Shadow of the Day

[pembie]

Wonder if there will be some romance between Brax and Marissa? Shame she doesnt know she has competition with Charlie still.

I'm thinking something bad may happen to Ruby if she keeps taking these pills.

[soph1303]

Great update,

I think that eventually Brax will move on with marissa, but certainly not for a while and until he's learnt to deal with his grief.

I hope Brax is successful with the adoption !!

really want to know what Brax gave ruby!!! I feel like it's gonna be something that belonged to charlie!!

More soon please

[JosieTash]

2 GREAT updates, !!!!!LOOOOOOOOOVED that, especially …..

 ‘So, I heard someone wanted a whale,’ Brax hated it when Charlie saw him with other people around. It was always so much harder to remember. Picking up the micro bead whale, she tossed it to the girls.

Jade looked down at the stuffed toy in her hands. ‘This only a toy,’

‘Yeah, but it looks just like the real one,’ Ruby kissed Jade. ‘Esther’s too big to come here and she has her other family to spend Christmas with,’

‘Is Esther my whale?’ Jade inquired.

Brax smiled as he picked up the papers on the table. ‘Yeah, Esther lives in Hawaii and is two years old. We adopted her; see we’ve even got the adoption papers.’

For a ten dollar donation per month to the save the whale charity, the orca whale was all theirs in name. Ruby cringed a little at the mention of adoption but let it go. Instead, she showed Jade he photograph of her rather large present. ‘Just so we’re clear, Esther can’t live here okay? She has to stay in Hawaii.’

‘Then we go to Hawaii?’ Jade admired the beautiful picture of her very own whale jumping through the ocean, posing mid-air.

 Jade groaned but she was still ecstatic about Esther the whale. She held the photograph like it was the gold at the end of the rainbow. ‘I pin this up on cookie board, you help me right Ruby?’

‘It’s cork board honey. Ruby laughed as she stood up. ‘Lead the way,’

‘You forgot to give Ruby her present. Don’t want her to think you left her out do you?’ Charlie smiled as she watched Brax. Brax, who was pouring the milk into the mug gulped as he placed the carton on the counter and gripped the edge. As much as he wanted to spend Christmas with Charlie, in reality, it just wouldn’t work out in his favour.

 ‘I think it’s great,’ April declared. ‘Every one’s too busy adopting puppies and third world children, no one thinks about adopting the poor endangered whales. I’m sure the people caring for Esther really appreciate the donations,’

 Brax walked back from the kitchen with his mug. Beside him was Charlie. ‘You know you still haven’t given Ruby her present yet. Tick tock, clock’s ticking,’

‘Shut up,’ Brax grumbled and his eyes widened when everyone looked at him. ‘Sorry, not you,’

Liam looked at him oddly. ‘Okay, mate, you right?’

‘Yeah, yeah, course I am,’ Brax leant against the round dining table and took a sip.

‘Nah, Jade’s a lovely little one, no trouble at all,’ Irene said, ‘she gets a tad too idealistic and imaginative at times but that never hurt anyone,’

‘I kind of agree with Irene, Jade’s an angel,’ Charlie was leaning beside Brax on the table. She looked sideways at him, thumbs in the pockets of her pastel dress. ‘A little touch of heaven on Earth, kind of like me, well, not me because I’m not exactly here but…’

 ‘I don’t care what anyone says, this time, it really was not me!’ Charlie exclaimed. Back in the good old days, Charlie had been responsible for many kitchen mishaps in the Patterson house. Brax laughed hysterically at Charlie’s comment and earned himself a deathly glare from Bianca.

 ‘I have to think about it, I just don’t want it to feel like we’re giving up on our own,’’ Bianca was a little unconvinced. It wasn’t just that she wanted a baby, she wanted to be pregnant. Liam had a point though. Looking at the close relationship between Jade and Brax, it was hard to believe they didn’t share the same genes. But still, it was a big decision.

‘We wouldn’t be giving up, we’d be trying harder,’ Liam smiled and put a palm on the small of her back. ‘We’ll talk later. Come on; let’s get back to the party.’

 ‘I’m not going to hurt you Darryl,’ Marissa had laughed the first time they met. ‘I’m at least half your size. Just ease up and relax a bit.’

