A/N: Thank you so much for all the reads/reviews etc! I really appreciate it, love Roxannaaaax

Alex curled her fingers into tight fists as she let another one of Diana's snide comments wash over her. They were all clearing the table after a very satisfying lunch, although Alex did have to prod hers a bit to check it wasn't poisoned. However, Diana had gone for Alex tooth and nail throughout, but in such a bitchy way that it could not be totally proved and only Tiffany seemed to pick up on it. Alex didn't exactly expect Gene and Kieran to notice. They were men after all.

Alex tried to focus on getting to know Gene's children rather than his ex-wife. Over lunch, she had warmed considerably to Tiffany and learnt that the young girl aspired to be a dancer, thought the boys at her school were incredibly immature apart from her older boyfriend Harry (to which Gene's ears pricked up protectively) and she adored English, Dance and Drama at school. They began chatting about their favourite books as Gene engaged with his son and Diana looked on moodily.

Alex didn't really know what to make of Kieran. As they all sat down on the sofas once the table was cleared, Diana put the telly quietly on in the background as the five of them continued their conversations. Gene sat in the middle of the sofa with Tiffany and Alex either side, with Diana in the armchair adjacent to Tiffany and Kieran in the armchair adjacent to Alex. Gene had turned to Tiffany, wanting to know everything about her boyfriend as Diana laughed, chipping in here and there whilst catching Gene's eye suggestively. Alex rolled her eyes, and then tried to make conversation with Gene's moody son.

"So Kieran," Alex swallowed, a false, bright smile dancing on her face, "what are you interested in then? Can't see you wanting to be a dancer like your sister!"

Kieran stared at her, or rather, her cleavage. Alex shuffled self-consciously.

"Mechanics," he grunted.

"Great," Alex replied, making another brave stab at conversation, "maybe you can fix your dad's car for us then."

Kieran stared at her. "Ain't trained yet," he sneered patronisingly, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Oh," Alex blushed, feeling a bit uncomfortable, "so…what do you like to do? Go out with your mates?"

Kieran shuffled to face her, as if it was a chore. "Usual stuff. Get pissed. Smoke fags. See my mates. School."

"Right," Alex said slowly, unimpressed by this boy's lifestyle, "no girlfriend?"

Kieran smirked at her lecherously. "Nah. If you 'ave a girlfriend you only get to shag one bird, don't yer?"

Alex's eyes widened as she was taken aback. "Well yes, that's the general idea…"

"And that's bollocks," Kieran snapped, causing Alex to sink back into the sofa and give up. Gene turned to her, squeezing her leg affectionately and kissing her on the cheek. Alex's heart soared, especially when she saw Diana's face boil.

"Tiff's boyfriend is eighteen," Gene grumbled to Alex, nibbling her ear lovingly as Kieran stared at them with an expression mixed between repulsion and jealousy, "I don't like it. He's four years older."

Alex kissed him on the lips as Diana and Tiffany continued to talk about Harry. "Well you're ten years older than me, Gene, and we've worked out fine," she winked at him.

Gene shoved her lightly, chuckling. "Cheeky tart. Might 'ave ter teach you a lesson."

"Is that a promise?" Alex whispered, stroking his arm.

"Might be," Gene winked back. He flung his arm round Alex's shoulders then, allowing her to snuggle in his embrace. He turned his head slightly to address Tiffany.

"Well if 'e starts giving yer hassle, poppet, just tell yer old man and I'll go sort 'im out."

Tiffany laughed, nudging Gene with her elbow as Diana sat up straight, a smirk appearing on her face.

"Don't worry, Gene baby," she smiled sickeningly, "our Tiff's not stupid. If she don't want ter do somethin', she'll say no. Tiff's not as stupid as your Alex, losing her virginity at twelve."

"WHAT?" Alex and Gene shouted in shock, sitting up straighter. Gene's arms stiffened around Alex and Kieran's jaw dropped.

"You shagged about when you were twelve?" Kieran gawped at her.

"No!" Alex exclaimed, mortified. "Diana, how dare you? You lying little bitch, you know nothing about me!"

"Bolls, that's enough!" Gene snapped at her.

"No! She's been an absolute bitch to me ever since we've arrived!" Alex burst out.

"Don't talk to my mum like that, you slag!" Kieran roared at her, standing up threateningly as Alex shrunk back into Gene's arms.

"OI!" Gene hollered, standing up to match Kieran. "Sit down! And you threaten my girlfriend like that one more time and you're in shit, Kieran! Don't you fucking dare call her names like that!"

