The sound of hushed voices and a groggy sense of direction makes me realise I've been sleeping. The uncomfortable position of my body makes my neck ache and my back hurt. Slowly, my eyes flutter open and I see Blake's face come into view. His face is blurry, but after a few blinks I notice the array of concern sprawled across his face. Blake's green eyes bore into mine uncomfortably.

"What's wrong, Blake?" I ask.

"Shh, baby," he softly replies.

As I move to sit up, I notice I'd fallen asleep against Tori's leg which is why my awkwardly angled neck is ringing with pain. She softly smiles at me, the kind that tells you, 'keep going, you're doing great.' She's got a half-awake London curled in her arms which makes me feel a bit better.

The concept of us being friends is weird. I don't know how I feel about Tori and I sharing this moment. Confiding in her about my worries is an unusual thing, but crying and falling asleep in her arms is any other things. If it were Kyle, I wouldn't bother questioning it as that seemed to be our daily routine just months ago. But Tori? I'd always thought she'd never like me. With her reassuring gaze, the clenching within my stomach hinted we'd be more than just passing acquaintances.

If Blake and I are to stay together, Tori will always be there beside us for London. Perhaps becoming friends wouldn't be a bad thing. I know we've had some issues in the past, but not just for the sake of London, but for ourselves, perhaps I owe it to us to see if we can be friends.

I want to be the kind of person that overlooks the crazed emotions of a difficult time to see who Tori is on the inside. Tori can't be that bad if Blake had a long relationship with her. But my mind wanders back to Angela's warning. If she can act like that with an emotive incentive, what's to say the damage she could do without it.

Would I risk the fear of Tori's wrath for a chance of something more than awkward greetings, I'd like to think I would.

"It's time to feed London, Tori. Everything is still in the kitchen for her bottle," says Blake.

"Yeah, sure." Tori leans in to half hug me before getting off the bed to head downstairs. Once Tori is gone from the room, Blake closes the door and occupies the space beside me. He immediately wraps his arms around my body, tugging me to his chest.

"Why are you upset?" As Blake runs his fingers over my back, the sensation tingling through my body makes me shiver with delight. I haven't figured it out, but when he rubs my back, there's an instantaneous feeling of weightlessness inside me.

"The stress of looking after London with the combination of being sick is taking a toll on me," I admit.

"I'm sorry," he says, pressing a kiss against my forehead. "I promise to help more, I know I haven't been supportive over the last couple of weeks. After work, I'm exhausted."

"I know, Blake," I reply. "I just need small breaks to take a bath or go for a walk."

"I'm glad we can talk this out," he admits.

"Same." I half smile.

"Now, baby, you need to rest."

"No, I'm fine." I yawn.

"You're not getting a choice in this matter." Blake pulls me down and wraps his arm around me. I rest my head against his chest while Blake continues to rub my back. I listen to the sound of his breathing.

My mind is stuck on reply, conflicted about Tori's suggestion. I'm not sure how I'm believing this, or if I really am. I don't want to worry Blake about this dilemma, so I keep my mouth shut and focus on sleeping.

Soft whispering rustles me from my sleep. The warmth of Blake pressed against me brings a sense of comfort and security, but does nothing to aid my curiosity.

"Shh, baby, go back to sleep," he whispers.

"Who's down stairs?" I ask sleepily.

"Don't worry about it."

"We should, um, go downstairs." Forcing myself to sit up, I blink away the tired feeling consuming my body.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Climbing out of bed, I straighten out my clothing and run my fingers through my hair. We walk downstairs and great the people gathering around the lounge room. I notice Kyle sitting on the single couch talking to Jude, Tori in the kitchen with London in her arms, a mysterious person beside her.

He turns to look when he notices Tori looking our way.

"Blake man, you're here," he smiles excitedly.

"Benny boy is in the house!" shouts Blake, bouncing with excitement. He rushes over to Ben and gives him a bro hug before jumping into a conversation about how their lives have been. I make a quick retreat to the comfort of Kyle.

"Hey Kylie," I say.

"Hey, Ava baby." Kyle stands up and gives me a tight hug. "Are you okay? You're rather pale."

"I just need to eat." I smile.

"Food it coming my beautiful Ava." I look towards the kitchen to find Blake grabbing left over barbeque from the fridge. He dishes up a plate before bringing it over to the table. Kyle takes a seat, which prompts the rest to follow.

