It was the night before the annual Christmas tree cutting and Alexis was feeling a little nervous as she watched Shane get ready for work - it would be her first overnight with Petra completely on her own since Shane had returned to work.

'I'm a phone-call away if you need me, babe,' Shane reminded her as he pulled on his jumper. He wasn't worried Alexis couldn't handle this, he was more worried about himself being away overnight since he was used to getting up and having that quiet time with one of his favourite redheads.

'Shane, it's okay. It's not like you're leaving our daughter with a mental case. I'm getting better. I am better,' Alexis corrected herself with a small smile. 'I've still got some things to work through but I'm no longer feeling like my family thinks I'm completely incompetent as a parent, and I'm not judging myself nearly as harshly as I did before.'

'You'll always put pressure on yourself to be the best, that's just part of your intrinsic nature.' Shane laughed.

'Funny,' Alexis laughed; she kissed him, then headed for the nursery to find Petra waking from her afternoon nap. Without a moment's hesitation she zipped in, found Petra grabbing at her toes which made her grin. 'Hello my little acrobat! Hello, are you all refreshed from your snooze?'

'Blb.'

'Oh, yeah I know that feeling,' she giggled. 'It is fantastic to have a nice dream isn't it?'

'Blb-blb.'

Alexis lifted her out of her crib and over the the changing table where she refreshed her daughter's diaper; she tickled her daughter's tummy, making Petra burble merrily. It was such a different feeling now, knowing she didn't have to white knuckle her way through these precious moments. 'Ooh, later, before bedtime, it's going to be bathtime. We're gonna splash around, but right now we gotta say night-night to Papa, because he's off to work now.'

She fastened the onsie back on, then nestled the baby against her shoulder. Alexis breathed deep Petra's scent, wondered how on earth she could be so frightened by her precious little girl such a short time ago. They walked into the kitchen, all smiles for Shane, as he tucked his lunch into his tote-bag - they'd had a Mexican fiesta at the loft the night before and as usual there were oodles of leftovers which meant Shane didn't have to buy lunch tonight.

'Say, bye-bye Papa! Bye-bye! Go get those bad guys with the police and make our city a better place!' Alexis lifted Petra's wrist delicately to bob it in a mock-wave.'

'Blb!'

'Oh, what a smart girl you are, my precious gem! I gotta head out. No wild parties while I'm gone.'' Shane lifted her out of Alexis' arms for a kiss and a raspberry to the cheek that made Petra's dimples wink like diamonds. 'I will see you in the morning for our day of fun! It's our first Christmas tree-cutting with Petra! Love you both.'

'Love you too.'

Shane waved them good-bye, and after Alexis had chained the door, turned to grin at Petra. 'Alright, Papa's gone, now what are we going to do just for us girls?'

Food was her first thought - she'd been asleep with Shane before he had to get up for his night shift while Petra had been napping too. There was leftover Mexican, but that would give her gas and she didn't want to risk farting and startling the baby. Petra was fine with sneezes but tummy rumbles confused the hell out of her when she cuddled close.

'Petra, what do you say we take a walk and visit Uncle Brody?'

'Blb!'

Twenty minutes later, Alexis and Petra were on their way down the street towards Love on a Bun; she'd texted ahead to make sure that Body was still there, which to her good luck he was. When she reached the bakery, she did the classic mom thing of walking in backwards so she could pull the pram through the door. The moment she was in, she felt Body's skinny arms wrap around her shoulders.

'Hello beautiful,' he told her, spinning her around to give her cheeks a kiss. 'How are you feeling?'

'Much better,' she replied, noting the worry in Body's pale grey eyes. 'Right now I'm hungry.'

'Then come on over, we'll hook you up.'

He stepped behind the counter as Alexis navigated through the tables with Petra's pram, gestured to the sandwich selections. 'Want a make your own? They're a two-for-one special today, and we've also got Cesar salad I can load you up with.'

'Awesome for both.'

'Fantastic. First step - filling?'

'Mmm, let's try a roast beef on French roll and a sweet-mustard turkey on rye.'

She made her sandwiches, accepting heaping sides of salad and fruit since according to Body it was going to wind up in the bin anyway so she might as well enjoy it, and the plain blintzes from the day as well that Shane could have for breakfast with her the next day. 'Body you spoil us,' she tried to protest, which he just waved off.

'Nothing too good for Petra's mama and daddy. Where's Shane tonight?'

'Working, and I wasn't in the mood too cook.'

'Blb!' Petra gave what could have passed for a protesting burble, making Alexis smile.

'Warming a bottle for you doesn't count, sweetie, since you could nurse if necessary.'

'Blb!'

'Oh, yeah, that's right!' Alexis checked her watch, collected the bags. 'We've got the latest episode of Dallas, Lieutenant Eve starting on HBO and I can't wait to see it!'

'It's called TiVo?'

'It's called watching while the baby nurses,' Alexis laughed.

'Fair enough. Have fun, girls!'

Body watched her go, and when she was clear of the cafe door, sent Shane a quick text. Your redheads stopped in for a snack. Both look awesome.