My Saving Grace

[RoRo90]

Thank you guys for the comments, I wouldnt say this chapter was my best but I really wanted to push on with the Chax reunion so this is just a little something that will get you guys your Chax reunion a little quicker (no Chax in it) but certain parts of this chapter will lead there. hope you guys still enjoy it

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

"Ruby will you get out here, I'm gonna be late and I really would rather not be seeing as it IS my fist day"

"Err Charlie you can go, I don't need a lift I'm gonna go in with April, really would rather not rock up with my mum THE COP to school on the first day" she looked over at Charlie as she spoke passing her a small grin

"What you trying to say... I'm not going to embarrass you" Charlie feigned a mock offended voice

"Yh sure... but still I'm gonna go with April thanks" she slyly smiled as she placed a kiss on Charlie's cheek

"Fine, have a good day ok" Charlie placed a kiss on Ruby temple as she made her way out the house. She took a deep breath in as she knew this was probably going to be the day she would have to confront all the people she had bee trying to avoid, however only one in particular made her extremely anxious.

"Good luck" Ruby called after Charlie. Although Charlie would never admit it Ruby could see how nervous she was about starting her job, she just hoped the day would go smoothly for her. Looking up at the time Ruby walked into her room picked up her bag as she took one last look at herself. She tried to get rid of her own nerves, she knew Casey would be there today at school, although she still wasn't sure if he would even remember her she wasn't sure if she wanted him too, 'but surely it would be worse if he didn't' she thought to herself. That would mean him and his brothers had somehow found a way of forgetting her, forgetting all of them even though she still somehow held onto the memories that surrounded her childhood. Walking out of her room at the sound of knocking Ruby looked to the back door of the house

"Hy" Ruby was greeted by April who was stood against the door "You ready?" asked April

"Yep" Rushing over to April Ruby shut the door behind her as they made the way to Summer Bay High School

April looked on at a rather quiet Ruby as she fiddled restlessly with her fingers. Although she didn't know much April had accompanied the girls to the many trips to the city to see Charlie and Ruby. April and Ruby had become somewhat close and she knew a little about their story. Bianca had always made it clear to warn her never to mention Ruby nor Charlie's name around anyone especially the Braxton boys.

"Ruby you ok?"

"Yeah why wouldn't I be?" Ruby gaze remained on her fidgeting fingers

"Err maybe because you're doing that thing you do when you get nervous" replied April

"What thing?" Ruby looked up at April confused. April simply nodded down at Ruby's still twiddling fingers causing Ruby to instantly drop her hands to her side

"So?" April raised her eyebrows

"It's nothing, just really don't like being the new kid that everyone's gonna be gawking at...you know" Ruby replied calmly hoping her response would alter any further questioning.

Examining Ruby April knew there was more to it and although she had a fairly good idea what it concerned she chose to accept Ruby's answer

"You'll be fine plus you have me" smiled April

"Yh" Ruby smiled back as they continued their journey

...

"Settle down guys" said the teacher as Ruby and April walked in taking a seat

"Oh err, I see we have a new comer today" said the teacher a little surprised. Ruby grinned at him as she cursed under her breath, she had been hoping she would have just gone unnoticed, but it looked like this was gonna be a day filled with introductions. Smiling at her the teacher continued

"Well would you like to stand up and introduce yourself" he said

'No I really wouldn't like that' she thought to herself, but still she stood up refusing to look at any faces in particular as she spoke

"Hi my name is Ruby Buckton" she quickly positioned herself back onto her seat

"Wait Buckton?" the teacher asked

"Err yeah Buckton" replied Ruby. She was now looking at the teacher that was gawking at her, making her more uncomfortable

"That's Miles, Leah's husband" April whispered to Ruby and suddenly it clicked, he recognised her name

Not sure as to why, Ruby looked down at her desk almost as if trying to hid her face

"Sorry I'm late Mr Copeland" Miles finally stopped peering at Ruby as Casey ran through the door. Ruby instantly recognised him. There was no denying it, it really was him. Casey quickly made his way to his desk as Ruby buried her face closer to her desk. She sighed in thankful relief as he seemed to have not noticed her

"You can't avoid them forever you know" said April in a whisper. She said nothing else knowing that Ruby fully understood who he was referring to. Ruby sighed, April was right, she couldn't avoid him or all three of them, and to be quiet frank she didn't want to.

...

"Jack" said Watson as he entered the station

"Hy" replied Jack

"So you heard you got a new partner" said Watson

"Yeah apparently so, I've been meaning to check her file actually, think it might be a bit distasteful if she walks in and I don't even know her name" Watson laughed lightly as Jack walked over to his desk picking up the file that he had left there over the weekend. Skimming through the file his thought process momentarily stopped as he read the name over 'Charlotte Buckton'. He stared at the name a little longer almost as if waiting for it to change. 'It couldn't possibly be Charlie' he thought to himself, there must be hundreds of Charlotte Buckton out there.

"Jack I think that might be her" Watson nodded in the direction of the entrance. Instantly turning around Jack froze at the sight before him.

...

Charlie's heart rate had now hit a dangerous speed. The closer she got to the station the more unsettled she felt. Maybe she had gone about this all wrong. She should have gone to see him before she started work, but it was too late now, she knew that by the end of the day Brax could possibly know of her return. She still wasn't ready for all the questions; she wasn't ready for this she thought to herself. But as it now stood there was little she could do to change that, there was no turning back now and she knew evening if Jack didn't recognise her by face he would by name. Although she had asked Martha not to tell him about her return or working at the station, she was unsure if that was the best decision. At least if she had told him he would have had time to let it sink in, but no instead she was about to spring herself on Brax's best friend

"This is going to be a great day" she murmured to herself sarcastically as she pulled up outside the station

Taking a deep breath she turned off the ignition as she stepped out the car and made her way into the station. She begged her feet to cooperate with her as she felt them ready to run in the opposite direction. She took another deep breath before turning the corner into the office. Stopping at the entrance she braced herself before she heard a woman's voice

"Jack I think that might be her" he turned almost as if in a hurry to get somewhere

He looked taken a back and definitely shocked at the sight of her face. Charlie stood unsure of what to do. Jack just stood peering at her; anyone would think he had just seen a ghost. The woman's voice quickly pulled Charlie from her thoughts

"You must be Charlotte" the young woman held out her hand "I'm Georgina" Charlie gratefully took her hand giving it a firm shake.

"Yh I'm Charlotte... well Charlie, I prefer Charlie" Charlie could still feel Jacks gaze burning into her. Looking back up at him she was once again unsure of what she was to do next.

"Hi Jack" Charlie finally spoke to him. Watson looked between the two as she noticed the awkward tension that had now surrounded the small station.

"Do you two know each other?" asked Watson

"Yeah, I used to live in Summer Bay years ago, we went to the same school" Watson nodded at Charlie's response as she gladly excused herself.

"It's actually you" these were the first words that left Jacks lips. He couldn't believe she was back, he still never understood how she and her parent could have just left the way they did

"Yh it is, I'm guessing you wasn't aware that I'm your new partner" asked Charlie knowingly

"Err no I wasn't" said Jack, finally realising something Jack spoke again "Wait you're a cop" it was more a statement than a question. Charlie just simply nodded understanding his current state of thought; finally looking around Jack noticed all the eyes in the station were fixated on both him and Charlie. He quickly dropped the file as he made his way into the empty office indicating for Charlie to follow him. She took a deep breath as she closed the door behind them. Jack just stood looking at her as if he was trying to work out if it was the right Charlie or not

"You left" said Jack "Why are you back?" the last part of his sentence came out bitterly. Charlie didn't flinch as she had expected nothing less, she knew how close Jack and Brax were and apparently still are

"I'm here to do my job" replied Charlie

"And you couldn't do it anywhere else... it had to be Summer Bay" Jack's voice had now gotten louder as he spat the words at Charlie. He had seen what her disappearance did to the boys most especially Brax. As far as Jack was concerned Charlie and her parents were no better than the Braxton's parents.

"Look I know you probably don't want me here" Jack scoffed at her words, ignoring it she continued "But I am not going anywhere... you don't know why I left so don't you dare judge me" Charlie had know risen her own voice

"Why" asked Jack, Charlie looked at him confused

"You say I don't know why you left, so tell me now why? Was it that hard to even let him know you were leaving, to say goodbye to him?

"I wanted to but I...I couldn't. I had to leave ok" Charlie voice was now heavily shaky and laced with vulnerability. If Jack detested her this much she was now dreading her confrontation with Brax more than ever. Regaining her posture she continued

"Jack I'm not asking for you to like me but we work together now, we could at least be civil to one another" said Charlie hoping he wouldn't make her job as difficult as possible for her

"Does he know" Jack ignored her words as he spoke again. Knowing who he was referring to Charlie lightly shook head as she fought back her tears

"I actually thought you were one of the good ones but you're just as bad as his parents" as the last of his words left his lips Jack opened the door making sure to shut if firmly behind him. How was Brax and the boys gonna react, should he tell Brax or just wait till he sees her. Jack was lost; he had no idea what to do

As Jack shut the door, Charlie jumped slightly at the firmness he used as her tears finally rolled down her face. Jack was right; no matter the reason or her excuse at the end of the day the fact still remained she had left him just like his parents had without so much as an explanation or a goodbye. Wiping away her tears, she quickly composed herself as she reached for the door handle. Sighing heavily she opened the door, she knew this was going to be a long day

...

Quickly taking his seat Casey placed his bag down as he looked to the front of the class. Catching his breath he saw the brown headed girl sat a few seats in front of him. Although he couldn't see her face he knew he hadn't seen her at school before. He quickly regained his focus as he looked up at Miles who had yet to say a word, Instead he stood still as if he was trying to figure something out

"Err Sir are we actually doing anything today" asked one of the students

"Miles looked up in the direction the voice had come from "oh Sorry, right err..." Miles had lost his train of thought and was desperately trying to get it back. Looking back at the board he sighed thankfully as he read the words he had written not long before

"Right, welcome to the new school year and we're gonna kick off with Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet" the female students beamed with excitement as the boys let out a huge groan

"Right you all have the books in front of you...everyone's gonna read a chapter each on my say so" said Miles "Chapter one... Romeo" the class roared with laughter as he called on Romeo to kick off the reading. Miles couldn't help but smirk at the unimpressed expression that had settled on the young boys face

"The name is very befitting don't you think" Xavier mocked Romeo as he and Casey laughed along.

As Romeo began reading Miles gaze had returned to Ruby, was it really Charlie's Ruby? If so did that mean that Charlie was back? Miles repeated her surname to himself, taking a closer look at the young girl he knew denying it was futile, she looked just like Charlie before she left. Beside her curly chocolate brown hair and her eyes, there was nothing else separating them in resemblance. He let out a slight sigh unsure as to whether Charlie being back was a good thing. Miles suddenly looked up as he remembered Casey was in the same classroom 'Great' he muttered to himself before looking at Romeo who had finished reading.

...

"Right remember next week we're doing role play... so come prepared, I suggest you familiarise yourself with the story" Miles watched on as April and Ruby hurried out of the class room. He had refrained from mentioning her name during the lesson. He wasn't sure if the boys knew they were back and he didn't want Casey finding out that way.

"That wasn't so bad" said Ruby as she and April headed towards the gates. April chuckled to herself

"Are you serious...? Ruby you spent all day dodging Casey and avoiding Miles, what exactly was good about the day" April laughed as she spoke

Ruby laughed as she looked at April "Well I succeeded didn't I"

"Yh let's see if you'll be so lucky tomorrow" April smirked at her

Just as Ruby was about to continue she squealed as a ball just about missed her face. Turning around ready to give the person responsible an earful Ruby froze to the spot

"Oh sorry I..." Casey instantly stopped talking as he looked at her. April stood awkwardly as both Casey and Ruby stood without a word.

"Casey what's taking you so long" Xavier walked up behind him. Ruby quickly shifted her gaze attempting to escape Casey's glare, but as she turned around she cursed under her breath as Xavier spoke

"You're Ruby right?" Xavier smiled at her warmly

"Ruby" Casey repeated After Xavier.

"It was you the other day at the beach... wasn't it?" asked Casey

Ruby simply nodded as she sent him a warm smile, she sighed in relief as he returned the gesture. Xavier and April now stood awkwardly as they glared at the two of them

"I wanted to come and say hi but I..." Ruby paused and Casey nodded to indicate he understood what she was trying to say

"So you guys are back for good?" asked Casey

"Yeah we are" replied Ruby

"Err w...why did you leave in the first place" Casey didn't want to make things awkward but the question had been playing on his mind. Ruby looked at him blankly unsure of what to say, didn't he know she knew just as little as he did

"I don't know" she replied truthfully. Looking at Casey's face a sudden rage of anger filled her

"We have to go" she grabbed a hold of Aprils hand as she rapidly walked away from Casey in hopes he wouldn't follow her.

Ruby got lost in her thoughts as her anger towards Charlie continued to cascade. Why didn't she know the answer to Casey's question? why didn't Charlie trust her enough to be honest with her? As she rapidly made her way to her house April tried to keep up with her but chose not to speak. Ruby may have had no answer for Casey but she was determined to receive them by the end of that day

...

Casey walked into the house heading straight into his room, thankful to have escaped Xavier's questions he slumped down against his bed. He recalled Ruby's face, he couldn't believe how little she had changed, apart from the obvious growth in height she still looked the same as he had remembered, he wondered if this could be said for Charlie, Elise and Ross, a smile played on his face as he thought about them. 'Shouldn't he be angry with them' he asked himself. He somehow found it a hard concept, he didn't remember his father and he only had the tiniest recollection of his mother but the Buckton, somehow his memories of them were almost as clear as the present day. He had so many questions but still the thought of seeing them again, the thought of having them back in his life was one he found no sorrow in, Instead the prospect of this brought a smile to his face.

"Case" Casey walked out into the lounge at the call of his name

"Hy Brax"

"Hy... I'm might be finishing up at the restaurant a little later than usual today so just in case I can't make it home for dinner come down there so you can get something to eat ok" Brax looked at Casey as he stopped talking

"Casey... you listening?"

Casey looked up at Brax 'Should he tell him, surely he had a right to know'.

"Case?"

"Yh I heard you... come to the restaurant for dinner" Casey replied. As he remembered the way Ruby had practically ran away from him Casey decided against telling his brother. He knew there was a chance Brax would begin throwing questions at him and right now he didn't have the answers, well either that or he would simply call him deluded.

Brax watched Casey curiously, he knew there was something bugging him and usually he would have tried to get it out of him, but already being late for work he decided he would try and talk to him later

"Right I'm off" turning on his heels Brax headed out the front door

"Yh bye" Casey walked back into his room as he lay back down on his bed with the same thought still consuming his mind

...

Looking up at the time which now read 7:30 Casey slipped on his top as he made for the front door making the short walk to the restaurant.

Hope that was ok

[RoRo90]

decided to post this up for you guys today instead of tomorrow figured you have all waited long enough... hope you enjoy it and thank you for you continuous comments. Enjoy

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Charlie walked into the house as she let out a sigh of relief. She knew working with Jack would be difficult but he had made it almost unbearable. Spending most of the day in each other's presence he had refused to talk to her after the confrontation in the office. The little he did say always came out sharp and cold. She willed for her shift to come to an end not sure how long she could take his cold reception towards her. Walking into the lounge she saw Ruby sat on the couch.

"Hy Ruby how was school?" the eagerness in her voice was badly hidden

"Do you mean did I see Casey today or should I say did Casey see me?" Ruby voice was stale and her gaze remained on the TV screen before her. Charlie noticed the cold tone but over looked it

"No I actually meant how was school" Charlie replied knowing there wasn't total truth in her words. Finally looking at her Ruby spoke

"Ok let me see, I spent all day trying to avoid Casey and Miles who happens to be my English teacher so you can imagine how difficult that was, and why was I doing this...because apparently we upped and left without telling anyone and you're doing your best to avoid everyone. Oh and here's the good part Casey still managed to spot me and do you know what he asked?" Charlie stared at her daughter a little taken aback by her tone but also saddened that she had dragged Ruby into her mess

"Why... he asked why and what do I do? I tell him I don't know and then I just leave him standing there" Ruby stared intensively at Charlie

"I don't Know" Ruby repeated

"Ruby I..."

"No Charlie, no more excuses, I just want you to tell me the truth, for once just be honest with me"

"I told you dad got a promotion in the city" Ruby laughed sarcastically at Charlie's response as she shook her head in disbelief

"You're still lying, after everything we have been through your still lying" a tear escaped Charlie's eyes as Ruby's glazed over with tears

" A promotion doesn't explain us suddenly leaving without telling anyone, why would you not say goodbye to them, why wouldn't you let me say goodbye to them"

"No Ruby I..." Standing up abruptly Ruby's anger overcame her

"Your unbelievable, you lie to me for 12 YEARS about being my sister and now you're doing it again... you'll never change" with that Ruby quickly walked out the back door before Charlie could get a word in.

"Ruby, Rubes" Charlie called after her daughter but she was now long gone. Wiping away the tears that had been caused by Ruby's words, Charlie took a deep breath. She knew Ruby was right she did deserve to know the truth.

...

"Hy" Jack walked into the house placing a kiss on Martha's temple

Martha looked at him warily knowing who he would have seen that day "Err how was work?" she looked up eagerly at him

Noticing the look on her face Jack quickly put two and two together

"You already knew didn't you?"

"I'm sorry I wanted to tell you but she asked me not to"

"Are you serious, she's been to see you?" asked Jack

"Yh sort of" Martha looked down knowing Jack was going to be angry at what he was about to find out

"What do you mean sort of" Jack asked slowly

"Martha?" Jack looked at her with a face full of questions

"She stayed over at Bianca's the night she got here" replied Martha who refused to look up at him

"Wait so let me get this straight you and Bianca and I'm guessing Leah knew when she came back to the bay" Martha nodded in response

"How did she even know Bianca's place?" Jacks mind was full with questions

"We directed her" replied Martha; she knew he would find out sooner or later and just wanted to get it over and done with

"You can't have, that would mean you spoke to her before she was in the Bay" Martha didn't bother replying knowing he would soon figure it out

"Martha are you trying to tell me you and the girls have been in contact with her all these years?" Jack already knew the answer to his question

Finally looking up at Jack she spoke

"We would have told you but she made us promise, we had no choice"

"But he asked you guys if you knew where she was, I asked you and you lied"

Martha sighed "Like I said she made us promise, it's not like any of us were trying to hurt Brax we were just looking out for Charlie"

"Why would Charlie need looking out for, she's the one that left him"

Moving closer to him she spoke

"I promise you she didn't just up and leave for something stupid and it wasn't because she didn't want to be with him... Jack there are things you don't know and I wish I could tell you but it's not up to me"

Jack stared at her for a few moments

"Martha I don't see anything that could be good enough for the way she treated him"

"If her reasons weren't justified none of us would have backed her, she was backed into a corner, and to be honest I don't know what I would have done if I was in her shoes"

"What shoes, what are you talking about?"

"I can't tell you, it's not something you just go around saying but please go easy on her, and she has been through a lot more than you can imagine, she doesn't need anyone adding to that... just please trust me on this"

Jack nodded after a few moments of silence, Martha smiled a she placed a kiss on his lips

"Thank you"

...

"Hy are the kids in bed" Leah looked at miles as she entered the house

"Yh how was your day?" asked Miles

"Fine the diner was really busy today but that's a good thing right" Leah smiled over at her husband as she took a seat beside him

"And how about you how did your day go" Leah tried to act casual

"You won't believe who was in my first class today...Ruby, Ruby as in Charlie's Ruby" Miles waited for Leah's shock reaction but realised he was missing something when she stared knowingly at him

"You knew?"He asked

Leah looked at him with guilty eyes

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because Charlie wanted to be the one to tell Brax and I know you would have got in there first if you knew, Miles we both know your best suit isn't keeping secrets" Leah smirked over at him as she tried to lighten the mood

"So she has spoken to you, I don't understand how you are ok with this, this is the same Charlie that just upped and left"

"Miles there is more to this than you know; than anyone knows ok, she had her reasons and when she is ready she will share them, but for know she just needs time"

"I get that you guys were friends but how can you be defending her like this, you haven't seen her in ten years" once again Leah looked at him with guilty eyes "or maybe you have" said Miles "But how?"

"Our girls only weekend getaways" said Leah

Miles shifted in his seat at her words, he wasn't sure what frustrated him the most the fact that they had lied to Brax about knowing where she was or the fact that she had lied to him

"You're joking right? You go on those stupid things twice a year, but what you're saying now is all this time you've all actually been going to see Charlie"

"Miles I know it sounds bad"

"No Leah it is bad, you lied to me"

"And I did it to protect Charlie not to hurt you or Brax, she didn't have anyone... she needed us"

"Needed you for what? Nobody forced her to go Leah she chose to leave" said Miles

"Miles her circumstances forced her to leave, I know I'm probably not making any sense but trust me when I say her reason for leaving isn't something trivial, it was the only way she felt she could handle it"

"What was it?" Miles asked as he realised whatever Leah was talking about had to be serious

"I'm sorry I can't say, I wish I could tell you but that's Charlie's place not mine, just please trust me" Leah looked to Miles waiting for a response

"Fine"

...

Walking along the beach Casey stopped as he noticed the figure that sat on the sand

"Ruby" At the sound of her name Ruby looked up from Case but unlike earlier that day she made no efforts to escapee his presence, instead she sent him a warm smile grateful for his presence. To her relief Casey returned the gesture. Standing for a few seconds Casey finally walked further taking a seat besides her

"I'm sorry" spoke Ruby

Casey looked at her confused "for what?"

"For running off like that earlier, it's just Charlie... and I, I just" Ruby sighed as she was unable to find the words to explain how she was feeling

Noticing her defeated look Casey intervened

"It's ok, I shouldn't have just asked like that"

"No you had every right, it's just I really don't know" Ruby's reply was weak and she she almost seemed breathless

"Ruby you ok?" questioned Casey as he noticed her pale looking face

Before she could reply, Casey instinctively supported her with his arms as she fainted

"Ruby... Ruby" Casey shook her lightly unsure of what had happened. Concluding that his best efforts were not going to wake her up Casey frantically searched for his phone but failed to find it. Doing the next thing that came to mind he began shouting

"SOMEONE HELP... HELP" he sighed thankfully as he saw two figures Rushing over to him as they heard his plea

...

Brax and Heath walked out of the restaurant as Brax dialled Casey's phone for the tenth time

"Still not picking, I bet you any money he is making his way over here now, how many times do I have to tell him to always keep his phone with him"

"What's the big deal, he gets here seeing you've gone home then he turns back home" Heath replied

Brax sighed lightly, it was getting dark and Casey being out by himself wasn't something that sat comfortably with him, he shrugged it off as they continued to make their way towards the car park

"Jack called earlier, said he wanted to tell me something" said Brax "He sounded... different"

"What do you think it is?" asked Heath

"Honestly have no clue, guess I'm just gonna have to wait and find out" replied Brax

Heath nodded in response but soon enough but his and Brax's attention was stolen by the sound of a voice

"SOMEONE HELP...HELP" standing still for a moment Brax looked at Heath

"That sounds like Case" at the sound of his words Brax and Heath darted down the beach as fear and worry overtook them both. Upon reaching Casey, Brax and Heath stood shocked as they looked down at the unconscious girl in his arms

Casey looked up at his brothers frantically

"I don't know what happened... we were just talking and then..." Casey looked back down at Ruby unsure of what was going on, she was fine a moment ago at least he thought she was.

