Blake's incessant suffocation eases the moment he receives a phone call. The slender device dances across the coffee table to the tune of Hotline Bling by Drake. I laugh at the choice or ringtone while Blake groans in agony.

"Can we just ignore it?" asks Blake.

His warm arms wrap around my body as he snuggles his face into my neck. The movement of his face brushing against my neck makes me giggle.

"Blakie, stop." I gasp for breath.

"Sorry," he murmurs.

"You can ignore it, but you should answer it." Since I'm closer to the table, not by much. I lean across and grab the phone.

"Who's that?" he asks.

With a shrug, I pass it over my shoulder and wait. Reluctantly, Blake takes the phone from my grasp. My gaze flickers back to the luminous television screen for a brief moment. I watch as the characters flicker across the screen before giving into temptation. I'm curious about the phone call.

I shuffle to the side so that I can look over my shoulder. A thoughtful expression wanders across Blake's face as he listens. His eyebrows scrunch up as he glares at something in the distance. I can't hear what's being said, but the displeased look makes me worried.

"Okay, I'll be there soon." Blake throws his phone onto the table, which makes an awful clattering noise against the glass. The loud sound makes me wince. I could never through my phone, it's like my third baby.

"That bad?" I ask.

"Yes, work called. I have to go," he explains.

"Oh, that's no good." I huff with disappointment.

    I know I should feel bad, but there's a sense of excitement bubbling in the depths of my stomach. Blake has spent the last three days hovering over me like a child. It'll be nice spending a couple of hours by myself. I can stretch out or take a bath without being questioned. I love that he cares so much about me, but I wish he'd care a little less.

     "I want to stay with you." He presses a kiss against my shoulder blade.

    "The sooner you leave, the sooner you come back, right?" I smile. Despite my vibrant smile, it doesn't shake the gloomy look plastered on Blake's face. His frown only deepens as he get off the couch. I scurry to my feet as I follow Blake up the stairs.

    With ease, Blake takes them two at a time. I struggle to keep up with him, but I manage to make it up without pain or assistance.

    I take a set on the bed and watch Blake buzz around the room. He grabs his work clothes from the drawers and begins changing. He pulls off his pyjamas and discards them on the ground. Since I'm incapable of doing anything, Blake's been managing the house - washing included. I hope he knows he'll be picking those clothes up later.

"I want you to go next door with London. Mum isn't working until later today," he explains.

Ugh, here we go again. I don't think I'll ever be allowed by myself or alone with a set of stairs. I hope his dream house doesn't include stairs in it.

    "Please Blake, I'll be fine." I pout.

    "It would make me feel better knowing you're safe."

    "How about I call Kyle?" I offer. "I haven't seen him in a while."

Instead of answering, Blake bites his lower lip and looks away. He steps into his dark coloured pants and pulls them up to button. Blake then grabs his long sleeved shirt and slips it on. The heavy concentration he shows towards the buttons makes me nervous. He doesn't like the idea of Kyle coming over, or perhaps me being alone with Kyle?

"Or not?" I nervously laugh.

    "Maybe Ben could come too?" he offers.

    "Sure." I nod. "Maybe I'll also invite Tori, the neighbours, and that weird cat that hangs around too," I grumble.

    Blake folds his arms across his chest and frowns. The distress clings to his lips which tugs at my heart strings. I'd end up going next door if it makes him happy. I don't want Blake wandering around a construction site with half a brain on the job. That's when accidents happen and I can't afford for that to happen.

    "Why are you so against Kyle coming over?" I ask. "What happened that made you dislike him?" Obviously, Blake isn't being truthful about how he feels, or perhaps more happened while I was out? It's hard to know the truth when you're not the one witnessing it. Even so, we only hear what we want to believe.

"I just -" Blake scratches the back of his head awkwardly. "Be good. I'll leave money on the table for lunch."

    I stand up as Blake walks towards me. His arms circle around me as I lean up to kiss his nose.

"I wish you'd just tell me," I say.

Having Blake worry about Kyle while wandering around on a work site was another worry. I just worry too much when it comes to Blake. With him in the picture, I'd never consider anyone else. I love Blake too much to ever think about anyone else. Kyle on the other hand, that would be weird. Kissing him once was enough for me.

    "I'm jealous I don't get another day with you. I'm worried that something will happen when I'm gone," he explains.

