Hi everyone, I am so sorry for the longest gap in updates but as of late my life is kind of hectic! In the last 4 months that I have been absent I have moved towns, had my computer sent away to be repaired!, are looking for a house and we are trying to keep up with our school work! Whew!

So again I am sorry that I have been ignoring my stories but for the last fortnight I have been thinking about them and in the last 3-4 days have been writing chapters out on my ipod so I haven't been totally ignorant! How is everyone liking Home and Away? Did you think it would be Dex in the car? I did! And I even picked that Ruby would lose it and cut the breaks but no-one really believed it until she did it! Anyway I will try and update on a regular basis but it won't be on an everyday basis, my life has just gotten a little to busy now my mum is back and I am not in my room every day. So enjoy the chapter, don't forget to review and check out my other stories when I update them (soon I promise) Danielle xoxo

BELLA POV

I stood in front of the mirror in our dressing room trying to zip up my white sundress "urgh" I struggled when I heard a snort from behind me and I spun around to find Cooper smirking at me "having trouble?" he asked and I folded my arms over my chest "no" I pouted "yes you are" he asked turning me around by my shoulders and sliding the zip up "thanks" I said giving him a smile in the mirror "where are you going?" he asked and I turned around wrapping my arms around him "shopping with Charlie" I said and he nodded sliding his arms around me and hugging me close "you seem happier" he said finally looking down at me "I am" I replied and he smiled "so you're getting used to the whole thing?" he asked nervously "yeah, I mean of course it still scares me but I'm dealing with it" I said grabbing my sandals and sitting on the bed to put them on "good, I've missed the old you" he said standing in front of me "I never went anywhere" I said looking up and he shook his head "you just weren't you" he said and I nodded "well I'm me now" I said reaching up to kiss him.

"Are you busy tomorrow?" Cooper asked as I walked towards the kitchen "ah I don't have plans at the moment... why?" I asked pouring a glass of water and taking a sip "the guys and I are going to the beach tomorrow and they wondered if you wanted to come" he said and I raised my eyebrows "they want me to come?" I asked surprised "yeah, they just want to perve on you in your bikini" he said rolling his eyes and I laughed "what like you do?" I said "that's different, I'm allowed to you're my girlfriend and besides I get to shower with you" he said and I laughed again "I gotta go" I said shaking my head and grabbing my bag "I'll call you when I'm done kay?" I said and he nodded leaning down to kiss me "I love you" he said and and I smiled lightly "I love you too" I replied grabbing my keys from the table near the door and heading out.

About 5 minutes later I pulled up outside of Charlie and Brax's house. I turned the car off and headed up the driveway. I smiled at the sight before me when I walked through the door, Mckenzie was dancing around the room with Brax with a pair of white undies on her head "what on earth are you doing?" I asked and she stopped, swayed a bit from the dizzyness and grinned "Bwella!" she squealed running around the couch and hugging my legs "hi baby" I smiled lifting her up and kissing her cheek "look my undies" she said pointing to her head "yes I can see them, why are they on your head?" I asked and she pointed to Brax "Dada put them on" she said and I laughed narrowing my eyes at him, he shrugged and shook his head "just a bit of fun" he said and I laughed "how's it been?" I asked walking around the couch and sitting down, setting Mckenzie in front of me "yeah not too bad, you?" he asked picking up some toys and putting them away "same old same old" I said shaking my head as I watched my niece prance around like a horse "nay, nay" she said shaking her blonde hair "why is she being a horse?" I asked Brax and he sighed "she watched a movie yesterday and it had horses in it, now she's obsessed" he said and I laughed "you like horses Kenzie?" I asked and she stopped and looked at me "yeah" she said before returning to being a horse "she's dedicated" I said and Brax just shook his head "can you watch her, I'll go tell Charlie you're here" he said and I nodded "sure" I said as he headed up the stairs.

Charlie and I drove out of the driveway about a half an hour later, Mckenzie and Brax were out the front and Mckenzie was crying. She loved Brax but she hated it when either of her parents left even if it was just for a few hours. We drove to a small boutique store in Yabbie Creek and headed inside, we tried on dresses and outfits and collected a small bundle of clothes each. After an hour we paid for our items and left the store without the dress we were searching for. We walked down the cobblestone walkway and found a cute new boutique called 'Special Something' intrigued we headed inside and found ourselves in a adult shop. Stunned we turned to leave when a woman in her thirties came bustling around the corner and ushered us further into the store, I looked to Charlie for help but she just looked at me like a deer caught in headlights "now you two lovely ladies will find quite a lot to like here, I'll just take you over to our most popular section" she said with a wink as she grabbed our elbows and pulled us across the store "ah no sorry we got the wrong store by mistake" I stammered and she shook her head "nonsense, there is no need to be embarrassed this is totally normal" she said as she stopped at a wall of costumes. There were nurses, police officers and even kittens! My throat was burning from surpressed laughter and looking at Charlie I could see she was in the same boat. "Seriously we came in her by mistake" Charlie said looking the lady whose name tag read 'Candy'. Candy stared at us a moment before breaking out in a grin "oh I know just what you are looking for" she said rushing off. We tried to make a break for it but she was back before we could get even close to the door "these will be perfect for you two" she said holding up a few X rated DVD's "um no they won't" I said pushing past her as Charlie and I burst out of the store and raced into the alley. We stood for a moment trying to work out what happened when we both burst into laughter "I can't believe that just happened!" she said and I nodded "I know, me too" I said holding my stomach "let's get out of here" she said and I nodded following her out the alley.

