To Have and to Hold

There probably already is a fic with this idea, but I haven't looked – so I'm sorry if there is!

I've been watching the scenes before the rape and it was made very obvious that Carla never wanted to marry Frank, so why she would change her mind I will make more clear later on. Otherwise, things are pretty much the same in 2011 up to the night before their wedding. A few things to remember;

She hasn't been raped by Frank yet

Rob has not been introduced

Michelle has not returned yet

Peter looks like he does now ;)

And reviews are appreciated!


After a long wait, it was his first chance that night to talk to her; she was finally alone and his own wife had left his side to go to the bathroom, at last. She stood before him and looked more beautiful than he'd ever seen her before. Her dark long hair curled and tumbled down her back perfectly complimenting the indigo silk dress she was wearing. Smoky but subtle make up covered her emerald eyes looking at him, though Peter was sure he could see sadness in them. Carla's hand clutched another fresh glass of champagne as she turned away from him to Frank, her new husband, dancing with the Underworld workers in the middle of the bistro. He was slightly drunk and his eyes were bleary but his suit attire was still intact, his hair in place – very Frank Foster. Sally was vying for his attention the most, Carla was certain she fancied him. However he still looked like he was the happiest person on earth, she just wished she felt the same way for him. Peter interrupted Carla's thoughts.

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

In response, Carla scoffed at his question. He was the only person, other than herself, that knew how much she did not want to marry Frank. Time and time again she would tell Peter that it was him she loved, and every time he threw it back in her face, pushing her to Frank, messing with her emotions. She looked back at him, ready to hit him with a harsh answer but his lovely concerned brown eyes made her melt. Instead, she tries to be witty, in an attempt to divert their conversation.

"Too late to back out now, ay?" she replies with a smirk, before taking another sip of champagne. Peter noted in his head the amount of alcohol she was consuming tonight, but knew it wasn't appropriate now to bring it up. Several times that day the two of them caught eye contact, from across the street or the other side of the room at the ceremony, and at the reception. Each time they did he wanted to talk to Carla, assure himself that she's happy with Frank, convince himself that she's over him and then eventually get her out of his head, like it was that easy. But there was always someone in his way, Leanne mainly. She was probably more excited than anyone about this wedding; it was finally an opportunity to get Carla away from her husband.

Carla bit the side of her plump lip as she looked away from him once again, causing Peter to feel an unwelcome rush of desire for her. He didn't want to have these feelings for Carla, especially as they seemed to grow stronger whenever he saw her and his affection for Leanne seemed to drop by the second.

"Well, at least now we can all move on, eh?"

His suggestion almost choked Carla on her champagne. Move on? Like she was some sort of inconvenience in his and Leanne's lives, as long as they can get on with their cosy little world then no one else matters. If their marriage was so perfect, Carla wouldn't even be considered an issue. If both of them wanted a baby there would be one coming by now. If Leanne hadn't had cheated, Peter would trust her. If Leanne could trust Peter herself and stop being a hypocrite…

Carla stopped her thoughts as she seemed to drown herself in her own resentment. In some ways she wanted to be happy for them both if they could restore their marriage. She wanted to become Leanne's friend again, Carla missed their friendship. However, it was difficult considering how she felt for Leanne's husband. She turned to Peter again, his dark brown hair styled smartly into a short quiff, his tanned skin and his designer stubble made him so tempting to her. But it wasn't just his appearance that drew her to him, it was their connection. He'd deny it but they had an understanding no one else could ever understand.

"I suppose so-" Carla begun before she was interrupted. Frank flung his arms around her shoulder as he nodded to Peter.

"Mind if I borrow my wife?" Frank emphasized the words 'my wife' seemingly to mark his territory. Carla forced a smile on her face as she put down her glass, her disappointment of his arrival evident to Peter.

"Go ahead." Peter looked on as a reluctant Carla was led away by Frank toward the crowd of dancers, feeling a pang of jealousy as he saw Frank's hands all over her. Taking a deep breath, he turned away, making his way back to the table where his own wife was now sitting.

"What did he want?" Frank whispered into Carla's ear as they danced slowly together.

"He just offered his congrats." Carla replied, watching Peter from above Frank's shoulder as he sat with Leanne and his family. She longed to be in Leanne's position as she felt tears fill her eyes, cursing herself for probably making a huge mistake.


Very short but thanks for reading, I wasn't sure whether Peter started to love Carla before her rape or slowly afterwards so I'm not really sure if he loves her in this chapter or not. Suggestions are welcome!