Hello! Thanks to each and every one for your reviews and comments on here and twitter. (Special mention to TheGeneGenie73, for your wonderful encouragement and comments on twitter- Cheers Guv ).

Now moving on with chapter 5. How will Galex react to Adam's chaos?

Gene glared angrily at his son as Alex seethed beside him, the anger bubbling away.

"For God's sake Adam! What the hell did you think you were doing? This is OUR house. What the bloody 'ell did you think you were playing at? Well we're waiting?!"

"I dunno. Yer told me to enjoy meself and I was, until you two showed up. Why are yer back so early? Was Madame not enjoying 'herself? No surprise really, I mean it would take a miracle to see her smile."

Gene took a threatening step forward, growling. Alex placed a warning hand on his arm but he ignored her. Standing in front of him, Gene took a deep breath before speaking quietly but chillingly.

"I'd advise yer to shut yer gob before I do something I'd probably regret. Yer me son but if you think you can speak to MY partner like that then yer very much mistaken. So start having some respect for both of us otherwise yer out on yer ear. Now yer can clean up this mess in the morning, for now just get out of me sight and go to bed."

As Adam grunted and wandered back upstairs, Alex stared at Gene, her mouth opening and closing in shock at his lack of punishment.

"What, that's it? He causes mayhem to my house and talks to me like I'm a piece of shit and he still gets away with it?! Oh that's just great Gene, brilliant parenting as per usual. What's it going to take for you to stand up to him and put an end to it? Well I'm not going to put up with his crap any longer, I'm done, and I want him gone by the morning! I don't need this stress now it's not good for me or any of us."

Gene gritted his teeth, he knew she had a right to be angry but she seemed to be forgetting that Adam was his son and it was their house, not just hers. He needed to give his son a chance to start behaving. He couldn't just ship him back to Manchester. A small voice inside his head screamed at him to run upstairs and pack Adam's bags and apologise to Alex but surely that would prove to Adam and every one that he was a failure. However, anger rose inside of him at Alex's words. How on earth could she give him parenting advice? What right did she have to tell him how to discipline his own son? Turning to face Alex, he tried to keep his voice steady but he could feel the stress and the anger slowly rising up through him.

"Now hold on a minute, firstly, it's late so there's no point in him doing anything now cos he probably wouldn't even do anything. Secondly, don't EVER tell me how to treat my son. You've been against him staying ever since he moved in. Oh and another thing, don't yer dare talk or complain about my lad to anyone, that includes Shaz. She bit me head off earlier about 'im."

As Alex stared at Gene, her anger intensified. Jumping up from the couch, she glared at Gene, poking him in the chest.

"I spoke to Shaz because she's the only one that I could talk to Gene! Your precious son has treated me like shit since he arrived. You don't want to look at how he behaves because in reality, you feel guilty for not speaking to him in two years! Well don't you dare think for one minute that I'm going to put up with being treated like this in my own home? I'm finished, with him, you, me and everything!"

As the atmosphere intensified, neither Gene nor Alex wanted to back down, both believing that they were in the right. Gene sighed and turned away from Alex, picking up a photo of the two of them when they first got together. Everything seemed simple back then. No petty arguments. However, he was going to have to make a decision. He had to put one of the most important people in his life first, no matter what the other one thought. Putting it back down, he sat heavily on the couch. As he glanced up at her, Gene spoke quietly.

"Yer right. I do feel guilty and you want to know why? I didn't speak to him because of you Alex, because of us. I got distracted by yer and I neglected him, I forgot all about 'im except for the odd phone call. What kind of a dad does that make me eh? I ain't gonna do it to 'im again, so if yer say yer don't want to put up with it then maybe it's for the best that we call it a day. I'm not going to choose you over him for a second time. I can't Alex."

Silence descended as they both took in what had been said. Alex tried but failed to keep the tears from falling. Reaching out towards Gene, her heart broke as he moved away from her. Nodding silently, she retreated out of the room, stopping at the door and turning back to him.

"It's late so I'll go in the morning. I'll sleep down here tonight, just let me get my stuff together and I'll be gone after breakfast. I'm sorry if you think that I stopped you but truth is Gene, this is your doing. I didn't even know he existed, I fell in love with you and told you everything about myself. You didn't. So the only one you should be blaming is yourself."

