A twist on Carlas return to the street in 2017. Carla has one Daughter with Peter and one with Nick.
24th December 2017
Urrr Hallie, don't do that please" The older woman emphasised towards the newly 3 year old in an attempt to stop her from taking the toy off of her little sister.
Amelia (who was usually on the scratchy side) had been gargling away happily in her car seat while Carla was getting ready and the last thing she needed was for her to erupt into tears, not before the long journey ahead.
"Ok Hallie-baby" Carla directed at her daughter waiting for her to walk over before placing her up onto her lap "you are going to go over to Evie's for the day while I drop of Amelia at her dads for a few hours and see my brother" The woman paused waiting for her reaction, although she already knew it would be a negative one.
She had only left her for more than a few hours once before when she given birth to Amelia earlier in the year. She had got into a fit of uncontrollable tears and couldn't be calmed down. Evie was her friend from nursery and her mum Francesca was one of the only people in Devon Carla could rely on. She had been a single mother down in south and in need of extra hands.
Just like she expected Hallie paused, went a pink shade before begging her mum to let her come with her. Carla could feel her daughters heart beating rapidly and she was left wondering if leaving her really was the best decision. It wasn't that she didn't want to bring her along, it was more that it was logistically going to be a nightmare. It was going to be a long day and her eldest was very clingy and more to the point she had still not met her dad who was now residing in Weatherfield a bit to close for comfort "Ok darlin, you know what it's a silly idea let's get your bag packed"
"Nick" Carla smiled passing over the car seat at the usual service station they met at on the motorway "She's been fed and changed and in a surprisingly good mood actually" she chuckled as he took his daughter out of his ex wife's hands and placed the carseat in the car with a slight nod not wanting a conversation with the woman.
Things were still a little awkward between them both. She had only been in Devon a month when she discovered that she was pregnant with his baby. This wasn't how she wanted things to be but she was comforted by the fact he adored his daughter and played a present part in her life.
When she first found out she was pregnant again she was petrified at the idea she was going to be a single mum to two children. She spent the first few months texting and ringing Nick daily begging for another chance to make a go of things. Nick had remained hostile and unforgiving not able to forgive her for sleeping with Robert in the months prior, an attitude that had remained to this day. She now accepted that they were never getting back together but his bitterness towards her was still evident.
"And how is little Hallie are you excited for Father Christmas ?" Nick bent down to ask ignoring Carla as she waited for a response instead choosing to chat to the little girl. This irritated Carla, as he always directed conversation through Hallie instead of having an adult conversation as they co parented their baby. The 3 year old girl was clinging to carlas leg shyly as she nestled her face further into Carla refusing to talk.
"Oh yeah, she can't wait, won't stop going on about him, not that you would think it" she tried to joke looking down at Hallie who was practically silent around everyone except her "you doing anything nice for Christmas tommorrow ?" She added looking at the man who was still bent down, trying to make this meeting a little less abrupt than usual. She just really wanted some form of relationship with Nick as the father of her child and knew that he would be happy to just get in the car and drive off without one word of interaction.
"Well I've been meaning to ask you actually - I was going to text you tonight " the man cleared his throat standing back up. "I want Amelia Christmas Day it's her first Christmas ,and, Christmas is all about family ,and, well I'm the one with all the family aren't I"? He spoke in a derogatory tone stunning Carla.
"Well I thought we had agreed she was spending Christmas Day with me this year that's why she's spending today with you!" The woman responded slowly doing her best to keep her tone calm before adding "and for the record Nick she has a sister that she would love to spend Christmas with" she couldn't help but acknowledge this point as she stared at the man in disbelief.
"Yeah, Well I'm spending Christmas round my mums this year and, well, to be honest I think she needs to spend a bit of time with her extended family and soon as you aren't doing that this year I think it's a good idea if I take her" The man explained pulling a face as he spoke irritating the woman further.
"Nick... Christmas is tommorrow and you are wanting to change the plans... this isn't how co parenting works" she paused in an attempt to stay calm, before adding "You're back in Manchester at your mums this Christmas then are you ?" She spoke through the lump forming in her throat a direct response from the thought of not being able to spend Christmas with her daughter.
