey your my brother don't talk like that, I can ask him to swap it if you want because we really do need to talk."
"Nah you go have some fun I'll bring the girls to a movie or something."
"Okay if you're sure- but we still need to talk."
"I am go on, I'll talk to you in the morning and Charlz… be careful out there yeah?"
"I know, you too- love ya gotta go."
"Yeah love ya too," he smiled as he put his phone down only to be startled by Brax standing in his doorway "geez man you really know how to scare people," he laughed.
Brax laughed and sat in the chair opposite him "so made up have we?"
"Yeah but we've still a lot to talk about."
Brax stood up and slapped him across the back of the head "that was for the shirt comment what do you think I am? I wouldn't sleep with her on the first date."
Jack laughed "I know I was winding her up… what are you doing here this late?"
"Came to see how you were doing."
"I'm fine now I've talked to her."
"Cool at least it's a start, listen mate I can hold off on taking her out if you guys wanna talk."
"Nah mate you take her out she deserves time away from the girl, I'm going to spend some time with them."
"Okay well I'll be off then I've to get back for closing had a Stag party in tonight," Brax said standing up.
"Alright mate I'll see you in the morning," Jack called as he walked out of his office.
Back in the city it was now after four am and Charlie drove around in silence, she was surprised how quiet the streets were for it being a Saturday, normally there was still a few drunken college kids hanging around or on their way home from a party. They had two calls throughout the night one was a kid sneaking back in his window after a party and his mother thought the house was being robbed, the other was a fight between a boyfriend and girlfriend outside their house, Charlie sighed and continued to drive.
"Coffee?" Dave asked pulling her from her thoughts.
"Oh yes, six o clock can't come quick enough," she replied pulling in outside one of the all night diners.
"So how are you feeling about starting your new job?" Dave asked as soon as they were back in the car with their coffees.
"I'm excited and nervous I know I'll be fine but I've never run an entire station by myself before- it'll be a good experience," Charlie replied.
"Yeah you'll be great Charlie, everyone here listens to you as it is… you just have that voice," Dave laughed.
"Excuse me, are you calling me a loud mouth?" Charlie teased.
Dave chuckled "aww come on Charlie, you know you're loud but in a good way you have the authority voice that says listen up and I don't take crap form anyone. You'll have them all at Yabbie Creek shaking in their boots, your brother included… how'd he take the news anyway?"
At the thought of his face Charlie burst out laughing "oh Dave you should have seen his face it was priceless, he couldn't believe it and sat staring at me for ages before he flipped."
Dave laughed "I can imagine his face he didn't like that I'd imagine."
"Oh no, he didn't like that one bit," Charlie laughed.
They fell back into silence for a few minutes "you know I'm gonna miss you around here- you're the only one I trusted and were my only true friend well besides Karl and Steve. We've been through it all together Charlie the academy, being rookies, getting cut lose, our fists takedowns, working our way up to Senior Constables- we did it all together we were lucky we got to stay in the same station- unlike Mel," Dave said.
"I know and I'm gonna miss you so much Dave we've being through a lot together, we've always being there for one another but we'll still see each other- you'll make Sergeant someday too and I'll be there when that day comes- I hear John Stapes is thinking of Jacking it in soon and now I am one of them I can vouch for you," Charlie said and squeezed his hand.
Dave laughed "how about a night out on the town when you're settled in the bay? Get all the old gang back together for a night."
"Yeah I'd like that," Charlie looked at her watch it was now five am "hey times nearly up how about we do another round of the block and head back in?"
"Our last round of the block as partners," Dave said smiling sadly.
"Aww don't make me cry- hey listen I'm nightshift again Monday how about I ask for you again and we can go out with a bang?"
"Yeah team Buckton/Barton going out in style," Dave laughed.
"We sure will Dave we sure will," Charlie giggled and stared up the car.
End of shift had finally come and Charlie went to see her friends before she went back down to the bay not even bothering to change out of her uniform. At half nine she bid goodbye and headed off for the girls and was now sitting outside Stacey's house.
She smiled as Louise skipped to the car and climbed in the front with her "hey did you two have fun?"
"Oh yeah Charlie, Brandon was on the phone crying to Rubes to take him back you should have heard him he was pathetic, Ruby told him to go shove it and hung up she was so cool."
Charlie laughed "well he deserved that where is she anyway?"
"Oh she was doing her insulin I told her you were here," Louise replied.
Two minutes later Ruby walked to the car and climbed into the back "hey Rubes you okay?"
"Yeah I'm great mum," she smiled and did her belt. Half an hour later they were headed back to the bay Ruby and Louise in Ruby's car and Charlie alone in hers.
Pulling up to her house Charlie realised she'd went in such a hurry yesterday she'd forgotten to take the key. Groaning she climbed out and tried the front door groaning again when it was locked.
"What is it mum?" Ruby as asked as they joined her at the door.
"Please tell me one of you took the key yesterday?"
"Um no we thought you had it," Louise replied.
"Maybe Jack or Brax have it," Ruby added.
"Yeah maybe, I'll go check," Charlie said already crossing the lawn towards their house.
