Leanne finished reading her magazine and looked up at the clock. Ten to three it read. Leanne sighed. She wasn't exactly looking forward to going to Ken and Deirdre's just to listen to Stella ramble on about the past which she would much rather forget. But she knew she had to try and make things work with her long-lost mum. She worked in her local boozer, The Rovers Return, so they couldn't keep snapping at each other every chance that they got. Leanne was determined to try and make amends with her. Of course she knew it would take a while for her heart to slowly heal, after it had be broken from when her mother abandoned her thirty years ago as a baby.
"I best start making tracks Peter, it's ten to three," Leanne called to the next room which Peter was in with Simon. He was helping him with his maths homework, knowing Leanne wouldn't be able to help him as it wasn't her strongest subject.
Peter came through to their small living room, "Okay love, have a good time, try not to end up in any arguments with anyone."
"Thanks, and I'll try not to," Leanne chuckled.
Leanne was so grateful at how supportive Peter had been since she found out that Stella was her mum. She will admit that she was angry with him at first for not telling her. He had found out after finding a picture of her in Stella's purse, but she soon understood that it wasn't Peter's secret to tell and that he just wanted her 30th birthday to be special. Leanne's 30th birthday didn't go to plan, as it was the day that she found out who Stella really was. What the real reason was for her arriving in Weatherfield? The day she found out that Stella was in fact her mum.
"Lea? You okay love, you've been quite for the past couple of minutes," Peter asked concerned.
"Hmm? Oh yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking about when I found out about Stella."
"Oh...you know I am deeply sorry for the way your 30th Birthday turned out don't you?" Peter said sounding a bit guilty.
"Aww, love I know it wasn't your fault, I don't blame you don't worry." Leanne said giving Peter a hug and a peck on the lips.
"Right its five to three now, so I need to get going. Si, I'm going now I'll see you later" Leanne called, knowing that Simon would come running. He came in and gave Leanne a big hug and said "See you later mum, love you."
"I love you too sweetheart," Leanne said as she kissed the top of his head. She kissed Peter on the lips "Right, by love, I'll see you later."
"Bye" Peter replied. With that Leanne headed out of the flat towards No.1 Coronation Street.
Leanne knocked on the door, hearing commotion coming from the other side. She guessed Stella was already there. Deidre came and answered the door, allowing her to come inside. Leanne entered the small living room and saw Stella sitting on the sofa with a glass of white wine in her hand.
"..Hi" Leanne said awkwardly.
Stella smiled "Hi, how are you?"
Leanne sat down on the opposite sofa, and took the glass of white wine into her hand that Deirdre had kindly got her.
"I'm okay thanks, how about you?"
"Yeah I'm fine too thanks" Stella replied.
There was an awkward silence, no one knowing what to say.
"...So I hear that Eva's got eyes for Nick, I overheard her telling Tina." Leanne chuckled remembering the time when her and Nick had fled off to Scotland all those years ago so they could get married.
"Yeah she has, you're okay with it aren't you?" Stella asked uncertain.
"Of course I am, look me and Nick are history, if Eva wants to give it a go with him I won't mind," Leanne smiled, putting Stella at ease a bit. Stella was worried that she wasn't going to say the right thing, and make Leanne dislike her even more. She never knew what was the right thing to say to her, without Leanne taking it the wrong way.
Before they knew it half an hour had passed. Deirdre had gone out and left them to it, giving them a bit of time to get to know each other better. Once they got talking, they didn't stop until...
"Did you love my dad?" Leanne asked.
Stella looked a bit shocked. She didn't expect to be asked that question. She smiled at Leanne and put her hand on top of hers.
"One time I did yeah, I loved your dad very, very much. We were childhood sweethearts, much like Nick and yourself. We had been in love since we were fifteen, and when I was seventeen and fell pregnant with you me and your dad were over the moon. We couldn't off been happier. You weren't exactly planned but we both knew how much we wanted a child together."
Leanne had tears in her eyes as Stella wiped them away with her thumb.
"You dad was really supportive throughout the whole nine months. He helped me through the morning sickness, got me food when I had midnight cravings and he never left my side when I was giving birth to you. I just don't think we realised how hard it was going to be after the birth. But you must understand it was a million times harder to leave. It's something I have terribly regretted every day of my life since."
Leanne nodded, not quite knowing what to say. Stella opened up her arms and embraced Leanne in them, never letting her go. She loved her daughter so very much, and she was thankful that she had her in her life again...