AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the delay in updating. Thank you everyone still following and reading along!
Over at the Braxton house, Brax has just finished fixing the patio roof with Casey watching from the bottom of the ladder and handing Brax the necessary tools.
There is only one final job on the list to complete and that was the shed.
Brax places the ladder away and Casey hands Brax the tools to replace back in his toolbox.
Casey follows Brax into the shed and waits for instruction from the eldest.
Brax siphons through some of the mess, tossing some into a keep and throw out pile.
"Case, can you grab a garbage bag from the kitchen and start putting in all the rubbish in the throw out pile?" Brax instructs.
Casey wanders off to grab a big garbage bag and upon return, starts bagging everything in the throw out pile.
"Why are you getting rid of this?" Casey asks as he holds up an old water squirting duck that was a favourite bath toy of his and Kyle's.
Brax raises his eyebrow at the youngest.
"Because Casey, that has been in the shed for, I don't know how long, and I haven't seen you or Kyle use it since before you hit your teens," Brax replies with a laugh.
"I didn't know it was in here," Casey states.
"It's going in the bin, Casey; just look at how worn and moldy it is," Brax says.
"Fine," Casey sighs and reluctantly places it in the garbage bag.
The cleaning took a good two hours to finish, but once done the shed looked somewhat in presentable order and they had managed to toss out two big garbage bags full of rubbish.
Brax rubs his hands together as he admires the hard work on cleaning up the shed.
He smiles over at Casey.
"Go and put those garbage bags near the bin so they can go out on the next collection while I go grab the footy and I'll meet you back out here," Brax instructs.
"You really mean we can play now?" Casey asks.
"A promise is a promise and I said once you helped me out with my jobs today we could toss the footy."
Casey gives a beaming, excited smile and quickly runs off to dispose of the garbage bags and rushes back into the back yard.
Back at the Walker's house, Dex and Kyle head into Dex's bedroom.
"So what do you want to do for the rest of the afternoon?" Dex asks.
"Do you have any new comics or Lego?" Kyle asks.
"Nothing new but remember I have that Star Wars Death Star Lego set; we can build that if you want?"
Kyle smiles, he remembers Dex getting that for his thirteenth birthday before the set had retired and he wished he could have gotten one too but at the time it was too expensive for Brax to afford.
As they start building the Death Star, Kyle suddenly stops.
"I've really missed doing this. I haven't been able to build any of my own for such a long time since Brax confiscated it. I only got it back last night since my grounding's been up," Kyle says.
"That would have really sucked. I know how much getting lost in Lego is a good distraction," Dex replies.
Kyle nods and continues building.
After they finish building most of the set, Kyle gets up and checks his phone to see if he's gotten any messages from Casey.
"What's wrong?" Dex asks.
"Nothing, I was just thinking about Casey and thought he might have messaged me, because he was really down about the fact I was going out today," Kyle says and thinks for a moment.
"Do you think it would be too much trouble if I forfeited tonight's sleepover?"
"What do you mean; why?" Dex asks.
"I just don't feel like I could have a good time knowing Case will be at home all bored and miserable," Kyle admits, "I'm really sorry to stuff you and your family around."
Dex shrugs, "Hey: don't worry about it, I get you look out for Casey and there will be plenty more chances for sleepovers and hangouts."
"Thanks, maybe you could hang out at my place for tonight. I'm not sure if Brax would allow you to sleep over considering Casey is still grounded, but you might be allowed to hang?" Kyle says.
"Sounds good to me," Dex replies, "I'll back away the Lego, while you ask Indi for a lift."
Kyle gathers up his bag and walks out into the living room where Indi is busy doing some study.
Not wanting to disturb her, but knowing she is the only way for Kyle to get home, he doesn't have much choice.
"Sorry: Indi?" Kyle calls meekly, causing Indi to glance up from her study.
"Hey, Kyle; what's up?"
"I'm really sorry to disturb you seeing as I can see you are really busy..."
"It's okay, Kyle; what can I do for you?"
"I was wondering if you could please drop me back home. I'm really sorry to stuff you around," Kyle says.
Indi furrows her brow.
