JosieTash

REALLY LOOOOVED that !!!!! ……and this WHOLE fic !!!! I guess I maybe would have preferred Belle/Dex to get together, buy I’m not the author of this fic so it’s sooooo not my choice!!! MUCHLY enjoyed that last chapter, especially ……  “How can I repay you? You’ve saved my life twice, and as yet I’ve done nothing but trash your board.” Dexter spoke from his hospital bed. “You can buy me a new one.” Heath replied.  Dexter collected his thoughts for a moment. He figured he could use some advice on girls, and decided to ask Heath. “What’s your philosophy on women?” Heath remained motionless. He looked like a statue, with his tanned muscular body, and a black sleeveless top clinging tightly to his torso. “Treat them mean, keep them keen.”  “I guess you had to, survival of the species and all. I never want us to argue again.” Dexter hadn’t considered getting out of his bed, but with Belle there he wanted to begin putting the foundations of their friendship back together. In oversized shorts borrowed from Heath, and the t-shirt he had worn the day before he threw the covers off him and leapt out of bed. He enveloped her in a bear hug and whispered. “I never want us to argue again either.”  “I forgive you, but are you sure it won’t hurt your reputation to be seen with me. I mean Nicole thinks I’m low class and all that. “Of course I want to be seen with you. Right now I don’t care about anything else.” He said as he gazed into her eyes. “You’re an elite, there’s nothing low class about you.” Belle looked up into his face, touched by his words. No one had spoken that highly of her, or at least not to the point that she believed. “Thanks Aden, that means a lot.”  April’s eyes grew wide as if an idea had popped into her head. “Oh, life, the universe and everything?” “Yeah, but the universe doesn’t seem to like me very much.” “I don’t believe that. I think you’re very likeable.” Dexter gave a slight smile. “Thanks. At least one person does.”  “I suddenly feel inspired to dance. You’ll have to help me with the steps. I suffer from the two left feet syndrome.” April laughed. “Let’s get our groove on then.” Dexter reached for April’s hand and headed for the dance floor. He had never really touched a girl before, let alone one touching him. It felt awkward, but this was the happiest he’d been in quite a while. The DJ hosting spoke to the crowd. “Now let’s slow it down for a little something, for the lovers.” As April moved closer, Dexter could smell a scent of strawberry and gingerbread in her hair. They stared at each other for several seconds, until April shivered and looked away.  “No!” She snapped, finally letting her anger speak. “You know you’re such a douchebag.” “And you’re a whore. So what’s new?”  “Isn’t there a footy game you’ve got to train for?” She asked remembering his schedule all of a sudden. Aden nodded and smiled again. “I should, but I’d rather be with you.” Belle giggled. “So cheesy but so sweet.”  By the way.” Belle called. “He likes you too.” “What?” April asked, not catching what she had said. Belle rolled her eyes. “Dex, he likes you too.” She leaned back into the driver’s seat and pulled away from the curb. April watched as the car disappeared down the street and turned to enter the house. As much as she wanted to write off what Belle had said she couldn’t ignore the glint of hope that bubbled up inside her, the possible start of something special and new.

This is SOOOOOOOO GREAT, especially ……  Belle had no idea in which direction to head in, and Aden had been no help either, since all he wanted to do was take a break. She found this quite ironic, the school jock tired of walking and wanting to laze on the sand.  Belle glanced at him out of the corner of her eye to see that he had moved close, his arms wrapped around her shoulder. “Do you expect me to be like Nicole or something?” She remarked as she pushed his arm away. Aden knew what she was hinting at. “No I don’t expect you to but if you want to...” “I don’t know if you’re like this with other girls, but that’s not me.” “I kinda thought you were giving me the green light, my bad.” He lay back on the sand looking up at the glorious blue sky. “So what do you want to do instead?” Belle frowned. “What? Did you think I was easy or something like that?” Aden sat up. “I guess not, but you weren’t exactly pushing me away earlier. So I thought I’d see if you wanted something more of a level up.” Belle crossed her arms over her chest, as if daring him to lie. “Was I some sort of bet or charity case? Try to seduce the new girl?” She realized her tone was rising in anger.  It was an almost tranquil atmosphere, except for the very jaw dropping fact that there was a shark circling.  “Seeing as I’m still aware of my senses, I vote for no mouth to mouth. Ugh, I’m never going swimming again.” Heath, bombarded by the people yelling and pointing, returned his attention to the water where he saw his board floating, a huge chunk bitten out of the side. “You’re really lucky mate.” “I’m really sorry about your board.” Dexter replied. “No worries, I’ll just beat you up later.”  Belle frowned at him. “Why are you doing this?” “Because.” “Because what?” “I really thought I had a chance that’s why I told you I liked you, but now it’s just making me feel bad. So that makes you.” Dexter pointed a finger at her. “Dangerous.” “How does that make me dangerous?” “Because I got so worked up over it that my judgement was skewed, and managed to almost get killed by a shark.”  Suddenly Dexter clasped his hands over his throat. There was no air in his lungs. He tried to inhale but nothing happened. “He can’t breathe!” Belle cried. “Somebody do something. He can’t breathe!” Before Dexter passed out from the lack of air, someone pressed down in the space just beneath his ribcage. All at once, everything that was in his lungs was forced upwards, and he began to cough up water like a fountain.  

