Alec passed the sleeping Jack carefully to Rose, who held him in her arms while Alec went to the car to get his baby seat then he placed him carefully in, Jack not stirring.
"Aw, bless him, you tired him out," Ellie told Rose while Alec went to the car.
"Yeah, I think Alec had just as much fun, considering he doesn't like the water. He told me last night he wouldn't be able to go in and while me and Jack were in, he just got up and joined us."
"Seems your new relationship has done more than make Alec less grumpy. I can't tell you what he used to be like, you'd never even believe me, he's changed so much, even since he had his surgery."
"Did he tell you he was going for it Ellie?"
"No, the nut job sent me a text saying he was going to get it fitted and if he didn't make it, it was nice knowing me. Who does that?"
Rose smiled, looking at Jack. "Well I'm glad he's still here I can tell you that much. He makes it worthwhile coming here, for both of us."
"Rose, I can see the difference you and Jack have made to him, that was all he needed, a purpose, having no-one with him all that time. I met his ex a few times, can't say I blame him for leaving her, she's a bit, you know."
"He never talks about her, just she's in charge of that case that haunted him. He said he couldn't have done it without your help."
"Rubbish, all he needed was a kick up the backside to get on with it and he got it, in more ways than one. I wish I'd had someone like him through Joe's trial, we were still a bit grouchy with each other at first but after those accusations, I thought he'd never even speak to me again, it must have hurt him as much as it did me. When I think about it though, we really asked for it, I was upset that night when I went to his hotel room and never once did he suggest anything. That's who he is Rose, a good decent man and you're very lucky to catch him."
Rose smiled, touching Jack's cheek, yes she was lucky to find a man like Alec, who was prepared to give them a home within minutes of them meeting, how often did that happen, well except for the wrong reasons. Alec was walking back, having taken his shoes and socks off again, that had taken him twice as long to get to and from the car. After setting the seat beside Rose, he knelt down and took Jack from her and placed him carefully in the seat, kissing the boy's forehead and putting the sun hat Rose had left in the car on Jack's head.
Ellie shook her head as she watched, who would have known a six month old baby could change a grizzly bear into a purring kitten? A hour later, Alec picked up the baby seat to start the walk back to the car while Rose gathered everything else up, Ellie and Tom offering to help.
"We're going for lunch Ellie, come and join us?"
"I think he'd rather just have lunch with you Rose," Ellie laughed, trying to get the sand off Fred's back, since he and Tom had been digging. "Go on, don't bother about us. Tom, help Rose back to the edge of the beach will you?"
Tom put his t-shirt back on then picked up the baby bag for her while she folded the blanket and gathered the other things. Alec was waiting and took the bag from Tom.
"Thanks for your help Tom," he told the teenager.
"Glad to help, Uncle Alec. Bye Rose, it was nice to meet you and Jack."
Alec led it slide, since Rose had given him a lecture about it earlier, saying he'd better get used to being called 'uncle' until they established what Jack was going to know him by. Over lunch, Jack waking up and wanting his after they managed to get a high-chair, Rose asked Alec again.
"What do I say Alec? Do I tell others you're his uncle, I've really no idea what others do in this kind of situation."
"Neither do I love, I'm new at his as well you know. It's an unusual situation but maybe you should just refer to me as his uncle for now, Tom and Fred call me that, apparently though I think Tom was being a bit cheeky."
Rose smiled and patted his hand. "I'm sure he didn't mean to be cheeky, he seems a good kid. It must have hit him hard, losing his friend."
"I think he suspected about his dad you know, the way the interviews came across, like Tom was looking at him to be told what to say."
"Did you ask him about it afterwards?"
"No, he went to stay with his aunt, he blamed his mother and me for taking his dad away, he's just getting over it. Less of that anyway, it's done love, let it rest eh? What do you want to do after lunch?"
"Can we go down to Dorchester or somewhere, I'd love to look around the shops for a few hours, I couldn't get in places where there's no room for buggies."
"Sure, maybe you can get something nice to wear for me tonight eh?"
Rose blushed, hoping no-one was listening as they got Jack into the car. They found a car park, which unusually was free on Sundays then found the main shopping area and Alec told Rose to go wander around for an hour or so on her own and they'd meet outside a café he pointed out.
