Chapter 154

*Guys I apologize in advance I know I said in the previous chapter that the updates will be more frequent this week, but things have been really hectic, so I'm sorry if you got your hopes up, but here's the next one, hope you enjoy.

Determined to get out of the house the next morning Alex got up, glancing over at Ryan who was still sowing logs on his side of the bed not bothering to wake him up either, if he shows up to work late it's his problem he isn't in the clear with her just yet. Walking downstairs she looked into Phoebe's room seeing her daughter still asleep, torn between allowing her to sleep or waking her up since she has a OBGYN appointment before work, which means Phebe will have to be at day care earlier than usual. Or she can just wake Ryan and tell him that she has to go and that he has to finish Phoebe but she's not in the mood to talk to him. Making some breakfast for herself she ate and drank a glass of water, got her daughter's stuff packed and ready before she goes to wake her up, trying to make it out of the house before he wakes up.

"Phoebe?" Alex said as she entered the room stroking a hair through her curly hair in an attempt to wake her up gently, until the little girl stirred. "Morning bub, time to get up." Alex smiled but Phoebe just looked at her blinking rapidly and got comfortable under the covers again closing her eyes.

"Hey, rise and shine little miss." Alex laughed picking her up and carrying her towards the kitchen. Not very impressed with her mother she ate her food through rubbing her eyes and blinking until the sleep disappeared and she became her busy self, minutes after that.

"Dada." She pointed towards the stairs, Alex looked in the direction but saw no trace of her husband.

"He's still sleeping. You can go to him after breakfast." She bargained in an attempt to get her to finish her food which worked, and the minute her cereal were finished she extended her hands so her mother could help her up the stairs towards their bedroom. Alex disappeared into the bathroom opening the taps in the shower and emerged a little while later to get some clothes out when she saw Phoebe standing on Ryan's side of the bed as his face was turned towards her but he was still fast asleep. Poking a finger in his face in an attempt to get him to wake up.

He stirred briefly but didn't wake up, and Phoebe didn't stop there. "Dada." She continued hitting his face with her little hand until he finally opened his eyes, greeted by his daughter's smiling face.

"Dada!" She smiled again lifting her hands up towards him so he can pick her up.

"Hey Pheebs." He groaned not in the same chirpy mood that she was in, and got up slowly checking the time on Alex's phone on the opposite side of the bed since his wasn't charging, seeing it was almost half an hour before they usually get up in the morning.

"Dada up." Phoebe continued hands stretched out.

"I'll pick you up in a little bit Phoebe." He said reminding her that he didn't forget about her, as he plugged his phone into the charger. He looked up at Alex who was busy selecting clothes and managed to ignore him the entire time. She disappeared back into the bathroom, while Ryan laid back down with a pounding head, turning on the TV thanking his lucky stars that Barney was on so he know Phoebe will be watching it in peace, while he tried to get a few more minutes of sleep.

Alex came out of the bathroom not surprised by her husband who is asleep again, and her daughter laying on her back next to her father, holding her legs wither hands while watching TV.

"Mama!" Phoebe smiled when she noticed her mother come down the stairs.

"Phoebe!" Alex walked over to where she laid on the bed watching TV. Trying to keep her composure and for her daughter although her insides were raging. With the back of her hand she hit Ryan's cheek lightly but hard enough so he'll wake up from his deep sleep.

"Come on get up." Alex said roughly pulling him up by his forearm, yanking the covers from his body.

"Whoa, I was still sleeping, and my head is pounding. Alex what are you doing?" He continued to ask as she pushed him in the direction of the shower. Fully clothed she opened the shower door. "Don't even think about it." His eyes growing wide when he found out what she was about to do.

"I did this way too many times with my father. But I'll only do it once for you." Alex said looking at him and by the look on her face he knew there was no arguing with her this time, as she unexpectedly opened the cold tap, hearing his breath hitch as the cold water hit him all at once.

