"Everything alright?" Linda asked as she noticed Zoe sitting at the nurses station running a hand through her hair looking rather stressed. She could read her like a book.

"Oh just Maisie again" Zoe told her

"You know what you need don't you?" Linda proposed "A good night out"

Zoe laughed "You're not wrong there" She couldn't even remember the last time she'd had a proper night out.

"Right then I'll pick you up at 8" Linda organised not taking no for answer

Zoe shook her head "Oh no Linda I can't" she refused

"Yes you can, when was the last time you had a decent night out?" Linda asked trying to persuade her

"A very long time ago"

"There you go, you deserve it" Linda continued to try and persuade her. She then noticed Nick heading over to them "ooh Mr Jordan, you wouldn't mind Zoe leaving you for a couple of hours tonight would you?" She asked looking from Nick to Zoe.

"No, where you going?" Nick asked Zoe, not knowing anything about it.

"Linda's trying to get me to go on a night"

"Well go, you deserve it" He told her

"Are you sure though?" Zoe asked him still unsure of whether it was a good idea or not. She felt guilty going out and having fun whilst Nick stayed home looking after the kids.

"Yes positive" Nick assured her "You need it" He knew she really still loved going out and it'd do her a world of good

"OK" Zoe agreed, knowing that they were probably right, she did need a night out and to let her hair down again

"You ready to go then?" Nick asked her as it was now the end of both of their shifts and Maisie was still waiting in the office.

"Yeah" Zoe nodded, picking up all her belongings "I'll see you at 8 Linda" She called as they both headed off to Nick's office.

[X]

"Right I'm off" Zoe called coming into the living room

"You look beautiful" Nick said in amazement as he noticed her enter the room. She was wearing a deep purple slightly above the knee body con dress, complemented with black high heels and her hair down in a sleek straight bob.

"Not too much is it?" She questioned. It had been well over a year since she had had a night out, she was always either too busy with the kids or work. It felt strange for her to be going out again and now that she was married it didn't feel right going out without Nick.

"No you look lovely, go and enjoy yourself" He smiled.

"Honestly mum you do look really nice" Maisie added which made Zoe smile

"Right then all of you be good for your dad" Zoe ordered pointing at all 3 kids. Oliver was happily playing with his toys on the floor and Phoebe and Maisie were already as usual snuggled up on the sofa cuddling their father. Although Maisie put on a tough act around her friends she was secretly still the sweet innocent little girl and she still was and always would be a daddy's girl.

"Yes mum" All 3 of them called back at the same time.

Zoe bent down and gave Nick a gentle kiss on the lips goodbye "Call me if you need me" She told him, being a typical worrying mother "and don't wait up if i'm going to be late"

"OK" Nick nodded "Have a good night" He said as she left the room. He was glad that she was finally going out with Linda for the night, she more than deserved it and rarely got the chance these days. And he knew that she secretly still loved the clubbing nightlife and heavy drinking.. not something which particularly appealed to him.

"OK you three, how about I make us a hot chocolate?" Nick asked knowing how much they all loved it.

"Yeaaaah" All 3 kids jumped up excitedly. "Can we have cream and marshmallows dad?" Phoebe asked

"Oh, only the best" Nick winked and got up heading to the kitchen to make their drinks.

After finishing their hot chocolate Phoebe had fallen asleep in Nick's arms so he decided that it was time to take her to bed. He carefully picked her up in his arms not wanting to wake her "Come on Ollie, bed time as well" Nick called, who like his sister was also starting to look tired. He got up off the sofa without a fuss and followed Nick upstairs and he put both of them to bed.

After putting them both too bed he came back downstairs to Maisie "Alright sweetheart?"

"Yeah" She half halfheartedly smiled and as her dad sat back down she wrapped her arms around him and cuddled into his chest. Enjoying every moment of their father and daughter time alone.

"Sure you're alright?" He asked her again, stroking her hair "You've been quiet tonight?" He concernedly asked.

"Yeah, I'm just sorry for being such a pain dad" She apologised, feeling terrible after Zoe had told her about how upset he was feeling about her behavior.

Nick laughed "You're not a pain darling, just a bit of a handful at times"

She looked up at him "I honestly don't mean to upset you"

"Why do you do it Maisie?" He asked running a hand through her hair "Hmm what makes you so upset?"

"I don't know, I really don't.. I guess I just want to fit in" She finally admitted to her dad.

"You would fit in perfectly without all the fighting though, you're a clever, funny, beautiful girl, whats not to like?"

"I guess I'm just scared dad" She told him

"Scared?" Nick questioned, worried about his daughter "What of sweetie?"

"Of being left... I don't want you to leave me too"

"hey, look at me" Nick said lifting his daughters head so he could see her face "Don't you ever think like that, I'm not going anywhere and neither is Zoe"

A small tear rolled down Maisie's face "I still remember her you know" she said in a slight whisper still looking at her dad.

Nick's heart sunk "It's good to remember her sweetheart" he reassured her "and I'm sure she's looking down on you right now and is very very proud of the beautiful girl you have turned into" He told her wiping the tears that formed away from her cheeks.

"I just wish she was here" She told him and Nick could feel a lump in his throat forming trying to hold back his own tears as she said this.

"I know darling, you just have to remember all the good memories you had with her"

Maisie smiled "Thanks dad, I promise to be good from now" She promised

"Good, I'm glad to hear it" Nick smiled kissing the top of her head. He was glad that she had finally felt able to talk to him "I love you Maisie"

"I love you too daddy"

"Right shall we go to bed now then?" Nick suggested as he saw how tired she was beginning to look.

"Yeah" Maisie agreed and they both went up to bed.