It was 4 days after the birth and Carla was preparing to go home. She had got dressed and was just packing her bag. Peter arrived with the two car seats. Carla felt nervous, knowing once she left the hospital she was on her own, no nurses there in case something happened. The babies were so tiny. She knew nothing would happen; they won't let them go home if there was a risk.
Carla arrived back at home Peter opened the door for her and she got out the car. Peter passed her one of the car seats before getting the second himself. She put the seats in the middle of the living room floor, two beautiful, sleeping babies. She put the kettle on, gasping for a proper cup of coffee.
"Blimey, you didn't wait long" Peter said as he entered the kitchen
"Hospital coffee is just awful, i don't think they even use coffee in it" she said.
She entered the living room and put her cup on the table next to the sofa, there was a knock at the door.
"It's only us" Deidre shouted as she opened the door.
"Oh, they're gorgeous. Aren't they gorgeous Ken?" she said looking into the seats. They hadn't been to the hospital as they wanted to give Carla some time to bond.
Ken nodded. Simon was sitting on the floor holding the hand of his new baby brother.
"Any names yet?" Deidre asked.
Peter looked at Carla and nodded.
"We've decided on Matilda Rose and Alfie Thomas"
"Oh they're lovely, very traditional" Ken said.
"Can I?" Deidre asked, as she started undoing Matilda's car seat.
Carla nodded.
"Ken? Do you want to hold your new grandson?" Carla asked, getting Alfie out and placing him in his arms.
Peter was in the kitchen making Ken and Deidre a cup of tea.
There was a knock at the door. Carla went and answered it. It was her neighbour Rachel
"I saw you arriving home earlier, thought I'd come over and see how you're doing" she said, handing Carla a huge bouquet of flowers.
"These are from me and couple of the other neighbours, we had a whip round"
Carla was overwhelmed, having a house full of people who actually cared about her.
"They're beautiful" Carla said, looking at the flowers"
She went and put them in a vase as Rachel went into the living room and introduced herself to Ken and Deidre.
There was quite a collection of congratulations cards forming; Carla was struggling to find places to put them.
"Do you fancy staying for dinner?" she asked Ken and Deidre. "We're having Chinese"
"Oh that would be lovely, thank you" Deidre said.
Simon came running down the stairs, faster than his legs could carry him.
"Be careful!" Carla shouted.
"It's snowing!" he shouted back
"Can i go out dad?" He asked. Peter looked at Carla.
"Yes, but put your scarf and gloves on" she told him.
Simon opened the door before putting his shoes, coat, hat, scarf and gloves on.
"Close the door mate, we don't pay to heat the street" Peter said, as Simon closed the door behind him.
A chill blew through the house.
"Oh i think she's hungry" Ken said as Matilda began to cry. Peter went into the kitchen to warm a bottle as Carla tried to calm her slightly. Taking her out the room so as not to wake Alfie, who was still sleeping peacefully.
Carla began feeding Matilda.
"She's definitely inherited her mother's lungs" Peter joked. Carla just looked at him, too tired to joke.
"Can my friend come in and meet my new baby brother?" Simon said as the front door flung open suddenly.
"And sister..." Peter said
"Which friend?" Carla asked.
"Lucy" Simon said quietly as he appeared in the living room doorway.
Carla wondered how long life would be this hectic, people arriving unannounced, everyone wanting to hold the babies, her babies.
"I'm going to go now" Rachel said. "I'll come back tomorrow if you like?"
"Yeah that would be nice" Carla said. She was dreading being on her own while Peter was at work.
A few hours, a couple of feeds and couple of nappies changes later and Peter woke Carla who had been sleeping for about half an hour, he handed her a menu .
"What do you want for dinner love" he asked her.
Carla browsed the menu, bleary eyed.
"Chicken Chow Mein please" she said as she handed the menu back to him.
"Do you want a coffee" he asked.
"mmmm" Carla nodded.
She stood up just as Alfie started to stir. She stood over his Moses Basket and rubbed his hand
"shhhh" she said, soothingly.
They finished their dinner, Ken and Deidre said they were going to leave now and give them some space. Carla and Peter decided to bath the twins. Matilda was awake so they bathed her first. Simon helped by passing them cotton wool and things.
After bathing, and feeding the babies Carla and Peter put them in their moses baskets and Simon went to bed. Peter sat and watched a film that was started and Carla slept on the sofa until the next feed.
After the 11pm feeds, Carla and Peter went to bed. Carla was asleep within minutes of getting into bed. She kept waking every half an hour or so to check that the babies were ok. At around 2am the twins woke up, only a couple of minutes apart. Peter went down to get bottles and Carla tried to sooth them by rocking their cradles. They were screaming so loudly. It was heart wrenching, Carla could feel her eyes filling with tears. She picked Alfie up and was rocking him in her arms, singing quietly to him.
Simon came into the bedroom as they had woken him up.
"Do you want help?" he asked her, as he tried to soothe Matilda in her cradle.
"It's ok darling, you go back to bed sweetie" she said, feeling terrible that they had woken him in the middle of the night.
As Simon was leaving the room Peter arrived with the bottles. Carla sat on the bed and began feeding Alfie. Peter picked Matilda up, and began feeding her. They finished their bottles; they were winded and rocked gently till the fell asleep. Carla got back into bed, falling asleep quickly. Peter lay there awake for a while. Wondering how Carla would cope while he was at work. He knew deep down she'd be ok. She had support. Ken and Deidre had offered to have Simon so Carla didn't have to worry about him too but Peter wondered whether having Simon might be more helpful for her. Eventually he fell asleep.