I could see the truth is his words and sadness clung to his perfect green eyes. But as I searched deeper, I can see there's more to it. Blake's never been good at hiding things. I'd find out what's bothering him sooner or later.

"Okay." I nod my head.

"I'll see you later tonight then."

    Wrapping my arms around his neck, I draw Blake's face closer to mine. As I press my lips against his, I feel his fingers run through my hair and trail down my back. The sound of Blake's phone ringing tears us apart.

    "Bloody phone," he curses against my lips.

    "Now I wish you weren't going." I laugh.

"Can you at least wait with London downstairs?" he asks. "I'll grab her stuff and bring it down."

    "Sure." I nod.

This is a small sacrifice for a slice of freedom I'm willing to take. Sure beats the alternatives presented.

Blake walks into the bathroom to collect London's belongings while I grab her from the cot. She slightly wakes, but I gently rock her in my arms. Her little eyes flutter closed as she continues to sleep.

Since she's started teething, her sleep is up and down at the moment. She spent the whole of last night screaming in pain, so she's catching up on sleep now. I hate seeing her in pain.

I follow Blake downstairs and into the living room. He places her stuff on the dining table and then heads off the spare bedroom. He soon returns with her bassinet to sleep in. It's only now that I realise our bub will probably sleep in there since we don't have another cot.

At least I could move the bassinet around house without being stuck in one location. I still don't know how I feel about London moving into the spare bedroom by herself. She's a great sleeper, but I don't want to be running downstairs in the middle of the night to get to her. With my track record, I don't think it's wise.

London snuggles up with her blanket which makes Blake smile.

"I can't wait until our bub comes. It's going to be exciting," murmurs Blake.

"And scary," I add.

"You're a natural, Ava. You'll do an amazing job."

"So will you." I smile.

"We need to start thinking. Time flies and we don't have a list of names or clothes ready. Sure, we've got London's stuff, but what if we have a boy?" asks Blake.

"We'll figure it out later." I grin. "You need to leave for work."

With a sigh, Blake nods his head. I lean up and give Blake a kiss goodbye which ends up with Blake clinging on to me.

"I'm going, I'm going." He huffs.

On the way out, Blake chucks some cash on the counter. The sight of his retreating body is both a mixture of happiness and sadness. He's certainly an addiction. You always want to kick it, but the second he leaves, I remember how much I need him.

    When Blake is gone, I wander towards the kitchen table to retrieve my phone. I instantly message Kyle in regards to coming over. I'm pleasantly surprised from the instantaneous reply. I arrange for Kyle to come over before returning to the couch.

An hour or so later, there's a knock at the door. I find Kyle waving frantically with a bright smile on his face.

"You made it," I chirp happily.

"Of course, I'd come." Kyle laughs.

"I need to update Blake so he doesn't come running home," I explain.

Kyle shoots me a strange look, but I easily ignore it. We walk into the lounge room and sit on the couch. I take my phone out and snap a picture of us and send it to Blake.

"He's really has got you on house arrest?" asks Kyle.

"Yeah." I nod my head. "I tried taking a bath last night and he wouldn't leave me alone. I can't breathe without Blake asking if I'm okay." I sigh.

"Aw, Ava baby, are you okay? Do I need to call the hospital, you're looking a little flushed," teases Kyle. He gently pats the top of my head like an animal which makes me annoyed.

"You're going to need a hospital if you pat my head again," I comment.

"Okay." Kyle raises his hands in surrender.

I quickly fluff up the pillows behind me to get comfortable. I have many questions I want to ask Kyle about things so I need to be comfortable.

"Now, please tell me what I've missed." I smile.

"What do you want to know?" Kyle laughs nervously.

He fidgets with his fingers which draws my curiosity towards him. I wouldn't have pried since Kyle seems to dismiss any comments made in regards to his non-love life. But that fidget makes me forget about that, I want to know details. I bet they're dating now. Isn't that how it's supposed to work? Starts out as friends sleeping together which leads to a relationship. I think it would be nice for Kyle to have a girlfriend.

"Are you and Charlotte still a thing." I wink.

"And thing?" He laughs. "Not sure what you're talking about," he teases.

"Kyle." I groan. "Is she your girlfriend, or still?" I question.

"Still my piece of fun," he casually replies.

