Chapter 12

When I started my story, I thought I would only get as far as chapter 5 but I have surprised myself, I still have some more ideas regarding this story so hope you keep reading and also to the wonderful reviewers, hope you keep reviewing as I enjoy reading them. This is my next chapter, hope you enjoy it …..Sandy

It was near mid-day by the time Kyle, Brax and Casey got back to Summer bay, the temperature had rose some bit so driving conditions weren't as bad. Casey sat in the back seat staring through the window.

Casey's P.O.V

I saw the big sign saying "WELCOME TO SUMMERBAY" that I saw a few days ago when my dad first brought me here. My stomach didn't feel too great, especially when I saw Kyle turn into the drive way outside the front of the house.

I opened the door fast, jumped out and ran to the side of the house where I just started vomiting.

"Are you OK, mate" my dad asked as he came up behind me and rubbed my back, probably trying to calm me down.

I turned around and there was Kyle, Heath and Darcy all standing there just looking at me as if I was some kind of a freak.

"I am fine" I replied knowing deep down I was so scared, scared of how she would react towards me.

End of P.O.V

"Welcome back mate" smiled Heath as he patted Casey on the shoulder.

"I am sorry I left you all alone with Ricky" cried Darcy if anything had happened to you it would have been all my fault.

"Leave it Darcy, that's enough" exclaimed Heath, we are not going back there, Case is back now so there is no harm done.

Brax put his hand on Casey's shoulder and led him into the house, he knew Casey was vomiting not from being sick but from worry and being scared.

"I rang Nate as you asked" replied Heath, he should be here soon.

"Cheers, thanks mate" said Brax. "Do you want a drink Case" questioned Brax as Casey sat on the couch, Darcy staying close by him.

"OK, thanks" replied Casey.

Brax nodded at Kyle to follow him into the kitchen.

"Thanks Kyle" exclaimed Brax, you were there for me in every way, I won't forget it.

"What are families for if we cannot be there for each other" replied Kyle. I remember when I first came to Summer Bay nearly three years ago, I was scared like Case is now, I didn't know how I would fit into the Braxton Family. "But I did" replied Kyle, you all made it happen for me. "I know where Casey is coming from" and I promised we would all be there for him, just like you were all there for me.

"I really appreciate you putting up with me all the way to the city, I won't forget it mate" replied Brax as he patted Kyle in the back. Kyle smiled

"I must head off and catch up with Phoebe before she thinks I have done a runner. "Catch up tomorrow Case, so I can kick your butt in Fifa" said Kyle as he headed out the door.

Brax walked over towards the couch and gave Casey the drink just as Nate knocked on the door

"Nate, thanks for coming" replied Brax

"We will pop back later" said Heath as he gently pulled Darcy up from the couch.

"Why can't I stay" protested Darcy as Heath shoved her out the door. "Because it doesn't concern you Nosy" Heath replied with a stern look on his face.

"Casey, this is Cooper" exclaimed Brax.

"I don't need a doctor, I am fine" Casey protested as he looked up at Brax with a sad miserable look on his face.

" Nice to meet you Casey" interrupted Nate, trying to break the tension between Casey and his dad.

"I am just going to check you over" explained Nate, you have been through a bit of an ordeal. After a few minutes of thorough examination.

"All fine here" replied Nate, you are a strong young lad.

"I will just remove those bandages from your hands, they don't look great". Nate gently removed the bandage from Casey's right hand, "that seems fine" he replied no need to reapply a bandage.

When he went to remove the bandage from Casey's left hand he noticed Casey winced a bit from pain.

"This doesn't look too great, it seems to be quite infected" said Nate as he saw oozing coming from it.

He turned towards Brax "I am going to clean it up and numb the area with an injection first" explained Nate. Before he knew it Casey had left the couch and was in the bathroom vomiting again.

"We have a problem here" informed Nate, either Casey has a bug or he has a fear of needles. "There is something telling me it's the second one" replied Nate, so unless you are good at talking him round you will probably have to restrain him and believe me trying to restrain a teenager isn't easy.

Brax rubbed his head before he headed into the bathroom to attend to Casey.

"All right mate" said Brax as he rubbed Casey's back who was still leaning over the toilet vomiting.

"I can't do it, no needles" replied Casey who was starting to panic

"If you don't allow him Casey to clean it up" explained Brax it will become septic and then you will have to be admitted to hospital. "I will be by your side Casey, I won't let any harm come to you" replied Brax who helped Casey to his feet.

"No, I can't do it " protested Casey, "I won't and you can't make me".

"If you don't get your backside out there fast Casey, I will drag you out there myself" replied Brax sternly, "so what is it going to be?"

Casey looked at his dad annoyed and stormed out past him.

"You are doing the right thing Casey" replied Nate as they both arrived back out into the lounge.

