After close Charlie sat down with Brax and showed him how to cash up the till and what to write down in the books. "It's not that hard but the books have to balance out the safe-the safe is done every morning, Liam or I do it… Angelo did too, so you will be too. Liam will show you in the morning if you want or you can wait for me to show you," she said as they walked into the office.

"Hm, pretty teacher or a bloke- who do I pick?" he teased.

Charlie giggled and opened the safe "I could get a girl in here in a bikini to show you if that helps?"

Brax chuckled "or you could just wear it," he said casually "…why don't you show me now?"

"You're so cheeky you know that?" (not that she was complaining)

"I won't deny you're a very attractive woman," he replied.

"But do you have to make it so obvious you like me?" she asked blushing slightly.

Brax chuckled "just getting out there for future reference, so we doing this or what?"

"Fine, grab the book over there," Charlie said pointing to a shelf "it says safe count on it."

After they had the safe done they decided to call it a night "I'm at the station tomorrow so I'm not in until the evening shift," Charlie said as they walked to their cars "so if you want to come in at five and do a shift with me?"

"Yeah I'll be in," he smiled and pulled his door open "night Charlie!" he called and climbed in.

"Night!" she called and climbed into her own car, she dug her phone out and frowned at the late caller "Rubes?" she said quickly.

"Hey mum, sorry for calling so late, I left my insulin kit there earlier have you left yet?"

"No sweetie I'm still here, where is it?"

"Under the bar," Ruby replied.

"Right I'll grab it now- you should take better care of it, I'll be home in ten," she said and hung up. Opening her door she climbed out and looked over at Brax, she walked to him as he tried to get his car to start "problem?" she asked when he rolled down the window.

"Yeah won't start, I'm gonna call my brother to come pick me up, he won't be happy," he chuckled.

"Don't, I'll drop you off I just need to get something from inside, my car is open," she said and walked off.

"It's out of your way Charlie!" he called after her.

"I don't mind!" she called back. Running inside she found the kit and ran back to her car. She climbed in and placed it in the side of the door "I just have to stop off at my house Ruby needs her insulin kit, I'll be two minutes," she said as she started up her car.

….

Arriving at her house she turned off the engine "two minutes," she said and jumped out, running around to her back door she stopped in her tracks at the figure sitting on a table playing with her fingers. Shaking her head she walked by her and to the door and pulled out her keys "what do you want Nat?" she asked.

Natalie looked up and jumped off the table "to tell you how sorry I am," she said and walked to her.

Charlie could see the guilt in her eyes but that wasn't going to make her forgive her "I don't wanna know I don't wanna hear it just go," she said as she fiddled with the key in the lock 'why won't this damn door open?' she asked herself.

"Please Charlz," Natalie said and pulled her hands away from the door "I feel so bad about what's happened-how I've hurt you," she said and stepped back "it wasn't supposed to happen like this."

"What, you were supposed to wait until after I married him?" she yelled. "He was my fiancé Nat I loved him- Ruby loved him, we loved you!" she screamed "you wrecked my life! I was happy before any of this, to think you did this behind my back for months makes me sick! You're my sister my sister! How could you do this me!" she screamed and pushed her, she stepped back keeping the baby in mind she'd never do anything to hurt it "just go," she said and turned to the door.

"You can't help who you fall in love with and I'm so sorry it was him, I don't wanna love him believe me I don't but I can't help it," Natalie said and took a step closer to her "I am so sorry Charlie you will never know the guilt I've felt keeping this from you, hurting you the way I have."

"I don't care Nat just go, we're done I never wanna see you again- I hate you! You just go off and enjoy my fiancé!" she hissed and pulled the door open.

"You don't mean that you don't hate me," Natalie said "I know you're angry now, but maybe one day we can go back to the way we used to be."

Charlie laughed bitterly "yeah me you Angelo and your kid we'll all go out for dinner, don't make me laugh all you ever did was turn up here looking for money or a place to stay, we didn't have a relationship in the first place so you've nothing to worry about."

"Charlie," Natalie sighed.

"No!" she yelled "just get the fuck out of here and don't bother letting me know where you are I couldn't care less!"

"You're my sister Charlie we will have to see each other again."

