Jump to content

Everything To Me


Recommended Posts

Thanks for the comments guy. Enjoy :)

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

"I am sorry" said Charlie, pressing her cheek to his chest

"I know" said Brax "Just please don't scare me like that again. My grey hairs are getting too much" Charlie laughed "However girls seem to dig that these days"

Charlie lifted her head slightly, her gaze on him, her eyebrows cocked "I see any girl even so much as give you the eye and I won't be held responsible for my actions"

One month later

"We're err…" Casey glanced down the hall "We're just gonna take the twins down to the beach, maybe to the diner as well for something to eat"

Ruby nodded as she felt Hope slip her hand into hers

"Mummy being scary" said Hope and Brax cleared his throat

"Yes she is" answered Ruby, ushering Hope and Caleb to the door "And we're going to leave daddy alone to deal with her"

Brax frowned "Thanks" he peered back down the hall before looking back at Ruby, Casey and the twins

"You no to make her cry, this time" said ,Caleb, a stern look on his face and Brax cocked an eyebrow

"I would never make her cry buddy"

"You did at the night" answered Hope and Brax groaned

"Ok fine. I promise not to make her cry" he wasn't going to point out to his four year old kids that at this point in time, him sneezing could probably make Charlie cry right after she was done screaming "You guys go have fun with Casey and Ruby and I promise when you get back mummy will be ok"

"She no be scary no more?" asked Hope and Brax clicked his tongue. Promising that was like promising that pigs would one day fly. But still he smiled and nodded

"Promise"

Ruby chuckled and opened the door "Well good luck with that"

"Yea, you're gonna need it" muttered Casey and Brax exhaled as they shut the door before he turned back to his and Charlie's bedroom.

Looking up at the ceiling for a moment, Brax, opened up the door to see Charlie on the bed on all fours. Biting into the corner of his bottom lip, he cleared his throat as he tried to stop himself from laughing, he knew too well that wouldn't score him any favourable points

At the sound of Brax clearing his throat, Charlie's head shot up and she peered at him her bottom lip quivering. It was official, being pregnant sucked. Why couldn't there be another way to have babies

"You're laughing at me" said Charlie and even the quiver in her voice had her wanting to shout at herself to get a grip, but her hormones were all over the place

Brax shook his head "No babe. I would never do that" he stood by the door, smiling at her "What you doing?"

Charlie sniffed and slowly plonked back onto her bottom "I dropped an M&M and it rolled to the end of the bed"

"Just the one M&M?" asked Brax as he eyed the family sized bag of M&Ms that she had yet to finish and Charlie nodded

"I didn't want it going to waste" even saying the words, she knew how Ludicrous she sounded

"Right" Brax nodded slowly and Charlie realised he had yet to move from the door

"Why won't you come close to me" her bottom lip trembling again as she reached for the family sized bag of M&M "You don't find me attractive any more do you? That's why you won't come close to me"

Brax laughed and shook his head. He had never seen Charlie display so many different emotions in such short periods of time. And in all honesty, the only reason he had remained standing by the door was because he was trying to gauge her mood correctly. The last thing he wanted was her throwing her phone at his head again or worse, she may reach for the lamp by her side this time. Deciding she wasn't dangerous (in this moment) he walked over to the bed and slid in beside her

"Babe" he ran his hand through her hair "Of course I still find you attractive. Why wouldn't I?"

Charlie glared at him like he had grown two head "Maybe because I look like an overweight whale, who waddles like a penguin"

Brax cleared his throat, no way was he gonna risk laughing when he was in such close proximity to Charlie "A. You do not look like an overweight anything. You are pregnant Charlie; this is how you are supposed to look. And B. You do not waddle…much" that last part was said only to himself

"You promise?" said Charlie

Brax nodded, leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips "I promise. You are even more beautiful than you were the day I married you"

A slow smile tugged on Charlie's lips and she sighed loudly "Where have the kids ran off to this time?"

Brax chuckled "Beach and then the diner"

Charlie bit into the corner of her lips "They'll all probably be demanding you move them out of the house permanently just so they don't have to deal with me"

"Well, Hope does keep referring to you as scary" Brax chuckled but quickly quietened down at the pointed look Charlie Was giving him

"I promise I'm not being like this one purpose. I just can't seem to stop being such a grump"

Brax sighed and caressed her thighs "Well you're nearing the end of the pregnancy so, baby should be here soon and hopefully, you'll be back to your old self. Plus you being on bed rest can't really be helping, can it?"

Charlie shook her head, more M&M's making their way into her waiting mouth "I hate it" she mumbled, mouth full "I've gone from working full time at the station, to doing desk work, to being told I can't do anything at all in the space of a month. It sucks"

"I know but the Doc's know what they're talking about. That cramp you got seemed pretty bad and being a little bored is worth it if our baby comes out strong and healthy"

Charlie nodded "I know. I just hope baby doesn't stay inside for longer than what is needed" she rubbed her stomach "I'm ready to meet you now and really ready to get out of this house for more than a few minutes. So you need to be a good baby and come out on time…for mummy"

Brax and Charlie looked up as there was a knock at the door before footsteps could be heard

"I know it's not Ruby and Casey with the kids. I think you scared them enough that its certain they won't be back for a long while" said Brax and Charlie hit him lightly on the chest

"I'm pregnant you're supposed to be nice"

Brax chuckled as he stood up from the bed "I'm always nice to you" He grinned "But I'm always honest too" Charlie scowled just as Bianca's voice could be heard

"I hope the both of you aren't butt naked in there and if you are I'd rather see Brax's bare ass than I would your's Charlie" Bianca burst into the room and frowned at Charlie and Brax who were fully clothed "Uh… Shame" she grinned and walked over to Charlie, walking by Brax who stood with a cocked eyebrow

Martha walked in behind, Bianca, and chuckled at the look on Brax's face "Take it as a compliment Braxton. Plus it's true" she walked past Brax and turned slightly too look at his backside

"I'm gonna…" Brax sighed "I'm just gonna go. I'm feeling sort of molested right about now"

Bianca and Martha watched Brax as he walked out of the room and Charlie frowned playfully "Hey, do you mind not ogling my man candy. He's not for rent"

Bianca and Martha laughed, both of them plopping themselves down either side of Charlie

"We're not trying to rent him. We just think it's a little unfair we've known him all these years and haven't got a little sneak peak at that butt" said Bianca

Charlie chuckled "Right, and I've had countless access to your men's butts"

Martha chuckled and pulled a large bag from her carry along handbag "So, We ran into Ruby, Casey and the twins down at the beach and they looked as if they were running from something… or someone" Martha grinned and Charlie sighed

"I'm officially the pregnant mother from hell. I was in the living room with the twins this morning and you should have seen how still and quiet they were being as if any sudden movements would have me fall apart or start yelling obscenely"

Martha and Bianca laughed

"Yea well we thought we would come round and try and cheer you up a bit" said Bianca "Although I don't know why you need cheering up, if I was you I would be locking Brax in this room and having my wicked way with him"

Charlie shook her head and frowned "I feel too gross to do any of that"

"So what no sex at all?" asked Martha

Charlie shook her head again "Not for like the past three weeks"

Martha and Bianca stood mouth agape

"Well no wonder you're all wound up" said Bianca "Have you had anymore cramping?"

"No" replied Charlie "Not in over a week"

"Then you're ok to have sex?" asked Martha

"Doctor said that was fine unless I felt any discomfit during, then we had to stop. But like I said I don't feel like it. I just feel fat and ugly" she shoved more M&M's in her mouth

"Well you best get over that because if I remember correctly, sex with Heath at this stage of pregnancy was always amazing. And it might just help you wind down a bit and stop scaring your kids"

Charlie hit, Bianca on the arm "You know you two are the worst friends ever"

Martha chuckled as she stood up from the bed and made her way over to the TV with a DVD in her hand "We know"

Brax chuckled as Ruby and Casey watched him as he walked into the restaurant almost afraid that Charlie would appear behind him

"Bed rest" he said and Ruby and Casey exhaled remembering she wasn't permitted to branch to far from the house for the next month

"Yea of course" said Casey "So how is she?"

Brax shook his head and chuckled "Ok. Bianca and Martha are there with her know" he ruffled both Hope and Caleb's hair, both of them too busy with mouthfuls of garlic bread to greet him

"We know. Ruby sent them to her" said Casey

"I thought you might need some backup" said Ruby

"And i though you guys were going over to the diner?"

Casey shrugged "We figured why go there when we can get food free here"

Before Brax could reply, his attention was stolen by Heath who was stood behind the bar laughing "Buckton gone crazy on you, I hear"

Brax scowled, crossed over to the bar and whacked Heath across the back of the head "Get out from behind my bar, and you best know you're paying for that beer" Brax clicked his tongue before opening up the till register "And you best not have had your hand in here either"

Heath put his hand to his chest "Me?" he sighed "I'm wounded you would even think such thing"

Brax scoffed and then looked around the restaurant "Where are your kids?"

"With Irene" Heath looked down at his watch "And I should really go pick them up now. Irene will have my head if she's late for work" Heath slugged the beer down and placed the now empty bottle onto the bar a grin on his face

"Buckton not giving you any bro" he chuckled "You looking a little wound up" he laughed at his own joke and backed away from the bar at the glare Brax was sending his way. Heath held his hand up "Just saying bro" he quickly spun around and out of the restaurant "Be back soon"

Brax groaned but soon smiled as he felt a little hand pulling on his leg

"Hey" he picked Hope up "You ready to say hi to me now"

Hope smiled sheepishly and gave Brax a kiss "Is mummy no scary anymore?"

Brax chuckled "No. Aunt B and Aunt Martha are helping her not be scary anymore"

Hope smiled and nodded "I to help again" she grinned and Brax smiled. He may as well get some work in while he was here "Sure. You can be my special napkin lady" he looked over at Caleb and chuckled. He was still stuffing his face with food

"Hey" Brax walked into the house to find Charlie now sat in the living room with Bianca and Martha

"Hey" the girls replied in unison just as Hope and Caleb bounded towards them

Both stopping in front of Charlie, they peered up at her

"You no sad anymore?" asked Caleb and Charlie's face softened

"No I'm not sad anymore"

"And you no be scary?" asked Hope and Brax along with everyone else chuckled

"No" Charlie gave a smile "I promise not to be scary anymore"

Hope. frowned before she put her pinkie out "Pinkie swear?"

Charlie chuckled as she wrapped her pinkie around Hope's "Pinkie swear"

Hope smile "That good, cause you no nice when you scary and you shout at daddy"

Charlie rolled her eyes, of course daddy's girl was always thinking about her daddy

"Have you guys actually eaten any actual food, today?" asked Ruby as she eyed all the empty containers of ice cream, and wrappers on the coffee table

"Uhuh" replied Charlie "Bianca made a mean lasagna. Left you guys some in the oven"

"Cool" Casey turned around and made his way into the kitchen

"And you still had space for all this?" said Brax. Charlie turned to him with a pointed look and he quickly added "I'm glad you had fun" placing a kiss on her forehead he ignored Bianca and Martha's chuckle "Right you two" he pointed at Hope and Caleb "Bath time"

Both Hope and Caleb frowned and shook their heads "We bath this morning" said Caleb, clearly not pleased with the idea

"And you're gonna have a bath again" replied Brax. Hope opened her mouth to speak and Brax cocked one eyebrow "And if you make bath time difficult, there will be no reading to you before bed for a whole week"

Hope and Caleb gasped as if Brax had just suggested the most inhuman thing

"No daddy, you not to" said Hope

"Then I suggest you both play nice and very quietly make your way to the bathroom"

Hope and Caleb scowled at Brax, before doing as he said

"Blackmail" Bianca shook her head "Nice work Braxton"

Brax chuckled "I learned from the best" he winked at Charlie before making his way down the hall

Martha and Bianca watched as Charlie's eyes followed Brax

"Aww, Charlie, you really need to get laid. Seriously just jump him…"

"Stop"

Charlie, Bianca and Martha turned to see Ruby stood at the end of the couch just as Casey walked in. Turing to Casey, Ruby frowned

"We really need to move out, like quick" she shuddered before making her way into the kitchen, Casey frowning in confusion

"Ignore her. You just need to wait till they're all asleep and jump him, molest him in his sleep if you must" said Bianca

Casey chocked on his food, his coughs coming out loud as he placed his hand to his chest. Finally calming himself down after a minute or so, he stood in disgust and shout to Ruby

"We can start looking at places right away" he shook his head, picked up his plate and walked down the hall into his and Ruby's room "No way am I sticking around to hear any more of this" he muttered to himself

Bianca rolled her eyes as she stood from the couch "You would think they don't get up to the same thing when they're alone" it was now Charles's turn to frown and shudder

"Never say that again" said Charlie

Brax slid in beside Charlie into their bed, his hand resting on her now big bump "So, how are you and baby feeling now?" he asked and Charlie smiled

"Better" she turned her head to him and placed a soft kiss on his lips

"Umm" Brax smiled as they pulled apart "Not complaining, trust me. But what was that for?"

Charlie shrugged "Just because, you're kinda amazing"

Brax grinned, lifting his hand to her face, his thumb caressing her cheek "I am aren't I"

Charlie rolled her eyes, but her expression soon changed "And you're sexy" her eyes roamed his face, moving down to his bare chest, before coming back up to his face "Really sexy"

Brax frowned but a grin quickly replaced it, he knew that look in her eyes and least he hoped it was that look "You shouldn't look at me like that, babe" he spoke leaning in and placing a slow kiss at the corner of her mouth. Pulling back he knew now that she was definitely turned on, her blue eyes had darkened, her lashes lowered

"Do what?" asked Charlie, her hand slowly gliding down his bare chest "You know it's been a while since I've felt like…" she bit the corner of her bottom lip

Brax nodded "Yea, I know" his hand was now caressing her waist "Trust me I know"

"How about we, or should I say, I, make up for that" Charlie's breath was a little shallow and Brax grinned

"You sure?" he asked, his hand now moving up to cup her fuller breasts

Charlie leaned in; giving him a slow, torturing kiss "Oh, I'm positive"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
  • Replies 44
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Thanks for the comments guys and sorry for the long wait. Internet as been down for a while but I'm at my friends right now so using hers. Hope you enjoy this chapter :)

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

Brax nodded "Yea, I know" his hand was now caressing her waist "Trust me I know"

"How about we, or should I say I, make up for that" Charlie's breath was a little shallow and Brax grinned

"You sure?" he asked, his hand now moving p to cup her fuller breasts

Charlie leaned in; giving him a slow, torturing kiss "Oh, I'm positive"

Charlie sighed as Hope shook her head

"You sure?" asked Brax "We'll have fun"

Hope looked up at him as if considering it but shook her head again "I no want to"

Brax sighed and glanced at Charlie "Ok. If you're sure"

"I want to" said Caleb and Brax smiled lightly

"I know you do buddy. I'll buy the paint today and we can start tomorrow, ok?"

Caleb nodded, a look of excitement on his face

"Right" Brax walked over to Charlie and placed his hand on her stomach. He smiled as the baby kicked "Baby's really active uh"

Charlie sighed "like you wouldn't believe it. I though the twins used to play with my bladder but this child of yours as turned it into she or he's own personal toy. I've been more times today than should be humanly allowed"

Brax chuckled "Well it'll be worth it when she or he gets here"

"Say's the guy who will never have to squeeze a melon sized baby through a hole the size of a grape"

Brax winced and Charlie laughed

"I wish I could say that if I could I would take your place but I would be lying" Brax laughed as Charlie hit him lightly on the chest. "I gotta go. I'll see you guys later" he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips

"Bye" Charlie smiled and watched as, Brax, said bye to the twins before leaving the house. She looked down at Hope who was silently playing and wished her daughter would really warm up to the idea of a new sibling. Some days she didn't seem too put off by the ideas but then some days like today she pretended there wasn't a new addition soon to enter the family

"You sure you don't want to help your dad and Caleb paint the baby's room?"

Hope shook her head "I no wanna"

"Ok"

Charlie looked up as Ruby and Casey walked into the room "You guys off out?"

"Just Casey" answered Ruby

"I got a shift and I'm already late" Casey gave Ruby a quick kiss and waved bye "Buy guys" he shut the door behind him and Ruby looked at Charlie

"So they agree to help with baby's room?"

Charlie nodded "Caleb did. Hope declined the offer"

"She still not keen on the idea?"

"No" Charlie sighed.

Ruby glanced at Hope and then looked to Charlie "Hy Caleb, why don't you go show mum which walls you want to paint and where you think everything in baby's room should go"

Caleb bounced to his feet as Ruby looked at Charlie, nodding her head towards Hope. Charlie got the idea and smiled at Caleb "Well come on"

Caleb ran ahead, Charlie behind him. As they walked into the room, Ruby, waked over to Hope and ran her hand through her hair

"Come her for a minute, Hope. I want to tell you a something"

Hope dropped her toys and looked up at Ruby "something good?" she asked walking to the couch with Ruby

Ruby picked, Hope up and placed her beside her on the couch

"A story about you, me and Caleb" Hope looked confused but Ruby carried on talking "When mum had you and Caleb in her tummy, I was so excited. You want to know why?"

Hope nodded

"Well it was because you would be my sister and Caleb would be my brother. I was so excited because being a big sister is the coolest thing in the world"

Hope frowned "It is?"

Ruby smiled and nodded "Yea, It is. Because I get to teach you and Caleb how to do so many things, I get to help you do your hair and I get to read to you and I know no matter what happens you will always be my little sister and I will always love you. And..." Ruby smirked "I have you and Caleb to help me gang up on Dad"

Hope smiled a little but it quickly turned into a frown

"You love me don't you?" asked Ruby and Hope nodded

"This much" Hope smiled spreading her arms out

"Well, this new baby is gonna love you just as much if not more because you will be the coolest sister ever"

"But I no want it to be a girl" said Hope

"But you know if the baby is a girl, then she will want you to show her so many things."

This seemed to peak Hope's interest "Like what?"

"Well, like how to do her hair, how to draw, and she'll want to play with you"

"She will?" asked Hope

"Sure she will. She will want to be your best friend like you are mine. And if it's a boy then you can show him how nice boys should be and even he'll want to play with you"

"But I still be little pwincess even if it a girl?"

Ruby cocked her head and sighed "Hope you'll always be daddy and mummy's little princess and mine too"

Hope looked thoughtful for a moment before her eyes met Ruby's

"You pwomise?" she held her little pinkie out and Ruby chuckled wrapping her own pinkie around Hope's

"I promise"

Dropping the tins of paint on the floor, Brax smiled as Both Hope and Caleb ran to him

"Hey. I missed you both too"

"Daddy can we start now?" asked Caleb looking down at the paint

Brax shook his head "Not tonight buddy. Its getting late"

"Daddy?" Hope tugged on Brax's shirt

"Yes Princess?"

Hope smiled at the endearment "I to help too?"

A slow smile covered Brax face and he glanced up at Charlie, Ruby and Casey

"You want to help?" he asked looking down at Hope

Hope looked back at Ruby who smiled encouragingly at her. Looking back at Brax she nodded "Yea I to help cause I be the bestest big sister"

Brax laughed "I have no doubt about it"

"So what exactly did you do to get our daughter to do a complete one eighty in the space of a few hours" Brax's hand ran up and down Charlie's stomach. The movement always helped the baby sleep

"It actually wasn't me. It was Ruby" replied Charlie

"What exactly did she say. She didn't go promising her a unicorn or something because you know Hope never forgets a thing"

Charlie laughed "No that's not it. Apparently she just explained how cool being a big sister would be"

"We've been doing that for months" said Brax and Charlie shrugged

"Well it seems hearing it from Ruby made all the difference. I'm just relieved she won't be trying to flush baby down the toilet" Brax laughed and Charlie nudged him

"Not long to go now" said Brax

"One week" replied Charlie and if she was being honest she couldn't wait. She was done being pregnant

"Can't wait" Brax smile as baby gave a soft kick "And it seems neither can baby"

"Looks like you missed a spot" said Brax, frowning at the wall Hope and Caleb had been helping him paint

Looking carefully at the wall, Hope and Caleb expressed frowns of their own. Caleb cocked his head slightly, his face scrunched up, trying to find the spot his father was speaking of

"There no spot" said Hope, itching her hair lightly before she and Caleb turned to Brax

"Na uh, Daddy. We got them all" said Caleb

Brax grinned, he had dipped both his index fingers in the paint "Na" he said moving closer to the both of them "You both missed a spot right…." He chuckled before wiping the paint on his index finger on their cheek "there" he laughed as both Hope and Caleb gasped, as if not believing he had just done that

"You got me painted" said Hope, her voice incredulous and full of disbelief

Brax nodded "Yep" he grinned down at them "It suits the both of you"

Hope and Caleb glanced behind Brax, but quickly averted their eyes as Ruby put his finger up to her lips

"It no funny" daddy, said Hope playing along, she was trying to hide her giggle

"Yes it is" answered Brax, not aware of Ruby as she pushed her hand into the paint Brax had been using and approached him

"Well you gonna get some on you too" said Caleb, smirking

"Na, I'm not" answered Brax

"Err….yes you are" said Ruby and before Brax could turn around she smirked her hand down his right cheek. Brax jumping back but too late. Both Hope and Caleb bursting into fits of laughter along with Ruby

"Ha daddy, you gots loads on your face" laughed Hope and Brax

Brax ran a finger along his face and started down at the paint on his hand. He cleared his throat and looked at Ruby "You know you're gonna pay for that right" he smirked and his gaze skirted own to the paint between them

Ruby's eyes widened as she began stepping back "No. You deserved that for getting paint on the twins. I was simply defending them"

"Right" Brax clicked his tongue "Well seeing as nobody is defending me I'll just have to defend myself" he bent down to pick up the tin of paint. He glanced up at the sound of Charlie's voice

"I should have known, a bunch of Braxton's and paint didn't mix well" her now fully round belly, stuck out of her still slim frame as she stood at the foot of the door

Charlie laughed as Ruby practically launched herself behind her, using her as a shield

"Low Rubes" Brax shook his head "Hiding behind a pregnant woman"

Ruby shrugged "If it keeps me paint free, I'm staying right here"

Charlie sighed, her hand running over her stomach "Look at you two" she laughed light as she looked down at Hope and Caleb. She was thankful Brax had changed them in some of their worn clothes that she was about to throw away. There was paint on every part of them

"Daddy did this" said Hope pointing to the smudge of paint amongst others running down her cheek

Charlie shook her head and tutted "Well that's naughty of daddy isn't it"

Brax mockingly pouted "But look what Ruby did" he pointed at his own cheek and Charlie chuckled

"You're a big baby you know that"

Hope and Caleb chuckled as Brax frowned

"You mean I'm a ruggedly handsome man"

Ruby rolled her eyes and scoffed and Charlie cocked an eyebrow. She looked as Brax's arm that was covered in paint

"If you say so" she mocked and Brax gasped but before he could deliver a comeback the twins ran forward as if suddenly remembering what they had been doing

"We finished mummy" said Hope bouncing on the spot

Charlie smiled as she looked around the room that was going to be the babies once he or she arrived. All the furniture was in place but they were covered up at the moment, just so Brax and the twins didn't get any paint on them. But still looking at the freshly painted walls the room already held the beauty of a child's room. Looking to the wall directly across the room she smiled. Brax seemed to have a thing for putting quotes in their children's room. Hope and Caleb still had there's and now on their soon to be new arrival's he had plastered 'You're a dream come true. Never forget how much we love you, Baby Braxton'

"You like it?" asked Caleb and Charlie nodded, smiling down at both of the twins "I love it"

"Baby got writing on the wall like me and Hope" said Caleb. Each passing day he seemed to get more excited about his new sister or brother "But it different"

"Yea" Charlie smiled "It is different"

"But it still look nice" Hope added

"Yes it does" replied Charlie laughed lightly

"Mum I'm hungry" said Caleb and Ruby shook her head stepping out from behind Charlie

"You had a sandwich about an hour ago"

Caleb frowned "It long now"

Charlie chuckled and Brax shrugged

"He's your son" said Brax now it was Charlie's turn to scoff

"Please he's all Braxton" she replied

Brax stepped to her and gave her a quick kiss, his hand brushing her belly "So are you"

"Urgh" Ruby frowned "Come on guys let's get you cleaned up"

"And food?" Caleb asked

Ruby nodded "Yes and food"

Two weeks later


"You nervous yet?" asked Heath as he stretched his leg out on the grass

Brax shook his head "Na. Excited"

Jack scoffed "Yea. Wait till the baby actually comes and it's pooping and screaming majority of the time"

Brax chuckled "Don't think I've forgotten that either"

"I swear I think Bianca actually wants another one" said Heath

Brax cocked an eyebrow "And you?"

