The next morning Brax rolled over to pull Charlie against him and frowned when all he felt were sheets, opening his eyes he sat up and looked around the room. Yawning he rolled off the bed and walked to the living room where Ruby was on the sofa still asleep-Casey and Kyle were asleep on the floor which meant Michelle and Natalie where in their beds...and Heath was in his own bed. Walking to the kitchen he pinched the bridge of his nose "Charlie," he sighed and leaned back against the counter.

In the station Charlie sat at her desk looking down at a file all she had to do was sign it but her hand didn't seem to want to move. Eventually she scribbled her name and closed the folder, putting it in her done pile she pulled the next one in front of her and opened it, reading a few lines she sighed and closed it. Sitting back in her seat she swung the chair towards the window and looked up at the sky "so dad what now?" she asked "am I ever gonna get to be happy?" she said and bit her lip as her eyes filled with tears-she still hadn't cried yet.

Sitting staring at the sky for a while she turned back to her desk and looked down as her desk phone rang again…Brax for the twentieth time-cancelling the call she stood up and walked to the window, she frowned when she saw Peter's car in his spot. Walking to her door she walked to the next office and stuck her head in frowning when it was empty. She shook her head as steps slowed behind her, turning around she leaned back against the wall and looked at her brother.

"What are ya doing here Charlz?" he asked leaning on the wall beside her.

"I work here same as you," she said and pushed herself off the wall "I got a lot to do," she said and walked back into her office and sat down.

Peter followed her and closed her door "is this gonna be like mum?" he asked slightly worried.

Charlie glanced at him briefly before going back to her report without replying.

"Charlie," Peter said and took the pen from her "do you even remember what happened last time?"

Charlie shot up out of her chair and slammed her hands on the desk "my mum died!" she yelled "of course I remember!"

Peter shook his head "I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about you being in work the next day, being reckless, not focused…getting shot," he said watching her closely.

"My gun jammed," she said and walked by him as the officer on the front desk buzzed in for her.

"You shouldn't have been there in the first place and I'm not gonna sit here and wait for you to self-destruct again!" Peter yelled and followed her "you'll go and get into my car I'm taking you home!"

Charlie continued on as if she hadn't heard him "thanks," she said and took the paper from the officer, reading the message she walked back to her desk and grabbed her keys.

"Charlie are you even listening to me!" he yelled when she walked towards the exit.

"Got somewhere I need to be," she called back and walked out the door.

Peter dropped his head and sighed, he looked over at the officer on the desk "thanks for calling me mate," he said and hurried after her. Climbing in beside her he slammed the door "wherever you go I go," he said and put his belt on.

Charlie rolled her eyes and pulled out of her spot.

…

Brax had tried the hospital first…he didn't think she'd actually go to work- and was getting frustrated when the nurse said she hadn't been in, as he walked outside he stopped when Charlie's blue cruiser pulled up by the door. He stood and waited for her and Peter to get to him "I've been calling you," he said when she stopped in front of him.

"Phones still at home," she said and walked by him.

Peter gave him a quick shrug and followed her, shaking his head he turned back around and followed them "Charlie you need to be at home Ruby is looking for you she's pretty upset," he said once he'd caught up with them.

"Shell will look after her," she replied and grabbed a box Keith had left by the door for her.

Realising what she was here for Peter stopped her "I told you I'd do that when they called," he said taking the box from her.

"It's fine," she said and took the box from him "Keith called me," she said and walked into the room. Opening the top draw she didn't even look at what she was taking she just threw everything into the box and moved onto the next drawer. Once that was done she looked around and threw anything else she saw in the box, moving on to the wardrobe she pulled out whatever clothes were there and looked down as something hit the floor. She froze looking down at the photo looking back at her, after a minute she bent down and picked it up.

Peter walked up behind her and looked over her shoulder "you're tenth birthday," he smiled.

"How do you know that?" Charlie asked looking at the family photo.

"I got you that doll," he said nodding to the doll she was clutching "and I remember that dress, you screamed bloody murder to wear it after mum took out the new dress she got you…that was your party."

