Forever Yours

[Danni02]

Thanks everyone. Hope this one is okay.

Chapter 141

Charlie was laying on the beach, her eyes closed as she soaked up the sun. She thought about how perfect her life was at this precise moment, she was finally Mrs Braxton, and even though she’d only been married to Brax for around 20 hours, she’d so far loved every second of being Mrs Braxton, although that was to be expected as they were having a few days to themselves, or a ‘minimoon’ as Brax called it. She opened her eyes as she felt drips of water falling onto her, and wondered if the weather had changed quickly. She looked up to see Brax grinning as he was kneeling over her. “I thought you were rain.” Charlie laughed lightly.

“Uh-uh,” Brax shook his head. “Rain is miserable and I am definitely not miserable.” Brax smiled as he leaned down and placed a kiss on Charlie’s lips. Charlie returned the kiss as she brought her hands up and rested them on the back of Brax’s head as the kiss deepened. “Mmm I love this.” Brax smiled as he sat down next to Charlie on the sand.

“Me too,” Charlie smiled as she sat up and rested her head against his chest as he wrapped his arm around her. “How was the water?”

“Lovely,” Brax answered. “You promised me that you’d be following me in though. 5 minutes you said. Didn’t see you there.”

“It’s only 10am. There’s still all day for me to swim.”

“But it’s our minimoon,” Brax pouted. “Please.”

Charlie laughed lightly. “You know you can call it a honeymoon.”

“But it’s only a couple of days.” Brax exhaled lightly. “Come a few days we’ll be back with the kids and it’ll be a real holiday, so it’s our minimoon.”

“One day or 100 days it would be a honeymoon,” Charlie laughed. “But, okay, minimoon it is.” Charlie rolled her eyes as she looked up to Brax.

“So where were we?” Brax questioned. “Oh yes, please come in the water. We don’t need to swim.” Brax shook his head before a cheeky grin came onto his face. “There’s this gorgeous little area just round there,” Brax smiled as he pointed out into the ocean. I think it would be a fantastic place to uhm well you know,” Brax cleared his throat as he went redder. “Consummate our marriage.”

Charlie laughed. “Didn’t we do that already last night? Twice?”

“Well yeah.” Brax grinned. “But not in the water. It’ll be hot.”

“Ah it’ll be hot will it?” Charlie questioned.

“Mmm really hot.” Brax grinned as he ran his hand down Charlie’s back.

“Well if that’s the case,” Charlie raised her eyes before she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Brax’s lips. Brax deepened the kiss as he pulled Charlie’s tiny frame closer to him so their bodies were pressed together. He ran his hands up her back and pulled on the string of her bikini top. “Uh-uh,” Charlie shook her head as she pulled back and stood to her feet. “We’re not in the water yet.” Charlie held her hands out and Brax took a told of them and stood to his feet before they met in an embrace. Brax lifted Charlie up and she wrapped her legs around his waist as Brax walked down towards the ocean, their kiss never breaking.

*******

“Ruby you are getting fat.” Riley giggled as she placed her hand onto her recently formed bump.

“She’s not fat,” Jacob shook his head. “She is having a baby Riley.”

“Oh,” Riley giggled. “So it’s the baby I see?”

“Yeah,” Ruby answered. “This is my baby.” Ruby placed her hand onto her bump and smiled lightly.

“What you got?” Paige questioned.

“We don’t know what it is yet,” Xavier shook his head. “But if we want to the doctor can tell us at our next scan.”

“How does the doctor see it?” Riley asked. “Do he look in here?” Riley put her finger onto Ruby’s bellybutton, causing her and Xavier to laugh.

“No no,” Ruby shook her head. “He’ll use a special machine to find out.”

“Cool.” Paige said. “Will you know?”

“I don’t think so,” Xavier answered. “We will leave it to be a surprise.”

“How do it get out of you?” Riley asked.

“Ah where’s your mummy and daddy when we need them eh.” Ruby said as she ruffled Riley’s hair.

“Theys on moneymoon.” Paige grinned.

“Yeah they’s got married.” Riley added.

“So where do babies come from?” Jacob questioned. “I know it grows in the mummy but how does it get there and get out?”

“Uhm....you should talk to mummy about that Jakey.” Ruby said, not wanting to step on Charlie’s toes about how much her son knew about that.

“Mummy isn’t here, silly.” Riley sighed.

“Well you can ask when she gets back.” Ruby answered. “Now how about we go for this walk in the town and get some lunch?”

“Yeah.” The kids all said at once, as Xavier stood up and gathered all their pool and beach toys into the bag. Riley and Paige picked up their sunglasses and put them on before Riley ran forward and took hold of Xavier’s hand.

“I goes with Xava.” Riley smiled sweetly up at him.

“Oh me too.” Paige giggled as she too ran over to him and took his hand.

“You girls better not go stealing my husband.” Ruby joked and the girls just giggled as they left the poolside and made their way out of the hotel and started the short walk into town.

“Theys too little for a husband Ruby don’t worry.” Jacob said as he took hold of her hand as they walked along the sidewalk.

“I hope your right,” Ruby laughed as she looked down at her little brother. “I hope your right.”

*******

Charlie woke up to see Brax pouring orange juice into the glasses. “Morning,” Charlie yawned as she sat up in the bed. “What’s this?” Charlie got out of the bed, and grabbed Brax’s shirt from the floor and put it on herself.

“You don’t need to cover up on my account.” Brax grinned. Charlie laughed lightly as she buttoned up the shirt before she picked up one of the glasses and took a drink. “Although the sight of you in my shirt is pretty damn hot.” Charlie titled her head to the side as she put the glass back down on the table and gave Brax a cheeky grin. Brax leaned down at placed a soft kiss on Charlie’s lips and she wrapped her arms around his neck. His hands wandered down her back and rested on her bottom.

“Ouch,” Charlie pulled away. “Don’t pinch my bum.” Charlie hit his chest lightly as he laughed.

“So, I thought I would make you a nice breakfast,” Brax smiled.

“So I see.” Charlie smiled as she looked down to the table. It was full of fresh fruit, pancakes, bacon, sausage, egg, toast, muesli and yoghurt. “But I don’t see a kitchen in here so I’m not quite sure you made it, Mr Braxton.”

“Okay you got me, I ordered room service.” Brax admitted.

“Darryl Braxton did you lie to me?” Charlie mocked offence. “The first lie as husband and wife already?”

“It wasn’t a lie, just a fib and I don’t intent to ever lie to you, Charlie and I hope you don’t intend to lie to me.”

“No no, of course I don’t,” Charlie shook her head as she reached for a piece of the watermelon and put it into her mouth. “You know I didn’t even here the room service guy knocking.”

“Ha-ha no,” Brax shook his head. “Must have been pretty knocked out.”

“Well I didn’t really get much sleep till around 5 this morning so.....”

“5 this morning?” Brax questioned. “And what were you doing till 5 this morning?”

“Well let’s see....firstly my oh so handsome husband thought it would be fun to go skinny dipping, then we consummated this whole marriage thingy quite a few times....” Charlie trailed off as she ran her fingers gently over Brax’s bare chest. “But if you need reminding.....” Charlie widened her eyes as she placed a soft kiss on his ‘blood and sand’ tattoo.

“Mmm you know what?” Brax smiled as looked down to Charlie. “I think I might.” Charlie smiled seductively as she led Brax back across to the bed, where they met in a passionate kiss.

[Danni02]

Okay so uhm...…firstly, this fiction has not been forgotten about. I updated it on the 15th, so it wasn’t that long ago. I had a busy weekend and I’ve started work again so I don’t have as much free time to write anymore. (And I was only able to update my second fiction (Unconditional Love) because I already had those chapters written). I always get the update up for you guys as soon as I can, so please just be patient. Secondly, welcome back Cally. Hope you stick around this time!

Chapter 142

Charlie and Brax walked back into the hotel grounds after a few days away. As they were walking around the poolside towards the beds, Paige caught sight of her mother and ran excitedly across to her. “Mummy mummy, I so glad you here,” Paige shouted as she hugged her leg. Charlie lifted her daughter into her arms as she kissed her cheek. “I miss you too much,” Paige announced. “You never leave me again.”

“Mummy missed you very much as well,” Charlie said. “I don’t plan on leaving you again for a long time.”

“Good.” Paige said as Charlie and Brax took a seat on the sunbed. “Did you have fun daddy?” Paige questioned as she looked up to Brax.

“I did,” Brax nodded. “I had lots and lots of fun. Especially with you mummy in the ocean, and on the beach..... and in the bedroom and the bathroom.” Brax raised his eyebrows suggestively.

“Brax,” Charlie hit his leg. “This is your 3 year old daughter you are talking too.”

“She doesn’t know what I am talking about.” Brax argued.

“No, but I do and I’d rather not have that image in my head.” Ruby screwed her face up as she sat up on the sunbed. “But you had a good time, I gather?”

“Oh yeah.” Charlie nodded. “It was amazing Rubes. Perfect.”

“Mummy....daddy.....mummy.....daddy.” Riley shouted in excitement as Xavier lifted her out of the water and she ran over to the sunbeds and into a hug with Brax.

“Ahh you’re getting me all wet,” Brax pulled a face and Riley giggled.

“You come in the water?” Riley questioned as Xavier and Jacob came over to the sunbeds also. Xavier took a seat on the end of Ruby’s sunbed and Jacob pushed in the middle of Charlie and Brax.

“Hey buddy, how have you been?” Charlie questioned as she put her hand onto Jacob’s head.

“Good.” Jacob nodded as he cuddled close to her. “How was the honeymoon?”

“Brilliant,” Charlie grinned. “I hope you’ve all been good for Ruby and Xavier?” Charlie questioned and all 3 kids nodded.

“Daddy come in the water.” Riley said as she pulled on his hand.

“Later.” Brax said as he lifted her up onto his knee.

“Daddy please now,” Riley smiled sweetly up at him. “Xava is showing me with no armbands.”

“Ah wow he is?” Brax questioned. “That’s very nice of him.”

“I hope you don’t mind. She wouldn’t shut up about trying it this morning.”

“Nah it’s fine.” Brax smiled at Xavier before looking back down to Riley. “How’s it going?”

