JosieTash

Enjoyed that ………. esp Brax’s "Play your cards right and you might see me in it again." !!!! I SERIOUSLY want Ruby to make up her mind as well ……. Ruby/April [with the WHOLE town knowing and all] would be sooooooooo ACE !!!!!!! ........ However, i CAN totally see Ruby's point ........it's like when John Marsden wrote in "Tomorrow, When The War Began" about society's propensity to ALWAYS put lables on things !!!!!!

FINALLY caught up with the latest FIVE [my computer was in being serviced!!!!!] chapters!!!! Danni02, you are PROLIFIC!!!!!! Ch 28 - I MUCHLY enjoyed April & Ruby getting frisky !!!! ….. esp. April moaned a little as her hand moved under Ruby’s singlet and caressed her bare back, while Ruby’s hand was gently moving in a circular motion on April’s bottom, under her skirt but over her panties. Ch 29 - I thought that Bianca pretty much DESERVED April telling her about Katie [after Bianca’s "normal" speech]!!!! Ch 30 - it was GREAT that April told Dex; that Ruby & April got more amorous than last time [esp. April fondling Ruby's breats] ; and that Heath didn’t initially tell Bianca bout Katie cos of Rocco !!!! Ch 31 – loved Charlie suggesting that Ella might bite Casey; that Charlie defenceded Heath to Bianca; Charlie’s comments to Brax about how stubborn Ella is!!!! Ch 32 – The whole Ella’s "I’s the baby" scene; Brax and the prettyful apron!!!!; Ruby’s rather intriguing "I’m not gay, okay, I don’t like April because she’s a girl, I just....I like April." AND "I’m still straight." LOOOOOVE it all !!!! MAYBE, just maybe, Ruby doesn't want to loose her bestie [to Violet], so THAT'S why going with April with this ........ OR could even be similar to Gypsy's "I fell in love with a PERSON. If you had of been a MAN, i would have felt the same way" to Shelley !!!!!!

WAAAY enjoyed that !!!!!!.. LOOVED the clash tween Heath and Ric, Drew & Romeo !!!!! GREAT that Peter is back at school, albeit NOT talking music!!!! Wonder if the roberry was Heath, or is he a scape goat ???? Adored Heath’s comment about Sid being the one who did the robbery!!! COOOOOL that Mink believes Heath …… the wholediretions to his room was funny!!!!

Woah !!!!!! LOTS going on there. BIG choice for Charlie to go with what she believes to be the lesser of 2 evils !!!! In the middle of ALL that, I especially loved ……… “I....it wasn’t long after....my life was....” Heath took a deep breath. “Tegan took Darcy to live in New Zealand, I lost my job, Rocco died and then Bianca broke up with me,” Heath cleared a lump from his throat as he recalled all that happened to him in such a short space of time. “Then there was you. You had the restaurant, the gorgeous wife, the twins....everything. You had everything and I had nothing. I was jealous and I wanted to be you. I wanted your perfect life and not my life of endless disappointment and when she asked my name, I just....it just came out.”

LOOOOVED that Dallas proposed to Dex !!!!!!!!! ADORED this final chapter, most especially ...... Sasha eyed him suspiciously.“How okay is…‘okay’?” “We were civil.Courteous.Two mature adults who were once in a relationship and have now learned to co-exist peacefully for the sake of the children that they both deeply care for.” Sasha looked at him sympathetically.“Wow.That must really suck.” “It did lack a certain sense of fulfilment,”Dexter admitted. Heath and Casey had been keeping out of the way in the kitchen but now they came over to them. “Dude, you have got nothing to complain about,”Heath told Dexter,“Despite being a total wuss, you have managed to pull two of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever seen.” “Ahem?”Indi interceded. “Apart from your sister,”Heath continued without looking away from Dexter,“Which is a good job cos that would be kind of weird.So, no doubt you’ll have another gorgeous woman come along soon.” Liam nodded.“Okay, well, we’ll take a rain check.”He gave her a lingering kiss before making his exit. Leah raised an eyebrow as Sally came back to sit with her.“Maybe I should be asking you how life in a relationship is treating you?” “We’re not talking about me,”Sally reminded her. “Well, it’ll take my minds off things.” “It’s…pretty good,”Sally admitted,“I’m feelings things that I haven’t felt in a long time.” “I know what you mean,”Leah agreed,“I felt things with Dexter.I’m not saying I was in love with him or anything…” “Hey, I never said I loved Liam,”Sally protested.Leah gave her a look.“But…maybe I do, a bit,”she conceeded. Dallas was standing there, William and Louis holding onto her hands.Dexter noticed that all three of them were carrying bags.She didn’t say anything.She just smiled hopefully. Dexter held the door open and let them inside. Dexter had put William and Louis to bed in their old room.If it wasn’t for the fact that most of their belongings were still packed away, he’d have thought that the last few months had never happened. He headed back into the lounge where Dallas was sitting and looked at her awkwardly.“So, er, what is this?” “This…this is me admitting I may have made a mistake.”Dallas looked at him sincerely.“Dex, I was on my own with William for a long time.And I managed.Maybe I managed a bit too well, I got used to being able to do things my way.So I thought that I could do that again, manage on my own.But truth is…I got lonely.” “You could get a dog?”Dexter suggested. Dallas laughed.“I’ve got two kids.I don’t need a dog.I need…I need the best thing that’s ever happened to me.Do you think there’s a chance?” Dexter looked at her in surprise.“Were you talking about me just then?”She nodded.“Maybe… maybe there is a chance.I kind of want there to be.I’m just not sure what we can do.” “We could get married.” Dexter didn’t think he could feel more shocked.He was wrong.“What?” Dallas knelt down in front of him, taking his hand in hers, a smile on her face.“Dexter Walker…will you marry me?” He leaned forward and kissed her.And it felt like she’d never been away. This has been such an AWESSOME fic !!!!! Yeah, MUCHLY muchly enjoyed it !!!!!!!!!!!

