After they day the had Alex wasn't particularly happy that she went back to work because she expected a little bit more action, not bring negative news to a family. However, on the brought side it was good to see familiar faces again, and she made sure that from now on she would want to spend some more time with her friends outside office hours.

Ryan was surprised by the letter he got on his table when he returned, seeing his name on the envelope in his wife's handwriting:

Hey,

Hope this is okay. Surprise pre- birthday date night? Try to be home by 7. The twins is going to watch the kids.

Can't wait to see you, and don't work too hard.

A.

"Phoebe, I'm just going to put Asher upstairs" Alex informed softly as she stood from the couch, the baby's eyelids fluttering at the movement.

"Ashie sleepsy?" Phoebe enquired as she spun around, still grasping one of her new pastel coloured ponies in her hand. The toddler had carried half a dozen of the small plastic creatures about with her all day, her teacher informed Alex when she went to go pick her up at daycare. To the table for lunch and to bed for her nap.

"Yeah, he's very sleepy" Alex answered, again encouraging the toddler to lower her volume by speaking quietly, she really didn't want Phoebe to wake the baby.

"You 'got Andy!" Phoebe screeched just as Alex reached the first step, tensing at the loud noise and just waiting for Asher to stir.

"Shh Phoebe" She reminded, watching through the doorway as the toddler rushed to scoop up her ponies and retrieve her little brother's stuffed elephant. It was quite comical to watch, Phoebe's overloaded little arms dropping a pony with every step she took, only one remaining by the time she held out the elephant to her mother.

"Here go Ashie" Phoebe did her best to whisper, only slightly louder than her usual speaking volume. It was better than yelling, especially at that proximity

"Thank you bub" Alex acknowledged with a smile as she accepted the toy before continuing up the stairs.

"Mama?" The toddler called a moment later, having gathered up all of her ponies and lined them up on the bottom stair tread.

"Yeah?" She questioned as she stopped, halfway up the stairs, and turned to look at the toddler.

"I kisses Ashie night night!" Phoebe announced dramatically.

"Come on then" Alex encouraged calmly, giving up on trying to quiet the toddler. In fact she had pretty much given up on getting Asher to his crib undisturbed, bending so that the well-meaning toddler could kiss her baby brother on the cheek. "You coming?" She asked as she straightened, at least that way she could keep an eye on her eldest.

"I gots-ta ponies Mama" Phoebe decided after a moment, scrambling back down the stairs just as quickly, eager to get back to her new toys.

"I'll be back in a minute then" She explained before continuing on her way. Asher stirred slightly as he was set down, quickly settled by Andy and a firmly tucked blanket along with his mother's soft humming. Relief washing over Alex as the baby sighed deeply and kept sleeping peacefully. Laying him down felt like a ticking time bomb because you never knew when he was laid down if he will continue sleep or will start crying.

"Mama!" Phoebe shouted urgently from what Alex knew was about halfway up the stairs. Alex could imagine the toddler dropping her ponies and having to stop and pick them up repeatedly.

"It's okay Phoebe" Alex called back only once she'd moved well away from the crib, projecting her voice through the door, especially conscious of the sleeping baby. Before the toddler could reply the doorbell chimed loudly, eliciting a startled cry from Asher as he jerked awake. Alex sighing loudly in the hallway, leaving Asher to cry momentarily as she went to check on the door. But turned around to get the crying Asher before she went downstairs to check on who was at the door.

"Just wait Phoebe" She instructed before scooping up the screaming baby, trying to calm him. They weren't expecting anyone besides Ryan who was working late but he wouldn't ring the doorbell as he would have a key. And if it was him she would hand him his son regardless of how tired he was so he can calm him down.

"I'm on my way" Alex confirmed as she carefully skipped the step lined with ponies, the frosted glass in their front door preventing her from identifying the visitor.

"Who der'?" Phoebe questioned curiously as her mother reached the bottom of the stairs, Asher wailing intermittently as he was bounced and shushed.

"I don't know" Alex answered, gently moving the toddler out of the way so that she could open the door and see who it was.

