Epilogue

NORMAL POV

Brax, Heath, Kyle, and Casey decided to go to Angelo's for a meal to celebrate Casey's recovery success. He had limited his self harm and had a much clearer head. Kyle and Heath went in Heath's Ute while Brax and Casey went in Brax's Ute.

When the four boys walked towards the restaurant Casey noticed Josh standing by the beach and stopped.

"Oi Case you coming?" Heath yelled.

"Ah yeah." Casey replied quietly as he watched Josh.

Brax walked over to Casey. "You alright?" He asked concerned.

"Yeah. There's just something I need to do. I'll meet you guys in there." Casey replied.

Brax gave him a look. "I'll come with ya."

"No, this is something I have to do." Casey spoke but saw his brother's worried look.

"I'm fine Brax, really. You don't have to worry about me. I'll be five minutes." Casey smiled.

Brax eyed Casey but agreed. Tapping his watch he backed away.

"Five minutes, if you're not in there. I'm coming out for ya." He replied firmly and Casey smiled. "And I'll always worry about ya Case, ya me little brother." Brax winked as he walked towards Heath and Kyle who were waiting outside Angelo's.

"What's he doing?" Heath asked as he glanced at Casey.

Brax shrugged and watched as Casey walked over to Josh. Knowing his brother was okay Brax turned and followed Kyle and Heath into Angelo's.

Josh felt someone walk up behind him and turned. "Hey" He greeted.

"Hey" Casey replied and stood next to Josh.

"How are you feeling?" Josh asked.

Casey nodded. "Yeah getting there but it's still tough."

"I'm glad you're getting better. I can't imagine how it must have been for you." Josh added.

Casey nodded. "Thanks."

Josh looked away. "I'm sorry about how Andy treated you. He can be difficult sometimes."

Casey shrugged. "But he's still your brother."

"So are you." Josh replied quickly, making them both fall silent.

"Sorry. I shouldn't push to know you. I understand you would rather be with your other brothers."

Casey shook his head. "That's what I came over here to tell you. I've been thinking about what you said about wanting to get to know each other...I'd like that." Casey said.

"You would?" Josh questioned as his eyes widened. Casey smiled.

"Cool...Yeah that would be cool." Josh smiled. "But you know Andy won't like that."

Casey smirked. "He doesn't have to know...It can be our own half-brotherly little secret." Casey whispered, receiving a smile from Josh.

"Great. Let me know when you feel ready...I can wait until your all okay..." Josh stopped when he saw Casey's look, worried he had insulted him. "You know what I mean."

Casey smiled. "It's fine and thanks. I still need some time to get through this but when I have I'll let you know...I better go, I told Brax I'd only be five minutes any longer and he'll be out here on my back about how I am."

Josh laughed. "Guess he really looks out for ya huh?"

Casey rolled his eyes. "Yeah, but it can be annoying." Casey laughed and waved bye to Josh heading towards Angelo's.

Casey almost walked into Brax as he walked through the door.

"Where were you mate? You alright? I was just about to come looking for you." Brax asked.

"I kind of figured that. You need to relax a little. I'm fine." Casey smiled and started to walk into Angelo's.

Brax wrapped his arm around his shoulder. "Did you sort out what you went off for?" Brax asked.

Casey smiled. "Yeah."

"Well come on then. We better get in before Heath orders without us." Brax slapped Casey on the back and slid into the booth that Heath and Kyle were sitting at.

"Hey Case. What took ya so long? We were starving." Heath stated.

Kyle shook his head and laughed. "I'll go get us some drinks. What do you guys want?"

"A beer for me mate" Brax answered.

"Same here." Heath replied.

"Case?"

Casey looked at his brothers, remembering the pain he caused them with drinking. "I'll just get a juice thanks."

"Ah Come on Case, ya wuss. Have a drink with ya brothers." Heath hollered out.

"If he doesn't want to drink he doesn't have to." Brax said.

Heath scoffed. "He needs one with you always watching over him and chasing him with cotton wool."

Brax scoffed. "I do not!"

The brothers all smiled. "Yeah ya do." Casey whispered with a smirk.

"You stay out of it Case! Besides I'd rather that then find you lot mixed up in trouble, doing somethin' stupid, getting hurt or..."

"Brax!" Casey yelled with a laugh, stopping Brax's rambling.

"Point is someone had to keep an eye on all of ya." Brax defended, leaving his three brothers laughing.

Brax reflected back on the past few months, he was so glad that Casey had used his strength to be there at all.

"Case I'm really proud of you. You've proved you're strong to fight your own battles." Brax smiled at his baby brother.

"Yeah but it's good to know your always there to back me up. Thanks Brax." Casey smiled.

"Aww come on 'nough with the soppy stuff! I'm starving!" Heath stated.

Kyle came back with the drinks and the food arrived soon after. Brax watched Casey laughing with his brothers and had a feeling of relief run through him, after not having seen that happy smile for so long he felt like he was being pieced back together.

"Oi, big fella! You eatin' or just daydreamin'?" Heath asked with a mouthful of food.

"Charming Heath." Kyle said.

"What?" Heath shrugged.

Casey looked at Brax and the two shared a smile before digging in to eat their meal.

No matter that Casey wasn't a full brother to Brax, Heath and Kyle, they saw him and would always see him as their real brother, because it wasn't blood that made a family. It was love, loyalty and togetherness and these four shared that and more, and nothing in the world could change that.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I'm in progress of writing a few other Braxton stories, one with a bit of everyone and another where Brax reflects back on Casey's life after his death and involves little Braxtons. I don't know which will be posted next so keep watch. Any ideas are welcome :)

xxx

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