Aaliyah had decided to spend the morning on the beach with Riley. She smiled to herself as she watched him digging in the sand. As Aaliyah looked up she saw Casey and Brax approach, they had been for a surf.

Aaliyah couldn't stop the grin that was creeping across her face the minute she saw Casey. "Hey" Brax said as he put his board in the sand.

"Hiya" Aaliyah replied "It's good to see you out and about again" she smiled. Aaliyah hadn't seen much of Brax since he came out of hospital; he had gone to stay at the motel.

Brax grinned "Yeah, well I've been dying to get back out there" Before Aaliyah could speak she was interrupted by a ringing sound coming from her bag. Aaliyah quickly answered it. Brax and Casey looked puzzled as they saw the blonde's expression change from confusion to excitement "Oh that's fantastic, thank you" Aaliyah beamed as she ended the phone call.

"Who was that mum?" Riley asked curiously.

"That was the men in charge of fixing our house. He said it's all finished and we can go home as soon as we want" Aaliyah grinned as she told her little boy the good news.

"Does that mean I don't have to share a room with you anymore mum" Riley grinned. Brax, Casey and Aaliyah laughed at his comment.

"Yes baby" Aaliyah smiled as she glanced quickly at Casey. Both of them realised what this meant. Now Aaliyah had her own house back, they could arrange a lot more secret rendezvous.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It didn't take long for Aaliyah to move all her things next door. She loved the thought of having her own space again. Aaliyah didn't want to seem ungrateful but sharing a house with Heath and Casey could be testing at times. Gosh it felt good to be home she thought to herself quietly.

Aaliyah had already got it back to the way it was before the fire. All the furniture was in place, all she needed to do was put her's and Riley's clothes back in the cupboards. As she started to unpack her suitcase she was interrupted by a knock at her window. As she opened it, Casey clambered inside. "Oh it's just you" she smiled cheekily.

"Have a lot of men coming through your bedroom window do you? Casey teased. Aaliyah laughed at him before grabbing his neck and pulling him towards her. Casey leant forwards and kissed her passionately, before they knew it they were laid on the bed ripping at each others clothes.

Aaliyah smiled as she snuggled into Casey. Casey traced her arm with his fingertips "You still haven't told me what happened with Johnny" Casey questioned cautiously. Aaliyah looked up at Casey before answering "Does it matter, I love you"

"OK so that's the kind of reaction that makes me think something happened" Casey said as he sat up to face Aaliyah. Aaliyah sighed "Johnny isn't in the same place I am" she tried to explain. Casey frowned at her explanation. "OK, he said we are meant to be together and he would never let me be with anyone else" Aaliyah continued.

"What, so he thinks he still has a claim on you, after everything he's done to you? After everything thing he's put you through?" Casey spat angrily, as he got out of bed.

"Case" Aaliyah exclaimed as she stood beside him, wrapping the blanket around them, Casey put his hands on her waist. "I'm not with him though am I? I'm here with you and that's how its gonna stay" Aaliyah said trying to reassure him. Casey thought for a moment before kissing her gently "I just couldn't bare to lose you" he whispered gently "Not now" he added before kissing her again. Aaliyah wrapped her arms around him pulling him closer. As the pair started kissing passionately, they were interrupted by a knock at the bedroom door. Before Aaliyah had chance to answer Riley had already opened the door. Both Casey and Aaliyah shared a horrified glance. Riley just looked at his mum and disappeared into lounge.

Aaliyah quickly rushed to get dressed, she couldn't believe her and Casey had been this careless. Aaliyah pulled on her jeans and put on a jumper before heading into the lounge. Casey had gone out through the door this time. As Casey disappeared into the house next door, Aaliyah went to sit next to Riley.

"I'm sorry you had to see that buddy" Aaliyah said slowly, she had no idea how she was going to explain this one. Riley looked up at her "Is he your boyfriend mum?" he asked innocently, Aaliyah couldn't speak. "It's ok, I don't mind" Riley continued sweetly.

"Yes baby Casey is my boyfriend, but we have to keep it a secret" Aaliyah finally managed to say.

"In case daddy finds out?" Riley questioned his mum curiously.

"Yes something like that" Aaliyah replied smiling, she couldn't believe how well Riley had taken it. "But no-one else can know about it ok?" she added. Riley nodded.