"Has something happened at home, or are you okay?" she asks with concern.
"No, nothing and yes I'm okay. It's just, I don't feel right staying away from home when Casey has to stay home," Kyle explains.
"Oh no, is he sick?" Indi asks.
"Um...not exactly, but he's just unable to go out at the moment," Kyle mutters.
"I understand. Well, let me just tidy up my books while you grab your bag and I can take you home," Indi informs.
"Thanks, Indi."
"It's my pleasure. Casey is lucky to have a brother like you who would rather spend time with him than go out."
Kyle's cheeks flush and he turns to see Dex behind him, snickering.
"Way to be Mr. Charmer with my sister," Dex laughs and gives Kyle a poke.
"As if I'm such a charmer," Kyle jokes back, sarcastically.
Indi sees Dex standing beside Kyle waiting.
"I'm going over too, just to hang for a while," he tells Indi.
"Well okay, but depending on what time you plan on coming home you might need Dad to pick you up."
Dex nods, and the two teens head outside, and wait for Indi to follow after closing the door behind her.
They then make their way back towards the Braxton house.
Brax is running and tossing the football to Casey who also runs and tosses it back to Brax.
The two continue like this for about twenty minutes, laughing and playing, until they are interrupted by Heath and Bianca who let themselves into the house after coming back from a picnic lunch at the beach.
Heath stands in the entrance of the back door with his arms folded, watching his brothers running around tossing the football.
Bianca stands by Heath's side smiling.
"Mind if I join?" Heath calls out.
Brax tosses the football down on the ground and runs over to greet Heath and Bianca.
"Hey mate, Bianca; how was the lunch?"
Casey runs to grab the football from the ground and glances over at the three adults, waiting eagerly for his big brother to return to playing.
"Lunch was lovely; the beach was just divine; especially enjoying it with this one," Bianca explains.
Casey lets out a groan.
"Are we still playing, or what?" Casey complains.
"In a minute, Case!" Brax yells out.
Heath snickers and gives Bianca a quick kiss and slides outside towards Casey.
"Chuck it here, Case!" Heath yells.
Casey groans again not wanting Heath to play and for it to just be him and Brax, but relents after Brax tells him to just throw Heath the ball.
Casey sulks having Heath participate until Brax returns to the game and it doesn't take long for the brothers to get into the game of throwing the football and trying to score.
Brax and Heath try to gang up on Casey with the ball, causing the youngest to laugh as he runs to avoid them.
Bianca stands by and watches the three playing and smiles when Casey lets out a squeal when Brax playfully tackles him and lifts him up over his shoulder and spins him around, causing Heath to grab the football and make a score; running around in a cheer.
Brax smiles hearing Casey's uncontrollable laughter; something he has not heard from his baby brother in a long time, as he hangs over him.
Bianca is distracted from the fun in the backyard when she hears the front door open and turns to see Kyle and Dex.
She smiles at the two teens as she moves away from the back door.
"Hi Bianca; what are you doing here? Where is everyone else?" Kyle asks.
"Come and see; they are having fun playing with a football," Bianca explains.
"Hi Miss. Scott," Dex greets as he watches Kyle head further into the house.
Kyle hears Casey's laughter as he nears the back door; putting his bag down in the lounge room as he passes.
Kyle smiles upon seeing his three brothers laughing and having fun.
Heath is the first to notice Kyle at the doorway and chucks the football to him.
"Hey, Bubs: where have you been? Here catch!"
Kyle tries to catch the ball but of course is caught off guard in the first place, having not expected a football to be flying towards him and he misses the catch; dropping the ball down the step and onto the ground.
Heath runs over to grab it, smiling at Kyle as he approaches and gently slaps him on the arm.
"Don't worry; you'll catch it next time; come and play," Heath encourages.
Brax stops spinning Casey around and takes sight of Kyle in the doorway and frowns.
He puts Casey back on the ground and runs up to Kyle.
Casey breathes heavily, catching his breath from all the upside down laughter.
"What are you doing back; is something the matter, or did you forget something?" Brax asks with a hint of concern.
Kyle smiles and shakes his head, noticing Casey now staring at him from the garden.
