Mason's eyes slowly opened and gradually the daylight that shone through the drapes filled his eyes. He carefully sat up and rubbed his head as a piercing pain shot through it.

"Ow," he grumbled, as he used his hands to guide his way across the couch. After a brief pause he managed to stand up. Mason's head began to spin and his limbs felt limp as he stumbled towards his and Alex's bedroom door. Carefully, he opened the door and peered inside.

"Alex?" Mason whispered, "Alex love?"

As he walked in to the room he turned to see an empty bed. Mason sighed as he strolled out of the bedroom and in to Neave's nursery. He softly opened the door but once again he found himself alone as he stared down in to an empty crib.

"Fantastic…" He sighed sarcastically.


Justin sat crying hysterically in to his mothers shoulders, blubbering like a giant baby. Theresa uncomfortably patted him on the back and pulled a face in disgust as Justin repeatedly blew his nose in to a large revoltingly soggy handkerchief. Jerry watched his son in confusion, he then turned to watch Alex who was sat curled up on the couch in a fluffy blue blanket with tears stains trailing down her cheeks, while Harper sat playing on the floor with Neave.

"I… Can't… Believe… She… DUMPED ME!" sobbed Justin as he yet again blew in to his snotty hanky.

"Why did Juliet break up with you again?" asked Theresa, "I couldn't understand you the first five times you explained."

"Because she said we…. Aren't… But I said… And then she said… But I said…"

"Justin speak clearly!" Demanded Jerry.

"She said things haven't been the same between us… And that are relationship isn't going anywhere!"

"Oh honey!" Said Theresa tightening her hug on Justin, "is that what she said? There was nothing else?"

Justi sniffled as he paused in thought, "No," he lied, "that's all she said."

"Well now we know what's wrong with Justin," began Jerry walking over to the couch, "lets find out what's wrong with Alex!"

Alex looked up at her dad and shrugged her shoulders, "I'm fine."

"Clearly you're not, come on sweetie what is it?" Jerry's jaw dropped, "You're not pregnant again are you?"

"What no!" Alex yelled in defence, "I just had a stupid fight with Mason and I wanted to get away for a while."

"What was it about?" asked Harper sympathetically.

"Nothing," she lied, "it was just stupid. I don't want to talk about it."

"Great," sighed Jerry, "I've got a daughter crying over a fight, a son heart broke over a breakup and another son mourning his crush. Gosh, when did our lives become so complicated?"

"How is Max?" Alex asked her mom.

"I don't know, he hasn't come down from his room since the funeral. I feel so bad for him, but I don't know what to do to help."

"He might just need some time," suggested Harper, "but at least we have this smiley face to cheer us all up!" She cooed at Neave who was spread out on her stomach, lifting her self up and trying to shuffle forward. She smiled widely as she babbled happily to herself as she began t fumble with the loose fabric on the rug beneath her.

"Aww look at my baby trying to crawl!" Fussed Theresa, "she's so smart!"

"Yeah, Mason was trying to get her to crawl the other day. She still hasn't got the hang of it yet though."

"Don't worry she will," Theresa told Alex as she sat down on to the couch next to her.

Everyone's laughs and chuckles at Neave, who was now repeatedly rolling from her to stomach on to her back and then back on to her stomach, came to a slow stop when a light knock rapped on the door.

"$5 says it's Juliet, $10 says its Mason," bellowed jerry as he went to answer the door.

Stood in the door way was Mason, wearing a casual white t-shirt, denim jeans and brown leather jacket. He tapped his foot nervously as he stood waiting but he came to a holt when the door flung open, revealing Jerry standing there watching him very smug.

"You all owe me $10!" He yelled to his family, "she's in here," Jerry told Mason before walking away leaving him to make his own way in.

Alex sat motionless on the couch, watching Neave wriggle around as she launched her soft toys across the rug and giggled menacingly. Mason entered the room, carefully closing the door behind him. He smiled anxiously at Alex, who gave a quick glance in his direction before focussing back on Neave.

"Hello," Mason began quietly. Slowly he made his way over to Alex and stood by the edge of the couch.

"Oh is that the time!" exclaimed Theresa jumping up from her seat. "We need to open the subshop! Come on Jerry, Harper, Justin you can all help me!"

"Urrghh!" they all groaned in unison.

"No! Come on!" She called as she marched down to the restaurant with them following closely behind her.

Just as Justin began to descend down the staircase he stared at Mason with a blank expression. He the shook his head in disappointment and glared at Mason before walking away. Mason gluped nervously and sat down next to Alex who was ignoring him.

"He seems mad," Mason stated, "so I take it he knows?"

"I don't know, he hasn't said." Alex told him bluntly, "but he did say that Juliet broke up with him last night."

"Really?" Mason asked in surprise.

"Yeah, he didn't say the real reason why. But you and I both know what it probably is. So if you want to make your move heres your chance. Get her while she's a free woman."

"Alex, you know that's not what I want."

"Then what do you want mason?"

Mason sighed in exhaustion, "to be with you! Obviously, like I have this whole time. And I know what I did last night doesn't show that but you know how much I love you."

"I just don't understand why it happened."

"Neither do I," Mason admitted, "but we can either go on feeling sorry for ourselves or try and get back to where we were, for Neave. And I know I've hurt you and I cant apologise enough for that and I will do abseloutely anything to make it up to you." He grabbed Alex's hand and squeezed it tightly. "Please, I'll will do anything to make this right again."

Alex nodded slowly, "I don't want to lose you either, but I don't see how we can carry on."

Mason let go of Alex's hand and turned his head away in shame, unable to look at her without feeling the urge to cry.

"But we can start again?" She suggested.

Mason turned and looked at her in confusion, "pardon?"

"Just take things slow for awhile. We can still live together so we can both be there for Neave but maybe sleep separate for a while, get to know eachother again? Maybe we should spend more time focusing on us as well as Neave?"

Mason nodded in agreement, "yeah, im fine with that. Anything to make you happy."

They both sat looking at each other smiling sadly until a small gurgle from down below caught their attention. Neave was propped up on all fours and gradually with not a lot of ease she shakily crawled to Mason's feet.

Alex and Mason cheered in delight while Mason scooped Neave up in his arms. "Clever girl!" He praised before planting a big kiss on to Neave's plump cheek. He turned to Alex and saw her smiling widely at them both.

"We'll be okay wont we?" he asked.

"I hope so."


Last chapter next week...