This is going to be a quick filler chapter ready for the next one...think of it as a build up?
10th August 2023
Carla was released yesterday from the unit, she made great progress and Peter had made sure they had the new layout of the twins nursery in place, with Daniel and Adam's help of course, to make Carla's adjustment into the outside world a bit easier for her. She had a good first night and slept peacefully through apart from the times when the twins woke needing her attention. Peter wanted to make sure she took each day at a time and he knew today would be a challenge. Carla remembered that they had a holiday booked for LA in a couple of weeks after the cousins meetup and she was determined to go out and see her friend Suzie but she was worried about how she would cope in a foreign country but she knew if she had Peter she could do anything she wanted as he was more than ready to support her.
Today was the day when Eva and Susie would be coming over from France to stay with Johnny and with that she was more than excited about the day ahead knowing that it would be interesting to see how Aidan reacted with his cousin considering they had never met, as well as Carla going to a family meetup without being under the influences of psychosis, with the twins ready to take pride in them meeting their relatives with her present.
"Come on love we need to get ready" Peter groans standing in the doorway of the bedroom, Carla trying to pick out an outfit
"I know that I just want everything to be perfect today and you harassing me is not helping, what are we even doing anyway? Staying at Johnny's is going to be twice as boring for Aidan, he's going to run havoc"
"Yes I know that that's why I have at least five portable chargers for the iPad that you told me to get a couple of days ago" Peter drones as Carla glares at him before sauntering off into the ensuite to change into a black dress
"You look…"
"Like I've given birth to 4 children?"
"No… you look amazing" Peter smiles bringing her into a hug kissing her neck gently as she gasps pulling away from his embrace as Florence starts to stir in the cot she was looking at through the baby monitor
"And look who's awake" Carla grins heading off into the nursery and taking Florence out ready to change her into a t-shirt and leggings before handing her to Peter and doing the same with Isobel who starts to cry
"Ok, we know it's really traumatic" Carla drones finishing changing Isobel and picking her up as well as the changing bag as they go downstairs to see Aidan colouring in his colouring book which Johnny got for him
"Right Aidan we're going" Carla smiles as Peter laughs putting Isobel and Florence into the pram as Carla puts Aidan's shoes on
"All done, let's get going before one of them starts playing up"
"Carla!" Johnny smiles giving her a hug as Aidan chucks his arms up in the air wanting to be carried
"Hey mate do you want some food?" Johnny questions as Carla rolls her eyes at Aidan's nod in response
"Nothing too sugary though I want him to sleep tonight!" Carla calls through to the kitchen as Peter laughs, Kate entering the room
"Hey guys, what times Eva coming?" Kate questions as Johnny appears with Aidan on his hip who was eating a biscuit
"Around mid day I think she's looking forward to meeting the girls and Aidan so it will be interesting to see how they get along" Johnny grins placing Aidan down on the floor
"What are we planning to do then?" Peter questions watching Isobel stir in the pram, lifting her out so she could see what was going on
"We were actually thinking about going down to the beach with them both considering the weather's meant to be nice" Johnny shrugs as Peter laughs knowing the beaches werent exactly good here
"Not that horrible stony beach on the west coast?" Carla questions as Johnny shakes his head
"No I was going to drive you all down south, Devon to be precise, to where the weather is a bit better and the beaches are a lot more nicer and sandy" Johnny smiles as Carla nods grinning at Aidan who was now playing with Kate
"Peter could do the drive as well, he used to be a cabby, which part of Devon are we going to then?"
"Ilfracombe, there's this lovely bay there and lots to do…me and Eva we were thinking about hiring out a cabin in one of the parks there if you guys are up for it, just for the weekend?" Johnny questions as Peter glances to Carla who sighs
"Bit short notice isn't it?" she chuckles
"It'll be great, there's a lot of things for the kids to do such as going to the beach which is only a short drive…there's a pool good entertainment in the evenings and a play area for the kids as well as indoor play…they'll love it, come on what do you say you still have a day to pack then we hit the road"
"Fine just this once and because Eva and Susie are coming" Carla agrees as Peter hands her Isobel who looks up at her
"I'll show you the pictures Car" Kate smiles getting her phone up to show her the photos
"Hi guys" Eva grins holding Susie's hand as Johnny goes to give them both a hug
"Hiya Eva" Carla smiles gesturing for her to sit down as Peter bounces Florence up and down trying to entertain her
"So is this Aidan then?" Eva grins as Aidan wave at her
"Hi" he grins handing her his iPad to look at
"Wow" Eva gasps as Aidan slides off the sofa pushing Carla's leg to make her move up next to Kate as Susie walks off to speak to Johnny
"He's amazing Carla… I can see bits of Aidan in him" Eva smiles as Aidan looks up, perplexed
"Yeah? I don't know really Peter says he looks like me but I don't see it to be honest" Carla chuckles as Aidan give her a hug before holding Isobel's hand
"So which one is which" Eva laughs gesturing to the twins
"I've made it easy for you…Florence likes to wear the headband whereas Isobel hates it so it's likely when you see them Florence will be wearing the accessories and Isobel won't be"
"Right I'll have to remember that….Susie some here a minute and meet your cousin" Eva says as Susie walks out dragging Johnny's arm wanting him there
"Say hi to Aidan" Eva grins as Susie gives Aidan a hug, melting everyone's hearts
"Hello" Susie grins as Peter laughs at the union entertaining Florence with a toy he had
"Can she speak French?" Carla questions to Eva as she nods
"Oui" Susie replies cheekily as Carla raises her eyebrows causing Eva to laugh
"So how do you say 'My name is Susie' in French" Eva prompts as Susie grins
"Je m'appelle Susie" Susie beams as Carla shakes her in shock
"We need to start teaching him languages" Carla points to Peter who raises an eyebrow
"No thanks…I don't like the fact he could say something offensive to us and we not know what it was" Peter retorts as Carla nods knowing he would probably do that when he reached the point of being a teenager
"So what's the plan for the rest of the day Johnny?" Eva questions as Johnny puts his mug down
"Well I've invited everyone who is currently in the room to the lodge, we need to invite 'Chelle, Steve and Ava as well, so I need to change the booking to the twelve person one which shouldn't be a problem but otherwise for the rest of the day? Family meal at the bistro?"
"Sure I meant that's fine by me and Susie…I need to go and see Leanne first though"
"Carla and Peter can reserve a table-"
"Wow how did I know that was going to happen then?" Carla retorts as Johnny grins Peter handing Florence to her as she pokes Isobel
"Maybe you're psychic?" Peter smirks as Carla glares at him sending a text off to the manager
"Right I'll head off…come on Susie let's go and see your Auntie Leanne and Toyah"
"They're going to be the best of friend y'know" Peter nudges Carla taking Eva's space on the sofa, pointing to Aidan who was back playing with Kate
"Yeah I guess they will be…"