By the time we stopped for lunch at a small relaxed restaurant we had bought a mountain of stuff, none of which we had come to buy. I was still without my dress for Cooper's event and was feeling slightly depressed, I had never had this much trouble finding the right dress "do you think I'm getting fat?" I asked Charlie and she blinked "oh my god you do!" I cried covering my mouth and her eyes popped "no I don't! Really, I'm just shocked you asked that" she said shaking her head and I sat back in my chair "I don't know I just feel different" I said and Charlie looked at me "what do you mean?" she asked and I shrugged "I don't know I just feel... not me you know, I mean this morning I had to get Cooper to do the zip on my dress up" I said and Charlie laughed "honey that's nothing" she said and I rolled my eyes "maybe for you but your married and had a baby but I'm not" I said chewing on the straw in my drink "Cooper is not going to worry if you're not super skinny" she said and I nodded "I know that, I don't want to be super skinny I just want to be me again" I said and she nodded "well when did you go to the gym last?" she asked and I cringed "a long time ago, I got busy and haven't been lately. I mean Cooper goes all the time but I just couldn't be bothered. I'll start going again" I said and Charlie nodded "oh my god" she said and I looked around "what?" I asked and she smiled "I think I just found your dress" she said pointing across the road. I turned to see a strapless floor length magenta dress with a beaded empire waist that got wide at the back, it had a slit up the middle and the fabric colour changed to orange from the slit, it had a sweetheart neckline and was made of floaty fabric. I looked at it a moment before turning back to Charlie "that's the one" I smiled.

COOPER POV

I was slumped in front of the TV watching a football game when the phone rang. I grabbed the receiver and pressed talk "hello" I said looking out the window "Mr Harding, It's Reggie from downstairs. I have your mother waiting down here would you like me to let her up?" he asked "yeah Reggie it's cool, thanks" I said hanging up and heading into the kitchen. I had just rinsed out my water glass when there was a knock at the door. I walked down the hall and opened the door, Natyaliah bust past me and ran down the hall "BELLA!" she squealed excitedly "Tals, Bella isn't here" I said turning down the hall, my pregnant mother following "why?" Natyaliah asked "she's gone out" I replied and she flopped down onto the couch "what's up?" I asked my mother knowing that my father would not know they were here, he was still not happy about my career choice – neither was my mother but she was dealing with it because she knows it is what I want to do and all she ever wanted for us was to be happy. My father however is a little different. "Mum, sit down" I said and she sunk into the couch "I was wondering if you could look after Natyaliah for a few hours, I've got a back massage for the back pain and her play date got the measles. I know you haven't seen each other in a while too" she said looking over at me exhaustedly "yeah sure" I said handing her a glass of water and sitting on the couch, pulling Natyaliah onto my lap "YAY!" she squealed giving me a hug "how you been princess?" I asked and she put her finger on her chin "gud, I gots a star award at ballet" she said grinning "did you! That's great" I smiled and she nodded "mummy says I'm just like Barbie" she giggled "oh I forgot, she has a recital on Friday night if you and Bella wanted to come" mum said blowing out a sigh "are you okay?" I asked " yeah just tired, running around after miss here and of course this one" she said pointing to her stomach "isn't dad helping you?" I asked and she sighed "you know your father darling" she said and I shook my head "don't you worry dear, I will be fine. I've got a nice young helper and she will be there when he goes away on Thursday" she said and I rolled my eyes "well at least let Belle and I take Tals for the weekend" I said and she shook her head "no, no you've got your own life now" she said and I laughed "mum it's a weekend and Bella won't mind, we have a spare bed and like you said I haven't seen her in ages" I said and waited while she thought. I could see her thinking as she chewed on her bottom lip "oh alright but just the Friday, I don't want to impose on your weekend" she said and I rolled my eyes "Friday and Saturday" I bargained and she frowned "fine, but I am picking her up first thing Sunday morning" she said and I nodded giving Natyaliah a high-five.

