Two weeks later

"Nope... just... won't do up!" I grunt to myself as I try desperately to fasten my jeans. Little sweat beads drip down my back at the effort I've had to exert to try and get into my skinny jeans. "Dress it is." I then try to wriggle out of the skinny jeans, but they won't budge. I groan through gritted teeth as I flip back onto the bed feelbig exhausted.

"What's all the noise about." Daniel laughs as he walks into the bedroom after his training session with Jay. He takes in the sight of me, throws his head back and bellows with laughter. "What on Earth are you doing?"

He looks me up and down as I'm now sat on the bed trying to wriggle the skinny jeans down my thighs. "Stop laughing." I scold him, but giggle lightheartedly. "Help me?" I ask desperately.

"Come here." He grins as he bends in front of me. Daniel then grabs the waist of the skinny jeans and pulls them down slowly, so they turn inside out as they slide off my legs.

Once they are off, I audibly breathe a sigh of relief. "Thanks." I say as he kneels between my legs. His large hands are splayed across my thighs.

His hair is soaking with sweat and his face is flushed from the workout. The T-shirt he's wearing is stuck completely to his lean body. He squeezes my thighs affectionately as he looks up into my eyes. His azure blue orbs still makes my breath catch in my throat, even after all this time. A smile spreads across my lips.

"How was your workout?" I ask, trying but failing to keep the concern out of my voice. Daniel has met with Jay every day for the last two weeks, and I know he's pushing himself too hard. However, Daniel's mood has improved significantly since he's been training again. I frown subconsciously when I wonder for the hundredth time today whether he's pushing himself so he doesn't have to deal with how he's really feeling.

"Brilliant!" He shows me a boyish grin. "I need a shower though."

"You think?" I ask rhetorically, smiling back at him. I don't want to spoil his good mood with my incessant questions.

I stand up in just my bra and knickers. Turning slowly to face the full length mirror side on, I rub my hand across my blossoming little bump. Daniel stands flush behind me, wrapping his arms around me. His hands then splay across my stomach. "No more skinny jeans for you then?" He kisses my cheek as he strokes my growing bump. The smell of fresh sweat engulfs my senses and ignites a fire in the pit of my stomach. Bloody hormones, I think as my internal temperature begins to soar... when will I have enough of him?

"Not for the next few months." I beam at our reflection together, feeling completely content with how my body is changing. It's finally proof of the babies growing inside of me.

Daniel then begins to kiss, suck and nibble across my neck leaving goosebumps in their wake. "Shower with me?" He asks but it's more like a command.

I turn in his embrace and link my arms around his neck. Pulling him towards me, I kiss him passionately. Our tongues dance around each other making my heart pound in my chest. "It'll have to be quick, I've got a FaceTime call with Harrison in..." I swiftly reach down to the bed to look at the time on my phone. "Thirty minutes."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" He asks before pulling my towards the en-suite with a boyish grin.

****

Daniel and I part ways into our separate offices. Daniel has a FaceTime call with Chris and I'm due to speak with Harrison.

Once business has been discussed, Harrison has a proposal. "So, why don't you come out to Mexico and have a break from all the shit you've been through. We can meet face to face to thrash out the next stage of the process while you both enjoy all the luxuries of a Banner hotel."

I sit back in my office chair and sigh loudly. Maybe this is just what we need. Sunshine and relaxation.

"Lizzie, did you hear me? Why don't you talk to Daniel and let me know. OK?" He smiles warmly. "You look good."

"Yeah, I did. Sorry! That sounds perfect. I'll speak to Daniel and text you later." I grin at him through the screen. His permanent suntan only magnifying his good looks. "Thanks, Harrison."

"This could be your view..." he holds up the iPad to show the view from his office. Floor to ceiling windows face straight onto a white sandy beach, leading to a turquoise sea.

"OK!" I laugh. "I'm convinced. I'll speak to him later. See you soon, bye!"

"Hopefully!" He waves with a cheeky grin and then ends the call.

Closing my eyes, I allow myself the luxury of drifting into a daydream.

Daniel hands me a mocktail with a cheeky grin across his sun kissed face. His hair is still damp from his swim in the sea.

"Thank you." I say with a smile, putting my book down. I have to raise my hand to cover my eyes from the glare of the sun to look up at him.

"You're welcome." He responds, lying down on the sunbed next to me. He takes a long drink of his lager and sighs in happiness.

"This is heaven." He yawns as he relaxes.

Feeling hands rest across my shoulders, I jump out of my skin.

"I called your name." Daniel chuckles. "You were a million miles away."

"I wasn't quite that far away, just in Mexico." I grin up towards him and enjoy the confused look splayed across his features. "Harrison has asked whether we would like to go out to Mexico. That way we can relax, I can meet with him and put our plans for the campaign into motion. What do you think?"

"Would that make you happy?" He turns his head as he asks the question.

"Me and you in the sunshine, away from this place for a while... definitely."

Daniel kisses my head. "Then we will go." He sits down in the chair opposite my desk, intertwining his fingers as he places his arms behind his head.

"How'd the call with Chris go?" I ask.

"OK..." he begins tentatively. "She's still on about lining up a couple of interviews. But she's looking into finalising questions with a few different people before I'm able to look at the list and say what I'm comfortable with." He shakes his head in disbelief. "Also... the studio want to throw me a party."

"A what?" I exclaim in shock.

"A party! I said no to begin with but Chris told me to stop being a whiny prick!"

I snort with surprised laughter. "I love Chris."

"Me too! Anyway, they want to throw this big party in my honour and their donating a shit load of money to the hospital.... so can't really say no, can I?" He looks unsure about his decision.

"Daniel, you definitely should go! That's so lovely of them."

"There's always an angle and this will definitely help the profile of the studio! But, the money is going to help people that need it, so fuck it!" Daniel shrugs. "You're coming too." He leans across the desk and kisses me on the lips. "So you need a dress that doesn't show that beautiful bump of yours! Not yet anyway."

I lean back in my chair. "When is it? I'll speak to Robin."

"Next week... we need to be in New York for Friday."

"So... we go to New York on Thursday, you can take me sight seeing. We go to the party and then next day we fly down to Mexico for a week in the sun while I meet with Harrison. You relax on a beach while I work... deal?" I hold my hand out.

Daniel flashes me a wicked grin while he shakes my hand. "Deal!"

- hey guys!

So what do you think of this chapter?

It's a little bit of a filler before they head to New York, but Lizzie not being able to fit into her jeans is definitely an important milestone lol!!!

So, Daniel seems better... or is he just using exercise so he doesn't have to deal with his emotions?

Thank you for still reading and please tick the little star. T x -