Chapter 22
This is the final Chapter and I must say I enjoyed writing this story. It's amazing how ideas come to mind regarding a story, you start out with an idea and before you have finished the chapter, ideas are going around in your head regarding the next chapter.. Anyway enough rambling and I hope you enjoy reading. Sandy
"Mom! don't just stand there and say nothing" shouted a very agitated Brax "Repeat what you said again, because I don't think I heard it right the first time"
"Can you guys leave us for a few minutes" asked Cheryl as she looked over at the table where everyone apart from Brax and Casey were sitting.
"Sure, no problem" replied Bianca as she stood up and slightly pushed up Darcy from her chair also. Kyle and Phoebe made a quick exit out the back door. Ricky picked up Matthew from his playpen, placing him upon her hip and walked over towards Brax "We will be in with B if you need us?" as she gave a bleak smile and headed out
"Heath, I need to speak with your brother alone" stated Cheryl
"No! I am not leaving" stated Heath "I need to hear what you have to say"
"Heath, it's fine" replied Brax "just take Casey with you as he turned towards his son and smiled, I won't be long Case"
Brax stood at the back of the couch with one hand on his hip and the other hand on the couch. Cheryl started shaking her head as a tear escaped down her face.
"I don't know how to tell you" she replied
"Start from the start" he stated as he tried desperately to keep a cool head
"You were only sixteen Daryl, Nathalie was only sixteen you were both so young, you were just kids. Natalie insisted she didn't want you involved in Casey's life, that was when your dad and I were bribed into keeping this a secret and not telling you the truth"
"How much" questioned Brax "How much was it worth to you to keep me from being involved in my son's life, how much mum?" he shouted
Cheryl jumped with a fright and blurted out 10k
"Thirteen years I have lost out in my son's life" exclaimed Brax "I have looked at photo's of Casey as a young child and it is like looking at a complete stranger. "Look, look at him" stated Brax as he took down a framed photo of Casey. He was five years old starting school and I didn't even know he existed" "How could you Mum, how could you have been so selfish and how dare you put a price on me having a relationship with my son" "You are not a mother, you are just a callus, pathetic excuse of a woman who cared more about drink and pokes when we were kids" shouted Brax "I want you out of here, out of my life, out of my kids life have you got it"
"Please Daryl, if I could take it all back I would" replied Cheryl
"When did Casey meet you?" questioned Brax with a stern look on his face
"It doesn't matter now" stated Cheryl
"Of course it matters" argued Brax "How long ago mum?"
Cheryl put her hand up to her mouth and looked in Brax's direction "It was soon after his mum had died" she whispered
"So much for 'if I could take it back I would' replied Brax "You sent my son your grandson away when he was at the lowest point in his life, you are so heartless and I never want to see you again, never" shouted Brax "get out mum" as he pointed his hand towards the door for Cheryl to leave
"Dad, something is wrong with Casey" said Darcy as she called Heath. Casey was sitting on the couch beside Darcy, he had his two hands up to his ears blocking out the shouting from next door, the cries and screams at the stadium after the explosion kept playing over and over in his head. He was rocking himself backwards and forwards and seemed to be in a daze. Heath bent down in front of Casey and tried to reassure him but it didn't seem to be working. "Bianca, go get Brax quickly" stated Heath Bianca opened the door and saw Brax standing there pointing his hand towards the door waiting for Cheryl to leave.
"Brax! Its Casey come quickly" said Bianca. Brax ran across to Heaths house and went straight over and bent down in front of Casey. He put his two hands up to Casey's face and in a very soft tone he spoke
"Casey, look at me mate" said Brax "Look at me, he kept saying until Casey focused his eyes on his dad's eyes and stopped rocking himself backwards and forwards. Brax smiled and pulled Casey in for a hug, he knew the aftermath of the explosion was effecting Casey mentally and he knew also he had to make sure the counseling was going to be a big priority to get Casey back on track again.