Next morning, Adam descended down the stairs, whistling happily as he saw Alex's bags beside the door. Walking into the kitchen, he spotted her standing at the table, as she checked her handbag.

"So this is goodbye is it? He's finally kicked yer out. Well who can blame him really? Look at yer, moody, stuck up and such a nag. Yer know, you're really not all that sweetheart. Now I'm outta here, stuff to do, people to meet. See yer around, I'd like to say it's been a pleasure but my mummy taught me never to tell lies!"

"You know something Adam, I really don't know how a man like Gene has a son like you. He's kind, decent and a good man. You might be able to pull the wool over his eyes but not me. Sooner or later, he's going to find out what a conniving little shit you are and what will you do then hmm? You'll be left out in the cold, on your own."

Aware that his dad would be coming downstairs at any minute and not wanting to be seen arguing with her, Adam strode back out into the hall and waved at her sarcastically before leaving the house.

Slamming her bag down on the table and cursing him under her breath, Alex grabbed the house phone and dialled Shaz's number, glancing towards the doorway as she saw Gene enter.

"Hey Shaz, it's me. Look can you do me a favour? Can you pick me up from the house in about ten minutes please? Shaz, I'll explain everything to you once I'm in the car. Thanks, see you in a bit."

Gene walked over to the kettle and flicked the switch, brushing against her as he reached for his mug.

"Yer going then? I could have driven yer. I'm not that much of a bastard y'know? Although I'm probably acting like one. Do yer have everything yer need?"

Smiling briefly, Alex turned to him, willing herself not to cry.

"No you're ok. It's easier this way. I'm not your problem anymore so you don't need to worry about me. I'll stay with Shaz for a while and talk to Luigi about moving back into the flat later. Adam said to say he was heading out. I'm sure he'll be happy to see the back of me, I expect you both will. But erm, he's up to something Gene. I don't know what but sooner or later, you're going to find out the hard way."

Gene rubbed his hand across his face. How had it come to this? She wasn't meant to leave. She should be here, they should be planning their future not splitting up. Hearing Shaz pull up outside, they both sighed. Reaching into her handbag, Alex grabbed her set of keys, unhooking the house key and handed it to him.

"Guess I won't be needing these anymore will I? I'll grab my bags, don't want keep Shaz waiting. I'll see you in work Gene."

Following her into the hall, he opened the door for her, nodding to a confused looking Shaz, who was waiting on the doorstep. Seeing her stop and turn around, he flashed her a sad smile.

"Y'know, I do hope he's worth it Gene, throwing away our own chance of being a family. I'll see you on Monday, goodbye Guv."

"See yer around Bollykeks."

Closing the door after watching the car drive away, he noticed that the house seemed quiet and lonely. Gene leant back against the door and sighed, wishing he could run after the car and beg her to stay but this was for the best. He was a dad and his son needed him more.

As he moved away from the door, he stopped and frowned as he thought over her last sentence, he tried to think what she meant, "Our own chance of being a family", but not for the first time, he couldn't understand what she had meant. Suddenly, he stopped and a sudden thought came to him. She couldn't be pregnant, could she? She'd have told him by now if she was surely.

"Don't be daft Geno, course she ain't".

Picking up the photo frame that was resting on the coffee table, he looked at it and smiled sadly. It was a picture of him and Alex taken last Christmas when they had gone to Luigi's for the Christmas party. She had looked stunning and he smiled as he remembered how he had been on the receiving end of many jealous looks from customers and even some members of the team. Putting the frame face down, he tried to distract himself by switching on the television but that didn't work.

Rubbing his eyes, he wished she was still here. He wanted her back. He reached for the phone but stopped. No, this was for the best. He was where he was needed most and that's all that mattered.

TBC.

Uh oh. What's going to happen now? :-O.

Please don't chuck things at me! Puts helmet on.

Just realised, I am rather cruel to Galex aren't I in both, but I suppose it wouldn't be Galex without their arguments. Hopefully they won't stay apart for too long, although if Adam stays around then who knows…

Please R and R.