An hour later Charlie sat on the sofa in Brax's with Carly's head resting on her lap, she looked down at the little girl asleep and sighed heavily this was all they needed-but she reminded herself it wasn't Carly's fault. She'd had a long chat with Chloe before they parted ways-her taking Carly back to Brax's...she thinks she understands why Chloe is doing this.
Brax had woken and walked into the living room smiling at Charlie on the sofa he walked by the sofa and stopped his eyes on a little girl "who's that babes-another relative?" he asked and walked back to the arm.
Charlie looked up at him she was about to turn his world upside down "this is your daughter Brax," she said and looked down at her again.
Brax stared back at her waiting for her to say she was kidding when she didn't he took a step back panic rising in him "that's not something to joke about Charlie…who is she?" he asked again darting his eyes between them.
Charlie sighed and picked up the letter beside her "I'm not kidding…Chloe was here," she said and held it out to him.
"W-what?" he stuttered and took a step back looking down at the girl in horror.
Charlie shoved her hand out further "just read the letter," she said waiting for him to take it.
Brax stood rooted to the spot staring at the letter in her hand this had to be a mistake "Brax take it!" she yelled pulling him from his state of shock slightly, shaking her head when he still didn't move she gently slid out from under Carly and stood up, placing her head on a cushion she threw the blanket over her and walked to him "she's your daughter," she said and shoved the letter into his chest.
Brax clutched the letter to his chest and stared at Charlie he didn't know what to say he was in shock his body had gone numb. He looked over at Charlie again and sighed at her watery eyes god knows what she must be thinking-he didn't even know what he was thinking "what did Chloe say?" was all he asked.
Charlie picked up her bag "not much just that she had to leave her here and you're to read the letter," she said and walked to the door "I'm gonna head home," she said and opened it.
Brax placed the letter on the table he wasn't ready to read it yet "hey you can't go!" he called and hurried after her "what am I supposed to do with the kid?" he asked he was panicking he didn't know what to do.
Charlie turned back to him "she's your kid Brax get used to her being here she's not going anywhere…I gotta get home and make sure everything is ready."
"Charlie please I don't know what to do here," he pleaded and hurried after her "I have no clue how to look after a kid please don't go this has to be some kind of mistake."
Charlie sighed heavily and turned back to him she knew it wasn't his fault either she was trying her very best not to lose it at him "it's too much for me Brax I'm sorry…I can't deal with this," she whimpered "I'm burying my dad tomorrow I can't deal with a kid being dumped on us," she said and wiped her face.
Brax sighed, for a moment he'd forgotten about her dad he walked to her and pulled her into him "I'm sorry babes I wasn't thinking," he said and held her tight.
"I'm sorry she got dumped on us," she said and wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest "we never get a break do we?" she said and gripped the back of his shirt tightly.
Brax didn't miss the way she said 'us' that was her second time to say it-which to him meant she wasn't running away, he had wanted to say this before but at the short time they'd been together he didn't want to freak her out and lose her…he couldn't hold it in anymore "I love you you know that," he said looking down at her.
Charlie's eyes went wide she shot her head up to look at him "really?" she asked.
Brax nodded "I do and I don't care if you're not ready to say it back I love you and that is never gonna change."
Charlie smiled up at him she wanted to say it she already told him she might be in love with him but for some reason it wouldn't come out, she leaned up on her toes and kissed him.
Brax pulled her closer and deepened the kiss he had just told her he loved her and she was still here. Breaking the kiss he pulled her into a hug "you know Heath is probably gonna be in your bed," he said after a minute.
Charlie glanced at her watch she didn't realise it was so late "as long as there are no girls in it I don't care," she said and stepped away from him. She looked up at him she knew he was worried about Carly she could see it in his eyes he really had no clue what to do she couldn't leave him "let's get Carly into Casey's bed and we'll deal with all this tomorrow," she said and walked back into the house.
Brax sighed he'd forgotten about the kid on his sofa-his kid, walking back into the house he closed the door and walked to the sofa. Staring down at the kid he couldn't help but notice she looked so like him-the same black hair the same nose even the same shaped eyebrows, sighing he cursed Chloe and bent down to pick her up. Carrying her to the bed he waited for Charlie to pull the covers back then placed her in it "uh what do we do now?" he asked as Charlie pulled the covers up over her.
Charlie slipped her hand into his "we let her sleep she'll call me if she needs anything," she said and walked out of the room pulling him along.
Walking to the sofa she dropped into it and pulled him with her so do you wanna talk about it?" she asked after a few minutes.
Brax shook his head "no, don't think it's sunk in yet I haven't even opened the letter yet…we'll leave it until tomorrow," he said and pulled her closer "are you gonna stay here?" he asked.
