'I think we need to have a little talk.' Lainey, the paediatrician, says as she sits on the edge of the bed.
'I know what you're going to say.' Carla mumbles cradling her newborn against her chest.
'First I want to say congratulations and tell you that your son is beautiful and perfect.' Lainey says as tears stream down Carla's cheeks.
'But we do believe that he has Down Syndrome.' She adds and Carla lets out a sob. She glances down at her son and places a loving kiss on his forehead. She knew this was a possible outcome, she thought she had prepared herself for it but apparently not.
'But Carla, he is beautiful... And perfect.' Lainey says smiling.
'He's okay?' Nick asks, his hand gently touching his son's cheek.
'He's fine. I've checked him over and everything seems to do fine. We have booked him in for a scan on his heart, just to on the hole we found.' Lainey replies.
'When will that be?' Nick asks.
'We'd like to get it done as soon as possible. We have a space in 15 minutes but if you both need sometime to digest everything that is fine, we do understand.' Lainey replies.
'I-I think we'd rather it gets done as soon as we can.' Carla says glancing up at Nick who nods his head.
'Yeah. Can we come with him?' Nick asks.
'Only one of you can come. I'd advise Carla to stay here, you're recovering from major surgery.' Lainey replies.
'But Nick can be with him all times?' Carla asks glancing from her son to Lainey.
'Of course.' Lainey replies.
'Okay.' Carla says quietly. She leans down placing a kiss on her son's head before passing him to Nick.
'Don't leave him.' She says looking up at Nick.
'I won't... Do you want me to ask my mum to come in?' Nick asks.
'Chelle... I want Chelle.' She replies and he nods his head.
'Okay I'll get her on our way up to get the scan done, is that okay?' He asks glancing up at Lainey.
'That's fine.' She replies. He places the baby into the plastic crib and kisses Carla's forehead before they leave the room.
'Hey, love...' Michelle says smiling sympathetically as she makes her way into the hospital room.
'Chelle...' Carla sobs.
'Hey... Hey... Come here.' Michelle says wrapping her arms around her best friend.
'I'm scared, Chelle.' Carla admits.
'I know you are sweetheart...' Michelle says gently rubbing Carla's back.
'What if there's a problem with his heart? What if we lose him Chelle? I can't lose him.' Carla sobs.
'Hey, you look at me okay? You're not going to lose him. That little boy is a fighter, he has been since day one. So you've got to think positive, okay?' Michelle says.
'Can you stay until they get back? I don't want to be on my own.' Carla admits.
'I'm here as long as you need me.' Michelle replies.
'Hey... I was getting worried.' Carla says as Nick makes his way through door pushing the plastic crib.
'Sorry they were running late.' Lainey replies making her way into the room behind Nick.
'Is everything okay?' Carla asks watching Nick lift their son and place him in her arms.
'Everything is fine. The hole does appear to have closed on it's own which is great. We didn't find anything else wrong with his heart so everything seems great.' Lainey replies.
'That's good, right?' Michelle asks from her position on the edge of the bed.
'Yeah, it's great. Have you tried feeding him, Carla?' Lainey asks and Carla nods her head.
'He nursed for a little bit earlier.' She replies.
'And he was okay latching on and things?' Lainey asks.
'Yeah, he was really good actually. Latched on straight away.' Carla replies.
'Well that's good... I'm going to leave you to introduce your little boy to the rest of your family but if you need anything just buzz.' Lainey says smiling before leaving the room.
'Do you want to go get your mum?' Carla asks smiling up at Nick who nods his head.
'Oh my gosh... He's beautiful. Congratulations!' Gail says instantly rushing over to where Carla is cradling the baby.
'Thank you. Do you want to hold him?' Carla asks and Gail nods her head. Carla passes her son over to Gail and leans back against the pillows.
'Oh aren't you just perfect... Is he okay?' Gail asks and Nick nods his head.
'He's fine, mum... He has got Down Syndrome but the hole in his heart has closed on it's own and he's feeding fine.' He replies smiling.
'So do we get to find out this little guy's name?' Michelle asks making her way over to Gail and the baby.
'Theodore Royston Tilsley.' Carla replies smiling.
'Welcome to the world, Theodore... We're going to love you so much.' Gail says.
'You okay?' Nick asks sitting down on the bed next to Carla.
'Mmm... Just a bit sore.' She replies resting her head on his shoulder.
'Do you need more pain relief? I can buzz and ask?' He asks and she shakes her head.
'No, I'm not that sore. I'm fine.' She replies.
'Okay. Just let me know if you need anything.' He says kissing the top of her head.
'Someone wants their mummy.' Nick says smiling as he places Theodore in Carla's arms. Gail and Michelle left a little over an hour ago and Theodore got dressed in his first little outfit, a blue stripey sleepsuit.
'How crazy is it that we were doing this exact same thing just over a year ago.' Carla says pulling her pyjama top down and letting Theodore latch on.
'I know. I can't wait to see Flo-Belle tomorrow.' Nick replies.
'Hopefully we don't need to stay here too long... They've said we'll be here for at least three days I think but I just can't wait to get home.' She says.
'Mmm... How are you feeling? Emotionally?' He asks.
'I don't really know. Does that sound really stupid? I feel like it'll take a while for it to sink in, although we knew it was a possible outcome I still feel like I wasn't prepared for it at all.' She replies.
'That's understandable... We're going to be okay, you know?' He asks.
'I know... As long as I have you by my side I know I'll always be okay.' She replies.