Casey sat back down on the couch with Brax sitting next to him. Brax held a tight grip on Casey's left wrist so Nate could numb the area and using his free hand Brax pulled Casey's head in towards his chest so he wouldn't see the injection.

"Ouch" cried Casey as he tried to pull back his hand but failed to so from Brax's tight grip. "You are doing good mate" replied Brax, trying to encourage Casey.

"Well done" replied Nate, it will take a few minutes to numb the area, so just sit back and relax while I have a quick word with your dad.

Brax and Nate retreated to the kitchen. "Is everything Ok" questioned a worried looking Brax, "Casey! he will be all right?".

"Everything is fine" replied Nate, we got notes back from the city hospital regarding Casey. It was suggested he be reviewed again here by a counselor, they suggested it might help him open up about the loss of his mum and whatever else is going on with him.

Brax looked over at Casey sitting on the couch he was just staring down at his hand.

"OK" replied Brax, whatever it takes to get him back on the right track.

"How is Ricky doing" questioned Brax. "She is fine" replied Nate, it will take some time for Ricky but she will be fine. "I have started her on anti-depressants and we also run two talking therapies in the hospital, (CBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and (IPT) Interpersonal Therapy both are quite effective, she attended the CBT today and will be doing the IPT during the week. They run for about 6 weeks, so when released from hospital it will be important for Ricky to attend these therapies for the required period of time.

"How long will she have to be on the anti-depressants" Brax questioned.

"Again, it varies from person to person, but usually up to six months and maybe sometimes a year. "Ricky has been asking after Casey so I informed her he was fine" give her a few days to herself and maybe towards the end of the week it would be good for you to call and visit her.

"But in the meantime, maybe send her a text" exclaimed Nate with a smile.

"OK! Casey" I think that should be numbed enough replied Nate as he went over to the couch. He started to clean out the wound and put on a clean sterile dressing.

"Do you know if Casey received a tetanus in the hospital" questioned Nate as he looked to Brax who seemed to be away in another world.

"Sorry! yes I am almost 100% sure he did" replied Brax as he went over to the couch and sat back down beside Casey.

"I am going to give you penicillin and some pain relieve for Casey" replied Nate, make sure he completes the antibiotic and only give him pain relief when required.

"Thanks Nate" said Brax, I really appreciate it.

"No worries" replied Nate and any problems ring me, I will pop back in a few days and change the dressing. and Brax, don't forget to send a text it will mean a lot?

"You must be hungry mate" questioned Brax as he headed into the kitchen and looked into the fridge. "Typical, an empty fridge" replied Brax, maybe we will get a pizza any requests as he looked towards Casey.

"I don't mind" replied Casey, can I turn on the TV?.

"Sure mate" I will just pop next door and collect Matthew.

"No don't leave me" cried a scared looking Casey.

"I am just going across the hall" replied Brax I will leave the door opened you can watch me.

"No, I can't stay here on my own" said Casey getting all worked up and looking towards every door to see where Ricky was.

"It's all right Case" exclaimed Brax who approached his son and pulled him in for a hug, no one is going to hurt you.

"Where is she?" Casey questioned "O, sorry mate between everything that s going on I didn't get a chance to tell you" replied Brax. Ricky is in hospital, she is suffering from Post Natal Depression.

"Is it my fault" asked Casey in a soft tone.

"No, Case it is nobody's fault" some woman suffer from it after giving birth and Ricky just happens to be one of them, but she will be fine.

"How about you, Matthew and myself have a boys day in on the couch" quizzed Brax with a smile, we will shut the world out.

"That would be cool" smiled Casey, but I am still coming in with you to collect Matthew.

"Everything OK" smiled Bianca as Brax and Casey made an appearance.

"I will have one of those if it is going" exclaimed Brax as Bianca held a cuppa in her hand.

"Sure, no problem" replied Bianca, what about you Case can I get you something a juice maybe?

"I am fine" replied Casey as he sat in front of the TV with Darcy.

"Did Nate mention how Ricky is doing" questioned Heath as Brax picked up Matthew from the bassinet and sat at the table holding his son with Heath and Bianca.

"She is doing good" replied Brax but it is a long road and will take some time for the medication to work.

"I feel so bad" said Bianca that I didn't pick up on any of the signs.

"So much happened at the same time" explained Brax, it was hard for anyone to see what was happening.

"We are there for you mate" exclaimed Heath, any help you need regarding Casey or Matthew while you visit Ricky just give us a shout.

"Have you thought about enrolling Casey in Summer Bay High" questioned Bianca.

"I didn't even think about it" replied Brax, but maybe it would do him good having a routine.

"Leave it with me" said Bianca, I will get in contact with his previous school to retrieve his records, but until then I think maybe a bit of TLC for a few days from his dad wouldn't go astray.

