"Ollie don't play with your food" Zoe said as Oliver began swirling his spaghetti around the plate. Nick had taken them to a very posh Italian restaurant.

"What we doing tomorrow dad?" Maisie asked as they all sat enjoying their meals.

"Well" Nick began, he was going to surprise them all but he though he might as well tell them now, "we're going on a little trip" He added, taking a mouthful of his food.

"Where we going?" Phoebe asked with her eyes wide for an answer, the whole trip was just full of excitement for her.

Nick paused chewing his mouthful of food before speaking, "There's some people I would like you all to meet" He said, taking a sip of his drink and glancing up at Zoe.

Zoe glanced at him from across the table, looking up from her dinner, she raised her eyebrows wondering who this could be and what he was up to. She didn't have to speak a word because from the look on her face Nick could see what she wanted to ask.

"We're going to go and visit my mum and dad" He said, directing it at Zoe, "I'm sure you want to meet your grandma and Granddad don't you" He smiled, looking at all 3 children.

Zoe looked at him in shock, "Your mum and dad Nick?" She exclaimed nearly spitting at her drink.

Nick nodded, "They want to meet their grandchildren and you of course" He smiled trying to convince her. He knew that this would be a shock to her, he hadn't seen his parents in over 10 years and he rarely spoke to them either, they were never really that close.

"Why have we never met them before?" Maisie spoke up, slightly confused about the whole situation. The children hadn't really grown up with grandparents in their lives, it was only recently that Zoe's mum had played a bigger role and Yvonne's mum Diana had passed away over 5 years ago so family had never really been a major part of their lives.

"Well" Nick began, pondering his thoughts of how to respond, "it's difficult with them living in Italy so now is the perfect opportunity" He tried to encourage them all. His mum was really looking forward to meeting his family and he couldn't let her down again, she had asked him years ago to bring the children over but Nick never found the opportunity... or maybe he just wasn't ready to see them himself.

"OK then" Maisie agreed, seeing this was a logical explanation.

"Would you like to order anything else?" The waitress came over and politely asked, pulling them out of conversation as they had all now finished their meals.

"No we'll just have the bill please" Nick smiled as she walked off to fetch the bill.

After paying the bill they headed straight back to their apartment and because it was now getting late all 3 children headed straight up to bed. Even though they were on holiday and would usually stay up later than usual they were all extremely tired from the long flight here.

"So" Zoe spoke as she sat down on the sofa beside Nick after putting the kids to bed, "What's this all about?" She asked.

Nick turned to look at her, he knew exactly that this question was coming, "My mum's been asking me for years, I couldn't keep putting it off" He told her.

"Is this what the whole trips about then?" Zoe asked, slightly annoyed that it wasn't just going to be a nice relaxing family holiday for the 5 of them.

Nick shook his head trying to convince her that this wasn't the case, "No of course not, we all needed a break you know that" He said.

"But of course Italy had to be the choice"

Nick titled his head, "They're her grandchildren Zo" He tried to reason with her as to why he was doing this.

Zoe took his hand, "You should have spoken to me, we could have waited until the baby arrived"

"we will come back again so she can meet the new addition" He smiled.

Zoe paused as she began to think of the day lying ahead, "What's she going to think of me Nick? I'm the woman who ruined your marriage remember" She laughed, but in all seriousness she was worried what she would think, she had never met her before, she didn't even know what she was like... was she like Nick? or was she the complete opposite? ...she just didn't know. Usually she wouldn't care what other people thought of her, but this was her husbands mum... her opinion mattered a lot.

Nick laughed at her comment "She will absolutely love you" He said, "I've told her a lot about you"

Zoe raised an eyebrow "Oh really" She smiled "All good I hope"

Nick smiled "Of course" He winked "I only ever have good things to say about you"

This made Zoe smile widely "Come on lets go to bed" She said standing up and holding out her hand for Nick to take before she led him upstairs.