So from now till Christmas I'm going to upload a short Carla&Nick Christmas themed oneshot. I really hope you enjoy them.
"We should put a tree up," Nick said glancing around Carla's modern flat.
"You are aware this isn't technically your flat darlin'," Carla said, she'd never been a fan of Christmas.
"Yes but I'm fully aware that Bethany put mine up weeks ago."
"So what are you complaining about then?" Carla said as she began to chuck things in her designer handbag.
"Carla?" Nick said leaning against the door preventing Carla from leaving the flat.
"What?"
"Do you even own a Christmas tree?" Nick asked raising his eyebrows.
"I'm running late already," Carla said trying to prise his hands from the flat door handle.
"That's a no then," Nick said keeping his grip tight.
"Nick," Carla said bluntly.
"Carla," he mimicked earning him a dirty look.
"Christmas trees are over rated," Carla declared.
"I'll do you a deal," Nick began as he snaked his arms around her waist, "you go to work, then when you get home we can go and buy you a Christmas tree."
"One condition," Carla said as she relaxed in his arms.
"What?"
"It has to be black," Carla declared making Nick chuckle.
"Deal," he said before kissing her quickly and opening the flat door allowing her to leave.
The 'Underworld' floor was buzzing; all the factory workers were talking about the festive season. Beth spoke of all the 'amazing' presents she'd purchased for Craig. She was gushing at how it was Caitlin and Craig's first Christmas as a 'couple.'
"Less chat before Carla gets here," Aidan said sticking his head out the office door.
"What is this?" Carla asked looking at Kate and Kirk attempting to assemble the Christmas tree.
"We're putting a tree up Mrs Connor," Kirk said enthusiastically.
"I have got eyes y'know," Carla snapped.
"Oh come on Carla, where's your festive spirit?" Kate asked with a big smile.
"The light things," Carla said wafting her hand at the fairy lights surrounding the 'Underworld' sign, "these are plenty. No more décor please," Carla stressed before walking into the factory.
"See I never know what to buy Simon," Eva said as Beth listed the things she'd bought for Craig.
"I have to admit I do find buying for girls easier than boys," Sinead said, "I can just relate to things I'd appreciate I suppose."
"The hardest person to buy for is your other half, that's what I always find," Sally commented, "Tim is practically impossible to buy for."
"Just get him some new sponges Sal," Sean joked making the workers laugh.
"I can't get him sponges for Christmas!" Sally said sounding appalled at Sean's suggestion, "It wouldn't be very special I mean would-"
"If I hear the words Christmas or presents before at least the 23rd I will sack you," Carla threatened as she walked the factory floor.
"Now that's not the Christmas spirit Mrs C," Sean said.
"Yeah, I thought even you would become less icy near Christmas," Beth commented.
"Sorry to disappoint," Carla said sarcastically as she inspected the work that had been produced.
"Have you even got a tree up?" Beth asked.
"No," Carla said bluntly.
"What?" Sean said shocked, "You don't have a tree up? Mrs C it's the 14th and you don't have a tree up?"
"Well Sean, you'll be thrilled to know Nick is taking me to get one this evening," Carla said with a fake smile.
"Well good, if anyone can get you in the spirit it'll be him," Sean said with a wink making Carla roll her eyes and walk back into the office.
"You ready?" Nick asked as he entered the flat. Carla was sat on the sofa with her head in the latest fashion magazine and a cup of coffee in her hand.
"You're eager," Carla commented before going back to her magazine.
"Babe it's almost five and the shops shut at six," Nick said taking the magazine from Carla.
"I've not finished with that!" Carla said jumping up from the sofa to try and get the magazine out of Nick's hand. He moved backwards as she grabbed it causing her to stumble forwards.
"Not funny," Carla said as Nick laughed.
""Very funny," he commented before pulling her closer to him.
"No, don't think you can hug your way out of this," Carla said as she tried to wriggle out his embrace.
"Come on, get your shoes on," Nick said as he kissed her on the cheek before releasing his hold.
"Nick can we not just do this a different day?" Carla moaned as she pulled her boots onto her feet.
"Well seen as you've just put your shoes on I'd say you want to go and get a tree," Nick winked before holding the flat door open for Carla to walk out of.
"Just pull in here babe," Nick said.
"Yeah but this is the garden centre," Carla said confused but indicated into the car park anyway.
"Yes and this is where you get Christmas trees from," Nick laughed.
"But I don't want a tree tree, I want a black one," Carla explained as she pulled into the nearest parking space.
"Yeah, I know. They've got all sorts of trees here. Trust me," Nick said as he climbed out of the car.
The garden centre was pretty quiet, the foyer was filled with real Christmas trees; Carla turned her nose up at them and walked straight through to the main decoration section.
"See Nick these are the ones I want," Carla said as they stopped in front of the pop up trees.
"Are you sure?" Nick asked surprised that Carla was going for such cheap and simple option.
"Yeah," Carla said as she looked through all the colours for a black one, "It's only n the flat for like two weeks a year."
"Okay darling, if that's what you want," Nick said helping Carla to lift up the box containing the black tree.
"You just need to pick decorations now then," Nick said as he regained hold of Carla's hand as they carried on walking around the garden centre.
"Can we put it up tonight?" Carla asked as they returned home.
"Someone's changed their tune," Nick chuckled as he placed their purchases on the floor.
"Okay so like it can go here," Carla said walking into the empty floor space occupying her flat.
"Okay then," Nick carried the box over to the space and went to make a coffee.
"What are you doing?" Carla asked as Nick walked off, "You need to help me."
"Babe it's a pop up tree," Nick chuckled, "It will take you literally five minutes if that," Nick said before going back to making them both a drink.
"See," Nick said as he handed Carla her drink, "That was easy wasn't it?"
"Mhmm," Carla said sipping her drinks, "are the decorations in there?" Carla said pointing at the brown paper bag they brought home.
"Yeah," Nick said smiling at Carla.
"What?" She said with a sheepish smile as she picked the bag up.
"It's just nice to see you so happy," Nick commented before he placed his cup next to Carla's to help her.
They hung the white snowflakes they'd purchased evenly around the tree and then added the black and silver baubles in any gaps. After about twenty minutes they both stood back to admire their work.
"Do you want to put the star on top?" Nick asked gesturing for Carla to take the white star from his hand. Carla nodded and took the star from him.
She stepped closer to the tree and stood on the tips of her toes as she attempted to place the star on the top. Nick chuckled at her struggle for a while before going over to help her.
He stood behind her, placed his hands on either side of her waist before lifting her up effortlessly so she could reach the top. Nick placed Carla back down but kept his hands on her waist; he turned around and smiled at her.
"Was that better than you thought it'd be?"
"Much," Carla said smiling before kissing Nick gently. He kissed her back as he continued to hold her close. As they kiss broke Nick pulled Carla into a warm hug.
The couple stood in silence for a moment, Nick rocked Carla gently before whispering, "Merry Christmas beautiful."
"Merry Christmas sweetheart."
Can we please pretend pop up trees don't come readily decorated because I literally found out 2 minutes ago when I googled it, whoops!
Please leave a review to let me know if you enjoyed this!