“Slightly” surprising ending !!!!!!! REALLY enjoyed that, most especially ...... “I think we should just stay away from the house just now,” April pursed her lips together. “Maybe you could teach me a little something about chemistry though,” April gave a smile as she leaned forward and gently rubbed Ruby’s hand. Ruby pulled away as she looked out to the sea as Casey surfed. “He’s not going to see,” April sighed. “And there’s no-one else around.” April looked around and couldn’t see signs of anyone close by. “I know but....I thought you said you weren’t ready for PDA’s either?” “Well, maybe I’ve changed my mind,” April answered. “If we’ve decided to be together we may as well....well, be together.” “Just because you’ve changed your mind it doesn’t mean I have,” Ruby said. “You’ve have time to get used to the fact your gay. I’ve had feelings for you for like a few days. It’s all gone so fast and I just....I need you to take things at my pace, okay?” April sighed lightly knowing Ruby had already faced a massive decision, and it was a lot quicker than April was able to face it. She just hoped that Ruby wasn’t already regretting it and new pushing her into being affectionate would only push her away. “Sure, sorry, I just....it’s hard when you are so damn gorgeous.” Ruby felt herself getting hotter in the face, like she was embarrassed. “I promise you tonight at home we can....you know be a bit more....affectionate.” April gave a smile as she looked out to the sea. “Even though Casey is around?” “Eh,” Ruby bit her lip. “We can hang out in my room.” “Cool.” April gave her a smile. Charlie sniggered. “I didn’t plan on it. I did the shopping and was almost home but then....I just needed time alone to think, okay?” “Think about what?” Brax questioned. “The state of current affairs in India,” Charlie spat. “What the hell do you think, Brax?” “Oh and Casey is going to be staying with us for a while too.” “Why?” Charlie screwed her face up. “And where exactly is he going to sleep? There’s no room left.” “He can have the guest room,” Brax answered. “Ruby and April are....you know....anyways, so April can share her room.” “No she can’t,” Charlie widened her eyes. “They’ve been together a few days. There’s no way -” “It’s not like she can get Ruby pregnant, is it?” Brax gave a little laugh. “I don’t care,” Charlie raised her voice. “They’re not going to be sharing a room right now. Casey can have the couch or he can go elsewhere.” “He’s my brother, Charlie. He has more right to stay here than April does.” Brax spat. “April is our guest and we are not throwing her out of the room we gave her just because you’re brother came along.” Charlie retorted.

Casey’s re-appearance on the scene is rather intriguing !!!! Enjoyed that, most especially ...... “I’ll come.” Ella threw her pirate sword down and ran over to Charlie. Charlie still not used to Ella wanting to be with her. Normally Noah would be the first one to say he wanted to go with her. “Me too mummy.” Noah said as he ran over to her and his sister, Noah keeping a hold of his sword. “Someone having a rough morning?” The man looked into the house to see Noah’s tantrum, Ella running around the table screaming about her ice-cream and Katie crying hard in his arms. “Don’t even...” Brax exhaled as he shook his head. “I just need you to sign for this.” The postman said. “Oh,” Brax looked down to the envelope and was pretty sure he knew what it was, but was surprised it had arrived today. “I didn’t expect this today.” Brax said as he moved a still screaming Katie in his arms and signed for the results. “Well it’s here,” The postman said as he handed it to him. “Hope your day gets better.” The postman said before walking away. Brax closed the door as he stared down at the results, knowing he should wait for Charlie to come home before he opened them, but not sure if he could wait to find out if he was indeed Katie’s father. April and Ruby were walking home after their exam. “So it was nice of Bianca to wish you luck.” Ruby gave April a little smile. “Sure it was,” April rolled her eyes. “It’s not her wishing me luck that I want from her. Well I suppose unless it was to wish me luck in my new relationship,” April lightly brushed her hand against Ruby’s, making Ruby clear on what she was on about but neither of them yet ready for full PDAs. “Maybe she’ll be different if she knows it’s you I’m with. She’s known you for like ever and she likes you. I mean, she cares about you. You know, we’re all close really, Bianca, me, you and your mum.” “Maybe,” Ruby gave a little shrug. “Might make it worse though,” Ruby said. “Might accuse me or even my mum of influencing you and turning you.” “Wouldn’t put it passed her right now, actually,” April sighed. “But you’ve been boy crazy the last few years. Surely if anything I was the one who’s turned you.” “I wouldn’t really say I’ve turned to be honest,” Ruby exhaled. “I mean I enjoy kissing you and want to see what comes of us but I’m not about to put a label on myself.” “Right,” April screwed her face up, kind of confused. Was Ruby trying to tell her she still saw herself as straight? “Hey Rubes.” Ruby turned around to see Casey running towards them, a decent sized sports bag around his shoulder. “What do you want?” Ruby questioned. “How tough was that exam huh?” Casey questioned. “Why did we ever decide to take biology?” “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be actually,” Ruby answered. “So, you’re walking this way with us because?” Ruby questioned. “Isn’t the bus to Mangrove River the other way?” “Yeah,” Casey answered. “I’m coming to stay with Brax for a while, hopefully.” “Why?” Ruby screwed her face up. “Mum threw me out,” Casey sighed. “She wants me to get a job to give her money for booze and pokey’s but I want to go into Year 12 and do my HSC.” “Yeah well there’s no room at our house so go cry to someone else.” Ruby said, not liking the idea that her ex-boyfriend could be living with her while she was trying to make something of it with April. “Yeah there is,” Casey gave a little laugh of confusion. “You have a spare bedroom.” “I’m staying in it right now,” April answered. “Bianca threw me out too.” “And anyways mum and Brax are having some trouble so he doesn’t need his stupid little brother hanging around either.” “But it’s alright for April to stay?” Casey sighed. “Brax is my bro and I know he’ll let me stay no matter what,” Casey said. “So get used to it.” Casey smirked. Ruby sighed lightly. “He’s also my stepdad and he wasn’t very impressed with you when you cheated on me, was he?” Ruby questioned.

ADORED the twins and Ruby speaking French !!!!!!!!! LOOOVED that, most especially ...... “Yup,” Charlie nodded her head as she saw Ella walking down the hall from her corner of her eye. “Hey trouble, you can’t sleep either?” Ella shook her head as she climbed up onto her mother’s knee. “I’s too hot mummy.” Ella pulled at her nightdress, trying to get some air into her body. “Take your nightdress off petal.” Charlie said as she moved her daughter’s hair from in front of her face. “Then what I wear to bed?” Ella put her hands out to the side as she looked puzzled. “You’ll have your panties on.” Charlie answered. “No,” Ella gasped. “I can’t be just my panties.” Ella said looking most shocked. “Sure you can,” Charlie laughed at her daughter’s facial expression. “It’s summer time, it’s hot and it’s okay to wear just panties in your bed.” “No mummy,” Ella shook her head. “I maybe get too cold.” “Well then you could put your nightdress back on.” Charlie replied. “It a kitty dress,” Noah said as he pointed to the Hello Kitty on Ella’s nighty. “I no like kitty’s.” “Hello Kitty is the best Noah.” Ella gave her brother a scowl. “No for boys,” Noah answered. “It’s Thomas train.” Noah pointed to the picture of Thomas the Tank Engine on his pyjama top. “No it’s kitty.” Ella raised her voice. “Thomas train.” Noah shouted. “Kitty.” Ella clenched her little fists together as she looked angry at her brother’s insistence that Thomas train was better than Hello Kitty. “Thomas.” Noah squealed. “Kitty, Kitty, Kitty.” Ella flung her hands out and tried to claw at her brother. “Hey hey,” Charlie pulled the twins apart. “They are both equally as good,” Charlie said, making peace between the twins. “Now it’s past everyone’s bedtime so let’s go back to bed, yes?” “No, I’s too hot.” Ella sighed as she hit her hand against her chest in frustration. “Well take your nightdress off,” Charlie replied. “You won’t be too hot then.” “Not surprised,” Charlie sighed as Brax walked further into the kitchen and leaned against one of the chairs at the table for support. “I see you’ve had more than a couple of drinks.” “Oh so what,” Brax sighed. “I can do what I want and anyways seems you’ve been drinking too.” Brax made to point to the bottle of red wine that was on the worktop but stopped and put his hand back on the chair supporting him. “I had one glass when Bianca came around.” Charlie sighed. “And I had lots more on my night with Heath,” Brax replied. “It was great. No nagging wife at my side,” Charlie pursed her lips together as she looked to her husband, disgusted at the state he’d gotten himself in. “You know I got a little drunk, does it really matter?” Brax questioned before he gagged, bringing his left hand up and covering his mouth. “That’s what got you into this mess in the first place so I thought right now the last thing you’d do would be to go out and get drunk.” Charlie spoke quietly as she watched Brax gently swaying on the spot. “Well if you knew how much my wife had been annoying me lately with her constant nagging and argument causing then you‘d understand.” Brax said before once again placing his hand on his chest and swallowing. “You do realise you are talking to your wife right now, right?” Charlie questioned, trying her best to keep calm. “Oh.” Brax rubbed his forehead with his left hand and it was then Charlie noticed the absence of his wedding band “No, I want to try things with you. You’re my petit dejeuner but -” “I’m your breakfast?” April laughed. Ruby felt herself going red. “Okay so I haven’t taken French in years, my bad.” Ruby laughed. “Aww that was sweet you trying to speak in French though,” April said as they walked into the school gates. “What word were you looking for?” “Eh, never mind,” Ruby shook her head as she saw Bianca walking over to them. “Do you want me to leave you...” Ruby stopped taking as she felt April’s hand going onto her arm. She wanted her to stay. Ruby exhaled as she moved her arm away, letting April’s hand fall from its place. “April,” Bianca spoke quietly. “I just wanted to wish you luck for your first exam.” April gave her sister a weak smile. “I heard you were back with Heath,” April said. “Eh, I’m glad you can find a way to be happy with him again.” Bianca smiled softly. “Thanks,” Bianca looked down to Ruby, noticing she was biting her lip at the awkwardness between the two sisters. “Eh -” “Well we need to go inside,” April said. “See you.” April pulled on Ruby’s arm, the pair of them walking away and into the school, ready to sit their first exam.