Brax hadn’t realised he was grabbing the arms of the chair until his knuckles were white. Hesitantly, he let go and watched the blood rush back his to hand in a pink flush. ‘I’m a little nervous,’

 Brax was still concerned. He’d already lost Charlie less than a fortnight ago. He couldn’t lose Jade too. Luckily he had little to worry about. Every three months, Marissa Gold would check in on the Braxtons and return to the office with glowing reviews. It was hard to consider her as the enemy, and Brax now considered her a good friend

 Brax had thought long and hard before he dotted the I’s and crossed the t’s. He knew this might make Ruby upset but he had to try. If he didn’t, he’d always be wondering. And anyway, chances were Brax might not even get a chance. He wasn’t exactly a saint, and any court would see it.

‘Brax, is that you?’ Brax turned around and saw Marissa Gold walking up the beach path towards him. The social worker wore a summery dress, quite different to the business wear he was used to seeing her in. ‘It is, hi, how are you?’

‘Yeah, yeah, I’m good,’ Brax gestured to the beach. ‘I would’ve never guessed you for a beach person,’

 ‘I think she likes you,’ Charlie was leaning against the wooden railing separating the beach from the grassy area. Brax turned around and walked away from the surf club towards his house and towards a certain sense of privacy.

‘What makes you think that?’

‘Oh, it’s girl thing. We just know these things, trust me,’ Charlie was keeping up with his stride.

 ‘You know, what’s weird, dating a dead girl,’ Charlie scrunched up her face teasingly. ‘Although, I can understand why it would have its perks. I mean, you’d save money on dinner dates for one. I don’t eat.’

‘And I wouldn’t have to dish out on presents,’ Brax turned the corner into his neighbourhood and walked down the sidewalk. The Austin house sat right in front, a few metres away.

‘Oh yes you would. You’d shower me with kisses,’

 The box sat on Ruby’s dresser, haunting her with its presence. She had found it on her pillow when she got home Christmas evening after a lovely day with the Palmers. Two weeks later and it still sat unopened.

Casey had left a note with the box. The box was a Christmas present Brax had enlisted his little brother to deliver. Ruby couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows. Why not just give it himself? She knew before she even thought it. When she’d first noticed it was from Brax, Ruby had stood in front of the bin and held the gift box over the top of it and watched it fall in. There was no way she would accept a gift from Brax. Her civility of late was for Jade’s benefit, that was all it was, mere civility

Yet it still sat on the top of the dresser; haunting her with its never ending presence. Somehow, with a little unwitting help from Ruby, the box had found its way out of the rubbish bin and onto her dresser. And it was glaring at Ruby, begging her, daring her to open it and take a peek inside.

Unable to bear it any longer, Ruby sighed and marched over to the dresser, grabbing the gift and stuffing into the deep recesses of her underwear drawer. Piling her clothes on top of it so it was well covered, she closed the drawer and returned to the full length mirror where she was brushed her hair to go out that night. She was dressed in a pink flowing maxi dress belted at the waist.

Smoothing down the curls in her hair and doing one last check in the mirror, Ruby could still feel the presence of Brax’ present. It was driving her crazy and glancing over at the dresser every few seconds wasn’t helping. Ruby concluded that she needed a little pick me up before the bonfire that night; the box was driving her crazy.

Marching back to her underwear drawer, she sifted through her unmentionables and her hand roamed to the box again. One touch of the silk material and Ruby jumped away like it was on fire. Instead, she worked around the silk gift box and found the miniature drawstring bag she wanted. Inside was a pill that would make her euphoric until the early hours of the morning. She wouldn’t be haunted by a silly Christmas present for hours.

Closing the drawer, Ruby took a deep breath before popping the pill in her mouth and swallowing it dry. Back at the full length mirror, she shook out her hair so it bounced freely. Before she had only looked ready to go out, but now, Ruby was unstoppable. Grabbing her clutch, Ruby stepped out of her room, out of the house and into the hopes and dreams that the night would offer.

[mizziette]

Hey guys, thanks for commenting, not sure what you'll think of this next one but here you go

TWENTY TWO

It wasn’t every day Ruby walked into the Braxton house with a bag of frozen peas on her hand but after running into Grant, Casey had taken her there. She was still fuming.

