Max locked the car quickly before putting his sunglasses on and casually walking into the airport. He looked around and smiled as he noticed a McDonalds, thank God for small mercies! Today was roasting hot; a typical summer's day. Cape Town had had quite a lot of rain but the weather was making up for its former failures! He quickly ordered a coke, receiving it in record time, before making is way over to where he needed to be.

He glanced up towards a board, well the flight had landed and they were apparently all getting off the plane. He rolled his shoulders and moved to lean against a wall, lazily sipping his drink. He frowned as he noticed a young girl staring at him; he shrugged at her; he hated attention. She giggled and stood up rushing over to him.

"Hey! I'm Maisy, what's your name?" She asked excitedly.

"Max..." He grumbled, folding his arms.

"Who you waiting for?" She asked, fluttering her eyelids and placing her hand on his arm.

Max quickly snapped his arm away, his eyes fuelled with anger, "My mother in law..." He snapped, "Which means I'm married, which means off limits to YOU!"

The girl stood back, seemingly shocked he was married, he didn't even look old enough! She began to back away.

"I'm sorry... I just umm... I'll just uh..."

As she stammered and stuttered Max stood up tall, he could see two very familiar faces coming, he grinned and completely ignoring the girl pushed past her and made his way over. The girl spun confused and watched in complete and utter bewilderment. Max however was far too focussed on Alice and Charlotte. He grinned as he saw them, waving frantically.

"Max!" Alice beamed dropping her bags to embrace him. He grinned and kissed her cheek politely, hugging her back. "It's great to see you!"

"You too!" Max grinned, "And you too." He smiled, leaning down and pulling Charlotte too him, kissing the top of her head gently. "Good flight?" He asked as he picked up Alice's bags and Charlotte's heavy one.

"Yeh was surprisingly good! And Max, you don't have to carry our bags." Alice told him as he shook his head,

"Of course I do! Come on, we'll grab you guys some dinner at the bar and then we best be setting off..." Max announced checking his watch.

"Max, I was thinking I don't mind driving some you know... it is 14 hours..." Alice commented as they all began to walk.

"Nah, it's fine." Max promised her, "I'll stop half way and..."

"Swap." Alice told him, "At least for an hour!"

"Fine... one hour." Max relented, Alice had not changed, she did not back down! No one could ever win! "Charlotte you'll be my witness won't you?"

"I will!" She grinned, she'd always loved Max and had always had a tendency to latch onto him. He was amazing with her though; he'd always been great with kids.

"Ahh... yes... the ganging up!" Alice laughed, it was then she noticed a girl staring at them, "Max... do you know her?"

He spun and noticed the same girl staring at them. He rolled his eyes with a heavy sigh and signalled her over.

"What?" He asked the minute she got to him, "Do you want a picture or something?"

"Max." Alice warned,

"She cannot possibly be your mother in law." She stated.

"Well yes actually she can." Max argued angrily, "Now is that all?"

"She's too young..."

"No... it's just a case of she has natural beauty... shame we aren't all graced with it... goodbye." Max announced and spun. Alice watched him shaking her head as Charlie trotted off after him giggling, she turned to the girl.

"I'm sorry, he's just missing his wife, Rosie. They're as bad as each other." She murmured before walking off and following him out. Rosie and Max had to sort this out! Her final statement to the girl was nothing but true!

(x)

Danny watched Liv with interest as she bounced around Leopards Den tidying up. She was either up to something, trying to get in the good books or had taken something. Liv was overly happy and she did not tidy – not for no man! She was humming too... what had happened to his daughter?

"Hello Danny..." She grinned as she spotted him before bursting into a rendition of 'Let it Snow'. Danny with a puckered brow smirked slightly; what the hell? It was summer in Africa it was NEVER going to snow not in one million years.

"Hello Olivia." He replied slightly unsurely with confusion, shock and a slight amount of worry. He frowned as he noticed Thabo walking through seemingly unfazed by Liv's happiness.

"What?" Thabo asked as he felt Danny's eyes glued to him.

"Are you not at all concerned?" Danny asked.

"No." Thabo replied, "She's just um... happy." He replied shiftily... "I hope."

"It's nearly Christmas!" Olivia grinned, "And listen to Livvie, it's gonna rock!"

Danny raised his hands and shook his head and walked out; he didn't believe this Christmas could eve rock but he was not getting involved there! Liv had been drinking... she must have been!

(x)

Alice was looking around Max's bar with wide eyes, this place was amazing! It was a step up from the one he'd left behind! Everything was modern, swish and designer. His staff were all dressed smartly as was he and there was generally a great buzz and atmosphere to the place.

"Here you go." He grinned as he placed a few drinks down on the table, "What do you think?" He asked gesturing around.

"Max, it's gorgeous!" Alice exclaimed,

"It's well cool!" Charlotte beamed, Alice smirked at her 'well' added in, Britain had altered her ever so slightly!

"Thanks! Rosie helped design it..." He smiled before it quickly dropped, his head dropping with it. Alice quickly placed her hand across the table and onto his.

"You'll sort this out Max." Alice promised him, "You're both stubborn but there's something more important than that..."

"What?" Max asked,

"You both love each other." Alice told him, "More adore one another."

"What would you do?" Max asked, "If you were in my position?"

"Kick Danny's ass." Alice admitted, "In all seriousness? I'd have probably gone off on one... like you, but I wouldn't have made him suffer for too long – every time I try that I suffer anyway – then I'd have spoken to him. We're both stubborn too but communication is key. It would take a lot of talking but y'know... we'd get there. You will too." She smiled, "And I'd have made Danny grovel too but I'm a woman... it's what we do."

"Don't I know it!" Max laughed, "I'm just gonna talk to a few of the guys and to Thaps; he's running the bar for me."

Alice nodded and turned to Charlotte. She inhaled deeply; boy was she glad to be back in Africa!

A/N- Tomorrow Alice arrives home with Max!