Note : This will be going up in a couple of parts, two maybe three parts.

Love is what is in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.

5:48am.

'Mummy, Daddy... It's Christmas!' Six-year-old Arlo says repeatedly tapping his father's arm until he opens his eyes to look at him.

'Go back to bed, Arlo. It's too early.' Carla mumbles as she rolls onto her side. Nick watches as his little boy's bottom lip quivers and tears fill his eyes.

'Come on, mummy! We need to check and see if Santa has been.' He says gently nudging Carla with his foot. She groans and slowly opens her eyes to look at him.

'Morning, sweeties...' She says smiling over at Arlo who has now been joined by four-year-old Teddy.

'Will we go see what Santa's brought?' She asks and they both enthusiastically nod their heads.

'I don't remember them getting up this early last year...' Nick says glancing at the clock as the boys make their way towards the bedroom door.

'They did but I sent them back to bed because this is a ridiculous time to get up and you know they'll be exhausted by the time we get to your mums...' Carla replies climbing out of bed. She pulls her fluffy dressing gown tightly around her body and glances at her three-week-old daughter fast asleep in the co-sleeper attached to the bed.

'Come on then... You said they could get up.' She says leaning over and slapping her husband's bare chest as he tilts his head back and closes his eyes.

'What are we going to do about the girls?' He asks climbing out of bed and pulling on some grey joggies on over his boxers.

'You can take Evie down and pop her in the moses basket... I'll go check on Hallie.' She replies smiling. He nods his head and she begins the short walk to the bedroom door.

'Carla?' He says causing her to turn around.

'Merry Christmas, baby.' He says.

'Merry Christmas.' She replies. She smiles and leaves the bedroom before making her way towards Hallie's room.

'Morning, baby girl... Merry Christmas!' Carla says smiling as she makes her way into the room where the little girl is standing up in her cot.

'Mumma!' The nearly two-year-old says reaching her little arms up.

'Hi, will we go see what Santa has brought you? Will we?' Carla asks lifting her daughter into her arms.

'Oh, don't forget blankey...' She adds lifting the pale pink blanket from the cot and giving it to Hallie who instantly rubs it against her cheek.

7:02am.

'When you first met me all those years ago in the factory... Did you ever think we'd end up here? Married with four beautiful children and our angel?' Carla asks as she cradles Evie in her arms with Nick by her side.

'Honestly? No. You were a bit of a bitch.' He replies.

'When did you realise that I was the one?' She asks.

'I think I properly realised it when you started talking about how you were going to sell Underworld and move away.' He replies draping his arm over her shoulders and pulling her closer to him.

'Really?' She asks and he nods his head.

'Yeah. I mean it was weird because we weren't even together but we had spent so much time together and I couldn't imagine not having you in my life.' He admits and she smiles.

'You amaze me more and more each day, Nicholas.' She says.

9:20am.

'When do we need to leave to go to my mum's?' Nick asks as Carla lifts a sleepy Hallie onto her knee.

'10ish, I think.' Carla replies smiling.

'Someone's tired.' He says gesturing to Hallie who is snuggled into Carla's shoulder.

'They all are. Why don't you go put the presents we have to take into the boot so when we're ready we can just go.' She suggests.

'Okay. Is that them by the door?' He asks and she nods her head.

'Yep, there's a couple of bags in the cupboard if you want to put them all in them.' She replies smiling. He goes off to put the presents in the boot while she tilts her head back against the sofa and closes her eyes.

'Mummy, are you tired?' Arlo asks.

'A little bit... Why don't you go upstairs and grab your jacket so we can get ready to go to Grandma's.' Carla replies.

'Okay, mummy.' He says smiling.

10:30am.

'Hi, Uncle Nicky! Need a hand?' Bethany asks making her way over to the car.

'Could you take the kids in for me?' Nick asks and his niece nods her head.

'Arlo, Teddy... Let's go.' She says smiling. Nick passes Hallie, who is fast asleep, to her and watches as she disappears into the house with the three oldest children.

'I always feel like we're going to be really organised at Christmas and everything is going to be perfect, no one will be stressed out... But it never happens.' Carla moans as she lifts the last of the Christmas presents out of the boot.

'Hey, come here...' Nick says wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her into him.

'We have four children, Carla... Life is never going to be not stressful. Plus you gave birth three weeks ago, stop worrying.' He says and she sighs.

'I'm so fucking tired.' She mumbles.

'You've worn yourself out, baby... You only gave birth three weeks ago, give yourself a break.' He says smiling as he kisses the top of her head.

'I just wanted everything to be perfect for your mum.' She whispers.

'And it is... My mum is so grateful for everything you've done, Carla.' He replies.

'We better get inside before your mum comes to drag us in.' She says. He nods his head and quickly gets Evie's carseat out of the car before they make their way into the Platt's.

'Merry Christmas, mum...' Nick says placing the carseat on the floor and hugging his mum tightly.

'Merry Christmas, Nick.' Gail replies smiling.

'Merry Christmas, Gail... How are you doing?' Carla asks hugging her mother in law.

'Merry Christmas... A lot better now I have my whole family here.' Gail replies smiling.

12:02pm.

'So what time did your lot get up at?' David asks.

'Before 6...' Nick replies.

'And you let them actually get up at that time?' Kylie asks glancing at Carla who is cradling Evie in her arms.

'I didn't... I told them to go back to bed but this one is a pushover for the big eyes and little pout.' She replies gesturing to her husband.

'Yeah well we both know who the kids learned that from don't we?' Nick asks smiling.

'So what did Nick get you then?' Kylie asks.

'I don't know. He told me I wasn't allowed to open my presents from him this morning.' Carla replies.

'Oh really? Why was that Nick?' Kylie asks.

'I thought it would be more exciting if we both opened our presents from the kids but kept the ones from each other tonight when the kids are in bed.' Nick replies draping his arm around Carla's shoulders.

'Oh, those kind of presents are they?' Kylie says causing Nick to smile.

'Maybe... You never know!' He replies.