Sorry if there are any mistakes I'm too tired to go over it again...enjoy :)

Charlie stepped out of her car and shut the door taking in the country air she sighed happily and sat on the hood of her car she loved this place, any chance she and her brothers got to come as kids they took it and made sure Ruby and Maddy felt that way too.

Sitting looking at the lake for a while she stood up off the car and let herself inside, walking into the kitchen she frowned as the kettle was warm and there was a cup in the sink-last she knew Martha and Jack were up for the long weekend. Going to the bedroom she saw the bed was un made frowning again she walked to the house phone and picked it up to call her brothers- only she, them her dad and her aunt had a key and she wouldn't come all this way just for a few days up here alone.

As she dialled Peter's number she saw a car pull up beside hers, placing the phone down she walked to the door stepping back as it opened "oh my god… Charlie!" a woman shrieked and dropped the bags she had in her hands "it's so good to see you!" she yelled and threw herself at Charlie hugging her tight.

Charlie felt a wash of happiness flow through her as she hugged back "aunt Shell," she said and stepped back "what are you doing here?" she asked as she helped her pick up the bags she'd dropped.

"Ah you know me always running from something…what are you doing here?" she asked suspiciously.

"Running from something too," she chuckled and walked into the kitchen "how long have you been here?"

"Two days I think, there's not much to do but think up here so the time has sorta run together," Michelle said as she unpacked the bags.

Charlie nodded "that's what I came here to do," she said and sat up on the counter "so what is it this time-or who should I say?"

Michelle shrugged "a guy called Ben…he asked me to marry him and I told him I needed to think about it…. and ran away."

"Shell!" Charlie shrieked "you just took off?"

"Hey isn't that what you did?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"The total opposite-everyone knows I'm away…you got my invite to my wedding?"

"Yeah," she nodded "got my hat and all," she smiled.

"Yeah that's not happening now," she sighed and looked over at Michelle who looked back confused "Angelo cheated on me."

"That bastard!" she gasped "I hoped you kicked his ass, how could he do that to you?"

Charlie shrugged and slid down off the counter "well he did and to make it all that much more exciting- it was with my sister and now he's gotten her pregnant," she said bitterly.

"Nat?" Michelle shrieked "our Nat? Little Nat?" she asked in disbelief "I don't believe you."

"Well you better believe it, the weddings off and they have left town together," Charlie muttered as she played with her sleeve. "Not a care in the world or a thought of how I was doing."

"Alright," Michelle said and dropped what she had in her hands "we're going into the town we're gonna get some lunch and have a talk it's been way too long and it seems like I'm missing a hell of a lot," she said and pulled Charlie out the door.

….

Back at Angelo's Brax stood behind the bar thinking about Charlie a smile crossed his face he couldn't believe that she liked him too- this month was gonna be tough, he was pulled from his thoughts as someone slowly stopped in front of him. He turned his head "what can I get ya….Chloe!" he said his eyes widening.

"Hey Brax," Chloe smiled "been a while," she said and slipped into a seat.

"Yeah it has been, how ya keeping?" he asked a wide smile on his face.

"Yeah great," she nodded "and you?"

"Yeah I'm great, I own a bit of this place," he said nodding around "working my way up in the world," he chuckled.

"That's great Brax," she smiled and looked around "it's a nice place I'm happy for you."

"So what brings you back here?" he asked as he slid a glass of wine to her.

"My brother is getting married tomorrow I'm just back for that," she replied and picked up the glass "how's Heath and the boys?"

"Yeah they're great…Mark's getting married?" he asked.

Chloe nodded "yeah to Kelly of all people."

Brax scoffed "they actually lasted?"

"Yeah," she giggled "I think they both grew up while I was away…what ya at later?"

"Nothing I finish here at six," he replied.

"Wanna grab a drink and a catch up?" she asked.

Brax nodded "yeah that'll be great," he smiled.

Chloe nodded and stood up downing her wine "I gotta meet mum now but I'll be back later."

