To Trust Again

[callyha]

Chapter 51. Thank you for the comments. Hope you enjoy this Chapter

Leah and Rachel sat on the couch at Tony’s.

“He wouldn’t tell me. Instead he made up some story that he, Angelo and Tony went to the store. He didn’t bring anything back with him!” Leah told Rachel

“That’s nothing. Tony said to me, he didn’t want to tell me what they were up to because I would tell everyone”

“Miles said that to me too”

“What are they up to?” Rachel asked

Leah shook her head.

“Angelo!” Tony shouted.

Angelo ran across to where Tony and Miles were

“What’s up?”

“You might want to ask Charlie to marry you. Leah and Rachel are getting suspicious!”

“Why are they suspicious?” Angelo asked

“They asked us what we were up to yesterday and they could see through us”

“They knew we were doing something” Tony added

“Crap” Angelo muttered to himself

“So what you going to do?” Miles asked

“Never ask for your help again” Angelo joked

“Seriously, what you going to do?” Miles asked

“I’m no where near ready to ask her. I still need to ask Ross”

“You haven’t asked Ross?” Tony asked

“No”

“Who did you ask?”

“Ruby”

“Ruby?”

“Yea” Angelo looked at Tony and Miles. “Bad idea?”

“Maybe if you’d asked Ross first” Tony replied

“Perfect. That’s another excuse I’ve got to come up with”

“Don’t lie to Charlie, mate, it’s taken her a long time to be able to trust you, well, any of us really” Tony reminded Angelo

“So what am I supposed to do? I want to marry Charlie, but I cant until I’ve asked her, but I can’t ask her until I have Ross’ permission or blessing”

“Got yourself in a pickle there” Miles added

“Yea, I realize that. Thank you”

Miles smiled.

Angelo thought of a plan.

On the bus heading back to school….

Ruby heard her phone ring. Looking around in her bag, she tried to find it.

“Hello?….Angelo, what’s wrong?….you’re going to do what?…..what do you need me to do?….yea sure…ok bye” Ruby put the phone back in her bag

“What’s wrong?” Annie asked

“Angelo’s going to the city, he wants to ask Ross’ permission to marry her. And he needs my help to keep Charlie from suspecting anything”

“Do you want me to help?” Annie asked

“Only if you can keep the big smiles to yourself” Ruby said

Annie nodded. Trying to hide the smile.

At Miles’…..

Charlie switched the TV off and headed to the fridge to get some food.

“Mum, can we go to the school’s cinema night tonight?” Ruby asked as she walked into the house

“Yea” Charlie answered as she looked at Ruby and Annie

“You’re coming as well” Ruby said as she grabbed Charlie’s arm

“Why?” Charlie asked

“I just want to spend time with you. We haven’t had much time to spend together recently”

Touched by the speech Charlie agreed.

“Tony Holden!” Rachel shouted as she walked in to the gym

Tony slowly looked to Rachel “Yes?”

“Don’t yes me. Tell me what you were doing yesterday” Rachel asked

“Rach, I can’t” Tony answered

“Why not?” Rachel asked

“Because I can’t. Look, I know it doesn’t look good, but please, trust me, as soon as I can tell you, I will”

“Is it about you and me?” Rachel asked

“No”

Rachel looked down

“You’re not upset are you?” Tony asked

“No, it’s just. Paul began to go behind my back, do things, hide things, I just didn’t want that happening again”

“Rach. You don’t have to worry. I will never do something like that to you. I know a good thing when I see it, and I’m seeing it”

Tony stroked Rachel’s face. Pulling her in close for a kiss.

“Miles!” Leah shouted as she chased him around a caravan

“What?” Miles asked as Leah caught up with him

“Don’t what me, you know what. Tell me where you were” LEah put her hands on her hips

“I cant” Miles replied

“Miles!”

“I can’t tell you” Miles replied

“Why not?” Leah asked

“Trust me” Miles answered

“Miles. This isn’t your way of ending things between us is it?” Leah asked as she sat down on the step

“What? What makes you ask that?” Miles asked as he bent down to Leah’s level

“You’re going places and not telling me. Is it your way of trying to get out of this relationship?” Leah asked again

“Leah. I watched you form a relationship with Ian, and I got jealous. I had you for so long, and in a short space of time, you had gone. I told myself that if I ever got back together with you, then I would cherish each moment I spend with you. Leah, I love you so much, I’m not going anywhere”

“You sure?” Leah asked through her tears

“I’m sure” Miles replied

Leah looked at Miles and smiled.

Kissing, they backed up into the caravan……

“Ross Buckton’s room please” Angelo asked the woman on the front desk

“And you are?”

“Angelo Rosetta”

“One moment please” the woman said. Picking up the phone she dialled a number.

“There is an Angelo Rosetta out here, he wishes to see Ross Buckton”

Angelo looked around the reception.

"Down the hall and the third on your left” the woman told him

“Thank-you” Angelo said

Angelo walked down the corridor.

He stood at the third door.

Angelo nervously exhaled.

Reaching out for the door with a shaky fist, he hit the door three times.

Waiting for a reply.

[callyha]

Chapter 52

Ross looked over at the door.

“Who is that?” He asked Morag.