“Not good daddy not good.” Riley shook her head.

“She sacred to let go when she has no bands on.” Jacob giggled. “But she wants to be like me cos I can swim with no armbands.”

“Well daddy will show you soon,” Brax said as he took off his t-shirt. Paige looked to Brax and screwed her face up. She looked to her mother, then too Xavier and Ruby before looking back at Brax.

“Daddy why do you have scribbles all over you?” Paige questioned.

Brax laughed lightly. “They are my tattoos.”

“Why does no one else got them?” Paige questioned as she looked to Charlie for an answer.

“Because they look silly.” Charlie said and Brax exhaled, feeling slightly offended.

“Oh Charlie I know you dig me for my tattoo’s.”

“Right enough if you didn’t have any I so would not have married you.” Charlie teased before Riley jumped down from Brax’s knee and pulled on his hand.

“Daddy, the pool.” Riley moaned. Brax exhaled lightly before he stood up and walked off to the water with Riley.

“Wait for me daddy.” Jacob said as he ran across to the edge of the pool before turning back around to face his family. “Xava you come too.” Xavier stood up from the sun bed and he looked down at Paige.

“Are you coming in this time?” Xavier asked. Paige scratched the side of her head as she looked up to her mother.

“Is you coming?” Paige questioned.

“I’ll come soon.” Charlie smiled.

“Promise?”

“I promise.” Charlie nodded. “You go with Xavier.”

“I just sit at the side.” Paige said as she jumped from Charlie’s knee and walked over to Xavier and took his hand. “Only my feet in the waters till mummy comes.” Xavier nodded lightly at her as he walked with her to the pool, to join Brax, Riley and Jacob.

“So how’s the little one been treating you?” Charlie questioned as she took of her flip flops and sundress and grabbed the sunscreen from her bag.

“Great so far,” Ruby smiled as she rubbed her bump. “Hardly had any sickness or anything. Hopefully it’s going to continue to be an easy pregnancy.”

“Yeah,” Charlie nodded as she squeezed some of the sunscreen onto her arm and began rubbing it in. “You going to find out what you are having?”

“I don’t think Xavier wants to know,” Ruby shook her head. “But I think I do, so, we’ll see.”

“I like the not knowing,” Charlie replied. “Especially with Jacob, I had a 30 hour labour so it was nice to get that surprise after all that work.”

“Oh god yeah you did have a long labour with him,” Ruby said. “Although I don’t know what would have been worse; the long labour or being stuck with Angelo for that long. He was and idiot and an adulterer and -”

“Ruby,” Charlie raised her voice. “Don’t not speak ill of the dead. And he’s your brother’s father. Don’t let Jacob hearing you say that.”

“He thinks Brax is his dad anyway.” Ruby argued.

“He knows about Angelo,” Charlie told her. “And I don’t want him to paint this bad picture of him.”

“Okay, I’m sorry,” Ruby said. “But he wasn’t nice with you in the end. He cheated on you and it was his fault you got Jacob taken and -”

“Ruby stop right there.” Charlie said as she held her hand out in front of her. “It’s in the past and its staying there and Jacob doesn’t need to know about it.”

“Sure, you’re the mother,” Ruby exhaled lightly. “So,” Ruby said deciding to change the subject. “You’re lovely little cherubs asked me some quite uncomfortable questions a couple of days ago.” Ruby sighed.

“Ah yeah and what were they?” Charlie asked.

“How did the baby get into your tummy, how do you get it out and the big one where do babies come from.” Ruby said.

“And what did you tell them?” Charlie questioned.

“I told them to ask you.” Ruby said.

“Wonderful,” Charlie bit her lip. “I was kinda hoping you were going to say you answered all the questions for me so I didn’t need to deal with it.”

“Ha,” Ruby laughed. “They are your children. That’s up to you and Brax to tell them all about the birds and the bees.”

“We are far off having that conversation,” Charlie shook her head. “Unless they ask again I’m not saying a word to them.”

Ruby laughed lightly. “Let’s just hope that plan works.”

“Yeah.” Charlie agreed as Paige ran back across to the sun beds.

“Mummy you no come yet.” Paige pouted. “Come now.”

Charlie exhaled lightly as she stood up from the bed and looked down to Ruby. “You coming in too?” Charlie asked as Paige pulled on her hand.

“Later. I’m going to enjoy the sun for now.” Ruby smiled as she lay down on the bed.

“Right you, are you going to come in the water or just sit at the side?” Charlie questioned as she walked across to the pool with her daughter.

“I come in if you hold me,” Paige answered and Charlie nodded as she slipped into the pool and turned around and lifted her daughter in. “Hold me tight.” Paige instructed as she held onto her mother for dear life as Charlie walked across the pool to where Jacob, Brax and Xavier were trying to teach Riley how to swim. “Mummy not too far.” Paige moaned as Charlie continued to walk into the water.

“You’re fine Paigey I’m not going to let you go.” Charlie reassured her daughter as she rubbed her back.

“Promise?” Paige questioned quietly.

“Yeah,” Charlie nodded. “We’re going to watch your sister learn how to swim.”

“I’s not.” Paige shook her head.

“Aww why don’t you want to watch her?” Charlie questioned.

“No’s,” Paige said. “I watch her. I no do it.”

“Ahh I see,” Charlie nodded lightly. “We’ll you don’t need to learn yet if you don’t want too.”

“No,” Paige shook her head. “I see Riley though.” Paige said as Charlie stood next to Brax, and watched as Jacob swam across to him, trying to get his sister to do the same.

“See Riley. It easy if you do it like that.” Jacob said as he grabbed onto Brax’s arm. Brax wrapped one around the boy, holding him up in the water as they watched Riley who was still in Xavier’s arms a few meters away from them.

“I is ready.” Riley announced as she looked to Xavier. “You walk aside me so I no fall unders all the way to the bottom.”

“I will.” Xavier said. “But mummy and daddy are both standing at the other side to get you okay.”

Riley nodded as Xavier lowered her further into the water. She took a deep breath before she started to kick her arms and legs, trying with all her might to reach her father. Xavier let go of her, and continued to walk beside her as she swam to her parents. “Oh my baby,” Charlie gushed. “Your swimming sweetie, keep coming.”

“Go Riley,” Jacob cheered. “She good.” Jacob said as he looked up to Brax.

“That’s my girl.” Brax smiled as Riley grabbed onto his arm.

“I’s do it,” Riley grinned, proud of her accomplishment and Xavier, Jacob and Paige clapped for her.

“Aww sweetie you did awesome.” Charlie smiled as she lifted Riley up, so she was balancing both her girls off her hips.

Riley giggled. “It fun.”

“Mummy’s very proud.” Charlie said before she kissed her daughters cheek.

“Yeah and daddy too.” Brax said as he ran his hand through her hair.

“You were awesome Riley.” Xavier said encouragingly. Riley giggled once more before Charlie let her back down into the pool so she could show them her swimming once again.

[Danni02]

Thank you Red Ranger 1, RoRo90, caroline77, beebee, Sarah, Zoe, Spotd1, pembie and soph1303 for the comments. Means a lot to me that people are still interested in this story.

Chapter 143

Brax, Charlie and the kids had gone into town to get some lunch, leaving Xavier and Ruby to have some alone time after a busy few days with the kids in Hawaii, and also the week before hand back in Summer Bay. “Mummy when we get our baby brother what is his name?”

Charlie choked on her water. “Excuse me?” Charlie questioned as she looked down to Riley.

“Our baby brother,” Riley said. “What’s his name?”

“You’re not getting a baby brother sweetheart.” Charlie answered, wondering how Riley had come up with this.

“Yeah,” Riley nodded her head. “We is. Ruby’s baby.”

“Ruby’s baby isn’t going to be your brother or sister.” Charlie shook her head as she heard the faint sounds of laughter coming from Brax.

“But Ruby our sister.” Riley said, feeling confused.

“Yeah so her baby will be you're niece or nephew.” Charlie answered.

“Oh....well can I get a baby brother?” Riley questioned before she sat up more in the chair and pulled her glass closer to her and putting her straw in her mouth to take a drink.

“No no no,” Charlie shook her head. “Mummy isn’t having any more babies.”

“But I wants a brother.” Riley sighed before she looked up to Brax.

“You’ve got a brother sweetie.” Brax chipped in as he lightly ran his hand through her hair before pointing to Jacob who was too busy playing on his Nintendo DS to be aware of the discussion.

“Yeah Riley we got Jacob.” Paige said.

“I no’s but I wants a baby brother.” Riley pouted. “I’d be real good with it.” Riley nodded her head at her statement.

“I know you would, but mummy and daddy aren’t going have any more babies.” Brax said. “But you get to be an auntie to Ruby’s baby and that’s a very special job.”

“Really?” Riley questioned. “What I do?”

“Well you need to help look after it and teach it things when it gets bigger.”

“Like swimming?” Riley questioned. “I knows that now.”

“Yeah,” Charlie nodded. “And you can show her to ride a bike and take her to the beach.”

“Cool.” Riley grinned. “I will be the best auntie.”

“No Riley I will be the best auntie.” Paige argued. “Ay mummy.”

“You will both be brilliant aunties.” Charlie answered. “And Jakey will be a great uncle.”

I’ll what mummy?” Jacob questioned as he looked up from his DS.

“Be a great uncle to Ruby’s baby.” Brax told him and Jacob furrowed his eyebrows before he shrugged his shoulders.

“Oh wow there is a fish tank in the corner can we go see the fishes?” Jacob questioned as he put his DS down on the table. Charlie nodded lightly before the kids jumped down from the table and ran over to the fish tank.

“You okay?” Brax questioned as he leaned across the table and squeezed Charlie’s hand lightly.

“Yeah fine, why wouldn’t I be?” Charlie questioned.

“Well, Riley,” Brax said. “You know asking for a baby brother when you can’t have anymore.”

“It’s fine,” Charlie smiled weakly. “I was able to accept that a long time ago now. And I’m getting to be a grandmother,” Charlie said. “All the joys of a new baby but I can hand her back at the end of the day. It’s perfect really.” Brax laughed lightly before he took a drink of his water.

