Chapter 16

Thanks to you all for taking the time out to read my story and write your wonderful reviews. This is my next chapter, hope you enjoy it …..Sandy

Ricky's P.O.V

I stood there a little shocked after what had happened. I know Brax isn't a violent person, but he would do anything to protect his family.

He must have so much going on in his head, he has had so much to deal with over the last couple of weeks he was bound to explode at some stage. I suppose I kind of blame myself for the situation we are in at the minute, I keep questioning myself why I didn't seek help for the Postal Natal Depression sooner and maybe Brax wouldn't be under so much stress.

I boil up the kettle and make myself a cup of "Chamomile Tea" I find it helps me to relax a little as I try and deal with this situation. I decide to ring Heath and explain what has just happened, he is working at the gym but insists he will go and find Brax and have a chat with him.

I go to our bedroom to check on Matthew but he is still sleeping. As I pass Casey's bedroom I hear him cry, I knock on the door and quietly asks if he is ok, but I get no reply back. At least he knows I am here and he is not on his own.

End of P.O.V

"I thought I would find you here" said Heath as he sat down on the sand beside Brax and handed him a beer.

"Ricky rang you then" replied Brax as he took a sip of the beer and stared out at the ocean.

"She was worried about you mate" exclaimed Heath "you can't punish yourself for giving Casey a slap by the sounds of it he deserved it". "If he was my kid I would have given him more than a slap" replied Heath "where did he even get the alcohol from?"

Brax turned and looked at Heath in disbelief, "How can you say you would have given him more than a slap" questioned Brax, "have you forgotten what them beatings our dad gave done to us as kids and to this day I hate him for it".

"I didn't mean that I would have beaten the kid senseless" explained Heath, I just meant he needed to be disciplined and you as a parent did what you had to do.

Brax stared back towards the ocean. "I always promised myself if I ever had kids, I would never hurt them like that monster done to us" exclaimed Brax. "But I just done the exact same as him, I don't deserve to be a dad".

Don't beat yourself up mate" replied Heath, no one is perfect and mistakes will be made. "But how to resolve them is the question you need to ask yourself "exclaimed Heath, you needed to punish Case for what he done wrong but you can also let him know that he is still your kid and you love him. "I hope I am making sense here" said Heath as he looked towards Brax

"When did you become such an expert in parenting" questioned Brax with a serious expression across his face.

"I suppose I am dealing with Darcy a little bit longer than you" replied Heath, even though people maintain teenage girls are harder work than teenage boys I have my doubts, but then again "maybe Darcy has her ways of working around me also"

"You are right" said Brax as he stood to his feet "I need to sort this out for once and for all, "cheers mate" as he headed back towards home.

Heath sat on the sand looking after Brax and smiled to himself that he was able to give advise to his older brother which would never have happened before.

Brax opened in the door to find Ricky walking around the lounge with Matthew trying to bring up his wind.

"Do you want me to take over for a while" asked Brax as he put his hands out to take Matthew.

"That would be great" replied Ricky"Can I get you a cuppa"

"Thanks" smiled Brax as he sat down on the couch and put Matthew up on his left shoulder and slightly rubbed his back trying to bring up his wind.

"I am sorry I rang Heath" said Ricky as she sat down on the couch and left a cuppa on the table for Brax, "I was worried and didn't know what else to do"

"It's fine" replied Brax as Matthew made a big burp and spewed out some of his milk down Brax's t-shirt.

Ricky put her hand up to her mouth and couldn't help but laugh as she looked at Brax's face.

"There you go little man" smiled Brax before he handed Matthew back to Ricky. "I will just go and change my t-shirt" replied Brax and then we are going to sit at that table and have a family meeting to sort out some things around here.

Casey's P.O.V

I knew what I had done was wrong, stealing alcohol from my dad's restaurant, but I was scared of Courtney, not so much his mates and I thought it was the only way at the time but that didn't work out so well for me.

My dad was so angry it was scary. I know my mum would have grounded me in the past but never laid a hand on me, so that came as a shock. I could hear Dad and Ricky laughing outside in the lounge with Matthew, it hurts me as I don't feel like I am part of there family. I turn up my music and lay there on my bed.

End of P.O.V

"Case" called Brax as he knocked on his bedroom door but didn't get an answer. He opened in the door and approached the bed where Casey was lying on. "Come with me Case" replied Brax as he pulled the headphones off to get Casey's attention. Brax could see a slight red mark still on Casey's face where he slapped him earlier and this made him feel sick inside.

"What for" questioned Casey.

"We need to have a chat mate" exclaimed Brax but instead of waiting for Casey to reply he pulled Casey up by his arm from the bed and out into the kitchen where he shoved him onto a chair at the table.