Stepping towards Ruby Brax took her from Casey's arms as he lifted her into his

"Heath get the car, we need to get her to the hospital"

Nodding in response Heath raced to the car as Brax carried her up the beach. Following his brother Casey looked down as he caught a sight of an object. Picking it up he realised it was Ruby's phone

"Case you coming" Brax shouted back at him

Quickly putting the phone in his pocket Casey ran up behind his brother as Heath approached with the car. Looking down at the young girl's seemingly peaceful face Brax tried to shake the question that had arisen in his mind. Convincing himself he was being stupid he quickly placed her into the car as Casey opened the door sitting beside her as her head rested on his lap. As Brax jumped into the passenger seat, Heath pressed down on the gas pedal as he quickly made the journey to the hospital. Although the ride had been short, neither one of the boys could deny the awkward tension that had been lingering in the tight air within the car. Casey could tell by the look on both his brothers faces that they were asking themselves the same question. Brax noticed Heath had been stealing awkward glances at the young girl as he looked at her questionably. 'Did he see what he could see too?' he thought to himself

Pressing down on the brakes Heath and Brax jumped out of the car as Brax once again picked Ruby as he raced towards the entrance of the hospital with Heath and Casey in tow.

"We need a doctor" Shouted Brax as the nurses and a doctor came rushing towards him

"Bring her through here" he followed the room the doctor had entered as he gently placed her on the bed

"What happened" the doctor turned to brax as he checked Ruby's breathing

"We were just talking and then she fainted" the doctor looked over at Casey as he spoke

"Was she struggling to breathe before hand" he asked

"Err" Casey rubbed his forehead with his hand "I err, she was breathing a little heavily, but I didn't think anything of it...is she going to be ok"

"Are you related" asked the doctor

Casey shook his head

"Do you have any way of getting in contact with her parents they should probably be here" Heath and Brax looked at Casey waiting for his response to what the doctor had said

Noticing their glaring eyes Casey spoke nervously

"I err I don't know where she lives she just moved down here" he replied and in all honestly he wasn't lying he didn't know where she lived and for the last ten years she had been living elsewhere.

The doctor simply nodded as he looked at all three brothers "It will be best if you guys wait outside, I will see if I get one of the staff to track down her folks"

Thankfully for Casey Brax and Heath had immediately exited the room before the doctor spoke again

"What's her name?" he asked as he looked over at Casey

"Ruby...Ruby Buckton" Casey turned on his heels as he joined his brothers outside the room.

Unsure why they had chose to sit waiting on news on the young girls condition, Brax glanced up at Casey but refused to ask him the obvious questions, 'who was she, what is her name' these questions continued to play in his mind but yet they went unspoken. Brax wasn't sure if he wanted to know the answer to the thought that now sat in his mind almost as if taunting him. He turned his focus back to the young girl's room, as they waited for some feedback.

"I'm just gonna go get something to drink" Casey rushed off hoping his brothers wouldn't stop him. Reaching the exit he quickly took the phone out of his pocket as he strolled down Ruby phone book until he reached 'mum'. Pressing the dial button he was surprised as to how fast she had answered the phone

"Ruby is that you, I have been looking for you everywhere, you had me worried sick" said the voice on the other end of the phone

Casey stood a little confused, he was sure he had dialled Elise number but instead he was met by another's voice

"Ruby are you there...Ruby"

"Err no its not Ruby... err she is at the hospital... she err" Casey mentally kicked himself as he stuttered on like a fool

"W...what" he noticed the voice on the other line go weak "who is this?" she asked

"It's her... friend... you need to get down here now" telling her who he was over the phone probably wasn't the best idea, but then again he had a feeling this night was not going to end no a happy note for anyone; he was about to possibly spring Charlie, Elise and Ross on his brothers.

"I'll be there soon" Charlie dropped the phone as she pressed firmly against the gas pedal frantically making her way to the hospital.

Putting the phone back into his pocket he walked back into the hospital making sure to get a drink along the way.

Heath sat silently with his thoughts, he knew unlike his brothers he tended to pretended things didn't get to him and that's exactly what he had done ten years ago. They just left no goodbyes no nothing, the Buckton's just took off without so much as a word, just like his parents had. He had watched Brax break slowly without Charlie and Casey's continuous request to see Ruby and Elise didn't make it any easier. He could see the affect their departure had had on his brothers but he refused to show any sign of weakness, he refused to give them the satisfaction of missing them. The same day they had left he had written them off, they had abandoned him and were therefore not worth his time. But regardless he found himself thinking about them more often than he cared to admit. They had all missed so many things that he wanted to share with them and for that he would never forgive them. His mind drifted back to the young girl in the hospital room, she was the spitting image of Ruby, but it couldn't possibly be her. He looked over at Casey who was fidgeting restlessly in his seat, the questioned he had failed to ask him still lingered in his mind, but why could he bring himself to ask the simple question 'who is she'.

...

Rushing up to the front desk Charlie tried to catch her breath

"Ruby, Ruby Buckton" she spoke eagerly as she glared teary eyed at the nurse before her

Being directed to Ruby's where about, Charlie leaped forward making her way across the corridor. Not having noticed the three guys that sat opposite Ruby's room Charlie raced into the room, as she made her way over to Ruby who had by now regained consciousness.

"Oh my God Ruby" Charlie pulled her daughter into a tight hug. Pulling back she cupped Ruby's face as she softly stroked her cheeks.

"I never should have let you leave like that...I"

"No Charlie it was my own fault, I forgot to take my insulin when I got back from school" interrupted Ruby

"Ruby I have told you many times to make sure you..." Ruby intervened once again

"I know, I know it's just I was so upset and angry at you... I just wasn't thinking straight"

Charlie sighed lightly as she spoke "Well I'm sorry ok... but please I don't want you ever forgetting again... I can't lose you"

"You wont...I'm sorry too" Ruby looked up as they were interrupted by a voice

"I see you're feeling better" the young doctor walked over to Ruby, looking over at Charlie he spoke again "I assume you're her sister"

Ruby let out a little laugh at his assumption

"Err no I'm her mum" Charlie finally teared her eye away from Ruby as she looked up at the doctor

"Oh sorry I just assumed" he replied sheepishly

"That's fine" Charlie quickly brushed it off "Is she ok?" she asked referring to Ruby

"Yh she just had really low blood sugar hence why she fainted...it's important that she takes her insulin on time and doesn't go about her day on an empty stomach

Charlie nodded "Thank you, is she alright to come home today?" she asked

"Yh, we would like to keep her for an hour or so but that's just routine, and we will need you to sign some forms before you leave. I'll leave you guys to it" as the doctor turned around he suddenly stopped as he remembered something

"Oh yh your friend and the guys that brought you here are still outside, I think they just wanted to know you're ok" he smiled as he opened the door

Looking at Ruby Charlie raised her eyebrow "What guys?"

Ruby shuffled nervously in her seat "I was talking to..." unable to carry on Ruby looked on at the three guys that were now stood wide eyed as they glared into her room. Noticing the sudden distance on Ruby's face Charlie turned around to see what had caught her attention.

Instantly freezing at the sight before her, Charlie gripped steadfastly at the covers of the bed as she felt herself unable to breathe efficiently. She felt the air leave her lungs as her heart rate picked up at a dangerous speed, her palms began to sweat and her mouth dried up as she glared on at the three guys stood gawking at her almost as if they had seen a ghost. She felt the clouds begin to form in her mind as they sent tears to her eyes, trying her unsuccessful best to compose herself Charlie chocked back her tears as her eyes instantly welled up. Gripping tighter against the sheets she finally steadied her wondering gaze, letting it settle on Brax

...

Brax Casey and Heath's head jolted up at the sound of her voice

"Ruby, Ruby Buckton"

Almost as if unable to move Brax stared on as she ran past them unknowingly and entered into the room. Not sure if he had seen correctly and if his eyes were deceiving him Brax fiercely rubbed his hands against his face. Hoping he wouldn't sound like the last screw had finally dropped he spoke

"Did she just say... was that" before he could finish, his head shot up at the sound of Casey's voice

"Charlie"

Both Brax and Heath stared at him as they both wondered the same thing, why didn't he seem surprised or shocked by this? Upon hearing the sound of the door again Brax shot up to his feet but felt himself unable to enter the room as his thoughts finally caught up with him. It was her on the beach, his mind wasn't playing tricks on him, he had just refused to believe what was in front of him. How could she be back? Why was she back? Why had she not been to see him? Was he such an insignificant part of her life that she felt she owed him no explanation? He questioned himself with several questions. At the sound of the door opening again Brax stared into the room as Heath and Casey both stood up copying Brax's action as all three of them peered fiercely into the room. All three brothers gawked at the two of them, but they harboured different feelings towards the sight before them. As she turned her face Brax steadied his feet firmly against the ground beneath him as he felt his chest tighten against his lungs. Ten years he had waited to see her face and finally there she was

"Charlie"

Her name left his mouth without his consent. He watched as she glared at him and then at Casey and Heath. He watched as her eyes glazed over with tears and her lips began to tremble before she finally stopped her wondering eyes and settled them upon his face

Ten years they had stayed outside each other's presence and now here they were breathing the same air

"B...Brax" her voice no louder than a whisper

So Brax and Charlie have finally seen each other...a penny for your thoughts

[RoRo90]

Thank you guys for your lovely comments so glad so much of you are enjoying this fanfic, hope you enjoy this nest chapter... sorry for the mess up with the first update of this chapter my internet is messing up

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

"B...Brax" Her voice no louder than a whisper

...

The silence that had now fallen had far become unbearable for all five of them, but not knowing what to say they stood in this manner for several minutes. As Casey's thoughts registered completely he finally took the plunged cutting the inescapable tension with a knife

"You're back" Charlie reluctantly tore her gaze away from Brax as Casey spoke. Charlie simply nodded as she failed to find her voice

"You left" Charlie turned again this time towards Heaths direction. She had never seen this look on his face before but she knew it was nothing short of an angered expression

"I...I'm sorry...I" Charlie gave herself a mental kick as she willed herself to depart from her blabbering state and form an understandable sentence

"Sorry" Heath glared at her as his anger evidently grew. Not wanting to create a scene he turned on his heels "I'm out of here" he spat his word as he walked towards the exit of the hospital, leaving only Casey and Brax standing before Charlie and Ruby. Looking from Charlie to Brax Casey sighed as he spoke

"I'm gonna go check if Heath's ok" he turned to ruby before leaving " Hope you're feeling better" Ruby nodded passing him a smile as he left Brax who was yet to speak but stood with the same expression plastered on his face. He implored himself to say something but no word seemed suitable enough for the situation he now found himself in.

Looking up at him Charlie studied his face, his expression was different from that of Heath's, his expressed no anger but confusion and disbelief. He looked almost broken, causing Charlie's tears to sting her eyes sharply as she realised that she was the cause of his current state.

"Brax I can explain" Charlie stepped forward but stopped as Brax edged backwards keeping the distance between them. She watched as he shook his head almost as if trying to wake himself up

"Brax please just..." Before she could finish he quickly turned as he followed the direction Heath and Casey had taken not so long ago.

"Brax please" Charlie called after him although knowing her plea would only fall on deaf ear. Stopping at the foot of the door, Charlie watched as he darted down the halls and out of her sight. Silence once again filled the room as she felt Ruby's glare burning into her back. Wiping away her tears Charlie turned to face her daughter as she attempted to send over a smile. Walking back over to Ruby Charlie slumped down into the seat beside the bed as she tried to get her head around what had just happened.

Grabbing hold of Charlie's hand Ruby gave it a tight squeeze

"I'm sorry Charlie", not replying Charlie squeezed Ruby's hand in return hoping that would be thank you enough. The look in his eyes were now haunting her, he had looked so broken and she could have sworn that just as he turned away from her she saw anger brewing in his eyes. She had made him hate her; her selfish actions had broken him. There were many things in Charlie's life that she regretted and would change but in that moment leaving Summer Bay all those years ago topped her list. She had been so worried about protecting herself that she had broken him along the way. How could she possibly fix this?

...

Walking into the house Heath headed straight for the fridge as he grabbed a beer, he urgently opening it as he allowed the liquid to run down his throat in an attempt to calm himself down. Walking down the stairs Bianca noticed Heath as he stood face full of anger

"Babe you ok" Asked Bianca as she walked over to him

"I can't believe they're back" Heath placed the beer down as he buried his head in his hands

Bianca wasn't sure if Heath was addressing her or talking to himself, Edging closer to him she knew whatever had gotten him so worked up had to be serious

"Babe can you please tell me what's wrong" Heath looked down at Bianca

"The Buckton's, they're back" He waited for his fiancées shocked or surprised reaction but he stood confused when he received neither

"You did hear what I just said right?" he was sure if she had she wouldn't be acting as calm as she seemed to be in that moment

"Yh I heard you" Bianca looked up at him with knowing eyes. Stepping away a little, Heath looked at her in disbelief

"You knew didn't you, you knew they were back" although he asked he had already received his answer by the look that had settled on her face

Bianca slowly nodded before she spoke

"Heath please just give her a chance to explain herself, she has been through a lot"

"I take it you're talking about Charlie, and what, did she tell you this when you were having your little reunion" the anger in Heaths voice was clearly evident to Bianca

"Heath it's not like that" Bianca tried to calm him down

"They just left without a word, Charlie didn't even have the guts to say goodbye to him. What kind of person does that? You saw what he was like when they left. They left to live their lives while we had to watch Brax beat himself up for months. How can you be ok with this? She left you guys too. They're all gutless" Heath hissed the end of his sentence as he walked away from Bianca

"Heath she was Broken too, she was in as much pain as Brax and you and Casey but she did what she thought what best at the time"

"How was leaving best, who for? them or u..." Heath paused before continuing "or Brax"

Bianca knew although he would never admit it, Heaths anger didn't stem from the fact that Charlie left Brax, he was also angry at Ross and Elise. They had not only left Brax and Casey behind, he felt like they had also abandoned him. Stepping forward she took his hands in hers but as he realised something Heath pulled away as he glared at her

"How do you know?" Bianca looked at him confused

"What do you mean?" she asked

"You just said she was broken too, you said she was in pain... how do you know?" Bianca shifted her glance from Heath unsure of how to answer the question without making an already bad situation worse

"Bianca" Heath called her name as he refused to remove his gazed from her. Deciding that lying to him would only make things worse, she spoke

"Because I could see that she was" Bianca hoped he wouldn't keep questioning her but if only she was so fortunate

"What do you mean you could see...? Have you seen Charlie before she came back to the Bay? Heaths face now harboured both anger and confusion. Bianca nodded in reply to his question

"When?"

"We... we went to see her after she left" replied Bianca

"We" he questioned, once again Bianca nodded

"Me, Martha and Leah"

"How...when?" Heath stood confused as to how he or anyone for that matter had not known about this

"Those girl's only weekends" answered Bianca

Heaths confused state had now disappeared and the anger now sat vividly on his face

"Wait you went on those twice a year" Heath glared at her in disbelief

" So all this time you knew where they were" Heath voice raised ever so slightly "He asked all three of you several times if you knew where they had gone but you lied, you watched him beat himself up and still you refused to tell him"

"Heath just calm down, Reece is upstairs" said Bianca

"Look it's not as simple as you think, she made us promise not to say anything, you don't know how hard it was for her, for all of them to just leave you guys"

Heath laughed sarcastically as he shook his head

"Hard... you have got to be kidding me, they left without a word and you say it was hard for them"

"Heath she felt like she had no choice, we tried to convince her to tell you guys what was going on but she said she didn't want anyone knowing. If she felt she had any other option I promise you she would never have left" Noticing the anxious look on her face Heath calmed himself down as he tried to understand what it was she was trying to tell him. Bianca knew she had already said too much as it was, but she wanted him to understand that they didn't leave because they didn't care

"What do you mean if she had another option... what is it she couldn't tell us?" asked Heath "What is it you're not telling me?" Heath knew Bianca too well and he could tell by the tone of her voice that she was hiding something big from him.

Walking towards him she gently placed her hands on his chest

"Heath I can't tell you, Charlie as to do it herself it's not my place to tell you or anyone"

"What does it matter who tells me?" asked Heath

"It does, it's not something that can just be said but please just go easy on her, she feels bad enough as it is. And don't go trying to pressure her into telling you anything let her tell you guys in her own time"

Before Heath could reply they were interrupted by Reece as he came plunging down the steps

"Daddy"

"Hy little man... you been good for your mum?"

"Yep, I be a really good boy"

"That's my boy... why aren't you in bed?" Heath picked Reece up as he spoke

"You say you read me story tonight" answered Reece, Heath chuckled at his sons words

"Come on then" Heath made his towards the stairs ready to get Reece to sleep

"Night mummy" Said Reece as he let out a yawn

"Night Sweetie" Bianca blew him a kiss as Heath climbed up the steps

...

Closing his son's door, Heath stood before it for a few minutes as he thought back to Bianca's words

"What did she mean by if Charlie felt she had another option? What was Charlie hiding that Bianca couldn't tell him? What could be so big that they couldn't have just told them instead of leaving them behind? He wasn't sure what to think. He had seen Charlie the night before and she seemed more than fine, he wondered what could have changed from that point that caused them to flee less than 24 hours later. Sighing heavily Heath made his way into his and Bianca's room only to find Bianca already in their bed asleep. Stripping down to his boxers he slipped in beside her as he closed his eyes trying to stop his wondering mind

...

The silence that had settled within the car had not changed since he had dropped Heath off. All the while trying to steady his trembling legs Brax hurriedly made the short drive home, he could feel Casey's glare bouncing straight off him but still he refused to satisfy the young boy with any words or acknowledgment; instead he openly welcomed the silence as he tried to shake the image of her tear stained face out of his mind. Turning off the ignition he kept his sight on the road ahead of him

"Go inside Case" his voice bland and emotionless

"Are you not coming in?" Casey looked over at Brax with worried eyes

"Case just go inside and stop asking stupid questions" Knowing it was probably not the best idea to argue with his brother, Casey opened the car door but turned to face Brax as he heard his voice

"Did you know?" asked Brax his sight still firmly pressed upon the road ahead

"What?" Casey looked at his brother unsure of what he was asking him

"Did you know that was Ruby...Did you know they were back?" Brax clarified the questioned he was asking

Casey glared over at his brother unsure of how to answer the question, he knew that Brax would be annoyed that he hadn't mentioned it but how could he? He only just found out that very day

"Brax I saw Ruby at school today, but I promise I didn't know anything before then, I wasn't even sure if..." Before he could finish he was cut off by Brax

"Close the door" His voice still bland and as emotionless as it had been since he spoke

"Brax..."

"Casey just please close the door and go straight into the house"

Casey nodded in response as he closed the car door; watching as Brax sped down the road. Casey sighed unsure of what to do, the last time he could remember that distant almost broken look on Brax's face was when Charlie had left, although he was only four at the time it was a look he had never had the pleasure of forgetting. Deciding to do as Brax had asked he walked into the house shutting the door behind him. He sighed heavily as he remembered the angered look that had settled on Heaths face on the drive back and the confused look in Brax's eyes. Shouldn't he be angry as well? They had left him as well so why was it that the only emotion he felt was happiness. Couldn't his brothers see that although they did indeed leave they were now back, they came back so wasn't that worth something. Their father had left as well as their mother and till date he was sure neither of the two had looked back once but Ross, Elise, Ruby and Charlie were back they hadn't forgotten them. Casey refused to be angry at them, knowing Heath and Brax were harbouring enough anger towards them he refused to look at this as a negative and hoped that his brothers would see things his way soon.

...

Keeping an immense amount of pressure on the gas pedal, Brax drove down the empty road at an alarming pace. He kept replaying her tear stained faced in his head as he watched her freshly brewed tears crash against her cheeks as she called his name. He recalled how his feet had pulled him away from her although his eyes pleaded to stay. Increasing the pressure his foot had upon the pedal Brax's speed had now reached a dangerous limit but yet he refused to stop. He wanted to hold her and stop her tears but his hurt and anger was too much to overcome, she had come back and yet she had found no time to come and see him. As if he was being forced he momentarily focus on the road ahead of him before slamming on the brakes as a stray dog slowly crossed the road. Holding onto the steering wheel firmly he pleaded with his chest to release the tight grip it now had on his lungs. He was sure his heart was plunging against his chest in an attempt to escape his body and escape the pain he was in. Slowly releasing his grip on the wheel he turned off the ignition as the night's darkness overcame him.

'It's my own fault' he thought to himself. His heart had willed to see her again, he had prayed countless times to once again be in her presence, he had caused this. His prayers had finally been answered and yet he had turned his back and walked away. This is what he wanted, seeing her again was all he had hoped for in the last decade but why did he feel more alone now than before?

Leaning his head back against the head rest in frustration Brax brought his eyes forcefully to a close as he fought away the tears that now threatened his eyes. Keeping them closed he remembered the last time they had been together, he remembered her playful smile and her bright blue eyes as he leant in and placed a kiss on her lips. If only he had known that that would be the last time he would feel her lips against his, the last time he would hold her close to him, he would never have let her go. Finally deciding his tears were no longer a threat to him he opened his eyes but the darkness before him was no different from that he had expressed without sight. Composing himself he turned on the ignition as he turned the car around heading back in the direction in which he had just ventured from. His heart had fought hard into convincing him to go back to the hospital but his stubborn ego refused to give in as he pulled up outside his house.

As Brax entered the house he sighed in relief as Casey had thankfully retired to his room, closing the door behind him he walked into his room unsure of what to do with himself. As if gravity had taken over, his eyes fell upon the drawer he had opened many a times when he wanted to feel a little closer to her. He once again picked up the un opened envelope but unlike all the other times he had held the letter in his grasp, he didn't feel regret or saddened but this time he felt angered and betrayed. Crushing the unopened envelope in his palm he threw it in the bin beside his bedside as he slumped down harshly upon the bed. His eyes hovered over the envelope as it lay battered within the bin but his ego refused to allow him retrieve it forcing him to turn his back on it. He turned his attention back to the still opened draw as he pulled out the black velvet box, he longed to open it but the reminder of what it had represented to him, what it was meant to represent to her was too much to bear, the content of that box became irrelevant and untrue the day she left Summer Bay. He placed it besides the envelope in the bin as he quickly dragged his hands over his face trying to stop the memories that had stubbornly settled with him since the hospital. Looking down at the sound of his phone Brax picked it up as a name flashed across the screen, he sighed as he saw Ella's name

*Hy babe how was your day x*

Not having the energy to reply Brax tossed his phone to the side, he needed time alone

...

Charlie had noticed Ruby's glare upon her on the drive home but she felt deflated, she wanted to assure her daughter that she was ok but how could she, the feeling she felt when he walked away from her was beyond pain itself, how could she act like she was ok when all she wanted to do was break down and cry. She feigned a smile all the way home in hopes that it would be enough to ease the eyes of her daughter.

"Right come on you, straight to bed you've had a long day" Charlie ushered Ruby towards her room as they entered the house

"But I'm not tired" replied Ruby

"Well tough it's not up for discussion" said Charlie as she guided Ruby into her room

"Err... Charlie I don't need to be tucked in" Ruby looked over at her mother as she sat on the edge of her bed

"I know...I err I will leave you to it and I mean it go straight to bed" Charlie glared at Ruby till she received a reluctant nod from the young girl

Turning to leave Charlie looked back at Ruby as she spoke

"Why won't you tell me?" Charlie needn't ask what Ruby was referring to she knew too well that she was still on about the issue that had landed her in hospital

"You say we're supposed to be honest with each other about everything but all you're doing is being dishonest" Ruby's voice wasn't laced with anger as it had been earlier that day more, it was calm and welcoming

Charlie looked over at her daughter and under no control of her own a tear instantly glided down her cheeks

"I don't mean to be dishonest but I thought I was doing the right thing" Charlie was met by the worried look of her daughter she knew she couldn't get out of this and if trying to avoid it was going to land her in hospital again Charlie wasn't willing to take that risk

"Right thing for whom? Ruby voice was still as calm as when she had begun talking. Charlie could see her daughter was trying to understand what she was saying

"Right thing for you...me, the right thing for me" Charlie cringed at how self centred she sounded. How could she have made it all about her; how could she have ignored the feelings of those around her in a bid to protect and hide herself away from her past.

