Back to normality?

Chapter 46

Walking into the flat two hours later, a couple of bags in hand after looking at some of the sales, Carla found Peter lying down on the sofa, Matilda across his chest and they both slept peacefully; quietly setting the bags down, she stood against the kitchen counter, water in hand, watching them. She had no idea how long she stood there for before Simon appeared at her side; grabbing a chocolate out the tub, he stood next to her.

"They've been like that since they got back; said Tilly was running a temperature and looked like she might be teething"

"How long was that?"

"Not long after you went out; I offered to take over but he said no"

"You're a good kid Si, sometimes we forget to tell you just how much we appreciate everything you do" she said, half hugging him.

"Just been a good big brother; are you doing okay?" He asked, looking at her.

"I guess I have been a bit moody, haven't I?"

"You were struggling" he shrugged.

"I was" she admitted. "But I'm doing okay, I promise; I was holding on to some frustrations and Michelle helped me get them out"

"That why you're in sportswear?" He asked, knowing she normally would never go out in it.

"She insisted but it helped clear my head; now I have to make things right with your dad" she said, looking back at Peter.

"I can take Tilly out?"

"Let me check her over first; I want to make sure she's okay"

"Just give me a shout"

"Thanks Si"

As Simon disappeared back to his room, Carla put her glass down before bending over and lifting Matilda into hers arms as Peter stirred awake; seeing her looking at him, he sat up and let her sit next to him.

"Hey, when did you get back?" He asked.

"About half hour ago, you two were sparko; Si said she had a temperature?" She asked, pressing her hand to her daughters forehead.

"A little one, I gave her some medication but I think she's teething"

"Okay"

"How you doing?" he asked, running his fingers through her hair.

"Better, Michelle took me the gym; forced me to just let it all out"

"Did it help?"

"It did" she nodded. "I'm sorry for the last few days; I shut myself away from everyone. I was struggling and I didn't want to let you know just how much I wasn't dealing with everything"

"I would've helped"

"I know" she sighed. "I think...not feeling great on top of the thoughts and wanting everything to be perfect for christmas, I didn't know what to do; Peter, I think I need to get my levels checked again"

"Okay, the medical centre is open tomorrow so we'll get you an appointment to get a blood test; do you think you need to speak to Scott?"

"I think I'll be okay; he'll be told when the results come in anyway, won't he?"

"True, I don't want you keeping things from me though love; we've moved past all that. I'll still let you wallow or whatever but as long as I know what's going on in your head"

"I am sorry...about everything"

"I know" he said, kissing her forehead as Matilda started to grizzled before crying, her cheeks red with obvious pain.

"Okay darling, let's see if we can make you feel better" Carla said, going over to the freezer and pulling out a teething ring.

As soon as the coldness hit her mouth, Matilda's cries quieted down to whimpers; bouncing her on her hip, Carla whispered softly and soothing as Peter looked on.

"How about we get ourselves ready, get Si to babysit and go out for a couple of hours? The Bistro or somewhere?" Peter offered.

"Chelle and I had dinner out so I'm not hungry to be honest; we could still go though"

"Only if you're sure? I don't want you thinking you have to go out if you don't want to" he said, walking over to her.

"Honestly, after going at it with that punch bag, I feel better; and I have gossip. Seems little miss Michelle Connor isn't as single as she claims" she grinned.

"Really?!"

"Also seems, whilst she joined the gym as a distraction, she found a better one"

"All the more reason to go to the Bistro then; get all the gossip"

"Okay, you take Tilly while I grab a shower and get ready"

An hour later, with Matilda settled with Simon at the flat, Carla and Peter walked, hand in hand into the Bistro; Carla had style her hair with slight beach curls and dressed in her jeans, knee high boots, long sleeved red top and her long black coat, silver scarf wrapped around her neck. As Michelle came out of the kitchen, she smiled at the different in her best friend from that morning; setting the food at the relevant table, she walked over to them, a huge smile plastered on her face.

"I wasn't expecting to see you tonight?"

"Well Peter's hungry"

"Let me see what's free" she said as they followed her to the bar, grabbing orange juices, before been led to a table.

"I didn't think you were working today" Carla said. "Seeing as you dragged me out"

"Kate and Ryan covered on the premise I did the close" Michelle admitted.

"Oh" she said. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for you to miss your shift"

"Hey, you came first; given how you were feeling this morning, you needed to let it all out and going to the gym was the perfect tonic. Besides, been the owner means I can take time when I want; so, what can I get you?"

"Just the usual please" Peter answered.

"One steak, well done, with chips coming up; Carla?"

"Nothing for me; I'm still full up from lunch"

"Okay, let me know if you change your mind though"

"I will"

As Michelle disappeared back into the kitchen, Peter took Carla's hand.

"How are you really doing? Honestly?"

"Better; I know I made things worse by not talking to you. I didn't know where to start. I thought I could get past it but then Michelle came round this morning and I just...i snapped; I said something that I shouldn't have, something that scared her into taking action" she admitted, bending her head in shame.

"What did you say?" He asked, lifting her chin so she could look at him. "I won't be angry love, I just need to know"

"That...I wished I could skip the medication, just once" she whispered.

"But you wouldn't, would you?"

"No, I know what would happen if I did"

"That's the important thing to remember; that medication is saving your life. We like this Carla a whole more that the one having an episode; even when you have your bad days or you spend the morning feeling out of sorts, you still smile and work through it" he said, stroking her cheek.

"I know, I said it in the heat of the moment; I would never actually do it"

"I trust you, that's why I let you have the control over it" he said as Michelle put Peter's food in front of him followed by a slice of cake for Carla.

"What's this?" Carla asked.

"I'm proud of you for earlier" she said before disappearing again.

"She's not the only one either" Peter smiled, kissing her cheek before they both picked up their forks.