#@pixie88

"Remember, just ignore Melissa, she was always jealous Ellis choose you" Dom says as she pours Dana a drink, Dana sneers "I've handled her for sixteen years Dom, one more night isn't going to tip me over the edge. Plus, I married for love, she married for money.....five times before she met Jacob!" Dana smugly smirks.

"She reveals in others' misery, but ignore her!" the doorbell rings, Dom rushes to answer it, Kellie, Selina, Nancy, Annabelle and Melissa are there.

They flow through into the kitchen, Selina pulled Dana in for a hug, "hi sweetie, how are you and the boys?"

"Hey lovely, I'm alright and the boys are good thanks. What about you? How's Liam?"

She pulls Dana away from the girls, Dana quarks her brow at her, "you are my best friend, so I guessed maybe you could help me tonight?" Dana nods curiously, "this needs to stay between us, I can't drink tonight because I'm pregnant!" Dana was about to squeak, but she stopped herself. Her eyes glass over because she knew how long Liam and Selina trying and the struggles they had gone through to keep trying.

She pulled her in for a hug, "I'm so happy for you both! Congratulation!" the both of them get a bit teary, "thank you, I need your help with the girls. I don't want to tell them before twelve weeks. If I don't drink they will get suspicious..."

"I will get all your drinks tonight, don't worry!" Dana grins, "come on, let's get back to the others" Dana pulls her back towards the girls.

Keeping her promise and kept pouring Selina's drinks, "alright Dana?" Melissa takes a seat next to where Dana was "yup, you?" she vaguely answers her knowing she is only after information on Ellis "me? I'm great thanks...so how's the kids and the husband?"

"The boys are fine!" she doesn't tell her about Ellis, instead she wanders over to Selina with her drink, "what did she want?" Selina asks as she took the glass from her hand, "asking how the boys and Ellis are!" she hissed through gritted teeth.

"She's jealous of you, she always has been since Ellis asked you out and not her all those years ago"

"Ellis would never go near her, especially every stunt she's pulled over the years!" Dana smugly smirk.

A little later...

"Why don't we play a round of never have I ever?" Kellie says a little tipsy, "Yes! Let's go and take this into the living room!" Dom calls the girls through.

"I'll take care of the shots, Selina you can help me!" Dana holds Selina back, Dana fills two plates with plastic shot glasses, one plate she loads with vodka and gin shots and another with water, "take from the plate with the red flowers, Selina!"

"Won't the girl suss it out?" Selina asked, "I have a plan!" she winks at her as they take the plates of shots through, "right girls, I've loaded these two plates with three different shots, you'll get vodka, gin or just tap water. I've mixed them up, so there are different shots on each plate!" she places one on one side of the table and the water shots in front of Selina.

"I'll go first, then we will work out way round, never have I ever cheated!" Nancy looks around the group only Melissa drinks, the girls look at her, "it was in college years ago!" Melissa tells them like it isn't a big deal.

"I guess it's my turn, never have I ever slept with an ex after splitting up with them" Dom had said this so Melissa had to drink again, Dana raises her glass to her lips as well as Kellie, Annabelle, and Melissa. Dom looks at Dana in horrible, "what?! When?!"

"After the last girls night, it had been five months. I called Ellis and he was happy to oblige" Dom's jaw dropped, "how did we not know about this?" she asked her.

"I knew Shane told me, he saw Ellis the day after and Shane said he had a spring in his step and a huge smile on his face" Nancy winks at her, "sorry, I knew too, but we are best friends so!" Selina shrugs.

"Moving on, never have I ever had a Onlyfans page!" Melissa gives Kellie the side eye, knowing Kellie will have to drink, "so what?!" Dom roll her eyes at Melissa as Kellie drinks, "my body, my choice!" Kellie shrugs.

Selina looks pissed off with Melissa, "my turn! Never have I ever slept with someone over sixty" Selina looks at Melissa, who sips her drink, Dana hides her smirk behind her glass.

"Me next, never have I ever slept with more than one guy!" Dana grins, knowing the whole group will have to drink "that's not fair! Not all of us found our soulmate at fifteen!" Nancy playfully teases her.

"So much for soul mates! They aren't even together anymore!" Melissa reminds them, "they might not be, but I don't think Ellis will get with anyone else." Selina nudges Dana.

"Never have I ever been arrested!" Kellie watches the group, Dom, Annabelle and Melissa drink. Dana looks to Annabelle, "you work for the police!"

Annabelle smirks, "I do, it wasn't an official arrest it was more an intimate one. Jacques used his work handcuffs on me role playing! Still counts?"

"Well, if it does looks like I'm taking a shot too!" Dana picks one off the table and knocks it back "what a waste of police time!" Dana grins at Annabelle and the pair start to giggle.

The game continues on.

Later in the kitchen, "why wasn't I told about Ellis scratching an itch?" Dom teases her, "no one was suppose to know...Selina only knew because she caught him leaving the house the next morning"

"You still at least fancy him, then?" she quizzes her friend, Dana doesn't answer her, but it's written all over her face, "you still love him!" she mischievously grins at her, "you do!"

"I can't just turn those feelings off can I?!" Dom wraps her arms around her friend.

The next day...

"Dana?" she felt someone stroke her cheek, for a second she forgot "Hmm...Ellis" then she heard him chuckle. Her eyes flicked open, she saw him smile down at her, "oh god! We didn't...did we?" she asks, trying to remember, he chuckles, "unfortunate not...I did knock, but there was no answer, so I used my emergency key. We did say eleven didn't we?"

