Nikki's eyes flickered awake reluctantly, and she turned her head to check the time. Suddenly memories of what had happened the night before came rushing through her mind. A feeling of pure happiness warmed her from the inside and although she looked at the clock, she didn't register the time - or anything else other than whose arm was around her. A strong, tanned, fair-haired arm belonging to none other than Cameron Bale. The boy whose heart had been broken when she moved away and who she had made love to for the first time in five years last night. With their little daughter Lucie sleeping in the next room and the California sun seeping through the thin curtains Nikki felt that this was as close to perfection as her life could get for a long while.

Then she heard a muffled cry which brought her back down to reality. Cameron sat up, startled, and rubbed his eyes. Nikki smiled.

"It's ok, it's just Lucie. I'll go … get back to sleep Cam."

She slipped out of bed and padded down the corridor to Lucie's room.

"What's up sweetie?"

Lucie huddled in the corner of her bed gathering her sheets all around her.

"I had a horrible dream, mommy. It was horrible!"

Nikki drew her arms firmly around her little girl and held her tight, stroking her fine blond hair.

"That's all it was, pumpkin. Just a dream. It's gone now. Shhh. Shhh. It's all ok. Mommy's here with you."

Lucie shuddered as her little sobs came to a halt and she breathed deeply, like when a child is trying to get rid of hiccups.

"Shall I get you some breakfast honey?"

Lucie nodded dolefully.

"Ok, what would you like? I'll see what Aunt Ava's got in the kitchen. I'll be right back, sweetie."

As she searched the cupboards in her aunt's kitchen, Nikki began to realise that Ava had probably not left much because she had thought she'd be staying in Miami for a while… whoops. That plan didn't exactly work out.

When she found the fridge as empty as all the cupboards, Nikki decided she would take her daughter out for breakfast. Living on a budget, it was something they rarely did at home, but she concluded that today was a day to be remembered.

As she walked towards the bedroom door, she heard voices coming from inside, and peeking round the door she saw Cameron sitting on the bed under the covers, Lucie snuggled on his knee telling him all about her dream.

"And then – and then there were snakes. They were everywhere! It was so scary! And you were there, and mommy too, and, and, and …."

Clearly troubled by the recollection of what seemed to Nikki like a fairly bizarre nightmare, Lucie began to breath quickly again and tears were in her eyes. Cameron wrapped his arms around her and held her to his bare chest, one hand gently stroking the side of her face and wiping the tears away.

Great, Nikki thought. Like I need more reasons to fall in love with this guy.

Cameron was so engrossed in his daughter that he didn't even look up when Nikki entered the room.

"Hey" she said softly.

He looked up, surprised, but evidently happy to see her.

"Oh, hey!"

"I thought we could go out for breakfast – there's not much in the house. How's that sound, honey?" she added to Lucie.

Lucie clapped her tiny hands in delight and Cam grinned.

"Sure, let's go! Let's get you dressed, cupcake."

Nikki began to say that she would do it, but Cameron held a hand up.

"It's fine – I want to."

They held each others' gaze for a few seconds before Lucie tugged the bottom of Cameron's boxers, wanting to show him the new clothes Nikki had bought her yesterday.

He looked down, looking genuinely interested in what she was saying, and Nikki chuckled to herself as she went to get ready, hoping that today would be as good as she was hoping that it would.

A/N sorry that this is so short, but more will follow soon, I promise! Thanks to all those who read and reviewed this story, your comments mean a awful lot to me. xoxo