“I don’t know darling. I’ll go look” Morag replied as she put down her book.

Opening the door, she was greeted by Angelo, smiling at her.

“Angelo?” Morag questioned

“Hi Morag. May I come in?” Angelo asked as he stood there

Morag turned around and faced Ross.

Ross rose to his feet, staring at Angelo.

Angelo felt awkward

“Is Charlie with you?” Ross asked

“No she isn’t sir, its just me” Angelo replied

Ross looked Angelo up and down. “Come in”

Angelo stepped in and shut the door behind him.

“Why are you here Angelo?” Morag asked

“I’ve come to ask for your permission to ask Charlie to marry me” Angelo told.

Ross stared at Angelo in shock

Morag tried to hid a smile

“What happened to Warren?” Ross asked

“He is in jail Ross. You remember?” Morag told him

“Oh yes, yes of course” Ross replied

Angelo lowed himself in to on of the chairs.

“So tell me my boy, why do you want to marry my daughter?” Ross asked

Angelo looked at Ross.

“Because, I love her so much” Angelo replied

“Do you think that is enough? That you love her?” Ross asked

“Yes”

“How long have you wanted this?” Ross asked

“I was thinking about it when we were together five years ago. But I had a job overseas to do and we had to break-up”

“Why now? Why ask her now?”

“I have wasted so much time, looking back over everything that has happened to Charlie recently, its made me realise, that if I don’t do something about it, then I will loose her forever”

“Can you accept Ruby?” Ross asked

“I love Ruby. More so now because we have had to rely on each other much more”

“You do realise that if you marry my daughter, you will inherit a 17 year old daughter. No many men have had that to contend with” Ross pointed out

“I wouldn’t care if Charlie had a 25 year old daughter, or five daughters. I love Charlie, I want to spend the rest of my life with her”

Ross rose to his feet. Angelo stood up quickly.

“If you do anything to make my daughter cry. I’ll make you cry” Ross said, pointing his finger at Angelo.

“Got it loud and clear” Angelo replied

Ross offered his hand “You have my blessing”

Angelo smiled and shook Ross’ hand.

On the walk back from school…

“I haven’t seen that film before” Annie said as she walked along the beach

“I remember watching it when I was your age” Charlie replied

“It’s that old?” Ruby said, sticking her tongue out

“Ay, cheeky” Charlie said as she knocked Ruby closer to the sea

“I’ll leave you to it” Annie said as she saw Ruby and Charlie connect

Ruby splashed some water at Charlie. Charlie chased after Ruby.

“Come on mum! You’re to slow!” Ruby shouted as she started to run.

Charlie stopped where she was. Looking at Ruby. She smiled

“Come on Charlie!” a little girl shouted to her big sister

“I’m coming!” Charlie shouted, as she chased after Ruby.

Elise and Ross sat on their towels watching Charlie and Ruby chase each other.

“Do you ever think they would have been like this if Charlie raised Ruby?” Elise asked Ross

“I don’t know. Maybe. Hopefully one day they can” Ross replied

“Mum? What’s wrong? Is it your chest?” Ruby asked as she took Charlie’s hand

“No. I’m fine”

“What’s wrong?” Ruby asked, looking worryingly at Charlie

“I was thinking about that time on the beach. You remember? You were six or seven. And you wanted to go to the beach..”

“And Mum and dad took me but I wanted you there” Ruby added.

Silence fell between the two.

“Ruby? You’re not mad are you?” Charlie asked, breaking the silence.

“Mad? For what?”

“For been lied to”

“Mum, I understand why you lied. I just wish you were able to tell me”

Charlie smiled. Remembering how Ruby found out…

Warren had come home drunk one night, accusing Charlie of cheating on him for the third time. Charlie ran toward the front door, but Warren grabbed her from behind. Turning Charlie around, Warren pushed her on to the step.

Blood seeped onto the floor….

Charlie layed in the hospital, her abdomen sore.

Ruby walked into the room. “Charlie?, what happened? Did he do this to you again?” Charlie nodded. Tears fell down her face. Ruby went over to Charlie, placing her arms around Charlie, she gave her a hug.

A doctor came into the room. “Charlie, how you feeling?”

“Sore” Charlie replied.

“I’m not surprised. The blow you received to the abdomen burst the scarring from your caesarean scar”

Charlie swallowed hard.

Ruby’s mouth opened.

“We have repaired the scar, it’s just lucky you were so young when you got the scar”.

The doctor walked over to Charlie.

Lifting Charlie’s top up to look at the bruising and the scar.

Ruby saw the scar for herself.

The doctor walked out of the room.

Charlie looked away.

“Caesar scar? How long have you had that?” Ruby asked

Charlie never answered

“Charlie!” Ruby said again

“Fourteen years” Charlie answered, quietly

“What?”

“I got the scar when I was fourteen” Charlie replied

The rest was a blur to Charlie. She knew it was about six months before Ruby talked to her again

“Are you sure? I mean, if he didn’t push me, you wouldn’t have found out” Charlie said

“I know. But all you need to know, is that I love you so much, that has never changed. and that, if I were you, in wouldn’t have been able to do what you did. You were able to look at me everyday and spend time with me, even though you knew how I came to be here”

Charlie looked at her daughter. Walking slowly across to her, she placed her hands on Ruby’s shoulders. “I love you, so much”

“I love you to, mum”

Angelo arrived back at Miles’ house. He had a grin from ear to ear.