Three SUPERB updates, especially ……  “I didn’t know what I wanted to call her,” Charlie said. “My daughter, my Ruby she....she knew what wanted to call her kids. Amelia obviously was her choice for a girl.” “Oh right...” The nurse seemed slightly confused. Why did Charlie use the name if her daughter was going to? “Ruby lost her battle with leukaemia almost 6 weeks ago,” Charlie spoke quietly. “So, I thought.....well she’s not going to be able to use the name so I wanted to....I wanted to do it for Ruby. She was supposed to save her sisters life but she just arrived too late.” “Charlie, I am so sorry, I didn’t know,” The nurse shook her head, understanding more why Charlie seemed reluctant to bond with her child.  “It’s not for you,” Grant replied. “And it’s not much. I couldn’t start taking heaps of money out the account. Tracy would notice, but I’ve managed to get that over the last 9 months. It’s just over $2,500. I’ve put it into a new account and will close it as soon as you take the money out. Buy her clothes, bibs, formula, nappies, wipes....whatever you need. I just want to contribute a little. It’s not fair to make you do it all yourself.”  “Yeah we’ll maybe I don’t want to make plans when Ruby isn’t going to be there because it will be nothing like it was when she was around.” Romeo shouted as stood up. “Romeo.” April stood up as Romeo started to walk away. “I’m going to see Charlie and Amelia so just leave me alone.” Romeo raised his voice as he picked up his pace and walked off the beach and away from April.  “But what if they talk about her?” Romeo questioned. “I’m not really ready to do that with anyone but you.” “Well just ask them not to mention her,” Charlie answered. “They’ll understand.”  Charlie looked down to her baby as smiled lightly. “Sorry you are stuck with mummy but he needs to get out of the house and start mingling with his friends again. It’ll do him good to be with his friends. It really will, yes.” Charlie watched as her daughter’s big green eyes, just like Ruby’s, scanned around, them being too young to focus on her mother’s face. “Right, I’ll put you back in here for now then I will get your bottle ready, okay?” Charlie said, putting Amelia back down into the moses basket, still not comfortable with too much interaction with her.  “I’m so sorry Bianca,” Charlie shook her head as more tears fell down her cheeks. “I was such a bitch to you. I....I was just upset that Brax broke up with me and I wasn’t coping because Ruby was sick, but I miss you. I miss you so much and I need my best friend back.” Charlie broke down as Bianca pulled her into a hug. “Hey, it’s okay.” Bianca rubbed her back. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I’m so sorry.” Charlie cried. “Hey you have nothing to be sorry for,” Bianca said. “I’m the one who did something wrong, not you. I’m the one who needs forgiving.” “I do,” Charlie nodded. “I forgive you Bianca, please be my friend again.” Charlie questioned as she pulled back from the hug. Bianca looked into Charlie’s eyes. She was almost pleading with her. Bianca of course was more than happy what Charlie wanted to be friends again, it was all she ever wanted to happen since they fell out. “Of course Charlie, of course I want to be friends again,” Charlie smiled lightly as she wiped her face once again.  “Seven weeks,” Charlie exhaled as she looked to the photo in the album. A picture of her and Ruby, taken long before the leukaemia happened, long before the idea of a baby, before she and Brax broke up. It was a day out in Sydney, just the two of them. A day of shopping and pampering. She exhaled lightly as she ran her hand across Ruby’s pretty face. “I can’t believe it’s been seven weeks already,” Charlie cleared her throat. “And little Amelia is a week old today,” Charlie smiled lightly as she looked into the moses basket at the side of the couch to see her daughter staring up at her, her big green eyes moving around, taking everything in. She sighed before she looked back to the picture. “I’m trying my hardest with her, Rubes, I really am. I feed her and bathe her, rock her to sleep,” Charlie paused feeling slightly guilty that unless absolutely necessary, she didn’t hold her daughter.  Charlie shrugged her shoulders. “It’s only my first week with her. I’m not entirely sure how baby’s work yet  “Hmm, you being a grumpy pants today?” Brax questioned as Amelia continued to squirm, Brax concerned at the look on her face. She seemed irritated. He gently rubbed her stomach, wondering if perhaps she had trapped wind, before gently moving her legs in a circular motion. It was then he noticed a cluster of little red spots on her right leg. “Charlie, has she always had this rash?” Brax questioned. “What rash?” Charlie shouted through from the kitchen. Brax ran his hand over it, before remember seeing something on the TV about rashes and a glass.  What do you mean Brax? What’s wrong with her?” “I don’t know,” Brax shook his head. “I’m probably over reacting but I think we should get her to the hospital.” Brax said as he lifted her up from the couch. “The hospital?” Charlie looked alarmed. “Why Brax, what do you think is wrong with her?” Charlie put her hand onto her chest as she felt her heart beating fast and faster as her panic increased. She’s just lost Ruby; there was no way life could be as cruel as to make something wrong with Amelia too. “Hopefully nothing.” Brax said as they left the house to drive Amelia to the hospital.

WOAH !!!! that Dallas walked out on Dex !!!! hope they sort things out !!!! That was ACE, especially ……  Pippa barely seemed to acknowledge Leah’s presence.Instead she was looking at another member of the group, a smile on her face.“Hi, VJ.” VJ shifted uncomfortably.“Hi.” Sally and Leah smiled to themselves.Pippa had developed something of a crush on VJ when he and Leah had visited them in Phuket two years earlier.By the looks of things, it hadn’t diminished.  She gestured towards Dexter, who’d been hanging back from the reunion, looking left out.“And this is Dexter, Stephen’s father.He’s been spending the evening with us.” Dexter raised a hand awkwardly.“Hi, Mr.Copeland,”he greeted the only member of the group he recognised. “Hey, Dex,”Miles answered.There was an awkward pause.  Dexter wasn’t sure what to expect when he got in.Dallas yelling at him, probably, angry at him for walking out and not telling her when he’d be back.Which, he had to acknowledge, was fair enough, he had disappeared rather abruptly.It was becoming something of a habit.He suspected neither of them had adapted that well to the grown-up life of homes and children and landlords. What he hadn’t expected was silence.  I’m sorry for doing it like this.I know it’s the coward’s way out.But you know things haven’t been right for a while.I wish we could work things out but I’ve got William and Louis to look after, they don’t deserve us fighting all the time.So I’ve gone back to Yabbie Creek, a friend’s offered to put us up for a bit.You can come and see the boys whenever you want, you’re Louis’ father and you’re the only father William’s ever known.And the only person I’ve ever really loved.Maybe that’s why I want to end it now, before we end up hating each other.Love, Dallas. Dexter stood still, reading the letter over and over again, not sure how to react.

REALLY liked that, especially ……  Indigo grimaced.“I know she’s your sister-in-law and everything but she’s not really a people person.” “No, I’ve found that out lots of times myself,”Ruby agreed,“But she did help you and Xav get back together after April died.”  “They’re fine, so don’t change the subject.We all know what happened with Peter…” “Yeah but thankfully Gina doesn’t and neither does Mum, so let’s keep it that way, okay?Things have been fine between us since…” “Since he kidnapped you?” Ruby sighed.“I don’t think he was ever really serious about that, he was just messed up over what happened to Grant.” “Well, I’m not sure I could go on teaching him after that.” “What about his mum?”Indi asked,“Is she happy with it?” Ruby shrugged.“I haven’t seen her since we took Peter home that day.She hasn’t turned up at the school ranting, which is probably a good sign.As for me and Peter, well, we’ve kind of reached this holding pattern where we pretend we only know each other from school.It’s working fine for us so far.” “Maybe I should try that with Mink,”Indi mused,“Pretend she and my husband don’t act like they’re besties and…” “Sack her?”Sasha suggested. “Treat her like any other employee.” Ruby gave her a sympathetic look.“Hard, isn’t it?”  She couldn’t help noticing that Elizabeth didn’t seem to have any problems holding his other hand.“Oh, you’re a big girl now?”she asked her daughter. Summer nodded.“I’m nearly at high school.” “I thought you might like holding my hand.” “No, that’s what babies like Lizzie do.” “I’m not a baby,”Elizabeth protested, not for the first time,“I’m seven.”  “New family still feels a bit weird, huh?”Drew asked understandably,“I think Mattie would approve.” “Yeah, I know she would and sometimes it doesn’t feel weird at all, it feels great.It’s just every now and then…Anyway, what about you and Sasha?You going to be starting a family any time soon?” Drew looked like he was going to choke at the question.“We’ve only just moved in together.” “Biological clock’s ticking, mate.She knows you’ve turned thirty?” “Well, it’s not like I’m on the verge of turning sterile.”Drew shrugged.“I guess if the time comes, the time comes.” Ric nodded.“Guess you never know what’s around the corner.”

