'Hi, sweetie.' Carla says smiling as she sits down next to Nick and slides her hand into the incubator.

'How has she been?' She asks glancing at Nick.

'Good, really good actually. The doctor has been round and he's really happy with the progress she is making. He says it is still going to be a long road but he's really pleased.' Nick replies.

'Do you want to go home and get some sleep? You look exhausted.' She asks.

'No, I'm okay. I know we've not exactly been on good terms, Car... But I do love you.' He replies reaching for her hand.

'Nick, can we not? I love you but honestly, I don't have the energy to be strong for her and try sort this mess we've got ourselves into out. Once she's out of here I'd really like to talk properly.' She says and he nods his head.

'Okay. But please don't push me away, Carla?' He says and she sighs.

'Can I have a cuddle?' She asks causing him to smile.

'Come here...' He says smiling. He wraps his arms around her as she leans against his chest.

'She's going to be okay, isn't she?' She asks quietly.

'Of course she is... She's a little fighter just like her mummy.' He replies.

'I told you that you would have kids.' Carla mumbles, her head resting on his shoulder.

'You did.' He replies.

'You know I'll always be here... Regardless of what happens with Esme, with us. I'll always been here. I'll be here to hold your hand whenever you want to cry.' He says watching a tear fall down her cheek.

'I don't know what I'd do without you.' She admits smiling as Esme grabs onto her finger.

'Do you know what I'd really like to do?' He asks.

'Once Esme is all better, once we're sorted because we will fix this... I'd like to get a little house with a harder away from Weatherfield.' He says and she smiles.

'There's nothing stopping us...' She replies.

'You're able to hold her?' Michelle asks smiling as she makes her way into the room.

'Yeah. Yesterday was the first time.' Carla replies as she smiles down at Esme who is curled up underneath her shirt.

'That's amazing. Nick's just popped down to the canteen, by the way.' Michelle says sitting down on the spare chair next to Carla.

'Okay...' She replies quietly.

'How are you both doing? This little one is clearly doing a lot better.' Michelle says and Carla nods her head.

'She is. So much better, Chelle. The doctors say it will still be a long road to recovery but she's making progress.' Carla replies.

'And you?' Michelle asks.

'I'm still alive.' Carla replies.

'Come on, Carla... This is me? How are you?' Michelle asks.

'I'm sore, really fucking sore... I'm exhausted despite the fact I had a good two hour sleep. I'm scared.' Carla replies whispering the last part.

'You don't need to be scared, love...' Michelle says placing her hand on Carla's shoulder.

'I can't lose her, Chelle... Not now.' Carla replies, tears streaming down her cheeks.

'She's a fighter. She's going to get through this. She's already doing so well considering what happened when she was born.' Michelle says and Carla sighs.

'But things can go wrong so quickly... Do you know how many babies in here have been doing well then passed away since we've been here? 4, Chelle... Four tiny little babies who are just like Esme.' Carla replies.

'You need to stop stressing out over this. Okay, things can go wrong but if you keep worrying like this you're going to make yourself ill and if you're ill then you're no good to Esme.' Michelle says and Carla nods her head.

'Okay...' Carla whispers nodding her head. Looking down at Esme she smiles as Michelle gently dabs at her face with a tissue.

'If you need to talk you know where I am, Carla... I'm always just a phone call away.' Michelle says