“I’m excited for the new baby,” Brax smiled. “Will be nice to have a baby around the house again and as you say, it’s even more perfect because we get to hand her back to her parents when we’ve had enough.”

“Yeah.” Charlie laughed lightly as Paige and Riley came running back over to the table.

“Mummy we see’d the fishes.” Paige announced proudly as she climbed back up onto the chair.

“Yeah. They’s no sharks though.” Riley sighed.

“You want to see a shark?” Brax questioned as his daughter climbed up on the chair next to him.

“Can we?” Riley asked.

“You can go swim with them if you want. We can chuck you in the sea with them.” Brax joked, but Riley seemed to be taking this seriously.

“Really? I can?” Riley’s face lit up.

“No Riley,” Paige shook her head. “Sharks is dangerous.”

“Not the ones we can swim with,” Riley shook her head. “They’ll be friendly.”

Charlie laughed lightly as Jacob re-joined the table. “Maybe dolphins will be better to swim with.” Charlie said.

“Dolphins.” Jacob shrieked. “Can we can we can we?”

“If you kids want to I am sure we can sort it out.” Brax said.

“Yeah,” All 3 kids cheered at once. “And turtles.” Paige grinned.

“You can’t swim with turtles.” Jacob giggled.

Paige furrowed her eyebrows before looking up to Charlie for confirmation. “I’m afraid Jacob is right.” Charlie said.

“But hey, we could go visit some turtles,” Brax said. “If you’d like that.”

“Dolphins and turtles?” Riley questioned. “Wow you is the best daddy and mummy evers.”

“Aww thanks,” Brax grinned. “You are the best kiddies ever.”

“We know that sillys,” Riley said and Charlie and Brax laughed.

“Right then kiddies; let’s see what we are going to get for lunch.” Brax said as he read the children out the children’s menu so they could decide what they wanted to eat.

******

Ruby was sitting with her legs hanging down into the pool as Xavier was standing at the edge, in-between Ruby’s legs, looking up at her with a smile on his face as he had his hands on her stomach. “It seems like in the last couple of weeks you went from being flat stomached to she is definitely at least 5 months pregnant.” Xavier laughed.

“I’m not even 5 months yet,” Ruby said as she hit his shoulder. “4 and a half months.”

“Well yeah,” Xavier exhaled. “You just grew quickly that’s all.”

“Yeah. The magazines had a field day,” Ruby sighed. “I'm not saying I regret my time in the band, but I hate how much the paparazzo follow us about. I bet somewhere here there is some creepy guy with his big lense taking our picture as we speak.”

“Ignore it babe,” Xavier said.

“Sometimes I just want to go smack them one. Just because I sang in a band it doesn’t give them the right to invade my private life,” Ruby exhaled lightly. “At least they don’t really bug me when I am in the bay; it’s just if I am in the city or someplace like that.”

“Well it’s a good job we are building our house in the bay then isn’t it?” Xavier smiled. “They won’t be there to bother you.”

“Yeah,” Ruby smiled before placing a soft kiss on Xavier’s lips.

“What was that for?” Xavier questioned.

“Just cos I love ya,” Ruby grinned before she placed her hands over his on her stomach.

“I love you too,” Xavier grinned. “And I love this little one.”

Ruby smiled as she saw Xavier’s face light up as he looked at her stomach. He was so much in love with the kid already. He was going to be a great dad. He showed that with how he was with her siblings. “Oh wow did you feel that?” Ruby said as she grinned down at Xavier who looked amazed.

“Did he just kick?” Xavier asked, unable to take his eyes off Ruby’s bump.

“Yeah,” Ruby nodded. “It feels so weird.”

“But amazing.” Xavier smiled. “Go on baby kick mummy again.” Xavier let out a shriek in amazement as he felt his baby kicking. Ruby smiled as she lightly rubbed her tummy, just as Xavier lifted her into the pool and held her close to him so her bump was pressed against his stomach. “I love you Rubes. You and this baby have made me the happiest guy alive.”

“I love you too,” Ruby grinned as she put her arms around his neck. “I can wait till our baby is with us and we can be a proper little family.”

“Me either,” Xavier grinned before he gave Ruby a soft kiss on the lips. “It’s going to be amazing.”

“Mmm yeah.” Ruby agreed before she kissed her husband once more.

[Danni02]

Thanks everyone. Hope this next one is okay....

Chapter 144

“That daughter of ours sure does have one hell of an imagination,” Brax laughed as he stepped out onto the balcony and stood behind Charlie wrapping his arms around her so his hands were resting on her stomach. “I really don’t know where she came from.”

“I blame you,” Charlie laughed as she turned around to face Brax. “I could see you being exactly like her when you were little. You know, a bit of a wild one.”

“Charlotte Braxton,” Brax gasped. “I beg to differ. I think you were the little wild one. I think you’d be the one who wanted to swim with the sharks and climb the trees and jump into a volcano to see how hot the lava would be.”

“She wants to what?” Charlie questioned.

“Don’t ask,” Brax laughed. “Sometimes when it comes to our Riley it’s just best not to ask.”

“Well I’m glad we decided not to go on this volcano trip if she wants to do that.” Charlie laughed. “Wouldn’t like to go home minus a child.”

“Nah,” Brax shook his head. “Oh and she’s not forgotten that Ruby said I’d take her boogie boarding because she wore the flower girl dress.” Brax laughed.

“Well she did learn to swim pretty quickly today,” Charlie smiled. “So if you promise me that you’ll keep her safe then you can take her and Jacob out tomorrow.”

“She’s going to be stoked,” Brax smiled. “And of course I’ll keep her safe. You can trust me with them you know, I am their father. I would die before I let anything bad happen to those kids.”

“I know,” Charlie nodded. “Sorry, I’m just a worrier.”

“You don’t say,” Brax laughed. “She’ll be perfectly safe, and you never know in a few years time she might be our little river girl.” Brax grinned.

“Don’t you dare say that,” Charlie shook her head. “She is no river girl. She’s far too nice and sweet to be one of them.”

“I think I’m a bit offended here,” Brax huffed. “Are you saying that when I was a river boy I wasn’t nice and sweet?”

“You were the exception,” Charlie smiled. “Deep down you were a big softy.” Charlie grinned and Brax smiled before he placed a soft kiss on her lips.

“Nah, I’m as hard as nails me.” Brax replied.

“Mmm if you think so,” Charlie laughed.

Brax exhaled lightly as he tucked Charlie’s hair behind her ear. “Babe, I’ve been thinking...you know what Riley said about having a baby brother?”

“Yeah?” Charlie answered questioningly.

“Well thinking about it, I kind of like the idea of having another child.” Brax spoke tentatively as he knew it would be a hard subject.

“And how’s that going to work exactly?” Charlie sighed. “You going to go find me a uterus? In case you’ve forgotten Brax, I don’t have one of them anymore. I can’t have any more kids, you said so yourself today.”

“I know,” Brax nodded. “But if we decide to do this then there are other ways,” Brax answered. “You know we can go down the surrogacy route or there’s always adoption.”

“I have 4 kids, Brax.” Charlie replied. “Four kids.” Charlie emphasised. “I’m about to become a grandmother. The last thing I need or want is another child.”

“But what about what I want?” Brax questioned.

“You’ve told me you don’t want any more kids,” Charlie sighed. “You told me after the twins were born that you were happy with that and we didn’t need to have anymore.”

“I know, but, maybe it’s just Ruby being pregnant or the girls are just getting so grown up...I mean Riley can swim without armbands already and she’s only just turned 3 a few months ago.”

“So what? Every time the kids reach a milestone or learn something new you are going to want another child?”

“No, I just....I think I want another child.” Brax said. “Can we at least talk about it?”

“Sure.” Charlie answered. “But I know how the conversation will go,” Charlie mumbled and Brax went to reply but before he had the chance Paige came running out onto the balcony.

“Mummy I woked up.” Paige sighed. Charlie exhaled lightly as she took Paige’s hand in hers and led her back to the bedroom where the kids were sleeping.

“Well it’s time to go back to sleep.” Charlie said as she lifted her daughter back into her bed.

“Mummy are we going to the beach tomorrow?” Paige questioned.

“We sure are,” Charlie smiled. “Daddy is going to take Riley and Jacob out boogie boarding.”

“Not me,” Paige shook her head. “I don’t like it.”

“You don’t have to try,” Charlie shook her head.

“We build a sandcastle....no no,” Paige shook her head. “A sand palace. It even bigger.”

“Of course we can,” Charlie smiled. “We can build as many sand palaces as you want.”

“100 thousand.” Paige giggled.

“Wow that’s a lot of sand palaces.” Charlie said. “You’re going to be a busy little girl.”

“And you busy,” Paige nodded. “Cos you will be my helper.”

“Oh I see,” Charlie nodded. “Well I think mummy will need to get and some sleep then if she going to be making a 100 thousand sand palaces tomorrow.” Charlie smiled before she placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “Now get some sleep sweetie.” Charlie said before she left the room, closing the door behind her. She exhaled lightly as Brax walked back into the room, locking the balcony door.

“So eh, about this baby -”

“Can we not do this here?” Charlie questioned. “I’m not going to argue with you when we are on holiday and we’ve only been married for like 4 days...so can we just be married for a while?”

“Okay, sure,” Brax sighed. “But you know we need to talk about this at one point?”

“Yeah, and like I say, I know exactly how it’s going to go.” Charlie muttered as she made her way to the bathroom. “I’m going for a bath.” Charlie said before she closed the bathroom door and left Brax standing sighing in the middle of the hotel room.

*******

Ruby and Xavier were sitting on the beach, Xavier with his arm wrapped around his wife. “Mmm I love this,” Xavier smiled. “The moonlight, the calms of the ocean, just me and my beautiful wife.”

“And the bub,” Ruby added as she patted her stomach.

“Of course,” Xavier smiled as he put his hand on Ruby’s stomach. “Had much more kicks today?”

“Never stopped once she started.” Ruby answered.

“Ahh going to be a little soccer player is he?” Xavier laughed.

“She could be a soccer player too.” Ruby answered.

“I guess she could,” Xavier smiled. “You do want to keep it a surprise don’t you?”

