'Carla?' The consultant says making his way over to her.
'I-Is he okay?' She asks, the fear clear in her voice as she grips a cup of coffee
'For now... The cancer is a lot more aggressive than we thought, I'm afraid he doesn't have long left.' He replies.
'How long?' She asks, a tear falling down her cheek.
'Honestly? I'd be surprised if he made it through the night.' He replies causing her to instantly cover her mouth with her hand.
'D-Does he know?' She asks and he nods his head.
'We can do our best to make him comfortable but there isn't much more we can do. You are more than welcome to go in and sit with him for as long as you need.' He says.
'Thank you.' She almost whispers. Turning around she quietly opens the door and makes her way into the hospital room.
'Hi, baby.' Nick says quietly as he lies in bed, propped up by pillows.
'Hey, you...' She replies closing the door behind her and making her way over to the bed. She sits down on the edge of it and links her fingers with his.
'I'm scared.' He admits and she shakes her head.
'Don't be scared... You'll be fine. Your dad will look after you up there.' She says reaching up to gently touch his cheek.
'And who's gonna look after you and the girls?' He asks quietly causing her to shrug her shoulders.
'We'll be okay.' She replies quietly, glancing down at the floor as tears fill her eyes.
'Hey... Come here.' Nick says gently pulling her until she's lying on the bed beside him, her head resting on his chest.
'Where's my strong girl gone ey?' He asks running his fingers through her hair.
'She's not feeling very strong right now.' She admits.
'I need you to promise me something.' He says and she tilts her head to glance up at him.
'Don't turn to gambling or drink when I'm gone and don't push people away when they're trying to help you.' He says running his fingers through her hair.
'I won't, I promise.' She replies and he sighs.
'Please don't let the girls forget me.' He says and she lets out a sob.
'Never...' She whispers.
'How are you feeling? Are you in pain?' Carla asks running her hand down his chest.
'Little bit... Nothing I can't handle.' He replies forcing a smile. She nods her head and turns to glance at the monitor as his heart rate drops slightly.
'Carla... K-Keep looking at me.' He mumbles and she turns her face back to look at him.
'I love you.' She says and he licks his lips.
'I-I love you too.' He replies.
'T-Talk to me... Tell me a-about next week?' He asks and she smiles slightly.
'Well I promised Willow we'd buy her a new tutu so we'll probably do that at some point. We'll have a Disney day on the sofa just the four of us, Pippa probably won't sit the length of a movie though so who knows what she'll end up doing. Then I don't know what we'll do, maybe a walk down the red rec or lunch in the Rovers?' She says and he smiles as she includes him in the plans. He knows exactly what she's doing and he's extremely grateful for it.
'I-I don't w-want to leave you or g-girls.' He says as a tear falls down his cheek. It's been a little over six hours since they were told he didn't have long and his heart rate is slowly dropping.
'We'll be okay, Nick... I love you and you're always going to be right here.' She says putting her hand over her heart. He nods his head silently as he stares at her.
'We'll be okay... We've got so many people around us who love us, who love you. We won't be alone.' She adds. She gently squeezes his hand and kisses his cheek as his heart rate slowly drops. His breathing gets more and more laboured as time goes on.
'Baby, close your eyes... Go to sleep, you don't need to be in pain anymore. I love you.' She whispers.
'Night, Carla.' He says barely audible as he closes his eyes.
'Night, Nicky.' She replies. Tears fall down her cheeks until the monitor lets out a high pitched wail.
'Bye, babe.' She whispers leaning down and kissing his lips. She runs her fingers over his face one last time before slowly getting off the bed and making her way out of the room.
'Carla.' Gail says as she watches Carla nod to Nick's consultant as tears roll down her cheeks.
'He's gone, Gail...' She sobs as Gail instantly wraps her arms around her.
'Oh, Carla...' Gail whispers running her hands up and down her daughter-in-law's back as tears fill her eyes.
'What am I going to do now? How do I live without him?' Carla sobs clinging onto Gail.
'You'll get through this, sweetheart... It's going to be really hard but you're not on your own. We're all here for you.' Gail says, tears streaming down her cheeks.
'I'm so sorry, Gail. You were his mum, you should've been in there.' Carla whispers tilting her head back to look at the older woman.
'You've got nothing to be sorry for, Carla. You were his wife, he wanted you by his side and I wouldn't have it any other way. You made him so happy Carla and you gave him the opportunity to be a father.' Gail says and Carla sighs.
'Mum, what's going on? Is Nick okay?' David asks as he makes his way towards Gail and Carla, Sarah not far behind him.
'Nick... He's-' Gail begins and Carla once again sobs before covering her mouth.
'I can't do this.' She cries rushing away from the trio and towards the bathroom.
'He's gone, isn't he?' Sarah asks and Gail nods her head as tears stream down her cheeks.
'Oh mum...' David says instantly pulling Gail into his arms.