Heath playfully arm punches Casey and presses the football to his abdomen to take, before running over towards Brax and Kyle.
"Where have you been hiding all day?" Heath asks.
"I was at the museum with Dex," Kyle explains.
"And you were meant to go back to his place after, so what gives; why are you back here if you didn't forget anything and nothing is wrong?" Brax asks again.
"I just decided I didn't want to go for a sleepover, while Casey was at home unable to go out," Kyle admits.
Casey flicks his head up at the mention of his name as the three look at him.
"You gave up your first night of freedom for this mop over here?" Heath points out, indicating towards Casey.
Kyle nods.
"Kyle: why?" Brax asks.
"It just didn't feel right; that's okay isn't it?" he says quietly.
Casey shifts on his feet, feeling slightly to blame for Kyle's decision.
"Of course it is, kiddo," Brax replies, giving a wide smile as he squeezes Kyle's upper arm.
"Well, I also hope it's okay that Dex has come over for the night," Kyle adds quietly.
Brax frowns.
"Kyle, you know Casey is still grounded and isn't allowed friends over."
"Dex isn't here for Casey, he's here for me; you never said I couldn't have friends over," Kyle states.
Heath bursts out laughing at Kyle's cleverly put comment.
"Hmm, very well, but I'm putting my foot down and saying he can't sleepover and is only allowed to hang until after dinner," Brax says firmly.
Kyle smiles, "That's fair. I kind of didn't think you'd let him sleepover yet anyway so he didn't pack anything."
"Well, let's all go inside and you can tell us about your day," Brax says and gives Kyle a light push to go inside.
"Games over, Case!" Heath yells.
Casey runs up to follow his brothers inside.
He passes Kyle along the way through the door and smiles at him.
"Thanks for coming back to hang with me; you're a great brother, Ky," Casey mumbles.
"You're a pretty awesome brother too, Case," Kyle replies.
The two youngest then walk into the house where the rest of the family are and where Bianca is talking to Dex.
"Hey, Dex," Brax greets, upon seeing Dex in the lounge room.
"Hi again, Brax," Dex answers.
"How are you doing, dork number two?" Heath chuckles and receives a look from Bianca.
"I'll take that as a compliment, Heath, and yes I am fine."
"You should take it as a compliment because Kyle here is dork number one - in fact he's the adorkable one," Heath laughs, grabbing Kyle as he walks by and side hugging him.
Kyle rolls his eyes and Dex couldn't help but snicker, thinking back on their previous conversation about names.
"Jokes aside; how was the museum, boys?" Brax asks.
"It was the best! I learned so much about the universe and planets, fossils, early animal life in Australia as well as settlers and bushrangers and Ancient Egypt," Kyle beams.
"Yeah; it was all really mad and the limited Planetarium exhibit gave us a three hundred and sixty degree show about everything in the universe," Dex adds.
"Sounds wonderful and I'm pleased you both learnt something," Bianca says with a smile.
"Ryder loved seeing all the megafauna and they had some pretty cool things there too, like all these life size replicas of the original creatures. One was this massive animal called Diprotodon and it was like some giant wombat," Kyle explains.
Feeling bored by the conversation on education Casey starts to play with the football in his hands as he stands to the side of everyone.
It is not missed by Brax who notices it from his peripheral vision and steps backwards towards Casey.
"Go and put that away, before you drop it and damage something," Brax tells Casey as he rests his hand on his shoulder.
Casey leaves to go to his bedroom.
"Well, I'm glad you had a good day, Bubs!" Heath announces.
"Is it okay if Dex and I go to my room now," Kyle asks and Brax nods.
"Catch you later," Heath calls.
Dex begins to walk off and Kyle waits for a moment to follow, then decides to approach Heath first, who has turned back to face Brax and Bianca.
"Heath?" Kyle calls.
Heath turns back around to face Kyle.
"Bubs, what's wrong?"
"I just wanted to say thank you, because if it wasn't for you telling off those bullies at the beach that day, they probably would have ruined my day," Kyle says as Bianca and Brax watch on listening.