“I eh...I think I want to find out actually,” Ruby said. “You know that way we can decorate the nursery accordingly, buy cute little outfits, only have to talk about one gender of names.”

“I guess,” Xavier said. “I guess we have a couple more weeks to decide, or well agree.” Xavier laughed lightly. “Saying that I can’t believe you’re nearly 5 months already. It doesn’t seem that long ago that you found out.”

“Tell me about it,” Ruby smiled. “Still, I can’t wait to meet him.” Ruby grinned. “Our little baby.”

“God, our baby,” Xavier exhaled. “We’re growing up babe.”

“I know,” Ruby laughed. “A baby and our own house. We really are growing up.”

“I’m glad I’m doing this with you.” Xavier said as he placed a soft kiss on her temple. “There’s no-one else I’d rather be married to or having a baby with.”

“Good,” Ruby smiled. “Because you, Mr Austin, are stuck with me for life.”

“I think I’ll can manage that. Maybe just.” Xavier grinned and Ruby lightly hit his chest.

“You better manage it, cos I’m not going anywhere.”

“Of course I will and I’m not going anywhere either.” Xavier smiled before he and Ruby shared a soft kiss.

“Mmm.” Ruby smiled as she pulled back from the kiss.

“You want to go back to the room?” Xavier questioned. “Have early night?” Xavier raised his eyebrows as Ruby nodded her head. He stood to his feet and helped Ruby up before they linked hands and made their way off the beach and back to their room.

[Danni02]

Thanks Zoe, beebee, RoRo90, soph1303, Spotd1, Sarah and Red Ranger 1. Hope this one is okay.

Chapter 145

Charlie was sitting on the beach, making sandcastles with Paige, as Xavier, Brax, Jacob, Riley are Ruby were in the ocean, Riley excited about being able to boogie board. “This is the best, mummy,” Paige grinned as she once again filled her bucket with the sand. “The best ever we’ve made.”

“Yeah, it’s looking good.” Charlie smiled as she too filled up a bucket with sand.

“We need to go find shells too,” Paige nodded. “Later when we built all them palaces up.”

“Yeah well we can go for a walk later and see what we can find.” Charlie said.

“Yeah,” Paige agreed, liking her mother’s suggestion. “And Ruby can help us.” Paige grinned as she saw Ruby making her way up the beach to sit with them.

“She’s a little natural at everything she tries,” Ruby smiled as she sat down in the sand next to Paige and Charlie. Charlie smiled as she looked down to the ocean to see Riley sitting on the boogie board, a huge smile on her face as Brax was talking to her. “So, are you going tell me what’s going on?”

“Going on where?” Charlie questioned.

“With you and Brax.” Ruby answered.

“There’s nothing going on.” Charlie shook her head as she patted the bottom of the bucket before lifting it up to reveal another sandcastle.

“C’mon mum, I’m not a kid,” Ruby said. “You guys haven’t spoken to each other all morning; you were giving each other these evil glares over breakfast....not to mention the tension that’s floating around. Something’s obviously gone down.”

“Hey Paigey why don’t you go and find those shells now hmm?” Charlie said as she ran her hand through her daughter’s hair.

“No, we not done.” Paige shook her head as she banged on the bottom of the bucket, before lifting it up to reveal another sandcastle.

“Go on,” Charlie said. “Stay where I can see you.”

Paige stood to her feet and ran down the beach before she started to pick up a few shells. “So, you guys haven’t even been married a week yet,” Ruby said. “What can you possibly have to argue about? It should all be bliss for you right now.”

“Brax wants another child,” Charlie bowed her head down. “Obviously I can’t give him that but he thinks we have other options.”

“Well I guess you do,” Ruby said. “Do you want another child?”

Charlie shook her head. “I think four is more than enough,” Charlie answered. “I had the twins so I wouldn’t lose him. Obviously I’m glad I made the decision to have them but they are enough for me. The girls and Jacob and you.”

“Seems a bit out of the blue,” Ruby screwed her face her up. “I always thought he didn’t want any more after the girls. I mean didn’t he always tell you he only ever wanted 2 children?”

“Yeah,” Charlie nodded. “But -”

“Mummy mummy look what I got.” Paige smiled as she ran back up to her with some shells in her hands.

“Aww Paige you picked some real pretty ones.” Charlie smiled as looked down at the shells.

“Uh-huh.” Paige smiled as started to put the shells on the top of her sandcastles.

“Mummy,” Riley grinned as she ran up the beach, as Brax followed after her with the little boogie board. Riley jumped onto Charlie’s knee and wrapped her arms around her, hugging her tightly. “I had the best time. Thank you so much,”

“What you thanking me for?” Charlie questioned as she looked down to her daughter. “It was daddy who took you.”

“Yeah but you let me,” Riley grinned. “I had the most fun.”

“Well you’re very welcome,” Charlie smiled. “Maybe later on you can go back in and show mummy how good you are it?”

“Yeah I can,” Riley nodded. “And Jacob is real real good. He is.”

“Yeah he is, isn’t he?” Charlie questioned.

“I be like him soon.” Riley smiled as she nodded her head. “I be so good.”

“Yeah I bet you will be.” Charlie smiled before placing a kiss on Riley’s head.

“Mummy I need a pee-pee.” Paige said as she stood to her feet. Charlie lifted Riley from her knee and went to stand up, but Ruby stopped her.

“I’ll take you. Bub here makes me need all the time,” Ruby said as she stood to her feet. “Riley are you going to come to?” Ruby questioned as she looked down to her. Riley shook her head as she sat back down on Charlie’s knee. Ruby glanced from Charlie and Brax before looking back down to her sister. “C’mon, I’ll get you an ice-cream on the way back.”

“Okay then,” Riley grinned as she stood to her feet and turned to face Charlie and Brax. “You want ice-cream too?”

“No.” Brax answered as both he and Charlie shook their heads. Riley skipped off up the beach, and Ruby walked behind with Paige taking her hand.

“Get the feeling she left us alone on purpose?” Brax asked.

“Yeah but it doesn’t mean we have to talk.” Charlie said before she looked out to the ocean to where Xavier and Jacob were still surfing.

“Charlie,” Brax sighed. “Please. Like you said I don’t want to argue on holiday but I don’t want to not talk to you either. Let’s just talk about it.”

“Okay, so how do you think this would work?” Charlie questioned.

“Well like I say there’s surrogacy or adoption.”

“Adoption?” Charlie questioned. “Are you forgetting you weren’t allowed to adopt Jacob when you tried? So what makes you think you’ll get accepted for the adoption of another child?”

“I don’t know,” Brax shook his head. “But you wanted me to try to adopt Jacob again not so long ago so you obviously thought that the outcome could have been different.”

“Yeah because I want some stability in his life,” Charlie replied. “If anything was to happen to me, he could get taken away from you. Regardless of the fact that you’ve raised him like your own for the last 5 years, biologically you are not related to him and if he were to lose to me, you adopting him would mean that he could stay with you and Angelo’s parents couldn’t try to take him.”

“Angelo’s parents have had nothing to do with him since the day he was born.” Brax raised his voice.

“But they’re family.” Charlie said.

“This isn’t even what we were talking about,” Brax sighed. “And you’re not going anywhere; nothing is going to happen to you.”

“Didn’t think anything would happen to Angelo, did we?” Charlie questioned.

“Look, I don’t get this,” Brax shook his head. “You want me to try again to adopt Jacob but you say that we won’t be able to adopt another child because of my past and the fact that the first time I tried to adopt Jacob it was rejected. It doesn’t make any sense. I mean...I don't understand it.”

“You dont understand it?” Charlie questioned. “You know what I dont understand? You.” Charlie said. “You don’t even seem to know why I’m so upset with you.” Charlie shook her head as she stood to her feet and made her way down the beach, to where Jacob was. Brax exhaled lightly as he rubbed his forehead, as Riley came running down the beach, with her ice-cream in her hand and already some ice-cream over her face.

“I gots chocolate daddy,” Riley grinned as she sat down in the sand next to him.

“I gots strawberry.” Paige announced as she sat down next to Brax.

“Well I hope you girls said thank you to Ruby.” Brax said as he kept his gaze on Charlie.

“Uh-huh.” The girls nodded as they enjoyed their ice-creams.

“So?” Ruby questioned as she looked to Brax.

“Don’t go there.” Brax shook his head as he continued to watch Charlie as she interacted with her son. “I just don’t know.” Brax exhaled lightly as he bit his bottom lip, wondering how he was going to fix this one.

[Danni02]

Thnak you Red Ranger 1, beebee, Sarah, spotd1 and pembie for the comments.

Chapter 146

After a bit of encouragement from Ruby to get this fixed now before it just escalated into something worse, Brax walked down the beach and took a few steps into the ocean where Charlie was standing watching as Jacob showed off his surfing skills. “We should start entering him in competitions. He’s good enough.” Brax said as he stood next to her. Charlie gave him a weak smile before she continued to watch her son out on the waves.

“If you’re back down I should probably get back to the girls.” Charlie said as she turned to walk away, but Brax put his hand on her arm, stopping her from moving.

“The girls are with Ruby. They’re fine,” Brax said. “Please Charlie; we need to talk about this. Let’s not make this holiday a bad one because of this. Please just....let’s walk along the beach and we can sort this out,” Charlie exhaled lightly as she shook her head. “Okay, I’ll carry you.” Brax said as he lifted her up and flung her over his shoulder.

“No, Brax,” Charlie squealed. “Put me down.” Charlie stared to kick her legs in the air as she hit his back with her hands.

“Will you talk with me then?” Brax questioned.

“Just put me down.” Charlie yelled.

“If you promise me we can sort this out.” Brax said as he continued to walk along the beach with Charlie over his shoulder.

“Okay, we’ll talk.” Charlie sighed and Brax put her back down on the sand.

“So, please just tell me why are so upset over this.” Brax said softly as he lightly cupped her cheek. “I know I’ve upset you because you can’t have a child naturally, but I feel like maybe there’s something more?”