She rubs her eyes "what time is it?" she stretches as she looks up at him, his eyes glide over her body, she pulls the covers up, his eyes flick back to hers. He looks down at his watch, "eleven twenty one!" she sighs, "my head hurts," he laughs, "you do look a little rough!"

She narrows her eyes, "thanks a lot!" she hissed at him, "look, why don't you stay in bed, and I'll take care of the boys?" she looks up at him, "I can't ask you to do that, it's my own fault I have a hangover!"

He gets up from the bed, "it's fine! I'll go to the shop and grab you some painkiller, a Lucazade and dinner"

"Y-you don't have to do that," she sits up and the room starts to spin, she clutches her head "Ouch!" she laid back down. "Ok, fine! Can you help the boys do their homework and reading?" he nods "boys, get your shoes on, we're going to the shops" he calls out as he leaves the bedroom.

A little later...

She stirred, she looked at her bedside table Ellis had left her a couple of paracetamol and a bottle of Lucazade. She sat up, reaching for the painkillers, her clock read fourteen minutes passed three, she could hear Ellis and the boys downstairs, she jumped into the shower and changed into fresh clothes before she made her way downstairs.

The three of them are sitting around the table doing their homework, she wandered in quietly. She listened to Ellis helping them with their maths homework, "hey" the three of them look up, "how are you feeling?" Ellis asks.

"I bit more human now, thanks," she smiled, "good, we are going to finish up here, and I'll start on dinner"

"Oh...you don't have to do that. I don't want to put you out"

"Dad is making chicken korma, Mum" Arlo tells her, "oh well if that's the case you're welcome to stay. Do you want me to do anything?"

"You could show me where everything is in the kitchen?" she nods, "ok, I'm just going to get a glass of water" she walked into the kitchen, filling a glass, "so where's the pans?" she heard him behind her.

"Oh in this cupboard" she moves passed him, his aftershave fills the air around her, reminding her of all the times he would wear that scent. She opens the cupboard, "anything else?" he reaches into the cupboard pulling out the biggest pan, "chopping board?"

She moves over to another cupboard pulling out the chopping board and placing it against the counter, "there you go," he smiles at her, "thanks, now go relax and let me cook" she rolls her eyes at him, but makes her way into the living room where the boys are.

Twenty minutes later she wanders into the kitchen where he is cooking, she pulls a bottle of wine out of the fridge "wanna glass?" she nudges him as he is stirring his curry, "just one, I need to drive home"

"Lightweight!" she teases him, handing him the glass, "said the woman that got drunk on Bucks fizz Christmas morning," he nudges her, "hey! That was because I couldn't drink for months being pregnant," he chuckles "do you remember when you were craving black olives at eleven o'clock at night?"

She laughs, "yep and you drove around for three hours in search for them!" she laughs at the memory, "in the end, I went to a Domino's ordered a pizza and got them to put loads of black olive on it. You got your olives and I had a pizza!"

She pours herself a glass, "hair of the dog?" he teases her, "just one, you can take the bottle home if you want?"

"How was girls' night anyway?" he looks at her and he starts dishing up, "well, I came home drunk, so it must be a good night," he chuckles, "right dinner is ready" he hands her a plate.

After dinner...

"See I told you that your Mum could dance!" he nudges the boys as they watch her play Just Dance, "Rah, rah-ah-ah-ah. Roma, roma-ma. Gaga, ooh-la-la. Want your bad romance" the song plays as she hits every move, her hips sway to the music.

At the corner of her eye, she saw his were fixed on her, she hits the last few moves, "eighty nine percent! YES" she jumps up and down, "right, duo!" Ellis jumps up from the sofa, picking the song Girls just want to have fun by Cyndi Lauper. She laughs at him wiggling his hips to the beat, that was one thing about him, he knew how to dance every time they got on the dance floor, he'd give her a look that made her feel like the only girl in the world.

The pair are laughing as they hit the steps, "you still know how to move!" she teases him, "I thought you knew the answer to that already!" he winks at her.

She rolls her eyes at him, "smug git!" she thought, missing her moves, when the song finally came to an end, Ellis won making him cheer, the boys gave him a high five.

"Right, bedtime you two!" Dana told their boys, "b-b-but Mum!" Arlo protested, "you have school in the morning!" she reminded him, "fine, but did you ask Dad about Tuesday?" he looked at her, "no, but I will. Now go to bed!"

Arlo sighed, looking to his Dad, "I thought after what you said last night, you'd have more time now? So you can come right?"

"Come? Come to what buddy?" Ellis crouched down to his smaller son, "sports day, I asked Mum to ask you. I'm sure Grandad won't mind?!" Ellis nods, "I'll be there, but only if you do as your Mum told you and go to bed!"

Arlo is beaming, "ok! Night Mum! Night Dad!" Arlo rushes off, Myles gets up from the sofa, "I'll make sure he brushes his teeth! Night" Myles follows his brother upstairs. "Night! I love you!" Dana calls after them, "Night boys!" Ellis shouts up at them.

Dana turns to him, "I'm sorry about Arlo, but what did he mean when he said you have more time?" she quirks a brow at him, he lets out a long sigh, "I was going to tell you this morning, but you were hung over, so I thought it was best to wait till you were feeling better...."

