Around 8pm, Sid knocks on the door and Heath answers.
"G'day doc," he greets.
"Evening Heath," Sid replies and walks into the house as Heath moves aside to let him in.
"Thanks so much for popping around again, Sid. This really puts my mind at ease," Brax says and walks into the lounge room.
"So, you said Casey got pretty beaten up so why don't I start by examining him first?" Sid suggests and makes his way towards Casey.
Casey makes a groaning noise but sits up for Sid to have a look at him.
Brax stands by watching intensely as Sid first puts gentle pressure on Casey's cheek.
"His cheek is going to be quite bruised for a while, but he's lucky nothing is broken, now Casey can you lift up your shirt for me?" Sid requests.
Casey looks at Brax and does as requested.
"Oh dear, they did quite a number on you."
Sid feels all over Casey's abdomen and takes a listen to his stomach and chest.
"How many people did this to you, Casey?" Sid asks.
"Three," Casey mumbles; feeling vulnerable having his abdomen exposed for yet again another time that day.
"Hmm, his abdomen is pretty bruised up and took quite a serious battering, but there seems to be no internal bleeding from what I can observe, however if Casey's pain symptoms get any worse or his abdomen swells or he shows signs of vomiting, blood in his urine or he becomes breathless, bring him into the hospital for me to assess immediately," Sid says firmly.
"So, he is alright now?" Brax inquires.
"Yes, he just needs lots of rest and to not do anything too strenuous until he's healed, and he can have some pain relief whenever he needs it; it will help settle down the inflammation as well as any pain he is feeling," Sid explains as Casey looks between Sid and his brother while he fixes his pyjama jumper.
"Now I understand Kyle has some irritation in his eyes. Can you look straight ahead for me, Kyle, while I look into your eyes?" Sid requests and pulls out his ophthalmoscope and shines the light into Kyle's eyes.
Kyle blinks at the harsh light shining into his eyes.
"Why are you checking his eyes like that?" Heath questions in a somewhat harsh tone, becoming protective of Kyle's fidgeting.
"It's to check if Kyle has any damage or infection to his eyes as excessive salt water can easily lead to infection," Sid explains.
"How do your eyes feel, Kyle?" Sid asks.
"They're kind of itchy and sore at times," Kyle replies.
"Did you get anything else in your eyes besides sea water Kyle?" Sid inquires.
"Maybe a little sand and some garbage," Kyle mumbles.
"Garbage and sand: what do you mean?" Heath demands.
Kyle hangs his head.
"Before I was thrown in the water I was covered in sand and had garbage tipped on me," Kyle admits shamefully.
"Why didn't you tell me this, Bubs?" Heath demands and gently flicks Kyle on the shoulder.
"I didn't want to talk about it," Kyle mumbles.
"Honestly Kyle, this kind of thing you shouldn't keep to yourself. It could impact your problem with your eyes," Brax lightly scolds.
"I didn't want to talk about," Kyle mutters as tears start to well in his eyes.
Diffusing the conversation, Sid speaks.
"Kyle's eye's have the all clear, so there is no need to panic about excess sand or garbage particles doing damage," Sid assures.
"His eyes may be a little red for a few days, but a few more turns of flushing with saline and providing pain relief should do the trick. If at any time you are concerned I can easily dispense some eye ointment; you just need to let me know and most importantly: no rubbing your eyes Kyle as it will only make the irritation worse. I know that's easier said than done, but it's important, okay?" Sid continues as he smiles.
"Did you hear that, Bubs?" Heath comments and taps Kyle on the shoulder.
"Yes," Kyle mumbles, miserably and blinks away his tears as all it is doing is irritating his eyes more.
"Thanks so much, Sid," Brax says and holds his hand out to shake Sid's hand in thanks.
"My pleasure, Brax; anything for your family," Sid says with a smile, "I best be off and get home."
Sid farewells the four brothers and then leaves.
Brax looks down at his two teen brothers who are feeling sorry for themselves and very quiet and decides not to say anything.
Heath makes his way towards the door.
"You leaving, mate?" Brax asks.
"I'll be back in a sec," Heath informs and pops over to his flat as Brax shakes his head.
Heath returns moments later holding a few gifts.
"Don't say I don't do anything for you two. This is just a little thing to say I care and that I'm through with the hardcore teasing," Heath announces and hands the gifts into Kyle and Casey's lap.
Heath wanted to make sure he spent the same amount of money on both boys.
Both teen's eyes go wide with surprise.
