Heyyy, please don't hate me! I know right now it seems bad but I promise that this had to happen so other things could come out of it! I hope the spoilers keep you happy, there are positive times to come I promise – just not quite yet. Now Cooper is going away in three weeks so these next few chapters happen over the course of that time. This is set just after the last chapter ended. This chapter is also a lot longer, hope that is okay ;) Hope you like, please review! Dannielle xoxo

[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.]

Previously on Picture Perfect: I stared at him waiting for him to speak, the silence was unbearable "please say something" I whispered tears sliding down my face "I'm so sorry" he said looking up at me, I could see the tears in his eyes. I brushed them with my fingers and hugged him tightly. He held me and stroked my hair while I cried and I knew that he would be crying as well.

BRAX POV

Heath had barely finished telling us what that bastard did to Bella, I walked over and slammed him up against the wall "you're a pig you know that, you deserve to die for what you did to her" I whispered coldly as I drew my hand back to punch him, I felt a small cold hand wrap around my wrist, I turned to see a pale and fragile looking Bella staring up at me "don't Brax" she whispered. I release him as she scampered off down the hall like the rat his is, I pulled her into a hug "I guess you know" she whispered, I nodded. I pulled back looking in her eyes "I will do whatever you want me to okay" I said quietly, she nodded and moved over to the chairs, Charlie went and sat beside her, wrapping her arm around her "do you want to call the police?" she asked gently "no" she murmered. "I want to forget about it and help Ruby" she said getting up and going to the bathroom. She returned minutes later, heading into Ruby's room.

RUBY POV

I was lost, I was hurting and I was angry. Why would Cheryl do this to me, I lost my beautiful baby girl because of her. I didn't know what to do or say or even feel. I was as if my whole body was numb, Bella walked into the room and I noticed that she was looking a bit paler than usual, she sat beside me a took my hand. For some reason I felt like I could let out my emotions when she was with me, maybe it was because she had helped me discover this wonderful surprise of maybe it was because she was my best friend. I broke down and she pulled me into a hug as she cried with me.

After an hour I had stopped crying and wanted to talk, I called everyone into the room and they each took turns hugging me "I'm so sorry" I cried as Casey took my hand "you have nothing to be sorry about, this isn't your fault" Brax said "no, I am sorry for causing so much trouble" I whispered " I should have never gone through with this" I continued "Ruby you wanted this baby, it's okay to be sad" mum said. I nodded before I began to cry

A week later

CHARLIE POV

It had been a week since the incident and Ruby had been released home from hospital. She was going out most nights partying and drinking until all hours of the morning. Casey was off surfing or hiding in his room and we all knew they were barely talking to each other. It had been a week since we found out a secret that Bella had been keeping from everyone and she seemed to be handling it fine, Cooper hadn't been around since the day she told him and they hadn't spoken on the phone. He wasn't returning her messages and although she pretended like it was fine I knew she was hurting. I was hurting to, as was Brax. I had lost a granddaughter and Brax had lost his niece, I decided that I needed to find a way to help everyone with their grief. I searched the internet for ideas on how to do just that but nothing jumped out at me. I continued looking until I found the perfect idea, I printed the page, grabbed my keys and ran out the door ready to put my plan in action.

BRAX POV

I was working at the restaurant, personally I was glad it was busy, not because of the money being pulled in but because it kept me busy. I didn't have to think about the horrible things I had learnt in the past week, I didn't have to think about my brother who had just lost his daughter, I didn't have to think about my sister who had just revealed a secret that had blown most of us away. I didn't have to think about how my life and family were slowly falling apart at the seams.

My phone rung, I headed into my office and answered it, Charlie was on the other end and was telling me all about an idea she had to help everyone move on from their grief. I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I could see that this idea might just pull those seams back together. This idea might just help out family become one again.

BELLA POV

I was lying on my bed staring at the ceiling, I couldn't be bothered to change from my pyjamas. I had heard Charlie leave the house about three hours ago and I had heard Casey tip toe out about 20 minutes later. Ruby had been sick numerous times and she was now locked tightly in her room but I just continued to stare. I hadn't spoken to Cooper in a week, I had called and left messages, sent texts, tried Facebook but nothing. He had not responded to any of my cries for help and I was beginning to get worried that maybe he was done.

I heard Charlie come home and the next thing I knew there was a knock, I got up to open it. I opened the door to find no-one, Ruby opened her door and looked at me confused. We looked at the ground and that is when we saw a black envelope with our names written in silver at our feet. We opened our envelopes and pulled out a small invitation.

You are invited to help let go of your grief

You have no choice, you are to come.
Wear black and something white,
Look neat and make sure you are on time
Meet us at The Stuart Point Lookout at
4pm this afternoon, don't be late.
Help yourself.

I looked at Ruby who had tears in her eyes "well best we start getting reading" I said noticing it had just gone three "you want some help?" I asked, she nodded and I headed into her room. I left her room 15 minutes later while she got dressed. I walked into my closet and pulled out my black skirt and a black lace top. I paired them with a pair of black heels and a white bangle. I pulled my hair into a half up half down and curled the ends before heading to check on Ruby.