Soooooo glad she went with the name Amelia !!!! or more to the point, I was sooooo hoping she would !!! GREAT chapter, especially ……  Her eyes, her little nose, her chin, the little brown curl. It was like she was a clone of Ruby. Charlie felt her eyes stinging as she heard a little sound coming from the baby. She knew it wasn’t the baby’s fault, she couldn’t help that she looked like her sister, she couldn’t help that she arrived too late to save her. It was her fault. She blamed herself. She should have had the idea sooner, she should have asked Grant to make a saviour sibling as soon as Ruby had been diagnosed, that way, this baby would have saved Ruby.  “Going over them in my mind......well one name keeps coming back to me and it’s not a gemstone name like Ruby wanted but I know she’s looking down on us today and she’d be happy with my choice,” Charlie paused as she wiped her eyes. “I know she would be,” Charlie took a deep breath as she looked down to the baby more closely. She exhaled as she ran her hand gently over the baby’s forehead. “My little Amelia....Amelia Ruby Buckton.”  “Eugh,” Romeo shivered. “I saw.....so much more than I was supposed to see. That’s not pretty,” Romeo shook his head. “That puts me off ever having kids and I don’t even need to give birth.” Leah laughed lightly. “What happened to your head?” “When the baby came out and I saw the bit I didn’t want to see....I fainted,” Romeo said. “Cracked my head against the corner of the bedside table before hitting the floor.”  “She’s going to get me through this. That’s what you are going to say next, right?” Leah pulled back from the hug, she couldn’t deny it. That probably was what was going to come out of her mouth or words to that effect.  “I’m sure I’ll have plenty chances to feed her,” Charlie answered. “Please, can you do it?” Leah heard the pleading in Charlie’s voice. Leah exhaled as she sat back down on the chair and took the bottle from Charlie, placing it into Amelia’s mouth, who took it straight away. “So, has you’re milk not came in yet?” Leah asked. “I don’t know,” Charlie shrugged her shoulders. “But I’m not breastfeeding anyways so it doesn’t really matter if it has or hasn’t.” “Aww, but Charlie breastfeeding helps with bonding and -” “I said I’m not breastfeeding her,” Charlie raised her voice. “Now please can you just feed her and let me get some sleep.” Charlie said as she lay down in the bed, turning on her side so she was facing away from Leah. She exhaled lightly before clenching her eyes tightly shut, but not before letting a single tear escape her eye

REALLY LOOOOOOOVED that, especially ……  “That was for an assignment Dex. Oh and just so you know, I can hang out with whoever, not that it has anything to do with you. I was deluded in thinking we could be friends, you obviously get too jealous over little things.” “I like you ok!” Dexter shouted out frustrated. “I know that’s no excuse to go all peeping Tom outside your window but that’s the truth. I like you Belle, so much I can’t express the exact amount. See I’ve never been any good with girls, that’s why I got this so wrong with you.” “Oh.” Belle said taken aback. “See, you share in the awkwardness of how dumb that sounded too.” “It wasn’t dumb. I’m just not looking for a relationship right now, and least of all I expected was you to like me this much.” “So why did you kiss him?” Belle bit her lip. “I don’t know, I honestly don’t.  Belle didn’t hesitate to brush it away. “Hate when that happens, so embarrassing.” “Only if you’re trying to impress someone.” Belle shook her head. “Not me. I’m happy being single.  That ENTIRE final sequence, in particular the opening line …….“Ok so I’m practically the Prince of the Kingdom of Awkward, and if I wasn’t poor old me I’d make a joke about it.” Dexter said as he followed Heath along the beach. “But I seriously need to borrow your surf board as of right now.”

FANTASTIC start !!!!, especially ……  .“Did you see a hurricane pass through here?” “If you mean our two oldest, I think they’re having a pillow fight at the moment.”  .“You’re going to be better behaved than that when you’re their age, aren’t you?” Louisa seemed to think about this for a moment, then gave a grin and shook her head. “No?”Ruby repeated.Louisa had had her first birthday two months previous and, while she hadn’t yet mastered the art of talking, she could usually understand what people said.Ruby tickled her on the stomach and she giggled.“You are so going to regret that.” “She’ll be an angel,”Romeo promised,“Like she’s always been.”  “Romeo, you’ve given her loads of help.Including giving that boy one of your kidneys.And giving up half your shifts at Austin’s, even though you’re meant to be the manager.”  Mink came over to the bar and slammed her pad down on it.“Table 6 wants a bottle of chianti.Don’t know whether you should give it to him, he looks like the type who’ll develop wandering hands once he’s got a few glasses inside.” “You didn’t say that to him, did you?”Indi asked worriedly. “No but if he lays a finger on me where he shouldn’t, I’ll break his hand.”She turned to Xavier with a smile.“Hey, Xav.”She tickled Pammy under the chin.“Hey, Pams.” Xavier looked her up and down.“Nice outfit.”Mink had adopted a black dress since she’d started working at the restaurant. “Should be, it cost me two weeks’ wages.”Mink accepted the bottle Indi handed to her.“If it comes back broken, it means I hit him on the head with it.” As she stalked off, Xavier shot Indi an apologetic look.“She doesn’t mean it.” Indi glared at him.“How come you get all the smiles and I get a load of surly attitude?” “Just charm, I guess.”

WAAAAAAAAAAY enjoyed that opening chapter, especially ……  “Well, you know how we always tell William and Louis not to play with knives?The same goes for you.If I actually thought you’d be a help, I’d let you but I’ve already got two children to look after and I can do without you being a third!” Dexter had the strong feeling that he wasn’t going to be able to charm his way out of this one.He adopted the most dignified expression he could manage and headed for the door of the flat. “Where are you going?”Dallas demanded. Dexter looked at her stiffly.“I’m taking my ‘toys’ where they might be appreciated.”  Now you remember the rules, okay?Most collectors keep these things in vacuum safes and never let them see the light of day under any circumstances.Now I’m being a generous old person and letting you play with them on condition that you’re very, very careful.Understand?”  “Yeah but…I’m beginning to think that she’s reaching the same conclusion that all girls seem to do about me.That I’m great as a friend who helps you with your homework, not so great as a boyfriend and father of your children.”  “Well, after all these years, I never thought I’d see you two back in Summer Bay.Even if this is still technically your house.”Alf’s gaze fell on the girl with them.“Good lord, is that little Pippa?You’re bigger than your mum.” Pippa shot a glance across at Sally to check there was still a couple of inches between them.“No, I’m not.” “Well…you’re bigger than she was when I first knew her anyway.”  “Well, the house is still where you left it.Most of the town too.Not sure you’ll remember that many of the people though.”

