Sitting in front of her laptop, Charlie nervously played with the keyboard. Anxiously awaiting the moment Brax and his lawyer would appear on the other end. There was no real need for lawyers but Charlie wasn't willing to take any chances when it came to her family.

Joeys ultimatum was her final one, if things didn't work out with Brax now she would be gone with the twins by nightfall. Charlie shuddered at the thought. The silence in the room was broken by Morag chiming in by web cam. All was set, now they both waited for Brax.

….

Joey had left Charlie on her own, a short stroll to clear her head. The twins were asleep again and dinner was ready. The question now was whether or not to pack her bags.

….

"What do you want Charlie?" Brax's voice boomed through, disrupting Charlies thoughts.

Charlie looked at Brax via webcam, his face was expressionless, neither happy nor sad or angry. Taking a deep breath she asked the one question she and Joey wanted to know- "Are you ever coming after us or the kids?"

Brax was shocked, for everything he and Charlie had gone through together, he never expected to be asked if he would seek revenge on her or the family.

"Charlie, who or what do you take me for? I have loved you since the day I met you. Now you leave me with a hole in my heart, but its there because of my own stupidity eh. I'm not a monster am I?"

"Is that a no?" her reply short and blunt.

"I disagree with you going back to your ex and giving it another go, but even through the web cam, your happiness radiates through. I have no intention of putting your children at risk for us just to get together. "

"To be honest Brax, im not happy, Joey and I aren't happy….." she began.

"What are you telling me this for Charlie" Brax replied exasperated. "Your actions put me behind bars…. All I wanted was a life with you and you couldn't give me a chance".

"Brax let me finish…. Joey and I, we're both looking over our shoulders always thinking of whether you or your crew will come after us. We're not in summer bay out of fear that you will set your boys on us."

Brax was shocked, clinging his head in his hands, he momentarily disappeared from view.

"You gave me your address Charlie on that last letter you sent me…. But what were you thinking that just because I know where you are that what, I'd unleash hell on you and your family."

"Something like that yeah" Charlie replied.

"Charlie… what we had… they're now my memories eh. Go have a happy life with the kids and your woman. I'll be right… but let me tell you this… your kids are safe, you and your woman are safe. Look after them Charlie, give them all that you have. I bear no malice, the boys wont touch them I promise."

Tears were streaming down Charlies face, relief at the fact that the family could go back to Summer Bay and be with Ruby and Aden once more.

"Thanks Brax."

"I love you Charlie, all I ever wanted was to be the one to protect you. I guess it wasn't to be eh."

With that he turned off his webcam connection and all Charlie was left with was darkness surrounding her.

….

Joey had come home shortly before Brax had finished talking, having heard part of the conversation she slowly walked into the lounge room where Charlie was sitting at the table, her head in her arms. Joeys hand on her shoulder caused her thoughts to be disturbed once more.

"hey" they both whispered in unison.

Wiping away her tears, Charlie explained to Joey it was safe to return to Summer Bay together. Brax had no malice any more towards them. Joey admitted hearing part of the conversation and was relieved that Charlie had her priorities in order for once.

"I'm still angry with you Charlie, but you have finally ended it with Brax once and for all… or maybe he ended it with you. Either way you should never have put me or your own family in the position where we would have to choose."

"I'm so sorry Jo, for everything… I just want us to be a happy proper family again. No looking over our shoulders. Just doing the right thing by the kids together."

Jo looked into Charlies eyes, they were tired and withdrawn. She had put a lot of pressure on Charlie when it came to ending things with Brax and ceasing contact for the good of the family. She never imagined that the day would come where it would be Brax who would have closed the door on them. She was relieved and knew in time everything would work itself out. For now they had to take it day by day.

"So are you ready to go back to Summer Bay?" Charlie asked.

"Yes!" Joey squealed with excitement.

So with plans to return home in place, they turned out the light, letting the babies sleep a little longer and both of them looked forward to a brighter tomorrow.