Chapter 180

*We've come a long way – fam!*

Driving home from the hospital neither of them said anything although Ryan's head was spinning with questions. He was worried but since the doctor confirmed that everything was fine with Alex and the baby, Ryan felt that now was the right time for him to say something when they stopped in the driveway.

"Alex, this has to end." Ryan started and she turned around looking at him.

"What are you talking about?" She asked confused looking at him.

"You, constantly putting our baby's life in danger, and your own. I allowed you to continue working with Phoebe but I can't go through it again for a second time." He told her honestly.

"Rya.."

"No Alex. If this means you having to stay at home for the remainder of the four months that you're pregnant then so be it. Or even if you have to take a desk job at the office then that's it. And this is not up for discussion." A hint of finality in his voice making it clear that he as serious and she wasn't sure if she could state her opinion at the moment. "And if this is what you want to do in order to get a promotion then you can go without it."

Before she could answer the front door opened revealing her toddler and best friend

. "Mama! Ou-wie?" Phoebe noticed seeing the blood on her mother's shirt, as she ran over to her. "Yeah but it's gonna be fine. You can kiss it better." Alex smiled as her daughter hugged her.

"I wasn't sure what time you guys would be back. I won't mind having her over for a few nights. And I really hope you're done working Alex." Shelby said looking at her friend and the looks on her face and that on Ryan's made her think she interrupted a conversation. Ryan scoffed lightly and picked Phoebe up walking into the nursery with her. "Is everything okay?" Shelby asked when they were left alone and Alex shrugged.

"Ryan told me that I'm done working for the remainder of my pregnancy." She said irritated.

"Alex can you blame him? You have no idea how lucky you are that you haven't had a miscarriage yet. And it sees like you're only going to listen when that happens." Shelby said just as bluntly as Ryan was a few minutes ago.

Alex ran a hand through her hair and groaned. "I'm ging to lose my mind just sitting in this house for four months, Shell I love my job I can't..

"And we love you and that baby of yours. And the baby will need both his parents by e time he is born. So stop being so damn selfish and just put yourself first for once, the FBI is not going to run away." Shelby said seeing her friend blow out a slow breath and decided to leave it at that.

"Okay fine." Alex put her hands up in surrender and decided to leave it at that. Walking Shelby out and then deciding on lunch the next day, with the rest of the girls, and Phoebe.

Alex didn't bother with diner as they decided on take out for the night. here as a strange awkwardness and silence between the two grown ups, and only Phoebe talking r asking questions during dinner time was what kept their conversation revolving around their toddler.

"Dada baf." She said looking at her father, ketchup stained hands and then at her mother, and without confirmation she wiped her hands on her shirt leaving red traces all over the front, and Alex knew she didn't have much of a choice right now but to bath her little girl right now. She got up to discard their take out boxes and Ryan picked her up and walked upstairs towards their bathroom to give her a bath. He opened the tap and had to limit his daughter to the amount of bath toys she can take with her. He opened the door to get Phoebe's towel when he saw Alex on the bed with her back towards the bathroom door taking on the phone in a really hushed voice.

"I won't be at work frequently after what happened today, but I'm still going to need your help and my husband cannot find out about this." She warned whoever she was talking to on the other side. "I'll come by the office to get the results because I'm planning on going to him around lunch time." She continued. Ryan stood in the bathroom door not sure what he should make out with this one sided conversation but h was suspicious. And not in a good way. He walked back into the bathroom to finish Phoebe's bath routine trying to calm his raging emotions, but knowing that there isn't much he can do about it since he doesn't have adequate evidence.

Alex plugged her phone into the charger when Phoebe and Ryan emerged from the bathroom. Ryan laid her on the bed and dried her and left pyjamas duty to Alex as h walked downstairs to get her bottle. "You want to stay home with me tomorrow?" Alex asked and Phoebe nodded.

"Okay, and then we go out for lunch with all the aunts. You think that will be nice?" She asked as she tickled her once she was dressed and ready for bed. Ryan came back upstairs with Phoebe's bottle but something about him were different although Alex couldn't lay her finger on it exactly. Phoebe settled in the middle of their bed indicating that she's about to spend the night there and not planning on moving. Handing the bottle to Alex he walked over to the bathroom and opened the taps of the shower.

"What's going on Ryan? Is everything okay?" She questioned standing in the doorway looking at him as he nodded his head but the frown on his brow remained. "Everything's fine." He mumbled as he undressed and got into the steamy shower, leaving her standing on the opposite side of the glass – confused. She checked up on her sleeping daughter in the middle of their bed before going to the bathroom downstairs to take a shower and get cleaned up. When she emerged after about an hour she saw her husband sleeping on the couch, snoring softly.

Hey guys! A little something not much, but I'm finally on the plot line where I wanted to be, with some help from you guys, for about a month now. So I hopr you'll be enjoying the chapters that are about to follow. Thank you for al the love ad support that allowed us to gt to chaptr 180. It means a lot to me.

Lovies-S

Ps. couldn't update this week because we had guests over so I had to spend some time with them (although I'd much rather would've spent that time writing our story – but I'm back now. Xx)