Looking at the table he saw a note

‘Angelo,

I’m cleaning caravan’s.

just to give you a heads up, Tony and I are finding it hard to lie to Leah and Rachel.

They’re becoming suspicious’

Angelo screwed the piece of paper up.

Putting his hand in his pocket, he pulled out the box.

He smiled.

[callyha]

Chapter 53

Opening the door of the caravan the next day, Miles had a huge grin on his face.

Leah walked up behind him.

“Morning” She whispered in his ear.

“Morning” Miles replied.

“I loved waking up next to you” Leah said to Miles, love was in her eyes

“I loved it too” Miles looked into Leah’s eyes.

“Stay” he said after a long pause

“What? At the caravan?” Leah asked, slightly confused

“No, stay with me at the house” Miles looked at Leah. Her faced shocked.

“Leah, I’m asking you to move in with me. An VJ obviously” Miles told Leah as he took her hands in his own.

Leah stood there. Looking into his big eyes.

Rachel woke to the sound of Alf’s voice.

“S***! Tony! What time is it?” Rachel asked as she sat bolt up right

“Seven. Why?” Tony asked, half asleep

Realizing where he was, Tony also sat up right. “S***! why didn’t my alarm go off!?” Tony said as he scrambled to get his clothes on.

Rachel grabbed her skirt, revealing Tony’s phone, with the alarm going off. “That’s why!”

Rachel only just managed to hide under the desk before Alf came in the gym.

“You alright mate?” Alf asked as he stepped in

“Yea, yea, no worries” Tony replied

“Good. I just heard noises in here, that’s all”

“Yea, I was on the phone with a member, they’re not happy about something, I don’t know”

“Right. Any way, I’ll see you later” Alf said to Tony. Turning around he walked out of the gym “Bye Rach” Alf said before walking out of view.

Tony shut his eyes, Rachel stood up and laughed.

Angelo sat at his desk at the police station thinking of ways to propose. He wanted something that Charlie would love, and remember for the rest of her life.

His phone rang. “Angelo Rosetta?…Ruby? What’s wrong?….Yes I got the ring…no I haven’t….. why? Because I don’t know how to propose….meet you where?…Ok I’ll meet you there in half an hour” Angelo hung up. Grabbing his things, and the ring, he headed out of the door.

Charlie walked around the house.

It was eerily quiet.

The phone rang.

“Hello? Summer bay caravan park” Charlie spoke down the receiver

“This is Doctor Phillips. I have your test results back. Is there any chance you can come to the hospital?”

“Can’t you tell me over the phone?” Charlie asked, her voice nearly breaking

“I don’t want to explain everything over the phone, it would be easier in person. Could you come down to the hospital?” doctor asked

“I’ll be there as soon as I can” Charlie hung up the phone. Clutching her chest, she grabbed her bag and keys, and walked out of the house.

[callyha]

Chapter 54. Thank you for the comments! Hope you enjoy this next part

Angelo walked along the beach, looking behind him making sure he wasn’t followed.

Ruby stepped out from behind a rock. “Angelo!”

Angelo turned to face Ruby.

“God! You scared me”

“Sorry. Anyway, have you got the ring?” Ruby asked as she looked at Angelo’s hands

“It’s in my pocket. Any ideas?” Angelo asked

“Not yet. Don’t worry, I’m thinking” Ruby replied.

“How about I put it in a cake” Angelo said enthusiastically.

“Do you Know Charlie? She doesn’t go for things like that” Ruby replied, her eyebrow arched

“Well, I thought it was good” Angelo muttered under his breath.

“Why don’t you just see where the night takes you. don’t plan it, otherwise Charlie will figure it out” Ruby said

“But I wanted to do something before hand” Angelo pointed out

“Why not take her out, just you and her. And then when you are walking back, bend down to tie your shoe lace, but instead..”

“Get the ring out!” Angelo added. “Perfect!” Angelo kissed Ruby on the forehead and then ran off. Ruby stood gob smacked.

At the hospital…..

Charlie waited in the corridor. Her heart was pounding in her chest. Her hands became sweaty, and her mind wandered off… Has my chest wound reopened? Have I got an infection? Have I a problem with my heart?

Questions flew through Charlie’s mind.

The door opened.

“Charlie? You may come in”

Charlie nodded. Slowly rising to her feet, Charlie felt the dread filter through her body…something was wrong…

Angelo got back to the Miles’ house. Seeing that Charlie wasn’t there, he grabbed a piece of paper and wrote

Charlie, meet me at Trinity restaurant at seven thirty.

Please

Love Angelo xxxxx

Miles walked in to the surf club.

“Leah!” He shouted when he saw Leah walk through to the gym

“Hey” Leah said when she looked up.

“So, you thought about what I asked?” Miles asked, with a huge smile on his face. Leah looked at him.

“You mean me and VJ moving in with you?”

“Yes” Miles said

“Ok, I’ll move in with you” Miles went to kiss her, Leah put her finger on his puckered lips, “When you tell me what you, Angelo and Tony were doing” Leah finished.

