When Ryan had told her not to pack everything they owned during their early morning phone conversation Alex had laughed, something she had since come to regret. Standing in their entry way, looking at the already substantial accumulation, she realised her definition of 'bare essentials' had changed dramatically.

There had been a point in her life when everything she owned fit in a backpack, a few prized possessions she carried with her wherever she went. She supposed it was reasonable enough that with two children and a husband to accommodate their necessities would take up more space. It was barely past midday though and the 'few bits and pieces' she'd set aside throughout the morning was actually a lot. So much that she genuinely didn't think it would all fit in their car.

The pram and portable crib were the bulkiest items but they definitely couldn't go without them, though Alex had briefly considered using the pram as a makeshift crib. If it was only one night she would have made it work but for two nights and with Asher's recent difficulty napping during the day she didn't want to risk it..

The smallest family mAsher required the most stuff and even though Alex had analysed everything critically there was plenty on the pile for Phoebe too. A pop-up beach tent that had never folded back to its original size, a kickboard and full bag of beach toys would undoubtedly make the weekend more enjoyable for the toddler. There was barely anything for herself or her husband, a picnic blanket, umbrella, two camp chairs and a fishing rod Ryan had set out the night before. She really couldn't imagine him fishing.

Alex was more than capable of imagining the look on her husband's face when he walked in the door later that evening. Disbelief, confusion, concern, frustration and hopefully some amusement would dance across his features. And that was if he saw the pile as it was, she had yet to pack clothes, shoes, food or a single diaper.

That was what she was supposed to be doing with the girls miraculously napping at the same time. She got as far as putting a duffle bag out on the bed before Asher began to stir, smiling thankfully at the baby even as he began to cry. Deep down she knew putting it off would only make it harder and more stressful but in that moment she honestly didn't care.

"Don't open that!" Alex shouted urgently as soon as she realised what her husband was doing, his hand poised to open the trunk of the car.

"Too late" Ryan offered apologetically as he gave a shove to try to get it shut again, she had no idea that he'd spent the last few minutes trying to get everything that had fallen out back in. Alex had dashed back inside to change Asher's diaper after a smelly situation had delayed their departure.

Ryan had made a terrible mistake while she was otherwise occupied, trying to be helpful when he noticed the overstuffed diaper bag taking up room in the passenger foot well. Believing his wife would be more comfortable on the four hour drive if she had more foot room he had the genius plan to stow the bag in the trunk. The darkness and tinted windows meant he hadn't been able to see that it was already at full capacity until things were falling on him from every direction.

"I'm sorry" Alex apologised as she neared, handing him the baby so that she could take over.

She had tried to be sneaky, leaving two bags inside but piling everything else behind the car where he wouldn't see it when he got home from work. It had taken some of her best convincing to get him to feed, bathe and entertain the girls while she packed the car. It had felt wrong, almost like lying, but she was still embarrassed by the sheer quantity of stuff they needed for a weekend.

"You do know we're coming back right?" Ryan teased, astounded at the ease with which she managed to shove her arm into the tiny gap and rearrange whatever it was preventing the trunk from closing.

"Shut up" She grumbled, only somewhat playfully. "Better safe than sorry.:" In less than a minute she had the trunk shut, scooping the diaper bag up off the pavement with every intention of returning it to its original position. Once their kids were strapped in car seats in the back Alex chose to ride shot gun after putting the co-ordinates in the GPS so they can be on their way to the unknown destination that she wanted to surprise her husband with.

Once the kids dosed off to sleep about half an hour into their trip Ryan wondered if now was the right time to mention something to his wife that he has been thinking about. "Can I ask you something?" He asked and looked over to her quickly to see her nod her head before fixing his eyes on the road once again, blowing out a steady breath before starting his question.

"If we weren't in the situation we were in would you have gone back to work so soon?" He asked and looked back at her but she had her gaze fixed on the road ahead.

