It was the start of August and Johnny and Jenny decided that it would be a good idea to host a family meal much to everyone's despair. The Connor group chat was going wild at the dreaded thought of a family meal. Both Carla and Peter knew that it would be quite boring as neither of them could drink to get through the occasion and dealing with a drunk Jenny was more than a nightmare it was almost classified as hell. Carla was on her phone whilst Johnny arranged it via group chat.
Family Group chat:
JOHNNY: Group meal at bistro 6pm don't be late. Carla save a table
"There goes our quiet night in" Carla huffs
"What's happened now?" Peter laughs
"Johnny wants a family meal, kill me now" Carla says rolling her eyes
"It might be nice?" Peter suggests
"Are you drunk or something? How can watching Jenny getting wasted on cheap house wine be nice?" Carla questions
"I'm guessing you want me to save a table?" he laughs
"Well yes but no at the same time" she giggles
"Right I'm heading to work, see you later" he says kissing her head
"Bye, baby" she smiles back at him
An hour or so later Carla was flicking through some magazines she didn't manage to get through last week before 'Chelle emerges from the spare bedroom.
"Morning little Miss lazy" Carla says
"Don't start" she sighs
"Looks like someone got out on the wrong side of the bed" Carla retorts "Have you seen the family group chat?"
"No I left that when I left here last year" Michelle says
"Guess what's happening tonight?" Carla asks
"Well I'm going to be a really smart person and say a family meal at the bistro?" Michelle replies sarcastically
"Correct" Carla sighs
"Who's going?" Michelle asks
"I don't know I'll ask" Carla says typing away at her phone
Family group chat
10:38 CARLA: I'm in so is Peter, who else?
10:39 KATE: If you're in I'm in
"Kate's going, at least someone else can reply quick" Carla sighs
"I'm so glad I do not have to attend that, watching Jenny down numerous bottles of wine, no thank you" Michelle laughs
"Lucky cow, although you could make a grand entrance" Carla says
"Nice try" Michelle says
"Please think about it, pretty please" Carla replies
"Ok fine I will think about it but no promises" Michelle says "Right I'm going to have a shower then I need to start getting this hospital bag ready"
"Need any help?" Carla asks hopeful
"All I need you to do is pick a coming home outfit" Michelle says
"Well I would like to have a black dress" Carla says hopeful
"Not happening you can pick anything which I have bought already" Michelle says "Let me grab a shower real quick then I will be all yours"
"Alright" Carla replies checking her phone
Family group chat
11:00 MARIA: I'm in so is Ali I think. Am I bringing Liam?
11:05 JOHNNY: He'll be the only child but it's up to you
11:07 MARIA: I probably won't then
11:10 RYAN: What's going on?
11:11 CARLA: You can scroll up you know then all the information is there
11:13 RYAN: Just tell me
11:15 CARLA: Family meal 6pm bistro bring Alya if you want
11:17 RYAN: Cheers Auntie Carla, I'll ask Alya. Shame Mum isn't here I might invite her
11:20 CARLA: Do you even know where she is?
Ryan Connor added Michelle Connor
11:23 RYAN: No but I'm sure we're about to find out
"Heard from anyone else?" Michelle appears from the bathroom rubbing her hair dry
"You might want to check your phone" Carla says
"Oh god what's happened" Michelle sighs
Family Group Chat
11:30 MICHELLE: Why am I back in this, I left for a reason?
11:35 ALI: Oh, Hi Mum didn't know you were back in here
11:37 MICHELLE: Neither did I, so what's the occasion Ryan?
11:40 RYAN: Well there's a family meal at the bistro, I was wondering if you were in the UK and whether you'd be willing to come and say hi?
11:44 MICHELLE: I guess I could, but I'm not making any promises
11:45 CARLA: So you are in the UK?
11:46 MICHELLE: Yes, is that a problem?
11:48 CARLA: No it would be nice to see you though
11:49am MICHELLE: I'll think about it
"Little do they know" Carla says
"Yeah, they're gonna get one hell of a shock when I turn up almost 7 months pregnant" she chuckles
"You need to start thinking of some answers to those awkward questions" Carla suggests
"Ugh, who should I say the father is?" Michelle asks
"The guy from Dubai?" Carla says as Michelle's phone goes off
"Oh god" she groans
"What?" Carla questions
"It's Kate on private message" Michelle says
Kate Connor
12:01 KATE: Please come tonight
12:05 MICHELLE: Why should I?
