BRAX'S POV:
"You're doing what?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at Heath
"I'm proposing to Bianca" he informed me again "but you can't say anything to anyone"
"Mate, are you sure?" I asked
"More sure than I've ever been about anything" he admitted "Bianca's the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. What about you and Ricky?"
"What about me and Ricky?" I inquired
"Have you never thought about making things official with her?" he questioned
"When you mean official, you mean…?" I asked
"Asking her to marry you" he informed me "so, have you?"
I shrugged my shoulders… "Sometimes"
"So what's stopped you?" he questioned
"Lots of stuff" I sighed "Mum and Dad and how they ended for one"
"You shouldn't let that be the reason you don't commit to the woman you love" he replied
As Heath made his way off in the opposite direction in the jewellers, I licked my suddenly dry lips and looked through the glass cabinet at the rings…
"Can I help you, Sir?" an unfamiliar voice questioned
"No thanks. Just looking" I replied
Nodding his head in understanding, he made his way back down the shop. I had some thinking to do…
RICKY'S POV:
I thanked the Lord when Bianca made her way into the house that evening and kicked off her shoes, flopping down on the sofa next to me…
"Long day?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at her
"You can say that again" she sighed "but no rest for the wicked"
"What?" I questioned
"I'm going out with a friend" she informed me "so I better be getting organised"
"I was thinking we could have a girls night, just me and you? Casey and Aaron are in bed, and Brax and Heath are in the city. Come on, B, what do you say?" I inquired
"Are you okay?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at me
"Yeah, I'm fine" I replied "just wanting to spend some time with a friend, that's all"
"And you know I'd love to, but I already have plans" she admitted "sorry…"
"It's fine" I assured her "go and get yourself looking hot and enjoy your night"
"Another night though, yeah?" she questioned
"Definitely" I replied, nodding my head in agreement
I turned back to the TV as Bianca made her way into hers and Heath's bedroom when Aaron began to cry. Sighing heavily, I stood up and made my way into mine and Brax's room…
"Hey, little fella" I greeted him as I picked him up and cuddled him to me "what's all the noise for, eh?"
I swallowed a lump in my throat as he instantly stopped crying and rubbed his back up and down soothingly. Settling him and placing him back into his Moses basket, I made my way back out of the room and down the hallway to Casey's room, checking in on him…
"Ricky…" he whispered as I shut the door to once more
"What's up, mate?" I inquired
"I can't sleep, my belly hurts" he informed me
"I'll be back in a minute" I replied, smiling at him reassuringly. Making my way into the kitchen, I organised him a drink and got the Calpol from the medicine cupboard…
"Are you going to be okay?" Bianca asked as I left Casey's room again, Aaron starting to cry once more
I nodded my head, signalling yes… "And if not, I'll call Brax"
"Okay" she replied, hugging me tightly "have a nice night. Bye"
"You too" I proclaimed, sighing as the front door shut behind her a minute later
Taking Aaron into my arms once more, I made my way into the kitchen with him to organise him a bottle. Sitting down at the kitchen table as I was about to start feeding him, Casey walked through…
"I still don't feel well, Ricky" he informed me
"You've not given your medicine chance to work, Case" I replied
"I really don't feel well, Ricky" he admitted. Before I knew what was happening, he was clutching his stomach and had been sick on the kitchen floor
"Case" I sighed, running my hand through my hair as Aaron started to cry again
"Sorry" he whispered
"It's okay" I replied "go and get yourself changed into some clean clothes please"
Disappearing back into his bedroom, I quickly fed Aaron, sighing heavily as he began to cry again as soon as I put him down, moving to clean up after Casey. Leaning against the wall a minute later, I began to sob…
"Pick up, pick up, please" I begged as I reached up and picked my phone up off the side, dialling Brax's number
"Hi, this is Brax, please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can" his voicemail spoke. Sighing heavily, I hung up the phone. Picking Aaron up, I made my way into mine and Brax's bedroom, settling him in his Moses basket before packing a bag…
"Come on, you" I sighed "let's go and take a trip to Auntie Irene's"
"Where are we going, Ricky?" Casey questioned as I walked into his bedroom and took his school uniform from the hangers on his wardrobe door
"Auntie Irene's" I informed him "now finish getting yourself dressed please"
"Okay" he replied
Throwing his school uniform into the overnight bag, I zipped it up and picked up Aaron's Moses basket and made my way to Casey's doorway…
"Ready, bud?" I asked
He nodded his head, signalling yes. Grabbing my phone and keys, I guided Casey out of the house and to my car…
BRAX'S POV:
"Nice sleep?" Heath questioned as I groaned and turned over, stretching my hands above my head
"Yeah" I replied
"Good. Your phone rang a couple of times too" he informed me
"Why didn't you answer?" I questioned
He shrugged his shoulders… "I'm going for a shower"
"Okay" I replied. Picking up my phone, I unlocked my keypad and saw my missed calls were from Ricky. Swallowing a lump in my throat, I was about to call her back when her caller ID appeared on-screen again…
RICKY'S POV:
"Ric, are you okay?" Brax questioned as he picked up the phone
"No" I whispered, hoping he couldn't tell I was crying
"Why are you crying? What's going on?" he asked
"I couldn't cope on my own" I admitted "so I've come to Irene's"
"I'm sorry no one answered" he sighed "I was asleep and Heath, well y'know"
"I need you" I informed him "I'm sorry but I do. Aaron won't settle and Casey's not well. I can't do this, Brax"
"I'll be back as soon as I can" he replied
"I'm sorry, Brax" I sighed
"You've got nothing to apologise for" he informed me "just go into Irene's, settle the boys and I'll be back in an hour or so"
"Thank you" I replied
"I love you" he stated
"I love you too" I mirrored
Poor Ricky!