Zoe's mum had recently moved from Liverpool to a small rural village not far from Holby so she thought that it would be nice to spend some time with her grandchildren, considering she only used to see them a couple of times a year if that. Zoe had always spoken to her mum on the phone regularly but never found the time to go and visit, however now that she was living closer this was going to be much easier.
"Think we're all set to go" Nick said as he packed the children's remaining bags and toys into the boot of the car.
"more than ready" Zoe laughed. She was really looking forward to spending the weekend alone with just Nick, they hadn't been able to do that in a long time.
She locked the house up before getting into the car along with Nick.
"Do you think you've got everything you three?" Nick asked, looking through his rear view mirror before he set off.
"Yeah" They all replied in unison. Phoebe and Ollie were extremely excited about going to visit their Nan as it was a new adventure for them to be sleeping over at her house. Maisie wasn't as pleased as they were but she agreed to go knowing how happy it would make everyone her being there.
As they pulled up onto the driveway, Zoe was the first to get out of the car and knock on the door, "Hi mum" She greeted her as the door opened.
"Hi darling" Marie said embracing her into a long awaited hug, "Wow you're showing already" She indicated at her bump.
Zoe naturally rested her hand on the form of her bump as they spoke, "Scary considering I'm not even 3 months yet" She said rubbing her hand in a circular motion.
"It's got to be a boy then" Marie Smiled, "How are you Nick?" She asked as he made his way up the pathway carrying the children's bags.
"Fine thanks Marie, yourself?" Nick asked.
"I'm fine, looking forward to spending the weekend with these three" She beamed, pulling them all into a hug. The kids were all a little bit apprehensive about spending the weekend with her considering they didn't know her very well, but this was going to be the perfect opportunity for that to change.
"Come in" She said, moving out of the doorway for them all to enter. They made their way into the front room, immediately making themselves at home.
"Are you sure you're going to be OK?" Zoe asked, a little uncertainty in her voice. She knew how much of a handful they could all be.
Marie laughed, "Zoe relax, I've brought up three children myself remember"
"Well there you go, If you brought up Zoe you can handle these three" Nick chuckled, which sparked a deadly look from Zoe.
"Phoebe and Ollie go to bed no later than 8 o'clock and Maisie no later than half 9" Zoe explained. She was being slightly more strict than usual but she knew very well her mother wouldn't stick to these rules.
Marie nodded, pretending to take in everything that she was saying. She loved seeing this protective side to Zoe, something which she had rarely seen in her party girl.
"Now just go and enjoy your weekend of peace" Marie told them, taking the remaining overnight bag from Nick's grasp, indicating that she had everything under control.
"Right come here then you lot" Zoe called and all three kids raced over to her to give her a big hug before she left, "I want you to be good for your Nan" She firmly told them and they all agreed that they would be.
They then moved on to give Nick a hug goodbye before they both left the house. As Nick and Zoe stepped out of the doorway, Phoebe blew them a kiss goodbye, which Zoe returned,"Love you all" She said and they all shouted love you back.
"Enjoy yourselves" Marie called, standing at the door with the children as they finally waved goodbye.
"Bye mum, bye dad" Maisie, Ollie and Phoebe called one more time before they waved goodbye and shut the front door.
"OK you three" Marie said as they headed into the kitchen, "does your mum let you have takeaway?" She asked.
"Sometimes but not always" Maisie said.
"Right then we're having pizza" She told them and they all excitedly jumped up in response. Maybe staying at their grandmas house wasn't going to be so bad after all.