Brax immediately noticed that something was wrong when they entered, Ruby nursing grazed knuckles. ‘Rubes, what did you do to your hand?’

‘Is mum home?’ Brax shook her head. ‘Good, she can’t know about this,’

‘What’re you talking about?’

‘I punched my dad. I saw he was back in town and…’ Ruby gestured a punching mime with her hand. ‘It just happened. He’s not supposed to be here.’

‘Grant’s here?’ Brax was worried. This was the last thing Charlie needed. Casey, on the other hand looked even more confused than he’d been at the diner.

‘Guys, what’s going on? This Grant guy, he’s your dad?’ Ruby, who was now sitting on the couch, nodded to Casey. ‘Why are you smashing him?’

‘He’s just a bad guy okay? He hurt mum and we don’t want him anywhere near us,’ Ruby didn’t feel comfortable explaining for some reason. ‘And we definitely don’t need to tell Charlie.’

‘Yeah, she’s been through enough lately.’ Brax agreed. Casey was still a little confused.

‘Where is Charlie anyway?’

‘She took Jade to see the new Happy Feet movie. Charlie’s been spending a lot more time with her these days, so I can’t complain,’ There had been times earlier that year where Charlie could hardly look at her baby. It had taken a while to connect.

‘You didn’t go?’ Casey inquired.

Brax shook his head. ‘Nah, I had a meeting with Ethan Grant this morning. He’s the new investor in Angelo’s. We had some stuff to discuss.’

Ruby felt a tear slide down her cheek. Casey leaned to touch her shoulder but she moved away. It was one thing to not want Charlie to be scared but she was a little put off as well. Grant had said he was there for her, not Charlie. Ruby stood up and wiped her tears away. ‘I should go,’

‘Yeah, I’ll take you home,’ Casey put his hand on the small of her back and Ruby took a step forward to avoid his touch.

‘No,’ Ruby realised her voice too abrupt and faked a small smile at Casey. ‘No thanks, I can find my own way,’

The door opened. Charlie walked in carrying Jade bridal style, scrunching up her face as she leant in to tickle her daughter with her kisses, making her giggle in a fit. They didn’t even notice the company. ‘Careful angel, mummy’s going to have to tickle you,’

‘No-no, no-no,’ Jade shook her head in concern but it was too late; her mother was blowing air onto her; the air tickling her sensitive skin.

Brax couldn’t help but smile at this display of affection. The genuine happiness between the two was a rare experience. Ruby was right, they had to protect Charlie. ‘How was the movie?’

‘Yeah,’ this was Jade’s way of communicating that it was good. For the first time Charlie noticed all the faces in the room. Ruby’s in particular surprised her. Her eldest daughter hadn’t gotten along with Brax for a while now; it was unusual for her to be around the Braxton house without Charlie.

‘What on earth happened to your hand?’ Motherly concern wrapped around Charlie face as she placed Jade on the ground, just learning how to walk and stumbled around in circles.

‘I tripped on the kerb and used my fist to stop myself from falling face first onto the sidewalk. I probably should’ve used my palm but I wasn’t thinking.’ Ruby had come up with that explanation on the way there. It was half plausible.

Charlie’s concerned eyes eyed the bag of frozen peas in Ruby’s left hand. ‘Well, keep that ice on your knuckles. I don’t want you hurting any more than you have to.’

Grant had stayed away from the Bucktons since that punch in the diner. Ruby and the Braxton brothers had thought he was gone for good. None expected it when Grant Bledcoe revealed himself the day of Charlie’s engagement party. Especially not Brax, when he recognised Ruby’s father and realised he had contributed to Grant’s involvement.

On the picturesque beach of Summer Bay, all was quiet but for the father and daughter, surfing in the ocean. It was early in the morning and they splashed around happily under the summer sun. Jade, on her boogie board, rode a wave while Brax watched sitting on his board.

‘She lives for the water, just like you,’ Charlie commented. She floated on her back beside Brax, her face gazing towards the sky.

Brax simply smiled. He liked the idea of Jade having something common with him. It warmed his heart to know that a little part of him belonged to her when so much else didn’t. It wasn’t like Brax could say that they shared physical features, after all. ‘Yeah, like me,’

Jade paddled over to her father, ‘Daddy, did you see me?’