Romeo and Charlie at the hospital was sooooooooo GREAT ……just like the rest of this FAB chapter !!!! LOOOVED its, especially ……  Are you sure?” Romeo sounded concerned. “I think we should maybe stop off at the hospital first, just to be sure.” “I’m sure,” Charlie said. Fact was, she was lying. She wasn’t sure, in fact she was more sure that it was probably the real thing, but nothing was going to stop her going to her daughter’s grave today. “C’mon let’s go.”  Charlie didn’t manage to get out of the car at the graveyard. During the journey her pain had gotten worse and the contractions were coming closer and closer together. She had to face the fact the baby was coming today and she wasn’t going to get to be at her daughter’s grave to talk to her, to tell her things that had happened since she’d gone, to tell her how much she missed her and how much she loved her. She was now sitting in the hospital room,  “Ahh, I want Ruby.” Charlie cried out as she felt another contraction, less than a minute apart from the last one. This baby was going to come soon. “I don’t want to do this alone. I shouldn’t have to do this alone.” “You’re not going to be alone,” Romeo answered. “I’m with you right until Leah gets here.” “What if she doesn’t make it?” Charlie questioned. “Ruby would know what to say, she’d know how to keep me calm....Romeo....please.” “Charlie you know I can’t get you Ruby,” Romeo said softly. “But Leah is your best friend as she is trying as hard as she can to get here for. She’s trying, Charlie.” “I don’t want to do this,” Charlie shook her head. “This baby isn’t even going to get to save Ruby. Why am I doing this?” Charlie cried before breathing through another contraction. “No, she’s not going to get to save Ruby, but she is going to be your little girl. She’s here for a reason. And maybe it’s not the one we thought it would be, but having this child is going to help us get through this, I know it is, Charlie,” Romeo gave a gentle nod of the head. “She’s going to be a blessing for us. We get to care for a new baby and Ruby will live on through her little sister, you’ll see.” “Ohh,” Charlie scrunched her face up as she grabbed Romeo hand, Romeo wincing at the grip she had on him. “I need to push, I feel like I need to push. Romeo you have to check for me.” “I’m not looking down there.” Romeo widened his eyes as he looked shocked at Charlie’s comment. “I don’t mean you, you idiot,” Charlie took a deep breath before exhaling. “I mean....get the midwife back.”  “Romeo were the hell are you going,” Charlie asked. “I need you. I can’t do this without someone for support, get back here,” Charlie raised her voice. Romeo walked over to Charlie as he went as white as a sheet at the thought of having to be with her during the delivery. He felt Charlie taking a tight grip of his hand. “Just make sure you stay at this end.” Charlie said before she gave her first big push.

LOOOOOOOVED that, especially ……  Aden tried his best not to laugh, but with a grin upon his face it was hard not to show how amusing he thought it all was. “Give the guy a bit of credit. I mean that has to be one of the most original entrances I’ve ever seen.” “I want to explain, but I can’t.” Dexter said, balancing to stay upright. “Not while he’s here.” Aden frowned at Dexter. “What do you mean by that?” “Nothing. I know it was a stupid idea being in that tree, but if you knew the reason you wouldn’t be angry.” “Whatever Dex, just go home.” Belle replied. “I’m kinda busy.” “Yeah I noticed.”  “Well if it isn’t the acting queen…I knew she came down with a bug, but I didn’t think it was that bad.” Nicole sniggered. Aden shot her a glare. “Nic shut up.”  Aden took a deep breath. “Nic, I think we should break up.” The collective gasp that ensued turned the entire cafeteria silent. Suddenly everyone was watching the popular table. “I just can’t do this anymore. I’m sorry.” Nicole’s lips quavered, she was insulted and hurt, but she tried her best to hide it. “You’re breaking up with me in front of the whole school?” “You said they didn’t need to go.” Aden shot a glance at the crowd. “Yeah, that’s because I didn’t know you were going to break up with me.” Aden pushed his chair back and got to his feet. “Well I’m sorry I wasn’t clearer.” He had broken up with Nicole Franklin, and he looked like he felt good about it.  “I need to find out the reason.” “What reason?” Both April and Jai were confused. “I’ll let you guys know, but right now I have to go.” “But Dex, you just got here.” April frowned.

Two REALLY GREAT updates, especially ……  “I don’t think I am ever going to be able to cope without Ruby,” Charlie shook her head as she felt fresh tears wanting to escape her eyes. “What did you....how did you deal with it?” “Well I’m not going to tell you what I done,” Miles shook his head. “My way left me homeless with no friends to look out for me,” Miles said. “I don’t recommend that way. I eh, pushing away your friends is the worst possible thing you can do right now, trust me on that one.”  “I’ve never felt more alone in all my life,” Charlie sniffed back. “Even with the baby inside me I....what am I supposed to do with her now?” “You’ll love her and be an amazing mother to her,” Miles answered. “Believe it or not, she will be a huge help in this,” Miles said. “It’s a new life that you get to love and care for and she’ll help ou heal.” “I don’t want her replacing Ruby.” Charlie cried. “She won’t replace Ruby. I didn’t mean it like that,” Miles shook his head. “No one will ever replace Ruby but she’ll give you something to live for. She needs her mummy and you’re going to be great with her.”  Romeo looked down to the picture of the two of them, taken at Dexter’s birthday party, just a month at most before Ruby got diagnosed with the leukaemia. “I know that we were just young, but.....she was the one, Charlie. There was just something about her that made me never want to let her go. She was mines for life. We were so in love and I....” Romeo stopped talking as a tear rolled down his cheek.  “Uh-uh,” Romeo shook his head. “No one will ever come close to Ruby. She was amazing and I don’t want to be with anyone else but her.” Charlie exhaled knowing one day, Romeo would be ready to move on, but of course on the day he buried Ruby, he wasn’t ever going to think it was possible.  Romeo gave Charlie another smile. “I guess you’ll want me to move out though, now Ruby is no longer....” Romeo trailed off not able to finish the sentence. “Of course not,” Charlie shook her head. “I’ve just said you are as good as my son-in-law and you’re welcome to live here for as long as you want. As long as you don’t mind that in a month or so you’ll have a new born baby as a housemate.” “No, I don’t mind at all,” Romeo answered. “I think the baby is going to be good for us, in the end.” “Yeah, so I’ve been told,” Charlie pursed her lips together, still unsure about how she was going to handle the baby’s arrival. “But, we’ll get through this together Romeo, me and you, okay?” Charlie said before and Romeo gave a slightly nod before she leaned her head against Romeo’s shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her, both of them letting new tears fall as they sat in the room, in silence now, thinking about a life without Ruby.  “I didn’t think you cared.” “What makes you think that?” Brax questioned. “Of course I care....I....I love you Charlie.” “You didn’t come to say goodbye,” Charlie felt her eyes stinging with tears as she spoke. “Miles, Leah, Dex and April, everyone....they came to say goodbye but you didn’t.” “Yeah, but I....” Brax rubbed the back of his head. “I wanted to leave the time she had left for....I didn’t want to take away time from you. I thought you’d want to be with her as much as you could, and honestly, she could be scary when it came to people hurting you and I know I did that,” Brax exhaled. “She didn’t need to be getting herself all worked up.” “I know she could be a bit stubborn and hold grudges like me, but she kept pushing me to work things out with you. I know she was mad with you at first for leaving us but she would have liked the chance to say goodbye, I know she would have.” Charlie wiped her hand across her eye as she looked at Brax for the first time since they’d started speaking.  “No Romeo, don’t,” Charlie walked forward and grabbed hold of his arms, stopping him from removing anymore of her clothes. “It’s too soon.” “No, it’s not,” Romeo shouted. “Because she’s never coming back so what the point in keeping them any longer?” Romeo put his arm back into the wardrobe pulling out one of her dresses. “Because I am not ready, you don’t get to decide this.” Charlie raised her voice as she once again pushed Romeo’s hands from her daughter’s clothes. “This has to be my room,” Romeo raised his voice. “I don’t want her clothes in here. I can’t deal with opening the wardrobe every day and seeing them, so I need to get rid of them.” “Romeo please don’t do this,” Charlie shook her head. “Please.” “You know I am hurting too,” Romeo sniffed back again. “I need them out of this room at least. It’s hard enough to be in here without Rubes, let alone seeing her clothes, so please, please take them out of this room at least,” Romeo pleased. “You don’t have to throw them out yet, but please, please just take them out of this room. It’s too hard Charlie, it’s too hard.” Romeo broke down in tears as he slumped to the floor, picking up the dress and holding it close to him, sniffing in the scent.

