'Why don't you let me take her? Go have a drink or something?' Ryan suggests gesturing to the baby cradled against Carla's chest.
'Oh I don't know... She's been a bit fussy lately.' Carla replies glancing down at her daughter.
'She'll be fine, Auntie Car... I'll stay right here in sight.' He says reaching out to gently touch Freya's cheek as the infant gazes up at him. She's dressed in a little pink Minnie Mouse sleepsuit with a cream blanket wrapped loosely around her body.
'Okay but you stay right here.' Carla replies.
'I won't move a muscle... Plus you never know, you might actually enjoy not having a baby attached to you for an hour or so.' He says smiling at her.
'She's not attached to me. I just like to have her with me.' She replies causing him to laugh.
'Okay. Go get a drink.' He says taking Freya from her and gently pushing her in the direction of the bar.
'Hey... Happy birthday, Carla.' He says, his hand resting on her shoulder as he leans on the bar beside her. He smiles as she stares across the bar at where Ryan is cradling Freya against his chest, the cream blanket draped over his shoulder.
'Hi, thank you.' She replies tilting her head to the side so she can look at him.
'Can I get you a drink?' He asks and she glances down at her nearly empty glass.
'Yeah, okay... I'll have a lemonade.' She replied causing him to smile.
'Can I have a lemonade and an orange juice, Chelle?' He asks and the woman behind the bar nods.
'I'll bring them over in a minute, Nick.' Michelle replies.
'So have you had a good birthday?' He asks turning back to face Carla.
'It's been okay.' She replies.
'Only okay? What's have you done today?' He asks.
'Nothing really... Michelle insisted I stayed here last night so I didn't wake up alone. Freya got up at five so I'm shattered.' She admits as Michelle places the glasses in front of them.
'Auntie Chelle, sorry to interrupt but she's a bit fussy.' Ryan says making his way over to her with Freya.
'It's okay, pass her here.' Carla replies smiling. She reaches out and takes the little girl into her arms. Ryan smiles and walks away as she gently bounces the infant.
'I'm sorry, Nick... I'm going to need to take her through the back, think it's too noisy for her out here.' She says gently patting the little girl's back.
'Oh... Okay.' He replies and she can sense the disappointment in his voice.
'You could always come through the back and have a drink?' She suggests and he nods his head.
'Yeah, okay.' He replies smiling. They both stand up and make their way round to the other side of the bar.
'Chelle, we're just going through the back... Is that okay?' Carla asks and the other woman nods her head.
'Of course.' She replies smiling.
'I've practically moved in.' Carla admits grabbing Freya's dummy off the table and popping it into her daughter's mouth.
'I can see that.' Nick says smiling as he places their drinks on the table. He glances around the room and smiles at the subtle changes around the room. There's now pictures of Freya dotted about along with all the other ones, a Moses basket is placed at the side of the sofa and there is essentially little bits and pieces of baby stuff scattered around.
'So how have you been?' She asks sitting down on the sofa and gesturing for him to do the same.
'Okay... Keeping busy, you know?' He replies.
'I've missed you.' He admits as she glances down at Freya.
'I missed you too.' She replies quietly.
'Why did you leave?' He asks causing her to sigh.
'Nick, please don't go over this again... You know why I left.' She replies.
'Do you know what I want to know? Why if I've forgiven you and am willing to give us another go, why can't you forgive yourself?' He asks placing his hand on her knee. She glances up at him and he can see the tears in her eyes.
'I just can't okay.' She almost whispers.
'I didn't mean to upset you.' He says and she shakes her head.
'Can you go please?' She asks.
'I'm sorry.' He says standing up. He leans down and places a gently kiss on her forehead before quietly leaving the room, closing the door behind him.
'Why did mummy think that was a good idea?' She mumbles kissing the top of Freya's head.
'So what happened between you and Nick then?' Michelle asks as Carla places Freya in her Moses basket.
'Everything was fine... We were just talking and it was really good, it felt like it used to in the beginning then he started talking about the past. About how he was willing to give us another go and that he had forgiven me so why couldn't I forgive myself.' Carla replies.
'And then what happened?' Michelle asks.
'I got emotional and asked him to leave. There seems to be something inside me that stops me from going there, Chelle.' Carla replies.
'Do you love him?' Michelle asks already knowing the answer.
'More than ever... I just, I'm scared. I've already hurt him once, I don't want to do it again.' Carla replies tucking a blanket around Freya and sitting back down on the sofa next to Michelle.
'Then don't hurt him again. You are entitled to be happy Carla and we all know that Nick makes you happy.' Michelle says causing Carla to sigh.
'Thank you for today, Chelle... Honestly, you didn't have to go to so much effort.' Carla says glancing up at her best friend.
'I hardly went to a lot of effort. I made you breakfast and got some presents. But you're more than welcome.' Michelle replies smiling.
'I was considering moving back into the flat and going back to work.' Carla admits.
'What are you going to do about Freya?' Michelle asks and Carla shrugs her shoulders.
'I don't know, I'll work something out. Maybe I'll just take her into work with me.' Carla replies.
'Mmm... It would be good to have you back on the street.' Michelle says.
'Yeah, I don't know though. I've not decided yet.' Carla replies.