Apologies if this is a bit boring, it's a filler chapter. Thank you for all the support & reviews with this story, it's really helping me to continue it to the end xx

"Are you doing anything special for Serenna's first birthday tomorrow Zoe?" Tess asked.

"Tess, I've just not had the time to plan anything. I'm the worst. Would you fancy coming round, maybe we could have some drinks in the evening, have a girls night in the three of us?"

"That sounds good, I'll look forward to it." Tess smiled.

Serenna even at only one, was a strikingly beautiful child with her mother's dark complexion and Max's green eyes. Zoe had Serenna in a cute frilly pettiskirt and an 'I'm 1' onesie for her birthday. Zoe didn't take her into work too much because everyone just fell over themselves and dropped everything to see her. However today Tess had told her to bring Serenna in on her day off, Zoe suspected 'party'. It was lovely, they'd gone to so much trouble decorating the canteen with balloons and streamers. A big cake for Serenna to squish her little fingers into and everyone had presents. Zoe was quite overwhelmed by all the love her colleagues had for her little one, she honestly didn't know what she would do without them and their support.

Tess went back with Zoe after the party around 4pm and they cracked open a bottle of champagne, which seemed to go right to Tess's head. They had a really fun evening, quite a bit to drink, dancing and lots of giggles over Serenna doing hilarious stuff.

"Say goodnight to Auntie Tess" Zoe said, waving Serenna's chubby little arm and took her to bed, reading her a quick few pages from Goodnight Moon. Zoe went back down to join Tess, only to find Tess had fallen fast asleep on the couch. Zoe covered her up with the throw and dimmed the light.

Grabbing a bottle of wine from the fridge she poured herself another generous glass of wine, knocking half of it back to keep her buzz going, she got herself some of the cheese and crackers she'd laid out earlier. Zoe put the music back on putting the spotlight on in the garden it gave a glow into the conservatory where she sat in the illuminated darkness. It had been an effortless lovely day, Serenna had enjoyed herself immensely.

Finishing off her glass and pouring another, she dialed his number without even giving it a second thought.

"Zoe?" just hearing him say her name after all this time, after everything she'd been through, having only communicated over text and then nothing for months. It made her head spin, she bit down on her lip before taking another drink.

"Max, hey."

"Is everything okay? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine Max, can you talk to me?"

"I can always talk to you, always."

"Do you want to dance a little?" She whispered.

"Close your eyes Zoe.." She stood up closing her eyes, gently moving to the music while Max spoke softly to her, telling her all the things she longed to hear, what he wished he could do to her right then. After a few minutes he could hear her trying to suppress her sobs. "It's okay Zoe, what's going on? I'm here, I'm right here."

"Max, I .. this wasn't a good idea, forgive me Max, one day you have to forgive me."

Turning her phone off she collapsed to the floor, regret and sorrow overwhelming her until she could barely catch her breath.

Zoe made her way upstairs, pulling a chair up to Serenna's cot, she stroked her baby girl's hair until there were no more tears to shed.

...

When Zoe got up the next morning, Tess was already getting a pot of coffee on the go.

"Morning Zoe, I'm so sorry about last night, I'm such a lightweight."

"No worries Tess, a day with Serenna will tire the best of them out!"

"Oh she's just perfect Zoe she's no problem, if you ever want a break I'd take her in a heartbeat for a sleep over or something let you have some time to yourself."

"We're fine Tess, thank you."

"You're an amazing Mom Zoe but you deserve a break too, the offer's always there."

...

Max was unable to sleep, he had a feeling someone was messing her around, he'd kill him!

It was none of his business but he texted her when he got up.

Hey Zoe, you okay this morning?

Max, too much to drink, I don't even remember what happened! She lied.

Zoe?

Yes Max?

How's our cupboard?

She had a feeling she knew where he was going with that question, and wanted to put his mind at ease even if it was neither here nor there under the circumstances.

Redundant!

Good xxxxx