Chapter 4
It was one week away from Carla's due date, the bag was packed and Peter was waiting on Carla hand and foot. Carla was still popping into work for a few hours a day, much to Peters anger, she wouldn't stop until she had the baby she hated feeling helpless and bored.
'Pete I'm just popping into work, I'll be back in a bit' Carla knew that her going into the factory would worry Peter but he was only a phone call away if something was happening.
Carla arrived at the factory and all the workers were shocked that she was still coming in.
'Carla you're looking a bit pale, are you feeling okay?' Michelle asked, concerned for her heavily pregnant best friend.
'Yeah I'm great Chelle, never been better' what Carla had told Michelle wasn't exactly true as she had been feeling tired and achy the past few days and she felt a sharp pain in her stomach earlier that morning but Carla being Carla still decided to carry on as usual.
'Chelle I'd love a brew, could you make us one please?' the truth is that Carla just wanted Michelle out the room because she was having another sharp pain in her stomach. She didn't want to call Peter and worry him so she left it until the pains got worse.
'Ah thanks, you're a star'
The pains seemed to have gone and Carla was getting on with her work when Peter arrived at her office door
'Peter what are you doing here?, I said I was fine'
'I know Car but I was just checking up on you'
Carla stood up and went over to the door to hint to Peter that she wanted him to leave. Peter went over to hug Carla when she felt another sharp pain and a gush of water fall from her.
'Oh my god Peter, I think my waters have broken' Peter called for Michelle and she ran in to help Carla and take her to the hospital with Peter.
'Look guys I don't think we need to go to the hospital yettttttt' as Carla said that she had another contraction 'Okay yes I think we should go now'
The drive to the hospital was slow and was full of roadworks and red lights, Carlas contractions we getting stronger and Peter was getting worried that they might not make it in time.
Eventually they did make it and Peter rushed Carla into the hospital.
'Right I can confirm that Carla is in labour and she is about 5cm dilated'
'5CM? ARE YOU SURE?' Carla thought that she was ready to start pushing, now she knew that this was going to be a very long labour.
6 hours later and Carla was finally ready to push, Peter had gone to get some food as it was late and almost missed the birth.
Shortly after Carla gave birth to a 6lb 4oz beautiful baby girl, Carla and Peter fell in love instantly with their tiny baby girl. She had Carla's dark hair and Peters big eyes, they were both in tears at the sight of their little bundle of joy. Peter called Ken and Deirdre to tell them the good news and they said that they would pop round later. Although Carla was overjoyed but her daughter she was absolutely terrified, she had never looked after anything before and now she had a person to care for, of course she had Peter to help her but there would be moment when they would be left alone with her baby and she was dreading it.
'Peter, I don't know if I can do this' Peter could see the fear in Carla's eyes and it broke his heart.
'Of course you can baby, you're already a natural look at you with her she loves you, you're her mother'
'But what if I can't bond with her, she's so vulnerable. I guess I'm just overwhelmed but I never thought I would be a mother and it terrifies me.'
'Look Carla you've got me, Mum, Dad and Chelle to help you, we're going to make mistakes but we'll do great job in the end'
'Yeah I guess so, I'm just hormonal. Pete I'm going to feed her she is looking hungry'
Peter knew she would be fine, Carla could already tell that she was hungry and she had only been in the world an hour.
'Peter we need to name her, we can't keep calling her baby'
'Well I had been thinking of some names actually, I like Bella,
'Baby I love it' 'Welcome to the world Bella Barlow' she kissed her daughter and put her in her cot as Carla needed to get some well-deserved rest. Whilst Carla was asleep Peter picked up Bella and sang her a lullaby and talked to her. Carla woke up after a few hours' sleep and she could hear Peter talking to their daughter, she didn't want Peter to know that she could hear him so Carla pretended to be asleep for a little longer as she loved hearing Peter talking to their daughter.
'You see Bella I didn't get to be much of a part of my son Simons' life when he was a baby, but I promise I will be here for you forever and you're beautiful mummy and I will give you everything and more' he placed a kiss of her forehead and as he did that Carla turned round to face him with tears in her eyes.
'I love you so much Peter, and our baby girl'