12:07 KATE: Because we all want to see you
12:10 MICHELLE: I don't know it's just going to be awkward they will probably just assume things
12:12 KATE: What do you mean?
"Damn it!" Michelle shouts
"What did you screw up?" Carla laughs
"Oh I don't know" she sighs
"What did you put let me have a look" Carla says snatching the phone off Michelle
"Have I screwed up?" Michelle asks
"Um say about how you've been away for so long" Carla suggests
"Alright good idea" Michelle says typing away at her phone
Kate Connor
12:20 MICHELLE: Sorry, my boss came in, they might assume some of the reasons I've been away that's all
12:22 KATE: Who care's what people think. Just come then I will shut up x
12:24 MICHELLE: I will try but like I said I'm not making any promises
12:25 KATE: Ugh fine whatever, sorry Peter's having a go so I better get back to serving customers I hope you make it
"Sorted, thank god I didn't screw that up any further" Michelle says relieved
"Good girl, now do I get to pick my nieces coming home outfit now?" Carla asks excitedly
"Sure come on then" Michelle says getting up to go into the spare bedroom
"Get all of em out then" Carla says
"Alright Miss Impatient" Michelle says retrieving all the outfits she has accumulated and spreading them out on the bed
"Hmm I like this one" Carla says picking up a fluffy white bear baby romper suit
"I don't know it might be a bit warm, it all depends on the weather really" Michelle says
"Pick two then, one for cold weather another one for warmer weather" Carla suggests
"Good idea so that one for cold weather?" she asks
"Umm yeah I think so" Carla says
"Ok now another outfit please" Michelle says
"Mmm I like this one" Carla suggests holding out a blue floral playsuit
"You sure?" Michelle asks
"Yep I like those choices" Carla says "How do you even know what to put in the bag?
"Well there's a recommended list in my birth plan folder, it's very useful" Michelle says
"Ew why would you need 'comfortable underwear'?" Carla questions
"Because it can be a very uncomfortable experience after you give birth, you wouldn't want to be wearing a thong" Michelle laughs
"Are you breastfeeding?" Carla asks
"Probably I don't need to factor in a partners opinion" Michelle states
"Doesn't that mean you will need one of those sucky thingys?" Carla says
"Breast pump?" Michelle giggles
"Yes that" Carla replies
"I'll order that online probably nearer the time" she says "We need to start getting ready for that family meal now"
"You're coming?" Carla questions hopefully
"I think so" Michelle states
"Yay someone to chat to, other than Peter who can't get hammered to talk about Jenny with" Carla beams
"You mean to laugh at Jenny" Michelle corrects her
"Mhm same thing. Help me pick and outfit though" she asks
"Wear that red dress the strappy one" Michelle suggests
"No, because Peter wouldn't be able to keep his hands off me all evening and trust me you will be thanking me" Carla says raising her eyebrows
"Too much information Car" Michelle winces at the thought
"Sorry, pick another" she blushes slightly
"Um what about that white chiffon blouse and those really nice black skinny jeans you have" Michelle suggests
"Yep good idea, cheers, love" Carla says
"Now return the favour" Michelle says
"Hmm the black stretchy maternity dress you bought, really shows your bump and it looks comfortable therefore people wont mistake you for being fat" Carla says
"Alright cheers and don't call me fat again thank you" Michelle says
A while later, after doing their make up and getting dressed into their outfits Michelle and Carla make their way to the bistro later than most people so Michelle could make her grand entrance.
