Chapter 13

Thanks to you all for taking the time out to read my story and write your wonderful reviews, I enjoy reading each and every one of them long or short. This is my next chapter, hope you enjoy it …..Sandy

Brax strolled out into the Kitchen pulling on his black t-shirt. It had been a long night, Matthew waking up every two hours instead of every four hours, he didn't seem to have much of a routine and Casey turned and twisted all night too.

Both boys were flat out sleeping considering it was 10am in the morning. He put on the kettle and popped two slices of bread in the toaster, he was just about to sit down and enjoy tea and toast when Kyle and Phoebe arrived in feeling all chirpy after their good night sleep.

"How's it going" replied a happily smiley Phoebe

"Trying to be a dad and mom to two kids isn't easy" replied a sleepy looking Brax as he ate into his toast.

"Is there anything we can do to help" questioned Kyle as he sat on the couch handing Phoebe a cuppa and sipped the one he had made for himself.

"It's fine" replied Brax, I might get a kip on the couch later when Matthew goes down for his next nap.

"Why don't you head back into bed now" questioned Phoebe, we are good to take care of the boys for a couple of hours.

"That would be great, if you are sure" said Brax

"Morning, sleepy head" Phoebe said as she saw Casey arrive into the lounge.

"Hi" replied a grumpy, sleepy Casey

"You must have got out of the wrong side of the bed Case" smiled Kyle

"Try and sleep in the same room as a screeching baby" said Casey

"Awe, you poor baby" replied Phoebe as she stood up putting her hands around his shoulders. "Sit here and I will get your breakfast" said Phoebe as she shoved Casey onto a chair at the table. "So, what would sir like this morning" questioned Phoebe as Brax, Kyle and Casey looked towards her.

"Cereal will be fine" replied Casey with a smile.

"So Casey mate, how about that game of Fifa after your breakfast" suggested Kyle so I can whip your backside.

"Ten dollars for the winner" exclaimed Casey feeling very confident.

"Why not, ten dollars it is" replied Kyle as he put his hand into his pocket and pulled out his ten dollars. "Yours up here also mate" replied Kyle as he pointed to the coffee table where he placed his money.

"I am supposed to be a kid" replied Casey, I don't carry cash with me as he glanced over towards Brax in the hope he would jump in and pay up on his behalf.

"Don't look at me mate" smiled Brax, I only pay out to people who work for me.

"What will I have to do to earn ten dollars" questioned Casey.

"Let me think, clean the inside and outside of my Ute" exclaimed Brax as he stood up to put his plate into the sink.

"Fine, but I need the cash up front" said Casey, and when I beat Kyle I will return the money to you so I won't have to wash any car, deal.

"Deal" replied Brax as he handed Casey his antibiotic's with a glass of water.

"Any milk left" questioned Heath as he strolled into Brax's house looking into the fridge before he even got a reply.

"Why ask a question mate" exclaimed Brax if you are not going to wait for the answer.

"Someone is in bad form this morning" replied Heath, you must have got out the wrong side of the bed as he headed back into his own flat drinking milk out of the carton.

"Right Phoebe, I will take you up on your offer and get some kip" exclaimed Brax "but make sure you don't loose any of my two boys while I am gone" he smiled before heading into the spare room.

A couple hours later, Phoebe and Kyle prepared lunch as Casey and Darcy hung out in the trampoline.

"I needed that, thanks a mill" replied Brax as he arrived back into the lounge.

"How is my little man" smiled Brax as he picked up Matthew who was starting to smile and went over and sat on the couch.

"He is great, such an easy baby to mind" replied Kyle and for Casey I am officially ten dollars down, I can't believe I was beaten by a kid.

"That's my boy" replied Brax with a smirk.

"Hi guys" said Bianca as herself and Heath arrived in.

"That's look lovely" exclaimed Heath picking up some salad that was left on the table before Phoebe gave him a whack with the tea towel.

"I suppose we can set for two more, what do you think Kyle?" questioned Phoebe.

"That would be lovely, thanks" replied Bianca, anyway Gina rang me and Casey's file is being sent to us, so he should be good to start Summer Bay High the day after tomorrow when the school returns after mid-term if that suits.

"Wow, that's fast" replied Brax but I suppose I have to do what's best for Case. "We should all hit the beach tomorrow" suggested Kyle, make a morning of it maybe lunch in the restaurant afterwards before they head back to school. Everyone, smiled in agreement.

The Beach

"This is boring" said Casey as he stood on a surf board on the sand, Darcy on the other side of him as Heath demonstrated to them both how to hold their balance while surfing.

"Everyone has to start at the beginning mate" exclaimed Brax as he sat on the sand holding Matthew, Bianca, Phoebe and Kyle had gone out for a swim.

"I would sooner kick a ball around" replied Casey, "what is the point to this anyway, who wants to stand on a board in the sea?"

"It is a river boy thing" explained Darcy, your dad and my dad were involved with the River Boys group they were know as the surfer gang.

Kyle and Phoebe came back in from their swim and wrapped a towel around themselves before sitting down next to Brax on the sand.

