Liv entered the bar. It was pretty quiet. Fatani was moving huge crates of beer round the back of the bar. "Hey, where you been?" he asked spotting her.
"Leopard's Den. Alice says we've to come for dinner later." she said sitting on a nearby box.
"Sounds good." he said smiling at her as he continued lifting in the beers.
Liv watched him work nervously chewing on her lip. Should she bring it up? Stupid question, she knew herself she had to bring it up. "Fatani..." she started nervously.
"What is it?" he looked up and was immediately beside her. "Liv?" Her face was deadly serious and filled with worry.
"It's about...well...last night-"
Fatani stood up and spoke with his back to her, "It's about what I said. It's because I told you I love you. I knew I shouldn't have said it!"
Liv stood now too. "Why not?"
He turned to look at her in confusion, "What?"
"Why shouldn't you have said it?"
"Well, I've obviously scared you off. It was too soon."
"Did you mean it?" she cut him off abruptly.
"Of course I did. I love you Olivia."
He looked so near to becoming distraught Liv softened her face and stepped forward taking his hand, "It's not too soon. You have no idea how amazing that is?" He smiled. "And guess what?"
"What?" he whispered.
"I love you too." And she leaned up to kiss him.
That night at dinner it was a fairly quiet one. This was mainly due to the fact that Robert had gone to bed early, he'd spent most of his time awake lying on the couch next to a fan Nomsa had set up for him. Luckily, everyone else in the house had had chicken pox so he didn't have to be completely quarantined. Liv and Fatani and joined them and Alice happily noted how happy they seemed. She was delighted for them, they deserved it. She knew exactly how they were feeling, out of habit she look at Danny. Currently he was having his ear talked off as Charlotte, as usual, told him all about her day every detail.
Alice frowned.
Danny. He didn't look, well he didn't look like Danny. He was smiling at charlotte's stories but it didn't reach his eyes and Alice could see it easily. No one else seemed to notice but she did. When he usually smiled he'd get laugh lines showing obviously and his eyes would sparkle with their emerald green shining. He didn't look well at all. Thanks goodness he had agreed to speak to the doctor. Abruptly, he stood. "Danny?"
"I'm not that hungry...erm I think I'll go call Rosie. Excuse me." He left the table. Alice caught Dupe's eye across the table. She was sure her own expression would match his confused one.
Rosie and Dylan were having a quiet night in. Rosie was engrossed in her weekly vet magazine while Dylan clicked away on the laptop. "What about this one?" he said tilting the screen so she could see.
"Did you look at the price?" she asked incredulous.
He looked again. "Oh." she laughed before turning back to the article she was reading. She was interrupted again by the phone ringing. "I'll get it." said Dylan standing up.
"Hello?...Sure, I'll put her on." Rosie looked up, "It's your dad."
Sighing she took the phone. "Hi Dad."
"Hey sweetheart, you ok?" Rosie had to admit he did sound awful.
"I'm fine dad, are you? Alice told me about earlier." She heard him exhale.
"Nothing to worry about. Promise. Look Rosie about the other day, I am sorry."
"Don't worry about it-" She didn't want to drag it out.
"No, listen. I was out of order and I have been since you got with Dylan. I'm truly sorry. I love you Rosie."
"I love you too." Dylan looked over at her and smiled, glad she was obviously sorting things with her dad.
"I'm really proud of Rosie you know that, don't you?"
"Dad...of course I do."
"And I know you're mum is too, we both are."
"Thanks Dad. Are you sure you're alright, you sound...I dunno...you are ok?"
Danny focussed on keeping his voice steady. "Don't worry."
They chatted for a while longer before Danny could hear Robert crying and Dupe moaning about something. "I better go, love you Rosie."
"You too, bye Dad."
Danny placed the phone down before entering Robbie's room. He was rolling restlessly on his bed obviously irritated. Danny sat down and immediately the young boy crawled onto his dad's knee. "itchy, daddy." He whimpered.
"I know son." Danny switched the fan on again and lay Robert down so he was right next to it. He sat beside him trying to soothe Robbie and prevent him scratching till he fell asleep.
"You look tired, Daddy." He whispered sleepily.
Danny chuckled, he had his mother's keen observation that was clear. "So do you, try and sleep Robbie." Eventually he drifted off.
He left Robbie's room making sure to leave the door open a crack. "How's he doing?" It was Alice.
"He's asleep." Danny whispered back taking her hand as they walked to their room and started getting ready for bed. As they climbed under the covers Alice asked how his phone call with Rosie had went.
"Are you forgiven?" she asked smiling.
"Yeah, she's amazing." but he didn't smile back, instead just pulled her close as the fell into slumbers themselves. Some more restful than others.
Sorry that it has been a while and that this was pretty rubbish. I've totally lost the writing bug!