She looks at him waiting, "...I-I..er...I quit!" she narrows here eyes at him not quite believing his words, "you quit?" she repeated his words, "yeah, two months ago actually. I wanted to find my feet before I told you and the boys, but now I have I thought you all deserved to know!"

She let out a light chuckle, "what's funny?" he looks at her, "heard it all before!" she walks away towards the kitchen, he follows her, "it's true!" he pulls out his phone looking through his emails.

"It was true the last time..." she pours herself another glass of wine, "look!" he slides his phone over the kitchen island to her "read that and look at the date!" her stubbornness kicks in, glancing at the phone she saw the Sussex Police header, she skimmed through the resignation email that was dated three months earlier.

"You said you quit two months ago, this is dated back three months?" he looks at her, "I had to give a months notice" her eyes meet his, "so what are you doing now?"

His hands run down his face, "I...er...I'm working with my Dad!" she knew that was the last thing he'd want to do, "you always said you didn't want to work in the family business. Why would you do a job that makes you so unhappy?" she looks at him over the top of her glass.

His eyes bore into hers never breaking contact, "because doing what I love means I can't be with the woman I love!"

She clamped her eyes shut and let out a breath before she caught his gaze, "not this again! I can't do this!" she set her glass down on the counter. "You've always said action speak louder than words, these are my action to keep you happy!" he looks at her the way he used to when he wanted to make up.

"But it's not just about where you work, I want you to love your job! But it's not just about that and you know that!" he huffs.

This wasn't the reaction he wanted or was hoping for, "are you going to Arlo's sports day?" he asked, wanting to change the subject, she nods, "he wants us both there"

"Specking of..are you going to Priya and Jason's wedding?" he cautiously asks "I don't think that's a good idea. I think you should just take the boys"

He bows his head, "I was kinda hoping you would come?" he looks up at her, "I don't think that's a good idea, plus I got Cherry to do the photos, so I didn't have to go!"

"It's just a wedding, you've known Jason for years, and you get on well with Priya...I don't see the problem?" he quirks a brow at her, "I don't want to confuse the boys!"

"Confuse them? How would going to a wedding together confuse them?" he looks at her, "because us, doing things together is confusing! Even for me!"

"But you are their Mum and a part of the family. To be honest with you, I was hoping you'd come to keep my Mum off my back," she chuckles knowing she could handle his Mum just like he could handle hers.

"Fine...if we are going together, it's just as friends that's it!" he nods, hoping this was a step forward...

~~~~~

Two and a half years earlier...

She pressed the brakes in vain, "MUM!" Arlo cried out before the world faded to black!

@secretaryunpaid​ @aussieez​ @munstysmind​ @palmaviolet​ @gloriousalmondvoiddreamer​ @reallyloudstudent​ @pixie-b​ @wombatsxkookaburras​

~~~~~

“Why you’d want me is important... I’m going to need some in-depth explanation behind you summoning me here... It’s like three in the morning, what the fuck are you doing?”

“Would you be upset if I kissed you? Right here in my doorway, where passersby can see us?” She pretends to peer around the hallway to see if someone would catch them.

“I’m here, darling... at this hour... I don’t give a damn what they see or hear... should you let me in that is...”

He steps so close into her personal space that she becomes flushed, his lips ghosting hers as he gently toys with her hair. Before she can say anything further, he has covered her lips in his as his hand comes to her waist, snapping her into him as his tongue speaks its wordless language.

He feels her tug him inside and laughs into their kiss... “So easy...”

"Come on, Arlo!!" she cheers her son on as she looks at the time, "late again!" she hisses under her breath, she claps as he comes second in the sack race. She could see Arlo searching too, she couldn't believe he had let him down again, she pulls out her phone calling him, it rings and rings.

Finally, he answers, she moves away from the group of parents, "where are you?!" she hissed, "what do you mean?" he asks, confused "you're late! Sports day started forty three minutes ago!" she groaned, "w-what do you mean it started forty three minutes ago? You told me eleven o'clock?!"

"What? No, I didn't! It was ten!" she hissed down the phone at him, "no, you text me eleven!" she pulled the phone away from her ear and looked at the text, she did text him eleven. "Oh, I-I..er, I'm sorry, it's my mistake!" he chuckles, "it's fine, I'm on my way!"

"Ok, I'll see you when you get here!" she hung up, she wandered over to Arlo, he looked down at his feet, "Arlo?" he looked up, she stooped down to his level, "Mummy, where's Dad?" he looks at her with pleading eyes, "Arlo, it's my fault I sent him the wrong time, but he's on his way!" Arlo's face lights up, "you promise?"

She kisses the top of his head, "I pinky l promise!" she holds out her little finger.

Ten minutes later...

"Hey!" he says as meets Dana on the school field, "hiya, he's over there!" she points over to where Arlo is, Arlo waves smiling as Ellis waves over. "Sorry, I must have hit one instead of zero!" she begrudgingly admits, "it's ok! Don't worry!" she sighed, "he has another counselling session tomorrow, he doesn't want to go. I don't suppose you could talk to him?" he nods silently.

"Thank you, he should be up again soon!" Ellis looks round at the other parents, "great, how comes you aren't standing with Amelia and Grace?" he questions her, Dana rolls her eyes, "have you girls fallen out?"

