RICKY'S POV:
As I'd promised, Brax's favourite meal of spaghetti and meatballs was waiting on the table when he got in from work…
"You have no idea how happy I am to be home" he admitted, stifling a yawn as he made his way into the kitchen, taking a seat at the table
"Busy day?" I questioned
"I was only meant to be in charge for a couple of hours, but that turned into an all afternoon thing" he sighed
I smiled at him warmly and placed a beer in front of him… "Well you'll be pleased to know, we've got the place to ourselves"
"How did you swing that?" he inquired
"Bribed Heath and Bianca with some money, and they've taken Case with them" I informed him
He reciprocated my warm smile and leant up, pressing his lips against mine… "This looks amazing"
"Dig in" I replied
Sitting down opposite him, I began to tuck into my meal too, both of us flopping down on the sofa, a bowl of ice cream to share between us fifteen minutes later…
"Oi, stop taking huge spoonfuls" I proclaimed
He smirked at me and held out his spoonful to me. Opening my mouth, he directed his scoop into my mouth and I smiled at him warmly… "This is nice"
"Yeah it is" he admitted
"Fancy an early night?" I questioned
"Erica Sharpe…" he proclaimed
"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him "I was going to suggest a film in bed"
"Burst my bubble why don't you" he replied
"Come on, you sook" I chuckled, standing up, holding my hand out to him
Taking my hand willingly, I pulled him to his feet, gasping as he pulled me flush into his body, one arm staying wrapped around my waist as he brought a hand up to cup my cheek, pressing his lips against mine passionately…
BRAX'S POV:
Ricky and I laid in bed afterwards, her snuggled into me, her head resting on my chest, my arms wrapped tightly around her, one hand stroking through her hair… "You're quiet"
"Thinking" she admitted
"About Monday?" I questioned
"That, and the guardianship" she informed me
"Everything will be fine" I assured her, kissing her forehead
"I hope you're right" she sighed, wrapping her arms tighter around my waist "I don't even wanna think about what'll happen if Adam manages to get off"
"It won't come to that" I replied
"What the hell was that?" Ricky inquired as a loud bang sounded from the living room, both of us sitting up abruptly
"Stay here" I informed her, climbing out of bed, pulling my t-shirt onto my bare chest
"Brax, be careful" she begged
Grabbing the baseball bat from behind the door, I opened it as quietly as I could and made my way out of the bedroom and down the hallway; I walked down into the living room, sighing heavily as I saw Mum cowered in the corner…
"Mum…" I spoke, her head lifting in response
"I'm sorry" she whispered "I didn't know where else to go"
"What's going on?" I inquired
"The loan shark" she informed me "he's threatening me, telling me I haven't paid him all the money I owe him and I have. He's been to the house and he's smashed everything up. I'm scared in my own home, Darryl"
"Brax…" Ricky spoke before I had chance to reply
"I thought I told you to stay in the bedroom?" I questioned
"I heard you say Mum" she informed me "what's going on?"
"Mum's staying here tonight" I informed her "can you go and get some spare bedding?"
"What's going on?" she questioned again
"I'll tell you in a minute. Bedding, yeah?" I inquired
She glanced between me and Mum and nodded her head, signalling yes, making her way to the airing cupboard at the bottom of the hallway…
RICKY'S POV:
After setting up Cheryl's bed on the sofa, Heath, Bianca and Casey arriving back in the process, Brax and I made our way to bed, him sighing heavily as he shut the door behind us…
"Are you gonna tell me why she's sleeping on our couch then?" I inquired
"The loan shark's threatening her" he informed me as he climbed back into bed
"If we let her stay more than one night, we're gonna end up pushing Heath away" I admitted
"I know" he sighed "but what am I meant to do, Ric? She's my Mum"
"Don't worry about it now, we'll sort something in the morning" I assured him "but for now, let's get some sleep"
Kissing him gently, I turned to my side of the bed and switched the light off, snuggling down into his embrace once again…
So Cheryl's back on the scene because of the loan shark, how long will she be around this time? And what will happen at Adam's sentencing?