'You okay?' Nick asks as he helps Carla out of the car and she places her hand across her stomach.

'Mmm... Just a bit achy.' She replies quietly as she glances down at the carseat containing their newborn daughter.

'I've got a surprise for you inside.' He says closing the car door and wrapping his arm around her waist.

'You do?' She asks and he nods his head as he guides her to the front door.

'Yep. Lorna's going to bring Amelia home a little bit later so I was thinking you could go for a sleep before our tiny tornado gets home.' He replies causing her to smile.

'Sounds good to me.' She says watching him let go of her to unlock the door. Just over a year ago they decided to settle down in the Lake District; a place which Carla had fallen in love with during her short stay there. They found a little house near Lorna, who they quickly became very close with, that they could call home.

'Come on then.' He replies holding the door open to let her into the house.

'Thank you.' She says softly. She slides her jacket off her arms and hangs it up before glancing down at her shoes.

'We'll get them upstairs, babe.' Nick says and she nods her head. Keeping hold of the carseat he kicks his own shoes off before following Carla upstairs.

'Nick, did you?' Carla asks causing him to smile as he sees her standing at their bedroom door staring inside.

'I remember you telling me that with Amelia you wanted one of those co-sleepers but he wouldn't let you because he wanted her in his own room.' Nick replies and she lifts her hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks.

'Oh Nick...' She whispers stepping further into the bedroom. Attached to her side of the bed is a beautiful white co-sleeping crib and in the corner of the room is a rocking chair with a little table and lamp set up beside it.

'Do you like it?' He asks and she nods her head.

'I love it, Nick. Thank you.' She replies.


'You comfy?' Nick asks and Carla nods her head.

'As comfy as I can be... I still can't believe how mad that labour was.' She replies glancing down at where Thea sleeps peacefully in the co-sleeper.

'You done so well, I am so proud of you.' Nick says and she shakes her head.

'I didn't really do anything in the end, did I?' She replies quietly.

'You were in labour for 19 hours before they decided on the c-section, Carla. You went through so much and you grew our beautiful little girl for forty whole weeks, you done everything.' He says running his fingers gently down her cheek.

'Mmm... I can't wait to see our other beautiful girl.' She admits and he nods his head.

'I'm sure Lorna will be here soon.' He replies and as if on cue there's a soft knock at the front door.

'You stay here... Don't move a muscle.' He says kissing the top of her head before climbing off the bed. Reaching onto the bedside table she grabs her phone and takes a quick picture of Thea who's sleeping peacefully.

'Mumma...' A small voice says and Carla instantly glances over at the door where Nick and Amelia are standing.

'Hi, baby girl... Come give mummy a cuddle?' Carla says putting her arms out. Almost instantly Amelia runs towards her and attempts to climb onto the bed.

'Be careful with mummy's tummy, okay?' Nick says as he lifts Amelia onto the bed and sits down beside her.

'Where baby?' Amelia asks.

'She's over there, sweetie. Give mummy a cuddle then daddy will lift you so you can see her better.' Carla replies.

'Love you, mumma.' Amelia mumbles and Carla smiles as she wraps her arms around her.

'Love you too, baby girl.' She says softly.

'Right do you want to meet Thea?' Carla asks kissing the top of the little girl's head. Nick smiles as he lifts the little girl onto his hip and makes his way over to the other side of the bed.

'Baby!' Amelia says gesturing down to the baby.

'Can you give baby a kiss?' Nick asks as he bends down. Carla can't stop the tears from filling her eyes as she watches Amelia lean over and ever so softly kiss Thea's head.

'You okay?' Nick asks glancing at Carla who nods her head.

'Fine, better than fine actually.' She replies smiling.


'Do you want me to bring dinner upstairs to you?' Nick asks and Carla shakes her head.

'No, we're going to eat like a family just like we always do.' Carla replies.

'Are you sure?' He asks and she nods her head.

'I'm fine, honestly. I know we won't be able to do as much as we used to until I've properly healed but I want to get things as back to normal as I can.' She replies smiling.

'Okay then. Do you want me to bring Thea downstairs?' He asks and she nods her head.

'Please.' She replies. He lifts Thea into his arms and follows Carla downstairs to the dining room where Amelia is already in her highchair.

'What we having?' Carla asks running her fingers through the ends of Amelia's hair before sitting down.

'Chinese... I got a few different dishes so you can pick whatever you fancy.' He replies causing her to smile.

'Mmm... Sounds good.' She says smiling.

'I can't believe she's actually here.' Carla admits glancing down at Thea who's fast asleep in her swing beside her chair.

'I know; it's crazy to think we now have two girls.' Nick says smiling.

'I didn't think I would ever be this happy again. I didn't think I deserved to be this happy again but you once again have been my saviour; I don't think you even realise the impact you have on my life. You are, not including the kids, the one person I want to live for. You give me hope and I guess I've needed that more than anything.' She replies smiling.