"Go on, me and Jack will be fine, won't we?" he asked the boy as they stood over him and he was tickling his foot. "Don't come back without something nice to wear tonight, do you have enough money on you?"
"Yeah, I'm fine thanks. See you in an hour and thanks for taking Jack."
"Rose, you have to remember love, we're a family now, that's what we do. You don't have to ask me to do anything, I will do it. We can discuss the finer points later but just relax, Jack and I will be fine so stop worrying eh?"
"I can't get used to all this Alec, it's all been so sudden, I'm bound to forget. Bye baby, be good won't you?" she told Jack as she kissed his cheek, making him giggle and wriggle around in his stroller.
She kissed Alec's cheek and went off, her first taste of freedom that she hoped was going to be the first of many, now she had someone she could rely on, who would take Jack willingly though Mickey had sometimes offered but it hadn't seemed right somehow. She found a few interesting shops, one had a sale of nightwear so feeling daring, she found a blue silky one with yellow flowers that seemed a bit low cut, in her size and paid for it before she changed her mind along with a pair of white flimsy underwear.
Alec was wandering around an arcade with Jack gurgling away in his stroller and finding a shop that allowed him to push the baby around, got Jack another soft toy and some scented candles for Rose, thinking if she was agreeable, they could put them around the bath and she could relax later, then she might allow him to join her, he could always live in hope.
After meeting up and Rose getting some tea for two, they drove back home, just managing to get a parking spot opposite, even though permits were needed, Alec already having one.
"Where am I going to put my car Alec, when I get it back?" Rose asked as they got Jack out and Rose got the bag and knowing she'd have to wash the blanket.
"I will see about another permit but overnight, it can go around the front in the car park until nine, I will move it before I go to work, don't worry. This is a very quiet town, the car will be fine."
Settling Jack in his playpen, Alec put his arms around her and kissed her neck.
"Right, about us being a family? Anything to say?"
Rose shook her head, what could she say? She did feel like they were a family even after only a few days. Fate had intervened that she had broken down when Alec would be passing, there was no other explanation and who was she to argue with fate? Perhaps that night with James had been a mistake but she didn't regret Jack being the result of it, they would have still split up when they got back home, James wasn't looking for anything more.
Now though, she was worried he'd want to make more of it, now she had found someone else. She didn't want the two almost identical men vying to be Jack's father and win her affections, could she ever go back and live in that apartment with James and have him going back to how they used to be? No, looking at Alec, who was handing Jack the new soft toy he'd just got him, James had never showed him that much attention until they had moved out and he could hand his son back over after a few hours.
Jack needed a full-time father, not a part-time one and Alec seemed more than willing to fill the role.
"Rose, love, have you anything you want to say?" Alec asked again as Jack sat with his new yellow duck toy, debating whether to put it in his mouth or not.
"No, I've got no objections. Sorry, it's taking some getting used to, you know?"
"It's fine Rose, maybe I'm going too fast for you?" he asked, snuggling her neck.
"No Alec, I need this, really I do and so does Jack. Sorry, I think I'll go lie down for an hour, do you mind?"
"No love, take your time, I'll feed Jack when he's hungry. Sundays from now on are going to be your take it easy day, starting right now. How about a kiss before you go upstairs, then I'll come and wake you in an hour or so? I got something for you, some scented candles, I will run a bath for you later and you can relax then maybe I can join you?"
"Yeah, I'd like that Alec. I want us to start doing things like that but you'll have to be patient with me and not take it the wrong way if I say no at first."
"Got it but I can be very persuasive, as I demonstrated earlier. Maybe I can remind you again later, in the bath?"
"Maybe you can? I'll leave you two to play then?"
As Rose went upstairs, Alec put the TV on and put his feet up, half watching the screen and half watching for any signs the baby was getting hungry or tired or even irritable but so far, he'd not cried once, well not really cry as such and he wondered if the boy felt like he was getting enough attention now and really didn't need to fret. Maybe his father should have paid him a bit more attention but he had no idea what things had been like for Rose so he was the last one to judge.
