A few days later, Carla's panic attacks were still flaring up and becoming nuisance in her life. Lilah had been in close contact with both Carla and Peter offering support to them when they needed. Michelle was still staying at Carla and Peter's flat as she finalises her decision about her unborn child. Carla was scared that Michelle was making a hasty decision and decided that she needed to take action which she would enlist Lilah's help on.
"Have you made a decision yet?" Carla asks
"I don't know Carla, I really don't think I can continue with this pregnancy as it just brings back unwanted reminders" Michelle explains
"I understand, I do" Carla smiles while nursing a cup of coffee in her hands "Why don't you speak to Lilah, she really helped me" Carla suggests
"I don't know, I wouldn't want to intrude on her grief" Michelle replies
"Look, why don't I ask to see it again and then you can look through it? I can ask her to bring it around" Carla suggests again
"Sure ok what harm could it do" she shrugs
Carla got off the phone to Lilah and she agreed to bring the memory box over as she had a business meeting with Nick and Sarah so she was in the area. She made sure she packed everything for the day including her laptop and files. A while later she attended a business meeting with Nick and Sarah in the bistro.
"So that's 1000 units?" Sarah confirms
"Yes I think so, I like the price like I said before, want to shake on it?" Lilah asks
"Sure" Nick says
"Can I get you anymore drinks?" Peter asks
"No thanks, I better be getting off" Lilah says "Don't stop on my account" she says gathering her stuff and exiting the bistro before heading to Victoria Court to meet Carla for a chat
It's me, Lilah
"Hey, how are you?" Carla asks gesturing for a hug
"I'm alright, oh hi Michelle" Lilah smiles
"Hello, what's that you got?" Michelle says clearly lying about her knowledge
"This? It's all the memories I had of my little girl" Lilah says smiling "You can have a look if you want"
"If that's ok" Michelle asks
"I wouldn't have suggested it otherwise" she says rolling her eyes going towards the coffee table and placing the box on it.
An hour or so later Michelle went through every item in the box and read the labels which were attached and by the end tears were streaming down her face. This really helped her come to terms with losing Ruairi so she could look to the future. She felt as if maybe this baby she was growing was Ruairi looking down on her to make her happy.
"You ok?" Lilah asks Michelle
"You've been through so much, I'm so sorry" she says sympathetically
"How do you feel looking through that?" she asks
"Hopeful, really, really hopeful" she smiles
"Well I'm glad I could be of assistance but I don't like people lying to me" she states
"What?" Michelle asks confused
"Carla said she wanted to see it again but by the looks of things she lied" she shrugs
"Yeah, sorry about that" Carla says
"No, it's fine just be honest with how you feel, trust me it helps in the long run" Lilah says
"Do you want to go for a drink?" Michelle suggests
"Sure why not" Lilah says while Carla nods in agreement
About an hour later Carla, Michelle and Lilah were sitting in the Rover's tucked away in the far corner away from all the earwigging neighbours.
"So then, Carla" Michelle begins "You're not going to be a free women for much longer"
"Nope and I am the happiest I have been" she says grinning
"Oh Lilah looks like you caught Nick's attention" Michelle says "He's a bit old for you though"
"Shut up, we're strictly business you dirty mare" Lilah says with a giggle
"Can you stop talking about my ex-husband thanks" Carla says laughing
"Wait you were married to Nick?!" Lilah says shocked
"It's not that hard to believe" she says pouting
"They were like Weatherfield's new power couple, Lilah" Michelle says "Love's young dream"
"You said that about me and Peter the first time" Carla says rolling her eyes
"That, I would've loved to see" she says taking a sip of her drink
"So then Michelle why are you off the booze, I feel lonely drinking here" Lilah says
"I'm up the duff" she whispers in Lilah's ear
"Ah so that's why you wanted to look through the memory box" she says reflecting on the day
"Shall we move on to the bistro?" Carla suggests changing the subject
"You're actually so lovesick it's worse than my morning sickness but sure why not" Michelle says laughing
"Come on then girls" Carla says getting ready to leave
"Lilah he's still staring at you" Michelle says
"Ugh, let me deal with it, I'll meet you there" Lilah says rolling her eyes
"Do you need any help?" Carla asks concerned
"No, I'm a big girl" Lilah states boldly
"Alright we'll meet you there in a bit" Michelle said as Lilah heads off to confront Nick
"Right, what do you want?" Lilah interrogates Nick
"Nothing" he shrugs
"Then what's with the 'eyes on me all the time routine' then?" Lilah questions
"Come outside with me" Nick says "It's a bit more private"
"Ok?" Lilah replies confused then follows Nick outside
"What do you think you're playing at, hanging around with the Connor's?" he questions
"That, pretty boy is none of your business, now if you excuse me, I'm going to have a drink with my friends" Lilah says bitterly as Nick grabs her wrist and pulls her in to him and kisses her passionately which she continues for a bit before realising it's wrong
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she questions furiously "Turning into some cougar now?"