REALLY enjoying this fic, especially ……  Aden shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m gonna let you decide. I mean lets face it, most of those books are what the majority of chicks read.” “Ok well, how about Pride and Prejudice? There’s a great dialogue between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy.” She noticed Nicole across the room. The cheerleader’s face twisted into a bratty selfish frown, obviously miffed that she hadn’t been partnered with Aden herself.  Dexter felt like she didn’t think that their time was important from the way she was speaking and snapped. “He’s a jock. I’m not. He’s popular. I’m not. Is there a basement at the bottom of the foodchain?” “Where’s all this come from Dex?” Belle asked as she looked at him oddly. Dexter sighed. “We’re friends right?” “Yeah.” “That’s what I’m afraid of.” “What do you mean?” “It doesn’t matter.” Dexter turned his shoulder away from her and set off down the corridor. Belle watched him depart and couldn’t help but wonder what had caused his sudden out of character behaviour.  “So you’re Belle’s partner in the literature project. She never told me you were so cute. If I wasn’t with Ethan I’d have you for myself.” Amanda spoke. “Belle’s upstairs with her head in the books already. If you would like a drink just help yourself.” “Thanks Miss Vale.” “Please, call me Amanda.” Aden walked the flight of stairs and entered Belle’s bedroom. “Hey. No offence, but your mum is all kinds of bunny boiler.” Belle looked up from the open book she was reading. “No surprises for guessing what she said.” “I can’t blame her really women just can’t resist me.”  Aden took the sheet and glossed over the words. He wasn’t thrilled at the obvious past century language. “Maybe we could use our own words in place of theirs. I mean, I don’t understand this classic talk, modern all the way.” Belle gave a slight laugh. “I’m not sure if that’s allowed. Just try to read it like this and if it doesn’t work we’ll just improvise, ok?”  In the tree outside Belle’s bedroom window Dexter sat with his legs wrapped around a branch, a pair of binoculars strapped to his face. As soon as he caught sight of the peck on the cheek he lost his balance toppling over, hitting the ground with a thud.

Those last 2 chapters were SUBLIME …….and VERY very BRAVE …….to actually kill Ruby off like that !!!!! ALL of it was AWEOME ……. especially ….. “I shouldn’t be standing here today saying goodbye to my daughter.....because.....how can I? I’m not supposed to be burying my child and I’m never ever going to be able to say goodbye. There are no words to describe how I feel right now and even though I’m surrounded by my friends and Romeo, I’ve never felt more alone in all my life than I have these past few days without Ruby. She was more than just my daughter.....she was.....we had something special and I....” Charlie trailed off as she felt more tears rolling down her cheeks. “She was the life of the party and she was a kind, sweet, smart, caring, bright, passionate girl and....” Charlie took a deep breath. “I’m sorry....I can’t....” Charlie broke down in tears, taking a step back.

OMG !!!!!! That was soooooooooooooooooo powerful !!!!! I’m TOTALLY on the verge of tears!!!!!! My Rubes is actually going to DIE!!!!!!!!! AMAZING stuff, especially ……  Ruby’s health had continued to deteriorate and although they were all trying to keep a brave face, Charlie and Romeo were both now fearing the worst was about to happen, although they didn’t dare mention it in front of Ruby. The baby’s due date was only six weeks away they just had to hope that Ruby would be strong enough to make it through till then.  “Haha,” Ruby laughed. “You’re only awesome because of me. Without me you’d still be a loser.” “Ruby Buckton,” Romeo gasped mocking offence. “I ooze of awesomeness.”  Charlie exhaled as she looked to her daughter who was grinning cheekily at her boyfriend. In that moment, with the sun shining around her, she looked so happy, so full of life. Charlie wished more than anything that everything would turn out to be okay in the end, and thought that things often had to get really bad before they could get better and hoped that was the case with her daughter.  “I figure Bianca is working but as far as I was aware Heath’s never had a job. Or at least a legal one.”  Oh Rocco you are very demanding.” Brax said as he picked his nephew up. “Seem so,” Romeo laughed. “Promise me you won’t let our kiddies be like that?” Romeo said as he looked to Ruby. “You can be in charge of that,” Ruby replied. “And the stinky nappies.” Ruby screwed her face up.  The results of the tests weren’t great. Simply that Ruby was deteriorating more and more each day and Sid wasn’t sure how much longer Ruby would live for without the transplant. He had more results in his hand but was dreading going into the room to tell Charlie, Ruby and Romeo his latest discovery. He loved being a doctor but this part of the job was something that he hated doing, especially when it was people he was friends with, someone who was friends with his son.  “I’m saying that there’s nothing else we can do for Ruby.” Sid took a deep breath as he saw Charlie and Romeo’s eyes welling up, their noses flaring slightly as they were about to cry.  Sid shook his head as he looked to Ruby, who appeared frozen in the bed, to shocked to talk, to shocked to react.  “Induce me now,” Charlie replied. “The whole point in me having this baby was to save Ruby and if Ruby isn’t going to make it then what the hell was the point in this.” Charlie yelled as she hit her hand against her stomach.  “Mum, stop, just stop,” Ruby used all the strength she could to muster up an almost shout allowing Charlie, Romeo and Sid to face her. “You’ve tried all you can and I appreciate that, I really do, but it’s my time,” Ruby gave a gentle nod of her head. “I’m ready. I’m ready to go. I’ve had enough of fighting this and I’m ready. You have to accept it’s my time to go.” “I can’t,” Charlie shook her head as she wiped the tears from her face. “Ruby I can’t. I can’t lose you.” “Come...come here,” Ruby held her hand out and Charlie walked over to her and took a hold of her hand. “It’ll be okay,” Ruby spoke quietly. “You have her to help you through.” Ruby put her other hand onto Charlie stomach as she felt her baby sister kicking. “Now you may not respect hearing it from Sid, but there’s nothing more anyone can do and I’m sick of fighting this, I’m ready mum, I’m ready to go,” Charlie broke down into tears as she knelt down and hid her head against her daughter’s body. “How long?” Ruby questioned as she looked up to Sid. “How long do I have left?” “Two weeks at most.” Sid answered. “Then I’d appreciate being left with my mum and Romeo,” Ruby cleared away a lump from her throat and Sid gave her a gentle nod and left the room. “Babe,” Ruby made a head gesture and Romeo walked to the other side of her. He looked down to her and exhaled lightly before placing a soft kiss on her lips before he too broke down into tears.

