I'm looking for inspiration to take this story forward, I have about 3 more chapters so far, then I'm not sure if I should mark as complete or go on with the story. A time jump would be possible, not sure how many years though, this is my first story after all. I hope people that read/review are liking so far, I shall come up with ideas and maybe receive a few as well that would help me to keep going, thank you!

We have had such a nice and relaxing time over the festive period, a quiet Christmas day just the three of us, family and friends over for Boxing Day and on new year's eve we went over to Amelia and Greg – they have an annual party and everyone was there, as usual.

Today though, is the day I've been dreading for just over six weeks' now, it's my first day back at work, meaning I need to leave Bridget and little Olivia on their own – also a first. I'm sure Bridget will be fine, Olivia is usually a very good baby, I guess I'm just not ready to leave them yet, I don't want to miss anything at all. I got up an hour ago – at 6am and fed and changed Olivia, she's still in our room for now, not sure when we'll move her into the crib in her own room yet. Bridget is still sleeping as I get ready and it looks like Olivia has dozed off again as well. I need to leave in half an hour so that gives me just enough time to grab some coffee and breakfast.

I walk back in to the bedroom twenty minutes later, it's almost 7.30am and I need to be in early this morning for a board meeting.

"Franky?" I hear Bridget whisper as she rolls over, arm outstretched to my side of the bed, clearly trying to feel for me. I sit down next to her on her side of the bed and wipe some hair from her face.

"Hi baby, I need to leave for work in a few minutes, I fed and changed Olivia about 45 minutes ago so try and get some more sleep, okay?" I lean down and give her forehead a kiss, her eyes open and she gazes up at me.

"We'll miss you today, thanks for getting her this morning and letting me sleep."

"I'll miss the two of you as well, so much. No problem, I know you've been tired – she will probably be out for another hour or so, go back to sleep. I love you and I'll see you around 6pm, okay?" Bridget smiles and pulls me down to her lips.

"Don't work too hard darling, I love you too, we will both be eagerly awaiting you tonight." With one final kiss I stand up and move to the Moses basket where Olivia is asleep.

"Be good for your mummy today baby girl, I love you and will be home later tonight." I lean down and kiss her crown, careful not to disturb her since she looks so peaceful. With one final look at my now sleeping wife, I pick up my briefcase and head out the door.

I arrive at work just after 8am, the meeting is at 8.30am so this will give me a bit of time to catch up with people and be informed of any big cases we have.

"Franky, nice to have you back! You ready to get back into it?" Marcus asks as he catches up with me and walks by my side.

"Hey Marcus, thanks. Not really, it was hard leaving my girls this morning – I'm sure you know what I mean." I smile at him and he returns a sympathetic smile of his own.

"After the first arrived – that's exactly how I felt – now though, work is respite away from the craziness!" I laugh as he says this.

"Fair enough, this is it for Bridget and I though, we're lucky to even have Olivia. Oh, I understand Bridget organised for me to have two days off, the 14th and 17th, yeah?"

"That's right – she's quite the planner! That'll be nice having a little break away, just the two of you."

"Ha, she is that! Hm, don't get me wrong, I'm excited about the trip, just apprehensive about leaving Olivia, I mean, she'll be nine weeks by then and Bridget's parents and our friends are looking after her so she'll be fine – it's just the thought of being separated."

"Well, if there's one thing I've learned since becoming a dad Franky, it's that what you're feeling – that worry about being separated, it never really goes away, hate to break it to you, doesn't matter what age they are. It's hard, but ultimately inevitable."

"I guess that's true, I know Bridget feels the same way but she wanted to do something special for our anniversary – however, I did notice that our return flight is changeable, so she's clearly thinking ahead just in case we are needed back early." Marcus can't help but laugh at this.

"Why am I not surprised to hear that? Just go and have fun, you can call and text each day to see how she's doing – it'll be fine."

"You're right, I know you are I'm just being the paranoid parent! Anyway, enough chat – we have a meeting to get to!" we continue to walk until we reach the meeting room. 'Here goes nothing...' I think as we step inside.

Bridget POV

The house is quiet this afternoon as Olivia has her nap, normally Franky would be keeping me entertained with stupid stories and jokes, I never thought I'd miss her this much – especially after only six hours or so. I haven't been out the house with Olivia on my own before either, it's not that I'm nervous – she just has a lot of stuff and it will probably take me an hour to get prepared. Maybe a walk to the shops would do us good though, it's a sunny afternoon, we would get some fresh air - yeah when Olivia wakes up from her nap I think we'll head out.

"Hi baby girl, did you have a good nap? We're going to go on a little adventure to the shops – now do you want to go in your stroller or Baby Bjorn? Huh? Yes, I think you want to be close to mummy, don't you Olivia?" It's not as if I'm expecting a reply, I just like to interact with her.

"Okay, let mummy just strap the carrier on then we can get you in it and comfy, okay?" Olivia just makes little gurgling noises.

"I'll take that as a yes then!" Hmm, Franky normally helps me put this on, it's not overly complicated, just awkward really.

"Okay that seems to be it on now, let's get you settled Olivia." I say as I pick her up out of the Moses basket and very gently put her legs and arms in the right places, while also being careful with her head.

"There you go, all cosy cuddled up with mummy." I coo down at my daughter before picking up her nappy bag and heading out.

I walk down the street with Olivia attached to my chest, she is fast asleep again. I have decided I am going to make Franky dinner tonight so will pick up the ingredients needed at the grocery store. I grab a trolley as I enter, putting the nappy bag in it to avoid carrying it anymore – it's a lot heavier than most people would assume.

"Okay Olivia, what should we make your mummy for dinner tonight? Hmm let's see – maybe I'll make my chicken casserole, she does say that is her favourite." Olivia just makes little noises as she starts to wake up.