"Amelia's boy Freddy teased Arlo about us splitting up, I guess kids pick things up from their parents. I overheard her slagging me off to the other parents saying she never understood what a guy like you saw in a uptight bitch like me!" he clenches his jaw, which she notices, "she realizes she's no oil painting in looks and her personality, right?" Dana lets out a snort. 

"So how's working for your Dad going?" she asks, he lets out a low sigh, "not great actually, but I may have something else lined up"

"Really? Like what?"

"This time, it's for real. I'm working for Shane in sales and the head of the finance department." she narrowed her eyes at him not quite believing him, "I know that look, but this time I'm telling the truth, I'm trying to be better!"

"I just hope you can stick to it, oh and congratulations on the new job!" she grins, "thanks!" he returns the smile, "Arlo's up!" she nods over to the track, "COME ON ARLO!!" Ellis cups his mouth to yell, Arlo is beaming as he stands next to Freddy, Dana sends him a knowing wink.

Their teacher, Mrs Wright blows the whistle signalling the race starts, Arlo starts sprinting ahead of his five other classmate, "Go Arlo!!" Dana squeaks as Ellis claps for his son. Soon Arlo crosses the Finish Line in first place with Leo in second and Noah in fourth place, Dana jumps up and down proudly, while Ellis gives him a thumbs up.

He leans over to her, "am I a bad parent for thinking that win was even sweeter because both Amelia's or Grace's boys came last?" she laughs, "well if you are I am too!" the pair laugh.

An hour later...

After all the races were over the kids got to have a picnic with their parents on the field, Arlo picks a spot near the edge of the field, Dana had packed a few extra bits just in case Ellis did show up, "hey do you mind if we sit with you guys?" Tommy's Mum Emily asked, "yeah, sure!" Dana smiles.

"Thanks, how great did these two do! Both got first place!" Emily smiles at the boys, "they did do brilliantly!" Dana replied, "oh, sorry Emily this is Arlo's Dad, Ellis. Ellis this is Tommy and Emily," she introduces them, "nice to meet you both! Is this Tommy the kid that shot me on Fortnite at the weekend?" Ellis asks with a smile, Tommy goes shy, "I'm messing, but I want a rematch!" Ellis teases, Tommy nods.

Emily looks over her shoulder, "hey, I know it's not a competition and it's all about the taking part, but anyone else cheered on the inside when Amelia lost in the Mum's race?" Emily winked at Dana, who came second, "I think you've been hanging around with this one for too long!" Ellis says to Emily as her nods at Dana, "hey, I resent that! She was that evil before we started hanging out!" Dana throws an apple at him "ouch!" he groans as it hits him in the stomach.

"Mum, they have the ice lollies out! Can I go get one?" Tommy asks making the three adults look over, "I'll get em!" Ellis gets up, "you girls want anything?" he looks down at them, both shook their heads "you boys coming?" Tommy and Arlo get up and follow Ellis across the field to Bill the caretaker selling ice lollies.

Amelia smiles as Ellis and the boys approaches, "Ellis how are you?" she flutters her eyelashes at him, "Amelia! I'm alright, actually there was something I wanted to speak to you about. Boys go and pick an ice lollies you want" the boys rush off, Amelia looks at him with a smile, "I appreciate it if you would keep you vile and nasty little comments about my wife to yourself! You know I think your little minion is right you do look like a bulldog chewing on a wasp" Amelia's face drops.

"Anyway, nice to see you again!" he throws her a bright smile before catching up with the boys.

Later...

After the picnic the kids needed to go back to class, "why don't we go out for dinner tonight to celebrate your win?" Ellis asks Arlo, Arlo looks to his Mum, "can I go? Please?" he looks at her pleading, "actually kiddo, I was thinking we could all go?" Ellis looks up at her.

"I-I er...ok, I don't see why not!" she nods awkwardly, "we'll see you later!" she kisses Arlo on the cheek, "ok, bye Mum! Bye Dad!" he says before running off, "I hope you don't mind?" Ellis clears his throat. "No, it's fine! So, I'll see you after school," she starts to walk off out the school gate, "do you want to grab a coffee?" he asks her with a shy smile.

She turns, "I don't think that's a good idea!"

"Why not?! Come on, it's just coffee!"

"But it's what the coffee means!" she sighed, "what? Don't you trust yourself?" she laughs, "fine! Let's go, I wouldn't want to boost your ego thinking I can't handle a coffee with you!" he chuckles, "come on my car is over here!" he leads her to the car park.

In the car park they see Amelia arguing with Grace, "I wonder what that is about?!" she looks to Ellis, who's smiles smugly, "I may have told her Grace said she looked like a bulldog chewing a wasp!" Dana looks at him, "you didn't?" he nodded, "we may not be together, but no one insults the mother of my children!"

She didn't admit it to him, but she was a little touched by his actions.

Twenty eight minutes later...

"When do you start at Dawson's properties?" she asks sipping her caramel latte, "next Monday and I can't wait!" he sits back in his seat, "Dad's place not doing it for ya?!" she knew he hated working for his Dad.

"It pays the bill's which is great, but I hate working with him. Plus never been one for architects" he sighed, "Saturday I was thinking of getting a room at the hotel where the wedding reception is, so I don't have to drive back. I thought if we get a room with two single beds and a double, maybe you and Arlo could take the double and Myles and I could take the two singles?"

