When Kate next awoke it was light. Mia was also conscious and stroking Brian at the end of the bed.

"Morning," Kate said as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

"Morning," replied Mia as she quickly scampered back towards Kate. "What we gonna do today?" She asked excitedly.

"Don't you want to go to nursery?" Kate asked as she gently stroked Mia's soft hair. Mrs Arnott had told her the hours and where it was the previous day.

"I wanna be here in case Daddy calls," Mia said.

"I'm not sure he'll be up to it today, Mia," Kate said worrying that she'd given the little girl a better picture about Steve than she should have.

"But maybe," Mia retorted and Kate didn't have the heart to argue back.

"Ok so how about we get up and have breakfast, take Brian for his morning walk and then have a girls day here in the flat," Kate suggested.

"What's that?" Enquired Mia.

"We get back in our pyjamas and spend the day together on the sofa under a duvet. I can do your hair. Paint your nails so you look nice for Daddy when he comes home,".

"OK!" Agreed Mia. She'd never had a girls day before but it sounded fun.

The two girls got up and had a quick breakfast before getting changed and heading out to the local park. Brian was let off the lead and enjoyed a good run around. Kate noticed Mia was much more animated than the previous day. This morning she threw a couple of balls for the dog and giggled at his antics.

Reaching home Kate suggested getting changed back in to their nightwear. Mia dashed off to her room to do as Kate said whilst Kate headed to Steve's room. The three year old's excitement made her change much faster than Kate and her arrival in Steve's bedroom was announced by the door being flung open so fast that it crashed in to a wall, leaving a mark.

"That's pretty," Mia said, pointing at Kate's bra. She had managed to catch Kate half dressed with only her pyjama bottoms on. "What is it?".

"A bra," Kate replied as she pulled her top on and covered herself up.

"Can I have one?".

"You don't need one yet," Kate informed Mia.

"I do!" Mia protested.

"You need to have breasts first," Kate explained. "A bra helps support them,".

"What are breasts?" Mia asked curiously.

Kate looked at Mia. Was she stepping on Steve's toes by talking about this? "Boobs?" Kate tried. Maybe Steve and Mia called them something else. Mia giggled.

"That's a funny name,".

Obviously not. Kate decided to tell Mia the truth and hope Steve wouldn't be too upset with her telling his daughter about the female body in his absence. It was the best policy with kids. "Breasts can also be called boobs," Kate explained as she sat on Steve's bed and Mia clambered up next to her. "You'll get them when you are a bit older,".

"How old?" Mia asked.

"Twelve or thirteen," Kate guessed based on her own experience.

"Then I can wear a pretty bra?" Mia reiterated.

"Yes," Kate answered, pleased Mia was more interested in bras than breasts. God only knew where that conversation might end up. She didn't think Steve would be terribly impressed if he got home from hospital to find his three year old daughter knew all about the birds and the bees.

"Can we play Girls day now?" Mia asked, keen to get on with the rest of the days activities that Kate had suggested.

"Of course," replied Kate. "I need to get a few things but I'll meet you on the sofa,".

Mia scampered off whilst Kate collected the duvet from the bed and her make up bag and brush. She then headed to the kitchen to pick up a tub of ice cream from the fridge. Wandering in to the living room she found Mia sat on the couch with Indy Bear and a few of her other toys who she wanted to experience a girls day with. Brian was also sat waiting for Kate.

Kate sat down cross legged on the sofa and Mia hopped right in to her lap. Kate put the duvet on top of them and switched the TV on and they amused themselves watching a Disney film first as they ate some of the ice cream.

"What now?" Mia asked as the film finished.

"Shall I plait your hair?" Kate suggested. Mia agreed and with the little girl still on her lap she gave her a French plait. "What do you think?" Kate asked as she showed Mia her handiwork.

"I like it," Mia enthused as she saw herself in the mirror. Her father had just about mastered a pony tail but not a plait before.

They were just finishing off the touches to their freshly painted toe nails when Kate's phone started vibrating with an incoming video call. It was Mrs Arnott. "It's your Grandma," Kate said as she answered the call. "Hi!" Kate greeted.

"Have I disturbed you?" Mrs Arnott asked catching sight of Kate in her pyjamas.

"Me and Mia are having a girlie day on the sofa," Kate replied at which point Mia hopped back in to Kate's lap.

"Hi Nanna!" She chirped happily.

"You being a good girl for Kate?" Mrs Arnott asked her granddaughter.

"Yes Nanna," Mia replied.

"Well that's good. I suppose you deserve a little surprise then," Mrs Arnott said as she turned the phone around and Steve came in to view.

"DADDY!" Mia shrieked excitedly at seeing her father on the screen.

Kate could see he had the bed sheets pulled up to cover up any sign of his injuries from his daughter. He was very pale and looked exhausted but he was obviously determined to show Mia he was ok.

"Hey Mia," Steve replied as he caught sight of his daughter on the phone screen with Kate. "Hi Kate,".

"Hi," replied Kate.

"Do you like my hair Daddy?" Mia asked very bubbly. "Kate did it," she continued without waiting for a reply. She showed her father her new hair style.

"Very nice," Steve said. "I'll have to get Kate to teach me how to do it," he added, winking at Kate. "Are you having a nice time with Kate?".

"Yes Daddy!" Mia replied. "We've watched Disney and had lots of ice cream. I'm totally full!" she babbled away. "And look!" she said as her face disappeared from the screen to be replaced by her feet. "I've got pink sparkly toes!" she enthused as she wiggled her toes to show off their new colour.

"Sounds like you're having a wonderful time," Steve said, pleased that his daughter was getting on so well with Kate.

"I am," Mia agreed. "Can you marry Kate so that she can be my mummy?" she asked hopefully.

"I don't know," Steve replied awkwardly whilst looking at Kate for her reaction to Mia's question. They'd only just got together and he hoped she wouldn't be scared off.

"Please Daddy," begged Mia. "I think she would be a good mummy,".

"We'll see," Steve said vaguely, hoping to change the topic whilst looking to his parents for help.

"Daddy?"

"Yes?" Steve asked cautiously wondering what was going to come out of his daughter's mouth this time.

"When I get boobs can I have a pretty bra like Kate's?".

Steve's eyebrows shot up in surprise. How did Mia know about these things? He certainly hadn't mentioned them too her.

"Mia caught me getting dressed," he heard Kate explain.

"Mia," Steve scolded. He felt bad that his daughter hadn't respected Kate's privacy. He'd told her numerous times about knocking on closed bedroom doors before entering.

"It's ok," Kate replied. "No harm done. We just had a chat about underwear and certain changes that Mia will experience growing up, didn't we Mia,".

"Uh huh," Mia said.

"Sounds like you handled it like a pro," Steve complimented Kate tiredly. Even with this short talk he was exhausted.

"We should probably go and let you get some rest," Kate suggested, picking up on Steve's lack of energy.

"Sounds like a good idea," Mrs Arnott replied and Steve agreed.

"OK," said Mia sadly. "When you home, Daddy?".

"Soon," Steve replied, unsure of the exact date but wanting to sound positive for his child.

"OK. Love you Daddy,".

"Love you too,".