Back to normality?

Chapter 70

Four weeks later, with the honeymoon over and Michelle looking after Matilda, Peter and Carla headed to the hospital's maternity unit for their twelve week scan; the morning sickness had well and truly hit with a vengeance and even going to the hospital was an effort.

"Love, we're here" he said, noticing she had dozed off in the passenger seat.

"Mmm" she muttered, rubbing her eyes and looking at him.

"Come on, let's get you inside"

Locking up, he took her hand before wrapping an arm around her shoulder in comfort; booking her in, they sat in the waiting room for their turn.

"Peter...I feel sick" she whispered.

"I know you do; want some water?" He offered, giving her the bottle they'd brought with them.

Shaking her head, she bent forward and rocked back and forth, Peter's hand rubbing her back until her name was called.

"Carla Barlow?" A nurse called from the end of the waiting room.

Taking her hand, Peter led her to the waiting consultation room where she was directed to sit on the bed whilst her observations were checked; noticing her blood pressure was slightly raised, the midwife made a note of it before turning back to her patient. 

"How have you been feeling Carla?"

"Tired, feel sick all the time" she answered.

"The morning sickness does seem to have kicked in with full force over the last couple of days; she's struggling to keep anything down" Peter added.

"Okay, we can get the doctor to prescribe some antisickness tablets which should help; any other symptoms?"

"Not really"

"Let's have a look at your baby"

Whilst the midwife set the ultrasound machine up, Carla laid back on the bed and lifted her top up, tucking it just under her bra; taking her hand, Peter kissed it and rested a hand on her hair.

"This will be cold" the midwife warned as she squeezed the gel onto her stomach and reached for the wand.

After a few tense seconds, a rapid heartbeat could be heard throughout the room followed by a sigh of relief from Carla; taking a few measurements and screenshots, the midwife turned back to the couple.

"Everything is looking good and on track; your blood pressure is a little high but given how you're feeling, that could explain it. I would recommend getting your gp to check it again in a few days; try eating plain foods like bread or crackers, small bites when you feel up to it. Do you have any other questions?"

"No"

"Okay, i'll let you get cleaned up and I'll go and get your prescription"

As the midwife left, Carla wiped the gel off and sat up; staring at the screen, Peter squeezed her hand and waited for her to look at him.

"That's our baby there" he smiled. "Our second miracle"

"It makes it more real, seeing it properly"

"It does" he agreed. "But...you are coping brilliantly; how about we wait for the midwife to come back and then we can head home? Maybe stop and take a walk round the Red Rec?"

"Okay"

Twenty minutes later, hand in hand, the began a slow walk; he'd noticed Carla had been quiet for most of the journey back but he was hoping the fresh air would help.

"You okay?" He asked. "You're quiet"

"Sorry"

"You don't need to apologise; talk to me?"

"We're having another baby" she said, simply.

"Yeah, we're are; how are you doing? Any anxiety or negative thoughts?"

"I'm okay...I think; I'm tired and feel nauseous all the time but I don't feel like I want to avoid going out or seeing people"

"That's good"

"But...I want, need, time to process it all; I know we have to work and cover for Michelle but I don't want to let it consume me again"

"Let what consume you?"

"The fear...of not been good enough, of am I doing the right thing?" She admitted.

"Love, you are more than good enough and capable of been an awesome mom to this little one, just like you are with Matilda; we went through the pros and cons of everything before we even considered doing this. We are ready, you are ready"

"I, just, what if it all goes wrong? Or i relapse again?"

"Then...we deal with it, together; if I think you are starting to show any signs of relapsing, I'll get you the help you need. Promise me something though?" He asked, stopping her from walling any further.

"What?"

"Keep talking to me; don't think you have to keep all this bottled up. We can use some of your old techniques if you think it would help; it doesn't mean you're going backwards."

"Can we go home? Cuddle up with our baby girl?" She asked.

"Whatever you want" he smiled, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and bringing her in for a side hug as they headed back to the car.