Chapter 125

Asher happened t be in one of his moods and they didn't really get much sleep, or more like Alex didn't get much sleep. There was only so much Ryan could do to occupy his son but in the end the little man would wanna nurse and with that he unfortunately can't help so Alex was up with him most of the night. Not to mention how uncomfortable it was sleeping because both of the grown ups were too scared to turn around in case they might just crush their baby boy.

In the morning when the first rays of sunshine had finally came through the window Asher fell asleep when it was actually time to get up. Ryan walked downstairs to get his daughter ready and take her out to the park, he wanted to take Asher with so Alex can get some sleep but there was no way that any of that would be possible so instead it was just him and Phoebe.

Ryan had fully anticipated the need to sneak out without waking Alex, he didn't expect to still be sneaking around after lunch time when they'd returned from playgroup to find the house silent, after putting Phoebe down in the lounge he'd crept up the stairs to find that Alex hadn't moved from the bed, still sleeping heavily. Asher in the crib next to Alex's side of the bed sleeping just aas soundly as his mother was. Back downstairs he took his duty to entertain Phoebe, quietly, very seriously. It wasn't particularly difficult given Phoebe's tranquil post-park- run-around state in the mid morning Saturday sun. Her lack of energy meant that sitting either end of the coffee table rolling toy cars back and forth was entertainment enough. After lunch she went down for her nap leaving Ryan alone in the quiet house. He tried to do the laundry but after bashing and crashing around the small room, unable to locate the fabric softener, he gave up. There was nothing of interest on the television so he made his way upstairs, convinced that joining them for an afternoon sleep was the best option. Alex started to stir the moment he sat on the edge of the bed.

"Hey" She smiled, looking across to see him bent over, hands working on the laces of his shoes.

"Hey sleepyhead" He whispered back, kicking off his shoes.

"What are you doing?" She asked softly, rolling onto her side to watch him. She'd expected him to be putting his shoes on not taking them off.

"If you can't beat 'em join 'em" He explained, relaxing back on the bed.

"But we always take Phoebe to the park on Saturday mornings" She reasoned with a yawn.

"It's almost two o'clock, we went to the park already, and she's sleeping downstairs." He informed seriously.

"What?!" She questioned immediately, then decided not to waste the energy because it simply wasn't possible to have slept through their departure and return. Let alone the entire morning.

"You've been sleeping" Ryan nodded as he caressed her cheek, running a fingertip along the line left by a crease in her pillowcase.

"But...really?" She asked scrunching up her face as she tried to process the possibility, his face certainly didn't suggest he was joking.

"Yeah, we tried to stay quiet for you" He smiled.

"Thank you" She nodded before reaching across for her phone. Convinced that he was in fact telling the truth she still felt unsettled by strange passage of time. "Where's Phoebe?"

"Napping, we did lots of running around " He explained with a smile.

"Oh. And Asher, what if I slept so heavily that I didn't even hear him cry?" She asked panicked as she looked at her son in the crib sleeping soundly his little hands clasped together. He puts up the biggest fight whenever his hands are closed with the blanket and he cannot move them around. His mother had no idea how they'd be able to keep his hands warm during the winter months.

"He is fine. He has a good pair of lungs that will wake the neighbours up if it comes down to it." Ryan smiled trying to reassure his wife that there is nothing wrong with her resting and sleeping past their so called curfew on the weekend.

"Thank you" She whispered, letting her eyelids flutter for a moment as she suddenly found herself struggling to stay awake.

"Just sleep" He replied, shifting so her head could rest on his shoulder. She nodded once then let out a deep breath as her entire body relaxed again. It was at least an hour before she woke again.

"I'm so hungry" Alex realised aloud, waking Ryan as she pushed herself up and out of his embrace.

"I'll make you some lunch" He volunteered as he sat up behind her, having only been dozing.

"I need food. Now" She replied urgently as she stood and crossed to the door, she didn't care what she ate, anything would do. There were too many choices in the kitchen so she found herself standing in the cold draft of the open fridge, eating whatever she could get her hands on.

"Hey buddy" Ryan smiled when he picked Asher up as his big curious blue eyes searched the room. "You not happy to see me huh?" Ryan asked as it seemed like he was looking for someone else and not for his father but he didn't have much of a choice but keep his father company at the moment. Ryan changed his diaper before carrying him downstairs to see what food Alex found toeat and if Phoebe had woken up yet.

"I'll make you proper food" Ryan offered when he arrived after her, shutting the fridge just as it started to beep from being left open. Alex continued to eat a slice of apple pie and some celery while watching him put together a sandwich as the exchanged the baby between them, and she held him so Asher could see what his father was doing.

"Your father is pretending as if he knows what h is doing, when actually a sandwich is the only thing he can make that won't flop." Alex said laughing at the look on her husband's face.

"Don't listen to this negativity buddy, I make a mean sandwich." Ryan defended himself as he handed her the sandwich from across the counter. "Thank you" She mumbled through a mouthful. Then he made his way towards the nursery, having caught sight of Phoebe playing quietly in her room .