Brax nodded "I'll be here and tell your mum and all I said hello!" he called as she walked out of Angelo's. He couldn't believe she was here- that she was back, the last time he'd seen her he was standing in an airport begging her not to go…that was four years ago. Since then they'd spoken twice and put it behind them agreeing they were the past and that's where they'd stay. Smiling to himself he went back to work, he may have loved her once but that was all gone- although it was still good to see her again.

Looking down as his phone rang he smiled "Charlie?"

"Hey sorry I know I'm not gone that long but I need some advice."

"I'm listening," he chuckled.

"Alright I came up to my mums cabin to be alone and you know the rest only to find my aunt here and it doesn't look like she's leaving any time soon."

"So what advice to you need?"

"Do I stay or do I come home? I did come away to think about things."

"Stay, maybe she can help you she doesn't know anything she'd have a different insight than everyone else."

He looked up when Chloe stopped at the bar "forgot my bag," she said and picked it up off the bar "see at six Brax!" she called as she walked out again.

Charlie frowned "who was that?" she asked before she could stop herself.

"An old…friend," he said and watched her walk out "so what are you gonna do?"

Charlie sighed "stay I guess, I mean you're right she might be able to help me sort my head out."

"I think that's the best option," Brax said.

"Yeah," she sighed "she's dragged me to some pub I have a feeling we're gonna be here all day…anyway thanks for the advice I'll let ya go-call the number I left you if you need me."

"Bye babes and don't worry about anything here."

"Are you gonna keep calling me that?" she asked "even after what we agreed?"

Brax chuckled "yes babes I am have you got a problem with that?"

"No," she giggled "but be warned if I see one girl taking a liking to you I shall be putting a stop to it before it even begins."

Brax chuckled "I only got my eye on one girl, go on, go have fun."

"I'll try, bye," she said and hung up.

Brax chucked to himself and placed his phone on the bar he really hoped her aunt could help her get over all this- like he'd said before it's easier to talk to someone that doesn't know anything about your or what has been going on, sighing he walked around the bar and began to clear tables.

Charlie smiled as she sat back beside Michelle "Ruby okay?" she asked.

Charlie nodded "yeah, did you order?" she asked as she noticed the menus were gone.

"Yeah, I got you a chicken salad you still like those don't you?" Michelle asked.

"I do," Charlie chuckled and leaned forward "so tell me about this Ben guy-must have been going on a while if he asked you to marry him."

Michelle nodded and took a sip of her coffee "yeah nearly two years, don't get me wrong he's great and sweet and nice he's always doing things for me-he's almost perfect."

"So what's the problem?" Charlie asked.

Michelle sighed "after watching everyone around me and how one way or another their marriages ended…. I don't know," she shrugged "don't think it's for me."

Charlie nodded "Shell you can't let what happened with other people put you off doing something for yourself if you feel it's meant to be you should marry him."

Michelle looked over at her "look at your mum and dad," she sighed again when Charlie's face dropped slightly "he loved her so much they were the perfect couple- the perfect family, then one day she was taken away from him and he changed."

Charlie sat back in the seat she missed her mum like crazy and not a day went by where she didn't think about her, and Michelle was right they were the perfect couple they were still so in love after over thirty years together. Looking over at her dad's youngest sister she saw the little bit of fear that was holding her back "mum and dad were so in love-until the very end they were but that was something that couldn't be stopped mum was sick….she died knowing how much he loved her-how much we all loved her-she died happy," she smiled sadly "if you let him in that could be you… but with a happy ending."

Michelle chucked "look at Billy and Steph they divorced."

Charlie scoffed at the mention of her dad's brother "yeah but he didn't give a toss about her or the kids, he took off with some other woman half his age. I heard she dumped him too and he came crawling back and she told him to beat it."

Michelle nodded "she did….Joe and Elaine."

"Please," Charlie scoffed again her dad's youngest brother "he didn't wanna be with her any more than she wanted to bed with him, they just put up with one another for the sake of the baby and the fact he paid the bills."

Michelle nodded "and what about you Charlie? What exactly happened with you?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

Charlie looked over at her "I told you he cheated on me with Nat."

