Leaning against the wall, Carla rests her hands on her stomach as she takes a deep breath. It's a little after 7am and she's been phoning both Michelle and Jenny non-stop for the past half hour until now. After a few minutes she slowly makes her way to Nick's door and begins to knock on the door until he answers, clearly having just rolled out of bed.
'C-Carla... Do you know what time it is? Is everything okay?' Nick asks sleepily and Carla takes a deep breath.
'I-I've been phoning Chelle and Jenny. I'm having these-these pains. I can't drive. I-I didn't know where else to go.' She admits glancing down at her stomach with tears in her eyes.
'Come in and sit down. Let me leave my mum a note so she and Sam know where I am and I'll get you to the hospital.' He says stepping to the side. He watches Carla slowly make her way into the flat and lower herself onto the sofa. He makes his way through to the kitchen and begins to write a note to leave for his mum as Carla reaches up to wipe the tears from her cheeks.
'Thank you for this, Nick. I'm sorry it's so early and I woke you up.' Carla says and Nick shakes his head.
'Don't be silly. You have nothing to apologise for; I'm here and I have a car so I can take you to the hospital.' Nick replies.
'Y-You don't have to stay.' Carla says glancing at Nick standing beside the hospital bed.
'I'm not going to leave you on your own. I'm here for as long as you need me to be here. My mum will be fine with Sam.' Nick replies resting his hand on top of hers.
'Sam's cute. I'm glad you finally got to be a dad.' Carla says causing Nick to smile.
'He's amazing. The biggest shock of my life but definitely the best thing that ever happened to me.' Nick replies and Carla nods her head.
'Mmm... That's like this little one. Definitely wasn't expecting her but honestly don't know what I'd do if I lost her now.' Carla admits biting her bottom lip.
'You'll be an amazing mum, Carla. That little girl is so incredibly lucky to have you.' Nick says.
'If she sticks around.' Carla replies.
'She will. She's a fighter like her mum and her dad.' Nick says.
'Speaking of which, how is Peter doing now?' Nick asks.
'He's doing really well actually. He'll hopefully get home in the next couple of days.' Carla replies smiling.
'And is home with you or?' Nick asks.
'Honestly? I don't know. I don't really know where we stand at the moment but as long as he's getting better that's the main thing right now.' Carla replies, her hand moving to rest on her stomach as she takes a deep breath.
'Another pain?' Nick asks and Carla nods her head.
'C-Can you go try Chelle again?' Carla asks quietly and Nick nods his head.
'Of course I can. I'll be back in two minutes, okay?' He says and she nods her head. She watches him leave the room before glancing down at her stomach.
'Oh, little lady... What is going on in there? I need you to stay put in there for a while longer, okay? You're too tiny to come out just now. You need to grow bigger and stronger for me, okay?' She almost whispers, her fingers drawing shapes on her stomach as the pain begins to ease off. The thought of losing another baby, another beautiful baby girl breaks her heart. She's not quite sure she'd survive another loss.
'I'm so, so sorry. Aoife slept in so I slept in and then Jenny's phone is broke so she didn't get your calls and I'm just so, so sorry.' Michelle says as she rushes into the hospital room where Carla is lying in the bed and Nick is sitting by her side.
'It's okay. Don't panic.' Carla replies.
'What's happening? Are you okay? Is the baby okay?' Michelle asks and Carla nods her head.
'I'm okay and she's okay. She's staying put for now but so am I. They've admitted me and I'm staying her for the time being.' Carla replies, her hand resting on her stomach.
'So you're being kept in? Are you on bed rest then?' Michelle asks and Carla nods her head.
'Mmm... I'm allowed up to use the toilet and I can have a short shower once a day if I want.' Carla replies.
'Okay. Well I'll go back home and pick you up some bits that you might need whilst you're here. Is there anything in particular you want?' Michelle asks.
'I don't know, just some jamas and the usual bits.' Carla replies shrugging her shoulders.
'Okay. I won't be long. Have you told Peter?' Michelle asks.
'Not yet... Can you see if they'll let you in to tell him?' Carla asks and Michelle nods her head.
'Of course I can.' Michelle replies smilung. She gently squeezes Carla's hand and kisses the top of her head.
'I'll be back as soon as I can.' Michelle says causing Carla to smile.
'Why don't you go home as well, Nick? You've been here for hours. Go spend time with Sam.' Carla suggests glancing at the man beside her bed.
'Will you be okay on your own? I can wait until Michelle gets back.' Nick says and Carla shakes her head.
'I'll be fine, I promise. Go home to your son. I am so grateful for you bringing me in this morning and staying with me but Sam needs you as well.' Carla replies, her hands resting on her stomach.
'You know where I am if you need anything.' Nick says and Carla nods her head.
'Thank you.' Carla replies smiling.
'So how are you feeling, Carla? Anymore pains?' The nurse asks.
'Nope, they seem to have eased off thankfully. She's been moving about a ton as well.' Carla replies and the nurse smiles.
'That's what we like to hear. Have you started preparing for baby? Picked a name for her yet?' The nurse asks and Carla shakes her head.
'I've only recently started buying some bits and pieces but she doesn't have a name yet. She doesn't even have a possible name yet.' Carla admits.
'Well hopefully you've still got time and she stays in there a little bit longer.' The nurse says and Carla smiles.
'Hopefully.' Carla replies softly.