"Okay I have to go now, Natyaliah you be good okay" she said giving her a hug "and thank-you darling" she said kissing my cheek "it's okay, what time will you be back?" I asked "about 3 o'clock is that okay?" she asked and I nodded "yep it's fine" I said as I walked her to the door and waited until she was safely in the elevator knowing that Reggie would insist on making she got to her car safe. I returned to Natyaliah to find her still on the couch with the remote in her little hands "what will we do princess?" I asked and she grinned up at me.

BELLA POV

It was just after one when I left Charlie and my phone had gone flat. I stopped at the surf club to grab a juice for Cooper and I when I ran into Ruby and Casey "hey guys" I smiled as they made their way over "hey, did mum come to visit you?" Casey asked and I sighed "yeah she wants money – why?" I asked and he shook his head "she hit Brax up and then Heath and when that failed she tried us this morning" he said and I sighed "I don't know what to do, I mean I can't afford $5000 but I don't want to see her lose the house" I said and he nodded "I know me too and Brax and Heath are the same – what if I talk to Brax and Heath and see if we and see if we can split it?" he said and I thought for a minute "yeah I'll talk to Cooper, I mean we've got money I just don't know whether it's a good idea to do this" I said and he nodded "we're all the same I mean it's the same story over and over again" he said "plus we're paying the rent until Cooper decides to go and work for his dad" I said and Ruby laughed "will he though?" she asked and I raised an eyebrow "no, he's working as a labourer until he starts training" I said and she grimaced "ew, dirty work" she said and I nodded "yeah but he's getting stronger lifting all those bricks and crap so I get the benefits" I said and Casey scowled "that's gross I don't need to hear this, can't you talk about in your girly time or whatever it is" he said flapping his hand. Ruby and I laughed as I handed over some money and grabbed the cardboard juice holder "I'll call you later, we can catch up for some 'girly time'" I mimicked and she laughed "yeah see ya" she said as her and Casey headed upstairs to Angelo's.

I pulled into my parking space and grabbed my bags, I nodded at Harmen the doorman and pressed the elevator door button with my elbow and stepped inside. I unlocked the door and headed down the hall, when I reached the living room I was surprised to see Cooper playing barbies with Natyaliah "hello" I said looking down at the two "hey, mum dropped Tahls off for the afternoon" Cooper said standing up "okay" I said heading towards the kitchen "are you okay?" Cooper asked following me "yeah why?" I asked dumping the bags on the table "I don't know you just seem distracted" he said "nah it's just stuff with mum that's all" I said with a smile "you sure?" he asked and I smiled "yeah" I assured and he nodded pulling one of the paper bags across the bench "what did ya buy?" he asked and I quickly snatched the bag back "nah ah, I'll show you later" I said and he grinned "looking forward to it" he replied as Natyaliah came running in "I'm thirsty Coopie" she said and he nodded, I grabbed the juice from the fridge and poured it in a cup "thanks" she said running back into the living room "oh I told mum we'd look after Tahls on Friday and Saturday night so she can get some rest" Cooper said and I nodded "oh and I said we'd go to her ballet recital on Friday too" he added and I raised my eyebrows "well haven't we been busy today" I said as he moved around the bench "that I have" he said putting his hands on either side of me "you forgot my hello" he said and I narrowed my eyes "I said hello" I said and he shook his head "no properly" he said and I smiled lightly "well I guess I had better do that then" I said as his lips grazed mine "Coopie" Natyaliah said running back into the kitchen, Cooper groaned lightly and I smiled 'what's up miss?" I asked and she sighed "I'm bored" she said sadly and I smiled "how about we go down to the pool for a swim" I asked and she grinned "yeah" she cheered racing out of the kitchen and down the hall "were alone again" Cooper said kissing me lightly "not for long" I replied "come on we'll go change" I said taking his hand "we?" he asked and I laughed pulling him out of the kitchen.