Charlie smiled "yeah I remember," she said and dropped it into the box, emptying the wardrobe she handed it to Peter "all done," she said and walked to the gown on the bed. Picking it up she walked to the door and stopped beside Brax looking up at him she held out her hand.

Brax sighed and slipped his hand into hers and started to walk- he thought it was best to let her do what she had to here.

When they got to the front doors Charlie took the box from Peter "can you take the cruiser back?"

Peter nodded and took the keys from her he dropped a kiss on her forehead "I'll drop over later," he said and nodded at Brax and walked to the car.

"Take me to my place?" she asked looking up at him.

"Sure babes," Brax replied and took the box from her.

When they arrived at Charlie's house they both climbed out and went inside, Charlie placed the box on the counter in the kitchen and followed Brax into the living room. Walking to where he sat on the sofa she slipped her knees either side of him and slid onto his lap.

Brax sighed and wrapped his arms around her waist 'another distraction' he said to himself. Looking up at her he studied her she looked lost-no clue what to do next, smiling slightly he pulled her into his chest and wrapped his arms tight around her- he was aware she hadn't cried yet "I'm sorry babes," he said and kissed her shoulder "the little time I spent with your dad I know he was a really great guy…all he talked about was you."

Charlie gripped him tighter as her eyes filled with tears "all good I hope," she said shakily.

Brax didn't miss her voice break "yeah," he said and kissed her shoulder again "it's okay to cry Charlie I'm here for ya," he said.

Charlie sighed and scooted more into him "I can't," she muttered "it won't come out…my eyes keep glazing over but that's as far as it goes," she sniffed.

Brax pulled her back a little "he was real proud of you you know," he said and stroked her cheek "he told me all about you becoming Sergeant and how your graduation was one of the things he never forgot."

Charlie bit her lip as her eyes welled again closing them as a tear escaped and ran down her cheek "he was so happy when I got called up for my diploma, I saw him jump up and clap like a crazy person," she giggled "I saw the smile on his face."

Brax smiled and wiped her tear "yeah he told me he embarrassed you, he also told me how proud of you he was when you had Ruby- how right away you seemed to fall into motherhood…what was it he said… like a bee and honey," he chuckled.

Charlie nodded it was like a flood shot to her eyes and was ready to burst, she couldn't hold it in anymore "he can't be gone he just can't it's too soon…I miss him so much!" she cried and threw her hands over her face and began to sob.

Brax pulled her into him and held her tight as she finally broke down "it's okay Charlie," he said softly "let it all out," he said and pulled her closer.

After her sobs died down Brax lowered his head to see she had cried herself to sleep, slipping his arms around her waist he gently moved her off him and lay her down on the sofa. Standing up he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, stepping back he sighed she needed to get that out, taking one last look at her he threw the blanket from the back of the sofa over her and walked into the kitchen she needed to eat too.

…..

A while later Charlie opened her eyes and looked around the last thing she remembered was sitting here with Brax, sitting up she heard movement in the kitchen, pulling the blanket off her she stood up and walked to the door smiling when she saw him at the stove. Walking up behind him she wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into his back.

Brax smiled and dropped one of his hands onto hers "you feel any better?" he asked.

Charlie nodded against him "didn't get much sleep last night…what are you doing?" she asked peering over his shoulder.

"Making you something to eat," he said and turned in her arms "and you are gonna eat it," he said slipping his hands onto her waist.

Charlie leaned up on her toes and kissed him "thank you for being here for me," she said and kissed him again; tangling her fingers in his hair she deepened the kiss and pulled him closer.

Brax couldn't help himself he got lost in her and kissed her back with just as much passion and want as she was, pulling her flush against him he started to walk her back towards the living room, as soon as she hit the door he lifted her onto his hips and carried her to the sofa and climbed on top of her.

Afterwards they lay on the sofa wrapped around one another "I should go see Rubes," Charlie mumbled against him.

Brax nodded and dropped a kiss on her head "since what I made you is ruined I'll make something for you at mine."

