Carla walked into the pub and looked at how busy it was, almost the whole of her workforce was in there plus Tim, Eileen, Sophie and Kevin.
"It's busy in here today" Carla said to Michelle who had just dumped some empty glasses on the b
"Yeh don't, I know it" Michelle sighed back, Carla gave her a 'what's up' look.
"Sean's ill, Sarah is still of with baby Harry, I've tried phoning to see if Eva will help but got no answer, my so - called husband and mother in law have flitted of the spain so muggins here is running this place single handedly, answering the non - stop questions about streetcars from Eileen and Tim and trying to keep on top of this wedding planning stuff, all whilst I'm trying to keep my baby happy and healthy and not to run into my ex - boyfriend, who thought it would be a good idea to tell me that he loves me and-" Michelle said very quickly, getting stressed.
Carla was quick to pull Michelle into what felt like a much needed hug.
"Hey, just breathe" Carla said to her
"Another pint when you're ready Michelle" Tim called over. Michelle groaned as she pulled out of Carla's embrace and walked round the bar to serve Tim. It was a good 15 minutes before Michelle had finally stopped serving drinks and sat back down on one of the stools next to Carla, resting her head on her hands on the bar. Carla stroked Michelles jet black hair, trying to relax her worked up friend.
"You shouldn't be working yourself like this"
"Yeh because it's that easy, you try running 3 businesses on your own."
"I know it's hard, but you need time to relax"
"Don't I just, got any bright ideas as to how I can get even 1 minute of time to myself?" She asked as Carla jumped off of her stool and walked round the bar, ringing the last orders bell.
"Carla what are you doing?" Michelle hissed.
"Right everybody, pubs closing early today, so finish your drinks, and go home" Carla shouted, earning quite a few moans from the punters.
"Was this your idea Michelle?" Tim asked, "Of course it was" shouted Beth who was slightly tipsy and highly annoyed that her drink had been cut short "she is just being a miserable cow and chucking us all out so she can moan and bitch about her life to Mrs Connor" she said in a harsh tone causing Michelle to skulk into the back room. Carla glared at Beth who gathered her things and left, followed by the rest of the underworld girls, Tim, Kevin and Eileen.
"Do you want me to help clear up?" Sophie said as she got up to leave.
"No its okay, I can do it" Carla said as Sophie left.
Carla walked into the back room to find Michelle leaning against the table, clearly exhausted. "Right you, come and sit down and talk to me", Carla said rubbing Michelles back as she led her over to the sofa.
"What do you wanna know?" Michelle asked in a down beat tone.
"Well actually there is some stuff that you should know" Michelle looked at her inquisitively "Well for starters, Nick knows about me and Robert"
"You told him?" Michelle asked getting more into the conversation.
"Well I was going to, but Robert beat me to it" Carla explained, Michelle looked confused.
"Robert told Nick before I got the chance!"
"What did he say?"
"He said he forgives me and that he just wants us to forget it and move on. How mad is that eh?" Carla told Michelle.
"That's not mad Carla. That's Nick, probably the best thing to happen to you, it obvious how much he loves you and how much you love him, so why would he want to throw that away over one stupid mistake?"
"Yeh, that's not all though."
"What?" Michelle asked.
"We have decided to stay in Weatherfield!"
"Oh my god! Yay!" Michelle squealed excitedly throwing her arms around Carla
"And..." Carla said laughing "we are trying for a baby!"
"Are you serious"
"Yes, we've never been more serious about anything" Carla said beaming at Michelle, who put an arm around Carla and rested her head on her best friends shoulder
"You and Nick will make perfect parents, you know that don't you"
Carla nodded "as will you and Steve"
Michelle stayed quiet, but let out a yawn.
"You tired love?" Carla asked as Michelle let out another yawn.
"A little, I didn't have a great nights sleep last night" Michelle admitted
"Well you stay here, put your feet up and watch some tv whilst I go and tidy the bar" Carla said getting up.
"You don't need to do that"
"Yes I do, you need the rest" Carla called back to Michelle from the bar.
20 minutes later, the bar was clean and Carla was making her way back to Michelle, as she opened the door, she saw her lay across the sofa, arms protectively over her stomach, fast asleep.
Carla pulled out her mobile and sent a message to Nick
TO NICK
Michelle seems really down, I think I'm going to stay over here tonight if that's okay with you. Can you come and keep an eye on her so I can nip back to flat and get some stuff. I love you xx
FROM NICK
Yeh that's fine, is she okay? I'm at the flat now anyway, do you want me to just bring your stuff over?. I love you more xx
TO NICK
Yes please that would be great, she says she is just stressed running the pub, streetcars and her own business on her own, but I think there is more to it... xxx
FROM NICK
Okay, I'll be over in 10, if she is gonna tell anyone it'll be you, you are practically your sister and is lucky to have you, as am I xxx
TO NICK
Oh I think I'm the lucky one. xxxxx
Carla put her phone on the table and draped the blanket on the armchair over the sleeping Michelle and planting a kiss on her forehead, before walking back into the bar to wait for Nick. Sure enough Nick was there within 10 minutes, a big bag of popcorn and Carla's favourite chocolate held in his hands.
