Another two days had passed and Brax had took off yet again, it was now Tuesday morning and Charlie was exhausted Alex decided she was going to stay up all night. Yawning she walked into her office and dropped into her chair, leaning back in her chair she closed her eyes.
Watson walked into her office and frowned "Charlie?" she asked "what are you doing here?"
"Mh?" Charlie asked and opened her eyes "sorry, I must have dropped off did you need something?"
"No," Watson replied "I asked you what you were doing here…you took two weeks holidays."
Charlie groaned and sat back in her chair "I must be losing my mind," she yawned.
"Things any better with the Brax situation?" she asked.
"No," Charlie sighed "he's been gone for two days and hasn't been in touch with anyone and to top it off Alex is getting a tooth, I haven't slept at all."
"Who has the Alex today?"
"Kyle," she yawned and stood up "he's off today…I better get back home," she said and walked by her.
"Get some sleep Charlie!" she called after her "you're running on air!"
"I will!" she called back and walked out to her car.
"Charlie!" someone called from behind her.
She turned to see her brother walking over to her "you're back," she smiled and hugged him. "Good time?" she asked pulling back.
"Yeah it was great," Peter replied and sat on her car "tough case?" he asked "you look like you haven't slept in days."
Charlie yawned again "long story…I'm heading home now to get some sleep, can we catch up later and you can tell me all about it?" she asked.
"Sure, ring me when you wake up," he said and walked off.
A few minutes later Charlie let herself into her house "hey," she said and sat beside Kyle "she's asleep?" she asked.
"Yeah, she just went down, she was wrecked I gave her some of that stuff for her gums…why are you back already?" he asked.
"Because I forgot I took two weeks off," she yawned and sat back on the sofa "I'm so tired I don't know what I'm doing."
Kyle sighed heavily he never hated his brother as much as he did right now "why don't I take her back to ours?" he asked "you can get some sleep and we'll look after her."
"It's okay," Charlie yawned "she didn't sleep last night so she should have a couple of hours."
"Charlie look at you," he said "you're exhausted you can't keep going on like this you'll burn yourself out."
"What do you suggest I do then?" she asked "I can't leave her with Brax, you all have jobs, I took the time off to look after her."
"This isn't right," Kyle snapped and jumped up "we shouldn't have to do this, he should be here looking after her."
"Well unfortunately until Brax decides to show his face there's nothing we can do…I'm gonna sleep while she's down-thanks for minding her Kyle," she said and walked up the stairs.
…
Kyle arrived home and slammed the front door, he was in such a bad mood over Brax. Sitting down beside Heath he sighed heavily "what's with you?" he asked.
"Charlie," he muttered.
"She take the head off ya?" he chuckled.
"No," Kyle sighed "she's exhausted she can't go on like this much longer Heath I'm worried about her, she went to work and she wasn't even in she can barely keep her eyes open. When I offered to take Alex back here so she could get a proper sleep she said she was fine…I don't know what to do."
Just as he finished the door opened and Brax walked in "nice to see you're showing your face again!" Kyle yelled and jumped up.
Brax held up his hand "don't star Kyle I just walked in the door, I've had a rough few days."
"Oh poor you!" he spat "you know who else is having a few rough days? Charlie!" he yelled. "She's exhausted Brax! She's like a zombie walking around she won't last much longer! Grow up! Get your head together and get around there and start being a father to your child!" he yelled and stormed off.
"What's with him?" Brax asked as the door slammed.
Heath stood up and walked to him "did the few days away help?" he asked.
Brax nodded "a bit," he replied.
"Good," Heath said and launched his fist into his face "that's for leaving those marks on Charlie!" he yelled and punched him again "and that's for leaving again! Kyle's right get over there and sort it out!" he yelled and walked out the door.
Brax sighed and wiped his nose, walking to the freezer he pulled out an ice cube and placed it on his lip. Sighing he walked to the table and dropped into a seat, he knew everyone was pissed at him and he didn't blame them. He groaned when someone knocked at the door, standing up he stopped when it opened and Peter walked in "come on in detective," he said and sat back down.
"What's this I hear about Charlie taking on your kid while you take off on a binge?" he yelled.
"What you just said," Brax replied smartly.
