25th December 2018.
Belmont, North Carolina.
7:32am.
She groans slightly as she wakes to the sound of little squeals rushing past the bedroom followed by Danielle telling the little girl to be quiet causing Nick to smile and tighten his arms around her. Within minutes they can hear Kevin and Nick's parents pass the room and make their way downstairs.
'What time do you usually get up?' She asks feeling him place a kiss at the base of her neck.
'Whenever I wake up but we don't need to go down just now if you don't want to. No one will bother us, Joe and Sophie probably won't be up for at least another hour.' He replies smiling as she yawns.
'Have you got any paracetamol? My head is killing me?' She asks.
'I can go downstairs and check?' He says and she shakes her head.
'It's not that bad, I'll survive.' She mumbles rolling onto her side and curling against him.
'You sure? I could get you a glass of water while I'm down there?' He suggests watching as she screws her eyes shut to block out the sun that's beginning to shine threw the curtains
'Mmm, maybe that would be a good idea.' She mumbles.
'I'll be back in a minute.' He says. Climbing out of bed he quickly attempts to pull the curtains further over before making his way downstairs. Alena and Valentina are already opening presents when he makes his way into the lounge.
'Morning, Nick... Merry Christmas!' Denise says smiling as she instantly embraces her son.
'Merry Christmas, mom. Do you have any paracetamol?' He asks hugging her back.
'I do somewhere. Everything okay? Are you feeling ill?' She asks and he shakes his head.
'Demi's got a headache.' He replies.
'Oh... I'm planning on making dinner for around 8:30 but if Demi isn't feeling up to it you're more than welcome to just take a plate up to her.' Denise says as she reaches in a drawer and pulls out of strip of paracetamol.
'Thanks, mom.' Nick replies.
****
'Nick, I think you better go upstairs.' Joe says as he makes his way into the living room where Nick is holding a strip of paracetamol and bottle of water while Alena shows him one of her toys from Santa.
'What?' Nick asks.
'Demi's throwing up.' Joe replies. Instantly Nick runs his fingers through Alena's hair before rushing upstairs. As soon as he reaches the bathroom he finds Sophie holding Demi's hair back while she leans over the toilet.
'She okay?' Nick asks bending down beside Sophie who shakes her head.
'She's been throwing up for a while now.' Sophie replies allowing Nick to take Demi's hair from her before moving out the bathroom and closing the door to give them some privacy.
'You're okay, love... I've got you.' Nick whispers gently rubbing her back.
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