"What no, I just like a girl who knows what they want" he says smiling "and I think you enjoyed that"
"I did not enjoy that" she states bluntly "Is that what you said to Carla when you were married?" she says spitefully
"How did you know…" Nick says shocked
"I aint thick Nick, that rhymes, now excuse me, I have to get going" she says strutting off towards the bistro leaving Nick in complete shock and completely in awe
Lilah enters the bistro a while later and makes herself comfortable at the table with Carla, Michelle and Peter.
"You took your time" Michelle says
"Yeah, I know sometimes it's fun to have a mess around" she shrugs
"Yes well he has a partner so he is completely off limits, although I hate the guy" Peter says trying to support Lilah
"You told him, great" Lilah rolls her eyes as the rest of them burst out laughing
"So then another round people?" Michelle asks as they all nod as Lilah gets up with Michelle to help her with the drinks
"Carla?" Peter says "Are you ok?" he asks concerned but she doesn't respond and starts picking at her hands avoiding eye contact as her eyes glaze over
"Lilah!" Peter shouts
"Is she ok?" she asks
"I don't know she won't respond" he says
"Carla can you hold my hand?" Lilah asks
"I need to go" Carla says rushing out of the bistro as Lilah follows her. Carla heads back home but stops in her tracks and stares at the fire escape on Victoria Street while Lilah catches up with her and stands some distance away from her in case she spooks her
"Shhh" she hisses at Peter and Michelle who have followed her
"What is she doing?" Michelle says quietly
"I actually don't know" Lilah says confused going to approach Carla
"Carla, I don't know if you can hear me but it's Lilah" Lilah says calmly as Carla turns and glares at her with fear in her eyes
"It's there" she whispers
"What's there Carla?" Lilah asks
"Come with me" she whispers
"Ok?" Lilah agrees and lets Carla head off on her own for a bit
"Ok, Peter I need you to get 999 up on your phone" Lilah says "Just in case, I will gesture to you to call if needed"
"Carla where are you going?" Lilah asks
"Follow" she says bluntly
Lilah follows Carla while Peter and Michelle trail behind them both, a fair distance back. Carla heads to the community garden and turns to face the swinging seat and her smile beams from ear to ear while tears fill her eyes. Lilah stares at Carla analysing her every move ensuring not to spook her out of her trance.
"Hey baby girl" Carla says bending down swinging the little girl she sees on the swing
"Hi, Mummy" the little girl says "I love you" she says hopping off the seat and going to hug her mum
"Hey baby, I missed you" Carla says kissing her daughters head
"I want to be with you mummy" the little girl said
"I want you to be with me as well, I miss you baby" Carla says while crying for the child she loved so dearly
"Mummy come with me" the little girl says luring Carla away from the community garden and she happily obliges
"Uh, what do you think you're doing, little miss" a masculine voice says scooping the little girl in his arms and tickling her wriggling body
"Lilah? What's going on?" Michelle asks
"I think she's hallucinating her dead baby" Lilah states "Just keep 999 open on your phones, I will gesture to you to call if needed"
"But why is she standing there with tears streaming down her face, completely pale" Peter says worried
"Mummy make him stop" she giggles loudly in complete happiness
"Have I told you that you have the cutest little laugh in the world" Carla says
"Can you tell Uncle Liam to stop the tickle monster" she says stamping her feet on the floor
"Yes Uncle Liam, stop the tickle monster" Carla says pouting at the cute scene in front of her
"Michelle are you ok?" Peter asks noticing she's crying
"She's speaking to Liam, she's going to be so distraught when she snaps out of this" Michelle says tearfully
"Carla?" Liam says going to her wrapping her in a hug "I miss you so much"
"I miss you too, so, so much" she says crying
"Mummy, Uncle Paul lives with me and Uncle Liam!" the little girl exclaims
"Really, baby? Do you like living with Uncle Paul?" Carla asks
"I love Uncle Paul and Liam!" the little girl says excitedly before turning glancing around and hiding behind her mother's legs
"Carla" another masculine voice says evilly as she looks up from her little girl to one her worst fears
"STAY AWAY FROM HER, YOU EVIL MONSTER!" she shouts at the top of her voice, motherly instincts kicking in
"Peter call now!" Lilah says as Peter frantically dials 999
"I'll notify Johnny" Michelle says getting her phone out
"Now why should I do that?" he asks
"Mummy please don't let him take me!" the little girl says
"Stay away from her Frank, anyone but her, I beg that of you" Carla pleads erratically
"Peter give me the phone" Lilah insists as Peter hands the phone to Lilah
