Hello my wonderful readers, I am so much more happier writing this chapter. I got a lot more reviews for the last chapter so keep it up. It makes it hard to write chapters when I don't get reviews so when I get them I find it super doper easy to write chapters! SO keep up the good work! I just want to say a big thank you to Nikayla and beebee483, you guys are AMAZING you review almost every chapter without fail and you have given me so many wonderful ideas and helpful hints. Your amazing! Thank you to all my reviewers but this chapter is for you two!
[DISCLAIMER/COPYRIGHT: I do not own any of the existing characters or storylines in Home and Away but any characters, storylines or ideas used in this story are strictly copyrighted and are not to be used by any other person/s without written permission of the author of this story. Thank-you.]
BELLA POV
I was standing in the mirror making sure that everything looked alright. I was wearing my dark blue denim super skinny jeans, a navy blue shirt with the sleeves cut just above the elbows and my favourite pair of light brown leather heeled boots. I grabbed my bag which was made of similar light brown leather and slipped my sunnies onto my head. My hair was down and straight, my fringe had grown out and now framed my face.
I walked down the hall towards Charlie and Brax's and knocked on the door lightly, when I got no response I opened the door I could hear sobbing coming from inside the walk in robe. I immediately got worried, dumping my bag on the bed I hurried over to the robe where I found Charlie sitting on the carpet sobbing into a scarf "Charlie what's wrong?" I asked worried "I'm FAT-T-T" Charlie wailed, I snickered Charlie's hormones had really kicked into gear lately "oh no you aren't fat Charles, it's the baby that's big" I said sitting beside her "y-yeah but until-l she come-es out-t I have-e to look-k like a WHALE!" she cried "I have nothing-g to wear!" she finished "sure you do, how about…" "hey what's going on?" Ruby asked interrupting me mid speech "Charlie thinks she is fat and has nothing to wear, but we both know it's the baby that is the big one and I was about to suggest that we help Charlie pick something to wear, what do you think?" I asked as Charlie raised her head "Well I am in" Ruby said as we pulled Charlie to her feet.
20 minutes later and Ruby and I had managed to get Charlie happy and laughing again although she did start to cry when she couldn't put her necklace on, but once we helped her she was fine. She was wearing an amazing ombre purple silk maxi dress that started white at the top and slowly faded to purple towards the bottom. Her hair was out and flowing around her shoulders and a pair of black thongs on her feet. We helped her down the stairs and into the car as I jumped in the driver's side and began the short drive to Angelo's.
We rounded the corner into Angelo's, finding the place quite busy we led Charlie up the stools at the front. Brax rounded the corner carrying to plates before handing them to a waiter and giving Charlie a kiss and saying hello to their baby. "Brax, Ruby and I are going shopping for stuff for Charlie's baby shower tomorrow and we are going to do the grocery shopping while we are out. So we need money" I said. Brax nodded "oh okay come with me" he said motioning for me to follow him into the office. I shut the door behind me "busy out there" I said as Brax fetched the money "yeah but it's a good thing, the numbers are good and that is really great for the baby. Here you go" he said handing me 6 $100 bills "thanks" I said putting the bills in my purse "it's cool, I am going to be working here tomorrow so you guys can have the shower" he said, I nodded "oh okay, I will come and pick up the pizzas at about 10:30am – that cool?" I asked "yeah it's fine, what other food are you planning?" he asked curiously "well, Charlie is craving sweets so we will have plenty of lollies. I was thinking of making cupcakes and Leah is bringing Charlie's favourite muffins. Just stuff like that" I said as Brax opened the door. We walked back to the girls "you ready Rubes?" I asked putting my purse in my bag. "Yep, see ya mum" Ruby said kissing Charlie on the cheek "bye Charles" I said kissing Brax on the cheek and then Charlie before heading out to the car.
We pulled up at a small boutique decoration shop in Yabbie Creek called 'Décor Galore' and climbed out of Charlie's car. As we walked through the door the small bell overhead jingled and a short blonde haired woman in a zebra print top and a blue suit jacket and a matching skirt and accessories hurried towards us "hello ladies, what can I do for you today?" she said brightly "oh hi, we are just having a look around thanks" I said. The lady nodded "well if you need anything I will be right up the front, my name is Yazmina" she said "oh well thanks, my name is Bella" I said as the woman diverted her gaze to Ruby "and my name is Ruby" she said giving her a warm smile "what are you shopping for today?" she asked smiling at us "we are throwing my mother a baby shower" Ruby said "oh! How lovely. With you two beautiful girls as daughters I sure the next will be just as stunning" she said "oh no, we aren't biological sisters. Charlie is my sister in law" I said giving Yazmina a smile "oh! Sorry" she said "well I think of her as a sister" Ruby said giving my shoulder a squeeze, I looked over to her and smiled "oh how sweet, we have some beautiful baby shower decorations just over here. Do you know what the mum to be is having?" Yazmina asked "ah yes, she is having a girl" I said as Yazmina gasped in delight "oh how perfect, we have just gotten in some of the most amazing decorations for girls in. Come with me" she said as she hurried off quickly. Ruby and I had to speed walk to keep up with her.