That was ACE !!!!!!, most especially ...... “That’s for that pep talk. It was great.” Charlie curled her nose up. “So moving on to brighter subjects, how are things with you?” “Brighter?” Ruby questioned. “Why would talking about me be brighter? I’m stressing out over my exams, I just broke up with Romeo, I -” “I just thought something may have happened yesterday to make things a little brighter for you.” Charlie gave a little smile as she raised her eyebrows. “April?” Ruby questioned. “How did you...did she...” “I sorta kinda maybe walked in on you two having a little pash,” Charlie said. “So things progressed quickly then?” “Well you told me to go for it if I wanted too,” Ruby felt slightly embarrassed that her mother had seen her pashing April, before she had the chance to tell her herself. “And April is gorgeous and we get on so well. We’ve been best mates for like 15 years.” “I know,” Charlie gave a little smile. “And if you want to experiment then you should.” Ruby gave a little smile. “So you really don’t mind that I might be gay? Or at least bi?” “As long as you make yourself happy, then, I’ll be happy for you,” Charlie smiled at her eldest daughter. “And if that means being with April or any other woman, then, it’s fine. You’re happiness is the most important thing to me, alright?” Ruby gave a little nod. “We’ll just see what happens. I’m not about to come out of any closet or confess my love for her but....well like I said, we’ll see how things pan out. I feel like I should give this a go.” “Give what a go?” Brax questioned as he walked back into the house. “Eh,” Ruby turned to face him. “I’m going to be dating April.” “April?” Brax gave a laugh of disbelief. “But you’re both....I mean you guys aren’t...” Brax trailed off as he rubbed his forehead. “But you’re with Romeo, aren’t you?” “No,” Ruby shook her head. “I broke up with him on Friday. April’s known for a while she’s gay and she confessed to being in love with me and I couldn’t get her out of my mind so....” Ruby exhaled as she stopped talking. “Yeah, that’s about it, but I would like it if you kept this to yourselves for a while.” “Hmmm,” Ella scratched the side of her head. “No, I help mummy with the dishes.” Brax exhaled, saddened. “Well if you change your mind you just come through okay?” Ella gave a little nod as she watched Brax leave the room with Noah. “Mmm, I going to do some revision,” Ruby stood up from the table, taking her drink with her. “First exam tomorrow.” “Don’t stress too much,” Charlie said. “You’ll do fine,” Ruby gave her mother a weak smile before walking out of the kitchen to her bedroom. Charlie looked down to Ella who’d jumped down from the table and was very carefully carrying her bowl over to the sink, careful not to spill the little bit milk she’d left in the bottom. Charlie exhaled lightly. She did feel a little bad for Brax that Ella no longer seemed to want to be with him, but Ella was normally such a daddy’s girl, she was enjoying the extra time with her daughter. “Right Petal, let’s get these dishes done so we can go do something fun yeah?” “Yeah.” Ella answered with excitement in her tone as Charlie brought the rest of the dishes over to the sink to wash Charlie sniggered. “Don’t be worried. I’m not going to ignore her. I’ll feed her when she needs fed and see to her if she’s crying.” Brax gave a little smile. “And the twins are sleeping anyways so -” “Don’t pretend you’re concerned about the twins,” Charlie spoke over Brax. “I know you’re just worried to leave Katie with me but like I say, I’ll do what needs to be done with her.”

LOOOOOOVE how brilliantly nonchalant Charlie was bout the Ruby/April kiss !!!!!! Enjoyed that, especially ...... “Mummy mummy,” Noah shrieked as he ran across to her. “I did a poop in the toilet, I did a poop in the toilet,” Noah yelled, pleased with his achievement as his little legs carried him as fast as they could. “I pooped mummy....I did.” “Shhh Noah,” Charlie laughed lightly as he climbed up onto her knee. “Not so loud.” Charlie looked around and saw a few people in the restaurant staring over to them. “But I pooped.” Noah shouted. “Yeah and that’s great. Mummy’s really proud of you baby, but quiet voices, okay?” Charlie said as Brax sat down at the table. “Tell her daddy,” Noah shrieked. “Tell her.” Brax laughed at his son’s excitement over using the toilet. “You used the big boy toilet.” Brax smiled proudly at his son. “I is a big boy.” Noah gave a grin as Charlie kissed the side of his head. “Yes you are.” Charlie smiled. “So, none of you going to sit next to daddy?” Brax questioned as he looked to his kids. “No.” Ella shook her head. She walked over to the female toilets and lay Katie down on the changing table. “I wish Brax wouldn’t dress you in Ella’s clothes. You’re not Ella; you’re not our little girl. This was Ella’s dress,” Charlie sighed as she pushed the little white and pink dress up her body and took off the dirty nappy. “You know what baby; maybe if I did more things for you then Brax would have more time for the twins. Ella especially wants some of daddy’s attention. I know it’s not all your fault. You’re helpless and need someone and after the way Brax was brought up he wanted more for his children so he is just trying to be the best father he can possibly be. Maybe he’s just trying too hard with you right now though. I think that’s his problem, I do,” Charlie sighed as she pulled another wipe from the box and wiped Katie. “No offence but I don’t really want to take care of you, but for my little girl I will, because she is everything to me, so, for the next few days you might see a little more of me, okay?” Charlie sighed as she put the new nappy under Katie’s bottom before fixing down the tabs. “But I do hope your mummy comes back for you soon, you belong with her.” Charlie sighed as she put the wipes and dirty nappy into the bin before putting some sanitizer onto her hands, refreshing them before lifting Katie into her arms, letting he dress fall back down over her bottom. She lightly rubbed Katie’s back before she picked up the nappy bag and left the toilets to re-join Brax and the twins for some lunch. Ruby gave a nervous laugh. “Tomorrow. I’ll tell her tomorrow.” Ruby answered. “Besides, it’s kind of nice that’s it’s our little secret right now, don’t you think?” Ruby gave a little smile as she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on April’s lips. April smiled into the kiss as she let it deepen. Charlie walked back into the kitchen to get drinks for the twins and was kind of shocked to see April and Ruby in a rather passionate looking embrace. She took a few steps back and smiled to herself, thinking Ruby didn’t take long to make her mind on what she wanted to do.

