Alex looked around with a small smile painted across her face as she proudly admired her new home. Her and Mason had bought their first apartment and even though they should have both been over the moon, something lurked in the back of Alex's mind that stopped her from being truly happy. The apartment they had bought wasn't huge, but it was still quite spacious. The lounge was surrounded with light grey walls and the floor that lay beneath them was fitted with dark wooden panels. As Alex began to unpack the final box she sat on the crushed velvet grey couch that sat in the centre of the room. Out of the large cardboard box Alex carefully pulled out one of the first paintings her and Mason completed together. It was a picture of a young couple sat on a porch swing holding hands on a sky-blue background. They were surrounded by purple flowers which grew over and intertwined with the white swing. The picture did not show their faces instead it only showed the back of their body's but despite this, it was evident the picture was of Alex and Mason.
Alex sadly smiled down at the picture before getting up off of the couch and hanging it on to the wall next to a large window which allowed lots of light to shine through, illuminating the apartment. Alex took a small step back to admire the painting, realising that she had finished unpacking, Alex then sat herself down on the cushioned window seat and began fiddling with the long black curtains that hung next to her. As Alex sat on the seat she rested her head on the window behind her. Her eyes began to drop as she tried to fight the tiredness. It was now that she had stopped working that she realised how exhausted she was, clearly taking care of a new baby and moving to a new home had taken it out of her. Giving in to her exhaustion, Alex slowly began to drift in to a quiet slumber. However, she was soon woken by a rough knocking at the door.
Feeling startled, Alex quickly jumped up from her seat and she speedily hurried over to the white front door. When she opened the door, she was greeted by her parents and Harper who was carrying Neave in the black baby carrier. Alex invited them and as she did this she excitedly approached the baby carrier and quickly swiped it out of Harper's fair hands.
"Hey baby!" Alex exclaimed as she happily smiled down at her baby girl.
"She's been an angel," said Theresa smiling as she watched her daughter pick up her baby from the carrier and cuddle her tightly in her arms. "She's so good, I don't remember you being that well behaved when you were a month old."
"Yeah well you did have Justin to compare me to," laughed Alex as she sat on the couch holding her daughter. "Hey, where's Max?" Alex asked looking at her parents confused.
Jerry and Theresa looked at each other as if they were unsure what to say. Eventually, Jerry finally answered, "he's not feeling too good today, so he decided to stay at home." There was a brief moment of silence as Theresa and Jerry stood awkwardly while Alex watched them suspiciously. "Hey! This place is looking really great Alex," Jerry told her smiling, quickly trying to change the subject.
"Thanks Dad, I've just finished unpacking the last boxes, so I think that's everything finished now."
"Alex!" Called Mason coming out of one of the two bedrooms that connected with the lounge, "have you seen where that bloody mobile is for the cot, I've looked and it's in none of the boxes for the nursery." He suddenly stopped in his tracks when he seen the others sat in the lounge with Alex, "oh, hi everyone." He greeted them smiling, he then noticed Neave who was lay awake in Alex's arms. Mason's face lit up with joy as he immediately rushed over to her, "hello darling!" He smiled down at Neave as he gently stroked her rosy plump cheek with his finger. Neave looked up at him with her bold brown eyes while sucking on her pink pacifier. Her hazel brown tuffs of hair shone under the lighting in the lounge. She wriggled and kicked her legs under Mason's touch while Alex continued to embrace her tightly. Mason's heart seemed to flutter when Neave's eyes sparkled as she blinked at him, waving her long luscious eye lashes. "I've missed you," he told her. He then looked over to Jerry, Theresa and Harper with a massive grin still on his face, "has she been alright?" He asked as he returned to admiring his beautiful daughter.
"Yeah," said Jerry, "she has, we were just telling Alex about how good she's been."
Mason smiled at them and turned to Alex who was staring straight down at Neave, ignoring everyone and everything around her, it was as if she was trapped in a trance. "So, Alex, do you know where the mobile is?" Alex ignored Mason and continued to stare at Neave. An awkward silence began to build as Jerry, Theresa and Harper looked towards each other in anticipation and confusion. Mason watched Alex as he waited for an answer.
After several long moments of silence, she answered. "It's in our room," she said quietly. Mason sighed as he continued to watch Alex. Slowly, he nodded his head silently as he walked away in to the other room. Everyone sat quietly as one by one they turned their attention to Alex who was still in her trance, her face seemed to be showing no emotion what-soever.