Brax had heard arguing at first he thought it was her and Ruby and decided to leave it but then he heard an older person. Climbing out of the car he walked to where Charlie had gone and stuck his head around the corner just in time to see Charlie slap some blonde chick across the face.

"You are not my sister!" she hissed "you ruined everything! Get the fuck outta here you're no longer a concern of mine!"

Natalie held her face as tears streamed down her cheeks "I'm sorry Charlie," she whimpered "I love you," she sniffed and hurried off glancing at Brax as she did so.

Brax looked back at Charlie she stood with her head hung and her hands on her hips before she dropped into a seat. He walked over and sat beside her, she looked up ready to go off again thinking she had come back "how much of that did you hear?" she asked.

"Not much-saw the slap," he replied.

"Yeah well if she wasn't pregnant she'd be on the ground now," she sighed deeply and stood up "won't be a sec," she said and opened the door.

Brax followed her and leaned against the frame "I can walk from here if you wanna stay here."

"No you won't I'll drop you off, Rubes!" She yelled "here's your kit I'll be back in ten minutes!"

"Don't kill her mum!" Ruby called as she ran down the stairs-she too hearing them argue.

Charlie chuckled "I'm dropping Brax off home his car is still at Angelo's."

"Okay, hey Brax," Ruby smiled as she got her kit "I'll be up when you get home," she said and kissed Charlie on the cheek.

"No you won't I'm fine go to sleep sweetie," Charlie said and walked out the door shoving Brax back so she could close the door.

….

Arriving at his house Charlie turned off the engine she had no idea why. Brax took off his belt and turned to her he could tell her mind was in overdrive "do you wanna come in and talk?" he asked.

Charlie shook her head "sorry got lost in thought there, no I'm fine I just can't believe she had the nerve to turn up at my house."

"So you do wanna talk," Brax chuckled.

"No you better get in I'll see you tomorrow," she said and smiled quickly.

Brax thought of something and a smirk crossed his face, he leaned over and kissed her softly and pulled back.

"Uh what was that for?" Charlie asked slightly surprised.

Brax chuckled and pulled his door open "just giving you something else to think about, you know a distraction," he said and climbed out "night Charlie," he said and closed the door.

"Wow," Charlie said as she watched him go shaking her head she chuckled and started up her car again, this guy was gonna kill her altogether, she pulled away from his house with the biggest smile that had been seen on her face in days.

The next morning Charlie yawned and rolled out of her bed as her alarm blared throughout the room, knocking it off she got dressed and dragged herself down the stairs- she was feeling a bit better today-smiling to herself when she remembered Brax had kissed her. She jumped back when Peter sat at her bench with coffee "hey," she said and walked to the kettle "why are you here so early?"

Peter turned to her "Nat came to see me last night, figured she'd been here too."

"Yeah she was," Charlie said and sat beside him "I told her to get lost."

Peter raised an eyebrow "that's all?" he asked.

"No," she said slowly and looked up at him "I may have said a few horrible things too."

Peter chuckled and stood up "thought so, let me know when you're taking your lunch and I'll come see dad with you."

"Alright," Charlie said and stood up "just hope he's in better form today I've a long day ahead of me," she groaned.

"Charlie please tell me you're not going from the station to Angelo's again?" he asked.

"I have to Pete I've to cover all of Angelo's shifts…I need to keep busy," she muttered.

"Charlie," he sighed and walked over to her "I know you're only trying to keep busy to keep your mind off what happened, but seriously you're going to run yourself into the ground you can't keep doing this."

"I have to!" she yelled "it's the only way to stop the pain- the only way I don't think about what they did to me!"

Peter's heart broke for his little sister she had been so in love with him, sighing he pulled her into him and wrapped his arms around her "in time things will start to get better, I know right now all you wanna do is forget and it feels like you've lost everything but you haven't Charlz," he said and rested his chin on her head "you've still got Rubes, us, the restaurant and everyone else, we're all gonna be here for ya."

Charlie clung to him as her eyes stung she had promised herself she wouldn't cry but she was so tired so exhausted of the whole thing. Gripping him tighter she burst out crying "how could he do this to me!" she sobbed.

Peter tightened his hold on her "let it out," he said and rubbed her back "you're better than him sweetie, he's a rat that's all he is, if I ever see him again he'll be sorry he even looked at you."