"Yes I'm at mums" his voice was abrupt, annoyed he had to explain himself to the woman who he currently disliked more than anyone else in the world.
Cara found his expression unbelievable. She was taken back by how self centred he was being. Why couldn't he of spoken to her about this when she mentioned it weeks ago instead of rushing off the phone and ignoring her. It annoyed her that he thought it was ok to hit her with this request now putting her on the spot. She knew she had upset Nick and she knew that he was still incredibly angry but it was the complete dismissal of her feelings as a mother that really hurt her.
"Right and have you got the presents ?"She responded looking past Nick knowing that she was probably about to agree to something she really didn't want too. The reality of the situation was she had a few bridges to build and sacrificing Christmas Day with her daughter may be the start of it meant that Amelia could be brought up with a healthy relationship between her two parents. This didnt mean that she appreciated Nicks attitude towards her however.
"Urrr ... duh"
"Nick can you just not..." she snaped back causing a slight smirk on Nicks face.
"well of course I've got my daughter presents for Christmas that's what dads do" he responded before looking down at Hallie almost looking for a confrontation in a cheep dig knowing it would infuriate Carla leading her to snap back quickly:
" OH you really have turned into something haven't you NICK... I mean really...really... is this what you have become - A fully grown man making digs at three-year-old because their dad is a waste of space... you know what you really need to get over the fact that I bruised your fat ego by being unfaithful to you over a year ago because we need to move on" she retaliated loudly unable to suppress the anger she had been feeling for any longer.
"well... not entirely factual actually, I think you were the one sending the constant texts BEGGING to get back with me Carla"
" and TRUST ME i've never been so glad then at this moment that I was rejected. And don't you..." she spoke in a rushed tone before being stopped by her daughters piercing cries comming from inside the car in front of her before sighing and leaning over to pick her child up. Having her there at that moment reminded her of what Nick had given her. No matter how much they annoyed each other they were the centre of this little girls world and having them both argue with each other was only upsetting the person who mattered most. "oh it's okay darling" Carla soothed placing the 9 1/2 month old on the hip bouncing her up and down stroking the tip of her arm in an attempt to calm the red faced little girl "Did you not like the shouting, I'm sorry" she continued before placing a kiss on her forehead as the little girl relaxed her face onto Carlas shoulder. She had a head full of blonde hair. Although she looked like Carla she definitely had Nicks colouring. After a few moments of reflection calming the baby in her arms down as well as herself she spoke up again "Nick if you want her for Christmas this year then that is fine, but next time please can you give me a little bit more notice as it has a knock in effect, I think next year we just really need to start communicating better as this is just not good for Amelia"
"Ok noted" Nick responded quickly and almost dismissively as he took Amelia back off Carla as if he was in a rush to get on with his day glad he had got his way causing Carla to wonder if he really understood where she was comming from.
"Right then be a good girl for daddy and I'll pick you up on Boxing Day" she stroked the baby's cheek causing her daughter to smile back. "When you get back home you'll have some more presents waiting for you arnt you a lucky girl" she coed "unless you want me to give them to you now Nick they are only in the boot" she tried to reason.
"No. keep them for when she's back she's got loads at mine to open" he responded not really wanting to wait around longer than he had to.
"Oh ok that's fine, who is my little girl spending Christmas with then" the woman questioned lightly trying to get a bit more information as to what her child would be up to as she wasn't getting to information readily.
"Just my family Carla I've told you" Nick snapped.
"Right" she exhaled not wanting to get into another bicker "Nick I'll phone you to see where you're at and i'll come and get her boxing day morning ok ?"
"Ok! So Text me and we will work something out" The man replied
"Wave bye to Mummy and Hallie Amelia" he continued picking up the infants hand and moving in side to side before placing her in the car and driving off.
