Note: Just wanted to say a huge thank you for your reviews, they mean the world to me. Also as you will realize most things haven't happened as they have in the show for example Aidan & Johnny dying. Also I might have enough stuff for a third & fourth chapter if anyone is interested, they'd be set on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
'So what's the plan then? Are you wanting to phone and let people know we're here or...' Nick asks as he glances out the window at the street below and everyone going about their day to day life. They checked out of the hotel earlier this morning and came to the flat where they plan on staying for the duration of their time in Weatherfield.
'I think we just wait until Isla has woken up and then we go to the pub... Everyone will be there I imagine.' Carla replies shrugging her shoulders.
'You excited to finally introduce Freya properly to our family?' He asks watching as she glances down at the baby on her arms.
'Mmm... I am really happy for them to meet her finally but I also just- I can protect her, we can protect her whilst we're just in our own little bubble and the thought of letting other people into that space terrifies me.' She replies shaking her head.
'You're scared that people will be rude or they'll judge and treat her different from Isla and Luca?' Nick asks causing her to sigh.
'I just- I don't want this to define her, Nick. I don't want her to feel any different from the other kids and I know that she's too young to even realise right now but it scares me.' Carla admits.
'Everyone is going to love her, Carla. You've got absolutely nothing to worry about... Look at Alex, everyone loved him.' He says, his hand resting on her shoulder.
'I know. I'm just being stupid.' She says shaking her head.
'You're not being stupid. You're just being a mum, Carla. A damn good mum at that.' He replies smiling. He kisses the top of her head and sits down next to her with his arm draped around her shoulders.
Making her way into the packed pub, she can't help but smile as she sees most of her family crowded at one end of the bar. She glances down at Freya who is surprisingly still fast asleep in the pram while Nick has Isla balanced on his hip and Luca holds onto the pram.
'Go scare Uncle Aidan... He's right over there with grandad.' Carla whispers as she bends down next to Luca and smiles. She gestures over to Johnny and Aidan who are at the opposite side of the pub. Smiling she watches the little boy run up behind Aidan as quietly as he can.
'Boo!' Luca shouts causing Aidan to instantly turn around and gasp.
'Oh my goodness, hiya buddy. What are you doing here?' Aidan asks instantly scooping the four year old into his arms.
'Carla!' Kate squeals rushing over to her sister.
'You should've told us you were coming. We would have arranged dinner or something.' Johnny says smiling.
'We wanted to surprise everyone... Is there room for a few more this Christmas?' Carla asks.
'Of course there is.' Johnny replies.
'Come on through the back where it's a bit quieter.' Johnny says and Carla nods her head. They all make their way through to the back room where Nick attempts to place Isla down only for her to cling onto his shoulder.
'Stay daddy.' She whispers.
'I'm right here, sweetheart.' He says.
'How long are you here for?' Johnny asks.
'We don't really have a plan. I'm thinking around the 4th or 5th of January.' Carla replies.
'C-Can I peek in at Freya?' Kate asks smiling as Carla nods her head. She glances down at the pram and smiles as she watches Freya sleepily blink her eyes.
'Have you wakened up just in time to meet Auntie Kate?' Carla says softly. She reaches into the pram and carefully lifts the little girl into her arms.
'Oh hi, sweet girl... Oh look how big she's getting.' Kate says, tears filling her eyes as she watches Carla rest the little girl on her hip.
'It's crazy that this is the first time you have all met her but honestly we were so scared because of how vulnerable she is.' Carla admits.
'Completely understandable, love.' Johnny replies and Nick smiles.
'We probably won't be doing much socialising outwith the family or in the pub but we wanted you guys to see all the kids because it's been far too long.' Nick explains watching as the family nod their head in agreement.
'You've got yourself a little friend there, Aidan.' Carla says smiling as she watches Luca rest his head on her brother's shoulder.
'Oh my god, look at you.' Gail gasps as she stares down at Freya curled up in her arms for the first time in five months.
'She's so perfect... Isn't she so perfect, Sarah?' Gail adds causing Carla to smile as tears fill her eyes and she rests her head on Nick's shoulder.
'How is she keeping? Everything going okay?' Sarah asks and Nick nods his head.
'She's actually doing really well, isn't she? The doctors are so impressed with how much she's come on. Originally they had told us to expect around a month if not more spent in the NICU but she came home after fifteen days which was amazing.' Nick replies as Carla smiles.
'Their main worry was her feeding properly but she took to it like a champ, didn't she? Although she was initially tube fed we were able to get her nursing within the first eight days and then it was just a case of getting her to put weight on.' Carla says wiping her eyes.
'I can't believe we've missed five months of her little life.' Gail almost whispers as she continues to gaze down at Freya.
'You've got the rest of her life. We just couldn't risk her getting poorly.' Carla replies.
'We understand that. She was so vulnerable that we wouldn't want her getting ill.' Sarah says softly as she gently bounces Isla on her knee.
'Will you guys be here for Christmas day?' David asks and Nick nods his head.
'We're going to spend the morning in the flat with the kids, just the five of us then split the rest of the day between you, the Connors and Roy.' Nick explains.
'Oh I can't wait to spend Christmas with all my grandbabies.' Gail says smiling.