"Why would leaving Summer Bay be right? I may have been young but I remember you being happy here, I remember Brax and Heath and C..."

"You remember" Charlie looked at her daughter a little shocked, she had always thought what Ruby knew of them was what she had heard after they had left the Bay

Ruby chuckled at her mother nodding in response "You think I would remember your promise and not them" Ruby raised her eyebrow

"B... you were only four, Ruby sometimes you can't even remember what you had been doing moment before, how could you remember them?"

"I don't know I just do... and plus you and the girls used to talk about them whenever they came down to visit so I guessed that helped too...and no before you say anything I wasn't ears dropping you guys are just really bad at talking quietly" Ruby noticed Charlie cheeky smile towards her as she nudged her arm

"Why didn't you ever say anything?" Asked Charlie

"Because you didn't... and what was I supposed to say?" Charlie nodded to her daughter's response knowing that she had a point

"You didn't tell him we were leaving did you" Ruby already knew the answer but she couldn't understand why

Charlie shook her head as she once again found herself having to try heavily to keep her composure

"I don't get it Charlie, what could have been so bad that we had to leave all this behind, it's been ten years Charlie but the way he looked at you back there, he looked so broken... how could you just leave?" Ruby gawked at her mum hoping she would get the answer she was looking for.

Ruby words stung Charlie hard, she had only asked her the same questioned she had been asking herself since Brax turned and left the hospital, how could she have just left behind such a perfect life?

"Grant" Ruby's body stiffened as his name left her mother's lips

"What?" Ruby was unsure as to why her mother would bring him into this, actually she was unsure as to why she would ever mention his name reminding her of the man she was unfortunate enough to have as a father

"I left because of Grant" Charlie turned to face her daughter knowing what she was saying was probably causing Ruby as much pain as it did her

"W...why, I don't understand, what as he got to do with this?" for years she had wondered the reason behind their departure from Summer Bay but in this moment Ruby wished she had just left it alone she didn't want to hear what her mother had to say but she knew she had already pulled the trigger it was too late

"He was here" Ruby gasped at Charlie's words

"He came looking for you" she asked in disbelief

Charlie shook her head as she continued with her explanation "No he didn't know I was here at least not that I am aware of, but he was here and I panicked" Charlie removed her glace from Ruby as she set her eyes upon the walls before her

"I was so happy that night, I had Brax, my friends... mum, dad and you" Charlie chocked back her tears as she recalled he last time she had been in Brax's embrace

"But then there he was, talking to Brax like he had no care in the world, he was laughing while I had spent years in sorrow, I couldn't do it, I couldn't be here sharing the same air as him, I had to get out I..." Charlie finally looked up as she felt the comfort of her daughters hand glide into hers only noticing her tears for the first time

"I'm so sorry Charlie... I didn't think... I"

"Hy its ok it's not your fault" Charlie gave Ruby's hand a squeeze as she brushed her thumb over her cheek wiping away her tears

"I'm sorry I never told you I just... I wanted to protect you" Ruby nodded in understanding of Charlie's words

Pondering on her words for a while Ruby finally spoke "And now?" Charlie looked at her confused, Ruby slowly continued

"Is he still here or...?" Ruby hoped Charlie would realise the meaning behind her words and thankfully she had

"No, the girls told me he left about 5 months ago" Charlie wasn't sure if she would have had the strength to come back if he hadn't left

"They don't know do they?" Once again Charlie face was covered with confusion

"About me, Brax, Heath and Casey they don't know about me or Grant... that's why you didn't tell them when we left" Charlie nodded regretfully at her daughters words

"I wanted to I did... but how do you start that type of conversation? And once we got settled I just got more scared by it so I just convinced myself I was doing the right thing" Silence had now fallen upon the two of them for several minutes before Ruby spoke

"You're going to tell them right? They deserve to know the truth... I think HE might actually understand why you did what you did but you will have to tell them, plus they might start getting a bit suspicious seeing as you left with a sister and came back with a daughter" Ruby smiled cheekily at Charlie as they both laughed at her words

"When did you become so smart?" Charlie smiled over at her daughter as she placed a kiss on her temple "Now please get some sleep, I don't want to be up all night worrying about you" Ruby nodded with a smile as Charlie moved towards the bedroom door

"Mum?" Charlie instantly found herself smiling as the words left Ruby's lips "No more secrets?"

Charlie turned to face her daughter as she shook her head "No, no more secrets" Charlie smiled at her before stepping out of the room and closing the door.

Walking into her own room Charlie instinctively pulled out the box that she placed at the back of her wardrobe, pulling the lid off a smile appeared on her face as she took the picture that she had fell asleep with for almost a year after they had left the Bay. Gently gliding her hand over his face, she laughed ever so slightly as she remembered how they had spent all of that day on the beach before rax took the picture of the both of them. Only registering her tears as she saw them hit against the picture she instantly placed the picture back into the box before closing it shut and placing it back in its spot. She had no right to hold on to those memories, she had given that up when she had betrayed him, but still she couldn't rid herself of the little memories she had of him. Even if he never spoke to her nor forgave her for abandoning him and forcing her parents to also abandon all of them, she refused to rid herself of her memories of him.

After endless attempts of trying to get to sleep Charlie gave up hope as she pulled on her sweats and headed for the door but checking on a peacefully sleeping Ruby on her way out. As the nights wind grazed her skin she sighed with relief as she made her way to the one place that had brought her comfort more times than she could recall

...

Groaning in frustration Brax decided trying to get some sleep was a pointless an unachievable task as his thoughts refused to relieve him. Pulling on his board shorts and his shirt he walked out of the house hoping the calm movement of the waves would help clear his mind even if only for a short while.

Hope that was ok

[RoRo90]

Thanks for the comments guys hope you enjoy this next one

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

Dragging her heavy head along the beach Charlie breathed a sigh of relief as she reached the one place she had longed to spend time at since she returned to the Bay. Letting the warm breeze of the night greet her she placed herself down upon the soft sand as her eyes feel on the crystal blue ocean. Sitting and staring for a few minutes Charlie let out an angry cry as she felt all her built up emotions over take her every being, it seemed the ocean had lost its magic or just wasn't strong enough to rid her of the hole she had herself dug. She had tried but failed to get his posture and image at the hospital out of her mind. His usually brightly lit green eyes glared at her dimly as they ripped through her soul. First arriving to Summer Bay all those years ago she had found herself alone staring out at the ocean because of the pain that had been wrongly bestowed on her but now here she was back there again but this time she had herself brought this sadness on herself, she had now been the one who had bestowed pain on another.

Examining the calm ocean she prayed for it to bring her some sort of comfort but she was met by the absence of relief, even the one place that had accepted her time upon time had now refused to grace her with any sort of acknowledgment. 'why had she come back, why had she let the promise she made to her father bring her back to a place that she had her self left out of fear, she was not deserving of the sight before her' Charlie scolded herself mentally as she let herself fully realise the mistake she had made a decade ago. Doubting whether or not she had the strength to complete the journey she had now found herself on, Charlie's head jolted up as she felt that familiar warm and comforting breeze brush past her cheek leaving a lingering feeling of comfort on it. She cupped her cheeks as she smiled faintly towards the ocean her tears falling in recognition of what she had just felt.

"Mum, dad I don't know if I can do this... I really need you guys, I need you to tell me what to do" Charlie stared into the darkness with pleading eyes as she waited and hoped for them to send her some sort of sigh: anything to give her hope and strength. She shook her head at her stupidity 'of course they couldn't reply, how could they', suddenly memories replied in her head as she remembered two quotes her parents had used so many times when she was younger

"It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get back up"

"We gain strength, and courage and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that in which we think we cannot"

She recalled the numerous times she had heard her parents recite these words but up until this very moment the words had been empty and meaningless to her. She repeated the quoted to herself as she smiled gratefully towards the ocean.

"Thank you" she whispered her words hoping they had heard her

She had been knocked down countless times by the lingering presence of her past and she had refused to look fear in the face but she couldn't continue on this way. She had returned with the determination to get her life back on track and right her wrongs and she was going to listen to her parents and get back up, she was going to come face to face with her fear and she was determined to overcome it.

...

He had been walking for what felt like a life time, normally one glance at the ocean and his thoughts and problems became a distance memory but it never worked when it concerned her, she seemed to find a way through all his barriers, how could the one person that had once brought him happiness, the person that had shown him a whole new meaning to what it was like to be part of something big... part of a family; how could this same person have been the cause for the darkness he had found himself in for months a darkness he wasn't sure he had yet completely escaped. He had spent so long hoping she would realise her mistake and come back to him, he waited and waited until he had somehow lost all hope. All his life he had lived each day he could remember on hope, and all in one she took this hope from him leaving him feeling defeated and alone. 'It was his own stupid fault' he thought aggressively to himself. How could he have pinned all his hope's and happiness on one person on any person? Had he not learnt his lesson through his parents, he wasn't made to be loved. He foolishly let himself forget the life he was destined to live and he got caught up in the fantasy of what could be, but not now not anymore: he had learned his lesson and he refused to let foolishness overtake him ever again, never again would he give anyone his all'

'She may be back but he wouldn't give her the power to break him again' but even his mind seemed unconvinced by the statement it had made.

Walking further down the beach in hopes of finding the clarity he had come looking for Brax's movement came to a halt as he registered the figure that sat not too far from him, her gaze calmly set upon the ocean. His mind pleaded with him to turn away but his legs seemed to ignore its plea as they fastened themselves onto the spot. His previous thoughts had long left him by now as he watched her brown hair allow the wind play with it, his heart stopped momentarily as the little light from the moon bounced off the tear that rolled down her blue eyes that had always sent him into a state of paralysis. He watched as she glides her hand over her cheeks taking her tear with it. He remembered the first time he had seen her sitting in such a manner, the first time he had truly felt her touch the first time he had placed his lips upon hers. Wishing he could be there for her the way he was that night he shook the though away just as fast as it had appeared, his legs had finally received the message his mind had been trying to send as he turned in the opposite direction ready to walk away from her a second time that day.

...

Wiping away her tears Charlie stared on at the ocean before a small sound caught her attention as she swung her head up to the side. She needn't see his face she knew it was him even with his back turned to her; she jerked up from her seated position ignoring all the blood that had rushed to her head

"Brax" she called but had little hope of him actually responding to her. She stood as she watched his feet continue to take him further and further away from her

She walked towards him trying to close the growing gap between them

"Brax" her voice a bit louder this time as she stopped walking, she knew he could hear her calling and was praying that he would stop if only for a second, to her surprise she saw the growing space between them come to a halt. She waited for a while in anticipation of his next move, realising that he had indeed stopped at her plea she contemplated closing the gap between them but the fear of him walking away from her again stopped her. Instead she stood still as she prayed for the right words to fall upon her lips; she prayed to find words that could take away the hurt that she had caused him all those years ago

"I'm sorry" these words seemed to have reoccurred numerous times upon her lips in the last couple of days and she could see the effect of it wearing off. She looked on with pleading eyes as Brax remained unmoved still with his back turned to her

"I never meant to hurt anyone, I never meant to hurt you I..." ceasing her line of speech Charlie watched as he slowly turned to face her. His green eyes that always seemed to glow at her sight now stared down on her dull and emotionless; he bared neither smile nor a frown upon his face. As he stared at her blankly almost as if not knowing who she was, she used all her strength to hold tightly onto her tears as the person that she had once been able to make smile just by her mere presence now looked right through her as if she was no longer there. Longing to speak she failed to find the words to make him understand her decision, the look upon his face had taken all the strength that she had not so long ago mustered up.

Under their own initiative Charlie's feet suddenly stepped forward as they tried to close the seemingly large space between both her and Brax but as if it were a reflex Brax flinched back immediately bringing Charlie's step to an end. She glared at his eyes hoping he could see the pain in her eyes and understand that she too had felt the pain but all her efforts seemed in vain, he held the same composure, the same blank expression, he had created a barrier and it seemed he had no plans of allowing them be broken.

"I need you to understand that..." Charlie jumped a little at the sound of his unexpected but gently harsher voice

"You need me to understand what?" His blank expression had yet to change. Although longing to let her in, wanting to give her the chance to prove herself to him he found it impossible to discard of the wall that now stood between them. He watched as she examined him but he refused to make it easy for her

"You have nothing to be sorry about, you went to live your live and left me to live mine" his voice remained gentle but was laced with coldness and anger

"No Brax you don't understand I..." once again he spoke preventing her from explaining to him

"I don't want to understand" Charlie winced slightly at the coldness that pierced through his voice

"You left" Brax paused almost as if only just grasping the full concept of what he had just said. Charlie watched as his blank and unreadable expression changed slightly as a hint of anger came rushing to the surface. Charlie felt the little air that she had held onto leave her lungs, her tears won the fight as they rushed down her cheeks in a hurry. 'There it is' she thought to herself, that look that she had dreading seeing on his face since the day she had met him, the same look that had prevented her from opening up to him, there it was settled upon his face almost sucking the life out of her.

"You left" he repeated his words once more "Casey and Heath and... me, you left me" he spoke like he had only just realised what she had done all those years ago.

Charlie pleaded with herself to speak up, she needed to make him understand that it wasn't what it seemed but as the anger grew on his face; her words seem to have abandoned her in fear

"You don't owe me anything"

"Brax please" stepping forward again she sighed heavily as Brax shook his head aggressively as he once again took another step back.

"Na, we were kids, I was stupid to think..." For the first time since he turned to face her Brax broke their eye contact as he shook his head refusing to finish his sentence instead starting a new one

"We are just two people that once knew each other... nothing more nothing less" His words stung her every being as they hit her ears. She felt her body paralyse to the spot as she registered what he had said, although noticing the effect his word had had on her, his pride wouldn't allow him retract his words or show any remorse for them, instead he continued to glare at her with his cold and angry eyes

Eventually finding movement in her body Charlie wiped away her already fallen tears as a new set made their way down. It may have been a long time ago but he couldn't have meant what he said he was angry and confused, he had felt the same way about her as she did him. She chose to disregard his words determined to explain her reason for leaving

"I panicked, I panicked and I ran but h..." as if on cue he stopped her one final time

"I don't care Charlie, what's done is done" he kept his gaze in line with hers as he spoke the words that he knew where pure lies, he kept his voice calm and his wall firmly standing between them as he thanked the ocean that was now crashing against the sand loudly dimming the sound of the surging pain that now ran through his body.

"I care...I need you to know" Charlie pleaded hoping that he would give her the chance to make him see that what they had was more than nothing

"That's not my problem, what you felt and wanted stopped being a burden onto me the moment you left" Brax knew his words were harsh but regardless of the constant pleading from his heart for him to stop he found the words leaving his mouth with no regards to what his heart was saying. His words were causing her pain this much he could see, but his own pain had long ago taken over and refused to fully register any emotion of Charlie's.

Silence fell upon them and Brax knew his words had hit her hard, finally satisfied that she no longer had any words for him, he motioned to turn around but his glare froze upon the object on her wrist. He had many a times wondered if she had kept it or if she had left it behind like she did him, and now he had received his answer. The same bracelet he had given her sat comfortably around her wrist as the words he had got engraved into the pendant glared him in the face. Although his anger towards her now stood above all other emotion, he felt the slightest feeling of relief wash over him. 'She hadn't forgotten him, if she had surely she would have got rid of the bracelet, this feeling was short lived as he watched her other hand place itself above the bracelet almost in fear of losing it. Looking back up at her his detached exterior had now returned. He could see that his words towards her where still cruelly playing on her mind. He watched the tears that he assumed he had caused run down her face but yet he refused to break down the wall he had long ago created. With all his energy he turned his back to her as he once again began increasing the space between them. He winced as he heard her try to silence her subtle crying, but he refused to allow himself look back; Walking away from her twice that day took more strength than he ever thought he had, he wasn't sure he would be able to do it a third time

...

Watching as his eyes fell upon the bracelet upon her wrist Charlie instinctively wrapped her other hand around it in angst of him demanding it back from her, it was the one thing that she used as a constant reminder of what they had, and she couldn't lose it. As his glare returned to hers she watched as his hard exterior returned at the immediate sight of her face. She longed to speak but his words had somehow stolen her voice. Had he really seen her as a burden? She watched helplessly as he turned from her once more distancing himself from her. She muffled her pain as her cries rose in volume and yet she kept her gaze upon his descending body till her eyes could no longer see him. Finally allowing herself feel the pain of his words she held tightly onto the bracelet around her wrist as she welcomed her continuous tears upon her face. The gentle breeze had now changed its mode as it slammed against her aggressively the ocean crashed against the sand and the light shimmer of the moon had now left her alone in the nights darkness.

[RoRo90]

thanks for the comments guys hope you enjoy this next one, This is only part one but part two will be up not long after

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE PART ONE

Shutting the front door behind him, he entered his room and immediately froze as he allowed the events of what had occurred minutes ago play back in his mind. He could still hear her muffled cries as he walked away from her, he remembered her trying to justify her action but he couldn't help but stop her each time in fear of what she may say. Pushing his fist in the air only stopping it as it made contact with the wall behind him, Brax regained his composure as he slumped down against his bed burying his head within his hands. He had left the house trying to find some clarity but instead he returned more confused than ever. She left him but yet his words had hurt her, she left him but yet she wore the bracelet in which he had professed his love for her; finally thinking rationally Brax found no sense in the events that had occurred since he had laid eyes On Charlie that day, were her tears because of the guilt she felt for leaving him behind, or were they because being away from him had brought her has much pain as it had him? Groaning aggressively into the palm of his hands Brax began regretting the way he had reacted towards her. 'Why didn't I just let her explain' he thought to himself. Taking his head out of his hand he looked down to the envelope and the black velvet box that lay in the bin besides him, contemplating his next move for a few second Brax finally picked up the envelop as he attempted to straighten it up. He sighed as he looked upon the writing the same way he had done since he found it, his hand lingered over it as he pushed himself to open it and read what she had written but even after ten years and seeing her that day he still welcomed the unknown over the fear of her words. He opened up his draw as he placed the envelope and the velvet box back in the place they had resided in for ten years. Looking down at the letter Ross had left him he took it out of the draw as he pulled the letter out of the enveloped and read it for what felt like the millionth time.

Brax

Before reading this letter I need you to know one thing, the three of you (You, Heath and Casey) will always be family, me and Elise have grown to love you boys like our own and we only pray that what we are doing will not break you.

We have had to leave Summer Bay and to my regret that meant leaving the three of you behind, I don't want you to think we don't care because we do, more than you know but there is no other way out, if I had it my way I would stay and fight but it is out of my hands.

I have seen more strength in you than I ever thought possible for a person, and I thank you greatly for your presence in Charlie's life. Her not saying goodbye will hurt you, that much I know but never doubt how much you mean to her, or how much the three of you mean to all of us.

I may no longer have the right to ask anything of you but I need you to do one thing for me, I need you to stand above every obstacle and make something of yourself

'It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get back up' I need you to get back up. If you haven't already looked into the second envelope I left you; do so now. This money isn't out of guilt and I know it will not make up for Charlie's absence or mine and Elise's but this is my way of saying I believe in you. Keep this money safe and when the time is right use it to start your dream and set up your business whatever it may be. Despite of any anger or upset you may be feeling, please do this for me

Please apologise to Heath and Casey for us and let them know we are not doing this out of selfishness but rather out of helplessness.

I hope that one day our paths will cross and maybe fate will be generous enough to allow me see the amazing men I am sure you guys will grow up to be, look after Heath and Casey but don't forget to let yourself live

I can only pray that one day you will understand the circumstances under which we left and fate will bring you back into Charlie's life

Ross

Reading Ross's words Brax had always felt like there was something bigger than him that he knew not of, what had he meant by 'if he had it his way he would fight' what was it that they were running away from? or were his words just to ease his guilt over leaving them. Although Brax doubted the truth behind Ross words he still found himself unable to disobey him. Has the letter had instructed Brax had kept the cheque Ross had left for him safe until five years ago when he used it to open up the restaurant, he had many a times thought of disposing of the cheque but each time an unknown force seemed to stop him. Looking up at the time Brax groaned in frustration, it was now 2:45 and any sign of sleep had yet to grace him with its presence, regardless of this he stripped down to his boxes as he lay down on the bed in hopes that his wondering mind would soon tire its self out and allow him escape if only for a few hours.

...

Charlie woke up to the sound of her alarm, only to have the events of the morning come flooding heavily back to her. Sighing in distress Charlie turned the alarm off as she made her way into the living room only to find Ruby at the table with toast and a coffee.

"Hy how you feeling?" Charlie took a seat opposite Ruby

"Am good thanks... and you?" Ruby looked up at Charlie with questioning eyes

"I'm fine, why wouldn't I be" avoiding making any further eye contact with Ruby Charlie got up from the table as she made her way into the kitchen in need of her morning caffeine fix

Ruby got up from the table as she followed Charlie's tracks; standing silently at the Kitchen entrance Ruby monitored her mother as she poured herself a cup of coffee

"Ruby will you stop staring, I said I'm fine... I'm not the one who got rushed into hospital last night" Charlie refused to make contact with her daughters eyes, instead she stared into her cup hoping Ruby would not push the issue that she knew was on her mind

"You have to explain to them Charlie, once they hear w..."

"Ruby Please can we not talk about this right now"

Sighing heavily Ruby knew trying to pressure Charlie would not solve anything "Fine I have to get ready for school anyway" Charlie finally looked up at Ruby

"You're going to school?" Ruby seemed a little confused by her mother's words

"Well its Tuesday so yea schools on"

"I know that but shouldn't you be resting, Ruby you was in the hospital less than 12 hours ago" Charlie gave Ruby a worrying look but Ruby stood unfazed as she had seen the look so many times

"Charlie me sitting at home isn't going to do me any good and I only just started yesterday, I don't think taking days off already would be wise" Ruby placed her mug in the sink knowing Charlie would have more to say

"Ruby I am sure they will understand, I don't th..."

"Charlie I'll be fine just stop worrying" Ruby gave Charlie a quick kiss on the cheek as she proceeded out of the kitchen. Reaching the entrance once again Ruby turned around

"You know you will have to tell them why we left eventually; I think you need to give him more credit... they deserve for you to be honest with them" Ruby didn't wait for Charlie's response before she disappeared into her room leaving Charlie alone with her words.

Charlie sighed as she gazed in the direction Ruby had left in; only if she knew she had tried explaining but had been shut down time and time again. She wanted to be strong but Charlie doubted her strength would be able to withhold a repeat of what had transpired earlier that morning on the beach with Brax. Regardless of the amount of times she replayed his words in her head, the sting from them never ceased in power. She had tried to tell him, she so desperately wanted to explain but it seemed his feeling towards her were now only that of anger and bitterness. Picking herself up from the kitchen stool Charlie made her way into her room ready to get dressed for another day at work. 'Great' she thought to herself not only had she had to endure Brax's resentment towards her but now she had to spend her day working alongside Jack whom she was sure wasn't going to ease up on her anytime soon

...