Charlie let her sobs die down before she pulled away from him and wiped her face "I'll see you at lunch," she sniffed.

Peter sighed she needed to let it all out but now she was on auto pilot "so no Angelo's tonight?" he asked.

Charlie looked over at him "I have to Brax is coming in I need to be there."

"Charlie ask Liam to cover he'll understand, he'll know what to show him. You have to have a break you've been working day and night all week, it's not good for the baby, you can't keep doing this."

"I'll be fine," she said and grabbed her bag "I'll see you later."

"Charlie!" he called after her.

"I'll be fine Pete!" she snapped.

"No you won't be!" He snapped back "I'm worried about you alright- we all are, this isn't normal, you need to give yourself a break," he said and followed her out the door. "I don't want to do this but if you keep going on like this I'm gonna tell dad what's being going on- he'll put a stop to this."

"You wouldn't dare," she said narrowing her eyes at him "you wouldn't do that to him you know how bad he is."

"If it bloody well stops you running yourself into the ground I will!" he yelled.

Charlie dropped her head she knew he would "fine, no Angelo's" she said and walked off to her car.

…..

Sitting at her desk she looked up when someone knocked on her door "B," she smiled.

"Hey," Bianca replied and walked in "was wondering if you were up for hitting the clubs tonight?"

Charlie raised an eyebrow "Pete put you up to this?" she asked.

"No," Bianca said slowly "he just told me you weren't working tonight."

Charlie sat back in her chair "you know you can't lie," she said.

"Okay, okay, fine," Bianca said and held up her hands "he asked me to get you out to take your mind off things."

Charlie chuckled "thanks but I'm not really in the dancing mood."

"We don't have to go dancing we can go have dinner, sit in and watch a movie, anything you want."

"I'll think about it…wanna go get a coffee?" she asked as she spotted Jack hovering outside her door.

"Sure, I'm not due in until eleven," Bianca replied and stood up.

"Great," she smiled and stood up "Jack!" she called.

"Yeah?" he said straight away from outside.

"You can stop stalking and just ask me whatever it is you want to ask."

Jack hurried to her "I may have done something stupid," he said.

"What did you do now?" Charlie sighed.

"I'll be out front," Bianca said and walked out to give them some privacy.

"I may have planted something in Nat's bag…she came to see me last night," he added.

"What was it?" she asked.

"Some weed I found while I was patrolling yesterday...forgot I had it," he added when she raised an eyebrow.

"Jack," she groaned.

"I know it was stupid I'm sorry I just snapped when she turned up at my door, she had the cheek to ask me for money…it wasn't that much she'll be stopped but she'll still be allowed on the plane."

Charlie shrugged "don't care what happens to her you just better hope it doesn't fall back on you or this station," she said and walked out the door.

….

As they walked to the diner Bianca stopped and glanced further down "how about we just go to Angelo's?" she said and turned Charlie around.

"B we're here now," she giggled and went to turn back around.

"Yeah but the coffee there is nicer," Bianca said quickly.

Charlie looked at her "alright, what don't you want me to see?" she asked.

"Nothing, just wanna go to Angelo's," Bianca replied innocently.

"Right," Charlie said slowly and looked behind her-her heart sinking a little. Angelo and Natalie walked towards them wrapped around one another laughing "we're going into the diner," she said and grabbed Bianca's hand "I'm not hiding from them," she said as she pulled her along.

"Hey Charlie!" Angelo called.

"Ignore him," Bianca said and shot him a glare.

"I intend to," Charlie replied.

Angelo jogged over to her and flung something at her "that was a low blow!" he hissed.

"What are you talking about?" Charlie asked and looked down at what he'd thrown at her 'Jack' she cursed seeing it was the weed.

"Trying to set your sister up!"

"I had nothing to do with that," Charlie replied.

Angelo scoffed "and you expect me to believe that?" he yelled.

"Believe what you want you scumbag!" Bianca hissed.

"Shut it blondie who asked you!" he snapped.

"Oi," Charlie yelled and shoved him "don't you dare speak to her like that, just fuck off Angelo I didn't do whatever you're accusing me of, go find some else to piss off!"

