A/N To fully understand this story you want to read Feeling Close to You, this is part 2 in that story. I know it's a big time jump but I wanted the twins to be older, you'll see why in chapter 2. This story will take a while 2 be uploaded. Hope you all enjoy my story R&R u guys r great. This chapter is basically a condensed version of the years that have passed. xxx thanks 4 reading.

4 years on. (It's no ones point of view in particular)

Alice and Danny were working in the surgery, they had found a found a comfortable way of working together. It was a shame because they'd lost that unspoken communication they used to have, they both hoped it would return in time when they were completely comfortable with each other again. After they had first broke up it had incredibly awkward and they couldn't even be in the same room together without stilted conversation or feeling uncomfortable. The only reason that Alice had stayed was because she was determined to give her a father a chance and because the twins needed Danny. The first 6 months had been especially hard since they had decided to stay in the same room for the twins. Just until the night feeds were over and they were old enough to move into their own room. As soon as they were 6 months old Alice couldn't wait to move into her own space. To be honest it was a relief in more ways than one. Danny's room wasn't the biggest anyway but add two beds, two cribs a dresser a wardrobe and changing table for the twins, Danny and Alice had spent most of their time tripping over each other. At least now they were able to work with each other which had been near on impossible at first. Together they'd worked through the hurt and pain they'd caused each other and secretly they fell for each other all over again, although neither admitted it to the other! They had a lot of heart to hearts at night when the twins were asleep and they both been unable to sleep. She found he was easier to talk to in the darkness while she looked up at the ceiling. They'd come to a agreement they were parents to the twins first and nothing would ever get in the way of that. They just missed each other sometimes, another thing they'd never admit.

The arguments they had in the first 2 months had been terrible, they were worse than the uncomfortableness and the stilted conversations. The arguments at first had been about how she'd left the hospital early, Danny just couldn't leave that one alone. Then he brought up the incident with the elephant. He said she didn't consider anyone else in her decisions and she said he had tunnel vision and would only consider things his way. The arguments they had were always in the animal hospital, they never argued in front of the twins, so Alice learned to stay away. It had came to the point where if they looked at each other funny it would cause a argument. It had all come to a head one day in the hospital. She'd been down helping a surgery, it had finished and they had scrubbed up and were discussing aftercare. For whatever reason, she didn't remember how but the discussion had escalated into a argument, at this point anything could set them off so they weren't really surprised. Danny had gotten really REALLY angry, he stormed out of the surgery and slammed the door so hard it hung on only one hinge. Alice had never seen him that angry before - ever, especially over something so insignificant. If she was honest the outburst had scared her. Later that day he'd come to talk to her - apologise when he'd looked at her he'd realised that she was scared of him. She was sat arms folded as if in protection head down. When she looked up at him her eyes had been weary. He suddenly felt sick - nobody, especially not someone he loved had ever looked at him like that. He walked over and embraced her. He'd said he was so sorry that he'd scared her. That he wanted to sort everything out, the arguments everything. That today was the last day. That he never wanted her to be afraid of him. She exhaled loudly and nodded. She had then wrapped her arms around him, they held each other for along time. Each asking for comfort from the other. Each asking forgiveness for past transgressions.

Two years ago they both been feeling lonely, Alice had just found out that a close friend of hers had suddenly died, she'd been so upset, crying. One stupid night after the funeral Alice had too much to drink and so had Danny, they both been staying in a hotel, he'd escorted her to the funeral as he hadn't wanted her going by herself. (Olivia was now home, Rosie had also come home for a visit. They said together they'd be able to handle two 2year olds.) Danny and Alice had spent the night together, sort of like to confirm that life does go on. The next morning had been awkward, they said it had been a drunken mistake, a fluke a one off that should never have happened. They both agreed that the relationship they slowly built was too important to risk. The fragile bond they'd forged was too delicate. They both knew that they had a terrible track record with each other! It was blatantly obvious that they both loved each other deeply, completely but both are scared of starting a relationship because the aftermath of the previous relationship had nearly destroyed them both. They love each other too much to lose what little of each other they do have.

The final change was that her mother had left her a little surprise. Her brother Rowan had of course inherited all of his fathers estate. She could honestly say she wasn't bothered. She wouldn't have taken a penny of that man's money anyway. Her real father loved her, that other man was no-one to her! Her mother on the event of Rowan Collins Snr's death informed a solicitor to find her and comply with the terms of her second will. She'd left Alice a nice lump sum of money. Her mother knew what a hateful man he was and had ensured Alice had some inheritance. It had been 18 months after Rowan Snr's death that the solicitor had found her, she'd been hard to find. Leopards Den was having some financial problems at this time, she didn't hesitate she gave the check to her father to sort it out. Dupe of course had tried to deny it, he hadn't wanted to take it so they placed the check in the account herself. Dupe found out about this and was irate but finally relented. He said that it was a loan and wouldn't rest until he'd paid her back every penny. She'd tried to tell him not to worry, that he was her family and she loved him. She kissed him on the cheek and walked away. Dupe had been very withdrawn for a week or two, but he'd soon picked up as business had started coming back in again.

So here they are 4 years later, the twins are about to start nursery full time. Alice is about to start working full time again too. Evan who is 19 has moved back to England and is at college studying business. His father wants him to take over the business. Olivia who is 18 is home now, she and Alice aren't close but tolerate each other. Caroline is also home with Dupe.

A/N not sure about the ages I just sorted tried to work it out then guessed. Hope you enjoyed it. Gonna try and upload chapter 2 soon :) hope u enjoyed it.