Chapter Text
Music floated through the air quietly, wrapping itself around her mind as she leaned back against the couch, her tiny baby scrunched up into a ball on her chest, her little hand hooked around her neck. She stroked her hand up and down Delilah’s back, brushing a gentle finger through her black hair and pressed a delicate kiss to her forehead.
"My precious angel..."
The pair of them had been home from the hospital for a week already and Michelle had been a godsend. They'd taken turns with the night feeds, the nappies and the cooking. Even Ryan chipped in on the days he stayed with them. Despite Carla's protests, Michelle remained firm in her resolve to stay with Carla until Delilah was a little bigger and had finally settled. She didn't cry too much and Carla tried not to hold on to her baby all day and night but it was hard to let her go for even a minute with all the love she felt for her.
Snapping her head at the sound of soft tapping against the glass window, Carla twitched the blind and saw both Hayley and Roy Cropper standing on her doorstep, the latter looking far more awkward than his wife. Hauling herself up to her feet, she lowered Delilah from her shoulder into her arm and opened the door.
“Oh hello!” Hayley beamed and Delilah turned her head towards the noise.
Carla smiled and stepped aside to let them in. “Sorry, I look a sight.”
“Don’t be daft. It’s good to see you looking so well.”
“Indeed. I trust you are being well looked after?” Roy inquired, taking his and Hayley’s coat and hanging them up.
“Michelle and Ryan are a godsend. Can I get you both a brew?”
“I can make it, if you like?” Hayley offered but Roy insisted on making it himself and neither of the women could argue that he didn’t make the best brew. The older woman sat down beside the new mother on the couch and stared with glossy eyes at the baby.
“Would you like to hold her?”
“Oh, I’d love to! Can I?”
At Carla’s nod and encouraging smile, Hayley rubbed her hands to shake off any chill that might have lingered and held her arms out to take the baby. Delilah squirmed and stretched with a big yawn before bringing her legs back up to her stomach and settled against Hayley’s chest. She stroked her finger over her little cheek and rested her hand on her chest, feeling her rapid, fluttering heart against her fingertips. Tears gathered in her lashes and she laughed at herself for it.
“Now, now, I’m sure Carla doesn’t want you blubbing in her living room.” Roy said kindly from her side as he set down two cups of tea in front of the women.
“No, you can blub all you want. God knows I have.”
“She is just beautiful. She looks like a little doll.” Hayley continued to smile down at the little baby, transfixed by every breath and movement. Delilah wrapped her hand around her pinky and Carla took a picture of the pair of them.
Carla picked up her cup of tea, wrapping her hand around the warm mug and humming as the liquid burnt her lip. “This is the first cup of tea that’s actually been hot when I’ve got round to drinking it.”
“We brought you some shepherd's pie that just needs putting in the oven to reheat it. There is enough for Michelle and Ryan too or you can put some in the freezer and eat it another day.”
“You’re an angel,” She smiled sleepily. Taking a few minutes to herself, she changed into her tracksuit and out of her dressing gown and ran a brush through her hair. Her roots were growing in through the black dye but she couldn’t get it redone and still risked it turning green from the chemicals so she didn’t dare. Feeling a bit more like herself, she rejoined the Croppers in her living room. “How have things been at the factory?”
“We’re all missing you and everyone has been wanting to meet this little one, but things have been good. Nick has been keeping everyone mostly in line and we’re still on track with all of the contracts you had put in place.”
“Well I’m glad to hear it.”
Hayley held Delilah for another ten minutes and then handed her back to Carla, rubbing her aching forearm as she reached for the carrier bag she’d brought in with them.
“Would you like a hold, Roy?”
“Uh, y-yes… That would be pleasant, I’m sure.” He stood up before she could move and went to wash and dry his hands before coming back and sitting on the couch. She lay in the crook of his arm and stroked her fingers before stepping back to give him some space.
He readjusted Delilah in his arms so they were both more comfortable and despite his usual level of awkwardness in his interactions, he smiled at her and also held her hand between his thumb and index finger.
Hayley pulled something soft from the carrier bag and handed it to Carla who furrowed her brows and took the offering. Unwrapping the felt that wrapped around it, she unfolded it to reveal a cotton cord blanket weaved in blue, pink and purple. In the bottom right corner, Carla ran her finger over the name embroidered in white cursive letters.
“Hayley worked very hard on that blanket and has had it ready and waiting for months now.” Roy smiled at his wife’s efforts.
“I can tell, the pattern and the colours are gorgeous, Hayley!”
“Aww, it’s nothing really but I wanted to make something nice for you and I figured you’d get a lot of baby clothes so it was something a bit different. I would have given it to you sooner but I wanted to put her name on it.”
“I love it. Come ‘ere,” She set the blanket carefully beside her and opened her arms to Hayley, the older woman drawing her into a warm hug that made her eyes sting. Hormones… Blame it on the hormones. “Thank you, so much.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“Do your mum and dad know about this little angel?” Hayley asked, leaning around Roy to see her face again, holding her tiny toes.
“Uh, no. I haven’t seen my dad since I was little and I don’t want my mum or my stepdad around her. I should probably tell my brother but I don’t know.”
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have pried, it’s none of my business. Regardless, you have us.”
“It is their loss, if they have caused you to cut them out of yours and your daughter’s life then they clearly don’t deserve to be in it.” Roy added, glancing up at Carla so unwaveringly that she knew he really believed it. He was unfailingly honest anyway so she didn’t doubt him, she just doubted his judge of her character.
“Would you like to share that food with me? Chelle is out with Steve today so it’s just me anyway.”
“Oh no, we wouldn’t want to impose.”
“As if I’d let you,” Carla smirked and lifted Delilah out of Roy’s arms when she began to cry, ready for a feed. “Honestly, you’re more than welcome but don’t just say yes because I’m pressuring you.”
“I’m happy for us to stay, if you wish?” He turned to his wife, asking her if she wanted to and she nodded enthusiastically. “Then we shall.”
“Perfect.”