Charlie stood on the boardwalk looking out at the water-closing her eyes as someone came up behind her, opening her eyes again she sighed when they stopped behind her "who are we kidding Brax, we jumped into this too quickly…can't even get through our first date."
Brax stepped up beside her "so what are you saying…you wanna call this off?"
Charlie closed her eyes that was the last thing she wanted "three weeks ago I was engaged, I was pregnant, I was getting married, I had a sister-I was happy."
"You're not happy with me?" he asked surprised.
"I am that's the problem…maybe I'm a little too happy too quickly."
Brax raised an eyebrow "why don't you break that down for me," he said turning to face her "coz I have no idea what you're trying to say."
Charlie turned to face him "we jumped in too quick after Angelo, I should be still trying to get over it still be putting myself back together."
Brax sighed "but you already did all that you bounced back quicker than anyone expected."
"Exactly too quick," she said and looked away from him "I don't want you to think you mean nothing to me coz you do."
"But?" he asked slowly.
"I need to figure out what I want," she said turning to face him again "you mean so much to me Brax I don't want my life getting in the way of yours."
Brax scoffed "it's not," he said seriously.
"Yes it is, if it weren't for my sister or Angelo you'd have no reason to be angry at them, and if you didn't like me you wouldn't feel the need to kill him."
"But I do like you Charlie and I can't just walk away from that," Brax said steeping closer to her.
"Happy endings don't just come Brax, you gotta work to make them happen," she scoffed and turned away from him.
Brax walked around her and slipped his arms around her waist pulling her into him.
"What are you doing?" she asked looking up at him.
Brax tilted his head to the side thinking for a moment "making my happy ending happen," he said and lowered his head kissing her softly.
She couldn't push him away-she didn't want to, moving closer to him she slid her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. After a few minutes she pulled back and rested her forehead against his "this is crazy," she whispered and kissed him quickly "but I think I'm falling in love with you."
Brax chuckled and pulled her closer "good I thought that was just me," he said and tiled her chin up to him "I know it's too soon and quick but I've fallen hard and fast for you…whatever it is we can get through it, if you want me to back off for a while I'll do it-let you decided."
Charlie bit her lip and looked up at him, after a minute she nodded and leaned up on her toes "we can," she said and kissed him again "how can I move on if I push away the one thing I want to move on with?"
Brax pulled her into a hug and held her tight "no matter how hard you push I'm gonna push back harder, I'm not going anywhere," he said and rested his chin on her head "we'll make it Charlie I know we will."
Charlie pulled back a little and looked up at him "wanna walk me home?"
"Do I have to leave you at the door?" he asked with a smirk.
"If Ruby's home yeah," she replied.
Brax chuckled and stepped away from her "let's hope Casey persuaded her to stay a little longer," he said and slipped his hand into hers.
Charlie giggled as they started to walk "you know that's my daughter?"
Brax smiled and pulled her closer "who is as beautiful as you."
"Nice save," she chuckled and wrapped her arms around his waist.
….
Over at Casey's the movie had just ended "that was a total waste of my life," Casey groaned.
"Oh thank God," Ruby said and sat forward and turned it off "why did you pick this then?" she giggled "I swear I dozed off a few times."
Casey chuckled "because it was a romantic comedy I thought you'd like it."
"Dude please," she chuckled "gimme fast and furious any day….I better call my uncle to pick me up," she said looking down at the time.
"Do you have to go?" Casey asked.
"Well it is just gone ten and mum is still on her date…another hour won't kill me," she replied and looked to the front door as it opened "I stand corrected," she said when she saw who was behind Heath "what the hell is she doing here?" she asked jumping up.
"Rubes," Natalie said and smiled quickly.
Ruby scoffed "you lost the right to call me that when you slept with my mothers' fiancé."
Casey frowned and looked at Heath "who is she?" he asked.
"She's my slut of an aunt," Ruby said and grabbed her bag "I'm sorry Casey I can't be in the same room as her…I'll call you when I get home," she said and walked to the door "move!" she hissed when Natalie blocked it.
"Ruby please can we talk?" Natalie asked.
Ruby scoffed again "alright then, why did you sleep with Angelo-sorry let me rephrase that, why did you repeatedly sleep with Angelo behind my mums back?"
