"Mama mama mama!" The red haired tot rushes through the hall and into the kitchen still shouting despite having ran past her father and grandmother. Having ran into the kitchen and round before rushing back out she heads straight for Kate, full of attitude at not been able to find her mum. Staring up she crooks her head to one side and stamps her feet. "I want mama!" Smiling Kate kneels down to scoop the toddler up in her arms.
"She's getting dressed, what's the problem little miss attitude?" Kate's explanation did little to settle the tot as she instead began to fuss and shout in her arms.
"No! Mama! Mama!" Before Kate could try once more nor Charlie who had poked his head from the lounge Duffy appears at the bottom of the stairs, hands on her hips and eyebrows raised.
"What's the shouting for madam?" Seeing the youngster grin and hold her arms out she smiles and rolls her eyes before taking her from her mother. "Are you hungry? Hmm is that it?"
"Lisa you know you shouldn't be lifting her. She's too heavy." Tutting at her mothers complaint she quickly heads out the hall and towards the kitchen before Charlie could even consider agreeing with her. The way that two went on you'd be forgiven for thinking she was due soon, hardly! She was only 19 weeks for christ sake.
Swinging round to face her son in law Kate fixes him with a glare, one hand on her hip. "You need to talk to her about this."
Charlie flung back a worried glance, his eyes wide. "Me? What on earth makes you think she'll listen to me? All that will get me is a night on the couch."
Rolling her eyes, tutting loudly she shakes her head. "Coward!"
Smiling a typical Charlie smile he nods. "Too right am I!" Before his mother in law could pick at anything else he opts to go back to watching cartoons with his stepson. The peace wasn't to last as not 15 minutes later the sounds of Kates raised voiced filtered back into the lounge. Sighing he smiles at Peter.
"I think your mum isn't doing as she's told again Pete." Forcing himself off the couch, ruffling up the youngsters hair he heads back towards the kitchen to find out what was going on now.
Arriving in the kitchen he was met with his daughter all dressed to go out dancing around the room singing god knows what and Duffy stood with Coppers harness and lead, a frustrated look on her face as she continued to argue with her mother while Copper was already waiting excitedly at the backdoor.
"What is the yelling about?"
Before Duffy could even open her mouth Kate was in, her arms flung in the air in clear desperation. "She seriously thinks she's taking the kids and that big brute of a dog a walk!" Her frustration building she can't help herself but yell back, when was her mother going to realise she was an adult in her 30s and not some kid?
"Copper isn't a brute! I'd have more problems taking those tiny little yappy dogs you find so adorable a walk than him! Charlie for gods sake tell her."
Charlie couldn't help but gulp as his eyes set on both women staring expectedly at him, clearly both wanted backing up. The obvious answer was to agree with both and join his wife on the walk to settle her mums nerves but he has work in an hour. Rubbing the back of his neck he sighed, he should have stayed walking cartoons.
"Honestly Kate she'll be fine. She's actually safer with Copper, no one will go near her or the kids with him around."
"Oh I should have known you'd think more of your sex life than your wife's health. Pitiful!"
"Mother! Enough. Don't you have a meeting at the church to be going to?"
It took another hour before she managed to get out the house with both kids and the dog thanks to her mothers fussing, the kids being kids and sorting out Copper. Dressed in a flowy black spaghetti strap dress it wasn't the most ideal dress for the weather but at this point it was the only thing that still fit nicely, well in her head anyway. She was quickly regretting getting rid of all her maternity clothes but then she'd been so insistent that she wasn't going to do this again. Darn Charlie and his wandering hands. Having arrived at the park she calls after Peter reminding him not to go out of her sight before letting Charlotte out of the buggy leaving her to rush after her brother. Picking a close by bench she takes a seat, Copper obediently sat at her side watching the world go by. She wasn't sure how long she'd sat watching the kids play before a voice from behind her broke her focus.
"Fancy seeing you here." Recognising the voice Duffy's head swung round before letting out a sigh.
"Baz whatever you are about to say save it, I'm not interested." It was safe to say that neither woman seen eye to eye, especially after Duffy told her to back off and stay out of her marriage. Still it clearly wasn't enough to put Baz off completely.
"I was only passing and seen you. No agenda." Eying the dog Baz sensibly decides to sit on the other side of the bench despite Copper not having moved a muscle, too busy watching Peter and Charlotte.
Shifting to a more straight position she twists to face Baz. "What do you want?"
"Just a chat, woman to woman." Smiling Baz keeps her eyes on Duffy's, trying to work out her reactions.
"Fine. What have you and Charlie done now? I'm not even going to pretend you want to talk about anything else." Duffy's eyes were far more wandering, trying to keep an eye on the kids as well as listen to Baz despite preferring the idea of telling her to sod off.
"Nothing. It's got nothing to do with me and Charlie. I get that he's put his own spin on everything that happened and you believe him. That's fine."
"Baz, seriously I'm in no mood for your nonsense, take it somewhere else." Did she really have nothing better to do?! This was getting ridiculous.
"No listen to me. I know you think I'm just trying to ruin your marriage but I'm not! I made a mistake with Charlie, all those feelings for 86 just came rushing back. I never meant to hurt you. This isn't about that, I've heard things and I think you have a right to know."
"Oh what now?" Her tone was distant making it clear she really did care nor believe her.
"He has a bit of a reputation in the hope and anchor when you aren't there. We both know what his wandering eye and hands are like and multiple people have said it's not got any better with age or marriage. In fact they've said in the past few months he's got worse." As soon as the words were out of her mouth she lets her eyes cast downwards to Duffy's bump, her point made.
Before Duffy could answer, or really yell the chance was broken by Charlotte coming running forward and jumping into her mothers lap, her brother just behind her. Smiling sweetly at Baz for a brief second before cuddling into her mothers neck, clearly pretending to be shy. Smiling down at her daughter she's not given the chance to say a word before her eldest rushes over, he opens his mouth to say something but stops when he spots Baz.
"Hi." Clearly unsure of the new person he sticks beside Copper who was now licking his hands. "Who are you?"
"Hello. I'm Baz, I working with your mum and dad." Despite the sweet smile Baz offers Peter scrunches up his face.
"Mum doesn't work with dad."
"She means Charlie sweetie." Placing one hand carefully around her daughter and the other behind her Duffy forces herself to her feet, ignoring the complaints her back gives her for doing such a move.
"Oh!" Nodding now he begins to get more confident around this stranger. "Mum and Charlie are giving me a brother!" Now bent down placing Charlotte in her buggy Duffy's head springs up again but before she could deny that Baz answers, now feeling uncomfortable.
"Are they? Well that's exciting." Addressing Baz herself now she pushes herself back up, both hands now on her back.
"We don't know that." Looking down at her son she sighs. "I've told you already that you might get another sister."
"Nah I've got one of those thanks." Before his mum could argue he hands her the dogs lead and places his hands on his sisters buggy. "We going now?"
Flustered by everything Duffy fixes Baz with a glare. "I'll see you at work." Before finally escaping the other woman, now completely overwhelmed.