Miles’ body dropped, sighing he looked deep in to Leah’s eyes.

“Can’t you move in, then I tell you?” He asked

“No. Tell me, or I wont move in”

“That’s blackmail”

“No, its called good sense” Leah smiled.

Charlie walked back into Miles’ living room. Dazed from what the doctor just told her. She looked around the room. Her body moved slowly.

Easing herself down on the couch, she had a tear fall down her face. Another one fell when she blinked.

Looking up she wiped her eyes.

Looking to the table she saw Angelo’s note.

Reading it, she smiled.

Leah sat on her couch.

Miles sat down beside her.

“I’m waiting” Leah told him

“Do I have to tell you?” Miles asked

“Yes” Leah smiled

“Angelo bought a house. He needed Tony and my help to put a ribbon around it.”

“A house? Is that it?” Leah smiled “That’s great!”

“Not just a house, its instead of an engagement ring. But he went out and bought one” Miles confessed

“Oh my god! Charlie’s getting married!” Leah shouted

“We don’t know yet! Angelo hasn’t asked.

that’s why I didn’t want to tell you and why Tony hasn’t told Rachel” Miles told her.

“Is that why Tony took Rachel away for a few days? Because she kept asking?” Leah asked

“Partly” Miles finished. “Now will you and VJ move in with me?” Miles asked

“Yes” Leah replied, a huge smiled filed her face.

Walking into the restaurant, Charlie nervously looked for Angelo.

Angelo rose to his feet when he saw Charlie walk over to him.

She was wearing the dress she wore on their third date. Angelo smiled.

Two hours later…..

Charlie and Angelo walked down the street. Angelo checked his pocket, making sure the ring was still there.

Charlie looked in the windows as she walked passed them

“Angelo?” Charlie spoke softly

“Yea?”

“I need to talk to you about something” Charlie looked at Angelo. She could tell by the way his expression changed that he wanted to say something. “What is it?” Charlie asked

“Didn’t you want to tell me something?” Angelo said,

“You wanted to say something. You go first” Charlie insisted

“You sure?” Angelo asked. Charlie nodded.

Angelo looked down, “Just a sec” Kneeling down to fasten his shoe lace, Charlie looked across the road.

Angelo cleared his throat.

Charlie turned around.

Charlie’s eyes lit up, her mouth opened slightly.

“Charlie Buckton. Would you make me the happiest man alive by becoming my wife?” He asked. His hand shook as he held the box.

Charlie kneeled down in front of him.

“Yes”

Angelo took the ring out of the box. His hand shaking as he placed the ring on Charlie’s finger.

Rising up together, they shared a passionate kiss.

[callyha]

Chapter 55. Thank you for the comments! Hope you enjoy this part

Leah walked into her house, carrying some boxes.

“Miles!” Leah shouted as she saw Miles sneaking away “You’re not getting out of this”

Miles looked at Leah. “Fine. Where do I start?”

“Over there, can you put those into boxes?” Leah said as she pointed to the glass cabinet. “So, when is Angelo going to propose?” Leah asked

“Do you have to ask? This is why I didn’t want to tell you. Because you’d do this” Miles said as he rolled his head

“I’m only asking. Charlie is my friend, I just wanted to know so don’t blow it” LEah replied

“Sorry. I just don’t want Angelo finding out I told you”

“He wont. I promise. And if he asks how you got me to move in we’ll say, I get to redecorate” Leah smiled

Miles nodded.

Leah walked off humming to herself. Miles’ eyes widened when he realised Leah would now be redecorating the house. His head dropped.

Tony and Rachel sat beside the bright blue pool.

Tony had a beer next to him and Rachel had a green cocktail.

“This was such a great idea Tony. Thank you” Rachel said as she took a sip of her green drink.

“Forget it. You deserve it” Tony replied

“Why?” Rachel asked as she looked at Tony

Tony’s eyes widened, “Because of everything you did for Charlie when she was in hospital” Tony lied

“As nice as that is, it’s not the truth. Why did you treat me to this spa?”

“That was the truth” Tony repeated

Rachel raised an eyebrow

“That was never going to work was it?” Tony asked, knowing he was defeated. Rachel shook her head. “Miles and I were helping Angelo put a ribbon around the house he bought for him and Charlie. Angelo is going to propose” Tony sighed

Rachel smiled “I knew you were up to something” Rachel placed her hands together “So when is he proposing? How is he doing it? Oh my god, I can’t wait!” Rachel got excited

“This is why I didn’t want to tell you. You’d spoil it”

“And brining me here was the only way to stop me?” Rachel asked. Tony nodded his head. “Fair enough. Can we go home?”

Tony looked at Rachel “Why?”

“I want to see the house, the ring, her face both of them!” Rachel said, her voice filled with excitement.

Angelo stood at the foot of the bed. Looking at his fiancée whilst she slept. A smiled crept across his face.

Picking up the phone, he dialled reception “Yea hi, this is room 223, I was wondering if you could send up our breakfast…you can? Great, thank you” Angelo hung up.

Angelo got back into bed, kissing Charlie on the cheek as he snuggled close to her.

