Donna arched her back and stretched out her arms, letting out a quiet groan as she did so. Her eyes were still closed and her hair was a tangled tousled mess around her head on the pillow. Ross laid beside her on his side, just watching her, drinking in every inch of her. He had woken up hours ago. It was unusual for him to wake so early. He had no idea what had woken him but found he couldn't go back to sleep when he had tried. So he had spent until then, looking at Donna. He couldn't believe his luck. How had he been so lucky for her to give him a chance? He had fallen head over heels in love with her and there was no going back. He would never of dreamt being in love, especially with a police woman. But now he couldn't imagine his life any other way.
The young mechanic began to trace light semi circles on Donna's shoulder before he gently leaned in closer to the woman and placed soft kisses up her neck. Her skin was soft, she was perfect. It did the trick. She groaned once more and turned her head so she could pull him into a kiss.
"Morning."
"Morning, beautiful." When had he turned so soft? He blamed her. She had changed him.
"You're awake?"
"'fraid so."
Donna ran her hand through Ross's hair, before resting it on the back of his neck. He looked tired. "How long have you been awake?" He was never awake before him. She was always the one kicking his bottom out of bed.
"MUMMY!"
They both froze and listened intently to the small footsteps running along the hall outside before the bedroom door swung open and Donna's little girl ran inside. April jumped onto the bottom of the bed and clambered up so she could squeeze herself in between Ross and Donna.
"What are you doing in here Missy?!" Donna pulled April into a hug and kissed the top of her head.
"Auntie Rhona told me to tell you that she can take me to school this morning." April explained to her mother.
"Oh did she now?" Donna smiled. "I suppose you ought to be getting your school uniform on then! Brush your teeth and wash your face while I put together your lunch box, sound like a good idea?"
"Yeah!" April clambered over Ross in yellow pyjama's her hair a mess just like her mums in the morning. She didn't care. She was so much like Donna it scared him. She wasn't shy around him though. April had long accepted that Ross was Mummy's boyfriend. The two had been together for four months now and two of which other people didn't know about. Marlon and Laurel hadn't been too happy when Donna had explained to them about her new boyfriend.
"Careful!" Donna scolded lightly, when she caught Ross pulling a face as April's knee dug into his stomach as she climbed over him to the door.
"Sorry Mummy! Sorry Ross!" The little girl called over her shoulder before she disappeared from the room again.
Donna pulled herself up to sit up in bed against the headboard. She ran her hands through her hair, trying to tame the wild locks and tease some tangles out. Ross stayed lying next to her, looking up at her.
"What are you looking at?"
"You."
"I can see that!"
"Then why ask?!"
Donna smiled and placed a kiss on Ross's lips. "You stay here while I go make her packed lunch. I'll be back I promise. I've got an hour to spare before I need to get ready for work."
"I like the sound of that." Ross smirked.
Donna flipped back the bedcovers and hopped out of bed. She was always had so much energy, even in the early mornings when everyone else just wanted to sleep and couldn't bare thinking about getting out of bed. She was unbelievable. Donna grabbed her dressing gown from the bottom of the bed and wrapped it around her cream pyjama top and shorts before leaving the room.
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When Donna returned to her bedroom, after putting her daughter's packed lunch together and seeing her off to school with Rhona and Leo, Ross was fast asleep. She was a little disappointed. She had hoped that she and Ross could make good use of the spare hour she had before work. They hadn't had that much time together lately.
He was out cold. His arm stretched out underneath his head as he slept on peacefully. She had tried to wake him when she returned, placing soft kisses along his jawline and running her hand up and down his arm. Nothing had worked. He was in a deep sleep. So instead of having sex with Ross, she ran a bubble bath and had a nice long soak while he slept in her bed.
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"And what time do you call this?" Debbie commented as Ross strolled up the forecourt, one hand in his pocket while the other rubbed his forehead, his eyes squinting.
"I er, I over slept." Ross explained.
"You always over sleep. Ever thought about getting a decent alarm clock?" Debbie chided him, hands on her hips.
Ross snorted. He hadn't stayed at home last night. It was Donna's alarm clock he would have been relying on. "I've got a bad head."
"There's some parasetamol in the office, take them and get to work."
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Pete sat at the bar with Debbie after work. Andy and Katie had the kids that night, so it allowed Debbie to have the night off and enjoy it with Pete. They were both sat at the bar drinking and talking about their days. Donna was sat a couple of bar stools away from them, waiting for Ross.
