Thank you all for the reviews x
Carla and Peter arrive in Portsmouth after a long and unsettling journey with Evie crying for the whole journey from the hotel they were staying at. Both Carla and Peter were happy to get out of the car and console their very upset daughter as well as recover from the strained cries which were draining them when inside of the car but nonetheless they were both happy to be out of Weatherfield for a bit.
"Oh darlin' I know the car seat can be traumatic" Carla hushes Evie bouncing her slightly as she cries Peter rubbing his hand over Evie's head as she continues to cry
"I'm going to put her in the sling I think," Carla says as Peter nods handing her the sling and helping her put it on hoping that it will help to settle Evie
"Look you see you're ok" Carla whispers as Evie's cries soften to whimpers as Peter chuckles slightly setting up the frame for the car seat in case Carla wanted to transfer Evie to it as well as the changing bag ready to meet Cath and John on the boat
"Shall we get going then?" Peter questions as Carla nods excitedly pushing the pram towards the dock to meet Cath and John
"Peter!" John greets him as Peter pats his back causing Carla to roll her eyes bouncing Evie up and down as she was still unhappy from the car ride
"Hey mate" Peter grins ready to boast about his family to him
"Carla" John nods in her direction kissing her gently on the cheek Carla smiling widely at the affection
"Hey John"
"So this is your kiddo, is it? Little Evie?" John questions as Carla scoops Evie out of the sling to show her to John properly as Evie's face scrunches up causing Carla to roll her eyes
"She looks like you Carla" John remarks as Carla smirks towards Peter who was playing with one of Evie's hands
"Yeah well she's very unhappy right now from being in her car seat, so I'll be glad to get her in" Carla laughs as John nods gesturing for them to both follow him
"Carla! Peter!" Cath beams walking over to them both as Carla hands Evie to Peter so she could hug Cath
"It's so good to see you again" Carla whispers as she hugs Cath who pulls away to head over to Peter who was holding an unsettled Evie still, trying to hush her gently
"Let's see this little one then" Cath beams as Carla takes Evie off Peter to show her to Cath, placing her in her arms
"Oh Carla, she's beautiful" Cath gushes as Evie squirms around in her arms trying to get comfortable Carla rubbing her tummy gently to give her some comfort but Evie just cries in return
"Come here sweetheart" Carla whispers scooping Evie out of Cath's arms and pressing a hand to Evie's forehead to check for temperature but finding nothing "She doesn't feel hot, she must just be unhappy then"
"Right John and I will get the bags, all of Evie's stuff is in here" Peter smiles kissing Carla gently on the lips placing the changing bag on the floor then kissing Evie's forehead before leaving with John to get the rest of the bags
"Would you like a coffee Carla?" Cath offers as Carla nods holding Evie to her chest rubbing her back hoping to stop her whimpering, Cath returning with a tray of coffee for them both
"So then tell me, what are you doing here?"
"Straight to the point, as usual, Cath" Carla smirks as Cath rolls her eyes, Evie looking up at Cath and yawning before her face scrunches up, Carla humming to her gently as Evie shifts around
"You know Michelle-"
"That one who phones you like a million times when your dad died?"
"That's the one, she slept with my brother-"
"What? Sorry to be blunt but isn't he dead?" Cath raises an eyebrow as Carla rolls her eyes
"My other brother-"
"Your other who?" Cath groans in response realising how confusing Carla's family was
"Rob, he's my brother, from my mum's side, anyway before you ask he was in prison for murder and whilst I was in Devon heavily pregnant with Evie he got out then there was an accident at Underworld, well I say accident, he sabotaged the roof and then killed my sister, Kate's fiancée."
"So, let me get this straight, you leave us in December last year then all this happens, you must be cursed"
"Very funny" Carla retorts rolling her eyes again "Look no offence Cath but I came away to forget about this whole situation"
"I understand, why don't you just get into bed and settle your daughter eh? She could probably do with some attention from her mum for a bit"
"Yeah, I guess you're right…are we still in the same room we were in before?" Carla questions scooping Evie off her chest so she could head into the bedroom
"Yeah, it's still the same, love. The bed's already made and there are towels on the bed as well" Cath smiles as Carla nods heading downstairs to her and Peter's bedroom, sliding into bed with Evie on her chest
"Where's Carla?" Peter questions as Cath sighs slightly
"She's downstairs, she seems a little down, I feel as if I may have made her a bit mad" Cath sighs as Peter nods slightly as he walks down to the bottom deck to find Carla
"Can I come in, love?" Peter knocks gently on the door pushing it open slightly to see Carla nursing Evie, tears falling down her face as she does so
"Oh darlin', Cath's really sorry, she thought she pushed a bit too far" Peter whispers cupping her cheek and wiping her tears but Carla just shakes her head to remove his hand
"It wasn't Cath, it's just me, everything's me" Carla states tearfully as Peter holds her close to shush her gently so Evie could continue feeding
"What's going on in that head of yours Carla?" Peter whispers as Carla shakes her head tearfully, Peter planting kisses in her hair to comfort her
"I don't know Peter, I'm scared, I'm angry, I just feel like I'm out of control, the last time I felt like this was when…well you know when" Carla cries as Peter closes his eyes not wanting to think about that dreadful time in her life
"Why now eh?" Peter breaths out blinking the tears away which were forming in his eyes, taking Evie off Carla so he could wind her, grabbing a muslin cloth out of the changing bag and placing it over his shoulder
"I don't know Peter, is this normal when you have a baby? Is it normal to feel so low after having a baby, I love Evie so much and I love being around her but I just feel sadness in the pit of my stomach, she used to make me feel so warm, I just don't know anymore"
"Oh sweetheart, you'll get through this and being away will probably do you the world of good, it'll give you a chance to bond with Evie again without the issues with Michelle and Rob being in your face" Peter suggests as Carla glances to Evie who was snuggled very closely on Peter's shoulder, Carla stroking her cheek with the back of her finger wondering why the world chose her to look after something so precious
"I just need time I think"
"I know, let's see how this week goes and see if you feel any better yeah?"
"Hmm ok, can I have a cuddle?" Carla pouts as Peter chuckles slightly propping Evie up against his chest with a blanket draped over her as Carla grips onto Peter's body wanting to feel close to him
"Might be a little hard to cuddle me with her on my chest" Peter smirks as Carla looks into Evie's eyes, it provided her with so much happiness as well as a contrasting sadness
"I don't want to disappoint her" Carla whispers as Peter presses his lips to her forehead rubbing Evie's back as Peter takes Carla's hand and places it on Evie's head
"Right, take your top off" Peter states as Carla raises an eyebrow
"Not the most suggestive come on I've had" Carla rolls her eyes as Peter chuckles leaning in towards her ear
"Just do it" he whispers as Carla chuckles slightly taking her t-shirt off leaving her just in her tank top "That'll do"
"Ok?" Carla laughs slightly as Peter places Evie down on the bed undressing her so she was out of her clothes causing her to cry at the coldness on her skin, Peter scooping Evie up and stretching Carla's tank top down, placing Evie inside so she could have some skin to skin contact
"Now we drape this over you both and you can have some bonding" Peter whispers stroking Evie's head as she sucks on her hands causing Carla to sigh
"Can you get her a dummy? She's started to suck her hands again by the looks of things" Carla smiles glances down to Evie who was nested in her chest, Peter grabbing a dummy from the changing bag and rubbing it against Evie's lips which she accepts gratefully
"Is that helping you now?" Peter whispers kissing Carla softly on the lips as she glances down to Evie then back up to Peter
"You know what? I could get used to this"
"Me too"
