"Don't forget after the vaccine you have to pick up Mrs Robert's cow..." Fiona reminded Ed as he packed his bag rolling his eyes at his wife's nagging. Since she'd discovered she couldn't beat the Trevanion's she'd decided to join them and despite the fact the family tended to take little notice of her and most probably still felt wary of her antics and ideas, she was beginning to sail upon the same wave of contentment as the rest of them did. She understood why he husband was so changed now and had decided she'd do everything she could to help this place – on their terms.
"I know!" Ed sighed, "Right I'm going ok?"
"See you later." Fiona smiled leaning on the pillar.
"Yes, goodbye." Ed replied before turning around, "Don't forget to get out the house this morning... Danny wants to talk to Alice."
"Get gone." Fiona said as Ed pulled a face as he walked out. She sighed before looking around the animal hospital; they had a good set up here but she wished as selfish as it was, that it was just the two of them.
(x)
Danny hesitated slightly as he reached the front door of Mara; swallowing nervously. He'd not been this nervous on their first date, not telling her he loved her either. He probably hadn't felt this apprehensive since the night before their wedding and even then, his nerves had been good nerves full of anticipation unlike these which were full of worries and doubts.
He braced himself before walking in to Mara; it hadn't really changed since Vanessa had been here but for a few bits and bats. Danny imagined that the Lynch's were not house proud people or even if they were didn't care to change much of the interior of the once luxury lodge. He looked around; he didn't have a clue where Alice was, she could really be anywhere. All seemed quite quiet. He sighed; this needed doing.
"Alice?" Danny called walking through to the centre of the main living quarters, "Alice?"
"Danny."
He turned and smiled as he saw her. She was still in her pyjamas which he quickly identified as a pair they had bought in Covent Garden when they'd been on honeymoon. She'd seen them in the shop window, 'Spooning leads to Forking' with a Spoon and a Fork on them. She'd dragged him in and bought them teasing him most of the way home about them. He sighed as he walked forward. Even tired she was beautiful. She always had been.
"Where do I start?" Danny asked quietly looking into her eyes, "I've not been any sort of Husband to you..."
"No you haven't." Alice replied crossing her arms. The movement caused her top to crinkle revealing some of her stomach which automatically grabbed his attention. She shook her head slightly as she pulled the top back down, noticing exactly where his eyes were drawn too. "Come on, we'll go sit in my room and talk. Can't leave Robbie alone."
"Where's Charlie?" Danny asked looking around.
"Out with Liv and Fatani." Alice informed him, "Hopefully behaving."
"She will be she's a good kid." Danny smiled as they walked into her room; he walked over and glanced at Robbie who was sleeping, a smile occupying his face. Alice watched him intently; it was times like these she found him impossible to hate and all too possible to love. "Ok... let's talk." Danny smiled turning round and sitting on a chair. She nodded and sat herself crossed legged upon her bed.
"I know that I've been an idiot... I've done nothing but let you down and lie to you since you first got on that plane to England. It's just... Alice, I wanted to protect you. I know that seems a poor excuse like I'm turning it round on you but believe me that isn't my intention. I wish there was another way to express how terrible I feel about all of it; about leaving you and the kids in England, turning around, lying to you, not meeting you and not getting my facts right but I am so sorry... I know that's unoriginal and actions speak louder than words but I promise you Alice... No more." Danny told her sincerely, never moving his eyes away from hers.
"It's always no more Danny." Alice sighed, "And then there's always more. I can't keep being second in your life. I can't keep being letting down. I can't stand it Danny! I need security. I'm not the same woman as I was when I met you; you've changed me... I can't go it alone. I need your backing one hundred percent."
"And you'll have it. I promise." He vowed reaching for her hands; she shook her head, pulling them back and clasping them in her lap.
"Danny; your promises don't mean anything these days." Alice replied, "Once of a day you'd have stuck to your word now... when you say I promise I see it as I won't..."
"What do you want me to do?" Danny asked her.
She shrugged sadly; "I don't know Danny. Tell me why it's worth it. I mean... I obviously wasn't worth leaving Leopards Den for..."
"Alice that was a foolish, foolish mistake." Danny told her, "And of course it's worth it sweetheart... Alice; these months without you have been hell. I need you too... more than you think I do. I want you in my life Alice."
"And I want you in mine but I can't deal with Caroline saying stuff like that. I already feel in Sarah's shadow..."