Peter sighed heavily "you're not doing this to her Brax! Get over there and take that child!" he yelled.
"She's doing a great job so far," he muttered.
Peter leaned over him "she's running herself into the ground Brax!" he hissed "she's gonna make herself sick! I won't have my sister used as a doormat! That baby better be gone by the time I go see her later or I'll be arresting you for anything I can get my hands on and believe me it will stick this time!" he yelled as he stormed out of the house.
Brax sighed heavily and sat back on chair he knew it wasn't right what he was doing but he didn't know what else to do.
A while later he pulled up outside Charlie's house, walking to the back door he quickly turned and walked away. Stopping he turned back and walked to the door again, he did this four times before he finally knocked. When no one answered he tried the handle "Charlie?" he called and slipped inside, walking to the bottom of the stairs he peered up them "Charlie?" he called again.
Hearing Alex babbling he smiled to himself and went up the stairs, following the sounds of her babbling he pushed the door in and stuck his head in. There was Charlie fast asleep on the bed close to Alex's cot, walking to the bed he sighed heavily looking down on her, she did look exhausted she looked a little pale too.
Looking to Alex he smiled "hello princess," he said softly and stroked her cheek "how about daddy take you out and we'll let Charlie sleep?" he asked and lifted her out. Looking down on Charlie he smiled she had been amazing, sitting on the side of the bed he just watched her for a moment. Standing up he grabbed the blanket from the end of the bed and gently placed it over her, leaning over her he pushed some hair behind her ear and kissed her on the head "thank you so much Charlie I owe you a lot," he whispered and backed away from the bed.
Going downstairs he looked around the kitchen trying to figure out by himself what he'd need for her, seeing a buggy by the door he put her in it and closed the straps before putting a blanket over her. Grabbing nappies wipes bottles formula and her dummy he shoved them under the buggy "that should do it," he said and opened the back door. Taking a few steps he stopped "she'll freak out," he said and walked back inside, finding a piece of paper and a pen he quickly scribbled a note and left it propped up against the kettle before slipping out the back door and closing it behind him.
Walking down the drive he smiled to himself he now saw Charlie in a new light…and kinda maybe had some feelings for her too. Deciding to leave his car there and walk to the beach he turned out of the drive and headed on his way. Charlie deserved something massive-something that made her know how grateful he was for what she did, after all it had nothing to with her, she wasn't family-they weren't even friends, she hated him but she still took it upon herself to take Alex on without question. Charlie Buckton was a godsend and he vowed from here on out he was going to take the time to get to know her and be extra nice to her. Smiling again he turned onto the strip maybe having Alex here would change him for the better.
….
A while later Peter let himself into Charlie's house "Charlz!" he called and walked into the living room "Charlz you up?" he called.
Charlie jumped up and looked around sleepily, she jumped out of the bed when her eyes landed on the empty cot "Alex?" she called and ran to the door. Pulling it open she walked to Ruby's room 'maybe she took her when she came home for lunch' she thought to herself as she pushed the door in. Her heart started to beat faster when the room was empty "Alex?" she yelled and ran down the stairs.
"What's wrong?" Peter asked as she ran by him.
"Alex wasn't in her cot when I woke up I have to call the police," she said and walked to her phone.
"Would Ruby have taken her out?" Peter asked.
"Ruby's in scho…" she trailed off and walked to the kettle, picking up the note she read it and sighed in relief.
"Ruby took her?" Peter asked.
"No," she smiled and handed him the note "Brax took her."
Peter looked down at the note "gone the beach don't worry, Brax," he read and handed it back to her "at least he's copping on."
"How did you know about any of this?" she asked and sat at the counter.
"Georgie was worried about you, she told me you turned up at the station today and you're supposed to be on holidays," he replied and sat beside her.
"I am," she replied "Alex was up all night I didn't sleep at all, I didn't know what I was doing."
"What are you doing Charlie?" he asked.
"He needed help I couldn't just leave her there Brax wouldn't even look at her, and the other didn't even know how to make a bottle," she replied.
"Why couldn't you show them everything there and leave her with them?"
"They didn't have anything for her but a few days clothes nappies and food, Ricky just dumped her and took off what was I supposed to do Pete?" she asked.