“Morning” Charlie whispered as she ran her hand down his arm

“Morning” Angelo replied.

Three hours later……

Angelo and Charlie were driving back to the bay.

Charlie looked at her ring finger and smiled.

Angelo saw Charlie do this through the corner of his eye, he too smiled.

“Angelo, I need to tell you something”

“Sure” Angelo said

“I went to the doctors yester day..” Angelo turned down a road “Angelo where we going? The bay is that way” Charlie said whilst she pointed behind them

“You’ll see. it’s a surprise”

Angelo drove the car up a drive.

Charlie looked around, trying to make sense of where she was.

“Close your eyes” Angelo said when he stopped the car.

“Why?” Charlie asked

“Just do it. Please?” Angelo replied

Charlie sighed, then closed her eyes. Angelo drove the car a little further along the road. Turning down another drive, he looked in front of him and saw the big ribbon tied around the house.

“Can you keep your eyes shut and get out of the car?” Angelo asked as he took his seat belt off.

Charlie sighed and got out of the car.

“Do you trust me?” Angelo asked.

Charlie stood still. She had never said to Angelo that she trusted him. The last time she trusted a man, it didn’t go so good. “Yes” Charlie smiled.

Angelo lead Charlie up the path towards the house.

Charlie lifted her feet clearly off the ground.

“Charlie, your not in marching band. Just walk normally” Angelo laughed

“You try walking without looking. Its harder that it looks!”

Angelo carried on leading Charlie. Stopping in front of the house.

“Alright. Now open!” Angelo said

Charlie sighed and opened her eyes. Her mouth opened in amazement, her eyes fixated on the house.

“When did you get this?” Charlie asked

“About a week ago. This was supposed to be the engagement thing, but I forgot and got you a ring” Angelo told Charlie.

Charlie turned to Angelo. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she brought him in for a kiss.

“I love it”

[callyha]

Chapter 56 Enjoy

Thanks for the comments x

Three weeks later……

Charlie layed awake in bed that night. Playing with her engagement ring, she began thinking of how she was going to tell Angelo, what the doctor told her nearly four weeks ago.

Hearing Angelo’s alarm go off, Charlie closed her eyes.

Angelo switched off the alarm and headed to the bathroom.

Charlie listened as Angelo took a shower, got dressed and left the house.

After laying there for what seemed hours, Charlie got out of bed.

Walking into the kitchen, she poured herself some coffee and made some toast.

“Mum” Ruby said when she walked into the kitchen.

Noticing that Charlie looked pale, Ruby sat down in front of her. “Mum, are you ok?”

“Yea, I’m fine” Charlie smiled

“Are you sure? You don’t look to well” Ruby looked at Charlie

“No, I’m fine” Charlie drank some of her coffee “Anyway, what you doing at school?” Charlie asked, changing the subject.

“Study. God, I hate study. It is one of the most boring things to do” Ruby began to say.

Charlie swallowed hard, her breathing became more tense

“Mum” Ruby said

Charlie looked as if she was winching through pain.

“Mum. that’s it, I’m calling Angelo” Ruby said as she searched for her phone

Charlie struggled to speak “Ruby, I’m ok, it’s fine. You should go, you’re going to be late for school”

“Are you sure? I’ll take the day off” Ruby said as she walked to Charlie

“No, its fine. You go to school, I’ll be ok” Charlie repeated.

Ruby nodded, unconvinced. Charlie looked at Ruby and smiled. Placing a kiss on her mothers head, Ruby walked out of the house to catch her bus.

Charlie ran to the bathroom.

At Noah’s……

Rachel and Leah sat on the seats.

“I can’t believe Tony did that” Leah said, laughing

“I can’t believe you made Miles tell you like that! I should have thought of that!” Rachel added

“It’s great, isn’t it? Charlie is finally happy, everything is going right for her”

“Yea. Angelo has definitely allowed Charlie to trust again. I don’t think there is anyone who could actually have done that, except for Angelo” Rachel said

“I don’t know. Tony got you to trust again” Leah pointed out “And Miles for me”

“Yea, but that’s different. Charlie had lost her trust completely. Ours just got a little strayed”

“I just can’t believe that Angelo asked for Tony and Miles’ help. They couldn’t keep it a secret” Leah laughed

“Actually, Miles told you after they had got engaged. Tony told me the day later”

Charlie walked into Noah’s

“Charlie” Leah shouted

Charlie looked over and smiled

“Charlie, you look great. You must be happy” Rachel noticed glow about Charlie.

“I didn’t look great this morning” Charlie told them “didn’t sleep well”

“How come?”

“I was thinking” Charlie shrugged “Anyway. What’s new with you two?”

“Miles and I are officially living together. You can tell by the amount of washing I have to do. Its trebled”

Rachel and Charlie laughed

“How about you?” Charlie asked Rachel

“Tony and I are thinking of starting a family. I was completely surprised when he asked me how I felt about kids.”

“Why?” Leah asked

“Well, with Jack and Lucas I didn’t think he’d want any more. I mean I was happy with that, I was with Tony, the man I love, I didn’t need children. But now that he’s mentioned it, I., I’m seeing myself pushing a stroller down the road”

“Aww Rach” Charlie began to say, but the same feeling from this morning washed over her.