Charlie nodded against him "yeah but I have to get up early and make sure Pete and Jack did everything then I'll have to go get Ruby and Nat up."
"So you've forgiven her then?" Brax asked cautiously.
Charlie shook her head "no but we have to stick together this is not about us," she said seriously and looked up at him "I don't think I'll ever forgive her."
Brax nodded "no one will blame you," he said and dropped a kiss on her forehead "do you wanna go to bed?" he asked.
"No," Charlie said and lay back on his chest "let's just sit here for a while it's the only peace we're gonna get."
The next morning Charlie opened her eyes and groaned as pain shot through her neck and back they had fallen asleep on the sofa. Sitting up she groaned again as he body shot back to normal, standing up she walked to the kitchen and turned on the coffee pot-remembering what day it was she lowered her head this was her final goodbye. The pot clicking brought her back to reality looking at the clock she saw she had a few hours and a walk would do her good.
Drinking her coffee she stood looking out the window, she turned as feet padded towards her-her face dropping when Carly appeared…she'd forgotten all about her "hey sweetie," she said composing herself quickly "did you sleep okay?"
Carly nodded and looked around nervously her eyes landing on Brax "is he my daddy?" she asked.
Charlie walked over and got down on her knees "he is honey and you know what?" she asked "you're a pretty special girl because he is the best man in the whole world, you couldn't get a better daddy than him," she smiled.
Carly nodded again "does he know I'm here?" she asked glancing at Brax again.
Charlie nodded "of course he does he just didn't want to wake you up last night," she said also glancing at Brax. "How about you get dressed and I'll bring you for a walk on the beach then we can meet daddy for breakfast."
Carly nodded "can you help me get dressed?" she asked shyly.
"Sure," Charlie smiled and stood up "what do you want to wear today?" she asked grabbing her bag on the way.
"Mummy packed my favourite clothes…the yellow dress," Carly said when Charlie began to pull everything out.
"Oh I love yellow," Charlie smiled and pulled it out "wow, this is beautiful I can see why it's your favourite," she said.
"My Nan got it for me when we went shopping," Carly smiled
"Wow you have a great Nan don't you," she smiled and slipped it over her head.
"The black shoes," Carly smiled "with the yellow ribbon for my hair."
"Proper little girl aren't you," Charlie giggled as she pulled out the hairbrush and ribbon "do you need socks with those shoes?" she asked placing everything on the bed
"No but I need clean ninnies," she said and reached into the bag "this part I can do myself."
Charlie stood up "I'm going to get my own dress on call me when you're ready and I'll come back in," she said and walked out of the room. She chuckled to herself her mum had always called them ninnies she'd never taught Ruby to say it it was always underwear. Shaking her head she walked into her room and pulled out a dress she'd left here smiling when she could smell Brax's washing powder off it, pulling off her clothes she slipped it on and the thongs she'd left here too normal shoes were no good for the beach.
Carly popped her head into the room "can you do my hair Charlie?" she asked.
"Sure sweetie hop up here," Charlie said patting the bed, taking the brush from her she began to run it through her hair "you know when my daughter was your age I used to love doing things in her hair maybe I can show you a few."
Carly smiled "yeah mummy couldn't do much just a pony and a braid…how old is your daughter?" she asked.
Charlie smiled "she's seventeen now she does her own hair…all done," she said trying the ribbon in a bow.
Carly looked over at herself in the mirror "wow Charlie that is so cool mummy never did it that way."
"I can change it to the way mummy does it if you like you just tell me and I'll fix it."
"No," Carly said and jumped off the bed "I like it…when are we going?" she asked.
Charlie grabbed her phone "now we just need to leave daddy a note or he'll worry," she said walking to the dresser. Writing Brax a quick note she walked to where he was on the sofa and put it on the table kissing him on the forehead she walked to the door "let's go," she smiled and pulled it open.
Carly held he hand out "can you hold my hand?" she asked
Charlie smiled she couldn't believe how normal she was being-how comfortable she felt around her and she didn't even know here or Brax "sure honey," she said and slipped her hand into her tiny one, glancing back at Brax she had a feeling he'd be just fine with her- closing the door the two made their way down the drive.
Brax yawned and opened his eyes groaning at the pain in his neck he sat up "Charlie?" he called frowning when he got no reply "babes?" he called and stood up. After doing a lap of the house he frowned again and walked to where his phone was on the table-picking up the note instead took Carly for a walk on the beach if you're up for it we'll be in the dinner round eight for breakfast if not text me xx C he sighed he'd forgotten all about his daughter. Remembering the letter from Chloe he walked to the kitchen table and picked it up playing with it for a few moments he pulled a chair out and sat down. Opening it he scanned the first few lines dropping it he pinched the bridge of his nose "Chloe," he sighed and looked down on it, sighing heavily he picked it up again and forced himself to finish it.