"Those jerks were at the museum too?" Heath asks with a frown and Kyle nods.
"But they ignored me and it's all because of you," Kyle praises and smiles before giving Heath a hug, causing the older one to smile.
"I'm glad I could help," Heath replies and Bianca and Brax smile.
Kyle pulls away and rushes off to his bedroom to hang with Dex and Casey.
A few hours later, Brax knocks on the boy's bedroom door and enters to see the three boys playing twister; Casey and Dex are tangled around each other, and Kyle is spinning the dial.
"Hate to interrupt your fun, but I'm just about to head to the restaurant to grab some dinner," Brax informs.
Casey gasps and cranes his head awkwardly upside down from his twisted position to look at Brax.
"Hi Brax; food sounds yum; I'm starved," Casey states and as he attempts to return to his more 'comfortable' position he loses his balance and comes crashing down on the floor, bringing Dex with him.
All three boys burst out laughing.
"You lose Casey!" Kyle announces.
"Best two out of three!" Casey argues back as he lies on the floor.
"You already lost the last time too when it was you and Kyle," Dex laughs.
"That was just because you said left foot instead of right foot!" Casey protests.
"No that's what you heard," Dex laughs and Kyle nods in agreement.
"Sorry Case, Dex has a point."
"Whose brother are you?" Casey jokes.
Brax clears his throat to interrupt the teens.
"Just get yourselves cleaned up and ready by the time I come back okay, and Dex are you getting picked up or do you need a lift back home?"
"Dad finishes at seven and can come pick me up. I already sent him a message," Dex answers.
Brax nods and shuts the door, leaving the three laughing.
Brax returns in half an hour with dinner, consisting of five chicken schnitzels and two servings of large wedges with sauces.
"Boys!" Brax calls.
Seconds later, Casey comes racing down the hall and into the dining room where Bianca and Heath are already seated and throws himself down in a chair.
"Bit eager there, baby bro," Heath laughs.
Kyle and Dex soon enter and take their seats.
Brax dishes out the schnitzels onto plates and takes his seat.
Casey instantly starts to devour the wedges, smothering each in sour cream and Heath also takes a wad and puts them on his plate.
"Make sure everyone gets some," Brax comments towards Heath.
"Hey: I'm just following his league," Heath jokes and elbows Casey next to him.
"I have an excuse: I'm a growing starving boy," Casey argues back.
"Keep telling yourself that, maybe it's just that you secretly like a serving of wedgies," Heath snickers.
"No!" Casey retorts, understanding what Heath is trying to imply.
Dex and Kyle both reach over and grab a handful of wedges; Kyle only a few and Heath scoffs, grabbing another big handful, dumping it on Kyle's plate.
"Heath, what did you do that for?"
"You need to eat up too; if Casey's a growing boy then so are you, and I have no problem giving you more wedgies when you need them," Heath states with a laugh.
"Honestly Heath, leave your brother's be," Bianca lightly scolds.
"They know I'm just teasing them."
"Enough talking about that and it had better never happen again; joke or not," Brax says.
"Alright; don't have to tell me twice," Heath defends.
"I'll believe that when I witness it," Brax smarts.
"I've already had plenty to eat today; we had ice-cream and hot chips," Kyle informs as he pushes away some of the piled wedges on his plate.
"Good to hear you are eating for yourself, Bubs, but you still need to finish your dinner," Heath states, causing Kyle to blush and Dex to snicker.
"Ice-cream," Casey whines.
"If you eat up you can have some ice-cream too," Brax says and Casey smiles, continuing to scoff down his food.
"But you need to do it without causing indigestion," Brax adds.
Bianca who doesn't take any wedges for herself, politely cuts up her schnitzel and eats it, just taking in the whole Braxton family's dynamic.
"Thanks for dinner, Brax," Dex pipes up.
"My pleasure, Dex," Brax replies.
The five continue to eat and finish just before seven when they hear a knock on the door.
Brax gets up to answer, along the way of placing the dishes in the sink.
"Hey, Sid; how are you?"
"I'm well thank you, Brax. A little tired from a busy day but that's normal," Sid replies, "Is Dex ready?"
