'Well this is a sight I like to see... You two look like you're getting on much better. How are you feeling?' Julie asks softly as she makes her way into the hospital room where Carla is sitting up in bed with the baby cuddled against her chest.
'Mmm... I'm not going to pretend that suddenly everything is perfect because it's not but things are starting to look better.' Carla admits glancing down at the newborn.
'You're holding her and that's a huge step forward from where you were last night considering you could barely look at her. Did you manage to speak with someone about your options this morning? I had left a note with the doctor?' Julie says and Carla nods her head.
'I did, thank you. I still don't fully know what I want to do; I don't know what I can do at the moment but I do want what is best for her. I just need to figure out what that is.' Carla admits and Julie nods her head.
'Well doctor is looking at discharging you both tomorrow but he'll come round to speak to you in the morning.' Julie says.
'I just- I need to figure out where I'm going to live if I keep her.' Carla replies.
'Where are you living at the moment?' Julie asks softly.
'Technically with my mum but I spent most of the time at my boyfriend's flat... Well I did until she came along and now I just don't know.' Carla replies shrugging her shoulders.
'What about your mum? Will she not help you out a bit?' Julie asks.
'My mum- I don't want to take a baby into that environment. It just isn't fair.' Carla replies shaking her head.
'You'll figure something out. There will be someway that you can keep and parent your little girl if that is what you want to do.' Julie says smiling.
'I brought you all your favourite snacks and stuff in case you get hungry... Well, everything I could get from the shop downstairs.' He says placing the bag at the end of the bed causing her to smile.
'Thank you. I don't- Well I don't have any cash on me.' She replies and he shakes his head.
'Don't worry about the money. How has your mum took the news? Michelle was speaking to mum about giving you Ryan's old moses basket so I can drop that at your house for when you're getting home if you want?' He suggests.
'She doesn't know yet. I'm just- They've said I'll most likely get discharged tomorrow but I can't take her home to that house, Paul. It just isn't a suitable environment for a baby so I need to find somewhere else if I'm going to keep her.' She replies shrugging her shoulders.
'Why don't you both stay at my flat? I can set up the spare bedroom for you both.' He suggests and she shakes her head.
'I can't ask you to do that, Paul. That isn't fair on you.' She replies.
'You're not asking. I'm offering; I got that flat for you as much as I did for me. I wanted you to have a safe place, a place where you didn't need to worry about Sharon or what was going on at home. Seems to me like you need it now more than every.' He says. He watches as she screws her eyes shut and a single tear falls down her cheek.
'I don't know why you're being so nice to me. I just had a baby with your brother.' She almost whispers.
'You made a mistake, Carla. It happened before we were even together. I care about you and the fact that she is my brother's means I care about her too.' Paul replies gesutring to the baby.
'Does Liam know that you know?' She asks and he shakes his head.
'No. I wanted to see her first, to be sure and to speak to you before I said anything to him.' He replies.
'H-How do you think your parents will react?' She asks.
'They love you, Carla. You're basically another daughter to them. They'll love her just as much as they love you.' He replies resting his hand on top of hers.
'Do you still have that money I asked you to keep for me? The money I was planning on using for a deposit?' She asks and he smiles.
'Of course I do.' He replies.
'I know this is a lot to ask but would you be able to use it to pick up a carseat for her? They won't let me leave without a carseat.' She replies.
'That's fine. I can pick one up and bring it in the morning for you.' He says causing her to smile.
'Thank you.' She replies quietly.
'I don't know what we're going to do, little one. I don't really know where we're going to live or anything like that but I know I love you and I know I can't be without you.' Carla almost whispers as she cradles the baby against her chest and gently rocks from side to side in attempts to settle the newborn. It's a little after 3am and this is the second time she's been up through the night which is certainly an adjustment.
'My goodness, do you not want to go to sleep? Are you not tired at all, hmm? Is this mummy's life now?' Carla says softly. She uses her free hand to cover her mouth as she yawns before glancing back down at the baby.
'Lets see if you'll go to sleep if I put you down.' Carla adds. She carefully moves the baby into the little plastic crib and begins to gently rock it. She continues rocking the crib for a few moments until the little girl's eyes begin to flutter closed causing Carla to smile.
'I'll see you for a snuggle in a few hours, little one.' She whispers. Quietly, she turns off the little bedside light and settles back into bed for what she hopes is another few hours of solid sleep before she wakes for another feed.