On the drive home, neither said a word to each other. They were both in shock. Peter couldn't believe his ears. Did Carla really mean she said? There were many words to describe Carla Connor but 'Maternal' was certainly not of them. Carla couldn't get over what she had said either, what she really willing to start a family? She wouldn't even entertain the idea with Paul. As she drove down the cold, wet Manchester roads, she tried to imaginer herself as a mother, but she couldn't. It's not that she didn't want to, there was too much to think about. The sex of the baby, a name, would she breastfeed? That was a definite no-no. Would she have to get a new car, find somewhere else to live? What would she about the factory? She was the sole owner so it was entirely down to her. She couldn't close it, but there was nobody suitable enough to take control, apart from Michelle and she'd need her to help look after the baby. Carla snorted to herself loudly at the thought of Sean Tully trying to run the factory with Sally Webster trying to butt in every two minutes. As humorous as it seemed, it would without a doubt be the biggest disasters of the century. Carla then realised she had been through so much, too much in the last few years and all so much change for one tiny little thing didn't seem so appealing. Carla began to feel scared, very scared and wondered if she'd made a huge mistake making that promise it Peter. Was it a promise? Carla thought so. She felt as though she had promised they would start a family if he went back with her. Maybe it's not too late. Maybe if she turned the car around now and headed back to the station, Peter could catch the next train. No. That wasn't going to happen. Carla loved Peter more than anything and anyone alive and if babies was what Peter wanted, then babies he shall have.

'Are you ok?' Peter nervously asked as Carla parked outside the factory.

'Fine, you?'

'Fine'

'Good'

'Yeah. So you wanna-'

'I have to go in there, the girls-'

'Yeah okay,-'

'I'll meet you in the pub-'

'I don't think-'

'Of course, sorry'

'I'll get us a takeaway tonight, and we can talk things over'

'Good idea, see you back at home'

'Ok' Peter got out of the car. It was clear he hated the tension between he and Carla. Life would be so much simpler if it just went away but it doesn't work like that unfortunately.

'Peter…' Just as Peter was about to close the door, Carla said his name without thinking. Once she had his attention, what should she say? It was a very sensitive time for both of them and the last thing she wanted to do was make it worse. 'I love you'

'I love you too' Peter smiled at Carla before closing the door. He appreciated how she was respecting him and how she spoke from the heart.

Once Peter was firmly out of sight, Carla made her way into the factory. Her pace got faster and more aggressive with every step. There was no room for weepy, Sensitive Carla. She had to be feisty Carla who took no nonsense from anyone. She stood at the factory doors for a moment, whilst she got it together. A single tear rand down her cheek which immediately wiped away. Taking a deep breathe, she opened the doors and made her way through the factory straight to her office.

'Here she is, Miss Juliet, where's Romeo?' Sean blurted out at Carla in his usual, flamboyant tone, wrapping a piece of black silk over his head, supposedly a hair net of some sort.

'Leave it out, Sean'. Carla usually appreciated Sean's sense of humour. He had had stuck by her through her ordeal with Frank and was almost like a friend to her. Today however, she wasn't in the mood. She was under too much pressure. All she wanted to was to get on with what she had to do in complete privacy.

'Oh come on Mrs C, it's a bit of fun. I think I'l nickname you 'Carter', you know like these Celebs do, but the names together. It's quite-'

'I said leave it Sean, now get back to work'. Carla stormed into the office, unable to look at any of the workers in the face. Her head was so messed up. Had she made the biggest mistake of her life? She was terrified of what may happen, what if Peter was all for starting a family with her? Would she able to do it?

'I don't think it ended very well'. Julie gazed towards the offices with much sympathy for Carla. Typical Sally Webster couldn't keep the gossip to herself, so as soon as Carla had left the factory to chase after him, she was more than happy to spill the beans.

'Where's Michelle?' Carla shouted as she stood glancing around the office and Michelle was nowhere to be seen. Unless she was playing hide and seek, she was out somewhere.

'She's gone to the Police Station. Ryan got in trouble again'. Sean blurted out. He didn't mean to sound as though he was gloating, but that's how it came across toe Carla. It wasn't the first time Ryan had been arrested; no doubt it was something to do with drugs. Every time she saw him, she looked into his eyes and it blatantly obvious he was an addict. Michelle naturally was in denial about it and would flip her lid whenever it was mentioned. However, Carla knew that deep down Michelle knew Ryan had a problem, but he wasn't willing to help himself, so how could Michelle help him?

'Everybody out, come on. We're closing up' Carla couldn't deal with it. She needed Michelle. She needed Peter. She needed to be able to think she straight. She needed a drink. With none of the above within distance, it was best for her to cut her losses and get the hell out of there.