"Hi Dad!" Dex calls.
"Thanks for allowing him to stay over for the afternoon," Sid says.
"I was kind of ambushed into it, but it was fine and we've just finished dinner," Brax replies.
"Well, thank you again. Dex: time to go."
Dex says goodbye to his friends and everyone and heads out the door with his Dad.
"Well I guess that's the cue for Bee and me to go too," Heath announces.
Bianca stands up and pushes her chair in.
"Thank you for dinner. I'll see you boys at school on Monday," Bianca says and turns her attention to Kyle and Casey.
"See you at school," Kyle replies.
"What is everyone's idea of talking about school when it's not even a school day; it's not right," Casey complains.
"See you both," Brax says.
Heath and Bianca leave and Heath drives Bianca home.
"Can I go for a shower, Brax?" Kyle asks.
"Sure thing," Brax responds.
"Did you need a hand to wash up first?" Kyle offers.
"No, little man; you are no longer grounded so go and have your wash and relax," Brax says.
Casey develops a cheeky grin.
"I might go and get organised to have a shower after Kyle," he says and gets up from the table.
"Uh, not so fast kiddo," Brax calls and beckons Casey over with his finger.
"You are still grounded, so that means you still have dish duty," Brax says and waves the dish cloth in the air.
Casey slumps his shoulders and approaches, taking the cloth from Brax.
"Can't blame me for trying," he mumbles.
Brax laughs and ruffles Casey's hair.
"Just get it done and then you can relax for the evening too and be thankful I let you hang with Kyle and Dex this afternoon," Brax informs with an eyebrow raise.
"Fine," Casey replies.
Brax nods and walks out of the kitchen, leaving Casey to clean the table and dishes.
Kyle lets the warm water run over him as he thinks about his day, thinking it couldn't have gone any better.
Kyle finishes up and gets in his pyjamas and throws his Hufflepuff oodie on and goes back out to the lounge room where Brax is sitting and sits down next to him.
"Is it okay if I read for a while?"
"That's up to you, Ky," Brax replies.
Kyle smiles and opens up his book, resting back against the couch.
Brax sees Casey go down the hall.
"You having your shower now, Casey?"
"No; I'll have one tomorrow night before that boring place known as school happens again on Monday," Casey yells back.
Brax rolls his eyes.
"Well I guess that leaves the bathroom free for me," Brax comments and gets up.
"You okay out here?" he asks Kyle.
"Yeah, I'm fine Brax."
Brax ruffles Kyle's wet hair and walks down to his room to get his clothes for a shower.
Once Brax starts in the shower, Casey comes out of the bedroom, dressed in his pyjamas and flops down on the couch next to Kyle.
"What are you reading?" Casey asks.
"It's called the Giver and it's about a dystopian place..."
"Dysto –what?" Casey asks, totally confused.
"Dystopian, it's the opposite of Utopian, which means idealistic, so it's about a place that deals with everything that's not perfect or pleasant," Kyle explains and sees Casey already losing interest.
"Sounds complicated," Casey comments, "Can I look through your comics?"
"I thought you said they were dorky?" Kyle replies.
Casey shrugs, "But I'm bored and I haven't anything of my own to look through."
Kyle sighs, not really wanting Casey to mess up his comic collection that he kept in order, just so he could look at random pictures.
"Do you want to play a game before bed instead?" Kyle offers and Casey shrugs.
"But you're reading."
"How can I concentrate when my little brother is bored, besides you'd be hovering over me anyway," Kyle replies and puts his book down and goes to grab the Uno cards from the cupboard.
Brax walks back out after his shower and sees his brothers playing Uno.
Approaching them he rests his hand on each of their shoulders.
"What happened to reading Kyle?" Brax asks.
"Casey had other ideas," Kyle replies as he places down his card.
"Well in that case; not too late for me to join?"
Casey shifts over on the couch to give Brax some room to sit.
"We'll deal you in the next round," Casey says and puts out his second last card and yells out 'uno!'
Kyle puts his next card down, allowing Casey to go out on his wild card.
They deal Brax in and the three play a few games before Kyle and Casey head to bed.