N.B. HUGE mwahs for the reviews darlings! Next chapter's here, hope you enjoy it… Might have to push the story on a little soon, because I'm seriously running out of ideas and what I do have planned, is when baby Max is a bit older. For my Dynamos, love ya girls, mwahs and hugs x

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Chapter 12 Good To Be Home?

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After making all the relevant phone calls to friends and family, Sam had returned to the small hospital room, to check on his wife and new son. Donna was now fast asleep, after feeding Max and had him snuggled in her arms as he slept too. Quietly closing the door behind him, Sam smiled at the sight before his eyes and gently climbed up onto the bed beside Donna. She had done so well delivering their child and he couldn't have been prouder of her, when all he could do was imagine the pain his wife had gone through. Getting comfortable on the single bed, Sam pulled the sheets up around the sleeping pair and kissed the top of Donna's head, as she stirred slightly against his chest. It was now the early hours of the morning and Sam had nearly had to beg Sophie, to stop her coming straight over to the mainland to meet her new brother. She had been so excited when he'd called and so had Zack when he'd called him in New York. Sam had still not got hold of his eldest son and Zack had informed him that Ben had gone to Atlantic City with friends, unsure when he was supposed to be returning home. Although far from impressed with him, Sam had decided to put it to the back of his mind for now and not let his actions ruin the excitement of the birth of his gorgeous new son.

Donna's eyes slowly opened and she soon remembered where she was, as she found her baby asleep in the crook of her arm. "Have I been asleep long?" She asked a little groggily, peering up into her husband's eyes.

Shaking his head, Sam smiled at her. "No sweetheart, about an hour." He answered, tenderly kissing her forehead and stroking her cheek. "You look absolutely exhausted, you need to go back to sleep."

"I will." Whispered Donna, resting her head back against her husband's chest and smiling down at their newborn son. "Did you manage to get hold of the kids?" She asked, gently stroking Max's dark hair and pulling the sheet closer around him, so he didn't get cold with the air-conditioning.

"Yes, well two of them." Sam replied, watching how lovingly Donna fussed over the baby boy. "Sophie sends her love and says she'll see you first thing in the morning. Zack also sends his love and said he's glad it's a boy because he can't stand the stress that comes attached to having another sister." Added Sam, smiling as Donna giggled at their son's obvious referral to the Sky and Sophie situation.

Slowly looking back up at her husband, Donna frowned. "Have you still not spoken to Ben?" She asked, noticing a look of disappointment in his eyes when he peered down at her.

Shaking his head, Sam sighed. "No, but at least I know where he is now." He responded, shuffling further down into a more comfortable position and pulling his wife and child closer towards him. "Zack told me he's taken off the Atlantic City with friends, but he doesn't know when he's coming back. That kid has got some serious explaining to do when I finally get hold of him…I don't know what the hell he thinks he's playing at. But what I do know is, I won't let him throw years of education down the pan."

"Oh Sam." Whispered Donna, knowing how upset he was getting over it. "Maybe I should talk to him. You know you'll only end up losing it with him and I don't think Ben needs that right now. There's definitely something bothering him and I don't think shouting is going to help." She continued, sliding her hand round to the nape of his neck and guiding him closer to kiss his lips.

Responding to his wife's kiss and thinking about what she said for a few moments, Sam finally agreed to leave it to her. He was close to his sons, but ever since they had got to know Donna, they had seemed to confide in her more. Maybe it was the fact that they could never talk to their own mother when she had been alive and having Donna in their lives, had given them someone else to listen to their problems. Their was no denying she was fantastic with them and Sam loved the fact that he had someone else in his life, that loved his boys as much as he did. If anyone could get through to Ben and find out what was going on, it was definitely his wife.

"Let's not talk about it now darling. You need to sleep, before this little one needs his Mommy's attention." Sam said softly, closing his eyes and feeling Donna relax against him, as she too tried to get some sleep.

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Baby Max had been a good baby so far and actually let his parents sleep a further three hours, before he woke with his high-pitched cry. His little face screwed up, as he screamed and caused Sam to wake first. Sliding his son out of the arms of his wife, Sam smiled at the sight of his tears falling from his tiny eyes and placed him down on the end of the bed to change his diaper. Donna smiled as she came round to the sight of her husband, gently handling their son and talking to him in a quiet tone, soothing his crying to a small whimper.

