Thank you for the reviews, this chapter was interesting to write and for once I didn't waffle through it!
I hope you like this direction that I'm taking this story I might try to get two chapters out today so keep watching...
New Year was something which was very welcome and gave Carla and Peter a positive outlook for the future, no matter how daunting it seemed to them both right now. Michelle and Steve stayed for New Year and they all celebrated in style with watching the fireworks on the TV as well as toasting to new beginnings. When new year left, so did Steve and Michelle leaving Carla and Peter to talk about Emma's predicament as well as the future.
Today they were heading to the doctors in a bid to be referred to a specialist regarding Emma's inability to keep up with children her age, both Carla and Peter definitely knew the outcome as it was discussed in their deepest and darkest of times when they felt down about anything and everything.
"What time do we need to leave?" Carla yawns padding into the living room with Emma on her hip
"Around mid-day," Peter says as Carla nods placing Emma in her high chair as she goes to the fridge to make her some breakfast "She's up early"
"I know," Carla says quietly as Peter wraps his arms around her waist kissing her on the back of her head "Why don't you go and check on Hayley?"
"Yeah, I'll do that" Peter replies kissing her one last time on the head as she smiles "You be good for mummy," he says tickling Emma under the chin who smiles widely but no giggle as always causing him to sigh lightly and head in to deal with Hayley
"Shall we try and feed you?" Carla questions as Emma smiles at her as she sits down opposite with a bowl of pureed fruit; Carla actively spooning some onto the spoon as Peter returns with Hayley "Open up" Carla says making motions with her mouth as Emma opens hers allowing Carla to put the food into her mouth
"Mummy!" Hayley calls as Carla smiles slightly, the worry about the day's events very evident to her
"Hey, beautiful" Carla says as Peter places Hayley down into the booster seat "How about you make her some porridge, Peter?"
"Yeah I'll get on that," he says gently kissing Carla on the back of the head again knowing she needed his attention and love to settle her nerves "What do you want on your porridge Hayles?"
"Staw," Hayley says "Nana"
"Strawberries and banana ey?" Peter says grabbing a banana and the punnet of strawberries from the fridge "And what does mummy want for breakfast?"
"Nothing, ta," Carla says quietly as she focusses on trying to get Emma to eat "I just feel a bit sick from all the nerves, I'll be fine once we get the answer we already know"
"It might be something else let's just keep an open mind yeah?" Peter smiles as Carla nods before sighing "Let's just get breakfast out of the way and go one step at a time"
"Yeah" Carla nods "Let's do that"
The time came when they had to leave to go to the doctors, they had no choice but to bring Hayley with them as they didn't really have anyone down here to babysit. They were in the waiting room whilst Hayley played with the toys which were on offer, Carla jolting her leg up and down in nerves whilst Peter held Emma close to him. They were called in and dread instantly filled both of their souls as they sat down in front of the doctor.
"So what can I do for you?" Dr Henshaw says as Peter adjusts Emma in his arms
"We have some concerns that Emma isn't keeping up with her development. I didn't know I was pregnant you see when I was pregnant with Emma so I was drinking throughout my pregnancy sometimes quite heavily. Anyway, there's something on her notes about foetal alcohol syndrome, the doctor at the hospital said that he'd put them on there…"
"I understand" Dr Henshaw smiles "Why don't you put Emma on the examination bench and we can have a look at her to see if there are any physical signs of foetal alcohol syndrome?"