That was cooooool, especially ……  “Lilac huh,” Charlie raised her eyebrows. “Thought I wasn’t allowed to know what colour the room was? Should have maybe changed your clothes if you wanted that to happen eh?” “Well maybe this is just a red herring and the room is actually.....orange.” Romeo answered. “I hope to God you haven’t painted my baby’s room orange.” Charlie widened her eyes at the thought. “What’s wrong with an orange room?” Ruby questioned  “Anyways missus I believe that you still have something of mines. It’s little, plastic, got my name on it.” “Hmm, I don’t know what you are talking about,” Ruby shook her head. “I don’t have anything of yours.” “Ruby.” “It’s on your bedside table,” Ruby exhaled. “Thanks so much for treating us to a lovely lunch at Sergios though.” Ruby grinned. “Jeez Rubes,” Charlie widened her eyes. “I don’t mind buying your guys lunch but did you really need to go to Sergios? That’s like the world’s most expensive restaurant.” “Hardly,” Ruby rolled her eyes. “But it was nice thanks.” “So you’ve probably already filled up on pizza today then?” Charlie questioned. “And here’s me thinking I was bringing you a nice treat for all your hard work in the baby’s room.” “We had pasta,” Romeo answered. “So this is very welcome,” Romeo said as he picked up another slice. “So what did you do all afternoon since we chucked you out of the house?” “Sat in the diner, spend a lot of my time in the restroom there actually,” Charlie gave a little laugh. “The joys of being pregnant.”  “I just want you to be happy,” Ruby answered. “And you were with Brax.” “Yes Ruby we were,” Charlie raised her voice. “That’s past tense, were. Stop with this....okay, just stop.” Charlie stood up from the table and left the kitchen, running up the stairs to her bedroom.  “I dunno, I just.....” Romeo exhaled as he rubbed his forehead. “I wanted to do this for Rubes,” Romeo answered. “She’s not in school anymore and I wanted too....” Romeo trailed off. “Maybe it is for the best. And I can be there more for Rubes. She’ll be getting her transplant around the time of the exams and I’d want to be there for Ruby.”

This is a GREAT fic .... really looking forward to reading more !!!!

That was cooooool, especially ……  “Well we could just get married and make it Smith & Smith,” Romeo said as he gave Ruby a smile. “Or then I suppose it could be Smith Decorators.” “You think about us getting married?” Ruby smiled up at Romeo. “Well you’ve already named our children,” Romeo laughed. “So, is it really that big a shock that I’ve thought about us getting married?” “I suppose not no.” Ruby shook her head. “But yeah, I wouldn’t marry you right now though,” Romeo shook his head as saw that Ruby looked slightly disappointed. “Not when you have paint on your shirt.” “What, already, where?” Ruby asked as she looked down to her shirt, but didn’t see any paint. “There.” Romeo laughed as he pushed his roller full of paint against her, getting her shirt covered in paint. “Romeo Smith,” Ruby gasped in shock at what he’d done. “You little....” Ruby trailed off as she held her roller out in his direction, getting paint on this bare arm.  She exhaled lightly as a part of her hoped Brax was working, and it was then when she felt someone bump against her leg. “Rocco,” Bianca exhaled as she was running towards her son. “What did mummy tell you about watching where you are walking?” “Waa ba waa.” Rocco babbled. Although he’d mastered walking, he was yet get to get his head around the talking thing, and so far could only managed mamma, dadda, no, juice, hi, bye-bye and referred to his big sister as Da-cee.  “But this is for Romeo to decide and I’m not actually sure why you are telling me.” “He’s living with you,” Bianca answered. “He may be 18, but he’s still in school and right now you are kind of his guardian, so we thought you could maybe talk with him, let him know it’s okay to give up this year as he does have something very important to worry about,” Bianca said. “And he can come back next year and finish school with April, Dex, Xav, and most of his friends are actually in year 11 right now anyways.”

REAAAAAALY felt for Rubes [even more than usual] !!!!! GREAT chapter as always, especially ……  “Be kinda weird would it not?” Charlie questioned. “A twelve year old still the size of a new-born.” “Haha,” Leah said. “You know what I mean; they just grow up so fast.”  Charlie exhaled as she rubbed her stomach as she felt her daughter kicking. “So when did you find out it was a girl?” Leah questioned. “I thought you wanted it to be a surprise.” “I did,” Charlie answered. “But Ruby really wanted to know. I think she’s scared she’s not going to be strong enough to make it through until the baby is born and....” Charlie took a deep breath as she looked down to the little yellow sundress that was sitting on the couch. She exhaled as she ran her hand over it. “It’s only 12 more weeks and she’s a strong girl, she’s already came through so much, I know she’s going to be okay, but I guess everyone worries right?”  “Well at least you know she is going to welcome the new addition to the family,” Leah smiled. “No jealous big sister.” “Giving the reason I am having this child there’s no way she could be the jealous big sister.” Charlie answered.  Ruby sighed as she rubbed her forehead. The bandana often made her head sweat and she was feeling the heat today.  The girl picked up the first paint brush but before she scanned it she caught sight of Ruby and stared silently in her direction. “Is there a problem?” Romeo asked as he saw her staring at an uncomfortable looking Ruby. “No, sorry.” The girl started scanning the items through but she couldn’t manage to take her eyes off of Ruby. “Do you want a picture?” Ruby questioned. “It will last longer.” “I..I...” The girl stuttered. “What, haven’t you seen a sick person before?” Ruby asked as she felt some angry build up inside her. “Doesn’t your company teach you good customer service?” Romeo asked. “Staring at someone like that is quiet rude.” “Sorry,” The girl cleaned her through. “I just thought.....she eh....she has no hair and I....” “It’s called Cancer,” Ruby spat. “I can’t even go to the store with my boyfriend without having to be reminded of it now so thanks for that.” Ruby yelled as she gave Romeo the bank card and ran rom the shop. “Rubes,” Romeo exhaled as he watched her leaving. “Don’t stare so much at your customers next time eh,” Romeo said as he paid for the items, before picking the bags up and leaving the store, inding Ruby waiting by his car for his return. “Rubes,” Romeo said softly as put the bags into the back of the car before pulling her into a hug. “She was just a stupid girl.” “She didn’t really even say anything bad but it was just the way she was staring at me like I was some kind of freak.” “You’re not a freak,” Romeo shook his head. “You’re gorgeous, and you always will be.” “You have to say that you are my boyfriend,” Ruby exhaled. “I bet everyone else looks at me and see’s this sick girl with no hair and pale horrible skin.” “It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks of you,” Romeo rubbed her back. “You’re gorgeous, and funny, and smart, and I love you, and right now, that’s all that matters. Not what stupid strangers think of you.” Ruby exhaled lightly as she looked up to Romeo. “You know the thing I hate most about this is not having my hair,” Ruby said quietly. “The injections, blood tests, the chemo, they don’t bother me as much as losing my hair. At least when I had my hair people didn’t know as easily I was sick. You know I could still wake up every day and brush my hair and put it in a pleat or in a ponytail but now I don’t even get to do that.”

