RICKY'S POV:

Aaron had been home from the hospital for just over a week, and every night at 3am I lay staring at the ceiling waiting for him to wake up for one of his many during the night feeds. Glancing at the clock on my bedside table, I watched as the time turned from 2:58 to 2:59am, and then counted down the seconds till 3am, Aaron waking up as if on cue…

"Ric…" Brax nudged me as Aaron began to cry

"I did the first one, it's your turn" I informed him

"I've gotta be up in a few hours for work" he replied "can you, please?"

I sighed heavily and climbed out of bed, shoving my slippers onto my feet… "I'll remember this, Braxton"

"Love you" he informed me as I moved over to Aaron's Moses basket and took him into my arms, making my way out of the bedroom and into the kitchen

As I was warming Aaron's bottle I felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning my head, I saw it was Bianca…

"Did we wake you?" I inquired

She shook her head, signalling no… "Can't sleep. Do you want me to take him?"

"Would you? I really need the loo" I admitted

"Go ahead" she chuckled, taking Aaron from me and the bottle from the microwave

"Thanks" I replied, hurrying back through to mine and Brax's bedroom and into our en-suite

BRAX'S POV:

The next morning I made my way out of mine and Ricky's en-suite bathroom to see her dressing Aaron, cooing over him as she did so… "You're gonna be fine today, you know that, right?"

She nodded her head, signalling yes... "I can't believe you've only got a week off"

"I know, but at least my hours have been cut so I can be home to help you more" I replied

She nodded her head in agreement and smiled at me warmly as she stood up, taking Aaron into her arms…

"What do you have planned for today then anyway?" I questioned as I organised myself

"We might take a walk to the diner to see Auntie Irene" she informed me "and then we'll come home and do some washing and cleaning. Fun day ahead if you hadn't guessed"

I chuckled and kissed her softly as I pulled my t-shirt over my head… "Enjoy. I love you"

"Love you too" she mirrored

"And I love you too" I informed Aaron, pressing a kiss to his head

"Say bye to Daddy" Ricky cooed, shaking Aaron's hand as I began to walk out of the bedroom

RICKY'S POV:

"Going anywhere nice?" Bianca inquired as she made her way out of hers and Heath's bedroom after getting organised for work

"We're off to the diner to see Auntie Irene" I informed her as I placed Aaron into his pram

"Sounds lovely" she replied "how do you feel about everything?"

I shrugged my shoulders in reply…

"Ric?" she questioned

"Don't you have to be getting to work?" I asked

"I've got time if you want to have a chat" she replied

"I'm fine" I assured her, pulling my handbag onto my shoulder "see you tonight"

"Bye" she sighed as I walked out of the front door

Ten minutes later, I made my way into the diner, Irene hurrying over to me as she saw us…

"I didn't expect to see you today" she admitted, poking her head inside the pram to have a look at Aaron "oh, Ricky, love, he's beautiful"

"Not so beautiful at 3am" I admitted, chuckling softly

"Getting used to the night feeds is a bit difficult, isn't it?" she questioned

"Just a bit" I replied "and because I'm breastfeeding once a day I can't even have caffeine"

She smiled at me sympathetically as she made her way behind the counter and I sat down on one of the stools… "It'll get easier, love, don't worry"

"I know, it's just…" I began, stopping myself

"It's just what?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow at me

"I didn't realise it'd be this tough" I admitted "he just cries and I have to figure out what he wants"

"Darl, all new Mum's feel the same way as you" she replied "but as time moves on and this little bub gets older it'll get easier, I promise"

"Irene, if I ask you something, do you promise not to tell Brax?" I asked, biting my bottom lip nervously

"It depends what it is, love" she admitted

I swallowed a lump in my throat… "Doesn't matter then"

"Ricky…" she sighed "something's obviously on your mind. What is it?"

"I can't bond with him" I informed her, sighing heavily "no matter how hard I try. When I pick him up if he's crying he doesn't stop, but with anybody else it's like everything goes to mute, and there's no noise whatsoever"

"I don't know what to say, love" she admitted "but sometimes it takes first-time Mum's a bit longer. Give it time, it'll happen, I'm sure"

Poor Ricky – do you think things will get easier for her, or will it just be a matter of time before she snaps?