Back to normality?

Chapter 49

The next morning, Carla awoke at just after eight; having took a tablet the night before, she had slept through for the first time in weeks. Seeing an empty space next to her, she found Peter in the kitchen, feeding Matilda; with a coffee in hand, she took a seat at the table.

"Morning love, how did you sleep?"

"Much better, did she wake at all?" She asked, stroking her daughters hair.

"No, she was out of it, just like her mom; can I get you anything to eat?" He asked, putting the bowl in the sink as she took her tablets.

"I'm okay"

"You sure?" He asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sure; I'm gonna head to the gym with Chelle for a bit. If that's okay with you?"

"Course it is; you do whatever will make things better for you but will you at least have a banana" he asked, offering a compromise.

"Okay, I'm gonna get ready"

By the time she'd returned from the gym two hours later, she was feeling a little more refreshed and like herself; after a quick shower and change into her jeans, boots, black and grey top and leather jacket, she was ready to face the day.

"There's your mommy" Peter smiled to his daughter sat on his hip as Carla came out of the bedroom. "You look more like the old Carla"

"I feel it too" she smiled, taking Tilly into her arms. "Can we hit some of the sales?"

"If that's what you want?"

"It is, little miss Tilly here needs new clothes"

"And I'm guessing so does mommy?" He smirked, getting the bag ready.

"Don't hurt to look" she smiled at him.

"Okay"

An hour later, they were walking round Next's children's section, Tilly sat happily in the pushchair with her toys hanging from the handle; as Peter pushed the pushchair, Carla whizzed around and picked several outfits. All the practice she'd had settling herself over the years, she knew how to pick the right items; not wanting to burst her bubble or bring on another trigger, Peter smiled and nodded along as she showed him things. With a basket full of outfits, they headed over towards the womens section where Carla took her time, looking through every section before settling on a few choices; with three large bags, they exited the store and headed towards some of the more expensive stores, picking up another couple of items before Peter noticing Carla starting to tire. Finding a cafe, he sent Carla to find a table whilst he ordered two coffees and two jacket potatoes with Chilli and salad; drinks in hand, he joined her at the table where she had Tilly on her lap, drinking her bottle.

"Anywhere else you want to go?" He asked he put sugar in their drinks.

"We should get Si something and I want to get Michelle something to say thank you"

"Si doesn't need anything else, he had everything he wanted for Christmas"

"But we brought Tilly a lot"

"She's growing and fast; besides, Si's earning his own money now, if he wants something, he'll go and buy it"

"True" she sighed.

"And as for Michelle, she doesn't expect anything for helping you; she did it because she wanted to. She knew you were struggling and she wanted to help; a simple thank you would suffice"

"I'm still buying her something" she insisted as their food was placed in front of them.

By the time they arrived back at Victoria Court, Matilda was wide awake and Carla was ready to fall asleep; getting out the car, Matilda squealed, excitedly as she saw Michelle walking over.