A week had passed since Charlie had lost her baby, she had told Bianca and the other girls- who did their best to keep her occupied, but all she wanted was to be alone, not treated like she was gonna break or go crazy. She was sick of the sad looks and sad smiles how could she move on if they kept reminding her of why she was so hurt and upset? She knew they were only trying to help and they had all done the same thing when it happened to Leah-herself included, she wondered if Leah had thought the same thing she was now.

Walking along the beach she smiled when Brax ran out of the water his surfboard tucked under his arm, he had been great, he'd called to check something with her and ended up listening to her ranting and crying about everything- and everyone being in her house, so he'd left Angelo's and took her away for a few hours "hey," she called.

He grabbed his towel and walked down to her "no one following you today?" he teased.

"Nope just me, listen I wanted to run something by you," she said and sat down in the sand.

"Okay, shoot," Brax said and sat beside her.

"How about we change the name?" she asked.

Brax nodded "makes sense…why did you call it Angelo's in the first place?"

Charlie shrugged "at the start I didn't care it was him who wanted to open it- he did and called it Angelo's then he got into debt a year later, then my mum died and left me money so I bought it off him and cleared the debt, when he got back on his feet he bought back some of it."

Brax nodded "so what have you got in mind?"

"Well other than Ruby's - and that won't work because it's not just my place, I have nothing I can't think of anything I like so you think about it and see what you come up with."

"Serge's magic kitchen," Brax chuckled.

"Brax be serious," she giggled and slapped him.

"I don't know what about…nah I got nothing, gimme a while," he said and stood up holding out his hand to pull her up "how are you feeling now?" he asked.

"Yeah alright…only Hayls stayed last night so hopefully I get to sleep on my own tonight," she replied.

"They're worried about you Charlie," Brax said.

"I know and I'm grateful I have such great people in my life…including you," she said and bumped him with her hip "I'd have been lost without you this week so I just wanna say thanks."

"So when can I expect you back behind the bar with me?" he asked, all week he'd been in he wanted her to rest so he'd made it clear she wasn't to come in, call about anything or send someone to check on the place- he'd be doing it all.

"Well I was gonna say since it's Saturday you could have the night off and I'd come in."

"Nah I'll do tonight- I was kidding, you come back when you're ready I can handle it," he replied.

"I am bored at home I haven't even been at the station, Peter took me off and got cover for all my shifts-for next week too and he's not even my boss," she grumbled.

Brax chuckled "big bro outranks any title- Jack is loving his new role though saw him earlier."

"Yeah sometimes I regret making him acting Sergeant," she giggled "bet he'll have my office backwards when I get back."

Brax turned to face her "alright if you feel you're up for it come in later but I will be staying."

She smiled she really wanted to get back to work "I'll be in at two."

"Five," he said.

"Alright boss, five," she giggled "I have to meet Ruby now I'll see ya later," she said and walked up towards her car.

….

Later that evening Charlie arrived at Angelo's and walked up to bar, Brax hadn't noticed her yet he was serving a blonde girl who may as well have been drooling on the bar. A smirk crossed her face as she walked behind the bar "hey baby," she said loud enough for the girl to hear and wrapped her arms around his waist hugging him from behind.

Brax chuckled and glanced back at her "what are you at?" he asked and went back to mixing the drink.

Charlie giggled "just having a little fun," she said and stepped back.

Brax shook his head and turned around glancing at the girl who's smile had now faded he chuckled at the look she was giving Charlie and turned back to her, leaning in to her he smirked and dropped a kiss on her forehead "she's been watching me since she got here," he said and walked over to her with her drink.

Charlie shook her head and walked over with him and smiled at the girl that was throwing her daggers "so have you thought of any names yet?" she asked leaning against the bar.

"Nah," he replied and handed the girl back her change "thanks," he said and handed it off and turned his back on the bar to lean on it beside her "can't think of anything yet."

"Me either looks like we're stuck with Angelo's then," she said and grabbed her apron, looking down at the fridge she saw some drinks were running low "I'll go down to the store room and stock up," she said and went to walk out.

"Liam is already down there," Brax called.

She frowned "Liam is off today," she said and walked back to him.

"He didn't think you'd be in today-neither did I, he came in just before you."

"Right, well when he comes back he can go home he hasn't had a weekend off in weeks," she said and walked off to clear some tables before the dinner rush started.

A while later Charlie walked into her office she had a massive headache and walked to get her bag to get a painkiller, knocking it off the table she sighed and bent down to pick up all her stuff- her hand freezing when she saw the wrapped box that lay on the floor she'd forgot all about it.