Angelo took a step closer to her his face was red, she raised an eyebrow at him as his hand curled into a fist and shook with anger by his side "go on, I dare you," she said in a dangerous tone and took a step closer to him "hit me."

"Do and you'll die!" Bianca yelled taking a step closer to Charlie ready to jump in if need be.

Angelo raised his hand a little-but was stopped and flung against the wall. Charlie jumped back and looked to see who it was, "you were gonna hit her?" Brax hissed.

"No I wasn't," Angelo yelled "let go!"

"No," Brax said and dug his arm further into him "stay the fuck way from her, do not come near her again, and do not come back here again," he said and stepped back "get lost!" he yelled when Angelo just stood there.

Angelo chuckled "got him eating out of your hand too?" he said and hurried over to Natalie "the sooner the better we get the hell out of here," he said and led her away.

Brax turned to Charlie "are you okay?" he asked.

"Fine," she replied watching them go.

"Charlie he was about to hit you!" Bianca yelled.

"Yeah well he didn't," she smiled up at Brax "you joining us for a coffee?"

"Can't got something to do," he replied "I was looking for you….why don't you leave tonight and Liam can show me the ropes?"

"Not you too," she groaned "did my stupid brother find you too?"

Brax chuckled Peter had in fact called to see him-but she wouldn't know that "no I was just thinking with being in the station all day then Angelo's till all hours you'd need a break."

Charlie scoffed "you're a bad a liar as she is," she said nodding to Bianca "that's exactly what my brother said this morning, will you all please just leave me to get on with it, he cheated on me it's done get over it!" she yelled and stormed off.

"She won't be in-go with Liam," Bianca said and hurried after her.

Charlie now sat on the hood of her car looking out over the beach she'd agreed with Peter to meet him here so they could go see their dad together. "Finally," she said and stood up when footsteps approached.

Brax walked over to her "just wanted to check on you saw you sitting here alone," he said and sat on the hood.

"I'm fine, I'm supposed to be meeting Pete….we need to go somewhere."

Brax nodded "about earlier," he started.

"Forget about it," she said waving him off "I know you all mean well and I do need a break," she said and turned to face him "why did you kiss me last night?"

Brax shrugged "besides the obvious fact that I like you, I thought it might make you think about something other than him."

"Well it did," she chuckled and sat beside him "so about this dinner you asked about last night?" she asked turning around to him "you still wanna go…as friends?"

Brax nodded "yeah but my boss is slacking I have to cover her tonight."

Charlie giggled and sat beside him "alright then a coffee when I get back, the boss will allow you to be late…although I'm not your boss," she said seriously.

Brax chuckled "I know that but it makes you all the more hotter."

"Would you stop," Charlie giggled "I get it you like me, but like I've already said no dates- no men...maybe not ever," she added.

"We can't be having that, I'll make a deal with you," he said and stood up, stepping between her legs he put an arm each side of her "one month," he said "I'm giving you one month to do whatever you have to do about Angelo then we're going on a date," he said and stepped back.

"What makes you so sure I'll say yes?" she asked.

Brax shrugged "guess we'll find out in a month, see ya," he said and walked off nodding at Peter as he walked by him.

"What was all that about?" Peter asked looking back at Brax.

"Oh nothing," Charlie said and jumped off the hood "he just wanted to make sure I was okay after earlier," she said and walked to the driver side.

"Why what happened earlier?" Peter asked as he climbed in beside her.

"Ah Jack the idiot tried to set Nat up to be stopped in the airport, they found it and he blamed me-went to hit m…" she stopped talking and looked over at Peter "forget it," she said and started up the car.

"No hold on, he went to hit you?" Peter yelled and flung his door open.

"Pete come on let's just go he didn't hit me Brax showed up before he could!" Charlie yelled as she ran after him.

"That's not the point Charlie!" he yelled as he stormed back to where he'd seen them a few minutes ago. "Oi!" he yelled and punched Angelo when he turned around "you think you can raise your hand to my sister!" he yelled and dragged him up.

"Pete!" Charlie yelled and tried to drag him away.

"I didn't!" Angelo yelled as he tried to pull away from him.

"Pete please stop!" Natalie cried as she too tried to pull him off.

Charlie finally pulled him away "calm down!" she yelled "just leave it."

