Chapter 2

"Abi, are you ready? You're breakfast is on the table waiting for you!" Nick shouted up the stairs to his daughter who's bedroom door is now open as he could see the pink wall from the bottom of the stairs.

"I'll be down in a minute Dad!" he heard Abi reply whilst cupboards opened and closed frantically. He would never know why it took girls so long to get ready. Nick made his way back into the kitchen where Zoe as sat at the table, her head in her hands completely unaware that Nick was there. Nick slowly made his way round to his wife and crouched down next to her.

"Zo, are you okay?" Nick asked gently placing his hand on her arm.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine," Zoe replied whilst lifting her head up and making herself sit upright in the chair. She could sense Nick still looking at her, his gaze resting on her face.

"Are you sure, you seem a bit quiet?" Nick asked again whilst looking into Zoe's eyes. He could always tell when there is something wrong with her, even if she denied it.

"I've just got a headache and feel a bit rubbish, that's all." Zoe explained before getting up.

"Are you sure you want to go to work today?" Nick asked, grabbing onto her arm. He didn't like to see her like this, not her funny, bubbly self.

"I'll be fine, honest. If I get worse I promise to come and find you, now stop fussing over me please." Zoe said to Nick and she walked out of the kitchen to the bottom of the stairs. She never liked being the centre of attention. It made her feel nervous and on edge, unless she had had a bit to drink them it turns into a different story.

A thudding sound emerged from the stairs and Zoe looked up to see Abi running down and before Zoe even had a chance to say morning, Abi was moaning about her hair.

"Yes, I know I'm running late but my hair wouldn't stay in place so I had to find my hairspray but the can was empty so I borrowed some of yours, hope you don't mind, only problem is, it still looks awful!" she said as she rushed into the kitchen for breakfast. Abi had seemed to say that full sentence in one breath, Zoe only just managing to catch it all. She thought her hair looked fine as she re-entered the kitchen, she had a bit up, bit down with the end curled. Just how Zoe loved it. She also noticed that Abi was wearing her purple top with the frilled layers on the front. Zoe loved it when she wears this top as it brings out the greenness of her eyes against her black hair.

Nick was sat at the dining table with his daughter who was munching away at her cereal when he glanced over at Zoe who was hovering in the doorway to the kitchen. The closer he looked, the more he thought she looked ill. Her face was paler than usual and her eyes didn't have the usual sparkle, more dull and glazed over. Zoe felt Nick's eyes on her so she looked towards her husband who waved her over to him. She walked over, sitting herself down on his knee.

"Are you sure you're okay? You can stay at home today you know?" Nick asked gently. He didn't want his wife to get anymore ill by over doing it at work as the ED can become a hectic place in a short space of time.

"I'm fine, honest. It's nothing that a few paracetamol won't sort out." Zoe explained and Nick placed his hands on her face and pulled her in for a kiss. He loved Zoe so, so much.

"Eww, guys! Please! I've just had breakfast!" Abi shouted at the pair. They had forgot about Abi having her breakfast and was at that stage where any form of kissing is classed as disgusting. Zoe remembered the times when she was younger and if her and Nick were cuddling up together on the sofa, Abi would come and join in, but now all they receive is 'Eurgh, I'm going to my room' and a roll of her eyes as she walked past them. Typical teenage girl.

"Abi, are you ready now? It's time to go," Nick asked his daughter, receiving a muffled 'Yeah' from the hallway as she put on her coat and shoes.

"Zo, are you ready?" Nick asked his wife. He still thought it would be best for her to stay at home but he knows how stubborn Zoe is.

"Yeah, I'm good to go." Zoe replied and with that, the trio made their way over to the door, Nick having one last glance around the hallway to ensure that they hadn't forgot anything. Once he was satisfied, he closed the door and locked it, listening out for the familiar click of the lock.