"Yeah but that's all you've said, why did he cheat- how long for- what did he say when you found out?"

Charlie sighed heavily she smiled at the waiter as he placed their food on the table, she looked back at Michelle when he went away "he told me himself- said he couldn't lie to me anymore," she scoffed "he said they just clicked and got closer, you know when I was working nights and caught up in cases…I missed it for seven months," she muttered.

"That long!" Michelle yelled in horror.

"Yeah," Charlie nodded "and I was too wrapped up in my job to notice anything was wrong, I wondered why all of a sudden he stopped complaining when I called to say I wasn't coming home."

"What an absolute dick!" Michelle spat "you're shot of him Charlie and that's then main thing."

"That's not all," Charlie looked over at her again "I was gonna tell him I was pregnant that night, I was so excited," she sniffed "like an idiot I wrapped the test up in a box and planned a fancy dinner, I even stayed back the night before to catch up on my paperwork… nothing was gonna hold me up."

"Oh Charlie," Michelle said sadly and placed her hand on top of hers "you're better off without him, you're gonna be great mum and you have Ruby, your brothers, the girls and everyone else- that kid will be loved by everyone you don't Angelo."

Charlie wiped her eye as a tear fell "I lost it last week," she smiled weakly at Michelle "thinking about it now it's for the best, I don't think I could have sat there looking at mini Angelo every day- then have to explain to him where his daddy is and that his cousin is actually his half-brother….but I still would have loved him," she mumbled.

"Of course you would sweetie…I'm so sorry Charlie," Michelle said.

Charlie looked up and smiled "that's all the news I have- that's everything," she said deciding to leave out Brax for now "oh apart from that I made him sell his bit of the restaurant and I'm changing the name."

Michelle chuckled she was amazed how well Charlie could go from one mood to another at the drop of a hat, she didn't know whether to be impressed or worried "and your dad?" she asked looking at the faded marks and bruises on her face.

Charlie shrugged "that's another story for another time…drink?" she asked and stood up "we may as well get some fun out of this," she said and walked off to the bar.

…

Brax came out of the office and yawned Liam chuckled "your shift is over you can go."

Brax chuckled and sat on a stool "I'm meeting someone I haven't seen in years so I have to hang around."

Liam nodded "yeah? Where have they been…or did you just lose touch?"

"She's an ex actually, she took off a few years back for New York, she got a job as a teacher and took it," Brax replied.

Liam nodded again something about his tone and his look was giving off a vibe "so you ended good or bad?"

Brax scoffed "I chased her through the airport begging her not to go and you know what she said to me?"

"No, what?" Liam asked.

"She told me she didn't wanna hold back for some guy that didn't know what he wanted, that she wanted to make something of herself and travel so I let her go."

"Best thing to do mate, you know I let my ex go too- she wanted to go to traveling and I didn't. I knew I was holding her back that she was staying because of me so I told her to go."

"But now you're happy with Bianca?" Brax asked.

"Yeah I am," he smiled "best thing I ever did was letting her go…it's not worth going back mate," he said and walked off as Chloe walked up behind him.

"Hey," she smiled and slid onto the empty stool beside him.

"Hey," Brax replied "what can I get you to drink?" he asked and stood up.

"Just a wine thanks…I'll be over here," she said and walked off to one of the booths.

Brax looked over at Liam "what?" he asked when he stood looking back with raised eyebrows.

"She's hot," he replied looking pointedly at him.

Brax chuckled "you have a fiancé," he said as he grabbed himself a beer.

Liam walked over to him "but you don't there's nothing or no one stopping you from you know… going there again."

Brax chuckled "I think Charlie will disagree," copping what he said he looked over at him quickly "forget I said that," he said and went to walk off.

"You know I'm not as dumb as I look," Liam said stopping Brax in his tracks.

"Don't know what you're talking about mate," he smirked and dropped it before he turned back to him.

"Yeah, yeah," he smirked "I see the looks, the smiles, the watching each other," he chuckled and walked closer to him "I don't care what you get up to, you know what she's been through and I'm glad she has you, but if she means anything at all to you you'll be very careful how this catch up goes."