"I hope you're going to keep this up when we get home." Donna said, slowly climbing out of bed and walking over to her husband's side, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Smiling as he finished changing his tiny son's diaper, Sam smiled down at him. "Of course I am Mrs. Carmichael. The only thing I can't do is the feeds…I'm good, but I'm not that good sweetheart." He answered, doing up the press-studs on the white baby-grow and scooping Max up in his strong arms. "This part's over to you."

Giggling, Donna sat down in the armchair and held her arms out to take her son. Sam passed him down to her and watched as she expertly undid the front of her nightdress and latched Max onto her breast, for a feed. It all looked so natural and Donna made it look so easy, when she hadn't actually done it for over twenty-one years. Pulling her legs up under her, Donna couldn't take her eyes of her baby boy, as he made soft, contented sucking noises. Sam leant down to give Donna a kiss, before leaning against the bed to just watch in utter adoration. Within a few minutes Max was full and sleepy, as Donna carried him over to the simple crib and laid him down. Making sure he was settled, she walked over to Sam and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Aren't you sad that they're not yours anymore?" Asked Donna, noticing her husband staring down the front of her undone nightdress.

Smiling and looking back up into his wife's eyes, Sam shook his head. "No, because it won't be forever darling." He answered, sliding his hands round her waist and leaning forward to kiss her lips.

Their peace and quite was soon disrupted, by the all too familiar sound of Tanya's heels clicking purposely down the corridor. Giggling, Donna buried her face into the crease of Sam's neck and braced herself ready for what she knew was about to happen. As if on cue, the door to the small hospital room flew open and Sam was confronted with the sight of the Dynamos excitedly rushing in. The two women stood and waited for Donna to raise her head to look at them, with a huge smile on her face.

"You just couldn't bloody wait for us could you Sheridan?" Said Rosie, walking over and throwing her arms around the Carmichael's. "Congratulations you two."

"Yeah, couldn't you have held on for a few more hours Donna?" Asked Tanya, she too walking over to give the happy couple a tight hug. "Maybe kept your legs together or something." She added, peering into the blonde's eyes and giving her a wink.

Laughing, Donna walked over to the crib, followed by her best friends and proudly showed off her new son. "If only it was that easy Tan." She said in almost a whisper, as not to wake the sleeping baby boy.

The three women stared down at the perfect little boy and Donna smiled as Rosie wiped away a few tears, as they trickled down her cheeks. They had all been friends for so many years and the Dynamos had somehow never imagined their friend would marry and have another child this late on in her life. Seeing Donna with Sam, made them realise just how happy she was and if she was, then they were too.

"Oh my god, he's a mini Sam." Exclaimed Rosie, taking in the baby's dark hair and features. "Not one bit of Sheridan in there."

"Poor kid." Tanya giggled, looking round at Sam poking her tongue out at him as he feigned a hurt expression.

Stroking Max's hair as he slept, Donna smiled and walked back over to her husband. "He's gorgeous, just like his daddy." She whispered, trailing her hands down Sam's chest and leaning in close to give him a kiss. "Did you see Sophie this morning?" She asked, turning her head to look at the Dynamos, who were still peering into the crib.

Tanya turned and made her way over to sit in the armchair. "Yes we did. She came over on the ferry with us, but said she had to go do something on her way here." She replied, pulling a compact out of her large Gucci purse and starting to touch up her already perfect makeup.

"Oh, okay." Donna responded, turning to grab a few things out of her bag. "Well I'm going to go shower. Can I trust you with my precious boy while I'm gone?" She asked, finding a towel and some clean clothes.

Throwing her head back and laughing, Tanya looked up at Donna. "Sure Sheridan, your husband's safe with us." She answered, causing everyone to start laughing at her quick reply.

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Sophie had turned up a short while later, with he gift of a small blue teddy bear, for her new brother and had instantly fallen in love with a now wide awake Max. He never murmured, as he was passed between members of his extended family and when Donna returned to the room, she felt almost overwhelmed at the sight of the people she loved the most, fussing over her newborn son. Sophie greeted her mother with the biggest smile and they both giggled as Tanya sat cradling Max in one arm, whilst pouring out a glass of champagne with her free hand. The room was crowded enough and got even more cramped, when Doctor Christou joined them. Everyone fell silent, as the doctor checked through Donna's notes and then baby Max's.