It was a decision that had to be made for peace Carla told herself as she walked back to the car silently strapping Hallie in the back seat before getting in the drivers seat herself. Her heart always hurt everytime Amelia was with Nick, she often found herself going to check on the baby only to remember she wasn't there. It didn't help that the majority of the time Nick done what he could to not answer the phone to Carla when she was checking in on her daughter. This panicked her, not knowing if her baby was upset or knowing who she was around gave her constant anxiety. This she was used to, but the thought of not being anywhere near her Christmas Day, watching both the girls, her little family together and excited as they played with their new toys really was unbearable. She knew that the little baby didn't even know what was going on and needed to spend time with her dad and she wanted that for her, but Nick was just so difficult to communicate with and interactions with him just made her feel so deflated and upset.
"Mummy what's wrong" Hallie spoke up quietly with a worry in her eyes realising her mum hadn't started the car and was just sat staring into space.
"Oh nothing darling" Carla responded snapping out of her trance as she looked at her daughter through the rear view mirror who clearly knew something was up. "I'm just a bit upset that Amelia isn't spending Christmas with us, but it's okay because we will still have a good time won't we" she smiled at her daughter in the back seat putting on a brave face even though she felt devastated at the thought of not being able to spend Christmas with her family together. "Anyway we have got to go and see uncle Aiden now"
"Who's that" the little girl responded with confusion in her face.
"He's mummy's brother, you met him when you were very little you might remember him when you see him" she explained knowing that there was no way her daughter would remember "we will be sat in the car a little bit longer though I'm sorry darling I know it's boring back there by yourself" Carla sympathised before having an idea "hey why don't we put some Christmas music on for the rest of the way" trying to make it more exciting for the little girl grabbing her phone and linking up her Spotify playlist even though Christmas was the last thing she wanted to be reminded about.
"Right shall we get the colouring pencils out then looks like uncle Aidans late..." Carla asked her bored tired unsettled daughter from inside the pub. Before leaving her at the table and walking over to the basket on the waiters desk and picking out a box of crayons and a colour sheet. The women was in no mood for more people messing her around today after all she had just driven an hour and a half more than she needed to for this very important question Aidan needed to ask. She was taken out of her thoughts quickly as she turned around and saw a shadow standing over her daughter on the table she left her at.
"Aidan... what flaming time do you call this?"
"Is that the welcome I get ?"
"Oh come here" she grinned pulling her brother in for a hug.
"Drink?"
"You know what just a water for me please" she hadn't been feeling right all day.
"But it's Christmas"
"yeah and I've got to drive all the way back to Devon in a minute"
"well you can always stay" he suggested persuasively as they sat down causing Carla to think for a moment that this could actually be a good idea. After all if Amelia was spending Christmas in Weatherfield and around her family then why couldn't Hallie. She toyed with the thought briefly before remembering the added issue of Peter.
"thrilling as it sounds I'll pass ... to many ghosts" she widened her eyes brushing her hand through her daughters hair.
"Oh you mean ex's..." causing the women to nod in agreement. "where is little Amelia anyway"
"She's spending Christmas with her dad... I don't really wanna talk about it to be honest he's just really wound me up"
" getting on well with Nick then" He sarcastically spoke a causing the woman's eyes to widen.
"One word for it"
"And hasn't little Hallie grown!" The man looked at the three year old quietly colouring in. He hadn't seen her since she was a baby. She really was the spit and image of her mum with the dark hair and designer clothes. "you know I would've come to see you but I've just been so busy. Your hair looks nice by the way"
"it's exactly the same Aidan so why don't we stop messing around and you tell me why I'm here" she responded knowing that he was just trying to butter her up - he hadn't even seen her since she left Weatherfield a year and a half ago let alone even met Amelia. "I take it you need cash?" She continued knowing her brother wouldn't of contacted her unless it suited him before taking a sip of her drink trying to dull her headache.
"You know dads selling the factory"
"I don't believe this you've never dragged me here for that ..."
"I want you to come back here and run it with me"
"Oh my god you are joking... your having a laugh, come on Hallie let's go" she stood up abruptly lifting her daughter into her her arms and walking out irritated she had came all this way for a pointless conversation. Did she have mug written on her head today ?