"Probably not." She said looking over at him. "Why are you asking?"

He just shrugged and followed the GPS instruction to take a left turn at one of the intersections.

"We might have to sell one of the cars. Not might, we have to." He added without looking at her and she nodded silently. "Don't sit there and not say anything when I know you're angry at me." He said when he got no response from his wife, looking in the rear view mirror at Asher as he heard him moan a bit but managed to soothe himself again and continued sleeping.

"I'm not angry at you Ryan. It's just a lot to process at once. We need to sit down and talk about this." She answered honestly not wanting to guilt trip her husband into thinking that all of this is his fault.

"There's a gas station in a few miles" He suggested softly, breaking the silence that had descended over the occupants in turn. Phoebe had drifted off to sleep first, having exhausted herself in excitement even though her parents hadn't told her where they were going. Asher had stopped cooing and babbling shortly after.

"Mmm" She hummed,

"We should stop, fill up before the prices get ridiculous, stretch our legs… use the restroom" Ryan listed extensively as he tried to subtly promote a pit stop.

"You need to go?"

"Not desperately… but yeah" He answered weakly, if all else failed he wasn't above pretending he needed to take a leak. Even if it was just to get out of the car with the heavy atmosphere for a few minutes.

"Okay, we'll stop" Alex conceded after a moment, bringing one hand up to rub at her eyes, seemingly all of a sudden itchy and heavy lidded.

"Thank you" He replied happily. Her decision had come just in time too, the bright gas station sign appearing on the horizon.

They didn't stop for very long. Ryan pumped gas while Alex headed inside, taking her time choosing a packet of candy that she knew he liked. Pleased with herself she returned to the car, staying with their sleeping children while Ryan paid for the gas and went to the bathroom.

He slid into the driver's seat, placing a single piece of the candy on the dashboard as a peace offering before starting the car and driving right up to the door to pick her up. Alex emerged a few moments later, getting into the car wordlessly she popped the sweet treat into her mouth and did up her seatbelt. As they continued the silent car ride. "You okay?" He asked.

"Hmph" She scoffed, frowning even as she complied, crossing her legs and letting her head rest against the cool leather. Ryan waited a moment before snaking his hand across, placing it on her knee to start with before beginning to massage and knead her thigh. In the light cast by the last streetlight on the outskirts of the town he looked across and saw that she had fallen asleep.

"Alex. Sweetheart. We're here" He put to her more insistently, rubbing at her leg before leaning across her to undo her seatbelt. She responded then, scrunching her face and groaning hoarsely as she tried to move away, back to sleep. As she shifted she became aware of how little space she had and also how stiff her neck and shoulders had become. "You can stretch out in bed" He encouraged, lifting her legs he turned her whole body towards the door.

"Yeah" Alex murmured, nodding once before inhaling deeply and opening her eyes. It was overwhelmingly dark and bright all at once, the light at the front of the cabin blinding beneath the cloudy, moonless sky. Allowing her husband to help her out of the car and support her weight as she found her feet she did her best to survey their surroundings, though the mixed lighting made it difficult.

The cabin looked like it had been taken straight out of a storybook, complete with white trim around the windows and door and warm yellow light spilling out through sheer curtains. A smattering of trees dwarfed the structure and made it feel particularly secluded. Even in the darkness Alex could see the break in shrubbery that led down to the lake, a dirt trail worn over many years. Already she could imagine Phoebe rushing towards the water, eyes wide with wonder.

Ryan extracted the diaper bag before closing the car door, turning to see his wife standing and looking, staring intently into the distance. The look on his face, a dreamy half-smile, sent a rush of relief through her. "You like it?" She asked walking around the car to join him.

"I love it. Thank you." He smiled kissing the side of her head.

He could tell she was imagining the fun they were going to have, their little family in nature. He had known all along that she would feel it too, once she got there, the magic of their surroundings. Trees brought alive by a light, warm breeze.

