There is a few weeks time jump between this chapter and the last chapter,.
On the 23rd of May 2016 at almost 29 weeks gestation, baby girl Tilsley was born via emergency caesarean section weighing a tiny 2lbs 1oz. The first few days for both baby girl and Carla were very touch and go. Carla lost a lot of blood and had two blood transfusions while baby girl was born not breathing and needed to be resuscitated. Now at two and a half weeks old baby girl, who still remains unnamed, is surprising the doctors each and every day with her progress. She was on a ventilator for the first 8 days of her life but has now been able to go onto cpap. Everyday she's getting that little bit stronger, everyday she's giving her parents that little bit more hope.
'Mrs Connor, your sister is outside.' A nurse says peeking her head around the door.
'Okay, thank you.' Carla replies smiling as she glances at her baby girl in the incubator.
'I'll go let her in then I'm going to get a coffee, do you want one?' Nick asks standing up.
'No, I'll get one later.' She replies quietly. Despite the night they spent together three weeks ago things between the couple still aren't quite right. Carla knows they need to have a proper talk but now isn't the time, they've got bigger priorities at the moment. She watches him leave the NICU before turning her attention back to the incubator.
'You're doing so well, baby girl... Just keep getting stronger and stronger because mummy can't lose you, not when I've already lost your daddy.' She whispers as the door creaks open and Kate peeks her head around the door.
'Hey...' Kate says smiling.
'Hi, come in. Sit down.' Carla replies patting the chair next to her.
'How are you doing?' Kate asks gently hugging her sister.
'I'm pretty sore and exhausted... But I'm okay, I guess.' Carla replies.
'And how is baby girl?' Kate asks.
'She's doing good. Did I tell you she's off the ventilator?' Carla asks and Kate shakes her head.
'She's on cpap now which means she's essentially doing all the work but the machine is just helping keep her lungs open in between breaths.' Carla explains and the youngest Connor nods her head.
'That good then, isn't it?' Kate asks.
'Yeah. It's brilliant. Means she's getting stronger everyday.' Carla replies smiling.
'Would mummy like to hold baby?' The nurse asks glancing at Carla from the other side of the incubator.
'R-Really? I can hold her?' Carla asks glancing from the nurse to Nick then back to the nurse.
'Yep. Dr Walker says she's strong enough for a cuddle.' The nurse replies causing Carla to smile.
'I'd love to hold her.' She almost whispers. Both Carla and Nick watch as the nurse carefully lifts their daughter into her arms while another helps move the wires. The nurse carefully carries her over to where Carla is sitting and smiles.
'I'm going to pop her in your top, is that okay?' The nurse asks and Carla nods her head. She unbuttons the top of her shirt and allows the nurse to place their daughter on her chest.
'There we go... She seems perfectly content.' The nurse says smiling as she drapes a blanket over the little girl. She shows Carla where to place her hands while the other nurse sorts the wires out.
'Hi, baby girl...' Carla whispers, tears streaming down her cheek as she stares down at the baby curled up against her chest for the first time.
'What about Esme?' Nick asks as he quickly snaps a picture on his phone,
'What?' Carla asks glancing up at him.
'What if we name her Esme? It means loved.' He says causing her to smile.
'Baby Esme Tilsley, I think that's perfect.' Carla replies quietly.