"Carla don't go"
"Merry Christmas Aidan" she spoke up as she left the pub holding her daughter in her arms.
Sitting in the car it was clear she couldn't drive back 4 1/2 hours she felt far too ill. she had come over feeling like she was hung over only she hadn't drunk anything.
Realising she no longer had to pick Amelia up off of Nick later on she came up with an idea.
" Hallie let's not drive home shall we get a hotel tonight that's a better idea isn't it"
" Will Santa come in the hotel"
" yeah of course Santa will still come, I don't wanna drive all the way home because we still need to pick Amelia up in 2 days, let's just go and watch a Christmas film in bed"
"Yeah mummy I love Christmas films"
Carla sighed mustering up the energy to even drive to a hotel.
Hallie was so excited it was Christmas morning she had opened all of her presents by 6. Carla feeling A lot better had face-timed Amelia earlier in the morning and watched her open her presents. it was now 11 o'clock and after watching a couple of Christmas films Carla was starting to wonder how she was going to fill the day.
"we need to find somewhere to sit and eat lunch darling" Carla looked over at her daughter who was still fully engrossed in her new Christmas toys as she herself looked around the hotel room bored.
"is Amelia going to be there" the little girl looked up excitedly.
"no darling she's at her dads this year remember" Carla reminded her
"why am I not at my dads" The little girl responded innocently.
Carla sighed, it was a fair question Hallie was asking, if Amelia was allowed to spend Christmas surrounded by family why should Hallie have to put up with just her. Especially when she was less than 40 minutes from her own grandparents, uncles and aunts who were celebrating Christmas all together. The problem was Hallies dad was in the exact same town. The same dad who had destroyed Carla A few years earlier.
Making a decision Carla picked up her phone and made a call.
"No hat no conversation we are feeling festive" Carla grined as she passed a Christmas hat to Aidan who she had spied on the side of the road.
Peering inside the car Aidan could see Hallie wearing a Santa hat playing with one of her new Christmas toys in the backseat.
"Omg Carla ! I thought you'd gone home what are you doing here ! Have you changed your mind ?"
"No" The women firmly and adimantly protested "but we wanted to go out to lunch and we thought who better to spend the day with then uncle aidy didnt we Hallie-baby" the women annoyingly grinned. " I want to take everyone out for lunch"
"Oh I see - well we are already booked at the bistro"
"Oh brill just in case I needed another thing to remind me of Nick today ! Well add us two on will ya !? "
"Yeah yeah dad will be made up - is Amelia not joining us"
"No she's spending the day with Gail apparently - poor thing - I might pop in and see her a bit later once I've had a wine in me - try and build some bridges"
"Ok well tables booked now I'm just walking over"
"Oh well let me just park up and we will join you in there"
"Have I got a treat for you this Christmas" Aidan jokingly stated walkinging to the table where his family were sat. Johnny, Kate, Michelle, Robert, Rita, Jenny had already cracked open the bubbly and were talking loudly and annoyingly between themselves.
"Oh Aidan you finally came" Kate slurred
" i'm only 15 minutes late although it looks like I'm going to have to catch up"
"Oh aidannnnnnnnnn where's you're Christmassy spireeeeeet" Jenny's shrill voice pierced the room from the other end of the table.
"I am Christmassy I just got caught chatting outside that's all"
"Oh right got a secret admirer have we Aidan" Johnny teased.
"HAR HAR very funny - no - as it happens we have a couple of guests joining us"
"Oh who have you invited now " an unamused Michelle questioned sighing not in the mood for any more irritating people to be sat around the table as Jenny was enough on her own.
"ME" A voice loudly answered in the distance as the door shut behind her causing everyone to turn around to find the woman standing in the door way dressed in all black holding the hand of a three year old who looked like a younger version of herself down to the silky raven hair. " flamin heck, You lot look like you have seen the Christmas ghost - we've come to join ya"
"CARLA " Johnny and Kate ran over followed by Michelle giving her a massive hug. "Why didn't you say you were Comming" Johnny questioned as he tried to hug Hallie before realising that she was having none of it, deciding to attach herself to her mums leg instead
"WELL - long story to be honest but we won't go into that now because I am flipping starving"
"Come on Carla come and sit down" Kate smiled as she walked back to the table with Johnny.