"I don't know what happened to my key." Ryan said when he saw his wife's questioning look that soon turned into what looked like frustration as she tried to calm down their son who kept crying. "What's wrong buddy?" Ryan asked retrieving the wailing baby from his wife as he kissed her in the process. "Dada!" Phoebe shrieked, slipping between her mother and the door before squeezing through the opening and throwing herself at her father. Little arms tightening around Ryan's knees as the toddler grinned up at him admiringly.

"Pheebs. How are you?" He questioned as he lifted the toddler to his hip while carrying Asher in the other arm making it look as if it was no trouble at all.

"He woke up because of the doorbell." Alex said walking to the stove to check on the food she was making.

"I goodly. You waked yo son!" The toddler year said with a frown pointing to her brother who occupied her father's other arm. He placed Phoebe on the ground next to her lined up ponies.

" I'm sorry" Ryan apologised, taking in the baby's scrunched and blotchy red face as Asher let out another high-pitched cry.

"It's okay. I'll take him back upstairs." Alex shrugged, she could hardly say otherwise, neglecting her husband who returned home from work just now and not asking him what his day was like. Asher had just calmed down when the doorbell rung again and Alex let out a frustrated sigh while Ryan went to check on the door, as his wife walked up the stairs with the crying baby.

Ryan greeted the Amin twins, and told them Alex was upstairs. Phoebe disappeared into her room with her bunch of ponies. They found her sitting on the bed nursing Asher her head resting against the headboard. "Your baby sitters have arrived." Nimah announced and Alex looked up to the door.

"Uh-" Alex managed, highly confused but quite certain she hadn't asked them to babysit.

"You planned a night out for you and Ryan tonight and asked me to babysit." Raina said.

"I forgot. Let me just settle him down then we'll go." Alex said looking as her son calmed down and his eyelids getting heavier. "I'll organise their dinner when I'm done" Alex added, she was running late. Starting to think she had lost her touch with these date nights but it's not as easy as it used to be.

"We got this. Go." Nimah said looking at her friend who was still dressed in work clothes. Alex combed her hair into a neat slick ponytail and put on some perfume looking at her friends for the nod of approval before she went downstairs to get her husband so they can go on date night. Telling them there is pumped breastmilk for Asher when he gets hungry and food for Phoebe they should just heat up the twins ensured her that they were fine and they need to get going.

Phoebe was engrossed in the movie and completely unfazed by her parents imminent departure, barely tearing her eyes from the screen for a quick goodbye kiss. The unanticipated task that really caused Alex to be late was finding a pair of shoes that suited her outfit, settling on a moderately comfortable pair of plain black suede heels. Finally grabbing her coat and purse she made it out the front door at 7:09pm. Her husband still confused about what was going on but he decided to go with it.

Out of habit Ryan walked over to the drivers said but Alex told him the roles are changing and he should ride shotgun.

As he rounded the front of the car she had the chance to take in what he was wearing, dark formal pants and a dark dusty blue-grey button down she was sure had never seen before, sleeves rolled just enough to reveal his muscular forearms. Her husband was handsome.

"So, where are we going?" He questioned curiously as she started the car, hopeful for but not expecting an honest answer.

"You'll see" She answered mysteriously, his eyes automatically flicking down to another FBI envelope she'd shoved into the cup holder. Alex followed his gaze,seeing his name written across the envelope and he reached for it. He had barely lifted it, noting that it was thicker than the first, when his wife spoke.

"That's for later" She informed softly but firmly.

"Okay. I don't know what you're up to but this dark and mysterious Alex is doing things to me." Ryan smiled looking at her. After all these years they've been together he still managed to make her blush. Gripping her hand until they stopped at a red light. "You look gorgeous by the way" He added.

"Thank you" She accepted, unable to stop herself smiling at the compliment. Lacing their fingers together subconsciously as Alex drove them to their destination.

Hey guys. I'm sorry for yesterday's chapter I felt it wasn't up to standard for what I usually write. I know I promised an ongoing case I first want to get Ryan's birthday surprise out of the way before I focus on the case again. Also you guys asked that it is a romantic get away for just the two of them but I really want to add more characters to it. Mostly family members. So let me know if you'll be satisfied with that idea. Hope you enjoy this one. Also this chapter was written in a rush so I hope it makes sense.

Lovies-S