Charlie bowed her head down, letting Brax’s hand slip from her face. “When we got married, I....I promised that...” Charlie pursed her lips together before looking back up to Brax. “I thought that I could be this perfect wife. Be able to give you all you wished for and that we’d be really happy together but now I can’t,” Charlie shook her head as she wiped at her eye. “I can’t be this perfect wife because I can never give you what you want and I feel like I’ve let you down.” Charlie’s voice broke as a tear rolled down her cheek.

“Hey, baby you will never ever let me down.” Brax shook his head as he rubbed her arms in comfort.

“But the one thing you want most I can’t give you,” Charlie cried. “And it’s going to make you upset and then I’ll be upset because I’ve made you upset and -”

“Hey hey, come here,” Brax said softly as he pulled Charlie into a hug. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel like this,” Brax said as he rubbed her back. “I love you so much Charlie and I love the girls and Jacob...God I love those kids. They are my world and Ruby is great too, and her little one is going be so loved by us as well. We have an amazing family, and maybe we don’t need to add to something that already is perfect.”

“But you said you wanted another child,” Charlie said. “And you should be able to get that.”

“I said I like the idea of another child yeah,” Brax nodded. “But I don’t think you want another child. So what we need to do is sit down and discuss what the right thing to do is.”

“Can we not do that here though?” Charlie asked. “Maybe if I had time to think about it I might come round to the idea.”

“How about we leave the baby talk for a few months, and like you say we just enjoy being married?” Brax questioned and Charlie nodded lightly as Brax wiped the tears from her face. “And I agree with you about Jakey too. I’d love to have this whole me being his father thing official, so how about when we get back home, we give this whole adoption thing another go?”

“Well I’d like that,” Charlie said. “But please only do it if it’s what you want.”

“Of course it’s what I want, Charlie.” Brax said. “You know how devastated I was when it got rejected. But like you said, we’ve been together a lot longer now, and we’re married, and I’ve been good behaviour wise. Well except that little scuffle with Ryan but that was in your defence so surely they can’t hold that against me.”

“I hope not.” Charlie shook her head as Brax pulled her into another hug. He gently rubbed her back as he placed a kiss on her forehead.

“I love you Charlie. Don’t you ever feel like you won’t be the perfect wife, because you are, okay, I wouldn’t want to change anything about you.”

Charlie smiled lightly as she remained in the embrace, her head pressed against his chest, so she could feel his heart beating. “I love you too.”

“And I’m the perfect husband?” Brax laughed.

“C’mon, we’re supposed to be speaking the truth here.” Charlie joked as she looked up at him with a cheeky grin on her face.

“Oi cheeky.” Brax laughed.

“Well we can’t both be perfect I’m afraid.” Charlie said trying to keep a straight face. Brax mocked offence as he looked out to the ocean. “It’s a tough job but someone has to do it.”

“Well looks like I’m just going to have to teach my perfect wife a lesson,” Brax grinned cheekily as he looked back to Charlie.

Charlie shook her head as she took a few steps back, sensing what Brax was going to do. “Don’t.”

Brax grinned as he took Charlie into his arms and ran down to the ocean as she screamed and kicked her legs, trying to break free. “No, Brax please, you are a perfect husband I was just teasing.” Charlie said, hoping this would get her out of being flung into the ocean, but she was too late, and Brax dunked her under, laughing as she came to surface. She wiped her hair away from her face before she shook her head. “You are so going to get it.” Charlie said as Brax ran further into the water, the both of them laughing as Charlie tried to catch up. She jumped forward and onto his back, and tried to pull him back, but of course, he was stronger so she knew she would never win. She exhaled lightly as she gave up, sliding back down into the water as Brax turned to face her, the cheeky grin still present on his face.

“You can look so sexy when you are angry,” Brax laughed as he stepped closer to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Charlie gasped as she hit his chest. “What, it’s a good thing.”

“Shut up Darryl.” Charlie said as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Oooh Darryl. You must be really really angry.” Brax laughed as he pulled Charlie closer to him, their bodies pressed tight together.

“Mmmm,” Charlie titled her head slightly to the left. “It’s a good job I can’t stay angry with this face for too long then, isn’t it?” Charlie smiled as she raised her eyebrows suggestively before she planted a soft kiss on Brax’s lips.

[Danni02]

Okay, so I have to admit I did feel a bit lost as to how to write them having some family time in Hawaii so I hope this one doesn't disappoint. I do have an idea for a story once they get back home so if people are still interested I will keep writing this story longer, just let me know what you think, I am happy to keep writing as long as this story has interest! Anyways, thank you all so much for the comments.

Chapter 147

Riley and Paige ran excitedly across the poolside to the sunbed where Ruby was laying. “Ruby Ruby look,” Paige grinned as she handed Ruby a photo that she holding proudly. Ruby sat up on the bed and took the photo in her hands. “It a real dolphin too. Not pretend.” Paige said as she and Ruby looked down to the picture of Paige in the water, her arms around the dolphin like she was giving it a hug.

“Ah wow,” Ruby smiled. “Looks like lots of fun.”

“It was Ruby,” Riley nodded her head. “Look at my one.” Riley held her picture out, the same pose as Paige’s.

“Ahh I’m jealous you girls got to swim with dolphins.” Ruby said. “Mummy never took me to swim with dolphins when I was little.”

The girls giggled. “Mummy came too.” Riley said. “We had lots of fun.”

“Daddy didn’t,” Paige shook her head. “He watched us.”

“Them my new best manimal.” Paige grinned.

“Until you see the turtles in a few days time you mean?” Brax laughed as he sat down on the chair that was under the umbrella.

Paige furrowed her eyebrows. “Thems turtles and thems dolphins are my best ones.”

“Ruby, look at these ones too.” Jacob smiled as he handed her another two photos. The first one the same picture as Paige and Riley's and the second one a picture of Charlie, Jacob, Paige and Riley with two dolphins in front of them.

“There real cool bud,” Ruby said as she gave the pictures back to him. “Looks like you had lots of fun.”

“It was super good.” Jacob nodded. “The best bit was when they told us to lay straight out on the water and then two of the dolphins swam up and put your feet on their nose and kept swimming and you stood up and they pushed you along the water,” Jacob said excitedly. “It was super fun.”

“And we got to kiss them,” Riley giggled. “Was funny.”

“Daddy said he isn’t kissing mummy now she kissed a dolphin.” Jacob giggled.

“Yeah,” Riley giggled. “No more kisses for mummy.” Riley looked up to Charlie as she giggled and Charlie stuck her tongue out at her daughter.

“I kiss mummy still.” Paige said as she walked over to her and pulled her on her hands, wanting picked up. Charlie bent down to her daughters level and gave her kiss, before she sat down on the end of Ruby’s sunbed as Paige climbed onto her knee.

“Oh Ruby where is Xava?” Jacob asked as he furrowed his eyebrows questioningly.

“He’s gone for a surf.” Ruby answered.

“Oh, daddy can we go surf?” Jacob asked.

“Sure we can mate,” Brax smiled as he pulled off his t-shirt and stood to his feet. “Is Riley allowed to come again?” Brax asked as he looked to Charlie.

“Yeah,” Charlie smiled. “If she wants to go.”

“Of course mummy.” Riley jumped up and down happily. “It’s fun.”

“Does Paige want to come and try?” Brax questioned as he looked down to his daughter.

“Don’t be silly daddy,” Paige shook her head. “I no like it.”

“No no,” Riley shook her head. “You not try it.”

“I no wants too,” Paige shook her head. “I stay with my mummy.”

“Okay, well let’s go kids.” Brax said before he, Jacob and Riley made their way down to the beach.

******

After having some dinner, talk had turned to names for the baby. “It should be Toby,” Jacob nodded. “I like that.”

“Aww,” Ruby gushed. “Toby is pretty cute.”

“Cute?” Xavier questioned. “How can a name be cute?”

“Of course a name can be cute,” Ruby agued. “Doesn’t it just sound so cute to you? Little Toby Austin?”

“It’s a nice name,” Xavier nodded. “Nice is the right word to use, not cute.”

“Well I agree with Rubes, I think its cute.” Charlie said.

“Me too.” Paige nodded.

“And me,” Riley put her hand in the air. “I like Toby for my brother.”

“Riley sweetie, we’ve already told you, Ruby’s baby isn’t going to be your brother.” Brax said. “It’ll be your niece or nephew.”

“But I wants a baby brother,” Riley sighed. “Please. I’ll be good to it.”

Brax and Charlie exchanged a glance before Charlie shook her head. “What other names do you like for Ruby’s baby?” Charlie questioned, moving the discussion away from the topic of her and Brax possibly giving the kids a sibling.

“Dora,” Paige smiled. “Like the explorer.”

“Dora,” Riley giggled. “That’s a good one.”

“Yeah,” Paige nodded her head.

“Oooh or Diego for a brother.” Riley grinned.

“Okay, so the twins think Dora or Diego.” Ruby laughed. “You got any girls names Jakey?”

“Megan,” Jacob answered quietly.

“Aww that’s a pretty name,” Charlie smiled. “Where did you hear that one?”

“There’s a Megan in my class,” Jacob answered. “She’s real nice and funny.”

“Ahh,” Brax said. “I see. This Megan sounds like she might be Jacobs girlfriend.” Brax teased.

“No no,” Jacob shook his head. “She isn’t. She isn’t. She’s just my friend.” Jacob protested.

“Jacob’s got a girlfriend.” Ruby sang, causing Jacob to go red.

“Mummy tell her no.” Jacob sighed as he looked up to Charlie.

Charlie laughed at she lightly rubbed her sons head. “They’re just teasing you bud.”

“It not funny.” Jacob sulked as he sat back in the chair and folded his arms across his chest unimpressed.

“I’ve always like Oliver for a boy.” Charlie answered. “In fact Jacob could have been an Oliver, but daddy wasn’t keen.”

“Daddy it a good name.” Paige said as she gave him an evil glare.

“Oh she means...” Brax trailed off realising the girls weren’t aware of Angelo. “Well we liked Jacob better and it’s a good name right?”

“Uh-huh.” Riley nodded.

“Oliver Austin sounds kinda weird though,” Ruby sighed. “In fact Austin is just weird.”

“Gee thanks.” Xavier sighed.

