Chapter 9

Thanks to you all for your lovely reviews really appreciate it and love reading them. This is my next chapter, hope you enjoy it …..Sandy

"How is everything going" questioned Phoebe as she sat at the table having breakfast with Ricky.

"Yes, fine" replied Ricky, I was actually thinking of going back to work for a few hours just to get out of the house.

"Do you not think it is a bit too soon after having Matthew" questioned Phoebe, if that were me I would enjoy having time off, chilling out on the couch while having everyone wait on me.

"Good morning you two" interrupted Heath as he entered into the house, the good new is Brax rang and he thinks he might be home later today, he maintains the hospital are probably going to discharge Casey.

"That's great" replied Kyle who appeared out from the bedroom looking exhausted, I suppose we better sort out the spare room.

"Are you and Phoebe moving back in" questioned Ricky with a smile, do you know I actually have enjoyed having another female companion living here.

Heath, Phoebe and Kyle looked at each other before Heath spoke.

"We will be sorting out the spare room for Casey", I thought you knew he was coming back here to live when he was discharged exclaimed Heath as he looked at Ricky.

"Yes, yes of course I knew" replied Ricky not looking one bit pleased, I think I will take a shower, if you wouldn't mind listening out for Matthew.

"No problem Ricky" exclaimed Phoebe, take as long as you need.

"Lets sort out that room then" said Heath and Brax also wanted us to put this photo of Casey's mum in a frame, seemingly the photo he had of her got destroyed by blood stains I suppose when the kid cut his hands.

"She was very pretty" stated Bianca who arrived in with Darcy, does Casey have her looks?

"Yes, he is very like her" exclaimed Heath, probably has his dad's temperament though.

"I can't wait to meet him" replied Darcy, it will be so good to have someone my own age to hang out with, it gets a bit boring hanging out with you oldies all the time.

"Oi!"shouted Heath his eyebrows cocked, enough with the oldies young lady go and grab fresh sheets out of the linen press..

"Are you ready then Case for your big move to Summer Bay" smiled Brax as he grabbed Casey's back pack from the chair.

"Did you ask Ms. Fletcher if I could see my granddad before I go" questioned Casey, I just want to say good bye to him.

Brax paused for a minute...

"I am sorry mate" exclaimed Brax, she didn't think it was a good time right now" but I promise I will bring you to visit him when he is feeling up to it.

Casey had tears forming in his eyes as he looked up to Brax, "Can I say goodbye to my mum?"

"Of course you can mate" replied Brax as he put his hand on Casey's shoulder, you show me the way.

Brax pulled in to the graveyard minutes later after leaving the hospital. Casey got out of the car, he opened in the big silver gate that led into the grave yard, he was carrying a bunch of flowers Brax bought for him to lay on the grave.

"Hi Mum" said Casey with tears streaming down his cheeks, I came to say goodbye.

"By the way I found my dad, he seems cool, and he is taking me back to Summer Bay to live with him", I am so scared, what if they don't like me or if I can't fit in. "I miss you so much mum, I wish you were still here, I love you" said Casey before he turned around and walked back out to where Brax was stationed by his Ute.

Brax saw Casey coming through the silver gates with tears streaming down his face, he went over to him and pulled him in tight for a big hug.

"Everything is going to be fine Case" exclaimed Brax, as he wiped away the tears, I promise you mate.

Casey sat into Brax's Ute, he put in his ear phones, leaned his head up against the glass and looked out the window as the lights of the city faded away as they drove off towards Summer Bay.

It was later into the afternoon when Brax pulled up outside his house in Summer Bay.

"They are here" shouted Darcy in excitement, a big smile on her face.

A few minutes later Brax opened in the front door, Casey following after.

"Hello again Casey" said Heath as he pulled him in for a hug, welcome to Summer Bay, come and meet the rest of the family.

Bianca, smiled and gave him a hug, Kyle shook his hand, Phoebe almost jumped on top of him but instead paused and hugged him, "welcome to the mad house" she smiled.

"Steady on" said Kyle as he slightly pulled Phoebe back, let the kid breath.

Ricky stood between the kitchen and the lounge where she remained and just saluted Casey from a distance.

Darcy approached Casey, "Hi, my name is Darcy" she said and this is Charlie my dog.

"How old are you" she questioned.

Casey paused for a minute and said "I am thirteen, why?"

"No reason, it just makes me a bit older than you" replied Darcy, so I suppose that makes me more wiser as I have been around a bit longer, stick with me and I will look out for you.