I don't get how Kyle or anyone else can do it. I don't think I could sleep with someone because I just felt like it. I'm too emotional not to invest feelings and emotions into it. I guess it's easy when you've found your always - I'm not like Kyle. He's still waiting on his forever, whomever that is.

Personally, I'm thankful my waiting is over. Crushing on someone who never glances in your direction is hard work. I must have done something right in my previous life to get his attention.

"Are you just saying that because . . . ?" I wonder if he's afraid to admit he has feelings for Charlotte - the kind that go beyond lust and desire. Maybe, Charlotte has those feelings and Kyle doesn't? Man, that would suck.

"Because that's all we are to each other," Kyle says.

"Fine." I pout. "But I don't believe you. I bet there's a little more going on than what you're letting on," I explain.

"She wants me to go to her sister's parenting group. Maybe she feels something more? Or just needs the free help to amuse kids?" offers Kyle.

"I so knew it," I scream with happiness. "She wants to have your babies, Kylie boo."

My loud voice stirs London from her sleep which makes me wince. Shoot. There's a reason to why Kyle and I shouldn't hang out with small children. I end up yelling the house down with excitement.

"Shoot, I forgot about her." I frown.

"Are you going to forget about your baby too?" Kyle burst out with laughter.

"Oi mate, don't you suggest things like that." I gently rub my tummy as I get off the couch.

Kyle follows me as I grab London out the bassinet. It takes me about a minute to calm her down before I pass her over to Kyle. He holds her at a slight distance before hooking one arm around her back for support and the other around her bottom.

"I know you wouldn't, but it's fun to tease," replies Kyle.

"Whatever." I flick my hair over my shoulder.

"Are you going to the group tomorrow?" asks Kyle. "I could take you."

"Uh." I frown. "Sure, I haven't been there in awhile."

Going to the group means I'd be able to gain freedom from Blake's house arrest and I'd be able to talk to the other women about my problem. I don't know if they've ever been in my position, but perhaps they'd have some useful advice. I feel like I can't talk to Blake and Kyle about it.

"Great, I'll pick you up in the morning then."

"Sounds like a plan." I smile.

"You should feed this monster before she eats us alive." Kyle hands over London without skipping a heartbeat.

"Can you get us food? I feel like pizza."

"Sure." I give Kyle the money on the bench so that I can focus on London.

Kyle tucks the cash into his pocket and walks off while I put London in her high chair. Thankfully, Blake's already on top of preparing her mashed food. I still can't believe how much time has passed.

When I finish feeding London, I clean her up and set her down. She plops onto a cushion with a book and looks through it. London doesn't make it past the first page without chewing on it. Thank goodness for the puffy plastic pages.

I leave London to crawl around while I wait for Kyle to return. Just as I get comfortable on the couch, he enters the house with two pizza in hand.

"Ah, you're still alive," comments Kyle.

"Were you really afraid she was going to eat us?" I question.

"Pft, of course, I wasn't." Kyle joins me on the couch and passes my pizza over. With a smile, I open the box and dig in.

"That's so unfair." Pouts Kyle.

"I doubt you'd think that when the baby is due. I don't think the pain is worth this." I point to the pizza box resting on my belly.

"I see what you're doing, Ava," says Kyle.

"And what is that?" I laugh.

"Fishing for sympathy," he explains.

"Are you going to hold my hand when I give birth?" I ask.

"Yeah, fuck no." He shakes his head. "That's what Blake is for."

"Then you don't get to make comments about it," I say.

"Fine," he grumbles. "I won't make anymore."

    When we're both completely stuffed, Kyle clears the pizza boxes away. I grab London from the floor for a cuddle as Kyle rejoins me on the couch.

While we're watching tv, my phone buzzes. In case it's Blake, I grab the phone and check the message. I'm surprised to see my father's name on the screen opposed to Blake.

    "My Dad wants to catch up tomorrow," I explain to Kyle.

    "It won't be the end of the world if you miss that parenting group," says Kyle.

    "I wanted to speak to them before I see my parents," I confess.

    "Then there's always another day." He smiles.

    "That's very true, thanks, Kyle."

    When Blake and I announced my pregnancy, I had them both to lean on. Now that this has happened, I know I won't be able to take either of them with me. This is something I need to do by myself. From one mother to another, we're going to sort this out. Because I can't stand the thought of losing her. I need my mother and she needs me. 

What do you guys think about Kyle and Charlotte getting together?