“Could always name the baby Austin Buckton.” Brax laughed. “Austin can be a first name, right?”

“Yeah because that doesn’t sound weird.” Xavier said. “Besides I like Mallory for a girl and Steven for a boy.”

“Mallory?” Ruby screwed her face up. “Might be a while before we agree on a name for you bub.” Ruby said as she rubbed her stomach.

“Sometimes you just need to wait till the baby is born and the right name will come to you.” Charlie said. “And don’t worry too much about how it sounds together. The more you hear it, you’ll get used to it and it’ll sound right.”

“Yeah,” Ruby nodded. “I guess you're right.” Ruby smiled lightly as she continued to rub her tummy, causing the baby to respond with a few kicks.

******

It was coming to the end of their time in Hawaii, although they still had one trip left. All 7 of them where going to see the turtles on a little island. As they all got onto the boat, Paige squealed as she grabbed hold of Charlie’s leg. “What’s wrong?” Charlie questioned as she looked down to her daughter.

“I no like it.” Paige shook her head.

“You don’t like what?”

“The boat,” Paige answered. “It be scary.”

“You’ve been on a boat before,” Charlie said. “What about the one two weeks ago at the wedding?”

“I no like that eithers ay no Ruby?” Paige said as she looked up to her sister.

“No, she did not,” Ruby shook her head as she looked to Charlie. “Did I not tell you about that?”

“No.” Charlie shook her head as she sat down, a terrified Paige holding onto her tightly. “God Paige you are a little wimp aren’t you.”

“No,” Paige shook her head. “I just not like boat.”

“Well you’ll be fine so you don’t need to hold onto mummy’s wrist so tightly.” Charlie said as she tried to loosen Paige’s grasp on her, as she was going pretty red where Paige’s little hand was.

“It not long?” Paige asked and Charlie shook her head.

“No, we’ll only be 20 minutes.” Charlie answered and Paige relaxed a little, but remained holding onto Charlie. Charlie watched as Jacob and Riley ran around the deck chasing each other, as Brax sat down next to Charlie, Paige and Ruby. He lifted Paige up onto his knee and held her, as she still kept a hold of Charlie’s wrist.

“You’ll be fine sweetie,” Brax said. “You should go play with Jacob and Riley.”

“No, I just sit here.” Paige said.

“Okay,” Brax said. “Where’s Xavier?”

Ruby pointed to the edge of the boat where Xavier was sitting, looking pretty pale as he looked out the ocean. “He okay?” Charlie questioned.

“He often gets seasick,” Ruby laughed. “Bless him, but I think it’s funny.”

“It no funny,” Paige shook her head. “It not funny being sick.”

“No, it’s not.” Charlie answered. “Nice to see you are the supportive wife though.” Charlie said and Ruby laughed.

“Okay, I’ll go and see if he wants some water or something.” Ruby said as he walked over to him.

“Mummy when we see the turtleses?” Riley asked as she jumped in front of Charlie.

“Oh in about 15 minutes time we will be on the island.” Charlie answered.

“Then we seem thems?” Riley questioned as she tilted her head slightly to the side.

“We will.” Charlie smiled and Riley cheered.

“She said 15 more timeses.” Riley shouted as she ran back over to Jacob.

Brax laughed lightly as he turned to face Charlie. “I’ve loved every minute of this.”

“Me too,” Charlie smiled as she rested her head against Brax’s chest, which caused Paige to shuffle forward slightly from his knee. “I don’t want it to end.”

“You want to holiday permanently?” Brax laughed.

“Well I guess we need to go back to the real world at one point.” Charlie answered.

“Yeah, and hey it’s not like it will be a boring return. We get to tell everyone our marriage news and Milo will go crazy when he sees us.”

“Yeah,” Charlie smiled. “I wonder how he’s behaved for Bianca.”

“Oh I’m sure she’ll have a few stories for us.” Brax laughed.

“We seeing Milo soon?” Paige grinned, excited at the thought of seeing her puppy again.

“Yup, in three days time.” Charlie answered.

“How do we get home?” Paige questioned.

“On the plane,” Brax answered. “Like how you got here.”

“Oh no,” Paige shook her head. “I no like it.”

“What did you not like?” Charlie questioned.

“Well the middle bit was okay,” Paige nodded her head. “I no like it when it landed. It wasn’t stopping.”

“Mummy doesn’t like the landing either.” Charlie shook her head.

“And the start,” Paige shook her head. “The rest okay though.”

“Good.” Brax smiled. “So you excited to see the turtles?”

“Yeah,” Paige grinned. “We nearly there?”

Charlie looked down to her watch. “10 more minutes.”

“Time takes ages.” Paige sighed and Charlie and Brax laughed lightly.

“Time with you family is precious Paigey, you want it to last as long it can.” Brax said before he placed a soft kiss on Charlie’s head and he rubbed her arm.

“Aww isn’t that sweet.” Charlie grinned as she looked up to Brax before placing a soft kiss on his lips.

[Danni02]

Thanks everyone. I dont like this one much, but hopefully it's okay.

Chapter 148

“Look at this one,” Riley jumped up and down excitedly as she pointed to the little pool. “It a baby one.”

“Can we take one home?” Paige questioned as he looked up to her mother.

“Nope,” Charlie shook her head. “I’m afraid they need to stay here in Hawaii.”

“You can have turtles in Australia.” Jacob said.

So we can take it?” Riley's eyes lit up and she reached into the pool.

“Don’t you dare.” Brax said as he pulled Riley back. “These ones have to stay here.”

“We get one at home?” Riley questioned.

“No,” Charlie shook her head. “You already have Milo and the fish. Don’t you think that’s enough pets?”

“He could be friends with Milo.” Jacob smiled. “We could call him turty the turtle.”

“Turty,” Paige giggled. “It funny.”

“Nah mate, we’re not getting a turtle.” Brax said before he gestured for Charlie too look over in Ruby’s direction. She was leaning against a wall, clutching onto her stomach, her face showing slight discomfort as Xavier rubbed her back, looking worried as he spoke to her. Charlie walked across to them as Brax took the kids to see more turtles.

“Hey Rubes, everything alright?” Charlie questioned as she placed her hand onto Ruby’s shoulder.

“It feels weird,” Ruby answered. “Like my stomach is getting all tight and then it feels normal again then it gets all tight sometime later.”

“Is she going into labour?” Xavier’s voice was all rushed and panicky.

“Okay are these regular?” Charlie questioned.

Ruby shook her head. “It happened this morning then 20 minutes ago then again now.”

“It sounds like Braxton hicks.” Charlie said.

“Well what are those?” Xavier questioned.

“Just her body's way of preparing for the birth and her uterus will still be growing to accommodate the baby, so I don’t think there’s any reason to panic but we can go to the doctor and get checked out just to be on the safe side.”

“So you’re sure it’s not early labour?”

Charlie shook her head. “Believe me sweetie, you’d know if it was the real thing.”

“It’s so weird,” Ruby rubbed her stomach. “I feel totally fine now.”

“Well just keep drinking water and stay hydrated yeah,” Charlie smiled as Ruby stood up. “And you should be fine.”

“So, I hear the kids want a pet turtle?” Xavier laughed as they made their way over to Brax and the kids.

Charlie shook her head lightly. “What do they not want?”

“True,” Xavier laughed. “I guess it’ll be me and Rubes getting asked for everything in a few years time.”

“Yeah,” Charlie said. “Although this kid will also have grandparents to ask for things if mummy and daddy say no.”

“Oh we didn’t think about that,” Ruby grinned. “We can send them to you two or Gina and John for the dear requests.”

“Eh you, Ruby, have more money than the four of us put together.”

“Well yeah but.....” Ruby trailed off. “Ah I don’t have an answer to that.”

“Ruby come see,” Paige grinned as she ran over to her excitedly and took her hand. “It a big turtle. Really big.” Paige, Ruby and Xavier went over to where Riley and Jacob was, as Brax walked over to Charlie, and wrapped his arms around her waist, and placed a kiss on her lips.

“What was that for?” Charlie questioned.

“No reason,” Brax smiled. “Everything alright with Ruby?”

“Yeah, fine.” Charlie smiled. “Managed to get talk away from getting a turtle yet?”

Brax laughed lightly. “No, no I didn’t. And now instead of one for the 3 of them they want one each.”

“Ah hopefully once they get home and see Milo again they’ll forget all about getting turtles.”

“Yeah,” Brax smiled hopefully before he and Charlie entwined their hands with one another and walked over to join their kids.

*******

Charlie, Brax, Ruby, Xavier and the kids were sitting on the plane, ready to go home after a fantastic holiday. Ruby, Xavier and Jacob were sitting next to each other, with Jacob claiming the window seat, then Xavier in the middle, with Ruby taking the aisle due to her frequent need to go to the toilet. She’d gone to talk to a doctor, and as Charlie had suspected, it was only Braxton hicks, so she was told it was nothing to worry about. Charlie, Brax and the girls were sitting a few rows behind, in the centre of the plane, with Charlie and Brax both taking an aisle seat, and Paige and Riley sitting in the middle of them. “Mummy is The Lion King on the tv?” Riley questioned.

“We’ll have to have a look sweetie.” Charlie answered as she put her TV on, before picking up the control from the side of her seat and scrolling down to the kids movies. “It might be different because we are going home. They might give us new choices.”

“I hopes not.” Paige shook her head. “I want to see Pumbaa.”

Charlie smiled lightly as she scrolled down the choices. “Sorry girls, it’s not there this time.”

Paige and Riley both frowned. “Well what we watch?” Riley shrugged her shoulders as she lifted her hands out to the side.

“Hmm,” Charlie scanned over the choices again. “Oh The Jungle Book,” Charlie smiled. “You girls like that one.”

“With the monkeys?” Riley giggled before making some monkey noises. “They take the boy.”

“Yeah that’s the one.” Charlie smiled. “Will we put that one on for you?”

“Uh-huh.” The girls nodded as Charlie sorted Paige’s for her while Brax did Riley’s.

“But I need a pee-pee first,” Riley said as she unbuckled her seat belt and jumped down. “Take me mummy.”