Natalie hung her head "it just happened," she yelped in surprise when Ruby slapped her across the face.
"Oops, sorry, it just happened," she said sarcastically and shoved her out of the way "you might wanna get yourself tested after her Heath, never know what you'd catch!" she called as she walked down the drive.
Casey stood up "will someone please tell me what's going on!" he yelled.
Heath sighed heavily "Case this is Nat she's gonna be staying here for a while…she's pregnant with my kid and has nowhere else to go."
Casey looked at her then back to Heath "so what was all that about with her and Ruby?"
Natalie stepped forward "I was stupid and had an affair with my sisters' fiancée, I thought the baby was his so he told Charlie and we left together, then we found out the baby wasn't his so he came back to try win her back…no one is talking to me," she muttered.
Casey scoffed "Brax isn't gonna let that happen…she can't stay here Heath Brax will hit the roof," he said and walked into his room.
Heath turned to Natalie "sorry about that I didn't know Ruby was gonna be here," he said gesturing towards the sofa.
"Is she Casey's girlfriend?" Natalie asked as she sat down.
Heath shrugged "don't know I think they've only started, I've only seen her a handful of times she's friends with Kyle too…my other brother that pops up from time to time," he added when she frowned.
"Right," Natalie nodded "can I get a shower?" she asked.
"Yeah sure," Heath said and stood up "I'll show you my room then you can head for the shower," he said and walked towards his bedroom.
At her house Charlie and Brax had made it as far as her bedroom door before he pushed her against it and kissed her hard. Slowly unzipping her dress he slid it off her shoulders and opened the door, walking her into the room he kicked it closed and pushed her onto the bed. Climbing on top of her he began to trail kisses along her neck "remind me to thank your brother for finally asking my daughter out," Charlie giggled.
Brax pulled back "you're thinking about that now?"
Charlie sat up on her elbows "I'm thinking you've too much clothes on," she said and yanked his shirt over his head.
Brax chuckled and leaned down to her and kissed her-both sprang apart when the back door opened and slammed and Ruby's cries could be heard all over the house.
"She walked right in with him Hayls!" she cried "what the hell is she doing back here and with him?" she sniffed "what if mum sees her?"
"What the hell?" Charlie frowned and jumped off the bed, pulling bottoms and a top on she ran to her door and pulled it open "Rubes?" she called and ran down the stairs.
Ruby whipped round when she heard her- wiping her eyes "sorry mum I didn't know you were home," she said and put the phone back to her ear "Hayls I have to go I'll call you back…right I will, bye," she said and hung up "how did your date go?" she asked changing the subject.
"To hell with the date, what happened -sweetie what's wrong?" she asked walking to her.
Ruby sighed heavily and dropped onto the arm of the sofa "me and Casey were just sitting there after the movie then Heath came in…Nat was with him," she said looking up at Charlie.
Charlie bit her lip and nodded "so she's back," she said and sat across from her.
Ruby looked towards the stairs when Brax came down and stood up "sorry Brax I ruined your date…I'll be in my room," she said and walked by him.
"It's okay Rubes, I'm gonna head off you talk to your mum," he said and picked up his keys.
"Don't mind me!" she called back and closed her bedroom door.
Charlie sighed and stood up "I forgot to tell her," she said and shook her head "how the hell could I forget that?"
Brax walked over to her "babes it's not your fault," he said and pulled her into him "it's mine I should have told Casey to take her out or something."
Charlie looked up at him "I have to go talk to her."
"I know," he nodded lowering his head he kissed her sweetly "I'm gonna head home I need to talk to the boys they'll be asking questions, I'm sure she didn't leave quietly," he chuckled.
Charlie giggled "no I don't imagine she did, Ruby has the Buckton temper," she replied "I'm sorry," she said looking up at him again "I know we tried to save some of our date."
"Don't you worry about it, I'm taking you out tomorrow just me and you away from here," he smiled and stepped back "go talk to her, I'll text ya in a while," he said and walked to the door, stopping at it he kissed her quickly "night babes," he said and slipped out the door.
"Night!" she called after him, she waved him off and shut the door, leaning against it she sighed when were things gonna get easy for them? Pushing herself off the door she made her way towards the stairs ready to explain.
….
