'Are you going to see your family today?' Carla asks glancing up at Nick as he makes his way over to the bed with Ottilie balanced on his hip.

'Probably not, no.' He replies kissing the top of the little girl's head before passing her to Carla who lets the little girl latch on.

'Why not? You said last night when we were leaving the Bistro you'd pop over?' She says as he sits down on the edge of the bed.

'You've both been up half the night throwing up; I'm not leaving you.' He replies running his hand over her head.

'I'm fine; I feel loads better.' She says and he shakes his head.

'Forgive me if I don't quite believe that.' He replies taking in her pale complexion as she lies in bed with Ottilie nursing happily.

'Okay so maybe I'm not feeling great but I will cope for an hour or two without you.' She says.

'I know you would but you don't have to. You've gone ten months having to cope on your own but not anymore.' He replies.

'I love you.' She says.

'I love you too… I'm going to go make you a cup of tea and some toast. Should I get something for Ottie?' He asks.

'No, I'll let her nurse for a bit and we'll see how she does with that.' She replies smiling as he kisses the top of her head. He leaves the room and she glances down at Ottilie.

'We're so lucky to have your daddy, aren't we?' She mumbles running her finger down her daughter's cheek.

'Is there anything you'd like for your birthday?' Nick asks placing the plate of toast down on the bedside table next to Carla.

'Nope; I've got everything I need right here.' Carla replies smiling at him.

'Is there anything you'd like to do for your birthday?' He asks sitting on the edge of the bed.

'Honestly? I'd really like to do something just the three of us. I know that might sound a bit bad that I don't want to do something with my family but I just really want to make some memories as a little family of three, you know?' She asks and he nods his head.

'I get that.' He replies. Glancing down she smiles slightly as Ottilie pulls away from her, her little eyes heavy with sleep as she runs her hand over her face.

'Are you tired, my angel? Maybe daddy can give you a cuddle and put you down in your cot for a nap?' Carla says softly as she glances back up at Nick.

'Of course I can. Why don't you try get some sleep once you've ate your toast?' He asks taking Ottilie into his arms and watching as Carla readjusting her top.

'I'm not tired; I was thinking we could start planning her party… I want to be prepared.' Carla suggests and he nods his head.

'Yeah, we could do that.' He replies smiling. Carla can't help but smile as she watches Nick stand with Ottilie cradled against his shoulder and slowly makes his way over to the cot.

'You sleep good, my little love… Mummy and I will be right here when you wake up.' He says quietly. He places her in the cot before making his way back over to the bed where Carla has the laptop set up on her knee.

'I was thinking we could maybe just have her party here? I don't want anything big.' Carla says.

'Sounds good to me. How are you feeling about inviting my family?' He asks sitting down beside her.

'I mean they're your family so it doesn't matter how I feel does it?' She replies shrugging her shoulders.

'Is there anyone you don't feel comfortable inviting?' He asks causing her to sigh.

'I know you're getting at your mum, Nick. I don't feel comfortable inviting her but she's your mum and she's Ottie's gran so I don't really get much choice, do I?' She says.

'Of course you do. This is your home, Carla. I completely understand if you don't want to invite her.' He replies.

'We're inviting her.' She says quietly.

'If she says anything I will ask her to leave.' He replies and she nods her head.

'Okay then… So that's like fifteen people; do you think that's enough?' She asks and he nods his head.

'I think if we're not wanting a huge party then that's a perfect amount.' He replies smiling.

'I know I keep saying this but I can't believe in a few months she's going to be one; our little miracle baby.' She says as he drapes his arm around her shoulders.

'I know. I can't give you enough credit for how amazing you've raised our little girl, Carla. She's amazing and that's all down to you, Car… You are the most amazing mother and I couldn't imagine having kids with anyone else.' He replies as she rests her head on his shoulder.

'I can't believe we just spent over £150 on stuff for her party.' Carla says shaking her head as Nick slides his bank card back into his wallet.

'I know. Being a parent is expensive, isn't it?' He replies and she nods her head. Placing the laptop on the bedside table she slides down slightly in bed and curls against his side.

'Do you think that toast helped settle your stomach at all?' He asks running his fingers through her hair.

'I don't know… I've not been sick so I guess that's a good sign but I still feel really sick.' She replies.

'Why don't you go for a sleep for an hour or so and once you wake up if you're feeling a bit better I'll make us all some lunch? You've obviously both just caught a bug and maybe you just need to sleep it off?' He suggests glancing over at the cot where Ottilie is still fast asleep.

'Yeah I might…' She replies quietly. He runs his fingers through her hair and kisses the top of her head until she peacefully falls asleep in his arms. Reaching over he grabs his phone off the bedside table and glances down at the unread texts.

From David:

Mum wants to know if you're bringing Carla and Ottie over this afternoon?

To David:

I'm actually not going to make it. Both Carla and Ottie seem to have caught a sickness bug of some sort so I'm just going to stay at home with them.

From David:

Oh really? That's awful.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

'I'll get it.' Nick says smiling as he kisses the top of Carla's head; it's a little after 6pm and neither Carla or Ottilie have left the bedroom except when Carla went to the bathroom.

'Are you feeling better, lovely?' Carla asks glancing down at Ottilie who is curled into her side.

'Mama…' Ottilie babbles reaching her little hand up to Carla.

'That's right; I'm your mama.' Carla says taking hold of Ottilie's hand. Tears fill her eyes as she watches Ottilie stare up at her with a huge grin on her face.

'What's wrong?'

Carla sits up slightly as she hears Nick's voice coming from the living room. She hears a muffled voice before she slowly climbs out of bed and wraps her dressing gown around her body.

'Let's go see what's going on.' She says softly. Making her way out to the living room she sees Bethany standing with tears streaming down her cheeks.

'Bethany? What's wrong?' Carla asks.

'I-I'm so sorry to just turn up like this. I should just go.' Bethany replies shaking her head and turning back to the door.

'No! Don't go…' Carla says making her way over to the blonde.

'M-Mum threw me out.' Bethany replies quietly glancing up at Nick.

'She threw you out? Why?' Carla asks softly.

'I-I don't want you two to hate me.' Bethany replies.

'We're not going to hate you, Bethany… Why don't we all sit down and we can have a chat. You can stay here for the night and then we'll try to sort everything out in the morning.' Carla suggests.

'I-I'm pregnant.' Bethany says before bursting into tears. Instantly Carla passes Ottilie to Nick and wraps her arms around the blonde.

'Hey, everything is going to be just fine… There are much worse things than a baby.' Carla says softly.