Note: I had intended to have this up on Christmas Day and I can only apologize that it has taken me a few extra days however I was working twelve hour shifts over Christmas and just wanted to spend time with the kids when I got home. Hope you all had a lovely Christmas if you celebrate it and I hope you all enjoy this final chapter. Also it is just little snippets of the day, I hope you don't mind.

Also, would anyone be interested in a few more snapshots from this universe with this little family? Would be uploaded as a different story.

'Good morning, sweet boy... Merry Christmas.' Carla says softly as she watches Luca sleepily make his way towards the bed with his little teddy in his hand.

'Morning, mumma... Has Santa been?' Luca asks and Carla shrugs her shoulders.

'I don't know, baby. We'll need to go and check the living room and see if he's been. Did your stocking have stuff in it?' Carla asks as she helps him climb into bed beside her.

'I didn't see it, mumma.' Luca replies shaking his head.

'Is that my Luca awake?' Nick mumbles sleepily as he runs his hands over his face before turning onto his side to face both Luca and Carla.

'Merry Christmas, daddy.' Luca says causing Carla to smile.

'Merry Christmas, little man.' Nick replies smiling as Carla stretches her arms above her head and yawns.

'What time is it?' Nick asks.

'About half six.' Carla replies.

'Why don't I go see if Isla is awake and if she is we can see if Santa has been yet?' Nick suggests and Luca nods his head as Freya begins to whimper from her travel cot.

'You sit in mummy and daddy's bed whilst I get your sister, okay?' Carla says and Luca nods his head. Nick leaves the bedroom to check on Isla whilst Carla moves over to the travel cot and lifts Freya into her arms.

'Oh my goodness, sweet girl. Happy first Christmas.' Carla says softly. She makes her way back over to the bed and sits down next to Luca.

'Merry Christmas, Freya.' Luca says smiling.

'Are you excited to have Christmas dinner with grandad?' Carla asks and Luca nods his head.

'Will Uncle Aidan be there?' Luca asks.

'Of course he will.' Carla replies smiling.

'Now you and Isla have another present from mummy and daddy over at grandad's so you need to wait until later for that, okay?' Carla says and Luca nods his head.

'Okay, mumma.' Luca replies.


'Oh my goodness...' Carla almost whispers as she cradles Freya against her chest and opens the living room curtains.

'Daddy! It's snowing!' Luca squeals as he peeks out the window causing Carla to smile.

'Oh wow. Look at that. Hopefully it lies and we can go build a snowman later.' Nick says making his way into the living room with Isla on his hip.

'Looks like it's already starting to lie... Do you remember our last white Christmas?' Carla asks and Nick nods his head.

'The Christmas before Luca was born. You wore those heels and nearly fell, remember?' He replies causing her to smile as she glances over her shoulder.

'Mmm... Look at us now. Three beautiful, beautiful babies.' She says softly.

'I'm not a baby, mummy!' Luca protests and Nick laughs.

'You'll always be my baby, Luca.' Carla replies shaking her head. Out the window they can see their former neighbours all going about their business. Daniel is walking towards number 1 with Bertie whilst Toyah and Imran make their way towards Leanne's with Elsie, their current foster daughter.

'What time are we heading over to my mum's?' Nick asks and Carla glances at her watch.

'Well I just need to feed Freya and get her changed then we can go over if you want? Dinner is at 4pm so if we're at my dad's for around half 3 that still gives us three hours to spend at your mum's.' Carla suggests and Nick nods his head.

'That sounds perfect.' He replies kissing the top of her head.


'Only us... Merry Christmas.' Nick says as he makes his way into the Platts.

'Oh merry Christmas! My goodness you all look absolutely frozen. Come on in. Get warm.' Gail says instantly rushing out of the kitchen.

'Did you have a nice morning? Was Santa good to you all? What did you get Luca?' Audrey asks.

'Walkie talkies and playdoh.' Luca replies grinning. They've always had the rule that 'Santa' brings a few smaller toys while the big presents and the main present are from mum and dad; Carla knows what it's like to grow up with nothing and she never wants her children to make other children feel bad because they didn't get much from 'Santa'.

'Well aren't you lucky and what did mummy and daddy get you?' Audrey asks as the little boy hugs her while Isla buries her head in the crook of Nick's neck.

'A dino patroller.' Luca replies.

'Well I don't know what that is but I am sure it's absolutely amazing.' Audrey says smiling.

'Are you pretending you are shy?' Audrey asks smiling up at Isla.

'She hasn't had a nap today so she's probably pretty sleepy.' Nick replies as the little girl whines.

'Why don't you take Freya and I'll take missy a walk round the block. She'll be a nightmare if she doesn't sleep.' Carla suggests.

'I can take her.' Nick says and Carla shakes her head.

'Don't be silly. Stay, enjoy some time with your family and I'll be back in fifteen minutes tops... Freya has been fed and changed so she's absolutely fine.' Carla replies smiling.

'Gail, would you like a snuggle with Freya?' Carla asks as she carefully lifts the baby out of the stroller.

'Oh I would love to.' Gail replies smiling. She takes Freya and watches as Nick carefully straps a sleepy Isla into her side of the stroller before Carla leaves the house with the toddler.

'Have you decided how long you guys are staying for?' David asks and Nick shakes his head.

'Nothing is set in concreate but I think we'll stay for Carla's birthday and then we'll head back down before Luca goes back to school.' Nick replies

'So we have you over New Year as well?' Gail asks and Nick nods his head.

'Yeah, definitely over new year. We want the kids to spend as much time with you all as possible now that we can travel.' Nick replies.

'Luca, do you want to open some presents?' Audrey asks and the little boy glances up at Nick who nods his head.

'On you go.' Nick replies smiling.


'Okay so this present is for all three of us, okay? Freya is a little too young to fully enjoy it right now but as she gets older it'll be better.' Carla says and Luca nods his head.

'Sit with daddy and I'll go get it.' Carla adds. Isla and Luca scramble over to Nick and climb onto his knee as Carla leaves the room.

'Are you excited?' Johnny asks and Luca nods his head.

'What do you think it is?' Aidan asks.

'A trampoline.' Luca replies grinning.

'Oh well you'll need to wait and see what mommy brings.' Aidan says. The door to the living room opens slowly and Carla makes her way into the room causing Luca to gasp.

'Mummy, is that?' He asks jumping off Nick's knee and rushing towards her as she kneels down on the floor and cradles the nine week old puppy in her arms.

'This is our puppy. Daddy and I know you have been wanting a dog for a long time and we wanted to wait until we found the perfect one.' Carla explains.

'He's really ours? Like to keep?' Luca asks and Carla nods her head.

'He's our to keep. He'll be coming home with us.' Carla replies smiling as Nick makes his way over with Isla.

'We need to give him a name. What do you think?' Nick asks.

'Bear.' Luca replies reaching over to stroke him as Isla giggles.

'Our little Bear Tilsley, perfect.' Carla says smiling as the puppy licks Luca's hand.

'We really get to keep him?' Luca asks.

'We really do, buddy.' Nick replies.

'Merry Christmas.' Carla says softly.