Hey.

Gutted Esther didn't win gold but big whoop to our home boy Steve Peacocke for 'Most Popular New Talent.' Congrats to him!

Also just want to say there a fic called 'she's back' and the author is called oc-la-1. Not many people have read and reviewed the story because it is not on the main page so I thought I'll just mention it to my lovely readers so you guys can go check it out.

Anyways thanks to all you guys who have reviewed and PM me for the last chapter. Enjoy.

-x-

Chapter 10 – Errors and deaths mum related.

Charlie's P.O.V

''Charlie...Charlie'' I could hear my name being called it sounded so distant, I would turn and try to locate where the voice was coming from but I was more interested in who had just walked into the diner. Hair dripping, body oh so fine and that trademark grin painted across his face. He caught me watching him and he sent me a cheeky smile and a wink.

''Charlie for goodness sake'' I heard someone screech. I turned to look across the table I was sat on, it was Bianca,

''I have been calling you for ages, have you even listened to a word I said'' oops that voice that i thought was far away was actually in fact right in front me, I was just ignoring it.

''yeah yeah I have listened'' I lied through gritted teeth; I just wished she didn't ask me what she had been rambling on about because I honestly had no idea.

''So what was I saying'' she had to ask that didn't she.

''erm, erm, yeah it was something about April wasn't it''

''No'' and with that she got up and walked out. She was definitely not the same Bianca; something was on her mind because she never reacted this way before.

Just as I was about to go after her, Brax came over.

''Hi''

''Hi Brax, I would love to stop and chat but I really need to be somewhere''

''oh really''

I just nodded and left the diner in search of Bianca. I hoped Brax didn't think I was brushing him of but Bianca was priority right now.

I found her sat in a classroom at the school with tears brimming her eyes.

''hey sweetie what are those for''

''oh nothing, I'm just being silly''

''No you don't cry if your being silly Bianca, Is it because of me, I'm sorry I should have been listening to you''

''no its, Charlie I'm so stupid...'' I looked at her confused, ''Charlie... – promise me you won't judge me''

''B this is me, of course I'm not going – oh for god's sake you are really worrying me please spit it out already''

''Charlie I have... I I've done some'' brrrnggg brnnnng the school bell rang and kids trampled they're way in.

''we will speak later, text me when you on break'' I told her as she fixed her hair and made herself presentable for the students.

-x-

I made my way to the hospital as Ruby was coming home.

''Hey hun, you ready to go?'' I walked in to be greeted by two teenagers clearly playing tonsil tennis.

''oh quit it would you''

Casey turned around clearly embarrassed that I had caught them.

''Oh hi Charlie, I thought you was going to come a little later''

''well clearly I should have seen as you are busy, so you ready to go''

''Yep Sid said he is going to get my discharge papers and then we can go''

Just as I was about to speak Sid walked in with some papers in his hand.

''Oh hi Charlie, can you sign these and then Ruby can head off'' he handed me some papers and turned to speak to Ruby. He told her normal protocol things, I quickly signed the papers and handed them back to Sid.

''thanks for everything Sid''

''No worries Charlie, just keep an eye on her, it is a big change and she will need support''

''Don't worry Sid I will look after her, she is moving in with me''

I heard something splutter and turned to look at Ruby who had juice dripping from her face which she was drinking moments earlier.

''What do you mean moving in with you Charlie?'' she exclaimed,

''Hun just until you get your head around this diabetes situation''

''Charlie have you heard yourself, once I get my head around 'diabetes' it doesn't disappear, this is something I would rather do in the comfort of my own home and I would like it if you respect my wishes''

''but Ruby'' she cut me off before I could even try to make a valid point,

''No buts Charlie, I'm going home and that's final''

I couldn't argue because she had turned around in a huff and picked her bag up. I had forgotten Casey was still here. He smiled at me and followed Ruby out.

As we made our way out I heard someone call my name,

''Charlie'' I turned around to look and it was Sid,

''Yeah what's up''

''Oh it's nothing just a slight mistake with the discharge forms''

''oh really what mistakes'' I asked him because I had double checked the forms and made sure everything was correct so I couldn't think of what mistakes there might be.

'' It's just I was double checking and where is indicates for you to sign and circle the relationship with patient you circled mum''

I literally just froze; how I had managed to do that I had no idea. Sub consciously I must have circled it; it wasn't like me to do things like this. I then realised that Sid was watching me as i contemplated with my mind a suitable way to explain.

