'I tried to come earlier but they said I had to wait until visiting hours before they'd let me in.' Michelle says as she makes her way into the hospital room where Carla is sitting up in bed.
'I had an appointment with the on call psychologist anyway.' Carla replies as Michelle places a few bags on the floor by her window before making her way over to the plastic crib.
'Oh really? What for?' Michelle asks reaching into the crib and running her finger down the baby's cheek.
'Just to talk through everything that has happened. See how I was doing and talk through the consequences of any decisions I might make.' Carla replies shrugging her shoulders.
'Have you made a decision?' Michelle asks causing the other girl to sigh.
'I'm only eighteen, Chelle. I don't have the same support that you have at home.' Carla replies.
'You might not have parents like mine but you have support, Carla. There are so many people who will love and support both you and her.' Michelle says softly as she sits at the bottom of the bed.
'I don't even have anything for her and I would have no idea where to start with what to buy for her.' Carla replies.
'Well I had a look through some bits that Ryan has grown out of and I've picked out the most neutral bits for you to have for her. I also have Ryan's moses basket that he doesn't use anymore so you can use that for her as well.' Michelle says.
'Thanks, Chelle.' Carla replies quietly.
'Have you spoke to your mum about it yet?' Michelle asks and Carla shakes her head.
'What about the dad? Have you spoke to him? Do I know him? I know you and our Paul had a little thing?' Michelle asks.
'He knows... It's not Paul. It all happened before we got together, months before. I'm assuming that's why I've not heard from him.' Carla replies.
'Can I pick her up and have a cuddle?' Michelle asks glancing over at the newborn.
'If you want.' Carla replies quietly. She watches her best friend lean into the crib and scoop the little girl into her arms.
'Hello, sweetheart...' Michelle says softly as she stares down at the baby cradled in her arms.
'She's so perfect, Carla. What did she weigh again?' Michelle asks.
'6lbs exactly.' Carla replies. She watches her best friend smile down at the baby in her arms as she gently rocks from side to side.
'I can ask mum if you can stay with us for a bit, just until you find your feet... I'd be there to help you if you needed it.' Michelle suggests.
'I can't ask your parents to put me and a baby up, Chelle. Your family have been more than good to me over the past few years, feeding me and Rob when mum went missing for days on end. I just- I can't ask them to do that.' Carla replies shaking her head.
'Leave it with me, okay? Don't make any decisions just yet.' Michelle says as she makes her way over to the bed with the little girl cradled in her arms.
'I can't believe you've actually had a baby? How crazy is it that just a few days ago we were celebrating my birthday and now you're here... I would never have thought she was inside you. I mean I was huge with Ryan.' Michelle says shaking her head.
'I thought they were having a laugh when they told me. I didn't even think it was possible to not know you were pregnant. You felt Ryan move when you were pregnant and like you said you had a proper bump, there was no denying you were pregnant.' Carla replies as there is a small knock on the room door and it opens slightly to reveal Paul.
'Hi... Can I come in?' He asks. Taking a deep breath, Carla nods her head before glancing at Michelle and smiling slightly.
'Can you give us some time, Chelle?' Carla asks as Paul makes his way into the room. The younger brunette nods her head and glances down at the baby in her arms.
'Do you want her?' Michelle asks quietly.
'Just pop her back in the cot.' Carla replies. She watches silently as Michelle carefully places the baby back in the little plastic crib before leaving the room while Paul stands at the end of the bed.
'H-How are you?' He asks quietly.
'I'm okay, I guess... I'm so sorry, Paul. I didn't plan any of this. I didn't want any of this.' She replies shaking her head.
'This isn't your fault. This isn't anyone's fault really, I guess. I just- I care about you Carla. I know she obviously isn't mines but I do care about you.' He says.
'I don't know what to do. I don't know where I go from here.' She admits.
'You love her and you be the mum that you have never had.' He says glancing at the baby. She takes a deep breath and follows his gaze to the baby.
'I don't know how to.' Carla replies shrugging her shoulders.
'Yes you do.' Paul says softly. He slowly wheels the plastic crib over to the side of the bed and gestures to the baby.
'Pick her up.' He says.
'I-I can't.' She replies shaking her head.
'She didn't ask for this, Carla. It isn't your fault that you didn't know you were pregnant but it isn't her fault either so you need to pick her up and hold her.' He says. He watches as she carefully reaches into the crib and lifts the baby into her arms. Slowly she brings the newborn to rest against her chest as tears fill her eyes.
'Oh my god...' She almost whispers as she stares down at the baby in her arms. Silence fills the room for a few moments before Paul takes a deep breath and sits on the edge of the bed.
'She looks like her dad, doesn't she?' He says softly.
'I-What do you mean?' She asks quietly, refusing to look at him.
'I've known from the minute I looked at her who her dad is, Carla. I had my suspicions from the minute I seen his reaction to the news but seeing her just confirmed it all.' He replies.
'I'm so sorry.' She cries softly causing him to shake his head.
'It's okay... Is it strange knowing the girl that you love has a baby with your brother, absolutely. Is it hard knowing there's no way for us to move forward now, of course. But look at her, I've got the most perfect little niece now.' He says reaching forward and moving some hair out of her face.
'Liam was supposed to only be a one night thing. We were both drunk and didn't mean for it to happen. If I had thought for one minute something like this would happen I would never have agreed to us.' She replies and he smiles slightly.
'I know. Does Michelle know?' He asks causing her to shake her head.
'About Liam, no. I don't know how to tell her. I don't know how she'll react and I really don't want to lose her.' She replies.
'You won't lose her. Just talk to her, be honest with her.' He says.
'Do your mum and dad know?' She asks.
'That you had a baby, yes. Mum helped Michelle go through all of Ryan's things that he's outgrown. That the baby is Liam's, no. Only I've realised that and it isn't my place to tell anyone.' He replies.
'T-Thank you for coming and for not being mad.' She says quietly.
'I still care about you, about both of you and me being angry about this wouldn't help anyone.' He replies.