She knocked at the door and waited, leaning against the doorframe she dropped her head she was so tired, looking up when the door open she smiled at Brax looking her up and down.
'Wow she looks so hot in that uniform' he said to himself "Hey," he said after a minute.
"Hey listen I forget the key yesterday do you or Jack have it?"
"Uh yeah I spotted it on the counter when we were leaving I locked up for ya, come in and I'll get it," he replied moving aside to let her in.
"Thank you I never even missed it until we were at the door," she yawned.
"Busy night? He asked handing her the key.
"No it was pretty boring but it did give me a chance to catch up with my old partner."
"Great job you have, I won't keep you, you look like you could do with a few hours of sleep."
"Yeah I do I can't stop yawning."
"Well you better be fresh as a daisy later," he said opening the door for her.
"Yeah I will be see ya later Brax and thanks," she smiled at him and walked back to her house to find Casey and another boy with the girls "hey Casey," she said and smiled.
"Oh hey Charlie, this is Aden" Casey said pointing to a smiling blonde boy. "We came to see if it was okay if we showed the girls around a bit."
" Nice to meet you Aden, Isn't that nice girls sure that's okay with me you guys have fun," Charlie smiled again and opened the door, she took in the bags the girls had left on the ground before running off and shut the door behind her.
Looking around she knew something was different than she left it yesterday, she smiled as her eyes set on the machine and dryer all connected up in the small laundry room. She walked along the kitchen and saw her fridge and cooker had been connected too. Taking the stairs she walked into her room to get a shower, opening the door she froze and a smile crept up on her face, her bed had been made up and placed in the middle of the room, there was now a cover and pillowcases over the blanket and pillows. She smiled again and sat on the bed picking up the note that was in the middle of it.
'Thought you could use this to sleep in since you've no sofa yet, I'll pick you up at eight tonight sweet dreams- Brax xx'
'Aww' she said to herself and giggled like a school girl, deciding to skip the shower until after she striped down to her underwear and fell into the bed.
Down the beach the girls, Casey and Aden had met up with Romeo and Indi and were all getting along so well.
"So Ruby tell me what was it like at you last school?" Casey asked.
"Well it was okay I guess, the teachers were a drag and the poshies were so annoying," she answered.
"Poshies?" Indi questioned.
"Yeah girls who come from better backgrounds than us thinking they're so much better there was a group of them total airheads," Louise said.
Aden laughed "they always think money solves all problems there's a few around here too. So you girls leave any broken hearted blokes up there?"
"Nah they were all too lame for me, Ruby did though," Louise laughed as she shot her a glare.
"Oh yeah? Do tell," Romeo said.
"Well I broke up with him two weeks ago and last night he called and begged me to get back with him and I said no," Ruby said with a smile.
"He was a total douche," Louise laughed.
"Right guys we'll be off I start my shift soon, nice to meet you girls," Romeo said as he took Indi's hand.
"Yeah you two need to meet the others, give Case your number and I'll call you later- after Romeo's finished we can all hang at mine- bye," Indi said and walked away with Romeo.
"You guys wanna go grab a juice or something?" Casey asked.
"Nah I'll skip it I'm going to go for a surf the waves are rocking- Louise you wanna join me?" Aden asked with a cheeky smile.
"Sure… but I don't know how, Ruby has tried to teach me but I can never get it I always fall off," Louise said a faint blush on her cheeks.
"Well then it's a must, you've never had me as you teacher let's go," Aden grabbed her hand and pulled her along.
Ruby smiled as she watched Louise run off with Aden "so I'll go for that juice if you want," she said turning back to Casey who stood gawping at her "what?" She asked shyly.
"You surf?" He asked surprised.
"Um yeah have since I was about seven," she replied.
"...Marry me," Casey said quickly and laughed "there's not many girls here that do, Indi is the only one but that's because Romeo taught her."
"Well they haven't seen anything yet wait until I get out there," Ruby giggled.
"Did your dad or something teach you to surf?" Casey asked as they walked towards the surf club.
At the mention of her father Ruby's face dropped "um no, my mum did she's actually pretty cool at it," she said trying to steer away from the dreaded dad subject.
"Charlie surfs? Brax will love her," Casey laughed.
"Did you know they were going on a date tonight?"
"No way him and Charlie? Brax never said."
Ruby giggled "well mum didn't tell me either, I was sorta listening to them talk the other night she'd already told me she liked him so I was kinda hoping he'd ask her out- which obviously he did."
"Wow I wonder what Jack would say- Brax said he was always very over protective of Charlie," Casey said as they walked into the surf club.
"He was-is but I don't think he minds Brax because he's a decent guy and he knows what he's like."
Yeah he is, he pretty cool he's done a lot for me and Heath- anyway juice?" Casey asked as they stopped at the counter.
"Um passion fruit and pineapple please," Ruby said with a smile.
"No way that's mine too," Casey laughed "we're gonna get along just fine."
Back at the house Charlie had just woken up, she threw on the first thing she pulled from a box which was an old shirt she'd stole on Jack. She made her way downstairs and made herself a coffee before going to get a shower, she loved having the house to herself and sat on the ledge looking out at the sunshine sipping her coffee and got lost in thought.