Brax, I am so sorry about the way I've done this but this letter will explain. First of all I want you to know I have never felt guiltier than I do right now, I kept your daughter from you out of selfishness my career and what I wanted came first. she asked about you all the time I showed her pictures she know all about her uncles too, I told her you were too far away to come visit. I know you probably hate me and you have every right to. Carly is your daughter, she's five in June-24th, she's allergic to coconut so don't give her anything with even traces of it, she loves the Disney channel and fairies are her favourite she loves pizza and pasta won't touch lasagne though. She's down to start in summer bay preschool in a few weeks she's down as Carly Braxton it's all been paid for, she can't sleep without her teddy Coco-she always has him.
Brax sighed again but continued reading.
I had no other choice but to leave her, I have cancer and they caught it too late…I'm gonna die Brax and I'd rather her not around to watch me fade away. I am sorry if she's turned your life upside down I hope you understand why I wanted her to be with you. Again I am so sorry for what I have done no words will ever make up for it- but I will ask one thing-when it's my time I would like you to bring her to me (I'll be at my mum's) her little face is the last thing I want to see. I hope you and Charlie are very happy together and I'm sorry about all that too (I found out her name when you called her in case you're wondering) look after our baby Brax be there for her, love her, protect her…tell her mummy loves her so much and I'll always be watching over her- and hey I never stopped loving or thinking about you we just weren't meant to be-bye Brax, Chloe.
Brax threw down the letter and sniffed "god damn it Chloe," he whispered and dropped his head into his hands. He couldn't believe what he had just read this couldn't be real, looking at the clock he saw he'd just enough time to get a shower and changed before he met Charlie and Carly. Standing up he took the letter and walked into his bedroom, folding it he placed it in his top drawer and walked to his bathroom he didn't want to think about Chloe now.
A while later he pulled into the diner lot and turned off the engine looking over he saw a little girl run off the beach-his little girl, he looked back as Charlie ran up behind her and lifted her off the ground. He chuckled when Carly let out a happy squealed, he looked at Charlie she looked happy he hadn't seen that smile in a while. He waited for them to go into the diner before he climbed out and walked toward the entrance his heart hammering out of his chest-this was the first time he'd speak to his four year old daughter.
Walking to the door he stopped and watched them again the way the both laughed and smiled it was like they'd known each other a long time. Blowing out a breath he walked over to them "hey," he said looking down at Carly.
Charlie smiled "hey," she said and looked over at Carly who was looking up at Brax "you gonna say hello sweetie?" she asked.
Carly nodded "hi daddy," she nearly whispered.
Brax felt his heart swell he'd never been called that before it felt great "hey Carly," he said and sat down thanking god she didn't start screaming or something.
Charlie looked down at her watch "um I have to go soon will you be okay with her for the day?" she asked.
Brax looked over at her "what do you mean?" he frowned.
Charlie leaned forward "I can't expect you to be there today."
"Charlie I will be there I'll have to bring her with me but I'll be there," he replied.
Charlie stood up "we're just going to order you stay here Carly," she said and pulled Brax out of his seat. Pulling him to the counter she turned to face him "you can't bring her she won't know what's going on and everyone will be asking questions, you just met her Brax I don't expect you to do anything for me today go spend time with your daughter."
Brax slipped his hands onto her waist "nothing you can say will keep me away from you today I wanna be there for you and I'm going to be. I'll ask Heath or Kyle to watch her she'll be fine, Chloe said she knows all about them so she won't be freaked."
"So you read the letter?" Charlie asked.
Brax leaned in and kissed her "yes I did and don't change the subject," he said and stepped back "I'm gonna be there so let's order so we can go home and get ready," he said and walked back to the table.
"Hey," Charlie called stopping him in his tracks "I love ya," she smiled- she knew she said she couldn't last night but since then something had changed-now she had no problem saying it.
Brax smiled back "love ya too babes," he said and sat down his stomach was doing flips he wasn't expecting that out of her for a while-if ever smiling he turned to Carly "so what did you order?"
"The pancakes, you?" Carly asked looking up from her drawing.
"Me too they're my favourite…you like to draw?" he asked.
Carly nodded "I have loads in my bag I can show you later," she said and looked back down.
Brax smiled again this wasn't so bad "sure sweetie I'd love to see them."