Sighing heavily Charlie walked into the office that she and Jack were sharing, breathing a sigh of relief she slumped down into her seat glad that Jack was yet to get in; unfortunately Charlie had never had much luck as Jack instantly walked into the room. Looking up at him briefly Charlie chose not to send a vocal greeting figuring it would only go ignored. She turned her head back down towards her desk

"Morning" Charlie looked up slowly unsure of whether he had been talking to her or if another person had joined them in the office. Noticing Jack was looking at her she cleared her throat as she spoke

"Err morning" she looked at him with confusion, less than twenty four hours ago he chose not to acknowledge her unless he necessarily had to

Jack noticed the look on Charlie's face but chose not to comment on it. He couldn't deny that Charlie's arrival was going to stir up a lot from the past, but if there was one thing he knew it was that Martha would not have defended her if she didn't deserve it. Although Martha had continuously refused to tell him what Charlie's 'secret' was he could tell by the way Martha addressed the unspoken issue that it was not child's play but this only increased his curiosity

"There was an issue at the surf club this morning; we've been assigned to go down there. We should probably get going before Palmer calls in again" Jack opened up the door as he spoke looking over at Charlie

"Sure" Charlie stood up still shocked by his calm and civilised approach to her

...

"Martha told me about their whereabouts on their little girl's only weekends" Jack kept his gaze on the road but his voice still calm and almost welcoming

"Right" Charlie replied slowly unsure of what to say

"I'm sorry I know I shouldn't have had them lying about where they were going but well... once they get an idea into their heads its kinda hard to get a word in edge ways"

Jack nodded in agreement as a small but hardly noticeable grin crept up on his face

"Yh that's definitely Martha stubborn as" Charlie sent him a small smile at his words but she still couldn't shake her uneasiness, unable to shake the question from her mind Charlie began to speak

"She didn't tell you..." Charlie paused unsure of how to phrase the question without raising suspicion if it turned out she was wrong. As if he had been reading her mind he continued for her

"Why you left?" Jack glanced at her briefly before looking back at the road

Charlie simply nodded waiting in anticipation for his reply

"No she didn't" Jack noticed Charlie's face ease up as she let out a sigh of relief, this only added to his curiosity but at the same time it made him realise that whatever it was had to be far from a minor issue

...

Taking her seat next to April, Ruby sent a warm smile towards the entrance of the classroom as Casey and Xavier walked in.

"Hy" Walking over to her, Casey smiled lightly at her before giving her a worrying look

"You're here"

"Yh, where else would I be?"

"I don't know at the hospital maybe" Ruby smile widened as she sensed the worried tone

Shaking her head Ruby replied

"No it was just a scare I err... forgot to take my insulin when I got home so..." Ruby noticed the questioning look on his face

"I have diabetes" Casey looked a little taken aback but quickly regained focus

"Oh I – I didn't know... err" Stopping his blabbering lips Ruby spoke

"It's ok of course you didn't know"

"But you all good now yh?"

"Yh I'm fine thanks"

"Well I'm glad you're ok" Casey smiled at her as he made his way to his seat

"What was all that about?" April nudged Ruby as she waited for a reply

"I'll tell you later" Ruby whispered as the class began

...

"Assignments are due in three weeks no excuses" Ruby and April made their way out of the classroom glad that the School day was finally over

"Ruby" turning at the sound of her name she already knew who it was before her eyes settled on him

"Hy Casey"

"You guys walking home?" asked Casey

"Yh" replied Ruby

"Is it cool if we walk with you" Casey nodded to Xavier and Dex as he spoke

"Err I don't need permission" Dex walked past the two boys before placing a kiss on April's lips as she hit him gently on the chest

"Yh you can, I promise not to go fainting on you this time" Ruby and Casey smiled at each other as they all made their way out of Summer Bay High School

Leaving Ruby and Casey behind April, Dex and Xavier walked ahead

"How's Charlie doing?" Casey broke the awkward silence

"She fine, she's at work so at least she as something to keep her busy"

"You mean something to keep her mind of what happened yesterday" Casey spoke softly

"Yeah I guess"

At Ruby's response silence fell on them once again and once again Casey broke it

"So where does she work?"

"Yabbie Creek Police station" Ruby chuckled lightly as Casey's looked at her surprised and confused

"She's a cop"

"Wow... didn't see that coming" Ruby looked over at Casey with a raised eyebrow

"No I just mean she doesn't look- she seems- I just" Ruby couldn't help but laugh as Casey continued to stutter as he tried to formulate an understable sentence

"Case I know what you meant" Casey sent her a sheepish smile as they continued walking

"How about Elise and Ross, are they back as well?" Casey looked at Ruby with eager eyes hoping she would give him the answer he wanted, his eagerness quickly disappeared as he noticed the look on Ruby's face. She eyes seemed full of sorrow at the sound of their names; Casey noticed this and wondered why he knew her reply was going to be worse than a simple

"No"

...

Casey had been replaying Ruby's words since they were spoken, he hoped they would change and it would turn out he had heard wrong and what she had told him was a figment of his own crazy mind. He had many a times tried to tell both Heath and Brax what he had found out but each time he mentioned their names he was immediately shut down.

"They died over six months ago" Ruby's words continued to sting him hard. He had been so excited when they returned he could hardly contain his eagerness to see both Ross and Elise but now he had been told he would never get that change, he had no idea how to feel. Was he supposed to morn them regardless of having not set eyes on them since he was four or was he supposed to digest the information and simply move on? He wasn't sure what to do with himself.

Walking down the school hallway Casey turned at her request

"Casey" Ruby walked up behind him unsure of what to say. Since she had told him about Elise and Ross they had hardly spoken, Casey seemed to be going out of his way to avoid her

"Hy"

"Hy" replied Casey "I really have to get going I..."

"Xavier told me you have a free period" Ruby interrupted

"Err yh...I have to study so..." Casey turned to walk away but not before Ruby spoke

"I'm sorry" looking at her he wondered what she meant "I'm sorry you didn't get to see them before they..." Ruby stopped unable to finish "I know they really hoped they would see you guys again" Casey looked at her puzzled

"How do you know that?"

"They talked about you guys a few times... only when they though no one was around" answered Ruby

"They did?" asked Casey a little surprised by this

"Yh they did, it was obvious they thought highly of the three of you" Ruby hoped the truths in her words were helping him

Casey sent Ruby a warm smile thankful for her words, knowing they had thought of him like he had of them gave him comfort

"Have you really got plans or is it ok if I take you somewhere, I want to show you something" Asked Ruby

Casey looked at her questionably "haven't you got class?"

"No I have a free period too" Casey nodded in response

"So you'll come?" asked Ruby

"Yh sure" Casey replied as they both made their way out of the school

...

"The beach" Casey looked at Ruby with a raised eye brow unsure of what he was supposed to be looking at

Ruby laughed lightly

"Not the beach, the ocean"

Casey nodded slowly before speaking

"Ok so what's so special about it?"

Ruby walked towards the ocean letting the cool water run between her toes, Casey looked on still unsure of what they were doing there

"They're here" Ruby looked out into the ocean as she spoke

"Who's here?" asked Casey as he looked around for any familiar faces

Ruby looked over at him

"This is where we spread their ashes a few nights ago" Ruby smiled at him before she looked back towards the ocean

"They wanted to rest out there" Ruby nodded towards the ocean as she felt Casey's presence draw nearer to hers. Looking up at him she watched as he focused on the view ahead of him

"I know it's not the same as seeing them face to face, but I have been here to talk to them and it does help, I may not be able to see them but I know they're listening"

"It's better than nothing" Casey quickly added, Ruby smiled at his words, she could see taking him there was helping

Settling themselves down on the sand Ruby chose not to speak as Casey lost himself in the view of the ocean; finally looking over at her Casey spoke

"You said they used to talk about us" Ruby nodded in response

"What did they used to say?" Ruby smiled as she remembered the numerous times she had listened in on Ross and Elise's conversations about the boys without their knowledge. Ruby told Casey some of what she had heard

The surprised look on Casey's face at her words hadn't gone unnoticed by Ruby

"And they never knew you heard any of this" Casey said through his laughter

"Nope... I usually just stayed back and listened"

"They cared about you guys a lot... so does Charlie" Casey smiled at Ruby's words

"Thank you for this" Casey was grateful that she had shared this with him, although she was right it wasn't the same as seeing them face to face but at least this way they would never be far away from him

Dusting themselves off Casey and Ruby walked up the beach talking until the scene not too far from them caught their attention.

...

Now walking out of the surf club with Jack she had been praying not to run into Brax but he seemed like a better option when instead she came face to face with Heath. Stopping in front of Heath Jack took an awkward glance at Charlie before speaking

"Hy mate you good?" he received no reply as Heaths attention remained on Charlie

Noticing this Charlie reluctantly spoke up as she braced herself for another serving of harsh words

"Hi Heath" Charlie looked on waiting for an angry or spiteful reply but instead she received nothing, she watched as he looked on at her, his expression slowly resembling that of anger. She watched as he turned back, she didn't know which was worse, having Brax discredit what they had shared when they were younger or having him and Heath refuse to acknowledge her existence. She watched as he walked through the exit but as the words of her parents came to mind Charlie found her feet leading her towards him

"Where you going?" Jack called as he followed her direction

"Heath" Charlie called his name hoping he would stop but his pace remained the same still refusing to acknowledge her

"Heath will you just stop" Charlie had now picked up the pace in an attempt to catch up to him. Reaching him she gently grabbed hold of his arm only to have him yank it away from her aggressively. His reaction didn't phase her much she was just glad she had been able to get him to stop walking

"What do you want?" Heath's voice loud and laced with anger

"Heath calm down mate" Heath looked over at Jack before angrily addressing him

"I'm not your mate..." Heath began walking again, this time only Charlie followed, Jack stayed in ear shot but stood as he watched on

"If he had a choice he wouldn't be working with me... you can't blame him for this" Charlie spoke

"I'm not blaming him, the only one I'm blaming is you and your selfish parents"

"Don't" said Charlie

"Don't what, it's the truth and you know it, they acted like they cared but all they cared about was themselves"

"That's not true" Charlie's voice was low but firm, she was determined to not let his words sting but the talk of her parents was proving to be too much

"Yeah... where are they then? Why are they not here now? Too busy enjoying themselves God knows where" Heath watched as the look on Charlie's face changed

"Don't talk about them like that, you have no idea how much they wanted to stay here and be here for the three of you, you have no idea what they went through don't you dare talk about them like that" Charlie's voice was now laced with anger as she tried to compose her jittering body. She frowned as Heath scoffed in her direction and once again she felt deflated but before she could speak a voice interrupted her

"Heath" Charlie looked on to see both Casey and Ruby walking towards them. Only then had she noticed Brax stood not too far from them obviously listening to what was going on

"Charlie are you ok?" Ruby walked up to her mum knowing full well the effect Heaths words would have had one her, she turned to face Heath her face now full of anger but she chose not to speak out of fear of saying something she shouldn't

"Heath stop it please" Casey pleaded with him

"No I want to know... where are they? They get up and leave without a word and now they're too cowardly to even show their faces... classic"

"Heath you don't know what you're talking about just walk away" Casey hoped he would drop the issue before Heath really did some damage

"Oh and you do" Heath glared at Casey who chose not to respond

"Come on then, if you know so much tell me where they are?" Heath continued glaring at Casey angrily

"HEATH JUST STOP BEFORE YOU SAY SOMETHING YOU REGRET" Casey turned to Brax looking for some sort of support but received nothing. Brax just stood peering at them in silence

"Why should I?" He turned to look at Charlie, watching as her tears ran down her face he continued "What's the matter...does the truth hurt" Both Heath and Brax couldn't have prepared themselves for the words that were about to be spoken

"THEY'RE DEAD" Ruby spat her words at him as she felt her own tears running down her face

As if only just noticing Ruby's presence Heath gawked at her with unbelieving eyes, it seemed he had finally run out of words to speak. He stared at both Charlie and Ruby blankly unsure if he had heard what Ruby had said correctly. Still standing back, Brax looked on wide eyed as Ruby's words hit the air, her words stung his eyes as he digested what she had just revealed, he could feel his poker face slowly slipping as his eyes instantly gazed over but still he chose to speak no words

"W...what?" the anger in Heaths voice and eyes were now long gone, instead he looked on at the two girls with pleading eyes as his voice came in a low whisper

"They're dead" this time Charlie had been the one to speak up

"What do you...? I don't under...how" Heath could feel his palms sweating as he replayed their words in his mind

"Car crash" Charlie chose to keep her reply short as she felt her voice break

"They're... dead" No one replied knowing Heath was stating the words rather than asking a question

Heath turned and watched along with Brax as Charlie walked away from them defeated, both wanting so bad to call her back and give her the chance to explain but neither making the move.

Ruby turned to face both Heath and Brax; she tried to steady her shaken voice

"She didn't deserve that... Mum and Dad didn't deserve that either" Ruby turned as she walked down the path her and Casey had taken

Casey looked at Heath with disapproving eyes "You just couldn't leave it alone could you" he then turned to Brax but chose not to say anything hoping the disappointment in his eyes would speak for themselves

"Ruby" Casey called after her hoping she would stop for him

Both Heath and Brax remained still as if gravity had came to a halt, Jack stood looking on a little taken aback by what he had just witnessed. Watching as Brax stared on at the path Charlie had just disappeared in he walked up to him before speaking

"I'll go and see if she's ok"

Looking at him Brax nodded thankfully that Jack knew what he wanted without him having to voice it

...

getting to the car Jack spotted Charlie in the passenger seat

"He didn't mean it, he would never have said those things if he knew" Jack took a quick glance at her hoping she would reply him, and thankfully she did

"I know" Charlie words was short but she knew Jack was right she only wished that was enough to stop the pain she was feeling

...

Walking into the house Casey spotted Heath sat on the couch with a beer in hand

"What are you doing here?"

"What's it to you?"

Casey looked over in Brax's direction as he walked out of the kitchen

"How was school?" asked Brax

Ignoring his question Casey spoke of the situation that had occurred outside the surf club

"Do you know how long it took me to calm Ruby down" both Heath and Brax looked over at him

"Is she ok?"Asked Brax, he may have been angry at Charlie but he knew Ruby had no say in them leaving

"I don't know... I spent all this afternoon trying to convince her that HE didn't mean any of what he said" Heath who had now turned his attention back to the TV knew Casey was referring to him but chose to ignore the comment

Refusing to budge Casey continued

"Do you know how much your words hurt her... and Charlie? You couldn't even apologise after..." Casey went to proceeded but was stopped by the sound of Heaths voice

"HOW WAS I TO KNOW...? I DIDNT KNOW THEY WERE..." the anger was laced in Heaths words but his words came to an end as he found himself unable to say the word. Casey and Brax knew too well that the only person Heath was angry with in that moment was himself

"I can't believe you knew and you didn't say anything" Heath looked at Casey

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME, I tried to tell you more than once but you both kept shutting me down at the mention of their names... don't try and put this on me" Heath slumped down onto the couch as Brax glared at Casey. At the age of fourteen Brax couldn't believe how mature Casey was, he may have been the youngest but Brax knew he was the only one that regularly had the ability to keep it together regardless of the situation, in that moment he wished he could be more like him

After a moment of silence Heath spoke up

"They're de... gone and I just stood there and said all those things" Heath buried his head in his hands, cringing as his own words played back in his mind

"And you just stood there and did nothing to stop him" Casey looked at Brax "Do you really hate her that much that you want to see her suffer" Brax stared blankly at Casey, how could he even think that, how could he think he would ever purposely want to cause her any hurt

"Case" Heath tried to call for him to stop but Casey continued this time turning to face Heath

"I know that them leaving really hurt both of you... it hurt me too but have you even given her a chance to explain do you even know the reason for them leaving?" Heath and Brax looked on unable to speak

"No I thought not, you have no idea what may have happened and yet you're more than happy to judge" this time looking at Brax he spoke

"Mum and dad are long gone never once have they looked back, but she is here she is back and she is trying"

Walking away from the Heath and Brax as they stared on at him he spoke once more

"If you both keep pushing they will eventually stop trying" retiring into his room Casey sat on his bed hoping and praying his words had had an impact on his brothers.

[RoRo90]

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE PART TWO

Haven spent most of the night tossing and turning Brax propped himself up on the bed, he hadn't been able to shake the events that had happened since Charlie and Ruby had returned, and then there were Casey's words. Brax couldn't explain why he did nothing to shut Heath up outside the surf club but it wasn't because he wanted her to suffer, the tears in her eyes nearly broke him but he didn't know how to discard of the wall he had firmly built. For the first time he let himself feel the pain of Ruby's words. 'How could they be dead' Brax realised he would never get to see their faces again, he would never have Elise go out of her way to make sure they were comfortable he would never have Ross give him words of wisdom when times got tough, no matter how much he longed for these things they were never to happen again. He knew Casey was right, both he and Heath had constantly shut her down regardless of the fact they still didn't know why they had left; he should have let her explain

Taking a deep breath Brax opened the drawer and removed the still unopened envelope, what if the answers he was looking for lay inside the contents of what she had written; what if all these years he already had the answers to his question and chose to blindly look away. Shutting his eyes firmly brax plucked up the courage as he slowly opened up the envelope. Taking the letter out he stopped briefly unsure if he was doing the right thing, deciding he had to put his wondering mind to rest he opened up the letter and began to read

Brax

By the time you read this letter I will most likely have already left the Bay and I am so so sorry, you have no idea how much it tears me apart to be without you.

Firstly I need you to know that this is all on me, Don't ever feel that mum and dad don't love you guys, leaving you is breaking their heart as it is mine, they are only doing this to protect me

I know me leaving like this will hurt you and for that I am sorry, but I need you to know how much I love you please don't ever doubt that, don't ever doubt how happy you have made me; I was broken before I met you but somehow you managed to fix me and I thank you for that

You won't understand why I have done this, but I can't stay here I wish there was another way I really do

I know this may be much to ask, and I have no right in asking but please don't forget me, I will never forget anything about you. I know my actions may make you doubt my words but I LOVE YOU with such immensity than I could never fully express it in words. You have made me happy in a way that I didn't think possible; I will forever be indebted to you

Please apologise to Heath and Casey for me and let them know how much I love them, I really hope you can all somehow forgive me for not being strong enough

I pray that one day I will get to see you again even if it's only for a second I will cherish it with my all

PLEASE FORGIVE ME

I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART

Charlie

Running his hands over her words his thumb lingered over the blotched words which he assumed had been caused by her tears. He had spent the last decade unsure of whether she had truly loved him or not and there it was before him, she herself had confessed her immense love for him. He clutched tightly to her letter as he reread her words over and over, his poker face had long ago disappeared leaving him exposed and vulnerable. How could she ever think he could forget her, regardless of his endless attempt the memories of her had always over powered his ego. Although her words had brought him comfort they had answered one question but raised numerous more, her words drove him to a state of confusion, worry and curiosity. 'What did she mean by they had left to protect her? What did she need protecting from that she couldn't have come to him? Brax's thoughts were now in over drive as he reread the letter trying and hoping he had missed a clue, he desperately tried to make sense of her words but to no avail. Burying is head deep within his hands, he remembered their encounter on the beach and how she had desperately tried to explain but each time he foolishly cut her off. Looking over at his phone he turned to see Ella's name flashing on the screen, sighing lightly he picked up

"Hy"

"Hy where have you been all day... been trying to get hold of you " said Ella

"Yh I'm sorry I was rushed off my feet at the restaurant today... how was your day" Brax desperately wanted to divert the conversation from himself

"It was ok I guess... can't say I didn't miss you though"

"Well I missed you too" in all honesty Brax had had too much on his mind to even think of her that day

"I just wanted to make sure you were ok... you had me worried" spoke Ella

"I'm fine there is nothing for you to worry about"

"You sure?" she asked uncertain

"Yh I'm sure"

"Ok so I'll see you tomorrow?" Ella paused hoping he wouldn't disappoint her, she didn't know what it was but she knew he hadn't been himself as of late

"Yh sure... why don't you come by the restaurant after you finish work, we can have dinner together"

"Sounds great" Ella beamed "Bye"

"Bye" Dropping the phone down Brax returned his attention to the letter; after a few more minute he admitted defeat, there were no clues in her words as to what she had been running from. Placing the letter back in the envelope he placed it back within the drawer before slouching down onto the bed hoping his mind would rest up and alone him sleep. But he knew he needed her to try one more time; he needed to know why she had left

...

"Ruby wait up" Casey called after her as she made her way out of the school entrance

Looking over at him Ruby stopped allowing him to catch up with her, finally reaching her he smiled warmly at her

"Not seen you much today" Casey hoped Ruby wasn't avoiding him because of what had happened the day before. As if reading his mind Ruby spoke

"I wasn't avoiding you... me and April have a mock exam week after next so she's had us studying like crazy all day"

"Oh ok... where is she?" asked Casey

Ruby looked up at him sheepishly before replying "I kinda might have bribed Dex to take her off my hands... I swear she actually enjoys studying" Casey let out a little laugh at Ruby's words

"You haven't had to study with both her and Dex... trust me if they ever suggest it just make an excuse and run" Ruby laughed

"Thanks for the tip"

Noticing the slightly awkward air that had now joined them Ruby spoke

"I'm sorry for just blurting it out like that yesterday, its just..."

"No Ruby you have nothing to be sorry for, Heath shouldn't have said those things, and you had every right to be upset"

"Yh and so did he" said Ruby "How are Heath and Brax...you know after yesterday?" Ruby knew them finding out about Ross and Elise would have been hard

Casey shrugged "Heath I could tell was taking it hard, I think he's beating himself up a little about what he said but Brax" Casey noted Ruby's questioning eyes he didn't want her reading what he was saying wrong

"I don't mean he doesn't care it's just, It's like he feels he always as to be strong for all three of us"

"What do you mean?" asked Ruby

"He's got so good at always wearing this mask especially in front of me and Heath it's like he's scared to let anyone see him feel any sort of emotion"

"Maybe that's just his way of dealing with things" said Ruby

"Yesterday when he found out about Ross and Elise I watched him and for a moment he looked crushed but then his cool exterior was back on just as fast as it had slipped"

Ruby nodded as she know understood what Casey was saying

"You know he's not to different from Charlie"

"How?" Casey looked over at her

"She hides and brushed things off, she pretends certain things don't get to her but whenever she thinks no one's looking I don't know... it's like she lets herself feel a little especially since mum and dad"

"I'm sorry" Ruby looked up at him unsure of what he was apologising for

"When you told me I didn't really think about how it would have affected you and Charlie"

Ruby sent him a warm smile "Its fine"

"Where you off to now?" asked Casey

"Err I was just going to go home try and study a little" answered Ruby

"Oh ok"

"Why?" Ruby looked over at him sensing he wanted to ask her something

"I was just wondering if you wanted to come over to mine, Brax might be home and I know he would really like to see you"

"Did he say that?"Asked Ruby unsure if going to Casey's was a good idea

"Not in so many words but I know he will... he missed you guys, we all did" Casey hoped she would say yes, maybe his brothers being around Ruby will be the first few steps into to mending what had been broken

Ruby pondered for a short while before replying

"Ok yh" being honest with herself Ruby was nervous, this would be the fourth time she would be seeing brax since returning to the Bay but it may well be the first time she was going to talk to him. He had been a big part of her childhood that much she remembered but that was ten years ago, she began fiddling with her fingers as they made their way towards Brax and Casey's place.