"Mama's waiting in the kitchen" Ryan explained to her, she launched into his arms, eager to see her mother at last.

"Mamamamamama" Phoebe chanted until she was seated on Alex's lap, the sandwich long gone.

"Do you want more?" He asked as he picked up the plate.

"No, I'm good. Sorry" She apologised, not sure he understood just how forceful her hunger had been. Missing breakfast and lunch when nursing is no joke. She went through thee sequel of The Hunger Games- food edition. Moving Asher comfortably as she made way so her daughter can sit with her on the couch.

"I probably should have woken you for lunch" Ryan replied before taking the plate to the kitchen. It wasn't at all his fault but she didn't get the chance to argue the point. By the time he returned she was playing with Phoebe Asher laying on the couch sleeping soundly once again. After going upstairs to shower and dress she insisted they take a walk around the block, feeling especially lazy. Phoebe walked most of the first block, Alex decided she wasn't ready for them to go home and crossed the road to keep walking. Ryan picked Phoebe up, her legs so much smaller than theirs, and swung her onto his shoulders before rushing to catch up with Alex who walked with the stroller on little Asher's first trip around the block.

"I'm sorry I wasted our day" Alex apologised lacing their fingers together momentarily.

"You didn't waste it" He disagreed, releasing her hand for a moment as he repositioned Phoebe on his shoulders, carefully placing his other hand on her back so she couldn't fall.

"I pretty much did but that nap was so amazing" She laughed slightly.

"Alexandra you better not be walking past my bakery and not come greet me." A familiar voice sounded when the passed the bakery they always get treats at – which is most of the time because baking isn't one of Alex's best qualities.

They stopped and saw Clare coming out of the store hugging Alex and Ryan, and fist bumping Phoebe before she peeked into the stroller to look at Asher. "Wooow, you look just like your father big guy." Clare beamed and looked at Alex as she cleared her throat. "The last time I saw you you came into the store with cravings that was beyond weird." Clare laughed.

"Please don't remind me." Alex smiled.

"And something sweet for my favourite girl on the block." Clare smiled and handed phoebe a chocolate.

"Fank you." Phoebe smiled as she accepted her gift and the family of four walked off with the promise that they will come around soon, and that Alex will share the rollercoaster birth this time around with Clare.

"It's okay for you to slow down" He added, hoping she'd continue to agree with him.

"But I don't want to, I like going out and doing things with Phoebe" She argued, getting a sigh in response. "I don't want her to think we've forgotten about her just because Asher is there now."

"I know you do but it's okay not to have a scheduled activity every day of the week" He suggested gently.

"I'm pretty sure Spanish is cancelled indefinitely so I have nothing on Wednesday's" She explained laughing at the bizarre idea of taking an almost two year old to language classes, although she has to admit the thought crossed her mind a few times,

"Okay, you're not allowed to leave the house on Wednesday's" He nodded, pleased to have reached a consensus.

"Um...I agree with what you're saying but I don't like the precedent this sets. I'll divorce you here and now if you try to tell me when I can and can't leave the house" She replied deadly seriously. Regret instantly hit her but she stood firmly by what she'd said.

"I'm sorry" He managed, stopping walking to look at her. "That's not what I'm trying to do. I just want you to listen to your body and not over exert yourself" He defended.

"I am! It's my body" She argued, feeling like they weren't making any progress.

"You know what I'm trying to say" He complained with an exasperated sigh.

"What did I ask you to do when I was pregnant with Phoebe?" She asked after a moment.

"Trust you?" He shrugged, she'd asked him to do a lot of things but he figured this most likely what she was referring to.

"Exactly, and we have a beautiful, healthy daughter" She reminded.

"Fine, do what ever you like" He conceded.

"I'll take her to day care on Wednesday's" She said as she started walking, pulling him along by their still joined hands.

"Okay" He agreed hesitantly.

"Anything else you want?" She asked lightly, flashing him a grin as she reached up to put Phoebe's hat back on her head.

"No" Ryan said quickly. "Thank you" He added.

"I love you" Alex assured.

"I trust you, completely and totally" He replied. The timing was perfect as they'd just reached their driveway, having walked four blocks. Ryan and Alex talked on and off while Phoebe watched the newest addition to their DVD collection: Law & Order. Then they had dinner and played with Phoebe until she was tired. Ryan was happy to bathe her and get her into bed, it was one of the things he missed the most when at work. Then he settled on the couch with Alex to watch her favourite medical drama, a completely unrealistic portrayal of life as a doctor in outback Australia. While Asher nursed, and once he was burped she handed him to his father and settled back against the cusions on the couch making herself comfortable, while Ryan had a one sided conversation with their son about how boring the show is Alex is making them watch.

Okay it's been a while, so here is a new one. A few questions that I need answers to before I continue with the next few chapters.

*Do you guys want me to write in Phoebe's 2nd birthday?

*I had a draft with Luca relapsing that I didn't want to post mainly because I wasn'tt sure if it was good enough.

*Also because I didn't write Father's day in I wanted to write something for Ryan's birthday?

Let me know how you guys feel about these suggestions. Thank you for reading and the new followers.

Lovies-S