"Well, you both seem fit and well. I don't see why you can't go home." Said Doctor Christou, looking up at Donna and smiling, as she took the baby from Tanya.

Standing next to his wife, Sam wrapped his arm around her. "Thank you Doctor." He said, then smiling down at his baby boy in Donna's arms.

The Doctor signed off a few things and peered back at the Carmichael's. "There's just one thing, before I can let you go." He said, placing the files down on the end of the bed. "Contraception…I seriously advise that you start using it. Although this pregnancy went without any major problems, I would strongly advise against trying for anymore children."

Sam smiled, as he looked at his wife. "We understand." He responded, feeling Donna's body tense against his. "I think our family is now complete."

"Too right it is." Exclaimed Donna, smiling back at the doctor. "As far as I'm concerned, my husband won't be coming anywhere near me again like that…There's no better contraception, than no sex at all, right?" She finished, hearing her daughter and the Dynamos fighting hard to contain their fits of giggles.

Smirking, the doctor picked up the notes and walked towards the door. "Well you're right there… Good luck Mr. Carmichael." He replied, leaving the room, as the Dynamos peered up at Sam and finally bust out laughing at his shocked expression.

Donna bit her lip and managed to keep a straight face, as Sam turned her round to look at him. "You're joking aren't you?" He asked nervously, trying to ignore his daughter and wife's friends still laughing.

"Let's go home." Responded Donna, not wanting to have this conversation with her husband now, especially in front of their hysterical audience.

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The Carmichael's had been back home on Kalokairi for only a few weeks and things were as hectic as ever. There had been flower deliveries and phone calls from well wishers, but Donna just wanted to sleep. She was exhausted already, with Max just wanting to feed all the time since leaving the hospital. His persistent crying had began to wear her down and she found herself snapping at people, when they were only trying to help. Having barely an hour to rest before her newborn son woke her again, took it's toll on Donna. She couldn't eat and had nearly lost all of her pregnancy weight because of this and the constant breast feeding. Sam was worried about his wife and wondered how she was going to cope, if Max carried on the way he was. He felt somewhat useless, helping out where he could, but feeling as though Donna was pushing him away. They had been so happy when they had brought the baby home from the hospital, but now things weren't running so smoothly.

Half asleep, Sam ran his hand over the side of the bed, where his wife was supposed to be sleeping next to him. Not feeling her warm body there, he opened his eyes and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was just before four in the morning and peering round the dimly lit room, it was now obvious that his wife and child were not there. Yawning, Sam climbed out of bed to grab his robe and slid it on as he left the room. It didn't take him long to follow the light coming from the kitchen, round the corner from the courtyard and to find his wife. Donna was rocking a whimpering baby Max in her arms, whilst sipping on strong black coffee.

"Darling why didn't you wake me?" Asked Sam, walking over to his wife and taking his son out of her arms.

Rolling her eyes, Donna took a long sip of her hot drink. "What would have been the point? You can't feed him." She answered rather abruptly, slamming her coffee mug down on the worktop.

Placing the tiny baby against his chest, Sam gently rubbed his back. "Donna, why don't you go back to bed and I'll stay up with Max?" He asked, stepping closer to his wife and trying to wrap his arm around her shoulder.

Shrugging Sam off, Donna could feel hot salty tears welling in her tired eyes. "Go back to bed and do what? Sleep?" She quickly responded, pouring herself yet another cup of coffee. "What the hell's that?…It's only been a few weeks and I can't do this. I'm not cut out for this." She continued, as the tears started to roll down her cheeks.

Shaking his head, Sam held his son close with one arm and pulled Donna close to towards him with the other. "Of course you are sweetheart. You're just exhausted and not feeling your best." He replied, feeling her snaking her arms around his waist and resting her head on his chest. "It will get easier, I promise." He finished, placing a tender kiss on the top of his wife's head.

"I can't remember it being this hard with Sophie." Donna said, opening her eyes to find her baby son peering at her, with such innocence in his dark green eyes. "He's just so hungry all the time." She added, reaching out to take hold of his little hand.

Thinking for a minute, Sam sighed, causing Donna to look up at him. "Look, I know it's not what you wanted, but how about we start giving Max mixed feeds?" He asked cautiously, not wanting his wife to get upset again. "At least if he's on formulae, you can get some sleep and I can feed him."

