Chapter 8

Thanks again to you all for your lovely reviews, it is great when people review as it gives you an insight if people like your story or not.

FrankElza, yes I am the Sandy that reviewed your wonderful stories, my favourite "Real Brother" great writing, an awesome story that got me hooked from the very first chapter, it is a story I have actually gone back and read a few times since. Reading your story actually inspired me to put some of my own ideas together., so a big Thank You!

This is my next chapter, hope you enjoy it …..Sandy)

Ricky's P.O.V

I couldn't sleep, there was so much going on in my head, so many negative thoughts. I couldn't have post-natal depression, Nate was wrong.

I sat out at the edge of my bed, Matthew my beautiful little boy was fast asleep in his bassinet, I didn't deserve him, I wasn't the mum I thought I would be.. Silent tears slipped down my face again, I had no control over them now, they just kept coming and coming and coming.

I kept telling myself my little boy would be so much better without me, he would have his dad and not forgetting his new big brother Casey (the kid Brax couldn't tell me about), Kyle, Phoebe, Heath, Bianca and Darcy all would be there for him.

I stood up and wandered over to the mirror, I pulled off the sheet I had covering over it, there it was again, that horrible reflection looking back at me.

I could hear Kyle snore next door to my room so I crept quietly out to the kitchen. I found myself once again sitting on the couch devouring a bar of chocolate and a packet of crisps. My phone started to flash, I picked it up and saw I had ten missed calls from Brax and one text message. I opened up the message and started to read,

"I am so sorry for everything Ricky, I love you and Matthew so much. Please don't push me away, I need you now more than ever. Casey is just a little kid who needs me also. Please ring me, I want to hear your voice, I want to know you understand. and that we are both OK and you still Love me.

Matthew started to cry, he was due a feed, I stood up I couldn't move, it felt like something was holding me back from reaching my little boy. After a few minutes of crying I heard Kyle and Phoebes door open.

"Ricky is everything OK" questioned Kyle as he appeared into the lounge and Phoebe was behind him carrying Matthew.

"I have an awful Migraine" I replied would you mind feeding Matthew for me.

"Sure" replied Phoebe. "Maybe, If it would suit you we could let him sleep in our room for the rest of tonight", exclaimed Kyle, it would give you a chance to get some sleep and clear your migraine.

"That would be great" I gave a week smile, guilt eating up inside me, I was again abandoning my baby but I continued to head back to my room regardless and shut the door behind me.

Heath stood up from the chair where he tried to sleep in all night to stretch his legs, Brax was fast asleep in the other chair and Casey was sleeping like a baby in the bed.

Casey had asked Brax to stay with him all night, but didn't trust them enough when Brax assured him they would. He slept for about an hour and woke, this continued until 5am in the morning when Casey became so exhausted from keeping watch that he finally fell asleep.

"Good Morning" greeted Dr. Wallace as he entered into Casey's room.

Brax jumped to his feet pretty fast, but Casey continued to sleep on.

"How is Casey doing this morning" asked Dr. Wallace as he picked up Casey's chart that was attached to the back of the bed.

"He had a rough night" exclaimed Brax was late when he got to sleep.

"No worries" replied Dr. Wallace, there will be a Doctor calling in later today to do a Psychological Evaluation on Casey and after that is done I will discuss further with you Mr. Braxton.

"Why has he to go through a Psychological Evaluation" questioned Brax, we all know why he took an overdose, but that doesn't mean he is crazy.

"Anyone, that is admitted to the hospital from any form of suicidal attempt, we have to follow through with a Psychological Evaluation to determine if the person is suffering from any form of mental illness that may require the person to be emitted or if he/she require therapy or some type of anti-depressants.

Brax stood there, he felt sick, it was all too much to take in. He looked over at Casey who still remained asleep, how could a thirteen year old suffer from a mental illness, he just looked like any kid his age, he didn't look sick.

"I need to get some air would you stay with Case until I get back" question Brax as he looked over at Heath who was stationed by the window.

"Sure, no worries" replied Heath, but bring me back a strong black coffee.

Brax's P.O.V

I couldn't wait to get out and breath in that fresh air, it was getting very stuffy in that room.

I looked at my phone, no missed call from Ricky or no text message. I tried to ring her number again but went straight to voice mail. I dialed Kyle's' number and he answered.

"Hey Mate" replied Kyle, how is everything going there?

"Fine" replied Brax, I have been trying to get through to Ricky is everything OK?

"To be honest, I am not sure Brax" she seems to be struggling especially around Matthew, in fact it is Phoebe, Bianca and myself that are taking care of him, not that any of us mind don't get me wrong, we love looking after the little guy.

"I am sorry mate ,this is all my fault" said Brax, I should have made her listen to me about Case, my head is all over the place and now Case has to go through a Psychological Evaluation to determine if he is crazy or not.

