Chapter 8
As the next few weeks went by David and Carol spent most days at the hospital with baby Charlotte who was getting stronger and stronger. There had been a few scares where she had developed infections but she definitely had Carol's spirit and managed to fight her way through them. Carol and David had had the chance to have a little hold of Charlotte as she got stronger which had been a magical moment for both of them. Whilst visiting Charlotte one day just as David went to get a drink Carol was informed that she was strong enough to go home and leave the premature baby unit.
"Are sure she'll be ok at home with us?" Said a worried Carol to the nurse
"Of course, the doctor has checked her over and is confident she is ready to go home. Best place for her if you ask me" Said the nurse
"I can't believe it" Said Carol
"You can hold her. It'll all be ok as she is out of danger now" Said the nurse
"Hello darling. Oh you are so gorgeous just like your dad" Said Carol as she picked Charlotte up and cuddled her in her arms. She suddenly felt like a real mother again which put such a big grin on her face. Carol just sat their holding Charlotte for ages holding her hand and tickling her belly which she seemed to like just like Bianca did when David used to tickle her as a baby. At that moment David came back with their coffees.
"Carol, Is she okay?" Said David with a grin
"Yeah they said we can take her home today" Said Carol
"That's brilliant, Thank god she's going to be alright" Said David as he looked into Charlotte's eyes and kissed her head whilst crouching beside Carol. At that moment Carol and David's eyes met and they had a cheeky intimate kiss beside their daughter and the nurse.
"David" Carol embarrassingly chuckled as he kissed her neck in a randy sort of way
"Aww it's so nice to see two people so in love. I'll get the doctor to come round once more for your comfort" Said the nurse
"Thank you" Said David
"Why don't you call Bianca and let her know we're coming home while I speak to the doctor" Said Carol
"Why you scared I'll embarrass you in front of the doctor" Said David chuckling
"No, I just want to talk to him about something" Said Carol
"What?" Said David
"Never you mind" Said Carol
"Alright I'll go and call Bianca" Said David as he left the room
David went and called Bianca and asked her to put together a little welcome home gathering for Charlotte and get everyone together to make it special in a way Carol and David were never able to do with Bianca. David also called Pat to let her know charlotte was coming home and that he would love it if she, Roy and Janine would come as well assuming Bianca would bring Ricky. Whilst David was phoning and arranging this party Carol spoke to the doctor who assured her Charlotte was ok to go home. Carol also asked him a question about breast feeding which she was embarrassed to discuss in front of David as she thought he would laugh. Just as Carol was beginning to attempt breastfeeding David walked in and crept up on her.
"Hello" Said David gently
"God David you made me jump. Why did you come in?" Said Carol defensively
"What's wrong Carol?" Questioned a concerned David
"Nothing" Said Carol trying to hide her embarrassment
"Carol you can't lie to me I know you. You don't have to be embarrassed about breastfeeding; it's perfectly natural. Don't cut me out" Said David understandingly of which Carol responded with a kiss on the cheek as she continued to breast feed whilst David watched lovingly.
David then drove home very slowly with Carol and baby Charlotte in the back seat. As they finally arrived home the whole square seemed quiet and all the lights were off in the house. David noticed Bianca peeking out the window and realised she had organised a little surprise homecoming for Charlotte. Carol and David then walked in the house with Charlotte and were greeted by the whole family which lit up Carol's face
"SURPRISE!" Shouted everyone as music began to play in the background
"Oh my god. Did you arrange this?" Said Carol to David who nodded and chuckled
"Can I hold Charlotte please mum" Said Sonia
"Of course darling, come and sit down and make sure you support her head" Said Carol as she gently placed Charlotte on to Sonia's lap as Billie and Bianca sat either side of her and Joe and Robbie peered over her shoulders all wanting to get a glimpse of their sister.
"Sit down Carol you must be exhausted I'll get you a drink" Said Pat
"Just a glass of water will be fine as I'm trying to breast feed her" Said Carol
"No problem" Said Pat as she went to get Carol a drink
They all toasted baby Charlotte and it really was a lovely little party. The kids made a massive fuss of Charlotte and she seemed to love it. Bianca and Ricky began to talk about their wedding and babies which terrified David and Carol but also gave them a warm feeling. It was likely their first grandchild would be not much older than Charlotte which David found rather amusing. As it got later Billie, Sonia and Joe were sent to bed as they had school in the morning and Pat and Roy took Janine home for the same reason. Robbie, Bianca and Ricky could see David and Carol were tired so also made their excuses and left. David and Carol were then alone in the living room just cuddling up with baby Charlotte who was asleep in David's arms.
"Come on Carol let's go up to bed. I can see you and Charlotte are exhausted" Said David
"Yeah ok" Said Carol as she began to make her way upstairs with David following close behind with Charlotte
As Carol opened their bedroom door she saw that David had put the bassinette up and made the room look really nice for Charlotte.
"David it looks amazing" Said Carol as she turned to look at him
"Yeah. Bianca helped me" Said David
"It's beautiful. I love you" Said Carol as she kissed David
"Well go on put Charlotte in her new bassinette" Said David as he handed Charlotte to Carol
Carol placed Charlotte gently in the bassinette which was covered in expensive white cloth on a beautiful white stand. She kissed Charlotte's head and stroked her hand as David looked over them.