“And so it begins,” Charlie sighed as she unbuckled her belt and stood up and Riley walked passed Paige and out into the aisle before she ran down towards the toilet. “You need to go Paige?”

“Uh-uh,” Paige shook her head. “I no like the little room.”

“Paige, you’re letting the Braxton side down.” Brax joked. “You’re scared of too much.”

“Uh-uh,” Paige argued. “Just somethings.”

“Mummy.” Charlie heard Riley shouting on her so she turned and walked down the aisle towards the toilet, as Brax helped Paige put her earphones on so she could watch the movie. “Why we not go in mummy?” Riley questioned. “I needs really bad.”

“There’s someone else in sweetie so we need to wait our turn.”

“Oh,” Riley nodded her head. “I loved Hawaii mummy.” Riley smiled up at her as she did a little dance on the spot.

“Well I’m glad you had fun. Mummy had lots of fun too.” Charlie smiled down at her daughter.

“You’re best bit?” Riley questioned.

“The wedding,” Charlie grinned as she remembered that day. “I loved marrying your daddy.”

Riley giggled. “You were a princess that day.”

“Aww so were you and your sisters,” Charlie smiled fondly. “So, what did you enjoy best?”

“Uhm....” Riley scratched the side of her head as she scrunched her face up. “The wedding cake and the dolphins and the turtles and the boogie boarding and the swimming.”

“Wow, you liked a lot didn’t you?” Charlie questioned.

“Yeah,” Riley grinned. “Thank you mummy for the best time.”

“Aww you’re very welcome.” Charlie smiled as she lifted Riley up and into a hug.

*******

“Mummy is we home yet?” Paige yawned as she rubbed her eyes. “I’s is so tired.”

“Yeah, we’ll just be a few more minutes.” Charlie answered as she too felt a yawn coming on.

“Will we get Milo home tonight?” Jacob questioned.

“Nah, it’s too late to go to Bianca’s now eh,” Brax answered. “We’ll go around tomorrow.”

“I missed him too much.” Riley sighed.

“Yeah, I think we all have,” Brax answered. “But as I say we’ll go get him tomorrow and maybe we can all go for a walk out by the lake with him.”

“Yeah,” Paige cheered. “Milo like the lake.”

“He’ll swim in it.” Riley giggled.

“I won’t,” Jacob shook his head. “It winter time. It’s too cold.”

“No it July.” Paige said as she looked around to Jacob.

“Yeah July is winter silly.” Jacob answered.

“Oh.” Paige giggled.

“Mum am I still off school?” Jacob asked with a yawn.

“Yeah you have another week off.” Charlie answered.

“Yes,” Jacob ginned. “Can I ask Ash to come play tomorrow?”

“We’ll see.” Charlie said. “Mum will have lots of washing to do tomorrow so she might want peace.”

“We will play quiet.” Jacob nodded. “You’ll no hear us.”

“And we ask Bella.” Riley said. “Cos she our friend.”

“Yeah Bella,” Paige nodded in agreement. “It be fun.”

“Mummy said she’ll see,” Brax answered as he pulled the car up into their driveway, and they all piled out the car. Brax yawned as he locked the doors. “I’ll bring the cases in in the morning. I just want to get to bed.”

“Yeah I think we all do.” Charlie said as the kids run up to the house, before Paige turned around and ran back towards her parents.

“Mummy, daddy, theres a man.” Paige shouted as she lifted her hands to go up. Brax picked his daughter up as he gave her a questioning look.

“What do you mean there’s a man?” Brax questioned as Riley and Jacob were made their way back over to them. Riley lifted her arms up and Charlie lifted her up and Jacob stood close to his mother.

“Look there.” Paige pointed to the porch bench where indeed there was a man lying sleeping. Charlie and Brax shared a concerned glance before picking up their pace and rushing over to see who it was.

[Danni02]

Thank you everyone. I hope this one is okay.

Chapter 149

“Heath...Heath...Heath,” Brax shouted as he shook his shoulder. Heath slowly opened his eyes and looked up to him. “Get up.” Brax said, causing Heath to sit up in the bench.

“Mummy who is it?” Jacob questioned as he looked up at her, his eyes all wide.

“Let’s go inside,” Charlie said as she put Riley down on the ground and unlocked the house door, just as Ruby and Xavier came down the path and onto the porch.

“Is that...” Xavier trailed off, shocked at seeing Heath.

“Inside Jacob, Riley, you too Paige.” Charlie said as Brax put Paige down and she ran forward to where he brother and sister were. Charlie looked around to Ruby and she nodded lightly, ushering the kids into the house with Xavier following behind them, leaving Charlie and Brax out on the porch with Heath.

“God bro don’t tell me you’re still with Buckton and you’ve reproduced with her?” Heath pulled a face of disgust.

“I’m a Braxton now, actually,” Charlie said, moving her hand so the rings were in better sight for Heath to see. “And yes, we have two lovely little girls.”

“I honestly thought she was just going to be a phase you’d tire off.”

“What are you doing here, Heath?” Brax questioned. “Aren’t you supposed to still be in jail?”

“Aww nice to see you too.” Heath said. “Oh and thanks for visiting me in jail by the way, really nice of you.”

“What you doing here Heath?” Brax asked again.

“Need a place to stay,” Heath said. “And I know my brother here will help me out.”

“Go to mum’s.” Brax replied. “You always were her golden child so I’m sure she’ll welcome you back with open arms.”

“Mum’s?” Heath laughed. “Gosh you really don’t talk to her do you? Mum got a new man. She’s off on some boat trip with him. Dunno when she’ll be back.”

“Then go to hotel,” Charlie said. “I don’t want a criminal staying in my house or being around my kids.”

“Okay firstly, I’m just out of jail so don’t really have much cash at the moment, and secondly, have you just met your husband?” Heath questioned. “He’s a criminal too, so if you’re happy to sleep with one, I’m sure one can stay in your house.”

“Brax is a different man than he was 5 years ago.” Charlie said. “You on the other hand...” Charlie trailed off as she shook her head. “Well some people aren’t capable of change.”

Heath sniggered just as Ruby appeared back at the door. “Sorry to interrupt but the girls won’t let me help them change for bed. They want mummy.” Charlie gave Brax a glance before she waked into the house to see to her kids.

“So,” Heath smiled. “I can have a room right? This looks like a big enough house. What side job did you do to afford this place?”

“I didn’t do any kind of job,” Brax shook his head. “Ruby bought it for us.”

“Little rock star bought you a house?” Heath questioned and Brax nodded before giving Heath a questioning look. “There are TV’s and radio’s in jail, you should know that.” Heath said. “Didn’t know she could sing like that.”

“Yeah, she’s good eh.” Brax smiled.

“Indeed,” Heath nodded. “Nice to look at too eh.”

Brax hit the back of Heath’s head. “That’s my step-daughter.”

“So, what, I can’t hit on my step-niece?” Heath laughed.

“She’s married.” Brax said. “Really Heath it’s nice to see you again and all but I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to stay here.”

“Why?” Heath questioned. “Cos Buckton doesn’t want me too? Well what about you? You’re my brother, we’re family. We Braxton’s always stick together.”

“We haven’t though, have we?” Brax questioned. “Mum turned her back on me, I turned my back on Casey and in a sense you, I mean I didn’t visit you in prison did I?”

“Too busy playing happy families with Buckton and her boy and your offspring.” Heath sneered.

“I’m not going to be sorry for falling in love and starting a family.” Brax sighed.

“Well look, how about you make it up to me now?” Heath questioned. “I really need a place to stay.”

Brax exhaled lightly as he rubbed his forehead. He knew Charlie would probably start moaning at him if he said he could stay, but at the end of the day, he was his brother and he didn’t want to see him without a place to stay. “You can stay for the night at least,” Brax nodded. “But be nice to Charlie or she’s never going to agree to letting you stay until you get yourself sorted.”

“I’ll be on my best behaviour.” Heath smirked.

“Okay, now come and give you brother a hug. Welcome back bro.” Brax smiled as he hugged his brother.

*****

Charlie walked down the stairs and into the kitchen, to find Brax and Heath sitting talking at the table. “What’s he still doing here?” Charlie questioned.

“Say hey to your new housemate.” Heath grinned.

“Brax, the living room, now.” Charlie shook her head as she walked out of the kitchen and Brax followed, with his head down. “Why is he still here?” Charlie questioned.

“He needs a place to stay.” Brax replied.

“Then he can go to a hotel,” Charlie said. “I don’t want him in the house. I don’t want him around our kids when he’s a criminal.”

“He’s just made some bad choices, Charlie.” Brax argued. “He’s not a bad guy.”

Charlie sniggered. “He’s not going to change. People like him never do.”

“Hello, I was once like him and look at me now. People are capable of change.”

“Yeah people are, I just don’t believe Heath is.” Charlie sighed. “Brax we have only been married for two weeks. Okay, we need this time for us. Us Brax, not us and your criminal brother.”

“So what’s Ruby and Xavier?” Brax questioned. “They’re staying with us right now and I’m not saying anything.”

“Ruby’s my daughter,” Charlie raised her voice. “It’s completely different.”

“How is it?” Brax questioned. “She’s your family and she’s staying with us, just like Heath is my family and he needs to stay with us.”

“She’s your step-daughter,” Charlie yelled. “She bought us this house and if she needs to she can stay as long as she wants.”

“Heath is my brother and I want him to stay, so he’s staying.” Brax spoke authoritively.

“You know what, just do whatever you want Brax.” Charlie held her hands out to the side. “I’m going to bed.” Charlie said as she made her way out of the living room and up the stairs, leaving Brax standing in the middle of the living room.

*******

Heath walked into the guest room and put his bag down on the bed. “So I’m heading to bed now as well, but we’ll have a proper catch up in the morning eh,” Brax said.

“Yeah,” Heath nodded. “Hope Buckton will take it easy on ya,” Heath laughed. “Don’t think she’s too impressed with me staying.”

“She’ll be fine,” Brax smiled hopingly. “She’ll calm down and we’ll talk things through.”

“What’s got her knickers in such a twist anyway?” Heath laughed.

“She’s just a bit uneasy about you being here,” Brax answered. “But you’re not going to screw up again are ya?"