Charlie stood looking at herself in the mirror smoothing out her black dress she sighed heavily she shouldn't be doing this-he should still be here, she looked back at the door when someone knocked-turning back when Natalie walked in.
"Can I borrow black shoes…I haven't got any," she asked from the doorway.
"Wardrobe," Charlie said and looked at herself again.
"You got that dress for Pete's thirtieth," Natalie said as she slipped on shoes.
"I know," Charlie nodded and bit on her lip she didn't want to talk to her-see her but today she had to keep her cool "didn't think to go buy a new one."
Natalie nodded she knew she didn't want her here but she was grateful she wasn't saying anything "dad said you looked beautiful that night," she said and walked out of the room.
Charlie looked to the family photo from that night on her dresser she smiled at everyone smiling back at her. She rolled her eyes at the door opened again dropping her eyes to the floor she hoped Natalie would just go away. She looked up when arms slipped around her waist and pulled her back.
"You okay?" Brax asked resting his chin on her shoulder.
Charlie smiled quickly "holding it together," she said and leaned back into him "where's Carly?"
"Kyle has her at home they're having a movie day, he was delighted to find he had a niece," Brax replied.
Charlie nodded "how did Heath and Casey take it?"
Brax kissed her neck and stepped back "don't worry about them…Jack is outside with Martha."
Charlie nodded and smoothed out her dress "I just need a minute," she said and walked to her window.
Brax nodded "I'll be in the kitchen," he said and slipped out of her room.
Charlie sighed heavily and looked out the window as her aunt Michelle and uncle Joe walked up her drive she knew it sounded bag but she just wanted to get today over with so they'd all move on and let her get on with her own life. Sighing once more she grabbed her bag off the bed and walked to the door blowing out a deep breath she pulled the door open and walked down the stairs.
"Hey sweetie," Joe said and hugged her "how you holding up?" he asked.
Charlie shrugged "fine considering…where's Ruby?"
"She's outside with April," Michelle answered as she walked by.
Charlie nodded "I'm just gonna go see Pete excuse me," she said and stepped around them smiling at Brax as she slipped out the back door.
She found herself walking away from the house she kept on going until the beach came into view. Sinking into the sand she stared out over the water closing her eyes as a gust of wind came at her, she smiled and opened her eyes "I know you're here daddy," she said out loud "this is the hardest thing I'll ever have to do…how am I going to do it?" she asked.
"By letting those who love you in and letting them be there for you," Charlie turned around and smiled as her friends stood before her.
Hayley sat down beside her "we saw you walk out of the house," she said and slipped her hand into hers "you're gonna make it through this Charlz you are."
Bianca sat the other side of her "we're all here for ya-anything you need," she said and slipped her hand into hers.
Leah sat in front of her "you're not alone Charlie, you know you can talk to us about anything," she said and rubbed her leg.
"Day or night," Martha said and sat down with the others.
"I don't know what to do," Charlie said and looked down "I have to be strong for the others but I can't do it anymore, I feel like I'm suffocating- like there's a hole in my heart that won't go away," she sniffed.
"You don't have to be strong for anyone Charlie," Hayley said softly "you're going through exactly what they are."
Charlie nodded "I know but I've always been the strongest it's like everyone expects me to just hold them together."
"No one will think any less of you Charlie, he's your dad and now he's gone it's okay to have feelings," Bianca said and squeezed her hand.
Charlie pulled her hands out of theirs and stood up "you guys should go on I'll see you at the church" she said and stepped over Hayley's legs.
"Are you going to be okay?" Martha asked.
Charlie looked ahead to see Brax making his way towards her "I'll be fine," she said and walked towards him.
He stopped not far from her and tilted his head to the side trying to read her he too had seen her slip out of the house-he also saw her keep walking and followed, but stopped when the girls followed her too "you okay babes?" he asked once she stopped in front of him. He reached out and wiped a tear as it fell from her eyes.
"I'm fine," she sniffed and walked into him-two seconds later she was sobbing her heart out. "I can't do it Brax! I can't say goodbye!" she sobbed and gripped him tighter.
Brax pulled her closer to him "you're going to be okay Charlie, you will get through today I'm gonna be with you every step of the way."
As her sobs died down she rested her face into his chest, she didn't care she was ruining her make up or his shirt she just needed to be close to him. "Can we walk?…I don't want to go in the car," she said a few minutes later and stepped back.
Brax nodded and slipped his hand into hers "whatever you want babes," he said and started to walk.
After the service Charlie opted for walking alone to Angelo's with Brax, the funeral went well-as well as a funeral can. It was beautiful, she was overwhelmed by the amount of people that had turned out and all words spoken moved her to tears, she never realised how much of an impact her dad had on this town she looked up and smiled weakly when Brax squeezed her hand.