Brax had seen her slip away and had followed her to see if she was okay walking into the office he found her sitting on the desk with a wrapped box and her bag on the floor- she was staring down at it "something nice?" he asked.

She looked up and smiled weakly "my pregnancy test- was gonna give it to Angelo like this," she said and stood up, walking to the bin she took one final look at it before dropping it into the bin "guess it wasn't meant to be."

Brax didn't say anything just watched her for a moment "guess not," he replied and walked over to her "Peter tells me you haven't talked about it."

"Don't wanna talk about it," she said and walked by him "I lost it- it's gone, there's nothing to talk about."

"But you can still have feelings Charlie, it was your baby," he said softly.

Turning back to him she bit her lip as her eyes filled with tears "you know I was hoping for a boy-either would have been fine as long as they were okay, it didn't matter, but I really had my heart set on a boy this time," she smiled weakly and leaned against the door "he could have learned to surf with my brothers, played cops and robbers with his dad- even played make up with Ruby," she giggled through her tears.

Brax walked to her and pulled her into a hug "it's gonna be okay Charlie, now wasn't the right time but maybe one day you'll get the chance to be a mum again."

"You offering to help out?" she giggled and buried her head in his chest she was glad she'd finally got it off her chest she didn't know why but she didn't wanna talk about it with her friends.

Brax chuckled and hugged her tighter "wait until I've known you more than five minutes."

Charlie looked up at him "why am I so relaxed around you?"

"Because I am awesome," he replied.

Charlie giggled "I'm serious the girls and my brothers have all tried to get me to talk about it and I just switched off, you say it once and I'm blubbering like a baby telling you everything…what is it about you?"

Brax shrugged "I don't know only you can answer that, maybe it's cause I'm a stranger… sometimes it's easier to talk to someone that knows nothing about you."

"Yeah maybe," she said and pulled back wiping her face she smiled quickly "well thanks for listening," she said and pulled the door open and walked out.

"Charlie line three for you," James's voice came over the phone.

Brax looked after her "Charlie!" he called but she couldn't hear him, walking to the phone he picked it up "hello Charlie is unavailable at the moment can I take a message for her?" he asked.

"Hi this is Keith from Reefton arms retirement centre, I've tried her mobile, could you please tell her to get down here as soon as she can it's an emergency."

"Okay I'll tell her now thanks," Brax said and hung up that was a hospital…who was in hospital? Shaking his head he walked to the bar "Charlie!" he called and nodded his head to the corner.

Charlie walked over to him "I'm fine alright I've had my moment."

"No that's not it," Brax replied "some guy called Keith called for you," he stopped when her eyes widened "he said you need to get down there quick it's an emer…Charlie!" he called when she ran out the door before was even finished.

"Gotta go sorry!" she called back.

Running through the halls of the hospital her heart hammered against her chest she skidded to a stop when she spotted Keith at the nurse's station "Keith!" she said wide eyed.

Keith walked over to her "why don't we sit Charlie," he said gesturing towards the chairs not far away.

Charlie walked over and sat down "is he okay?" she asked.

"After you and your brother left today he wasn't himself, he was aggressive lashing out he wouldn't let anyone near him or take his meds or even eat," Charlie nodded for him to go on "later when I was doing my rounds I noticed he wasn't moving."

Charlie gasped and flung her hand over her mouth "oh god! He's not dead is he?" she asked shakily.

"No, no," Keith said "sorry I should have phrased that better…he's suffered a minor stroke Charlie," he said and placed his hand on her shoulder "I'm sorry he must have got distressed and knocked his buzzer off the bed."

"Can I see him?" she asked.

Keith stood up "he's been moved to the intensive care unit I'll need to ask them…back in a sec," he said and hurried away.

"Keith! Have you called my brothers?" she asked.

"No you were first!" he called back as he rounded the corner.

Charlie pulled her phone out and called Peter first sighing angrily when it went to mail "hey it's me it's dad you need to come down here as soon as you get this…I'll be here," she said and hung up. Calling Jack she cursed angrily as his went to mail too "Jack it's me you need to come down to dad's place something's happened call Peter before you leave, like you I've left him a message," she said and hung up, sighing she sat back into one of the seats- looking around her she wished she had someone here with her.

Back at Angelo's Brax was puzzled as to where she'd gone-why she'd taken off so fast, looking over at James he walked over to him "how long have you known Charlie?" he asked.

"Few years give or take," James replied and looked up from the drink he was making "why?"

"So you know stuff about her?"

"No way you're not getting me into trouble," he chuckled "you ask something I answer she kills me, I know Charlie's temper better than I know her," he chuckled again.

"Not prying I just wanna ask something…she won't know I asked," Brax replied.