I knocked gently and entered to find her sitting on her bed in her black dress staring at a pink toy bunny. "I got this because I thought I was having a girl" she whispered. I knelt in front of her taking her hands in mine "it's okay to hurt" I whispered as tears fell down her face, she nodded "but I don't want to, I want to be happy" she sobbed "we all do but sometimes we have to be sad before we can be happy" I said brushing the hair from her face "you will be happy honey, but first you have to be sad and say goodbye. Drinking is going to stop the pain it will just temporarily block it out. When the alcohol wears off the pain will come flooding right back and it will be worse, trust me I know. I did the same thing after I was attacked" I said squeezing her hand "you did?" she asked looking up "yeah, and then I realised that it's okay to be angry and sad and scared. You've lost something precious and you are allowed to miss it. It will get better, it always does" I whispered "you're right" she said wiping her eyes "shall we" I said standing and holding out my hand "we shall" she giggled before we headed out of the house.

RUBY POV

We pulled up at the lookout to find Charlie and Brax standing at the point looking out over the bay, Mckenzie in her pram. Heath and Bianca pulled up behind us and Casey followed not long after. We climbed out of our cars and walked up the grassy hill "what are we doing here?" I asked when we reached Charlie and Brax "we are here to say goodbye" she said turning to reveal a tree. "we are going to plant this tree as a memorial to the little girl we lost and we are going to use this time to grieve, to let go of any anger and pain that we feel towards anyone or anything. Now it may be hard and it may not happen straight away but once you allow yourself to let it go you will eventually." Charlie said gently. Brax lifted the tree from its pot and placed it in the hold dug before us.

I watched as Brax filled in the hole before Charlie spoke "I found this poem online and it will help us" she said

"Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain,

When you awaken in the mornings hush

I am the swift uplifting rush,

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft star-shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die."

I felt myself letting go, I felt the anger slipping from me just like the tears that were running down my face. I watched as Charlie reached into her handbag and pulled out a small rectangular object covered in a red cloth. I watched as she knelt down in front of the tree and placed it there, removing the cloth I could see it was a memorial plaque of my daughter. I smiled as I read it:

Summer Charlotte Braxton
March 2012 - 11th June 2012

Gone before we could meet,
A precious gift, now resting peacefully with god.
Beloved daughter of Ruby Buckton and Casey Braxton
Never known but never forgotten.

It was beautiful, the sun shone a bright ray right down upon us, reflecting tiny glints off the plaque and I knew that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I decided to say something. I stepped forward taking a deep breath "I don't know what I am supposed to feel but someone close to me told me that you can feel whatever you want, that it's okay to be angry and sad and hurt. I am all of things but I am also glad and happy, glad and happy that I got to spend 11 weeks with Summer, even if I didn't know about her for a while I am just glad that for the last 2 weeks I got to live my life having her with me, I am happy that I had the chance to have her and although I wish I could of met her and watched her grow into a beautiful little person I know that this is god's plan and now was just not the time for us to have a child. I know that Summer was sent to us as a gift and although she was taken she is still a gift. I just thank god and Casey for giving her to me for that short time." I said as tears began to take over. I looked over to Casey to find him staring at the ground, I just hoped he would open up to me and trust me.

BELLA POV

After the memorial I knew that I had to sort things out with Cooper, my eyes clouded with tears I drove to his house. I pulled up outside and saw his car, breathing a sigh of relief I headed up to the door and waited. He opened the door a few seconds later, his face told me he was surprised to see me but when he saw my face his expression instantly changed to concern "Bella whats wrong?" he asked stepping forward, I felt my anger build inside me and I stepped back away from him "what's wrong! WHAT'S WRONG! I have been trying to call you for a WEEK but you won't talk to me, I have needed you all week and where were you! Living it up in luxury while I had to watch my family fall apart!" I yelled. Cooper lowered his head "why?" I whispered, he looked up at me "because I didn't know how to make you feel better. I have never dealt with this stuff and I don't know what to do" he replied sadly "I wanted to be there, I did, I even came to your house but could bring myself to go to the door" he continued "I wanted to be there for you but I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to help you and you would hate me" he whispered. I stepped forward "I don't hate you, I know your scared but so am I. I just said goodbye to my niece, I just had the one thing I have been trying to keep secret revealed and I think my family is falling apart" I said holding back tears. "Come inside?" he asked, I nodded taking his out stretched hand and walking inside.

