"Hey.." Nick said quietly as Carla walked through in her dressing gown into their kitchen. Nick finished placing the cup of coffee and a rose onto a tray with breakfast on as Carla came through. "I was going to take this through to you but you're up now.."
Carla smiled at him and the tray he had in his hands. She went over to it and picked up the rose. "Thank you" she smiled.
"Now me and you, we're going to have a lazy day together." Nick smiled.
"But don't you have work? I've got a meeting at 2.."
Nick sighed slightly. "You can't go into work today, babe.. Not after what happened yesterday. Aidan's taking that meeting for you. Today we can have a duvet day, watch a film, whatever you want.." Nick said.
"But the bistro.." Carla said before she was cut off.
"Carla, I'm the boss. I can pick and choose my days off" Nick laughed as he handed her the tray of breakfast.
"You know a walk would be nice.." Carla suggested, after their breakfast.
Nick nodded. "Okay, let's do it."
Nick and Carla were sat on a bench at the canal and Nick had his arm wrapped around her, protectively.
"Thank you" Carla said, putting her hand on top of his. "Thanks for being so patient and understanding and.."
"Hey, you don't need to thank me."
Carla looked down at her knees. "Nick I don't think I can do this again. Not with a baby on the way."
"He's going to go down, Carla."
Carla shook her head. "But it's the whole lead up to that moment. Judges and juries. I can't do it Nick, not again."
"Let's just take it one step at a time, yeah? He's locked up right now and we can focus on us" Nick tried to reassure Carla as she nodded.
"I saw you and Johnny looked like you were getting on" Nick said, as they both stood up from the bench and carried on walking hand in hand.
"Hmm, yeah.. I don't know. Ever since it was Johnny that you know, stopped him... I've not completely forgiven him but I'm willing to give him a chance." Carla said, resting her head on Nick's shoulder.
Nick and Carla arrived back on the street as Johnny passed them both.
He smiled as he stopped. "How are you doing?" He asked Carla.
"I'm okay..." she said, taking Nick's hand.
"Listen I really would like a chance. A chance to prove I can be a dad to you." Johnny pleaded.
Carla nodded. "Johnny I'm willing to give you one."
Johnny breathed a sigh of relief as he hugged Carla.
"I'll give you a chance to prove it too. Since Roy's away now, I have nobody to give me away. Would you like to?" Carla asked Johnny.
Johnny looked gobsmacked. "I'd be honoured to"
A police car pulled up at the side of the road beside Carla, Nick and Johnny, outside Victoria Court.
Carla immediately tensed up and both Johnny and Nick realised this. Nick reached down and gently took her hand.
"Is there somewhere we can go to talk?" the officer who was dealing with Robert's case asked.
Carla shook her head. "Just tell me whatever you have to say."
The officer looked sympathetically at her and Nick. Nick already sensed what was coming but he hoped the words wouldn't actually come from the officers mouth.
But they did.
"I'm really sorry to have to tell you but Mr Preston has just been released on bail."
Carla began to have tears forming in her eyes.
"No! You can't do that!" Johnny said, getting angry.
Carla let go of Nick's hand and rushed up the stairs towards their flat, slamming the door in the faces of everyone, as she couldn't believe this was history repeating itself.
This was a bit of a chapter filler and sorry it's shorter than usual but I can say there's heaps more drama to come as I have now planned this whole story out right till the end! As always, any reviews are much appreciated as they always make my day so please feel free to leave one (especially as I'm not getting as many now) Also, special thanks to Lily who has always left such lovely reviews after every chapter!