Heath stayed quiet for a minute before answering "I'll have as many kids as she wants. Plus I can't really cuddle Reece or Abi anymore. They look at me like I've got cooties"

Jack and Brax chuckled

"I'm not looking forward to when Hope and Caleb get like that" sad Brax

Heath grimaced "Abi spent the best part of yesterday talking about some boy in her class" he grunted "Bianca doesn't seem to see my reasoning to send her to an all girls school or even better home school her"

Jack and Brax laughed and Heath pointed at Jack

"Don't know why you're laughing. Sophie was going on and on to Ruby just before about some boy she likes"

Jack's eyes widened and it seemed he had swallowed his tongue for a moment "What?"

Heath laughed is head thrown back "Just kidding with you" Jack let out a breath "But I bet you she's already thinking about boys"

Jack shook his head, a little too forcefully "Na. I've already stated to Martha many times, that no boys will be coming into the house until Sophia is at least 25, and not a day before"

"Good luck with that mate" said Brax

"Yea coming from you. I can just imagine the beating the first guy Hope brings home is gonna get"

Brax stared wide eyed as if the very though sickened him "Not gonna happen. She's my little girl and that's how she's gonna stay forever"

"Well I bet Ruby is glad she doesn't have to worry about your crazy side" said Jack and Brax grumbled

"She's just lucky it's Case she ended up with. No one else would have gotten such an easy ride"

"Easy?" Heath laughed "Every time the boy does something wrong you give him the 'if you don't fix it, you're in trouble eyes or the 'Fix it you idiot' eyes"

Brax shrugged "I didn't say I was gonna make it completely easy on him"

All three men looked up as Martha and Bianca walked out into the garden

"You guys ok?" asked Jack

"Yea, but the kids are starting to fall asleep and it's late so we should get going"

"Ok"

Both Heath and Jack stood to their feet, followed by Brax

"Yea, Brax?" Bianca gave a small smile "You might want to go to Charlie"

Heath and Jack chuckled "Good luck mate" Jack gave him a pat on the back

Brax blew out a breath and made his way into the house after the guys. Seeing them off, he made sure all the doors and windows were locked and turned off all the lights. Walking into his and Charlie's room, he smiled lightly as he saw her tucked into bed, facing the ceiling. Her eyes were wide open. Pulling his shirt over his head, he quickly slipped out of his jeans before crawling in beside her

"Hey" he ran his hand over her hair, tucking it behind her ear "You ok?"

Charlie slowly turned her head to face him and shook her head "baby can't wait to get out, my foot" she scoffed "Why won't your baby come out?" she pouted, her blue eyes big

Brax shrugged "Maybe you just made it too cosy in there"

Charlie frowned, clearly not caring for his sentiment "This is your fault" she poked her finger into his chest "All you Braxton's are too stubborn" she poked Brax's chest again and Brax chuckled "You need to tell your child that it's a forty week gig in there and any longer is just plain selfish and inconsiderate" she exhaled loudly and the baby kicked

Brax moved as close to Charlie as he could get, and looked up at her "Isn't it better she comes out when she's good and ready?"

Charlie rolled her eyes "She is good and ready Brax. She's fully cooked and never mind that, I'm good and ready to not be pregnant anymore. Do you know what it feels like to not be able to see anything below my bump. Not my feet, my toes or even my lady bits"

Brax laughed, one eyebrow cocked "Lady bits"

"Yes" Charlie replied "I have no idea what it looks like down there, Brax. And don't even get me started on sitting and standing. I feel like I've ran a marathon every time I have to stand up and my feet are so swollen its unreal"

"I thought you couldn't see your feet?" countered Brax and Charlie glared at him

"After this child you are not coming near me anymore, your hear that Braxton" Charlie pointed at him "You and your little friend can keep to yourself" she tried to scoot down the bed but it was taking longer than she would have liked

Brax watched on in amusement for a few second before offering a hand "You need some help"

Charlie looked at him, her glare now turned into a pout "Please"

Brax shook his head lightly and helped her get comfortable, before wrapping his arms around her "Don't worry, before you know it, baby will be right here with us"

Brax, grunted and rolled over in his tired state. About to fall back to sleep, he frowned, his eyes still closed as he turned back around. Opening one eye, the other popped open at the sight of the empty space beside him. Looking at the time that read 4:15 he pushed himself up on the bed

"Charlie?" he called one leg already slung over the side of the bed

"In here" he heard Charlie reply from the bathroom

Standing to his feet, he walked over to the bathroom and turned on the light "Why you sitting here in the dark?" he stared down at her as she flushed the toilet

Charlie shrugged and let out a yawn "Too tired. Took about an hour just to get out of bed and get in here" turning on the tap she rinsed her hand "Go back to bed, I'm coming now"

Bra nodded and turned back to their bed before Charlie's voice stopped him

"Err…Brax?"

He turned back to face her, but his eyes immediately followed the water trickling down her thigh and landed on the puddle on the floor. His face scrunched up slightly "Didn't you just use the toilet?"

Charlie tiled her head, looking at him like he had just grown three extra heads "Really Brax?" she cocked an eyebrow "You're actually suggesting that I just peed myself"

Brax pointed at the puddle on the floor "If you look down, I think you'll find you have"

Charlie blew out a breath, sleep clearly made him stupid "Think really hard Brax" she looked at him expectantly as Brax's expression changed from confusion, to questioning an finally…it clicked

"Is that…" he pointed at the puddle again and Charlie had to fight the urge to laugh. She didn't care that it was early in the morning she was just glad that in a few hours she would no longer be pregnant and she would be holding her baby in her arms

"Yes Brax my water just broke"

Brax's eye's grow wide "S**t" he shouted before running back into the room. Charlie frowned and slowly followed him watching him dart around the place

"What are you doing?"

Brax looked at her incredulously "We have to go to the hospital Charlie" he pulled on his jeans "You're having our baby"

Charlie rolled her eyes "Like I didn't know that"


And another one. Figured I should really make up for my lack of updates. Enjoy :)

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

"Yes Brax my water just broke"

Brax's eye's grow wide "S**t" he shouted before running back into the room. Charlie frowned and slowly followed him watching him dart around the place "What are you doing?"

Brax looked at her incredulously "We have to go to the hospital Charlie" he pulled on his jeans "You're having our baby"

Charlie rolled her eyes "Like I didn't know that"

"I hate you so much" Charlie winced as another contraction hit. She had been in the hospital for the best part of ten hours and yet she was still in labour. The contractions had started getting worse and she still wasn't fully dilated

Brax winced loudly, as Charlie crunched his hand through another contraction "I know baby" he replied her and Charlie let out a breath as the contraction parted.

Charlie glared at Brax "No you don't, Brax" she sniffed "You got me pregnant, now your baby is putting me through hours of labour" she had heard of people being in labour for hours but she had never feared it would happen to her. With Ruby it had been a c section as with the twins plus she wasn't coherent for when the twins were delivered but it seemed this single child was making up for all the labour hours Charlie had missed

"It's been ten hours Brax. TEN" she growled the end of her sentence and Brax knew another contraction was about to hit as her grip on his hand began to slowly tighten. He instructed her to breath through it and even ignored the dirty look she passed him as he did so

"What happened to all the epidural? They need to up my dosage" Charlie groaned her head pressed into the bed of her pillow. Just as Brax was about to reply, both their heads turned up as the same midwife that had been attending to her since the start walked through.

"I swear if you check down there and tell me I'm still not fully dilated, I won't be held responsible for my actions" growled Charlie and Brax tried to soften her words with a small smile but the midwife didn't seem fazed by Charlie's threat, she simply smiled at Charlie

"Well let's hope I'm gonna be giving you some good news then"

Ruby, walked back into the waiting room and shook her head "She's still not fully dilated yet" it had now been over eleven hours and Ruby got out of the room as fast as she could. It seemed Charlie was taking her frustration out on everyone around her and Ruby didn't want to be next on her list

Bianca sighed "She must be going crazy" she replied. They had all been and gone hoping by then Charlie would have been fully dilated

Ruby nodded her head "Yea and I think Brax is right there with her. Mum was actually threatening one of the nurses just before I left. Apparently they are refusing her more epidural and mum was sprouting something about having them all in lock up if they didn't do as she wished"

Martha and Bianca laughed

"Well hopefully she'll be pushing soon. I can't even imagine being in labour for this long"

"I hope she starts pushing too, if not for her sake for the sake of the hospital staff that she is harassing"

All the of them laughed

"Can we go now?" asked Caleb for the hundredth time. He stood in front of Cheryl with Hope beside him, both their hand held together as if in prayer

Cheryl shook her head "Not yet buddy. I told you, your dad will call once mum has had the baby"

Hope frowned "But it take long. She been gone since ages" her shoulders slumped

"Yea it does take long. But it as to so your little brother or sister comes out healthy"

Hope and Caleb sighed. Cheryl had been repeating the same thing since they got up that morning and found both Charlie and Brax gone. Ruby had soon joined and Casey had to go into work. Last time she spoke to Ruby, Charlie still wasn't ready to start pushing the baby, but Cheryl hoped the baby wold come soon. Along with the twins, she was excited to meet her new grandson or daughter

Poking their heads around the door, Bianca and Martha offered a small smile before stepping into the room, Ruby following

"Hey" Bianca walked over to the bed, taking Charlie's free hand and giving it a squeeze

"Jack and Heath just turned up, but I don't think we could get them within a mile of this room, if we offered them sex every day for the next year" said Bianca

Ruby screwed her face up and Charlie laughed lightly "I don't blame them"

"Heath did tell me to say, and I quote "Tell Buckton not to take it personal it's just us Braxton's don't like to be rushed"

Brax shook his head and Charlie chuckled

"Yea well this Braxton is taking the meaning to a whole new level" Charlie ran her hand up and down her bump

"Baby is proving to be a little difficult, hey" said Martha and Charlie gave the only smile she could manage

"Yea, just a little" he shifted uncomfortably "I really just want this to be over with"

"I'm sure it will be soon, baby" said Brax and Charlie rolled he eyes. She knew he was just trying to help but she was starting to feel incredibly irritated

"How do you know that?" she replied, shifting again "It's been over eleven hours and your baby is still in there"

"Well hopefully the next one won't be this long" replied Brax and the four women starred at him, a pointed look on all their faces

Brax cocked an eyebrow and cleared his throat "I shouldn't be talking about another baby right now should I"

Bianca shook her head "No, you shouldn't"

"How about you take a break" said Martha, noticing the death glare Charlie was sending his way "Don't worry we'll take care of her for a little while"

Brax nodded and stood to his feet. As Charlie let go of his hand, he winced at the numbness of it "I won't be long" he said, placing a kiss on Charlie's forehead before walking out of the room

"You know he's just trying to help, but he is a guy, you can't expect too much from him" said Martha and Bianca and Ruby laughed

"I know he's trying to make me feel better but nothing can make this pain feel…" Charlie winced her hands gripping the sheets beneath her as another contraction hit

Ruby moved to her side and slid her hand into Charlie, as Bianca and Martha moved to her other side. All waiting for the contracted to subside, Charlie finally let out a breath

"What on earth was I thinking letting a Braxton get me pregnant" said Charlie and the girls laughed

"Probably should have been asking yourself that when you got pregnant with Hope and Caleb" said Bianca

Charlie frowned "How have you both done this twice?" she looked at Martha and Bianca

Martha cocked her head "Well for one I didn't marry a Braxton and both my labour times didn't last more than a few hours"

Bianca shrugged "You were witness to Abi's birth. It didn't really take me long did it?"

Charlie sighed "If that man thinks we are having another child after this, he's got another thing coming. The only way that is going to happen is if he carries the next one" her words were followed with a loud grunt as another contraction hit

Walking around the corner of the hospital hallway, Brax smiled lightly he saw Heath and Jack sat not too far away talking to one another

"Hey" he called out and Heath and Jack both looked up before getting to their feet

"Hey" Jack gave him a pat on the back as Brax stopped in front of them

"Still no baby?" asked Heath

And Brax shook his head "Charlie is going out of her mind. And I have been told I'm not allowed anywhere near her after this"

Jack and Heath both chuckled "Yea, Martha said the same thing with both kids. Trust me after the six weeks you have to wait, she'll forget all about it"

Heath cocked his head "But then again our missus weren't in labour for obscene amount of hours. I have a feeling if Bianca had been in labour for any longer than a few hours, I wouldn't have been allowed near her for months"

Brax stared at Heath "Yea thanks for that"

Heath grinned cheekily "You're welcome"

"I need coffee. Strong" Brax walked past the both of them, and in the direction of the cafeteria. Jack and Heath glanced at each other with grins before following behind Brax

Charlie wanted to cry as the midwife walked back into the room. Fifteen hours. It had been fifteen hours and she wanted this baby out of her

"Please, please, please tell me it's time to start pushing" she pleaded as the midwife walked over with a small smile

"That's what we're hoping for" she said as she sat in front of, Charlie, lifting her hospital gown

Charlie and Brax both held their breaths, waiting for the midwife to tell them what was happening.

The midwife looked up at both Charlie and Brax and smiled "Looks like baby is finally ready to make an appearance into the world"

"Really?" If she could, Charlie would have been jumping up and down in sheer joy

"Yeah, it's time" said the midwife and Brax blow out a breath

"Thank God"

Charlie's eyes widened, before her chin pushed into her chest, a powerful grunt erupted from her throat and she pushed with all her might

"Ahhhhhhhh" she cried, pushing as much as she could before, her head flopped back into the pillow

"You're doing just great Charlie"

Charlie sniffed "That's what you keep saying" she replied. Never had she thought even child birth could be this painful "But you're not the one trying to push this baby out of you"

"Just take deep breaths baby" said Brax, his hand seemed like it was now permanently crushed in Charlie's and he had lost all feeling in it a long while ago

Charlie glared at him "I'm telling you now if you think you are ever sleeping with me again, you have got another thing coming" she grunted and sat up on the bed "I think I need to pus…" before she could finish her sentence, her chin ducked back in her chest and she gave an almighty push

"That's it Charlie. I can see your baby's head"

Charlie chest shook as she cried "I'm too weak" she spoke, tears running down her cheek "I don't want to do it anymore" she gasped on a cry and shook her head "It's too hard"

"Charlie look at me" Brax placed his thumb under her chin and turned her to face him. He pushed her hair back from her sweaty face, his hand on her cheek "This is me and you. Right here, right now that is all that matters. This baby is simply me and you. And me and you, together, we can do just about anything"

Charlie stared at him, her chest rinsing and falling heavily. She nodded and Brax wiped her tears away with his thumb "You still not coming anywhere near me after this" she spoke and Brax chuckled just before Charlie gave another push

A loud cry, filled the room, as Charlie sagged into the bed

"You did it baby" Brax's grin stretched from ear to ear, as he crushed Charlie's lips with his own

"Congratulation's, you have a new baby boy" said the midwife as they cut the cord and wiped the baby down

"A boy?" Charlie chuckled and the midwife nodded, walking over with the new bundle in her arms

"Yep a bouncing new baby boy" she smiled down at Charlie "Would mummy like a hold"

Charlie nodded eagerly and Brax helped her sit up slightly on the bed just before their son was lowered into her arms

Charlie pursed her lips, as she looked down at the chocolate headed boy; his eyes shut tightly, his hands on his face

"Hey, my baby" she stroked his cheek

"Welcome to the family, little guy" Brax leaned over and placed a kiss on their sons head

Brax and Charlie looked up at the number of heads that popped around the door. Brax waved them in and they were all quick to crowd around Brax, who now held their baby boy in his arms

"Awww Charlie" Bianca looked up form the baby and to Charlie "You and Brax make the cutest babies"

Heath scoffed "Please, my baby making skills are far better than his"

Bianca rolled her eyes and looked back down at the baby "Hey baby boy. You are so beautiful, yes you are"

"Congratulations Charlie" Jack placed a kiss on her cheek followed by Heath and then Casey

"Thanks guys"

"Right you've had your fill Brax" said Martha "I want to hold" she sat on the free chair and held her hand out. Brax chuckled before standing and placing his son into Martha's arms. Bianca and Ruby surrounded Martha as they all cooed down at the baby

"He's looks so peaceful sleeping"

Charlie smiled "The only time he seems to want to wake is to eat" she rolled her eyes "No surprises there". She looked up at the time and then at Ruby

"Cheryl not here yet?"

"They're not far off" replied Charlie "She says, Caleb and Hope practically ran out the house when she told them you had, had the baby"

Brax chuckled "She told them we had a boy?"

Casey shook his head "She wants it to be a surprise for when they get here. But she says Hope won't let up on asking"

"At least she's excited about the baby now" said Charlie as she looked down at her baby boy. She was getting more and more tired but she wanted to be awake for when Caleb and Hope got to the hospital

Bianca, Heath, Jack and Martha had just left and no longer had it been when a knock sounded on the door.

Cheryl slowly walked in, but quickly stepped aside as Hope and Caleb barrelled into the room.

"Where the baby?" Caleb all but shouted and everyone laughed

"Don't mummy get a hello first?" asked Charlie and Caleb peered up at her with a big smile. Moving over to her bed with, Hope, next to him both of them smiled

"You take forever to have the baby" said Hope and Charlie smiled

"Well I wanted to make sure the baby was just right for the both of you"

Caleb and Hope's gazes turned to Ruby, as their brother whimpered in her arms, before settling back into his sleep

"Is that the baby?" asked Hope, her eyes wide

Charlie nodded "Yep. Why don't you both go say hi"

Caleb and Hope slowly moved around the bed as if any sudden movements and their baby brother would disappear. Ruby smiled at the both of them as they each settled beside her, staring down at their little brother

"It so little" said Hope, in obvious awe

"You mean he's so little" said Ruby and Hope and Caleb looked up at her

"It a boy?" asked Caleb and Ruby nodded

"Yep, It's a boy" she looked over at Hope who was already looking back down at her baby brother

"And he my browther?" asked Hope and Brax nodded

"Yea he is"

Hope smiled and looked up at Charlie "He really pretty. But the next one to be a girl so I can teach her how to do her hair"

Charlie's jaw dropped slightly and Brax shook his head

"Seriously kid, after all your fussing now you want a baby sister"

Hope nodded "Cause Ruby say she to love me like I love Ruby and she to play with me"

"Your little brother will do that too" said Casey and Hope nodded

"She say that too. But next time it to be a girl"

"How about we just get to know your baby brother for now?" said Charlie. No way did she want anyone talking about another baby for a good few years

"I too hold him?" Caleb looked form Charlie to Brax

"Yea. Ruby's had her turn" said Brax

Slowly, Ruby stood from to her feet "Sit down bud, and I'll put him in your arms"

Caleb grinned and practically jumped into the chair

"You have to be careful" said Charlie

Caleb nodded "I will. I be the bestest brother ever"

Everyone chuckled lightly and Ruby slowly placed the baby into Caleb's arm, making sure he had a good hold of the baby but still supporting him slightly

"he got curly hair" giggled Hope as the baby's hat slipped slightly, Ruby quick to push it back into place

"Yea, just like you" said Brax and Hope grinned

"So we got a name yet?" asked Cheryl "Don't think it's fair to keep referring to him as baby"

Charlie and Brax glanced at one another they hadn't discussed many baby names. They had been hoping a name would come to them once he arrived

"I still like the name James" said Charlie and Brax cocked his head

"Don't know if he looks like a James"

"I think the twins might have a suggestion" said Cheryl. "To while away some time we went through names they might like this afternoon and the was one both of them really liked for a boy"

Everyone looked at the twins

"You wanna share this name with the rest of us?" asked Charlie and Hope and Caleb looked at one another

"Err…" Hope smiled sweetly "We likes Riley. It a nice name"

Brax and Charlie smiled as they looked down at their son, who was still help securely in Caleb's arms with the help of Ruby.

"Riley James" Charlie said and looked at Brax "How does that sound?"

Brax looked down at their son, his gaze shifting between, Hope, Caleb, Ruby and their little one "I think Riley James Braxton sounds perfect"

"It my turn now" said Hope "You hold him too long" she pouted as Caleb scowled at her

"No worries Caleb" said Ruby as she lifted Riley from his arms "You'll have another turn"

Charlie looked at Brax and smiled "I wonder when we'll get to hold him again"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS AND SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT FOR THIS CHAPTER. HOPE YOU ENJOY IT ALL THE SAME :)

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

Brax looked down at their son, his gaze shifting between, Hope, Caleb, Ruby and their little one "I think Riley James Braxton sounds perfect"

"It my turn now" said Hope "You hold him too long" she pouted as Caleb scowled at her

"No worries Caleb" said Ruby as she lifted Riley from his arms "You'll have another turn"

Charlie looked at Brax and smiled "I wonder when we'll get to hold him again"

Two months later


"Hey" Brax walked into the room and smiled as Charlie sat with Riley in her arms as she feed him. Smiling Brax walked over and crunched down in front of Charlie. He gently stroked Riley's curly hair "He not done yet?"

Charlie smiled and shook her head "No. You would think we hadn't feed him at all today. He hasn't even opened his eye's once" she looked down at Riley who still had his eyes closed as he feed

Brax chuckled "Yea, he's going at it like a champ" Riley finally pulled away from Charlie's breast "I think he's just about done" Brax stood to his feet and looked down at Charlie as she yawned

"How about you get back to bed and I'll burp him?"

Charlie looked up at Brax "You sure?" she let out another yawn

"Yea. I can't help with the late night feeds for now so I'll at least do this and you can get back to sleep" Riley although during the day would take from the bottle, he refused to do so during the night meaning Charlie had to get up for all his feeds

Slowly standing to her feet, Charlie passed Riley to Brax and stretched with another yawn. Brax chuckled as he sat in her place

"Get to bed"

Charlie smiled and placed a kiss on Riley forehead before leaving the room

Brax sat back, Riley on his shoulder as he gently rubbed his back "When you gonna stop being such a fussy mister and take from a bottle, little man" Brax spoke with affection as he gently rocked back and forth "You're making daddy kinda jealous with all the attention mummies giving you. You know you have to share her buddy" Brax grinned as Riley burped "That's my boy"

Brax lowered Riley and smiled to see that his son was soundly asleep "You've not been listening to a word I've said, have you?" Brax ran his thumb over Riley's cheek and smiled as Riley seemed to curl further into his arms

"I love you little man" he placed a kiss on his forehead, before placing him in his cot

Sliding in beside Charlie, Brax wrapped his arm around her and Charlie snuggled into him

"The twins are gonna be up in a few hours" said Charlie, her voice tired with sleep

"Umm" Brax nodded "Don't worry I'll get them up and ready. Mum's said she'll come and take them to kindy and she'll pick them up, so we can relax a little"

"Your mums a life safer" replied Charlie, he had on Brax chest

"That she is" replied Brax

"Think Caleb will ask if he can take Riley to kindy with him today?"

"I can almost guarantee it" replied Brax. Caleb had been asking if he could take Riley with him to kindergarten since the day they brought him home. Apparently he and Hope want to show him off to their friends properly, before they start at the big kid school

Brax smiled down at Charlie thinking she had fallen asleep

"By the way you have no reason to be jealous. You're my number one man" said Charlie a small smile playing on her face. Brax smiled realising that she would have heard him talking to Riley over the baby monitor

"Good to know" he placed kiss on her hair line before they both drifted off to sleep

"I just to say bye" said Hope, her eyes wide and pleading "I no to make noise"

Brax shook his head, she said that every morning and each time he gave in and let her go into Riley's room, she always managed to wake him up. Charlie really needed the sleep so he wasn't going to risk it

"Sorry princess, not this morning. You can spend all the time you want with him when your Nana drops you off later"

Hope huffs, and pushes her curls from her face "It no fair"

Brax chuckled as he picked up her bag pack and passed it to Cheryl who was looking on at Hope in amusement

"love you too sweetie" Brax bent over and placed a kiss on her forehead "Caleb?" he called and Caleb came running down the hall

"Hey slow down buddy" Brax held his arm out "You find it?"

