Naturally, the usual disclaimers apply.

'…a fuck tonne of laundry to do.' Olivia cursed to her friend of over a decade, Alex, during one of their frequent telephone conversations.

Alex chuckled at Olivia's exasperated tone. Her 'nephew' Noah had decided to extend his recently developed interest in art from the designated 'scribble spot' in the kitchen to the living room carpet, the hallway walls and his entire bedroom; leaving Olivia to handle a trail of destruction only rivalled, according to Olivia's colourful description, by "Someone staggering through an apartment with an arterial bleed."

Alex listened as Olivia continued her impassioned tirade. The three foot, thirty pound three year old responsible for the 'crime' was now on house arrest for the remainder of the weekend, banned from using his finger paints without strict supervision for the foreseeable future and sulking on the couch as he'd been firmly informed that there would be no visit to the park with Jesse the following morning as 'actions have consequences', something his mother was trying to firmly but fairly instil in the young boy's mind.

Olivia held the phone between her ear and her shoulder as she shoved the third load of Noah's clothes into the dryer, querying out loud to Alex as to why her son seemingly had more clothes than she, a grown woman, did before she teasingly said "Wait. I've been told I'm something of a detective. I can figure this out…his Aunty Alex can't help buying him something new every time she goes shopping can she?".

Alex didn't even attempt to deny the accusation. She loved spoiling 'her little man' (and his mother), and she couldn't deny the warmth and happiness she felt inside whenever she and Olivia took the little boy out together, dressed in his latest additions to his wardrobe. He'd usually insist on walking in between them so he could hold both their hands, and they'd usually end up swinging him between them on the walk home.

Her mind wandered briefly to such a walk. They'd taken Noah to see the Lego Batman Movie, and as they were leaving the theatre, Noah had first taken Olivia's hand before deciding he wanted 'his Lexi' to carry him.

Olivia had taken her purse for her as she crouched down to pick the little boy up. He'd then snuggled his head into her neck, his small hand in her hair as his mother placed a gentle hand on her back and checked she was okay carrying him.

She'd nodded in response when an older woman approached them with two boisterous children-presumably her grandchildren-in tow and had said how impressed she was with Noah's behaviour during the film, before taking Olivia's hand gently in hers and telling her she had 'a beautiful family' and that she should 'treasure every moment' with them.

The compliment had somewhat startled her, but Olivia's response had startled her further.

She could clearly remember the look in Olivia's eyes, and the smile on her face, as she had softly replied with "Thank You for saying so, and believe me Ma'am, I do."

She felt the blush rising to her cheeks as it had late that afternoon, and had to physically shake her head as she heard "Alex? You okay? Or am I boring you?".

She managed to get herself together enough to reply with "No, not at all. Just thinking… ." to which her friend replied "I'd be surprised if you ever stopped Counsellor. Whatcha thinking about?".

Her verbal response was far different than her mental response.

"I was thinking I could get dinner for you, me and little man. You've both had an eventful afternoon, and I figured I could handle making sure you're both fed tonight."

'I was thinking how wonderful our lives could be. You, me and little man. Having dinner together every night, snuggling on the sofa after we've put our baby boy to bed...making love late in the night when he's sure not to stir.'

She was roused from her chain of thought as she heard Olivia call out "Hey Noah, would you like to eat with Aunty Alex tonight?" and she beamed as she heard him yell happily "My Lexi coming to see me!".

Olivia's happy snort made her smile harder as she said "I think you have a date. See you in an hour or so?".

Alex nodded, even though her friend couldn't see her, and said "Sure. Shall we order when I arrive?".

Olivia replied in the affirmative, and they ended the call a few moments later, leaving Alex and Olivia in a similar predicament.

'What to wear on a 'date' with your best friend and a grounded toddler… .'