Kieran sank back down into his armchair as Tiffany looked down uncomfortably and Diana smirked. Alex's blood was boiling.

Gene sat down, and then looked at Alex in confusion. There was silence.

Gene swallowed. "You lost yer virginity at twelve?"

Diana spluttered as Alex threw her head into her hands and groaned in frustration. "No! I didn't! That's what I mean – Diana had absolutely no right to say that!"

"When did yer lose it then?" Kieran grinned.

"KIERAN!" Gene boomed as Alex looked down, humiliated.

"I think," Tiffany butted in, drawing the attention on her, "that we should watch a film. Together, and let our dinner go down. I've got some o' your favourites out the library, Dad."

Gene nodded gratefully. "Cheers Tiff," he smiled at her, squeezing her hand as she hopped up to get them. Gene glared at Diana.

"And you," he snarled, "can keep yer gobby little mouth shut. Leave Alex alone and grow the hell up."

Diana pouted, annoyed. "Gene baby –"

"Nah. Don't want to 'ear your voice. Giving me an 'eadache."

Alex giggled as Diana bit her lip in pure fury, sulking as Tiffany returned with the videos and put one in the player. The young blonde then sat back next to her dad, turning on the small telly and silencing the room as the credits began to roll.

-xx-

"KIERAN! Get yer fat arse out yer room! We're 'aving a bit of a switcheroo. Need ter sort it!" Diana called up the stairs that night as eleven o'clock fast approached. Kieran skulked down the stairs moodily and joined the others in the living room.

"Wha'?" he grunted. Alex rolled her eyes. She was liking this boy less and less.

"Tiffany babe, yer fine in your room," Diana explained as Gene returned from the car and handed Alex her overnight things, "but Alex is goin' ter need to be in your room, Kieran."

"What?" Alex and Gene spluttered. Kieran grinned like a maniac.

"You mean I get ter sleep with Alex?" he winked suggestively at her as Alex felt repulsed.

"Not quite, wise guy," Diana smirked at him, "you're on the sofa, big boy. Alex needs yer bed."

"Where the fuck am I, then?" Gene interjected. Diana smiled gleefully, an expression that made Alex want to either throw up or shove Diana's face in something.

"Oh Gene sweetie, have you really forgotten this house already?" she simpered. "My bed is a double, my love. You're in with me."

Gene looked horrified and was about to angrily protest, but Alex got there first.

"Oh I don't think so!" she spat furiously. "Gene is my partner, so if he's going to be sharing a bed with anyone, it's going to be me."

Diana snarled at her as Kieran and Tiffany rolled their eyes, going upstairs to get ready.

"And I suppose you're goin' ter kick me out o' my own bed, are you, Alex?" Diana sneered.

"Yep," Gene said bluntly, cutting in, "take Kieran's bed. He can 'ave the sofa, Tiff's in her room, and me an' Alex will 'ave yours. Wahey, everyone's happy!"

Diana looked like a volcano was about to erupt through her skull as the three of them trouped upstairs to get changed and use the bathroom. "Fine," she muttered darkly, "whatever. Like I care."

"Good," Alex smiled sarcastically at her, dumping her overnight bag on Diana's huge double bed. Gene joined her and Diana grabbed her pyjamas, retreating into Kieran's room like a sulking child.

Alex rummaged in her night bag and pulled out the silk black shirt she had been sleeping in. She swallowed uncomfortably as she got undressed and put it on, the material barely covering her lacy knickers.

"Gene, I can't wear this here," Alex said desperately as pulled on his pyjama vest and bottoms.

"Yeah yer can," Gene answered, "you look gorgeous, Bolls. Giving me the right 'orn."

Alex laughed lightly. "It's not…modest though, is it? I can't prance around her house looking like the whore she already thinks I am."

"Ignore her," Gene muttered, pulling Alex into his arms and kissing her sensually on the lips, tasting her strawberry lip-balm, "I know what's true, Alex, and that's all that matters. You're a respectful woman, both of yerself and others, so don't let 'er tell yer otherwise."

Alex melted into his arms, weaving her hands through his hair as Gene began kissing down her neck. A stifled moan escaped Alex's lips as Gene backed her up against the wall, caressing her breasts through the light fabric of her shirt. Alex hooked one toned, bare leg up around Gene's hips, pressing her body towards his as her breathing quickened and he began to lightly trail his fingers up the inside of her thigh.

"Uuuhh…Gene…"

"Sorry, am I interrupting something?"

Gene and Alex shrieked in shock, Gene leaping away from the wall and disentangling Alex's legs from his waist as she frantically pulled her shirt down, her heart thudding and her blood boiling.

