A couple of weeks later, Nick had been reflecting on his quality time with Ollie at the football match and that he should really start to spend some more quality time with the kids, especially before the new baby arrived. It was then that the idea came to him... he had a wonderful surprise that he wanted to tell Zoe and the children.

"Dad what's this all about?" Maisie moaned, as Nick had called a 'family meeting' at the dinner table.

"I've got a surprise for you all" Nick grinned, as he walked into the kitchen carrying a small white envelope.

Zoe sat and watched him intriguingly, like the kids, she hadn't a clue as to what was going on, "What are you up to Nick?" She raised her eyes in suspicion, he had been unusually secretive over the past week and she knew that he was hiding something.

Nick took a seat at the head of the table, placing the envelope in front of them all.

"An envelope?" Maisie said in annoyance "You've brought us here for an envelope?" She then went to pick it up but Nick soon stopped her.

"Not just any envelope Maisie" He widely grinned, loving the element of surprise that only he knew about, "Who wants to open it then?" He asked, hoping that they would all jump at the opportunity.

"You open it Zo" He smiled, pushing the envelope over towards Zoe.

As Zoe opened it she slowly pulled out the 5 long rectangle pieces of card, turning them over she instantly knew what they were and looked at Nick in complete shock, a smile spreading across her face, "Italy?" She said in surprise, looking up at Nick as she read their boarding cards.

"What?" Maisie exclaimed in complete shock, turning to look at her dad with her mouth open.

"That's right" Nick beamed "We fly to Italy next week"

"Are you being serious?" She asked, staring at him in disbelief.

Nick chuckled, he'd never seen her so surprised,"Yes I'm being serious Maisie"

"Are we going on holiday?" Ollie excitedly asked.

"Yep, 1 week in Italy" He smiled "So that means no school for a week" He said directing his eyes to Phoebe who was now practically jumping off her chair in excitement.

"Really?"Phoebe excitedly beamed, she ran over to her dad hugging him as he picked her up and placed her onto his lap, "you're the best daddy ever" She smiled widely.

Zoe sat smiling, watching him as all the kids excitedly asked him questions about their trip. She had never seen them so excited and full of energy, it was definitely what the whole family needed right now. She had no idea that he was even thinking of booking a holiday, they hadn't been abroad for a few years, Ollie and Phoebe certainly wouldn't have many memories of flying on an plane. They just never managed to find the time, what with their demanding job.

The kids soon went back to their usual activities of playing games and watching TV in the front room, still bouncing off the energy of going on holiday. Leaving Nick and Zoe alone again in the kitchen.

"I can't believe you've booked us a holiday" Zoe smiled, walking up to Nick and wrapping her arms around him.

Nick pushed a strand of hair from Zoe's face as she looked up at him, "I think we deserve it don't you"

"Definitely" Zoe grinned.

"It may not be our romantic trip to Rome but it's close enough" He replied. Still resting his hands on her waist, pulling her as close to him as he could with the ever growing bump causing a gap between them.

Zoe shook her head. Everything happens for a reason she thought and there was a reason they never got to experience Rome together all those years ago, "It's even better because we've got the kids" She happily smiled.

"you definitely look as though you could do with the rest anyway" Nick commented as he noted how more and more tired she had been looking over the past few weeks.

"Oh cheers Nick, what a polite way of saying I look like crap" She replied sarcastically rolling her eyes at his comment.

Nick chuckled "You are beautiful" He said kissing her on the lips.

Zoe soon pulled away as she had a question playing on her mind, "How have you managed to get us time off work?" She panicked, realising that 1 week's notice for a holiday wasn't enough.

Nick just smiled in his element of authority, "Who is your boss?" He simply replied, causing Zoe to smile even more. This is exactly why she fell in love with him, he was full of so many surprises.