I'm so sorry for how long I've left this but I was on holiday and had bad writers block. This isn't very good but I hope people are still interested in this story and you hopefully enjoy it anyway. If I'm being honest I wrote this in the middle of the night ages ago and I can't really remember what happens so I don't even know whether this is okay or not. I'll stop rambling now oops.
"Do we really have to go? Please Nick." I beg him as he carries Holly in his arms towards the door of our flat.
"Yes, yes we do. Now come on, you." He giggle slightly as I follow him towards the door.
"But why?" I moan, like a little child causing him to stifle a laugh.
"Because it's polite to turn up." Nick tells me as I frown.
"Polite? Um since when has Tracy Barlow given a damn about being polite?" I mock. "Please can we just stay here and not go. Please Nick? Neither of us owe anything to Tracy. We both don't like her. And don't even pretend you like Robert after everything that's happened." I forced myself to say his name.
I tried to tell Nick. To tell Nick the truth about what happened between Robert and I. The alleged one night stand whilst I was engaged to Nick.
I wanted to. I wanted to, so badly. But, I couldn't. I'd rather he carry on believing that I slept with Robert willingly when Nick and I were together than him knowing the dark, dark truth in what I was forced to endure.
"Come on, it might be fun." He says and I give him a look of confusion.
"Fun? Really? I'm not sure 'fun' is the way I'd describe a night spent welcoming Tracy Barlow home after a tough few months being God knows where with her creep of a boyfriend." I'm unable to stop myself as I let out my frustration. Luckily, Nick doesn't question the end of my sentence as he persists in convincing me that going to Tracy and Robert's leaving party is a good idea.
"Just think of it as a night having a drink in the rovers with me, Chelle, Johnny, Aidan and Kate instead. That can be completely separate." I look up at him, prepared to refuse once more until he interrupts me. "Please? For me?"
I spend a moment looking at him, contemplating my decision, though I know there is no way I can say no to him. "Alright fine, for you. But, I'm not speaking to either of them." I say as I see how much it clearly means to him.
"And you don't have to. Thank you, come here." He pulls me into a hug close to him as Holly wriggles in his arms and we leave the flat.
"Are you sure we can't just go back now? I'm sure Simon won't mind." I give Nick a pleading look as we push Holly in her prom down the street.
"Yes I'm sure. Come on, we don't have to stay long but we haven't really had much time to go out besides Ken's funeral just me and you." He says as I nod.
As we come up to Simon and Leanne's flat, he reaches forward to press the buzzer as we go up the stairs.
"Hey, thank you for this." I tell Leanne as we enter, smiling.
"It's no problem. Simon has been really looking forward to it." Leanne replies as she leans down to look in Holly's pram, tickling her as she lets out a tired giggle while waking up from her nap.
"Mm the Holster has too." Nick tells her as I frown at him.
"The Holster? Really Nicky?" I say.
"What? I think it's cute." He replies, laughing.
"If you say so." I tell him as Leanne laugh along too.
While we continue to laugh, Simon exits his bedroom, smiling at the sight of us.
"Carla, Nick." He announces as he goes over to Holly and starts to tickle her as she lays inside her pram, just like Leanne previously did.
As soon as we had gotten back on track and Simon had recovered, we knew we wanted him to play some part in Holly's life. Both Nick and I had been step parents to Simon at one point and, after everything that had happened, we just wanted to make sure he knew we were both there for him.
"Hello Holly." She lets out a giggle as Simon tickles her under her chin, causing Leanne, Nick and I to smile.
"You're both sure this is okay then? Us leaving her with you for a few hours." I ask, not wanting to intrude.
"Of course it is Carla. Anytime." Leanne smiles to me as I try to hide the surprise in my voice at what she said.
"Thank you."
"Right then, we'd better go." Nick instructs me, lightly tugging on my arm to go out of the flat as I groan.
"Don't worry Leanne we won't be long, hopefully." I say as we leave the flat, ready to go to the Rovers for the 'welcoming home' party I've been so looking forward to.
As we walk along towards the pub, I couldn't conceal my nerves. I was able to laugh a and joke about it earlier but now, it's becoming more real that I'll have to face the, both in just a few minutes.
I'll have to try to pretend that Robert's face doesn't bring back horrible memories. I'll have to try to pretend that I won't be feeling uncomfortable the whole night.
I know it will be hard but it's what I have to do, for Nick.
I hope you liked it. I know this whole will she won't she tell him is probably quite boring but I'll try and move on the story soon. Please review if you have the time as they really keep me motivated to write more and I'm really struggling at the moment. Sorry for the ramblings and bad quality of this but I hope you enjoyed it Anyways. Thank you for reading! The next chapter should be a direct continuation.
Also, I'll still try with weekly updates but I doubt it in the upcoming weeks due to exams but if I have the time and motivation I'll try my best.
