'You're daddy's coming to see you today...' Carla says smiling down at Penelope as she lies on the changing table.
'How are you feeling about today?' Michelle asks as she leans against the doorframe.
'Scared... What if see him and all those feelings come rushing back, Chelle. I don't want to be that mess I was eight months ago.' Carla admits and Michelle sighs.
'I thought you liked Alex?' Michelle asks and Carla nods her head.
'I do. I do but Alex isn't Nick, is he? He's not the man I married, the man I pictured myself growing old with.' Carla replies.
'Do you think you've maybe been confusing the feeling you have for Alex with the feelings you have for Nick? Trying to replace Nick with Alex?' Michelle asks.
'I don't know. I just know that Alex has been great these past eight months and I really don't want to lose him.' Carla replies quickly changing Penelope's nappy.
'I think you maybe need to just breathe Carla. I was thinking last night and I know Nick fucked up but I do think he cares about you and Penelope... You gave birth on your own, would you have wanted Leanne to go through that?' Michelle asks and Carla shakes her head.
'I've been a bitch... I've been a bitch because I'm still so angry, so angry that I fucked our relationship by fucking the chef.' Carla admits causing Michelle to sigh.
'I think you're a bit confused, love. You're feelings for Nick and you're feelings for Alex are all getting muddled and you need to take some time out from it all. Nobody can blame you for moving on if you do decide Alex is the one you want to make things work with but if you want to try sort things out with Nick then maybe you should distance yourself from Alex a bit, not completely because he does seem like a great friend to you.' Michelle says and Carla nods her head.
'Do you want me and Johnny to stay in while Nick is here?' Michelle asks watching Carla lift Penelope into her arms.
'No, could you go out for a bit? I think this is something I need to do on my own.' Carla replies causing Michelle to smile.
'That's fine. We'll go for a wander.' Michelle says.
It's a little after 3pm when there is a knock at the front door and Carla opens it to reveal Nick.
'Hi.' He says quietly and she smiles slightly.
'Hi, come on in.' She replies stepping out the way. He makes his way into the house and she leads his through to the living room.
'Carla, I'm so sorry about the weekend.' He says and she shakes her head.
'We all make mistakes... She's over there. I've decided on the name Penelope Michelle but you're more than welcome to add another middle name or something if you'd like.' She replies and he peeks in the Moses basket.
'Oh my god...' He whispers, tears filling his eyes as he gazes down at his daughter, the baby girl they created together.
'You can lift her up and bring her over to the sofa and I'll tell you more about her if you want?' Carla suggests and he smiles.
'I'd like that.' He replies. He carefully lifts Penelope into his arms and carries her over to the sofa where Carla is already sitting.
'The pregnancy was tough, really tough actually. At one point I was so sure I was losing her, I got put on bedrest for a couple of weeks and everything... Then she was born at 37 weeks, she wasn't breathing at all. It was so scary but they got her breathing again and she spent six days in the NICU which was horrendous, seeing her all hooked up to those machines with the constant beeping. There was this little boy in the incubator next to us, he was so cute but so tiny. I got speaking to his mum and I used to keep an eye on him which she went to the canteen and she'd keep an eye on Penelope when I went. Kyle, that was his name. He was doing so well, getting stronger by the day and then he got an infection. An infection that his tiny little body couldn't fight...' Carla says, tears filling her eyes as the memories of those first six days of her daughter's life come flooding back.
'He was only 4 days old, born the day before Penelope. Anyway, the day before we left the hospital they ruled out any severe brain damage but they can't rule out mild damage.' Carla adds and Nick gasps. He glances down at Penelope, their perfect baby girl who could have this huge problem to deal with for the rest of her life.
'I'm so sorry, Nick. I done everything I was supposed to... I tried really hard to keep her safe.' Carla says, tears streaming down her cheeks.
'Hey, I'm sure none of this is your fault. She's absolutely perfect and I know regardless of what happens with her health we're both going to love her so much.' He replies placing his hand on her knee as she takes a deep breath.
'I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner and I will forever regret missing her birth and the pregnancy. I'll forever feel guilty that you had to go through this all on your own but I promise, if you let me, I'll be here every step of the way from now on.' He says and she nods her head.
'I'd really like that Nick.' She replies.
'I know you live in Weatherfield and I live down here but I really want to make this work, she needs her daddy in her life.' Carla says causing him to smile.
'I'll move down here if I have to...' He replies.
'Really?' She asks.
'Mmm... Of course I will. I don't want you to have to deal with all this on your own anymore. I'm her dad, I should take on some responsibility as well.' He replies and she instantly bursts into tears.
'I-Is that not what you want? I thought you wanted me to be in her life.' He says and she shakes her head.
'I do, I do... That's all I've wanted for the last eight months.' She admits.
'Where are you staying?' She asks watching as he leans down and kisses the top of Penelope's head.
'That little B&B down the road... Can I come back tomorrow and spend some more time with her?' He asks and she nods her head.
'Of course you can, Nick. You are welcome here anytime you want.' She replies and he smiles.
'Thank you.' He says quietly. He passes Penelope to Carla and smiles slightly as the little girl whimpers and curls up against her mother's chest.
'You're a natural.' He adds and Carla smiles.
'I try.' She says.
'Give yourself more credit, Carla. You're clearly a fantastic mum and I'm so grateful that you've allowed me to be part of this little girl's life.' He replies smiling.
'Thanks, Nick.' She says softly.