"How is it going there, are you ready to hit the ocean yet" questioned Kyle with a smirk.

"That's the best idea I have heard since we got here" exclaimed Casey, where better to learn but out in the ocean.

"How good of a swimmer are you Case" quizzed Brax.

"I am the best" replied Casey. Heath turned towards Brax, "I think it is time" replied Heath.

"Yes I think you may be right" said Brax as he handed Matthew over to Phoebe.

Brax grabbed Casey under his two arms and Heath caught him by his legs and they headed towards the sea.

"No, please don't" cried out Casey, I will learn how to surf on the sand.

"Too late Casey" replied Brax as they caught him and threw him into the sea both of them stood there laughing. Casey came back out of the sea in a huff and looked at them both with a serious face while Brax and Heath stood there, they couldn't help but laugh. "That wasn't very nice" Casey grunted as he past them both out.

About half hour later Brax, Heath, Casey and Kyle played some footie on the sand while Bianca, Phoebe and Darcy sat on the sand looking on as Matthew slept in his pram. Later they all headed to the restaurant for pizza before heading home for the evening.

"Hi there" replied Nate as Brax, Heath, Casey, Darcy, Bianca and Matthew arrived back from the beach.

"I just popped in to check on Casey's wound and change his bandage?".

"No problem" replied Brax as he opened in the door.

"How is everything going Casey" quizzed Nate as he removed the bandage.

"Fine" replied Casey "Great, that is coming on well" exclaimed Nate as he put on a clean new sterile bandage.

Casey then got up and headed into his bedroom.

"How are you getting on here" Nate asked Brax

"Busy, dealing with two kids full time is no joke, but I have plenty help" replied Brax

"Well if it suits you, Ricky is up for a visit tomorrow if you can pop in" exclaimed Nate and I am sure she would love to see baby Matthew also ."And hopefully next week she will probably be up to coming home".

Casey stood in the hallway and hearing of Ricky's return he found a tear escaping from his eye, everything was going great with his dad and Matthew, the thought of Ricky returning made him feel sick inside.

Brax and Casey spent most of the evening hanging out, watching a movie and just relaxing.

"Everything all right mate" questioned Brax, you seem a bit quite this evening, "are you worried about starting school tomorrow?"

"No it's not that" replied Casey in a soft tone, I just wish it could stay like this forever, you, Matthew and me I really enjoy it.

Brax pulled Casey in for a hug, he did wonder what way things were going to be like when Ricky returned, as much as he loved Ricky, no one was going to ever come between him and his two boys.

"Time for you to head to bed Case" replied Brax, remember you will have to be up early for school.

"Awe do I have to go now " quizzed Casey just a few more minutes.

"OK, I will get you drinking chocolate and then straight to bed" replied Brax.

"Don't forget to put in marshmallows this time" smiled Casey as Brax stood up from the couch.

Fifteen minutes later Casey said good night to Brax as he grabbed the ear phones Phoebe had left on the table for him and headed towards his bedroom.

Casey's P.O.V

I went into my bedroom and sat on the bed, I really enjoyed today hanging out with my dad and the rest of them it was fun.

I looked at my new mobile phone my dad had gotten for me, the date kept flashing up at me.

I stood up from my bed and went over to the storage press I had my clothes in, I pushed my hand in behind the clothes hanging up and pulled out a small storage box, I opened it up and took out a envelope addressed to myself.

I went back over and sat on my bed for a few minutes just staring at the envelope before opening it, my hand shaking a bit. I started to read the letter my tears started to escape down my face

To my Beautiful Little Boy Casey, Obviously, I am no longer with you in person if you are reading this letter.

Today, fourteen years ago you came into this world, you were the best gift anyone could ever ask for. You were my everything, my whole world and I enjoyed spending every minute with you.

"HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY" dear Casey, I hope you are spending it with my mum and dad and that they are spoiling you rotten with the biggest birthday cake.

Don't forget to keep on our little tradition next week with the candles, keep the light going for us both. Lots of hugs and kisses my sweet baby on your special day. Love Mum XXXXXXXX

Casey lid on the bed and pulled on his ear phones, holding onto the letter with one hand and wiped away the tears with his other hand. "Happy Birthday to me" he whispered as he closed his eyes.

Brax's P.O.V

I really enjoyed the last couple of days spending time with my boys. I am nervous for Casey starting Summer Bay High tomorrow.

For me it feels like letting go your kid of five years for the first time to attend school. I don't want him to suffer anymore pain or rejection in life, part of me would prefer to keep him with me 24hour so he would be safe.

I don't know how he is going to take it when Ricky comes back next week. I hope he knows I love him to bits and that he can tell me anything that I am going to keep him safe.

I am looking forward to seeing Ricky tomorrow, I have missed her so much. I hope we can work through things and that she will open up to me regarding her Post Natal Depression.

What if she still resents Casey, and pushes him out of our lives. My head is in a spin again, so many thought going through it, all negative.

Coming Up

Casey starts Summer Bay High and Brax's first reunion with Ricky in almost over a week!