‘Yeah, I saw you, you’re getting better every day,’ Brax applauded proudly. Jade gleamed at the compliment.

‘I’m gonna go again, okay?’ Brax nodded and Jade paddled over to the next wave.

‘Hey Charlie, do you think I’ll get it?’ Brax was asking about the adoption. He needed that reassurance that it would work out. He needed to know. But he received no answer. Charlie had floated behind him a few seconds ago so he turned around. There was nothing there.

‘Charlie?’ Brax panicked. ‘Charlie, where are you?’

Brax noticed her engagement ring floating in the ocean. Logic failed to inform him that rings didn’t float in water and Brax got off his board and dived into the ocean.

The water enveloped him and Brax strained to see past the salty water stinging his eyes. From what little he could see, there was nothing but a little seaweed under there. Swimming desperately through, Brax started struggling for air after a while and came up for air. ‘Hello?’

Charlie wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Brax searched the horizon but found nothing. Jade was still riding the wave blissfully. Charlie wasn’t the best swimmer; Brax couldn’t bear to lose her again to the dangers of the ocean. He should’ve kept an eye on her. Taking another deep breath, Brax put his head under the water again.

Ruby was walking along the beach that morning when she noticed something odd. She was feeling quite low after the initial high of her pills wore off and the world suddenly seemed duller. Her mouth dry as a desert, Ruby frowned when she noticed Jade body boarding in the ocean all alone. Brax was nowhere to be found.

Anger fuelled her and she couldn’t believe a four year old girl was being left alone in the ocean without supervision. Ruby didn’t realise that Brax was diving into the ocean looking for someone that wasn’t there but that would have equally enraged her.

Her anger was fuelled by concern when Jade got hit by a large wave and fell off her board. The strap was on her ankle but she was gone. Without thinking, Ruby ran into the water in her pink maxi dress and dove towards Jade.

Brax stayed underwater for as long as he could, afraid that Charlie was gone again but eventually he had to come up for air. When he did, the commotion around him was startling. Ruby was in the near distance, holding onto a scared Jade sitting on her board, coughing from swallowing water and rubbing her salty eyes. Brax swam over to them.

‘What happened?’ Brax stammered. Something had happened.

‘Where the hell were you?’ Ruby shouted at him while simultaneously soothing her little sister by rubbing her back. ‘My sister could’ve drowned!’

‘She was…she was missing, I had to look for…’ Brax wasn’t talking about Jade being missing like Ruby assumed but of Charlie but no one but him knew that. Overcome with tremendous guilt, he looked like he was about to cry. ‘I was just…I didn't...’

‘No, you didn't think, did you? You're unbelievable. I think Jade should spend the night with me,’ Ruby began swimming and dragging the body board towards the shore, leaving Brax perplexed. Jade, after her ordeal, looked quite excited at the idea of a sleepover.

Brax didn’t argue. He was left alone in the ocean, watching the shore where Ruby stood towelling Jade down. Charlie was beside the girls. The guilt kept gnawing at him, eating away his defence screen with force. His concern for Charlie had caused him to neglect his responsibilities. Brax couldn’t possibly imagine ever forgiving himself.

Maybe Ruby was right. Maybe he didn’t deserve her. Maybe, just maybe, Brax was bad luck and should be well avoided. There were so many maybes but never a straight answer; Darryl Braxton’s mind was nothing if not confusion and remorse. Never had he thought that seeing Charlie would be a bad thing, but now, the questions were entering his mind in a rush, jumbling his thoughts til they were undistinguishable.

[kiwi151]

Loved the chapter and the dilemma that Brax is facing. Thanks xx

[Inactive User]

Great chapter Update soon please xx

[pembie]

Ok I have got to admit I was a tiny abit confused by the start of this chapter I didn't realise it was a flashback. I wonder if Grant killed Charlie?

I know this sounds quite bad but I think Brax has to let Charlie go now. Otherwise he will end up losing Jade too. I did feel sorry for him searching round in the water for her.

More soon.

[soph1303]

Great update,

I too am wondering if grant had some part in Charlies death??

