Back to normality?

Chapter 79

At just before four that afternoon, Carla's eyes fluttered open; Amie had been in several times to check on her and the baby and everything was looking good. Michelle had been and got them some lunch and was currently holding the newborn in her arms.

"Hey you, how are you feeling?" She asked as Carla sat up and looked at her.

"Where's Peter?"

"Went for a walk, stretch his legs, and give Simon a call; did the sleep help?"

"A little"

"Still feel out of sorts?"

"Dunno; I'm hungry"

"I got you some stuff earlier; I wasn't sure what you would want," she said, gesturing to the stuff on the table halfway down the bed.

"Thanks," she said, rummaging through the bag and deciding on a packet of biscuits.

"Car, you can't avoid her; she doesn't have a name yet"

"What if I hurt her?"

"You won't but we'll be here if it gets too much for you; time to meet your daughter"

Carefully, she waited for Carla to put the biscuit in her mouth before placing the sleeping newborn into her arms; she watched as Carla's facial expression changed from confused to worried to happy.

"She's beautiful" she stated.

"She is; talk to me. Where's your head at?"

"I dunno but I don't want to be here; I don't like hospitals"

"I know you don't and they wouldn't keep you if they didn't need to keep an eye on you; you passed out and were bleeding. Put that with your past medical history, they just want to be certain you're okay before they discharge you, that's all; there's no hidden agenda from anyone, I promise"

"You promise it's only one night?" She asked, looking at her.

"I promise and Peter is going to stay with you; it's all been arranged" she confirmed as Peter came back into the room and retook his seat.

"Hey love, how are you feeling?" He asked, kissing her.

"Okay"

"I've just seen Amie, they'll be bringing the dinner menu around in a minute if you feel like trying to eat something?"

"I'm starving" she nodded. "Tilly?"

"Having the time of her life; Abby is there as well so she's got them playing dress up"

"Bet Simon's not having the time of his life" Michelle chuckled.

"Peter..."

"Yes, love?"

"I'm scared"

"Of what?" He asked, resting a hand on the back of her head.

"Staying here" she admitted.

"It's just one night as Michelle promised, and I'm not leaving you; are you scared because of being here or is it your anxiety flaring up? Be honest with me?"

"Both"

"Okay, what number would you give it?"

"Five"

"Okay, we can work on that," he said as he pulled the bear from her bag and sat it next to her.

"How are we feeling Carla?" Amie asked as she entered the room with a clipboard in hand.

"Tired" she whispered.

"We're working through some of her anxiety, aren't we love?" Peter added.

"We can get you something to help if you want it. Today's been quite a trauma for you..." she offered.

"I think we're gonna try and eat something first, aren't we?" He suggested as Carla nodded.

"Okay, I have the meal list here," she said, handing the clipboard to Peter.

After choosing the jacket potato, Amie left them to it; looking down she saw her daughter moving her head, searching for food.

"I think someone might be hungry too; what do you want to do?" Peter asked, letting her make the decisions.

"I'll try" she whispered.

Once Peter had untied the gown at the back, he gently pulled it over her one shoulder and down so she could get into position; within minutes, her daughter was settled and eating.

"I'm proud of you," Peter said, kissing her head.

"Me too" Michelle agreed. "I should get back to Tom and Mia; you can call me anytime, okay?"

"Okay, Chelle?"

"Yeah" she replied, pulling her jacket on.

"Bring Tilly in the morning?"

"Course I will, try and get some rest; I'll be back first thing"

Kissing the top of her head, Michelle finally left them to it; she had just winded her daughter when Amie returned with her dinner. With her food eaten, and their daughter settled in the plastic cot, Peter took her hand and stroked his thumb over the back of it; she looked up at him and gave a little smile.

"You did amazing today and tomorrow, we'll go home and start our life as a family of five"