Heath/Mink are most intriguing, whilst I hope Ruby has gotten through to Tracey !!!!! REALY enjoyed that, especially ...... Heath allowed her into the front room.He noticed her gaze pass over to the television and hastily turned it off.“Dex always leaves it on that channel.Take a seat.”He gestured to the sofa, perching next to her once she was sat. Heath waited a second before grabbing her and kissing her.Both of them surrendered to the kiss hungrily, feeling the pleasing sensation of each other’s bodies.Heath’s hand caressed Mink’s leg and then moved upwards, under her skirt, until she suddenly pulled away.“Heath!” He looked at her, amused and perplexed.“What?” “What do you think we were gonna do?” He shrugged.“Whatever takes your fancy.” “Oh, right.So you think I’m just gonna have sex with you?” “Door’s there if you’re not.” Mink shot him the angriest glare he’d been on the receiving end for some time and stormed out of the house. Heath banged his head against a cushion. “I’m not punishing him,”Tracey insisted,“He’s got a good job…” “Yeah, which he hates.He needs to be in school.Even if it’s not Summer Bay High, he needs to be somewhere.I can get you information, contacts, whatever you need.Just make sure he gets the education he deserves.” Tracey looked hard at her, as if searching for an ulterior motive.“I’ll think about it,”she said at last. Ruby nodded.“Just do what’s best for Peter.”

Dex is just the BEST !!!!! Enjoyed that, especially ...... Dexter lifted his son up, while patting William on the head.“Hey, Wills.How’s school going?Learnt how to build an atom bomb yet?” “No,”William answered seriously. “No?Okay, maybe next year.” VJ looked at Leah carefully.“So you and Dexter broke up?” Leah nodded slowly.“Yes.” “But you’re not crying.” Leah digested the comment.“I guess it’s not that kind of break-up.” “Makes a change from your usual kind.So, are you going to stop dating people now?” Leah looked at him, amused.“What, you want me to be on my own for the rest of my life?” “I guess you can start dating people again when I leave home. They’d told him it was meant to be him.Given the curious mismatch of shapes and colours, he was taking their word for it. Dallas came through from the bedroom with a smile on her face.She’d been smiling most of the time he was there, for reasons he wasn’t entirely sure about.Maybe she was just trying to make him feel welcome.“The boys are finally settled.William wanted you to come in and read him a story.” “Well, I could have done that.I mean, I have learned to read.”

BRILLIANT !!!! This whole fic was brilliant !!!!!! LOOOOOOVE that, especially ...... “Brax is family, but it’s more than that. I’ve seen him go through this before. He doesn’t ... He doesn’t know how to deal with it. In the end, I knew you’d be okay. You wanted me, but you didn’t need me, not like him.” “What happened?” Ruby whispers. Casey breathes slowly, Ruby can see his chest rising and falling out of the corner of her eye. “Brax was ... he was a mess. Like, totally falling apart. I would hear him pacing around the house at all hours, found him passed out on the beach more times than I can ever remember him doing before. It was like he was just looking for a way to wipe himself out.” Ruby remembers wide hands and chapped lips and a dimly lit bathroom, and feels the shiver run up her spine. She understands wanting to do that, to just try anything to get rid of the image that’s burned in the back of your mind. reaching inside one of the untaped packages and pulling out a long, silver dress, all sequins and sparkles and Ruby remembers Charlie wearing it at her birthday only months ago. Ruby holds the fabric close, doesn’t care that the sequins are scratchy on her nose and inhales. It smells like citrus, fruit and faintly woody, but something undeniably Charlie. “So, what?” she asks, the smallest of smiles creeping on to her lips. “Do I want this plain silver ring that has no sentimental attachment to me whatsoever?” “Are you going to make me say it?” Casey asks, slightly exasperated. “Yes,” Ruby says smugly. “Yes, I am.” Casey sighs, joins Ruby on his knees. “Shouldn’t you be on one knee?” Ruby asks. “Do you want your proper proposal or not?” Casey challenges and Ruby closes her mouth, watches as Casey appears to collect himself. He takes the ring from between Ruby’s fingers and holds it out towards her. “Ruby,” Casey begins, “I didn’t know how to do this. Not after everything, but they say you can’t choose your family, but you can, Ruby, because I choose you. Over everyone else, I choose you, and I promise to be here for you since Charlie can’t. That is, if you’ll have me.” After Charlie, Ruby wouldn’t have dared imagine a future without her. She didn’t know how to. Now, as Casey slips the ring over her finger she allows herself that luxury. She sees Casey’s face bathed in sunlight as she rolls over first thing in the morning, the feeling of his warm breath on her neck as they hold each other close and a thousand other small, inconsequential moments that mean so much. They are the sort of things that make a fulfilled life, and Casey is promising to be there for all of them and that’s all that Ruby has ever wanted.