“Charlie? Are you ok?” Rachel asked as she sat up

Charlie nodded, unable to speak

“No you’re not” Rachel said.

Before Rachel got to Charlie, Charlie had run to the bathroom.

[callyha]

Chapter 57 thank you for all the comments!

Angelo pulled up into the drive.

Walking through the door he saw Ruby sitting on the stairs, crying.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Angelo asked as he through his keys on to the table and sat beside Ruby.

“It’s Charlie. I haven’t seen her all day, and I don’t know what the doctor said. Something could be wrong” Ruby cried

“I don’t think so” Angelo said as he comforted Ruby

“How do you know?”

“I’m just hoping” Angelo whispered to himself.

Angelo closed his eyes. Ruby was ok when he left her an hour ago, he had gone to find Charlie.

At Noah’s…

Rachel and Leah were stood in the toilets.

Charlie still hadn’t spoken to them.

In the cubical, Charlie was sat on the floor curled up.

Shaking as tears fell down her face.

“Charlie. Come on, you’re scaring us now” Rachel said as she stepped forward to the closed door.

Charlie never spoke.

“Charlie, do you want to be left alone?” Leah asked

“No” Charlie whispered. Her voice shaky.

“Are you gonna come out?” Leah asked

Leah and Rachel stared at the door. A few minutes later the door slowly opened.

Charlie stepped out of the cubical. Her face was red from the tears she had cried.

“Charlie” Rachel spoke softly as she headed toward her friend.

Charlie looked at Rachel. Her eyes glazed with more tears.

Rachel wrapped her arms around Charlie. Charlie broke down in Rachel’s arms.

Rachel and Leah took Charlie back home.

Rachel drove the car and Leah was sat in the back with Charlie. Who had fallen asleep as soon as she got in the car.

Angelo came out to see who had pulled up. Seeing that it was Rachel, he walked over to the car.

“Hey” Angelo said as Rachel put the window down.

“Hey”

Angelo looked in the back and saw Charlie asleep “What wrong with her?” he asked as he went to the back and opened the door.

“We found her in the toilets, she’d been crying. It took use nearly two hours to get her to come out” Rachel explained.

Angelo took Charlie in his arms and walked into the house.

“Mum” Ruby said as she walked out of the front room “What’s wrong with her?”

“Not sure” Rachel answered

“Thank you for bringing her home” Angelo said as he stopped at the stairs.

“Forget it. Just let us know what’s wrong” Rachel said as she smiled

“Bye” Leah said as she gave Ruby a hug and Angelo a smile

The front door shut.

Angelo carried Charlie to their bedroom. Placing her gently on the bed, he placed a blanket over her.

The next day…..

“Hey mate, how’s Charlie?” Tony asked as he saw Angelo get a juice.

“I haven’t spoken to her yet. I was on the early shift today, she was still asleep when I left” Angelo replied,

Tony saw a client walk into the gym “I’ll talk to you later mate. See ya”

“I’m really worried about her. She went to the doctors ages ago and we don’t know what they said. She hasn’t told us” Ruby told Rachel and Leah

“Has she even tried?” Rachel asked

“Angelo said something about Charlie wanting to tell him something when they first got engaged. But Charlie never said what that was because of the house”

“Has Charlie tried telling you?” Leah asked

“To be honest, I haven’t really seen much of mum. I’m busy studying” Ruby replied

“Maybe she’ll speak now. Especially with everything that has just happened. She’ll want that security” Rachel said

Ruby nodded.

Charlie turned the shower on.

Letting the water fall on her, she shut her eyes and thought about what the doctor had told her.

[callyha]

Chapter 58

Kinda short i know, but it may answer some of you theories/questions.

Enjoy!

Angelo and Ruby were sitting in the front room. They had been waiting for Charlie for over an hour.

“What’s keeping her?” Ruby asked as she looked at the clock

“She had a lot of paper work to do. No one has done it for the last week” Angelo told Ruby

“I just want to know what’s going on”

“Me too Rubes”

Charlie opened the front door.

Walking into the front room she saw Ruby and Angelo look up at her.

“What’s going on?” Charlie asked as she put her bag on the seat.

“We want to know what the doctor said. I’m sorry that I never listened when you tried to tell me” Angelo said

Charlie paused. She saw the look of desperation in Ruby and Angelo’s faces.

“When I was in hospital after the fire, the doctors picked up on my injuries from when Warren abused me” a tear fell down Charlie’s face. “But what I never told anyone was that I was pregnant, and I lost the baby, when…” Charlie’s entire body shook. Angelo stood to take Charlie in his arms, but she pulled away. Ruby sobbed in the chair.

“And then I had a few more tests done after I got shot” Charlie couldn’t speak anymore.

“Charlie,” Angelo held her in his arms as she sobbed

Ruby sat, in a daze, not wanting to hear what she was hearing.