'Will we still-'

'Yes you all be getting paid, let's just get out of here' Carla grabbed her bag which she had lazily thrown on to the table on her arrival and followed everyone out. Carla locked the doors behind her, with no intention of going back in all day. She then turned and faced the street. She turned to the left and saw the rovers return right in front of her. What she wouldn't give for a large glass of wine. But then she thought of Peter and what happened to Simon. Going in there would be the worst betrayal. After all, it was down to her drink addiction that caused Simon to end up in hospital. But she would be at the pub, it would be so different. No, just go to the bookies and forget all about having a drink, it wasn't worth it.

'Peter, we really need to talk' her feet had barely touched the inside of the bookies before she opened her mouth. She had decided that she didn't want to start a family, not right away anyway. It was too much too soon. She was perfectly happy with the way things were. Granted, it would be better with Simon but that couldn't be helped. Besides, he was far happier with Leanne.

'I've been thinking about what you've said and I think it's a really good idea'. Peter looked up at Carla from behind the desk and smiled. He'd been thinking about it all day, in fact he couldn't think of anything else and he was really optimistic about it. He could picture it in his mind so vividly and it made him so excited. He wanted it more than anything.

'What?' Carla froze in shock. She was all geared up for telling him she couldn't have a baby. Not yet, anyway. What was she going to do now? If she tells him, he'll be distraught and that could be the end for them. It was only Carla's baby suggestion that made him get off the train. With that out of the window, he could easily go back to Victoria and catch the next train out.

'I really want to do it. I want us to try for a baby'. Carla let out a short murmur which may have sounded like a laugh, but she wasn't at all amused. This was the worst thing that could ever happen. What on earth was she going to do? 'Are you ok?' Peter couldn't help but notice Carla's reaction. He didn't think to think that she had not only changed her mind, but was having a crisis over it.

'Yeah I'm fine'. Carla smiled at Peter, trying her hardest to hide her emotions. She had no option, there was no escaping it. She had to get pregnant with Peter's child and become a mother.

'Good. Once I've finished here we'll go home and talk about it properly. Yeah?' Peter beamed optimism and hope. This was it. It was really happening. All he needed to do now was convince Simon everything was going to be perfect then he, Carla, Simon and the baby, once it had been born could be the perfect little family.

Later on that evening, Carla la on the sofa in an L shape with her head resting on the cushions, clutching a large glass of red wine. She'd got used to the fact that this is what Peter wanted more than anything and that it is something she will have to do. Could she put it off? Maybe she could stay on the pill and not tell him. Each month she could buy a pregnancy test, in hope that they had conceived yet deep down know the result and each month thrive off his energies. No, that's too far. Peter would be horrified and he'd never forgive her. What was she going to do? She couldn't be a mother, it wasn't her time. Was Carla ever meant to be a mother? She never felt anything for anyone else's babies never mind her own.

'I'm back' Peter shouted as he opened the door carrying a takeaway bag. The smell of the Chinese food aroused Carla's senses and instantly took her mind off the events of the days events.

'Looks delicious' Carla stood at the kitchen table, gazing over the food.

'Well, I thought I'd try somewhere new. This cracking new place just opened. I thought it was a restaurant but Steve mentioned it was a take-out too'

'Great' Carla felt a shoot of guilt run through her like water down a drain pipe. Is this what her life was going to be when she and Peter have baby? Nights after night of small talk because they're too tired to do anything else before spending the days with mums who are under the delusion that they have the most perfect child, when really it's a spoilt little brat which spends all day screaming, drooling and being 'yucky'.

'Come on, Love' Peter grabbed the plates and made his way to the sofa, closely followed by Carla. She had to say something, but she didn't want to break his heart.

'I've been thinking' Carla had made an agreement with herself that she could be completely honest with herself and Peter and that she could try her hardest to develop a maternal instinct over the next few months so that she could give him a baby. As soon as everything was cleaned and put away, she sat down and spoke to him

'Me too. I don't think we should intentionally try to get you pregnant, I saw your face in the bookies. I think we should let it happen naturally'. What did he mean by naturally? You can't get anymore natural than the usual way of conceiving. 'I was thinking maybe, if we stopped using protection and you come off the pill?' it was a risky thing to suggest. Not only had Carla been in the same routine for years ie get up, showered, breakfast then take the pill etc but also, it wasn't jut your average pain killer that stopped migraines, it eas the contraceptive pill which in affect, could determine your future if you decide to take it or not.

'Sure' Carla nodded to peter a little too enthusiastically. Not only was she trying to convince Peter, but she was also trying to convince herself.