This is the Christmas eve update that should have gone u[p yesterday but my computer broke. my mum has so so kindly given me a laptop for my Birthday which means this can go up. I hope you're all having a lovely Christmas!

"Twas the night before Christmas," Nick laughed as he walked in the flat.

"You're early," Carla said with a smile; she'd expected him to be later, much later. She had to try and hide the glee she felt that Nick was back so early; showing all her happiness and excitement wouldn't look good. Carla Connor always looked good.

"I can go again," Nick teased placing his hand on the door handle.

"No, no I wasn't complaining," Carla said as she stood from the sofa and walked over to him. Nick embraced her in a warm hug, he held her tight and rocked her gently just as he always did. Even though there last embrace had only been around twelve hours ago the warmth and safety of Nick's arms was still welcomed gratefully by Carla.

"Have you had a good day?" Nick asked as he loosened his grip slightly so he could look at Carla.

"Yeah, had an early dart," Cara said smiling, "then the Connor's are tryna set up a ping-pong team."

"A ping-pong team?" Nick laughed.

"Yeah, anyway it were amusing watching Johnny try and beat Aidan," Cara laughed.

"Did you deliver all those cards?"

"Yeah, did it this afternoon. Then I popped to see your Mum and made sure she had everything for tomorrow," Carla told Nick making him smile.

"And did she?"

"Yeah, she just asked if we'd bring some wine - according to her I'd have more than enough to spare," Carla sighed.

"Look on the bright side," Nick said holding Carla tight once more, "You'll definitely be drinking wine you like."

"We could get a take away," Carla said as she lay across Nick. He'd just suggested cooking but Carla was comfy and it was Christmas Eve. Nobody wanted to be cooking on Christmas Eve.

"If you want, there's stuff in the fridge that needs eating up though," Nick said going to stand up from underneath Carla.

"No, stay here," she said like a five year old making Nick smile.

"Carla we have to eat," Nick laughed.

"You can order the food from the comfort of the sofa and then when it comes I might feel like moving," Carla said as she cuddled further into Nick, if it was even possible. They had a habit of getting comfy on the sofa like this; they'd have a brief chat about their days and then sit. Sit in a comfortable silence that was only broken by comforting words or domestic questions.

"Okay, seen as it's Christmas," Nick said reaching for his phone that lay on the arm of the sofa, "Chinese?" Carla nodded and then Nick ordered. He could order without asking because he knew. He knew that she'd always have the same thing, she'd never try anything else.

"Do you have any traditions then?" Carla asked as she sat back down after tidying away from dinner.

"Traditions?"

"Christmas traditions, some families have a very strict Christmas Eve itinerary," Carla informed him.

"Well we can make our own itinerary if you want," Nick suggested.

"Yeah we could," Carla smiled, "Well clearly it starts with a Chinese."

"And us both being home early," Nick said as he moved closer to Carla. The physical space on the sofa between them bothered him. It bothered him that he was so close to Carla, yet so far. He wrapped his arms around her and she instantly relaxed; her head leaning on his chest.

"Then what?"

"Well you cleaning up," Nick joked earning him a playful slap on the arm.

"We could, um, we could watch our favourite film," Carla suggested.

"Well my favourite is Skyfall," Nick told her,"I doubt yours is the same."

"Well mine's Maleficent so we'll have to watch two," Carla declared, "And we have to put the lights off and only the Christmas tree lights will be on."

"Right so after our two films with the Christmas lights we can go to bed?"

"We could go to bed," Carla nodded.

"And do what?" Nick asked kissing the side of Carla's head.

"Depends if you're on the naughty list or the nice list Nicholas," Carla teased before turning her head and allowing Nick to kiss her properly.

And they watched Skyfall, which Nick was totally engrossed by, Carla not so much. They watched Carla's film as well; she remained in his arms throughout and he didn't mind. He loved holding her close and feeling the warmth of her next to him. If someone had told him in June he'd be engaged to Carla Connor at Christmas he would've laughed. He would have laughed because before he knew Carla, really knew her, he'd have no idea why someone like her would go for someone like him. When the film credits began to roll Carla turned off the TV and turned off the lights then lead Nick to the bedroom where he'd find out if he'd been naughty or nice.

thankyou for reading; I'm trying my best to get the Christmas day oneshot up tonight or tomorrow!

Merry Christmas!