As I look down at the cold meat, my stomach churns with sickness. But with Blake's eyes glued on me, I tug on a smile and poke at the food. I try to take a small bite from the meat, but it makes my stomach worse. I don't feel like eating just yet.

"Do you want something else?" asks Blake.

"I'm not really hungry, that's all," I comment.

"I'll make you something to drink." Blake grabs the plate and places it on the bench. He then searches through the fridge and starts pulling out ingredients. I notice a few bananas and a carton of milk.

"Banana smoothie?" he asks.

"Sure." I nod my head, licking my dry lips.

Blake grabs the blender out of the cupboard and adds in the bananas and milk. He wizzes it up, puts it in a cup and brings it to me. I take a small sip that feels refreshing. I drink a good portion before placing the glass on the bench and smile.

"Thank you, it's really good."

"You're welcome." He kisses the top of my forehead.

Blake, Ben, Tori and Jude sit on the couch and talk awhile I sit with Kyle at the table. I'm glad the attention has moved away from me.

"Are you sure you're okay, Ava?" asks a worried Kyle.

"Perfect," I reply, a bit more energy flowing through my body. "I think it's a combination of being sick and tired," I reply.

"Okay." He slowly nods, not sure what to believe.

Once I'm finished with my drink, we ponder on what to do. There's a tossup between watching a movie or go swimming. Blake objects to the idea of swimming since he wants me to rest. However, the drink has brought colour to my cheeks and a taste for excitement.

Jude and Ben return to the main house to change their clothing, Tori scampers to the guest room leaving Blake and I upstairs and Kyle alone downstairs. Since he didn't bring bathers, he's left swimming in his underwear.

I grab my bathers out of the drawers while Blake rumbles through his mess of a floordrobe nearly pushed against his side of the drawers.

"This is why you should put your things away," I say.

"Maybe." He laughs.

Blake finds a set of bright blue board shorts while I slip on my black bikini.

"I'm glad we're spending time together," he says. "Just listen," Blake whispers.

Frowning, I laugh and listen to with him. When nothing happens, he smiles even more, which makes me realise. Without London, we're able to go back to how things sort of used to be, carefree.

"Have you thought about spending London with Tori?" I ask

"Honestly?" he asks.

"Yes."

Blake closes the space between us and wraps his arms around me.

"I've been thinking about re-arranging the custody arrangement." He nods his head.

"How so?"

'Two weeks here, two weeks with her. If she stays here, she's not going to know who Tori is, already I see the discomfort when Tori is holding her," he replies.

"And?" I bite my lip.

"I'm exhausted, and I think she needs to help this ship run."

Nodding my head, I say, "Do you trust her?"

"Yes."

"I'll support any decision you make," I reply.

"Thank you." He smiles.

As I take a step back, Blake smacks my butt and whispers into my ear, "Does that include throwing you on the bed and tearing this sexy bathing suit from your body?" Laughs Blake.

"If I say no, are you going to suggest we run down the road naked again?"

"Ava baby, didn't you have fun last time?" The mischievous smile on Blake's face makes me worried. I don't want to know what crazy ideas are floating through his mind. I don't think I could run down the street naked again, certainly not with Kyle here.

"Let's go." I take off downstairs, laughing as my feet hit the ground.

"Come on, Kyle." I run through the house and outside. Kyle dashes past and jumps into the pool. I stop and wait to see Kyle's reaction. Before he has a chance to resurface, I'm being lifted into the air. We crash against the cold water which makes me furious.

"I can't believe you, Blake," I scream as I resurface.

But as I see the light hair of Ben, I instantly feel embarrassed. Looking over my shoulder, I see Blake laughing.

"Baby, that was funny."

"I hate you both." I swim over to Kyle and hid behind his back.

"Protect me from these crazies," I shout.

"Anything for my Ava baby." He laughs.

Tori passes London to Angela and gets into the pool. Jude jumps in and slashes Tori in the face, which makes her shout at him. Blake gets in the pool and wrestles Ben in the water.

"Everyone here is crazy," agrees Kyle.

"Just you wait Kyle, last time Blake had us running down the street naked."

"What?" shouts Kyle, "You actually did that?"

"Shhh."

"Wow, Ava, you're a whole different person." I suppose that comment should hurt, but I don't think the changes I've made with Blake are bad, I rather like the newer me. Blake challenges me to take risks, to step out of my comfort zone and try new things.

"Okay, we're definitely doing something crazy now." I laugh.

Just what to do?

What is the craziest thing you've done or want to do?