John really didn't like being back at work. He really didn't like being back at work but, when the alarm goes off bright and early on the drizzly May morning, he drags himself from the warm confines of the bed so he can go shower.
He'd been dreading this all night - he'd only been back for a couple of days but Arthur had been up for half of the night. It had gotten to the point of the two of them being so exhausted that he had just brought the baby into the bed with them, setting him down in the middle of him and Roxanne where finally, he settled and John was able to get some proper sleep.
John didn't like going back to work. Especially when Roxanne and Arthur are looking so cosy and peaceful.
So the baby doesn't fall off the bed, John puts his two pillows down to create a barrier and starts rummaging through his drawers for clothes.
"It's morning already?"
He looks over his shoulder to his wife, watching as she gently twirls the thickening strands of Arthur's hair around one of her fingers, "Sadly, yes."
She sighs, "Do you have to go? Can't the rest of the boys handle it?"
He gives her a smile, "Sorry love. Believe me, there's nothing I want to do more than climb back into bed with the pair of you but, I have to get to the studio."
Roxanne nods sadly, looking down at Arthur when he starts to waken.
Right on time.
As Roxanne gently lifts him to cradle him against her, John finally grabs his clothes for the day and heads for the door but he can't help but look at them again.
He loves mornings like these; where Rox is still half asleep, letting Arthur grab hold of her finger with his little hand. He loves watching her sing to him, the same song she always sings and one that can lull even him to sleep.
After his shower, John feeds Arthur while Roxanne makes the two of them breakfast, humming along quietly to the Elton John song that's playing on the radio.
That's another thing John will miss in the mornings.
He has to be at the studio by nine-thirty and so when Rox puts his plate down in front of him, he has to practically inhale his food so he can leave to be on time.
"I gotta go," he says regrettably as he glances at the clock and Roxanne nods, "What are you going to do today?"
"I might ring my mum," she murmurs, "See how she's getting on."
"She found anywhere to live yet?"
"Almost," she nods, running her hand through her hair as she leans on the counter to look at him, "She says she's found a little two-bedroom house not far from the village."
"Good," he hums, looking down at Arthur, who is looking up at him with his bright eyes, "Isn't that good?"
Roxanne giggles and stands so she can lay Arthur down on the playmat they've got set up on the living room floor, where he can bat at the colourful toys and the rattles.
She follows John out into the hall as Amos and Casper do their best to trip them up, sorting the collar of John's coat one he's pulled it on, "Hey, maybe Arthur and I can stop by later on?" she offers as he grabs his bass, "I could pick up some lunch for the lot of you? If you're not busy of course."
John nods, "Yeah, I reckon that'll be alright. If today is anything like yesterday, it might be a bit of a welcome relief. Besides, I'm sure Roger will be happy to see him, it's been almost a week since he's come round."
She laughs again and hands him to the keys to her mini, "I'll take the bigger car. Don't really fancy humphing the car seat out."
We have to get another one John thinks as he takes them from her. Moving the seat from one car to another was more trouble than it was worth.
"Alright. Well, have fun," Roxy smiles, "I'll stop at the diner and get some food, see if the place has fallen apart without me." She presses a kiss to his lips, "Ring with orders."
"I will," he promises, kissing her again softly before heading out the door and she returns to the living room and sits down on the floor beside Arthur, tickling his tummy gently, "And then there were two."
++|++
Roxanne really thought that with John going back to work, there would be a lot of time of being on her own because let's face it, babies, though cute, don't really do much. It's basically just a never-ending cycle of eating, sleeping, crying and pooping.
She stupidly thought that there would be a lot of waiting around but no, Arthur keeps her surprisingly busy.
At around twelve, as promised, John rang with everyone's orders, telling her that Kayla is there too so it's a big order, one that she won't be able to carry in on her own while carrying Arthur in his car seat and so he says that if she comes to the studio first, he would take the baby and Roger would go with her back to the diner.
So that's exactly what she does and as soon as they set foot into the studio, Brian lights up and quickly puts his guitar down so he can come and take Arthur out of the car seat.
"Hey buddy," he grins, taking the stuffed penguin from Roxanne so he can go sit back down by Kayla, "You're getting big, aren't you?"
"Don't remind me," Roxanne grumbles, letting out a squeal when Freddie wraps his arms around her waist, "Oh! Don't do that, Freddie! I almost wet myself!"
Roger comes rushing out of the booth, grabbing hold of Roxanne's hand to pull her back towards the door, "We're going to get food. Be back in a bit!"
"Woah," she laughs, barely being able to wave goodbye to everyone, "Roger, slow down! The diner isn't going anywhere!"
"We'll take my car," he says as they exit the building, "I want to drive."
"Alright," she shrugs, following him towards the car as he digs his keys and cigarettes from his pockets.
"Listen," he begins as they pull out of the car park, "I need to talk to you."
"Alright," she nods, fiddling around with the radio to find a decent station, "What is it? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," he says quickly, "I just...I want you to be the first to know. Well, not the first because mum, dad and Clare are obviously the first to know-"
"Roger," his cousin sings, sitting back in her seat when she finds a station that she's happy with, "You're rambling."
"Right," he clears his throat, "Well, see, the thing is...I'm going to ask Rebecca to marry me."
He almost crashes the car when her hand smacks his arm, an indistinguishable squeal leaving her mouth as she continues to hit his arm.
"Rox, hey, be careful! I'm driving!"
"Then pull over!" she cheers, "Because I want to hug you!"
With a smile tugging at his lips, he does as she says and before he can even turn the engine off, Roxanne is wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Oh Roger, congratulations!" she grins before letting out a gasp, "Becca and I will be sisters!"
"Technically, that's not true-"
"Oh, hush. We're practically brother and sister, Rog," Roxanne continues to talk over him, "I'm so happy for you! Do you have a ring yet? Please say you do, I really want to see it!"
"As a matter of fact," he reaches into the glove box, pulling out a small blue box and he grins at her, "I do."
Another squeal leaves her as he lets her take hold of the box, gasping as she looks down at the beautiful ring before her; a large diamond sits in the middle with two smaller ones on either side, "Roger, it's beautiful."
"I got it engraved," he says quietly, gently lifting it from the white padding so he can show her the intricate R.T that's engraved on the silver band.
"Wow," she whispers, shaking her head, "She's going to pass out when she sees that rock."
Laughing, Roger snaps the box shut and returns it to the safety of the glove box before running a hand through his hair, "She'll say yes, right?"
"Of course she'll say yes," Roxanne nods, "Come on, Roger. You know that the woman is mad about you. She'll say yes, you'll get married and then you'll have lots of babies."
Shaking his head, he starts the car back up so they can continue their journey to get food.
"Where are you going to do it?"
He shrugs, "Not sure. Not even sure when if I'm honest."
"Well that's alright," Roxanne fiddles with the radio again when a song comes on that she doesn't like, "We can sort something."
"We?" he repeats.
"Of course," she hums, "What are cousins for, hm?"
He grins, feeling himself relax against the seat. Roxanne was good at this sort of stuff, "Brilliant."