She didn't think about getting home and it would be easier for the boys just to head up, "sounds like a good plan actually!" he smiles softly, "great, I'll get it booked! Thank you for agreeing to come, it means my Mum will be off my back now," she laughs, "I was always her favourite even above you" she teases him, he laughs, "I would argue if it wasn't true" she smirks.

"I'll speak to Arlo about counselling, maybe I could take him tomorrow?" she thought his idea over, "would you mind?"

"No, of course not!" she felt relieved.

Later after dinner...

Ellis pulls onto the drive way, they get out and head inside, "Mum can Dad read me a book?" Arlo asks "if that's ok with him and if you brush your teeth" Arlo looks to his Dad, "like your Mum said brush your teeth!" Arlo runs upstairs with Ellis following after him.

Twenty minutes later...

She's making a coffee as Ellis wanders downstairs, "he's asleep two books later"

"He saw you coming!" she teases him, "do you want a coffee?"

"Yeah, I'll have a latte macchiato" she rolls her eyes at him, he knows she can't work the coffee machine, he grins, "I'll do it!" he nudges her out of the way. She jumps up to sit on the counter, shaking her head at him, "you could never work this thing"

"It was you who ordered the damn thing, all I wanted was machine that made black coffee, but you had to get some fancy thing!" she rolled her eyes, "if I remember rightly you love a caffe latte?" he quirks his brow at her, she narrows her eyes at him over the top of her mug, "I did, when you did them now, I have no idea how to work the bloody thing!"

He laughs at her, "come here, I'll show you!" she jumps down, still keeping her distance, he points at the button on the machine, "you press this one, use the arrows, go down to caffe latte and press ok! See it's not rocket science" he teases her, "whatever!" she says playfully.

"Thanks for dinner, I can't remember the last time I laughed so much!" he nods with an easy smile, "it was good night," he leans against the counter next to her, "what time is Arlo's appointment tomorrow?"

"Four thirty, you know the place," he nods, she sighs he could see the worry on her face that made him feel even more guilty, "he will get through it you know!" she presses her lips into a thin line, "I know!" she looks down at her coffee, letting out a long breath, he hooks his finger under her chin, bring her eyes to meet his, "it's going to take time but he will get through it, especially if he's anything like his mother!"

Her lips upturn into a smile, he looks between her eyes and leans in, for a second she's tempted to lean into, but she pulls away, "Ellis, I can't!" he frowns, "sorry..I should go" he places his mug on the counter and walks out leaving her confused....

~~~~~

Two and a half years earlier...

He slams his phone against his desk, his breath quickened, everything around him started to spin, he couldn't hold his angry in any longer.

He threw his phone across the office until it shattered into pieces, grabbing the attention of his fellow DC's.

Jacques rushes over "Ellis, what is it?!"

"He got Dana and Arlo!" the tears roll down his face.

~~~~~

There's only fifty five minutes till midnight, Alana is on her fifth glass of wine. She hears someone knock on her door, she wasn't expecting anyone, so she ignored it. Then there's another knock, again she chooses to ignore it, a couple of minutes later she hears him call out "Alana?"

"Dean? W-where are you doing here?" Her bedroom door opens, she can't help smiling as she saw him. "I-I heard about you and Brad.." she cuts him off as he walks over to her bed, "So what you came here to gloat that you were right?" He takes a seat on the edge of her bed "no, of course not! Look, I'm sorry, the last few weeks have been awful not being about to talk to you... to see you!"

She smiles smugly "Hey! I didn't say I told you, so you can't get all smug that I missed you!" He teases her. "Look Dean, I'm sorry I didn't believe you and for what I said! I should have known you were telling the truth. I just didn't want to hear the truth..." she wipes her tears she didn't know were rolling down her face "...wait you haven't left Ines alone?"

He chuckles, shaking his head "Ines and I are over." she shocked by his confession, not believing it "What?! Why?!" his chest puffs out as he sighs, "she just wasn't for me!" she tries to hide a smile, "Dean, I'm sorry! I thought she was the one!" She smiles softly at him as much as felt sorry for him, she was also a little happy, "She wasn't, there were little things that bugged me, and I've been letting them slide... tonight I just had enough!"

"Y-you dumped her tonight?!" He smirks and chuckles "As much as a dick move it was...I'm actually happy about it!"

"You two looked so happy in the photos!" he looks up at her and takes a deep breath, knowing it's now or never "We had our moments...but she isn't you! Alana, I like you more than I should like a friend, and I think you feel the same?!" her eyes flick up to his - Did he just?! He looks at her waiting for her response, she doesn't know what to say.

He huffs "I guess I got it wrong!"

He stands about to leave until she grabs his arm, he turns to look at her "No! Y-you didn't get it wrong! I have feelings for you too!" his eyes search hers, searching for any signs of doubt, but there isn't any.

Dean's lips meet hers, his hands move cupping her face, he tastes like whiskey. He sits back on the bed, and she melts against him, his tongue moves across her lips, she lets him in.

His tongue moves with hers deepening the kiss, her arms wrap around his neck.

The kiss turns more passionate, his every nerve ending stands on edge. Her heart flutters, her hands rest against his chest, this kissed confirmed everything they both have been feeling for each other.

Finally pulling his lips away from hers, he presses his forehead to hers. She smiles as her eyes flick up to meet his, his green orbs shine brightly and his lips upturn into a smile. "I hope you don't mind me, just bursting in..." she throws her head back with laughter, "you are such a tit!" she playfully shoves him.

