'Hey, you...' Carla whispers softly as she lifts Freddie out of his co-sleeper and into her arms. She glances at the clock before carrying him through to the nursery. It's a little after 5:30am and Nick is still sleeping soundly in bed. She sits down on the glider and drapes a large blue polka dot print blanket over both her and Freddie as she pulls her top down allowing her son to latch on.
'What are we going to do today, little one? It's daddy's first day back at work and I've got you all to myself... We could go for a walk, maybe have some lunch at Roy's.' She says glancing down at the seven day old infant.
At only one week old Freddie has already became the centre of both Carla and Nick's world. Carla, who was once so sure she'd be back at work as soon as possible, is now considering how much time she can take off without it seeming over the top. Nick, who spent months worrying that he couldn't love anyone nearly as much as he loves Carla, was completely overwhelmed by love when the placed his son his arms.
'Mummy's tired, Freddie...' Carla mumbles as she yawns.
'In fact, mummy's exhausted but your perfect little face makes it all worth while. You make everything worth while.' She says smiling down at him.
'All the sickness, all the pain, all those months of getting fat... None of that matters now that I've got you here in my arms.' She adds.
'That's me leaving.' Nick says as he sits on the edge of the bed.
'I'm going to miss you...' Carla admits placing her hand on his cheek as she keeps Freddie cradled against her chest.
'I'll get back as soon as I can babe but the inspectors are coming and-' He begins.
'Nick, it's fine. I'll be okay on my own... I can cope, you know.' She replies smiling.
'I know. I don't doubt that you can but you're still recovering and I wanted to be here for you.' He says.
'I know you do and you have been. You've been amazing this past week but we both know you have to go back to work at some point.' She replies causing him to sigh.
'I didn't plan to go back this quickly. I thought two, maybe three weeks off after he was born.' Nick says.
'We'll still be here when you get back from work, Nick. Maybe we could do something as a family? Go to the Rovers for a drink or we could cuddle up on the sofa with a film?' She suggests as Freddie pulls away from her breast.
'That sounds good, great even... Promise me you'll phone me if you need me.' He says watching as she begins to burp Freddie.
'I promise.' She replies.
'Okay... I'm gonna go and I'll be back as soon as I can.' He says leaning down to kiss her.
'Can you take the pram down and pop it in the car? I might take Freddie for a walk later and I don't want to have to manage the pram and him downstairs.' She asks.
'Of course I can.' He replies smiling. He kisses the top of Freddie's head and smiles at Carla.
'I love you.' She says and he nods his head.
'I know you do... I love you too.' He replies.
'Now get to work Tilsley or else the place might fall apart.' She says causing him to laugh.
'I'll bring you back a brownie or two.' He replies before turning and making his way out the bedroom door.
'Where shall we go first? I'd suggest we go see daddy but we don't want to interrupt him when those big bad inspectors are in, do we?' Carla says smiling as she places Freddie in his pram.
'Auntie Carla?' A familar voice says causing her to turn around.
'Ryan! When did you get back?' She asks instantly hugging him.
'Yesterday.' He replies.
'Why did no one tell me? I would've came straight over to see you.' She says.
'I wanted to surprise you. Plus mum said you'd kinda wanted to keep visitors to a minimum for the first week or so.' He replies.
'You are one visitor that I would never turn away. What are you up to?' She asks.
'I was actually just coming to see you.' He replies and she smiles.
'Well why don't we go to Roy's and get some lunch? I'd suggest the Bistro but they've got some inspectors coming and I don't want to distract Nick.' She says and he smiles.
'Sounds great.' He replies. They quickly make their way to the cafe and sit down at a table in the corner.
'What do you want Auntie Carla? I'm buying.' Ryan says as Carla peeks into the pram at Freddie.
'Don't be silly, Ry... I'll get it.' She replies looking up at him.
'Auntie Carla, I'm buying lunch so what are you having?' He asks.
'Just a ham salad roll and a coffee please.' She replies smiling.
'Okay.' He says making his way to the counter.
'So do I get to meet this little guy?' Ryan asks gesturing to the pram.
'Of course.' She replies smiling. She stands up and carefully lifts Freddie into her arms.
'This is Freddie Nicholas Tilsley. He was born on the 1st of January and weighed 6lbs 9oz.' She says placing the little boy in her nephew's arms.
'He's beautiful Auntie Car... How are things with Nick? Are you happy?' He asks and she smiles.
'I am, Ryan... I'm happier than I've been in a long time.' She replies sitting back down and sipping her coffee.
'I'm glad. Nick seems like a good guy from what mum's told me.' He says and she nods her head.
'He is, Ryan... He really is.' She replies.
'Anyway... Are you going to be here for my wedding?' She asks as she glances down at Freddie.
'Of course I will.' He replies and she smiles.
'Good because I was wondering... Would you walk down the aisle with me, Ryan?' She asks.
'What? Are you being serious?' He asks and she nods her head.
'If you don't want to that's fine. I was going to ask Roy but I'd really like you to do it.' She replies and he smiles.
'Then I'd love to.' He says.
'Sweetheart? Where are you?' Nick asks as he makes his way into the flat.
'The nursery.' His fiancée replies. Smiling he makes his way through to the nursery, brown paper bag in hand.
'Hey... Good day?' Carla asks as Nick walks into the room.
'Mmm... I wouldn't say that. You?' He asks and she nods her head.
'Yeah... Ryan's back.' She replies and he smiles.
'Oh is he? That's good... I brought you some brownies. Do you want one?' He asks holding the bag up.
'I'd love one but I don't have any free hands.' She says glancing down at Freddie who is nursing happily.
'But you do have a wonderful fiancé.' He replies taking a brownie from the bag. He holds it out in front of her and smiles as she leans forward to take a bite.
'What would I do without you, ey?' She mumbles smiling.
'You know after everything that happened with Peter, the cheating and losing my baby girl... I didn't want any of this, I wasn't looking for any of this. I was so sure I was going to be single for the rest of my life... Then you came along.' She says looking up at him.
'Yeah?' He asks and she nods her head.
'You saved me, Nicky Tilsley... You saved me from a lifetime of misery, a lifetime of being alone... You've given me everything I never knew I even wanted.' She replies.
'I love you.' He says.
'I love you too.' She replies.