"Pregnancy. It's such an amazing thing." Michelle chimed across the diner table grabbing ahold of Ciaran's hand to empathise the young child inside her kicking excitedly. "Can't say we've regretted one minute of it, 'ave we darlin'." She looked to her fiancé smiling happily as their three other children, two boys and one girl, ran, happily, around the huge room.
Maria scoffed, placing her soup spoon down on her napkin. "Blimey! I wish my pregnancies were as easy as yours 'Chelle." She said, leaning into her husband Liam as he kissed both her and their two year old daughter on the head.
"So what about you Birthday boys wife?" Michelle piped up turning the attention of the family to Carla. "Is their any news you would like to share?"
"We're waiting for the right time." Paul interjected before his wife could answer. "The club's going through a busy time right now and when it does happen, I want to be there for Carla and not being distracted by work." He squeezed her hand under the table, flashing her a soft encouraging smile.
"What is Carla? An invalid, I'm sure Paul she's more than capable of doing stuff on her own for once. After all you do, do everything else for her." Michelle started, her eyes staring directly at Carla waiting for a reaction.
"You're just jealous my husband actually does stuff for me. Unlike yours who chops carrots for a living and thrives on getting his slutty fiancé pregnant again and again." Carla snapped back, her fork harshly stabbing into the piece of meat on her plate.
"Paul, you aren't actually going to let her speak to me like that are ya." Michelle hissed staring with hope at her eldest brother. But he done nothing, instead standing up to clear the plates.
"Paul." She called from the bathroom, holding the syringe closer to her eyes to read the volume precisely. This was her first one, her first injection. It was to go in her stomach the doctor told them.
"Okay?" He asked walking into the bathroom, but he knew what it was about. "It'll be okay, I promise." He said grabbing ahold of her hand.
"What if you put it in the wrong place?" She whined taking a seat on the sink unit behind her. "You've never done this before remember"
"It'll be fine, just don't think about that." He replied untying her silk bathrobe. "Just remember what this is all for Mrs Connor. A beautiful little baby." He took the small anti-septic wipe from her hand and began cleaning a small patch of skin.
"And what if it doesn't work ey, then it'll just be another waste of money. All this private health care Paul, it must be costing ya some." She winced as he stuck the syringe in. "You're meant to warn me when your going to do it."
"Look-" He mumbled pulling the needle from her stomach "- I am not fussed about the money. Car' cost isn't a problem, not right now anyway." He took a hold of her face in his hands. "I will make this happen. I will do anything I can for you and our child. I promise."
"What if I miscarry again ey, whose to say that won't 'appen." She shuffled to the edge of the unit she was sat on, wrapping her limbs tightly around Paul.
"You won't, I promise ya. You were under to much stress. Next time I'll take you away and you can relax for a few weeks." He smiled calmly, leaning down to kiss her. "It will 'appen baby, just give it time." He whispered planting another kiss against her forehead. "In the meantime, ya need to stop letting our 'chelle get on your nerves – she only does it to get a reaction, which is exactly what ya give her."
"She just gets under me skin Paul, she knows exactly how to do it. But for you, I will try." She sighed leaning into him, before together walking to the bed where the lay for the night.