"Where are the kids?" Alex asked, voice slightly panicked.

"Inside already" He answered quickly, taking her hand to calm her. "Come on."

The cabin was far nicer than Alex had expected, tastefully furnished, neat, cosy and intensely homey. A large fireplace to the left, a comfy brown leather couch, piled with cushions and a handmade blanket, to the right and a country-style kitchen with white cabinetry and wooden benchtops before them as they entered.

"They're in the first bedroom" Ryan explained, gesturing to the ajar door behind the couch.

Alex nodded in acknowledgement, toeing off her shoes before crossing the soft, intricately patterned rug, deep reds and burnt oranges making the room feel warm and cosy. The door creaked slightly as she pushed it open, light from the main room illuminating a simple single bed and its little occupant, Phoebe sleeping peacefully under the crisp white covers.

Beside the bed stood a vintage dressing table, carved drawer faces matching the ornate edge of the oval mirror atop it. In quite the contrast, the portable crib filled the remaining space in the room, grey synthetic fabric, white mesh and black plastic corner caps on the aluminium frame, sturdy and functional. Asher was sound asleep in his sleeping bag, arms raised either side of his head, little fists scrunched tightly.

After placing a light kiss on Phoebe's cheek Alex moved to do the same for Asher, kissing his fingertips before reaching into the crib to press them to the baby's perfectly smooth skin. Reassured that they were content but unconvinced that putting Asher in the bedroom with Phoebe would result in a restful night Alex decided to leave exploring the cabin until morning. She found the bathroom behind the next door, her toiletries bag waiting beside the basin, Alex readied herself for bed.

The short corridor opened into a bigger bedroom, the king sized bed only slightly too big for the room. It looked inviting though, with plump pillows in the same rich earthy colours that accented the rest of the cabin. Ryan was digging through a bag in the corner, the lack of space making it difficult for him to find whatever he was looking for.

"I'll have your shirt" Alex stated, smiling hopefully as if it had been a request when her husband straightened and looked at her.

"You shouldn't have let me pack my own clothes" Ryan replied after pulling his shirt over his head and handing it to her. He had been so eager to leave their house that he had tossed whatever his hand landed on into the bag, failing to think of anything specific he would need, like pyjama pants.

"Just wear your boxers, we'll sort it out in the morning" She suggested, a straightforward solution to a simple problem. Alex stripped off her clothing while Ryan pondered her response, or pretended to, panties and her husband's shirt better than any purpose made pyjamas.

"We have better things to do in the morning" He reminded, removing his jeans before collecting up their discarded clothing. Adding it to the pile of bags in the corner, making sure he could still get through to the bathroom. Alex considered her options briefly then added the excess pillows to the top of the pile, settled in bed with the lights out when her husband returned.

"Goodnight" Alex whispered, feeling the mattress dip as Ryan climbed in beside her.

"Night babe" He returned, reaching out to find her hand. Holding hands wasn't enough though, Alex moving until their bodies were pressed together, her head resting on his chest, an arm and a leg draped over his, a loving embrace. If it wasn't for the steady beat of his heart it would have taken her much longer to fall asleep, excited and scared as she was for their weekend to officially begin.

Hey guys, not too much happening in this chapter only a boring car trip. The real heavy talk is uo in the next chapter, and the birthday in the one following. Is there anything in particular that you guys want to see happen (besides the alone time and "birthday present"). Like what they should talk about or any alternatives you want to see happen. I mentioned that the family will also join but it will only be for the day maybe and they might not be spending the whole weekend with them I still need to figure that part out. I wanted to have Shelby, Nimah ad Natalie and their partners join as well as Ryan's family. Let me know how you feel about it. I am in the middle of exam preparations so I want to give you guys about two days to get back to me on some suggestions what you'd want to see happen before I update again so I can incorporate your feedback. Let me know what you think and hit me up with your suggestions.

Lovies-S