So guys just want to say that I have joined twitter so anyone wanna follow then it abzazam. I am at amateur stage at the mo but hoping to get a hang of it soon!

Anyways thanks guys for the reviews and love that you guys are enjoying this fic. Happy Easter, hope the bunny has left you all loads of chocolate, indulge people!

Chapter 8 - suffocation

Charlie's P.O.V

'Strawberry jam...erm with added sugar. Bin. – err freezer, ice cream bin...'' I was talking to myself whilst I emptied the contents of the fridge at Leah's house. I didn't even hear Leah come in, I was in a 'get rid of all sugary foods from the house' mode

''Charlie honey – why is my kitchen full of food and my pantry empty''

''Oh I'm just emptying the foods that are not suitable for Ruby – I will replace them all with foods that are more suitable for diabetics.''

''Charlie you need to slow down, this food is mine and VJ's too. It might not be suitable for Ruby but we can eat it''

Oh god I was so foolish, I got carried away that I forget Ruby lived with Leah and VJ.

Today was the fourth day since I had seen Ruby's body on the beach, lifeless, all colour drained out of it. I had not left her side since until I was forced to leave. She had collapsed and narrowly missed going into a coma. According to the Dr's she was diabetic, type one meaning her body was not producing the insulin required for her body, she had had the symptoms for a while but she didn't acknowledge them as serious which caused her to have ketoacidosis. They had explained everything but honestly I just couldn't get over the initial shock of her being diabetic. Everything fell in place, she explained that she kept disappearing to a retreat where she could relax and meditate as she thought it was stress and not some other reason why she was feeling the way she was. I was glad that we had found out before it was too late.

-x-

I walked up the hospital corridor laden with various different booklets, leaflets, print outs and headed towards Ruby's hospital room. I walked in to be met by Casey and Brax who were sitting around her bed. I smiled awkwardly at Brax.

''Hi sweetie, how are you feeling now?''

''Charlie, honestly I am fine, stop worrying about me will you'' she then looked at what I had in my arms, - ''Charles please not MORE leaflets, how many are you going to get and read''

''I just want to make sure I don't miss anything out...''

''No, there is nothing to miss out, the Dr has explained everything, I will have to make a few changes but that's it, they more lifestyle changes and nothing major''

''No Rubes, Diabetes is a big deal, I read in one of the booklets that you have to go for regular eye check up and also you know you are more at risk to get leg ulcers and things like that''

She rolled her eyes at me and turned to face Casey. I was going to speak but I was abruptly stopped by Brax, God was he still here.

''Hey how about me and Charlie go for some coffee and you too can catch up without an audience'' he directed at Casey and Ruby.

'errrm...'' I got up hesitantly - ''Charlie its coffee and I am not going to elope out of the hospital you know'' Ruby told me without breaking eye contact, I was reluctant but I knew it was pointless arguing. I began to leave with Brax following and heard Ruby mumble,

''the rate she's going she probably got a police tab on me so I don't leave''

''I heard that Ruby'' I was going to turn around before I felt Brax's hands on my shoulders. I flinched at the sudden touch, he had a firm grip, and he directed me out and towards the hospital cafeteria.

-x-

Brax's P.O.V

There was an eerie silence between us. It was quite surreal how we were making out on the beach a few days ago and now none of us was saying anything. I was going to bite the bullet.

''so'' we both spoke at the same time,

''Oh ladies first'' I prompted her to continue,

''erm yeah thanks, I just wanted to say it means a lot that you come to see how Ruby is and everything''

''No worries, she's a good kid and she definitely is keeping Casey out of trouble...''

''Oh that's good, I hope they pull this HSC out the bag...''

''Fingers crossed eh, Charlie maybe you need to step down a notch, stop me if you think I shouldn't be saying but I think you need to give Rubes some space''

''How do you mean?''

''Like how would you feel if you was being bombarded with all this information, it is daunting especially when she is so young, give her time to adjust and some space wouldn't go amiss either''

''I know but I am just worried about her – '' ''Yeah you don't have to stop worrying but just keep the information bombarding to a minimum eh''

''I'll try''

''How are you feeling, you should give yourself some time to adjust to this too you know''

''Nah I am fine''

''Sure''

''Yep sure'' she got up and held her hand out to me, I looked at her wearily – ''Come on get up''

''Why?''