I had a feeling that Ruby and Peter would get busted sooner or later …. even though I WISH they didn’t !!!! That was ACE, especially ...... Mink sighed.“I kissed someone.Or someone kissed me.It was kind of mutual, either way.” “What?”Romeo looked at her, shocked.“It wasn’t Xavier, was it?” “No.That’s the thing.I don’t think I like Xavier anymore, not like that anyway.I think…I might like this new guy.I’m just finding myself looking at him and thinking about him in the same way I used to Xav…” “Well, that’s great,”Romeo pointed out, before suddenly looking at her worried,“He’s not married as well, is he?” “No.”Mink seemed to brace herself before sharing.“It’s Heath.” “Heath?!”Romeo stared at her in shock.“Heath Braxton?!” Mink sighed but didn’t look too surprised at his outburst.“Yeah.” “Okay, if there’s anything worse than liking a married man, it’s liking Heath Braxton.You know he’s been in jail?” Mink shrugged.“So have I.” “Yeah but he actually did something to deserve it.” “Maybe we can bond over stories of our favourite prison lags. Ruby noticed that Peter suddenly didn’t seem to be paying much attention to her.Instead, he was staring behind her, as if frozen to the spot.Ruby looked round and saw a dark-haired girl in her early teens staring at them, open-mouthed. It took Ruby a few seconds to recognise her.After all, on their first meeting she’d only been a few years old and on their second meeting Ruby’s attention had been mainly focused on Tracey. “Mia,”Peter whispered in horror.Mia turned and ran.Peter scrambled to his feet and ran after her. “Mia, wait!” Ruby went after them as fast as she could.She saw Peter catching up to his sister and grabbing her by the arm, turning her round.“Mia, stop,”he begged. Mia looked at him in disgust.“I followed you here, I wondered where it was you kept sneaking off to, thought maybe you had a girlfriend or something.I didn’t think you’d be with her.” “It’s not what you think, she’s all right.” “Dad’s dead because of her!Have you forgotten that?” “I’m sorry you lost your dad,”Ruby interjected,“But Peter wants to sit his exams, I’m just trying to help him.” Mia shook her head.“I’m going to tell Mum, she’ll put a stop to this.”She ran off again. Peter made to go after her again but Ruby caught his arm.“There’s nothing you can say.” Peter looked mortified.“Mum’ll kill me.” “She won’t blame you,”Ruby replied with a sigh,“She’ll blame me.”

Although it had the potential to be VERY messy, I quite like the idea of Dex/Leah!!! That was cooooooooooooool, most especially ...... She melted into the kiss without any objection…until a cough from the direction of the other doorway let them know they weren’t alone. “Getting a worrying sense of déjà vu here,”Miles remarked,“Only, that time it was you and Nicole.” Sally looked at Liam.“You slept with Nicole?!” “It was a long time ago.”He paused.“That doesn’t make it sound any better, does it?” “You certainly make a better brother-in-law than son-in-law,”Miles agreed, heading off in the direction of the kitchen. “No-one on the horizon for you?” “I don’t think I even know where the horizon is anymore.Which is okay.It’s better not to be in a relationship than to be in a relationship with the wrong person.At least, that’s what I’ve been telling people.” They both took a seat.“I think I know what this is about,”Dexter noted,“I mean, I’ve been having certain thoughts lately about the way things are between us.” Leah nodded.“I mean, these last few weeks have been great, don’t get me wrong but…I don’t think this is the sort of relationship that can last.” “Somewhat tragically, I have come to that conclusion myself.” “So, I think we need to put an end to it now.Before Stephen gets confused or before we do.” Dexter nodded.“Have to say this is a pretty civilised break-up.”

LOOOOOVED your comment bout seeing if the parts i quoted match your faves !!!! That was sooooooooooooooooooooo ACE, most especially ...... Ruby gets through Monday by staying in bed, staring at the ceiling, counting backwards from one thousand. When she loses her place she starts over, because when she’s counting she can’t think about anything else. If she loses track it’s because her mind slips, to Casey or Charlie or Brax or Nicole and what they are doing/thinking/saying. But she can’t let herself slip up, so she starts over from the beginning. Ruby takes the shirt and their fingers touch. This time, Casey slips them silently together. It’s like a muscle-memory, the way they fit -- the way they used to; always -- fingers laced, Casey’s thumb rubbing circles into the back of Ruby’s hand. It’s the simplest of gestures, something Ruby wouldn’t have thought twice about a week ago, but now she’s been on her own, hit rock bottom, hauled herself out of the hole and it’s like a her skin is being burned. She snatches her hand away, goes to the laundry, tossing the shirt and jacket in the basket and grabbing a towel from the counter. When Ruby opens her mouth to speak what comes out is a sob. She doesn’t want to hear sorry. She doesn’t want to be told not to cry, because that’s all she’s wanted to do for a week, and she hasn’t allowed herself to feel like this when Casey wasn’t around. She’s tried blocking it out, erasing the memory, the feeling, and nothing has worked. Because it’s not something that you can just ignore. It’s something that’s been lodged in her chest and in every breath she takes, every movement; she’s had to do it with caution, knowing that if she falls apart, there was no one to put her back together. Because that is what Casey does. He holds her and collects the bits that have broken off and finds a way to make her whole again, and in this moment Ruby allows herself to fall apart. She cries and doesn’t care that she’s wiping her tears into Casey’s skin, and that she can feel herself physically shaking against his body, which is somehow so warm compared to her own. Casey is holding her tight, refusing to budge when she strains to get away. He holds her together and presses kisses to the top of her head and waits until she’s just breathing, swallowing hard and blinking up at him. His face is etched with concern and worry, and his eyes are shining too with unshed tears. Ruby doesn’t know who kisses whom, whether they meet in the middle, but when they do it’s like Ruby actually feels the sun. Ruby grips on to Casey’s chest, pulling him closer and Casey tilts his head, angling their mouths so they slide together in a practiced rhythm. He sucks at her lip, parts her mouth and slips his tongue in and Ruby balances on her toes, inching herself closer, wanting to melt herself into him, because Casey is the one who makes her whole again, who makes her feel things -- both the good and bad -- and she’s doesn’t want to feel nothing any more.

Mink is just the BEST in this ,….. and the Ruby, Peter is sooooo secretive and ACE !!!!! LOOOOVED that, most especially ...... “I was thinking I might work in a research lab or something?I’ve always liked science.” “I should introduce you to a friend of mine, Dex.He works at a lab in the city.”Ruby noticed Peter looking around the Diner nervously.“Is something wrong?” “I just…I know there’s not much chance of my mum coming in but I feel nervous meeting here. Couldn’t we have gone to your place?” Ruby gave an awkward smile.“Actually, I’m trying to hide this from my mum as well.And she’s at home all day.” Peter looked surprised.“Your mum?” “Trust me, families never stopped worrying about you.” “What?What friend?I’m at work!Can’t you find someone else?” “Knew you’d understand.Bye!”Mink breezed out of the restaurant. Romeo saw the look Indi was giving him.“Don’t, okay?I get enough of that from Ruby.” Indi held up her hands in surrender.“Look, I’m not going to give you lectures about letting her take advantage of you.But I can’t have her turning up at work and expecting you to drop everything and babysit.” “We’re not busy at the moment.How about I take my break now so I can look after him?” Indi sighed.“Okay.But if she’s not back in an hour, then we’ve got a problem.” Mink sighed.“I can’t, I’ve got to pick Brixx up.” “Should have brought him with you, teach the little guy to surf.” Mink winced.“I’m not ready for that yet.” “Oh, overprotective mother, huh?You’ve got to let the kid live a bit.” “I’m not overprotective!”Mink argued,“I’m just being responsible.” “Course you are.”Heath gave a sudden cheeky grin and splashed her.Mink gave him a scandalised look and splashed him back.He caught her arm, pulled her towards him…and then suddenly he was kissing her.She started kissing him back, the two of them exploring each other’s mouths and bodies hungrily, until she suddenly pulled back, staring at him in confusion. “I have to go,”she said at last before hurrying up the beach.