Rose just lay on top of the bed, trying to take stock of the last few days, since leaving her mother's and breaking down on the main road just before the turn-off for Broadchurch. It was clear now Alec had actually said they could be a family that he obviously wanted to be a dad to Jack but next Sunday, his real one was coming to visit and she had no idea how the two men would react around each other.
She did have to smile though, the confusion it would cause were the two of them be seen together, with Jack and James had pointed out he didn't want to be accused of kidnapping his own son so the sooner they went to the paper, the better and get everything cleared up. Had they been in a larger town, the whole thing would have gone unnoticed.
Alec had been right on one thing though – getting to Exeter then finding somewhere to stay would have been a nightmare and more than likely she would have gone back to London, what had she been thinking? She would have had to scrape by for a few months and then what? Alec had been willing to just let her look after the house in return for them staying but since that first night, it had become much more than that and she still couldn't figure out how she'd let him into their lives so quickly.
Now she had at least gained another friend in Ellie, which would be a big help should she ever get stuck or she and Alec had a bit if a tiff but she doubted that would happen, he'd probably just reason with her but how would she react over decisions regarding her son? She had to establish some points that would not be open to discussion and she'd have to consult with James over though there was nothing on paper that said she had to, except his name on the birth certificate.
She'd only claimed the other benefit after she'd left him so she would have to get that sorted, now she was living with Alec. She was just dozing off when she realised Alec was in the doorway, holding Jack.
"I think someone wants you," he smiled, sitting on the bed and Jack reaching over to her.
She should have expected he wouldn't leave the boy downstairs on his own, leaving him in his cot was a little different she supposed.
"Hey you, why aren't you having a nap?"
"He's been playing with his toys, I was going to feed him but we thought we'd come and wake you first, right Jack?"
"I didn't really sleep, sorry. It's very rare I get some time to myself without having to worry about him."
"Well I told you, that has all changed. You have to get used to it love. I'll go and start feeding him, come down when you are ready, no rush."
Later that evening, they put Jack in the bath again after he'd been fed then putting him to bed, Alec led Rose into the bathroom where he'd placed the scented candles.
"Right, time for you to relax in that baby bath oil you wanted to try," he insisted.
"I got some from the discount store, lavender and jasmine and no, it's not a cheap brand."
"Never said a word love," he smiled, putting the bath plug in and turning on the taps. "I will fill the bath for you, you go get ready and bring your new nightdress in, then I will give you some time to soak and come and join you, if you want?"
Rose looked at him, who in their right mind wouldn't want to get in the bath and relax with him, well maybe except his stupid ex wife who didn't realise what a good thing she had divorced but that was her loss.
Coming back in wearing just her robe and the new pair of knickers she'd just bought that just about rested on her hips, the bath was foaming nicely and Alec was sat on the side making sure the temperature was right.
"That looks really nice Alec," Rose hinted at the lit candles, though it wasn't quite dark yet but he'd pulled the blue window blind down.
"Let me help you love?" he asked, as Rose unfastened the belt on her robe and he went for the collar.
Putting the robe on the towel rail, he picked up a large cream bath towel and put it on the clothes hamper, waiting for Rose to turn around. She stood with her back to him, the white underwear showing her hips that Alec could only stare at. Experiencing her in bed was one thing, kissing all over her top half but getting to see her, smiling at him was another.
"Are you still feeling shy Rose?"
"A little, I know I shouldn't be."
He went up behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders and kissed her neck.
"Please Rose, turn around for me?"
He let go and she hesitated a few seconds. He had braved his fear of the water to join them splashing about, something he'd told her he couldn't do so she could do this, for him. She slowly turned around, Alec taking her hand.
"Why would you want to hide from me?" he asked after letting out a whistle. "You are beautiful Rose. When you get more confidence in front of me, I hope you will allow me to take some photos of you?"
"Like this?" she asked nervously.
"Well that would be nice but maybe some of you in your underwear and your new nightdress? I got plenty of you with Jack today, which I will transfer to your phone for you. I won't mind if you take some of me, without my shirt."
Rose smiled at the thought. "Well maybe some with your buttons undone as well?"
"Now you are teasing me but yes, if that's what you want. Now do you need help getting in the bath?"
