The bed dips behind me as I feel Daniel pull me closer to him. Lips being pressed firmly against the back of my head almost draw me out of my slumber. I sigh at the sensation, but frown when I feel him release me.

"Go back to sleep." He whispers softly against my ear. "It's early." Mumbling something in agreement, I roll onto my back and close my eyes.

However, the sound of the shower rushing powerfully causes my eyes to flutter open, pulling me into consciousness. Hmmm... Daniel... in the shower sounds like a perfect way to start the day. I bite my lip while I flip the covers off my already overheated body.

Quietly, I enter the bathroom. But as I close the door and turn to face the glass shower, I cannot help but notice his posture. Daniel stands beneath the forceful flow of the water, his head bowed so that the surge cascades across the back of his skull. His hands are both placed on the grey slate tiles before him, shoulders slumped. Even through the steam I can see by the way the muscles in his back heave up and down that he's either crying or struggling to remain in control.

The heat that I was feeling deep within my stomach cools immediately, like a bucket of water thrown across a campfire.

"Daniel, are you OK?" I ask cautiously as I open the glass door. For a second he doesn't respond or even look at me. I strip off Daniel's white T-shirt that I have now claimed as my own to wear to bed, and step into the shower, closing the door behind me. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I hold him from behind. I rest my head against his back and choose not to say anything else, hopefully the fact that I'm here is enough. The water flows all around me, and the temperature is almost too hot to bare.

"I'm fine, baby." He finally says shakily. "Just having a moment." Daniel turns to face me and pulls me into a cuddle. His strong arms wrap around me and hold me tightly.

I lean back to look up at him and see his eyes are a little puffy. Placing my hand against his cheek, his leans into my touch. "What's going on with you?"

"Nothing, I promise." He tries to raise a smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

Reaching for the shampoo bottle, I fill my hands and then begin to massage it into Daniel's scalp. He sighs audibly before closing his eyes, enjoying the sensation.

"We promised no more secrets." I speak evenly as I direct him under the flow of the raging water to wash the shampoo from his hair. I then repeat the process with my hair to give him time to think without feeling pressured.

My gaze falls to the angry scar on his chest that looks much deeper with the hot water reddening the area further. Without another thought, I lean across to kiss it gently.

"I said I'm fine. I just needed a minute on my own." Daniel's tone is unusually clipped which takes me by surprise.

"Please don't shut me out... I'm here for you." I say firmly, placing the palm of my hand on his chest.

"We've got a busy day ahead of us." He completely ignores my words. "We need to entertain your parents, then the appointment with my doctor, then the meeting with Chris... followed by dinner with my Mom and Curtis. I'm already exhausted just thinking about today, so can you just back off a bit?" Daniel doesn't look at me as he washes off the shower gel from his lean body. The smell of peppercorn and oranges fills my senses with familiarity.

He then swiftly opens the shower door, leaving me standing with my mouth ajar under the flow of water. Stepping forward, I reach for the door to follow him out and continue to question on him about why the hell he is shutting me out after all of our promises, but something inside stops me. My heart breaks a little as I watch him wrap a towel around his waist and leave the bathroom without looking back.

I'm not sure how long I stand under the flow of relentless water, but when I look down, the skin on my hands and feet have shrivelled up. Slowly, I dry my hair and put on a black floaty dress which falls to my knees. My thoughts are consumed about Daniel and what he's going through. I don't know what to do to help him... my stomach sinks with anxiety.

Deciding that I can't just let it go, I leave our bedroom and begin descending the stairs. The sound of laughter surprisingly meets my ears and grows the closer I get to the kitchen.

As I open the kitchen door, I see Daniel looking like he doesn't have a care in the world. A broad smile is etched across his handsome face as he prepares a full English breakfast for my parents.

"Good morning, Lizzie." My Dad says when I remain in the doorway.

"Morning sweetheart." Mom chimes from her seat at the large table. "Did you sleep well? How are you feeling? You look a little out of sorts?" Her eyes squint in my direction like she is working out what is wrong.

Daniel steps away from the frying pan and places a kiss on my forehead. "Take a seat, baby. Breakfast is nearly done." His tone is so light that I cannot help but frown at the difference in his voice from earlier.

He guides me to the table by placing his hand on my lower back. I watch with unease as he places bread in the toaster with a carefree smile.

"Lizzie?" My Mom says as she places her hand across mine.

The feeling draws me out of my thoughts. "I'm fine, just tired," I lie.