Hope you waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay enjoy your hols !!!! REALLY enjoyed that, most especially ...... “I’ll touch it.” Ella leaned even further forward, putting her hand into the water. “Ella no,” Charlie pulled her daughter back slightly. “Be careful, you don’t want to fall in. Just you feed the fish.” Ella gave her mother a frown. “I swim with these fisheses.” “You don’t want to swim with them,” Charlie shook her head, slightly amused by her daughter’s interest at the Koi fish. They weren’t exactly the most attractive looking fish. “You’re supposed to feed them.” Ella sighed before she started to throw the bread into the water, watching in amazement as the fish all gathered around, fighting for the bits of bread. “They’s all hungry,” Noah gasped. “Really hungry, look.” “You’re doing a good job feeding them,” Brax bent down to the twins’ level and rubbed their backs as he watched Noah picking up one piece of bread at a time to throw, plenty bread left in his cup as Ella was already tipping hers upside down and shaking it, hoping somehow more bread would appear after already throwing all of hers into the water in a few big handfuls. “My bread is gone,” Ella declared sadly. “Share Noah. “ Ella put her hand out to grab Noah’s cup. “No,” Noah squealed as he pulled his cup closer to himself. “This is mines.” “You to share.” Ella banged her foot on the ground as she pulled the cup from her brother’s hand. “Hey hey,” Brax tried to save the cup but it went falling into the pond, the bread all spilling out across the water as the fish came for it. “Ella that was Noah’s.” “Mines gone.” Ella scowled at her father. “Well you used it all too quickly,” Charlie answered as she watched Noah bowing his head down as he looked like he was about to cry. “Now you’ve spoiled Noah’s.” Brax picked the cup from the water and took Ella’s from her hand and walked them over to the bin. “I wanted more.” Ella said as she once again stomped her foot off the ground. “Don’t be greedy. Now say sorry to Noah.” Charlie said as Noah started pulling on her dress, wanting to be lifted up. “No,” Ella moaned. “I do nothing.” Ella shook her head. “C’mon say sorry then we’ll go see something else, yeah?” Charlie said. Ella sighed as she ran over to Noah and put her arms around him, a sort of half headlock, half hug style. “Sorry.” Ella said before she let go. “Good girl.” Brax smiled down at his daughter but Ella just scowled up at him. “You can go on daddy’s shoulders right now,” Brax said as he pushed the pram, slightly behind Charlie and the twins. Brax waited for a while on a reply but realising he wasn’t going to get one, he spoke again. “Ella, did you hear me?” “Yes daddy,” Ella snapped up at him. “I no want to be on your shoulders.” Brax sighed lightly. Ella was like her mother in more than looks, and he knew she was still mad with him for not playing with her the day before in favour of Katie. The best thing for him to do would be not to push her. That was the last thing he needed to do right now unless he wanted the stubborn little toddler to have a full blown temper tantrum. “It would save you walking,” Charlie said as she looked down to Ella and Brax smiled lightly at the fact that even though things with them were bad right now, she was still willing to help him in winning over Ella again. “I’d take up the offer if I was you.” “No,” Ella shook her head. “He has Katie. It’s okay. I walk with you mummy,” Brax exhaled sadly. He couldn’t help that he couldn’t give the twins as much attention right now. Katie had no-one, so she really needed him right now. “Studying hard I see.” “It’s called taking a break,” Ruby smiled nervously up to April. She was glad she was home. “What took you so long? I had a shower, did like a good hour of maths revision, went to the surf club and the store to buy this magazine and still you weren’t home,” Ruby exhaled. “Don’t tell me that you changed your mind and were pashing her for 2 hours straight.” “No,” April gave a little laugh as she sat on the couch next to Ruby. “It just took me a while to convince her I just wanted to be friends. She thought I was just freaking out a bit because she’d be my first girlfriend.” “Right,” Ruby gave a little smile. “So, you still want that to be me?” “It’s all I’ve ever wanted, Rubes,” April smiled as she rested her hand against Ruby’s thigh. Ruby feeling all tingly when April touched her, a funny feeling in her stomach. She remembered Charlie saying she felt that way when she knew she liked Joey, so she was pretty sure she was making the right decision. “You’re gorgeous,” Ruby felt her face getting hotter so she knew she must be blushing. “Aww you look even cuter when you blush.” April laughed. “Shut up,” Ruby said as she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on April’s lips, April letting it deepen for a moment. Ruby pulled back as they gave each other a smile. “So,” Ruby cleared her throat. “What happens now?” “Well usually we’d get to know each other but considering we’ve been the best of friends since we were the twins’ age, I think we already know each other pretty well.” “Yeah, I’d think so,” Ruby gave a little laugh. “So maybe nothing much will really change then.” “What you mean besides from the fact that we’ll pash and one day be in a sexual relationship?” April questioned. “Well yes, of course,” Ruby bit her lip. “But we can take it slow, right?” Although Ruby knew she liked April and enjoyed kissing her, she wasn’t about to rush into anything too quickly. “Yeah, I’d like to as well,” April answered. “Pashing you is enough for me right now. You know, we should wait until we are both ready for the next step.” April sounded nervous. She was already in love with Ruby so she didn’t want to do anything to mess that up. “Good,” Ruby smiled as she saw April moving her head closer to her and placing a kiss on her lips. Ruby smiled into the kiss, letting it deepen as their tongues found each other’s mouths. April rested her hand on the back of Ruby’s head as she moved herself closer to her, their bodies touching together. “Not that it’s not really nice kissing you, but eh, do you think we should probably do some studying?”

It’s ironic that as things slide further south for Chax, they get ever better for Rubril [Ruby/April] LOOOVE that, most especially ….. “Morning kiddies.” Brax smiled down to his kids. Ella looked up to him to see Katie in his arms before giving him a scowl and going back to eat her cereal. “Katie go home daddy?” Noah questioned. “And you play with us?” “I can still play with you when Katie is here,” Brax said resulting in him hearing a snigger from Charlie. “I get you are mad at me and fine, be mad at me, but not Katie. She’s just a baby. She’s done nothing wrong. Be nice about her.” “She might ruin our family. I know that it’s not directly her fault, but all this is happening because she is around,” Charlie said. “I cannot hold her and coo over her and be happy that we have a baby around right now. You can’t expect me to be fine with having your possible love child around. I hate that the results are taking so long to come back because every day that she is here, we are drifting further and further apart. And I don’t want that, of course I don’t. I don’t want us to have to be over, I hate that we are constantly arguing right now and I hate seeing you care for her and....and fall in love her.” “Charlie I’m not falling in love with her, I...” Brax trailed off as he looked down to Katie, her big brown eyes staring up at him. “You are,” Charlie answered. “You’re getting attached and forming this bond with her and it hurts to see you do that with a child that’s not mine. One that would have been conceived through betrayal. I understand she needs to be looked after but you are falling in love with that child and I don’t want to see you hurt, if – and I pray it does – it comes back that you are not the father.” “So what, do you want me to take her to DOCS right now?” Brax questioned. “Maybe if I knew for sure that she wasn’t mines then yeah, she’d be there, but like I said, Heath and I had those nights out and I’m sorry to say that I can’t be sure and I would never forgive myself if I put my daughter into care.” “That’s what you wouldn’t forgive yourself for?” Charlie questioned. “Not that you cheated on me and the kids. Because you would have, you would have hurt us all. Betrayed us.” “Of course I would be sorry for that and I would spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you, but if she is my child then I will be a father to her. I will not cut her out of my life for anyone.” Brax said and Charlie noticed him taking a tighter grip of the child. “Right,” Charlie pursed her lips together as she stood up from the table. “Well at least I know where the twins and I stand now.” Charlie said as she started to walk out of the kitchen. “Where are you going?” Brax questioned. “To get the twins ready for the aquarium. I suggest you get your precious little Katie ready.” Charlie spat before she turned around and walked down the hallway and Brax jumped slightly as he heard the twins’ bedroom door being slammed shut. ALL of the Ruby/April scene – but in particular from here .............. “I do like you Ruby, I am totally completely madly in love you but -” “You’re in love with me?” Ruby sounded gobsmacked by April’s revelation. ....... to the end of the scene !!!!!!

