Hey All! I really apologize for such a delay; I've had writer's block and have been busy over the Christmas, New Year Period! I hope you enjoy this short update. I promise I will be back with a longer update soon. I hope everyone had a great Christmas, and have Welcome 2012 by looking forward at all the possibilities and opportunities that may come your way. Please Enjoy and Review and Thank you for being Patient! xx

Chapter 18

It was that time of year, the time of year where Charlie was holding her Christmas party for close friends and family. There were some that weren't looking forward to it after recent events, and then others saw it as a way to break away from all the drama that had occurred in the year just passed. Charlie and April were the only two who would not be able to drink at the party, but both were looking forward to finally giving birth to their babies.

April was slowly moving on from the death of Bianca, though she will never really get over it completely. April lost her sister; the woman looked after her as April was her daughter most of the time and now she is gone, but will always be remembered. April wasn't looking forward to the party; she wasn't ready to get back out there and to start socialising with everyone again. However she knew she had to attend, otherwise Charlie would never forgive her for letting her down, and showing how well she was doing to their close friends.

Heath was still struggling with Bianca's death, but because he liked to hide his real emotions from the world the only person who knew was Brax. Heath was preparing to leave the bay heading into the New Year to move past everything, he knew it was going to hurt April but he needed time to himself before the baby came, so he could be the father to their child that Bianca and April would have both wanted him to be.

Charlie found it hard to get pass it, but with her busy life of being a full time mother to four, and grandmother too one and being pregnant she didn't have time to dwell on everything she had to keep going. She had to Ruby take this transition into motherhood, and Charlie couldn't have been prouder of her. Ruby had a bit of practice with her younger siblings, but it wasn't the same as becoming a mother for the first time. Casey too was trying to get used to being a father for the first time, with Brax helping him along the way.

Brax knew at times Charlie struggled with everything that had happened, and through all her energy into looking after the children and organising her Christmas party, he knew he needed to make sure this was going to turn out to be the best night for Charlie, and to ensure no brought up any of the sad memories that had occurred in the past couple of months. Brax knew no matter what, it would always and forever be him and Charlie together.

5pm slowly approaching, the music was playing and Brax, Heath and Casey were out at the BBQ cooking up a fest for everyone. Leah and Miles had arrived with their children, and all the kids had managed to end up in the pool playing with Miles, Alf and Romeo watching over them. Leah had joined Charlie, Ruby, Indy and April out on the deck where Charlie was looking after little Emily and Ruby was looking after Cody. Casey had finally managed to get all the kids and the other boys out of the pool area and up to the dining area on the deck for dinner, where Brax and Heath were serving up the food for all to enjoy.

The group of friends laughed like nothing in the world could affect them, and enjoyed a good time. The kids loved spending time with each other playing, without having to see their parents upset for the first time in a while.

Brax stood back for a moment and had a look at everyone enjoying themselves and thoughts 'this is what Christmas is supposed to be about. Friends and Family having a good time, looking forward into the future and not back on events just passed'. He also thought to himself that Charlie was looking sexy as hell, and that he couldn't wait to get upstairs in bed later tonight once everyone one had left.