In Kyle's lap was an AT-AT Lego set and on Casey's lap was a newly wrapped-up wetsuit and a Grand Prix video game.
"I can't believe it! This is the same Lego set that Dex had that I helped him build and I've wanted one ever since!" Kyle exclaims, cheerfully.
"I do listen, Bubs," Heath states casually.
Kyle jumps up from the couch and lunges into Heath to hug him.
"Thank you so much!"
Casey is busy opening up his new wetsuit.
"Do you like yours, Case?" Heath asks.
Casey nods.
"Yeah: you got me a body glove wetsuit; that's like one of the best brands you can get and I really needed a new one as my one was tearing and this video game is great, now me and Ky can play together as all the other duel games neither of us like playing together!" Casey announces.
Kyle looks over at Casey on the couch.
"I don't know Casey, I'm only good at the thinking video games," Kyle comments.
"So? It doesn't matter, this will still be fun; it's a racing game," Casey answers.
Brax furrows his brow as he takes sight of the gifts, knowing they were not cheap items.
"That's quite costly Heath for a gift that wasn't for birthday or Christmas," Brax comments.
"I wanted to make an impression," Heath replies.
"Well, it's certainly a nice gesture."
Kyle suddenly has a thought and frowns.
"What's up, Ky?" Heath asks and wraps his arm around Kyle's shoulders.
"It's just that I can't even build my new Lego for ages because it's part of my grounding," he mumbles.
Casey overhears what Kyle says and stops his own daydreaming of playing his new video game and using his new wetsuit.
"So true; what was the point of giving us gifts we can't even get to use for ages?" Casey grumbles.
"I think it's time you both went to bed now. Put your gifts down and be thankful Heath went to the trouble to get you boys something nice," Brax says firmly.
Kyle places his Lego on the table and Casey does the same with his gifts then gets up with a heavy sigh.
"Goodnight then," he grumbles.
"Night baby bro; night Bubs," Heath says.
"Goodnight and thank you again. I love my gift even if I can't use it right now," Kyle mumbles.
"Goodnight boys!" Brax calls.
Kyle says goodnight to Brax and the two teens begin to walk off to their bedroom, however Kyle stops momentarily, and turns back to once again give Heath another hug.
"I love you and thanks for saving me again today," he whispers and looks up at his older brother.
"I love you too, Bubs; no-one gets to hurt you like that," Heath states, squeezing Kyle tight.
Kyle smiles and releases his hold.
"Hey; where's my hug?" Brax asks jokingly.
Kyle makes his way over to Brax and is engulfed in a hug.
"Sorry. I do love you too."
"Likewise kiddo; no need to apologise" Brax replies.
Heath catches Casey before the youngest could make it down the hall.
"Hold it, baby bro; come here, you aren't getting away that easy," Heath chuckles and holds Casey in a vice-like hug around his arms, so as to not put pressure on his injured abdomen.
"Urgh!" Casey protests.
"Stop fighting it," Heath says with a chuckle.
"Okay thank you for the gifts, now can you let me go?" Casey complains.
"Not until I've told you I love you and despite everything you know I'm here for you," Heath says comfortingly.
Casey softens in his hold.
"Thanks," he whispers.
Heath gives him a final squeeze and lets him go.
"Alright, off to bed for real, you two," Brax orders.
Kyle and Casey then finally make their way to their bedroom.
"Mind if I hang here for a while; watch some footy or whatever else is top notch on TV at the moment?" Heath asks.
Brax scoffs and rolls his eyes.
"Since when does Heath Braxton ask to stay over?"
"There's always a first," Heath snickers.
"And probably the last too," Brax smarts.
"Hey, don't underestimate me big brother," Heath jokes.
Brax shakes his head and goes into the kitchen to grab a beer for himself and Heath.
The two oldest brothers watch TV until eleven o'clock when Heath heads back to his flat and Brax heads to bed; checking in on a sleeping Kyle and Casey as he heads into his room.
The next morning Brax is in the kitchen making his brothers double chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, they are Casey's favourite and Kyle liked them as well.
He'd decided after the day they had yesterday they definitely deserve a treat.
"Achoo!"
He hears from his little brothers' room. Brax looks towards his little brothers' room and sighs; one of them must be sick.
"Accchoo!"
He quickly walks towards his little brothers' room and knocks on the door.
"Hey kiddos, who's sick?" he asks.
"Kyle," Casey says as Kyle's sniffing in his bed.