Michelle( still stood with Carla) pulled her into a massive hug " you do not know how happy I am to see you darlin"
"Well that's good to hear" the older woman chuckled.
"Where's little Amelia?" Michelle questioned looking around and realising that Carla was a child short.
"Oh she's with Nick today... honestly don't mention her you'll set me off I let him have her over Christmas, he's been properly messing me around and ugh ... let's just not talk about it honestly"
"Well" Michelle spoke as she bent down "At least we have little miss Hallie to keep us amused" an action that caused Hallie, (who was not used to all the attention) to look at the woman straight faced before bending her chin into her neck and look in the opposite direction of Michelle as she tried to stroke her cheek
"Yeah, well, if your expecting her to be the life and soul of the party think again" Carla chuckled "she's not speaking to anyone but me at the moment are you darling... I don't think she's mine" she joked.
"You've got to be joking she is the spit of you" Michelle laughed causing Carla to look down at her child who was gripping her leg like a koala bear making it almost impossible for her to walk.
"Hallie you're pulling my jeans down a bit sweetie hold my hand instead"Carla suggested to which her child ignored resulting in Carla having to prise her away and pick her up making her whine in the process before putting her head over her mums shoulder. "This kid is getting clingier" she looked at Michelle with a wide grin of mild irritation "wasn't this your fault...kids...there great you said... best thing you'll do...wonder what it would be like to have something that will love you more than the world" she spoke sarcastically causing Michelle to laugh out loud. She hadn't seen Carla in the flesh since she had been in the early stages of pregnancy with Amelia. Carla had been stressing out over Nick so Michelle had gone down for a few weeks. Hallie had only been a baby herself so it was now weird seeing her with a child not just a baby. She had obviously been in regular contact with her over the phone and FaceTimes but it was difficult setting a date to get together. Carlas persona had changed since having children she had taken to it like a duck to water which had surprised a lot of people but not Michelle. Still it was weird seeing her so at ease and content with her child.
"Ahhh shes lovely and she clearly just loves her mummy ! let me know when you have Amelia wont you love ! I really need to meet her it's getting a bit ridiculous now isn't it" Michelle responded.
"Yeah I need to start coming up a bit more ! To be honest I've just been so tired ! - I drop the baby off every other weekend half way between me and Nick and the thought of coming up here on a weekend where I don't have to drive miles hasn't been that appealing" Carla responded "still clearly we need to start coming up a bit more if it's not just for the sake of socially interacting her" she looked at her daughter who was refusing to make eye contact with Michelle instead just staring over carlas shoulder which was making the woman laugh at how shy she was being.
"Ahh well I need to make the effort and come down too ! - it's understandable with Peter being back why you have been hesitant !" Michelle added " what are you doing about that actually you know he's over the road" a concerned looking Michelle questioned her.
"Yeah I'm aware - I'll get into that in detail with you later" she sighed wanting to weigh it all up with Michelle "but shall we go and sit down and eat some dinner first because these baby daddy issues are driving me Insane this week" she widened her eyes before walking over to the two spare seats at the table before placing Hallie on the seat next to Aidan and she sat next to Michelle.
"It's about time" Kate emphasised " i thought you would be over there gossiping all day ! "
"Well just wait until I'm on your back questioning what you have been up to" Carla teased before catching up with everyone at the table.
"your uncle aidy" The little girl tapped the man next to her unexpectedly "I saw you yesterday"
"That's right I am and you are my favourite little neice" he nudged the little girl causing her to laugh "what's that you are holding" Aidan questioned pointing to the barbie doll in her hand.
"Santa brought it" she spoke looking down "Do you want to play?"
"I'd love too" Aidan replied holding out his hand to pick up the child as Hallie reached out for him.