''I'm giving Ruby some space and me is going to go relax and you are going to help''

-x-

We sat on the south end of the beach, towards the rock pool, there was no one around and we sat on the rocks just talking and laughing. It wasn't like talking to someone I had met a few weeks prior, it was more like talking to your best friend. It sounded a bit lame coming from a grown man saying 'best friend' but it was the best way to describe it.

''You know Charlie, I did have an ulterior motive for coming to see Ruby you know''

''Really, and what might that have been'' I saw the smile playing on her face.

''Yeah I did'' I moved closer to her,

''Aha, and what was it''

''erm there is a certain women that keeps dragging me in''

''someone I know''

''Yeah defo, maybe too well''

''does this women have a name''

''Yeah'' she looked at me her eyes dancing with excitement – ''yeah you know... erm that Dr, you know with the long blonde hair – that fit one, what was her name again''

She slapped my chest,

''such a tease aren't you''

''I try, come on I had you going then didn't I''

''Haha no comment, now come on lets go''

''whoa a little bossy aren't you''

''I am a women, comes with the package''

''yeah and what else comes with that package eh''

''well you will have to work that out for yourself won't you''

''Deal''

''oh come on, let's do it proper and shake on it eh''

We shook hands before we got up and began walking back to my car.

-x-

Brax dropped me home and I couldn't wipe the smile of my face. I walked in to the house and was met by Angelo, normally his presence would literally piss me of but not today. I casually walked in, turned on the T.V and began to watch some trashy reality show.

''hey, how was Ruby?''

''yeah she better, probably send her home tomorrow night''

''alright that's good then''

''Yeah so I was wondering maybe we should clear the spare room for her to come and stay for a while'' Angelo's face changed and it was reluctant, like he had a problem with Ruby moving in.

''It won't be for long''

''Oh no it's not that it's just we have to think about us as well''

''Angelo I know where this is heading and before it gets out of hand, I'm going to go have a shower''

I headed up the stairs and in the bathroom. I was going to have shower but decided on a bath instead. I got in and my body quickly adjusted to the warm temperature of the water. It was kind of weird how water and a few bath salts could totally take you into relaxing mode. When the water became cold, I wrapped myself in a towel and went to our bedroom.

I sat on the end of the bed and it was like all the thoughts that had escaped when I entered the bath had now come back to occupy my mind again.

I really need to tell Angelo that I am not ready for a baby and more so I really need to work out my feelings, I'm supposed to be in love with him but why do I have feelings for Brax, really strong feelings. I could just totally let myself go when I'm around him, that tough guard, the wall crumbles and it like he doesn't judge me. I could feel myself smiling at the thought of him. Damn! He didn't realise it but he was totally taking over my mind. I was beginning to feel the chill now and decided to get some clothes out; I picked my phone up as I made my way over.

Four new messages

***honey bunny, how do you fell about a girlie night; there is a cool party down at the beach...Interested? B... x ***

*** so as I got no reply, I take it a yeaahhh then... woohoo, put your best face on and I'll be around in 30... Party! B...x ***

I glanced at the clock, it was 6:45 and Bianca's last message came at 6:35, I only had 20mins to get ready before she comes and knocks the door down.

I quickly had a look at the last two texts; they were from Ruby saying that Dr's wanted to keep her in for at least another day and night. The second read that there was nothing to worry about it was routine to stay in.

-x-

''Miss Buckton, you ready?'' I heard Bianca's voice chime up the stairs.

''Yeah two secs''

I opted to wear a pair of black skinny jeans, a loose flowing peach top and some strappy flat sandals. Make up was standard, like normal it was minimal and I opted for some bohemian style bangles to adorn my arms. I grabbed my phone and made my way down to be greeted by an over enthusiastic Bianca.

''Angelo has gone out, said it's important and will be back later'' Bianca told me as I searched for my keys.