Peter shook her off "if I ever see you again you're dead do you hear me!" he hissed "and you!" he said turning to Natalie "you should be ashamed of yourself, stealing your sister's boyfriend, that goes for you too- I don't ever wanna see either of you around here again!" he yelled and stormed off shaking his hand as it stung-but well worth it.

Charlie looked over at the two of them she shook her head when Natalie opened her mouth "there's nothing to say," she said and ran after Peter.

After her shift Charlie dragged herself out of her car and into her house Bianca and the others agreed to meet at nine so Charlie could sleep for a few hours before. Yawning she let herself in and walked straight up the stairs.

"Hey mum," Ruby called from her room and walked to the door "I'm staying at April's tonight is that okay?"

"Hey, yeah that's fine, I'm going out anyway," Charlie replied and turned to face her.

"Mum," Ruby gasped "what happened to your head?" she asked looking at the gash on her forehead.

Charlie smiled sadly "granddad wasn't in good form today, threw the water jug at me… punched Pete too," she said and walked into her bedroom.

Ruby followed her "why what was wrong with him?" she asked sitting on Charlie's bed.

"He asked for nan again and flipped-same every day, but this time he started crying and went mad," Charlie replied and sat on the end of her bed "I've never seen him like this before he's getting more aggressive."

"Oh mum," Ruby said and scooted down beside her "I'm sorry," she said and leaned her head on her shoulder.

"He's fading fast," Charlie said sadly "are you going to see him tomorrow?" she asked.

Ruby nodded "Martha is taking me and Maddy."

"Just be careful I've already called Jack he'll let Martha know," Charlie said and stood up "I'm gonna get a few hours' sleep before I have to go, wake me up if I'm not when you're going to Aprils."

Ruby stood up and walked to the door "okay," she said and went back to her own room.

A few hours later Ruby tip toed to Charlie's bedside "mum," she whispered loudly, stepping closer when Charlie didn't move she poked her lightly "mum," she called again.

Charlie rolled onto her back and opened one eye "what time is it?" she asked sleepily.

"Sorry but you did say to wake you, it's just gone eight," Ruby replied and stepped back as Charlie rolled out of the bed.

"Ouch!" she hissed and grabbed her stomach.

"Are you okay?" Ruby asked steeping closer to her "is it the baby?"

Charlie looked up and smiled quickly "just a cramp I'll be fine…are you leaving now?" she asked.

"Yeah April is downstairs…are you sure you're okay?" Ruby asked as Charlie rubbed her hand up and down her stomach.

"Yeah I'm fine," Charlie said and dropped her hand "I better get moving, make sure you have all your insulin."

Ruby leaned in and kissed her on the cheek "I have it all, bye mum and try have fun tonight," she said and hurried out of the room.

"Bye!" she called after her and went into her bathroom.

….

A while later Charlie walked into Angelo's and smiled upon seeing her friends already there "hey guys," she greeted and walked over to them.

"Hey," they all replied ignoring the gash-they were the only people that knew how bad Ross was.

"Kept you the best seat," Dan chuckled patting the one beside him.

Charlie laughed and sat down "I thought the best seat would be the one the other side of you."

"Seems my husband would rather talk to someone else," Leah giggled.

"What'll you have Charlie?" Noah asked and stood up.

"I'm fine thanks Noah, I need to check on something I'll grab it on my way back, does anyone else want anything?" she asked.

"Wine!" Bianca called.

"Me too!" Hayley called.

Jack stood up and chuckled "Alco's, you've had two each already, I'll give you a hand Charlie."

"What's your point?" Martha asked "Charlie I'll have another wine too please."

Charlie looked down at the boys "beers?" she asked.

"Please," Peter Dan and Noah replied.

"Water for me Charlz I'm on break!" Liam called.

"You can have one-ow," she hissed and grabbed her stomach again.

"You okay Charlie?" Georgie asked.

"Yeah you don't look so good," Peter added raising an eyebrow.

"Fine, just a cramp," she smiled and followed Jack to the bar. "Hey," she smiled when Brax walked over "how are you getting on?" she asked and leaned on the bar trying to ignore the cramp getting stronger.

"What happened to your head…was it him-did he come near you again?" Brax asked angrily.