LOOOOOOOOOVE that, especially …… “How can you design a nursery on your iPad?” Charlie scrunched her face up. “I downloaded the app.” Ruby answered. “There’s an app for that?” Charlie questioned. “That’s not long,” Ruby shook her head. “Not when you still need to decorate the nursery, buy Bean clothes, bibs, cute little teddies, a car seat, a pram, a bouncy chair...” Ruby trailed off. “You’ve done nothing. Have you even bought one item of clothing yet?” “I have some baby grows.” Charlie answered. “Not the ones I bought,” Ruby shook her head. “Have you been out and bought Bean anything yet?” Charlie pursed her lips together as she shook her head. “I guess I just......” Charlie trailed off. “All I have thought about is why I am having this child and not much about once the kid gets here like it’s going to need clothes and everything.” “Because 3 more months is a long time to wait and I....” Ruby trailed off as she looked down. “I just want to know if I am going to get a brother or a sister.” Charlie exhaled lightly as she rubbed Ruby’s cheek, bringing Ruby’s head up to face her, knowing why Ruby was so eager to find out the sex of the baby. “Okay,” Charlie smiled weakly. “If it means that much to you. I’ll call the hospital and ask them to tell me.” You will?” Ruby eyes lit up. “Of course,” Charlie nodded. “But no pink for a girl or blue for a boy. I want you to think up something else.” “Sorry about that, Bean thinks my bladder is a squeeze toy today.” Charlie laughed as she sat back down at the table. AND The ENTIRE final sequence that starts with ….. “Fair enough,” Charlie exhaled. “But you know I did find out I was having a girl for you so maybe you could give me a little something back.” Charlie gave a little grin after she spoke.

That was REALLY GREAT !!!!!, especially ……  “This is Ruby’s dad’s baby. The baby is going to bring a special potion with it, and then we’ll give it to Ruby and she’ll get better.”  “Is she well enough to take me surfing yet?” “Don’t forget do you?” Charlie gave a little laugh as Darcy shook her head. “She’s never forgets anything this one.” Bianca laughed. “Well like she promised she’ll take you when she’s feeling better,” Charlie said as she lightly rubbed Darcy’s shoulder. “Enjoy your party and I’ll see you around okay?” “Okay.” Darcy answered before she and Bianca walked away. Charlie exhaled as she watched them walking for a while. She missed Bianca like crazy and wondered if she’d punished her enough, not being friends with her for the last 6 months. She pursed her lips together before walking back towards her house to take Ruby to the hospital. The ENTIRE baby names etc sequence – in particular …..“Yeah,” Ruby nodded. “I want two kids,” Ruby answered. “One of each. The boy first, Andrew, although Romeo hates that name but I’m sure I’ll get my way,” Ruby gave Romeo a cheeky glance. “Then 2, 3 years later we’ll have our little girl, Amelia, then Romeo here gets the snip and we’ll be one happy little family.”  “They’re not the best I am afraid,” Sid pursed his lips together as he looked down the results before looking back to Charlie, Ruby and Romeo. He did feel for them. It seemed they hadn’t had much good news since the news of the baby being a match. “Her white blood cell counts are low. Extremely low.”  Charlie exhaled lightly as she looked to her daughter. Although she was used to her paler complexion and her more drawn in eyes, it was the loss of her hair that Charlie still wasn’t used too, the look of the bandana that Ruby wore – today’s choice was a simple white – to hid her bald head since she lost her hair during the last couple of months.

Soooooooooooo enjoyed that, especially ……  Charlie was sitting on the beach watching him as he surfed. She tried not to watch him, but she couldn’t help it. She loved him so much and hated living the last two and a half months apart from him. She gently ran her hand over her stomach and she knew it was her fault that they ended. It was her fault that Brax went out and slept with Bianca, for if she didn’t have the idea of having this baby, Brax wouldn’t have broken up with her. “  “Wow,” Brax sounded surprised. “You let Romeo move in?” “I know, surprised myself too really,” Charlie gave a little laugh. “But I just want her to experience what she can now, you know, I.....you know just in case she doesn’t....” Charlie pursed her lips together, not wanting to say it. “I know the baby is a match and chances are she’ll get the transplant and be fine, but....well I can’t help the nagging feeling in the back of my mind that this could still go all wrong.”  “I know what it means,” Charlie cut Brax off, mid-sentence. “She just got my slightly different version.”  Like I said, you need to be there for Ruby right now. You don’t need a boyfriend getting in the way of that. But I’d like to be your friend, if you can do friends.” “I don’t understand any of this,” Charlie shook her head feeling confused as to why Brax actually broke up with her. “But I hate not having you in my life, so maybe we can try this whole friend’s hing.” “Friends,” Brax smiled lightly, happy to be friends with Charlie, for now at least. He didn’t know what was going to happen in the future but right now, he thought that this was for the best. “Well I need to get going,” Brax said as he stood up. “Need to get ready for work but I’ll see you around.” Brax said and Charlie nodded lightly as he picked up his surf board and walked off the beach, leaving Charlie still confused as she watched him walk away.  “You know I was looking online at bits we could travel too,” Romeo smiled. “After the baby is born and you’re back to normal health, remember how we talked about travelling?” “Yeah,” Ruby smiled. “We can go to the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China....we can go Jai hunting in Japan,” Ruby gave a little laugh as she heard Romeo give a little chuckle. “I’ve always wanted to swim with dolphins in Hawaii and go to the Amazon Rainforest,” Ruby smiled. “There’s so much I’d love to do.”

WAAAAAY loooooved that, especially ……  Inside the movie theatre Jai was sat in front a couple of dense people who didn’t know what was going on in the story. “Wait is that her sister?” One of them said. “I don’t know. I don’t get it.” “Oh my gosh is he dead?” The other asked. Jai had quite enough of them talking over the movie. “How the heck am I supposed to know? I’m watching it with you dummy.” He said exasperated.  “I’m guessing save the cheerleader, save the world never got off the ground here.” Dexter whispered to Belle.  “Since I was twelve.” Belle mumbled as she sat down next to him. “I remember when I was little I used to pretend to take pictures with a plastic pink camera I got from a My Little Pony magazine.” She scolded herself. That was a stupid thing to say she thought. He probably thinks you’re a childish preteen who’s up past bedtime. Aden smiled. “I never picked you out as a My Little Pony fan.” “I’m not…I am…I mean…I was.” Belle stuttered.  She lifted the strap from around her neck and passed the camera to him. As he took hold of the metal object his arm brushed against hers. She studied him as she held back a shiver. His bright blue eyes were crystal clear like small lakes and he wore a smile that made her heart feel light for the first time in her life  Aden moved the camera away from her and snapped a close range shot of her. “Smile.” Belle looked away. “What? The photographer doesn’t like her picture taken?” He asked as he snapped another.  Belle shot up into the air as a boy jumped out from behind them. Something green and slimy had hit her shoulder. She looked down at her camera, afraid that some of the goo had landed on it, but it was slime free. Before she could prize her precious from her neck a water balloon smashed against her chest. The attack had stopped and everyone looked at each other. “Well that wasn’t weird at all.” Dexter said as he picked a pair of boxer shorts off his head.  I’m in a white supremacist crew. They have a base close to my home.” Aden laughed. “A fifteen year old white supremacist. Nice.” “Gotta love the young people.” Nicole replied. “They’re the future. Shed a tear.” “Well the world is ending this year so nothing to worry about too much.” Dexter said as he dumbfounded looks. “Translation?” Nicole asked. “The world’s coming to an end in a couple of months. The apocalypse is coming; we’re going to explode or something.” He answered. “You know I totally forgot about that. I’ll start a count-down on my calendar.” “Ok, Miss 9021Obnoxious.” Jonah spoke. Nicole scowled at him. “Oh please build me a time machine so I can get out of here. Come on Aden lets go.”