"Hey" He said, dumping the food on the bar and planting a kiss on Carla's lips.
"Mmmm hey" she replied.
"I bought your stuff and some food in case you and Michelle want one of your 'put the world to rights' sessions" He smiled wrapping his arms around Carla. They kissed again before a small groan came from the back room.
"Michelle?" Carla called, no reply,
"Let's go and check on her" Nick said walking hand in hand with Carla to the back room where they found Michelle sat bent over on the sofa, clutching her stomach.
"Chelle? What's up" Carla said slightly panicked.
"I'm fine, I've just got cramp"
"You don't look fine, here, lay back down" Carla said sitting on the sofa and letting Michelle rest her head on her lap.
"Nick can you grab her some painkillers from the kitchen" Carla said as Nick sped to the kitchen and returned with Ibuprofen and water.
"Thanks Nick" Michelle winced, before swallowing down the pills.
"Have you had cramps like this before?" He asked her.
"Mm I get them at least once a day" she whispered back, both Nick and Carla sighed, both knowing they should get her checked over.
"Okay well tomorrow I'm taking you to the hospital to get checked over. No arguments" Carla said, stroking Michelle's hair as she nodded and began to drift back to sleep.
Carla rearranged the blanket and signalled for Nick to join her on the sofa, they sat in silence for a while, Nick arm around Carla, her head resting on his shoulder while she stroked Michelle's hair. When they were 100% sure she was asleep Carla and Nick shared a much needed kiss.
"I've missed you today"
"Same"
"So I spoke to Robert" Carla swallowed hard
"What did he say?"
"He said he is willing to let me buy back in, considering...well ya know"
"And do you want to?"
"Well seeing as we are staying around of course I do, finding another job would be hard and I love that place"
"How much does he want?"
"Well we need to discuss it further but he said 30 grand for a 40% share"
"Where are we going to find that money?"
"We will have it once we get the deposit on the house back"
Carla sighed
"This is a good thing Carla,"
Carla nodded and nuzzled back into Nick
"Do you want me to come with you when you take Chelle to the hospital tomorrow?"
"Would you?"
"Of course I will"
"Thank you, I'm worried about her Nick, I've never seen her so stressed and I can see its beginning to take its toll on her. If she is like this now how is she gonna be when she is 7, 8 months gone?"
"She will be okay, she has got you hasn't she, and Steve should be coming home soon"
"I suppose. God I hope he is back for her birthday though" Carla sighed, "Pass my phone"
Carla scrolled through her contacts before pressing Steve's name and holding the phone to her ear.
"For god's sake, pick up our phone!" she hissed in annoyance, "Steve I don't care where you are or what you are doing, just make sure you get your backside home for Chelles birthday, she needs you, I've never seen her like this, so get back here and pull your weight, god knows she is pulling hers by carrying your child, and I warn you if you are not back by Friday, there will be hell to pay." She spoke down the phone, causing Nick to smile at how much she cared for her practically sister.
Half an hour later Nick had gone to the gym and Carla was making some food for a still sleeping Michelle, a loud banging on the pub door caused Michelle to stir, "I'll get it" Carla said before Chelle had the chance to move.
Carla opened to door to reveal Will, who walked in even without an invite.
"Is Michelle in?"
"Er yeh she is but she is resting"
"I just wanted a chat with her"
"Maybe not today eh, come back tomorrow she might be up to seeing you then, although why she is talking to you beats me" Carla said defensively arms folded across her chest.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Will said a hint of annoyance in his voice, making Carla feel on edge.
"What do want Will?" Michelle said from the doorway before Carla had the chance to answer.
"I just wanted a chat, it won't take long I promise" He said
"You've got 5 minutes" she said walking round to sit in one of the booths, she looked at Carla who gave her an 'are you sure' look, "Its fine, I'm fine" she said hinting at Carla to give them some privacy, which thankfully she did.
"Look I don't know what you want but I'm not in the mood for any of your-"
"I broke up with Saskia" He blurted out
"What? Why?!" She asked, half already knowing the answer.
"Because, it's you I love, I always have done, since our first kiss at the age of 14. And it's you I want to be with, not Saskia"
"But it's not the same for me, I'm married"
"Happily?" he asked
"Will don't start this again, whatever is going on in my personal life is none of your business, and I love Steve not you so will you please just leave" she said getting up and opening the door for Will.
"We will be together, one day you will realise it is me that you want to be with." He said before slipping out of the pub leaving Michelle resting against the door, tears forming in her eyes.
Carla poked her head around the door and looked at her best friend, she knew that Michelle knew that she had heard the whole conversation.
"You okay?" Carla asked walking over to Michelle, Michelle just nodded before bursting into tears as Carla pulled her into a tight hug "I just want my husband back" she sniffed.