Chapter 25:
Another filler chapter to speed things along a bit, before Christmas and birthdays come up.
"I've got some news." Nick announces, swinging the front door closed as he enters the house, ruffling Ella's hair as she sits on the floor playing with her toys.
"You're pregnant." I grin, pointing at him excitedly as I chew on a pickle.
"Got it in one." He winks, bending down to where I was sat in the dining chair so he could kiss me. "Ew, tastes like pickle."
"What a shock." I roll my eyes, waving it in his face playfully. "So come on, what's this news?"
"I've sorted Christmas." He sits down opposite me, taking one of the crisps from my plate.
"Oh..." I groan, this was a conversation I was not looking forward to having.
"So we're going to mum's in the morning, opening presents there with all the family, then we're going to the pub to see Steve and Chelle, then we'll go back to Gail's for Christmas lunch and then I said we would go to Aidan's flat for a few hours for drinks. Then come back here." He announces and I try to keep the weariness out of my expression.
"Fun packed." I comment and he looks at me for a few seconds.
"Only joking." He grins and I frown at him. "I told them all we won't be joining them on Christmas Day, which they're not happy about but I said we wanted Christmas on our own as a family."
"Are you serious?" I exclaim and he nods, proudly. "Ah, you wind up." I prod his hand. "Hormones."
"Sorry." He smiles. "But I wasn't going to put you through that on Christmas Day was I? I told Chelle we might go round in the afternoon if you're feeling up to it."
"Thank you." I reply, pulling myself up to go and kiss him.
"Dev's selling trees, might go and get one this afternoon." He suggests as I lean up against the kitchen counter, stretching out.
"Can't say I'll be a brilliant help decorating it." I respond.
"You don't have to." He says. "I've got Ella to help me now."
"Oh I see." I nod, getting the paracetamol out of the cupboard.
"Aching?" He gives me a concerned look.
"Really sore." I sigh, pulling up my top slightly. "I've got stretch marks."
"Oh baby." He can see how devastated I am about this and gets up immediately to come and wrap his arms around my waist from behind. "They'll fade."
"I know." I force a smile as he runs his fingers along the engraved marks.
"Listen to me." He whispers. "I will love you no matter what. Ok? Whatever you look like, whenever."
"Can you put the angel on the top?" Nick asks Ella, lifting her up and holding her near the top of the tree. She holds it firmly in her hand before reluctantly placing it on the top branch with help from Nick.
"Go to sleep." I moan slightly, rubbing my tummy. Considering it hardly ever moved around much, it must have been downing energy drinks in preparation for today. "I know it's exciting for you but you can enjoy it next year."
"What's that?" Nick asks Ella, holding up a decoration. "Do you know what that is?"
"Bird." She strokes the robin hanging from a string affectionately.
"That's right." He balances her on his hip as she clenches the decoration. "Robin, can you say robin?"
"Bird." She says again.
"Robin." He persists.
"Bird." She repeats and I laugh. Even when I was feeling this low my family always made me smile.
"Ok where are we going to put the bird then?" He gives in and she attempts to hang it on a branch, her tongue hanging out in concentration. Nick helps attach it after she has selected a spot and she grins excitedly, clapping her hands.
"Nick." I whine slightly and he turns to look at me. "I really don't want to be a pain but is there any chance you could pop and get me a bar of Galaxy."
"Ha!" Nick gasps, smiling all the same. "How very dare you. Yeah I'll go now, do you want me to take or leave Ella?"
"You can leave her it's fine." I reply holding out my arms to him. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it." He kisses me on the forehead after lowering Ella down on the sofa. "Back in a second."
"Bon appetite Mrs Tilsley." Nick passes me two large bars of chocolate and I tear one open.
"Mm, I love you so much." I shift uncomfortably, biting into it.
"Well that's a good job." He says, lifting Ella into his arms again.
"Choc." Ella points at it and I pass her a piece.
"Mummy's chocolate." He tells her, pulling a bag of chocolate decorations out of his pocket. "However, look what I bought to decorate the tree."
"Ah they won't last long." I smile.
"I was thinking, I can sort the Christmas presents this year if you like?" Nick suggests, carrying Ella towards the stairs.
"You don't have to do everything for me Nick." I sigh. "I don't need your pity remember?"
"You're carrying my baby, I think it's far from pity." He flashes me a smile. "I'm gonna take Ella for a bath and then it's bedtime I think. Say night night mummy."
"Bye bye." She waves at me and I return the gesture before Nick carries her up the stairs.