'This is home, baby girl...' Carla says smiling slightly as she carries her daughter's carseat through the front door of the flat which holds so many memories for her. Glancing around the front room she sighs at the many pictures scattered about. Michelle had been in and replaced all the pictures of Tony with other pictures. Right in the centre of the fireplace is a picture of Michelle, Carla, Liam and Paul when they were younger, when they were happier.
'Mummy's going to text Auntie Chelle and see if she wants to come round... Does that sound like a good idea?' Carla says placing the carseat on the floor in front of the sofa. She grabs her phone out her bag and quickly begins to compose a new text.
To Michelle :
What would you say if I told you that I was back in Weatherfield?xx
From Michelle :
Are you being serious? Xxx
To Michelle :
I'm at the flat right now xx
From Michelle :
Can I come over? I can give you more time if it's too soon? Xxx
To Michelle :
Of course you can! Come over whenever you want xx
From Michelle :
Give me ten minutes xxx
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
'Hello?' Carla says holding the receiver to her ear.
'You're really here!' Michelle replies causing Carla to smile.
'Come on up, Chelle.' Carla says smiling as she buzzes her sister-in-law into the building. Making her way over to the front door she opens it slightly before going back over to the kitchen where she was sorting some things out.
'I'm so glad you're back!' Michelle says making her way into the flat and closing the door behind her.
'Shh... Keep your voice down.' Carla almost whispers as she turns to face Michelle, her tiny daughter curled up in her arms.
'Oh my god...' Michelle mumbles instantly covering her mouth with her hand.
'Hi.' Carla says biting her bottom lip.
'Who's this?' Michelle asks making her way over to Carla.
'This is my daughter... Jasmine, Jasmine Michelle.' Carla replies.
'Is she Tony's? Did you know you were pregnant when you left? How old is she? Why didn't you tell me?' Michelle asks.
'Talk about twenty questions, Chelle... She's not Tony's. I didn't know I was pregnant when I left, I didn't find out until at least a month after I left. She's nearly two weeks old. I was scared, Chelle... I was so so scared and I didn't know what to say.' Carla admits.
'Congratulations? She's beautiful.' Michelle says causing Carla to smile.
'I was so scared you'd be mad.' She replies.
'Why?' Michelle asks.
'Because Paul and I never had children.' Carla replies.
'Don't be silly... Can I have a cuddle with her?' Michelle asks.
'Of course you can.' Carla replies smiling.
'She's so beautiful...' Michelle says gazing down at Jasmine curled against her chest.
'Thank you.' Carla replies quietly.
'So are you going to tell me who her dad is? It's obviously someone from here unless she was early?' Michelle asks and Carla sighs.
'I'd rather not right now, Chelle... Not until I've spoke to him.' Carla replies.
'Okay. Have you spoke to Liam? He's been a bit run his feet with the factory.' Michelle says.
'I've not. I'm a bit scared to talk to him, Chelle... I've been ignoring his phonecalls for months.' Carla replies.
'He'll be fine. He understands, Carla. You needed some time away. You should let him know you're back though, before someone else does.' Michelle says gently running her finger down Jasmine's cheek.
'I'll text him later.' Carla replies.
'Did you hear Carla is back?' Maria asks curling her body around Liam's as they sit on the sofa.
'No? How do you know?' Liam asks.
'Kirk seen her going up to the flat earlier... Apparently she has a baby with her.' She replies.
'Really? Is he sure it's her? She would've told Chelle if she'd had a baby.' He says and Maria sighs.
'Kirk was pretty positive...' She replies.
'Do you want me to stay over?' Michelle asks smiling as she watches Carla tuck a blanket around Jasmine's little body.
'Would you? It's actually quite weird weird being back here.' Carla replies leaning over the Moses basket which Michelle brought up earlier from the car for Carla.
'Of course I will... Got two weeks of getting to know this little one to catch up on, don't I?' Michelle says smiling as Carla sits down next to her.
'I'm sorry I didn't tell you.' Carla mumbles and Michelle shakes her head.
'Don't worry about it... Why don't you go get some sleep and I'll watch the little one?' Michelle suggests.
'Really? Are you sure?' Carla asks.
'Yeah. I'll wake you if she needs feeding, go sleep.' Michelle replies.
'You're the absolute best, Chelle.' Carla says pulling her into her arms.
'Go sleep.' Michelle repeats. She watches Carla get up off the sofa and make her way to the bedroom.
'Aren't you just precious...' Michelle whispers glancing over the side of the Moses basket at Jasmine who is sleeping peacefully.