Matt was sat in the chair in the living room, asleep. He was exhausted. A full day's work, an argument with Zoe and then Sam refusing to go to bed had tested his stamina and he couldn't help but collapse in the chair.
Zoe trudged through setting her bag down on the side. She sighed as she saw a sleeping Matt in his chair. She looked over to him and immediately felt guilty. He didn't deserve the way she treated him sometimes, he meant everything to her, and she was sick of hurting him. She exhaled a deep breath she'd been holding in, she'd change that.
Zoe went outside and stood on their small veranda, looking over the African bush. She thought of work, she thought of her family, she thought about the future. She didn't know what to do, for the first time ever, Zoe was a dead-end. She had no easy route. She didn't have work to lead her through, all she had was the fact she was a mother and fiancée who had a young son. She continued to stare into the distance, mulling over her options.
Danny and Alice were sat in the living room, each sipping a glass of wine. Lyndon was fast asleep and for once, Danny and Alice had nothing more to do than sit back and relax. It was early too, which meant they had even more time to unwind than they usually did. Alice snuggled into Danny closer as she brought her knees up to rest on the sofa. Danny smiled and kissed her hair gently as he wrapped an arm around her.
Dupe walked in, complete with his bottle of whiskey and his whiskey glass. Danny suddenly remembered the letter he and Alice had received earlier. Danny reached over to the side table and grabbed it.
"Dupe, read this." Danny said as Dupe wandered over for it. He took it and read it quickly before handing the letter back to Danny.
"But what about Rowan, Vanessa?" Dupe exclaimed, he was just as shock as Danny and Alice had been.
"Who knows." Alice shrugged, her tone slightly bitter. Danny squeezed her arm gently, he knew how much Rowan and Vanessa's children, the twins, Petal and Georgia meant to her. Auntie Alice was also a hit with them too!
"Ach, I hope they get in touch soon." Dupe sighed sitting down across from them. "For your sake Alice."
Alice laughed sourly as Dupe uttered the words. She shook her head, biting her lower lip. "Yeh, this is Rowan we are speaking about. He'll probably show up five years later, just to say, here you go Alice this is how it feels not to see your nieces for years and years." Alice had a frown set in her features as her dire thoughts took hold.
"Hey... Alice, come on." Danny murmured, "That was a long time ago... look, I'll ring them tomorrow."
Alice nodded and wrapped her arms around Danny, but the thoughts still remained.
"So you gonna meet his guy?" Dupe asked.
"Mr Beale?" Danny shrugged. "I suppose so. Though he can come here, we have enough to do without chasing around businessmen."
"You know maybe you could ask Zoe about him." Dupe suggested looking towards Alice who had just began to listen again.
"Suppose." Alice agreed, taking a sip at her wine. "She might know a bit about what's going on."
"Tomorrow." Danny mumbled as all three people fell into silence.
Matt stretched, god, he'd fallen asleep in the chair again, he took a look at the time... eleven PM, god, Zoe would have been home for nearly three hours now! He jumped up and walked towards the front door, he wanted to check it was locked. He tested it and noticed it was open. He was about to close it when he noticed a shadow, he opened the door quietly and saw Zoe leaning on the veranda, staring over the darkened horizon.
"Hey..." Matt whispered as he wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"Hey." Zoe replied leaning back into him slightly. She continued to look over the bush.
"You're cold, how long you been out here for?" Matt asked her softly, kissing her neck once.
"Since I got in from work I suppose." Zoe admitted, "I have a lot to think about I suppose." She looked down. Matt suddenly spun her round.
"What's wrong Zoe?" He put his hands on her shoulders. She looked up to him with tearful eyes, her lip quivered. He pulled her straight into his chest and warm embrace as her tears began to unravel.
"I can't take it anymore Matt." She whispered hoarsely into his chest. "Work... being a mum, being your fiancée... it's too much and one's got to give!" She cried. "And it's started."
"Hey, Zoe come on..." Matt tried to raise her spirits but instead he was greeted by her face, her blue eyes full of hurt, sadness was etched all over her face.
"Matt, Mara's been taken over... 3 months Matt and I have to make a decision... leave or work full time. Neither are possible!" Zoe cried. "We both need to work but I can't leave my son in care all day, I don't have it in me. And you, Matt, I need you! I'm so sorry for treating you the way I did."
Matt sighed. "We'll get through this Zoe, I promise, we'll get through this."
"But what do I do Matt?" Zoe asked him looking into his eyes.
"You come inside with me, and you get some rest, you're exhausted Zo." Matt said softly. "I'm here for you no matter what!" He promised. She kissed him gently before both made their way inside.
Danny and Alice were now led in bed, Danny looked at her from where he was lying. She looked back at him, their eyes met.
"You are beautiful." Danny whispered running his hand down her body. She smiled at him.
"You're my handsome macho game vet." Alice whispered moving closer to him. She began to kiss his neck. "And I love you."
"I love you too." He mumbled as she moved her way down his body. He let her take charge before returning the favours. It wasn't long before both people had given themselves completely to the other as love filled the room...