Over at his house Brax let himself in to see an awkward Kyle sitting beside Natalie while Heath snored away on the sofa "why are you still up?" he asked.
"Uh coz it's only half ten," Kyle frowned.
"Yeah and you two are back in school in the morning…where's Casey?" he asked.
"He went to his room as soon as I got here," Natalie answered "hasn't been out since."
Brax went on as if she hadn't said anything "I'm at work first thing so if you two want a life be ready for half eight and tell Case that too," he said and walked into the kitchen.
Natalie waited for Kyle to go to his room and stood up walking to the kitchen she leaned on the doorframe "if you have a problem with me being here just say so."
Brax pulled down a cup "I'm not hiding it," he said and turned to face her "you might be carrying my brothers' baby but don't think that'll make me warm to you…two days and I want you gone," he said and walked by her with his coffee.
"How was she while I was gone?" she asked.
Brax turned to face her "go ask her yourself," he chuckled when Natalie looked down to the floor "that's right, you can't," he smirked.
"You don't know me Brax you have no idea what I've been through."
"No, but I know what Charlie's been through and trust me none of it had anything to do with you or that dog!" he spat and walked on to his room, he had to walk away before he said things Charlie would kill him for letting out.
Natalie sighed and walked to the sofa, seeing Heath's car keys on the coffee table she looked towards Brax's room before walking to the table and picking them up. Slipping on her coat she scribbled Heath a quick note and slipped out the door.
….
Over at her house Charlie had spent the past forty minutes explaining the situation before Ruby got too angry and told her to drop it, she now sat at the bench with a glass of wine. She was due in the station at eight she knew she wasn't getting any sleep, she looked towards her door when there was a quiet tap, frowning as to who would be calling this late she walked to it and opened it cautiously-shaking her head at who was on the other side "what are you doing here?" she whispered loudly.
"Can I come in?" Natalie asked "I just want to talk, if you want me to leave I will but I really think we should talk…we can't go on like this Charlz."
Charlie was about to yell when she remembered Ruby was upstairs and quite frankly she was tired of yelling, sighing she dropped her hand from the door and walked to the bench "I'm going to bed in a few minutes," she said and sat down.
Natalie walked in and closed the door over "I spoke to Brax when he got home," she said walking to the bench.
"Did you sleep with him too?" Charlie asked flatly.
Natalie sat down "okay I deserved that, but no, it's actually what he said," she said and sat down.
Charlie looked over at her "and what did he say that made you drive all the way over here?"
Natalie looked down at the bench "he said something smart and I said he didn't know me he didn't know what I'd been through, and he said he knew you and what you'd been through."
"So what's the point here?" Charlie asked.
Natalie looked at her "he said it had nothing to do with me or Angelo?"
Charlie stood up and downed the rest of her wine "so now you're worried that you weren't here for me?" she asked and placed the glass in the sink.
Natalie turned around in her seat "I know you don't need me, that's more Pete and Jack's area…you never needed me-not even when we were kids," she said and turned back in her seat.
Charlie leaned against the counter and looked over at her little sister she was right, she never needed her, never turned to her for anything…never bothered whether she was there or not. Looking down at her hands she closed her eyes "I was pregnant too," she whispered.
Natalie whipped around to her "what!" she shrieked and jumped off the stool "what do you mean was?" she asked and took a step closer to her "Charlie!" she yelled when she wouldn't answer her.
Charlie looked up at her as a tear fell "I was eight and a half weeks when I lost my baby….the night you two left," she said and wiped her face.
"Charlie," she gasped "I'm so sorry," she said and took a step closer to her.
"You don't get to feel sorry for me!" she yelled "it was better all round," she said shakily.
"Charlie," Natalie whimpered and put her hand on her shoulder "you should have told me, I never would have called you about my own baby problems."
Charlie shrugged her off and walked around her "he's still me niece or nephew, no matter how much I hate you right now it has nothing to do with them, I wasn't going to ignore something so serious."
Before Natalie could reply Charlie's phone rang "that'll be Brax…you should go," she said and picked up her phone. She frowned at Keith's mobile number "Keith?" she said quickly.
At the mention of his name Natalie stopped and turned back to her.
"Hey Charlie, um I'm sorry I have some bad news for you," he said slowly.
"Is dad okay?" she asked shooting a glance at Natalie.