"What's on your mind?" he asked as they neared Angelo's.
"Just thinking about the funeral," she replied.
"You were very strong today you kept it together," he said pulling her closer.
Charlie leaned into him "can we just skip this and go home?"
"You can't Charlie everyone will be looking for you, how about we show our faces for half an hour then I'll take you home."
Charlie nodded against "half hour," she said and pulled away from him as they got to the stairs.
...
An hour later and hundreds of 'I'm sorry for your loss, it was a beautiful service' and all that comes with it Charlie couldn't take it anymore. Leaving her bag she hurried down the stairs and out the door, as her chest began to get heavy her eyes filled with tears. Stumbling down to the beach she dropped to the sand and cried harder and louder than she ever did before.
Natalie had been sitting not far away she looked over as Charlie stumbled onto the beach and watched her, she stood up when she dropped to the sand a tear rolled down her cheek as Charlie started to cry, no matter what was going on between them she knew exactly what Charlie was going through. She had only been thinking how Charlie held it together the others were all over the place. Walking to her she lowered herself into the sand and put her hand on her back "it's okay Charlz," she said softly "you don't have to be strong- not in front of me," she said and scooted closer.
Charlie was aware of who it was but she didn't care, all the emotions she'd bottled up since that day in the hospital was coming out now and she couldn't stop it. As Natalie's hands came around her she moved so she was leaning into her hugging her tight-any problem-what she'd done was forgotten she started crying louder and pulled Natalie closer.
Up on the balcony of Angelo's Brax stood watching them his heart breaking for Charlie he wished her could take her pain away. He knew at the service she was holding back-even at the cemetery, not once did she cry it was like once she was in front of people she couldn't. He sighed again as her sobs echoed through his ears, he wanted to go down but thought he shouldn't interrupt she was her sister after all.
Peter stood up on the strip looking down at his two sisters although he wanted to tear Natalie away from Charlie and send her on her way he couldn't, this wasn't about what happened- how much they all hated her now, today was for their dad and as he had raised them they would stick together, sighing he pushed himself off the fence and started to make his way down to them.
….
A while later Charlie walked towards Brax's house after Peter came down Jack joined them and they sat talking for a while before one by one they all disappeared. Brax had text her saying to call him when she wanted to go home that he had to get back to Carly as Kyle had the evening shift. She wanted to walk it gave her time with her thoughts.
A few minutes later she knocked on his door and stepped back, when it opened she looked up "hey," she smiled.
"Hey" Brax replied and stepped back from the door "thought I was picking you up," he said and walked to the table to finish clearing up.
Charlie closed the door and walked over to him wrapping her arms around him from behind she rested her head against his back "I wanted to walk…what were you guys up to?" she asked peering over his shoulder to see pictures.
"Carly showed me all her drawings and wanted me to do one with her," Brax replied and slipped his hand over hers.
Charlie looked down at one "is that supposed to be me?" she giggled looking at a woman in a police uniform.
Brax chuckled and turned to face her "never said I was any good but yes it is and that is supposed to be me beside you," he slipped his arms around her waist "I saw you on the beach with Natalie I didn't want to interrupt."
Charlie nodded "it's fine...we had a good chat-all of us," she added when he went to speak.
Brax nodded "is your aunt and everyone staying at your place?"
"Yep," Charlie nodded "the others took over Pete's place again, I get to share a bed with Ruby tonight," she said and walked to the sofa.
Brax followed and sat beside her "why don't you stay here again?" he asked pulling her closer "we can get a pizza and watch a movie just chill out for the night."
Charlie leaned into him "where's Carly?" she asked.
"Casey and Ruby came back I explained the situation so they've taken her for ice-cream."
Charlie nodded and looked up at him "how are you finding it so far?"
Brax smiled and nodded "yeah think I'm getting the hang of it," he said, lowering his head he kissed her softly "thank you for sticking with me I know this is very hard for you."
Charlie pulled him back to her and kissed him deeply sure it wasn't her dream situation but she had Ruby and he was okay with that now it was her turn "I'm not going anywhere," she said when she pulled back "I know the timing sucks but we'll cope," she said and leaned in to kiss him again.
"You know they won't be back for a while," he said running his hand up her leg.
Charlie stood up and moved closer to him unzipping her dress she let it fall to the floor and stepped out of it "better make ourselves useful then," she said and walked off towards his room.
Brax stared after her opened mouthed-man she was amazing, practically jumping over the sofa he ran to his room and kicked the door close behind him.
A/N sorry if there is any spelling mistakes not feeling too well can't concentrate :(