TWO life changing chapters there !!!! REAALY enjoyed that, especially ……  “I didn’t think adults fell out,” Darcy sighed as she looked up to Bianca. “Can’t you just say sorry and be friends again?” “I’ve said sorry,” Bianca smiled down at her sort of step daughter. “And I would like to be friends with Charlie again but I don’t think it’s what Charlie wants.” “Why not?” Darcy questioned as she looked to Charlie. “It’s complicated, Darcy.” Charlie exhaled. “Look I have to go but it was nice talking to you.”  “Well even so, there’s a lot against us.” Brax exhaled. “Like what?” Heath questioned. “The baby and you having slept with Bianca the day you broke up with her?” Heath said. “That’s not anything you can’t work through. Remember when you guys first got together? You were growing drugs and selling them, doing dodgy deals for money. Look at you now. A respected member of the community who wouldn’t dream of breaking the law. You changed your whole life for her and now you are a much better person, we both changed our live so much for our women and I love it, yeah so I just had a little wobble but being away made me realise what I had was so good I’d be stupid to leave it for good and turn back to the endless cycle of drugs and being in trouble with the law.”  “Someone’s being a clingy little monkey.” “Romeo,” Ruby hit his chest lightly. “I’m trying to be serious and tell you how much I love you and want to be around you. I don’t need an animal joke.” “I wasn’t aware I made an animal joke,”  “You hate the idea don’t you?” Ruby questioned. “You don’t want to live with your girlfriend who has Cancer, of course you wouldn’t. Why would anyone want to -”  “What do you want Ruby?” Charlie questioned, knowing her daughter was wanting something. “Nothing,” Ruby shook her head. “Can’t a girl be nice to her mother without raising suspicion?” “A girl can yes,” Charlie answered. “But on this occasion I know you want something.”  “Why are you in such a rush to grow up?” Charlie questioned. “I’m not in any rush,” Ruby answered. “Romeo and I are in love and I just want to wake up with him every morning.” “Right,” Charlie nodded her head as she looked to her daughter. They were in a serious relationship and you could see they were going to be together forever, they just had something there. “Okay, I eh...if it’s what you two want then yes, Romeo can move in with us.” “I so thought I would need to do more pleading than that,” Ruby said before she jumped up and walked over to where Charlie was siting and pulled her into a hug. “Thanks so much.”  “Now, the whole reason I came here was to tell you that if you want my forgiveness then I’ll give you it. I’ll forgive you, but right now, I also feel like I want to forget you.” “What?” Bianca was shocked. She thought that by getting Charlie’s forgiveness they could start to repair their friendship. “You know forgive and forget,” Charlie said. “That’s what I want to do.” “Charlie we can -” “Right now, Bianca, no we can’t,” Charlie shook her head as she stood up from the couch. “I might can say you’re forgiven but right now, I want to forget you ever existed in my life.” “Charlie,” Bianca stood up and reached out to her arm. “Don’t you think you need people in your life right now? Surely having me as a friend, someone to turn to for support right now, it’s better than shutting me out of your life.” “I don’t need a friend who can do something like that to me,” Charlie shook her head. “So you can stop feeling guilty for sleeping with Brax, if you ever actually did, I don’t know, but you can know that you ruined our friendship because of a moment of passion.” Charlie said before she walked out of the house, and slammed the door shut behind her, leaving Bianca quiet stunned at what Charlie had said.

FANTASTIC fic, pembie. MANY thanks for posting it !!! Re the final 2 chapters, I especially LOOOOOOVED ……  Putting her keys in her purse Gina turned to leave but the long dark shapes of the school lockers gave her good reason to press herself up against her now locked office door with terror, as the towering school lockers towered over her. Normally Gina didn’t have a fear of the dark but there was something about being in darkness of an empty and eerie school that gave her the willies.  What’s Bianca helping you with tonight?” “Chemistry” Indi said giving a quick wink to Ruby. “Yes that’s right chemistry she teaching us what chemicals go with what you know? Hopefully it will give us great satisfaction afterwards” Ruby said smiling. “Well Bianca is a very good teacher.” Suddenly there comes a very loud cackling sound, pretty much like the sound of a witch’s evil laugh come from inside the classroom. Ruby and Indi smiled up at Gina who looked to be frozen to the spot then slowly the classroom door creaked open. Stood in the doorway Bianca stood smiling her long blonde hair flowing magnifying about her slender looking shoulders. In her arms she cradled her little baby son Rocco, who was gently sucking on his tiny thumb. Bianca then began to speak her voice was nothing short but heavenly, it just had that smoothing quality to it that could put you at ease. “Gina I wasn’t expecting you to be still here.” Gina moved herself to stand in the doorway, so she was standing in the light from the classroom. “Some late night marking to do you know what its like.” Bianca smiled. “Oh Gina you work too hard.” Bianca stepped further out of the classroom doorway and looked deeply in Gina’s eyes. Upon catching the sight of Bianca’s beautiful eyes Gina could feel herself drifting off. Bianca then started to speak softy. “Gina go home put your feet up, relax forget you have seen Ruby, Indi and myself tonight forget you heard my witch’s laughter.”  Bianca and Braxtor both gazed down to baby Rocco, as he entered his trance like state once more. Being the son of a witch had given Rocco some very special powers. The doctors had been somewhat confused after his birth, when he would use his powers to drift in and out of these trance like states, where Rocco could go and see through the eyes of animals or even wooden dolls such as Romeo’s doll Mr Oddly. And that was how Braxtor had been able to keep track of the one he suspected to be Pinocchio. Ever since Rocco had been born he had been spying on Romeo through the eyes of Mr Oddly.  “Indi are you sure we haven’t done the wrong thing here? I mean look at him his just so dreamy.” Upon hearing Ruby’s sudden doubts Indi fought back the great need to slap her. Romeo had played them both and now was the time to dish out some effected revenge on the spineless douchebag this was no time for having doubts.  Romeo was so taken back by the stiffness of his leg that he didn’t spot Dexter walking awkwardly towards him while trying his best not to whack himself in the face with the surfboard he was carrying. It was a fair thing to say that Dexter Walker was the number one geek of Summer Bay and most days he was happy on his laptop blogging and playing warcraft. But after spotting a girl he liked who was completing in the upcoming surf carnival Dexter had decided to bite the bullet and at least try one surfing lesson.  “Goggling what, what are we safe from?” Romeo asked. “Shark attacks plus we don’t have to panic about getting eaten by the Loch Ness Monster either.” Dexter said seriously to an amused looking Romeo.  “Now that long object which you’re holding under your arm is called a surfboard. And it goes in the blue stuff over there which is called water.” Romeo said. “Oh my word I do believe you are mocking me here Romeo, its either that or you’re a really bad teacher.”  The ENTIRE final sequence that starts with ……Dexter looked back but couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing in place of where Romeo’s leg should of been was a long plank of wood. ….. AND ends sooooo greatly with ……And for Pinocchio he was lucky to have pity taken upon him and now lives with Ruby, she cuddles him every night before going to sleep.