Liv had been bracing herself for Thabo's imminent fury since the words that could destroy every one of her dreams, slipped from her lips. She was ready for his bellowing, the heart break; she'd even prepared herself for the look in his eyes, but his reaction, threw her once more. Within moments he had wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight as she cried into his shoulder.
Thabo closed his eyes, swallowing his own pain as he watched the young woman in front of her breaking. Of course, it hurt that she'd aborted their child - a life they created through love - but maybe it wasn't the worse that could have happened. He sighed, kissing the top of her head gently.
"Don't you hate me?" Liv gasped, still crying into him. "I hate me."
"Don't hate yourself Liv." Thabo pleaded, pulling back slightly, his hands still holding her tight. He raised one hand to her chin, tilting it so she was looking at him. "I don't hate you." He whispered, "I know you're feelings on abortion, I know how hard it must have been - I'm only sorry I wasn't here for you."
"That would have been even more selfish." Liv cried as Thabo wiped away her tears. "I thought you'd be angry."
"I won't pretend I'm not upset Liv, but... we can get through this." Thabo finished, "We have to talk about this later, but at least you've told me."
"Alice said I shouldn't build a relationship on a lie." Liv admitted.
"Alice knows?" Thabo asked. Liv nodded. "Ok."
"Just ok?"
"It's Alice - she's cool." Thabo shrugged. "Come on, let's watch the moon set together. All of this can wait until morning."
Liv smiled smally, nodding as he kissed her gently - for now, at least, everything was ok.
(x)
Max lay awake, staring at the ceiling, one arm around Rosie and one stretched across his forehead. Guilt and satisfaction was coursing through him, mixing into a deadly shot of self-disgust. He clenched his jaw as he felt Rosie cuddle even further up to him; this was wrong, he knew it was, and yet, here he was.
"I need a shower." Max declared.
"Let me join you..." Rosie purred. "This is our last night Max." She whispered as he noted his expression.
Max groaned, before nodding slowly. "Are you determined to kill me?" Max whispered, as he rose, grabbing his joggers.
"Naturally." Rosie smirked, grabbing a couple of towels and throwing her dressing gown on. "Now come on, before someone gets back and sees us!"
Max shook his head as she grabbed his hand, pulling him off as she giggled.
(x)
Alice squeezed Danny's hand as a waiter took away their final plates after what could only be described as a a dream meal. Danny had insisted on all three courses and had bought two bottles of Alice's favourite wine. Alice had been trying to avoid her favourite of the 'Mixed Grill' due to it's expense, but seeing her face, Danny had ordered it, insisting that price didn't matter. Danny had treated her like a Princess, and she wasn't sure she could feel happier.
"I'm stuffed." Danny admitted, running his thumb over her knuckles.
"I'm eating for two..." Alice dead-panned, as they both giggled. "No, on a more serious note, I am too. Really, tonight's been great."
"It has." Danny agreed, placing his other hand over hers.
"Thank you for all of this. You've made me feel like the only girl in the world." Alice admitted, placing her other hand on his.
"You're the only girl in the world I want." Danny whispered, "You deserve all of this. We should definitely keep this 'date night' up. Every week eh?"
"You have yourself a date." Alice smirked. "What says we head home eh? Create a new date night tradition?" She teased, smirking as he reddened slightly. "Man can't live by steak alone you know." She laughed.
"I'll get the bill." Danny said, "And then you can prove that."
(x)
"We shouldn't have done that." Max snapped, "This just makes everything more complicated." He growled, drying himself off.
"We ran out!"
"You're Dad and Alice must have some!" Max exclaimed, "I told you, but oh no, Miss Rosie 'Perfection' Trevanion or should that be Mrs Rosie Hunter, is always right and always gets her own way!"
"Nothing will happen!" Rosie said calmly.
"You're too calm about this." Max mused, "Why?"
"I'm not concerned. I enjoyed it." Rosie shrugged, throwing her dressing gown on.
"I didn't say I didn't enjoy it - but why? Why were you so, ok, with no protection? You used to be shit hot."
"I'm older."
"And stupider!" Max snapped, "Why Rosie?!"
Rosie remained quiet, swallowing.
"There is a reason." Max whispered. He racked his brain for a few moments before it hit him in the face. "You bitch."
"What?"
"You... you want a child - and Dylan, for whatever reason can't give you one!"
"No!" Rosie said too quickly, as Max raised his eyebrows, her shoulders slumped and she nodded.
"He has a low sperm count. I know you've been broody lately and..."
"You took advantage." Max squeaked. "Rosie, how could you? Don't I mean anything to you?" He whispered.
"You know you do." Rosie replied, "I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking..."
"You never do!" Max snapped, "I loved you! I still do..." He cried.
Rosie was about to respond, when they heard a car door and the main house door open, and the voices of Danny and Alice. Max and Rosie started, before Rosie lifted the window up.
"Come on, we have to get out of here, my room window is open!" Rosie exclaimed.
Max snorted, before following her out onto the veranda.