He looks round the bedroom, noticing the ice cream tub next to the bed, "so you were really going spend New Years Eve on your own, huh?" she realizes her hand is in his, "yeah, I..erm.... wanted to be on my own...until now!" she laughs, but remembers the other reason why she wanted to be alone, she didn't want to run into Isaac again.

"Actually, Dean there is something I think you should know....I-I.." she can't get the words out, she drops her head. This could end them before they began! His finger hooks under her chin "Alana? What is it?" she took a deep breath "After Brad, I was at Jack's and I got a bit drunk...and I slept with Isaa.."

He presses his finger against her lip making her pause, "do you want to get back with him?" she shook her, "No! It was a stupid, drunken mistake!" He cups her face, "then lets forget it, and I've made too many of those myself" he offers he a soft smile.

30 minutes later...

They are cuddled up in her bed, watching The Ball Drop at Times Square on the TV. He strokes her arm, "So now we're both free and single, you think we could go on a date?" she nudges him, he smiles and she looks up at him smiling "wait! Does this not count as a first date?!" he teases her making her giggle "I suppose it could count!"

"Well, our second date will be a proper date, I promise!" he kisses her forehead "ten, nine, eight!" they hear the crowd from in Time Square call out from the TV. They count down with the crowd, their eyes never leave each others "seven, six, five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!!"

"Happy New Year, Dean!" Alana smirks, Dean presses his lips to her "Happy New Year, sweetheart!" he whispers against her lips. He cups her face and his fingers thread thought her hair, pulling her closer, the kiss deepens.

She lays back against the mattress, his body covers hers, their lips never part. She moans, his hand starts to roam her body, but he stops suddenly and pulls away resting his forehead against hers. He looks into her eyes, "Alana, I want to be-believe me, I do! I just don't want to rush into anything!"

She smiles as she cups his face, "I get it! We can go slow, but that doesn't mean you can't stay the night? Clothes on, of course." he smiles down at her, collapses onto the mattress next to her and pulls her close "I'm not going anywhere!" her eye began to flutter as her head lays against his chest.

The next morning...

Alana rolls over to find his side of the bed cold and empty, she lifts her head noticing a note on his pillow.

Morning beautiful, gone to get breakfast. Be back soon! D xx

She smiles cuddling up to his pillow, his aftershave still embedded into it. New year, new relationship. Dean felt the same way she did!

She rolled out of bed and headed for a shower as she's drying her hair, she heard the front door close, finally dressed, she wanders out, spotting Dean in the kitchen putting away the groceries, "what's for breakfast?" she calls over to him and he turns towards her.

"Will cinnamon pancakes and bacon do?" he smiles brightly at her making her blush "now are we taking American pancakes or British ones?" He looks up at her "pancakes are pancakes? Right!" she shook her head "no, your pancakes are thick and small. Brits are big and thin!"

He chuckles, "we're still talking about pancakes right?!" she shook her head as she nudged him "get your mind out of the gutter Mister Winchester! Hey, why don't we have a pancake competition?" she teases him.

"You're on sweetheart!" he throws her a wink as she moves round the kitchen next to him, and they get to work. They flow through the kitchen with ease, "Hey, want to see a trick?" she nudges him, he nods. She picks up her frying pan from the heat and shakes it up before flipping the pancake and catching it in her frying pan again.

"Wow, impressive! Lemme try!" he takes the pan from her and copies what she does, he flips it twice "show off!" she laughs. "I finished my batter! What about you?" she plates up and squeezes a lemon over one with a dash of sugar, Dean looks over "those look like a crepe or a hoe cake!" Alana laughs, "excuse me! A what?!"

His lips curve into a smile "it another kinda pancake. Why would you put lemon and sugar on it?" she hands him a plate "just try it!" he hands her a plate with his pancake with bacon and syrup, "after you!" they wander over to the bar stools, "oh, I forgot something!" as they sit on the stools, his hands grasp the nape of her neck and presses his lips to hers.

The kiss is soft and quick, he pulls away "Happy New Year, sweetheart!" her heart skips a beat and her cheeks burn. She smirks, "Happy New Year, Handsome! Go on tell me what you think!" she nods towards his plate, he takes a bite "th-that's good! I wasn't sure about the lemon and sugar but it works! Go on, your turn!"

She cuts a forkful off "Hmmm...these are amazing! So fluffy" she says with her mouth full, "Any plans today?" she smiles at him. "I was supposed to go to my parents for dinner, but how about we go on our first real date?!"

"I would love to, but I think you should go to your parents. Sam and Jess are going to be there, right? So you should go!" She takes his hand in hers, he cocks his brow "Wow! I told Ines about today and she got all pouty and moody!" He chuckled, Alana rolled her eyes, she knew how much these visits meant to Dean because Sam's, Jess's and Mary's job it wasn't very often they could all get together.

"I’m not Ines! You should go! We can go on a date another day!" she smiles, "well, now I can plan the perfect date." he winks.

After breakfast Dean leaves for his family dinner, Alana sends the girls a text.

