"Thank you" Kate smiled up at Mike as he handed her a hot water bottle and a couple of pain killers. Swallowing the tablets with the last dregs of a cup of tea she had on the coffee table she tucked the water bottle behind her trying to angle it so it soothed her back and shoulder at the same time.

"so why didn't you ask for help" Mike asked sitting down next to her

"because you were busy, and I can manage a bag of soil" she sighed rolling her shoulders trying to stop the neck of the hot water bottle digging in to her back.

"despite it saying not to lift independently" he grinned

"Well I am a strong independent woman." she smiled

"strong. Independent. Woman" he grinned

"yeah" she smiled trying to read his thoughts

"well I guess if you are this strong independent woman then you won't be wanting a hot bath with a back rub and a massage then will you" he grinned.

"I didn't say that" she began

"Well..." he began

"I..." she started seeing a grin spread across his face. "you" she said reaching out to hit him. "ah-ow Ah-ow Ah-ow" she cried pulling her shoulder even more.

Hearing his Mums yelps of pain Chris looked over from the TV where he had been watching Peppa pig. Plodding over he handed his mum his cuddle blanket. Resting his head on her lap. She ran her fingers through his blond curls smiling at how sweet he could be. "thank you, pumpkin," she smiled. Looking up at his mum he thought about it for a moment before snatching the blanket back sitting back in front of the T.V. Pepper Pig had finished. Thankfully. But now it was the wiggles which in some way was just as annoying and mind rotting although at least there was some educational aspect to the songs and not encouraging you to play with spiders.

Later that evening Kates back was still Killing her. Who would have thought a 75 L bag of dirt would have been so heavy. It also didn't help she had to dodge bikes and other toys of the Kids that littered the patio. Mike returned downstairs after having put Grace and Chris to bed.

"come here you" he smiled lifting her up in to his arms "I have a bath running for you" he smiled carrying her up the stairs.

"thank you" she smiled" as they reached the bathroom. She could see the steam rising off the water

Sliding under the water she felt the warm water slowly begin to relax her muscles and sort of ease the pain but it was still tricky as leaning against the slope of the bath irritated the bottom of her back.

"feeling better?" mike asked

"A bit. Although didn't you promise a back rub" she grinned holding out a loofa to him.

Taking it from her he smiled slowly rubbing it along her shoulders and down her back.

Closing her eyes, she leant back against his hand. Letting out a slight moan she was enjoying the sensation of his hand running along her skin and with the heat of the water it was easing her aching muscles.

"how's that" he smiled

Rolling her head back she looked over at him "feels nice" she smiled over at him. "although can you go right a bit." she grinned

"like this" he asked sliding the loofa across to the right. Running his hand down her side and along her hip.

She flinched slightly at the sensation of his fingers touching her. "ow" she whimpered as a sensation of pain shot up her back and around. Sinking back under the water she tried to soak away the aches but the water had cooled and wasn't as affective. Climbing out she reached for the towel. She gasped as Mike lifted her carrying her across the landing.

"err Mike I can actually walk" she grinned trying to rearrange the towel as It was slipping with the way Mike had lifted her.

Sitting on the bed she pulled the towel back up covering herself where the towel had slipped. The bath had made her back feel better but she still had the dull ache in her shoulders. She could feel the knots and strain pulling hard on the muscle and nerves.

"so how about that Massage." Mike grinned placing his hands on her shoulders pressing in to the skin.

Dropping her head forward she could feel the muscle in her shoulder slowly begin to relax and the tension melt away. "that feels good" she moaned softly

Brushing her long hair off her shoulder he slowly began kissing along her neck.

"Mike..." she whispered softly turning her head slightly "I..." she said with baited breath as their lips met. Shifting round she wrapped her arm around his neck falling back against the bed as he reached for the towel their mouths not parting.

Waking up the following morning. Kate could still feel the dull ach in the small of her back, as well as places that didn't ache before. Carefully pushing herself up against the pillows she watched as Mike walked out of the en-suite.

"Morning" he smiled walking over to the bed. "how's the back"

"funny you ask that it aches even more after last night" she grinned looking up at him.

"well I didn't hear any complaints last night" he grinned pushing her back against the pillow nipping her lip as he did so. "anyway, I found this in the cupboard." he held out a tube of muscle relief cream for aching muscles. "I'll rub it in if you like" he grinned

"fine" she sighed she would try anything to get rid of this pain and be able to pick up her son. "but no funny business" she grinned rolling over on to her front lifting up her shirt

"Me. Funny business" he grinned putting a dollop of the gel on his hands. Rubbing it in to her shoulders

As soon as the gel hit her skin, she could instantly feel the warming relief it provided. She could also feel his hand moving down her back and massaging in to the middle of her back right where she needed it. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes as the gel set to work and provided some light relief to the pain she was in. Working the gel in to her skin Mike moved his hands round on to her waist

"Mike" she warned "you promised" she giggled rolling away as the sensation was tickling her and it didn't help he was on a point where she was the most ticklish

"sorry come here. I will behave. I'm almost done" he smiled

"fine" she said nervously shifting back over so he could finish.

"there. All done" he said wiping the excess off his hands on her waist causing her to giggle. "now no heavy lifting. Just ask for help" he grinned as she rolled over pulling her top back down.

so hope you like this. more drama and I do have a few more ideas planned its just figuring out where to fit them in. the muscle gel is like a deep heat cream (I have no idea what it is called down under) anyway let me know what you think