The night had been a long one for Alice. She'd been restless, unable to sleep, a common trait when she was worried which was certainly unaided by the baby kicking her all night. She'd spent hours trying to calm down, trying to wind down, trying to fall into a deep slumber but with no luck. She'd even counted bleedin' sheep in an attempt to get at least one hours rest. Danny had awoken at three-thirty in the morning, obviously disturbed and slightly concerned by his wife's restless ways and it had been his hands, gently kneading her back and shoulders that had eventually coaxed her into a light sleep... but any sleep was better than none at all.

Danny glanced at the clock on the wall, six thirty in the morning and she was still asleep. He sighed, resisting the urge to run his hand gently over her arm, any contact or movement would awaken her immediately and she needed all the sleep she could get and so he led there, quite still and quite content to watch his wife as she slept. He'd done this so many times. It was something quite pleasurable to do, although some may say strange, to him, to watch her sleep was as precious as any diamond. Her face was just as expressive in sleep as it was when she awake; every emotion and expression articulate and correct.

It wasn't longer before Alice began to shift slightly, murmuring incomprehensibly to Danny whilst wiggling slightly. Danny smiled softly, half amused by her sleeping mannerisms. He kept his eyes upon her, his grin widening as he noticed her eyelids part to reveal the sleep-dusted blue orbs that he had loved for so long. She smiled lethargically back at him, not bothering to sit up as she enquired as to what time it was.

"Six-forty." Danny replied softly, "You feel ok?"

"Exhausted." Alice sighed, "But Rowan needs us."

"If you want to rest Alice..." Danny began but Alice shook her head, finally rising slightly to prop herself up on one elbow. She ran her hand gently down his arm, her touch feather light yet at the same time an affirmative.

"He's my brother Danny... maybe a wee bit later but for now..." Alice let her voice trail off, she knew Danny would understand, he always did. As if to confirm her inner thoughts, he nodded with a gentle smile of reassurance.

"Ok." Danny replied simply, "I'm gonna get up and get a shower."

"I'm going to lounge in bed til you're outta the shower." Alice admitted, her tone still slightly sleepy. Danny shook his head playfully, tutting as he threw his half of the cover back and jumped out of bed. "Ahem." Alice coughed jokingly.

"What?" Danny asked as he reached back down for the cover to pull them back up neatly.

"Kiss." Alice reminded him, her look expectant, her gaze more threatening than a strict governess.

"As if I'd forget." Danny said charmingly, gently leaning down and kissing her lips softly. As he pulled away, both smiled dumbly at one another, quite happy with their due. "Won't be long." He promised before diving into the bathroom.

It was around fifteen minutes later when Danny emerged from the shower, a crystal white towel wrapped around his waist as he ran another one through his hair. Small beads of water trickled down his torso, his greying hair which had grown slightly longer than usual, stuck up at a number of awkward angles. Alice's eyes widened slightly, her breath catching, she'd never ever been able to take his appearance when he'd just had a shower. Her mind flickered back to happy memories... on her honeymoon... at Leopards Den. Without thinking she slowly ran a hand across her bump, was that how their child was created. She smiled; it wouldn't surprise her. Her mind returned swiftly back to her Husband who had his back turned towards her, she took a quick inhalation of air as she observed his damp shoulder bones, the curve of his back. She swallowed. This was so inappropriate.

"Ahh... Alice, you don't know where my deodorant is do you? Can't find it..." Danny grumbled as he bent down to rummage through the bag more intensely. Alice could almost picture his face in her mind now, a perfect mixture of confusion, frustration and wonder.

"Umm..." Alice began realising he'd be expecting a response, "It's umm..." Alice struggled to find the words, her mind had gone blank. The muscles across the top of his shoulders were tensed and from her position in the bed that was the only thing (but for the back of his head) she could truly see. "Side pocket..." Alice managed to blurt out.

"What's up with you?" Danny asked laughing, as he fished even deeper into the bag, "You sound like someone's physically choking you."

"Technically they are..." Alice whispered. Danny suddenly spun around, his eyes wide and open. He'd obviously found his deodorant as he held the can almost as if it's a weapon. He frowned at his wife as he noticed she was very much alone in the room. It was only when he re-adjusted and tightened his towel that he got any inclination as to what the true problem was. "Oh."

"Oh indeed." Alice grumbled, "Why did you have to get out of the shower?"

"Well I'll happily go back in?" Danny asked.

"No... cos then the inappropriate would happen!" Alice sighed, "It's not the time or the... actually it is the place." Alice shook her head before running her hand along her back.

"Sore back?" Danny asked softly as he began to change.

"Yeh... downside of being short and pregnant."

"I've had an idea." Danny beamed as he threw fastened his belt, "Come with me."

Alice gave him a slightly questioning look as she took the hand he had outstretched for her. He pulled her gently to the bathroom, slowly running a bath and filling it with bubbles. Alice stared at him. He was still shirtless and she couldn't help but stare at his physique. He didn't have a bad body for a man of his age... all the lifting he did meant he was quite naturally muscular, something she found the highly attractive.

"Right, I'm just gonna go grab a towel for when you, but when I get back you better be in that bath."

"If a bath is your idea..." Alice began but he'd already dashed out of the room. She shrugged, what harm could it do? She removed her cotton pyjamas quickly and efficiently before slowly and carefully lowering herself into the bath. She closed her eyes as the heat began to radiate around her, steam was rising upwards, the temperature of the water caused her skin to glow slightly, it felt good. The pain in her back seemed to have disappeared almost immediately.

Danny soon arrived back, a towel slung over his arm. He grinned as he saw her and upon resting the towel somewhere safe, moved over to sit beside her on the edge of the bath.

"This feels good..." Alice murmured.

"About to feel better." Danny promised.

"Oh yeh?"

Danny laughed before slowly moving his hands to the top of her shoulder blades. Almost immediately she fell into his charm, she fell even deeper into it as he laughed lowly. His hands began to make their way around her entire back, kneading the knots away. She'd always enjoyed a massage and he knew right now she needed one. Her sadness was lingering although not over powering. He knew that she needed to rest, stay calm and relax as much as she could given the circumstances.

"That better?" Danny asked, scratching her shoulder blades very gently. She nodded still totally enthralled by him. Both people grinned... they were still as attracted to one another as they had been when they first to get together. The fact they could still share such intimacy seemed a pleasant thought and the fact their love had done nothing but blossom also filled the pair with joy.

Danny checked his watch quickly, time was getting on and they had the hospital to get to. He run his hands along her shoulders before slowly coming to a stop.

"Time's getting on and we need some breakfast. I'll leave you to change." Danny smiled, standing up. Alice quickly grabbed his hand.

"Thank you Danny... seriously you've been brilliant." Alice said softly, squeezing his hand.

"I've had a pretty good teacher." He replied kissing her ever so lightly before bounding out of the room as humbly confident as ever.