Aww I really felt for Brax in that update !!

More soon Please

[Zetti]

Poor Brax and I didnt think I'd say that but Ruby did have a point, he could have put Jade in serious danger, and it was not going to end well..

Brax really needs to let go, not doing him any good at all.

[mizziette]

Hey thanks for the reviews, hope this one's alright

TWENTY THREE

‘Ruby, think about this for a second, do you have any idea what you’re saying?’ Morag sounded exasperated on the phone. It was the middle of the night and even though she was used to late nights, a hysterical call from her granddaughter was a little more than she could handle so late.

‘Yes,’ Ruby’s voice was a hissed whisper. Jade lay in Ruby’s bed down the hall, fast asleep. While Ruby sat curled up on the couch, she knew she had to do something. ‘I want my sister,’

‘I don’t think you understand, I’m the last person to jump on the Darryl Braxton bandwagon but Mr Braxton is Jade’s father, whether you like it or not. He’s been looking after the girl her entire life; consider Jade in this. She loves him.’ Morag wished she could talk some sense into Ruby. The girl was clearly upset and a little misguided. ‘You can’t just turn her life upside down,’

‘You don’t get it Morag. Brax is really irresponsible. He left her unsupervised, what kind of person does that? Jade could’ve been seriously hurt.’ Ruby argued. ‘I want her to live with me. That way, I can keep an eye on her,’

‘And you’re going to do that between your all-night binges are you? Yes, I know about your little habits, I’m no fool. You can wipe that shock off your face,’ Ruby shut her gaping mouth. Morag sighed as she looked out of her window in the city apartment at the view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. ‘Look, Ruby, get a good night’s sleep, you’ve had a big day. It might be clearer in the morning. Good night,’

‘But Morag…’

‘That wasn’t a suggestion, I expect you to be in bed, good night,’ the voice was stern and it was quickly followed by a click. Ruby sighed as she shut her phone off and stood up to go back to her room but halted; startled by the person behind her.

‘Sorry it’s just me,’ Xavier smiled in the moonlit room. There was more shadow than light and Xavier’s face was darkened. ‘Are you serious about what you just said?’

‘You’re eaves dropping?’ Ruby questioned defensively but decided to let it go. ‘It’s not really any of your business.’

‘You were talking to Morag? What’re you going to do Ruby, sue for custody? Think about Jade’s best interests.’ Xavier loudly whispered so as not to wake their roommates.

Ruby hissed as she took a step closer. ‘I am thinking about Jade’s best interests! That’s all I think about.’

‘What makes you think a court’s going to rule you in favour?’

‘I’m a blood relative. Surely that’s more substantial. And anyway, he’s a river boy, a violent criminal, an ex-drug dealer among others.’

‘And you’re a drug user,’ Xavier countered calmly, eyes full of concern. ‘Rubes, I know this sounds harsh but it’s true. And you’re on criminal charges too. Did you forget about that? You don’t have a steady job; you’re only twenty three and you party all night. You have no idea what kind of responsibility you’ll be in for caring for a toddler.’

‘Well, at least now I know how much you care,’ Ruby scoffed, insulted by the obvious truth. Everything Xavier was saying was right and she hated it.

‘I’m just being realistic, and Morag would say the exact same thing when you talk to her again, you know she would.’ Xavier sighed. He hated being so brutally honest but after months of watching his friend self-destruct, he couldn’t take it anymore. Xavier sighed and took a step closer, holding Ruby’s upper arms caringly. ‘I do care about you,’

‘Then stop interfering,’ Ruby didn’t want to look at him in the eye so she looked down pitifully. They were now so close they could feel their warm breaths mingling. A tear slipped from her eye.

Xavier wiped it away gently, his hand lingering near her neck. ‘I’m interfering because I care. Don’t you get it? Ruby, I just want you to be happy. And no matter how much you laugh and joke, I know you’re not, and that kills me.’

‘It does?’ Ruby’s tearful voice broke. Before she knew it, she was sobbing quietly and Xavier hugged her to his chest. Ruby’s arms worked around his neck clingingly. ‘She’s all I have left, Xav. Jade’s all I have left, without her I have nothing again. I can’t lose her too,’

‘You won’t. Hush,’ Xavier smoothed Ruby’s hair. Eventually, Ruby’s sobs died down and she slowly moved apart from Xavier. She looked at him as she did so, her face wet and desperate. Their faces were so close their noses touched. And then she moved her lips t touch his.