Happy Birthday BTTB !!!!!!! ........... ..... and many thanks to EVERYONE involved [creators, moderators and posters alike] for making this such an BEYOND awesome site !!!!!!!!!

LOOOOOVED that, especially ….. We’re friends, right?”he asked,“I mean, we’ve had all sorts of messiness in the past.But we’ve got past that and we know each other.” Leah looked at him suspiciously.“Miles, what’s all this about?” Miles took a deep breath.“What are you doing with Dex?” Leah bristled slightly.“Miles, if this is jealousy…” Miles waved a dismissive hand.“I don’t feel like that about Dexter anymore.Look, this isn’t a lecture.I’m asking a serious question.I want you to be happy.Are you?” Leah stopped, thinking.“Yes,”she said at last,“I mean, I’m not delirious, head-over-heels-in-love happy but I am enjoying-myself, having-a-good-time happy.” “Good.That’s good.”Miles nodded repeatedly before asking,“So what happens next?” Leah looked at him in confusion.“What do you mean?” “Well, if you’re in a fun, non-serious relationship, it can go one of two ways.Either it becomes serious or it ends.So…which do you want this to be?” Dexter opened the door in response to the persistent knocking to find Indi and Sasha standing there. “What’s this, another intervention?”he asked as he let them both in. “Why didn’t you tell us?”Indi demanded. “Do you think we wouldn’t want to know you were seeing someone?”Sasha echoed. Dexter shrugged awkwardly.In truth, he wasn’t really sure about a lot of the things he’d done.“It just felt like something private, you know?Something we needed to keep to ourselves for a bit.Like the script for the new Star Wars film.” Indi looked bemused at the last one.“What?” “Well, you know, how all the scripts get special numbers printed on them so if one goes missing they know who…” “Back on topic,”Sasha interrupted,“are you okay?” Dexter looked slightly stunned.“Why wouldn’t I be?” “Well, because you kept it a secret,”Indi replied,“And because there’s a bit of an age gap.” “I’m not the only one dating someone older,”Dexter argued. “There’s only seven years between me and Heath,”Indi protested,“There’s, like, twice that between you and Leah.” Dexter hadn’t finished.“And it’s not like I’m the only one who’s keeping secrets,”he added, looking at his other sister. Sasha flushed slightly.“How did you know?” “I work in mysterious ways.And I looked in your bin.” Indi looked at Sasha in confusion.“What’s he..?” “Casey and I are…expecting,”Sasha admitted,“We were keeping it secret.”

EXQUISITE as always, Jen !!!!!! LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED that, especially ….. Dark clouds looming above, the sky grey encroaching, not an inch of blue sky or sunlight present, and yet -- shadows. She feels cold, shivering, skin sensitive as she feels the rough hands rubbing into her body, every hair standing on end as the breath is hot on her neck. She tries to scream, to open her mouth and suck in the fresh air that she knows is there, but can’t. The air is suffocating and closing in, someone with strong, wide arms is squeezing, engulfing her, pushing all the oxygen out of her lungs until she’s gasping for air and her eyes fly open. The room is dull, the light from outside blocked out by the thick curtains and Ruby can hear her heart pounding inside her chest, her breath rattling as she forces herself to stop. Just stop, and breathe in, hold, exhale. Breathe in, hold, exhale. Breathe in, hold, exhale. Ruby wants to shut the door; close it and pretend she didn’t hear. Because now she knows how they feel; that Ruby is nothing more than an inconvenience. A silly little girl with a problem, and they are grown up and moved on and better off without her. and Ruby knows what she needs to do. Ruby needs to at least pretend she’s holding it together; she can’t fall apart in front of them. Even if Nicole and Angelo can only see her as the small, pathetic child she was in Summer Bay this move was supposed to be a new start, a fresh break of sorts. Ruby takes a deep breath, keeps her hands cupped around her mug, steadies herself before she looks up at catches Angelo’s eye. “Thanks for last night.” “Ruby -” Angelo starts. “No, I mean -- Thanks for everything, but I’m just going to go,” Ruby says, standing, ignoring the mostly full cup of coffee and cold toast. “What? No, you don’t have to go,” Nicole says quickly. “Ben’s on a play date with a friend so we can hang out ... talk, if you want?” “No, it’s fine,” Ruby repeats. “I’m fine. I just -- I need to get out, get on with ... things.” She doesn’t know what yet, just that she can’t stay any longer. Not with Angelo and Nicole looking at her with their forlorned expressions and wondering what mistake she’s going to make next. She heads for the door before they can object. Angelo is offering to drop her off, Nicole wants her to at least eat something, but Ruby says very quietly, “I’ve got to learn to stand up on my own. I can’t have you chasing me across town making sure I’m okay.” Nicole and Angelo are clearly confused, then realisation dawns on both their faces. Ruby slips out the front door without a look back.