"It's not your problem Charlie!" he yelled "it's theirs, you do not owe that family anything, do you think they'd do the same for you?"
"Heath is my friend he asked for help and I gave it, Alex didn't do anything wrong I wasn't going to let her be punished for being born!" she yelled back.
"And what about Brax?" he asked "he gets to take off and have party after party while you run yourself into an early grave!"
"Oh you're exaggerating Pete," she huffed "he's was shocked and upset as anyone would be, he was hurt he didn't know anything about her, everyone deals with things differently."
"Why are you defending him?" Peter asked.
Charlie sighed and stood up "I'm not doing it for him, that little girl is my only concern."
"Don't get too attached Charlie!" Peter called after her.
Charlie stopped at the door "until I know she'll be safe and looked after she'll be staying here with me."
Later that afternoon Charlie walked down to the beach to see Brax sitting on the sand with Alex on his lap, it looked like he was talking to her. She chuckled when he pointed out to the water and looked down at her, her heart skipped a beat when he kissed her on the head and pulled her closer.
Walking down to them she sat beside him "how are we getting on?" she asked.
Brax looked down as Alex jumped excitedly when she spotted her "yeah great," he smiled and handed her over "I think she missed you though," he added.
Charlie stood her up and smiled "I almost had a heart attack when I woke up and you weren't there," she said and brought her closer to her.
"Yeah, sorry…maybe I should have left the note in her cot," he said.
"You think," she said and nudged him "how did you get into my house anyway?" she asked.
"Back door was open, I called out before I came in, she was awake so just went up…I hope you don't mind," he added quickly.
"It's fine, I wish you would have woken me though," she replied.
"You looked like you needed a good sleep, and that is my fault…I'm sorry for everything Charlie," he sighed and looked over at her "I shouldn't have expected you to look after her all this time."
"No," she agreed "but despite the lack of sleep, we've had fun…how are you felling about the idea of being a daddy now?" she asked cautiously.
"To be honest," he said and looked out to the water "I'm scared outta my mind, I don't know the first thing about raising a kid."
Charlie looked down to see Alex had fallen asleep, placing her in the buggy she scooted closer to him "that's not true," she said "you raised three boys and they turned out to be amazing people…just like you-there I said it," she chuckled.
Brax chuckled and looked over at her "I always knew you loved me."
Charlie chuckled again and looked out to the water "what happens now?" she asked and looked over at Alex "how do you wanna do this?"
Brax looked over at his daughter "I guess I take her home and see where it goes from there."
"You're taking her home tonight?" she asked quickly.
"Well yeah," he said slowly "you're wrecked Charlie I can't expect you to look after her, you have your own life to get on with."
Charlie's heart sunk a little she'd loved looking after her "but you haven't a clue what you're doing," was she could think to say.
"I know," he nodded "but you're gonna teach me all I need to know," he said.
Charlie sighed heavily "alright how about this," she said and turned to face him "you stay at mine tonight and we'll start there? All her stuff is set up there anyway."
Brax thought for a moment "deal," he nodded.
…..
A while later they walked into Charlie's house "there you are," Ruby said "I've been ringing you," she said and looked beyond her to see Brax "hey Brax," she said quickly.
"Hey Rubes," he replied and sat at the table "what's first?" he asked looking up at Charlie.
"So you're here to stay?" Ruby asked.
Brax nodded and stood up "it's time I started acting like a dad."
Ruby nodded and walked by them "have fun!" she called on her way out.
"Where are you going?" Charlie called after her.
"Diner to meet April! I'll be back later!" she called back.
"So bottle?" Brax asked.
"Oh, yeah, put the kettle on," Charlie said and walked to get a clean bottle.
When the kettle clicked she placed the bottle in front of him "fill it to four with water," she said. Once that was done she handed him the scoop "put four scoops of formula into it."
"What now?" he asked as he closed the lid on the bottle.
"Shake it so it's mixed together," Charlie said and walked to the sink, filling a jug with water she placed it beside him "put it in that to cool it down."
"And that's it?" he asked once he'd done it.
"Yeah-well you have to keep checking it to make sure it doesn't go too cold," she replied.
"And how do I do that?" he asked.
Charlie chuckled "you pour it on your wrist-not five seconds after you make it," she giggled as he picked it up "you'll scald yourself."