Charlie nodded and sat up "I'm gonna go get clean clothes," she said and grabbed the blanket from the floor and made her way up the stairs.

Brax sighed and started to pull on his clothes he shouldn't have done that-shouldn't have let it get that far.

Over at his house Natalie and Ruby sat in silence at the kitchen table both looking down at the cups Heath had placed in front of them an hour ago. Ruby looked up when Michelle walked out of the bedroom smiling weakly she looked back down "when do you think the coroner will call…to let us know when we can start planning the funeral?" she asked.

Natalie looked up "why do we have to wait anyway we knew he was sick," she asked.

Michelle sat down beside them "they need to confirm the cause of death, because he already had Alzheimer's and the strokes they need to be sure…and don't you worry about planning the funeral your mum and Uncles will do that," she said slipping her hand over Ruby's.

Ruby looked over at Natalie "are you gonna get up and say something?"

Natalie shook her head "no-unless Charlie wants me to do a prayer or something….I wasn't as close to dad as the others, I'm sad to say I didn't really know him."

Ruby shot up out of her seat "that's because you didn't give a damn about anyone else but yourself!" she hissed.

"Ruby!" Michelle said.

"No Shell! Look at what she's done! She went and told granddad what she'd done that same night he had a stroke! This is all her fault!" she cried and ran off sobbing.

Michelle looked after her and sighed turning back to Natalie she shook her head "you can't blame her for being upset."

"I don't," Natalie muttered "I just wish we could put it aside for now."

Michelle stood up "they're all upset they'll direct their anger anywhere they can," she said and followed Ruby.

Natalie sighed and sat back on the chair, looking towards the door when someone knocked she sighed again and stood up. Walking to it she pulled it opened and cursed herself for opening it in the first place "Bianca," she greeted.

"Skank," she said and walked by her.

Natalie rolled her eyes and turned back to the door "Hayls," she greeted.

"It's Hayley to you," she said and walked in.

"Where's Charlie?" Leah asked walking in not waiting for her to say hello to her.

"I don't know she was gone when we all got up...Brax is out looking for her," Natalie said and walked into the kitchen "coffee?" she asked.

"Why are you even in this house-why are you even here?" Bianca asked cutting to the chase.

"Angelo dump you?" Leah asked.

"Girls now is not the time for this," Hayley said as she saw Ruby watching "hey sweetie," she said and walked to her "I'm sorry about your granddad," she said and pulled her into a hug.

Ruby wrapped her arms around her "Brax called he found mum, they're on their way here," she said and pulled back.

"Shell!" Bianca screeched and ran to her as she appeared behind Ruby.

"Hey love," she said and hugged her.

"I'm so sorry about Ross," Leah said and hugged her after Bianca stepped away.

"Thanks for coming girls it'll mean a lot to Charlie," she smiled.

"We're here for all of you," Hayley said "is there anything we can do?" she asked.

"Just keep Charlie company, she's taking it hard," Michelle said and walked into the kitchen "you girls sit down I'll make coffee," she said nudging Natalie to help her.

…..

Charlie and Brax pulled up at his house "girls are here," he said nodding to Hayley's car outside his house.

Charlie nodded "I'd say Martha called them this morning," she said and climbed out "sorry we're taking over your house… I'll get rid of them and take the others to my house," she said and started to walk up to the door.

"Hey," Brax said and pulled her back "they don't have to go I don't mind you all been here," he said and slipped his hand into hers "stay as long as you all like," he said and opened the door…wishing he hadn't.

Charlie heard yelling and looked over his shoulder sighing she moved around him and stepped into the house.

"You're nothing but a slut- how dare you even come back here!" Bianca yelled and shoved Natalie.

"Settle down you lot!" Michelle yelled stepping in between them.

Natalie scoffed "because you're so perfect… does Leah know you were with both her brothers?"

"Yes I do know! But that was before her and Liam got back together... they weren't engaged or had girlfriends!" She yelled "how could you do that to Charlie! You're nothing but a selfish bitch!" Leah yelled.