"You ready?" Carla asks
"As ready as I'll ever be" Michelle states
"Come on then" Carla says pushing the door open
"Michelle!" Johnny shouts
"Johnny" she smiles
"You look really well" he exclaims gesturing to her baby bump
"Well you know me, I like to keep you guessing" she shrugs
"Mum" Ryan states "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Look let me sit down then I will explain ok?" Michelle says
"Um Michelle explain please" Maria says
"Ok well, you know how babies are created, so that happened whilst I was abroad, then I came back then I was originally going to get rid of it then I decided to keep it and here we are today. I've actually been staying at Carla's for a while" Michelle says
"Wow, so you don't know who the father is?" Jenny asks
"Well obviously I know him to the extent that I slept with him" she replies
"When are you due?" Ali asks
"Late October" she returns
"Do you know the gender?" Ryan asks
"Yes, it's a girl" Michelle replies
"So I'm getting a little sister, sick" Ryan replies
"So then what drinks do you all want?" Johnny asks
"Just order the house white Johnny, make it a bottle or three" Jenny says already getting tipsy
"We'll have orange juices won't we Car?" Peter asks
"Yep that's fine" Carla states
"I'll have a diet coke please Johnny" Michelle says
"I'll have a lemonade, thanks Johnny" Alya says
"So where did you go when you were travelling Kate?" Ali asks trying to make conversation
"Umm we went to Japan for a couple of weeks it was stunning so calming then we travelled to Dubai which was diverse I guess but that was pretty cool" she says
"It sounds amazing" Peter says "We should go somewhere shouldn't we family holiday?"
"That would be sick all of us together we could hire a couple of villas" Ryan suggests
"Well it isn't happening any time soon I want to look my best on holiday not like a whale" Michelle groans
"So then, how are the wedding plans coming along Carla?" Maria asks
"Alright I just need to find a dress really and find a hairstyle which I like" she shrugs
"Have you seen any you like?" Maria asks curiously
"I have a few in mind" Carla replies
"You never told me" Peter says
"Well that is kind of the point, baby" Carla says patting his chest "I'm going to get some air"
"Is she ok?" Michelle asks gesturing towards Peter
"I'll go see" Peter says before getting up to exit the bistro
"Car?" Peter questions gently as she leans up against the wall
"Oh, Hi" she says quietly
"You alright?" he asks
"No, but you know" she shrugs
"What's going on?" he asks gently
"Just family meals they get to me sometimes" she says
"I understand but I also know you are lying to me" he replies
"Ok fine, I feel a little bit anxious not a lot but just a little" she says downplaying her feelings
"Out of 10?" he asks
"Maybe a 5 but it's slowly creeping up, I just want to prove to myself that I can do this" she suggests determined
"Right, if you want to leave, just say" he says "Shall we go back in?"
"Yep thank you for being so understanding" Carla says pecking him on the lips as they enter the bistro
"Welcome back lovebirds" Jenny slurs
"Thank you Jenny" Carla says calmly rolling her eyes as Michelle laughs
"You alright?" Michelle asks
"I'll be alright" Carla persists "Can we leave, I can't do this" she whispers in Peters ear instantly regretting entering the bistro again
"You sure?" he checks
"I'm sure" she replies getting up and leaving to head home
"Did I say something" Jenny says
"No she just wasn't feeling well" Michelle covers "She's been feeling like it all day"
"Right I guess I better head off and keep her company, thanks for the meet up Johnny, Jenny" Peter says before leaving the bistro.
Peter heads home to see if Carla is ok. He takes a longer route home to ensure he gives Carla enough time to come to terms with how she's feelings so he can help her.
"Car?" Peter says entering the flat
"In here" she shouts from the bedroom as Peter makes his way to her
"What happened?" he asks
"I j-just can't sit there… and lie it's t-too much" she says gasping for air
"Calm down, do your breathing remember" Peter prompts
"I hate me I hate myself" she shouts angrily
"Carla calm down" Peter says
"I just want to be me again is that too much to ask!" she screams hitting the wall
"Carla you need to calm down" Peter calmly repeats
"I can't calm down Peter, look at me I'm a mess!" she exclaims
"Carla-" Peter tries to say
"Don't you dare tell me to calm down because it's not happening!" she screams "I'm going" she states heading to the door
"Carla no" Peter says chasing after her but she left and ran down the stairs before he could catch up
Peter frantically phones Michelle to see if she could get the family to keep an eye out for Carla. Peter knew that when Carla was like this there was very little chance of getting through to her and the fact she had just ran out in a state heightened Peter's anxiety knowing hat he needed to find her but this was near impossible as he had no clue where she could be.