Walking through the front door Ruby scanned her unfamiliar environment as she stood unsure of what to do

"You can sit down you know" Casey smiled cheekily at her

"Yh of course" taking a seat she continued to look around "So it's just you and Brax that live here?" asked Ruby

"Yep, moved here when Brax opened up the restaurant; do you want something to drink? Asked Casey

As Ruby was about to respond she turned at the sound of footsteps coming down the hall

"Case is that you?"

"Yea" Casey sent Ruby a warm smile as he noticed her tense up

Finally reaching the living room Brax walked through

"Hy how w..." Stopping as he finally took note of the other presence in the living room

"Hi" Ruby looked over at him a little unsure of herself

"Hy" Standing for a few moments Brax studied the young girl before him. It amazed him how much she had grown but how little she had changed, just like all those years ago nearly everything about her resembled Charlie. Noticing his quiet state Ruby looked over at Casey hoping he would say something but thankfully Brax beat him to it

"How've you been?"

"Fine thanks" Ruby sent him a warm smile but still fiddled with her hands nervously, Brax laughed to himself as he noticed her fingers pulling against each other

"You nervous about something?" Ruby shock her head

"Err no why?"

Brax chuckled as he nodded towards her fiddling fingers

"It seems you picked up one of Charlie's habits, she does the exact same thing when she's nervous" Ruby instantly pulled her hands apart resting them on her lap, causing Brax to chuckle even more. Casey looked at Brax with a smile on his face, it was the first time since Charlie's return that he had mentioned her name without anger sketched all over his face.

Ruby sent Brax a sheepish smile "Yh sorry it's just..." Ruby paused unsure of how to phrase her words

"Its fine I know" Brax smiled at her warmly

"I'm sorry about yesterday, Heath and me... there is no excuse, and I'm sorry about Ross and Elise" Brax hoped his apology would be accepted

"It's fine really" Brax nodded at her words before turning to Casey

"Well aren't you a charmer, can't even offer her anything" Brax smirked over at Casey as he spoke

"Actually I did but you can in" replied Casey before turning to Ruby with a raised eyebrow

"Just water please" said Ruby

"I can't believe how big you are" said Brax as Casey gave Ruby her drink

"Wow smooth Brax" Casey shot Brax a smirk

"She knows what I mean" Brax looked at Ruby hoping she did in fact understand what he had meant.

Ruby laughed at the look on his face

"Yes I know what you mean"

...

Unknown to all three of them they had now been talking for over an hour before the rough weather caught their attention. The wind was now blowing aggressively through the Bay, and the sound of thunder rang through the air. Ruby jumped slightly before looking up at the time

"I should probably get going Charlie might be home and I don't want her worrying about me" Ruby motioned to stand to her feet before Brax spoke

"You're kidding right; you can't go out in that weather. Just give me a minute and I'll drop you off" as he finished speaking another bolt of thunder shot through the air as the back door blow open. Rushing towards it Brax quickly shut it putting the lock safely on

"Casey I told you always lock that door"

"Sorry I forgot but you guys can't be serious about going out in that" Casey looked out the window in horror

"Well how else is she going to get home? Asked Brax

Taking a look out the window Ruby sighed, it looked to dangerous being out there, she knew being out there in the storm would only worry Charlie more

"I could just give Charlie a call to let her know I'm ok" said Ruby as she looked over at Brax

"Are you sure?" asked Brax

"Yh, Charlie would freak if I was out in that"

Eventually locating her phone Ruby sighed in frustration

"No signal" she looked at both Brax and Casey unsure of what to do

Brax quickly dug for his phone hoping he would have some reception, looking down at the bars on his phone he handed it over to Ruby

"Here I have reception but you should call now not sure if it will last long in this weather"

"Thanks" Ruby took the phone from his hand as she dialled Charlie's number, unfortunately it went straight to voicemail, deciding her only option was to leave a message Ruby spoke

"Hy Charlie its Ruby, just letting you know I am fine, I'm at Casey's; gonna stay here and wait out the storm" realising her mother may still be on duty at the station Ruby continued "Please be careful... and stay inside, see you later"

Ruby hung up the phone as she passed it back to Brax who was looking at her questionable along with Casey

"It was voicemail" they both nodded in response

Looking down at his phone Brax frowned as he saw Bianca's name flashing on the screen

"Hello" Brax moved closer to the window hoping to get better reception "Bianca are you ok?"

"Brax I don't know where Heath is?" normally this wouldn't bother Brax but looking out of the window Brax feared what accident could meet his brother in this weather. He knew Heaths head had been all over the day since he found out about Ross and Elise

"Bianca I'm sure he is fine" Brax tried to calm her down as he heard her crying over the phone

"No brax he said he was on his way home and that was nearly an hour ago... and now his phone is going straight to voicemail, what if something as happened to him"

"Bianca had been known to be a bit dramatic during her pregnancy but even Brax couldn't deny the growing worry that had arisen within him

"Bianca calm down, keep trying to call him I will try and find him" Before Bianca could protest to Brax leaving the house he had already hung up, Casey's and Ruby's head spun up at Brax words

"Brax you can't be serious, you can't go out there" Casey exclaimed as he walked over to his brother

"I have to, Heath is out there somewhere and Bianca is in hysterics" Brax motioned past Casey as he picked up his car keys

"Brax what if something happens to you" Casey looked on at his brother wide eyed

"Nothing is gonna happen Case, I 'm just going to go find Heath and I will be straight back here" Brax picked up his coat before turning to face Casey

"I don't want you leaving this house ok...Case you hear me?" Casey reluctantly nodded

"And that goes for you too ok; I need you guys to stay here till I get back" Ruby nodded sending him a warm smile instantly receiving one back. She may not have voiced it but she too was worried for him

Opening the front door Brax stumbled back as the harsh wind rushed through the house

"Guys lock the door behind me" fighting his way through the strength of the wind Brax managed to get the door closed with the much needed help of Casey and Ruby

Watching as Brax battled towards the car, Casey prayed that no bad would fall upon either of his brothers he couldn't possibly deal with any more loss. Ruby stood beside Casey her thoughts in line with his. She had a vision of what her life would eventually be like in Summer Bay, although she wasn't sure as to what part the Braxton boys played in that vision, she knew their parts where significant to both her and Charlie's happy ever after

...

Cursing as she looked down at her phone that had now gone flat, Charlie looked around frantically before her eyes settled on her partner

"Jack have you got any signal on your phone, I really need to check on Ruby" digging his phone out of his pocket Jack handed it over to Charlie

"Yh, here you go"

"Thank you" Charlie walked to the back of the office as she tried to get away from all the noise, there had been a million and one call outs since the storm brewed that afternoon, leaving them rushed off their feet at the station. Charlie sighed as Ruby's phone went straight to voicemail, dialling the landline she grow worried as it rang yet no one picked.

deciding to check if she was with April Charlie dialled Bianca'snumber

"Charlie"

"Bianca is Ruby with April?" Charllie hoped her fried would say yes

"No, April is here with Dex but I haven't seen Ruby" Charlie rubbed the palm f her hand against her fore head

"Charlie is everything ok"

"No I cant get a hold of her and I don't think she is at home... Bianca I have to go"

Walking over to Jack, he could see the worried look in Charlie's face

"I have to go look for Ruby, her phones dead and she isn't picking the landline" Jack looked at Charlie wide eyed

"Charlie you can't go out in that by yourself, it's not safe"

"I have no choice" Charlie picked up a rain coat as she made her way for the entrance

"Charlie I'm sure she is fine" Jack knew the dangers of Charlie being out there with no one with her but he couldn't leave the station, they were running short as it was

"But you don't know that... I have to make sure she is ok" before Jack could say another word Charlie ran out of the station as she struggled towards her car

...

Brax had searched all the usual places Heath would have normally been but yet there was still no sign of his brother, unable to fight against the storm any longer Brax made his way towards the surf club and into his restaurant thankful to have shelter. Reaching for his phone he quickly answered, he took a deep breath of relief as Heath's name flashed on the screen

"Heath you ok?"

"Yh I'm fine just got home, Bianca said she called you"

"Yh she was worried sick, where the hell were you?"

"The car broke down, I tried to wait out the storm but it didn't seemed to be getting any better so I came on foot"

"Are you crazy what if something had happened?"

"I know I tried to call but my phone had no signal, where are you?" Bianca had told Heath that Brax had gone looking for him

"I'm at the restaurant, gonna wait it out"

"Sorry for dragging you out the house" said Heath

"Its fine" Brax paused as he heard a distant shout "Heath I'll talk to you later" dropping the phone he listened intensively as he heard the voice again

Walking over to the closed off balcony Brax gasped as he looked through the glass door only to see Charlie trying to fight the wind as she frantically searched her surroundings. Racing for the exit Brax darted into the wind towards Charlie

"Charlie what the hell are you doing out here" he pulled on her arm as he tried to direct her into the restaurant

"No Brax, Ruby I can't find her, s... she's not at home, April hasn't seen her...I have to find her"

"Charlie... CHARLIE calm down she's at my place with Casey" Brax used all his force as he pulled her towards the Surf club Closing the doors behind them

"She's where?"

"She's at mine, she came over with Casey after they finished school"

"Oh thank God... is she ok?" Charlie breathed a sigh of relief grateful to be finally out of the storm

"She's fine, she tried to call you" Brax walked up the steps, looking back at Charlie

"You coming?" She nodded as she followed him up into the restaurant

She stood awkwardly as she took in her surrounding, she smiled as she realised Brax had really made his dreams of owning his own business come true; she couldn't deny the beauty of the place. Looking up as Brax walked out of the kitchen she watched as he placed a cup on a table not too far from her

"Figured you would need to get something warm down ya" She smiled weakly as she walked towards the table

"Thanks" she picked up the cup unsure of what to do next

"You can take a seat you know, don't think this storm is relenting any time soon" Charlie nodded before setting herself down on the chair. She refrained from looking up at him instead choosing to focus on the cup in her hand.

"I'm sorry" She looked up at Brax surprised, in a matter of a day he had gone from running at the sight of her to standing before her and apologising

"What for?"

"For yesterday with Heath, the hospital... the beach" Brax looked over at her hoping he hadn't managed to push her away completely

"It fine, you're angry and so is Heath, I get it"

"Was" Charlie looked at Brax with a raised eyebrow hoping he would clear up what the was trying to say

"I was angry, I thought everything was going good and then you just left"

"I know but I..." As the thought occurred she looked at him hopefully "Did you not find my letter?"

"I did... I found it the day you left but..."

"You didn't read it did you?" Charlie looked on disappointed but now only realising why he had been so hostile towards her

Brax shook his head "No I didn't... till last night" the disappointment on Charlie's faced turned into that of hope

"You kept it?" she asked

"Yh... but after reading it I'm more confused than I was before" Brax may have been hiding from her explanation before but this time he needed to know what had happened, he hoped she would explain to him

Charlie looked at his expectant face and knew what he wanted, answers; he wanted to know what had taken her away from him, she obliged as she began to speak

"The night of the beach party you were talking to someone that I used to know"

"Who?"

Charlie took a deep breath it was now or never

"Grant" Brax looked at her confused how did she know him? And what did that have to do with her leaving?

"We went to the same school before I moved to Summer Bay; we were together for a while" Brax looked surprised

"You and Grant?" Charlie nodded in response

"But I was only thirteen at the time so we hadn't taken the next step yet... I wasn't ready" Charlie could feel her heart racing against her chest but she knew she had to get these words out.

"We went to a party but I went to one of the rooms because I wasn't feeling too well, that's when Grant joined me" now looking into her coffee she closed her eyes at the recollection of that nights event

"I thought he was just checking to see if I was ok, but he wanted more... and I still wasn't ready" She couldn't see Brax face but she knew his glare was heavily laid on her

"He wouldn't stop, he just kept going, I begged and begged but he wouldn't stop" Charlie slowly looked up as her glare met Brax's, he was now sat on a stool with his hands placed firmly placed on his lap as if trying to steady himself

"W...what are you saying Charlie" Brax tried to swallow but the lump that had formed in his throat refused to budge

Unable to stop her teary eyes Charlie spoke in barely a whisper

"He raped me"

A penny for your thoughts

[RoRo90]

Thank you guys s omuch for the comments and so sorry for the wait for this chapter been playing with it for days not my best work but here it is... hope you enjoy

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

"H...he what"

"He raped me Brax"

"Grant Bledcoe?" he asked

She nodded grievously

"You...he" Brax was struggling with what she had revealed "I don't understand" Brax prayed she would crack a smile and it would all be a joke, looking at her grievous eyes he bowed his head , Praying to God to wake him up fast

She watched through her watery eyes as he bowed his head, his fist instantly clinching together as she spoke her words. She was unsure of what to say or do as she saw a tear hit harshly against his clenched fist, in all the time they had been together she had never seen a tear fall from his eyes. Looking back up at her he made no attempt to wipe the lone tear than lingered on his cheek. She watched as he began shaking his head aggressively, was he trying to deny the truth in her words or was he just simply in denial

"You left and he-because he" Brax desperately tried to steady himself as he felt his chest cling tightly against his lungs

"I did the only thing I could think of I panicked and I ran" Charlie looked on hoping to get a reply but his eyes remained burned in her as his voice refused to grace her with a sound. Unsure of what to do Charlie sat in silence staring at him hoping he would soon break it

"W...what-I...You" Brax looked on as he struggled to form his words, had he heard correctly or had he been so desperate for an explanation worthy of her leaving him that his mind had made it up. Brax exhaled heavily in an attempt to catch the air that was leaving his lungs rapidly. How could he not have known, how could he have laughed with him? how could he have introduced Grant to the people in his life when all along he had been the sole reason behind his unhappiness, silence fell once again as Brax lost himself in his thoughts

"Brax" Charlie could see he was in thought but she needed him to say something, she needed to know that he understood her reason for leaving

"He..." Brax clenched his eyes shut as it seemed impossible to speak his words; taking another deep breath he gave it another try

Why... why didn't you tell me Charlie" he tried to hide the trembling in his voice, he was now holding on to the little strength he had left

"I don't know, I wanted to...believe me I did; but you looked at me with such grace like I was perfect, I didn't want that to change"

Brax looked at her dumbfounded, did she think so little of him that she thought it would have changed the way he felt about her

"How could you say that, I Lo...?" Stopping his sentence he started afresh "There is nothing you could have told me that would have made any difference to how I felt about you...you didn't even give me a chance"

"I'm so sorry, I just didn't know how, I thought..." she stopped at the sound of his voice

"I let him in my house" although his voice started off in a whisper Brax now bore anger on his face as he thought back to Grant and the friendship they had shared "I introduced him to my friends... to my family. I took him as a friend and he...you" Feeling the walls closing in on him Brax stood up abruptly making his way for the stairs

"BRAX" he could hear her shouting his name but he needed to get away, his head was telling him he was being selfish but his emotions were in overdrive he needed some fresh air.

"BRAX" he heard her call him again this time her voice seemed closer but yet he was unable to stop his moving feet. Without thinking he unlocked the surf club doors as he entered the harsh storm, the storm seemed trivial compared to what he had just discovered. He hoped she would stay behind and allow him be alone with his overwhelmed emotions, but she refused as she stubbornly braced the storm with him

"BRAX PLEASE STOP" He wanted to, he really did but the thought of what Grant had done was proving to much for him to bare, he hadn't realised how close she was to him till she grabbed hold of his arm; it wasn't her strength that had brought him to a standstill but the feeling of her skin against his, before that day it had been ten years since he had felt her touch and yet both times it was so familiar almost like she had never left him

He turned to see the wind blowing aggressively through her hair as she struggled to keep her balance

"I LAUGHED WITH HIM" Anger weaved through his voice as he glared at her, he couldn't believe he shared such moments with the person that had brought pain into her life

Charlie shook her head "You didn't know Brax, you had no reason not to trust him"

Suddenly it clicked, their uneasiness around him, their refusal to leave the kids alone with him, their instant dislike towards him

"They knew didn't they? Bianca and the girls they knew what he did"

Charlie nodded refusing to break eye contact with him

"How could they let me bring him into our lives, why..."

"No Brax this isn't their fault, they made a promise to me and they stuck by it"

"WHY THEM AND NOT ME" Brax voice rose again in anger "I LET YOU IN, I OPENED UP AND YET YOU REFUSED TO BE HONEST WITH ME" Charlie winced as his anger matched the strength of the wind that surrounded them

"Did you have such little faith in me" Charlie looked at him as her tears began building up again, she knew what he had meant, she shook her head as she spoke

"I had all the faith in you"

"Then why didn't you tell me... why didn't you give me a chance to be there for you" Brax felt himself stagger as the wind brushed past the two of them with immensity

How could he have missed it, he knew something wasn't right with the way the girls treated Grant but instead he chose to dismiss it. He was pushed out of his thoughts as a bolt of thunder burst through the air causing Charlie to jump in fright. He watched as she looked at him with pleading eyes; knowing it was unlikely she would leave him out there by himself he once again took hold of her arm making his way through the wind and back into the surf club. Locking the doors behind them he kept his back turned to her as she spoke

"Because I had no faith in me" Brax turned to look at her confused by her words

"I was weak; I didn't have the strength to fight. I just wanted it to go away"

"So you just left me with a letter...I spent that whole day calling you, looking for you" Brax stood as he recalled the day she had left "I would have been there for you"

"I was scared" Charlie's tears still had not ceased

"Of what... Grant? I would have never let him hurt you"

Charlie shook her head

"it wasn't just him"

"Then what?" asked Brax

"You...I was scared you would look at me differently once you found out" Brax gawked at her in shock

"H-how could you ever think that, what happened WASN'T your fault" Charlie looked on knowing she had to tell him the rest of her story, she may as well finish what she had started

"It wasn't just about what he did... it's about w-what I did" She could see her words had captured his full attention as he stared at her bewildered

"What do you mean what you did?" The nervousness in his voice spoke volumes, Brax found himself tensing up unsure if he wanted to hear what she wanted to tell him; he questioned his composure and whether he would be able to survive any more unknown revelations

"I didn't tell anyone what had happened after Grant... After that night, I just wanted to erase it from my memory. But then three months later I found out that I was... pregnant" Brax's eyes widened as he gawked at Charlie in disbelief. Charlie stood silently as she watched his reaction, she watched as his chest began rising heavily almost as if he was finding it difficult to breath

"Pregnant" Brax repeated the word and Charlie nodded to confirm he had heard right she waited a few seconds before proceeding but as she opened her mouth to speak she watched as he staggered back in realisation, she knew there was no need for her words he had figured it out himself.

Unable to find any more strength Brax slowly lowered himself onto a seat beside him and yet his vision remained fixated upon her.

"Y...you had the baby didn't you" he wondered why he had asked her that question, there was no denying the truth behind his discovery, he had no doubt in his mind, yet he watched attentively as she nodded her head in confirmation but yet chose to speak no words. He cursed himself for storming out of the restaurant as the need for something strong overcame him, but he couldn't stand, the seat beneath him was the only thing holding him up. Their faces, their Smile, even with different coloured eyes they still resembled one another's, he remembered how amazed he was at how alike they looked but now that amazement had faded into a state of recognition

"She's not your sister" It was a statement rather than a question but yet she obliged with a response

"No she's not" her voice came in a whisper as if weary of how he was going to react

Charlie looked on unsure of the emotion that was now present on his face

"Ruby... she's your daughter" She knew he had already figured it out but yet again she replied him

"Yes... she is" he had now removed his gaze from her as he buried his head in his hands, she wanted to say something but nothing she thought of seemed suitable enough, she wanted to know what he was thinking

Brax thought back to the night he had seen her at the beach by herself, the sorrow he knew had been evident in her eyes the first day he had seen her at Summer Bay High, the unquestionable similarities between both her and Ruby; all the signs where in front of him and yet he had missed them. Lifting his head from his hands he locked eyes with her instantly

"How could you have lied for so long? All that time we spent together and yet you found it so easy to lie to me everyday"

"No Brax, it wasn't easy... believe me it was the hardest thing for me to do"

"Then why do it? Why let me put all my trust in you when you had none in me"

"That's not true"

"Isn't it?" he glared at her unable to believe her words

Charlie shook her head "No it isn't... Brax I didn't want you looking at me in disappointment. I Just abandoned her... I didn't want you thinking less of me"

"Charlie what are you talking about?"

She replied instantly

"Your parents" Brax glared at her unsure of what they had to do with this

"They left you without a thought and every time you spoke of them... especially your father I could hear the anger and disappointment in your voice... I didn't want you looking at me the same way you did them"

Brax shook his head aggressively

"Na what they did was totally different"

"How... how is it different?"

Brax's bewildered eyes glared at her; she actually believed that what his parents did was the same as what she had done

He spoke softly but firmly

"You didn't leave her... you just gave her two parents" looking at her attentively he continued

"I would never have thought less of you Charlie, I would have understood, I would have been there for you"

"I'm sorry, I know this may seem selfish of me but I couldn't risk it... I needed you to..."

Before Charlie could finish she was interrupted by the constant banging against the door. Standing up abruptly at the unexpected sound Brax cursed whoever it was that had now interrupted them, taking another quick glance at Charlie Brax quickly opened up the door not wanting to keep whoever it was out in the storm but to his surprise as he opened the doors the storm had died down although the wind still swayed heavily through the air.

"Brax" he looked down at her as if only just registering her presence

"Ella" unsure why Brax felt a little uneasy

"I have been worried sick about you" She placed her hands against his chest "You weren't picking your calls, and I called the house but Casey said you left a while ago... I thought something bad had happened"

"Sorry I must have left it upstairs" Looking at him in confusion Ella walked past him and into the surf club only to stop at the sight that stood staring at her and Brax

"Hi" Charlie stood awkwardly at the woman that now stood peering at her with a face full of confusion

"Err Hi" Ella glared at her unsure of who the unfamiliar face was

Turing around Brax glanced between the two women as he watched them glaring awkwardly at one another

"Err Ella this is Charlie" not sure what to introduce her as he spoke the only thing that came to mind "She works with Jack" he glanced at Charlie as he noticed her shift uncomfortably before returning his attention back to Ella

"And Charlie this is Ella... my girlfriend" once again he glanced at Charlie but she gave nothing away, instead she stood with the same awkward smile plastered across her face

"Nice to meet you Ella" Ella nodded in response sending her a warm smile; taking note of Charlie's wet attire Ella spoke

"You must be freezing" As if only registering her wet state Charlie brushed the wet hair out of her face before she spoke

"I best get going" She pulled at the sleeves of her now drenched coat

Glancing at Brax then back at Charlie Ella spoke "Are you sure? the rains died down but it's still a bit windy out there... it might be best to stay for a while longer"

"I'll be fine... but thanks" Charlie smiled over at her before making her way to the door

She stood in front of Brax "Err could you please bring Ruby home, I would pick her up but I don't know where you live"

Brax didn't want her to go, he wanted her to say what she was about to before they were interrupted but he knew the conversation couldn't continue with Ella there

"Yh sure" he wanted to say more but Ella's eyes that laid on the both of them made it impossible

"Thank you for today... for giving me the chance to explain" she whispered her words so only he could hear before she walked out the door leaving him standing there with all his thoughts

Glaring after her Brax quickly remembered he was not alone as he heard her feet shuffle against the ground; quickly composing himself he shut the doors as he walked a little closer to her

"Did I interrupt something?" Asked Ella as she too had noticed the awkward air between both Charlie and Brax

"No... We were just catching up" Brax closed his eyes as he realised he had just given her reason to question him

"You two knew each other before?" She looked at him expectantly

"A long time ago... yeah" needing to stop her from asking anymore questions Brax leaned in as he placed a kiss on her lips

"Sorry for not picking my phone" he wrapped his arms around her waist

"It's fine as long as you're alright" She smiled as she leaned in forcing him into another kiss

"We should probably get you out of these wet cloths" Ella pulled back from him slightly

"Just give me a second I just have to grab a few things from the restaurant and then we can head off" Ella nodded as she unwrapped her arms from around his neck. She watched attentively as he climbed the stairs but only one thing was on her mind "Who was Charlie?"