"I am sorry Daryl" stated Cheryl as she stood at the door looking on
"Get her out of here Heath, I don't want to see her ever again" said Brax
"Come on mum" said Heath as he put his arm around Cheryls shoulder and guided her out. "Brax will come around Mum, it will take time, maybe even a life time but he will forgive you eventually" said Heath "But it is best to go now, I will pop over to you in a day or two" "You are a good son Heath" stated Cheryl and she gave him a kiss on the cheek before she left.
A few days had passed by and no one mentioned Cheryl name around Brax as they didn't want to get him started. Casey went for some intense counseling to help him in dealing with his mum's death and the explosion and always ended up falling asleep in the couch on his return as he was exhausted.
"Do you want a drink Case" asked Brax as they both arrived back from the counseling session.
"I am fine" replied Casey as he hopped over to the couch with his crutches and sat down on it "Dad! do I have to go back to school tomorrow" asked Casey "I don't think I am ready for it"
"We have been through this mate" exclaimed Brax as he sat down on the couch beside Casey "You have missed so much of it and if you have any chance of catching up you need to get back there. You know Courtney and his sister aren't there any longer if that is what you are worried about"
"No, I am just tired, it's fine I will go back" replied Casey.
"Good for you Case" replied Brax as he put his hand on Casey's knee
"Can I ask you a question" said Casey in a very low tone "Sure, you know you can ask anything Case" replied Brax looking seriously at Casey
"I want to get to know Cheryl" said Casey
"No, no way, that ain't going to happen" stated Brax as he stood up and headed towards the kitchen
"Why not" asked Casey with a sulk "She is my granny also, I have a right"
Brax looked out the kitchen window and shook his head "I don't want to see that woman ever again" stated Brax as he turned towards Casey "I don't want her name ever mentioned in this house ever again"
"Because she made a decision for you in life, so what" protested Casey "You make decisions for me all the time, its what parents do"
"Just leave it Case, it's not the same" stated Brax who could feel tension build up inside him
"I know you weren't in my life when I was a kid" replied Casey "But its fine dad, I was happy, I got to spend them thirteen years with my mom and now I have you and Matthew and Ricky. "If you and my mom had stayed together, both of us would have lost her and there would be no Ricky or Matthew, just you and me. Maybe, your mom hadn't much of a choice because my mom was a very determined person and what she said went. Just imagine if I came back next year when I am fifteen and told you I was quitting school as I was going to be a dad, would you be happy with this?
Brax looked towards his son "I would kick your backside all over the place if you ever got a girl pregnant at fifteen"
"Well your mom was in that position and didn't want you to destroy your life either, well if you consider sitting around in the beach smoking dope" replied Casey "before you get mad with me Uncle Heath told me"
"It's different Casey, you don't understand" replied Brax
"Well explain it to me dad" asked a very determined Casey Brax took a deep breath, he was never going to tell Casey that there was money exchanged between both of his grandparents, it wouldn't be fair on the kid.
"If I think about letting you see her and that will be a long hard think mark my words, will you drop it Casey the questions I mean"
"You won't hear another word from me" smiled Casey
"Are you sure you don't want me to come in with you" asked Brax as he pulled in front of the school gates
"I am fine, stop fretting" replied Casey as he stood out of the car throwing his school bag over his shoulders and grabbing his two crutches "See you later dad" before he hopped away inside the school gates.
"Hey! Casey Braxton, you are back man" exclaimed one of the year 11 students who was accompanied by some of his mates. Casey paused when he heard his name and thought to himself "not again" before he turned and faced the year 11 students. "You are a legend man, a survivor, a hero" stated one of the boys "give me a hi-fi" as he raised his hand towards Casey.
"I don't understand what you are on about" questioned Casey who was going pale very fast
"You were one of the survivors from that explosion in the stadium man" replied the student again "You are a hero, so hi-fi"
Casey put up his hand for a hi-fi to all six boys that were gathered around him before they headed off smiling and chatting amongst themselves.
"What was all that about" questioned Jett as both himself and VJ arrived over to Casey
"I haven't a clue, I think they might be on drugs" smiled Casey
"Welcome back mate" said VJ as he took Casey's school bag and carried it in to the school for him.