Brax spent the rest of the day/evening in front of the TV with Casey and Matthew and enjoyed every minute of it.

"Casey will you hold Matthew while I get him a bottle" questioned Brax.

"I can't" replied Casey I might drop him or hurt him.

"That's not going to happen" replied Brax as he got Casey to hold out his two arms and left Matthew into them. Casey just sat on the couch, paled face and looking nervous as Matthew stared up at him, he never held a baby before.

"Smile" said Brax as he took a photo on Ricky's camera of his two boys, there first reunion.

"Is your hand soar mate" questioned Brax as he fed Matthew his bottle.

"It's fine" replied Casey as he looked at his bandage.

"You know I didn't do this to my hands" questioned Casey as he looked towards his dad.

Brax just presumed Casey had caused the lacerations to his hands as that is what the doctor in the city had informed him. "You never really said Casey" replied Brax, what happened them?

Casey looked down towards the floor, "It was the man in foster care, Mr. Fisher" replied Casey, it was our punishment when we were late for our meals. "He used a leather belt across the palm of our hands" said Casey as tears escaped again from his eyes.

Flashback:

Brax remembered back to the day when Casey and Darcy came back late for dinner, when Casey pulled up his sleeves for his punishment, that's where all this was coming from.

"You done nothing wrong Casey" replied Brax as he put his arm around Casey, I am sorry you had to go through all that.

"By the time I am finished with Mr. Fisher he won't lay a hand on any kid again" exclaimed Brax.

"No, you can't hurt him" cried Casey, you will end up in prison and I will end up back in care, please Dad, please don't do anything.

"I meant I will report him to Ms Fletcher, so they can investigate and prevent him from ever doing it again to other kids" replied Brax as he kissed Casey in the head and pulled him in even closer.

"Yay, you are back" screamed an excited Phoebe as she ran towards Kyle and jumped into his arms.

"Hi babe" replied Kyle as he pulled her in for a kiss.

"Let me get you a beer" said Phoebe and you can fill me in on everything. Kyle went over and sat at the bar in Angelo's.

"So, did ye find Casey" questioned Phoebe

"Yes, and he is fine" said Kyle, I actually felt sorry for the kid, he was lying on his mum's grave. "If I was rejected by the Braxton's when I came here at least I would find somewhere safe to go, but Casey he had no one he could turn to. "Anyway, I made a promise to myself, when I saw Brax carry him out from the grave that he would never feel rejected again, not while I am around anyway" explained Kyle.

"You are a wonderful, loving man" replied Phoebe and that's why I Love you! "There is something that is puzzling me Phoebe" replied Kyle but you must keep it to yourself for now anyway.

"What is it babe" questioned Phoebe with a serious look on her face.

"Casey has met her, Cheryl I mean" replied Kyle, seemingly after his mum died his grandparents brought him there but Cheryl sent them packing.

"Where did you hear this from" asked Phoebe.

"Casey told me in the motel" but the thing is Brax hasn't a clue.

"I wonder how long Cheryl has know about Casey" quizzed a puzzled Phoebe.

"I am not sure" replied Kyle, maybe since he was born, it will destroy the relationship between Brax and Cheryl forever.

"What am I going to do" questioned Kyle, do I tell him or just hope he will find out the truth soon. Phoebe rubbed her hand up along Kyle's arm, "Maybe, it would be worth discussing with Heath first"

After a long afternoon of quality time, Casey had headed to his room to get a good night sleep. Brax picked up a tired Matthew and left him into his bassinet. He put the cups into the sink and went towards his bedroom, he hadn't been in the room in a good few nights.

He opened in the door, there room that's was always warm with a smell of scented candles was dark and dreary, clothes thrown on the bed, the mirror covered over with a blanket. This is where Ricky had spent a lot of her time lately, living in darkness, not wanting to let in the light. Brax shut the door, he couldn't face sleeping there tonight and returned once again to the couch.

"Casey, what are you doing out of bed" questioned Brax .

"I can't sleep without my earphones to block out the quietness" replied a sleepy Casey.

"Sorry mate, I forgot they were stolen from you" exclaimed Brax, I will get Kyle to sort some out for you tomorrow," but for tonight how about Matthew and I stay in your bedroom" replied Brax, that way we can all get some sleep.

"Sounds good" smiled Casey as he headed back into his bedroom. Brax picked up his phone, and started to type a message

"I love you so much Ricky and I miss you" love Brax XXXX (Message sent).

He picked up the bassinet and turned of the light in the lounge and headed into Casey's bedroom, hoping they would all get a good night sleep.

Coming Up!

Casey attends Summer Bay high and is soon targeted by the school bullies, leading to more trouble for Casey. Also, Ricky returns back to Summer Bay and tries to rebuild her relationship with Brax and Matthew, but in order to do that she needs to connect with Casey first, but this won't be easy?