"No," he sighed "he suffered another stroke…his breathing is shallow he's not responding, I'm sorry I think you and your family should get down here and be prepared to say your good byes," he said sadly.
"No, Keith," she whimpered "he was fine when I called earlier."
"I'm so sorry Charlie he's not responding to anything…there's nothing else we can do but make him comfortable."
Charlie let out a shaky breath "I'm on my way," she said and hung up, lowering the phone she looked over at Natalie. Running into the living room she grabbed her keys "RUBY!" she screamed up the stairs "we gotta go right now!" she yelled and pulled on shoes.
"Charlie what's going on-is dad okay?" Natalie asked.
"No," she replied "dad's not gonna make it through the night… RUBY!" she screamed again.
Ruby knew by her mother's tone something was wrong she ran down the stairs dressed "mum?" she asked wide eyed.
"Baby it's granddad, get in the car," Charlie said and grabbed her phone running out the door.
Jumping into her car she dialled Peter as Ruby and Natalie climbed in-family feud aside for the moment "Pete!" she yelled "Keith called you gotta get down to the hospital now!"
Peter sighed "what is it now?" he asked.
"He's had another stoke…he's saying he won't make it through the night!" she cried as she tore away from her house using her built in sirens.
Peter jumped up "on the way, I'll pick up Jack you just get there…I love ya," he said and hung up.
"Mum?" Ruby whimpered her eyes filling with tears "is granddad going to die?"
"I don't know baby," she whispered and put her foot down speeding up.
Arriving at the hospital all three ran along the halls "Keith!" Charlie yelled as soon as she saw him.
Keith held his hands up "take it easy," he said when they skidded to a halt in front of him.
"Where is he?" Ruby cried.
Charlie pulled her into her side "has he responded?" she asked hopeful.
Keith sighed he really did hate his job sometimes "no Charlie, I'm sorry he's deteriorating fast, he's slipping in and out of consciousness so he might talk for a bit, I've just given him some morphine to help him relax."
"So this is really it?" Natalie asked.
Keith nodded sadly "yes…I'm sorry."
"How long?" Charlie asked in a daze.
"A few hours…go be with him," he said and squeezed her hand "and I suggest you call anyone you need to now," he said and left them to it.
Charlie took Ruby by the hand and led her to their dad's room with Natalie behind, opening the door she stopped in the doorway as Ruby ran to the bed and began to sob.
She looked over as Natalie leaned on the other side of the doorframe "he said he never wanted to see me again," she said looking at Ross.
Charlie nodded "I know-that doesn't matter now…I need to call Shell and everyone else," she said and walked off.
When she arrived back Jack Peter Martha Georgie and Maddy had arrived and all gathered around the bed "mum!" Maddy shrieked when Ross opened his eyes "granddad is awake!" she said excitedly.
"Sweetie calm down that's not always a good sign," Martha said softly.
"Charlie," Ross whispered.
"I'm here daddy, I'm here," she said slipping her hand into his.
Ross smiled "just wanted to see your beautiful face one last time princess."
"Don't talk like that daddy," she said and squeezed his hand.
Ross looked beyond her to see Natalie "you should be ashamed of yourself but you're my daughter and I love you and I'm still proud of the woman you are...before you did what you did-get your life back on track and mend bridges life is too short to hold grudges- and I'm talking to you all on the last part."
"I love you too…I'm so sorry daddy," Natalie whimpered.
Ross moved onto Maddy and Ruby "and my beautiful grandbabies," he said and held out both hands to which they took "look after your mums and dad for me, I love you both with all my heart, I am so proud of you two… keep me smiling up there," he chuckled.
"We love you too granddad," Ruby sniffed "we'll make you proud."
"Love you so much granddad," Maddy said and hugged him.
"Martha, Georgie," he called waiting for them to step to the bed "you keep those boy of mine in line…and maybe give them a son," he chuckled "you've been a part of this family for as long as I can remember, I love you like I do my own daughters-I am happy to have had the pleasure of calling you my daughters."
"Love you too Ross and don't worry about him," Georgie sniffed and moved closer to Peter.
Martha wiped a tear as it rolled down her cheek "I love you too Ross you've always been here for me," she said and smiled down on him "we'll keep both boys inline you can count on us."