''Oh erm Sid silly me, must have been away with the fairies''

''Nah not to worry I'll have some more printed and get you to sign them later on, it's just with hospital documents being a legal document all information has to be correct, as you would know''

As I would know, what I had circled on the paper was nothing far from the truth for me. I smiled at him and nodded before walking out of the hospital. Ruby and Casey had already made their way to the car. I just couldn't shake of the feeling of what I had done, it wasn't significant but it was the truth. I was her mum and she would never know.

''Charlie are we going or what'' Ruby brought me back from my wallowing trance.

I drove home, I saw Ruby shift slightly as she realised I made the turning towards my house instead of hers and Leah's.

''Ruby before you freak, I will drop you off home as soon as I pick some things up, and stop pulling that face will you, living with me is not that bad''

''Charlie you know I would love to live with you, its ... well you know I don't like him so...''

-x-

Brax's P.O.V

I was shattered, we had a busy morning and the lunch rush was just dying down. Angelo was still not back and I had still not heard anything from Charlie. She had left in a hurry after Bianca and I was meaning to text her but it had escaped my mind. I decided to text her now and to see if Ruby was out of hospital. Casey had mentioned something and I was generally concerned about Ruby. There was something about her that I don't know why I felt I needed to be there for her. Maybe it was just me trying to be closer to Charlie but whatever it was I had no idea.

*** Hey, left in a rush this morning didn't you; I'm not that bad looking you know. Jokes aside is Ruby back and any chance I will get to see your beautiful face later. DB x ***

I sent the message and replaced the phone back into my pocket. I walked out of the surf club and on my way had picked some boxes up which needed to be thrown in the trash. I walked around the corner only to be stopped by two people kissing. I looked away before looking again just to make sure I was seeing the right thing... It was Heath and he had his perpetrator pinned against the wall and they both were kissing feverishly. I shouldn't be watching them but I was gobsmacked at who he was kissing. Stupid idiot was going to get a right wallop from me when I grab him. The both of them continued kissing unaware that I was watching. I shook my head side to side trying to get the image out of my head. I was going to wait until he was slightly unoccupied before I leash my attack on him. I walked away but like a fool I turned around for a quick glance to make sure I was 100% sure that I had recognised the women correctly.

My phone beeped and I removed it only to be greeted by an incoming message from Charlie.

*** Ruby is home, think she is sick of me so if you really wanted to see me we could meet up now... oh and sorry about this morning, had other things on my mind CB x ***

I was going to reply but another incoming message came through

*** erm sorry should have said if you're busy then it don't matter ***

Hell even if I was busy I would reschedule to go see her.

*** give me five minutes, pick you up from Ruby's ***

-x-

''hey bud, you feeling better'' I asked Ruby who was sprawled across the couch with her head in Casey's lap.

She rolled her eyes at me and gestured towards Charlie who was to engrossed in a text that she had received.

''Doing your head in eh, well call me superman, or even Braxman but I am you're very own superhero to the rescue''

''oh please tell me your here to take us to Angelo's with you'' she jumped up of the couch eagerly

''as much as I would love to but it's Charlie that I need, some police work... sorry but you guys order and put it on my tab''

Ruby sighed and then a smile crossed her face,

''as long as I get a break from her I am fine''

''I am still here you know, I'm just looking out for you, a bit of gratitude won't go a miss ya know'' she got up and left.

Ruby just watched her walk out and me too, I wanted to really go after her and it was taking a lot of stamina for me to remain standing there.

''Brax can you go make sure she is okay and tell her I am sorry''

I didn't need telling twice. I bolted out of the house and went looking for her. Thankfully she hadn't gone far at all she was sat on the kerb outside the house picking at the grass.

''room for a little one'' I plonked beside her. She looked at me and burst out laughing,

''hey that's not nice for my ego you know''

''Nah Brax but you look so funny sat on the kerbside, you're too erm how shall I put it... A little bit chunky'' she had a big cheeky grin on her face.

''just the way you like it eh''

I got up and just expected her to follow which she did. We got into my car and I began driving. I had no idea where I was driving to but the destination didn't matter as long as she was in my presence. I came up along a road which seemed to be secluded, no one in sight and there was calm silence around us. I pulled up on the side which triggered Charlie to look at me.

