I'm so sorry I didn't update last night, I was unwell. I really hope you enjoy this oneshot!

"Are you busy today?" Carla asked Nick. It was getting close to Christmas, it was a matter of days away, and Carla really wanted to spend as much time with Nick as possible.

"I've got Max and Lily," Nick said with a smile. He'd always wanted children and that wasn't a secret; having two children who admired him and enjoyed his company made him happy.

"What you doing with them?" Carla asked; she wasn't looking for an invitation although she wouldn't mind one. She wasn't good with kids, never had been, but seeing Nick spend time as an uncle melted her heart.

"Thought I'd take them to see Santa at the shopping centre then maybe to the pantomime in town," Nick said as he finished his coffee.

"Sounds like fun," Carla said with a smile.

"Would you like to come?" Nick laughed noticing Carla was edging to be invited.

"Though you'd never ask," She replied sarcastically jumping down from the breakfast stall, "I better get changed then," Carla commented looking down at her casual night wear that she currently wore.

"Come here," Nick said with a smile. Carla walked over to him with a confused expression, "I only want a hug," He laughed as she approached him nervously. Nick held out his arms and Carla just walked into them, just as she had done many times before. The strength and safety of his arms around her made her feel safe and relaxed.

"You know you have to pretend to like Christmas all day," Nick joked as he held her at arm's length.

"I can do that," Carla said confidently.

"I'll give you a fiver if you can," Nick winked making them both smile.

"Hey," Nick said enthusiastically as he entered the salon to pick the kids up. Carla stood next to him holding his hand as if her life depended on it; just like she always did when around Nick's family.

"Hiya," Kylie said the stress was clear in her voice, "They're just through the back, I'll get them."

"Uncle Nick!" Max shouted as he came round the corner, Kylie carried Lily then passed her to Nick.

"Did you want the pushchair?" Kylie asked.

"No, it's alright. She can walk for a bit, besides we're going to the panto so it'll only get in the way."

"Okay, thanks for having them," Kylie said with a smiled, "Bye kids!" She waved.

As soon as they stepped outside the salon Max began to ask questions about their day, "Where are we going?"

"Well I thought we'd go and see Santa, make sure you're still on the nice list and then Cinderella is on at the pantomime," Nick told them.

"Cinderella is for girls," Max moaned.

"Well, your Uncle Nick loves it and he's not a girl," Carla said trying to get things off to a good start. She'd only met the children a few times but had never had a problem with them. She'd learnt quickly that you had to persuade Max that everything was a good plan to keep him sweet.

"Do you actually like Cinderella?" Max asked looking up at Nick who was still carrying Lily.

"Yeah, course," Nick said smiling sarcastically at Carla.

"Horsies!" Lily shouted as she walked hand in hand with Nick. Her eyes had become fixated on the carousel which contained carriages and horses.

"Yeah, are they pretty?" Nick asked her to which Lily nodded in response.

"Look, Santa's grotto," Max said excitedly as they began to walk towards it.

"Are you having a good time?" Nick asked Carla squeezing her hand gently.

"Yeah," Carla smiled.

"Max get in the queue then and we can see Santa," Nick said as the four of the stood in the queue. Lily became restless and ended up being picked back up by Nick. She began fixated with Carla, it was as if she was studying every aspect of her.

"What have you asked Santa for?" Carla asked her, tickling her slightly under the chin.

"Last time I checked it was full of princesses and dolls and pretty dresses," Nick said bouncing Lily at each item making her laugh.

"Look Uncle Nick we're almost at the front," Max said excitably making both Carla and Nick smile.

"So you promise Cinderella is good?" Max asked as they took their seats in the small theatre.

"I promise," Carla said with a smile, "Anyway everything's better at the panto. They get you to sing and dance and everything."

"Carla take Lily whilst I get a drink," Nick said placing her on Carla's lap. Carla was slightly uncomfortable at first; she'd never been with the children alone and although they always behaved it was daunting.

"Look," Lily said pointing to the stage; glitter surrounded the curtains and the stage.

"Isn't it so sparkly and pretty?" Carla said.

"See, I told you Cinderella was for girls. There's glitter everywhere!" Max exclaimed and Carla did her best not to laugh.

"Well, glitter isn't just for girls."

"And what if I don't want to sing and dance?" Max asked crossing his arms.

"Well that wouldn't be very festive would it?" Carla said, "Plus me, Lily and Uncle Nick will all dance."

"Because it's Christmas, does it mean everyone can sing and dance? Even old people?" Max asked making Carla laugh
.

"Well yeah I suppose, it's a happy time of the year," She told him.

Carla and Nick were cuddled on the sofa, a Christmas film playing on the TV; Carla had become rather fond of them recently and enjoyed watching them with Nick in the evenings. Her head rest comfortably upon his chest and Nick's arm gently grazed up and down her back.

"Did you have a good day?" Carla asked when the film credits began to roll.

"Yeah, it was good, did you enjoy yourself?" Nick asked her; he leant over to turn the TV off leaving only the sound of the fire.

"Yeah,you owe me a fiver as well," Carla winked holding out her hand.

"No way," Nick laughed.

"Yes."

"I'll take it off your tab," Nick winked.

"Seriously though, thank you for letting me come today, I loved spending time with the kids," Carla smiled.

"And me?" Nick said pouting.

"Always you," Carla said softly before kissing him gently.

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