"Ok," Peter says scooping Emma up and taking her over to the bench as Carla follows sitting on the edge of it
"I just want to take some measurements," Dr Henshaw says as Peter and Carla glance to each other allowing him to take measurements of Emma who "Tell me about her development so far"
"Well she doesn't giggle when we tickle her she just smiles, she doesn't crawl, she can sit up not for long though, she can't walk or stand and she sometimes struggles with understanding the concept of eating solids…it was just very different to our daughter Hayley" Carla explains nervously as Dr Henshaw nods in response
"She is smaller than average for her age which does fall into the category of foetal alcohol syndrome I'm just going to do some more measurements"
"Ok," Carla says as Emma looks up at her smiling "Hi beautiful" she beams as Emma just smiles even wider at her "You see she just doesn't giggle or anything, if I did that to Hayley she would laugh and squirm"
"I understand" Dr Henshaw smiles as he finishes his measurements "Right I want to refer you to a specialist I think because most of these measurements do fall in the bracket of foetal alcohol syndrome"
"So if we are looking at foetal alcohol syndrome what implications does that have on her?" Peter questions as Carla grips onto his hand
"I don't want to bombard you with information until we're all sure that this is what's going on, I just don't want you to feel scared or worried until you have the right support behind you"
"That's understandable I guess," Carla says as Peter smiles in response "So how long will it take for you to…well get an appointment?"
"There should be a letter which arrives within the next few days" Dr Henshaw explains "Do you have anything else you need to ask me?"
"No, I don't think so," Carla says glancing to Peter who shrugs in response
"It might be worth writing things down you want to ask the specialist, then hopefully we can start the ball rolling on a diagnosis" Dr Henshaw explains as Carla nods taking Emma off Peter to cuddle her "Why don't you go home and have a chat then if you have any questions in the meantime you can ring me?"
"That sounds good" Peter nods going to pick up Hayley who squeals in excitement "Shall we head home then Hayles?"
"Yes" Hayley replies as Carla smiles collecting Emma's changing bag
"Thank you for everything doctor," Carla says as Dr Henshaw nods showing them out of the room, Carla actively trying to hold it together until they were in the safety of their home again…
Peter drove everyone home, Carla staring out of the window at the busy roads of Portsmouth causing her to sigh in regret at the past. She wished that she knew she was pregnant with Emma, she wished that her daughter could grow up and meet her milestones at the correct times and she also wished that Peter was her biological father. There were many things that she didn't wish though, she didn't wish that she was back in Weatherfield where her nosey family and the nosey Platts would interrogate her over Emma and right now she wished she could stay away forever but she knew that eventually she would be drawn back to the place where she called home.
"Come on, let's get the girls down for a nap then we can talk?" Peter suggests pulling up the car into the designated car parking space as Carla nods instantly taking Emma out of her car seat and holding her close, afraid that if she was to let go she would be gone forever
"Come on then Hayley," Peter says helping her out of the car as the family of four walk upstairs and into their home, Peter seeing the tears well in Carla's eyes as she struggles to compose herself "Come here"
"I'm sorry," Carla says as Peter shakes his head kissing her on the forehead as Hayley darts off to play with her toys in the corner of the room; Emma sandwiched between them both
"We'll get through this, whatever Emma needs we'll provide it" Peter reassures her as Carla nods "Why don't we cuddle in bed together after I put Hayley down for her nap?"
"Yeah, ok?" Carla says as Peter nods going to take Hayley by her hand and lead her into her bedroom to put her down for a nap allowing Carla to change Emma and put her in her pyjamas as Peter reappears "Can she sleep with us? I don't want to leave her"
"Of course, whatever makes you feel better" Peter response gently as Carla nods putting Emma into her pyjamas as they both head into their bedroom and snuggled under the duvet
"Do you reckon she'll live a happy life?" Carla questions as Peter runs his fingers through Emma's blonde hair
"I think she will, it may be a challenge for her but I reckon she'll be really happy" Peter responds as Carla nods watching Emma smile
"I miss the days when I could just sit with her in my tank top and protect her from the world" Carla reminisces as Peter smiles bringing her in for a hug "I wish I could change what I've done to her"
"This isn't your fault" Peter reminds her "We've been through this"
"I know," Carla says "It's just one of those crazy wishes which won't come true"
"We can make her life better though, we can support her and make her feel loved and provide her with the support she needs" Peter reminds her as Carla nods knowing he was right
"I guess you're right"
"Now it's not often you admit that…" Peter trails off as Carla chuckles in response shoving him gently
"I love you so much" Peter whispers as Carla smiles at him leaning over to kiss him gently on the lips as he reciprocates
"I love you more"