Ella came walking into the lounge room "ooh we feeling a little gothic today?" she asked sarcastically referring to my outfit "no actually, I was just at a memorial remembering my niece who died last week" I spat "oh" she whispered "your niece died?" Liz asked from behind us, I turned to find both Liz and Richard standing in the doorway "ah yeah" I said "how old was she?" Liz asked "11 weeks, my brothers girlfriend had a miscarriage" I replied "oh honey I'm so sorry" she said hugging me "it's okay" I told her pulling back as Cooper led me upstairs. "I want to surf" I said sitting up a short time later "yeah?" Cooper asked looking over at me from his desk "yeah, you want to come?" I asked "yeah, I'll watch" he replied as I slipped my shoes on a headed downstairs.

BRAX POV

It turns out that I wasn't the only one who wanted a surf, I got to the beach to find Heath and Bella pulling up beside me. Charlie, Cooper, Bianca and Darcy all climbed out of our cars as we took out boards and headed to the ocean. Charlie and Bianca chatted quietly while Cooper entertained Darcy and Mckenzie. Bella, Heath and I sat on the sand quietly waxing our boards "you both know I am going to own you out there" Bella spoke chucking a cheeky grin our way "yeah right little sis" I said reaching over to ruffle her hair "you learnt from us the masters!" Heath said banging his fists against his chest "oh yeah but I've had the chance to watch and learn, you both know I'm better so just admit it" she laughed strapping her leg rope to her ankle "we'll see" Heath and I responded at the same time before we all ran out into the water.

HEATH POV

I felt the cool salty water rush over my body, causing me to sigh as I ducked under a wave, I looked over to my sibling who both were feeling the same thing. We paddled out to the deeper water and sat waiting for our wave. I saw my wave but was too late, Bella had caught it first and was already on her way, I looked to Brax who just laughed and shook his head, how was it that she was able to beat us to a wave when we had taught her everything she knew! We watched as she used the same technique as Brax and I as she stood on her board and expertly rode the wave before she crashed into the surf only to appear moments later "HA-HA! Beat that boys!" she said smugly as she climbed back onto her board, the next wave was mine, I raced for it, ducking under and quickly climbing onto my board. I rode the wave for a few seconds before I crashed into the surf, I reappeared to find Brax and Bella laughing as the bumped their fists together "yeah, yeah I know not as long as you" I said sliding onto my board. Brax was next, he paddled to his wave, ducked and stood up riding the wave elegantly until he crashed into the water "ooh two seconds longer" I said checking my watch, he reappeared "GOTCHA!" he said to Bella who was sitting with one leg crossed across her board, Brax tugged on the leg that was in the water causing her to slid off into the water beside him. I laughed as I watched Bella punch Brax's arm.

An hour later all three of us emerged from the surf dripping wet. Bella had won 6 out of the 15 waves we competed for and Brax and I both won 4 each, we couldn't work out how she had managed to beat us "told ya I was good" she said nudging me, I wrapped my arm around her neck pulling her closer to me "yeah and when did you get so good?" I asked as Brax ruffled her hair "well I couldn't surf for a month so I had a lot of time to observe" she said poking me in the ribs with her bony finger and punching Brax's arm "OW! That was the same spot as before" he complained rubbing his arm "good" she said gently pinching his cheek as she took the towel that Cooper had offered her.

BRAX POV

We got back to the house to find Sargent Watson and her new Constable sitting at the table with Ruby sipping coffee "hey guys, what can we do for you?" I asked propping my board up outside the door "ah we are here to see Bella" Watson said looking at Bella beside me "yeah?" she asked "we want to ask you some more questions about the attack, see if you remember anything and the prosecution wants to talk to you about testifying "not a chance" I said "sorry?" Watson asked "she is not testifying at the nut jobs trial" I said "yeah I agree" Heath said "like hell! I am so testifying" Bella said "no Bella" I said firmly "don't tell me no! This happened to me and I am the one who gets to decide" she said "yeah well my daughter was involved" I snapped "yeah well they aren't asking her to testify!" she yelled back "I am testifying Brax" she said adamantly "no you're not!" I responded "I am not going to give that scum any chance of walking free before he is 90 so I AM TESTIFYING! END OF STORY" she said emphasising the last part. I sighed giving up "fine but you make sure he never gets the chance to escape ever again" I said pointing my finger at Watson who nodded. Heath scoffed and walked out the door, obviously upset but my decision to let Bella testify.

What did you think? Do you like the name I picked for Ruby and Casey's daughter Summer Charlotte? I choose it because I thought it would be the perfect resemblance of the place they love. She was conceived, born and died in Summer Bay and of course I picked Charlotte after Charlie. I loved the name as soon as I saw it and I spent ages looking up names on the net for this baby and for the twins but you will have to wait and see about those names! I hope you liked this chapter it is a bit longer than my other ones but I had a lot to fit in! Anyway please drop me a review or PM, you just click that button below! Thanks, Dannielle xoxo

Coming Soon on Picture Perfect:

Casey struggles to deal with his grief.

Someone's life is on the line, what do the siblings risk to save them?

How do the siblings partners react in the wake of their actions?

As Cooper prepares to leave for Hawaii, Bella receives a threat from Ella that sends her over the edge.

Bella confronts Heath about his attitude towards her decision to testify.