''oh okay... come on lets go then''

''So I'm thinking let's have dinner and then head to this party, what do you think?'' I asked Bianca as I drove towards the beach and Angelo's.

''Yeah defo, I am slightly starving''

I laughed at her comment,

''come on B, how can you be slightly starving''

''I'll have you know, it is scientifically proven'' – she went into a deep thought which caused me to laugh again,

''B, it is a good thing you teach languages eh''

She rolled her eyes at me and we both guffawed.

Brax's P.O.V

So I drew the short straw. I was on lock up duty at the restaurant and then tomorrow I had the graveyard shift at the station. Just when the night couldn't get any worse, it did, Heath walked in with his stupid grin plastered on his face.

''Why am I suddenly worried, what have you done Heath?''

''Oh come on give a brother from another mother some faith man''

''You idiot we are brother's from the same mother, unfortunately''

''yeah yeah don't get to technical, you going to do me a favour and shout us a few beers for later on''

''erm what for''

'Just got a little get together at the beach later''

''Come on Heath, I know what your little get together are like''

''it is little, now come on you gonna shout us them beers''

''yeah but you have to do the lunch shift tomorrow as payment, and Heath make sure this party don't get out of hand yeah''

''Alright princess, keep your crown on, it will be fine''

-x-

It had just gone seven and I was manning the bar. I looked up, two women walked in; I put my head down before it quickly shot up again. It was Charlie and Bianca.

''a table for two please'' Bianca chirped,

''yep sure follow me'' the waiter took them to a booth, the one that was conveniently in clear view of me.

I watched as they both laughed and joked and rarely glanced at the menu in front of them.

''ehhy where you going'' I asked Nathan one of the waiters,

''to ask them customers if they would like a drink and if they ready to order''

''well you leave them too me, you go man some other table''

''got the hots for the chicks eh boss''

I brushed his comment aside and walked over to the two. I got closer and she looked up locking eyes with me. A smile danced on my face and I saw her sheepishly look at Bianca who was bewildered to the fact that we were staring at each other.

''what can I get you lovely ladies tonight''

''ohh Charles, we were gassing away that we didn't even decide on what we want''

''Oh B, I already know what I want'' she sent me a cheeky grin; I really hoped she meant by that what I thought.

''really you didn't even look at the menu''

''We know the menu by heart, it's the only place that we dine at''

''oh''

''could I please get a glass of house red and whatever the special is tonight please'' her voice was so seductive

''Same for me too'' Bianca decided to intervene

''coming up'' I winked at Charlie and then walked away; I knew she was watching me so I decided to add some swag to it.

Charlie's P.O.V

We had something to eat and then headed to the party at the beach. I could have guessed it was one of the RB's. Bianca had left me as soon as she saw Heath Braxton. I was pretty much on my own for the majority of the time. I decided to call it a night and head of.

I was slightly tipsy because of the few glasses to many that I had at Angelo's. It wasn't my fault Brax just kept them coming. Brax, Brax, Brax... why was I suddenly waking the wrong direction?

-x-

Knock knock

I tapped the door gently, I moved anxiously on the spot hoping he wouldn't take long. I heard the door open and in front of me stood Adonis. He rubbed his eyes and then rubbed them again.

''you not going to invite me in''

''do you need an invite''

''stop playing with me'' I walked in making sure I brushed past him,

''wow that's sly, do you know what you are doing to me''

''I didn't think I was doing anything''

I felt him grab my hand and pull me back towards him. I crashed into his chest; he lowered his head and planted a soft kiss in my hair. He brushed my hair towards a side and then ran his hand down the nape of my neck. I closed my eyes as I let the sensation of his hands taking over.

''Really you not doing anything eh''

I turned around, my eyes still closed, still thinking about moments earlier. He was about to speak again but I moved my finger to his mouth silencing him. With my finger still on his mouth creating a barrier between my lips and his, I placed a gentle kiss. He moved my hand away from his face and then kissed me properly...

-x-

Okay so does it go further... what do you guys think? Maybe, maybe not, maybe they get distracted again! Endless amount of scenarios in my head :)

All in the next update which will follow momentarily...

Abz... Xx