"Listen baby, if you don't want me to see Casey I'll stop" Aaliyah smiled. Riley just looked up at her "No, its ok mum. I know Casey makes you happy. You smile whenever you see him" Aaliyah was stunned at her little boys reply. Mind you she was glad he felt that way, because she had no idea how she was going to break up with Casey if he said no.

Later that day Aaliyah took Riley to Angelo's for some pizza. It was a treat for being good at school. Aaliyah found them both a table, before heading towards the bar. Heath was working "Hey you" he beamed.

"Hi" Aaliyah replied a little shyly, she still felt bad for using him the way she did.

"What can I get you?" Heath asked, breaking her thoughts.

"Er…Orange juice and a sparkling water please" she replied. As Heath poured the drinks he looked up and noticed a man sat at the table with Riley. "You got company" He asked nodding towards the table. Aaliyah turned quickly and was horrified by what she saw; she stormed over to the table. Heath was concerned by Aaliyah's reaction so he followed her to the table. "What the hell do you want?" Aaliyah snapped as she approached the table.

The man stood and turned to face her "Aaliyah is that anyway to speak to your father" he smiled. Heath was stunned; he knew Aaliyah's family bailed as soon as she married Johnny. Aaliyah quickly grabbed her bag and Riley's hand. "Come on baby" she said to her son, before turning back to her dad "You stay away from us" she spat as she dragged Riley out onto the beach.

Brax and Casey were sat with a couple of river boys on the beach "That looks like trouble" one of the boys laughed. Both Brax and Casey looked towards Aaliyah. Casey noticed how distressed she looked. As he continued to watch her it was then he understood why. A tall man was following her. Casey watched as Aaliyah shouted something to him. As soon as the man grabbed her arm, both Brax and Casey jumped to their feet, they saw Heath was also following them.

Aaliyah was now stood still, she had pushed Riley behind her "Leave me alone" Aaliyah spat angrily.

"You know I can't do that, please Ali just let me explain" he dad replied.

"No" Aaliyah yelled, before being interrupted by Brax.

"Do we have a problem here?" he asked curiously. Riley ran and hid behind Brax; Brax looked down and put his hand on Riley's head.

"Well" Casey interrupted. Before the man had chance to answer they were interrupted by a woman's voice "Still the same old Ali I see" the voice said as it got closer.

Brax, Heath and Casey had to do a double take when they saw the woman; she looked just like Aaliyah just a younger version. She looked to be about 23.

"So Ali which one of these are you sleeping with?" she grinned smugly as she eyed up the three men stood in front of her.

"Back off Lexi" Aaliyah spat, she was struggling to keep her cool.

"Is that any way to speak to your sister?" Lexi smirked "How's Johnny" she continued smugly. Aaliyah had heard enough. Something inside her snapped when she heard that. Aaliyah launched at Lexi, punching her clean in the face. Before Aaliyah could do anything else Casey had stepped in and pulled her away.

Aaliyah's dad quickly helped Lexi to her feet and the pair of them disappeared. Casey had his arms around Aaliyah "I'm gonna let go ok" Casey whispered, not knowing what her reaction would be. Casey could feeling Aaliyah's heart racing. "What the hell was that?" he asked curiously. Heath watched Lexi and her dad get into a black BMW.

Brax however hadn't taken his eyes off Aaliyah and Casey. He had never seen his brother like that around a girl before. Casey was usually shy around women, but for some reason not this one. Brax watched for a few more moments as Casey hugged Aaliyah, then it dawned on him. Casey liked her more than he should; he obviously wasn't listening to his teacher/student warning. Brax knew he would need to talk to him again.

Aaliyah scooped Riley up into her arms and headed back to Angelo's with the Braxton Brothers. She wasn't sure what her family coming back meant, but she knew she hadn't seen the last of them.

Ok so I hope you enjoyed that. Just a quick thank you to everyone who is supporting this story with reviews and adds to alerts and favourites. It's lovely to know you are still enjoying it. As always please R & R.

Much love Nikki x x x

Coming up-

Aaliyah's mum arrives!

What did Lexi do to Aaliyah that made her so angry?

Aaliyah has competition for Casey's affections, will she reveal their secret relationship?