Max gently nudged Alice's shoulder, smirking slightly as she grumbled, moodily waking up and turning to him. He didn't say a word but signalled with one hand out of the window. Alice turned slowly, her eyes widening, her lips parting into a huge grin as she took in her surroundings, it was 11.02am and they were on the road to Leopards Den. She gasped; home. Her eyes filled slightly; she was actually home.

"I'm not even there yet and I'm ready to cry!" Alice exclaimed to Max who began to laugh softly,

"You're pregnant, it's allowed!" He beamed, "Think, five minutes and you see everyone..."

"Danny." Charlotte intercepted cheekily, "Oh and Rosie..." She giggled making kissy sounds in his ear as he simply laughed.

Alice clapped as she saw the sign to Leopards Den; it hadn't been moved at all but it was then she noticed a difference on the sign...

"Max stop!" She announced, he did so and she almost immediately jumped out of the car and walked up to the sign. She touched it softly before reading it. She quickly skimmed it until she found her point of interest, the animal hospital part, "Dr Daniel L Trevanion & Dr Alice M Trevanion." She clasped her hand over her mouth, shaking her head before taking her seat back beside Max. "My names on it."

"You're partners now though? Like officially..." Max said as though she was stupid. Alice simply rolled her eyes.

However, her breath caught as she noticed a familiar roof and then a very familiar house.

"Oh god! Look it's there! We're home!" Alice announced,

"Home!" Charlotte shouted as everyone began to cheer happily, they were all so happy they didn't realise that they'd parked up and hadn't been greeted. Alice shrugged and lifted herself out of the car, as did Max and Charlotte. It was then Liv came galloping down the stairs.

"Alice!"Liv announced hugging her tightly and kissing her cheek, "It's so good to see you!"

"You too, where's Danny?" Alice asked as Charlotte practically jumped on Liv.

"He's down there, an animal came in about ten minutes ago." Liv explained, "It's not good though, Rosie has never done an operation like that, usually she'd have to observe one first but with only those two..."

"There's three now." Alice cut her off, rushing down to the animal hospital, she burst through the doors and threw her jacket off. "Right what we got?" She asked,

"Lion cub with..." Danny began until he realised who he was speaking to, he spun in complete and utter shock and saw her at the sink, "Alice... ALICE?" He exclaimed in shock, "What are you doing here?" He asked as Rosie too spun.

"Later, come on!" She announced grabbing some greens, "Help me in these!"

Danny moved over to her quickly updating her on the animal, almost immediately they fell into their usual vet mode. Rosie too watched, assisting, in her own vet mode. All three shared a look over of the animal before three masked faces turned back to the animal, talking in jargon that no normal person could ever understand.

(x)

Three hours later and the operation was complete. Alice wiped her brow as Danny placed the animal gently into the pen; his movements effortless as he did so. Rosie was taking off her greens with Alice as he quickly checked the animal over.

"That was a surprise!" Rosie announced, "You were the 11am guest?" She asked her tone low, Alice nodded, "Sorry the cub ruined it!" Rosie laughed, "It's great to see you but considering you probably want to have some sort of reunion with Dad which is all soppy, I'll go to the main house and greet you properly later." She winked.

"Oh Rosie, there's a surprise for you in the house." Alice grinned, "But thanks. Seriously. Talk to you soon." She said squeezing her step-daughter's hand before throwing the greens in the bag.

Alice stood and helped Danny out of his greens, neither saying a word as Danny removed his mask and Alice put his greens with the others. Suddenly however, they're work was done and both people turned to one another, drinking in the other's appearance. Nothing could heard but their heavy, laboured breathing as they simply stared at one another in awe.

"Hey." Alice whispered grinning. Danny let out a silent laughter as his face split into a beaming grin.

"Hi." He replied excitedly before shaking his head, "Oh Alice..." He whispered before pulling her to him and holding her tight. She smiled, clutching him, holding him as close as humanly possible. She inhaled deeply, his familiar 'Danny' smell exhilarated her senses, his touch reminded her how much he loved her, the sight of him... she sighed and leaned even further into him.

"Danny..." She breathed, her eyes close and her body lose. She had given herself completely up to him as he had to her. She pulled back slightly to look deeply into his green eyes, "I missed you so much." She choked, one lone tear rolling down her cheek.

"I missed you too." He whispered, equally as emotional. He wiped away the tears with a gentle sweep of the thumb, his hand remaining on her cheek as he leant down towards her. Their lips met as he kissed her gently yet at the same time with passion. Both people deepened the kiss at the same time as they shared the first for many weeks. Pulling away, both were grinning. "I love you so much... so, so much." Danny whispered as he ran his hands through her hair.

"I love you." Alice replied as he ran her own hands down his chest, she stopped and took one of his hands, placing it on her bump, their unborn child, "We're home."

"As am I." Danny replied, "My home is with you."

Alice smiled and nodded, "But our material home is here Danny... I can't believe it's ours, all ours again."

"We own more than Dup..." Danny admitted, "But hey... we're in it together."

"Forever." Alice promised, "oh and I saw the sign... thank you so much!"

"You should have been on that sign a long time ago!" Danny smiled as he rubbed her bump gently, "You're enormous!"

"Like Daddy." Alice grinned, "In every way... kick, kick, kick all night!"

"It's not my fault us Trevanion's are restless. You talk!" Danny grinned,

"Sleep-talking is nothing compared to sleep-assault!" Alice beamed, "Anyway, why are we having this conversation, let's go up to the house... I want to see everyone, then fill you in on everything."

Danny nodded and took her hand, squeezing it tightly. Both people smiled as love encompassed them. They were finally back together where they belonged.

(x)

Rosie was walking through the house to the kitchen, she began to speak just outside it.

"GUYS! You will never guess what..." She stopped short as she reached the kitchen, her step stopping completely. "Max." She gasped.

"Hello Rosie." Max beamed,

"MAX!" She screamed rushing up to him and squeezing him tightly, it was then she remembered everything, "Sorry." She announced backing away.

Max shook his head, enough was enough! Yeh, she'd been an absolute fool but he could be a fool too, they could get through this. He missed her and loved her just as she did him and he wasn't letting this get in the way of them. She was still his wife. He quickly pulled her back to him lowering his head and kissed her with a whole new depth.

"I forgive you." Max whispered, "No more." He murmured as their foreheads touched, "You mean to much to me. I can't say I'm sorry for being like that with you... I'm not, but I know what I should have done. We can get through this if you promise not to have any more big secrets..."

"Ok." Rosie whispered as she began to cry, "I'm so sorry Max, I love you..."

"I love you too." Max replied, kissing her once again before hugging her close. "Let's talk later though, surely there's people I need to meet." He winked as she cocked his head towards Thabo and Liv who were watching TV in the front room.

Rosie nodded, she could not wait.

(x)

Introductions and greetings continued long into the night at Leopards Den. The happy atmosphere had returned and Christmas spirit had finally arrived. And as night time came that spirit remained as, for the first time everyone went to bed happy and back where they belonged, with the people they loved.

A/N- Sorry it's late! Been At a christening then a dancing comp, then got drunk, then got my phone taken off me til I stopped being silly and sobered up and I was given pizza to do so. I was still drunk until I realised I had a Wuthering Heights essay to do for first thing tomorrow that sobered me up and so after all of that, I FINNALLY did this!

Hope you enjoy and thanks to ALL my reviewers you guys rock ;D x