7.08am

Nick lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. The expression written on his face in the dim light may have shown nothing but inside, Nick couldn't stop thinking about what Adam would tell him later. It may be nothing but Nick still hoped that Adam could shed a little light on Zoe's emotional outburst yesterday. Nick turned his head on the pillow and watched as Zoe slept peacefully next to him, blissfully unaware of her fiancée's concern for her. Her hair was all dishevelled from her slumber and her side of the duvet was only half covering her. Nick smiled slightly at Zoe. She had always been restless sleeper and had on rare occasions, sleep walked. Zoe suddenly turned over which made Nick jump. Zoe opened her eyes, awoken from Nick's jolt in the bed. She looked at him using the faint light that had begun to seep through the gap in the curtains.

"You're awake?" said Zoe in a whisper as Nick sighed, shivering softly. He pulled the duvet further up over his body, resting the top of it just below his chin. He instantly began to feel to warmth creep over him again, relaxing him a little. Zoe moved her hand under the covers and rested it upon Nick's threading her fingers through his. He squeezed her hand in response and closed her eyes.

"I couldn't really sleep" Nick answered eventually as Zoe nuzzled closer towards him. She cocked her up towards Nick and planted a small kiss upon his cheek.

"Is there anything on your mind?" Zoe asked, pushing herself up in the bed, now fully roused, and leaning on her elbows to support her.

"Not really, I've just headache" replied Nick, subconsciously moving his hand up towards his head and rubbing his forehead.

"Can I get you a paracetamol?" Zoe suggested as Nick winced a little at the throbbing pain he was experiencing. Nick shook his head which only enhanced his discomfort. Zoe frowned sensing Nick was feeling worse than he let on. Zoe shifted the duvet off of her and swung her legs out of bed, smoothing out her bedraggled hair. Nick reached out and put a hand upon her shoulder.

"Where are you going Zoe? It's not even six o clock" said Nick, squinting at the clock that hung on the wall ahead of the bed. Zoe followed his gaze and shrugged. She didn't want Nick to have to suffer any more pain than he was. Zoe pushed herself off of the bed and padded towards the door, pulling it open slowly which gradually let more light come into the bedroom. Before she went out of the room, she turned to face Nick who was now trying to sit up in bed.

"I'm going to go and get something for your migraine" she said speaking quietly as she was aware Alexa was still sleeping in the room next door.

"Zoe I told you It's just a headache. It will pass" Nick persisted even though he knew that Zoe didn't believe him.

"You always were an awful liar Nick" Zoe said wearily. She would normally of said this comment in a jokey manner but she couldn't seem to find the energy. She didn't wait for Nick's response and she headed out of the bedroom. Instead of going straight to the kitchen, she turned and walked a few paces next door to Alexa's room. As she opened the door, she fumbled around in the darkness of the room the find the light switch. As Zoe walked over to Alexa's cot, her daughter tried to sit up, holding out her hands for Zoe to pick her up. Zoe smiled down at her daughter as she leant down and lifted her daughter into her arms.

"Hello baby girl" said Zoe softly as Alexa rested her head on Zoe's shoulder. Zoe smiled as Alexa cuddled closer towards her and decided that she would take Alexa to see Nick which she knew would instantly make him feel better. Ever since Alexa was born, Nick had been completely smitten with his little girl and he was never happier than when he was spending time with her. Zoe walked back to the bedroom and was greeted from a beaming smile from Nick when he saw Alexa.

"What are you doing up so early sweetheart?" said Nick, sitting up in bed. Zoe handed Alexa to Nick and he placed her down next to him in the bed, ruffling her dark brown hair. Zoe went back out of the bedroom to get some painkillers for Nick. She was about to open the kitchen cupboard door when she heard the crash of post landing on the floor. Zoe wandered over to the front door and picked up the post, sifting through the junk mail that regularly came through their door. She paused when she came to an official looking letter which had 'St James' Hospital. Important' scribed onto the top. Zoe took a deep breath in and pulled the letter close to her chest. She knew Nick couldn't hide this letter from her and she was adamant that she would persuade Nick to attend. Zoe noticed her handbag sitting on the table in the hall and Zoe peered towards the bedroom to make sure Nick wasn't coming out before she slipped the letter into her bag. She felt bad for not trusting Nick but she knew if he found it lying around, he'd just try and hide it from her. Zoe headed back to the kitchen, grabbing some painkillers and a glass of water before going into the bedroom again.

"Here we are" said Zoe, pushing the bedroom door shut with her foot and then placing the painkillers and water on the bedside table next to Nick who was balancing Alexa on his lap. He nodded graciously at Zoe who sat down on the bed next to Nick, resting her hand upon his leg. "Are you going into work today?" Zoe began as Nick looked hesitantly at her before giving his answer.

"Well, I promised Adam I'd help out with some paperwork didn't I" Nick replied before pulling a face which made Zoe laugh. They both knew Adam was one for diving out of paperwork, always hoping someone else would step in to do it "Are you off today?" added Nick as an afterthought.

"Yep. I'm going to spend some time with this little madam" answered Zoe happily, looking down towards her daughter. Even thought she loved her job, she always relished the time that she got to spend with Alexa. She was growing up so fast and Zoe always hated the thought of missing anything new that she did. As Zoe raised her head to look at Nick, she noticed a crest fallen expression on his face. Zoe suddenly felt a wave of guilt fit her because she was able to stay at home with Alexa when Nick had to go to work.

"I think I'm going get up" sighed Nick, lifting Alexa of his lap and onto to the bed next to Zoe. He pushed himself of the bed and stretched out, running his hands through his hair.

"Daddy" Alexa cried when she noticed her father was no longer next to her. Nick quickly turned round, a huge smile written across his face. He couldn't believe that Alexa had just tried to call him Daddy. She had often tried to say it before but never as clear as this. Zoe couldn't help but beam up at Nick, so happy and proud that Alexa called Nick Daddy. Nick bent down in front of his daughter and ruffled her hair.

"Aren't you a clever little girl eh?" laughed Nick, unable to contain his delight. He and Zoe had always had jokey arguments over whether Alexa would say Mummy or Daddy first but deep down, Zoe had prayed that their daughter would say Daddy first as she knew how happy it would make Nick. Nick stood back up, still beaming at Alexa. He was so proud that she'd been able to say it. At that moment in time, regardless of any concern for Zoe upset yesterday or any pain he was in, nothing could take away the happiness that was inside him.

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A/N: This chapter didn't really have much happening in it but I thought I would do a chapter just solely focusing on Nick, Zoe and Alexa. I was planning to write more for this chapter but I thought this would be a good place to stop. I was so pleased at the response for the last chapter and I'm so grateful! Please continue to review!