Caleb nodded and held his Ben ten toy out in his arms "Yea, it was hiding in my bed"

Brax chuckled and took the toy from Caleb, placed it in his back pack, and gave it to Cheryl

"Thanks for doing this mum, Charlie is shattered"

Cheryl rolled her eyes "I love spending time with my grand kids so you don't have to thank me, and maybe next Saturday , I can take Riley for the day while these two are at their sleep over"

Brax smiled and thought that would be amazing, but he and Charlie were yet to spend the day without Riley so he would have to check with her to see how she felt about it "I'll mention it to Charlie" he replied and Cheryl nodded

"Right, come on you two"

Brax placed a kiss on Caleb's temple, Just as he ran ahead of Cheryl with Hope in tow

"I'll see you later" said Cheryl and Brax nodded. He sighed as Cheryl shut the door and turned back in the direction of his and Charlie's room

Walking out of the dinner, Cheryl stopped in her tracks as a young girl near enough knocked her over

"Hanna"

Cheryl looked up at the voice that had spoken and figured it was the young girls little mother

"I'm so sorry" the woman spoke as she approached Cheryl. She looked down at the little girl who Cheryl figured was Hanna "How many times have I told you on running"

"I no too fast" the girl replied

Cheryl smiled down at the little girl. Her browned hair was in a plate and dropped over her right shoulder, and her big green eyes were emphasised with huge specs. Cheryl assumed she couldn't have been any older than three years old

"It's ok" Cheryl looked up at the mother.

"Sorry" the woman sighed before she looked down at her daughter "No more running ok, or you won't be getting any dessert"

The younger girl's shoulder stomped and the mother passed Cheryl a final look of apology before walking past.

Cheryl smiled wonder how Riley would be at that age, if he is anything like Hope and Caleb, Charlie and Brax had lot to look forward to.

"Cheryl" Cheryl turned back around as Irene approached her

"Hey" Cheryl smiled

"I was hoping to bump into you actually" Irene took out a dish "For Charlie and Brax. Well mainly for the twins they love my lasagna and I made a little too much last night so I figured at least Brax and Charlie won't have to bother about cooking tonight"

Cheryl smiled and took the dis from Irene "Thank you, and trust me Brax and Charlie will fee indebted to you for this. That grandson of mine is definitely keeping them on their toes"

Irene laughed as she and Cheryl parted ways.

Coming out of a fitful sleep, Charlie, yawned, her eyes still close. Turing she ran her eyes along the bed but Brax wasn't beside her. Slowly opening her eyes she figured he was probably up getting the kids ready for when Cheryl came to pick them up. Rolling onto her back she stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before turning her head to the bedside table on her side.

Her gaze glimpse at the clock, moving away before moving back again

1:30

Charlie's eyes widened and she bolted up from the bed. How on earth had she slept in so late and where was Brax? Picking up her robe she wrapped it around herself before stepping out of the room.

"Brax" she called, but she soon frowned as she heard Brax's voice

"Then when you're all big and strong and your mummy isn't scared to let you out of her sight, I'll take you out into the ocean" said Brax "You'll love it out there. All Braxton's do"

Charlie stopped just outside the kitchen as she watched Brax with Riley. Brax had Riley sitting in his comfort baby carrier. Riley looked content snuggled into Brax's chest, his big eyes fixed on Brax as if he could understand what was being said to him

"Hey"

Brax turned to Charlie and smiled "Hey, you're awake. I was just gonna make you something to eat"

Charlie nodded, stepping into the kitchen and walking over to Brax "It's half one in the afternoon Brax, you should have woke me"

Brax smiled and pulled a bottle of apple juice out of the fridge "You needed the sleep. Plus me and the little guy here got to spend some time together" he poured some juice and passed the cup to Charlie

"Thanks" settling on a stool Charlie looked at Riley and smiled "He looks like he loves it in there"

Brax smiled "Well he's all feed and changed so he doesn't have much to complain about. And you need to express some more milk babe; he's gone through most of it"

Charlie sighed "They'll be nothing left to express the way he goes through them"

Brax looked down at Riley and made a face "He's a Braxton through and through"

Charlie rolled he eyes and finished up her juice before standing to her feet "You alright if I just go take a bath"

"Yep" replied Brax as he make another face at Riley "We've got everything under control" he winked at Charlie, who smiled before going to have a well-deserved long bath

Walking out of the bedroom, Charlie sighed in relief, her whole body feeling awake after a god sleep and an even better bath

"I'm so glad you let me sleep in" she spoke as she walked down the hall "And that bath was…" she stopped talking as she saw Brax lay on his back on the couch, Riley on his cheat, the both of them dead to the world. Moving closer to the couch, a smile spread across her face as she watched the both of them. Brax's chest rising and falling slowly and Riley comfortably tucked into him, his hair sticking to his head and Brax's mouth was slightly agape. Quietly she picked up Brax's phone from the coffee table and took a couple pictures of the two of them

Glancing over at the dining table she frowned and walked over to the set up on the table. Lifting the lid of the plate, Charlie's smile widened as she saw Brax had set breakfast out for her even though now they were well into the afternoon. As her stomach growled, she decided to leave Brax and Riley to sleep while she tucked into her food and couldn't believe how quiet the house was

Brax's gaze opened as Charlie lifted Riley from his chest

"Hey we were quiet comfortable" he spoke, a yawn escaping him

Charlie rolled her eyes before slowly placing Riley don in his mosses basket. She was very particular about not allowing him get attached to falling asleep to often in hers or Brax's arms. She didn't want him to need them carrying him in order to sleep

"I could see that" she said "But I thought you might be a little more comfortable in bed" she turned to face him and sat down as Brax dropped his feet to the ground

"Na" Brax shook his head and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand "Just needed a power nap" Charlie frowned

"Brax I got plenty sleep" she leaned forward and placed a kiss on his lips "By the way thank you for that" this was the most awake she felt since they brought Riley home "But you've been up most of the night and early today. You should go get some sleep"

Brax smiled and pulled Charlie into him, until they were both lying down side by side on the couch "only if you stay here with me" he winked at her and Charlie shook her head

"You're a bigger baby than the kids" but still she settled her head to his chest

Charlie shifted and smiled before she even opened her eyes. She remembered she was with Brax, on the couch. The way she was going she would be rested enough to get her through a few weeks of sleepless nights. Blinking her eyes open the first thing she saw was the time on the opposite time of the wall. Her eyes widened and she pushed on Brax's chest, causing him to fall off the couch

"What the…" Brax winced and rubbed the back of his head, his sleepy eyes opening and closing as he tried to wake himself up

"It's half six Brax" Charlie all but shouted as she leaped from the couch, kicking Brax in the chest in the process

"****" Brax caused as his hand flew to his chest "What's with all violence?" he yawned and winced again, his hand going to his head

Charlie stared down at the Moses Basket and she felt her chest almost crush her rib cage, her heart rate spiking so fast so quickly she felt she would faint. The Moses Basket was empty

"Brax, Riley" she looked around the room as if Riley would have just walked out of the basket "Brax where is Riley?" she threw the blanket from the Moses Basket before spinning on her heels

At the tone of her voice Brax frowned but when Charlie asked where Riley was, he was suddenly more coherent than he could ever remember being. The pain in his chest and head seemed to turn to pounding

"He's in his mosses basket" Brax leaped forward and almost chocked on the air around him when he saw what he already knew by the panick in Charlie's voice. The Basket was empty

"Brax where…" Charlie and Brax snapped their head towards the back door as a little whimper was heard. A whimper that most definitely belonged to Riley

"Hey you're up" Ruby walked into the living room, with Riley in her arms

Charlie felt a gush of breath rush into her lungs, taking away the burning sensation and Brax's head rolled back relief washing over every part of him

Casey frowned as he walked into the living room behind Ruby "Err… you guys ok?"

Charlie walked over to Ruby and took Riley from her, cradling him to her chest "He wasn't in his mosses basket"

Ruby winced as did Casey

"I'm sorry" said Ruby as she glanced at Casey "You both looked shattered so we just took him for a little walk. We saw that you had some milk for him in the fridge so we just took that with us"

Brax shook his head as he walked over to Charlie and Riley and stroked Riley softly on his cheek "It's ok. But next time leave a note or something. I think your mum and I near enough had an heart attack"

Ruby and Casey nodded

"Of Course" said Casey "Sorry we just didn't think"

"It's ok" Charlie finally looked up from Riley's face "And it's good to see the both of you"

Ruby smiled and walked over to Charlie, placing a kiss on her cheek "We missed the twins and this little one. So we thought we would come stay the weekend. If that's ok with you"

Brax scoffed "I'm not too sure. Seeing as it's only Caleb, Hope and Riley here that you missed"

Ruby rolled her eyes "We missed the two of you too. Happy?" she grinned cheekily and Brax shuffled her air causing her to scowl at him

"Delirious" replied Brax. His nose turned up as he sniffed "What's that smell" before the word had left his lips Charlie was pushing Riley into his arms

"He needs changing" said Charlie, a wide smile on her face

Brax frowned and winced at the smell "What kinda milk you got in those boobs babe" he turned his nose up as he waked down the hall and into Riley's room

Ruby smiled at Charlie as Casey walked into the kitchen no doubt to go look around the fridge "I really am sorry we scared you" she said, sitting down on the couch

Charlie smiled and sat beside Ruby "Don't be, you know what I can be like. I worry way too much" she tucked a strand of Ruby's hair behind her ear "So how's it going living with a boy"

Ruby chuckled and rolled her eyes "Mum, we're not exactly kids and to be honest it's not much different from living here. Well apart from the noise. It can be a little weird not hearing Hope and Caleb's voices in the morning or not having them barging into our room at ridiculously early hours of the morning"

Charlie chuckled "So everything is good. You guys aren't struggling for cash or anything?"

Ruby shook her head "No. Given the fact that you and Brax have paid for our rent for the first six months, we don't have much to spend on apart from food. So trust me when I say we're doing more than fine"

"Good" Said Charlie. She and Brax had yet to tell Ruby and Casey that Brax and Charlie had actually been putting money away for all the kids, Casey and Ruby included. However Ruby and Casey wouldn't be getting the money till they finished uni.

Charlie frowned and picked up her phone from the dining table "Cheryl should have dropped Hope and Caleb off by now"

"Oh yea. They're staying with her for the weekend. She did come over to get their stuff but you and Brax were fast asleep"

Charlie frowned "How did we not hear you all going and coming"

Ruby chuckled "You both looked dead to the world. You didn't even stir when Hope poked you in the face and started giggling"

Charlie shook her head at Hope's antics "Cheryl is a life saver. I love those two to bits but a weekend break is exactly what I need right now. I swear between the two of them and Riley I barely get time to think clearly"

Ruby chuckled "Yeah well, I won't be having any kids for a few more years"

"Good" Charlie smiled but a small frowned crossed her face, one Ruby didn't miss. She knew what her mum was thinking about

"I know when I had the miscarriage I kinda broke down a little and I'll be lying if I say I didn't want that baby, because I did" Ruby sighed, she thought about her miscarriage her lot and her an Casey spoke of it every now and again "But I wanted it because it was a part of both me and Casey not because I was ready to have a baby. I think right now is way too early for all that"

Charlie smiled "It is too early but I know when the time is right you'll be great"

Ruby smiled "Well I had a pretty great teacher"

Both Charlie and Ruby turned their heads to the kitchen as Casey let out a loud burp

Charlie laughed loudly and Ruby turned her nose up "I take it back, living with him his hell"

"Ahhhhhhh" Ruby and Charlie both looked in the direction of the hall way at Brax's loud groaned

Shielding the stream of wee that was currently attacking him, Brax grasped at his surrounding trying to find something to use as a shield other than his hand

At the screech of laughter that erupted behind him, Brax finally grabbed Riley's dipper, and shield himself from the continuous stream of wee

"This is not funny" his nose turned up as Riley finally seemed to be done. Dropping the diaper Brax sighed as he looked own at his shirt in distaste "Really Riley"?

"Awww. I know you were a good boy from the very first time I laid my eyes on you" said Charlie as she walked into the room, and stood beside Brax looking down on Charlie

"Yea well you and your good boy can finish up here" said Brax "I'm gonna go take a long shower" Brax rolled his eyes as he turned to see Ruby grinning. But knowing what Brax was like Ruby stepped out of the way, not wanting him to pull her to him

"Charlie picked up a wipe and wiped Riley's bottom "Just make sure you keep all that for daddy hey"

"What's that?" Ruby and Charlie heard Casey voice but it was quickly followed by a smack, which was followed by a yelp from Casey

"Shut up" Brax's gruff voice echoed as he walked into his and Charlie's room

"You know you are officially the best husband ever" said Charlie as she leaned into Brax, her hand flat on his shirtless chest

Brax grinned as her wrapped Charlie tighter into him "'ve been trying to tell you that for the past four years"

Charlie hit his chest lightly "It's nice to have Ruby and Casey here isn't it?"

Brax nodded "It is" he agreed

"But honestly" Charlie looked up at him an placed a light kiss on his lips "Thanks for letting me rest up today. I swear I feel wide awake"

"You don't have to thank me. We're a team"

Charlie cocked an eyebrow "Oh ok. I was gonna show you how grateful I am but seeing as you don't need thanking" Charlie had to bite back her laugh as she felt Brax's arms tighten around her

"When you say thank me" Brax cocked an eyebrow. They hadn't had sex since Riley and Brax had been careful about not pushing Charlie. He knew she would know when she was ready but he would be lying if he said he didn't miss being intimate with her

Charlie grinned as she lightly pushed him onto his back and straddled him "I mean really thank you" she ran her hand slowly up his chest

Putting his hand on Charlie's, Brax stopped her movement as his eyes locked against hers "You sure. We can wait a little longer if you want"

Charlie cocked her head "Babe, if you're not game I'm not above pinning you down and taking what I want. You do realise it's been two months"

Brax groaned "Err yeah I have"

"Good" Charlie smirked "So how about we stop talking"

Brax nodded and pulled her down till her chest was against his "Good idea"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks JarlieFanEver for the comment. Enjoy :)

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

Putting his hand on Charlie's, Brax stopped her movement as his eyes locked against hers "You sure. We can wait a little longer if you want"

Charlie cocked her head "Babe, if you're not game I'm not above pinning you down and taking what I want. You do realise it's been two months"

Brax groaned "Err yeah I have"

"Good" Charlie smirked "So how about we stop talking"

Brax nodded and pulled her down till her chest was against his "Good idea"

"And Wipes"

Hope sprung forward and handed Brax the wipes

"Thank you" he smiled down at her as he wiped Riley's bottom

"And powder" this time, Caleb handed him the powder

"Thank you" said, Brax, as he turns from Riley slightly, to put some powder onto his hands before turning back to Riley and gently running his hand over Riley's bottom

"And last but not least, diaper"

"I got it" Hope, near enough shouted the words as she sprung forward and grabbed the diaper, pushing it in Brax's direction

Brax shook his head with a chuckle "Thank you" he took the diaper from Hope and turned back to Riley

"How are your little helpers doing? hope they're not slacking"

Hope and Caleb shook their heads as Charlie walked into the room

"No we be really helpful, Hey daddy?" Hope had her eyes trained on Brax waiting for him to confirm what she had just said

Brax nodded, his face serious "They have been the perfect minions" he grinned as Hope frowned her brows in confusion along with Caleb and Brax chuckled

"We no minions. They be yellow and funny" said Caleb, referring to despicable me

"Sorry, I meant, the perfect helpers" Brax corrected

"See" said Hope, quickly forgetting about the foreign word "We help real good and Riley all ready for bed now"

"Glad to hear it" smiled Charlie "Right you both got thirty minutes before bed so how about you go pick out what book you want to read tonight"

Hope and Caleb frowned "But we no tired" said Caleb and Charlie cocked her head

"Yea well, you still have thirty minutes yet. Or don't you want to read a book before bed tonight?"

"No we do" said Hope and Charlie nodded

"Then you need to go pick a book and then you can sit with me and daddy for a little bit before bed, ok"

Hope and Caleb nodded knowing they weren't going to win this one, and left the room

"We too read mine tonight" Charlie and Brax heard, Hope, say

"No, it my turn so we to read mine" said Caleb and Brax and Charlie shook their heads knowing the twins would most likely get them to read two books to them.

"Hy little man" Charlie smiled down at Riley "You're looking sharp in that get up" Riley wore his onesie that said finest kid on the block

"Takes after me" Brax grinned as he lifted Riley up into his arms "Don't you kid" he rubbed his nose against Riley's who scrunched his face up

Charlie rolled her eyes "I think he got you beat in the looks department" Charlie smiled as she took Riley from Brax, before settling herself down onto the rocking chair "You ready for your feed?" Charlie rubbed Riley's cheek with her thumb as she pushed down the straps of her top, Riley latching on instantly

Brax shook his head mockingly "Greedy kid. He best know that that's mine" he nodded down at Charlie's breast. He's lucky I love him, cause I don't like sharing"

Charlie chuckled, but a small blush rose to her cheek "Brax stop staring"

Brax scoffed "Err... I got a closer look last night" he winked at her "And I hope for the same treatment tonight" he grinned, showing his dimples

Charlie frowned "I'm not sure. With the twins getting your mum to drop them off tonight because they miss Riley" Charlie rolled her eyes "And Ruby and Casey being down, I think I'm all warn out"

Brax turned towards the door "We'll see about that" Charlie could hear the smile in his voice as he walked out of the room. She looked down at Riley and smiled

"Take it easy little man" she chuckled as Riley fed with eagerness

Next day


Brax looked up to see Heath walking through the entrance of the restaurant. He chuckled as Heath let out a yawn before he winced

"Bad night" Brax called out, opening up the cash register

Heath groaned as he approached the bar and practically flopped down onto the stool "I'll take a beer"

Brax frowned "You got your money"

Heath clicked his tongue before he pulled money from his pocket and put it onto the counter "My beer please" he rubbed on the back of his neck and winced again

Brax looked down at the twenty on the counter and back up at Heath "Ok" Brax turned around and pulled out a beer for Heath. Passing Heath the beer Brax cocked an eyebrow as Heath downed half of it in less than half a second

"You want to talk about it?" asked Brax as Heath finished off the rest of his beer

"I gave you a twenty that pays for at least three beers" said Heath and Brax shook his head

"You not working?"

Heath frowned at him "What. You my dad" he rolled his eyes "And no I'm done for the day. So… beer?"

Brax turned and pulled out two beers. He set one in front of Heath and held on to himself as he looked at Heath

"I'm gonna guess this has got something to do with Bianca or work?" Brax pulled the lid from his own beer and took a swig. He hadn't seen Heath this worked up in a while. And when Heath got worked up it took a lot to calm him down

"I swear sometimes she drives me crazy" Heath let out a frustrated groan

"So is this something you've done wrong or something Bianca's done wrong?" asked Brax, placing his beer down and going back to counting the cash in the till

"I spent the night on the couch and then she had me up at the crack of dawn because she didn't want the kids seeing me on the couch" Heath scoffed "If she didn't want them seeing me on the couch she shouldn't have kicked me out of our room"

"It isn't anything serious is it?"

Heath shook his head "I'm fairly sure, it's that time of the month. She came round to the gym while I was there working out yesterday and she said this girl was flirting with me and I was flirting back" Heath rolled his eyes and took another swig of his beer

"And were you?" asked Brax

Heath frowned "No, I was talking to her. Sometimes people at gyms do that" Heath groaned as he rubbed the back of his neck "She walked out all dramatic like, before I could even explain myself, then she spend the rest of the day ignoring me till the kids went to bed and she just let loose" Heath shuddered "It was scary"

Brax shook his head and chuckled "Well did you at least tell her it wasn't what she thought?"

Heath frowned "I'm not stupid. Of course I did and also pointed out that whenever she drags me to all those school functions, she's all smiley with the guys and she doesn't see me complaining"

Brax cocked an eyebrow "And the guy says he's not stupid" he mutters but not low enough for Heath not to hear him

"What? It's the truth but apparently it's not the same thing. And then out of nowhere she said I was accusing her of cheating" Heath puffed but a breath "Where the hell did that come from. An then when I tried to correct her, she threw a pillow in my face and said if I no longer found her attractive I should just say so and stop trying to put the blame on her" Heath was clearly confused "I'm still not sure what the hell happened all I know is she shoved me and the pillow out of the room and I spent the night on the couch that isn't even big enough for Reece to sleep in comfortably" Heath groaned "I feel like I slept on coals last night"

Brax clicked his tongue "Well sorry. But you're on your own on this on"

"Martha said to tell you you're a douche bag"

Heath turned around and Brax looked up to see Jack walk into the restaurant

"I'm gonna assume you're talking to this one here" Brax pointed at Heath and Jack nodded a smirk on his face

"Yep" Jack stopped beside Heath "What did you do this time?"

Heath clicked his tongue "Shut up"

Jack laughed "He doesn't know does he?" Brax shook his head

"That's because I didn't do anything. Bianca's just gone psycho"

Brax let out a sigh "Yea and I'm thinking saying things like that isn't helping your case. Just don't go saying that in front of her"

Heath cleared his throat and Jack cocked an eyebrow

"You didn't?" asked Jack and Heath shrugged

"I just asked why she was acting like a nutter"

Brax looked on at Heath like he had grown two heads and Jack shook his head as if Heath was a hopeless cause

"How you've managed to stay married this long baffles the life out of me" said Jack and Heath sent him a glare. Jack held his hands up "All I'm saying is if I ever said that to Martha, you would most likely find my lifeless body dumped in an alley somewhere"

Brax chuckled as did Jack

"But I didn't do anything wrong" said Heath

Jack shrugged "When as that ever mattered?" he turned to Brax "Order for two pizzas, meat lover and Hawaiian"

Brax nodded "Yeah, it should be ready" he walked into the kitchen to get the order

"I'm gonna advice you to just go home and apologise for whatever you didn't do" said Jack as Brax walked out of the kitchen with, Jack's order in hand

"Thanks" Said Jack "We still on for the barbe sunday?"

Brax nodded "Yep"

Jack gave Heath a pat on the back "Good luck"

Charlie cocked an eyebrow "It kinda seems like you kinda over reacted a bit, B" when Bianca glared at her she chuckled "I'm just saying, him talking to a girl at the gym isn't exactly equivalent to ' I don't find you attractive anymore'"

Martha nodded "Yea, you didn't tell me all this when you filled me in this morning. You just said he accused you of being a cheat and told you, you were crazy. And from what you've just said now, he didn't actually say either of those things"

Bianca frowned "He said I was acting like a nutter"

Martha scoffed "Yea for good cause too. You kinda sound like you went mental on his ass, for nothing might I add"

"He said I flirt with men"

Charlie rolled her eyes "Yes and might I add that is not the same thing as calling you a cheater and he only said that after you bit his head off for probably just making polite conversation with a girl at the gym"

Bianca let out a breath "He was all smiley at her" At this Charlie and Martha laughed out loud

"Bianca" Charlie tilted her head slightly "How about you say what's really going on because saying he was all smiley at her is kind of a lame excuse"

Bianca bit into her bottom lip and sagged against the couch "I don't know. Lately he just seems so tired when he's at home and sometimes he out for the night before the kids even get to bed. We're spending little time together and then I see him at the gym, all relaxed with some random girl when he could be at home with me"

Charlie gave a small smile "So you miss him?"

