March 2012

The bell rang for everyone to be seated. Eve finished her wine and placed it on the table. Standing up she slipped her hand into Malcolm's as he concentrated on the tickets in his other hand. This was the first night out in seven months since Katherine was born, and it was the first outing in public for them both together in just as long. Eve had honestly felt a little nervous. Especially after what happened.

It was when Katherine was two months old that she went into Downing Street to meet with the PM. After an hours discussion she left. Just before the news hit the press. But not soon enough that they weren't waiting at the house. Malcolm had wanted to hep but Eve insisted he stay quietly, not wanting more shit on the fan.

'Evelyn Tucker Resigns'

'Stewart Pearson officially takes the role as Director of Communications'

Eve could only be satisfied that is had been her choice. That she hadn't been forced out. Well, she wanted to think that way at least.

As a thank you and goodbye gift, the PM had given her two tickets to a show. They weren't particularly theatre people but she had to use them, and it gave her an excuse to leave the house. Something she wasn't tending to do. Her life revolved around her daughter.

Sitting down she got comfortable. Noticing a few looks sent there way Eve glanced to Malcolm. He had been quiet the entire journey here. And here he was staring down at his phone, in the middle of what seemed like a furious text.

"Another tooth came through today" Eve said and Malcolm mumbled in response. Eve hadn't wanted to become one of those mother's who documented everything, took a photo every five seconds and spoke nothing but of her. But she had nothing else in her life right now. Her career dead in the water and Malcolm spending an increasing amount of time in his office. Sighing, everyone still finding there seats, she took out her own phone and looked through her photo's

All of her baby girl, laughing, smiling, sleeping. But her favourite was one of Katherine taking hold of Malcolm's nose as she lay in the garden. Looking at the photo fondly, she didn't realise Malcolm was talking to her.

"She tried to take a chunk out of my finger this morning" His voice rung her ears and she looked across at him, chuckling lightly.

"Well I did warn you" eve said as she and Malcolm put there phones away. The smile at Malcolm fading when she heard some whispers. "This wasn't a very good idea was it" Eve looked down at her lap but Malcolm took hold of her hand, squeesing it.

"We've shone our faces, let's leave before this becomes a fucking war zone" Malcolm suggested.

"God I love you" Eve breathed with relief and they stood in unison, her coat over her arm, apologising to those sat down as they made for the doors. "Let's never do this again" Eve exclaimed as they walked out of the theatre.

"Fine by me darlin" Malcolm said as he opened the taxi door.

Reaching home, Eve climbed out of the taxi as Malcolm paid. Opening the front door Eve hung up her coat.

"Hey Sarah, we're back" She called and a young girl in her mid twenties appeared at the living room door, baby in her arms.

"You're early, I thought-"

"I know, theatre just isn't our thing" Eve smiled, glancing at Malcolm who was hanging his trench coat beside Eve's. "Sorry about this..."

"No no it's fine, we have had our dinner and had a bath, I was just about to settle her down." Sarah explained and Eve smiled.

"Oh I'll do that, you get off, have a night out" Eve took Katherine into her arms, kissing her forehead.

"Are you sure?" Sarah asked.

"Yes, go on, have fun" Eve told her as she went up the stairs.

As Sarah collected her things, Malcolm stopped her at the front door.

"Here" Malcolm held out some extra money for her.

"Oh no Mister Tucker, I couldn't, I've only been here an hour" Sarah disinclined.

"Exactly, cutting you short, take it, have a good night out. Someone should" Malcolm thrusted the money to her and she reluctantly took it.

"Thank you" Sarah smiled and fastening her coat Malcolm locked the door after her.

After settling Katherine into her cot, watching her sleep for a few minutes, taking in the moment of bliss she turned on the monitor. Walking back downstairs Eve flicked on the kettle to make a drink. Making one for Malcolm as well.

Eyeing him in the study, hunched over his desk Eve softly placed the mug beside his papers.

"Thanks" Malcolm muttered. Eve gently slipped her arms around his neck, stroking his chest through his shirt and kissing his neck.

"I'm going to have a bath" Eve said as Malcolm continued writing. "You could come join me" She suggested.

"I'm busy" Malcolm replied and Eve nodded.

"Okay" She whispered and took her arms away.

Pausing by the door Eve looked back at him. Things had been quiet between them. She had hoped tonight would relight the relationship, but clearly that didn't work.

Leaving Malcolm to his work, she ran herself a bath. Although Eve was still wanting to stay at home and look after Katherine, she had been thinking what she could do career wise. She had a few idea's but right now, she wanted to look after her baby.


Rubbing his eyes he sighed. Sitting back in the chair Malcolm looked at the clock. Shit, he had been sat here for five house. It was after midnight. Chucking his glasses onto the files he stood up. Turning off the lights he went quietly upstairs, pausing by the nursery he moved inside, watching Katherine sleep. He loved her, how could he not, she was his daughter, his blood, his world. She was a miniature Eve, apart from her eyes. She had the same colour as his.

Letting her sleep, Malcolm entered the master bedroom, seeing Eve curled up asleep on her side of the bed. Pulling off his tie he sat it on the back of a chair, hanging up his shirt and folded his trousers. Sitting on the edge of the bed he got under the duvet and lay on his back. Not before checking his mobile, flicking through the new emails he had received since he last checked twenty minutes ago. Sorting through them, he looked to Eve across from him, watching the back of her head.

He had noticed the change in things. Malcolm spent his time at the office, a lot more since Katherine was born. Not that he had done that on purpose. Nicola had just been fucking up a lot recently. But it made him tired, tired at work and shattered by the time he got home. Running his fingers through his much shorter hair Malcolm grumbled. Closing his eyes he faded into sleep.

