Chapter 1

December 13th 2017

"Come to mommy," I coo, encouraging her. "Come on, you can do it princess."

She stares at me with her big blue eyes, firmly swaying back and forth on hands and knees. Today she's in the softest little pink sweatpants and matching t-shirt looking adorable.

"You can do it Rosie," I grin, moving closer. "Come on baby."

And then she moves, a little shaky but still perfect. After the first, she's crawling all the way across the room toward me and as soon as she reaches, I lift her up, spinning her around and covering her face in kisses as I praise my angel.

"Who's an amazing girl? Who's the cleverest little girl in the world?"

She giggles. She's a giggler and it's the cutest damn thing in the world.

"Come on, let's go get you a snack." I kiss her chubby cheeks, unable to get enough of her.

Rosie falls asleep for her afternoon nap around two thirty. I've timed it that way so that I can go and pick up Charlie while she's still asleep. Bundling her in the car, I set off to get my other child.

Charlie is in a grump when I pick him up. He's been like this the last few weeks. Christian hasn't been around much and I think he's missing his dad a lot.

"You sure you don't want to get ice cream?" I ask for the third time as we drive.

I watch as he shakes his head in the rear-view mirror.

I sigh. Who knew six year olds could be difficult? "What do you want to do then honey?" I plead. "Wanna swim?"

"I wanna go and see daddy," he says. "I miss daddy picking me up."

I try to not feel offended, reminding myself that he is indeed just a six-year-old.

"I'm sorry Charlie but daddy's busy. He has a really busy job you know that right?"

"His job stinks!"

"Hey!" I say firmly. "We don't talk that way."

He ignores me and stays silent for the rest of the journey.

When we get home, Charlie runs ahead of me as I take Rosie out.

"I'm the only one that has the key," I remind him.

He gives me a disapproving look.

"When will daddy be back?" He asks as we step inside.

"I don't know Charlie."

He huffs at me.

Rosie starts to wake up now and I lift her out of the car seat. Charlie watches her with narrowed eyes.

"I wish she was a boy," he states defiantly.

"Well, she's not," I respond, pulling her into my arms.

"She's boring," he continues. "You said she'd be fun and we could play."

"Yes, well, she's little right now," I tell him. "You know that babies take time to grow. Stop being a brat."

"I'm not a brat!" He shouts.

He screams it so loudly that it startles Rosie, causing her to cry.

"Right, that's it, go to your room. Time out," I say, finally having enough.

He throws down his back in anger before running off up the stairs.

"Come on honey, it's okay. That's just your brother having a tantrum," I say, calming down my baby.

By the time I've got her sorted, I feel as though I could sleep for a year.

Christian comes home early today for the first time all week. He's actually in time for dinner much to my surprise. Charlie practically throws himself at him as soon as the door opens.

"Hi buddy," he grins, lifting him up. "How are you?"

"Ana sent me to my room," he says pitifully.

I roll my eyes.

"Yeah? What did you do for her to do that?"

"Nothing."

He chuckles. "I doubt that buddy. Come on, let's eat. I'm starving."

At the table, Christian watches as I feed Rosie her mashed potatoes. I know he's desperate to ask me about Charlie. Finally, he does.

"What happened today?" He asks.

Charlie's gone off to play now and so the coast is clear.

"He's had a tantrum almost every day this week," I sigh. "He wants you, not me."

Christian looks down at his plate. "Well, he's just gonna have to get used to it. This is the way things are now."

"Maybe if you took some more time off..."

He gets annoyed then, piercing me with his eyes. "I'm home as often as I can. What would you have me do Ana? Give up work entirely?"

"Of course not." I wipe Rosie down with a cloth as she finishes. "But you have a family Christian. And a son that needs you."

"There's nothing I can do about it," he says firmly, standing up. "I have a job to do. I see you all every day."

I lift Rosie out of her high chair, ignoring him. There's no point when he's in this defiant mood, there's just no getting through to him.

"Take your daughter will you?" I ask. "I want a bath."

He takes Rosie from my arms, kissing her chubby cheeks. She smiles, leaning into him.

"You might have it easier with him if you didn't get so antsy you know," he then says out of nowhere. "He's had a lot to deal with this past year and a half. It takes a while for kids to adjust."

Knowing he's referring to Charlie I feel myself bristling.

"Forgive me if I'm new at parenting. If you have a specific way you want your son to be looked after, maybe you should do it yourself."

He bites his lip, holding back a response while Rosie drools over his tie.

"Go for your bath Ana," he settles on. "Maybe when you get out, you'll be in a better mood."

I stay in the bath for over an hour, letting the lavender salts calm my senses. It's December now and I can't believe Rosie is six and a half months old. She's the most precious thing I've ever had and waking up to her face each day is a blessing.

My mom and dad officially got back together a few months ago. Carla has the last of her things moved up and now I hear they're talking marriage.

As for everyone else, most of them are busy with their own lives for now. Kate and Jose started college in September and although they both come home every month to see me, I still miss them like crazy. Kate got into Penn and Jose, Washington State. As for Mia, she's currently in Los Angeles, studying film for a bit and soaking up the sunshine. Elliot's still here and having a long-distance thing with Kate. I'm excited for Christmas when we can all be together again for a whole month.

I don't get out until I'm all pruned and then I moisturise myself with expensive French body lotion. I finally head downstairs when I hear Rosie cry, sashaying in my silk pyjamas.

"Come to mommy," I coo, holding my arms out for my angel. "Do you want some milk gorgeous?"

I sit on the sofa as she feeds, watching as her lashes flutter sleepily.

"My angel," I whisper softly.

She smells like milk and baby powder. Fresh linen and cotton. I stroke her face with my fingers as she falls asleep in my arms. When I finally look away from her, I see Christian looking over at me.

"Feeling better?" He asks me.

"Are you?" I challenge.

Leaning back into the couch, he sighs. "Maybe I'll just quit my job. Leave everything behind."

"Stop being dramatic," I warn. "Why do you have to be so extreme? Nobody wants you to quit your job Christian."

"Why not? Charlie needs me. You need me. You said I have a family and you're right. I have you, I have children I need to look after. Maybe it is the best decision."

I'm ready to call it a day and head to bed any minute now. He's infuriating me beyond belief.

"Will you please stop?" I plead.

He looks at me for a long moment before finally speaking.

"She crawled today," he then says. "I watched the video at my desk when you sent it over." His eyes linger down at Rosie. "She crawled for the first time today and I missed it. How many more first miles am I gonna miss?"

Suddenly, I feel my anger ebbing away a little and can't help but feel sympathy. It didn't even occur to me that he might have felt this way but I should have known.

"It's not your fault," I finally say.

He looks over at Rosie, taking her tiny hand in his.

"You all mean the world to me," he states softly.

I reach across, taking his hand in mine. "I know that," I assure him. "As you do to us and we appreciate everything you do Christian."

He finally smiles softly.

I take his hand in mine, caressing his fingers.

"Come on, let's put Rosie to bed. Maybe we can spend some time together," I say, hoping to cheer him up.

And at the mention of sex, for the first time tonight, I see a smirk reach across his face as he stands hurriedly.

A/N Welcome to part two of colours! I'm so excited to continue writing this story there's much more to come, lots of drama and goodness! This is just an introductory chapter so they will get longer! Hope you enjoy, please favourite, subscribe and leave a comment xxxx