After school was over Brax was waiting patiently outside the gate to collect Casey. "Well how was it Case" questioned Brax as Casey sat into the Ute.
"It was a strange kind of a day, but fine" replied Casey "Good" smiled Brax "Lets get home then"
Friday came and Brax had to take Casey back to the hospital to get the cast removed.
"I will be glad to have my leg back" replied Casey as he hopped into the hospital "Six weeks is a long time"
"Mr Braxton if you can come this way" replied the doctor. The doctor slowly removed the cast and then Casey was put into a wheelchair and brought down to the x-ray department to have his leg x-rayed again. His leg was then put into a walking cast that was lighter and held on with Velcro which was easy to put on and take off.
"Can we get something to eat, a burger maybe" asked Casey as he sat into the Ute with Brax
"Sorry mate" replied Brax "Ricky needs me back urgently"
Casey wasn't happy so he turned his head with a sulk and just stared out the window for the journey home without even talking to Brax. When they arrived back at the house Brax asked Casey if he wanted something to eat.
"I am not hungry anymore" stated Casey "I am going to my room"
"Wait a second mate" replied Brax "Come out the back and sit with me so we can have a chat"
Casey looked bewildered "A chat about what?" he questioned.
"Just come with me a sec Casey" said Brax as he put his arm around Casey's shoulder and walked towards the back door, opening it and walking outside
"Surprise" shouted everyone that had gathered in the garden. Casey's face lit up
"Happy birthday mate" replied Brax "I know its later than your birthday, but I will get the date right next year I promise" as he pulled in Casey for a hug "I love you mate"
"I love you too dad" smiled Casey
"Well go then and get yourself that burger before Heath eats them all" stated Brax
The party continued into the early hours of the morning, with plenty of drink, food and of course Phoebe and Kyle singing. The river boys called to meet Brax's sons. The following morning there were bodies lying about everywhere and a lot of sore heads.
Brax wrapped his arms around Ricky as they lay in their bed, Matthew was sleeping soundly beside them in his cot. "Thank you for organizing the party Ric" said Brax as he pulled her in closer and kissed her gently on the lips
"It was good" replied Ricky "Nothing like a family gathering"
"How about you, me, Matthew and Casey head to the beach for a little while and maybe get some breakfast in the restaurant afterwards
"Sounds good to me" replied Ricky as she turned over and returned a kiss to Brax
Ricky pulled a blanket up over Matthew as he lay asleep in his buggy. "If you want to go for a surf with my dad I can watch Matthew" said Casey
"Are you sure Casey" questioned Ricky "Yes, it is not as if I can do much with this leg cast" said Casey
Ricky pulled off her top and picked up her surf board as she ran out towards the sea wearing her bikini, her long blonde hair blowing in the wind. Casey looked on as he could see Ricky and Brax laughing and mucking about in the water.
"That was the best" said Ricky as herself and Brax went back up to Casey and Matthew carrying there surf boards.
"Come on mate you and me lets go for a swim" said Brax
"I don't want to dad, I am fine sitting here" replied Casey
"OK Casey I will count to five and if you are not standing I will carry you into the water" stated Brax
"If I were you Casey, I would get up on my feet fast and make a run for it" said Ricky with a smile
"One, two, three, four, five" said Brax "you had a chance Case" as Brax pulled him up by his two arms from the sand and threw him over his shoulder
"No dad, put me down" protested Casey but Brax continued to walk out towards the sea with Casey kicking and screaming.
Ricky stood up and focused her camera on Brax and Casey and smiled as she took photo after photo of both of them mucking about in the water laughing and joking between each other.
"Its lucky for you Brax one of us Braxtons can keep a clear head to be able to open up the restaurant the following morning" stated Kyle as Brax, Ricky, Casey and Matthew arrived into the restaurant after there time spent on the beach.
"Why do you think I hired you" replied Brax with a smirk as he gave a slight push to Kyle. Brax went inside the bar to get the drinks, Casey sat at the table holding Matthew in his arms chatting to him.
