'Can you go please?' Carla asks as she lies in the hospital bed, her hands resting on her stomach.
'What?' Nick asks glancing up from his phone to look at her.
'Thank you for bringing me, I really appreciate it but I'd like you to leave now.' She replies.
'No way. That's my baby as well.' He says, his eyes flickering down to her stomach where her thumb is rubbing gentle circles.
'You heard the doctor, she's fine.' She replies.
'I want to stay.' He says.
'And I want you to leave. Honestly Nick, this is killing me. I understand why you needed space so I'm giving you space... Leave.' She replies.
'I was coming round to ours to tell you how sorry I was for walking out, how I have already forgiven you and how much I love you... Because I do.' He says causing her to shake her head.
'I can't do this right now, Nick... I'm so tired, so fucking tired.' She replies.
'Okay... I'll be back later.' He says standing up. He places his hand on her stomach and leans over to kiss her forehead.
'She'll be okay, y'know?' He says smiling slightly as she moves her hand to cover his.
'I thought I was losing her today.' She admits.
'I know you did... Get some sleep, yeah?' He says moving some hair out of her face. He kisses the top of her head one last time before leaving the hospital room.
'How is she?' Kate asks leaning against the wall.
'She's shattered, scared... I think she could do with having you by her side right now.' Nick replies knowing just how close the two have become.
'Okay.' Kate says quietly. She hugs Nick before making her way into the room.
'How's the baby? Do they know what was wrong?' Aiden asks handing Nick a bottle of water.
'She was having contractions.' Nick replies.
'But it's too early?' Aiden says and Nick nods his head.
'They said it could've been caused by all the stress she's been under. She's been put on bed rest for the foreseeable.' Nick replies causing Aiden to sigh.
'Poor Carla, as if she's not been through enough already.' Aiden says and Nick leans back against the wall.
'She can't lose this baby, Aiden... Losing another would kill her.' Nick replies.
'Another?' Aiden asks.
'I'll tell you in the canteen.' Nick replies beginning to walk away from the room.
'Hey... How's baby?' Kate asks sitting down beside Carla's bed.
'She's okay.' Carla replies.
'She?' Kate asks and Carla nods her head.
'A little baby girl.' Carla replies.
'So how are you doing? When will you get to go home?' Kate asks.
'Tomorrow. They want to keep me in overnight just to keep an eye on the contractions and baby's heartbeat then tomorrow I'll be home and on bed rest.' Carla replies reaching to Kate's hand.
'I know this is a lot to ask...' Carla begins and Kate shakes her head.
'I'll stay with you if it's what you want.' Kate says.
'Thank you! I just don't really want to be on my own, not if I'm going to be stuck in bed all day everyday.' Carla admits.
'I understand. I'll stay, maybe even take some time off work.' Kate says causing Carla to smile.
'It'll be paid of course.' Carla replies.
'Of course.' Kate says smiling.
'I didn't realise she had been through so much.' Aiden says as he sits across from Nick in the canteen.
'She might look strong on the outside but that's all front, Aiden. She's not as strong as she likes to make out. Inside there is vulnerable little girl who just wants to be loved.' Nick replies.
'You know I always looked up to Carla when we were growing up. She always felt like an older sister, would you believe it?' Aiden says glancing down at his cup of tea.
'Have you heard from your dad?' Nick asks.
'Yep. He texts every so often, tries to get me to forgive him.' Aiden replies.
'You know if you want to forgive him you should... Carla doesn't want you to be unhappy.' Nick says.
'I can't forgive him, Nick... What he done was wrong on so many levels. The fact he lied to her for 40 years then asked her to lie to us.' Aiden replies.
'Do you know where he is?' Nick asks.
'Nope. Can we talk about something else? I'm sick of talking about him.' Aiden replies and Nick nods his head.
'So we're having a daughter.' He says causing Aiden to smile.
'Really? Congratulations.' Aiden replies patting Nick on the shoulder.
'Thanks... I can't believe that in 15 short weeks we'll have a baby. I don't want to be one of those part time dad's that only sees their kid on the weekends.' Nick says.
'You won't be. I thought you had forgiven Carla? That's why you went to her flat in the first place.' Aiden says and Nick nods his head.
'Seems she's not quite got over me walking out though. She asked me to leave earlier, said she understood why I needed space so she was giving me it.' Nick replies causing Aiden to sigh.
'Do you know what this is? This is classic Carla. She can't forgive herself for cheating on you Nick so she's going to push you away, she'll push and she'll push until you give up.' Aiden says and Nick shakes his head.
'I'm not losing her.' Nick replies.