...

Reaching the top of the stairs Brax came to a standstill in the middle of the restaurant, unable to keep up with the pretence he had presented to Ella he let himself briefly feel the pain behind her words, he had spent so long trying to hate her, he had brushed her off harshly, he had turned his back even at the sound of her tears and now here he stood alone as the guilt of his actions came plunging down on him. He felt his fist once again clinch together as he pictured Grants face, he recalled all the times he had sat and laughed with him; as his anger began rising he was thankfully distracted by the sound of Ella voice

"Brax have you not found them yet?" taking a deep breath Brax tried to push his thoughts to the back of his mind as he made his way to the Bar. Picking up his phone and keys he made his way back down the stairs

"Sorry... took a while to find my keys"

Ella stood as she watched him lock up, there was no denying that there was something not quite right with him but she knew from past experience he was unlikely to share whatever it was but like always she still asked

"Brax" he turned to face her

"Are you ok... you seem a little on edge"

"I'm fine... just tired, it's been a long day" he smiled over at her hoping his words were convincing enough

Not wanting to push the subject Ella easily gave in

"Ok"

Walking quickly towards his car Brax sighed in relief as he noticed Ella's car, he would have a few minutes alone to himself before they got to the house

"I'll be right behind you" he looked at Ella as she spoke leaning up and placing a kiss on his lips

"Yh" he gladly entered his car alone and once again his thoughts returned as he tried to suppress the uncontrollable regret and anger that had began boiling in him

...

"Thank God your back... Where's Heath?" Casey flew to the door as Brax walked through it

"Casey calm down...He's at home with Bianca" Casey let out a sigh of relief finally finding he was able to breathe properly; he hadn't yet noticed the other presence till she spoke

"Hy Case" She sent him her usual smile

He glanced at the entrance of the door "Ella... hy" noticing she was no longer looking at him Casey became aware of Ruby who stood beside him, he looked over at his brother as he peered competently at Ruby, her voice seemed to bring him out of his trance

"I'm glad you're ok" Ruby smiled warmly at him a gesture which he returned but yet he remained silent

"Ella this is Ruby...Ruby Ella" said Casey

"Hi Ruby" Ella studied the young girl unsure of why she looked so familiar

"Hi" replied Ruby

Looking at Brax Casey wondered what had come over his brother "Err Brax I think Ruby as to get going" registering Casey's voice Brax turned to him

"Err yh sure... err Charlie asked for me to take you home" Ruby and Casey looked at one another as Ella listened on, it had now clicked she resembled the woman she had seen not long ago at the surf club

"You spoke to Charlie" asked Casey wearily

"Yh... we had to wait the storm out at the surf club" Casey and Ruby both knew there was more that Brax wasn't saying but still they chose to accept his vague reply, Casey hoped Brax hadn't pushed her away more than Heath already had

"Is she ok?" Asked Ruby

"Yh she's fine... I should probably get you home" turning to face Ella Brax spoke

"I promise I won't be long... ok?" She nodded in reply

"I need to get out of these cloths anyway" she made her way past him giving Ruby one final smile as she made her way into his room

"You ready" Brax looked over at Ruby

"Yh"

Turning to face Casey she smiled "Thank you for today... see you at school tomorrow?"

"Yh see you tomorrow" Casey watched as Brax and Ruby made their way out the front door

...

The only words spoken was that of Ruby's when she had directed him to where the house was, they now sat silently Ruby wanting to speak but not knowing if her chosen topic would be welcome. Deciding to take the plunge Ruby spoke

"You spoke to Charlie?" she wanted to know what was said, had she told him? She knew by the way he was acting something had happened

"Yh we spoke"

"She's sorry for what she did you know" to Ruby's surprise Brax answered instantly with a knowing voice

"I know... she had her reasons" Ruby needn't be told, she was sure Charlie must have told him there was no other explanation to his calm and understanding state

"Do... do you know her reason?" Ruby wanted to be careful with the words she spoke in case she was wrong and he knew nothing

Brax slowly nodded as he kept his eyes fixed upon the road

"She told me" he refrained from looking over at Ruby, finding out the girl he had known to be her sister was indeed her daughter was a lot for him to bear, the site of Ruby would only keep reminding him of Charlie

"Everything" Ruby looked at him attentively

Brax nodded in response his gaze still fixed on the road, stopping at the street she had directed him to he sighed in relief as she spoke

"That's me right there" She pointed to the house ahead of them as he stopped in front of it

"Thank you" Ruby opened the door

Reluctantly Brax looked over at her and sent her a warm smile

"It's fine"

Sending him one final smile, he watched as she walked up to the house and before he could move off Charlie came to the front door as she embraced Ruby tightly.

Looking up from their embrace Charlie looked on at Brax as he sat in the car watching them, giving him a warm smile she prayed he would return the gesture, she watched as he attempted to smile but the pain on his face made it almost impossible, he nodded in acknowledgment as he drove off down the road. Sighing lightly she looked back down at Ruby as she cupped her face in her hands

"You had me so worried today"

"I'm sorry I did try and call"

"I know Brax said" Charlie walked her into the house shutting the door behind them

"So you told him?" Ruby never was one to beat around the bush; Charlie looked at her daughter and smiled lightly

"Yes Ruby I told him"

"And about me?"

"Yes he knows about you too"

"Is he alright?" Ruby had been unable to read Brax's expressions or body language

"I don't know Rubes... we'll just have to wait and see"

...

Brax groaned as he walked into the house only to find Casey sat on the couch, he knew too well he was about to be bombarded with questions

"Case you should be in bed" he walked past him attempting to go into his room

"Brax did you..." Knowing what Casey was about to ask, Brax gave him a response

"Casey no... I didn't have a go at her ok... we just talked. Now I'm tired and really would like to get out of these cloths"

"You just talked" asked Casey unsure if he believed his brother or not

Brax faced him

"Yes Casey we just talked ok" Brax gave him a reassuring smile before walking into his room only just remembering Ella was over.

Taking a quick shower he dried himself getting in besides Ella in nothing but his boxers, she instant moved closer to him as she laid her head against his chest

"We didn't get to have dinner together today" she placed her hand on his chest "How about tomorrow?" she looked up at him

He smiled at her as he nodded

"Yh sure"

...

Ella had fallen asleep about an hour ago and yet he lay next to her with thoughts of another woman on his mind, he wanted to talk to her to be next to her, he wanted to comfort her the way she should have let him ten years ago. He lay there feeling upset, angry and betrayed but yet all these emotions still proved weak compared to how he felt about her. Looking down at Ella he sighed heavily as a cloud of guilt overcame him, she had been nothing but good to him and yet he lay beside her with thoughts of another

...

She lay staring at the ceiling hoping sleep would soon show its face, but the thoughts of what had happened that day kept her wide awake. The picture of the tear that lingered on his cheek refused to leave her mind, along with that of Ella's hands as they rested against his chest. A lot had transpired that night and it had taken it's toll her. She had felt emotions of sorrow but the regret for the love she had thrown away was the one that now lay heavily upon her

[RoRo90]

Thank you guys for the amazing comments, I apologies that I haven't update more regularly but my mum as been in hospital so between work, going to see my mum and looking after my siblings its be impossible to find any time alone to actually put pen to paper, I literally just wrote this chapter and I usually take my time but I don't have much alone time on my hands right now so I apologies in advance if its a bit sketchy and for any errors but I felt bad about not having updated in over a week so really wanted to get this to you guys. As soon as everything settles down on my end I will be back on the ball. P.S. For those of you who's fics I usually review that is the next thing on my list of things to do

"Charlie I'm off" Ruby called as she walked into the kitchen

"Do you want a lift?" She looked on at Charlie as she walked out of her room groggily

"No offence Charlie but you look a mess"

"Wow thanks" Charlie feigned an offended expression "I didn't get much sleep last night" she walked into the kitchen as she poured herself some coffee

"As this got anything to do with your talk with Brax yesterday" Charlie laughed lightly as she faced Ruby

"You always get straight to the point don't you" Ruby struggled as she sent Charlie a cheeky smile

"Get going you don't want to be late" Charlie's avoidance of Ruby's question had not gone unnoticed

"You didn't answer the question"

"Ruby I just had a restless night ok... now go, I'll see you later" She placed a kiss on Ruby's temple as she walked towards her room

"We're gonna finish this conversation later" Ruby shouted after her

Charlie groaned as she entered her room knowing how stubborn Ruby could be "I have no doubt we will"

...

Walking into the restaurant Brax walked straight into his office placing himself down in front of his desk; he hadn't been able to rid himself of Charlie's revelation regardless of how hard he tried and the more he thought of it the more his blood boiled. Looking up he noticed the varies pictures scattered against the wall before him, the memories of those many moments had always made him laugh but as his eyes fell on a few in particular he felt the control he had been holding onto slip away from him at a rapid pace. He flung himself towards the wall as he separated the pictures from the rest. He looked at the picture of himself, Jack, Heath and Grant as they each held onto their surf boards. Feeling his anger take over he began tearing at all the pictures that held any memory of him; needing to unleash his growing anger his fist flung forwards smashing the frame that hung before him.

He began registering the voice that was calling out his name but yet his gaze remained upon the face of the person he now harboured great hatred for

...

Walking up the stairs Heath called out his name

"Brax" looking around he couldn't find his brother anywhere

Making his way towards his office he called out once more

"Brax you there" at the sound of the loud noise and his brothers groan he flew towards the office in a panic

"Brax" stopping as he opened the door he looked on at Brax and immediately noticed his blood stained fist and the shattered frame

"Brax what the hell" Heath walked into the restaurant only to return with a wet towel, he worriedly handed Brax the towel aware that his brother had yet to pick his gaze up from the ground beneath them. Looking down Heath noticed the torn up pictures, picking up various pieces of it he looked back up at Brax

"Brax what's going on?" yet Brax's gaze remained on the floor; he was well aware of the tears that had formed in his eyes but he didn't want heath seeing them. Making sure he had fully composed himself he turned, still not making any eye contact with Heath

"Brax what's happened" Brax had always been able to keep his cool; Heath knew whatever had tipped him over the edge had to be far from a minor issue

Not receiving a response from Brax he looked down at the pieces of torn up photo's in his hand, finally realising what pictures they were Heath looked back at Brax only to see him pull a bottle of scotch out of the draw

"Brax it ****ing 11 o'clock in the morning" Heath grabbed the bottle as he grew more concerned

"And" Brax finally looked up at him only to notice the piecing of scattered pictures in his hands

"Get those out of here" Heath stared as his brothers cold exterior before looking back down at the torn pictures in confusion, he couldn't understand what it was about them that could be making Brax react the way he was

"Brax"

"Just get rid of them"

"Why... these are pictures of me, you, Jack and Grant"

"Dont-dont say his name"

Heath was now at a loss, who was Brax talking about

"Who's name"

"It's all his fault" Brax got up from his seat as he made his way into the restaurnat and over to the bar pulling out another bottle of scotch

Heath instantly followed his trail sighing heavily as Brax poured himself a glass downing the scotch straight

"Brax what the hell are you talking about... what's whose fault?" Heath was now growing impatient he needed to know what his brother was rambling on about. Brax remained quiet as he poured himself another glass, Heath sighed taking a seat he knew not to push his brother but there was no way he was leaving him in such a state

"Don't make things any harder for her"

"Who?" asked Heath

"Charlie"

...

About to leave the house for her shift Charlie walked over to her bedside table as her phone began ringing, seeing Bianca's name flashing on the screen she picked up

"Hy you" Charlie's face instantly filled with concern as she heard her friend groan painfully into the phone

"Bianca are you ok? Bianca"

"Charlie... please I urgghhh" she groaned down the phone painfully

"Bianca you're scaring me what's wrong?" Charlie had already picked up her keys and was frantically making her way towards the door

"I'm at home...my water broke a... and Heath... isn't picking...his stupid PHONE" She screamed down the phone

"Oh my God" Charlie slammed the front door behind her

"Bianca stay calm I'm on my way"

"Just hurry please" Charlie hung up making her way to Bianca's as quickly as possible

...

Racing into the house Charlie ran over to Bianca who was now on the floor on all fours

"Bianca are you ok" looking up at her in frustration Bianca relied harshly

"WHAT DO YOU THINK"

"I'm sorry stupid question"

"No I'm sorry... I need Heath, he as to be here, this is his stupid fault" Bianca let out another cry as another contraction hit

"Ok Bianca I have to get you to the hospital ok... we can try calling Heath on the way" Charlie tried to get her friend off the ground only to be pulled back down

"No Charlie I won't make it to the hospital, this baby is ready to come now"

Charlie peered at Bianca in shock and fright

"WHAT...No Bianca err... oh God" Charlie was way out of her league she pleaded for Heath to walk through the doors and save her from this situation

"Charlie please..." Bianca pleaded through her tears

Cursing under her breath Charlie knew what was about to happen, thinking back to when she went into labour with Ruby Charlie spoke

"Ok... Bianca can you just take deep breaths, I'll be right back"

Bianca latched onto her friend's hand "Please don't leave"

"Bianca I not leaving, I just wanna get some towels ok" she nodded letting go of her hand

Walking into the bathroom Charlie took a deep breath unsure of what she was doing, quickly grabbing the towels and some warm water she returned to Bianca who was now sat with her legs spread apart in front of her. As she tried to override another contraction Charlie quickly took her hand

"That's it Bianca deep breaths" Quickly grabbing her phone out she sent Ruby a text

*Bianca in labour at her place, tell Casey he needs to get Heath here NOW*

Dropping her phone she dabbed the wet towel on Bianca's face as she tried to calm her down

"That's it deep breaths" Bianca panted as she tried to follow Charlie instruction

*5 minutes later*

"Oh I AM GOING TO KILL HEATH" Bianca screamed in pain "Charlie I think I need to push"

"Oh..." Charlie took a deep breath as she braced herself for what she was about to do 'oh God please help me' Charlie thought to herself as she crouched down in front of Bianca who had already started pushing

"That's good Bianca... you're doing really good" Charlie had no Idea what was happening but she remembered the nursing saying the same things to her when she was in labour with Ruby

As Bianca gave another push Charlie squealed

"What's wrong" Bianca asked frantically

"Nothing I can see the head you're doing really good Bianca... you're nearly there" As Bianca started pushing again at the upcoming contraction Heath burst through the door

"Oh my good Bianca" as he fell down beside her Bianca instantly latched onto his hand

"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN" Bianca burst into tears

"I'm sorry I was helping Brax out at the restaurant, I left my phone in the office" he felt Bianca's grip on his hand tighten as she pushed again

"I can't do it anymore" Bianca cried

"Bianca you are nearly there... just take deep breaths like you have been doing ok" He had been so worried about Bianca he had failed to register Charlie's presence; looking over at her he thanked God that she had been there before he arrived

"Do you know what you're doing" Heath asked her wearily

"Honestly no... But it was too late to get her to the hospital"

Heath looked at her worried "Are you sure this is a good idea, shouldn't we try and get someone more professional... have you at least called the hospital" he didn't want to be rude but he didn't want anything happening to the baby or Bianca

"OF COURSE WE HAVE CALLED...would you like to deliver this baby then you idiot" Heath looked over at Bianca mortified by the idea

"Right well shut up and let her get on with it... I think I'm gonna push" Bianca screamed as she gave another push

"That's it Bianca keep going, you're almost there" in less than a few seconds the cry of a new born filled the room as Bianca slumped her head back glad it was all over

As she wrapped the baby in a towel Charlie sighed in relief as the paramedics walked through the opened door, passing them the baby she watched as they cut the umbilical cord and handed Bianca her new baby

"It's a girl" the paramedic smiled over at Bianca

Charlie watched as Heath looked down in awe, she smiled as Bianca and Heath engrossed themselves in the new arrival

Looking down she noticed her phone flashing, picking it up she walked out the front door

"Hello"

"Charlie where are you?" Jacks voice came from the end of the line

"Bianca gave birth" said Charlie

"What?" replied Jack

"Bianca gave birth at home... and I delivered it" Charlie smiled to herself

"You what... is she ok and the baby"

"Yea they're fine"

"What about Heath?" asked Jack

"Yeah he's with her now; I'll be at the station soon, I have to go"

"Ok "the line went dead as Bianca was wheeled out of the house with her daughter in hand and Heath following closely behind

"Thank you so much Charlie" Bianca smiled up at her

"Hy it's nothing... this just means you owe me big" Charlie laughed

"Definitely" Bianca gave her hand a squeeze as the paramedic continued wheeling her to the back of the ambulance, Heath lingered behind

He looked at Charlie as she too stood looking at him awkwardly

"Thank you for what you did back there" said Heath

Charlie smiled at him

"It's nothing... I'm just glad they're both ok. I best get going..." Charlie turned away but stopped as he spoke again

"I'm sorry" She knew what he meant she turned back and gave him a small smile

"It's ok Heath... you was just angry, I get it"

"No it was no excuse; I didn't mean any of it"

"I know" looking back at the paramedics Charlie spoke again "You best get to Bianca don't want to give her any more reasons to throw a tantrum" Heath chuckled lightly at her words

"Yh" he walked past her and into the ambulance, sighing lightly Charlie walked over to her car making her way to the station.

...

"Wow" Jack looked at Charlie's flustered state as she walked into their shared office

Too tired to respond to his comment Charlie slumped down into her seat

"I need a gin and tonic" Jack chuckled at her words

I wish I could help you with that but there was a fight at mangrove river this morning and we have the pleasure of questioning one of the guys... he's at the hospital"

Charlie groaned heavily "This day just keeps getting better" Dragging herself out of her chair she followed Jack who was chuckling under his breath

"Glad you find it very amusing"

"Well rather you than me"

...

The questioning had been useless as the guy refused to give Charlie and Jack any useful information

"Well if you think of anything else please contact us" Jack and Charlie walked out of the room

"Well that was a waste of time" Charlie sighed as they made their way down the corridor only to be met by Brax and Riley

"Uncle Jack"

"Hy Riley" Jack ruffled the little boys hair

"We gonna see's the new baby" Riley beamed

"Aw that's cool mate" Jack looked up at Brax whose eyes were fixed on Charlie, he turned to Charlie to see she was also glaring at Brax

"Is this your police friend?" Riley looked at Charlie

"Err yh she is... she's your mum's friend too" Jack smiled at the young boy

"Hi Riley I'm Charlie" Charlie pried her eyes away from Brax as she waved lightly at the young boy

"She prettier than your other police friends" Jack laughed at his words and Brax had yet to remove his gaze away from her

"Thank you Riley, you're really cute too, way cuter than your dad" Charlie smiled down at the boy, she had seen him plenty in pictures but they did no justice in showing just how much he resembled Heath

"You knows dad?"

"Yea I do"

Clearing his throat Jack finally managed to catch Brax's attention

"Hy err... what are you guys doing here?" Brax returned his attention to Charlie

"We had to come question someone" replied Charlie

"Oh right... err Heath told me about you and Bianca"

Charlie nodded "yh don't think it's something I'm gonna be doing again" she smiled at him warmly as her eyes fell on the cuts on the back of his hand

"Are you ok?" Charlie nodded towards his hand causing Jack to look at them

"Ohhh that looks painful...what happened?" asked Jack

"Err... just a little incident at the restaurant this morning it's not as painful as it looks" Brax brushed it off eager to change the subject as he noticed the doubt on Charlie's face

"Why don't you guys come say hi? I'm sure Bianca would like to see you" said Brax

Err... I'm not sure we have time" replied Charlie

"No we should... we're only going back to do paper work" interrupted Jack

Charlie nodded as she looked up at Brax

"Uncle Brax come on... I wants to see's the baby now"

...

Standing behind Brax they stood as he knocked on the door

"Come in"

Brax walked in as Riley ran over to Heath

"Where the baby daddy?" Heath laughed at his son's enthusiasm lifting him up he stood over the cot that his daughter lay in

"She so tiny" Riley Laughed

"Yh she is but one day she's gonna grow big like you" Placing his son back on the ground Heath looked over at the three figures that stood by the door

"Congrats guys" Brax walked forward as he gave Heath a hug and placing a kiss on Bianca's cheek before making his way over to his little niece

"She truly is beautiful"

"Yh I know, she obviously took after me" said Bianca

Brax chuckled "Na I see more Braxton than Scott"

"Congratulations guys" Jack walked further into the room unsure if he should approach Heath

"Thanks, and I'm sorry about the other day" he and Heath embraced in a manly hug

"It's cool" Placing a kiss on Bianca's cheek he too made his way over to the new arrival

"Na I don't see it Brax, this little one is defiantly a Scott she is way too beautiful"

"Told you" Bianca smiled cheekily at Heath before looking back at the door

"Did you come to see me or are you planning to keep standing at that doorway" Bianca smiled over at her friend as she put her hands out stretched. Walking forward Charlie took her hand giving it a squeeze

"I'm really happy for you B"

"Thank you for everything you did today" Charlie smiled at her warmly before looking at the new born that now sat comfortably in Brax's arms

"Do you want to hold her" She along with Jack and Brax looked at Heath surprised as he spoke

"Are you sure?" she hadn't expected his calm approach towards her to have lasted so long, Brax may now know why she had left but Heath was still in the dark

"Yh" Heath nodded

"Yh I would love to" Charlie watched as Brax walked over to her placing the baby in her arms

"She's so beautiful... she looks just like you Bianca" Bianca looked at Heath as she bore a cheeky grin

"Well she as to say that... she doesn't want to hurt your feelings" Brax, Jack and Bianca laughed at his words but Charlie seemed engrossed by the little girl that lay in her arms

"Have you given her a name yet?"

"Bianca smiled at Heath before replying

"Yh we have actually" Bianca smiled at Charlie

"So are you going to tell us or do you want us to guess" asked Brax

Before Bianca could speak there was another knock on the door

"Come in"

Ella walked in bearing an excited grin

"Hy guy's congratulations" Bianca glanced quickly at Charlie before replying

"Thanks Ella"

"Brax told me what happened; figured I should come by and see the new arrival" Ella looked over to see Charlie holding the little girl

"Hi" Charlie looked over at her bearing a smile

"Hi, Charlie right" Ella sent her a warm smile as she walked up to get a closer look at the little girl

"Aww she is so beautiful"

"You can hold her" Charlie looked at Ella

"Thanks" Ella held her hand out as Charlie placed the baby in her arms, looking down at the little girl Ella smiled

"She is the cutest thing"

"I know right" said Heath

"Have you two met?" asked Bianca a little confused as to how Ella knew Charlie's name

"Yh she was at the surf club with Brax yesterday." Jack and Heath turned to Brax questionably as did Bianca to Charlie

Charlie gave Bianca a look that she knew too well, it wasn't something she wanted to explain in front of an audience, giving her a nod Bianca returned her attention to Ella

"And I see you know her as well?" asked Ella

"Yeah, we've been friends since school" replied Bianca

"Oh right Brax never mentioned that"

Placing the baby in Bianca's arms Ella walked over to Brax placing a kiss on his lips

"Hy babe, Hy Jack"

"Hy" Brax sent her a smile

"We should probably get going now..." Jack looked over at Charlie who nodded thankfully at him

"Yeah" Charlie turned to Bianca "I'll see you later" she turned to Heath giving him a smile that he easily returned

"Bye Charlie" Riley waved at her, Charlie smiled at the young boy

"Bye Riley"

"Hy mate what about me" said Jack as they all started laughing

"Yh bye Uncle Jack" Jack shook his head as he laughed at the young boy

"I'll see you guys later"

Smiling over at Ella and Brax Charlie made little eye contact with him not wanting Ella to pick up on anything and quickly followed Jack out the door.