''why have you stopped?'' she asked

''Erm because I have my reasons''

''which are?'' and she eyeballed me

Instead of answering her back I shuffled on my seat and faced her, I gently stroked my hand down her face and pulled her face closer to me. I then gently kissed her, it was soft but passionate.

''and that was me saying hello'' I told her once we pulled apart.

''well Mr Braxton hello to you too'' and she moved back into the kiss.

After a while, we had talked, laughed and kissed a little, well we actually kissed a lot. I was playing with the ring on my index finger whilst watching Charlie. Something was playing on my mind and I didn't know how to approach it.

Just as I was going to speak, Charlie spoke first,

''Brax I was thinking could you do me a favour''

''yeah what is it, anything for you, you know that don't you'' I grabbed her hand in mine whilst not breaking my glance from hers.

''I was wondering will you speak to Ruby about coming to live with me, or maybe get Casey to do it''

''Charlie you know I would but you really need to stop mollycoddling her''

''I know but I really am worried, I know why she doesn't want to but I can't help the fact that I live with him'' damn she mentioned the one thing or person that had been playing on my mind. in fact the whole time that I was kissing her, it felt wrong because she wasn't fully mine. I didn't want to bring him up into conversation but if need be I would.

''why does Ruby want nothing to do with him'' I was curious because no one else seemed to have a problem with Angelo.

''Oh its nothing major but she feels like he is never there for me''

''how do you mean?''

''she thinks that he keeps me like a trophy girlfriend, someone to parade around, someone he can brag about when he wants, she is angry at the fact that he used me as a spy for when he wanted to buy the restaurant.''

''to me it sounds like he doesn't have much respect for you''

''No Brax he loves me'' it didn't sound right coming from her mouth.

''and you, do you love him''

''I have feelings for him'' as soon as she said that I could tell from her facial expression that she regretted it.

'Charlie where do you see yourself with me in a few months''

''hopefully together... properly''

''and where do you see yourself with Angelo''

''honestly I stopped seeing a long time ago, I'm just with him because it's stability''

She was picking at a loose thread in her top which was actually doing my head in.

I grabbed her hand that was fidgeting and placed that in mine too.

''you know you need to either finish it with Angelo or – '' as soon as I said or her face shot up and looked at me.

''I want to explore what we have Charlie because we can deny as much as we want but there is a spark between us''

''Brax what am I supposed to do, I can't finish with Angelo and then go with you straight away. I need a plan''

''well I have one but I don't know how it will work''

''Really, you do seem to be quite the superhero don't you... Braxman'' she made reference to my earlier comment.

''okay lets ignore that please, I thought you were busy on your phone but clearly you were more interested in what I was saying. Who was it anyway?''

''It wasn't Angelo if you're worried about him, it was Bianca, we were supposed to meet for lunch but she said everything was okay and sorted''

I tensed up at the mention of Bianca's name, I had my reason's but I wasn't going to say anything now. Instead I took the convo back to the direction it was in.

''I think you should break up with Angelo and move in with Ruby, like this you have the perfect excuse to look after Ruby and you break up with Angelo... and it means you don't have to tell people that you left him because me and you are in a relationship. What do you think?''

She looked at me as if I had completely spoken an alien language or something.

''Ruby would never agree''

''I'm sure she wouldn't turn away her broken sister, especially one as heartbroken as you are about the perfect relationship'' I scoffed the last bit. ''will you stop being so smug with yourself, I feel so bad for what I am doing''

''it's worth it, now Ruby how we going to tackle her''

''Ruby is as stubborn as they come''

'well I know someone else who is and if I can thaw her out, Ruby is not a problem.''

''I don't even know where Angelo is, how am I supposed to break up with him''

''what no call or text or anything''

'Nope nothing''

-x-

Ruby's P.O.V

''BRAX I TOLD YOU TO GO AND MAKE SURE SHE IS OKAY NOT BRING A RESIDENT BACK FOR ME'' I bellowed at Brax. I literally wanted to punch a wall.

''Ruby She just want...''

''don't tell me what she wants''

''Look Ruby''

''NO! No this is not happening''

''Ruby..''

''Don't Ruby me Charlie'' I turned on her,

''For god's sake Ruby shut up and let someone get a word in edge ways will ya, I am here to stay for a few days just so you settle in and everything then I will be gone''

I couldn't believe her, why couldn't she just go and live happily with Angelo and leave me alone. I stomped out of the room and into my bedroom.