"Oi!" Hayley yelled "we're not here for her we're here for Charlie, so shut the hell up or go home!" She yelled angrily.

"Let them go Hayls," Ruby said "she deserves a good slap!" she hissed.

"Shut up Ruby you…" she trailed off when Charlie yelled over them.

"Shut up the lot of you! My dad is dead DEAD! Who gives a shit what she did!" she yelled.

Brax pulled her back to him "let it go," he said and closed the door over "if you girls aren't gonna play nice you can all leave," he said and led Charlie to the sofa "she doesn't need this now," he said and walked into the kitchen.

"Sorry," Bianca muttered and walked to the sofa.

"Yeah me too," Leah sighed and followed her.

"Stay out of her way," Hayley said to Natalie and joined them.

Charlie smiled up at them as they sat around her "thanks," she said.

Hayley slipped her hand into hers "you should have called us last night we would have come down."

Charlie lowered her head "It was so quick it just happened, he was talking to me then he just closed his eyes and that was it."

"Oh sweetie I'm so sorry," Bianca said and slipped her hand into her free one.

"Is there anything we can do?" Leah asked patting her knee.

Charlie shook her head "no, not until we can arrange the funeral," she looked towards the door as it opened and Heath walked in.

He stopped suddenly at the amount of people in his living room "uh I can come back," he said awkwardly.

"This is your house dummy," Charlie said and stood up.

Heath nodded "I know…I found Jack in the drive he'll be in now," he said and spotted Brax in the kitchen "I'll be in the kitchen shout if you lot want anything," he said and hurried over to him.

Charlie walked to the door and stuck her head out waiting on Jack to appear "hey," he said when he got to her "I've just been to yours…Keith called while I was there, he said the corner report is complete so we can go ahead with the arrangements," he said leaning on the wall beside her.

Charlie nodded and looked at the ground "right," she said and looked up again "…tell them I have to go get Pete," she said and walked by him.

"Charlz!" Jack called after her and followed her "you don't have to go we can call him."

"I'm fine, I'll go," she said "I'm taking your car," she said and climbed into it.

Jack sighed heavily as she pulled away from the house and shook his head before going inside.

Charlie pulled up at the station again and turned off the engine she didn't know why she was here it's just where she ended up. Sitting looking at the building she turned her head to see Peter's car still in the same place as earlier, climbing out she walked inside and into her office. Closing the door over she walked to her desk and sat down, swinging the chair around so it's back faced the door she lay back into it and stared out the window arranging the funeral made it all the more real and that she wasn't ready to face.

She groaned heavily when a knock came to her door before she even had a chance to reply the door opened and someone walked in. Charlie swung her chair around and gasped "Uncle Joey!" she squealed and shot out of her chair she hadn't seen him in about ten years "you came," she said and threw herself at him.

"Hey princess," he chuckled and hugged her tight "Shell called, I went to your house and no one was home…knew you'd be here," he said and stepped back.

Charlie walked back to her seat "we've just been given the go ahead to arrange the funeral," she said looking down at her desk "and I took off I cou-"

"Can't face it," Joey said and walked to sit on the desk "I know you kiddo," he said "but this won't help… you have to face it it's the only way for you to get through it," he said softly.

Charlie nodded "I know but there's so much going on the last few weeks…I can't take any more," she muttered.

Joey nodded "Shell told me all about Nat…have you spoken to her?"

"Yeah," she scoffed "she called me with another drama and of course I still went running- and now she's living at my boyfriend's house…turns out his brother is the baby's' father not Angelo."

Joey sighed and pulled her up and into a hug "you're a kind hearted person Charlie, no matter what she's done you can't turn your back on her-or anyone else, you don't have it in you."

Charlie sighed and leaned into him "I know but I just don't have it in me to forgive her either."

Brax arrived at the station after Jack had come in alone, walking to her office he pushed the door open and stopped at the sight of another man holding her "what's going on here?" he asked stepping into the office.

Charlie pulled away "hey," she smiled "this is my Uncle Joey he just got here," she said nodding to him "Joey this is Brax…my boyfriend," she said and smiled at him.