"Glad you agree baby, I'll even let you sit in your bouncer while I make it – I know how much you enjoy that."

Suddenly, there's some sort of commotion from the front of the shop, I hear someone yell and then a woman scream. I have no idea what is happening and I stand frozen in the fruit and veg aisle, clutching tighter on to my daughter.

"Excuse me, ma'am? Can I get you to come with me to the back of the store, it's not safe here." A young man, in his mid-twenties with an employee uniform on, says in a hushed tone, approaching me with a small amount of other shoppers. I blindly start to follow them.

"What's happening? Where are we going?" I ask, beginning to panic.

"I'm not 100% sure what is going on at the front of the store, but I think someone is trying to hold-up the place, I seen as guy with a knife – he was threatening my manager. I'm taking all of you back to the offices – it's secure entry so you should be safe in there until help arrives."

"Oh god – I hope no one is hurt."

"Right, everyone in here, don't open the door for anyone not in employee or law enforcement uniform, okay?" The young assistant says, as he starts to make his way back out of the office.

"Where are you going? You can't go out there if he has a knife! You could get hurt!" I say, trying to talk sense into him.

"Don't worry, I'm in the police academy, just about to graduate, I know what I'm doing – I need to get out there and help anyone who might be in danger. As long as all of you are safe in here, that's what matters, please stay put and let me do what I've been trained to do, okay?"

"Right, okay, just please don't do anything stupid, and thank you for protecting us." He smiles at me as he heads back out.

Twenty minutes pass as myself, Olivia and a few other customers sit on the floor of the office – waiting to be told it is safe and we can leave.

"Calm down Olivia, it's okay, we'll be out soon baby." I coo as Olivia cries, I have removed her from the carrier and now have her cradled in my arms.

"I'm sorry, mummy left your bag in the trolley, we'll get you changed soon though sweetie."

"How old is she?" a woman sat next to me asks.

"She's just over six weeks now." I reply politely.

"Ah yes I remember mine at that age, 21 now, enjoy her being little while you can, time sure does fly by!"

"Yes, so I've heard. Oh Olivia, everything will be fine, we'll be out of here soon, I'm sure of it." Just as I say this we hear sirens approaching the store, I let out a sigh in relief. That's when I also hear my phone start to ring. Shit, it's Franky.

"Hey baby." I say as calmly as possible into the phone.

"Hi Gidge, where are you? I tried phoning the house but there was no answer." I can't exactly lie to her; she would be so mad if I did that.

"Umm, Franky I need to you listen carefully to me okay? Please don't freak out, we're both absolutely fine. I went to the grocery store and while we were walking around I heard a commotion – turns out some guy is demanding money and threatening people. We're safe though, in the back office. Police are here now, not sure if they have him yet or not though."

"What?! Oh my god! Right, I'm leaving now, I'll be down in ten minutes okay? Everything will be fine baby, kiss Olivia for me. I love you."

"Okay baby, I love you too – Olivia won't stop crying, she needs changed and I don't have her bag. Oh wait, someone is at the door. Who is it?" I say, holding my breath, waiting for a reply.

"I'm officer Kennedy, the suspect has been apprehended, it's safe to get you folks out of here now."

"Gidge, ask to see a badge before you open the door."

"Okay Franky, yeah will do. Officer – can I see your badge first please?" He puts it up to the door – looks legit to me.

"Okay, I'm going to open the door now." I open it and more police have now joined officer Kennedy, ready to escort us out.

"Franky, we're getting taken out now, I'll see you out the front."

"Okay, see you in a few minutes, love you." With that, she hangs up, I manage to grab Olivia's bag from the trolley as we pass it, at least I'll now be able to change her.

"What happened Officer Kennedy?"

"Well, one suspect – armed with a chef's knife, demanding money from the register, became aggressive and tried to lunge for the manager, however, another employee managed to jump on him and tackle the knife away – sustaining a knife wound to his shoulder while doing so, but when we arrived the young guy had the assailant pinned to the floor so we then arrested him."

"Wow, is the employee going to be okay?"

"Yeah, just a flesh wound – he was lucky, he's training in the academy to become a cop – put the skills he'd learned to good use."

"That's the same guy that got us to safety in the back office – I don't know what we would have done without him."

Finally, outside, I spot Franky right away and she rushes over to us, immediately kissing me and then taking Olivia in to her own arms and kissing her too.

"That phone call had me so worried! I'm so glad you're both okay, god, I don't think I've ever driven as fast!"

"I know, I was terrified, this kid working here basically saved us though, made sure we were safe in the back office then went and managed to tackle the suspect who had the knife. Poor kid got stabbed in the shoulder."

"Shit – I hope he's going to be okay, I owe him one that's for sure. God, I'm just so glad you're both okay, let's go home now – we can just order in some food tonight!" Franky says and I couldn't agree more.

Once back home, the reality of the day's events hit me hard and I cuddle up with Franky on the sofa as I cry, she's holding Olivia who is completely unaware of everything that's happened, thankfully.

"I can't believe the first time I take her out by myself, something like this happens – I know we were never really directly threatened, but being in that small office, I was so scared he would come find us, if anything ever happened to Olivia – oh god Franky I can't even imagine!" I cry even harder into my wife's shoulder as she wraps her free arm around me.

"Shh, shh – you did so good today baby, you kept her safe and you are both totally fine. It was just an unfortunate coincidence, but everyone involved today is going to be just fine okay? Don't even try to blame yourself – it's not like you willingly put Olivia in any danger okay? Now come on – no more tears, I love you and I'm so proud of you for staying calm and doing what you could to protect her. I think your daughter wants a cuddle with her other mummy now though – here take her, I'll go get us some drinks." Franky passes over our daughter, kisses my forehead and goes off to the kitchen.