Bianca let out a breath "I guess"

"So why not just tell him?" said Martha

"Plus Heath being tired is probably a result of the long hours he's doing at the garage now. Didn't you say he had to fire two of his men" added Charlie

Bianca nodded

"Right so now he's got extra workload that he has to get through on a daily basis because of the limited help he now has. That is bound to tire him out"

"He's not to tired to drag himself to the gym" replied Bianca

"When has Heath ever been too tired for the gym? You could beat the crap out of him and he would still give you five miles on a treadmill and about a thousand push ups" said Martha and Charlie laughed lightly and Bianca smiled

Sinking back into the couch, Bianca let out a groan "I am such a bitch" she said and Charlie and Martha laughed

"That's one way to put it" said Martha

"Hey" Bianca swatted her on the arm

"So what you gonna do about it?" asked Charlie

Bianca glanced between Martha and Charlie who were sat either side of her "I'm gonna have to apologise to him aren't I"

"That would be a start" said Martha "And you had me tell Jack to tell Heath he was a douche bag" Martha shook her head "Well I've learnt my lesson. Next time I'll get both sides of a story before I board ship"

Bianca, chuckled "Shut up"

All three girls turned to the baby monitor as Riley's tiny whimper could be heard, before it was followed by a loud cry. Charlie stood to her feet with a sigh "And he's awake"

Roo stopped in her tracks and turned to the woman that was calling for her

"Hey" Roo smiled "Hope you've been enjoying your stay at the Caravan Park"

"The woman smiled "It's been really great thanks. I was actually wondering if you by any chance knew where I could find errr… Brax"

Roo, frowned "You a friend of his?"

The young woman knew saying otherwise would bring more questions her way

"Yea, but it's been awhile and I just wanted to say hello while I was passing through" she hoped Roo wouldn't ask from where she knew Brax.

Roo smiled and nodded "Oh ok. Sure, it's actually not too far from here actually"

The woman smiled as Roo gave directions and Brax's house number. She had nearly chicken out yesterday when she had seen him with who she assumed was his wife and kid, but she had finally made it all the way here. She wasn't going to turn back around now

"Umm…" I really got to get going" said Brax, his arms around Charlie

Charlie chuckled "You would need to let go of me in order to do that" she ran her hand over his chest. Cheryl had taken Hope and Caleb to kindergarten and Riley was fast asleep after his morning feed

"Uh uh" Brax nodded, but his hold on Charlie tightened as he dipped his head and nipped at her neck, following it with a kiss "I can be a little late" said Brax as he left a kiss on the back of her ear causing a slight shiver to run through Charlie "I am the boss" he added, before latching onto her lips

Charlie's arms wound around his neck and Brax picked her up before gently placing her down on the kitchen counter. Charlie's legs winding around Brax's waist

Brax's hand made quick work in pulling Charlie's vest top off, tossing it somewhere behind him. He let out a groan as Charlie pushed into him

"Babe…" Charlie gasped, and as Brax was about to discard of her bra, his phone rang out. Charlie went to pull away but Brax shook his head

"Ignore" he said, but then his phone started ringing again and he let out a groan of frustration, his head resting on Charlie's shoulder

"One minute" said Brax as he dug his phone from his jeans "What?" he practically barked into the phone and Charlie laughed, her hand lay on his chest

Brax looked at Charlie like a child who was just told Christmas was cancelled. As he dropped the call Charlie chuckled "You got to go"

Brax nodded, his eyes trailing down to her chest. Charlie let out a laugh and pulled his gaze back up to her face. She leaning in and placed a long kiss on his lips but pulled back as Brax's hand moved to the clasp of her bra "Babe you got to go and I promise, these…" she looked down at her chest "Will still be here when you get home"

Brax let out sigh "Fine, but we're putting the kids to bed as soon as they get home"

Charlie laughed and gave him a quick kiss "I love you too"

"That's all you seem to do, hey my little man" Charlie gently placed Riley in his cot "Sleep, eat and leave dirty nappies for mummy to clean up" she ran her thumb over his cheek, and smiled as his eyes fluttered lightly. Picking up the baby monitor she walked out of the room and into the living room

"Might as well clean this place up before he wakes" she muttered to herself as she gathered up all the toys that Hope and Caleb had somehow found time to scatter around the living room that morning. Hearing her phone ringing, Charlie, walked into the kitchen and smiled as she saw Brax's name flashing on the screen

"Missing me already?" she joked as she walked back into the living room and proceeded to clear up the toys

"Na" said Brax "But I figured you would be missing me so I'm calling just to give you your fill"

Charlie laughed and shook her head "Ever so thoughtful Braxton"

"What can I say" Charlie could hear the smile on his voice "Riley behaving?"

Charlie smiled "He's out like a lamp again. Woke to eat and fell asleep right after his bath"

Brax chuckled "Like a true Braxton"

Charlie was about to reply when she heard a knock on the front door

"Babe I'll talk to you later, there's someone at the door"

"Ok, see you tonight" said Brax as he dropped the phone

Placing her phone on the dining table and dropping the toy she had secured under her free arm, Charlie walked to the front door. Opening the door she smiled as she saw a young woman standing there

"Err… Hi" said Charlie, her gaze moved down to the little girl besides the woman and she smiled as the girl smiled up at her

"Hi err… my name is Nina. I was wondering if Brax was at home by any chance"

Charlie looked up from the little girl and back up at the woman "Err… sorry, he's actually at work" she held her hand out "Charlie, his wife. Is there anything I could help you with?"

A certain look that seemed to fleet over the woman's face had Charlie straighten up in a way that feared her. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand at alert. Something was off

"I'm sorry I was hoping Brax would be here for this" said the woman and Charlie watched as her gaze flickered down to the little girl who was bouncing from one foot to the other

"Here for what? Asked Charlie, she couldn't help the skepticism in her voice

The woman let out a sigh "I wanted to introduce him to Hanna. His daughter"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks for the comment JarlieFanEver. :)

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

A certain look that seemed to fleet over the woman's face had Charlie straighten up in a way that feared her. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand at alert. Something was off

"I'm sorry I was hoping Brax would be here for this" said the woman and Charlie watched as her gaze flickered sown to the little girl who was bouncing from one foot to the other

"Here for what? Asked Charlie, she couldn't help the skepticism in her voice

The woman let out a sigh "I wanted to introduce him to Hanna. His daughter"


"What?" Charlie's grip on the door tighten, her fingers digging into the wood, like a life line. She glanced over the young woman's shoulder. This had to be a joke; Brax was probably hiding somewhere laughing at her

"I'm sorry to just spring this on you"

Charlie's attention slowly returned back to the woman before her. She should say something, but all Charlie could do was stare at the woman and then as if slowly taking in what the young woman had just said, Charlie's gaze moved down to the little girl. The girl's smile was so bright, Charlie noted. Her thick caramel like hair was running down her shoulders in two braids and she held what Charlie realised was a baby blue blanket in her hand

"This was a bad idea. I'll come back..." the woman stopped as Charlie looked back up at her

"You're at my door, telling me that the man I just told you is my husband is your daughters…" Charlie stopped talking, her gaze flickering down to the little girl. She shook her head "It can't be, I think you have the wrong person" Brax would never cheat on her. Just thinking it was ridiculous, there obviously had to be another explanation to this

Nina, signed and shook her head "He as a brother, errr… that has few tattoos and Brax, he err… he owns the restaurant that sits above the surf club"

Charlie frowned "That doesn't prove anything. Everyone in this town knows Brax, so you could have gotten that information from anywhere"

Nina shook her head and glanced down at Hanna, who surprisingly stood calm simply watching the two adults "look I know this must be a shock, but why would I come all the way down here with my daughter, just to tell lies"

"I don't know, you tell me" Charlie could feel a migraine starting at the base of her temple

"This was a bad idea. I'll come back…"

"No" Charlie shook her head "You don't get to tell me my husband is your kids father and then walk away. You are going to tell me everything and then I'll decide what's happening here" Charlie's voice was firm but inside she could feel every nerve shutting down. Charlie looked down at Hanna

"There are err…" she took a deep breath "There are some toys to keep her occupied while we talk"

Nina nodded "Ok

Charlie sat rod still as she listened to Nina, tell her story. She felt her stomach churning as if she would throw up, but still, regardless of what she had heard so far there was that little voice at the back of her head telling her Brax would never do this to her. He wouldn't cheat on her

Charlie frowned "So he dropped you home, and…" she swallowed down the bile in her throat

Nina cleared her throat "I woke up the next morning and he was gone. Then five weeks later I found out I was pregnant"

"You woke up and he was gone?" repeated Charlie "But you remember him being there… in your house?"

Nina shifted slightly on the couch "I remember getting into his car and then waking up the next morning to find my clothes scattered…"

Charlie shook her head, she didn't want to hear this "That's not what I asked" she glanced over at Hanna who seemed more than content among all the toys around her "Do you remember him being in your house. You claim you was really drunk, so I'm asking if you remember, you and him…" her words stopped. She wasn't going to voice them

"I know you want to find some vault in my story. But apart from that night I hadn't been with anyone in weeks and nor had I been with anyone up till the point I find out I was pregnant"

Charlie clicked her tongue and stood to her feet "You sure asking me to believe that Brax c…" she blew out a breath "You don't actually remember him following you into the house or the two of you sleeping together, but yet you want me to believe you"

Nina stood also "I wouldn't want to believe me either but it can only be Brax"

"Why?" questioned Charlie "What's to say he didn't just drop you off and someone else came round to your place, someone who you then slept with"

Nina shook her head "That's not what happened"

"How do you know?" Charlie had to remind herself to stay as calm as possible "You don't remember much about this night so how can you be so sure"

"This was a bad idea" said Nina

Charlie bit down on her tongue and mentally counted to ten "Did you know he was married?" she figured she must have, Brax always wore his ring, at least that's what she thought

Nina bowed her head and nodded "He mentioned it earlier on in the night" she looked up at Charlie "But like I said I was…"

"Drunk" Charlie finished off and she felt such anger that she was sure if not for the little girl that was sat only a few feet away from them, she would have slapped Nina clear across the face "Why are you here?"

Nina frowned "I was looking for Brax"

"Why are you here now? Given the time frame you say all this happened that puts Hanna now at a few months shy of 3yrs old. So why wait this long to come and find Brax?"

Nina looked over at Hanna and exhaled "A few months ago, my sister came over with her three year old daughter and her husband. And when my niece called her dad, Hanna casual just shook her head and said 'I no got one'" Nina pursed her lips "Right now her not having a dad doesn't seem odd to her but soon she's gonna start asking"

Charlie blinked, she wanted to scream, or throw something or just throw up "I err… I think you should leave now"

Nina nodded "I am sorry"

Charlie shook her head "You knew he was married and you probably knew there was a good chance he was still married and yet you showed up here, so sorry if I don't believe you're all that sorry"

Nina knew there was nothing she could say in that moment to make any of this better, so she simply nodded "Is there a better time for me to come…"

Charlie shook her head "You won't be coming to this house again… ever" she cleared her throat "leave your number and I'll have Brax call you but don't ever come near this house"

Nina pursed her lips and nodded, nothing about this was going to be easy

"Charlie" Bianca sang, as she wrapped on the back door before turning the door handle. Stepping into the kitchen she, walked into the living room "Charlie" she called again

Looking down the hall she was about to go in search of Charlie before seeing her walking out of Riley's room

"Oh sorry. I didn't wake him did I?"

Charlie looked up at Bianca and blinked twice before shaking her head "No, he's not doing much but sleeping today" she looked down at the toys she hadn't yet had time to clear

"Well no point in complaining" said Bianca, dropping her bag on the coffee table before sitting down on the couch "When he's up and crying, you'll be wishing for some piece and quite"

Charlie walked over to the toys and began picking them up, one by one, placing them into the kids play basket "Yea" she answered, but she had hardly heard a word of what Bianca said. All she could hear was Nina's voice and all she could see was 2 yr old Hanna

Bianca frowned and turned to look at Charlie "My classes are done for the day and I'm here to keep you company, but I would rather we not spend it cleaning up" she chuckled

Charlie nodded "It won't take me a minute" she felt stiff, like the slightest of sudden movement would blow her over and there would be no getting back up

Bianca's brows knitted together as she watched Charlie, something was wrong "Hey" Bianca stood to her feet "You ok?"

Charlie had her back to Bianca as she nodded. She told herself to breath but it seemed to somehow get lodged in her throat

"Charlie" Bianca placed a hand on Charlie's shoulder and slowly turned her around to face her "Charlie?" Bianca's eyes widened slightly as she took in the tears that were runnig down Charlie's cheeks "Charlie what's wrong?" she stepped closer

Charlie shook her head "Nothing"

"Charlie you're crying" said Bianca, now more worried than ever

Charlie blinked, and frowned. Her fingers slowly moved to her cheeks and she felt the wetness. She hadn't been aware she was crying

"I…" she shook her head, but she didn't know what to say. Where to start

"Ok you're freaking me the hell out" Bianca turned "I'm gonna call Brax"

"No" Charlie's voice broke as she shook her head "I don't want Brax"

Bianca stood still "You don't want Brax"

Charlie looked around the living room as if trying to distract herself from Bianca's piercing gaze, but when she looked back at Bianca, her friend was still staring at her in confusion

"He…we" Charlie dropped her head back and drew in a deep breath, before looking back at Bianca "He has a two year old daughter"

Bianca cocked an eyebrow "Ok who are we talking about now?" she was completely lost

"Her name is Hanna and she's two" said Charlie and it was as if it was all only just sinking in

"Who is Hanna?" asked Bianca "Charlie I'm lost here" she was thinking she was going to have to call Brax whether Charlie liked it or not

"Her name is Hanna and she's 2yrs old" Charlie nodded "Brax, he's her dad" and just like that as if it hadn't felt real before, Charlie felt her hands trembling and the tremble moved up her body till, she crashed to the floor "Brax has a 2 year old daughter called Hanna" She hadn't realised Bianca was now knelt on the floor with her till she heard her friend gasp

"So I was thinking we could go camping next weekend. Reece has been bugging me about it for a while now" said Heath and Jack nodded

"Yea, sounds good. It has been awhile" he turned to Brax "You in?"

Brax glanced back from stocking up the shelf "Yea, Caleb would love that but I'll warn you guys now, we might have Hope tagging along. You know how she gets. Bringing Caleb and not her will cause more trouble than I'm willing to handle"

Heath shook his head with a grin and Jack chuckled "That girl of your's has you putty in her hands"

Brax scoffed "Like you can talk. What was it you was doing last week Saturday again?" he turned to Jack with a knowing grin

Heath laughed "That's right, Sophia dragged you shopping didn't she" Heath laughed louder as Jack grumbled

"I only went to make sure she didn't buy any of those ridiculous pieces of material that people are passing off as clothes, these days"

Brax and Heath Laughed and Jack cocked an eyebrow "Not sure what's got you two giggling like school girls. Your girls may not be that age yet but they will get there and I'll be watching with amusement"

That quickly had Brax and Heath sobering up as they glared at him. Heath glanced down at his phone and grinned as he read the message

He downed and pulled back as Brax hit the lightly on the head "What's got that sissy grin going?" asked Brax

Heath cleared his throat, downed the rest of his beer and stood to his feet "If you must know, the kids are in bed and my wife wants me home" he gave a wink

"Take it you're back in her good books then?" asked Jack and Heath nodded

"Yep" his boyish grin spread across his face "And she's working double time to make it up to me" Brax and Jack chuckled as Heath practically sprinted out of the restaurant

"I best head off too" said Jack "Get out of this uniform and try and forget that your wife as left me with the world's worst partner for the next two months"

"I'll deliver the message" replied Brax and he chuckled as Jack flipped him the finger, before leaving the restaurant

"You got it from here?" Brax asked Sam, the manager

Sam nodded "Got it boss"

"Good" said Brax as he put up the last of the bottles onto the galls shelves "Don't forget to lock the back door"

Sam rolled his eyes "When have I ever let you down boss"

Brax shook his head and walked into the office. Making sure everything was in order, he picked up his keys switched off the office light and locked the office door "See you tomorrow"

"Hey" Heath smiled as he walked into the house to find Bianca in the kitchen. Placing a kiss on her temple he cranked his neck to look into the living room "Kids knocked out early today"

Bianca nodded "Yea, they were pretty wiped out" she dried of the plate in her hand and placed it on the rack "Your food is in the oven"

Heath nodded and was about to speak before he noticed Bianca's stiff demeanour "Everything ok babe?" they had only just made up, she could not be mad at him already, her text hadn't indicated that she was mad at him

Bianca exhaled and turned to face Heath. She placed both her hands on the edge of the kitchen counter "Did you know about Brax?"

Heath frowned, he had just seen Brax not long ago and he hadn't noted any changes "Errr… What about Brax" he cocked his head slightly

Bianca shook her head "You're his brother and the both of you tell each other everything so I'm guessing you do know"

Heath sighed "Would be good to know what it is that I'm supposed to know"

"I know about him cheating on Charlie"

Heath stood up straight "What?" he looked at Bianca as if she had spontaneously grown two heads and eight arms

"Don't act stupid Heath" Bianca looked at him "Charlie knows, but what I can't believe is that he would do this to her"

Heath shook his head and held his hand up "Ok. You need to stop and rewind right back to the beginning. What the hell are you talking about, Brax cheating on Charlie?"

Bianca scoffed "Are you honestly trying to tell me you didn't know, that he didn't tell you. Because I find that hard to believe"

"Ok, first off you're right, if Brax had cheated on Charlie he would have told me but I can tell you now this whole Brax cheating on Charlie thing did not happen. Where the hell are you getting this from?"

"You don't have to lie for him Heath…"

"What the…" Heath blew to a frustrated breath "Brax did not cheat on Charlie, he would never do that"

Bianca could see Heath believed what he was saying "Maybe he didn't tell you…"

"Yes, he didn't tell me because it didn't happen. Why the hell would either you or Charlie even think he would do something like that? This is Brax we're talking about. That's like saying you caught a mock with a prostitute. Actually there's probably a better change of that happening"

"Because the woman he cheated on Charlie with turned up today with Brax's 2 year old daughter"

Heath's mouth fell open "A two year old what?

"Yes" Bianca nodded "A daughter, and from what Charlie said this woman was pretty sure of who the father was and we don't really need an analysis of the birds and the bees to know in order for Brax to be this girl's father he slept with this Nina woman"

"Nina?" Heath frowned; the name didn't even ring any bells. Heath shock his head, he didn't care what any woman said. If there was something he knew about Brax, it was that he would rather cut of his own limbs than to ever hurt Charlie

"She's lying" Heath said with conviction "This is Brax we're talking about"

"Yeah and I didn't believe it at first Heath but…" Bianca clicked her tongue "She's 2 years old Heath" Bianca sighed and shook her head "I'm gonna go up to bed"

Heath stood as he walked up the stairs. Brax wouldn't do this he thought to himself. He had been out with Brax enough times to see his awkwardness when women hit on him. Brax was fully committed to Charlie

Digging out his phone, Heath dialled Brax's number. If Charlie thought Brax had cheated on her Brax was in for a world of pain when he got home

Walking through the back door, Brax frowned. He knew the kids would be asleep but he had expected Charlie to still be awake. Dropping his keys onto the dining table he did a round around the kitchen and the living room making sure everything was locked. He frowned as his phone vibrated and pulled it from his pocket. Seeing Heaths name flashing across the screen, he rejected the call. He didn't have time for Heaths nonsense, all he wanted was to get into bed with Charlie

Checking on the twins and then on Riley, Brax smiled as he walked into his and Charlie's room, the kids were out like lamps so there was definitely gonna be no disturbances at least for a few hours. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Charlie who was sat at the edge of the bed, her gaze in her lap. He smirked

"What you doing you weirdo" his steps took him towards her but he stopped dead in his tracks as he saw a tear land on the picture he had only just realised she was holding

"Charlie" he was in frontof her in a split second. Perched on one knee, he glanced down at the picture in her hand and realised it was one that had been taken on the beach not long ago. He, Charlie, Hope, Caleb, Ruby and Casey, where huddled together all grinning. Well apart from Riley's, who looked like he was on the verge of crying. Brax frowned, he had been to check on the kids and he had spoken to Ruby a few hours before so he knew it wasn't any of the kids

"Babe" he placed his hands on her cheek and slowly brought her face up to look to look at him. The frown on his face deepened till his brows were draw together "Charlie, what's the matter?"

Charlie gaze kept his for a moment before it darted around the room. Her mind was going at ten thousand miles per hours, even as she tried to grasp on to a single thought it seemed to vanish and another took its place. Her gaze fell back on Brax, as she felt him apply light pressure to her face

"Charlie you're scaring me. I need you to tell me what's wrong"

Brax watched as Charlie took him in, before she stood to her feet, pushing away from him. Standing to his feet, he continued to watch her as she walked over to the dresser and seemed to pick something up. His gaze remained on her face as she walked over to him

"Here" she held a piece of paper out to him, and still confused as to what was going on, Brax took it from here. Looking down at the paper all he saw was a name and a number

"What's this?" Brax asked, looking back up at Charlie

A strangled laugh bubbled from Charlie's throat but even if Brax hadn't seen her face he would have known there was nothing about this she found amusing

"You don't even recognise her name. Classy"

The bitter tone in Charlie's voice had Brax snap his head back up from the piece of paper in his hand

"Well that right there is the number of your two year old daughter's mother"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks JarlieFanEver. Enjoy :)

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

"What's this?" Brax asked, looking back up at Charlie

A strangled laugh bubbled from Charlie's throat but even if Brax hadn't seen her face he would have known there was nothing about this she found amusing

"You don't even recognise her name. Classy"

The bitter tone in Charlie's voice had Brax snap his head back up from the piece of paper in his hand

"Well that right there is the number of your two year old daughter's mother"

Brax stared wide eyed down at the piece of paper in his hand. Had Charlie just said…

"Does the name ring a bell now"

He looked up to see that Charlie was now stood by the dresser on the other side of the room. Her eyes were puffy and red, but still Brax was waiting for her to crack a smile. His gaze travelled around the room as if expecting for Heath or someone to jump out with a camera. He looked back at Charlie, then down at the piece of paper in his hand then back up at Charlie

"You are joking right" because that was the only way that this was happening. He watched as Charlie pulled the sleeves of her cardigan over her hands and wiped away another tear that dropped

Charlie chuckled bitterly "What. You gonna try and deny it"

Brax looked down to the piece of paper before dropping it on the floor, he had no use for it because he sure as hell didn't have no daughter with no one else "If this is a joke, you need to stop because it isn't funny"

"A woman called Nina came round today looking for you. She was with her daughter…well your daughter" Charlie clicked her tongue and wrapped her arms around herself. Charlie shook her head and cleared her throat "She was kind enough to give me the full detail of how you both met"

Brax stood, feeling like he had stepped into some sort of twisted parallel world. He stepped to Charlie but stopped and she took a step further away from him "Funny given even I dont know how we met. Charlie this woman clearly as the wrong person. You do know how stupid this sounds"

"The only stupid person here seems to be me" Charlie shook her head "At first I thought she was crazy"

"She is" Brax took a big step forward, Charlie now had her back firmly to the dresser "I don't know anyone by the name Nina and I sure as hell don't have no daughter out there because I would never do that to you"

Charlie looked at him and she wanted to believe him, but she knew what she saw in Nina. Nina was without a shadow of a doubt sure Brax was the father. And why would Brax tell her the truth

"You would say that, wouldn't you. I bet you thought I would never find out"

Brax blew out a frustrated breath and took another step towards Charlie "Babe, you honestly think I would ever ever cheat on you" he fought the urge to grind his teeth

"I didn't... till today" another tear fell from Charlie's eyes and it seemed she would never stop crying

Brax closed the gap between them and almost punched the wall behind them as Charlie flinched at his touch, but he didn't waver. "Charlie look at me, please" he waited till her eyes met him

"I don't know who this woman is or what she told you but I need you to believe me. I did not sleep with her and I have never cheated on you"

Charlie felt her bottom lip trembling "She had a little girl with her, Brax" she inhaled a deep breath "She couldn't have made that up"

Brax felt like someone was stabbing him repeatedly in the chest

"But you think I would cheat on you?" Brax asked, clearly pained by her lack of faith in him

"Why would she lie?" Charlie asked in a small voice and she felt Brax's hand draw away from her face

Brax almost wanted to laugh but he could feel a surge of anger rising ever so slowly within him. Taking one step away from Charlie, Brax clicked his tongue

"Ok, so let me just see if I've got this right. A woman you have never met before, comes into our home and says that not only did I cheat on you with her but we also made a kid while we were at it and yet here I stand, your husband of over four years telling you she's lying and you somehow can't see why she would lie but can see why I would"

Charlie watched him, her arms wrapped around her, her back pressed against the dresser. She wanted to believe him she really did, but why would he ever confess to cheating. What's more what did Nina have to gain by lying to her. Charlie shook her head slowly

"I can't do this"

"Brax"

Brax's eyes slowly opened and he immediately winced at the pain in his neck. Looking up, he saw Charlie stood, her robe around her and her face tightly wound "You need to get up before the twins. I don't want them seeing that you slept out here and start asked questions"

Brax looked away from her and pulled himself up from the couch, his feet landing on the floor "We wouldn't have to worry about them seeing me like this if you hadn't told me you didn't want me in our bed" It had taken him too long to fall asleep, his mind going round and round what was happening and when he had finally managed to get his mind to stop torturing him, he had tossed and turned in his sleep unable to get comfortable on the couch.