"Like you said not worth going back, don't worry about it she's an ex and she's gonna stay an ex," Brax said as he walked over towards her.

"Yeah we'll see come the end of the night…and the beers," Liam replied.

"Not all the beers in the world mate!" Brax yelled over and sat down.

"So Brax," Chloe started "got a girlfriend or wife floating about around here?"

Brax chuckled "you don't beat around the bush," he shook his head "but…" he looked down at the table as his phone rang "sorry, one sec," he said and picked it up "babes?" he said quickly.

"Hey, so so sorry for calling again but I just remembered Wendy is on holidays and I put her in can you sort it-use Casey or Kyle," she added.

"I told you not to worry about this place I've already sorted that."

"What would I do without you?" she giggled "anyway we're having a few drinks- you're right I told her everything and she made me think about things differently."

"That's great," he said looking over at Chloe 'two seconds' he mouthed "make sure you know how to get home," he chuckled.

Charlie giggled again "we're finishing this up here then were heading back to the cabin with a bottle of wine… gotta go I'll see ya soon," she said and hung up.

Brax chuckled and put the phone down "I remember that smile," Chloe said.

"What?" he chuckled and looked over at her.

"You used to smile at me like that-she's a lucky girl," she added.

Brax sat back in the seat and looked over at her "why did you wanna meet up-what made you come here?"

Chloe shrugged "I ran into Tegan she said you'd bought this place, wanted to see how you were doing."

Brax nodded "are you still in New York?"

"In Boston now but next school year I'll be going to Texas," she replied.

Brax looked over at the door when Ruby walked in…with a black eye "what the hell happened to you?" he asked and jumped up.

Ruby blushed slightly "went back to the house and got freaked…ran into the door trying to get out when I heard a noise."

Brax shook his head and tilted her face to the side "aren't you supposed to be at your uncles?" he asked as he examined it.

"Yeah I came to get the number for mum I couldn't find it at home and Pete or Jack didn't answer," she replied and looked at Chloe "sorry I didn't mean to interrupt I'll get it off Liam."

"I have it here," Brax said and picked up his phone "I just spoke to mum there, she's out with your aunt…she was there when she arrived," he added when Ruby frowned at him.

"Right," she said slowly and took the number down "I won't keep ya," she said handing him back the phone. She smiled at Chloe "oh I'm on close tonight will you be able to run me to Pete's after?"

"I'm finished for the day," he replied "get a taxi and I'll give you the money."

"No no it's fine, I just assumed you were on since you were still here, I'll get Pete or someone to pick me up," Ruby said.

"Noah's on for your mum he'll drop you off," Brax said.

"Okay," she nodded "I'll let ya get back see ya later!" she called as she walked away.

"Readymade family," Chloe said as he sat down "you said you never wanted kids."

Brax shook his head "I never said I didn't want kids I just said I didn't want them any time soon and it's not a readymade family, she doesn't even know there's anything going on."

Chloe raised an eyebrow and scoffed "so she's your dirty little secret, you haven't changed."

Brax chuckled "I was with you for four years you're the one that took off you're the one that walked away, even after I followed you and made a fool of myself you still went, and no she's not a dirty little secret she's been through a lot we're just taking it slow."

"Since when did Daryl Braxton care about what anyone else was feeling?" she asked.

Brax laughed bitterly "since you ripped my heart out and left me standing there like a tool!" he hissed and stood up "maybe you should go it was a mistake for us to meet up again," he said and went to walk off.

"That's right run away Brax like you always do!" she snapped.

Brax leaned over the table "no sweetheart you were the one that ran away…don't come back here let the past be the past," he said and walked off.

Chloe stood up and followed him "you know I came back here to see if I'd made a big mistake back then….I'm glad I did now I see I haven't and you will always be the same self-centred dick you always were!"

"Good for you, there's the door," Brax replied and walked behind the bar "and I'm glad you did take off I never would have met Charlie then," he smiled and turned his back on her.

Chloe glared at him and moved closer to the bar "she doesn't know the real you Brax, what you did, what you still do… I hope she can put up with all your crap!" she hissed.