Ricky walked towards the bar counter and smiled as she looked back at Casey chatting to his little brother "He seems happy again, he deserves to be" stated Ricky
Brax looked over towards his two boys and smiled "How about we try for a little girl maybe" as he pulled Ricky's chin towards him giving her a kiss on the lips
Ricky shook her head "Sounds tempting but I am quite happy with my three boys" she said as she picked up the drinks and carried them down to the table.
They arrived back to the house after lunch time and Casey immediately sat down on the couch and turned on the TV as Darcy, Heath and Bianca arrived in and also sat down on the couch.
"Did we miss all the action" asked Phoebe as she walked in the door with Kyle
"No you are just in time" replied Ricky
Brax approached Casey and handed him a brown envelope.
"What is it" questioned Casey as he looked up at Brax
"Just open it Case" replied Phoebe
Casey opened the envelope and pulled out a copy of his Birth Cert and a Passport, he looked up at Brax again looking totally confused
"Read the name on it" stated Brax with a smile
Casey read the name out "Casey Davidson Braxton" he looked up at Brax and smiled as a tear escaped his eye "You included Braxton on it, I am a Braxton"
"You were always a Braxton mate but this kind of makes it official" replied Brax
Casey opened the passport and read the same name 'Casey Davidson Braxton'
"What does he want a passport for" questioned Darcy "Don't tell me he is going on holidays"
"Well the plan is" replied Brax "If you both do well on your exams, we thought we all deserved a Braxton Family Holiday and the holiday will be decided by you both"
"Seriously" said Darcy "We are going on a holiday and you actually trust two fourteen year olds to decide where. I am going to start goggling the best holiday resorts"
"As long as it doesn't involve anything crazy, like jumping out of a plane or skiing down Mount Everest" said Brax
Darcy and Casey looked towards each other, devilment written across there faces as Darcy started to type in the Google search 'The best place in the world to go Skydiving'
"I don't know if we are doing the right thing letting them two decided on our holiday" stated Heath as he walked over towards the kitchen where Brax, Heath, Kyle, Ricky and Phoebe were standing about having coffee.
"Possible not" replied Brax "Its funny, this time last year I wasn't a dad and all of a shot I have two kids, two wonderful boys whom I love so much. So even if they pick the worst holiday in the world, it is about spending time together, having fun. Because, at the end of the day it is all about having 'Someone to Love us' and we the Braxton's have plenty of that.
I hope you enjoyed reading this last chapter. It started out as Casey a thirteen year old boy who lost his mum through cancer, and when he finally found his dad everything seemed to be a struggle for the young boy. But Brax being a family man was going to do everything to protect his son and make him feel wanted which it did in the end, Casey finally found a place he could call home to and a family who loved him.
I want to say a big Thank You to all my followers of this story, those who Favorited my story and for those of you who took time out to review my story.
FrankElza: What can I say! from the very start of my story you were with me all the way, I loved your long lengthy positive reviews. As you know I am a big fan of your fanfiction's and it was 'Real Brother' that actually inspired me to start writing fanfictions, so a big Thank You. Please, please, please upload your new story very soon as I can't wait to read it.
BluePeacocke: Another one of my favorite authors of fanfictions, and I actually felt honored that you reviewed my story, Thank You. Please, please, please unload a new chapter of 'Holding On' very soon as I can't wait to read on.
Thay: A big Thank You for your lovely positive reviews, I am glad you enjoyed my story and Thank You for taking time out to review.
Gillian Kearney Fan: Thanks for your reviews, I know you are a big Ricky fan so I hoped you enjoyed her involvement in this story.
Fanficforyou: Thank you for also reviewing when you got a chance, I appreciate it. I am also enjoying your story 'Life as a Braxton' so please update a new chapter soon.
Heather: Thank you also for reviewing when you got a chance, it was much appreciated.
Guest: A few guest reviewed, not sure if you where the same person or different people, but I just want to say Thank You also I appreciated your reviews.