Casey looked scared and slightly worried that there was going to be a bag packed for him and that he would have to leave like before. Both Brax and Ricky sat at the table, this made Casey even more nervous but he just sat there and stared at the table.

"You want to tell me what the story is with you getting suspended" questioned Brax as he looked towards Casey.

"Why is she here?" asked Casey, I thought this was a family meeting and "she is not family"

Brax shook his head he knew Casey was going to retaliate no matter what he said but he was adamant he was going to remain strong and firm where his son was concerned.

"Ricky is a very big part of this family" exclaimed Brax as he smiled over towards Ricky "She is my partner and mum to Matthew" and if you meet her half way she would like to be part of your life also.

"Who gave you the alcohol Casey" questioned Brax with a more stern look.

Casey shook his head in reply and kept staring at the table.

"I'm serious Case where did the alcohol come from" Brax asked in a more subtle way "talk to me".

"I took it from the restaurant" replied Casey as he kept looking at the table.

"You stole from me you mean" replied Brax anger building up inside him again. "Why the hell would you steal alcohol Casey" shouted Brax "You are thirteen years old"..

"Brax" smiled Ricky "you need to remain calm" "Casey, were you bullied into taking the alcohol" questioned Ricky in a calmer tone, "It is just I saw some kids hassling you the other day on the beach"

"I want to go to my room" said Casey as he looked in Brax's direction.

"You stay there" replied Brax, "When was this Ricky and why didn't you say something before now" questioned Brax.

"It was a few days ago" explained Ricky, I was going to say something but didn't feel it was my place.

"Is this true Casey" questioned Brax "Are you being bullied at school?"

"No" cried out Casey, "I took the alcohol myself and no one forced me".

"Why don't I order pizza" replied Ricky as she knew the conversation was going no where. "Is there any special topping you would like Casey?"

Casey looked towards Ricky and back to Brax "I am not hungry, can I go to my room now"

"Fine" said Brax, but get sleep as I will be calling you early in the morning to work at the restaurant.

Brax and Ricky sat on the couch together sharing a pizza. "I know he is being bullied" replied Ricky and to make matters worse the kids were older than Casey.

"I will ask Bianca to keep an eye on him when he returns to school next week" replied Brax as he put his arm around Ricky and pulled her in close to him and "Casey will come around to the idea of us being together as a family"

Brax got up early the next morning and went for his morning surf to clear his head.

"How was your surf" questioned Ricky as she sat at the kitchen table feeding Matthew when he arrived back

"It was great" replied Brax "just what the doctor ordered" as he made himself a cuppa and sat at the table.

"Go easy on Case today" said Ricky as she rubbed Brax on the hand, he has been through a lot so may even need some TLC.

"Don't worry" replied Brax but I just need Casey to learn that he will be punished for doing wrong.

"No school today Case" asked Kyle when he saw Brax and Casey walk into the restaurant.

"He got suspended" said Brax with a stern look on his face as he looked towards Casey. "You can start by clearing down the tables and resetting them" explained Brax, and no going in behind the bar for alcohol "have you got it?"

Casey nodded his head and got on with clearing the tables and resetting, cleaning in around the toilet's and washing the floors.

"I will be back later" explained Brax to Kyle, I have to take Ricky to the hospital for her therapy session. "And Kyle, don't let him out of your sight" exclaimed Brax before he headed out the door.

An hour later Kyle saw Casey walk out towards the veranda. He grabbed Casey a juice and followed him out.

"Here you go mate" said Kyle as he sat down beside Casey. "I take it things aren't going too well for you at the minute" questioned Kyle.

Casey shook his head. "What was your dad like" asked Casey

"He was not nice" replied Kyle but in one sense I fared out better than Brax and Heath

"What do you mean" asked Casey

"Put it like this Case, our dad had no problem using his fits or his belt on his kids, he was a drunk a complete waste of space.

"Is my dad like him" asked Casey looking so innocent

"No Case, Brax is totally opposite to him" replied Kyle, he wouldn't lay a hand on you.

"Well he did" replied an angry Casey

"When was this" asked Kyle "I don't want to talk about it" said Casey "Can I take my break now I need to do something"

"Sure" replied Kyle still a little shocked after what Casey had said. "I need you to take me to a river" said Casey as he looked at Kyle.

"Sorry, take you where" questioned Kyle wondering if he heard right the first time.

"I need you to take me to a river or a lake" asked Casey again.

"What for" questioned Kyle. "It's a secret" replied Casey.

"OK, you wait here a minute until I get Heath's keys" replied Kyle still looking puzzled as to why Casey needed to go to a lake or river. Kyle drove a little outside Summer Bay to a small river. He got out just in case Casey wasn't going to throw himself in.

Kyle watched as Casey pulled out two floating disc candles from his pocket and lit them using a lighter he then placed them into the water and watched them float away as he sat on the ground.