"Your police friend is the prettiest I seen" Bianca and Heath laughed at him as she gave the baby to Heath and pulled Riley up onto the bed

"Even prettier than mummy"

"No mummy you not police... no one prettier than you" Bianca grinned as she pulled him into a hug

"Such a mummy boy" Heath teased

"And he best stay that way" smiled Bianca, she looked over at Brax who seemed lost in his own thoughts, she didn't need to ask what was wrong; she had seen the glances he had been taking in Charlie's direction and she couldn't believe how civil Heath was towards her, she had expected for him to put up a fight at the request she made when they arrived at the hospital but he simply obliged, she couldn't wait to tell Charlie. She wondered what had happened between Brax and Charlie at the surf club and a part of her hoped she had finally explained to him.

Watching as Ella snaked her hand into Brax's Bianca sighed as she muttered to herself 'Crap'

...

Charlie returned home to see Ruby laid across the couch

"Hy, how was your day?" she asked as Ruby looked up at her

"Ok but apparently not as eventful as yours" Charlie looked at her questionably

"You delivering Bianca's baby"

"How do you even know about that" asked Charlie

"I went to the hospital with Casey after school, Bianca was bragging about your skills" laughed Ruby

"Glad everyone finds it so amusing" Ruby continued laughing as Charlie slumped down beside her

"I wish I was there... your face must have been a picture"

"Oh ha-ha I was pretty good actually... but still never again" laughed Charlie

"You had anything to eat?" asked Charlie

"Err yh Casey just left actually... we got some Pizza, I left some for you in the oven" Charlie smiled at her daughter

"I'm glad you and Casey are getting along so well, at least I didn't manage to screw everything up"

"You didn't screw anything up Charlie" Ruby looked at her sheepishly before she continued

"Bianca and the baby should be going home the day after tomorrow and everyone is going round, we could go too" Ruby looked up at her mother

"I'm working Ruby"

"Obviously I meant after work"

"I don't know... I might be too tired maybe another time"

"Charlie you don't have to hide anymore, and this isn't about you Bianca would want you there" Charlie looked at Ruby, she was right she needed to stop thinking about herself, Bianca had always been there for her, showing up was the least she could do

"Fine, plus it might not be that bad, Heath was weirdly civil towards me today"

"Well you did deliver his kid"

...

Walking into the living room Heath spotted Brax sat on the couch beer in hand

"Hy"

Brax looked up at him

"What you doing here shouldn't you be at the hospital?" Brax had a good idea why Heath had stopped by so late

"Bianca and Baby needed rest, I'm going back first thing in the morning"

"Where's Reece?"

"Staying over at Jacks tonight" Brax nodded as he handed Heath a beer

"Cheers" Heath took a seat "So are you going to tell me what that was about this morning?" Heath didn't have the patients to beat around the bush he wanted to know what had got his brother so rattled up

"It was nothing"

"Bull****... before I left you were saying something about Charlie" Brax remained silent he wanted to tell his brother but he wasn't sure if Charlie would appreciate it

"Fine" Heath put his bottle down onto the table "If you're not going to tell me then I will ask her myself...Case" Heath shouted his brother's name

"What are you doing?" hissed Brax

"Casey is bound to know where they live"

"Heath just leave it alone" Brax stood up facing his brother

"Are you kidding, I walk in to find you bleeding then you start rambling on about Charlie and someone ruining something and you want me to leave it" Heath backed up towards the door

"You won't tell me anything, Bianca won't tell me anything so I'll ask her myself"

"Heath for God's sake just leave it alone"

"No... CASEY" Heath called his younger brother one more time "I'm tired of being kept in the dark, whatever it is cant be as bad as Ross and Elise" turning the door handle Heath felt paralysed to the spot

"SHE WAS RAPED" Turning slowly till he was eventually facing Brax he looked on his mouth agape

"She was what?"

"She was raped... that's why she left" Heath leaned against the door in shock, this wasn't what he had been expecting; this was beyond whatever he had imagined the reason to be

"What do you mean?"

"WHAT DO YOU THINK I MEAN" Brax barked at him

"When...how?" asked Heath

"It happened before she came to the bay... but then she saw him again and..." Heaths head shoot up abruptly, what did Brax mean she saw him again

"Saw who again...Brax?" Heath stepped forward urging his brother to carry on

"Grant" Heath looked on wide eyed at the name his brother had mentioned

"Which Grant" Heath was sure it couldn't have been the same Grant

"Grant you IDIOT...Grant Bledcoe" Brax spoke of his name with venom

"Grant raped Charlie" Heath and Brax rapidly turned the heads to where the voice had come from only to see Casey stood gawking at them in shock

"Casey" Brax stepped towards him

"That's why she left" Brax simply nodded at his question

"Case go back into your room ok"

"No I have as much right to know as he does" Casey nodded towards Heath

"Casey please I promise we will talk about this but not now ok"

"Did Charlie tell you this?" asked Casey as he ignored Brax's request

Sighing heavily Brax responded "Yh she did"

"When" asked Heath

"Yesterday"

"You've known since last night and you didn't say anything"

"What was I supposed to say Casey... I'm not even sure I'm supposed to be telling you this. Look just go to your room ok, I can't deal with this right now"

"It's always got to be about you" Casey scoffed angrily as he stormed off to his room

Brax slumped down onto the couch throwing his head back as he let out a loud sigh

"F**k" Heath buried his face in his hands "F**k" he repeated once more

Taking a seat Brax looked at his brother "I know"

[RoRo90]

Hi guys thank you for the comments and well wishes, mum is back home and officially back to her normal bossy self lol... So here is the next chapter hope you guys enjoy and you shouldn't have to wait too long for the next one

Heath walked into Bianca's hospital room to find her and his baby girl sleeping soundly, placing a kiss on his daughter's forehead he sat beside Bianca's bed as he stroked her hair, he watched as she lay peacefully but his thoughts were elsewhere.

"SHE WAS RAPED" Brax's voice filled his ears, he found himself lost in his thoughts as Bianca unknowing to him began to stir

"Hy" Heath's head shot up at the sound of her voice, Bianca's soft expression soon changed as she saw the grievous looks that lay upon his face

"Hy" she sat up as she placed her hands softly on his face "What's wrong?" she stared at him waiting for a response

"You should have told me Bianca" asked Heath

Bianca shuffled up on the bed unsure of what she had apparently kept form him

"What are you talking about Heath; I should have told you what?"

"Charlie...you should have told me about Charlie"

Bianca looked at Heath unsure if he was referring to the secret she and the girls had kept, she continued glaring at him unsure of what to say. Noticing this Heath spoke again

"She told Brax about Grant" Edging up further on the bed Bianca grabbed a hold of his hand as she looked down at him pleadingly

"I wanted to, But I made a promise, we all made a promise to her Heath... it wasn't my place to say anything, you know that"

"Bianca he r..., that scum acted like our friend when all the while he was the reason they left" Bringing her hand back to his face Bianca stroked his cheeks knowing full well why he was so upset, Heath's gaze settled on her other hand that laid on his

"They're dead, just like that they're gone... we didn't even get the chance to say goodbye and it's all because of him" Pausing for a moment Heath looked up at her

"You said it time and time again that you didn't trust him, and I just ignored you, he drove them away and we just invited him in"

"Heath you didn't know... the only person to blame here is Grant"

"You should have told me, one of you should have said something"

"Heath we couldn't... More than anything we wanted to; if Jack, Brax or even Miles told you something in confidence regardless of what it was or who it affected would you break that trust and tell me" Heath looked at Bianca knowing she was right, looking over he noticed his daughter stirring in the cot, walking over to her he picked her up as he cradled her in his arms, he couldn't begin to imagine how Ross and Elise must have felt, looking down at his daughter he couldn't imagine anything or anyone ever hurting her, the thought alone made his blood boil

...

"Hy" Casey stood at the doorway as Ruby opened up

"Hy what you doing here" asked Ruby

"I figured we could walk to school together"

"Ruby smiled at him "Yh sure come in I just need to grab some stuff" Casey nodded as he walked into the house

"Ruby have you seen my..." Charlie stopped at she noticed Casey stood awkwardly in the living room

"Oh hy Casey" Charlie smiled over at him

"Hy Charlie I'm just waiting on Ruby" Charlie nodded in response, she still found herself amazed at how much he had grown"

"What?" asked Casey nervously as he noticed Charlie studying him

Grinning at him Charlie spoke "Nothing I just- I can't believe how much you've grown, I'm actually looking up at you"

Casey laughed at her comment before shifting uncomfortably on the spot; he couldn't get himself to forget what he had overheard the night before, he looked on at the genuine smile on her face and wondered how she managed it despite what Grant had done to her

"You ok?" Charlie noticed his unsettled state

Casey looked at her unsure of what to say, how was he supposed to tell her he knew her secret, he sighed before replying her

"Yh I'm fine just didn't get much sleep last night" Before Charlie could further question him Ruby walked out of her room

"Ready...Charlie your curlers are in my room" Ruby walked past her mother

"We have to go...You coming Case" Casey nodded as he followed her to the door

"Bye Casey... and love you too Ruby"

Laughing as she shook her head Ruby replied

"yh love you"

...

The walk to Summer Bay High had been too quiet for Ruby but every time she tried to start a conversation it seemed she was talking to herself. Asking Casey if anything was wrong seemed to not work either, each time he shrugged it off telling her everything was fine. She had hardly seen him all that day, even in their classes together he had said little to nothing to her, looking further down the beach she noticed him walking in the opposite direction

"Hy Casey" she picked up her pace in order to get to him

"Hy... what's up?" asked Casey as he tried to avoid making any eye contact

"Err I should be asking you that, what's going on with you, you've been really quiet"

"Nothing I'm just a little tired"

"Right, so you're not going to tell me?" asked Ruby

"I just did"

Ruby knew there was no truth in his words

"Right" Ruby decided there was only one way to get it out of him

"Fine... guess I'll see you later then" Ruby hoped her cold approach would get something useful out of him, she picked up the pace in an attempt to emphasise the change in her own mood hoping he would buckle and tell her what was bothering him

Sighing heavily Casey too picked up his own pace as he called out her name

"Ruby wait up" Stopping in front of her he spoke immediately

"I know about Charlie" he watched as Ruby looked up at him her eyes instantly glazing over with tears

Stepping away from him she continued on walking gradually picking up her pace until she was almost jogging, she could hear him calling her name but she refused to stop

"Ruby wait" Casey ran after her "Please just wait" getting close enough her grabbed her arm gently, he was stunned as she turned round to him face full for anger

"Leave me alone Case, I've got the message"

"What... what message?" Casey looked at her confused

"You found out now you want nothing to do with me" Still Casey stood confused 'why would he want nothing to do with her'

"Ruby what are you talking about? I just didn't want to tell you because I didn't want to go and say the wrong thing" taking note of the confusion on his face Ruby glared at him

"What do you know?"

Casey's hesitated making sure to choose his words carefully

"About Grant... I know what he did"

"That's all you know?" asked Ruby

"Is there more?" Casey looked at her nervously, how could there possibly be more, he was still trying to wrap his head around how Grant, the guy he had known as Brax's friend the same person that he had addressed civilly on several occasion could have done such a thing

Ruby's expression softened as she realised he had yet to work out who she really was to Charlie

"Brax didn't tell you"

Casey looked at her bemused, what else was it that Brax had failed to mention; he hoped it wouldn't be in relation to what he had already found out. Pegging herself onto the sand Ruby cursed herself; she had never had to tell anyone this before Charlie had always been the one to do that. Out of the corner of her eye she took notice of Casey's body lowering itself to her level until he was sat beside her his gaze firmly placed on her

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to" She knew his words were only for her benefit, she contemplated how to say it, was she supposed to just blurt it out or explain it step by step, before fully processing her decision she found she could hear her own voice

"He got her pregnant" Casey's eyes widened at the news she had delivered, she was sure if he had been standing his feet would have buckled

"Ruby I..." Casey paused unsure of what the right thing was to say; he couldn't imagine what Charlie must have gone through but he had a feeling Ruby still had more to tell him

"Ruby I don't know what to say... she must have been terrified"

"She says she was... but she lets me know she wouldn't trade me in for anything" Ruby smiled at the unconditional love Charlie had continuously shown her regardless of how she was conceived, she could see Casey's eyes glaring at her in bewilderment, he obviously was confused by her statement

"She kept the child" continued Ruby hoping he would soon catch on but yet he stared at her with growing confusion

"Right... so she gave it up for adoption?" asked Casey not fully grasping what she had meant by 'kept'

"No"

"No" Casey couldn't deny that he no longer understood what Ruby was saying "I don't understand"

Ruby sighed before finally looking up at him again

"Charlie's not my sister Case... she's my mum"

...

"Mummy" Reece ran into Bianca's hospital room instantly jumping up onto her bed

"Hy baby" Bianca placed a kiss on his forehead before looking up at the door

"Hy Brax" she smiled as he walked into the room

"Hy Heath left him with me and he hasn't stopped asking about you or the little one all day...how is the little one?"

"Sleeping... that's all she seems to want to do" Laughed Bianca

"Brax laughed at her words "Well that's one thing she defiantly got from Heath"

"Yh" Bianca laughed at his words

Taking a seat beside his niece Brax peered into the cot as he smiled down at her; Bianca's unmoving glare that lay upon him had not gone unnoticed

"Brax are you ok?" Brax turned to be faced with her worrying eyes

"Yep" Brax knew full well what she was referring to, there was no doubt in his mind Heath would have already questioned her about it

"Brax you don't have to always put up a front" Bianca hoped he would open up

"Bianca I don't want to talk about it ok" he glared at Reece who now stood beside him as he glared happily at his baby sister

Glaring down at his hand Bianca glanced back at him

"Right so the cuts on your hand have nothing to do with Grant" Brax stiffened at the sound of his name and Bianca instantly noticed the change in his composure

"I'm sorry"

"You have nothing to be sorry about" Brax stood up to his feet

"Brax" Before she could continue Brax stooped her

"Bianca I can't deal with this right now I just need some time"

"This isn't about you though, it happened to Charlie not you" Bianca tried to keep her voice as low as possible not wanting to alarm Reece or her sleeping daughter

"Charlie was the one that went through it, he took her innocence from her, she's the one that as to live with that night for the rest of her life; Brax I get that her leaving hurt you but you can't make this about you"

Sitting back down Brax ran his hands over his face

"I don't know what to think or do or even say" He looked up at her "What am I supposed to say"

"Just be there for her"

"I can't-I don't know how to do that" he admitted, the honesty and fear in his voice gained a sympathetic look from Bianca

"Just simply be there Brax... and she may not admit it, but I can guarantee you it's neither me nor Leah and Martha that she wants consoling her it never has been"

"How did you do it?" asked Brax softly

"Do what?"

"Be around him knowing what he did, keep that secret and having to tolerate his presence" he looked at her expectantly

"It wasn't easy but... each time I felt myself about to break around him I remembered Charlie and the morning she told us- I remember her cries and her pleading for us not to say anything... I didn't have a choice, we did what we had to do for Charlie and I guess that meant putting our feeling aside regardless of how difficult it was... I know she would do the same for me"

"I don't think I have that kind of strength... maybe that's why she didn't tell me because she knew I wouldn't be able to handle it"

Bianca shook her head adamantly

"You have more strength than most people I know, Charlie knows that just has much as I do. Her not telling you was out of fear; her silence was more about her than it was you... I guarantee you she has never doubted your strength for a second I think the person she doubted most was herself"

"She shouldn't have left" said Brax

"Honestly I agree with you, I wish she had stayed but she didn't neither of us can change that, but she is here now and the fact that she has told you means she is ready to let you be there for her... don't push her away"

Brax glared at Bianca as he sighed heavily, how was it that everyone seemed to have their heads screwed on correctly apart from him. Charlie had opened up, she had told him about something so horrific and he had failed to consider how it must have affected her instead he made it all about himself. Smiling warmly at her he once again rose to his feet

"I have to get back to the restaurant just wanted to bring Reece to see you guys" he placed a kiss on his nieces head

"Come on buddy we have to go now"

"We stay two more minutes... please"

"We can't buddy but how about I get daddy to bring you back in later"

Reece gave Bianca a kiss before latching onto Brax's hand

"Thanks"

Bianca smiled at the sincerity in Brax voice

...

Charlie walked along the beach glad to get some alone time, she settled herself in the same place she had been going to since they arrived

"Hi mum, hi dad" she smiled warmly at the ocean that twinkled before her

"So I finally told him... but I don't know what he's thinking at the moment" she ran her hand through her hair only to turn at the sound of her name

...

He stood watching her, it didn't matter that it had been a decade since she had left he couldn't help but notice how beautiful she still was, before he could register it he found his feet walking towards her, it looked like she was talking to someone but yet he continued on towards her

"Charlie" She looked up to the voice that had called her name, instantly smiling up at him and was relieved when he immediately returned the smile

"Is it ok if I sit?"

"Yea" Charlie watched as he placed himself down beside her. Both sat for several minutes unsure of what to say; Brax willed himself to speak but everything he thought to say sounded stupid and weak, he stole a quick glance at her only to be met with her eyes; quickly turning back towards the ocean she felt her cheeks flush red as she had been caught out

"I'm sorry" she turned back to him when he spoke

"I'm sorry for not giving you a chance to explain the first time you tried to explain to me"

She smiled over at him

"Its fine... you had every right to be angry... I would have probably reacted the same if the roles were reversed"

"Na you wouldn't " said Brax

"What?"

"I know you... you would have given me a chance" he sent her a smile that sent an unexpected shiver through her body, she quickly shook away the feeling

"I'm sorry too, you may not believe me but it took all my strength to leave you behind" barely finishing her words he spoke again

"I believe you... I just wish you hadn't"

"Me too"

Deciding to bite the bullet Brax spoke

"The other night at the restaurant before Ella showed up you was about to say something" Brax knew he was playing with fire but he couldn't help it, he wanted to know; he had to know

Tensing up at his question Charlie shifted slightly; after Ella had showed up she had hoped the conversation would have ended there.

Brax glared at her noticing the sudden change in her composure, he knew he should probably have told her it didn't matter, she didn't have to tell him if she didn't want to but he couldn't bring himself to say the words; more than anything he needed to know

"Charlie?" she turned to him meeting his pleading eyes, she was suddenly aware of how close to her he was, she tried to ignore the way he made her feel, she couldn't let herself think like that he was with someone; so why couldn't she break her eyes away from him, she watched as he studied her face, she was unsure why she found herself speaking

"I needed- I needed you to love me... I thought if you knew the truth that would change" She looked down briefly before looking back up only to find that he was still glaring at her

Brax felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up at the sound of her words; to anyone else it may have sounded selfish but the realisation that she needed him so much regardless of the secret she had kept from him brought a sense of comfort to him

"I don't think anything could have changed how I felt about you Charlie" instinctively he brought his hand to her face settling it upon her cheeks, he felt the wall that she had began breaking a few nights ago finally give up as it crumbled to the floor, he stroked her cheek gently with his thumb, it didn't matter what she had done he was determined to do what he wished she had given him the chance to do all those years ago; he was going to be there for her

...

She fought back the tears that lingered on her eyes as she listened to his words, she felt her body stiffen in expectation and excitement as his hand reached forward to her face; feeling his hands settle on her face she closed her eyes as she leaned into his touch. The feeling of his thumb running softly against her cheek brought a familiar comfort and warmth to her. She opened her eyes and smiled up at him, in that moment there was no denying it her feeling for him still firmly stood

Relently Brax slowly retracted his hand away from her face, he couldn't help but smile as he noticed the disappointment on her face

"I know you've always been somewhat odd but talking to yourself is a new one even for you" Brax grinned at her trying to lighten the mood

Charlie looked at him confused

"You were talking to yourself before... I saw you"

"Oh" Charlie laughed "I err... I was talking to dad and mum"

Brax instantly dropped the grin and looked at her confused with a raised eyebrow causing Charlie to laugh lightly

"I'm not going crazy... me and Ruby scattered their ashes here when we returned" Charlie turned and looked out to the ocean

"Oh right sorry- I didn't know- I..."

"Brax stop, its ok... I've been here a few times, I just- I feel like they can hear me"

Brax nodded in response as he too peered out onto the ocean

They sat in silence for a few more minutes

"I wish I had the chance to have seen them again... even if just once" Charlie sighed as she felt guilt overcome her at his words, Ross and Elise leaving the boys was her doing, she had given them no choice but to leave them behind. Noticing the mournful look on her face Brax realised his words probably hadn't helped in easing her obvious guilt

"I didn't think... I know they left for good reasons" Brax tried to make up for his earlier words

"No you're right, you should have had the chance to see them again, I shouldn't have asked them to leave you guys like that... it wasn't fair"

"Charlie what happened to you wasn't fair and I think what Ross and Elise did was what any loving parent would do... I can't fault them for that" Brax gave her a smile hoping it would be enough to reassure her, his smile widened as she spoke

"You're too nice you know that"

"Well I have been known to be the perfect gentleman" he winked at her as she laughed at him; he secretly relished in the sound of her much missed laughter, he couldn't believe after so long of wishing and praying she was sat next to him, he only hoped she would never have reason to leave again

Charlie laughed at him and her gaze descended on his grazed knuckled

"So what really happened? She questioned looking at him; Brax looked down at his knuckles before trying to hide the m from her sight

"I told you, just an accident at work"

"Yh but I want the truth" She knew too well that it probably had something to do with what she had told him the night of the storm

"What makes you think I'm not telling the truth?" asked Brax

"I just know... so?"

Brax exhaled looking away from her

"I just lost it"

"What did you do?"

"Put it through a frame... I just- his pictures where in the office and I just flipped" Charlie sighed as she took his hand in his slowly brushing her hand over the cuts

"I guess it's a good thing he left"

"Yh I don't think I would be able to control myself if I saw him" said Brax honestly, since the night of the storm he had many a times imagined how he would act if he was to see Grant again, and every single time he failed to see it ending well for Grant. A part of him wished he could see him and let out some of his frustration

As she removed her hand from his Brax felt the coldness of the wind brush past the space her hands had briefly occupied, he then remembered that Heath had found him at the time and that both he and Casey now knew about the real reason behind her leaving. Shifting nervously on the sand he took a deep breath as he spoke, he wasn't sure how she would react but he knew it wouldn't be long before she found out

"I think I might have done something you probably won't like" Charlie looked up at him with questioning eyes

"Heath found me when I... you know" he nodded down to his fingers "I told him about Grant and... Casey over heard" he stared at her waiting for her to flip or for her facial expression to harden at his confession but she just stared blankly at him,

"I didn't intend to but he kept pushing, then he said he was going to come ask you what it was that had got me so wound up and then..."

"It's ok" He stopped talking and looked at her unsure

"Charlie you're allowed to be angry, I had no right telling him"

"No you didn't but... to be honest I'm tired of telling people about it, it always feels like I'm back there, I guess in a way you helped me out" she sent him a small smile. She noticed the curios look on Brax face

"What is it?" asked Charlie

"Why didn't you let them tell me?"

"Let who tell you what?"

