This is so so delayed and I can only apologise, my writing motivation has been so low and I haven't had time or energy to write anything x

Chapter 11:

"I recommend that you don't go into work today." Nick suggests, leaving the bedroom and progressing to put some toast in the toaster.

"Why?" I respond, from the sofa, where I was curled up with a mug of tea.

"Because you didn't sleep last night." He sighs, coming over and placing his hands on my shoulders, gently applying a kiss to the top of my head. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah... Sorry for waking you up though." I mutter.

"Don't worry about that." He places another kiss into my hair. "Anytime... Do you want me to take the day off? We could snuggle up, watch a film or something?"

"No, Nick." I shake my head. "You go to work, I'll be fine."

"Promise?" He looks into my eyes as I tilt my head upwards.

"Promise." I assure him, reaching up to give him a kiss on the lips before he nods, disappearing from the flat.

Nick PoV

"Hiya." I enter the salon, closing the door behind me. Gran was stood perming an elderly woman's hair, whilst Kylie sat on David's lap, scoffing the tin of biscuits. "Busy day for you two is it?"

"Likewise, else you wouldn't be here." David drones. "What do you want?"

"Charmer, aren't you?" I raise my eyebrows. "I wondered if you would come for a family meal at the Bistro on Friday."

"...Hold on, you're optionally organising a family get together?" Kylie laughs.

"Well just you know, me, you three, Carla, mum, Sarah, Bethany..." I trail off.

"So the whole squad then." David nods.

"It's a wonderful idea Nick lovey." Gran pipes up. "Any occasion?"

"No uh... Just thought we should catch up." I shrug.

"Carla's pregnant isn't she?" Kylie nods, disinterestedly and I glare at them.

"No." I reply bluntly.

"She's totally pregnant." David agrees and they high five one another.

"Look, no need to ruin the surprise." I sigh and Kylie flashes me a victorious grin.

"Oh I'm so happy for you both!" Gran claps her hands, coming over to hug me.

"Yeah yeah, ok, but you don't know yet. Alright?" I check with them and they all nod obediently. "See you soon."

I wave before pulling the door open to the salon and exiting it. How was everything so obvious? I'm so lost in thought that I don't see Michelle, as I bump into her, causing her to drop the folder she was carrying.

"Oh God, sorry." I apologise, picking it up and she brushes me off.

"No, no it's fine." She assures me. "My fault, I was on my phone... Although you don't exactly look wide awake yourself... Penny for them?"

"Ey?" I frown, handing the folder of what seemed to be wedding plans back to her.

"Penny for your thoughts?" She prompts, taking a seat on Maxine's bench, which I join her in doing.

"Oh, nothing, I was up late." I massage my forehead and she places a hand on my shoulder.

"I know it can't be easy for you." She replies, sympathetically and I give her a look. This pregnancy was the best thing to happen to us, surely Michelle knew that more than anyone. "Look uh, I haven't spoken to Carla about it for a few days, but I'm ready to get the ball rolling whenever you are."

"Huh?" I question, looking at her inquisitively.

"Well I went to get checked out like Carla told me to and they said that I'm in good condition." She shrugs. "It's only gonna deteriorate from here so, we may as well get started... Before I back out of the idea!"

"Hold on, what?" I splutter.

"I'm joking, I'm not gonna back out." She sighs. "I know I haven't had a proper chance to talk to you about it, but Carla said you had discussed it and you're both ready for-"

"Ready for what?" I interrupt her and there's a short silence.

"The surrogacy... Thing." She mutters, now cautious of my awareness on the topic.

"When did Carla speak to you about this?" I ask her.

"Well our last chat about it was a few days ago..." She recalls and I nod slowly. "Why?"

"Nope." I shake my head. "Tell you what, come to the flat tonight, about six-ish. We can discuss things..."

"Uh... Ok sure." She nods as I stand up, waving her off before walking away.

Carla PoV

"You're back early." I frown, tilting my head from the sofa as Nick walks through the door. "Thought you were working late?"

"Yeah well... Clocked off early... Came to see you." I feel his hand brush against my hair, leaning my head against it. "So... Take-away?"

"No." He replies bluntly.

"Oh cooking are you?" I grin and he shakes his head at me.

"Michelle'll be round in a minute." He informs me and I freeze at this.

"Why?" I ask, a lump forming in my throat. I still hadn't brought myself to explain to her that I was pregnant, and Nick was unaware of this. "Oh I uh... I haven't told her yet... By the way... Just so you know."

"Right..." He trails off. "Well maybe you can tell her tonight then."

"Well I'd rather tell her on my own." I interject. "I'm not really up to seeing visitors right now, I'll call her and tell her that I'll speak to her tomorrow."

"Carla. I know-" He begins as a key sounds in the lock and the door opens.

"...Don't ring the buzzer then." I panic and she frowns at me.

"What's the point? I have a key." She points out, before coming over to me with a big folder in her arms. "Anyway, I've come prepared."

"Oh God..." I trail off, my heart racing. Nick was going to hate me, I just knew it.

"Yeah I think Carla has a confession to make." He suddenly interrupts my thoughts.

"No you don't understand." I stop him as Michelle stares at us, confused.

"Why did you tell Michelle that we still needed her for the surrogate?" He suddenly blurts out and my heart stops in my chest. He knew?

"Uh... What?" Is all I can come out with and he raises his eyebrows at me.

"What do you mean?" Michelle chips in and I bite my lip, avoiding eye contact.

"...I'm pregnant..." I stammer and her mouth opens and closes a few times, as she processes the information.

"...Pregnant?" She splutter slightly. "How? When? What? ...How?"

"Well you see, the process of making a baby goes like this-" I begin.

"Trust me I'm aware of that." She cuts me off, glancing at Nick. "Why didn't you tell me this morning?"

"Why didn't Carla tell you weeks ago?" Nick nudges me.

"...I didn't want to tempt fate and..." I mumble, forcing myself to look at Michelle. "...I didn't know what to say... You just seemed so excited Chelle and I felt awful after asking you-"

"Carla." She stops me, placing a hand lightly on my shoulder. "I am so happy for you."

"...Really?" I frown, standing up as she wraps me in a hug.

"Course I am you silly beggar!" She laughs, swaying me gently. "I don't get why you didn't just tell me!"

"...I don't really know." I mutter as she breaks away from me. "Like I said... It was too early to tell you at that point and you were being so kind..."

"I'm relieved." She sighs.

"Honestly?" I frown.

"Seriously, I was dreading going through that again; stretch marks, sickness, labour pains, oh God it's a nightmare." She informs us both and I try to conceal the look of panic in my face. "Sorry... I mean... It's great... Really fun in fact... So I'd better be off then."

"Thanks for popping round." Nick smiles. "Thought it would be good to... Clear the air."

"Yeah, and I'm so happy for you both." She looks at us briefly before heading towards the door. "You're going to make great parents."

"We will, you know." Nick whispers as he wraps his arms around my waist once Michelle has left.

"So you're not mad at me then?" I ask him in a childlike voice and he laughs into my hair before placing a kiss onto the side of my head.

"Why would I be mad at you?" He murmurs. "You're beautiful, amazing, the mother of my child."

"Hopefully..." I pull a face and he spins me round in his arms so I was facing him.

"Listen to me." He leans his forehead against mine. "We're going to be alright, trust me."