Brax chuckled "she's a cop I'm sure she's looked into me already, and judging by the fact she still wants to be with me I reckon she didn't find anything, that stuff is behind me…like you are," he said and walked off.

Chloe huffed and grabbed her bag "be a shame if someone told her!" she called after him and walked off.

Back in the cabin Charlie and Michelle sat slightly drunk chatting away they both jumped when the landline rang "I'll get it," Charlie giggled and walked over to it "hello?" she asked.

"Hey mum," Ruby said happily.

"Hey sweetie, aren't you supposed to be in work?" she asked.

Ruby rolled her eyes "yes mum I'm on my break, stop thinking about this place… how are you getting on?"

"Yeah good, aunt Shell is here so we're just catching up," Charlie replied.

"That's great…mum I don't wanna get Brax into trouble but there's some kid here working and he said Brax told him to come."

Charlie chuckled "it's okay I know we've already spoken about it he's his brother."

"Right, okay then… you never mentioned Brax had a girlfriend," Ruby said.

"That's because Brax doesn't have a girlfriend," Charlie giggled.

"Um he was here earlier with some girl they looked pretty cosy- like they were on a date…mum?" she said when Charlie didn't reply.

Charlie's face had dropped "um yeah, I'm still here, sorry, Shell just said something to me- well he's single he's allowed to date," she said trying to hold back her anger.

"Yeah but here he's only just arrived and he's bringing girls here already… I'm not complaining."

"So stop talking about him, listen Shell wants to call someone are you okay have you everything you need at Pete's?"

"Yeah I'm fine I was just checking up on you…I'll let ya go and I'll call you tomorrow-I love ya."

"Love ya too Rubes I'll speak to you then," Charlie replied and hung up "that son of a bitch!" she hissed.

"What?" Michelle asked and looked over at her "and why did you tell Ruby I wanted the phone?"

"Nothing, it doesn't matter," she sighed and sat back down "just another reason why men shouldn't be trusted," she muttered and picked up her glass.

"Charlie what is going on and don't think I didn't notice you slip off to call 'Ruby' twice today," Michelle said.

Charlie sighed and played with her glass "there's this guy back home."

"Already?" Michelle asked.

Charlie shook her head "no…well we hooked up a few time but we kissed is all, he's willing to wait until I get over all this which I think I kinda sweet."

Michelle nodded "so what's the problem with him?"

"Well I thought he was great, he was so nice and helpful he helped me through a lot- not to mention he didn't make it half obvious he liked me," she chuckled and stood up. "Now I'm not so sure, Ruby said she saw him on what looked like a date….so much for waiting for me- I can't blame him though, look at me- look at what's happened to me… who'd wanna be with me," she muttered and dropped into her seat.

"Don't sell yourself short Charlie," Michelle said and sat on the chair beside her "yeah you've through hell the last while and he's been there for you- but you don't know who this girl was, she could have been a sister a cousin or just a friend- I mean you have friends that are blokes…don't read too much into it you never know he might tell you when you get back."

"Yeah I guess you're right," Charlie muttered and stood up "I'm gonna head to bed are you staying up?" she asked.

"Yeah… I think I'll chance calling Ben," she said and smiled quickly.

"Take my advice Shell…don't let it pass you by, if you want him go get him…good luck," she smiled and walked into the bedroom and closed the door.

….

Brax sat at his kitchen table thinking about what Chloe had said-how quickly she had changed, shaking his head he sighed deeply thanking his lucky stars he did let her go, she was a handful, she was the one that got them into the most trouble when they were teenagers and he the great guy he was took the blame with her parents so she wouldn't get into trouble. It's funny how fast people change how much you don't know about them he didn't even recognise her any more…but do we really know anyone?

He looked up when the door opened and Kyle walked in "how did you get on mate?"

"Yeah great some girl, Ruby she helped me out a lot," he replied and sat beside him "thanks for this Brax I know it won't be easy having me and Case there."

"Yeah she's a great kid-she's Charlie's daughter. Don't worry about it it's about time you two started making your own money," he chuckled and stood up "I'm gonna head to bed just waited up to see how you got on…night mate," he said and walked into his room.

