I wasn't planning on updating so quickly but my prelims are just round the corner so I will be on a wee break soon!
This chapter was requested so please review! Nic x
She was gradually waking up as I was stroking my fingers down her back. She started making stupid moaning noises like she did every morning when she didn't want to get up. To be fair it was a Sunday so she could lie in.
"Happy birthday babe" I said as I continued exploring her back.
"Mm, don't remind me" She groaned.
"Back being as old as me again" I joked.
"Again, don't remind me" She said a little more lively.
"What do you want for breakfast? I could go make you something. I was planning to give her breakfast in bed but she was sprawled across my stomach.
"Roy's. I just want a Roy's" She sat up and announced.
"Classy wife I have, don't I?" I joked again.
"Can we just wait 10 more minutes" She asked as she gave me a more passionate kiss which I reciprocated and took this as a chance to give her her present.
"Mum, it's Carla's birthday today isn't it? Ryan asked me.
"Yeah it is, I think she is going to drop in later. Have you told her that you are staying yet?" I replied.
"No, not yet. Thought today would be a good day?" He told me.
"Yeah, good thinking" I said as I headed out to the bar.
"Ah Carla, I do believe I must wish you many happy returns today" Roy said to me. Bless him in that cardigan.
"Thank you Roy" I said before he asked Nick what we were having.
As we took a seat, Roy approached me with me a gift bag.
"Cathy helped me with your present. I do hope you like it" He said as he went back to his till.
"Oh" I gasped on the verge of tears.
"Carla, are you okay?" Nick asked me.
"Look" I said as tears starting streaming down my cheek.
It was a pillow made out of one of Hayley's old blouses, and a little message was sown on.
Carla, this is a blouse I used to wear. Whenever you hold it, know I am there. Love, Hayley x
"Roy" I said as I met him behind the counter and gave him a loving hug. I was no longer holding back the tears.
"I am pleased you like it Carla" He said as I returned to my seat.
"That's really lovely Carla; we should keep it in the bedroom. I knew how close you were" Nick said as he held my hand in his.
"Thank you darling" I said as he gently stroked my hand.
"2 coffees and 2 bacon butties" Roy said as he placed the tray down.
"Thanks Roy, for everything" I said.
"Michelle, what in God's name is this?" Steve asked, referring to Carla's present.
"Babe, its Carla's" I said, not wanting to go into too much depth as I didn't have the energy.
"Speak of the devil" I said as Carla and Nick entered the pub.
"Happy birthday my darling" I said as I kissed her and gave her a hug.
"Thanks Michelle" She replied.
"Come into the back, I'll give you your present" I said gesturing her to follow me.
"Oh Michelle, this is beautiful" She said as she gave me another hug.
"Aw, I am glad you like it" I said truly pleased as I wasn't sure how she would accept it.
It was a personalised photo frame which had 4 titles: Friends-Sister-In-Laws-Best Friends- Cousins
Below each title was a photo of when we were in that relationship.
Under Friends, it was a photo Liam had taken when Carla and I weren't ready for our picture to be taken. We were cuddled up in my bed.
Under Sister-In-Laws, it was photo at Carla's wedding to Paul; it was the two of us dancing. It was actually quite embarrassing!
I found it really difficult to pick a photo for this heading as we had so many. I chose the one I took as a selfie when we were lying back into each other in Carla's flat. We didn't usually take selfies but we joked it was evidence for us being madly in love with each other.
The final photo was a picture taken by Maria before Carla and Nick's wedding. Roy was supposed to walk her down the aisle but he was seriously unwell so Carla asked me. The picture meant a lot to me and I could only hope it did to Carla as well.
"You are the best person in my life Michelle, other than Nick, and I truly mean that" She said in buckets of tears. I was pleasantly surprised this meant so much to her.
"Only the best for my first love Carla" I said honestly.
"You'll always be my true love darling, no matter how much I love Nick" She replied.
"You're the same babe" I said. "C'mon, I know Ryan is desperate to give you your present" I said, slapping her bum.
Once we had wiped away our tears, we returned out to the bar where Ryan, Aidan and Kate were having a conversation.
"Happy birthday Carla" They all said accidentally in sync.
"Thanks you lot" She said as she gave each of them a hug.
"I've just been telling this lot your present from me" Ryan said to Carla.
"You better not have spent anything on me! I will be furious young man" She said with a hint of laughter in her tone.
"No, I haven't actually. Mum thinks it is something money can't buy" He said as he gave me a quick wink, in which then Carla gave me a puzzled look.
"I'm moving back here, permanently!" My son said as he expressed his happiness.
"Ryan! Really! Oh wow, wow your Mum is right!" Carla said as she and Ryan hugged meaningfully, especially when he lifted her and span her around.
He thought he whispered it better, but I got it. When Carla was in his arms, he spoke into her ear and said "I've stayed to protect you and Mum because you are the two most important people in my life. I am going to be there every step of the way through your pregnancies and beyond. I love you Carla and I am making it my job to always make sure you are okay" Once he said this, he gave her a kiss on the cheek and tears were starting to fill up in her eyes. I was proud of him, proud of his protective manner.
"Wow I do feel lucky" She said as we entered the flat.
Aidan and Kate had got her a new Michael Kors bag and purse, they were a stunning colour.
"You haven't even had mine yet" I said as we sat down on the sofa, her head leaning on my shoulder while I played with her hair.
"Really? This morning" She said, remembering our passion.
"Carla, do you really think all I would give you was sex?" I joked bluntly.
"Ew Nick, that didn't sound right!" She said as shivers ran through her body.
"Anyway, I am going to give you it tonight so go and pack your bag!" I said as I nudged her shoulder.
"Where are we going like?" She asked, I forgot to tell her.
"Aw, I thought we could use Michelle's Christmas present? Have a wee night out before your tummy grows like the size of a house" I joked.
"You do know, you using Michelle's present doesn't mean it's from you?" She said puzzled.
"Do you want to go or not?" I asked her.
"Yes daddy" She said as she put on her childish voice.
"How are you feeling about Thursday Mum?" Ryan asked me.
"Alright, it's always a little nerve-raking but it is always exciting at the same time. I'm actually more excited to see Steve's face when he sees the baby for the first time" I said truthfully.
"Are you going to find out what you are having?" He asked me.
"I don't think so Ryan, I don't want to but Steve might so I will need to ask him" I again, replied honestly.
"I am really pleased for you Mum. Steve is a great bloke who you clearly love" I said which almost sent me other the edge.
"I really do darling, I've never loved someone like this since your Dad" I said which did bring a tear to my eye.
"This is nice, isn't it" I said as we stared into each other's eyes.
"It really is sweetheart. We will need to thank Michelle bigtime" He said, which he was right.
"I love you Nicky Tilsley" I said, which kind of came out of the blue.
"I love you Carla Tilsley" He replied as he took my hand in his.
"Like a couple of lovesick teenagers eh!" I joked.
"Yeah, unfortunately we are far from being teenagers. Which reminds me, happy birthday babe" He said as he handed me a white envelope.
"Oh my, Nick. Are you serious?" I said as it all sunk in.
"As serious as I have ever been" He said, joy written all over his face.
"I don't know what to say, I well. I love you Tilsley" I said as I leaned across the table and kissed him.
"I am also thinking of changing the name" He said.
"Too right!" I joked.
"It can't be called "Nick's Bistro" when I own 35% of it" I said, which made us both laugh.
"Tilsley's Bistro" He said.
"To Tilsley's Bistro" I said as we rasied our glasses of non-alcoholic champagne and champagne.