Instantly shaking her head, Donna dismissed the idea. "No Sam." She answered, staring into her husband's dark eyes. "I want what's best for our son and that's not it."

"Okay darling, you know best." Replied Sam, kissing Max's forehead and tightening his hold around Donna. "Now, you go to bed and I'll stay up with him until his next feed." He finished, letting go of her as she nodded and headed back to their bedroom.

Sitting down at the kitchen table, Sam held his baby son out in front of him and sighed. "You, are a little monkey Max Carmichael." He whispered, then placing him back against his chest and relaxing back in the chair.

Donna had made it fairly obvious, that she didn't want to put their son on baby formulae, but Sam thought it might just help Max go a bit longer between feeds. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, or maybe it was the baby blues, but one thing was for sure, Sam couldn't let her carry on like this. As he sat contemplating the repercussions, Sam decided to go against his wife's wishes and try giving Max a bottle for his next feed. Searching through the kitchen cupboard, it didn't take him long to find an unused tin of the powdered milk, left over from when Emma had been on it and a spare bottle in another cupboard. His wife wasn't going to be impressed, but if it meant her getting a proper sleep, he'd deal with the consequences later.

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Sitting bolt upright in bed, Donna was hit by the bright sunlight filtering in through one of the opening shutters. For some strange reason, she felt unbelievably rested and for a few seconds, she'd forgotten all about her baby son. It wasn't until she scanned the bedroom, that she found his crib empty at the foot of the bed and turned to glance at the time. It was nearly one in the afternoon, which meant she had slept a full eight hours, since Sam had found her in the kitchen and sent her back to bed. Donna knew there was no way Max had gone that long without a feed, which could only mean one thing. Her husband had gone behind her back and had bottle fed their tiny son.

As she got dressed, she was fuming. Donna couldn't believe her husband had done something like this, when he knew how important she thought it was to give their child the best start in life. It had only been two weeks and she hadn't been prepared to give up just yet, she was still trying to bond with their son. Clipping up her hair, Donna left the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

"Afternoon Donna. Sleep well love?" Asked Rosie, looking up from her work as she sat at one of the bar tables and noticed her friend approaching.

"Have you seen that husband of mine?" Donna responded, totally ignoring what Rosie had asked her and coming to a stop behind the chair opposite.

Nodding slowly, Rosie pointed across the courtyard. "I think he was with Sophie in the goat house." She answered, sensing all was not well and Donna was in a foul mood about something. "Are you alright?"

Walking away towards the goat house, Donna could feel her blood boil. "I'm fine." She responded over her shoulder, before quickening her pace.

Opening the door to the goat house, Donna soon found her husband. Sam was sat on the floor playing with Emma, whilst Sophie was laying Max down for a nap in the Moses-basket by the sofa. They both looked up and smiled at her, as she stood there silently. Sam instantly knew that his wife was on the warpath and slowly stood, stepping closer towards her.

"Do you feel better for a decent sleep darling?" Asked Sam, reaching out to stroke Donna's cheek, only to have her slap it out of the way.

Staring Sam straight in the eye, Donna slowly shook her head. "You went behind my back Sam, when I specifically told you that I didn't want to put Max on formulae." She replied in an icy tone, never breaking eye contact with him. "Why did you do that?"

Running his hand through his hair, Sam sighed. "I did it because you were getting yourself into a state Donna. You haven't slept for weeks, you're living on coffee and I'm worried about you…We all are sweetheart." He answered, gazing into Donna's green eyes and seeing the tears forming in them. "I didn't do it for any other reason, but to give you a break and allow you to get a good nights sleep."

"Well it seems you all have everything under control. I'm surplus to requirement…I only carried our son for nearly nine months." Said Donna sarcastically, her tone raised enough to make Max start crying. "Fine." She finished, opening the door and slamming it on her way out.

Sam turned to Sophie, who had remained out of the conversation and rolled his eyes, before following his wife out of the goat house. Donna had taken off in floods of tears, back to the sanctuary of her bedroom. She felt as though everything had spiralled out of her control and hated that people were making decisions for her, that she could make herself. Closing the door behind her, Donna took a deep breath, as her husband cautiously let himself in behind her. Wrapping his arms tightly around her slender waist, he didn't let her go as she sobbed loudly and tried to wriggle free from his hold.

