'Happy Birthday, sweetie.' Nick says smiling as he makes his way into the front room where Esme is sitting in the middle of the floor ripping some wrapping paper.
'Baby!' The little girl shouts holding up a little doll dressed in a pink sleeper.
'Wow, did mummy get you a dolly? Aren't you lucky.' Nick replies smiling.
'Do you need a hand with the food?' He asks turning to face Carla who is leaning against the wall.
'No, everything is pretty much done and ready to go.' She replies smiling.
'Okay. Well I can stay here with her while you get dressed.' He says and she nods her head.
'Okay... I won't be long.' She replies smiling. She makes her way upstairs and into her bedroom.
The past two years have been incredibly hard for both Nick and Carla. A couple of months after Esme got out of hospital Carla decided she wanted to move out of Weatherfield. She found a little house close enough that Nick was able to visit whenever he wanted but far enough away that she was happy. At times Nick would've given anything to just have the pair of them staying in the same building as him and at times Carla would've done anything to just have some help when Esme was being fussy at 3 in the morning or when she was throwing a tantrum because she wasn't getting her own way.
'You ready to go?' Nick asks as Carla grabs her handbag.
'Yeah, I think so.' She replies.
'Are we taking your car or mine?' She asks watching him lift Esme and balancing her on his hip.
'We're as well taking yours since I'm guessing her buggy and all that are in it?' He replies and she nods her head.
'Okay, my car it is.' She says smiling. They make their way out the front door and she locks it before they make their way over to her car. It's a little after 9am but the drive is at least an hour long so they know they have to leave pretty early to be able to have a decent time.
'I can't believe she's two already.' Nick says as he glances down at Esme who is sitting in her buggy.
'I know, it's crazy.' Carla replies smiling. They make their way into the zoo and towards the first enclosure.
'Did she sleep okay last night?' He asks and she nods her head.
'Yeah, I've moved her to the toddler bed... Did I tell you that?' She replies and he shakes his head.
'Earlier this week... The first few nights she was up and down, up and down but last night she slept from 7 to 7 so I got a good 8 hours sleep I think.' She says smiling.
'That's good. Can I take her out?' He asks causing her to laugh.
'You're her dad, Nick... You don't need to ask to do anything.' She replies. She stops walking and watches him bend down in front of the buggy.
'Are you coming to daddy, Esme?' He asks putting his arms out to her.
'Daddy!' She replies grinning.
'Aren't you looking all pretty in your nice dress.' He says balancing her on his hip and continuing the walk to the first enclosure.
'Look at the elephants, Esme.' Carla says smiling as they stop in front of the enclosure.
'Wow, aren't they big?' Nick replies smiling.
'Elpant...' Esme shouts causing her parents to laugh.
'Elephant.' Carla says.
'Elpant.' The little girl repeats smiling up at her mother.
'So, how are things with you and Danny?' Nick asks as they sit down on the grass with their picnic.
'Good, really good actually.' Carla replies pulling some sandwiches out of the basket.
'I'm glad... I'm glad you found someone, Carla. Danny is a good guy and anyone can see he makes you happy.' Nick says causing her to smile.
'Same goes for you, Nick. Mia is nice and she's clearly good for you.' She replies.
''Mumma.' Esme says reaching her hand out in an attempt to grab the sandwiches in Carla's hand.
'Here you go sweetie.' She replies handing the little girl a sandwich. She places the rest of them on the blanket they're sitting on and smiles at Nick.
'There's ham, chicken and turkey.' She says.
'So have you got any plans for this weekend?' He asks picking up a sandwich.
'I don't think so...' She replies.
'Could I maybe have Esme on Saturday? There's this new Disney show thing in town and I was thinking of taking her, if it's okay with you.' He asks and she nods her head.
'That's fine... You can keep her overnight.' She replies smiling.
'Thanks...' He almost whispers glancing at Esme who is stuffing a sandwich into her mouth.
'Hey... Little bites, baby girl.' He says reaching forward and pulling the sandwich out her mouth.
'I've had a good day.' Nick says smiling as Carla pulls into her driveway.
'Yeah? So have I... We should do it more often.' She replies reaching forward to grab her coffee and accidentally brushing her hand against his.
'I-I should get home.' He says as she instantly pulls her hand away.
'Yeah, I should get Esme inside.' She replies glancing at their sleeping daughter. They both get out the car and Carla makes her way to the back.
'I'll see you later.' Nick says and she nods her head. She watches him get in his car before beginning to back out of the driveway.
'Alright sleepyhead... Let's get you inside.' Carla almost whispers as she unstraps Esme and lifts her into her arms. She grabs her bag off the seat and closes the door with her foot.