Note : I know I've kind of went through this pregnancy really quickly but I didn't want to focus on it too much because when the baby is born is when all the drama will happen, so I hope you don't mind!
It's a little after 1:30pm when Carla makes her way out of Florence's room with her daughter balanced on her hip. She makes her way into the living room and glances around the room at the work she spent hours perfecting along with Nick last night.
On the wall above the TV hangs a beautiful pale pink banner with the words 'Happy Birthday Florence!' printed on it. There is some pink and white paper pom poms hanging in various places around the room and some first birthday balloons floating around.
The table in the kitchen is filled with food, including a two-tier white and pink Minnie Mouse cake. There's strawberry milkshake in glass milk bottles with pink straws. There's fruit and cupcakes, sandwiches and pasta, salads and breadsticks.
Everything looks great... You've done a brilliant job, Carla.' Gail says smiling as she makes her way up behind her future daughter-in-law.
'Thank you.' Carla replies smiling as she places Florence down on the floor. The little girl crawls away into the living room as Carla begins to adjust things on the table.
'Why don't you go sit down for a bit? Put your feet up until people start to arrive?' Gail suggests as Carla runs her hand over her back.
'I'm fine, but thank you...' Carla replies smiling.
'What does it say?' Gail asks as Carla holds a white pillow in front of her.
'Oh Roy!' Carla almost whispers, her hand covering her mouth as she finishes reading.
'Do you want to read it out?' Nick asks and Carla nods her head.
'Our wish for you is that you will smile the biggest brightest smile, be happy most of the time, feel brave, feel strong, be healthy and live long, run along windy beaches, climb trees to far off reaches, feel the sun and smell the rain, pick blackberries on a country lane. We wish you love and laughter and lots of fun, we wish your life and dreams to be full of sun.' Carla says smiling asbabtear falls down her cheek.
'You always manage to make me cry.' She adds as she gets up and makes her way over to Roy.
'Thank you so much, it'll be something that she treasures for her whole life.' She says hugging him tightly.
'I'm very glad you like it.' He replies smiling. Carla kisses his cheek before making her way back over to Nick.
'While you're all here and before we do the cake... I'd like to just take a couple of minutes to thank each and everyone of you for coming today. You all mean the world to us and I'm so glad our children get to have you in their life. Thank you so much.' Nick says smiling as he wraps his arm around Carla's waist.
'Shall we do cake? Let's do cake.' Carla mumbles wiping her eyes.
'You okay?' Nick asks as Carla closes the front door behind the very last guest leaves the party.
'Yeah. Today's been great, hasn't it? Our little Florrie was well and truly spoilt by the people we love most... And that pillow that Roy bought, fuck that was amazing.' She replies.
'That was lovely. Did you see Florence with him?' He asks.
'Hmmm... Yeah, she adores him.' She replies smiling. They make their way over to the sofa and glance down at Florence who is playing with a Doc McStuffin soft toy.
'Do you want me to get her changed into her pj's?' Nick asks as Carla runs her hand over her bump.
'Yes please... Can you put her to bed as well? I'm exhausted.' She admits.
'Of course I can... Is there a bottle in the fridge?' He asks and she nods her head while yawning.
'Put your feet up and relax, Carla...' He says smiling. He leans down and lifts Florence into his arms.
'Pass her here...' Carla says making her way into Florence's room.
'I told you to relax.' Nick mumbles pacing the room with Florence in his arms.
'And I can't relax when she's screaming.' She replies. Sighing he passes their daughter to her and watches as she sits down in the rocking chair.
'All those days watching from the windows. All those years outside looking in. All that time never even knowing just how blind I've been. Now I'm here blinking in the starlight. Now I'm here suddenly I see, standing here it's all so clear I'm where I'm meant to be.'
'This usually settles her.' Carla mumbles as the little girl continues to sob in her mother's arms.
'Maybe she's teething again or is just over tired.' Nick says and Carla sighs.
'Maybe.' She mumbles. She gently bounces Florence in her arms and places a gentle kiss on her forehead.
'What should we do?' Nick asks.
'Let's take her downstairs.' She replies.
'Okay. Do you want me to take her?' He asks and she nods her head. They make their way downstairs and sit down on the sofa, Florence in between them.
A little after midnight Carla and Nick are sitting on the sofa watching Real Housewives of Cheshire, Florence is lying in between them with her head resting on Carla's stomach. She's settled down a bit but still isn't asleep.
'Why don't you go to bed, Carla? I'll stay here until she falls asleep?' Nick suggests as she yawns.
'No, I'm good here...' She replies smiling.
'It won't be like this for long.' Nick whispers reaching over to place his hand on her stomach.
'Nope... We're going to be okay y'know? No matter how things turn out we're going to be okay.' She says.
'I know.' He replies.