Charlie chuckled "no they're gone, I tripped in my house- Ruby left her schoolbag in the middle of the floor," she lied-she hated doing it but she didn't know him so felt he didn't need to know "so again how are you getting on?"

"Yeah great, you look nice by the way," he smiled "what can I get ya?"

"Thanks," she said tugging at her dress "um, three white wines and a red, a vodka cranberry, five beers and a water please."

"Coming right up I'll bring them over," Brax said as he got them ready.

"And menu's," Jack added "we were waiting for her," he said nodding to Charlie and walked back to the table.

"You okay?" Brax as she closed her eyes tightly for a few seconds.

"Yeah just a bad cramp, have it since before I left, anyway, I'll be at the table," she said and walked away.

…..

After dinner Charlie sat down after checking on Brax again and rubbed her stomach again "hey are you sure you're okay?" Hayley asked across the table.

Charlie could see the worry on her face but she couldn't say anything because no one knew, sighing heavily she stood up again "I'm fine," she smiled "need to pee and I forgot to tell Brax something," she said and walked to the toilets.

Charlie hurried to her office in a panic closing the door she walked to her desk and braced herself on it taking deep breaths "oww!" she yelled in pain and clutched her stomach "no,no,no," she said as she pulled out her phone "Dr Walker please," she asked as soon as someone answered, she closed her eyes tight as another cramp hit her. She opened them when Brax walked in she couldn't care about her poker face the pain was too bad.

"Are you alright?" he asked looking at her hunched over.

Charlie glanced at him and shook her head "Sid," she said when he picked up "it's Charlie I'm getting real bad pains in my stomach," she said and clutched it again "blood? Yeah a little bit," she answered "like nine, really bad cramps, okay I'll be there in fifteen minutes," she said and hung up.

"What's wrong?" Brax asked and hurried to her.

Charlie took a deep breath "I don't know Sid told me to come in I have to go," she said and walked out the door.

"Hey wait!" Brax called after her "you can't go alone."

"I have to, only Hayls and Pete know I'm pregnant I can't ask one of them the others will ask questions," Charlie replied.

"I know so I can take you," he offered.

"Well hurry up then," she said as the pain got stronger.

Charlie walked back to the table and picked up her bag "sorry guys I'm not feeling well I'm gonna go home," she said.

Peter looked up at her "are you okay?" he asked.

Charlie nodded "it's probably nothing…I'll sleep it off."

"Want me to come?" Hayley offered.

"Thanks but I'll be fine, you lot have a great night…I'll see you lot tomorrow and don't drink my bar dry!" she called and followed Brax down to his car.

At the hospital Charlie nodded along in a daze as Sid spoke- she looked up when he placed his hand on her shoulder she hadn't heard a word he'd said "I'm so sorry Charlie," he said and walked out the door.

"Yeah me too," she said after he'd gone and looked down at her stomach "didn't get a chance did you little guy," she said and wiped her face as tears dropped onto her gown.

Brax who'd hung around stuck his head into the room after seeing Sid leave "what did he say?"

"I told you to go back to work," Charlie said and looked back down at her hands.

"Couldn't leave you here alone…what did he say?" he asked and walked to the bed.

Charlie dropped her head "lost the baby," she said shakily.

"I'm sorry Charlie," Brax said and sat beside her squeezing her hand "I'm sorry," he said again.

"Sid says it was a problem with chromosomes of the baby," she sighed and dropped her head onto his shoulder "why didn't I look after myself better?"

"Don't blame yourself Charlie these things happen," Brax said and wrapped his arm around her "you were under a lot of stress with two jobs and everything else not to mention what stress he added."

She sat up and sighed again "Sid said I could go when I felt up to it."

"That's it?" Brax asked "you can just go?"

Charlie nodded "He said it was a complete miscarriage there's no foetal tissue left, so there's nothing left to do- apparently I would have started miscarrying last night...why didn't I feel anything?"

"Do you want me to call anyone?" Brax asked he didn't know what else to say- last night she'd been with him she was fine.

"No I just wanna go home…will you wait outside while I get dressed," she asked and climbed off the bed.

"Okay," Brax said and walked out the door he felt so sorry for her when would she ever get a break?

Sorry for those of you who wanted Brax to take on the baby but I had it planned this way.