Charlie wiped her face. “When I got a call from the doctor saying my results were in, I knew straight away it was something bad”

“And was it?” Angelo asked

Charlie looked in Angelo’s eyes. “He told me that with all the injuries I have sustained from years of abuse, and the miscarriage, conception would be difficult. I could still get pregnant, but it would take longer. And if I did conceive, the pregnancy would be high risk”

“High risk?” Ruby asked as she stood up

“The scarring to my abdomen may limit the size of growth, and the labor and delivery would be strenuous on my heart” Charlie wiped more tears from her face

“So what does this all mean?” Angelo asked

“It means that I have to have a cesarean section to deliver the baby”

“Because of the danger to your life?” Angelo asked.

Charlie nodded.

Ruby moved closer to Angelo and Charlie.

The three stood, embracing each other and comforting each other.

Charlie pulled away from the hug. “I’m sorry I shut you out. I just needed time to wrap my head around it all”

“Charlie, you don’t have to be sorry” Angelo said

“Yes I do. This baby is your’s and your brother or sister. I had no right to keep all of this from you”

“Mum, what the doctor told you was a shock. There would have been no way you would have been able to tell us straight away” Ruby told Charlie

Charlie smiled at Ruby.

“I just wanted a family with you Angelo. And now it looks like that is going to be taken away”

“Charlie, you and Ruby are the only family I need. It doesn’t matter if you and I don’t have a baby” Angelo assured Charlie.

“Angelo..”

“Charlie, don’t beat yourself up”

“Angelo..”

“Charlie don’t”

“I’m pregnant”

[callyha]

Chapter 59

Thanks for the comments!

Hope you enjoy next part

Leah and Rachel sat on the beach looking out to the boats.

“Do you think there’s something serious with Charlie?” Leah asked

“I’m not sure, but at least she’s with Angelo, Charlie will tell him when she’s ready”

“But what if she doesn’t? Charlie is used to hiding things” Leah said

“I don’t think she’ll do that anymore. She’s been through so much and Angelo has been there beside her through everything”

“I just don’t want it to be anything bad, I don’t think she could take anymore blows”

“Charlie has got through it before, she’ll do it again” Rachel smiled

“Anyway, how are your baby plans going?” Leah asked

“We started trying a few days ago. We’ll just have to wait and see” Rachel smiled

“I can’t believe my friend is trying for a baby. It’s just like six years ago” Leah smiled

“I think Tony and I are back there, everyday we spend together is like another piece of that old puzzle, the only thing missing is that day at the beach. Anyway, how are things between you and Miles?”

“They’re really good. Like you, back to how we were. We’re just enjoying each day as it comes” Leah smiled.

“No plans for anything?” Rachel asked

“To be honest, I’m not really bothered about getting married, if Miles did ask me, then yes, I would marry him. But I’m not expecting him to ask me”

“So what does this mean?” Angelo asked as he sat Charlie down

“Basically, I may not get to full term, and if I do I have to go for a caesarean, because my heart wont be able to take the pressure of the birth”

Angelo and Ruby stared at Charlie. “Guys?”

“I’m going to be a big sister?” Ruby asked

“Yea. I hope that’s ok?” Charlie asked.

“Yea, why wouldn’t it be?” Ruby asked. Charlie gave her a look.

“Charlie, don’t let what happened back then hold you back now. You’re gonna have a baby, I’m going to be a big sister” Ruby smiled. Walking over to Charlie, Ruby held her in an embrace.

“Angelo?” Charlie asked as she looked at Angelo. He sat there. Staring into nothing.

“Angelo?” Charlie repeated.

Angelo slowly raised his head.

“I’m going to be a father” He smiled.

The following morning….

“So when is the first scan?” Angelo asked

“Four weeks” Charlie replied

“IS that when you’re twelve weeks?” Angelo asked

“Yea” Charlie replied

“I cant wait to tell everyone!” Ruby said as she clapped her hands with excitement

“Rubes, about that. I don’t want to start telling people until I’ve had the first scan. I just want to make sure everything is ok” Charlie told her.

“Ok” Ruby said, disappointedly.

“What about work? What are you going to tell them?” Angelo asked

“I’m still doing the office work, I can’t do the physical side of things until the doctor gives me the go-ahead. But by then, I should be able to tell them” Charlie answered.

“So we’re not telling anyone until we have baby’s first picture?” Angelo asked with a smile on his face.

“Yes” Charlie smiled.

Tony, Miles and Angelo sat at the table in Noah’s.

“Hey mate, what’s with the huge grin?” Tony asked

“Yea, you’ve had that grin since you came through the door” Miles added

“Nothing” Angelo answered

“Sure. Anyway, how’s Charlie? Rach told me that her and Leah found her in the bathroom, crying”

“Yea, she’s fine. Everything just built up on her, and she couldn’t take it anymore” Angelo lied

“Fair enough” Tony answered, not believing Angelo’s story.

“Anyway, what’s new with you guys?” Angelo asked, trying to change the subject

“Rach and I are trying for a baby” Tony said

“Yea? that’s great. Any luck?” Angelo asked

“We’ve only just started trying Angelo” Tony answered

“Oh” Angelo cleared his throat

“What about you and Leah?” Tony asked

“Yea, we’re good. Everything seems to be going great. We’re both wanting the same thing” Miles answered

“No marriage on the horizon? No baby?” Angelo asked

“To be honest, we’re just taking everyday as it comes. If it looks like marriage is the next thing, then I’ll go get a ring” Miles said

The three men sat back in their chairs.