A: Hey, Happy New Year ladies! xx

C: HAPPY NEW YEAR, GIRLS! XX

L: Happy New Year! How was ur NYE? x

A: Well...I got a kiss at midnight...so pretty great... xx

C: What??? xx

L: WHAT?! From who? Jealous! Mick wasn't even here x

A: I know this is probably weird, but Dean! He came to mine and we had a heart to heart and then a lip to lip ;) How long is he away? xx

C: You guys kissed and made up! Yay! Boo, Lol! Hope he makes it up to you! xx

L: STFU! I thought he went home with that stuck up bitch! I heard her bad mouthing you! She's a cow. Did u hook up? 4 days and counting x

A: Whatever she said he didn't like. He dumped her on the spot. No, we didn't have sex! We kissed that was all... and admitted we liked each other. Maybe he'll come home early? xx

C: Dumped on NYE! Karma is a b!tch! xx

L: I knew you liked him! It's been obvious for ages. Dean held out? That's new one haha. Maybe, I'm not getting my hopes up. Are you going to the work's LATE Christmas party tomorrow? x

A: Of course you did haha! We are taking it slow :D I'm not sure about it xx

L: Duh! I'm smart! I hope you give me a full report when you do ride on his pogo stick. You are coming, I'm not going alone! x

C: I wish I was going with you both :( xx

A: LOLA!! No! haha! Ok, I guess I am coming then! Wish you were coming too xx

The next evening...

Lola insisted on them having pre-drinks and getting ready at her house, when they finally arrive at the restaurant they are a bit tipsy.

As they are shown to the table, she spots him and sobers up pretty quick.

Isaac! Fuck!

Chapter 11

Alana had been on her first date with Brad the night before, Dean took her out for an ice cream, she's still smiling from her date. He was a little off, but she couldn't pin her finger on why, "what's up?" she stops him from taking another step, she could see straight through him, and she was the only one that could.

He sighs, "I don't know, I think it's all this empty dating, empty sex...I don't know I think I want something more meaningful" she grins smugly, "ooh is the great Dean Winchester wanting a real relationship?" she wiggled her brows at him.

"Shut up!" he nudges her, "I'm messing come on, I'm sure you will find relationship material" he chuckles, "how do I know if I have a crush on someone?" he looks to her for answers, she smiles softly at him, "well, you can't stop thinking about them, you feel strange when they're around, and then you want to - why are you looking at me like that?" she quirks her brow at him.

"Ahhh, it's nothing I just....like how your face lit up when you spoke!" the truth was she just describe how he felt around her....

2 weeks later...

Dean and Sam were back  from another hunt,  Dean was excited to get home to see his boy and  cuddle him that extra bit tighter. The hunt went sideways, Dean didn't  think he'd make it out of the vampire's nest alive at one point. Truth  be told he was excited to see Lyla too, he had missed her in more ways  than one, he even told Sam about their dates.

Finally pulling into the  garage of the bunker he grabbed his bag making his way to see Teddy, who  is tucked up in bed asleep. He places a kiss against his head and goes  in search of Lyla, his knuckles wrap against the solid wood, "yeah?" he  hears her call out, pushing the door open. She was putting the  finishing touches to her make up, he smirks at her, "Hey, I'm back!" she  looks over to him "Hi! Good hunt?" she continues doing her make up.

"Yeah, erm...you look  nice!" his eyes roam over her, "I have a shift in forty minutes!" she  smiles. He makes his way over to her "Oh! What if...you blow off work  and we blow off some steam?" he winks at her in the mirror with a  flirtatious smirk, "I would, but I've already taken the last two nights  off because Teddy hasn't been well."

He disappointed which he tried to hide, "Oh, maybe tomorrow night?" his words a little lighter, "Oh, I'm heading out with Charlie! Maybe the night after?" she brushes her hair. "Yeah, sure!" he walks out of her room a little dishearten.

A week later...

They still hadn't had their night together.

Lyla was called in to work the night they were supposed to spend together and the night after that, the next night she was tired.

Dean walks into the kitchen in joggers and a black t-shirt, he sits opposite Sam, "hey do you think I look a little pudgy to you?" Sam looks over "what?" he quirks his brow at his brother.

"Do you think I'm getting a Dad bod?" Dean lifts his shirt, "What? No! Why?"

Dean sighs, "it's been over a week since Lyla and I have..." Sam abruptly cuts him off, "Dude!"

"Ok, but do you think she's gone off me?"

"What? Is that what you think?" Sam looks at his brother confused, "I don't know what to think, she's either working or she tired..." Sam chuckles, "ever think she might be tired because she's working and looking after a baby while you are out hunting!"

"I get that! I do..." Dean cuts off when Lyla walks into the kitchen with Teddy, Dean gets up from the table, gives Teddy a kiss "I'm going for a run!" Dean walks out the kitchen "is he ok?" Lyla calls over to Sam.

He sighs, "he'll kill me for telling you, he thinks you've gone off him because he has it in his head he's got a Dad bod!" Sam chuckles. "Really?" she can't quite believe what he's saying, she knows she's probably neglected him a bit lately, but she couldn't understand how he'd think she's no longer into him.

She had to think of a way to show him, that she is still into him.

The next day...

She told Sam her plan, he was happy to help, he would have Teddy for them.

That afternoon Dean comes home from a food run, "I got us some dinner from that vegan restaurant! I thought it might help me get into shape!" Dean calls out as he walks into the kitchen, where Sam is giving Teddy dinner "Dean? W-what you doing here?" Sam questions him.

Dean frowns "bringing everyone food!" he shook his head at his brother.

"N-no, I..well...I thought you were at the hotel?" Sam pinches his brows together.

"Hotel? What hotel? Where's Lyla?" he looks around the kitchen.

