As the work day drew to a close Stephanie started to pack things up ready to head home. She had to make sure she wasn't late to pick Lucy up as she knew how important a routine was right now.

Pulling her jacket on she picked up her bag and keys from the desk and walked out of the door, "so do you want to take my car or transfer Alex's seat to your car?"

Lifting his head from his work Paul looked at her strangely, "huh?"

"You said you'd pick Alex up from my parents for me remember? Do you want to just take my car or transfer his car seat to your car?"

Looking at the clock he panicked slightly, "shit I wasn't watching the time. I'll just take your car as it will be quicker. You are insured to drive other cars right?"

She laughed as she watched him try and do ten things at once so they could leave, "yeah I am don't worry."

In what felt like record time he was ready to walk out of the door.

As they reached the car park they swapped keys, as he placed his keys in Stephanie's hand Paul said, "my parents will be waiting at the park that's a few blocks from your house. I genuinely have no idea the name of it and could only give vague directions to it."

Laughing she handed over her keys, "well you're in luck because I know exactly where you're talking about, Alex loves that park. Do you know how to get to my parents from here?"

"Of course. I may not be able to give you directions to places but I do know how to get there myself."

She smiled, "that's always good to hear. I will let you go and I'll see you at home okay?"

He nodded, "sure. I will see you later."

The two separated to go to their cars and head off.

Pulling up outside the park Stephanie smiled seeing Paul's parents just inside the park walking around with Lucy.

Stepping out of the car she locked it before walking into the park to greet them, "good evening."

Turning around both Patricia and Paul Snr. smiled seeing Stephanie stood before them, "well you are certainly not Paul."

Stephanie laughed, "I most certainly am not. We decided to swap and I would pick up Lucy and he'd pick up Alex tonight."

Patricia smiled at her, "well that is fair enough. I'll put Lucy back in her car seat so you can take her home."

Standing there quietly Stephanie watched as Paul Snr. put the car seat on the floor before Patricia bent down and placed Lucy in it before doing the straps up before returning to a standing position allowing Paul Snr. to pick up the car seat again and hand it over to Stephanie with the diaper bag, "there's nothing to report as she's been a very good girl today."

Stephanie smiled softly taking the diaper bag and car seat, "okay well thank you for this and I'm sorry I'm putting you guys out."

Patricia shook her head, "don't be silly. You are not putting us out at all dear, we are proud of our son for standing up for some thing and some one he believes in."

Biting her lip nervously before she smiled politely she wasn't entirely sure what to say, "you should be very proud of your son, he is an amazing man."

Paul Snr. and Patricia were both very proud of the man he had turned in to, "not to blow our own horn but he is, it's very nice of you to say that though so thank you."

"You're welcome." Stephanie then stepped closer to the other two adults and gave them a quick hug, "I'm sure I will be seeing you again soon. Please know that my house is your house, you are welcome over any time to spend time with Lucy."

Patricia smiled warmly, "thank you Stephanie, we appreciate it."

They then all walked back to their cars together.

Stephanie smiled at Lucy as she secured the car seat into the car, "you're so adorable, how could your Mommy have ever left you?"

Pressing a soft kiss to the top of the little girls head she stood back up out of the car and shut the door firmly before she went around the other side and climbed into the drivers seat and headed home.

Arriving outside Stephanie's parents house Paul was nervous, he had no idea how they were going to react to him being here to pick Alex up and whether he would get the third degree from them or not.

Walking to the front door he rang the bell and stood back and waited.

Linda looked at the clock when she heard the bell ring and was impressed to see Stephanie wasn't leaving it as late as possible to pick Alex up tonight in order to avoid the questions. As she opened the door she was surprised to see Paul stood there, "Paul? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?"

He smiled and nodded, "everything is fine, Stephanie and I just thought we would change things up a little and she'd pick up Lucy and I'd pick up Alex."

She didn't have chance to question him just yet as Alex came running out of the lounge having heard his voice, "Paaauuulll."

He ran and collided with his legs hugging them, "miss oo."

Chuckling Paul bent down to the little boys height, "I missed you too buddy. Have you been a good boy for your Grandma and Grandpa?"

Nodding his head Alex looked past Paul for his Mom, "where's Mommy?"

"She's picking up my daughter and is going to meet us at home. Don't you like me picking you up?"

Alex shook his head and attached himself to Paul's neck, "like."

Rubbing the boys back softly before Paul pulled him back softly he smiled at him, "why don't you go and get your coat and we'll head home?"

Nodding his little head Alex ran off to get his coat so he could go and see Stephanie.

As Paul stood up he came face to face with Linda's not so friendly face, "is something wrong?"

"Stephanie is avoiding us isn't she? She doesn't want to answer questions on what is going on does she?"

His eyes widened but he tried to hide it, "uh that's not the case at all."

She narrowed her eyes and looked at him suspiciously, "don't lie for her."

Sighing heavily he decided to be truthful, "okay yeah that is part of it but please don't tell her I said that. I am not at liberty to discuss what is going on but just know both Stephanie and Alex are safe okay?"

Linda was taken aback by his loyalty to her daughter but also being aware that as a parent she was worried, "if you say so. I was going to say this to Stephanie when she came tonight but seeing as you're here I may as well mention it to you."

Before she had chance to mention it Alex came running back coat in hand, "got it."

Laughing Paul bent down and helped him put his coat on before he picked the little boy up in his arms so he could focus on Linda, "sorry about that. What were you going to say?"

She smiled as the little boy lay his head on Paul's shoulder, he clearly adored him, "I was just going to say that my son, his wife and their little boys were coming over on Saturday so I was going to ask if she, and you, wanted to come over? It will give me more chance to get to know you and Shane will have the chance to actually meet you because I know he was quite anxious to do so when I mentioned to him you were living with Stephanie."

Paul knew they had no option but to say yes to this and it would be a good opportunity for Stephanie to tell them all the truth, "we would love to. Is it okay if I bring my daughter or would you prefer it if I got my parents to babysit? Also what time would you like us?"

Shaking her head Linda was shocked by how easy it was to get him to agree, "you can of course bring your daughter. We have a crib set up in one of the spare bedrooms for when the grand kids come over so there will be somewhere for you to lay her down and there will be plenty of pairs of hands to watch over her so she is more than welcome to come too. You can come any time you like really as we were planning to do lunch and dinner and make a real day of it. I think Shane and his family are going to be here from about 11 or so as they're coming from the city."

"Well I will see what Stephanie says but we will be here at some point I'm sure. I'd better get going though and get this little one home and fed ready for bed and to see my daughter. I'll see you Saturday Linda. Say bye to your Grandma Alex."

Alex lifted his head and waved at Linda, "buh bye Gramma."

Linda smiled at them both, "bye you two."

She then watched as Paul turned and walked back to the car before he settled Alex into his car seat and then got into the car and drove away. As soon as the car was out of sight Linda turned and walked back into the house, "I had better call Shane and hope he can come over on Saturday."