"Are you meeting our Ross tonight then?" Pete asked her politely. He was very pleased for his younger brother. He had finally grown up and gotten himself into a good relationship with a lovely woman. A police officer. Who knew that Ross Barton would be going out with a police woman and behaving himself?
Donna nodded her head. "He was meant to be here ten minutes ago though." She looked at the time on her phone screen. "What time did he finish work tonight Debbie?"
"Six. He said he was going home to shower first." The female mechanic answered. "I wouldn't worry, he's most probably trying to look his best for you."
Donna laughed.
It was then that Ross decided to make his appearance. He was dressed in his normal Jeans and black jumper and jacket. He looked a little tired but he wasn't covered in car oil or grease anymore and he smelt amazing as he leaned into kiss Donna on the cheek to greet her.
"Sorry I'm late. Needed a shower and Andy was bathing Jack so I had to wait." Ross explained.
"Don't worry, you're here now. Fancy a drink?"
"I'll get these." Ross caught the attention of Chas and ordered a glass of white wine for Donna and his usual.
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He felt horrible. His head felt like it was going to split open. His skull was throbbing with intense pain, only made worse by the gleam of the lights in the village pub. Ross had woken up with a bad head after falling asleep when Donna had gone downstairs. He had hoped that when he had taken the parasetamol at work that it would get rid of the headache. Instead it had only gotten worse throughout the day. His neck was stiff too. He couldn't find a comfortable position or ease the deep ache in his muscles. He had no idea what he was coming down with, the flu maybe?
He didn't want to tell Donna. He didn't want her making fun of him, like she had Paddy. The other day the vet had become poorly, claiming to have caught Man Flu. Donna and Rhona had mocked him several times. It was only cold according to them. He didn't want to come across weak. He was meant to be tough. He couldn't get ill. A simple cold wouldn't effect Ross.
"Are you feeling alright?" Donna paused the conversation she was having with Debbie to ask him. The four of them had decided to sit together at a table not long after he had arrived.
Ross nodded his head. He took a drink of his larger. He didn't like how the three of them had paused talking to look his way when Donna had asked. He didn't like being centre of attention, well only of hers.
"You sure?" Donna reached out to touch his hand that rested on the table top. She was alarmed by how cold it felt to touch her skin. "Christ Ross, you're freezing!"
The young mechanic snatched his hand back out of her reach. He was fine. So what his hands were cold, it felt a bit chilly in the pub anyway, hence why he still had his jacket on. He was thankful that Pete and Debbie had continued on with the conversation, leaving Donna and Ross to it.
The young brunette raised a disbelieving eyebrow at her boyfriend. Something was off with Ross and she was going to get to the bottom of it. After all she was a police woman, it was her job to suss things out.
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At around half eight, Donna and Debbie had gravitated back towards the bar to order another round of drinks in. However the two had gotten into a discussion with Leyla about problem she had, while they were waiting to be served. They had left the boys together at the table, to talk nicely to one and other.
"You sure you're alright, you look a bit pale." Pete commented, he'd been watching him out of the corner of his eye. He hadn't looked too great all night, but now it was starting to show badly. He was pale, he was keeping his eyes shielded from any bright lights and was now shivering ever so slightly even though he was trying to cover it up.
"Yeah I'm fine. I've just got a bad head." Ross told his brother through gritted teeth as a sudden wave of nausea hit him out of the blue. He was trying to keep it down as his stomach rolled.
"I'm not convinced it's just a bad head." His brother looked ill. He was having concerns of it being something else, something worse.
"Just leave it, yeah? I'm a big boy now." Ross plastered on a sarcastic smile, making Pete shake his head.
"You're unbelievable."
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He had thrown up in the toilets twice now. The second time he had very nearly not made it. He had burst into the gents and thrown himself down beside the toilet before empting his stomach contents, which wasn't very much. He hadn't had eaten that much that day, a bit of toast as he had rushed out of Donna's and sandwich and muffin from the café for lunch.
As he stood from his crouched position on the floor next to the toilet, certain he wasn't going to throw up again, Ross leant his whole body back against the closed cubicle door. The room was tilting and turning, he wasn't sure which way was up or down as he tried to stay standing and let the dizziness pass.