A/N: inspired by Christina Perri's song 'Distance' - I'd suggest listening to it before (or during) reading - as it's the song they dance to =) Also, this story assumes Michelle and Ciaron get married – (I'm not sure I believe they will, but it's a useful explanation for Carla / Peter dancing).
Hope you enjoy! And please leave a review if you have the time, thanks!
x
Distance
~ I will make sure, to keep my distance
Say I love you, when you're not listening
How long, can we keep this up? ~
x
Carla watched Michelle and Ciaron mingling with all the guests. They looked so happy together. She smiled sadly, lowering her gaze to the barely touched food on her plate. She still didn't have much of an appetite since everything that had gone on with Frank over the past few months.
Peter was sat a few tables way with Leanne and all his family.
She was sat with some of the factory lot, her few remaining friends. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness at how little of her family she had left.
"How about a dance, Mrs Connor?"
She snapped out of her reverie, offering Sean a smile. He'd surprised her with how supportive and loyal he'd been, he'd really been a good friend through everything.
"I don't know that I'm much up to dancing."
"Oh… come on! It'll cheer you up. And me too. Marcus never wants to have a dance."
"Just not slow ones." Marcus put in with a tease to his tone.
"Not any." Sean quipped.
"Go on Mrs Connor," Julie encouraged, "show off your new dress."
"I take it that's a hint," Brian grinned, standing up and offering Julie his hand. "A dance, my lady?"
She blushed and giggled.
"I thought you'd never ask,"
.
Peter glanced across to Carla's table again. Julie and Brian were heading off to dance, and after a moment he saw Carla smiling and accepting Sean's offered hand.
"Oh, for God's sake."
He looked back at Leanne, thinking for a moment he'd been caught staring.
"What's up?"
She sighed melodramatically.
"Oh… nothing really. Just… Janice. I need to make a phone call."
"Okay,"
She pecked him on the cheek as she passed him and headed outside where it was quieter.
He glanced across at Simon who was absorbed in whatever game Deirdre and Ken were playing with him, so he let his attention fall back on Carla who was still dancing with Sean.
She at least looked a little brighter as he twirled her and they chatted away.
Still, he found since her ordeal with Frank, he seemed to get agitated when anyone even looked at her, let alone touched her. Even Sean, who he knew couldn't harm a fly.
He was jealous of Sean dancing with her.
It was pretty pathetic.
The song was nearing an end, and as Leanne still wasn't back and Simon was preoccupied, he decided he could go and say hello to Carla… at least.
.
Sean felt someone tap him on the shoulder as the song ended.
"Mind if I steal her for the next one?" he asked casually.
"Oh- sure."
Carla looked a little awkward.
"Thank you for the dance, Sean," she smiled, giving his hand a squeeze as he left, the next song starting to play.
Peter tugged her closer, and she slipped her hand into his, moving the other to his shoulder. She swayed slowly with him, relaxing into his hold.
The sun is filling up the room
And I can hear you dreaming
Do you feel the way I do?
"Are you allowed to be dancing with me?"
"I'll dance with whomever I like,"
His hand slid further around her waist, pulling her body plush to his as he continued to lead her in their dance.
She turned her face to allow for the closer hold, their cheeks almost touching.
"I'm sorry,"
"Don't be," he felt her relax slightly. "You look beautiful. I'm making every man in the room jealous right now, you know."
She let out a huff of amusement.
"I'm never letting another man near me again."
Her tone was light, but the underlying emotion was quite apparent.
"Does that include me?" His question fluttered across her shoulder as he turned his face slightly to hers.
"Except you." She whispered. "And, maybe Sean."
He chuckled in response, his other hand shifting to interlock their fingers. Her breath hitched slightly, but she didn't pull away. His were the only arms she truly felt safe in anymore.
Please don't stand so close to me
I'm having trouble breathing
I'm afraid of what you'll see
He'd moved her further into the crowd of couples dancing, and she wondered if it was intentional, protecting them from prying eyes.
They hadn't gone unnoticed though. Sean had started watching them the moment he got back to his seat, a curious smile playing across his features.
"What do you think of that?"
"What?" Marcus looked up from his food.
"That." Sean inclined his head in Carla and Peter's general direction.
"Ohhh…"
I will make sure, to keep my distance
Say I love you when you're not listening
And how long, can we keep this up…
"Mmmm. Looks to me like a little more than a friendly dance."
Marcus studied them for a moment, noticing Peter's hold on Carla; delicate and tender and a little too intimate for a married man to be holding another woman. Friendly dance or not.
"It's nothing."
"What's nothing? What have I missed?" Julie plonked herself down beside them with a big grin on her face and a fresh drink in her hand.
"Where's Brian?" Marcus not so subtly changed the subject.
"He's in the little boy's room. Aww, look at Mrs Connor and Peter. They do look lovely together, don't you think? Who knew Peter Barlow could dance?"
Sean and Marcus exchanged a look.
"What?" She asked, none the wiser.
Marcus shrugged awkwardly, watching them again as they swayed, seeming to fit perfectly with each other like they'd danced together a thousand times before.
I'll make sure, to keep my distance
"Well, he obviously likes her. I wonder if she realises."
"I don't think it's our place to speculate."
.
Oblivious to everyone else in the room, they continued to dance, his hand at her waist gently stroking her through the material of her dress. He turned his face slightly more, breathing her in with a contented sigh.
How could he have been such a fool? He'd fallen for her; a long time ago, if he was honest. Holding her for these few moments had felt like perfection. She seemed to sense his revelation, turning her face ever so slightly more towards his, his breath dancing across her lips as he considered confessing without using words.
How long, till we call this love?
"Mind if I cut in?"
.
.
.