"This looks really expensive" Said Carol
"Nothing but the best for my little girl" Said David
"You said that about Bianca when you bought that really expensive white bunny with a silver bow tie" Said Carol
"Yeah and then she spit up on it" Said David chuckling
"Oh yeah" Said Carol laughing as well
"That's right you laugh on" Said David jokingly
"Oh but she loved that bunny; she couldn't sleep without it" Said Carol
"I never knew that" Said David
"Yeah well I forgot to say. You see she had her dad with her in the form of a fluffy white bunny. You know what I'm sure she's still got that bunny; hang on" Said Carol as she rushed to Sonia and Bianca's room
"Here you are look" Said Carol as she came back with this really cute white bunny which had its left ear chewed
"Oh god. I was such an idiot" Said David welling up at the thought of what he had missed out on with Bianca growing up.
"Don't worry David you'll be there for Charlotte" Said Carol as she caressed David's arm
David and Carol then went to bed and Carol fell asleep quickly but David couldn't stop thinking about how he had missed out on Bianca's childhood: her first steps, first words and first day at school etc. David heard Charlotte cry and instantly got up before she woke Carol and went downstairs. He made her up a bottle of Carol's breast milk which she had pumped early at the hospital. David sat on the couch and fed Charlotte and although he was clueless he instantly knew what to do and winded her perfectly. As she fell back asleep in his arms he picked up a picture of 5 year old Bianca at school with freckles and long ginger hair done up in plats. He could imagine himself walking her to school and helping her with her homework. David began to cry as he knew he'd never get those precious years back with Bianca. At that moment Bianca walked in and saw David crying
"Dad what's wrong?" Said Bianca as she cuddled up to him and held his head
"Nothing" Said David trying to hide his upset
"It's alright you'll be a great dad to Charlotte" Said David
"You mean like I was to you" Said David
"You were 15 dad; you can't punish yourself for it forever" Said Bianca
"Look how beautiful you were darling and I missed out on all of that" Said David as he pointed at the picture of 5 year old Bianca
"I still need my dad even though I'm 19. I'll always be your little girl dad" Said Bianca as she cuddled him and Charlotte
"Yeah you will darling. You both will" Said David as he kissed Bianca's head and then Charlotte's
"I'd better take Charlotte back up. Night darling" Said David to Bianca as he went back upstairs and placed Charlotte in her bassinette
"Where have you been?" Said Carol who had woken up
"Just feeding Charlotte as she was crying and I didn't want to wake you" Said David
"Is she ok?" Said Carol
"Yeah she's fine; a little angel like her mum" Said David as he got back into bed and cuddled Carol tightly and kissed her head
David awoke the next morning and realised Carol was not in bed and he could hear a massive commotion downstairs. He decided to stay upstairs a bit longer as sometimes the chaos did his head in. He looked in the bassinette and saw Charlotte. She was awake and rolling around looking up at her dad. At that moment David could see she was about to cry and picked her up which she seemed to like but she began to cry again as it was now obvious she needed changing. He gently placed her on her changing table and began to unbutton her sleep suit which was baby pink with a sheep on it saying little angel and slid it off her. He then picked up the clean nappy and was worried he wouldn't be able to do it but it came natural and he gently changed little Charlotte who then kicked her legs and giggled as David tickled her belly and kissed her nose.
"All clean my beautiful little angel" Said David as he picked her up and held her close to his chest. He then lay down back on the bed still holding little Charlotte close to his chest as she began poking at him; beginning to become intrigued by everything she saw. David was talking to her sweetly as Carol came in with a tray with a couple of boiled eggs, some toast and two cups of tea.
"Hello you two, here we are I've brought us some breakfast" Said Carol
"Ooh isn't mummy good to us" Said David to Charlotte
"I'd better see if she's hungry" Said Carol as she took Charlotte from David. She subtly tried to undo her buttons as she faced away from David which he immediately noticed
"Carol you don't have to be embarrassed I told you. Come on turn around" Said David
"Ok but don't laugh" Said Carol as she turned round and sat next to David who was now tucking into his breakfast
"I won't I promise. Aww she's gorgeous isn't she?" Said David as he watched her being fed by Carol
"Yeah she is. She's taking to this much better than Bianca did. I had to give up with her as she used to scream at me" Said Carol
"Well she is a gobby madam" Said David
"Yeah but she's our gobby madam" Said Carol as she smiled at David who smiled back
"Does it hurt" Said David curiously
"A bit" Said Carol
Charlotte then spit up on Carol and David began to laugh which got him a slap on the bum from Carol whilst he was getting dressed.
"Oi" Said David
"Serves you right" Said Carol
"Oh yeah so am I going to get punished for that then" Said David flirtaciously
"Oooh I'm sure I can think up something for tonight" Said Carol flirting back
"I'll hold you to that" Said David seductively as he and Carol passionately kissed which was broken by Charlotte making a noise
"Alright darling not in front of you I get it" Said David
"Go to work" Said Carol
"I'm going, I'll see you later. I love you" Said David as he kissed Carol and Charlotte
"Love you too" Said Carol
"You behave for your mum Charlotte" Said David as he left to go to work.
Carol just sat there with Charlotte for several moments as she couldn't believe how lucky she was to have a second chance of a family with the boy she had loved since she was 13. Carol knew she would never feel that way about anyone else and just hoped they would make a real go of things and have many happy years together. However life was never simple and Carol always feared she would lose David so vowed to cherish every loving moment she had with him in the past, present and future.