"I can manage, thanks. Come back in half an hour?"
"Twenty minutes?" he asked, kissing her neck, feeling her through his t-shirt that he'd bought earlier in the menswear shop, which had got him some attention from two female assistants asking if the baby was his.
What was it about men with small babies in buggies that interested women? He had quite liked it though and it had made Jack laugh as they had fussed over him, getting them a scowl from their boss.
Not wanting to argue she replied "Twenty five, not a minute less."
He smiled and stepped back. "Yes love, twenty five then, just for you."
He hoped she wouldn't get too mad if he tried his luck a few minutes early, he would go get another towel from the airing cupboard, take his shoes and socks off and change into the new pair of tight fitting jeans he'd bought, which had probably got the assistants interested as he was choosing them, then he would casually leave them unbuttoned and go sit on the edge of the bath, minus his t-shirt and hope she would invite him to join her.
He went to check on Jack, who was fast asleep in the middle of the cot with the soft toy duck he wouldn't let go of and Alec wondered if it was because it was new and he had given it to the boy. Things had been very strange the way Jack had taken to him, when he'd spoken to the baby, he had looked at him and would have answered had he been able, he'd let him feed and change him, pick him up and never fretted once for his mum but had gone to her instantly when taken to her that morning and on the beach.
He would go as far as to say the boy already considered he was safe and happy and had accepted Alec had taken on the role of his father but he hoped when his real one arrived next Sunday, the boy wouldn't make a fuss and James accuse him of taking away his son, that was the last thing he wanted. He got changed, even though it wouldn't be for long and waited exactly twenty two minutes until he got the towel and put his hand on the handle of the bathroom door.
Rose was relaxing in the bubble bath, her eyes closed, smiling to herself she could finally get a few minutes to relax, twice in the same day. It was a far cry from her mother calling every time Jack even moved and James saying he was busy. The time seemed to fly by when she heard the bathroom door opening, certain her time wasn't up but there would be no curbing Alec's enthusiasm and she couldn't be mad at him for trying, it must have been torture for him counting the minutes.
She looked as he stepped inside the bathroom, a white towel over his shoulder, bare feet and wearing slim-fitting jeans Rose wasn't even aware he'd bought since he had gone back out to the car to fetch everything in and he'd brought most things upstairs. Now she noticed the jeans were unzipped and for added effect, he'd ditched the t-shirt at the last second and putting the towel on top of hers, stood in front of her.
"Hi there handsome, couldn't wait?" Rose teased him, going for his leg with her wet hand.
"You said you wanted me with no shirt on? Mind if I join you?"
"I thought that was the idea?"
He wasted no time taking off his jeans but hesitated pulling his new white boxers down facing her.
"You told me not to be shy Alec."
"I know love, why don't I get in behind you, move up."
"Not until you take those boxers off I'm not."
"Oh, so you are not shy at seeing me then?"
"I've seen your ass Alec, it's very cute. Hurry up before the water goes cold."
Thinking to hell with it, he let his boxers fall to the floor but moved so quickly, Rose hardly saw him, Alec putting one leg in the bath and trying to keep his balance, which wasn't easy in the slippery remainders of the bubbles. He put his hands on her shoulders and carefully sat down behind her, going to kiss her neck, Rose moving to sit on his lap and feeling him stirring.
"Turn around Rose," he asked, whispering in her ear she looked too gorgeous.
"Well help me then," she replied, trying to manoeuvre herself to face him and giggling at the same time, never having done this before, even when things were going well with James.
She carefully put her legs on top of his but he pulled her closer, shuffling up so her feet were touching the end of the tub. He put his arms around her and they kissed, Rose not being able to resist climbing further onto him until they touched. Rose knew from that moment, she didn't really want him to wear anything in bed and cursed herself for not getting something done about it but with James being out of the picture, him having been the one to take the precautions on the odd occasion, it hadn't seemed that important.
As she climbed further on him, he could hardly resist her but knew he had to, until she got something sorted so he lay back a little against the tub and let her move around on him as they kissed, the water going cold but neither of them really cared, this is what they both wanted, to get as close as they could with nothing getting in their way.