Not replying to him, Charlie walked back down the hall and into Hope and Caleb's room

Sighing Brax stood to his feet, he needed a long shower.

"But I no want orange, I want apple"

Brax heard Hope complain as he walked into the kitchen

"Well there is only orange, so unless you don't want to take any juice to school, it will have to do" replied Charlie as she packed the kids lunch

Hope sighed but quickly smiled as she spotted Brax

"Daddy" she ran to Brax and he picked her up, placing a kiss on her temple

"Morning Princess"

"We no get to see you yesterday" she pouted and Brax smiled

"Sorry, I had to work late"

"Mowing Daddy" said Caleb and Brax smiled seeing Caeb sat on the kitchen stool, obviously with Charlie's help

Morning buddy" Brax walked to him with Hope still in his arms and ruffled the young boys hair "You all ready for school?"

Caleb nodded "Yea"

Brax looked at Charlie who hadn't once looked at him since he entered the Kitchen. He hated this but even more, he hated that she thought he would cheat on her

"Cheryl called and said she wouldn't be able to make it to take them to school like she had said, so you'll have to take them"

Charlie still wasn't looking at him but given that Hope and Caleb were the only other two present, he figured she was talking to him

"Ok" he nodded. He looked down at Caleb and then Hope "How about it. You want Dad to take you to school"

Hope and Caleb nodded

"It's settled then" Brax placed Hope back down

"Have they already eaten?" he moved towards Charlie

"Of course" she replied and stepped further away from him, although not too subtly. She clearly didn't want the twins picking up on any awkwardness. Well she was going the wrong way abut it, thought Brax

"Hey" he walked over to Caleb and set him on the ground "How about you two go and make sure you haven't forgotten anything you want to take to school today. Then we can go"

Hope and Caleb nodded and as always not knowing how to do things at a normal pace they both raced out of the room

Brax waited till he was sure they were well out of ear shot

"Charlie" he reached for her but Charlie stepped away before he could touch her. Brax clicked his tongue "So what, this is it. You're just gonna avoid me, avoid this? How are the twins not going to notice that something is wrong"

"I can't talk about this right now ok"

Brax let out a breath "Really, ok, then when do you want to talk about the fact you re accusing me of cheating" he wanted to shout but he couldn't. He wouldn't risk alarming the twins. They had always managed to keep their arguments away from Hope and Caleb and he was gonna keep it that way. He watched Charlie and it was clear she wasn't going to answer him. Nodding his head, Brax stepped away from her "Fine" and with that he walked out of the kitchen

As Brax walked out of the kitchen, Charlie braced both hands on the table and blew out a breath.



Jack and Heath frowned as they entered the restaurant only to find that John had been right there wasn't a single person about, apart from Sam

Walking up to Sam, Heath gestured around the restaurant "Where is everyone and where the hell is…" A loud bang stopped Heath from speaking followed by a line of curses

"He sent pretty much everyone home and as already sacked one of the waiters. He told the rest to have the day off only not as nicely as that"

Heath nodded and glanced at Jack, they had been trying to get hold of Brax all morning

"I think it's safe to say you can take the rest of the day off too" said Heath to Brax "And thanks for not bailing on him kiddo"

Sam shrugged. He had always felt loyal to Brax or giving him a job when no one else would give him a second glance "No problem. I figured if he really did some damage at least there would be someone here" he took off his apron and walked out from behind the bar "You err... might want to tread a little careful. He's already smashed enough bottles to pay for a whole shift this morning"

Heath nodded and he and Jack watched Sam walk out of the restaurant. Another loud bang had Heath and Jack staring in the direction of the kitchen

"Clearly He didn't clear things up with Charlie last night" said Heath and Jack scoffed

"You think" he shook his head "I don't think he would do that to Charlie"

"Yea well I'm thinking what Charlie believes is a little more important than what you and me believe" at that Brax walked out of the kitchen and stopped short when he noticed Heath and Jack

"We've been called you" said Jack and Brax walked to behind the bar

"I've been busy" he didn't look at either of them

"Yeah" Heath exhaled "We could hear that"

Brax looked up now and shook his head "I'm guessing you've heard of all my wrong doings"

Heath nodded "Bianca practically attacked me about it last night…"

"I didn't cheat" said Brax through gritted teeth and Jack held his hands up

"Neither one of us are saying you did mate. We know you love Charlie"

Brax scoffed "Yeah you want to tell her that. Because according to what she believes I'm not only a cheater but I'm also out father kids with random women"

Heath nodded "Yea we heard about that too"

"Do you know who this woman is?" asked Jack

Brax shook his head and laughed bitterly "No, apart from the fact that she claims her name is Nina and that her daughter his mine" Brax really laughed this time and Jack and Heath glanced at one another "I've never heard of this woman and I'm being accused of sleeping with her"

"I think Charlie is just in shook. Once she's had time to think about it…"

"Na" Brax shook his head "You didn't see her last night" he clicked his tongue "Whatever this woman told her, she fully believes every word"

"Then we'll speak to Charlie" said Heath

Brax scoffed "And say what. Charlie my brother didn't cheat on you. She wouldn't believe either of you"

"No I think it's worth a try" interjected Jack "Think about it. Apart from when you're working here, the only other time you could meet a woman is when we boys go out. If you've cheated she's gonna be expecting myself or Heath to know about it"

Heath nodded "True. Last night Bianca was sure I knew"

Just as Brax was about to speak, he looked up as he heard someone enter the restaurant "Sorry we're closed" he watched the woman who stood with a little girl

"Yea err the guy down stairs told me so"

Brax nodded wondering why she had bothered coming up if that was the case. Heath and Jack had now turned around

"There's a little dinner just around the corner if you're looking for a place to eat" said Jack

"Actually, I was looking for Brax" the woman looked at Brax nervously

"Yea" Brax frowned "That's me"

Heath and Jack glanced at one another and both knew exactly what was coming but it seemed to take Brax a little longer

"Yea I know" answered the woman "My names Nina"

Brax blinked rapidly and stared at the woman and ever so slowly to the little girl that was practically hiding behind her legs

"Nina" he repeated and the woman nodded

"I'm guess your wife already told you about me"

Charlie opened the back door and smiled as she saw Martha and Bianca stood there, they usually only ever knocked once before walking straight into the house

"The both of you are supposed to be at work" she backed away from the door "I swear you spend more time here than you do at the school" she looked at Bianca and tried to smile but she knew it didn't quite reach her eyes

"It's going to four, Charlie. Schools over for the day" said Martha and Charlie looked up at the time, she hadn't realised

"Oh, right" she sat down and said a silent thank you that Cheryl had agreed to pick the twins up from school "I guess I haven't paid much attention to the time"

Martha and Bianca sat on either side of Charlie

"How you feeling?" asked Bianca. Putting her hand on Charlie's shoulder

"Honestly?" asked Charlie "Right now a little numb. Like I keep expecting all this to have been just one big joke"

"I'm sorry this is happening to you guys" said Bianca and Charlie shook her head

"I can't believe it's happening at all" she exhaled "I never thought I would be in this position"

Martha cleared her throat and looked at Charlie "Ok I'm going to be honest here and give my opinion on this. When Bianca told me about this Nina person I laughed" said Martha. She held her hands up "Not because I thought the situation was funny but because I thought it was utter bull, and the bigger part of me still thinks it is"

Charlie shook her head "She wasn't lying Martha"

Martha shrugged "Maybe this woman actually believes what she's saying but come on… this is Brax ok. Brax that shut down at the age of nineteen when you skipped town, Brax that wanted to kill Grant for what he did for you, Brax that jumped in front of a frigging bullet. I'm sorry if I'm not all that convinced that this Nina woman is talking about the same person. Just saying"

Charlie stared at Martha for a moment before she blinked "It doesn't mean he didn't do this"

"No it means that he would never hurt you and cheating on you counts as hurting you. All I'm saying is until you have proof I wouldn't go buying into anything this woman says"

Charlie sighed "Last night he was so adamant that he didn't do it. He was so shocked when I told him about her" Charlie remembered the look of disbelieve in Brax's eyes

Bianca cocked her head "I think Martha as a point"

"I remember that night she was talking about" said Charlie "Brax sleep in the car because he was too drunk to get to the front door so what's to say he wasn't too drunk to know right from wrong"

"We can't guarantee that. Maybe he did get so drunk he can't remember it" said Martha "But don't label him guilty before you even hold a trail"

Brax looked up at the time as Nina sat quietly after she explained how it was possible for him to be the father. Jack and Heath had practically sprinted out of the restaurant not long after Nina had arrived and that was over a half hour ago. He thought back to the night Nina was referring to and although he couldn't remember all of it, he remembered some and he remembered Nina. She and her friends had been doing her best to flirt with Brax, Heath and Jack that night

"I wouldn't just make this up" Nina shook her head "I'm not that kind of person"

Brax turned away from the clock and looked at her "I remember that night, but nothing happened between us" he shook his head "You clearly believe what you are saying but you've got the wrong guy"

"I couldn't have" Nina sighed "Apart from that night I hadn't been with anyone for weeks before and I hadn't been with anyone else till the point when I found out I was pregnant with Hanna"

"And I don't know what you got up to after I dropped you off but it wasn't with me" he clicked his tongue "I would never cheat on my wife and you coming here throwing around accusations isn't helping me win any brownie points with her"

Nina, winced "Look I'm sorry ok. I honestly thought I would find you at home; I hadn't planned it to turn out that way. And I know you are adamant that we didn't sleep together but do you even remember anything from when you dropped me off"

No, thought Brax but still he didn't cheat "Neither do you" he replied "You don't remember a thing"

As Nina glanced at Hanna, Brax couldn't help but look over at the little girl who sat quietly in a booth at the front of the restaurant, drawing. He didn't want to but he tried to see himself in the little girl. Observing her he found that apart from the colour of the girl's hair he couldn't point out any obvious similarities. Hanna looked up, and she seemed to watch him with as much curiosity as he was her before she gave him a small smile. Brax couldn't help but smile back, none of this was the little girls fault

"Brax" Nina's voice pulled his attention away from the little girl "I wasn't ever going to come here and drop this on you"

Brax stared at her "And yet here you are"

Nina blew out a breath "She's only two but sometimes she seems older than that. All her friends and cousins have dads and I knew that one day she would start asking questions too. I didn't want to keep denying her of the chance of having a father in her life"

Brax sat unspoken for a moment. He so badly wanted to remember that night after he had dropped Nina off, but he could barely remember getting home. He also remembered that he had fallen asleep on the car in the drive and it had been Charlie that had woken him with a loud bang to the window and a stern look on her face. But still his gut told him this wasn't true, he didn't cheat on Charlie

"I don't believe I'm her father" he looked at Nina "And regardless of my lack of memory of that night, I don't believe we slept together but you obviously do" he exhaled "I want a DNA test"

Walking into the house, Brax, shut the back door and stopped as he saw Charlie sat on the couch, her feet tucked under her

"How was work?" asked Charlie and Brax frowned. This morning he had to practically squeeze a few words from her. He had been sure she would be in bed by the time he got in, even if she wasn't sleeping

Dropping his keys onto the dining table, Brax walked to the couch and sat beside her "It was ok, although we weren't too busy, I think I scared all the customers away and staff"

He heard Charlie sigh and he leaned forward, his arms resting on his leg

"This Nina woman, she came to the restaurant today" said Brax, he wasn't going to keep this from her, it would only make things worse

Charlie's head jolted in Brax's direction "She did" she nodded "And?"

"And I remember her" said Brax "And I'm guessing she explained that night to you pretty much the same way she did to me. And you probably remember that I spent the night in the car that night because I was so drunk"

Charlie nodded and swallowed loudly "I remember. I didn't speak to you for the whole day"

Brax nodded and the corner of his lips pulled up slightly "Yea till I made it up to you that night" he turned to Charlie "I'm not going to lie to you and say I remember everything that happened that night but Charlie, believe me when I say I am completely sure I didn't sleep with her. Drunk or not I would never do that to you… to us, and I really need you to believe me"

Charlie looked at him for what felt like the longest time, he thought about what Martha and Bianca had said that afternoon "I know that you believe that and I believe that you truly dont think you did this,but you was drunk Brax. What if you did and just can't remember"?

Brax shook his head "I would never…"

Charlie interjected "I know you would never do anything to hurt me, I know that" she nodded and sniffed "But you don't remember what happened that night do you?"

Brax clicked his tongue and shook his head "No, not everything"

"So for now it's still possible that it happened and that little girl is…" Charlie cleared her throat and Brax wanted to say she was wrong that it was impossible but how could he, when he couldn't remember

"I asked her for a DNA test" said Brax

Charlie nodded "Ok" she stood to her feet "You don't have to sleep out here tonight" she said as she walked down the hall

Brax exhaled and watched her go. He buried his head in his hand before yanking on his hair lightly. He couldn't wait for all this to be over

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the comment JarlieFanEver. Enjoy :)

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

"So for now it's still possible that it happened and that little girl is…" Charlie cleared her throat and Brax wanted to say she was wrong that it was impossible but how could he, when he couldn't remember

"We're going to do a DNA test" aid Brax

Charlie nodded "Ok" she stood to her feet "You don't have to sleep out here tonight" she said as she walked down the hall

Brax exhaled and watched her go. He be buried his head in his hand before yanking on his hair lightly "he couldn't wait for all this to be over


Brax stretched out and sighed as he noticed Charlie wasn't beside him. In all the time that they had been together, even when they argued the bed had never felt so cold. Charlie had slept with her back to him, ridged straight and the tension in the room was almost too much for Brax to take. Sitting up slowly, he allowed the quilt slide down his chest, resting his arm on his lap as he ran his hands over his face and through his hair. Looking at the time, he noticed it had only just gone past six in the morning; the twins wouldn't even be awake yet. Stepping out of the bed, Brax stretched a little before walking out of the room, he was about to make his way into the living room when he heard Charlie voice. Turing towards Riley's room, he walked towards the room slowly and stopped just outside the door that was open just slightly

"I know I shouldn't be keeping you awake" he heard Charlie say to Riley, her thumb repeatedly stroking his cheek "But mummy needed one of your cuddles"

Brax felt a tight painful squeeze in his chest. He couldn't see Charlie's face but he could hear the pain and sorrow in her voice

"I promise I'll put you back down in just a minute" he heard Charlie say, as she lifted Riley to her shoulder

Brax wanted to go in, talk to her, try and convince her that he didn't do what he was being accused of but he knew that would only spoil the moment for her. He may be able to hear sorrow in her voice but her body language showed that she was slightly more relaxed than she had been the night before and Brax was sure that was because of Riley.

Watching the exchange between mother and son for a little moment longer, Brax slowly and quietly edged away from the door and made his way back into his and Charlie's room. He didn't have to be at the restaurant till later in the day but he couldn't go back to sleep now, he felt tense and he needed to get some of the tension out of his system. Walking into the bathroom he turned the shower on and stripped of his clothes before stepping under the hot sprays

Cheryl knocked once before walking into the kitchen "Hey" she smiled and Hope and Caleb turned to her with grins

"Hi Nana Cheryl" both Hope and Caleb

"I see you're both ready for school"

Hope nodded "Yea, daddy making us peanut butter toast"

Cheryl smiled as she glanced at Brax who's head was bent as he slid the knife full of peanut butter on the bread

"I can see that" she replied "You both got your back packs ready?"

"Mummy did it already" answered Caleb and Cheryl nodded

"Where is your mummy?"

"Riley did a stinky" said Caleb and Hope giggled

"It smelled too bad" said Hope

Cheryl chuckled "I'm sure it did" she watched as Brax placed the twins peanut butter toast in front of them

"Eat up and then mum can take you guys to school"

"You mean Nana Cheryl" said Hope and Brax rolled his eyes

"Yea, she's your Nana Cheryl but she's my mum" he pulled lightly on one of Hope's pig tails and Hope giggled

"You sure you ok to take them in?" asked Brax and Cheryl nodded

"Told you. I don't start work till early afternoon, something you already know"

Brax shrugged and turned towards the sink. Cheryl watched the twins for a moment before she stepped to Brax, stopping beside him

"Heath told me"

Brax rolled his eyes "Of course he did" his gaze flickered to Hope and Caleb, before he looked at Cheryl "I would never cheat on her"

Cheryl watched him for a moment, before she nodded and placed her hand on his arm "I don't doubt for a moment that you wouldn't"

Brax smiled, it was good to know someone had such faith in him "Think you could get Charlie to think like that?"

Cheryl sighed "It's different for Charlie"

Brax nodded "But it shouldn't be"

"You not put enough peanut butter" said Hope, pulling Cheryl and Brax out of their conversation

Brax cocked an eyebrow and Cheryl shook her head with a smile

"You have enough and you know it" said Cheryl as she walked over to the twins "Now eat up so we can get you both to school" Cheryl looked up as Charlie walked into the kitchen

"Morning" Charlie smiled

"Morning" replied Cheryl "No Riley"

Charlie shook her head "He was half asleep before I even finished changing him"

Cheryl nodded. She wanted to say more, see how Charlie was dealing but she wouldn't do that in front of the twins. But somehow it seemed Charlie could see what Cheryl was asking with her eyes, because she gave Cheryl a small smile as if assuring her she was holding on

"You not done yet?" Charlie asked the twins and both Hope and Caleb simultaneously shoved the rest of their breakfast into their mouth both giving her a big cheeked smile

Charlie shook her head smiling at their silly antics and Brax stood watching her. Looking up and noticing Brax's gaze, Charlie fought to keep her smile up and looked back down at the twins

"Come on then" she picked them off the stool and placed them on the floor "Go get you back packs" she tapped there bums and Hope and Caleb ran out of the kitchen

"Thanks for this Cheryl, I'm just going to jump into the shower" Charlie turned and walked out of the room and Cheryl glanced at Brax and she could see the hurt in his eye, she could also see a small evident of anger and it was that right there that had her believing Brax didn't do this

"You can't expect anything more from her, for now" said Cheryl but Brax didn't answer as the twins ran back into the kitchen back pack in hand

"Ready"

"You sure you ok? Martha asked as she and Charlie walked into the diner

Charlie nodded as she pushed Riley's pram "I need to get out the house. All I'm doing is thinking. So this will do me some good"

Martha nodded "Ok" she and Charlie smiled at Irene and Roo as they say at a table not too far from the counter

"Plus, Riley's loves it. I swear as soon as we leave the house he doesn't make a sound, his eyes kinda just dart from left to right"

Martha chuckled as she picked up the menu "Yea well no surprises there. If I remember correctly, Hope and Riley were exactly the same"

Charlie smiled, as she picked up the menu

"Poor girl" said Roo and Charlie looked up from the tale to see that Roo was talking to Irene "I keep asking if everything is alright and she just says fine. Apparently she doesn't even remember the dream after waking from it"

Charlie watched Roo and Irene as she listened in on what they were saying

"Surly that can't be normal, if these dreams are as bad as you say then it seems to me that something isn't right"

Roo shrugged "During the day she seems fine but even the other people in the caravans are starting to talk. I mean you wanna see how loud she screams, the dreams must be really bad. And her little girl" Roo's places her hand to her chest "She sleeps right through it, she's obviously used to her mum having those types of dreams"

Irene sighed "Well nothing you can do about it love" Irene picked up her pad and walked over to Charlie and Martha

"Hey darling" she looked down at Riley in his pram, who was watching Irene, wide eyed "Hey little fella" Irene grinned "You are such a cute aren't you" she stood up and looked to Charlie and Martha "How are you both?"

Martha and Charlie smiled "Good, just a little hungry" answered Martha

"Well then that can I get you both?" Irene smiled

Charlie shook her head at John and Marilyn's antics behind the counter

"Seriously need to be doing that somewhere else" Martha said a little loudly and gave Marilyn and John a grin

Charlie chuckled "I needed this"

Martha smiled "Glad I could be of service"

"When have you got to get back to the surf club?" asked Charlie and Martha looked down at her watch

"Now actually"

Charlie nodded but stopped as her eyes followed the figure that had just walked in. Martha frowned at the look on Charlie's face, before glancing behind her. Martha looked the woman over, then her gaze dropped to the little girl with her; she blew out a breath and turned back to Charlie

"Is that Nina?"

Charlie nodded but didn't speak. She watched as Nina smiled at Roo just as Roo passed a bag to her.

Thanking Roo for the lunch she had pre-ordered, Nina turned to leave but stopped as she spotted Charlie, staring at her. She felt her breath quicken a little, her gaze moving to the pram and to the woman that was with Charlie. Giving the glare she was receiving she could only guess that the woman knew who she was. Not wanting to cause a scene, Nina held firm onto Hanna's hand

"Come on sweetie" she pulled Hanna along and quickly made her way out of the diner

"Bye woo" Hanna wave her hand frantically and Roo and Irene chuckled at the young girl

Obviously not having picked up on any obvious tension, Martha and Charlie turned to Irene as she spoke "Is that the girl you were talking about before?"

Roo nodded "Yea"

Martha frowned and before she could stop herself she asked "The one you was saying has the dreams?"

Charlie glanced at Martha, she hadn't been aware that Martha had also been listening to that conversation

Roo nodded and walked closer to them "Yea poor thing. The first time it happened we near enough broke into her caravan thinking something was wrong, but then dad found a key and when I walked in there she had just jolted awake. I have never heard that kind of fear in a person's voice before"

Martha and Charlie glanced at one another before Charlie stood to her feet

"Thanks for the lunch, it was great as usual"

Roo smiled "Nothing less for you guys"

As Roo walked away, Martha stood and she and Charlie made their way out of the restaurant. Walking in the direction of the surf cub neither of the two spoke for a few moments before Martha finally said

"What do you think that's about?"

Charlie shrugged "Honestly I don't want to know"

"We should probably get going, right bud" Charlie pushed Riley's pram along the beach "We don't want to be late picking up Hope and Caleb, do we" She made her way up the beach but stopped short as she noticed Nina. She watched as Nina was talking to Hanna a smile on the little girls face as she held onto her mother's hand. Clearing her throat Charlie figured she could make her way past Nina, no need to make things more awkward than they already were

Looking up from Hanna, Nina's smile faded and she spotted Charlie walking in her direction, but given Charlie was doing her best to ignore her, she was sure Charlie wasn't planning on carry out a conversation with her. Nina watched Charlie till Charlie was almost past her

"Hi" she should have kept quiet, but Nina hated that she was hurting a family. She hated more that it was obvious that Charlie hated her. Hanna let go of Nina's hand and bent down to pick at some shells

Charlie stopped and took a moment before turning to Nina "This may be a small town and I won't be able to avoid bumping into you every now and again but that doesn't mean I have to acknowledge you or carry on a conversation with you"

Nina blinked a few times before she nodded slowly; she looked down at Hanna who was watching Charlie with interest. Hanna most have known something wasn't right, because usually the girl would have bombarded Charlie with a million questions, the way she did everyone else they had come across

"I know you're angry and that you hate me…"

Charlie interjected "I don't need you telling me how I feel. You'll never understand how I feel" Charlie gave her a pointed look "So don't try stand there acting like you understand"

Nina exhaled and bit on her bottom lip nervously "That's not what I'm trying to do. I'm just saying you have every right to hate me"

Charlie scoffed "Well thanks for giving me permission, I feel so much better now. If you don't mind I've got somewhere to be" Charlie began walking away but stopped as Nina spoke

"You'll never know how sorry I am for this, but I swear this is not something I ever planned and you might not believe me but I'm not the sort of person who would ever dream of breaking a family. But I don't want my daughter to ask me one day who her father is and I tell her I kept her away from him because I was too scared of what people would think of me. I'm not a malicious person, I swear, but Hanna deserves a father"

Not saying a word, Charlie walked away. Nina was the one who was here trying to destroy her family, she wasn't going to let her play the sympathy card

"Hi Cheryl" Charlie smiled as Cheryl walked into the kitchen; she was surprised Cheryl had made it this long before coming to see her. She had expected Cheryl to corner her that morning and force her into believing that Brax was innocent in all this "Twins are in their room, playing and Riley's fast asleep" said Charlie as she walked into the living room, Cheryl following behind her

Cheryl nodded "Good" and sat down on the couch "So, how you fairing?"