"Alright," James sighed "what is it?"

"Who is in hospital belonged to her?"

"Hospital?" James frowned "no one I know of."

"What about parents or grandparents?" he asked.

James shrugged "her mum died a few years ago she doesn't really mention her dad and as far as I know she has a granddad in America," he said and walked off with the drinks.

Brax turned back to the bar even more puzzled deciding he'd have to wait until she got back-if she got back he walked over to help clear the queue and frowned when Jack made his way towards him while Peter grabbed a table "have you heard from Charlie?" he asked when Jack walked around the bar and grabbed two beers.

"Yeah she called me but I was busy why?"

"She got a call and took off she looked worried."

"She did?" Jack asked and pulled out his phone "she left me a voicemail," he said and dialled to listen to it-Brax watching him closely "shit," he cursed after he'd listened to it.

"What's wrong?" Brax asked.

"My dad," Jack replied and looked up when Peter called him from the other end of the restaurant.

Peter ran up to the bar with his phone in his hand "we gotta go mate," he said panicked.

"I know I got a message from Charlie… forget the beers Brax," he said and took off after Peter.

"What the hell is going on?" Brax said and pulled out his phone, calling Charlie he walked into the office and closed the door over when it rang.

"Brax," she said quickly.

"Hey everything okay down there?"

Charlie sighed heavily she didn't know how to reply, she didn't want him to know about her dad-not that she was ashamed she didn't want to explain it to people that wouldn't understand "um, no," she said slowly her voice betraying her.

"…Do you need me to come down?" he asked he knew she needed someone there he could just tell by her voice.

"No, no, you stay there my stupid brothers should get the message soon."

"They just did- ran outta here not a minute ago," he replied.

"Um the doctor is on his way back I'll call you in a bit."

"Hey," he said before she hung up "you know I'll be there if you need me."

"Thanks," she said and hung up.

Charlie stood up as Keith walked back to her with a doctor "h-how is he?" she stuttered.

"This is Dr Brady, I've brought him with me to answer the questions I can't," Keith replied and gestured for her to sit taking a seat beside her.

Dr Brady sat beside her "Charlie, your fathers suffered a mild stroke, at the moment we're prepping him for surgery- this surgery is called Carotid Endarterectomy surgery."

"What is that for?" Charlie asked.

"It's to remove the fatty acids responsible for formations of blood clots," Dr Brady replied.

Charlie nodded "and what will happen when he comes out of surgery?"

"He could be in surgery for up to six hours so all going well he shouldn't need any more treatment. We may however down the road need to put him on tissue plasminogen activators."

"What will they do?" Charlie asked.

"Hey may not need them Charlie, we won't know until he's awake after the surgery," Keith replied "the medication is to prevent or remove blood clots depending on how much or how little there are."

Charlie nodded "when is he going in to surgery?" she asked.

Dr Brady stood up "within the next ten minutes I suggest you go home and get some rest, it's already late he won't be out for six hours then maybe another two for him to wake up and come round- even then we'll need to run more tests so you might not actually see him until late tomorrow morning."

"I'll wait," Charlie said and looked up at him "look after my dad," she said shakily.

"I'll do all I can," Dr Brady said and hurried off.

Keith squeezed her shoulder and stood up "I'll get you a coffee," he said and waked off to the break room.

A few hours later Charlie sat with Peter and Georgie one side of her and Jack and Martha the other, all silent watching the door anytime it opened. She looked over at Ruby and her niece Maddy asleep on the sofas. Standing up she began to pace wishing again she had someone here for her. She turned around when the door opened and started walking forward when Dr Brady appeared "is he out?" she asked.

"No, I've just come to update you," he replied.

"So what's happening?" Peter asked.

"We're still removing the tissue it's going to take longer than we expected, so I suggest you all go home and get some sleep. I'll have someone call you as soon as he's out…I better get back," in he said and hurried off again.

"You lot get off I'll stay here," Peter said.

"I'm staying," Charlie said and sat down.

"Pete's right," Jack said "and you of all people Charlie need some rest."

Charlie sighed and stood up "I'm fine Jack I won't be able to sleep anyway."

"So go to Angelo's or the station," Georgie suggested "catch up on paperwork or something."

"Yeah," Martha said "I'll take Ruby home with Maddy, there's no point in us all sitting here- you heard him we won't be able to see him until tomorrow."

Charlie looked down at her watch it was two am everyone would be gone "alright," she said and grabbed her bag "I'll be back though, you call me the second you hear anything."

"I will," Peter said and hugged her "try get some sleep," he said and dropped a kiss on her forehead.

"Call me," she said and walked off.

…..