Walking back into the bedroom, Alex made the bed. She combed back her damp hair into a sleek middle parted low bun, grabbing her handbag and went downstairs to pack her daughter's things. While she continued to get Phoebe washed and pack her things in between. Once she was doe she picked her up so she could comb her hair, making two pig tails on either side of her head, when Ryan came downstairs dressed and ready for work. He walked around the kitchen looking for painkillers in the cupboard where they usually were, and wordlessly Alex handed the bottle to him that she put in her bag once, and didn't bother taking it out again.

"Thank you." He mumbled swallowing three tablets with a glass of water, gathering his things and taking the car keys, as the three of them headed out the front door. Earlier than usual. Securing Phoebe in her car seat, he got behind the wheel and they drove off in the direction of the hospital. "You still upset with me?" Ryan broke the silence when they came to a halt at a red traffic light. Alex didn't answer him she just looked in his direction as if she couldn't believe what he'd just asked her and that was all he needed to know.

"This is not the first time something like this has happened, Ryan. You're not a prisoner you're allowed to go out, you don't have to spend 24 hours of your day with me." Alex started turning in her seat so she can look at him although his eyes were fixed on the road in front of him. "But have you ever thought about how you could've just texted m to say that you'll be late. Or considered the fact that if I happen to go out, which isn't a lot, that I try to be home before 8PM because I have a family waiting for me at home. At times it feels like you just don't give a damn and that you don't respect me enough because Alex will just have to be fine with it..

"Alex I never said that I don't respect you." Ryan interrupted quickly.

"Ryan if the tables were turned and you were in my shoes, or it was me coming home at that hour of the morning would you have been fine with it?" She asked looking at him and when he failed to answer she left it at that as they pulled into the day care. She got out taking Phoebe inside, Ryan resting his head on the steering wheel blowing out a long breath. So much for trying to talk this through as they didn't even make any progress. He barely got two words in while Alex confessed all her feelings, but he was determined that they would talk this through before they got to hospital, since traffic were so heavy. As she got in without saying a word and they drove off.

"I'm sorry." Ryan started his apology.

"Sorry doesn't make everything right! Dammit Ryan if you can't see fault in this then what's the point of continuing this argument. Just leave it." Alex breathed.

"No, I'm not going to leave it. You're still pissed off at me so we'll talk about this for as long as we have to. I don't know what else to say to make this better or make you trust me.."

"I didn't say I don't trust you! Ryan, I've had a terrible childhood with a drunk father and I've had to witness nights like last night more than I would've liked. Seeing my mom wait up until he comes home barely able to stand up straight. And then having to sober him up in a few hours so he can report to work."

Ryan didn't know what else to say as they pulled into the parking lot at the hospital besides the fact that he is really feeling like a jerk right now for having to put his wife through all this where she re-lived childhood memories, ones that she'd much rather want to forget.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you're an alcoholic like my dad was. I just want you to know that I can't go through all of that for a second time every time you come home from a night out." She said softly, opening the door so she can get out.

"Alex." Ryan sighed but she didn't bother staying in the car a little while longer, she closed the door and slowly walked towards the entrance.

He got out of the car, pressing the button on the key to lock the doors walking at a fast pace to catch up with her, grateful for the relatively empty parking lot at this time of the morning. "Sweetheart please." He grabbed her hand when he caught up with her and she reluctantly stopped walking but didn't turn around to face him, when he came to stand in front of her. "I'm sorry. I have no excuse or something to say that will make you feel better right now, and that alone makes me feel like a jerk. I'm sorry for putting you through all that." He said meaning every word but he wasn't sure if his wife believed it, as she bit her bottom lip, and nodded her head slightly.

"I don't wanna have the same arguments over and over again, and then come across as a nagging wife. I just want you to see things from my perspective, I'm sorry if it's too much to ask." She shrugged and walked past him but he blocked her, and instead of saying anything he put his arms around her shoulders holding her for a moment, when he felt her arms around his waist.

"I'm sorry." He said softly and he felt her nodding her head against his chest, as they pulled apart and walked inside to hear how their little one is doing.

Guys FBI case in the next chapter, I promise. I felt like I didn't want to drag this one out for too long. Apologies once again for the long wait in updating.

Lovies-S