Once she was finished she went in and turned on the shower, before she could move the hose burst and water sprayed everywhere she let out a scream and kept on screaming.
Brax was loading his board to go for a surf when he heard the scream it was high pitched he took off across the lawn and barged into her house and up the stairs "Charlie!" He yelled panicked and burst into her bedroom. The water was still spraying everywhere and Charlie was soaking wet trying to stop it.
Brax stopped in his tracks and gulped she was only in a shirt he followed her long legs until they came to her underwear and up her tiny frame, shaking his head he ran from the room and down to the water mains. Once it was off he ran back up the stairs and into the room behind her "the switch is off so it should stop in a second," he said.
Charlie closed her eyes and nodded she was so embarrassed she slowly turned to face him like a drowned rat "thanks," she muttered and wiped some of the hair stuck to her face.
Brax smiled and stepped closer to her "what are you trying to do to me aye?" he murmured and pushed more hair behind her ear "you almost gave me a heart attack I heard you scream from my house and now I find you here in just a shirt."
Charlie giggled and looked up at him "sorry I hadn't intended on my shower breaking."
"Well it's a good thing it did," he stepped back and looked her up and down "I like the look."
Charlie blushed "shut up," she said smacking him and took a step forward, forgetting the floor was wet she went sailing into his arms.
"This is becoming a habit for you," he chuckled as he held her by the waist, Charlie just smiled up at him. He smiled back and lowered his head- his lips were inches away from hers when…
"Mum!" Ruby yelled downstairs.
Charlie went to step away but Brax held her tighter "nu-uh I've been thinking about you since you showed up- no interruptions this time," he said and closed the distance between them kissing her softly.
It took Charlie a few seconds to respond she flung her arms around his neck and pulled him closer- deepening the kiss, her legs had gone weak and she was getting tingles all over her body. The kiss got more heated and she pulled at his shirt before her senses kicked in. She pulled back and looked up at him "isn't the first kiss supposed to be after the date?" She giggled.
Brax kissed her again quickly "I couldn't wait anymore- go see what Ruby wants I'll clean up here."
"No don't I will, I'll be back in a sec," she said grabbing a towel and running down the stairs "Rubes," she called.
"Mum oh mum great news! Guess what guess what guess what!" Ruby yelled excitedly and jumped up and down.
"Calm down and tell me," Charlie giggled.
"Okay well me and Casey were in the surf club, he offered to walk me home since Lou was surfing with Aden anyway he told me I was really pretty and asked me out oh mum I'm so excited he's really sweet," she squealed.
"Aww baby that's great news, when are you going out?"
"Uh tomorrow and mum I know you're working but please pretty pretty please can I stay down here?"
"I don't know Rubes I don't wanna leave you for the night alone with me being so far away and what about Lou? She won't stay here while you go out."
"Aww mum please! We've made some friends maybe one of them could come and stay here until I get back, and Jack or Brax could stay the night so we won't be alone."
"Honey you can't assume they'll be free Brax has his restaurant and Jack could be working nights too, I'm sorry sweetie but you'll just have to ask Casey to take you out another night."
"Aww mum please," Ruby whined.
"Baby you know I'd love too but I don't feel right being in the city overnight while you two are alone here."
Brax stood on the stairs and had just caught the end of it "Charlie can you come help me for a sec," he called.
"Yeah coming I'm sorry Rubes really I am," she said to her sulking daughter.
"Whatever," Ruby muttered and went into the living room.
Charlie shook her head and went back to her room "what do you need Brax?" She said walking to the bathroom.
"Nothing I have a proposition for you," he replied as he dried the floor.
"And what would that be?" Charlie asked grabbing another towel and doing the same.
"Well I overheard some of your conversation with Ruby and if you let her go, I'll sit here with Louise until Ruby comes home and then I'll take them over to my place and they can sleep over, we've a spare room Jack will be working until midnight so he'll be there too."
"Brax I can't ask you to do that."
"You didn't ask I'm offering seriously Charlie it's no bother I can tell neither of them want to go back up they've started to make friends."
"Well that would help so much thanks Brax," Charlie opened her bedroom door "Ruby!" She yelled down.
Ruby pulled herself from the floor and thumped up the stairs "what?" she said stopping at the door.
Charlie smiled "say thank you to Brax," she said nodding to him.
"Why?" Ruby asked confused.
"Because he's offered to sit with Lou so you can go out with Casey tomorrow."
"What seriously!" Ruby shrieked.
"Seriously… on one condition," Charlie said.
"Anything!" Ruby said excitedly.
"You have to be home for ten as Casey will have school, and don't give Brax a reason to call me."
"I'm pretty sure that's two but I'll take them- thanks Brax!" Ruby squealed and hugged him.
"No problem kiddo," he laughed.
"Thanks mum," Ruby hugged her and ran to her room.
"Well I'll be off then since my services are no longer needed," he walked to Charlie and slipped his hands around her waist "I'll pick you up at eight," he said before kissing her.
"Yeah see ya then," she said as he walked out of her room "oh my god! Kill me now! She groaned and went to use the shower in the main bathroom.