Chapter 2:
"Toast." Nick presents a plate of it before me as I sit down at the kitchen unit, still in my dressing gown.
"Aren't you gonna be late?" He asks, as I break some of the crust off and pop it in my mouth.
"Ah well." I shrug and he narrows his eyes.
"You've changed since we got married." He frowns. "It's scary."
"Scary?" I laugh. "How have I changed?"
"You've just... Changed." He blushes slightly which I find extremely attractive. "But it's a good change, not that you weren't good already... And by 'good' it sounds like I'm objectifying you, which I'm honestly not because you're a very strong, independent woman, as you were back then-"
"Nick!" I hush him before getting up and draping my arms around his neck. I stare into his eyes and kiss him gently for a few seconds. "Calm it baby."
"So you're not annoyed at me then?" He raises his eyebrows. "About last night?"
"Well, granted I was a bit put out that the Platt family pulled yet another stunt and destroyed our romantic meal." I shrug. "But you did enough making up to me afterwards so."
"Ah, that's why you're in such a good mood." He clarifies and I let out a light laugh. "Now go on, get ready for work."
"I'd rather stay here." I pull a face and he kisses me again.
"Well so would I, but it wouldn't last long if we didn't go into work, because we wouldn't have the money to pay rent." He points out and I hum contently. "We would have to move in with my mother."
"Nick baby, I am never, ever, subjecting myself to staying a night in that chaos laden Tardis." I explain. "Not that I have any idea what a 'Tardis' is, but that house seems to have more bedrooms than I've had glasses of wine."
"I think you've drank more glasses of wine than the rest of the Earth's population put together so I'd say that was an invalid point." Nick shrugs and I slap him lightly on the shoulder. "Now go get ready for work! Else you'll be in the naughty corner again!"
"Evening." I call as I enter the flat, chucking my bag down on the side before throwing my arms around Nick's neck, who was sat drinking wine on the sofa.
"It is as well." He checks his watch, as I take the glass from his hands, sipping it before passing it back to him.
"Sorry I had piles of paperwork." I sigh, kissing his neck gently.
"What do you want for dinner?" He asks, flicking through the take out menus that lie on his lap. I retract my arms from around him and go to pour myself a glass of wine, before sitting down next to him. He wraps his arm around me as I study the leaflets he was holding.
"Chinese?" I shrug, as he runs his hand up and down my arm softly, it comforts me, as I lay my head on his shoulder. "What else is there, really?"
"It'll be a step up in comparison to the salad you had last night." He points out and I meet his gaze for a few seconds.
"I wasn't hungry, I told you." I curl back into him, my need for warmth intensifying.
"Well you were certainly a useful babysitter." He dares to murmur. It was a topic we had not discussed in the last twenty four hours, both of us had been too nervous to bring it up.
"...Anything to make your family like me." I shrug it off, taking a long gulp of wine. "Quite enjoyed it anyway."
"I could see that." He replies, and we sit in silence for what seems like forever, his fingers moving to play with my hair, which was relaxing despite the fact I was now on edge about the whole situation.
"...I don't know Nick." I finally whisper, and he knows exactly what I mean. He could feel me shaking against him, draining my glass of wine before attempting to reach for the bottle again, but he takes it from me, along with the glass.
"You don't need that." He soothes, taking my hand and squeezing it gently. "You have no need what so ever to start pushing the self destruct button tonight. We can change topic, just relax. Ok? It's my fault for bringing it up."
"Sorry." I say and he lifts my chin with his finger, kissing me gently before moving his forehead against mine. I look into his eyes; soft and caring and loving. Nick loved me, so much. What was there to be afraid about? Why was I pushing the idea away, when we were so able? I had finally found happiness, at last and I was still scared. Fearful and yet I had a man before me who made that all disappear. He would protect me, he would let me lead, he would do whatever made me happy. "...I want a baby."
I said it.
It was out there.
The words had fallen from my mouth.
But again, he doesn't look scared or confused or shocked. Instead, he cups my face with his hand, softly rubbing his thumb against my cheek.
And I felt safe.
He made me feel safe.
"I love you and I want this." I whisper, his forehead still warm against mine. "But it doesn't stop me from being scared."
"I know." He assures me. "But there's no rush... It's completely up to you."
"You want children." I swallow, remembering our conversation after the miscarriage.
"Yes, but I want you more." He tells me. "And if you don't want the same things as me then that's fine, I can deal with that Carla, because I love you."
"But I do." I persist, moving away from him hesitantly. "I do, Nick. I'm just... It's something that I never thought would happen... But with you. I do, I want this, I want us."
"You have me." He promises, running his fingers through my hair again. "You have me, no matter what happens.
"...Did you really think I was good with Lewis?" I bite my lip slightly and he smiles, warmly, looking down at our entwined hands.
"Do you know what I thought?" He whispers, not meeting my eye. "I thought how lucky I was, to have a woman as beautiful and caring as you. I thought that you looked like a mother. You always have been a mother Carla and you always will be a mother to your baby girl. Honestly? I thought... When you said, 'maybe I will', I think that all my dreams came true. Everything I ever wanted, in that moment."
"...Then let's do it." I confirm and he finally looks up at me.
"Yeah?" He smiles. "And you mean it? You're not just saying this because I-"
"Nick." I stop him, before pressing my lips to his as the warmth emanates from the both of us. "Since when have I ever done something for someone else? Hey?"
"Shall I order the Chinese?" He diverts the subject, though my appetite has gone rather dry since our discussion.
"No. But I would like another glass of wine." I argue and he gives me a look. "What? If I'm gonna be giving up the booze for nine months, I'm gonna bloody enjoy it now."
"Mm..." Nick chuckles slightly before kissing my neck. "So we're actually doing this?"
"Are you trying to put me off?" I quote him, from the night we got engaged. "No time for dinner, we've got a baby to make." I pull him off the sofa suddenly and he chases me into the bedroom before slamming the door closed, laughter emitting my lips.
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