"Aww sorry to hear that kiddo. Must have been from what happened yesterday," Brax says as he runs a hand through Kyle's hair.
"Also on that note, how is your stomach this morning, Casey?" Brax asks.
"It's still kind of sore when I touch it, but it doesn't look too bruised yet," Casey informs and holds his shirt up for Brax to see.
"Well I'm glad to hear it, but remember I want to know if you feel unwell at any time," Brax reminds.
"Brax, do you think I could maybe have a lazy day today, please? I know I still have extra chores for punishment, but I just don't feel too well and don't think I'd be able to focus properly. I'm really sorry Brax," Kyle asks, hopefully, following it up with another sneeze.
"Achoo!"
Brax smiles at his brother.
"Of course you can kiddo. I'm currently making you both double chocolate chip pancakes and later I'll make you some chicken and corn soup," he smiles, his little brother is the type of kid who has to be careful in the Winter because he often gets sick.
Brax is honestly surprised that Kyle hasn't been sick so far this Winter.
"Thank you, Brax, and that sounds delicious. Can I stay in my pyjamas and oodie all day?" he asks.
"Oh, course kiddo, I want you to relax all day, maybe even for the next few days; at least until you are better, then you can focus back on your extra chores, " Brax says.
Kyle sits up and holds out his arms.
Brax smiles warmly. Kyle's always a loving kid but even more so when he's sick.
He pulls him in for a hug and rubs the back of his head.
"How about some apple juice?" Brax asks, causing Kyle to smile.
"Yum! Yes, thank you, Brax," Kyle says smiling
"No worries little man," Brax replies smiling and ruffles up his brother's hair.
"Can I have some juice too?" Casey asks as Brax sits up and starts to walk out the door.
"Of course, Case, just remember to say please next time," Brax says with a smile and Casey nods.
"Both of you get up and come relax in the lounge where I can keep an eye on you while I finish making breakfast," Brax says.
"You mean I get to have a lazy, no extra chore day too?" Casey asks, eagerly.
"Yes you may, but don't get used to it. I'm not that tough to make you do chores when you are not feeling great, either," Brax replies with a smile then exits the room to continue to cook breakfast
"This is awesome!" Casey cheers.
"Maybe, but it would be even better if I wasn't feeling so sick," Kyle grumbles and sneezes again.
The two brothers slowly push themselves out of bed and walk out into the lounge.
Kyle is wearing his oodie and is wrapped in a blanket.
"Sit down on the couch boys, I just want you both to rest, especially you Trooper," Brax says and ruffles Kyle's hair up.
He then goes back to the stove and continues to make the pancakes.
"Hey Brax, since Kyle's feeling sick and I'm still recovering, can we watch TV?" Casey asks hopefully.
Brax raises his brow sceptically.
"Ok, just this one time, but Kyle gets to choose," Brax informs, watching as Casey hands Kyle the controls and Kyle puts on the first Toy Story movie.
"Nice pick Ky! I love this one!" Casey exclaims and smiles.
As he's cooking breakfast Brax gives a smile as he peeks out at his brothers.
"Achoo!" Kyle sneezes.
Brax turns sadly to look at his brother who looks miserable.
After he finishes making the pancakes he dishes some out on three plates.
Putting six on his plate, five on Casey's and three on Kyle's.
"Here you go, kiddos!" Brax says and hands them their plates.
He then rests his hand on Kyle's head.
"You eat that up little man, then you can have some soup a little later," he says.
"Thanks Brax. Achoo!" Kyle says then sneezes.
Brax leans down and kisses the top of Kyle's head.
Brax sits down in the armchair and the three brothers eat silently while watching the movie.
Suddenly the door opens and Heath and Bianca walk in.
"Heath! I told you to knock!" Bianca says.
Heath is about to reply but stops when he sees his brothers.
"Achoo!" Kyle sneezes causing Heath to walk over and ruffle his hair.
"Oh Bubs, your low immunity sucks aye?" Heath implies; he did feel sorry for the kid; he always got sick!
"Yeah," Kyle sniffs.
"How about Bianca and I go and buy some treats for you. You know: jelly, popcorn, all your favourite treats," Heath suggests, causing Brax to interrupt.
"They are still grounded Heath, we can't treat them too much," Brax says, while Heath huffs.
"I disagree, after what they went through yesterday; Brax the kid keeps getting picked on, just cut them some slack. They've been great recently. Besides look at you: you're one to talk, letting them laze about watching movies; turning into a big softie are ya?" Heath teases.