"Hey Brax!" Kyle called after him "I ran into Chloe today did she come see you?"

"Yeah she did, she's just passing through…night," Brax said and closed the door.

Charlie lay in her bed looking up at the ceiling she had been tossing and turning for over an hour now, she had heard all of Michelle's conversation…she'd even heard her going into her own room. Sighing she rolled out of the bed and walked out to the living room, seeing the phone sitting on the table she stopped in front of it, looking down at it she put her hand out and pulled it back. Shaking her head she walked to the kitchen and got herself a glass of water as she walked back she picked up the phone and walked back to her room with it "Ruby might call early," she said and sat it on the locker and climbed back into the bed.

Lying down she went back to looking at the ceiling, huffing a few minutes later she sat up and grabbed the phone she dialled his number biting her lip hoping he wasn't asleep "hey," she said quickly when he answered on the second ring "thought you'd be asleep by now."

"Things on my mind," he sighed "why are you up?" he asked.

"Can't sleep…wanna talk about it?"

"No," he sighed again "just my ex showed up today making me remember why she's an ex… anyway forget about her how are you getting on?"

Charlie bit her lip silently relieved it wasn't a date "yeah I'm great I think I worked it all out in one day," she giggled "but I'm gonna stay up here for a bit still think I need a bit of time to myself, I heard Shell on the phone saying she'd meet someone at home so hopefully she'll go tomorrow…so this ex," she said slowly "is she bothering you?"

"No, she showed up all nice and all asked me how I was and whatever then she asked me to meet up for a drink to catch up so I agreed no harm right?" he sighed again "then when we did meet up she was grand for a while then you rang and I called you babes in front of her, she changed went all bitter or something."

"She wants you back," Charlie cut in.

Brax chuckled "well she can want all she wants we ended it and that's it, she left I've moved on and I'm happy where I am."

"Okay," Charlie said "she seems to be getting under your skin though I can hear it your voice."

"Just something she said I never should have met her I'd forgotten how much she used to drive me crazy," he said.

Charlie smiled and leaned back against the headboard "so what else did you do today?" she asked trying to change the subject.

"Apart from thinking about you not much," he chuckled.

Charlie giggled "we are so not gonna last a month."

Brax chuckled "I know but hey we can try."

"So I was thinking," Charlie said slowly "how about when I get back- if I'm in a good headspace, we skip the month thing and go on a date?"

Brax chuckled "or we could skip the date I won't be able to keep my hands to myself."

Charlie giggled and bit her lip "we'll see, you never know I could surprise you and turn up tomorrow."

"Charlie," he groaned "don't tease me like that you've only been gone a day and I can't stop thinking about you."

Charlie smiled again "me too…have you seen my brothers or anyone?"

"Just Ruby and Noah and Liam….Liam knows we've been hooking up."

Charlie giggled "I know he cornered me yesterday when I called over to see him and B."

"So what did you tell him?" Brax asked curiously.

"That we were but it wasn't serious and you won't sleep with me," she giggled "it's Liam I trust him-don't worry about it."

Brax chuckled "what can I say some things are worth waiting for…so did you tell your aunt everything?"

"Yeah everything, told her about Angelo and Nat, the baby, dad… and you," she replied.

"You were talking about me?" he asked.

"Uh yeah," she smiled sheepishly to herself "Rubes called and said you were on a date and I sorta maybe went a little crazy."

Brax scoffed "I know, she didn't make it half obvious, she kept staring at her then looking at me and just so we're clear, that was not date and she'll never be seen around here again…hopefully," he added.

Charlie giggled and looked at the clock "oh wow it's after three, didn't think it was that late I better let you get to bed."

"Yeah," Brax replied "so how about you get some sleep too."

"Yeah I guess I should, so I'll call you tomorrow," she said.

"Looking forward to it, night babes," he replied.

"Night Brax," she said and hung up sinking into the covers with a happy sigh.

Brax chuckled and rolled onto his side before smiling to himself and closing his eyes.