I headed into the wardrobe to change while Cooper checked on Natyaliah. I rummaged around in the drawers when I heard Cooper yell out "BELLA!" he called and I sighed "coming" I replied heading towards the spare bedroom "what's…" I said choking a laugh as I look at Natyaliah "what happened!?" I asked looking at Cooper "I don't think I did it right" he said with a shrug "no kidding!" I laughed walking over to the little girl. She had the strap of one side stretched over both arms and the other strap hanging loose. I knelt down in front of her and tried to pull the strap over her head but the material gave way and snapped in the middle. Natyaliah started to cry but I just smiled "it's okay we can fix it" I said and she stopped crying "re-eally" she said and I nodded "really" I said turning her around and untangling her, I crossed the straps over the back and tied them tightly "all done" I said turning her around again and wiping her eyes "thanks Bella" she said and I smiled "you're welcome, how about you go play with your Barbies" I said and she nodded running out of the room and down the hall. I stood up and sighed at Cooper "how did you manage that?" I asked laughing and he pulled me into a hug "you're good with her" he said and I smiled lightly "thanks" I whispered inaudibly "how about we get changed?" he said and I laughed "we're only changing, nothing else not with missy down the hall" I said and he groaned "two more hours" he said and I rolled my eyes "geeze, you sound like it's been 20 years. Besides you offered to take her for the weekend, you better get used to it" I said and his eye popped "no! Not all weekend" he begged following me into our room and I laughed "I'll think about it, can you shut the door" I said and he shut the door. I stepped forward and kissed him gently, he responded but I pushed him back "nah ah" I said as I reached around and slid the zip of my dress down, it fell to the floor leaving me in my white underwear with the little star charms "don't do that" he said shaking his head seriously and I stepped forward again "I'm being playful" I smiled lifting his shirt over his head and kissing along his jaw line "you could wait until were alone" he said sliding his hands along my sides and around to my back "I could" I said reaching his lips "but I find this more fun" I said with a cheeky grin as I grabbed one of his hands from my back and led him to the wardrobe.

COOPER POV

I sighed unhappily as I watched Bella tie her bikini on, she had given me an unfair strip show and now the punishment extended as instead of doing what I wanted with her I had to go swimming with my sister. I love Natyaliah but sometimes when she is around Bella decides to be cheeky and I find it extremely unfair. We headed down the hall and Bella called out to Natyaliah "ready?" she asked and Natyaliah nodded running for the door. It was ages of marco polo, pool tag and piggy in the middle before Natyaliah decided she wanted to see how many backflips she could do at once. Bella obviously saw this as her oppturnity to be mean again as she jumped up on me and kissed the back of my neck, slowly making her way up to my ear "having fun" she whispered and a shiver ran down my spine "no, stop it" I hissed and she giggled, sliding her hands down my back and around to my stomach before making her way up to my chest "stop it" I mouthed and she winked at me "your hearts beating fast – nervous?" she whispered and I shook my head "please" I begged feeling glad that we were in a cold pool and she smiled and released her legs, I breathed a sigh of relief as she ducked under the water. I jumped when I felt her hands on my legs as they slid up my body I rolled my eyes when she emerged from the water in front of me, a cheeky smile on her face "scare ya?" she asked and I dropped my head back "you are seriously enjoying this aren't you" I said and she nodded "I thought you missed the old me" she said sliding her hands up onto my shoulders and jumping up, wrapping her legs around me "I did" said truthfull realising this was the first time in ages she had been this playful. She smiled and lent forward, touching her lips to mine "good because I think she has returned" she whispered, kissing me. I pulled away at the sound of Natyaliah squealing "EW! GROSS!" I looked over Bella's shoulder and laughed "come on missy, we have to get you ready, mum will be here soon" I said and she nodded swimming to the steps.

BELLA POV

We dried off and headed upstairs, I ran the bath for Natyaliah and turned the shower on. I squirted shower gel under the running water and she squealed "bubbles!" I laughed feeling happiness at being around the little girl. I helped her into the tub and we played with her Barbies a bit, I grabbed a face washer and helped her rub some of the salt away. I squeezed some shampoo into the palm of my hand and rubbed it through her hair before washing it away. I lifted her from the tub and helped her dry and change before brushing her hair and letting her go. She ran down the hall to Cooper and held her arms up, he lifted her up and she stuck her arm in his face "smell" she said and he obliged "nice" he said and she nodded "bubbles" she said and he laughed just as there was a knock on the door. I let Liz in and handed over Natyaliah's stuff "come on miss we have to go" she said and Natyaliah crossed her arms and stamped her foot "no!" she said pouting and Liz sighed "Natyaliah now, you will see Cooper and Bella on Friday at your recital" she said and Natyaliah sighed "fine" she hissed taking Liz's outstretched hand and following her down the hall "bye Coopie, bye Bella" she said waving as Liz loaded her into the elevator. We waited until the doors closed before I pushed the door shut and was lifted off the ground and slung over Cooper's shoulder "COOPER!" I squealed and he just shook his head "it's payback time" he said carrying me down the hall.

How was that, it is a lot longer than most of my other chapters but I had already written it on my Ipod and just changed some things. It is my little gift for being such a bad writer and not updating soon enough. I am not sure whether the next chapter will be this long but I am hoping to update soon. I have the next chapter written I just have to type it on the computer and do the same to my other stories so a couple of days at least! Please, please, please, please review I really need them and the lack of reviews was part of the reason in my lapse in updating – you just have no inspiration! Anyway review! Danielle