"Get off me." Sobbed Donna, trying one last time to free herself.

Fighting her husband's strength was futile and Donna's weak body gave in, causing her to collapse against his masculine frame. She was shaking, unable to stop the loud sobs escaping her heaving chest. Sam slowly sank to the floor with her and stayed silent, until she had got everything out of her system. He held her tight, trying to fight back his own tears, at seeing his beautiful wife so upset. Within a few minutes, Sam heard Donna take a deep gasp of air into her lungs and her crying finally subsided. He had never seen her like this and it scared him to think the normally, relaxed, loving woman he'd married, was slowly slipping away from him.

Finally relaxing his body, Sam pulled Donna closer against him. "Come on sweetheart." He whispered, picking himself off the floor and scooping his wife up into his arms. "It's alright." He finished, laying her down on their bed and climbing on next to her.

Donna was unable to look at her husband and simply turned her back to him. Not one to give in easily, Sam moved up close behind her and snaked his arms around her trembling body. He didn't want to push his wife to talk, she would do that when she felt good and ready, but he wanted Donna to know that he was there for her no matter what. They had gone through so much together so far and nothing was going to come between them if he could help it. He loved Donna more than anything in the world and told himself, she couldn't stay mad at him forever.

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Dinner time came and went, with everyone enjoying a meal in the courtyard, apart from Donna. She had fallen asleep on the bed and Sam had left her to rest, so he could go and check on their son. He was hoping, the more sleep his wife caught up on, the better she would feel in the long run. Sophie had been a great help with her baby brother and Emma had really taken to the tiny boy too.

Carrying Max up the stairs to her mother's room, Sophie opened the door quietly when she reached the top. Donna was still asleep, as her daughter climbed onto the bed next to her and placed Max between them. Feeling movement, Donna slowly opened her eyes and focused on her two gorgeous children, smiling softly at the sight of them. She did feel better in herself, but felt so bad for pushing her family away, especially her baby boy.

"He's missed you Mom." Sophie whispered, stroking a few strands of her mother's hair behind her ear. "We all have."

Taking hold of her daughter's hand, Donna kissed it tenderly. "I've missed you all too baby girl." She replied, looking down at her son, as he sucked hungrily on his tiny fingers.

Max looked so small and innocent, dressed in his plain white baby-grow and Donna knew for a fact he was hungry. Undoing the top of her dress, she pulled him close against her warm body and guided him to her breast for a feed. She and Sophie smiled as he suckled away, making soft swallowing noises as he did. Worried if Max was bottle fed, that she would lose the bond with her baby, Donna soon realised he still needed her just as much as before. Her husband had only been trying to help and all she had done was push him away, taking her tiredness out on him.

"Is your dad pissed at me?" Donna asked, holding baby Max close to her, as she peered up into her daughter's big blue eyes.

Smiling, Sophie shook her head. "Not at all. He's just worried about you Mom. I mean you haven't eaten in days and we've all seen, when he tries to hold you, you can't get away fast enough." She responded, watching her mother's smile slowly disappear.

Taking a deep breath, Donna peered down at her baby boy. "My attention has been other things and I guess he's feeling neglected." She said in almost a whisper, feeling emotional once more. "Can you do me a favour Soph?"

"Anything." Answered Sophie, smiling sweetly at her mom and stroking her brother's soft hair.

"Will you ask your dad to come up here? I think we need to talk." Asked Donna, gently rubbing her baby's back.

Nodding, Sophie gave her mom a kiss on the cheek and left the room in search of her father. Donna knew she was going to have to swallow her pride and admit to her husband that mixed feeding was definitely the answer to their problems. She also knew that she had been a nightmare to live with over the past few weeks and hoped her friends would somehow understand too. Praying things would improve in time, all Donna could do, was wait and see how things panned out between her and Sam. Married life had thrown up all sorts of obstacles for them to get past, but this could quite possibly be the biggest one of all.

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A.N. Like I said, gonna push it on a bit soon…Got a bit of drama planned if I can get rid of the bloody writers block grrr… Hope it was okay all, but please let me know. Loads of Love, Liv x… Next chapter will be on the other story, Love Knows No Boundaries x