"now these here are just so cute, they are little autograph ducks. So each of you guests can write a little message on him and then you give him to the mum to be so she can read the messages and put it in the baby's room" she said showing us an adorable yellow plush duck. "aww, he is so cute!" Ruby cooed "yeah I reckon, do you think we should get him?" I asked "yeah, I think it could be kinda neat" Ruby said as Yazmina plucked pink plastic carry basket from out of no-where and placed the duck inside. "great! Now these are so cute" she said wandering off again. I looked at Ruby who rolled her eyes, I laughed and nodded before we followed Yazmina. Both of us knowing that this woman would not leave us alone.
20 minutes later Ruby and I emerged from the store each of us carrying a black paper bag with the pink Décor Galore logo on the front and back. We put the bags in the boot before heading to the city. Once we had arrived with found a party store almost straight away. We walked through the sliding doors and each grabbed a black shopping basket as we wandered around collecting decorations, tableware and fun items. We laughed and had fun, taking photos of each other in funny hats and feather boas. We decided that we would try on some of the costumes since we had only been shopping for about 20 minutes and we had already collected so much. I waited paitently as Ruby tried on her costume, she pulled back the curtain and pounced out. She was wearing a tan suede lion suit with fluffy brown fur poking out from behind the ears and on each paw. I laughed as she roared trying her best to imitate a lion "you-u sound like a-a kitten" I managed to gasp between my laughter. We had decided to pick a costume for each other and I had pick the lion for Rubes but I didn't know what she had picked for me. I took photos of Ruby in her costume and the two of us together before she sat down and handed me my costume. I passed her the phone before heading into the dressing room.
RUBY POV
I was looking through the camera at the photos Bella and I had taken, smiling at how ridiculious we looked. Bella and I had grown so much closer in the last few weeks and I couldn't be happier. I mean I have friends but Bella is different, she is funny and helpful and always knows what to say. She was like my sister, my best friend and I couldn't imagine ever not having her. We laughed and talked about nothing in particular, she did my hair and my make-up and we painted each other's nails and stayed up late watching rom-coms. I had so much fun with her and today was just proof of how close we had become. I was snapped out of my thoughts by Bella talking to me "Ruby seriously! You just had to pick this costume didn't you!" she called from behind the curtain. I laughed "you know it! They say that when you need to you can be like on so we had better see what you look like as one!" I said holding back laughter as I thought of the costume I had picked!
I noticed that some people were coming into the changing room. Three guys about our age walked in with what I could only assume were their mums and little brothers and sisters. I had to admit they were hot but I was taken, I smiled politely as they looked my way. When suddenly I remembered I was dressed as a lion, I felt myself turning red as I looked away. Bella drew back the curtain and my mouth dropped – she actually pulled it off! She was dressed as the devil, she was wearing the red leather body suit that had serious v neck line that plunged half way down her chest, her straight blonde hair was down an flowing past her shoulders and down her back, nestled in her hair were the devil ears and she held a pitch fork in one hand. She was wearing knee high black lace up shiny leather boots. "WOAH!" I cried and instantly felt embarrassed as I looked over towards the hot guys beside us, one of them a guy with gorgeous tan and chocolate brown hair, rippling muscles and piercing blue eyes, he was wearing a blue shirt which fitted him perfectly and a pair of black jeans was walking back to his mother when he saw Bella exit the dressing room he ran face first into the wall. I laughed and turned my head before whispering to Bella "I can't believe you pulled that off, those guys are drooling!" I said nodding my head towards the group of teen guys who were all ogling at Bella.
We both looked over at them and they immediately blushed and looked down. We laughed and took pictures, as we glanced over at the guys who were still watching Bella, she threw them a glamorous smile and a cute little wave, the guys blushed crimson. "oh shit look at the time, we have been here almost an hour. We had better get going" I said as Bella grabbed her bag and headed into the dressing room.
BELLA POV
Within 10 minutes Ruby and I had emerged from the dressing room. I picked up my basket and handed Ruby hers as we left to pay for out items. We were half way to the counter when I realised that I had left my phone in the dressing room. "Rubes, I left my phone in the dressing room. I'm just gonna run back and get it. Here this is the credit card Brax gave me for all the stuff, I told you the pin. Can you just go ahead and get the girl to ring this stuff up while I go and get my phone?" I asked hopefully "yeah sure, just put the stuff from you basket in here and I will go and get this stuff rung up" Ruby said as I dumped the stuff from my basket into hers and handed her the credit card. I spun on my heels and headed back to the dressing room.
I sighed in relief as I grabbed my iPhone. 'If I had lost this Brax would have killed me' I thought to myself. I spun around quickly and exited the room, running straight into something. "ooff" I said stumbling back as few paces, I could feel myself losing my balance when I felt two hands on me, one on my arm and the other on my back holding me upright. I looked up and saw that it was the hot guy that had been looking at me earlier 'oh my god, he is so much hotter up close' I thought to myself "oh sorry I didn't see you there" I said trying not to get mesmerised by his amazing eyes and the fact that he was still touching me. "no I should be the one saying sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going" he said giving me a smile that made my head feel light. I was praying to myself that he would let go of me soon because his touch was making me feel like my skin was on fire! I had never felt like this with a guy before and it was kind of weird.