Ruby pulled back immediately, shocked at what she’d done. When she noticed the calmness on Xavier’s face, she eased and experimentally moved her lips to his again. This time they didn’t pull apart. Xavier held her close to him as they kissed for the first time in over six years, revelling in the emotional rollercoaster of the moment. It felt like they had never been apart.

Short of breath, Ruby took a break, breathless and full of desire. ‘It’s late, I…I promised Morag I’d go to bed,’

‘I have a bed,’ Xavier wasn’t thinking about the future, just the moment, then and there, him and Ruby, together. His breath was equally raspy. ‘I know how to share,’

‘Do you now?’ Ruby was barely audible and she leaned on her tip toes to kiss Xavier again, hoping he could kiss away her troubles. In his arms, Ruby felt safe and could see her confused worries wash away to reveal something a little more beautiful.

There were four empty bottles on the table in front of Brax and they hadn’t been there that morning. A fifth bottle sat by Brax’ hand and it was looking to head in the same direction. Brax poured some more alcohol down his throat and felt the sensations as it stung but it still wasn’t enough. He slammed the bottle angrily down on the table and turned his head sideways to look at Charlie leaning against the kitchen counter.

‘Go away Charlie, just go,’ Brax was feeling exceptionally sorry for himself after his moment in the ocean and Charlie was the last person he wanted to see. That morning at the beach had been a wakeup call for him. Charlie had nearly caused him to put Jade in harm’s way. Charlie couldn’t stay.

Charlie was also very much upset. Her voice was broken and tears were forming slowly. ‘I just want to be here for you, Brax. I can take care of you,’

‘I don’t want you here,’ Brax snapped loudly, making Charlie jump. This was a blatant lie and they both knew it. Charlie was the one thing he wanted there more than anything. He didn’t want to let go. ‘I don’t want you here…I don’t, I can’t have you here.’

Brax sounded like he was trying to convince himself not anyone else. Charlie let out a little sob. She moved forward slowly towards the table. ‘You don’t mean that. Brax, you love me. I thought you loved me,’

Brax allowed himself to glance up and look at Charlie’s face and he immediately knew it was a mistake. The sorrow in her eyes was unbearable. Desperately, he tore himself away from her pleading gaze. ‘I do love you, more than anything,’

‘Then I can stay?’ Charlie’s voice lit up in hope. Brax stood up and walked over to the counter and placed his empty beer bottle on the counter past Charlie. He sighed. ‘You don’t want me anymore,’

‘Charlie, don’t do this to me,’ Brax knew he had to do the right thing by Jade; the living came first but hearing Charlie’s voice break…he couldn’t cope. ‘Jade nearly drowned today. Don’t do this to me,’

Brax started to walk away to the hallway. Charlie followed in panic. ‘I didn’t know. I’m sorry. I didn’t know about Jade, I didn’t know you’d get distracted. You don’t blame me?’

Brax reached his bedroom door and turned around, one hand on the door handle behind him. Charlie stood in front of him with tears in her eyes. Brax cupped her face with his right hand and gently placed a kiss on her lips, leaving her wanting more. He felt the warmth of her breath and the silkiness of her skin. How could something that felt so beautiful be so wrong? Brax whispered, ‘I love you Charlie,’

Before he could change his mind, Brax opened the door and rushed inside, shutting it after him. Leaning his back against the door, Brax slid down the length of it til he was seated on the floor, barricading the door. Tears formed in his eyes.

‘Brax? Brax?’ He could hear Charlie’s pleas and it took all his strength and will not to succumb to her desperate pleading. Brax sat in that spot for what seemed like forever, covering his ears, fighting the urge to let Charlie in to his life again. After what seemed like forever, the house was deathly quiet. At the realisation, the hole in Brax’ heart expanded to twice the size it had been before.

Unable to cope with the silence, Brax decided he needed to get out of the house. Grabbing his keys, he slowly opened the door, half hoping to find Charlie on the other side but the hallway was empty. He was all alone.