"That would be a normal procedure" exclaimed Kyle, I am sure he will be fine. "You take care of things there in the hospital" and we will look after things here until you get back, I am sure everything will fall into place.

Heath decided to head back to Summer Bay and leave Brax and Casey to have a few days to bond.

"I will get the bus to Mangrove River" exclaimed Heath and Bianca is going to collect me there later after school.

"I will pop in on mum and tell her your good news".

Brax paused for a minute, "Do you think mum knew about Casey" questioned Brax.

"I wouldn't say so, sure she hardly knew you were even going out with Nathalie" your safe there man I would say mum was clueless like the rest of us.

Casey finally woke up, but looked pale and miserable.

"Case, I need to discuss a few things with you before your psychological Evaluation this afternoon" exclaimed Brax as he pulled his chair over to the bed.

"Why did you take the tablets" questioned Brax

"I don't know, and I don't want to talk about it" cried Casey.

"Well tell me then why did you cut your hands" asked Brax in a calmer tone, you must know Case?

"I didn't cut my hands, I wouldn't do that, I don't want to talk anymore" Casey protested as he lid down and turned his back to Brax.

Brax rubbed his head, he knew he couldn't put pressure on the kid it would just make things worse. He sat back in his chair letting Casey know he wasn't alone in the room and didn't say another word.

Brax wasn't allowed to stay in the room when the doctor came in to do the Psychological Evaluation, and this didn't help where Casey was concerned either. Later that afternoon, Dr. Wallace approached Brax and explained the evaluation went pretty well, they put the suicidal attempt and the cutting of his hands to grievances and offered Casey grieving counseling when he would be discharged from the hospital. Brax was somewhat relieved, and made a promise there and then he was going to give the best chance he could give to Casey in life.

Heath arrived at Cheryl's house in Mangrove River. Cheryl was standing by the sink making herself a cuppa.

"Hi Mum" if there is one of them going I would love one exclaimed Heath.

"Don't tell me you have been out parting all night" questioned Cheryl, you look shattered.

"No Mum, you needn't worry" replied Heath, I have a beautiful wife and kid to take care of so the days of the mad parting are behind me.

"What do I owe the pleasure of your company then" questioned Cheryl as she handed Heath a cuppa.

"Well, I was in the city with Brax yesterday and actually all nigh at that" and guess what you are not going to believe me.

"Brax has a kid" replied Heath.

"By any chance did you hit your head of something" questioned Cheryl, I am well aware that Matthew was born almost three weeks ago.

"No Mum, not Matthew" exclaimed Heath, he has another kid "Casey, Casey Davidson", Nathalie's kid and obviously Brax's now..

Cheryl stood up and went over to the sink, her face dropped when she heard the name, "Casey".

"Did you know about Casey?" questioned Heath as he stood next to his mum at the sink.

"How would I know, no one ever tells me anything" said Cheryl as she glanced out the window, behind it all she was worried how much she would loose if Brax ever found out the truth.

Later that evening, Casey perked up a little and pulled himself to an upright position in the bed, he glanced over at Brax who sat staring at his phone.

"So what do I call you" questioned Casey.

Brax lifted his head, he was a little shocked as Casey hadn't really said very much since they first met.

"Well my name is Darryl" but most people know me as Brax, you can always call me dad, I don't really mind whichever you feel most comfortable with.

"Have you other kids" asked Casey

"I have a little boy, named Matthew" he is almost three weeks old. "Here is a picture of him" replied Brax as he showed Casey a photo of Ricky holding baby Matthew soon after he was born.

"Is that his mum" questioned Casey with a sad look on his face.

"Yes, Ricky is her name", you will like her, she is one special lady.

"What about Heath, does he have kids" asked Casey. "One girl, Darcy, she has just turned fourteen, she is one cool cookie, we all love her to bits, there is also Bianca, Heaths wife and Kyle and Phoebe and not forgetting Charlie the dog.

************ There was silence for a few minutes until Casey spoke again ****************

"Do you think you might come visit me when I go back to foster care" I would really like if you could and maybe bring Matthew at some stage so I can meet him.

Brax stood up from where he was sitting and moved closer to Casey. He put his hand on Casey's shoulder and looked directly at him.

"I won't be coming to visit you in foster care, because you will be coming home to live with me when they discharge you from here.

"You are my son Casey" exclaimed Brax, I have lost out on so much of your life already I have no intention of loosing out in any more, you have a family in Summer Bay now you are not alone anymore.

Casey smiled, "Thanks, thanks Dad"

Brax was overwhelmed by Casey calling him Dad, he pulled his son in for a hug, you have a dad here that loves you Case he whispered into his ear and thanks for allowing me to be part of your life.

Brax lifted up his mobile phone and looked at the photo of Ricky and Matthew, deep down he hoped Ricky would accept Casey into there family, because the last thing he didn't want to have to do would be decide between Casey or Ricky?