"Right I knew that," he chuckled and dropped it back into the water.
Charlie shook her head and leaned against the counter "what happened to your lip?" she asked.
Brax touched it briefly "Heath snapped when I got back and punched me," he said and walked to her "I'm so sorry about what happened outside the house last week, I had no right to put my hands on you. I was angry and upset and you were the easiest target to take it out on, I knew you hated me so it wouldn't mean much if you never spoke to me again."
"Brax I don't hate you," she replied.
Brax scoffed "you coulda fooled me," he said "all them arrests? You didn't even have enough to go on but you still came at me."
Charlie chuckled "I did hate you-but not anymore, being around Heath a lot and in your house I get to see what you're like, I get to hear the boys talk about you…you're not what I expected at all."
"Told you you loved me," he said taking another step closer to her.
Charlie bit her lip as he invaded her personal space "what are you doing?" she asked as he lowered his head.
"Something I've wanted to do since I saw you this morning," he said and kissed her sweetly. Pulling back he looked for her reaction, when she stared back at him he lowered his head again.
"There you are!" Heath yelled just as his lips were inches away from hers "ever hear of a phone?" he asked. Seeing Brax step away from her he shook his head "are you at her again?" he yelled and stormed towards him "I told you I'd kill you if you did anything else to her!"
"No, Heath it's not what you think," Charlie said jumping in front of Brax "I'm showing him how to do everything for Alex."
Heath narrowed his eyes at Brax "better just be that," he said and looked over at Charlie "fancy dinner?" he asked "my treat because Kyle just made my day when he told me you went to work today," he chuckled.
"Shut up," she giggled and slapped him "I didn't sleep a wink last night I didn't even know my own name….but I cant go, I have to show Brax more stuff."
Brax felt so bad listening to her say how tired she was "you go Charlie, I'll be fine here," he said taking the bottle out of the water. Poring it on his wrist he frowned at her.
"Does it feel hot to you?" she chuckled.
"No, it's just warm," he replied.
"Then she's ready for it…you sure you'll be okay if I go, I'm starving," she asked.
Brax nodded "just show me how to do a nappy then I'll be good, and I'll still be here when you get home."
Charlie nodded and walked to the living room, walking back with a nappy she opened it out "it's simple really, this part goes to the back, you close this part over her front and pull the sticky part like this," she said showing him.
"Got it," he nodded and walked to Alex "you go have some fun," he said and walked into the living room.
Charlie was hesitant she looked over at Heath "do you think he'll be okay?"
"He'll be fine, come on," he said slinging his arm around her shoulder "we're just a call away if he's not anyway," he said and led her out the door.
As soon as the door was closed Brax looked down on Alex "your uncle always had bad timing," he sighed.
Down at Angelo's Kyle walked over to them "who has Alex?" he asked "I just saw Ruby and April in the diner."
"Brax has her…I thought you were off today?" Charlie asked.
"I am, I'm just getting pizza," he replied and sat down "so Brax actually took her?"
Charlie nodded "he had her for most of the day…do you wanna join us?" she asked.
"Thanks, but Case is waiting at home for the pizza…where is he now?"
"He's staying at mine tonight, it made sense with all her stuff already there," Charlie replied.
Kyle nodded and stood up "she's used to your house now, I'll see you guys tomorrow," he said and walked off.
"Do you think she'll kick up when he brings her to ours?" Heath asked.
"I don't know," she sighed "guess we'll find out soon."
….
Charlie arrived home and let herself in, finding the living room empty she walked up to her room. Walking in she smiled Brax was asleep on the side of her bed facing the cot and Alex was sleeping soundly too.
Yawning she grabbed pyjamas and walked to her bathroom and closed the door, getting changed taking off her make up and throwing her hair up she walked back to the bedroom and closed the door.
Taking the blanket from the bed she threw it over Brax and walked to the cot, leaning in she kissed Alex on the head "night baby," she whispered and walked to the other side of the bed. Climbing in she lay back and pulled the covers over her, yawning again she rolled on her side facing Brax and closed her eyes.
A few hours later Alex began to cry, Charlie sat up and jumped as Brax stood up "I got her, you go back to sleep," he said and picked her up.