"There is fresh tea in the pot." Daniel says before chatting energetically with my Dad about football as he serves up the breakfast.

A full breakfast is placed before me and it makes my stomach twist with nausea. Instead, I decide to nibble on a piece of toast.

After breakfast, my Mom clears away the plates and I load the dishwasher. Daniel sits opposite my Dad and I watch him through sideways glances put on an Oscar winning performance in showing my parents that he's absolutely fine. He laughs in all the right places and adds to the stories my Dad is telling.

In the past I would not have had the confidence or nerve to challenge Daniel after Ed. But now I stand here, pregnant, knowing the man I love is struggling and I just can't sit back and watch.

"Daniel, can I have a quick word?" I ask. Daniel looks up at me from his conversation with Dad. I watch as a flicker of anger flashes across his face before he swiftly corrects his expression.

"OK." He responds with a noncommittal shrug of his shoulders.

I gesture to the back garden and he reluctantly follows me outside. We step into the sunshine and I sigh as I feel the warmth on my face.

"What's up?" He says calmly with a turn of his head, as though he doesn't remember what happened in the shower.

I take a deep breath to gather my thoughts. "I love you." I start shakily. "You... we've been through a lot... more than most go through in a lifetime. I know you're struggling, but I don't know which aspect of what's happened you're struggling with. I can't help you unless you talk to me."

"I don't need to talk about it." He responds sarcastically.

"So, what was all that about in the shower?" I place my hands on my hips.

"I fucking told you... I was just having a minute... I'm allowed one of those, aren't I?" He laughs bitterly. "I mean I think I deserve one at least... you nearly died!"

"Daniel, the poisoning was months ago! This is about you!" I suddenly feel defeated.

"I couldn't give a flying fuck if I'd have bled out on that God damn floor!" He rubs his hands roughly down his face in frustration. "You nearly died again... she was aiming for you... and this time you would have taken my babies with you!"

"But I didn't, we didn't... because you saved us!" I raise my voice in equal frustration.

"I did not fucking save you! You were only there because of me, because of who I am and what I do!" He roars at me, but I don't shy away from him.

"I was there because I fucking love you!" I scream back at him with tears brimming over. My vision blurs a little, so I fiercely wipe them away before they can fall.

"Then you're a fool!" He snarls at me.

I feel my eyes open wide at his words. The air is being sucked out of my lungs. I sit down heavily on a garden chair.

As I open my mouth to shout again, I see my Mom standing in the kitchen window. She's biting her nail with a desperate look on her face as she watches us. I turn to look back at Daniel and my heart breaks at the beaten expression that is causing his bottom lip to tremble.

"Then I'm a fool." I say simply in agreement. "But, I love you and I'm not going anywhere. If you can't talk to me then you need to talk to someone... I really think a therapist would help-"

He cuts me off dismissively with a wave of his hand. "I do not need to see a shrink! I'll be fine."

"You said you would think about it."

He shakes his head with a deep frown.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but doctor Moran is here." Mom stands in the doorway, looking awkward as she shifts her body weight from foot to foot.

The second Daniel realises my mom is within earshot, his expression transforms into one of perfect calmness. He flashes his million dollar smile and strides towards the house. "Thank you, Julie."

Daniel doesn't look back as he walks in to meet doctor Moran. I remain frozen in place, shaking from his words. Thankfully, Mom chooses to leave me to calm down. I stay outside, controlling my breathing, when really I feel like screaming at the top of my lungs.

I'm lost in my own world, staring into space when I sense Daniel take the seat next to me. How long have I been out here?

"I'm sorry." He murmurs softly.

Reaching across, I clutch his hand in mine.  Turning towards him, I smile and nod slowly. "I know." I whisper. "I'm just worried about you. What did the doctor say?"

"I'm still the star patient!" He chuckles. "He's cleared me for training. I've already called Jay, so I'm seeing him tomorrow."

"You sure you're ready?" I ask cautiously, not wanting to start another argument.

"One hundred percent. I can't wait to feel strong again."

I open my mouth to offer my opinion that it's too soon and he's going to push himself too far to block out the emotional pain. But, instead I hold my tongue. I just hope I don't live to regret it.

- hey guys.

Sorry for the delay in uploading this chapter, I've been away for a few days with my family. I hope you enjoyed it!

So, what did you think?

Whose side are you on? Is Lizzie pushing too much, or does Daniel need help?

Thank you all for still reading, it honestly means the world to me! Please tick the little star too. T x -