"Would you like something to eat Casey" questioned Bianca, you must be hungry.

Casey looked at Bianca and replied, "No Thanks, I am not hungry".

"We are going to have a big family Braxton meal later" explained Phoebe, any preference for dinner seems you are the new arrival.

"I don't mind" said Casey before turning to Brax, and asking where his bedroom was.

After Casey had settled into is room with the help of Brax they both returned out to the lounge.

"I am taking Charlie for a walk if you would like to come with me" smiled Darcy, I can show you the beach.

Casey looked over at Brax seeking permission.

"If you want to hang out with Darcy for a while that's fine with me" replied Brax as they both headed towards the door.

"Dinner will be at six" shouted Phoebe, don't be late.

"We wont'" shouted Darcy back in before closing out the door.

Brax noticed Ricky had made her way out the back so he headed out there.

"Do you mind if I sit here" Brax questioned as he approached Ricky who was sitting on a wooden bench.

"What ever you want" said Ricky as she stared straight ahead not making any eye contact with him.

"Look, I know you are so mad with me" exclaimed Brax, I am sorry, I don't know what else to say.

Ricky didn't respond, she just kept staring ahead.

"Please say something Ricky" don't shut me out said Brax.

"What do you want me to say" questioned Ricky still not making any eye contact with Brax, I am not happy with the situation, but obviously I don't have any say on the matter, you should have discussed with me before you brought him back here, but really you don't care.

"I tried to make contact with you by phone" Brax said angrily but you never answered.

"For months before I ever got pregnant" exclaimed Ricky we fought about having kids or not, you were always so against having them but yet you have taken to that kid as if he was always part of your life.

"Is it because his Mum was the love of your life" questioned Ricky, does that make it easier for you to love him.

"I cant do this right now" said Brax as he stood to his feet, not while you are in this mood.

"What mood" Ricky shouted angrily, you wouldn't know about my moods as you haven't been around to notice, have you? Brax shook his head, and headed into the house without say not another word.

"What's keeping them" questioned Phoebe, it is now 6.30 as they all sat around the table waiting patiently, Brax at one end and Ricky over at the other end. Everyone, could feel the tension between Brax and Ricky which made things a little awkward.

"Where did ye get to " questioned Heath as both Casey and Darcy appeared in the door, "Did it ever occur to you to look at your phone to check the time"

"We just lost track of the time dad" explained Darcy, its all right we are here now aren't we as she went to sit down at the table.

"Six O' Clock is Six O' Clock not Six thirty Darcy" said Heath with anger in his tone.

Casey stood in the lounge, memories of Mr Fisher came into his mind, the beating with the leather belt, the pain that radiated through his hands.

"I am sorry" Casey spoke in a soft tone as he pulled up his two sleeves and held out his two bandaged hands for his punishment.

Everyone, at the table just looked at him, until Brax stood up and approached Casey, he gently held onto his arm and led him over to the couch to sit while he sat on the coffee table directly in front of Casey.

"What's going on mate" questioned Brax with a worried look on his face, has it something to do with the cuts on your hands?

Casey looked up at Brax, tears forming in his eyes, he then turned and looked over at the table at everyone else staring directly back at him, he felt intimidated..

"I don't want to talk about it" cried Casey, I just want to go to my bedroom.

Brax wasn't going to put any pressure on the kid and nodded at Casey that he could go to his bedroom.

"What was all that about" questioned Heath, all the rest of them wondering the same.

"I have no idea" explained Brax but I will get to the bottom of it as he glanced towards Casey's bedroom.

After dinner, Ricky and Heath done the washing up while Brax, Bianca, Kyle, Darcy and Phoebe just hung out in the lounge, laughing and joking.

Brax was playing with Matthew, he has missed the little fellow during the few days he was in the hospital.

"That's me done, I think I will have an early one" said Ricky, and seems you haven't' been here for a few nights, I will leave you to take care of your son for the night as she looked in Brax's direction before heading towards the bedroom.

After everyone had left, Brax sat on the couch feeding Matthew his bottle, who started to nod off to sleep very fast.

Brax stood up and placed Matthew in his bassinet before grabbing himself a blanket.

"What I am going to do little man" said Brax as he smiled down at Matthew, I have your brother in one room and your mum in another room and neither of them want to speak.

He lid down on the couch and pulled the blanket over himself and hoped tomorrow would be a better day.