There are many things that Dean left as a legacy, his zest for life, his mischeivious and cheeky character, his happy-go-lucky ways and his love and respect for his family. But the most important Legacy he  left is his daughter 
. 

 

Kaitlin Marie Nicholas
I'm not really sure he wanted to be there for her birth. Dean and Gemma were stationed in Germany at the time. Two weeks before Kaitlin was born Gemma decided she wanted to have the baby in the UK. I was honoured and priveleged to have been asked by Gemma to be at the birth if she went into labour early. Dean was on a course and couldn't leave until the day before the due date. As always at times like this, it never goes to plan. A week before Kaitlin was due to be born Gemma went into labour. We informed Dean and he managed to get to the delivery room an hour before Kailtin was born. Dean was very squeamish and the nurses didn't know who to treat, Gemma or Dean!
Dean spent only a few months with Kaitlin before he had to go back to Iraq. He spent six months in Iraq, only seeing her for two weeks inbetween. He came home the end of April 2005. He then began his relationship with Kaitlin. He was so proud of her. Two days before Dean died he phoned me up excitedly telling me how out of the blue she looked at him and said 'hiya'!

As she continues to grow, she is developing many characteristics of her dad. Apart from looking like her dad, she is very strong willed, and  very, very, chatty and loves to have her own way!

Every milestone, birthday, first day at school will serve as a bittersweet experience knowing that Dean will not be here to share it with her.
It is sometimes hard to look at her as it is so painful to think that she will never know her lovely dad, who was so proud of her. I'm sure wherever Dean is he will be watching over her.....His Legacy to Us.