"Talking about what happened, I could see how much pain it caused you, why put yourself through that... why not just let one of the girls tell me? why even tell me at all" her answer came immediately

"I wanted to do it... I didn't think it was fair on you to have to find out from someone else and I wanted you to know my leaving want because of you" he smiled at her words

"Well I'm glad you did"

"So am I"

"You know I didn't get her name"

"Whose name?" asked Brax

"Bianca's new arrival, she forgot to tell me her name"

Brax smiled to himself "Its Abigail"

"Abigail...Abi" its suits her, I like it" Charlie smiled to herself

Looking out at the Ocean one more time Charlie sighed she didn't want to leave but she had an early shift and she knew if she didn't get back home soon Ruby would start bombarding her with calls

"I should probably get going before Ruby sends out a search party" Charlie stood as she dusted herself of the sand, she watched as Brax rose to his feet

"Come on I'll give you a lift" said Brax

"Its fine the house isn't that far"

"Charlie I know where you live, come on I don't mind" Brax nodded behind him as he began walking

"You sure"

"Yes"

...

"Here we are" Brax stopped outside her house, turning off the ignition he looked over at her

"Thank you" Charlie unbuckled the seat belt but yet she hadn't moved from her seat

"It's good to have you back" Brax smiled at her sincerely

She stopped the grin that threatened to play on her face and instead sent him a smile matching his

"It's good to be back"

"So I guess I'll see you later" said Brax

"Yeah"

Opening the car door Charlie sent him a final smile before closing the door and making her way towards the house, she listened for the sound of the fading car engine but she heard nothing, reaching the door she turned to find him still parked there watching her. As she opened the door he nodded lightly at her before driving off

[RoRo90]

Thank you guys for the comments... Enjoy

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

"It's good that you finally told him" said Martha as her and Charlie sat on one of the tables outside the surf club

"I know; this may sound stupid but it feels like there's this weight that has been lifted off my shoulders"

"No it doesn't sound stupid" Martha gave her a cautious as she delivered a new topic "Err Bianca told me you've met Ella"

Charlie was sure to make no obvious reactions to the name, she didn't need her friends on her back "Yh she seems really nice" Charlie picked up her juice sipping on it hoping she was doing well at playing it cool; in all honesty she was jealous, seeing Ella touch Brax made her stomach turn but knowing she had no right to be she had shrugged the feeling away waiting for it to go away

"So you're not in the slightest bit bothered"

"I don't know what you mean" Charlie lowered her gaze as she tried to keep her cool

"Charlie you know what I mean... you can deny it all you want but ten years or not you still have feelings for Brax"

"No I don't" cursing under her breath she knew she had jumped to her own defence way to quickly "Anything me and Brax had outside the realm of friendship died a long time ago right now I'm just working on us being friends"

"Right so if he said he wanted you back you would say no?" Martha sent her a smirk as Charlie glared at her in silence

"Look that's not going to happen ok, he as Ella and I am perfectly fine the way I am" Martha nodded sarcastically at Charlie

"Sure"

"It's true" argued Charlie

"I never said it wasn't"

"Charlie?" both Martha and Charlie looked up at the man that had called her name

"Dr Carter " Charlie looked up to be faced with the guy she had once known as her doctor, through no consent of her own he knew a lot about her and her family, although having only spent a brief amount of time with him each time they met, she had managed to figure out he was a very nice person

"Please call me Shawn... I didn't expect to see you here?" he asked

"I err I live here now" Charlie smiled back at him "And you?"

"I work here now... just got a job at the hospital down here"

Martha coughed loudly diverting the attention to herself, Charlie shook her head as she chuckled lightly

"Sorry, Shawn this is Martha my friend and Martha this is Shawn, he is... was a doctor from the city"

"Nice to meet you" said Shawn

"And you" Martha smiled back at him

Shawn turned back to face Charlie

"I have to head off now but would it be ok if we met up for a coffee maybe... don't really know too many people yet" he rubbed the back of his head with his hand awkwardly as he spoke

"Sure"

"I would say I'll call you but I don't have your number" said Shawn

"Err Martha do you have a pen?" asked Charlie

Writing down a number on a napkin Charlie passed it to him "That's my number" she smiled up at him

"Ok thanks... I'll see you later" he then turned to Martha "It was nice meeting you"

"You too"

Giving Charlie one final smile he turned on his heels making his way to the car park

Charlie looked up at Martha who now sat grinning insanely at her

"What?"

"Nothing" Martha's grin still remained plastered on her face

"Seriously why are you grinning at me like an idiot?" Charlie glared at her wondering what was so amusing

"Really Charlie... you didn't see that?"

"See what?"

Martha burst out laughing as she realised Charlie had truly been oblivious to the way Shawn had been looking at her

"I'm pretty sure the cute doctor as a little thing for you"

"He does not" Charlie laughed as she hit Martha lightly on the arm "He was just being nice and like he said he doesn't know anyone around here... he's just trying to make friends"

"Right uhuh... friends"

...

"Rubes you ready" called Charlie

"Yep" Walking out of her room Ruby passed Charlie a grin as she raised her eyebrow suggestively

"You look nice" Charlie instantly knew what Ruby was getting at but chose to ignore the meaning behind her daughter's comment

"And so do you Rubes... come on" dragging Ruby behind her they both made their way over to Bianca's

...

Reaching the front door Charlie tried to desperately calm herself down, all the drama surrounding her may have died down a little but this was the first time since her return that she would be in a room with all her friends again, her head jolted up as Ruby gave her a little nudge

"Charlie stop worrying"

"I'm not worried"

"Yh I can see that" Ruby nodded her head towards Charlie's fidgeting fingers causing her to drop them instantly

"Let's just get it over and done with"

Entering the house Ruby instantly walked over to Casey leaving Charlie to make her way around on her own

"Hy guys" she waved shyly at her friends as they all stood chatting

"Charlie" Leah called her over to their little gathering

Charlie gave her friends a smile before she looked over at Miles

"Hy" she gave him an awkward smile

"Heard you were back"

"Yh" Charlie shifted uncomfortably on the spot

"Don't worry I have been given strict orders to be nice to you and I know from past experience its best to listen to this one here" Miles nodded at Leah "But it's good to see you again"

"Thanks Miles... you too"

"So where are the kids?" so far she had only met Reece and Martha and Jacks daughter Sophia

"They're outside apparently us adults are too boring for them" laughed Leah

"So Charlie have you had that call yet?" Charlie looked at Martha confused

"You know" Martha winked at Charlie as she only just realised what she was referring to. Charlie felt her cheeks flush pink as she glared at Martha who was trying to stifle her laughter

"Ok am I missing something here?" asked Leah as she looked at Martha curiously

"No you're not" Charlie instantly spoke as she sent Martha a stern look "I'm gonna get something to drink" Charlie quickly turned before Martha could say anymore, Leah and Martha instantly followed her steps

Turing around Charlie sighed

"Martha just drop it"

"Drop what?" asked Leah

"Well a cute doctor wants to take Charlie out on a date"

"No he does not... he said coffee ok just coffee" ignoring Charlie Leah turned to Martha

"When you say cute how cute"

"He's a definite eight and a half out of ten... shame I'm married" Martha gave a cheeky grin as all three girls burst out laughing

"Hy guys" Leah, Charlie and Martha turned their heads to find Ella stood before them

Martha and Leah simultaneously took a quick glance at Charlie before addressing their new arrival "Hy Ella" both girls leaned in giving her a hug

"Hi" Charlie gave her a light wave

"Hi" Ella sent a smile matching Charlie's "So when are they due to arrive?" asked Ella as she made herself comfortable amongst the girls

"They should be here any time soon" replied Leah.

Taking a quick glance at Charlie, Martha realised they no longer had her attention; she was concentrating on the figure that stood at the other side of the room. Looking over at Brax she could see him nodding to what Miles and Jack where saying but even a fool could see he was paying little to no attention to their conversation.

...

Walking into the house Brax found his gaze instantly falling on Charlie, he watched as she laughed the same laughter that had haunted him for so long, a small unnoticeable smile crept over his face as he watched her.

"I'm just gonna go over to the girls" Brax looked down at Ella

"Ok" he watched the direction she walked in wanting to go over but not knowing what to say once reaching the destination. Deciding against it Brax walked over to the guys

"Hy" Jack and Miles greeted him

"Hy guys" Brax returned the gesture as he tried to fight the urge to look over at where Charlie stood, he couldn't help it every other second he found himself looking over. His mind kept flashing back to the night of the beach party, the last time he had swept his lips against hers, the same night both their worlds were shattered, he recalled laughing with Grant and he abruptly came head to head with his guilt. She had been hurting that night while he stood laughing with the reason behind her pain. Brax had repeatedly tried to eliminate these thought from his mind but how could he? he had lost her to such a cruel act and now he no longer could recognise how he felt about her. Thinking she had left out of selfishness was somewhat easier than what he was faced with, he could be angry, hurt and upset but what was he supposed to feel now, how was he supposed to be angry at her knowing the unimaginable circumstances under which she had left. Catching her eye he gave her a light smile he begged himself to look away but it seemed she had him on lock down. They glared at one another until Brax finally heeded to his name

"Brax did you hear me?"

"What?" he turned to Miles and Jack who both stood glaring at him "Sorry I was miles away"

"You ok?" asked Jack

"Yh I'm good... what were you saying?"

"Doesn't matter" Jack and Miles glared at the direction Brax had been gazing in moments before; looking at each other it became more than clear what had caught his attention

At that the sound of a car was heard pulling up out front

"They're here guys" Leah and the girls made their way towards the door as it flung open they all beamed as Bianca walked through the door

"Congratulations" the girls were sure not to shout in case the little one was asleep

"Guys" Bianca smiled over at her friends "You didn't have to do all this... thank you"

"We wanted to" Leah leaned in as she looked down into the car seat instantly taking it from Bianca

"Plus we're not here for you are we cutie" Leah cooed into the cot

"Oh thanks" Bianca followed the girls into the living room with Heath behind them

"Hy proud dad" Miles patted Heath on the back as he looked down at young girl that now lay in Leah's arms

Heath smiled as he looked over at Charlie who was stood besides Martha; he couldn't contemplate how she managed to kept standing, he had only just begun realising the challenges and setbacks life had thrown at her and yet she seemed to take it all on, even when he had tried shaming her she had remained standing just taking it all in. It didn't matter that he knew not of the reason she had left then, he felt a pang of anger hit him as he thought of Grant and the family he had taken from him and his brothers, he spent so long thinking Ross and Elise where no different to his parents but knowing what he now knew only deepened his respect and love for them, they had done what his parents had failed to do, they had put their child's needs before their own, their selflessness may have taken them away from him but having known them even if only for a while was better than never having had them in his life

"Hy thank you again for the other day" Charlie smiled down at the baby

"Like I said before its fine" she looked over at Bianca "But don't be expecting me to do that again" everyone laughed at the expression on her face

"Well what if I said your hard work has not gone unrewarded" Charlie looked at Bianca confused

"What do you mean" She now noticed Bianca wasn't the only one looking at her with a grin

"I didn't get a chance to tell you her name the other day" Charlie stood unsure of why this had brought so much attention to her

"I already know her name Abigail...right?" Charlie was sure that's the name Brax had said to her

"Charlie I would like you to meet Abigail Charlotte Braxton" Bianca and the other girls grinned over at Charlie as her mouth fell open before her eyes glazed over

"Seriously" She asked as a smile spread across her face

"Yh... we figured since you helped bring her into the world it was only fair we made sure she never forgets it" Bianca beamed happily at the smile that now covered Charlie's face

"Thank you so much" Charlie pulled her friend into a hug

"You're welcome"

Looking over at Heath she sent him a wide smile "Thank you" he nodded in acknowledgement to her words

"I was also wondering if you would like to take on the role of God mother"

"Ok now you're just spoiling me"

"Oh ok I guess I'll just ask someone else" teased Bianca

"What, no I wasn't complaining...I would love that. Thank you guys so much" Charlie couldn't believe how things were shaping out. Things were far from perfect and she knew it would take time to rebuild some of the relationships that she had broken but in that moment she was happy and she could take a break from all her dramas and just be normal

"As godmother I think it's only fair I get to hold her awhile" taking a seat she smiled down at Abigail as she lay in her arms peacefully

...

"I still can't believe it" Casey looked at Ruby as they stood watching the kids outside

"Does Brax know" asked Casey

"Yea, Charlie told him the night of the storm" Ruby looked on at the kids, she and Casey had hardly talked about the revelation she had made to him the day before; he had seemed almost floored when she told him, his mouth had laid hanging for a few seconds before he had asked her to repeat herself, she watched as he stood before her trying to piece the puzzle together. She could tell he had worked out what she was trying to tell him but he chose to say nothing instead he gave her a small smile before flinging his hands over her shoulders "I could never what anything to do with you... or Charlie" Ruby smiled at his words. Releasing her form his grip Casey and Ruby walked in silence as they made their way towards the beach

"I can't believe he didn't say anything"

"Well it's not something you go around broadcasting Casey"

"Yea... sorry, but at least that explains it" said Casey

"Explains what" Ruby looked at him hesitantly

"No it's not bad I just mean I always thought it was a little err... a little spooky in a good way but still spooky at how much you look like her" Ruby's face softened in acknowledgement

"Yh I know what you mean, we used to get it all the time back in the city so when I found out it kind of made sense... in a spooky way" she gave Casey a small smile

"Isn't it weird a little" asked Casey

"What"

"I mean she was your sister for so long then all of a sudden she's your mum"

Ruby tilted her head slightly to the side

"Yea at first it was but, I could get my head around it and them finding out about what happened... but even when she was my sister she was so protective so things didn't really change that much but yea it took a long while adjusting. In a way I think I still am"

"I'm glad you told me" Casey smiled at her

"Yh me too... does Heath know?"

"No I don't think so, Brax probably thinks Charlie should be the one to tell him especially after telling him about... well you know"

"Great two down one to go"

...

"You good?" Jack walked over to Brax handing him a beer.

"Yea" Brax thankfully took the beer from Jack

"So" replied Jack unsure of how to approach his desired topic

Brax knew the look on Jacks Face to well

"What is it?"

"You and Charlie" said Jack

"What about me and Charlie" Brax took a swig of his beer as he tried to keep his cool, he couldn't let himself think that way, she was his past

"What's going on...? I know you"

"Nothing going on, I just don't see the point in holding on to the past"

"And that all" Jack asked unconvinced by his friends reply

"Yep" Brax took another swig of his drink expecting Jack to drop it there but with no such luck

Jack wasn't sure if he was on the ball but he knew he would have to say it at least once, he knew what Brax had felt for Charlie had he knew along with everyone else those feeling had never completely disappeared, he just got better at hiding it

"A word of advice... either you put your feeling for her aside or you act on it either way you need to decide fast for both your sakes and Ella's"

Brax felt a ping of guilt at the mention of Ella's name; in the eight months they had been together she had done nothing but stood by him and he had tried his best to love her like she did him but he seemed to fall short, he couldn't explain it but it was as if he was unable to; like his love wasn't hers to have. Sighing heavily Brax shook the thought away, his feeling for Charlie may be blurred but he hoped they stayed that way he was with Ella and that was final

"I don't have any feelings for Charlie so drop it"

"Ok... but the longer you wait the harder it will get" Jack looked over at the girls and Ella as they all cooed over the Abigail, he was sure everyone but Ella had noticed the glances Brax and Charlie kept taking at one another. He noticed the change in attitude towards Charlie from both Heath and Brax, he wondered if she had maybe told them why she had left, but he knew not to ask. If Brax or Charlie wanted anyone knowing they would tell people in their own time

...

Turning around with her drink in her hand Charlie looked up to see Brax making his way over to her

"Hy"

"Hy" replied Brax

"So I'm guessing you knew about the name thing already" said Charlie

"Yea but we were all sworn to secrecy... and Bianca can be a little intimidating when she wants her way" laughed Brax

"Oh trust me I know" Charlie laughed back

Both composing themselves they stood awkwardly for a few seconds before Charlie spoke up

"Casey knows" she said

Brax raised an eyebrow

"Casey knows what?"

"About Ruby"

"How? Because I didn't tell him" added Brax

"No Ruby did"

"Oh right... you ok with that?" Brax asked cautiously

"I guess... everyone is going to find out eventually... I'm surprised Miles hasn't figured it out yet"

"Right the whole teacher thing" Charlie nodded in response before she smiled light as she took in where she was and who she was talking to

"I'm glad we can talk like this" said Charlie

"Yea"

Charlie looked up as Heath walked into the kitchen, seeing Heath Brax looked at Charlie once more as he made his way over to the others.

She could see Heath wanted to say something so she introduced the conversation

"I really appreciate you allowing me be her godmother... it means a lot" she knew this wasn't the issue he wanted to address

"Yea try disagreeing with Bianca when she as her mind made up" he sent her the most of the smile he could muster given the issue that lay in his mind

Heath looked on at her "I don't know what to say"

"You don't have to say anything Heath"

"But I feel like I do" Sighed Heath "For so long I was angry at you and your parents, I couldn't think of any reason good enough for you just leaving like that... but then Brax said" he paused for a while contemplating how to phrase his words

"Brax told me what happened... you didn't deserve that"

Charlie gave Heath a warm smile, he was still the same person he had been before he left, he may not always show it and he may even try and hide it with never ending humour but she knew he had a good heart

"It's in the past Heath"

...

Sat next to Brax Ella glanced at him, he had always had his moments when he seemed a bit distant but as of late she realised they were becoming regular occurrences, even when he was with her it seemed he was miles away. She had never expected her relationship with him to last so long but here they were eight months and still going. She had many a times told herself he was with her because that's what he wanted but deep down she felt convenience was the only reason he was still there but yet she stuck around hoping that one day he would look at her the way he should. She watched him as he glanced in Charlie's direction, she had continuously shrugged off the feeling she had got the day of the storm when she first met Charlie, she had denied the look in his eyes when he looked at her at the hospital but now she sat beside him and there it was; the look she had longed to see in his eyes for so long and within a few weeks Charlie was able to have him looking at her in that manner. Wanting to know the history between Charlie and Brax Ella refused to ask in fear of being told what she didn't want to hear so instead she played along telling herself she was seeing things that weren't there. But how long could she play this game how long could she pretend she couldn't see what ever one else had also noticed

...

"Heath I'm gonna but Abi down" Bianca walked up the stairs and into her room

"Hy" Charlie peered her head through the door

"Hy come in"

Charlie walked over taking a seat on the edge of the bed as she looked down at a peacefully asleep Abi

"She is beyond beautiful... but then again us Charlottes usually are" she grinned at Bianca "But seriously thank you... it's literally made my day"

Bianca returned the grin, she had always addressed issues with caution but she knew with Charlie caution wasn't an option a direct approach was the only thing that ever seemed to get her to listen

"Right I'm only going to say this once...ok"

Charlie looked at Bianca confused

"I like Ella a lot, she is a really nice girl" Charlie shifted uncomfortably at Bianca's words "But she's not you; both you and Brax can act and pretend that you can just go on to being friends, and that in the ten years all your feeling have gone, and for any normal pair they probably would have but you and Brax... you're not normal you never have been. I get that it's going to take awhile and things may never be the way they used to be but Charlie you need to allow yourself have what you want for once. I'm not telling you to go behind Ella's back but I don't think Brax will be able to make the first move so that means it's up to you"

Charlie opened her mouth to protest but Bianca interrupted

"Don't deny it ok, I know it, you know it and I'm pretty sure everyone in this house knows it... just think about it" and with that Bianca placed her daughter down in her cot

"We best get back down" Bianca placed a kiss on Abigail's temple before she and Charlie made their way out of the room

Bianca frowned at the sound of the angered voice that came from the living room her and Charlie glanced at one another worriedly before making their way down the stairs. Reaching the bottom Bianca looked over at Heath as anger lay etched all over his face

"Heath what's wrong?" she turned to the direction he was looking at so sternly only to find herself stood wide eyed at the person that stood by the door, her hands instinctively found Charlie's has she gripped onto them tightly

...

Jack, Miles, Heath and Brax sat in the living room engaging in their usual banter as Leah, Martha and Ella sat in the garden watching as the kids played about

"Who would have thought you and Bianca would have actually stayed together"

"It's all about the charm" smirked Heath

"What Charm?" asked Miles with a smirk also placed on his face earning his laughter from both Brax and Jack

At the knock on the door all three guys looked over simultaneously, Brax felt his stomach drop in disgust at the sight of the face

"Mate" Jack walked over to the person stood at the door "When did you get back" asked jack as they embraced in their usual manly hug

"Just now... been to your place but obviously I didn't find any one there"

The person looked on at the three eyes that peered over at him, he wasn't expecting a overly excited greeting from Miles they were never as close as he was to the other guys, but looking over at Brax and Heath who where both now standing he wondered why they had yet to speak, the look on the faces brought him to a state of confusion

"Hy guys, is that any way to welcome a friend" he smiled over at them but it soon faded as neither of the two returned the gesture

He looked back at Jack who just shrugged he was just as confused

"Guys is everything ok?" Jack looked over at Heath and Jack unsure of what was going on, he looked over as Martha, Leah and Ella entered the living room, he instantly noticed the deadly glares the two girls were passing his way.

Miles was now stood also as confused as Jack was

Hearing the kid's voices getting closer Leah and Martha instantly turned ushering them back outside before they got sight of the unfortunate arrival, knowing both Brax and Heath now knew they were sure whatever was about to transpire wouldn't be suitable for the kids

"Get him out of here" Venom filled Brax's voice as he glared at the person in disgust

Ella stood unsure of what to say, she had not known him long before he left but as far as she was aware he was a good friend of Brax

"What's going on?" asked Miles he watched as Brax took a step towards the door

"God help me if you don't leave now" he stood staring at Brax unsure of what he had done to deserve such a cold reception

"Mate w..."

"I'm not your mate" Brax growled as he took another step closer wanting nothing more than to beat the life out of him

Jack couldn't understand the look in Brax's eyes, he seemed so dangerous he needed to know what was going on but feared Brax and Heath were not willing to keep cool long enough to explain to him.

Casey and Ruby came into the living room against the constant protest of both Leah and Martha

"Guys what's going on?" Casey stopped dead at the sight before him before holding his arm out enabling Ruby from going any further. Ruby glanced between Brax, Heath then at Casey before looking at the man that stood by the entrance of the house

"Who is he?" she glared at Casey before looking back at the man but she received no answer from any one of the brothers

"We should go back outside" Casey knew full well by the expression on both Brax and Heaths face what was likely to go down and he didn't intent on letting Ruby witness any of it. He tried pulling Ruby along with him but she remained still

"Case who is he?" she asked again "Brax" she looked over at Brax but it seemed her question only tipped an already angered Brax over the edge

Losing control Brax sprung forward but his actions had been foreseen as Miles and Jack latched onto him trying desperately to hold him back, Heath held back fighting the urge to go over and do what Brax obviously wanted to do. The person stepped back surprised by Brax's sudden rage towards him before his attention was caught by a voice

"Heath what's wrong?" he watched as Bianca turned her head and her gaze feel upon him, he noted the sudden horror that was expressed on her face, his eyes slowly followed the tall slender figure that stood next to her, he paused momentarily as he recognised her face.

Turing towards the commotion Charlie fought to keep grip of her fading stamina, her heart flew to her throat as her stomach churned in a sickly way, her heart rate picked up pace as she felt the four walls closing in on her. She felt Bianca slide her hands into hers and grip onto it tightly; she glared on at the person that had single handedly broken her spirit.

"G-Grant" she called his name as if to make sure it was truly him