"DIANA!" Alex screamed, embarrassed and livid.

Diana smirked, having watched the whole scene between her ex-husband and his new partner play out. "Sorry to interrupt, lovebirds, but the bathroom's free for yer, Alex. Just down the hall."

Alex breathed deeply and tried to smile appreciatively. "Thank you," she said through gritted teeth as Diana left the room, satisfied with breaking the moment.

Gene ran his fingers through his hair. "Get in the bathroom then, Bolls," he sighed, "that cow ain't goin' ter leave us alone until the lights are out. Even then you can bet she's set up a secret flippin' camera or something."

Alex chuckled, gathering her toiletries. "Back in a minute then," she smiled, "love you."

"Love you too," Gene smiled back, grabbing his comb and going over to the mirror as Alex found her way into the bathroom.

She was just coming to the end of her nightly routine by applying moisturiser when Kieran walked in, shirtless and seemingly unfazed that his dad's girlfriend was present.

Alex felt awkward, not really knowing what to say. She decided to stay silent as she quickly rubbed the lotion on her hands, but then Kieran leaned across her to get into the cabinet, rather unsubtly. He placed a hand on her waist and pressed his chest into her back, pushing her forwards into bathroom units as he raised his hand up to reach into the cabinets.

"Sorry Kieran, shall I move?" Alex burbled, feeling uncomfortable about the close proximity between the two of them.

"S'okay, I got it," Kieran grinned as he grabbed his toothbrush and moved away from Alex, but not before he trailed his hand over her arse. Alex jumped involuntarily. Hurriedly packing away her toiletries, she noticed Kieran staring at her.

"Yes?" she prompted him, getting annoyed now.

Kieran cocked an eyebrow. "What's your bra size?" he leered. Alex felt disgusted.

"You know, you really are your father's son," she muttered, zipping her bag up tight and storming out of the bathroom. Gene noticed her foul mood as soon as she returned to the bedroom.

"Your son is the most lecherous little pervert I have ever met," Alex seethed. She had quite forgotten that Gene was obviously going to have an unbreakable connection to him.

He grabbed her wrist strongly, wrenching it upwards as Alex gasped in pain and shock. Thrusting his face closer to Alex's, Gene looked like he had had enough. "And I'm sick of you criticising my family," he spat at her, "I'm sick of being in the bloody middle. I bollocked him earlier for bein' inappropriate but I think you've forgotten that he's my flesh and blood. A miserable bastard yeah, but you dare say somethin' like that about him and I swear I won't be able to help myself, Bolls."

Alex snatched her wrist back, tears in her eyes as she massaged the bruised skin. "Well excuse me if I don't want him pressing against me, touching my arse or asking me my bra size!" she burst out, the tears leaking. "I don't like that sort of thing! You know I don't…not since…"

She was in his arms then, Gene hushing her and soothing her as he tried to calm her down. It was times like this when Gene forgot the horror she had been put through a couple of months ago. The challenging steps she had taken to restore her faith in men. Times when things were going well, or when Gene was caught up in situations…but it was still there. That awful trauma was always going to be a part of Alex, no matter how small. Rubbing her back as Alex's trickles of the odd tears subsided, she went to get into bed as Gene left the room to do his teeth and inform everyone they were going to bed.

Gene had a few strong words with Kieran as he said goodnight. Warnings that inappropriate behaviour towards Alex was not acceptable, that she was not some bird at school but his dad's partner who'd been through more than they would ever realise. Getting an apologetic grunt from his son, Gene went back upstairs to give Tiffany a kiss and then called goodnight to Diana, not stopping in the landing to hear her reply. However, the ex Mrs Hunt wasn't having any of it as she stumbled onto the landing in her night dress, causing Gene to whip around in confusion.

"Aren't I going to get a goodnight kiss, Genie?" Diana pouted, sticking her chest out more than was necessary.

Gene raised his eyebrows. "What do you want from me, Diana?" he sighed. Diana sauntered forwards, lightly stroking Gene's arm as she looked up at him through her eyelashes.

"It's just I ain't seen yer in such a long time," she said in a false-cutesy voice, "and we haven't spent any time together today. Not really."

"That's because I've got Alex and I came ter see the kids, not you."

"We used ter be good together. Really good."

Gene cocked an eyebrow. "Yeah, that's what I thought until yer left me for that bloke. Thought you'd ruined everythin' for me, but turns out you prompted me ter make the best decision of my life. Divorcing you, leaving Manchester and therefore meeting Alex."

"That was a stupid affair," Diana said desperately, "it lasted about three months after we broke up. There ain't been no-one since, Genie baby."