Joey walked over and held his hand out "nice to meet you mate, Ross told me he'd made a new domino friend," he chuckled.

Brax shook his head "yeah you too, yeah had me hooked on the dominos," he said and walked over to Charlie "when are you gonna stop running off?" he asked.

Charlie leaned into him "I'm sorry I wasn't ready for it."

Brax wrapped his arm around her "Pete is at mine with Georgie and Martha."

Charlie nodded "we better go so…is anyone with you Joey?" she asked looking over at him.

"Yeah Demi and Brodie are…Elaine will come for the funeral," he replied and followed them out the door.

Charlie nodded "any word on Billy or his lot?" she asked.

Joey shook his head "we haven't spoken in years but I have spoken to Steph she's on her way with the boys…I'll meet you at your place."

"We're not there, just follow us," Charlie said as she walked outside with Brax waving at her cousins as she climbed in.

…..

Back at the house Charlie walked in to find the girls had gone and Ruby and the rest of the family sat at the table…Heath hovering awkwardly in the kitchen. Charlie felt bad they had overtaken his house, she walked over to him "we're gonna be a while do you wanna go to my place with Casey and Kyle? No one is there," she offered holding out the key.

Heath looked over at Brax who nodded "uh sure…thanks," he said and took the key from her "I promise I'll look after the place," he said and went into his bedroom.

Charlie sat up on the counter top and smiled when Brax leaned on it beside her "we can't get onto Billy, Joey is here now so while we're altogether we may as well sort it out now."

Peter stood up as Joey and his two kids walked in "you'll help me carry the coffin?" he asked.

Joey pulled him into a hug "of course I will Brodie will too won't you mate," he asked.

Brodie nodded "uh I'm sure there is someone closer that would like to carry it," he said and sat on the arm of the sofa.

"So who exactly is carrying the coffin?" Jack asked.

"Me you Joey…," Peter trailed off trying to think of three others.

"Liam Dan and Noah," Charlie finished for him "they grew up with dad, they visited him, they cared about him." Brax squeezed her hand as she sniffed.

"So flowers?" Jacks aid writing it down.

"Lilies and the Austin flower," Ruby said.

"Songs?"

"My girl," all four said together "and that song that's sung at every funeral you know the holy one," Peter added.

Jack chuckled "the holy one," he said and shook his head "Prayers?"

"Nat Leah Shell and Maddy," Martha said.

Peter turned to Charlie "do you want to do the eulogy?"

"No," she shook her head "you're a better public speaker than me."

"But you will get up and say a few words?" Jack asked

Charlie nodded "at the end I will…who's bringing up the gift things?"

"Bianca and me," Georgie replied.

"Wake?"

"Angelo's," Brax said "…I can get the boys to set up while we're at the service."

"Is anyone gonna sing?" Georgie asked.

"Me and Hayls are singing that song he loved….sitting on the dock of the bay," Ruby said.

"Right now that's all sorted I'm gonna get some sleep," Charlie said and jumped down.

Peter watched her walk by everyone and into Brax's room he stopped Brax as he went to follow her "can I talk to her for a sec?"

"Sure," Brax nodded and sat where Peter had been "has anyone eaten?" he asked.

"No," they all replied.

"Right," Brax said and pulled out his phone "pizza it is," he said and dialled Angelo's.

After everyone had eaten they started to clear off, Peter offered Joey and his kids his place while he stayed at Georgie's. Nat went to see Heath and Ruby decided she wanted to see Casey. Jack and Martha took Maddy home and Michelle decided to go see Irene leaving Brax and Charlie alone.

After cleaning the kitchen Brax walked into his bedroom and shut the door it was just seven but he knew she was exhausted. Climbing onto the bed beside her he lay down and looked up at the ceiling thinking about their conversation on the docks last night, he was so happy when she said she might be in love with him-he felt the same way but afraid it was way too soon to be saying that. He looked over at her when she moved- it was like she knew he was there, her body sought out his and she snuggled into him slinging her arm loosely over his stomach.