"Boys!" he called and smiled when Jack and Peter stepped into view "I am proud of you for the men you've become….look after all my girls, I love you two so much you kids are the best thing I ever had."
Peter smiled and squeezed his hand "don't worry about us dad I'll hold this family together and I love you too, I'm just sorry you have to go through this."
"Don't be sorry son I've lived my life, I've seen you all grow up, I get to be with your mother now… I'm happy," Ross smiled.
Jack sniffed "I love ya dad," he said and kissed him on the head "I hope one day I'll be the cop you once were."
Ross chuckled "Charlie can still take you."
Jack and everyone else chuckled too "yes she can," Jack said and looked over at her "she can handle herself."
"Charlie!" Ross called again "I am proud most of all of you," he smiled "you've been through so much, you've raised a beautiful daughter on your own, you made Sergeant and worked hard to get it, you have your own business and yet you still have time for your family and friends."
"She's wonderwoman dad didn't we tell you?" Peter chuckled.
Ross chuckled and let out a shaky breath "I love you princess- so much, Brax is a great bloke-let him in…be happy baby, keep smiling," he said and closed his eyes.
"Dad?" Charlie whimpered and squeezed his hand "dad!" she yelled and shook him, her head snapping to the heart monitor as it made the final beep "daddy," she whimpered as her bottom lip trembled but yet no tears fell she wanted them to- it was like they were trapped.
Peter walked up behind her and slipped his hands onto her shoulders "he's gone sweetie," he said softly.
Charlie just nodded, she looked over as Ruby and Maddy began to sob-Martha and Watson taking them away. She looked behind her to see Natalie still standing where she was tears dripping off her chin "get over here," she said and looked back down at her dad.
Natalie walked slowly to the bed and stopped beside Jack-who pulled her into him, all four looking down at their dad holding onto one another.
A few hours later Natalie pulled up at Heath's house and climbed out with Ruby- she had called Casey and he told her to come over. Walking inside Heath was now awake and Casey sat beside him springing up when Ruby walked through the door "I'm so sorry Rubes," he said and hurried to her.
Natalie walked by them and sat beside Heath "uh sorry Nat," he said and rubbed her knee.
A sleepy Brax walked out to see what all the noise was about "what's going on?" he asked as he saw Ruby buried into Casey.
Ruby sobbed louder and clung to Casey. Brax turned to Natalie "what is going on?" he yelled.
Heath stood up and walked over to him "uh her dad passed on," he said quietly.
Brax's eyes went wide he had called Charlie and assumed she was asleep when she didn't answer, running into his room he pulled on clothes and ran back out "Rubes where's mum?" he asked as he grabbed his keys.
"She's still at the hospital," Natalie answered.
Brax walked by them and out the door Charlie was his only concern, as he pulled away from his house he called her and sighed when it went to mail.
Pulling up at the hospital he ran inside "mate!" he called seeing Keith "Charlie Buckton, where is she?"
Keith turned back to him "are you family?" he asked.
"I'm her boyfriend," he replied knowing he wouldn't get any further if he said anything else.
"Room five…she's alone," Keith said and walked off.
Brax hurried along to the room and found her sitting in the dark on the empty bed clutching his dressing gown, walking in he sat beside her.
She looked up and smiled weakly "hey baby," she said and looked back down.
Brax scooted closer to her "why didn't you call me?" he asked and pulled her into him.
Charlie shrugged "left my phone in the car…sorry," she mumbled against him.
Brax sighed "I'm so sorry babes," he said and rested his chin on her head.
Charlie sighed heavily and slid her arm across his front "so unexpected…he was laughing and joking when I called him earlier-he was talking to me right up until…," she trailed off "the last thing he said to me was keep smiling…then he closed his eyes and that was it."
"Let me take you home?" he asked.
Charlie pulled away from him "Keith needs to sort out a few stuff and get me to sign stuff."
"Where is everyone else?" Brax asked.
"Martha and Georgie took Maddy home, Jack went off by himself-he's probably still around and Pete went to talk to the guy about taking dads stuff…and you know where Rubes and Nat are," she added.
"Babes," he said softly "Pete can deal with the paperwork let me take you home," he said again.
Before Charlie could reply Peter walked into the room "Charlz I'm gonna take you home now-Jack already went, they can't do anything till morning…Brax," he greeted when he spotted him.