"Will you be okay?" she asked.
"Yeah," he replied "Ruby told me to make bottles for the night so I just have to heat it up…go back to sleep," he said and slipped out of the room.
About twenty minutes later he arrived back with a sleeping Alex, placing her in her cot again he lay down on Charlie's bed and pulled the blanket over him.
Charlie opened her eyes "get under the covers if you want."
Brax pulled back the covers on his side and climbed under them "not as warm as you'd think," he chuckled.
"Winter is on the way," Charlie replied "did you wind her?" she asked.
"Yeah, changed her nappy too," he replied and rolled onto his side.
Charlie nodded "have you got jeans on you?" she asked pulling her feet away.
"What else am I supposed to sleep in?" he chuckled.
"Take them off," she said "not to mention you'll be sweating I can't stand the feel of them…I move around a lot," she added.
"You just wanna see me half naked admit it," he chuckled as he pulled them off.
"May as well take your shirt off while you're at it," she giggled.
Brax chuckled and pulled his shirt off "if you wanted to see my body all you had to do was ask."
"Seen it before, nothing special," she giggled.
Brax chuckled again "night Charlie," he yawned.
"Night," she replied.
"Hey Brax," she said a few minutes later "…thanks for giving it a go, I know it must have been so hard to come here this morning, so thanks."
Brax looked at the back of her head she hadn't said anything about him kissing her, sighing he decided to let it go Alex came first now "it's time I started taking responsibility," he said and closed his eyes.
"I'm gonna miss her," Charlie said.
Brax lifted his head "you can see her anytime you want."
Charlie nodded "I'd like that…night," she said again.
The next morning Charlie woke up yawning she sat up and looked beside her to find Brax and Alex gone. Rolling out of the bed she went down to the kitchen and straight to the coffee pot.
Brax looked up when she walked in and bit on his lip as she passed him in just a shirt barely covering her underwear "you know," he said startling her "that's one way to kill a guy."
Charlie jumped and whirled to face him "I thought you'd gone…what are you talking about?" she asked.
"Walking around like that," he said looking her up and down "I'm not complaining though," he chuckled.
Charlie tugged on her shirt "of course you wouldn't," she giggled "like I said, I thought you'd gone," she said and poured herself a cup.
"And you're still standing there teasing me," he said when she didn't run to her room.
Charlie shrugged and sipped her coffee "my house…I thought you said you weren't complaining?"
"I'm not," he replied "but I can think of ten things that are running through my head right now."
"Eww, Brax, that is gross," she chuckled, her heart was racing she didn't know what was happening when he kissed her and she still didn't. He hadn't been awkward and neither had she…what does that mean? had he forgotten he'd kissed her?
Brax placed Alex in her seat and stood up "how about you let me take you out tonight?" he asked walking to her.
Charlie looked up at him as he stopped in front of her "why would you wanna take me out?" she asked willing her heart to slow down.
Brax chuckled and stepped closer to her "to say thank you, and to get to know you better," he replied.
Charlie nodded "you don't have to do this because of what I did," she said seriously.
"I'm not," he replied "I just wanna say thank you."
"I think you are," she replied and took a step back "you don't owe me anything, I did it for Alex."
"Charlie…shut up, I just want to let you know I'm grateful. I'm gonna take her off for the day, do you wanna come?" he asked.
As much as she wanted to say yes she knew he needed to be alone with Alex to get used to it "I'd love to," she replied "but I told Hayley I'd go to the city for the day."
"Okay," he nodded and stepped back "we'll just see you later then."
Charlie nodded too "you need some one on one with her anyway," she said after a minute.
"I know," he replied and picked her up "we were waiting for you to get up so I guess we can go now," he said walking to her "say bye Alex."
"Bye baby, have fun," Charlie said and kissed her on the cheek.
Brax smiled "I'll call ya later," he said and walked out the back door.
"Bye!" she called after him, sighing she watched him load Alex into his car…what the hell is going on!" she asked herself. He couldn't stand her most days, what was going through his head at all? She knew her looking after Alex had something to do with it and she didn't want him thinking he owed her or anything. Sighing she grabbed her coffee and walked back up to her room-they needed some distance, he had to get used to handling things on his own.