Pulling her closer Brax rested his cheek on the side of her head right now they should be on their first date away from here and the dram that seemed to be following them. Sighing he lowered his head and kissed her on the head before dropping his head back to the pillow.

Not long after he fell asleep Charlie woke up, sitting up she looked over at him and smiled kissing him on the cheek she rolled off the bed and padded out of the room. Walking to the kitchen she poured herself a glass of water and stood by the sink, she placed the cup down and walked to the door as someone knocked. Pulling it open her eyes narrowed at the person on the other side "what do you want?"

Chloe smiled "is Brax here?"

"He's asleep," Charlie replied and looked down as something moving caught her eye to see a girl no older than four at her feet.

Chloe smiled and held out her hand "this is for him," she said handing her the envelope "and this is for you," she said as she handed over a second envelope.

"What's this?" Charlie asked looking at the one for her.

"You'll see…tell Brax this is his daughter Carly, I can't look after her any more… it's his turn," Chloe said and dropped a bag "all she needs is in here." She got down to the girls level "mummy has to go now baby okay, but daddy and his girlfriend are gonna look after you for a while, they're really nice and they'll take great care of you," she said and kissed her "I love you sweetheart," she said and stood up.

Charlie was in shock Brax had a daughter- her boyfriend had a daughter. Looking down at the girl she shook her head and ran after her "Chloe wait!" she yelled.

Chloe stopped and turned around "I'm not here to argue Charlie."

"You can't just dump her here Brax doesn't even know about her! She doesn't know him you can't do this!" Charlie yelled.

"I have to!" Chloe yelled back "I have cancer!" she sighed "it's all in the letter…there's nothing else they can do," she looked over at Charlie "I'm gonna die Charlie-they've given me only a few weeks."

Charlie was in shock again "well shouldn't you be spending what time you have left with your daughter?"

Chloe shook her head "I'm already too weak as it is soon I won't be able to get out of bed…I don't want her to see me like this," she sniffed "I've asked Brax to bring her to me when it's my time...I want her to be the last thing I see."

Charlie sighed and walked over to her looking at her for a moment she pulled her into a hug "I'm so sorry Chloe," she said, she didn't even know this woman, she had seen her kiss Brax…she had just dumped a kid on them-his kid! Why the hell was she hugging her and feeling sorry for her?

Chloe sighed shakily and rested her chin on Charlie's shoulder "I guess that's what I get for not telling Brax about her-for putting my career before them…and trying to break you two up."

"My dad died last night," Charlie said having no clue why she even mentioned it.

"Oh Charlie I'm so sorry…I didn't know I would have waited a few days," she said and hugged her tighter.

Charlie pulled back "you got time for a coffee?"

"Um," Chloe looked toward the house "yeah I got time."

Charlie smiled quickly "the black Ute get her settled I'll be back in a sec," she said and walked to Carly "hey sweetie why don't you go to mummy and we'll go get something nice," Charlie smiled.

Carly nodded "will I get to see my daddy?" she asked

Charlie smiled again although she wanted to scream "in a while honey…go to mummy," she said and stood up.

As soon as the door was closed Charlie closed her eyes and let out a sob, this wasn't happening, Brax didn't have a kid, she hadn't just been dumped on them, she wasn't going to be left with him, she did not exist! Going to the bathroom she cleaned up her face and blew out a shaky breath why her? she asked why always her- can't anything good happen?" shaking her head she walked back to the living room and grabbed Brax's keys whatever was going on it wasn't that little girls fault. Walking to the car Charlie climbed in and started up the car "you like ice cream Carly?" she asked.

"Yeah strawberry is my favourite!" she said excitedly.

"No way mine too," Charlie smiled she looked over at Chloe and smiled quickly as she pulled away why the hell was she doing this? She should have slapped her slammed the door and woke Brax up…and maybe slapped him too-but as her Uncle said she's a kind-hearted person who can't turn her back on anyone.

A/N so did anyone see that coming? All will be explained in the next chapter then hopefully happy Chax…hope you all enjoyed this I know it was quite boring until the end but at least it's out of the way now.