Suddenly he released me and I felt relief "sorry" he said looking down. "no that's okay" I said unsure of what to say next "Cooper" he said suddenly, I looked up at him "I'm sorry what?" I asked confused "My name is Cooper" he said smiling nervously "oh" I laughed "I am Bella" I said as I took his extended hand a shook it "right is that short for something?" he asked obviously getting more comfortable "yeah um, Isabella but no one calls me that… unless I am in trouble" I said smiling at him "aw you don't look like the kinda girl who gets into a lot of trouble" he said "well looks can be deceiving, besides I think it's more that trouble finds me" I said as he laughed "well I like a girl who is honest" he said still smiling "well if I am one thing it is honest – sometimes brutally… just ask my brothers" I said "brothers?" he questioned "yes you know, when your parents have another child. If it is a boy then he is your brother and a girl is your sister" I said sarcastically "haha, yes I know I have one myself. How many?" he asked curiously "three" I replied as he raised his eyebrows "older or younger?" he questioned "older" I replied back "all of them older… hmm are they protective" he asked again fishing for info "fiercely" I answered enjoying watching him squirm.
"sisters?" he asked "none, although I have a sister in law" I answered. "intersesting" he replied "not really, I have to head back to my friend we are shopping for my sister in laws baby shower, it was nice to meet you Cooper" I told him before moving around him "wait" he called causing me to turn around "you got a phone number?" he asked. I rolled my eyes "yeah, most people do you know" I answered "can I have it?" he asked but I wasn't about to give it up that easily "tell you what, if you can find it out all by yourself then we can talk more" I said walking slowly towards him "and just how am I supposed to do that?" he asked smirking "well you seem like a smart boy, you know that I have three older brothers, a sister in law, and you have seen my friend. But to make it easier I will give you a couple of other clues I live in Summer Bay, my family is well known for reasons we won't discuss and if you happen to be in town swing past the Pier Diner and ask a lady called Colleen about me. There I have practically given you my number" I told him with a smile, I gave him a wink before turning on my heels and walking back to Ruby, as I walked off I called out "good luck" I smiled when I heard him laugh.
"Hey what took you so long" Ruby said as she watched the checker scan and bag all of our items "sorry, I got held up I ran into that guy who was staring at us in the dressing room" I said as Ruby's eyes widened "the super-hot one!" she asked excitedly "yeah" I replied laughing "woah, and by the way he was watching you not me!" she said nudging me "oh come on Rubes!" I said rolling my eyes "it's true they all were, but anyway what did he say?" she asked "well not much really, just asked me like 20 questions!" I said "about what?" she asked confused "me and if I had any brothers" I said. Ruby laughed "oh god, this poor boy doesn't know what he is in for! Did you give him your number?" "nah, but I told him if he could find it out without me we could talk" I said as Ruby looked at me in horror "what! How is he supposed to do that!" she asked outraged "geeze relax Rubes, I told him I live in Summer Bay and if he was ever in town to ask Colleen if she knew me, I practically gave him my address!" I said as the two of us dissolved into laughter "your right!" she said as the lady finished ringing everything up "that will be $88.70" she said "oh hello Mrs Harding, how are you today?" We looked over our shoulders and I nearly tripped there stood Cooper, beside him was his mother and a little girl and a boy 'oh shit!' I thought to myself.
Ruby nudged me and handed over the card "credit" she said before the girl could ask. I looked over at Ruby and she gave me an 'eek' look before handing me the eftpos machine where I punched in the pin number. The checkout girl lifted the four bags onto the counter and we each took two. As we walked away we heard Mrs Harding say she wasn't buying anything but just wanted to give her something she had found. Before we made it out of the massive store we could hear the clicking of heels behind us, we picked up out speed and raced out of the door and quickly popped the boot of my car, but we weren't quick enough, Cooper looked over to me "white BMW, nice" he said giving me a smile. I just pulled my sunglasses down over my eyes and hopped in the car before driving off without looking at him…. Well only in the rear view mirror.
Okay so how did you like that chapter? I am thinking the next one will be the baby shower but before I post that I want your opinion. Would you like a long detailed chapter with lots of details or a short chapter just giving you an idea of the shower. If you want detailed it will include all the games and the way the place has been decorated etc, if you want shorter I will cut out the games and just leave the detail of the décor. Personally I would prefer to have it more detailed but I would like to see what you think. Although I do have the end decision ;) What do you think of Bella and Cooper? Would you like to see him catch up with her? Maybe a date? A relationship? Or would you prefer them to maybe go on a date but have it not work out? Let me know in a review or PM and I will definitely consider your opinion as Cooper was a spur of the moment creation! So remember to REVIEW and tell me what you think and want/hope to happen! Dannielle x