Charlie looked at Cheryl and sat down "Confused" she confessed "Sometimes I forget, like today on the beach it was just me and Riley and he was making this cute noise and I thought, oh, Brax would love to hear that. I was close to dialling his number then I remembered. I remembered Nina and Hanna and all I wanted to do was cry" Charlie lowered her head "I don't know how this could be happening"

Cheryl placed her hand on Charlie's arm "I'm sorry it's happening. I hate that you and Brax are going through this"

"We wouldn't be if he hadn't…" Charlie stopped and exhaled "I just want her to disappear"

Cheryl nodded "Yea well I think that is more than understandable" Cheryl watched Charlie "I know I'm a little bias because he's my son but I believe that boy would never hurt you. I may not have raised him but he raised himself right"

"He was drunk, Cheryl" Charlie shook her head "I remember how mad I was at him that morning for actually driving" Charlie chuckled "If only I had knew why he had decided to drive instead of calling a cab like he usually does"

"That doesn't prove anything" said Cheryl and Charlie shook her head

"It doesn't dispute it either" she closed her eyes for a moment before speaking "I know everyone is saying he wouldn't do this, but you tell me, Cheryl, what are the chances that this woman is lying. Because you and I both know she as nothing but a father for her daughter to gain from this, why would she just randomly chose Brax and risk being found out by agreeing to a DNA test"

Cheryl didn't know what to say to that, so she said nothing. Charlie was right, if Nina was lying she wouldn't have so readily agreed to a DNA test and so far she hadn't demanded nor asked for a single thing form Brax. Cheryl looked up at the family picture that was stood on the mantel piece; she hoped for everyone's sake that the DNA results should come back negative

"You miss me" Ruby smiled as she and Casey walked into the living room

"Ruby, Case" Charlie smiled as Ruby flung herself onto the couch and gave her a hug "I see someone's missed me"

Ruby pulled back and smiled "Just a little. I'm not sure I like living with a boy" she whisper

"Said boy can hear you" said, Casey, as he dropped their bags at the foot of the couch. Charlie chuckled lightly

"How you coping with this one Case? She nudged Ruby lightly

Casey rolled his eyes "Let's just say having Hope and Caleb around all the time is less work"

"Hey" Ruby mock frowned "He's lying, I'm the best girlfriend ever"

"You didn't say you were coming down" said Charlie and Casey sat on the single couch

Ruby shrugged "It was a sort of spur of the moment thing. We didn't have anything on this weekend and between Uni and work that rarely ever happens so we thought why not come and see you guys because you would obviously be missing us terribly"

"Obviously" said Charlie "You guys eaten?"

Ruby and Casey shook their heads "We were kinda jut gonna call Brax and ask him to bring back pizza for us"

Charlie nodded and tried to keep the smile on her face "Well you best call him now before he leaves for the night" she had been sure she had played it cool but she didn't miss the frown that fleeted through Ruby's face and the look Casey was giving her

"You ok. You and Brax aren't fight are you?" asked Ruby

Charlie shook her head, but why was she even bothering? Casey and Ruby weren't kids, they would find out what was going on eventually

"Nothing for the both of you to worry about" she smiled "So which one of you will call him because if he doesn't bring you back pizza, I can make you something to eat" Ruby looked horrified and Casey sprang forward for the phone causing Charlie to laugh "I thought so"

"I'm gonna call it a night" said Brax as he stood to his feet "How about we go for a surf in the morning?" he gaze shifted between Ruby and Casey

"Yea that would be great" replied Casey and Ruby nodded

"Night" said Brax before walking down the hall. Neither Casey nor Ruby had missed that although Brax didn't say anything to Charlie, his gaze lingered on her for a few second before he turned and disappeared into their room

Looking at Ruby, Casey gave a small nod before standing to his feet "I'm gonna call it a night too. See you in the morning"

"Night Case" Charlie smiled up at him and Casey returned the smile before making his way into his and Ruby's room. He wanted to talk to Brax and question him about what was going on, but he would have to wait till the morning. With the way Brax and Charlie had been acting all night, Casey couldn't help but worry

"Ok" Ruby stood from the couch her and Casey had been sat on and made her way over to Charlie. Sitting down she pulled her feet up underneath her and watched her mum "You going to tell me what's going on, because you and Brax have officially got me and Casey freaked"

Charlie cocked her head "I'm sorry" she pushed a strand of Ruby's curls behinds her ear "I really didn't want you guys getting involved in this but I guess we didn't do a good job of acting like everything was fine"

Ruby shook her head "You did a rubbish job and that's got me worried even more. If tonight was the two of you trying to act like everything was normal then something is really wrong" Ruby had seen Charlie and Brax argue numerous times but they had never been this hostile to one another

Charlie gave a sad smile "You know what, it's nothing for you to worry about, ok"

"Right and the fact that you don't want to tell me as me freaking out. You always tell me even if it's just to make Brax feel bad about whatever it is you think he's done wrong. What could he have done that was so bad" Ruby narrowed her eyes "Or is it something you did?"

Charlie sat unspoken for a while and Ruby watched her not knowing what to say. She followed Charlie's gaze as it moved to the picture of the twins, her, Casey, Riley and Charlie and Brax at the beach "Mum how bad is this? asked Ruby. It had to be something bad

Charlie exhaled a huge breath before she spoke, her voice a little cracked "He as a kid with someone else"

Ruby felt her jaw slack at what Charlie had said, by he she was assuming Charlie was talking about Brax. But just to be sure she asked

"Who, Brax?" even Ruby could hear the disbelief in her voice

Charlie nodded "She's two and her name is Hanna"

"Two" Ruby repeated. She didn't need to great at maths to figure out what that meant "You think Brax cheated on you?" Ruby's first instinct was to laugh

"The fact that there is a woman in Summer Bay right now stating he's her childs father kinda means he did"

Ruby sat still for a moment absorbing this new information. Brax cheated on Charlie. She looked at Charlie for a moment before speaking "And Brax as admitted to cheating?"

Charlie shook her head "He's denying it, says he would never do that"

"That's because he wouldn't" The words automatically escaped Ruby, but she wasn't going to act like she believed any of this. She knew Brax and she knew what she saw in his eyes when he looked at Charlie. More to the point she knew what she saw tonight when he looked at her

"Does this woman have proff of what she's saying or is she just going around trying to frame innocent men" Ruby's tone was harsh

"They're going to do a DNA test" replied Charlie. Charlie placed her hand on Ruby's "I don't want you worrying about this ok. I'm only telling you because you will find out eventually"

Ruby frowned "How can I not worry" asked Ruby "Some sick woman is going around accusing Brax of…"

"He might have done it Ruby, she could easily be telling the truth. She has nothing to gain from lying"

Ruby didn't care, she didn't believe Brax would ever do this and she wished she knew where this woman was so she could confront her

"Mum I don't care what she says, I fully believe Brax. He would never do this" Plus the pained look that had been evident on Brax's face just before he walked away that night showed Ruby he was hurting as well as Charlie "She's lying" said Ruby

"I really hope so" replied Charlie and Ruby lay her head on Charlie's shoulder

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks JarlieFanEver, Melbelle94 and Pembie for your comments. And Pembie you are right thing are not what they seem but i will be revealing everything real soon. At least one question get answered in this chapter. Enjoy :)

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

"He might have done it Ruby, she could easily be telling the truth. She has nothing to gain from lying"

Ruby didn't care, she didn't believe Brax would ever do this and she wished she knew where this woman was so she could confront her

"Mum I don't care what she says, I fully believe Brax. He would never do this" Plus the pained look that had been evident on Brax's face just before he walked away that night showed Ruby he was hurting as well as Charlie "She's lying" said Ruby

"I really hope so" replied Charlie and Ruby lay her head on Charlie's shoulder

"What?" Casey sat up on the bed, looking at Ruby like she was crazy. Ruby nodded

"Yeah that's how I pretty much reacted when Charlie told me" said Ruby as she stripped out of her clothes and into her nightie

"That's stupid, of course Brax didn't cheat" Casey was still looking at Ruby like she had produced two arms and an extra head

"That's what I said. But mum…" Ruby blew out a breath "She just seemed so confused"

"Charlie can't really believe this right? Brax would never cheat" Casey flung his arms out for emphasis "Brax, for crying out loud. There's more chance of him announcing he wants to be a priest"

Ruby sighed "Yea but there is a woman here with a baby saying Brax is the father"

"A baby?" Casey's eyes widened

"Well apparently she's two… so not really a baby" Ruby slid into the bed beside Casey

Casey lay unspoken for a few minutes, before speaking. He turned to Ruby "This is really bad Rubes"

Ruby looked up at him and nodded. She bit into the corner of her bottom lip as she remembered not only the look on Brax's face as he walked away that night but also the look on Charlie's face just before she got up to go to bed "I don't know how this is going to turn out"

"You guys ready to go? Asked Brax as he walked out of his and Charlie's room with his board shorts on. The twins were still asleep and Charlie had been awake for over an hour but Ruby and Casey noted that neither Brax nor Charlie had said even one word to one another

"Actually I was gonna stay here and help mum with Riley and the twins" said Ruby. Brax looked at her with a frown but as he glanced at Charlie he nodded

"Ok. You still coming Case?"

Casey nodded "Yep I'm all set. I've missed the surf"

"See you guys later" said Brax but Charlie only nodded before she walked into the kitchen. Brax let out a breath before walking out the door

"I guess we'll see you later" said Casey. Giving Ruby a quick kiss he followed Brax out the door

Not able to help himself, Casey had spent most of the drive to the beach, watching Brax. There seemed to be a permanent ticking vein in Brax's temple and although Brax tried to act relaxed , Casey could tell by the almost death grip he was impaling on the innocent steering wheel that Brax was anything but relaxed. He watched Brax as they ran into the surf and Casey could see Brax taking his frustration out of the waves

"It isn't true, is it?" said Casey as he and Brax sat on the sand, towels in hand. For a moment he thought Brax wouldn't responded or acknowledge what he had asked but after a long moment, Brax clicked his teeth

"I'm getting real tired of saying this but no, it isn't. I would never cheat on her"

"I believe you. I know you would never do that to Charlie"

"Good to know" he stared out at the ocean for a while and Casey allowed Brax have his moment "I'm guessing that's why Ruby didn't want to come hey"

It was all Brax could think about, on the way to the beach. Ruby obviously thought him rotten enough to have cheated on Charlie and that's why she had bailed on coming for a surf "Guess she won't be wanting to spend any time with me this weekend" Brax, sat with him legs slightly bent, his arms resting on them

Casey frowned "What?" then he realised what Brax thought "Ruby doesn't think you cheated if that's what you think" Brax turned to Casey now "She thought maybe you needed someone to talk to, in this case me. And I think she just didn't want to leave Charlie alone. We believe you, but…"

"My wife doesn't" Brax finished for him "It's cool" he stood to his feet and picked up his board "But I am glad you kids believe me"

Casey nodded and stood to his feet "Brax you do know that for Charlie, she'll be looking at this differently, right. This is different for her than it is me or Ruby or anyone else"

Brax chuckled bitterly "Yeah mum said the same thing"

"Plus from what Ruby told me, you were apparently drunk that night and don't actually remember the whole thing"

Brax nodded "Yea and I'm pretty sure I was way too drunk to be doing any extra curricula activities as well"

Casey chuckled "Yea well, once this DNA test proves this woman who ever she is, is lying, things can go back to normal"

"Yea" Brax said halfheartedly before proceeding up the beach "How about breakfast before we head back?"

Casey sighed as he watched Brax go, before picking up his own board "Sure"

Walking into the hospital, Brax's steps faltered for a moment as he saw Nina walking out of a room with Sid not far behind her. Continuing on his way, Brax stopped in front of Nina and smiled down at Hanna as she spoke

"Hewo" Hanna beamed up at Brax

"Hi" Brax smiled back, his gaze searching for himself in the little girl once more. Coming up with nothing he lifted his gaze up to Nina

"I didn't want her having to have an injection, so we're using strands of her hair"

Brax nodded "Ok" he looked at Sid and hated that the doctor knew what was going on here, he didn't need anyone looking at him like he was an unfaithful husband "Well just tell me what you need me to do" he turned to Sid "Just want to get this over with"

Sid nodded "Yea, if you just follow me. We'll just take a little blood"

"Ok" looking back down at Hanna, Brax gave the little girl that was still watching him a smile, before he followed behind Sid

"Thought you might need some time to unwind" said Heath as he and Jack walked into the restaurant. The lunch rush had just ended, so the staff were in-between shifts, getting the place ready for the evening

"How did it go at the hospital?" asked Jack, as he and Heath sat on a stool and Brax placed a beer in front of the both of them

Brax shrugged "I was in and out in about ten minutes"

"When does the test's come back?" asked Heath as he brought the beer bottle to his lips

"We'll know latest by the end of next week"

Heath and Jack nodded

"How's Charlie been?" asked Jack, and Heath watched Brax for his answer

"She still thinks I'm a cheat, if that's what you mean" Brax dusted off dust that wasn't there off the bar "In all of five days, I don't think she's said more than a hand full to words to me. So right now… things kinda suck"

"Well this time next week it will all be over" said Heath

Brax gave a bitter laugh but didn't responded to Heath's comments "Would love to keep chatting boys but I've got work to do" taking his beer with him, Brax walked into his office and locked the door behind him

Heath swung his head back "He's messed up"

Jack looked at the closed door, before he drowned the rest of his beer "Wouldn't you be"

"Right you two go find a seat, while we order" Charlie said to Hope and Caleb and they ran to the back of the diner

Ruby shook her head "I swear they are always on"

Charlie smiled "You didn't think that would have changed did you?

Ruby returned the smile "Of course not" both Charlie and Ruby approached the counter, Ruby pushing Riley's pram. Both Ruby and Charlie frowned as they listened to the conversation between Roo and Irene

"There's definitely something not right" said Roo "People don't just freak out and faint for no apparent reason what so ever"

"Something most have caused it, surely" said Irene

"She was fine; I was just asking how her day was going. I mean she seemed kinda sad, then suddenly there was a loud cry and she seemed to go into shook and before I could even register it, she was on the floor" Roo, put her hand to her chest "Her poor daughter, she started crying, she seemed so afraid"

"And she's still at the hospital?" asked Irene and Roo nodded

"Yea, thankfully they have a little play center so Marilyn offered to stay with her little girl Hanna. The doctors apparently wanted to carry out a few tests on her. But it was obvious Sid was worried after I told him about the frequent nightmares she suffers from"

Charlie interjected "Wait are you talking about Nina?" she remembered about the bad dreams Roo had mentioned a couple of days ago

Roo nodded "Yea. Do you know her?"

Charlie cleared her throat "Sort of, I've bumped into her once or twice" Ruby's gaze flickered to Charlie, before Charlie spoke again "Is she ok?" asked Charlie, unsure why she even wanted to know

Roo shrugged "Don't know, it seemed like she just panicked then fainted. Honestly it was kinda scary"

Charlie nodded "Well I hope she's ok" she sighed "Could we just get, orange juice for Hope and Caleb and apple juice for me" she turned to Ruby

"I'll just have water" said Ruby and Roo nodded

Walking over to, where Hope and Caleb were sat, Ruby looked at Charlie "Am I getting ahead of myself or am I right in thinking…" Ruby looked at Charlie expectantly

"Yea, that's Brax's baby mama"

Ruby frowned and gave Charlie a disapproving look "Don't say things like that"

Charlie sighed and sat down "You guys decided what you gonna eat?" she asked Hope and Caleb then frowned as she saw the mess on the table

"Guys" she pulled the salt and pepper shakers from them. She should have known them being so quiet had meant they had found something to preoccupy themselves with "How many times do I have to tell you both, no playing with these. They are not toys"

Ruby handed Charlie some wipes as she turned Riley's buggy round so he was facing her "Hope you're listening to this little buddy" she smiled down as Riley stared back at her. Ruby looked up at Charlie, as she finished wiping up the mess on the table "Do you think it's something serious?" Asked Ruby

Charlie glanced at Ruby and shrugged "I can't possibly know that, plus it's none of our business"

Ruby spoke "Well what if this is really why she's here. What if she's you know… unwell and she's looking for someone to take care of her daughter. What if that is why she's you know…lying"

Charlie looked at Ruby but then shook her head "Can we not talk about this" she glanced at Hope and gave her a stern look as she caught her trying to reach for the salt shaker. Hope gave a sheepish grin as she pulled her hand back

"Ok, but all I'm saying is…"

Charlie interjected

"Ruby I know what you're saying but I don't want to talk about it…ok"

Ruby sighed and held up her hands "Ok, whatever you want"

"Been here for over a day and you haven't ruffled my hair in that annoying way once, I must admit I'm feeling a little bit neglected"

Brax looked up and smiled as Ruby slid onto a stool, a small smile on her face

"I do apologise" and before Ruby could back away he throw his and out and messed up her perfectly parted hair

"Hey" Ruby screech "I didn't say do it now"

Brax shrugged "And there I was thinking I was being nice"

Ruby scoffed "Nice would be giving me your credit card and letting me out with it on my own"

Brax looked at her with a cocked eyebrow "And that would be the very same thing as financial suicide" Brax chuckled

Ruby widened her eyes "Actually I'm pretty good with money"

Brax scoffed and laughed a little "Right well, sorry if I dont believe you"

Ruby smiled softly at Brax "I dont believe you did but I need to ask once. Did you cheat..."

"No" Brax clenched his jaw "No ok. I didn't cheat"

Ruby sighed "Ok, so this woman is obviously crazy"

Brax shook his head, he couldn't help but smile lightly at Ruby's matter of fact tone

"I've missed you kiddo"
...
Four days Later


Cheryl slipped off her sandals as she walked onto the beach. She had a few hours before she had to pick up the twins. Knowing that the paternity results were coming out that day, she had offered to take the twins for the night and Charlie had gratefully accepted. Cheryl knew that whichever way, Charlie and Brax were in for a rough night.

Looking ahead of her, Cheryl's steps faltered as she saw Nina, sat on the beach, Hanna beside her. Cheryl had yet to talk to Nina and she had been shocked when Heath had pointed Nina out to her a couple of days earlier. Given how small Summer Bay was, Nina seemed to be doing a good job of hiding away. Cheryl remembered that she had bumped into Nina a few days before everything went to hell and she wouldn't have thought that Nina was the kind of person to try and break up a family

Walking to Nina, Cheryl looked down at Hanna as the young girl scoped sand into her bucket. Having noticed the figured stood not far from them, Nina looked up and sighed. She had numerous times seen this same woman with Brax's kids and his brother. It didn't take much for her to figure out she was Brax's mother

"Hi" said Nina, because she didn't know what else to day. She hadn't had any interaction with any of the Braxton family in near enough a week All she wanted was for the tests to comeback and prove she wasn't a liar, then she would let Brax decide if he wanted to be a part of his daughters life or not

"Hi" Cheryl's gaze stilled on Hanna for a second before she turned to Nina. Cheryl had never been one to beat around the bush and she wasn't going to start today

"Do you really believe this?"

Nina didn't have to ask what Cheryl was referring to "It's the truth" Nina was getting really tired of defending herself "I have no reason to lie ok"

"But my son does?" asked Cheryl

Nina quirked an eyebrow "I know he's your son and you obviously will side him but I have nothing to gain from lying. As it is, your whole family hate me and I'm pretty sure everyone else in town will stop being so friendly once they find out who I am" Nina glanced at Hanna, who was digging away in the sand enthusiastically "I'm surprised word hasn't gone out yet"

"Yeah well you must understand why neither Charlie nor Brax are shouting this from the roof tops"

"Yeah well once the test show's he's her father, Brax can decide what he wants to do. If he chooses not to be a part of Hanna's life then we'll leave and I promise he'll never hear from us"

Cheryl watched Nina, trying to catch her out, trying to figure out her tell. But either Nina was an amazing liar or she truly believed Brax was the father

"You're pretty confident he's the father"

Nina shrugged and looked up at Cheryl "That's because he is"

Brax sat in the driveway, engine turned off his head resting against the head rest. The piece of A4 paper seemed to be burning a hole in his back pocket but he had no other choice but to go into the house.

Walking into the house Brax, closed the back door behind him before walking through the kitchen and into the living room. He stopped short as he found Charlie sat, her feet curled up underneath her

"Hi" he dropped the car keys on the dining table

"Hi" replied Charlie her gaze watching him

"Twins asleep already?"

Charlie shook her head and un-tucked her legs from beneath her, her feet landing softly on the floor. She moved forward on the couch a little "No. Cheryl's got then for the night but Riley seems to be out for a while yet"

Brax nodded. The DNA results had come out that day so he knew why she wanted the kids out. So they wouldn't be there to witness anything once it showed that he was the father like Charlie believed. Digging the offending slip out from his back pocket, Brax watched as Charlie's gaze followed to the slip

"So I picked this up this afternoon"

Charlie nodded, she felt a tightening in her lungs and it almost seemed like her throat was closing up

"So?" she blinked at him, her gaze moving back to the paper

"Opened it while I was still at the hospital" said Brax; he blew out a breath "Probably should have waited till I got somewhere private… I mean in cases like this, that would have made more sense, wouldn't it?"

His words only caused Charles's anxious state to worsen "Brax…" she called but her gaze remained on the slip letter in his hand

Stepping towards her slowly, Brax opened the letter and placed it face up on the coffee table. He felt the urge to shout or punch something as he saw the fear on Charlie's face, her gaze not daring to look down at the paper

"You can look" said Brax stepping away from her. He gave Charlie an expectant look and watched as she slowly looked down at the piece of paper. Brax watched every emotion that passed through her face and body. First came realisation of what it said, then he watched relief flood through her as the tension in her seemed to fade away, then he watched happiness take its place

"You're not the father" said Charlie. She picked up the letter and it felt like she was finally breathing again for the first time in nearly two weeks. She turned to Brax "Hanna's not yours" the elation and relief in her voice could not have been misplaced had they tried. Charlie blew out a slow shaky breath and smiled, but her smile soon faded as she looked up at Brax

"No...I'm not the father" Brax clicked his tongue "Funny how in all of this I'm the only person you seem to have had any doubt in"

Charlie drew in a sharp breath; the sorrow and pain in Brax's eyes were more than visible for her to see

"Nina says Hanna's mine and you believe her, this piece of paper says she's not now you don't believe her. It seems the only thing or person you lack faith in is me"

"Brax…" Charlie stood to her feet but Brax cut off her words

"Like you said she's not mine...you've got in in writing now" he exhaled "It's been a long day I'm going to bed"

Charlie watched Brax as he walked down the hall and disappeared into Riley's room. She stood with the evidence she had been craving clutched in her hands, but she felt more deflated than she had before. Her gaze shut up and she listened as Brax walked out of Riley's room and into their room, the door shutting behind him

Looking back down at the DNA result; the words negative kept flashing back at her. He had been adamant he hadn't cheated, had pleaded for her to believe him and now it seemed that her mistrust in him was what was going to cause real problems with them

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks for the comments JarlieFanEver and Pembie. Hope you like this chapter :). Pembie your theory inst far off but not completely accurate :D

CHAPTER FORTY

"No...I'm not the father" Brax clicked his tongue "Funny how in all of this I'm the only person you seem to have had any doubt in"

Charlie drew in a sharp breath; the sorrow and pain in Brax's eyes were more than visible for her to see

"Nina says Hanna's mine and you believe her, this piece of paper says she's not now you don't believe her. It seems the only thing or person you lack faith in is me"

"Brax…" Charlie stood to her feet but Brax cut off her words

"Like you said she's not mine...you've got in in writing now" he exhaled "It's been a long day I'm going to bed"

Charlie watched Brax as he walked down the hall and disappeared into Riley's room. She stood with the evidence she had been craving clutched in her hands, but she felt more deflated than she had before. Her gaze shut up and she listened as Brax walked out of Riley's room and into their room, the door shutting behind him

Looking back down at the DNA result; the words negative kept flashing back at her. He had been adamant he hadn't cheated, had pleaded for her to believe him and now it seemed that her mistrust in him was what was going to cause real problems with them

Closing Riley's bedroom door quietly, Charlie made her way into the living room. Seeing Brax wasn't there she walked into the kitchen and stopped as she saw him, leaning against the kitchen counter

"Hey" she spoke softly. He hadn't said a word to her since retiring to bed the night before and she had woken during the night to find him on the couch. She had stood looking at him for a while, knowing he wasn't asleep but not knowing what she should say. Eventually she had turned around and gone back into their room, but that had been the end of her nights sleep

Looking up at Charlie, Brax nodded his head once "Hey" draining the rest of the juice in his cup, Brax turned his back to Charlie and made his way over to the sink, where he started cleaning the glass "Got an early start at the restaurant today and I'm down a few staff so I'll probably be home late tonight" he still hadn't turned around to face, Charlie, as he busied himself with rinsing out the glass cup he had used. Turning off the tap, he wiped his hands down on the kitchen towel, before finally turning to face Charlie "If I'm not going to make it back before Hope and Caleb go to bed tonight, I'll call to say goodnight"

Charlie nodded and slowly took a step forward "Brax I'm…"

"I should get going now or I'm going to be late" Walking past, Charlie, and into the living room, Brax, picked up the car keys from where he had dropped them the night before.

