'We're pretty early; do you have anything you want to get before we take her to see Santa?' Nick asks as they make their way into the Trafford Centre; Nick has Ottilie balanced on his hip while Carla pushes the pram.

'I do want to look into getting Ottie a small pram. I was thinking we might come see you in Canada for her first birthday and I also really want to take her to the states so I want something smaller and easier to travel with.' Carla replies smiling slightly as she watches their daughter snuggle into Nick's shoulder.

'Okay. Do you have anything in mind?' He asks.

'I was looking online and I really like the Baby Jogger City Mini GT; they sell it in John Lewis so I might pop in there and order it since we have time.' She replies and he nods his head.

'Okay then… Let's go.' He says smiling. They begin making their way towards the large department store only to find Michelle and Robert standing outside; his arm draped around her shoulders as she rests her head against him.

'Can we go somewhere else?' Carla asks as she instantly stops walking.

'What? Why? What's happened between you and Michelle?' Nick asks.

'I just- After everything that happened with Robert I can't believe she went there and she didn't even have the decency to tell me.' She replies smiling as Ottilie leans towards her.

'Coming to mama for a bit?' She says softly. She keeps the little girl balanced on her hip while Nick takes over pushing the pram.

'She wouldn't have meant to hurt you, Carla. You mean the world to Michelle just like she means the world to you; do you really want to throw that away over Robert?' Nick asks.

'I don't want to see him every day… I don't want to be constantly reminded of the mistake I made that cost me everything I've ever wanted.' She replies shaking her head.

'Okay. Where do you want to go then?' He asks and she shrugs her shoulders.

'Let's go change Ottie's nappy and then we can put her in the pram for a nap; hopefully by the time we come back they'll be gone.' She replies.


'You know how you were saying earlier that Robert's a constant reminder of the mistake that cost you everything you wanted?' Nick asks as they make their way back towards John Lewis after finally getting Ottilie to sleep. Nodding her head, she glances up at him causing him to smile slightly.

'You could still have all that if you wanted. You need to forgive yourself for what happened, Carla.' He says.

'Even if we decided to give things another go you'd never be able to fully trust me again, Nick. That's not the kind of relationship I want to be in and I'm sure it's not the kind you want.' She replies.

'I want you. I have always wanted you, Carla. The one thing I miss about home when I'm in Canada is you and Ottie. I dream of us being a little family, the little family we both wanted.' He says.

'I just don't think I'd ever be able to full move on from everything that has happened between us. I don't think I'd ever be able to attend family events and be in the same room as your mum; I just don't think I'd be comfortable.' She replies causing him to sigh.

'What if I said take my mum out of the equation for the time being? What if I suggested we give things another go without anyone else going and if it doesn't work out then at least we tried again. If it does work out then we deal with everything else that comes next?' He says.

'We take things slow.' She replies quietly and he nods his head.

'As slowly as you want.' He says.

'We can give things a go then.' She replies causing him to smile.

'Yeah?' He asks and she nods her head.

'No pressure but if it doesn't work out.' She replies.

'No pressure.' He says.


'Look, bubba… There's Santa!' Carla says adjusting the little girl on her hip as they get closer to the front of the que.

'I can't believe it's actually here first Christmas; I feel like she was just born yesterday.' Nick says smiling as he watches Carla smooth down Ottilie's hair.

'I know. Time is flying by, before we know it she'll be one whole year old. She needs to stop growing because I'm not ready for her to grow up just yet.' She replies smiling as they finally reach the front of the que and the woman dressed as an elf tells them to go forward. Almost as soon as Santa is in her line of sight Ottilie bursts into tears and buries her head in the crook of Carla's neck.

'Baby girl, what's the matter? It's Santa.' Carla says softly attempting to coax Ottilie to look at Santa. The little girl begins to sob even harder as her little hands cling onto Carla's shirt causing her to sigh.

'Well I guess this was a fail.' Carla mumbles.

'We could get a picture of the three of you with Santa; the little one probably won't be looking and it probably isn't what you were expecting but at least you would have something to remember her first trip to see Santa?' The photographer suggests and Carla glances at Nick who nods his head.

'Okay, thank you.' Carla replies.


'I can't believe she hated it.' Carla says as they leave Santa's grotto; Ottilie is still cuddling into Carla's shoulder as the brunette clutches a present from Santa in her free hand.

'There's always next year, I guess.' Nick replies taking the present from Carla and placing it in the pram basket.

'I guess... What are we going to do now?' She asks glancing around the ridiculously busy shopping centre.

'Why don't we go home, I'll make us something to eat and some hot chocolate then we can watch some Christmas movies for this afternoon?' He suggests causing her to smile.

'Sounds like the perfect afternoon to me.' She replies glancing up at him as he continues to push the pram. Taking a deep breath she reaches out before linking her fingers through his leaving him unable to keep the grin off his face.