Arriving at Angelo's she walked up the stairs she was already puzzled when the alarm wasn't set walking in the place was in darkness, sighing she walked to the bar assuming Brax had just forgot to set it. Grabbing herself a beer she pulled the glass doors open and walked out to the balcony, leaning on it she took the cap off the bottle and took a large gulp-her first drink in nine weeks.

Brax thought he heard footsteps and came out of the office to investigate seeing her outside he walked over to the door and leaned against it "why are you here so late?"

Charlie smiled to herself "could ask you the same thing," she said and took another gulp of her beer.

Brax walked out and leaned on the rail beside her "trying to get used to things," he said and took the beer from her "so where did you go?" he asked and took a sip.

"My dad," she sighed "he had a stroke- he's in surgery now."

Brax sighed another blow to her "I'm sorry Charlie," he said and handed her back the beer.

Charlie picked at the bottle "he was already in a home," she said and took a sip "he has Alzheimer's."

Brax nodded "early onset or late onset?" he asked.

Charlie looked over at him "how do you even know there are types- I didn't until it happened," she added.

"My mum died from it two years go…didn't catch it in time-didn't want to accept it," he answered.

"Oh Brax I'm so sorry I didn't mean to dreg it up," she said and turned to face him.

"Don't worry about it," he said waving her off "now you know there's someone here that knows what you're going through," he said turning to face her.

Charlie nodded "early…my dad," she added when he raised an eyebrow "but he seems to be fading fast, it started with him mixing up our names-he'd call me Nat or Pete Jack-sometimes he wouldn't know who Ruby or Maddy were…Martha and Georgie too. Then he started forgetting things, putting things back in the wrong place, he couldn't even tell me what he'd done some days- he still asks after my mum and she died four years ago. That's what happened to my eye and my head…he lashes out."

Brax nodded "see this scar," he said pointing to a tiny one under his eye "mum threw her tray at me one day, broke my brothers nose another time…she was a drunk before it hit her," he added.

Charlie smiled sadly "so you've got a brother?" she asked

"Three," he replied "Heath, Casey and Kyle."

Charlie nodded "how old are they?"

"Heath's twenty-eight, Case is sixteen and Kyle is seventeen in a few days…he wasn't mums," he added when she frowned "dad went off with some woman- dumped him on our step a week after mum had died."

Charlie scoffed "so we both have sucky lives," she said and moved a little closer to him "Ruby's dad," she said she couldn't believe she was about to tell him this "he raped me when I was thirteen, he was a boyfriend he kept at me to have sex and I kept saying no. One night I went over to his- his mum and dad were out, he tried it on I said no but he didn't take no as an answer that time," she sighed heavily "I wish just for once something would go right for me."

"This place is doing great that's something."

Charlie chuckled "it's not gonna be here forever boyfriends husbands whatever kids and what not will be."

Brax shrugged "you never know what could happen…you wanna know what my motto is?" Charlie nodded "go for it, if you fail try again and if you fail again…try again."

"So basically don't give up?" she asked.

"Yeah," Brax nodded and stepped closer to her "I know I only know you a week or so but I'm using my motto on you-that month thing, screw it, next night off I'm taking you out."

Charlie smiled "life's too short you want something go for it…that's what my dad always said to us."

Without warning Brax leaned in and kissed her.

Charlie pulled back and looked at him, he didn't move didn't say anything just looked back at her. Grabbing his shirt she pulled him to her and kissed him hard.

Wrapping his arms around her waist her pulled her closer he deepened it.

…..

A while later they still stood on the balcony Charlie leaning on the rail while Brax stood behind her with his arms wrapped around her resting his chin on her shoulder "suppose I should get some sleep," she yawned.

"Want me to drive you home?" Brax asked as he kissed her shoulder.

"No," she yawned again "I'm gonna crash on the sofa here, it's closer if I need to head back to the hospital," she said and turned in his arms "you should go home and sleep too."

Brax leaned down and kissed her "I can stay for a bit," he offered.

Charlie smiled and slipped out from him grabbing his hand she walked back inside "I'll be fine here there's no point in you staying, if I get a call I have to go," she said and looked toward her phone as it rang "like that one," she said and hurried to it "Pete?" she said and listened "alright I'm on my way," she said and hung up "looks like dad's out of surgery I gotta hold off on the sleep," she said and slid her bag onto her shoulder. Picking up her car keys she started to walk "I'll see you tomorrow," stopping she turned around and ran back to him "night," she smiled and kissed him.

Pulling her closer he kissed her a few times "you sure you don't want me to come with you?"

"Nah, Pete is there on his own he'll ask questions that right now I don't have the answers for."