“Did you ever think that we would be talking about our relationships like this? I mean, three years ago, Rach was with Paul, no way was a relationship with her going through my mind”

“I was hoping we’d get back to the way we were, but I never imagined that Leah and I would get back together”

“What about you?” Miles asked Angelo

“Charlie? There was something there that never went away. I don’t know how to explain it, its like, when we were together, we were inseparable, and when I left, it was like I took a piece of Charlie’s heart with me and she took a piece of mine”

“You love-sick puppy” Miles laughed.

“So when is the happy day?” Tony asked

“Dunno yet”

“Well you need to get it planned. We need to get the best bucks party organized!” Tony said.

The three men sat for ages talking about Leah, Rachel and Charlie. And the bucks party for Angelo.

[callyha]

Chapter 60

It was the night before Charlie’s scan.

For the last four weeks, Angelo has had to beat down talks of babies with the guys, avoid fussing over Charlie when they went out, and had to try and hid the huge grin that plastered his face all day.

Ruby found it difficult as she had finally witnessed her mother been happy. Everything that had ever happened to Charlie was heartbreaking for Ruby to see. Ruby felt powerless to help. And now that she could go around and tell everyone that she was going to be a big sister, she realized that the family she wanted six years ago, is the family she has now.

Charlie layed in bed with her hand on her stomach.

A single tear fell down her face as she gently stroked her stomach.

I’ll never let anything happen to you she whispered.

The following morning….

“Rach!” Tony shouted from the kitchen

“I’m coming!” Rachel fastened up her blouse as she entered the kitchen.

“Aren’t you supposed to be at work today?” Tony asked as he took a bite of his toast

“Yes, I am, I’m running a little late” Rachel finished getting dressed, she then kissed Tony and stole his toast. “Love you” She shouted as she ran out the door.

Tony laughed to himself as he watched Rachel run out of the house.

At school…..

Xavier walked down the corridor. When he saw Ruby, he smiled and walked over to her.

“Ruby”

Ruby didn’t turn around, she put her head in the locker and tried to get rid of the huge grin from her face.

“Ruby?” Xavier said as he saw Ruby with her head in the locker. “What are you doing?”

“I lost something”

Ruby brought her head out of the locker. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll get it later”

“Are you aright?”

“Yea. Why?” Ruby asked, slightly confused

“You’re acting really weirdly. Is something wrong?”

“No. there’s nothing” Ruby smiled

Xavier looked down.

“Xave? What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing” Ruby gave him a look “Ok, I know we broke up, but, I was kinda, hoping, that..”

“When Xave?” Ruby asked as she saw how scared Xavier looked

“Tonight?” Xavier smiled

Ruby was about to speak, but then she remembered the scan. “Erm, I’m busy tonight, can we go out tomorrow night?” Ruby asked

“Erm, yea, sure” Xavier said.

“Xave, don’t look so worried” Ruby smiled.

Leah and Miles walked along the beach.

“How are the plans going for Angelo’s bucks party?”

“Alright, I don’t think Angelo’s mind is on the wedding though”

“You don’t think they’re having problems do you?” Leah asked

“No. what makes you say that?” Miles asked

“I don’t know. I don’t want there to be any problems, god knows Charlie can’t deal with anymore heartbreak. But Charlie has been acting really weird lately. I just, hope there’s nothing wrong”.

Charlie and Angelo walked hand in hand down the corridor.

Charlie’s appointment wasn’t until 3:20, but they wanted to be early, Angelo was too excited.

“Is Ruby coming here straight after school?” Angelo asked

“Yea. She wanted to be here” Charlie smiled

“I can’t wait to see him on that screen” Angelo spoke with excitement in his voice

“What makes you so sure it’s a boy?” Charlie asked

“Because I know there is a boy in there” Angelo replied as he put his hand on Charlie’s stomach.

“It may be a girl” Charlie said, as she placed her hand on top of Angelo’s.

“Mum!” Ruby shouted as she ran down the corridor.

“Ruby”

“You been in yet?” Ruby asked as she tried to catch her breath.

“No, not yet” Charlie answered.

3:20.…

“Charlie Buckton” The doctor said as she opened the door.

Charlie stood up and walked into the room. Angelo and Ruby followed.

“I’m sorry, miss, you’re going to have to wait outside” the doctor told Ruby

“She’s my daughter” Charlie said as she saw the look on Ruby’s face

“Your daughter?” the doctor asked, not believing Charlie. “Very well” the doctor closed the door.

Charlie lay on the bed and lifted her top up. Revealing the bump she had hidden for three months.

“This is going to be cold” the doctor said as she squirted the gel on Charlie’s warm stomach.

Charlie let out a gasp as the cold got through.

On the screen the doctor pointed out the small features of the baby. “That pearl-like structure is the spine, there’s the baby’s hands, the little feet”

A tear fell down Charlie’s face. Ruby stared at the screen and Angelo watched his baby on the screen.

The doctor moved the probe across Charlie’s stomach, her face looking worried.

“What’s wrong?” Charlie asked as she saw the doctors face

“I’ve just spotted one thing” The doctor pointed at the screen