The awkward tension in the room began to escalate further, forcing Theresa to move over to her daughter and confront her about the situation, "honey, is everything okay with you two?"
Alex nodded slowly as she pulled herself out from her trance like state and looked at her mom, "why would you ask that?"
"Well," began Theresa, "it's just when you spoke to him then you seemed-"
"I'm just tired mom," Alex snapped, "you've had kids, you know how tiring it is."
"Oh honey, you know if she's keeping you both up all night we'll be happy to have her stay over," Jerry suggested. "Any time you guys want a break or to go out on a date or-"
"Thanks dad," Alex interrupted again smiling, "we're okay for now though, but I'll definitely take you up on that sometime."
Mason came back out of the room smiling in relief, "it's finished," he announced as he sat himself down on the couch next to Alex, who quickly put her head down again and quietly sat watching over Neave and ignoring the others. Mason immediately began to look at Neave as he stroked the silky smooth hair on her head.
"What? The nursery's finished?" asked Theresa excitedly, "can we see?"
"Yeah, it's through here," said Mason getting back up off of the couch leading everyone in to the nursery. Alex stayed sat on the couch with Neave, continuing to sit silently as she waited for them to return.
"Here we are," said Mason as he opened the door. Everyone stepped in to the room and stood in awe as they looked around. The room was painted in a light cotton candy pink colour and every piece of furniture was as white as snow. On the wall above the crib Mason had painted Neave's name in white glittery paint that shone like little stars. He had also painted some white butterflies surrounding her name and in the far corner of the petite room sat a rocking chair, which had placed on it a baby pink cushioned seat and a small light chocolate brown teddy bear.
"Mason it's beautiful!" said Theresa as she hugged him tightly.
Mason's cheeks began to blush slightly due to the praise he was receiving, "thanks," he said smiling. "I know she'll still have to stay in mine and Alex's room for a bit longer while she's so young, but at least it's done for when she's big enough to sleep in her cot."
"Good idea," laughed Jerry, "babies grow so fast, she'll be in here before you know it."
"Alex!" yelled Theresa, "come see Neave's room!"
But there was no reply, instead they just heard a slight rustling coming from the next room. Everyone stood waiting in silence as they all watched the doorframe while they waited for Alex to arrive. When Alex finally appeared holding Neave, who was wrapped in a fluffy white blanket, in her arms. She stood looking around the room, but she never said anything. Instead, she just quietly looked around while everyone gaped at her while they waited in anticipation for her reaction.
She nodded her head as she gave a very small smile, "it looks good."
Mason looked at her longingly before giving a weak smile, "I'm glad you like it."
They both continued to look at each other. Their faces were blank, almost emotionless. However, it was evident that their eyes were both full of sadness. Harper, Jerry and Theresa looked between the couple, they then all turned to look at each other in confusion. As Jerry went to speak Harper immediately interrupted him, "oh is that the time! We better get going, we'll see ourselves out. Come on guys!"
She then dragged both Theresa and Jerry out of the room despite their protests. Her feet repeatedly slipped on the floor as she pulled them by their arms, forcing them across the room. "But what about-" Jerry started to ask before harper interrupted him.
"You can wait! Bye guys, Alex I'll call you tomorrow."
Alex nodded as she watched her family leave, "okay, bye," she muttered while Mason stood quietly watching her.
When they both heard the front door slam shut, Alex and Mason continued to look at each other again. Mason tried several times to start a conversation but found himself always at a loss for words. It was until Neave began to make small noises Mason finally found himself able to speak to Alex. "Is she alright?" He asked as he walked over to them both and looked down at the baby while he started stroking her on the head again. Alex simply nodded while she watched over Neave, ignoring Mason's presence. "Do you think she's hungry? They never said when she had her last bottle, she might be due a feed." Alex simply shrugged her shoulders in response, still remaining silent. "Well, why don't I go make her one," suggested Mason, "then you can feed her if you like? Or if you want me to do it then-"
"I'll do it," snapped Alex as she dumped Neave in to Mason's arms and stormed out of the room.
Mason watched in shock as Alex stormed out of the room. Unsure of what was wrong with his girlfriend, he felt his stomach drop as fear and dread began to take over him. But he suddenly became distracted from his thoughts when Neave began to stir and become unsettled in his embrace. Mason instantly commenced rocking her back and fourth gently as he tried to sooth her. "Shh," he whispered quietly, "it's okay Neavie, daddy's here." Once Neave had settled down, Mason looked up again to watch Alex. He gave a heavy sigh as he wondered to himself what was wrong with Alex?