Following behind him, Charlie reached out and touched him arm, but she dropped her hand as Brax softly pulled away from her "Brax…" she pleaded with her voice and Brax stopped with his back to her for a moment before he turned to face her

"What, Charlie?"

Cocking her head slightly to the side, Charlie looked up at him and blinked away her tears as she saw how much her distrust had hurt him "I'm so sorry" she hadn't been expecting her voice to break the way it had, but still it seemed to make no difference to Brax

Watching her for a moment, Brax shrugged "I've got to get going" and with that he turned and walked out the front door

Charlie pursed her lip and drew in her bottom lip as she leaned against the back of the couch. Never had Brax reacted so cold towards her as he had been the night before and this morning. She remembered the last time he had been so cold and indifferent to her… when she had first returned to the Bay. Charlie rubbed lightly on the middle of her chest as the thought brought with it an aching pang. She hated that she had again put that look on his face. But how could she blame him, he showed her every day that he loved her and at the first sign of trouble she had doubted him, even when everyone else hadn't

Letting out a slow breath, she frowned as she saw her phone flashing on the coffee table. She hadn't realised that she had left it out there all night. Walking around the couch to pick it up she saw that it was a text from Ruby

'SO?…AND DON'T KEEP ME WAITING'

Charlie knew what Ruby was referring to. Barely having the energy to reply, Charlie typed out a quick reply

'NEGATIVE'

Dropping her phone on the couch to avoid having to answer any more questions, she walked to Riley's room

Nina sat on, the edge of the bed, Hanna fast asleep. Staring down at the results in her hand she kept blinking over and over as if by miracle, the answer would change. She could feel her hands trembling, and she held the paper tighter in an attempt to calm her nervous down

"Negative"

The word seemed so big against the paper, like it was taunting her. How could it be negative? Brax had to be the father. She would remember sleeping with someone else, she thought but then again she couldn't remember sleeping with Brax

But it had to be him

Nina, shook her head as she felt a migraine rushing forth. The results had to be wrong she thought as she felt her chest tighten painfully 'It just had to be wrong'

Brax sighed as he watched Jack walk into the restaurant. He didn't want to talk, he just wanted to get on with working

"I don't think you could look less happy to see me if you tried" Jack cocked an eyebrow, as he stood in front of the bar "Guess you're not welcoming any visitors at the moment"

Brax ran his hand over his face "Not if I'm gonna have to keep answering the same question all day"

Jack gave a small smile "Right well if you tell me the results of the test, being the good friend that I am, I'll make sure word gets round so nobody comes and bothers you"

Brax shook his head "Won't work"

Jack shrugged "Let's give it a try" he cocked an eyebrow "So…."

Brax looked at him "I thought you said you didn't think I had slept with Nina"

Jack nodded "I don't, but if I'm going to be running the errand of letting all invested know that you are not a lying, cheating, scum, I need proof" Jack smirked and Brax gave a small chuckle

"Well this lying cheating scum didn't father Nina's child"

Jack gave a disbelieving look "Really?" Brax frowned and Jack laughed "Joking. Just wanted to see the look on your face"

Brax shook his head "Yea well now you know, so I'm gonna get back to work"

Jack clicked his tongue "So how are things with you and Charlie. Must be glad to finally start putting this behind you"

Not acknowledging Jack's questioned; Brax, turned his back to Jack and walked out from behind the bar

"Don't really got time to talk" said Brax

Knowing exactly what that meant Jack followed behind Brax "You're angry"

Brax clenched his jaw as he stood at the top of the stairs. He wasn't just angry, anger he could deal with

"Na, I'm not angry… not in the slightest" he sighed "I've got to go do stock check, I'll catch you later"

Jack watched as Brax walked down the stairs and sighed. Digging out his phone he decided to send Martha and Heath a text, knowing they would get the message out to the necessary people

'Test came back negative'

Hitting the send bottom, he contemplated following Brax into the stock room but knowing Brax wasn't in the mood for company he let him be

Looking up as Bianca and Martha walked in through the back door, Charlie, stood to her feet and placed Riley into his moses basket that was standing beside the couch

"Hey" Bianca smiled at Charlie before automatically walking over to the moses basket and picking Riley back up "Hey, my favourite man"

Charlie rolled her eyes "I've only just put him down. I don't want him getting used to someone always carrying him"

Bianca, shooed Charlie, away with a hand "And a baby this cute deserves to be held 24/7"

Martha sat down besides Bianca and cooed down at Riley "I miss when Theo was this tiny, now he's sitting and crawling all by himself"

Charlie smiled as she watched her friends with her baby boy "Neither of you working today?"

"Long lunch break" answered Bianca

"Day off...and Theo is bonding with Roo" added Martha and Charlie nodded. She wondered if Martha would ever actually call Roo mum

Looking up from Riley, Martha looked at Charlie "Jack sent me a text this morning" Charlie nodded, already guessing what it would have been regarding "I did try and call you but you haven't been picking your call"

Charlie glanced over at her phone that she had long discarded on the coffee table but not before putting it on silent "Yeah, I kinda just wanted a little time alone"

Now looking up at Charlie, Bianca cocked an eyebrow "I would have thought you would be grinning like a fool. You know the test coming back negative is what we wanted right?"

"Yeah, no I mean that is a good thing" Charlie exhaled "A really good thing. But…" she shrugged and diverted her eyes from her friends for a moment "Things seem worse than they had been before we got the results"

Martha frowned "How is that possible?"

Charlie looked at Martha, "I accused my husband of cheating on me and impregnating someone else regardless of the fact that he stated more times than once that he was innocent. I chose not to believe him, in spite of the fact that everyone else did. And I could hardly look at him for a full two weeks because of it. And all that time he knew he hadn't done anything wrong. So even though the test results have made things better for my peace of mind…" Charlie sighed

"They haven't done much for Brax" Bianca finished off for Charlie and Charlie nodded

"Well apart from prove that I don't trust him" Charlie clicked her tongue "He was so cold towards me and it just felt like…" she pursed her lips "It felt like the way he was when I first came back to the Bay. Like being around me was the last thing he wanted"

Martha and Bianca, sighed "Charlie" Martha stood up from the couch and perched on the arm of the single couch where Charlie was seated

"You know that's not how he feels" said Bianca

"Yes it is" Charlie looked at where Bianca was sat "I woke up at past three this morning and he wasn't in bed. I thought maybe he came out to get some water or something but, five minutes and he still hadn't returned, so I came out to look for him"

"And?" Martha asked

"He was asleep on the couch" Charlie blinked and let out a slow exhaled and she sagged into the couch "He had actually left our room and slept out here" she chuckled with no humour "He hates sleeping on that couch. But he would rather put up with a sore back and a knot in his neck all day from sleeping on that, than share a bed with me" Charlie rolled her eyes "I guess I didn't really think about how my doubting him would affect us if the tests came back negative"

Martha and Bianca glanced at one another

Still holding a wide eyed Riley securely in her arms, Bianca leaned forward on the couch "It's Brax, ok. And he tends to deal with things a little different. He's probably just a little hurt right now"

Charlie nodded "Yea but how am I supposed to convince him of how sorry I am and that I do trust him" she glanced between Martha and Bianca "I really do. And I know it sounds convenient, me saying this after we get the results, but I had a woman telling me my husband was her daughter's father… what was I supposed to do?"

Martha and Bianca glanced at each other once more and Charlie knew what they wanted to say

Clicking her tongue, Charlie closed her eyes briefly "I should have trusted him when he said she was lying. I should have been on his side till he gave me cause to doubt him"

Martha put her arm around Charlie's shoulder "Brax will come round"

"Yea he just needs a little while to brood and he'll be right as rain"

Charlie nodded thinking 'how long was a while'

Brax smiled as he saw Ruby's name flashing on the screen. Picking the call, he pushed the phone between his ear and shoulder and he carried on stacking the bottles onto shelves

"If you're trying to hit me up for money, you'll have to give me a big head first"

Brax chuckled as Ruby laughed

"Well in that case you are the bestest Dad in the world and I really do love your money"

Brax shook his head "Flattery will get you everywhere" nodded his head at Sam. Sam quickly walked over and took over the stocking of alcohol onto their respect place

Taking the phone from between his ear and shoulder, Brax, walked into his office "You good kid?"

"Yea.. Err mum text me this morning. I tried calling her but she isn't picking her phone"

Brax nodded "She's probably busy with Riley"

"Yea. So negative, uh?"

Brax sat behind his desk

"Did you doubt it?" he asked even though he knew she didn't

"No" Ruby shook her head even though Brax couldn't see her "And you know mum will be really sorry she didn't believe you"

"I know" replied Brax "But I'm not talking about your mum and myself with you, ok. You don't need to be worrying about that. Now if its money you want..."

Ruby chuckled "I'm offended you think I only call when I need money"

"Well..." Brax cocked an eyebrow

Ruby sighed "Ok fair point, but no we're managing just fine down here. Casey had an early class this morning but he said to tell you he's really glad you didn't father someone else's child"

Brax laughed at this "Tell him thanks"

"Will do. And I know I've already said this but I know mum will be really beating herself up about this"

"I hear you kiddo. Now I've got to get back to work so I'll speak to you later"

"Actually we're coming down for the weekend so we'll see you in a few days. I was thinking maybe we could do something"

Brax rolled his eyes "Will my credit card be involved?"

Ruby laughed "Probably... bye"

Brax shook his head and he placed his phone down on his desk. Leaning his elbow on the desk, he let out a long sigh and ran his hands through his hair. He thought back to the look on Charlie's face that morning but he couldn't seem to tell her everything was ok. He didn't feel like it was. Every other person had seemed to have more faith in him than she had. How was he supposed to feel about that?

Looking up as the door opened, Brax frowned as Heath walked in

"I don't care if we are family, you don't get to just walk in here like that you idiot"

Not in the least bit fazed by Brax's words. Heath walked into the room and sat down on the couch a the side of the room

"You're not the father, congratulations" Heath, grinned and, Brax, shook his head at this

"Don't you have a business to run?"

That's the fun about owning your own business... you can come and go while the minions do all the job. So, Charlie?"

Brax looked up at Heath "What about Charlie?"

"How bad you making her feel? "Brax, glared at, Heath, and Heath held his hands up "I'm not saying you're doing it on purpose but usually when someone does you wrong you tend to freeze them out. And I don't care what you say you're pissed that she didn't believe you"

Brax frowned "Is that all you came to say?" he hated that Heath knew him so well

Heath cocked his head slightly "Well I think you're crazy for freezing her out. I would take advantage of this and be demanding an obscene amount of sex whenever I wanted... for at least a full month"

Brax shook his head "I'm not freezing her out"

Heath chuckled "Yes you are, but cut Buckton some slack yeah. You couldn't even remember half of what you got up to that night. So it's not like you were very convincing in the "I didn't have wild sex with a random stranger plea"

Brax hung his head and groaned "I doubt you're my brother at times"

Heath laughed and stood to his feet "Well if I wasn't your brother I wouldn't be getting a pizza to take away for free would I" Heath darted out of the door before Brax could say a word

"Idiot" Brax muttered
...
"Mum" Hope and Caleb ran into the house

"Hey" Charlie chuckled as they tackled her onto the couch "Aww, you missed me" Charlie ran her hand through their hair

Caleb nodded "We got a class pet today… he a guinea pig" he beamed and Hope scrunched her nose up

"He not look nice" said Hope but Caleb shook his head

"He the bestest"

Charlie nodded "I'm sure he's just fine" She smiled up at Cheryl "Let's get you both changed, and no noise, your brother is sleeping"

Hope and Caleb sighed "But he always sleeping. Can we say hello?" Hope pleaded, wide eyed, Caleb stood behind her nodded vigorously

Charlie sighed as she looked at both of them "Fine, but if you wake him you will have to change his dirty diapers all day all by yourselves"

Hope and Caleb laughed as they ran to Riley's room

"No running" Charlie gave them both a pointed look and they stopped and turned to face her before they carried on at a much slower pace

"How's he been?" asked Cheryl

Charlie sighed "Distant" she shrugged "I don't fault him; he said he didn't do it and I chose to believe some stranger over him. Roles reversed I would be angry too and probably hurt"

Cheryl nodded "I'm thinking he'll be more hurt than angry, but you know Brax, he's not just going to come out and say it. You'll have to probe him a while first"

Charlie looked back at the twins who were now engrossed in a game they were playing with their toys

"I just don't understand why she would lie. And then so readily agree to having a DNA test done if she knew Brax wasn't the father. Why go through all that trouble"

Cheryl had been thinking the same thing "I don't know what it is about her but I think there' more to this"

Charlie looked at Cheryl "What do you mean? She lied, what more could there be"

Cheryl shrugged "It's just a feeling I got when I bumped into her on the beach the other day. She seemed confident Brax was the father and genuinely sorry that she was hurting people. I don't know..."

"Charlie thought about it "She was drunk she obviously slept with some other person forgot about it and assumed it was Brax"

Cheryl's brows knitted together "Drunk or not, wouldn't you at least remember having seen the person you slept with. From what you said she told you, she thinks Brax was the last person she saw that night"

"But you don't think he was"

"How could he be?" asked Cheryl. "Anyway we don't need to be thinking about her right now" Cheryl placed a hand on Charlie's arm "Don't worry, he'll brood for a while but he'll come round"

Charlie gave a small smile "That's what Bianca said"

"Well she's a smart girl"

"Daddy" Hope jumped up from the couch, nearly stumbling over her own feet

Brax chuckled as she tackled him. Picking her up he gave her a big bear hug "Hey Princess" he smiled as she gave him a kiss "Good to know you missed me" Brax looked up, his eyes searching for Caleb but he soon smiled as Caleb came rushing out of his room

"Daddy look" Caleb was waving a drawing in his hand and Brax quickly bent down, so Caleb didn't take both him and Hope to the ground

"Hey buddy" Brax picked him up in his free arm "What you got there?"

Caleb held up the picture so it was facing Brax "I draw my favourite superhero today and look"

Brax looked at the picture and grinned as he looked at the drawing of the bulky man that had an arrow pointing to it saying daddy. Turning to Caleb he wanted to give him a tight squeeze

"I'm your superhero?"

Caleb nodded "Uhuh you the strongest and after you is Spiderman"

Brax nodded, his grin still placed "Well we should probably place this picture where everyone can see it... especially uncle Heath"

Caleb nodded and Hope piped in "Mum said it go on the fridge"

At the mention of, Charlie, Brax looked up to see her sat on the couch, watching the three of them

"Hey" he gave a small smile as he placed the twins on their feet

Charlie gave a smile back "Hey" her gaze darted down to the twins before moving up to Brax "How was work?"

Brax nodded "It was ok" he had contemplating working till close but, he had wanted to see the twins before they went to bed

Brax, smiled as he noticed that Riley was in his moses basket. Walking over, he smiled as he picked up his son "Hey buddy" he chuckled as Riley screwed his face up, before he let out a fart

"Eww..." Hope covered her nose "He is farting too many times"

Charlie frowned "Yeah, I think that one might have been more than just a fart" she stood to her feet ready to take Riley from Brax, but Brax shook his head

"No it's cool, I've got this" he moved to walk down the hall and Charlie frowned. She noticed that, Brax, had managed to talk to her while making as little as possible eye contact with her

"Can we help?" said Caleb and Brax nodded

"Of course. I'm thinking I'm gonna need all the help I can get with this stinker"

Caleb giggled and, Hope, shook her head

"It too smelly. I stay with mummy"

Brax, chuckled "Wise choice"
...
Brax walked into the living room after reading Hope and Caleb their bed time books and tucking them in. He looked to see that Riley was no longer in his mosses basket

"Riley asleep?"

Charlie nodded and tuned to face him, her leg dropping to the ground "He was fast asleep before he even finished feeding" Brax nodded "I err left your dinner in the oven. I made spaghetti and meatballs"

Brax cocked an eyebrow and Charlie knew what he was thinking. Giving him a small smile she added "I've been at home for nearly three months, I've had time to practice, plus your mum helped out"

Brax looked at her, unspoken for a moment and Charlie though he wouldn't reply to her

"Ok... thanks" walking around the back of the couch, Brax, walked into the kitchen and he could feel Charlie's gaze following him but couldn't bring himself to turn around. He didn't yet know how to get past her lack of trust in him

Opening the oven, he pulled out the foil plate, and pealed back the foil slowly as if the food would combust. He rolled his eyes, knowing the way Charlie cooked it was probably a likely assumption. Giving it a good look over and deciding to give it a try, Brax placed it in the microwave before pulling a beer from the fridge
...
Charlie sat, the TV on, her gaze on it but if asked what she was watching she wouldn't have been able to give an answer. She kept her gaze on the screen, but stayed in tune to the little noises Brax was making in the kitchen. Hearing the timer of the microwave go off, she glanced at the door and watched as Brax walked out, food and beer in hand. She watched him out of the corner of her eye as he sat at the dining table, and she felt her spirit dropped. Brax usually sat on the couch beside her if everyone else had already eaten before he got home. She had always reprimanded him on it but now that she wanted him beside her, he chose not to

Not saying a word, she listened as he ate the food and waited to see if he would make a comment on her improved cooking skills. But as, Brax, finished up his dinner and took the empty plate into the kitchen, he didn't say a word. Unable to stand the silence any more Charlie stood to her feet and followed him into the kitchen

"I hate how things are right now Brax"

Brax clicked his tongue as he dried off the plate "It's been like this for over two weeks and you seemed fine with it before" he opened up a cupboard and placed the plate with the rest

"I'm sorry for not trusting that you would never do that. I know you wouldn't, I just..."

Brax shook his head and turned to face her "But you don't. You don't trust that I wouldn't cheat on you. You were so sure it was gonna be positive you even sent the kids to my mums for the night"

Charlie shook her head and stepped forward "No that's not it " even she knew she wasn't convincing

"You may not know me Charlie but I know you" Brax wiped his hand on the kitchen towel "We don't need to talk about this. I'm not the father so let's just move on"

"But we're not moving on, that's the thing"

Brax gritted his teeth "What the hell do you want from me Charlie? You don't get to decide when we can and can't talk. You've hardly said a word to me for the past two weeks, so why change that now"

"That was because..."

Brax interjected "Because you thought I was screwing other women"

The tone of his voice had Charlie's gaze mist over

"That's not fair Brax. You had been drinking and you said yourself you couldn't remember parts of the night. So how could I believe nothing happened when you wasn't even sure?"

Brax shook his head "No that's where you're wrong. I was sure. I told you time and time again that drunk or not I would never, ever cheat on you. You just chose to think the worse of me"

"You didn't remember Brax... what was I supposed to think?"

"You were supposed to believe me" Brax pointed at his chest "You were supposed to trust that I would never do that to you. You've had plenty nights out with the girls, where you've had a little too much to drink. How would you feel if some random guy came to me and said oh yea I slept with your wife, and I immediately accused you of being unfaithful. Because that's exactly what you did. You immediately assumed the worst in me"

Charlie blinked as she felt a tear roll down her cheek

"I'm so sorry... she had a kid with her" she choked out and Brax sighed

"Makes no difference and I don't want you to be sorry. I'm just wondering what I could possibly do in order for you to just have complete faith in me... just once. Because I'm kinda running out of ideas" with that he walked out of the kitchen and Charlie sagged against the fridge

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks for the review, JarlieFanEver and Pembie

CHAPTER FORTY ONE

Brax shook his head "No that's where you're wrong. I was sure. I told you time and time again that drunk or not I would never, ever cheat on you. You just chose to think the worse of me"

"You didn't remember Brax... what was I supposed to think?"

"You were supposed to believe me" Brax pointed at his chest "You were supposed to trust that I would never do that to you. You've had plenty nights out with the girls, where you've had a little too much to drink. How would you feel if some random guy came to me and said oh yea I slept with your wife, and I immediately accused you of being unfaithful? Because that's exactly what you did. You immediately assumed the worst in me"

Charlie blinked as she felt a tear roll down her cheek

"I'm so sorry... she had a kid with her" she choked out and Brax sighed

"Makes no difference and I don't want you to be sorry. I'm just wondering what I could possibly do in order for you to just have complete faith in me... just once. Because I'm kinda running out of ideas" with that he walked out of the kitchen and Charlie sagged against the fridge

Two days Later

"So…"Cheryl, looked over at Charlie as she pushed Riley's pram "How are things with Brax?"

Charlie looked out at the ocean and sighed "Nothing's changed" she shook her head "He says good morning, is usually out of bed at the crack of dawn, spends some time with Riley, sticks around till it's time for the kids to go to school and then I don't usually see him or speak to him till he gets in at night, just in time to see the kids off to bed, and spend a bit more time with Riley, before he calls it a night" Charlie, gave Cheryl smile that didn't reach her eye's "He's managing to spend time with everyone but me" Charlie shook her read and gave a bitter laugh "It's really saying something when I'm jealous of my own kids"

Cheryl cocked her head slightly as she looked at, Charlie "He needs time"

"That's what everyone keeps saying and I know it's true, but I don't see time making a difference. Whether two days or two weeks, I would still have accused him of cheating"

"And you're sorry for that" replied Cheryl "Brax knows this. And if I know my boy, he just needs reassuring that you do trust him"

Charlie glanced at Cheryl "How can I do that, when he won't talk to me? I call him he doesn't pick my calls and I text him and he doesn't reply. Short of locking him in our room and forcing him to hear me out, I'm all out of ideas"

Cheryl patted, Charlie's arm "I'm sure you'll think of something"

They both carried on walking but Cheryl frowned and stopped as she noticed Charlie slowing down

"What's…" her questioned stopped as she spotted who Charlie was looking at. Sat on the beach on her own was, Nina. Cheryl looked around looking for Hanna but didn't see her. She hadn't seen or heard of Nina since the results came out so she had been sure Nina had already packed up and left

"She's still here" stated Charlie

"Looks like it" replied Cheryl. She watched Charlie cautiously "I don't think this is the best time for you to go talk to her" Charlie was bound to be angry

"Why?" said Charlie "She came into my home and lied against my husband and made me believe those lies. She should at least answer for what she has done"

Before Cheryl could convince Charlie otherwise Charlie had already turned the handle of Riley's pram towards Cheryl and had begun walking down towards Nina

"Charlie" called Cheryl, carefully pushing Riley's pram

Nina sat, her legs crossed under her, looking out at the waves, that seemed so calm… too calm. She waited and watched for a rough wave, something that would match how she was feeling, but everything felt so serine.

She blinked and the results of the test flashed through her memory 'Negative'

She had many times tried to think back to that night, trying to work out what had happened, what she had done. But each time she felt like she was crushing her whole body against a brick and the few times it seems she might be chipping away at that brink, she felt a cold panic rush through her so fierce, she had stopped.

