'Hey...' Michelle says smiling as Carla makes her way into the pub pushing Freya's pram.
'Hi, I'm sorry for walking out yesterday.' Carla replies letting go of the pram to lean on the bar.
'It's okay. Did you get some decent sleep last night?' Michelle asks automatically pouring Carla a pineapple juice.
'I got a couple of hours. She's just a bit fussy at the moment, we'll be okay... Won't we Freya?' Carla replies smiling.
'Aiden's over there if you want to see him.' Michelle say gesturing to the table at the other end of the pub.
'Is Ryan in?' Carla asks.
'Yeah. He's through the back. Go through if you want.' Michelle replies.
'Thanks.' Carla says smiling. She quickly makes her way through to the back and peeks her head around the door.
'Can I come in, Ry?' She asks seeing her nephew sitting on the sofa typing away on his phone.
'Sure.' He replies. She leans into the pram and lifts her daughter into her arms.
'I'm sorry I walked out yesterday, Ryan. I don't know how to deal with things very well and I certainly am not used to showing my emotions.' She says making her way into the room with Freya.
'It's okay... Mum explained. I didn't mean to upset you.' He replies as she sits down next to her.
'You didn't, honestly... I think it's being back here, this place just reminds me of everything I used to have.' She says glancing down at Freya.
'I was doing okay before I came back here.' She adds.
'So what are you going to do? There are so many people who care about you here.' Aiden says and she laughs.
'I highly doubt that.' She replies.
'You've got mum, me, Roy, Aiden and Kate... Even Nick if you'd let him in.' He says.
'I can't, Ryan. I know that if I let Nick back in then I'm only going to fall more in love with him than I already am.' She replies.
'Is that really a bad thing?' He asks.
'Yeah. Nick and I are never going to work out so I'm not going to put him through the heartache.' She replies.
'You need to forgive yourself for cheating on him, Auntie Car... He's already forgiven you.' He says causing her to sigh.
'Easier said than done, Ry.' She replies.
'Is your Auntie Carla still here?' Michelle asks making her way into the backroom.
'Shhh...' Ryan whispers glancing down at his Auntie sleeping peacefully with her head resting on his shoulder as Freya sleeps on his chest.
'She been crying?' Michelle asks making her way over to her son.
'No... I think she's going to leave again. She said that this place just reminds her of everything she used to have.' He replies.
'She's just hurting, Ryan. I don't think she expected to feel this way when she came back. She won't leave again. This place is her home, even if she won't admit it.' Michelle says.
'Why don't you wake her up and tell her to go upstairs?' She suggests.
'No, it's okay. She's clearly comfortable so it's fine.' He replies causing his mum to smile.
'You are amazing, Ryan. I am so proud of you.' Michelle says.
'Well I have you as a mum, what did you expect?' He replies smiling at her.
'Did you have a nice sleep?' Michelle asks smiling as Carla makes her way out of the back with Freya in her arms.
'Mmm... You're son is amazing. I don't think I've slept that well since Freya was born.' Carla admits as she glances over at Nick who is sitting on his own.
'Go talk to him, Carla... I'll keep Freya here.' Michelle says.
'Okay.' Carla replies quietly. She places Freya in her pram and tucks a blanket over her before making her way over to Nick's table.
'Can I join you?' She asks causing him to glance up at her.
'Of course.' He replies smiling. She sits down across from him and watches as he takes a drink of his beer.
'Thank you for yesterday. I really don't know what I would've done if you hadn't settled her. And I'm sorry for pushing you away.' She says causing him to smile.
'You need to stop doubting yourself, Carla. Anyone can see that you're a great mother and that little girl adores you.' He replies.
'It's just hard sometimes. This is never the way I expected things to turn out. I didn't want to be a single mum, for a while I didn't even want to be a mum. It just gets so bloody lonely.' She admits staring down at her hands.
'You're not on your own, Carla... How are things with Aiden and Kate?' He asks glancing over at the table where the two younger Connors are sitting.
'Awkward... I don't know what to do, Nick. I feel like this has just kind of been forced on them, they didn't ask for an older sister.' She replies.
'Just like you didn't ask for a younger brother and sister... What happened is huge, Carla. But none of you asked for this, none of you expected this. You need to decide whether or not you want them in your life.' He says causing her to sigh.
'Of course I do.' She replies and he reaches across the table to grab hold of her hand.
'Then go talk to them. If you need me I'll be right here.' He says gently squeezing her hand.
'Okay... Thank you.' She replies quietly.
'Hi, can I join you?' Carla asks as Kate glances up at her.
'Yeah... Take a seat, I've missed you.' The youngest Connor admits.
'I missed you too, both of you... I just wanted to give you space to digest everything that happened.' Carla says glancing between Kate and Aiden.
'You do know we don't blame you for any of this.' Kate says and Carla sighs.
'I was so worried this would change everything.' Carla admits.
'It does. I've always wanted an older sister, in fact I always thought of you as my big sister growing up.' He says causing her to smile.
'So things aren't going to be awkward between us?' Carla asks and they both shake their heads.
'Welcome to the family, sis.' Aiden says smiling at her.