"I threw Caroline out." Danny stated simply, squeezing her knees softly; his hands came to rest on them a moment until he pulled them away realising she'd probably force them off her.
"You what?" Alice asked, her eyes wide.
"I threw her out. What she said to you was unacceptable. You are my wife and I won't have anyone treat you badly... I'd throw myself out but that wouldn't work." He added smiling. "You, Mrs Trevanion, are in no-one's shadow. I'm not gonna say that I love you more than Sarah; you know exactly how I feel about you... but I'll say this. We are deeper and I will fight for you Alice. I won't let you push me away, not matter what you say."
"Get your own line." Alice smirked as she wiped her eyes with her arm.
"When we had our last fall out eh?" Danny smiled, "Don't turn your back on us and wallow in it, I won't let you, I won't let you push me away, no matter what you say."
"You remember what I said?" Alice gasped.
"I do." Danny replied taking her hands. "I can't forget... you know one moment I love?"
"What?" Alice asked quietly, gripping his hands.
"Just after your trial." Danny replied, "After Rosie's miscarriage." He paused as the pain revisited him. Alice squeezed his hands softly, "Tula... you were saying how cruel it was and then I kinda snapped at you, unfair really, saying I wanted to keep her alive for Rosie. I expected you to do what anyone else would do, tell me off for being pathetic. Instead you just put your hand on my back and helped me..."
"I understood." Alice replied, "I remember the whole Terry thing."
"That could be taken the wrong way Alice." Danny laughed raising one eyebrow.
"No!" She protested, "The way you begged me to stay-"
"I did not beg!" Danny retorted.
"You did. Like you are now. Begging for mercy." Alice beamed.
"Fine, I did beg and I am begging." Danny laughed, "Go on."
"Well, it was just so sweet. Then, the main part that hug you gave me when I said I was staying. We held on far too long for a friendly hug... I remember closing my eyes and just locking that moment in my mind. Your aftershave, how I felt, the way I just fit. You held me so tenderly... you made me realise I made the right decision." Alice smiled, "Then we went and did the animals and the lights went out. You led me and Charlie so carefully back to the house..."
"I hate to imagine what would have happened if you'd gone."
"I'd have found my way back." Alice reassured him.
"Why?" Danny asked her.
"Because we were meant to..." Alice paused, "It comes so naturally... meant to be."
"We are, and I promise you Alice, I will change."
"Don't you dare." Alice spoke up, "I love you WITH your flaws Danny..."
"I'll be there for you, I'll never ever let you down again."
"Lie with me." Alice murmured after a few silent moments, "Just hold me..."
"Move up then." Danny beamed as he kicked his shoes off. She smiled and did so, allowing him in. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head lightly as she closed her eyes in pleasure, gripping to him. This is what she had missed and needed; her husband. The man who offered her strength and never turned his back on her; she was almost afraid to let him go as she grasped onto the threads of hope.
They'd been settled together all of five minutes when Ed came through on Danny's radio. At first he ignored it; keeping his focus on Alice until no longer could he stand it. Alice chuckled slightly as he reached over her and grabbed his radio he'd thrown on the ledge.
"Ed? What is it?" Danny asked.
"I need you." Ed replied.
"Can't you manage?" Danny moaned;
"Yes I can manage but I want you're assistance." Ed replied snappily, "Danny, hurry up."
"What are you up to?" Danny asked sensing a tone in Ed's voice; a tone that screamed I'm in trouble.
"You'll find out when you get here."
"But-" Danny began only to be cut across by Ed.
"The waterhole near the river that goes through Mara. Quick Danny." Ed replied before the radio went dead.
Danny was torn; on one hand Ed sounded like he needed him, on the other hand, his wife needed him.
"I..." Danny began, "I'll stay, he'll be fine."
"Danny, giraffe." Ed's voice interrupted.
"Alice..." Danny murmured, "I-"
"Just go. I'm used to being second best." Alice replied sadly.
"I'll come straight back; honey you know it's my job." Danny sighed, "Get some sleep whilst he's down... you look tired."
"Thanks for the compliment."
"See you later." Danny smiled as she led down.
"Bye." She muttered turning over. He smiled before rushing down the stairs... this had better be good or Ed was in serious trouble.
A/N – A glimmer of Danice make up... but there's still Charlie who's hating him and Alice is still moody! And what's Ed up to?