Brax is being SUCH a pain right now !!!! ACE chapter, especially ….. Charlie gave them a smile before she left the room, seeing Brax already straight back over to the moses basket to check on Katie as Ella pulled at the bottom of his t-shirt, craving for some of her daddy’s attention. “Ella stop it.” Brax batted her hand away. “But you see me daddy.” Ella moaned. “We play.” “Ella,” Brax raised his voice. “I’m going to give Katie a bath.” “No, you play.” Ella banged her foot against the floor. “Surely you can bath her when the twins are in bed.” Charlie said as she and Noah put some of the twins’ toys back into the play box at the back of the living room. “Nah I’m just going to do it now,” Brax answered. “There’s a footie match coming on that I want to watch later eh.” Brax once again pushed Ella’s hand away before he lifted Katie into his arms. “So you’re not even going to bath and put the twins to bed tonight?” Charlie questioned. “It’s your night for the bed time routine.” Brax gave a shrug. “If I have too.” Charlie pursed her lips together as she shook her head as Brax walked out of the room with Katie. “Daddy.” Ella ran after him, her voice sounding like she was about to cry. “Good.” Ruby smiled weakly at the news. April was trying to get over her. Should she just leave her and let her try with Violet or should she tell her? After all she was the reason she split up with Romeo and she was the reason Ruby was feeling like this. Problem was, Ruby didn’t know what the feelings meant, that she still needed to work out. A few days ago she felt only friendship for April, so how come now, she was suddenly feeling something more? It didn’t really make sense to her. And she found herself wanting to talk to her mother about it before going to say anything to April. “Yeah, I’m going to see her again tomorrow. We’re going to do some revision together for the exams.” April smiled lightly. “So you’re happy with her then?” Ruby questioned. “Well we’ve been on one date,” April answered. “But I like her, she’s a nice girl.” “Got over me quickly then.” Ruby muttered. “No,” April shook her head. “But I have to try to move on, right, I mean you’re straight so...” April trailed off as she looked at her friend. “Mmm,” Ruby pursed her lips together as she gave a little nod. “Well I think I might have an early night so...” Ruby looked up to her friend. “If you don’t mind.” April exhaled feeling like Ruby wanted her gone. “Sure, I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.” “Night.” Ruby smiled weakly at her friend as she left the room. She sighed as she fell back in the bed before slapping her forehead with her palm, not knowing what to do. “How did you know that you liked Joey more than a friend?” Ruby questioned as she looked up to her mother. “You know, another woman.” “Oh,” Charlie was taken aback by her daughter’s question. She didn’t expect it to be that. “Well I....I got nervous around her, but felt excited at the same time, I was always glad when I bumped into her. I’d sometimes take a different route to work in hope I bumped into her, I would get a funny feeling in my stomach if she touched my arm or wherever. I’d day dream about us being together,” Charlie stopped taking as she pursed her lips together, remembering her time with Joey. “Pretty much the same as when I started to like a guy.” “Would you date another woman?” Ruby questioned. “I plan on being Brax for the rest of my life,” Charlie exhaled lightly. “Might not be the case now with everything we are going through, but, I really hope that’s the case. But if I did end up single again I wouldn’t rule it out. You know, if it happened, I’d go with it.” “And what if I said I like a girl?” Ruby questioned. “I’d tell you to try it,” Charlie said. “If you’re having feelings for someone, anyone, you should give yourself the chance to be happy.” “So you wouldn’t care if I turned out gay?” Ruby questioned. “Well it would be a bit hypocritical of me if I did, would it not?” Charlie questioned.

LOVING Ruby, Mink AND Heath in this fic !!!!!!!! That was FANTASTIC, most especially ….. Ruby sighed.“Look, I don’t need you guys to tell me how badly this could go, I’ve thought of everything myself.But Peter needs my help and I kind of need to give it to him.”She nodded towards Indi.“Wouldn’t you do the same for Sasha?” “Okay, I can see the similarity,”Indi admitted,“But you’re still putting an awful lot on the line for this boy.” “Does Charlie know about this?”Xavier asked. Ruby looked awkward.“Are you serious?The less she knows about me and Grant’s family the better.” Heath felt somewhat ridiculous standing around on a beach but he didn’t know where else to go.The fact that every now and then someone would shoot a look at him and make a whispered comment didn’t help.He kept looking up and down the coast until finally he saw her:Mink, walking along the sand with Brixx holding onto her hand.He went running up to her.“Mink!Wait up!” He was half-expecting her to try and bolt.But instead she stood her ground.“If you’re going to tell me what a lousy mother I am again, can you not do it in front of Brixx?” Brixx gripped her hand protectively.“You’re a good mother.” Heath looked at him awkwardly.“Yeah, she is, mate.”He looked back at Mink.“I meant to say sorry, okay?I don’t know you, I don’t know this bloke you hooked up with…All that stuff was meant for someone else, y’know?” “Yeah, I kinda guessed that.For the record, I don’t know how to get in touch with Brixx’s dad.I only met him the once and we didn’t swap details.If I did know…maybe I’d tell him, maybe not.I don’t know.” “Yeah.Look, you’re the only person I’ve met here that doesn’t look at me like I’m dirt.So, I’m sorry that I judged you.” Mink nodded.“Maybe see you out in the surf sometime.” “Yeah, maybe.”Heath headed up onto the headland.As he was heading back to his car, he found Ric and Drew standing there.“Who are you?” “We’re friends of Romeo’s,”Ric answered. Heath clicked his fingers.“Romeo!Yeah, that was the wimp’s name.So what can I do for you?” “We’re here to tell you to stay away from his sister,”Drew replied. “Yeah?Looks to me like she can look after herself.” “Look, she’s had a pretty rough time,”Ric argued,“She doesn’t need you messing her up.” “Haven’t done anything, yet.But she’s hot and she’s better company that you two, so who knows, maybe I will see her again?See you around.”Heath pushed past them and got into his car, driving away.

MUCHLY enjoyed that, most especially ….. “Because news flash for you Brax, it’s not going to be that simple.” “Nothing ever is with you, is it?” Brax questioned. “And everything has to be your way too. I want a baby but you don’t so that’s it, discussion over.” “I said I would have another child with you, but just not right now.” Charlie said. “See, not right now,” Brax held his hands out in front of him. “You’re way.” “Because I’m the woman,” Charlie raised her voice. “You get to have your night of fun then I have to deal with the rest. I’m the one who gets sick; who gets backache and headaches and has to feel uncomfortable for months on end. Me, not you, me,” Charlie hit her index finger against her chest. “I have to go through it so I should get to decide when I do, alright, because I hate it. As much as I love the end result, I hate being pregnant and I should have the right to choose when I put myself through another pregnancy.” “Well that’s not exactly my fault,” Brax answered. “I can’t help the fact you get really sick or that it’s women who carry babies. It’s just the way it goes.” “I didn’t say it was your fault,” Charlie shook her head. “What caused her meltdown?” Charlie questioned as she stood to her feet and washed her hands. “I rolled the dice and she just freaked out.” Ruby said as Ella could be heard still screaming. Charlie raised her eyebrows as she walked out of the bathroom and looked down to Ella. She shook her head before walking down the hall to the living room to see Brax was sitting feeding Katie, not even bothering to see what Ella was having a tantrum about. “Mmm,” Violet and April continued to kiss, their hands exploring each other’s bodies. Violet ran her hand up and down April’s thigh as the kiss continued to get more and more passionate. “Do you eh....we can move this to my bedroom if you’d like?” “No,” April shook her head, shocked at what Violet seemed to want to do already. “Eh, sorry, don’t you think it’s a bit soon? It’s only our first date.” “We pashed a fair bit at the party last night.” Violet said. “Well yeah but still,” April said. “It’s only date number one.” April fiddled with a loose string on the cushion. “I get it,” Violet nodded. “If I’m the first girl you’ve kissed you won’t have done anything else either. Sorry, I sometimes get a bit carried away. Especially if I really like the girl.” “You really like me?” April questioned.