"What's this for Casey" questioned Kyle as he looked towards Casey and saw a tear escaped down his face.

"Today would have been my mum's birthday" replied Casey as another tear escaped down his face, she always lit two candles and let them float in the water one for my birthday and one for her birthday. She said the light would carry us through until next year.

Kyle pulled in closer to Casey and put his arm around him "That is special Casey". "So when is your birthday, a big fourteen then" questioned Kyle.

"It was last week" replied Casey as he continued to watch the floating candles.

"Why didn't you say something Case" asked Kyle, we could have had a party for you. "It doesn't matter" replied Casey "I don't really like parties anyway".

Brax and Ricky walked into the restaurant just after lunch time. Brax was carrying Matthew in his car seat.

"How did it go" questioned Kyle as he wiped up some glasses inside the bar.

"It was good" replied Ricky "I will actually miss them when they finish up"" Anyway, I am starving are you having something babe?" questioned Ricky as she looked towards Brax.

"We might as well" replied Brax as he went inside to get a drink for himself and Ricky. "Where is Case" questioned Brax

"He is just down in the gym with Heath" replied Kyle, I thought he needed a break. "Did you no that Casey's birthday was last week" quizzed Kyle as he looked in Brax's direction.

"You are not serious" replied Brax "I had not idea when his birthday was".

"How about we organize a surprise birthday party for him next weekend" replied Ricky "Maybe, a barbeque, we can ask some of his school mates and Cheryl, "It's about time she met her grandson"

"I am in" replied Kyle "What about you Brax". "Sorry, I was just thinking how much I don't know about Case" replied Brax "But yes a party sounds great"

Casey was glad to get back to school on Monday morning as he was tired after working in the restaurant for two days. Brax drove him to school as Mrs Palmer need to have a chat with them both. Casey had to guarantee Mrs Palmer he wasn't going to bring in anymore alcohol or take off days when it suited him. When Casey was dismissed from the meeting, Brax had a quick chat to Mrs Palmer about Casey being bullied by older kids. Gina informed Brax the rest of the staff members would be alerted so they could keep an eye out for any form of bulling.

"That's him Stacy" replied Courtney as he pointed towards Casey who was hanging out with Jett and VJ.

"I am not sure I want to do this" said Stacy, he seems like a nice kid.

"You will do what you are told to do Sis" replied Courtney with a smug look on his face "Have you forgotten our dad got locked up because of the Braxton's"

"Fine" said Stacy "But this better not back fire on us"

"Casey! It is Casey" questioned Stacy as she walked up beside him

"Yes" replied Casey as he stared at the blonde that stood beside him.

"Great" smiled Stacy "Mrs Palmer asked me to do a job over here and said to ask you to help"

Without thinking, Casey followed Stacy around the corner of the building.

"What is the job" questioned Casey as he looked at Stacy.

"There is no job" replied Stacy "I just wanted to get you here by yourself" "I fancy you and was wondering how you felt" replied Stacy

Casey looked stunned and didn't know what to say. "I don't even know you" replied Casey and to be quite honest I am not in the right head space at the moment for any sort of a relationship.

Stacy moved forward and kissed Casey before she pushed him off and screamed that she was being attacked.

Courtney, Jaime, Tyler and some other kids arrived at the scene.

"I didn't touch you" cried Casey "You are lying"

"Did you put your hands on my sister Braxton" questioned Courtney as he pushed Casey to the ground.

"No I didn't" cried out Casey looking up towards everyone that just stood there.

"Come on sis" replied Courtney as he put his arm around her "You haven't heard the last of this Braxton" he shouted out before heading off.

When Casey arrived home from school, his stomach was sick from what had just happened at school. He ran straight into the bathroom and shut the door behind him. He left the tap running at the sink while he vomited into the toilet bowl, he didn't want Ricky to hear him vomiting. He stood up and looked into the mirror, he couldn't understand why everything was going against him and dreaded what Courtney was going to do to him.

Brax arrived back soon after as Ricky was preparing dinner. He picked up Matthew from his bouncer before heading into the Kitchen to give Ricky a kiss.

"Where is Casey" questioned Brax

"He must be in his bedroom" replied Ricky "I saw him come in but that was it"

Just then a knock came to the door and Brax went to open it. "What can I do for you" questioned Brax as he saw two police men standing outside.

"We need to have a chat to a Casey Davidson" questioned one of the police officers "Is he here".

Brax shouted in towards Casey's bedroom and within a minute Casey arrived into the lounge.

"What is this about" questioned Brax

"Your son has been accused of Sexually Assaulting a young lady" replied the police officer "We need you to come to the station with us Casey"

Casey stood there, he couldn't move, he felt sick as he looked towards Brax.