"Uncle Paul!" the little girl shouts
"Hey gorgeous" he says kissing her head
"Have you come to keep mummy safe?" the little girl asks desperately
"Paul?" Carla questions awkwardly
"Don't cry you daft mare" he says
"I'm so sorry" Carla says mournfully
"Don't be it's in the past" he says
"What's going on?" Johnny asks
"I think she's having a psychotic episode" Lilah informs him "Emergency services are on the way"
"Can't you do anything?" Johnny asks
"I'm just watching because I don't want to spook her, sometimes it's better if she gets through it herself because I don't want the risk of her doing something she might regret or her hallucinations turning on her" Lilah says
"She knows a lot more than us Johnny" Peter says
"I know you loved Liam more" he smiles stroking her cheek
"I-I didn't, I loved you" she says confused
"Was I lust or love Carla?" Liam interrupts
"You were love Liam, we already confirmed this" Paul says rolling his eyes
"You were love Leebugs I love you so much" she says crying "You made me want to help old ladies cross the road"
"I know and I love you more than my heart can take, but I need you to promise something for me ok?" he says
"Ok" she says confused
"Look after 'Chelle for me" he says "You've done a good job so far, kid"
"Mummy we need to go now" the little girl whimpers
"No you can't go" Carla says shaking her head "I want to come with you"
"Well you know what to do Carla" Frank suggests sinisterly
Lilah watches as Carla turns around and starts walking up the fire escape Lilah grabs her then she breaks down in her arms.
"Lilah the ambulance is here" Michelle says as the paramedics get out of their vehicles
"Over there" Johnny says pointing in the direction Lilah was to the paramedics
"Who have we got here then?" the paramedic asks
"This is Carla, she's been recovering from psychosis, I think she's starting to come out of a psychotic episode" Lilah explains while Carla sits on her lap
"Ok, that's great thank you" the paramedic says "I don't suppose you could take her to the ambulance?" the paramedic asks
"I can try" she shrugs "Carla do you want to come with me?" Lilah asks as Carla nods
"Come on then" she says guiding a shaking Carla to the ambulance strapping her in to the seat
"Can I inform the family?" Lilah asks
"Yes that's fine we will give her a sedative when we get to hospital" the paramedic says
"Is it ok if her partner comes with you?" Lilah asks
"Yes that's fine" the paramedic says
"Peter, you go with her I will deal with the rest of her family" she smiles
"Are you going to be ok?" He asks
"I'm fine, go with her" she insists
Michelle, Lilah and Johnny watch the ambulance leave and head into the back room of the Rover's to talk about the events that just happened.
"Thank, you so much Lilah" Johnny says hugging the young girl
"It's ok I was just using knowledge that I've learnt" Lilah shrugs
"You saved her life" Michelle says
"What's going on?" Jenny asks yawning while entering the room
"Carla's been admitted to hospital" Michelle says
"What happened?" Jenny asks
"She had an episode again" Johnny says
"Right anyone want any food, we have left overs" Jenny says trying to make herself useful
"Yes please, love" Johnny says grabbing the plate off Jenny
"Ugh what is that?" Michelle says
"It's cold chicken and salad" Johnny says as Michelle runs to the bathroom to chuck her guts up and returns moments later
"Michelle can I have a word in private please?" Jenny asks
"Sure" Michelle says confused as they make their way to the kitchen
"What was that about?" Jenny asks
"What?" Michelle says as she tries to play it down
"Are you pregnant?" Jenny questions
"Ugh fine yes, but very early on literally 6 weeks" Michelle says with a smile
"Am I the first to know?" Jenny questions
"No, Carla, Peter, Kate and Lilah know. May as well let Johnny know as well now" she shrugs as they enter the living room
"Johnny, I have an announcement" Michelle says
"Please be good news for once" he says
"I'm pregnant" Michelle says and Lilah looks at her confused
"What?! This is great news, congratulations" he says
"Can you hurry up and finish that though it's making me want to heave" she says pointing at the food
"Michelle a word please" Lilah asks as they both step out of the room
"So you're keeping it then?" Lilah asks
"I think so, I cant let past experiences get in the way of something positive" she states
"I'm really happy for you" Lilah says
"Thank you" Michelle smiles
There were so many decisions that needed to be made today. Lilah made the decision that Carla needed to be sectioned again and Michelle decided to keep her baby. There could be so many positives and negatives about the situation the Connor's were in but there was one thing that was going to happen and that is there would be a new edition to the family in the coming months.