"I thought that's why she asked me to have Teddy.." Dean jaw clenches "Sam, where's Lyla?"

"Look, I heard her on the phone earlier booking a room. I thought she had booked it for you both..."

"What hotel?" Dean growled.

"The Oread in Lawrence.." Dean picks up his keys and makes his way back out. Sam pulls out his phone.

Sam: Dean's on his way. Have fun, don't worry about Teddy.

Lyla: Thanks so much again, did he fall for it?

Sam: A little too much, maybe :/

Three hours later...

Lyla orders another drink at the bar, while she waits for Dean. She has her tightest purple dress on with her black heels, underneath she has on her emerald green lacy lingerie, Dean's favourite.

She felt mean for letting him think the worst, but she wanted him to feel special. She notices him before he notices her, she pretends as if she didn't see him and turns back. She can hear his rushed footstep towards her, he drags the seat out next to her before taking a seat. She turns in his direction her leg fully on display, she smiles sweetly at him "Dean!"

He's brooding, "wasn't expecting me were you?!" he narrows his eyes at her, "actually...you are exactly who I'm expecting!" she smirks. His brows pinch together confused "why did you race down here, Dean?" she raises a brow at him.

"S-Sam said you booked a room here, considering we haven't in a while..I let my mind get the better of me! So you're not...?" the bartender places a beer in front of Dean. He looks up then down at his beer, "I told you, I was expecting you, Dean and only you! Sam told me what you said how you thought I had gone off you, and you thought you were gaining a Dad bod?"

He chuckles, "you two set me up?"

"I wanted to surprise you!"

"Surprise me?" he questions her.

"Well, Sam is baby sitting Teddy tonight and your Mom tomorrow night. While we have a Cave suite all to ourselves!" she bites her lip.

"So you weren't here to meet someone else?"

She laughs, "No, of course not! Look Dean, I don't know what this is between us, a relationship probably isn't something you want with your line of work. But I told you that night we slept together before Teddy, I don't sleep around. God, there wasn't even anyone between our first night and now!"

"No one at all?"

"Unless we are counting vibrators as person?" Dean chokes on his beer, she laughs, "what! A girl has needs too!" she teases him.

"Don't we all, sweetheart! You are wrong, a relationship isn't some I need with this job....." he pauses, taking a sip of his beer, "...but it's something I want. If you told me a year ago I would be in this life with a kid and a girlfriend, I would have laughed in your face, but now I have you and Teddy....I can't imagine my life without you both!" she blushes not believing her just called her his girlfriend.

"Look at you Dean Winchester getting all sappy!" she nudges him, "if you tell anyone I'll deny it!"

She gets up from her seat "well you will just have to find a way to keep me quiet won't you!" now she's stood in front of him, he can truly appreciate her outfit. She leans in, her lips brush as his ear "I'm in room three six eight!" she walks away, Dean gets up, hot on her heels.

She wipes her key card as soon as they enter the room, he pushes her back against the door. He presses his lips to hers, the air fills with his scent, she pushes off his jacket with his flannel shirt. The kiss makes the pair breathless, their lips fused together, his hands begin to roam over her.

He clutches a handful of her hair, the pads of his fingers glide up the inside of her thigh, she smirks against his lips.

She pushes him away a little, "ah, ah! I want you to see what I have on underneath first!" his eyes light up, "but I also want to see this so call dad bod." she grabs the hem of his t-shirt and pulls it up over his head. She racks her nails down over his chest to the top of his jeans, he sucks in a breath before she starts to unbuckle his belt.

"Well, if that's a Dad bod....Mister Winchester, I am a fan!" she let her dress fall to the floor, he hisses at the sight of her, "crap!" she places her hands on his chest pushing him towards the bed until the back of his knees hit the mattress.

She straddles his lap, cups his face and runs her thumb over his lips. His eyes are bright as he looks up at her, she crashes her lips against his and his hands grasp her hips. She pushes him down onto the mattress, her lips press against his pulse line before moving down over his chest and trailing further down.

Her fingers slip under the waistband of his boxers, she grasps his shaft before her mouth wraps around his tip. He bucks his hip, "crap...Lyla!" he clutches her hair again, moving her to his pace. Her tongue runs along his cock, he groans as she works against him, and he bucks his hips over and over again.

He pulls her up and pressed her against the bed, she smirks up at "hey, I wasn't done!" she teases him. "I am, sweetheart!" he pulls down her panties before running his member against her pearl, he captured her lips, and he thrust his hips forward pushing into her. She arches her back "fuck!" she moans against his lips, her nails rack down his back making his pace more frantic.

He hips piston forward over and over again, while their moans fill the room.

Later...

She's curled up against his chest, her fingers draw circles over his chest before she lifts her head propping it on her elbow, "Dean, you said earlier...I was your girlfriend?" a soft smile appears on his face, "of course. If that's ok?" he brushes her hair back from her face.

She bites her lip nodding, "I'm sorry if you feel I have neglected you, but you definitely don't have a Dad bod, and I haven't gone off you either!" she leans in pressing her lips to his before straddling him again.

They spend most the next morning in bed before a few spa treatments and dinner. They spent the rest of the night in bed.

This was them, they were a family.

A weeks later...

He had decorated the whole bunker in balloons and banners. She loved that he was just as excited as her that it was Teddy's first birthday.

She had been feeling sick all morning, but she was determined not to let it ruin Teddy's day...

Chapter 8