Gene snorted. "Whatever you're tryin' ter say, I ain't interested, Diana. I love Alex. More than I've ever loved anyone. Now piss off ter bed, will yer. I could be in 'er arms right now."

Diana narrowed her eyes. "You mean you could be in her –"

"Oh save it, yer crude bitch," Gene spat, "night. See yer in the morning. But put yer makeup on before yer leave yer room. Unlike Alex, you're a scary sight first thing in the morning."

And with that, Gene left Diana on the landing with her mouth agape in shock. Gene chuckled to himself as he entered the bedroom and collapsed into the bed with the one woman he simply could not bear to be without.

Slipping in beside her, Alex turned and snuggled into Gene's chest, breathing in his scent.

"Love you," Gene murmured in her ear.

"Love you too," Alex mumbled in content, her big hazel eyes glistening upwards as they met his blue ones, "sorry about today. With Diana and Kieran. I should have made more of an effort."

"Not your fault," Gene insisted, "they were difficult. Deliberately tryin' ter provoke you. All that shit about your virginity…"

Alex froze. She knew what was coming. He was a man, they always asked. They always wanted to know who had gotten in first. In fact, Alex was surprised that he hadn't asked sooner.

"Go on then, Bolls," Gene grinned at her, "when was yer first time?"

Alex groaned. "I'm not obliged to answer that."

"And I'm not obliged to stay 'ere all night, but I'm still going to."

Alex thumped him lightly. "Oh all right. I was…fifteen."

"Fifteen?" Gene spluttered. "Shit Bolls, I always 'ad you down as a tart but not that much o' one. Naughty Bolly breaking the law. Never believed in the no sex before marriage bollocks then?"

"I guess not," Alex muttered, "my boyfriend was about nineteen. To be honest, I wasn't really ready but he…pressurised me into it. It was horrible. We did it on his sofa when his parents were out and I was in so much pain just lying underneath him whilst he pounded away –"

"Too much information, Bolly," Gene stopped her, holding up his hand but still squeezing her lovingly, "the bloke sounded like a right bastard. Yer take it slow wi' virgins. It's called respect. That's what I'm worried is goin' ter happen ter Tiff. This Harry twat will pressurise her…and I won't be 'ear to punch his lights out…"

Alex sat up then, drawing Gene up with her as she stroked his face, tilting his chin up to meet her eyes.

"Tiffany seems like a really, really smart girl, Gene," Alex praised him, "you've raised such a lovely, polite young girl who's going to grow up to become a fully-fledged woman with a great life. She strikes me as the sensible kind, but one who can have fun and know her limits. One that knows her own mind and won't be pressurised."

Gene smiled gratefully at her, stroking her hand. "But you know yer own mind, Bolls, and that dickhead still pressurised you into doing it before you were ready."

"I wasn't as strong as I am now," Alex revealed, "in fact, before my divorce I was a completely different person. When my husband left me with Molly, I had to toughen up. I got a promotion. I became a better mother. I became part of who I am today."

Gene raised an eyebrow. "Part of?"

Alex kissed him, her lips meeting his slowly and sensually. "You completed the other part of me, Gene," Alex whispered, their foreheads touching, "I'd be nothing without you. I love you."

Gene kissed her back, fully, passionately. "I love you, Alex. I want ter show you just how much…"

Alex grinned. "Not here, my love. Diana…the kids…they'll hear us…"

"Not like that, yer dirty mare," Gene chuckled, "Bolls…Alex…sweetheart…I…I want us ter move in together. A proper house. A proper home. Me and you."

Alex gasped. It was as if the world had stopped still. Her heart pounded in her chest as Gene shook her gently, trying to gain a coherent response.

"Bolls? Bolly?"

Alex threw her arms around him then, squealing into his shoulder. "Oh yes, Gene! Yes! Oh my God…Gene…I want that so much! Oh Gene…"

"Come 'ere, you," Gene grinned, hugging her close, "been meaning ter ask yer for ages, but with everything else goin' on…just so happy yer said yes. I love you, Alex."

"I love you too," Alex beamed, "oh yes, Gene! YES!"

Suddenly there was a fierce knock on the door. "IF YER GOIN' TER SHAG, AT LEAST BE BLOODY QUIET ABOUT IT!" Diana roared, the jealousy evident in her voice.

Gene and Alex burst out laughing, their laughter rippling through their bodies as their sides ached. Collapsing together on the bed, they sniggered into each other's arms as they intertwined their limbs and settled down to sleep, forever happy and safe in each other's embrace.