Brax nodded "alright I'll walk you to your car," he said and walked down the stairs with her.

Charlie groaned as she was nudged awake sitting up she opened her eyes and looked over at Peter blinking a few times- it was now morning "is he awake?" she asked through a yawn.

"Yeah we can see him but he's still a little out of it," Peter said and stood up.

Charlie stood up and linked her arm into his "so can we expect him to be like he always is or what are we looking at here?" she asked as they walked along the hall.

"I don't know Charlz," Peter sighed "Keith came to see me before he went home he said he'd checked on him and he was going on about some farm and doing the crops."

Charlie giggled "granddad owned a farm when he was a kid." She tightened her hold on his arm when they got to his room, walking in she smiled at him as he opened his eyes "hey," she said leaning over the bed.

Ross smiled and cupped her cheek "there's my angel," he said and stroked her cheek "Eloise I thought I was a goner there," he said and dropped his hand "don't worry about me you go home and relax I'll get someone to run me home later," he said and looked over at Peter "not you again," he snapped "Eloise there's that man that's trying to be our son call the police!" he said loudly.

Charlie and Peter shot each other a worried look "no daddy," she said "it's me Charlie and that's Pete don't you remember?" she asked.

Ross looked at her and frowned "why are you saying this why are you trying to confuse me?" he asked.

Charlie sighed and stepped back, Peter moved in "dad it's me," he said softly "do you remember what happened?" he asked.

"Ah son nice to see you," he looked away for a moment "Jack have you caught the man responsible for putting me in here?"

Peter sighed and looked at Charlie "maybe we should let him rest up some more."

Charlie nodded "yeah maybe that's a good idea he seems all over the place."

"Charlie?" Ross said and looked beyond Peter "have you caught the man that shot me?" he asked.

Charlie shook her head "uh yeah daddy he's down the station," she said and took a step closer "you just get some rest and leave all that to me."

"That's my girl," he smiled "I'll be back on my feet before you know it, tell Detective Robertson I won't be out too long."

Charlie nodded "I will…we're gonna head off now you get some sleep," she said and dropped a kiss on his forehead "I love ya," she said and smiled down on him.

"Love ya too princess, hey, tell Peter to keep an eye on you that guy might come back for revenge," Ross said seriously.

"I got my eye on her dad don't worry," Peter said and tapped his hand "we'll be back later," he said and walked out of the room with Charlie. "Man he is in another world there you go on home I'm gonna speak to the doctor," he said and walked ahead of her.

….

Charlie couldn't sleep she was wide awake so decided to head to Angelo's she'd normally do the rosters today. Getting to the top of the stairs she saw Brax behind the bar she smiled and walked up to him "hey," she greeted and dropped into a stool.

"Hey," he smiled "how's your dad?" he asked.

"He's awake but totally disorientated, he was babbling on about someone shooting him, he thought I was my mum again," she said and stood up "anyway I'm gonna go do the roster…I'll be inside," she said and walked into her office.

Brax followed her and closed the door behind him before she made it to the desk her pulled her back and turned her to face him "do you regret kissing me last night?"

"No," she smiled and leaned up on her toes kissing him softly. She pulled back and pulled away from him "been thinking about that all night," she smiled and sat down.

Brax chuckled and walked over to her "well if you're free tonight I got the house to myself if you wanna come over."

Charlie giggled "I am not sleeping with you so you can get that thought right outta your head."

Brax leaned over the desk and kissed her slowly "I'm not thinking about that," he said and kissed her again "I was thinking we could get a pizza and watch a movie-relax, you've had a rough week," he said and pulled back.

Charlie smiled again "if I'm still awake then yes I'd love to."

Brax chuckled and walked to the door "the rosters are done so you can go home and get some sleep!" he called on his way out the door.

Charlie shook her head and opened her roster file on the computer he had done them-she also noticed her put himself on every shift with her. Gigging she stood up and walked out to the bar "I guess I'll see you back here later for pizza," she looked around to see was anyone watching before she leaned over and kissed him quickly "bye," she said and walked off.

"Bye!" he called "and be back here for seven!" he chuckled when she turned around and walked back to him.

"Make it six and you got yourself a date," she chuckled.

Brax nodded "we could go now if you like" he chuckled.

Charlie giggled "I need my sleep or I won't be watching any film I'll see ya at six… bye again," she said and walked out of Angelo's the butterflies in her stomach were in overdrive. Climbing into her car she decided to drop in on Hayley for a coffee and a chat….wonder how she'd react about Brax she thought as she pulled away…nah better keep it to myself for now-more fun for me she giggled to herself and headed by Hayley's turn, if she wanted to have a decent conversation tonight she needed her sleep.