Eve woke to the soft cries emitting from the baby monitor. Taking a long breath she moved to sit up but stopped when she felt an arm around her. Turning slightly she felt Malcolm's chest against her back, his hand on her stomach which tightly when she tried to move again. Knowing he was awake Eve ran her fingers over his arm, feeling the wispy hairs before she held his hand a moment. She missed the simplicity of his touch, his hands were always so warm, his skin so soft, the opposite of what people would think of him. The repeated cry from the nursery brought Eve back into reality. As she was going to pull away Malcolm spoke up.

"I'll go" Malcolm took his arm away, the cold suddenly hitting her body. Listening to the rustling as he climbed out of the bed, pulling on his thick woollen jumper he left the bedroom. Eve lay listening to the baby monitor, her eyes flicking to the clock which glared 4:36am at her.

"Oh noisy girl" Malcolm's gruff voice came through to her. "All this crying nonsense...ah Katie, smelly" She listened to the shuffling as Malcolm changed her nappy. Her cries quieting before she heard a giggle. Malcolm blowing raspberries on her feet.

After a couple of minutes Eve closed her eyes and relaxed as she heard Malcolm's voice calm her.

"Hush, hush, time tae be sleepin
Hush, hush, dreams come a-creepin
Dreams o peace an o freedom
Sae smile in your sleep, bonnie baby"
Malcolm sung softly. It was a lullaby Eve had never heard until she heard Malcolm singing it to Katie. It was sun to him as a bairn as Malcolm told her. He had a calming singing voice, rough and very Scottish but she loved to listen.

"Once our valleys were ringin
Wi sounds o our children singin
But nou sheep bleat till the evenin
An shielings stand empty an broken

Hush, hush, time tae be sleepin
Hush, hush, dreams come a-creepin
Dreams o peace an o freedom
Sae smile in your sleep, bonnie baby

We stood, wi heads bowed in prayer
While factors laid our cottages bare
The flames fired the clear mountain air
An many lay dead in the mornin

Hush, hush, time tae be sleepin
Hush, hush, dreams come a-creepin
Dreams o peace an o freedom
Sae smile in your sleep, bonnie baby

Where was our fine Highland mettle,
Our men once sae fearless in battle?
They stand, cowed, huddled like cattle
Soon tae be shipped owre the ocean

Hush, hush, time tae be sleepin
Hush, hush, dreams come a-creepin
Dreams o peace an o freedom
Sae smile in your sleep, bonnie baby

No use pleading or praying
All hope gone, no hope of staying
Hush, hush, the anchor's a-weighing
Don't cry in your sleep, bonnie baby"

Eve listened to the silence when he finished, watching to see him re-enter the bedroom. Turning on her back she watched as he pulled off his jumper and climbed back into bed.

"I could listen to that voice all day" Eve whispered and Malcolm looked to her, unaware she was still awakre.

"Thankfully you don't have too" Malcolm retorted a he lay beside her.

"mm well, I wouldn't mind you saying other things, moaning other things" Eve smiled to Malcolm's surprised expression. He could only watch as Eve slowly climbed onto Malcolm's body, kissing his neck.

"A strange time for you to get turned on" Malcolm stated but his fingers lay at her waist, sliding under Eve's t-shirt to find bare skin.

"I don't want to have to start scheduling times in the week for us to have sex" Eve stated as she leaned over him on her elbows.

"That would be very interesting for Sam's diary" Malcolm said and his lips curled upwards.

"That is would" Eve smiled and she kissed him before trailing her lips against his jaw. He groaned as her fingers wrapped around his hardening dick.

"This could work" Malcolm moaned, gripping her waist tightly he flipped Eve onto her back, his lips ravishing her neck.

"What time do you need to be in the office?" Eve asked as she ran her hands over Malcolm's back.

"Not till eight, plenty of time" Malcolm spoke as he tugged off Eve's shirt, kissing her breasts.

"mmm... a lot of sex to make up" Eve moaned as she tugged at his short hair, wishing there was more of it to pull at. She had complained when he had cut it so short, it was much too savage. But to Malcolm it was simple and easy to look after, no nonsense, the complete opposite of him. Her eyes fluttered closed as Malcolm used his tongue to all it's wonder. Fingers gripping the bed sheets as she moaned in pleasure. "Oh god Malcolm" Eve cried out. Malcolm kissing her lips.

"Shh...don't want to wake Katie" Malcolm said between kisses. Pushing her thighs apart Eve groaned and arched upwards as Malcolm pushed inside her.

At 7:15am Malcolm buttoned his shirt, sorting his tie before he went downstairs.

"Good morning" Malcolm smiled, kissing Eve's cheek, smelling her shampoo, which he smelt of himself. They had showered together after all.

"Mm morning Malcolm" Eve smiled to him.

Malcolm turned next to Katherine, in her high chair covered in her breakfast.

"You're meant to eat it not paint your face with it" Malcolm smiled as he kissed her forehead.

"She's still learning" Eve smiled wiping her messy mouth as Katherine gurgled at her, reaching up to Malcolm. "Oh she is quickly becoming a daddies girl"

Malcolm could only smiled as he picked Katie up into his arms.

"Too bloody right. She has sense" Malcolm said and Katie started playing with his ears. "But I have to get to work. Nicola had an interview with the BBC this afternoon" he said and gently put Katherine back into her chair, she instantly started sniffling. "Sweetie I will be back before you know it" Malcolm said softly, stroking her cheek.

"Have fun with Nicola" Eve smiled and kissed him, straightening his tie before stroking his arms.

"I'll see you tonight" Malcolm spoke and slipping on his coat at the door he looked back behind him to see eve stood with Katie in her arms, bouncing her gently.

"Love you" Malcolm told her.

"Love you too, we both do" Eve smiled, looking to Katie before back to Malcolm as he left for work.