"Don't push your luck Heath," Brax warns with a snicker.
"I think it's sweet," Bianca comments.
Heath laughs, "I'll be back with your treats, boys."
He ruffles both his brothers' hair.
After Heath and Bianca leave, this leaves Brax thinking: maybe it was time to lighten his brother's punishments.
The three boys continue to eat and watch the movie, halfway through the movie Brax gets up and makes Kyle a lemon and honey drink.
"You ready for chicken and corn soup kiddo?" he asks, but Kyle shakes his head in reply.
"No thanks Brax, not yet."
"Okay, just let me know when you are," Brax says and goes into the kitchen to do the dishes.
He briefly turns around to see Casey and Kyle snuggled up on the couch and smiles.
"Achoo!" Kyle sneezes.
A little while later Heath and Bianca get home.
"I'll make your jelly up, Bubs, and you can have a bowl later," Heath says and ruffles Kyle's hair gently.
"Here you go Kyle. Heath told me that you love strawberry milkshakes so I got you a strawberry smoothie," Bianca says she hands it to Kyle.
"Thanks Bianca!" Kyle says with a big smile on his face.
"No worries, Kyle and here you go Casey, I got you a chocolate milkshake," Bianca adds and hands Casey his milkshake.
"Yum!" Casey grins and takes a big sip.
"What do you say, Case?" Heath implies.
"Thanks Bianca," Casey adds in a cheerful tone.
"You're welcome boys. Sorry we didn't get you a milkshake Kyle, I just thought a smoothie would be better for you since you're not feeling well," Bianca says.
"No need to apologise Bianca, I'm grateful for anything," Kyle replies and starts to drink his smoothie.
It's later in the day and Brax has had a while to think about what Heath said.
"Pause the movie for a sec Ky," he says and Kyle quickly pauses the movie.
"Okay, I know that you both know that what you did was wrong, and I appreciate you accepting your punishments, but after what happened yesterday, I am willing to be lenient," Brax begins, causing both boys to be shocked; they did not expect that.
"Some aspects of your grounding will stay but others will lighten," Brax explains.
"So, we're still grounded but with less punishments?" Casey asks just as Kyle sneezes again.
"Yes, so here's the deal: your lego stays with me and your surfing magazine subscription will stay suspended until your grounding ends, as will your guitar, Kyle, and your soccer ball Casey. Your pocket money will stay suspended, and you will still pay off all your debts. Your technology will stay with me, and you will continue to do extra chores, but you can spend time with friends and go places, but only for a maximum of four hours a week, and you can't ask me for money. Finally, Kyle, once you're feeling better you can bake again; deal? Oh and no more helping John at the beach."
"Deal!" Kyle says, once he gets rid of this cold, he's very keen to see Dex and the other boys.
"Yeah deal!" Casey says, also eager to get out of the house and hang with friends.
Brax smiles, pleased that his brothers are so happy with his decision.
"Does this mean I'll be able to go to the museum and see the Ancient Egyptian exhibit?" Kyle asks.
"Yeah, little man, but only once you're feeling better," Brax informs; loving how the first thing his little brother thinks of is going to the museum; the kid just loves to learn.
"And definitely no more helping John?" Casey asks hopefully; their neighbour could be a real piece of work.
"Yes, that is what I said," Brax says with a smile.
"Yes!" Casey cheers and slaps Kyle on the back; he's so happy to hear that.
Just then, Kyle let's out another huge sneeze.
"But as I said you will still have extra chores," Brax continues.
"That's completely fine Brax," Kyle says with a smile; he's just happy that he doesn't have to be bossed around by John anymore, or be scolded by him.
Casey thinks for a moment and clicks over what Brax had proposed for the going out limit.
"Brax, do we really only get to hang with friends for four hours a week? The time will go so fast, and we won't be able to do much," Casey complains, knowing if he hung out with any of them after school his four hour limit would go by in no time.
"That is my offer and it's final, and I will be strictly measuring the time limits, so if you boys don't adhere to it, without a viable explanation or special circumstance, then I will be forced to revoke the opportunity, and you will have to wait until after your grounding to hang with friends," Brax informs.
Kyle gives Casey a poke with his elbow, as he nods in agreement.
Casey slumps his shoulders in defeat.
"Okay," he says glumly.
"Good, now you can play your movie again," Brax says and ruffles both his brother's hair.
Knowing that his brothers will never do something so stupid again; they were good kids, and they have definitely learnt their lesson.