"Pete," he nodded "…sorry about your dad," he said.
Peter dropped his head for a moment "thanks," he said and looked up again "are you gonna take her home?" he asked.
"If she lets me," Brax replied.
"I have my car here," Charlie said and stood up "I have to drop you off Pete Georgie took your car," she said and placed the gown on the bed.
"I'll take your car you go with Brax," Peter said and took her keys from the locker "I'll call you in a bit," he said and dropped a kiss on her forehead "I love ya," he said and walked out of the room.
"My phone!" she called after him "it's in the car!"
"I have to pass your house I'll drop it in…don't stay here too long," Peter said and walked out of the room.
Brax sat watching her stare down at the gown for a few minutes "babe," he said a few minutes later.
"Don't call me that!" she yelled.
Brax sighed and stood up "sorry, forgot…let's go," he said.
Charlie slipped her hand into his "I'm sorry I'm all over the place," she said as they started to walk.
Brax pulled her into him "don't worry about it…Ruby is at mine do you want me to take you there?"
"Yeah she'll need me," Charlie replied and leaned into him as they walked outside.
….
A while later Charlie sat on the sofa running her fingers through Ruby's hair as she slept on her lap-Natalie asleep on her shoulder, she was in a daze she was numb.
Brax sat watching her from the other chair he had sent Heath Casey and Kyle back to their rooms when he got back with Charlie. He looked toward the door when there was a short quiet tap looking at Charlie again he stood up who the hell was knocking at his door at five am? Walking to it he opened it and was faced with a woman he'd never seen before "can I help you?" he asked.
"Uh, I hope so…is this the Braxton house?" she asked.
"Yeah," Brax said slowly.
She nodded "I'm Michelle…Charlie's aunt, she called me and told me she was here," Michelle said.
"Oh right…come in," Brax said pulling the door open.
Michelle walked in and was surprised to see Charlie and Natalie so close, she smiled weakly at Brax and walked to the coffee table in front of her and sat down "hey sweetie," she said softly and placed her hand on her knee "why don't you get some sleep too," she said.
Charlie looked up at her and smiled quickly "hey Shell…sorry to have to call you down so late."
"Don't worry about that," she said and slid her hand over hers and sighed "I'm sorry Charlie," she said and squeezed her hand.
Charlie pulled her hand away and slid Natalie to the arm off the chair, lifting Ruby's head she slid out from under her and placed her head on the sofa "I have to go home and get ready for work," she said and walked around the sofa "will you look after them when they wake up?" she asked.
Michelle nodded and stood up "don't do this again Charlie," she said and took a step closer to her "please?" she asked.
Charlie looked down at the floor she was itching to do something-anything to keep her busy "I have to get to work," she said and pulled the front door open.
"Charlie!" Michelle called.
Brax hurried out of the kitchen to see the front door open and Charlie halfway out "Charlie where are you going?" he asked hurrying over.
"I'm going to get ready for work," she replied.
Brax shook his head "you're not going to work come back inside," he said softly.
Michelle stepped up beside him "listen to him sweetie," she said and took a step closer to her "don't do this Charlie your dad wouldn't like to see you like this again."
"Well he's not here to like anything anymore is he!" she yelled and walked towards Brax's car which she decided she was borrowing.
"Charlie!" Brax yelled and hurried to her "babes please come back inside, you're still in shock you don't know what you're doing," he said rubbing her arms.
Michelle sighed in relief when Charlie walked by him and back into the house "I'll be in your room," she said and kept walking.
Brax walked back and stopped beside Michelle watching her go "would she really have gone to work?"
Michelle nodded "when her mum died she wanted to keep herself busy, she did anything and everything….this time is no different," she replied and walked to the kitchen table "just keep an eye on her Brax…she didn't have you last time," she smiled.
Brax closed the door over and walked to his bedroom, going into his room he found her on the bed looking up at the ceiling. Climbing on beside her he lay down-lifting his arm when she scooted to lie on his chest, bringing his arm down around her he pulled her closer "I'm here babes and I'm not going anywhere….everything's gonna be okay," he said and dropped a kiss on her forehead.
Charlie snuggled into him she hadn't really heard what he just said her mind was going a mile a minute she just blew out a breath and closed her eyes.