“Nah, not me,” Heath shook his head. “I’m a changed man, I promise.”

“You better be,” Brax said. “Cos I’m sticking my neck out here for you so don’t screw it up for me.”

“I won’t man, I promise.” Heath said and Brax nodded before leaving the room. Heath exhaled lightly as he opened up his bag and lifted out the packet of pills. He gave himself a little smug grin before placing them back down in the bag and hiding them under the bed.

[Danni02]

Thank you everyone.

Chapter 150

“I can’t believe it,” Bianca gasped as she looked down at the rings on Charlie’s finger. “You just went and got married without me.”

“I know and I’m sorry,” Charlie exhaled. “You were the only thing missing. But oh my God Bianca it was just perfect. Everything I wanted.”

“Well congratulations,” Bianca smiled. “It’s about time as well.”

“I know,” Charlie laughed lightly. “Bless him he was so nervous when he proposed.”

“How did he do it?” Bianca questioned as she took another ginger snap from the biscuit tin, and held her coffee mug in her hand.

“We were on a yacht, he had rose petals, chocolate, fresh fruits, champagne – well for me at least – and yeah, it was lovely. We were approaching a gorgeous little island, the sea was crystal blue, the sand was white, there were palm tree....ahhh,” Charlie sighed dreamily. “It was amazing. He popped the question and then the kids were standing on the island waiting for us, and they were all dressed for the wedding and that’s when he asked me to marry him right then.”

“Ah he’s dead romantic,” Bianca smiled. “Liam proposed to me when we were in our pj’s and wrapped up in bed.”

“That’s nice too,” Charlie said. “You know simple but meaningful...like saying you’ve got bed hair and no make-up on and I still find you gorgeous so marry me.”

“I guess,” Bianca smiled weakly. “But we over now so there’s no point in talking about it.”

“Bianca -” Charlie started but was cut off by Paige’s screams as she ran over to Charlie.

“Mummy, she bit me.” Paige cried as she held her hands up. Charlie lifted Paige onto her knee before she looked down to her arm and saw the teeth marks.

“Riley come here,” Charlie said sternly as Riley and Bella ran in over to their parents. “Did you bite your sister?”

“No, it Bella.” Riley shook her head. “No me.”

“No no,” Bella shook her head. “Non sono io.”

“Bella, speak English,” Bianca said. “Why did you bite her?”

“I not.” Bella bowed her head down.

“She did mummy I sawed.” Riley nodded. “Ay it was Bella Paige?”

“Uh-huh.” Paige cried as she cuddled into Charlie. “Bella did it.”

“Bella?” Charlie questioned before looking up to Bianca.

“It was Bella, Bee.” Ash nodded as he shouted from the other end of the room.

“Bella, why did you do that?” Bianca asked as she pulled her daughter closer to her.

“It mines.” Bella stomped her feet as she folded her arms across her chest.

“The dolly,” Riley answered. “Paige had it.”

“But it mines.” Bella raised her voice angrily.

“Isabella Scott,” Bianca tried to remain firm. “You do not bite people and you need to share your toys okay?” Bianca said. “Now this is your warning and if you are naughty again you’ll go on the naughty step.”

“No I’s not.” Bella giggled defiantly.

“Yes you will lady,” Bianca said sternly. “Now go and play nicely.” Bella ran off back over to the boys and Milo, while Riley stayed where she was standing and glared up at her mother.

“Sorry baby,” Charlie said knowing why Riley was giving her the evils. “Here have a biscuit.” Charlie said as she handed Riley as ginger snap. Riley grinned as she took the biscuit before she ran off again to play.

“She’s not nice today.” Paige sniffed back as she wiped the tears from her face.

“You okay?” Charlie questioned as she ran her hand through Paige’s hair.

“I think I need a biscuit.” Paige said quietly and Charlie laughed lightly and she handed Paige a ginger snap. Paige smiled before taking a bite, and jumping back down to the floor and running off to play again.

“She’s been such a little....” Bianca trailed off. “Couldn’t you have warned me about the terrible twos?”

Charlie laughed lightly. “Jacob has his moments but the girls weren’t really that bad thank God. Imagine double the trouble.” Charlie shuddered at the thought. “I can’t imagine Bella being naughty.”

“Just these last few weeks.” Bianca exhaled lightly. “I thought great she’s hit two and she’s still a little angel, but now she’s two and a half and she hitting out big time.”

“The phase will pass, hopefully.” Charlie laughed lightly.

“It isn’t funny,” Bianca replied. “Just watch or I’ll be wishing the.....” Bianca trailed off as she thought about what she wanted to say. “Troublesome three’s on your girls when they hit 3 and a half.”

“Sorry,” Charlie said and Bella came running back over to the table where Charlie and Bianca were sitting.

“Mamma were my biscuit?” Bella questioned.

“You don’t get one for being naughty.” Bianca said.

“I want one,” Bella shouted as she formed firsts with her hands and her whole body trembled as she looked angrily up at her mother.

“Don’t have a temper tantrum either.” Bianca said as she looked down to her daughter.

“I want’s one.” Bella squealed before she hit her mother’s leg.

“Isabella,” Bianca raised her voice as she stood up from the chair and took her daughters hand in hers. “You had your warning and you still were naughty. You can’t hit people.” Bianca said as she sat her daughter down on the 3rd step up. “You’ll sit there for 2 minutes.”

“No,” Bella giggled as she tried to stand up but Bianca kept her hands on her daughter.

“Isabella, you will sit there.” Bianca said before she stood up and walked away from her daughter.

“Bee-Bee look,” Jacob said as he pointed to Bella who was running around the couch as she giggled. Bianca walked over to her daughter and took her by the hand and dragged her back across to the stairs and put her back down.

“Sit still.” Bianca said and Bella giggled defiantly and she jumped up and tried to run up the stairs. Bianca chased after her daughter and carried her back to the naughty step and once again put her down, once she started it wasn’t wise to give up. She slowly walked away and re-joined Charlie at the table. “I wish I’d sent her to Kindergarten early.” Bianca shook her head.

“At least she’s sitting now,” Charlie said. “Even if she is screaming her head off.”

“Hopefully she’s not going to be like this for much longer.” Bianca exhaled lightly. “Anyways, enough about my demon daughter. How’s life as a married woman?”

“So far, we’ve had 2 major arguments so I’d say not so different from not being married.”

“Well you and Brax often do have a fiery relationship,” Bianca laughed lightly. “But what can you possibly be arguing about already?”

“Well firstly, Brax wants another child.” Charlie sighed.

“Oh wow what ehm....” Bianca trailed off. “But you can’t....how could....”

“Adoption or surrogacy apparently,” Charlie sighed. “I’m no way agreeing to it though. I don’t want another child. But I’ve told him we can discuss it in a few months.” Charlie said. “So, that’s at least put that to the side for now because we have even bigger problems now.”

“Oh?” Bianca said, intrigued.

“A one Mr Heath Braxton is back.” Charlie said and Bianca opened her mouth in shock. “Oh and it gets worse. Brax said he can stay with us.”

“Oh wow.” Bianca said. “Didn’t he have like 4 years left of his sentence?”

“Yeah but he’s probably cut some deal with a guard or something for early release knowing him.”

“So what are you going to do?” Bianca questioned.

“Well I let him stay last night because I was so tired I couldn’t be bothered to argue, but he knows I’m not happy with Heath staying so no doubt we’ll have cross words again.” Charlie sighed lightly.

“Mamma,” Bella said. “Can I move?” Bianca looked down to her watch before she walked over to her daughter.

“What do you say to Mamma?”

“I’m sorry.” Bella said shyly before she gave her mother a hug. Bianca placed a soft kiss on her daughter’s cheek.

“Go and say sorry to Paige as well.” Bianca said and Bella ran over to Paige and gave her a hug as she said sorry. Bianca walked back over to the table and picked up her and Charlie’s coffee mugs.

“You want another coffee and we can talk more about Heath?” Bianca questioned and Charlie nodded lightly as she followed her friend into the kitchen. As Bianca was preparing the kettle the doorbell rang and Charlie walked across to answer it, with Bianca coming behind her. She opened the door and was slightly surprised and confused to see Emma – Ryan’s daughter and the woman who bought her old house – standing at the other side.

“Can I help you?” Bianca questioned.

“I eh....I’m Ryan’s daughter.” Emma said as she took a deep breath. “Can I please just have 5 minutes of your time?” Emma questioned and Bianca nodded lightly as she stepped into the house.

*******

Ruby was sitting on the bar stool in the restaurant, watching as Xavier and Brax were setting out new bottles of wine. “So you’re really going to let him stay?” Ruby questioned.

“He’s my brother, Rubes.” Brax sighed. “I can’t see him on the street.”

“Yeah but mum is your wife and the mother of your children and well.....you’ve really pis -.”

“Ruby,” Xavier said. “Don’t swear in front of the baby.”

“It’s still in my uterus, Xav.” Ruby rolled her eyes.

“Well they say that the baby can hear you.” Xavier said and Brax laughed lightly.

“Look, Rubes, I know I’ve upset your mum, but she has to understand that he’s my brother and I’m going to stand by him. I’ve always supported her and you so maybe it’s time for her to support my family.”

“Yeah but it’s Heath,” Ruby sighed. “He’s not exactly Mother Theresa is he?”

“No, but he said he’s going to change and I trust him.” Brax said as he opened up a second box of the wine.

“Well if you ask me, Heath isn’t capable of change.” Ruby said.

“No-one was asking you little rock-star.” Heath laughed as he walked down the restaurant and opened up the till, reaching his hand in and pulling out a couple hundred dollars.

“Eh what do you think you’re doing?” Brax asked as he tried to take the money back, but Heath stuffed it into his pocket.

“Just helping myself.” Heath laughed, pointing out the obvious as he opened the fridge and pulled of some bottles of beer.

“Heath,” Brax raised his voice. “Put those back.”

“Chill out bro, I’m sure you can spare a few beers for the lads.” Heath laughed before he walked back out of the restaurant. Ruby looked up at Brax and saw he was shaking his head.

“Yeah, Brax, he’s totally going to change.” Ruby shook her head. “I don’t know what mum is thinking.”