(x)
"I'll just nip to the bathroom..." Alice smiled as Danny clutched her hand. He pulled a sad face, tugging on her hand. "I'll be a minute." She laughed, "Time me if you wish."
"Hmm... Hurry up, I'm gonna have a drink. This is killing the mood."
"Shush! Thabo and Liv are only near the hospital!" She whispered, "Go check Bobby."
"I will." Danny promised, walking towards their young sons room.
As he disappeared Alice smiled, opening the door to the bathroom. However, something stopped her as something about the bathroom caught her attention. She frowned as she noticed the recently wet floor with two pairs of footprints and that wasn't to mention the unique scent within it.
"The toilet is inside the bathroom." Danny smirked coming up behind her.
"Look in there..." Alice nodded towards it, "And tell me what you think."
"Someone's had a shower." Danny shrugged.
"Who in this house owns two pairs of feet?" Alice asked, pointing towards the two very different markers upon the floor.
"Thabo... I'll murder him." Danny growled, but Alice placed a hand on his arm, shaking his head.
"It's not Thabo, or Liv. They're down by the animal hospital talking - and Liv only broke up with Fatani today - give her some credit." Alice bargained.
"Dylan back?"
"His car isn't outside." Alice shrugged, "Maybe Max'll know."
"Alice." Danny sighed, drawing her name out, "Let's just leave it... we've had an amazing night - if we search for this it'll only end up ruined. Come on, it can wait until morning."
Alice glanced up at her Husband, conflicted between ensuring her family was ok and continuing her night with Danny, which had been up until now, flawless. She sighed, nodding in agreement as he took her hand.
"I still need a wee..." Alice laughed, as he attempted to drag her into their room.
"Hurry up, DCI Trevanion." Danny groaned, "I'm sure you're trying to bunk me off for the life insurance - Daniel Trevanion, death by sexual frustration."
As Alice entered the toilet, rolling her eyes upon closing the door. Danny spun, smirking, lost in thoughts of Alice until a thud brought his senses back to him. He frowned, following the direction in which the sound had came from when another quieter thud alerted him to Rosie's room. He listened intently at the door, and upon hearing what sounded like distressed murmuring, he knocked, giving her a few moments before opening the door.
"Dad... it's not how it seems." Rosie stammered, as Max stood close by the window, topless.
Danny's expression had changed numerous times, from shock to anger and from red to purple. He stood rigid as he stared at his daughter, before taking in the state of the room itself. It was messy, clothes strewn across the floor and the unmistakeable scent of love-making haunted every hook and cranny.
"I'll deal with the pair of you tomorrow." Danny simply stated, "You." He growled at Max, "Get to your own room, and you..." Danny shook his head in disgust before walking back out of the room, just as Alice left the bathroom. Immediately he plastered on a smile, walking up to her and dragging her into their room.
Alice smiled as he began to kiss her, softly and sensually. She was losing her mind to him, but before her thoughts completely left her, she made a mental note to talk to him afterwards, his eyes had been troubled in the hallway, but that could wait - right now, she was his willing prisoner.
(x)
It was two hours later when Alice finally plucked up the courage and remembered to ask Danny if everything was alright. She was currently led in his strong arms, enjoying the sensuous embrace as he whispered sweet nothings into her ear. She sighed softly as his hand moved to where their child was silently growing.
"Still can't believe we're having another baby." Danny murmured in her ear.
"It's great." Alice agreed, "Danny, is everything ok? You seem... I dunno, distracted?"
He sighed heavily, supporting her as she turned and rested upon his chest, looking down at him expectantly. He moved a stray strand of hair away from her face, kissing her forehead softly.
"I know who'd been... you know..." He said, "Rosie and Max."
"What?!" Alice exclaimed, before quietening as she realised the time. "Rosie and Max? Seriously?"
"I found them together." He admitted, "I don't know what to do Alice. It's so wrong..."
"I know but honey, we can't go interfering."
"Alice, you're the busiest, busy-body in the world..." Danny teased.
"Danny - Max leaves tomorrow, sure, have a word with Rosie, but let her decide whether or not she tells Dylan." Alice advised, "I'm shocked - to be honest, it doesn't make much sense. I mean, she was over Max, why have sex with him? Unless... No." Alice shook her head.
"What?" Danny urged.
"She needed something." Alice replied.
"Bribery?" Danny whispered, "I'll feed him to the lions."
"No you won't." Alice murmured, "You're going to lie here with your wife and forget all about it until morning. It's still date night..."
"Never a dull moment is there?" Danny wondered as she settled back down onto his chest.
"Never." Alice agreed, "I just hope we can all come back from this."
Danny murmured an agreement, not really thinking about her meaning as Alice led wide awake pondering - the family seemed to be breaking more with every day that went by, and she couldn't see any way out.
A/N - Finally an update haha!
Sorry, I'm so slow. I've been working non stop, and had quite a few writing deadlines to meet for Uni etc. I'll try get another chapter up soon and got a few oneshots/twoshots half written! x