"I never thought I'd see the day Aidan playing barbies how did you get him to do that Hallie" Kate joked "are you enjoying that Aidan?" She teased.
"I am actually because I'm her favourite uncle aren't I?" He laughed bouncing the three year old on his knee making her laugh further.
"Yes" the little girl shrieked through laughter hugging him as he stopped bouncing her just before he tickled her resulting in a fit of laughter from the little girl along with most of the other people at the table.
"Carlas gunna kill you getting her all hyped up" johnny laughed motioning at an oblivious Carla who was sat opposite him.
"Well what are little brothers there for if it's not to be annoying ? " he replied before tickling her some more resulting in her entering another laughing fit which this time caused Carla to turn away from her deep conversation with Jenny to see what was going on.
"What on earth is going on over there" she laughs almost in disbelief that her brother had charmed her daughter so quickly before spying the Barbie doll Aidan was holding "ey Hallie you'll have to bring your new brats dolls for uncle aiden next time he'll love it ! " she laughed pulling a face at Aidan trying to wind him up before turning back to Michelle " babysitter of the evening sorted - time for a prossecco" she grinned before pouring herself a glass "good to be back actually"
"Not as good as it is having you back" Michelle smiled "cheers" they clanged their glasses together before the meal was served.
"Hallie, I want you eat 2 more mouth fulls of peas please" Carla instructed at the disapproving little girl "thats quite hard to say actually once you have had a drink" she joked to Michelle "come on or no cake for pudding"
"I DONT WANT PEAS" The little girl wailed causing Carla to get frustrated.
"Well you need them to make you healthy" she tried to reason.
"I DONT LIKE THEM I DONT WANT THEM"
"Well I expect you to eat them by the time everyone is done- come on eat up" she turned away not giving her daughter anymore attention until she had done as she was told and knowing that it might go on for a lot longer then she could be bothered with making Kate laugh at her annoyance as she shock her head in frustration.
"Hallie, you know it's only two small spoonfuls" Aidan encouraged "I don't like peas either shall we do it together and then we can have cake" making the little girl nod. " ready" Aidan picked up the spoon "1" and "2" both eating the peas on there plate "now tell mummy you've eaten them!
"Wel done darling you done that without a fuss in proud of you" Carla grinned excitedly causing the little girl to smile.
"Uncle aidy helped me"
"Well uncle Aidan really is a hero today isn't he" she laughed pleased by her brothers love of her child. "You know what Manchester really isn't that bad is it" she turned to Michelle.
"No we are all pretty great to be fair but have you forgotten who lives over the road" Michelle answered in jest.
"No" Carla shot back causing Michelle to look at her in disbelief which made Carlas eyes widen in defence "believe me no, god chelle I've been thinking, I'm gunna have to go and have a long overdue conversation with him... I should have done it earlier when I heard he was back and sober but with the whole Nick and Amelia saga I haven't had the energy" she sighed "I was thinking I might go and talk to him tomorrow and judge his sobriety he's not going near her if I even have an inclination he is drinking" she sighed again.
"Are you kidding Carla, the mans a liability he can't look after himself let alone a kid are you forgetting what he done to Simon, falling asleep setting fire to things, you're well shot of him, you and Hallie"
"I know, I do know that but chelle it's her dad, And with Amelia seeing her dad regularly I've got to at least give it a go with Hallie and Peter"
"oh Carla this really isn't going to end well"
"You don't know that"
"Well if I put a bet on it"
"well it's a good job I'm no longer a gambler then isn't it"
"when are you thinking about speaking to him"
"tomorrow I'm going to go round there first thing tomorrow...Anyway next issue.. I've just text Nick asking if I could see Amelia for an hour soon as we are across the road from each other and guess what"
"Go on"
"He's only stayed in Nottingham with her flipping idiot I'm really angry with him the whole reason I agreed to Christmas is so she could see Gail and her cousins, absolute twit of a man"
"What's he done that for ?" Michelle asked confused by the situation "you two just need to work it out"
