Thabo watched with soft eyes filled with sorrow as he watched Alice try and console a deeply upset Rosie. He admired the bond the two women shared, so close despite the fact they were always so far apart, and he admired how strong Alice was trying to be. How despite her own inner turmoil she pushed it all away and despite the fact it was pretty hypocritical, considering she didn't believe it herself, told Rosie and indeed himself that everything would be ok.

Slowly, he cleared his throat.

"I'll just go grab some coffee." He murmured before quickly exiting the room.

(x)

Dupe watched from a distance as he watched Merry get to know the family outside on the veranda. She seemed a nice girl, obviously all Evan needed in one package. The strange thing was, the girl seemed to be under the impression she was staying here. Dupe scoffed. Evan certainly didn't run the place and despite the fact everyone was being kind to Merry, all of them were in a sombre mood with Evan. That reminded him, he was meant to be taking Liv and Charlie to the hospital. He sighed... he'd be taken two other people too.

As Evan walked through after going to the bathroom, Evan caught him by the arm and pulled him round the side of the veranda. Evan stared at him.

"Listen boy, I know you love the girl and everythin' and she's pregnant with your baby. But you can't just offer her a room here." Dupe told him.

"Why not?" Evan asked incredulous.

"You have all day?" Dupe replied, "I'm sorry Evan but she isn't staying unless Alice says she can."

"Alice..." Evan squeaked, his voice faltering. God, he thought, she was never going to agree to any of this! Not after...

"Yes Alice. Usually it would be Danny but thanks to your antics, you have him lying in a hospital bed... I suppose Alice is in bits?" Dupe snarled, Evan was shocked, Dupe had never been so hostile towards him. "Alice is Danny's wife Evan... imagine yourself in her shoes for a minute, and think about other people for a change!" As Dupe began to pad off, Evan began to think. "I'm going to the hospital in five minutes... you and Merry come, on the way you can find a way to explain to your girl and also on how you're going to approach Alice."

(x)

"What's happened Alice?" Rosie murmured sadly as she rested her head on Alice's shoulder and stared at her dad. Both had managed to sit down, but Alice still had her arm wrapped around Rosie. Rosie had reverted to nothing more than a little girl in those moments... Alice sighed, she knew how scared Rosie must be.

"I don't know..." Alice whispered back, "I just wish it hadn't happened in this way."

(x)

Thabo was stood at the cafe when he heard Dupe's voice, he grinned, picking up the coffee's and turning round and walking over to the family. He saw Dupe with Liv and Charlie.

"Thabo! Man!" Dupe exclaimed, "You know where Alice is yah?"

"Yeh..." Thabo replied, Liv kissed his cheek gently, and Thabo smiled.

"How is he?" Charlotte asked, sounding more mature than her years.

"He's stable..." Thabo admitted, he looked at Charlotte who had turned away and was looking at something else. "It's Alice we need to worry about."

"Alice?" Liv frowned slightly.

"She's not good Liv. I dunno how much longer she can hold up this strong woman act. Rosie is in bits too but Alice... you know, I don't think she could handle much more... she's..." Thabo shook his head. "The smallest thing could set her off."

"How'd you know all this?" Dupe asked.

"I've been with her the whole time Dupe. I mean she even cried! Cried in front of me I mean!" Thabo exclaimed, he shook his head slightly. Liv patted his arm before taking the coffees off him.

Suddenly, Thabo saw Evan, he stiffened immediately, his eyes darkened with anger.

"What are you doing here?" Thabo asked through gritted teeth, "You have done enough damage! You have some nerve coming back here!"

"What's that meant to mean?" Liv asked her brother, eyes fixed on him.

"Go on tell them!" Thabo laughed, "No, not man enough are you! I'll tell you what he did... he came here shouting the odds, upsetting everyone... Alice... yeh, she's doing great now Evan you know, after you broke her even further, blamed her for Danny's situation! You're pathetic Evan... you don't deserve all that Alice has done for you."

"I..." Evan faltered before sighing. "Look Thabo... I... I need to speak to Alice."

"To apologize I hope!" Thabo announced.

"Yes, and to ask her the biggest favour of my life." Evan admitted wrapping an arm around Merry.

"You do have nerve." Thabo laughed until his eyes fell onto Merry's stomach. He shook his head and turned away from Evan, he took Liv and Charlotte into his arms, "Come on."

As they walked Merry stopped Evan.

"Evan... I don't think this is a good idea." She told him.

"Why not?" Evan asked.

"You've obviously caused a lot of trouble, and there's obviously a reason for you needed to see... Alice. You can't put us up unless you ask her can you?" Merry asked him.

Evan sighed and nodded.

"I've been an idiot... A first class prick, but now is not the time. I'll explain all at some point, but for now... for now, you, the baby and keeping you safe has to be my priority." Evan smiled.

Merry nodded, taking his hand as the pair followed on.