I wasn't bothered about the fact that she wanted to look after me it was more I did not want to accept that I had this horrid illness, disease, condition, call it whatever, it was definitely going to change my life.

I walked over to my bedside table and lifted the picture of mum and dad. I really needed them here and tell me everything was okay. I felt a tear roll down my cheek and smear the glass frame. I was going to wipe it away before I heard a knock on the door.

''Go away Charlie''

Well obviously she was going to ignore me because I heard the door opened and in walked Brax.

''Hey it's me, sorry just wanted to see if your okay''

''I will be fine once Charlie has gone home you know, I just don't want her to be here worrying about me''

''Rubes hunny it just because she care's''

''I know... Brax I really need my mum or dad. I can't deal with this on my own'' Tears brimmed my eyes.

''Hey I know your parents can't be here but Charlie is and don't push her away''

We sat for a while just talking about the diabetes and the way I was feeling. I was just being silly and I know Charlie was just being caring.

''she can stay''

''Oh thank god you agreed missy because I feared it was going to be a long night... you both are stubborn, so stubborn.''

''Buckton trademark that is'' I leant forward and gave him a kiss, ''Thank you''

''For what''

''You hardly know us and you are always around helping us, I am so glad that we have met you know''

''I'm glad to hear that because I am glad I met you too Ruby''

''Right enough of this soppy crap, can you go tell that sister of mine to go get her things while I set her room up.''

He gave me a salute and then walked out the door. Casey then walked in and embraced me in a hug.

-x-

Charlie's P.O.V

I got dropped outside my house by Brax who I knew was looking for an invite in and I knew if i invited him in things would get quite hot and heated and right now I had to concentrate on breaking up with Angelo and move in with Ruby. It was a bit difficult saying no to him, even when he gave us his puppy dog eyes. He told me that he would pick me up in around 45 minutes giving me enough time to have a quick shower and then pack a few essentials. Just as I was about to head up the stairs I heard the doo click opened and was quite gobsmacked with who was stood in front me. I had seen his face so many times but there was something different about him.

''Angelo is everything okay'' his eyes were blood shot red, deprived of sleep obviously and like he had been crying.

He just shook his head side to side before moving closer to me and hugged me in a tight embrace.

''She's gone, she's dead'' I didn't register what he said because he said someone was dead but who.

''Angelo what you on about''

He released the two of us from the embrace, ''my mum, she had an accident and she has died, that's where I have been the last few days, I tried ringing you today but you didn't answer''

I couldn't believe what he was saying, I had never met his mum but I knew she held a very dear place in Angelo's life. I then felt a pang of guilt, he had been ringing me all day and I had been too preoccupied with Brax and Ruby and everything else but him.

-x-

I still couldn't get my head around everything that Angelo was telling me so I just listened, the time moved and I hadn't realised that Brax would be around to pick me up. We was both sat on the couch and in between stifles of tears Angelo told me how everything happened and how him and his sister had to turn the life support machines off. I didn't want to be rude and ring Brax not to come so I discreetly took my phone out hoping to catch him before he made his way over. Just as I was about to text I heard a faint knock on the door. I knew who it was straight away and jumped of the couch heading for the door. I opened the door and as expected Brax stood on the other side, he leant in for a kiss and I quickly moved away,

''Angelo'' I said so Angelo could hear me and would turn to face us and this way Brax would know he was here. I saw the colour from his face go a shade lighter as he looked over to Angelo.

''Erm hi, just came to see of you ready to go''

I hadn't realised but Angelo was stood beside me now.

''Go where''

''Erm nowhere, it just Ruby came back from hospital and I was going to stay over at hers but I'm sure she will cope, I'll stay at home''

I saw the confused look on Brax's face and hoped to god he would quit staring at me so intently.

''Nah you go over, I'm heading back to the city again, I just came to pick a few bits and bobs, the funeral is day after tomorrow so want to go and sort things out for that''

''okay why don't you hold on and I'll grab a few things and we can go together, I'll be with you for the funeral for support''

''Nah you go and stay with Ruby, there's no need for you to be at the funeral, it's just going to be a small family gathering''

-x-

Read and review if possible. I am writing the next chapter right now so should have it up in a couple of hours and those who read eternal love, I have the ideas but can't seem to get it down but should have an update for that soon... sorry this was long but just want to get it moving to the bits I'm excited about!

Abz.. xx