She had moment when she tried to remember that night, but each time she tried she would feel as if someone was cutting her blood supply off, like there was a hand around her neck pinning her down and the last thing she wanted was another fainting spell.

Feeling on the brink of despair, Nina knew it was time to leave the bay, sooner or later, Charlie or someone else would spot her and give her, her comeuppance. Why would they believe that she had truly thought Brax to be Hanna's father?

Hearing an unexpected sound, Nina glanced back and sighed before her gaze turned back to the waves. It looked like that confrontation was going to be sooner than she had thought. The tear that had been lingering on the shadow of her lids spilled over and she quickly whipped them away, just as she heard Charlie's voice

"Why?"

Nina flinched although she had been expecting Charlie's reaction it still caught her off guard. Standing slowly to her feet, she faced Charlie unsure what to say. Her mind was a jumble of mess that she didn't understand so how was she expected to explain herself

"I'm sorry" what else could see say

Charlie stared at Nina "Sorry, that's all you've got to say for yourself" Charlie frowned something was off. She was angry but something about the look in Nina's eyes had Charlie frowning

Nina shook her head, her arms wrapping around her upper body as she stared at Charlie. The waves behind them seemed to have picked up on the change in the atmosphere, because they had now started crashing roughly together. Nina shut her eyes tight as another foggy image ran through her mind

"Nina" Charlie's frown had no deepened and it looked like Nina was about to pass out

Nina's eyes snapped open and she blinked rapidly, till Charlie came back into view. She shook her head, her bottom lip slightly shaky "I didn't... I honestly thought" she blew out a breath "I'm sorry ok" she glanced behind Charlie "I didn't know Hanna wasn't his... I didn't remember it. I didn't know it happened"

Charlie felt a small shiver run up her arm "Remember what... what happened?"

Nina snapped her gaze back to Charlie. Her eyes widened like she felt she had given something away "I... I have to go" before Charlie could register anything, Nina was pacing it down the opposite way of the beach

Charlie watched Nina as she pieced together what had just happened, Nina thinking Brax was Hanna father "Oh no" her voice barley a whisper
...
Three Days Later


"You sure you're up for this?" asked Charlie as she looked over at Heath "I'm thinking you're underestimating how much of a handful Hope and Caleb alone can be"

Heath shrugged "Jack's coming round too... so I'll give your kids to him"

Charlie rolled her eyes "Of course"

"Brax already left for work?" asked Heath, and Charlie's smile faded. She glanced away and gave a small nod

"Yea, he said he had an early start"

Heath nodded "Right. You know he's lying right?"

Charlie cocked her head slightly "Never doubted it" she let out a sigh "I'm kinda just giving him some space at the moment"

Heath shook his head "Yea, you don't want to do that. Brax is a guy, and the more time we have to think without someone getting involved the more pissed we get. And an upset Brax is an unpleasant Brax" Heath sighed mockingly "He's like a girl"

Charlie stared at him "I wish I found this as amusing as you do"

Heath looked at her "Fine I'll be serious but only for a moment, so don't get used to it and don't go telling anyone else either"

Charlie looked at Heath expectantly "Ok, so are you going to actually say anything?"

Heath grinned "It's not only women that like big gestures. We screw up, you want us to show you that we're sorry and that we know we did wrong... right?"

Charlie's eyebrows pushed together in confusion but all the same she nodded and answered "Right"

"Ok, so why shouldn't that work the other way round. You screw up you give a big gesture and show us that you're sorry and that you know you did wrong. Which in this case you kinda did... a little"

Charlie looked at Heath for a moment like he had lost his mind "So if I understand this clearly, what you are saying is that, all I need to do is give some big grand gestures in order to fix this"

Heath nodded "Pretty much. Obviously one that says, sorry I was such an untrusting tool... please forgive me, it will never happen again"

Charlie glared at Heath and he held his hands up, but his grin remained placed "Not calling you a tool or anything... I'm just saying. Let him know you're sorry" He nodded once and then shouted "Will you monsters get out here or I won't be feeding you for the whole day"

Caleb, Hope and Abigail ran out of Hope and Caleb's room, beach toys in hand

"We get all our stuff ready"

Heath looked down at the spades and Buckets

"I never told you we were going to the beach"

All three kids' grinned and Heath groaned

"Yea but you the bestest so you to take us" said Hope and Charlie chuckled and Heath sighed

"Ay kid, flattery will get you everywhere"

"Behave yourselves, ok" Charlie looked down at Hope and Caleb

"We always behave" said Caleb and Charlie and Heath, scoffed simultaneously

"Come on then" Heath ushered the bubbling kids to the door "Hey Charlie" he turned around to face her and Charlie looked at him expectantly "Wear some sexy lingerie... if the big gesture doesn't do it, that will" Heath gave a wink and then throw his head back laughing at the look on Charlie's face

"Just try and return my kids to me without corrupting them"

Heath grinned "Can't promise anything, but don't worry, apparently I'm the bestest"
...
"Hello…" Casey walked into the house with Ruby behind him "Maybe they've all gone out?" he said as they walked into the living room

Just as Ruby was about to reply, a cry sounded from Riley's room "Well unless they've left Riley manning the house I'm thinking someone else is around here somewhere. Mum... Brax?"

"In Riley's room" answered Charlie and Ruby and Casey made their way down the hall

"Hey" Charlie glanced up before looking back down at Riley as she did up his baby grow "You didn't tell me you were coming for the weekend"

Ruby frowned "I spoke to Brax a few days ago, didn't he tell you?"

Charlie gave a small smile and shook her head "He must have just forgot" she picked Riley up "He's been pretty busy at the restaurant lately"

Casey and Ruby glanced at one another and Charlie sighed

"You do know that people can actually see the both of you when you do that?"

Casey grinned "Do what?"

Charlie cocked an eyebrow "The glancing at each other thing... you do it all the time"

Ruby, shrugged "Sorry... habit" she walked to Charlie and took Riley from her

"Hey little guy" Ruby smiled down at him "How is it possible he looks bigger than he did a couple of weeks ago"

Charlie smiled "Probably because he is. He could eat you under the table" she looked down lovingly at her son who was staring up at Ruby, his finger's fisting her hair

"And he as a tight grip" said Ruby as she gently pried her hair from his fingers

"Where are the twins?" asked Casey

"Heath's got them for the day. They wanted to spend the day with Abigail and I think they figured with Heath, they could get away with much more than if I or Bianca took them out. Speaking of, Bianca and Martha are on their way round"

"In that case..."Casey gave Ruby a quick kiss and stroked Riley's cheek "I will leave you all to it" he looked down at Riley again "Good luck with them, little man"

He backed out the door chuckled as both Ruby and Charlie shouted gave him a pointed look

"Bye" he called as he made his way out of the back door, on a mission to find Brax and try and work out what was going n with Charlie

Turning to Charlie, Ruby gave a small sympathetic smile "How grumpy as he been?"

Charlie exhaled "As grumpy as expected and within reason"

"He'll come around" said Ruby and Charlie thought back to what Heath had said. But then she remembered how cold and off Brax had been with her the past few days and she doubted there was anything that she could do to express how sorry she was and that she really did trust him

"Yea I hope so"
...
"You look rough" said Casey as he made his way towards the bar and Brax looked up at him

"Thanks" he shook his head

Casey shrugged as he slid onto a stool and leaned his elbow on the bar "Just calling it like I see it" he looked around the restaurant and saw that it wasn't nowhere near as busy as Charlie had made it see "So why you working on a Saturday, it's not like it's packed up in here" Casey watched Brax for his response

Brax shrugged "Just keeping busy"

"Right" Casey looked at Brax curiously "Just keeping busy"

Brax glanced at Casey, clearly not impressed by his tone, but didn't say anything before resuming his task

"I don't get it" said Casey "You're not the father so why does it feel like things are worse between you and Charlie then they were last time Ruby and I came down"?

"You here to eat or you just here to disturb my peace of mind"

"You dint even tell Charlie that we were coming down for the weekend"

Brax shrugged "Like I said been busy… skipped my mind"

"Funny" replied Casey "You didn't seem all that surprised when I walked in here. So it can't have skipped your mind totally"

Brax gritted his teeth "I wasn't aware you had changed your Uni course to psychology" He closed the folder he was looking through and looked up at Casey "Whatever is going on with I and Charlie is my business, not yours. So I'll ask again" he placed the folder in a draw below the cash registered and locked it "You here to eat or disturb my peace of mind, cause if it's my peace of mind, you're wasting your time"

Casey signed, clearly he wasn't going to get anywhere with Brax but that didn't mean he was going to give up. "Eat first then disturb your peace of mind" Casey stood up and backed away from the bar and into the kitchen

"Hey, where you going? Asked, Brax, although he had a fairly good idea

Casey nodded towards the kitchen "To get something to eat" Casey, grinned and walked into the kitchen

Brax shook his head. His family were going to make him bankrupt. Hearing his phone beep, he pulled it from his pocket and sighed as he saw he had just received a message from Charlie

"I miss you and I'm sorry" She had been sending him this same message every day and for the very first time he looked at the message for a while longer contemplating whether or not to text her back. His pride winning over, he decided against it and pushed the phone back into his pocket. He had already received a message from Heath telling him to pull his head out of his backside and stop sulking

Brax looked up as Casey walked out with a bowl of chips. Pointing at the bowl Casey smirked "Starter, my main course isn't ready yet" sliding back on his previous stool, he shoved another chip into his mouth

Leaning across the bar, Brax hit Casey on the head "This isn't a charity shop"

Casey rolled his eyes "Well I'm a student, I haven't got money to be spending on food"

Brax chuckled "Yea well you don't seem to be wasting away to me"

Casey grinned "I'm just hiding it well"

"Uncle Casey"

Casey and Brax turned around to see Hope, Caleb and Abigail running into the restaurant

"Hey" Casey quickly placed his bowl of chips down on the bar as all three kids practically tackled him to the ground. Casey looked up to see both Heath and Jack following behind them. Jack pushing a pram and Heath looking entirely worn out

"How much does that pram weigh" complained Heath and Jack rolled his eyes

"It doesn't. You're just getting old"

Heath puffed as he walked over to the bar "Beer for me and grub for the kids. Actually some grub for me too"

"And which one of you is paying for this, grub" Brax looked at Heath, expectantly

Heath cocked his head "Well given that two of the little people here are your off springing and I've just spent the better part of the morning and afternoon entertaining them. I think it's only fair we get our grub for free"

Brax chuckled "You think wrong. Kids free, everyone over the age of six pay"

Brax glanced up at the kids as they ran to a booth "Guys be careful" he said and all three plunked themselves down "Do we get chips daddy? We promise not to tell mummy" Hope smiled sweetly and Brax rolled his eyes

"Kids are innocent my foot" he murmured as he walked in other kitchen
...
"I'm going to say I think Heath has got a point. Most especially about the sexy lingerie" Charlie rolled her eyes at Martha

"You know I've never really thought of this, but you're kinda like the male version of Heath" said Ruby and Bianca and Charlie laughed

"That is kinda true, Martha"

Martha gaped at the three of them, before she shrugged "Well I think he makes a valid point but I'm never as blunt as Heath"

Bianca, Charlie and Ruby glanced at one another "Err yea you kinda are"

"You may address thing with a softer tone but you are blunt, Martha" said Bianca

Martha rolled her eyes "Well that just means I and Heath are awesome human beings"

"Or just sex crazed" added Bianca

Martha grinned "And that"

Ruby frowned "You know how disturbing it is that I hear the word sex a lot more when I'm around the three of you than when I'm with people my own age"

Bianca and Martha chuckled and Charlie gave an apologetic smile

"Pleas you're hanging out with the wrong people. When I was in my early twenties, it was all we spoke about"

"Guys" Charlie shook her head no but she couldn't help but laugh at the clear distain on Ruby's face

"Way too much information" said Ruby. She looked down at Riley who was staring at Martha and Bianca in wonder "You are traumatising the poor guy"

Martha turned to Charlie "But seriously what could it hurt. And I will let you know that, me getting butt naked for Jack as yet to fail in making him forgot when he's angry at me for one thing or the other. I mean just last night, I..."

"Stop" Ruby's eyes widened "Please for the love of everything good and for the sake of my remaining innocence do not finish that sentence"

Martha grinned at her "Fine, let's just say I won't need to be hitting the gym for a good few months"

Ruby groaned and closed her eye's

"Yea well have you ever accused Jack of cheating?" Charlie cocked an eyebrow

Martha sighed "Well no... But he would never do that because he values his life"

"Yea and that's just it" Charlie's fingers fumbled together "You trust that Jack would never cheat but me, at the first sign of trouble I point the finger at Brax" Charlie cringed as she remembered the night he had come home and she had handed him Nina's number

"Charlie no one here knows what they would have done if it had happened to one of us. I'm pretty sure proof or not I would have gone ballistic at Jack"

"Let's just sort this out once and for all" said Bianca, as she whipped out her phone

"What you doing?"

"Getting Heath to try and get Brax out of the restaurant earlier tonight" Bianca stood to her feet "We are gonna get you prepped"

Charlie and Ruby both looked up at Bianca with a perplexed look and Bianca sighed "You're going to get him to forgive you by using those temporary big boobs of yours"

Ruby gagged and stood to her feet "Me and my brother are going to leave you guys to it" with her nose turned up she walked down the hall

"This is not a good idea guys" Charlie shook her head. She didn't like the thought of ambushing Brax and possibly pushing him further away

Martha scoffed "This is a great idea"
...
"This isn't going to work" Said Charlie as she sat down on her bed, Bianca and Martha stood in front of her. Bianca stood with a pair of heels and Martha stood with a pair of matching lingerie

"Of course it will" said Martha

Charlie stood form the bed and shook her head "No it won't, if anything it will probably anger him more that I'm trying to sweep this under the rug with sex"

Martha cocked her head and Bianca sighed

"The best thing to do is to just continue to give him space and hope he starts talking to me soon" Walking out of her room and into the living room, Charlie smiled as she saw Ruby sat, still holding Riley

"Hey" Ruby smiled up at her mum "I thought they were getting you all glamoured up"

Charlie sat beside Ruby "Yea, we're not doing that anymore"

Martha and Bianca walked into the living room and looked at Charlie sadly "Ok so maybe the stripping for him thing was a bit much. But couples fight all the time Charlie, don't stress so much, ok" said Martha as she gently took Riley from Ruby "My turn to hold him" she grinned down at Riley as he watched her

Ruby nodded, she got the feeling Brax couldn't be pacified with sex. The thought made her cringe and she frowned a little

"So as Nina fled town?" Ruby said Nina's name like it was a bitter pill

Charlie sat unspoken for a while as she thought back to how Nina had looked the day before, the hollowness in her eyes. Something had happened to Nina and looking at her Charlie had a bad feeling that she had managed to work something out that Nina was still battling with

"Mum?" Ruby's brows knitted together as she looked at Charlie

"Uhm" Charlie looked at Ruby

"She asked if Nina had left town" said Bianca looked at Charlie perplexed "I haven't seen here around so my guess will be that she has"

"No she hasn't" answered Martha, and all three pair of eyes turned to her "I was talking with Roo when I went to pick Oliver up the other day and she was talking about Nina"

"Saying?" asked Bianca

"Not much" replied Martha "Apparently, Sid, was round the other day and Nina refused to talk to him. Roo thinks something is going on with her and obviously I didn't want to mention anything about Brax so I just kept quiet"

"Sid was looking to see her?" asked Charlie and Martha nodded

"That's what Roo said"

Ruby frowned "I'm sorry I know this is off topic but you do know it's really wired that you refer to Roo by her name"

Martha looked at Ruby blankly "What else would I call her"

Ruby pursed her lips as if in thought "Err... I don't know, mum"

Martha shook her head "I much prefer Roo"

Ruby nodded and could tell by the way Charlie and Bianca were looking at her that it was best to drop the subject

"So back to Nina" said Ruby "I don't understand what she is still doing here. Has she not caused enough trouble?"

Charlie sighed. She remembered just after she had found out she was pregnant with Ruby and she had, had to tell her parents what had happened. She remembered that first day she had gone to that group meeting with other girls that had experienced the same thing Grant had put her stuck out to her though was this one girl, she was short, dark cropped hair, hallow faded blue eyes, pale skin. She remembered being envious as the girl had told her story of how she had somehow blocked out the rape, how she had for months somehow managed to get her brain to forget the horrible ordeal. Charlie had sat in wonder and wished she could do just that, block it out, somehow forget it had happened. But then the young girl went on to explain, how not remembering was almost worse that knowing, because it was like you mind didn't remember but it didn't forget, a part of you was dead but you didn't know why. Certain things scared you and at times you felt like you were drowning

"I think something bad happened to her"

Martha, Bianca and Ruby all peered at Charlie confused

"To Nina?" asked Bianca and Charlie nodded

"Yeah. I saw her yesterday on the beach and something was really off" said Charlie.

"What do you mean something bad? She might just be an attention seeker?" said Ruby and Charlie shook her head

"There was this look on her face, like she was really hurting and she couldn't figure out why... or was only starting to figure it out" There were signs that Charlie could see, that led her to believe that her assumption was correct. It didn't matter what Nina had done, Charlie would never wish that on anyone

"What are you talking about?" said Marta "Are you sure whatever look you saw on her face wasn't that of guilt"

Charlie sighed and looked at her friends "I don't think she was lying when she said Brax was the father. I think she truly believed he was" she glanced at Ruby "When she came to see me ,that first time she was adamant that Brax was the last person she was with that night, but I think Brax is the last person she remembered seeing that night"

"Ok" Martha nodded slowly "I really want to understand what you're trying to say but I'm hella confused"

Charlie bit into her bottom lip "I think something bad happened to her that night after Brax left and I think she's somehow blocked it out"

Silence fell for a few seconds, before Ruby spoke "Are you saying you think she was raped?" she seemed horrified

"I can't know for sure, but yea" Charlie sighed "I think she's been suffering from repressed memory"

Bianca frowned "How can you possibly know this from just seeing her yesterday"

Charlie shrugged "That look in her eyes, I've seen in before" she sighed and shook her head. She didn't want to start thinking about what had happened with Grant or the months following it. "Like I said I can't be sure" she looked over at Riley as he began to whimper

"It's feeding time" she said" and looked up at Martha "You best pass him over before he starts crying. Trust me it's not a pretty sight"
...
Charlie and Ruby looked up as Heath and Casey walked in with a sleeping Hope and Caleb in their arms

"I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to return them" said Charlie, noting that it was past seven

"Yes well, it seems your kids are the most persuasive little people ever alive" said Heath and Casey chuckled

"They begged to spend more time with Abi and Heath being a big softie couldn't say no. They are completely shattered"

Charlie smiled "Just take them straight through. I'll come and try and change them in to their pj's" Heath and Casey nodded and walked to the twins room

"Why don't you go get Riley settled? Casey and I will change the twins" said Ruby

Charlie nodded as Ruby stood to her feet "Thanks"

Picking a now sleeping Riley up from his moses basket, Charlie looked up to see Heath walking down the hall "You look shattered"

Heath yawned "I feel like I've been at the gym two days straight" he rubbed his hand against the back of his neck "Braxton kids are way too much for me to handle, next time I'll just drop Abi here"

Charlie chuckled "You'll get used to it"

Heath scoffed "No I won't because I am never doing that again"

Charlie smiled "We'll see"

Heath walked to the back door "Oh yeah, restaurant closed for the night. Brax gave staff the night off and closed the restaurant, don't think he's up for being around people. Pretty sure he's alone at the restaurant right now" not waiting for Charlie to reply he walked out the door, closing it behind him
...
Brax looked over the inventory; making sure everything looked the way it should. Satisfied, he closed the file and sighed. He needed to get going home. His gaze lifted as he heard footsteps in the restaurant. Pushing his chair back, he frowned as he looked up at the time; 10:42. Why the hell was anyone in the restaurant at this time of the night. Opening the door of his office he stepped out, his gaze shifting around the restaurant till he saw her stood at the foot of the entrance

"Charlie?" he frowned as he stepped further into the restaurant

"Err... Heath said you had closed the restaurant early today, but that was over three hours ago" she spoke quietly, but her gaze never shifted from his

Brax watched her "Yea… I had to get some of the books up to date. Only just got them finished" he cleared his throat "Where are the kids?"

"Ruby and Casey are with them. They're all out for the night"

Brax nodded once and Charlie took a few steps towards him

"I err... just wanted to check that you are ok?"

Brax nodded "Yea, like I said, I was just doing the books"

Charlie noted that he was alone, something she had mentioned to him earlier in their marriage that she didn't like but then at this moment he wasn't obliged to consider her feelings

Unsure how to proceed but knowing she needed to say something, Charlie, said what was in her heart

"I hurt you, I know that"

Brax glanced down at her hands as she fiddled with them, she was nervous, that much he could tell but still he didn't say anything

"I don't know how I can show you that I am sorry, because I really am" she blinked rapidly, her gaze moving down to her fingers. Noticing herself what she was doing she pulled them apart and placed her hands at her side. She looked back up at Brax "I should have trusted you because I know you would never hurt me, I know you always put me first and I know that you love me" she nodded "I do" She bit the corner of her bottom lip

"I know you don't want to talk to me or even be around me at the moment and I get that because I messed up, but, Brax I miss you... so much" Charlie felt her throat closing up. She was desperate to make things right between them "I hate that you're disappointed in me. And I hate that I've made you feel like you could never have my full trust because the stupid thing is you do. I know it doesn't seem like it but I was scared and I let that override everything else" her hands balled into fists at her side "So yea..." she cleared her throat and clicked her tongue as a tear ran down her cheek. Quickly wiping it away she looked at Brax "I just wanted to say sorry...again" she watched for a moment longer but Brax stood not saying a word. "I should get going... if you haven't already eaten, there is some casserole left in the oven for you" and with that she turned from him

Brax watched her for a moment before cursing under his breath

"I'm not disappointed in you" he walked to Charlie as she turned around. He may have been hurt by her lack of trust but he didn't like seeing her cry. He sighed and brought his hand up to wipe away the remainder of her tears. She smiled lightly as she leaned into his touch

"You not trusting me hurt, ok" he looked at her "I don't think I have ever done anything that would warrant you not trusting me. I've always tried to show you just how much I love you"

"I know" Charlie nodded "I do know that you love me and I do know that you will never hurt me"

Brax looked at her and gave a small smile "Ok" he nodded

Charlie frowned "Ok, you've heard what I have to say, now you want me to go or ok, I'm forgiven and tomorrow I'll wake up and you'll still be in bed beside me?"

Brax's smile widened a little and he sighed "Ok, you'll wake up and find me in bed next to you in the morning"

Charlie smiled and placed her hands on his chest "I am sorry and I will never doubt you again... ever"

Brax chuckled "So you've said" he placed on hand on her hip and the other over her hand on his chest "I need to know that you trust me completely Charlie. I don't want to have to jump through hoops to gain your trust... I shouldn't have to and I wont" he frowned a little

Charlie shook her head vigorously "You won't, I promise. I trust you wholly and completely" she looked into his eyes and Brax smiled

"Ok"

Charlie returned his smile "Ok?"

Pulling her in closer, Brax wrapped both his arms around her waist "And I've missed you too"

"Good" Charlie, smiled "I was beginning to think you are immune to me"

Brax's lips curved up, showcasing his dimples "Not possible" Before Charlie could reply he took her lips in his, slowly, soft

Wrapping her hands around Brax's neck, Charlie deepened the kiss, her fingers toying with the hair at the nap of his neck

Pulling back, Brax looked down at her "You really did miss me" he grinned and Charlie found herself blushing under his gaze

"I've missed kissing you" replied Charlie, her hands moving back down to his chest

Brax nodded and leaned his forehead against Charlie's. He grinned as Charlie placed another, even if quick kiss on his lips

Charlie smiled "Sorry" she pulled her head back so she could look at him properly "You want me to wait for you to finish up here"

"I'm done now" said Brax. Pulling away from her he walked back to the bar. Let me just make sure everything is switched off then we can head off

Charlie smiled at him and her smile widened when Brax really smiled at her "Ok"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.