'I'm so sorry…there was nothing we could do' The doctor told them. When Michelle heard the news she fell into a complete mess on the floor. Both Steve and Michelle had floods of tears streaming down their faces
'Wh…why? What ha…happened?' Steve cried
'Because he was so premature his lungs weren't fully formed and so they collapsed. I'm so sorry for your loss, would you like to take care of arrangements for him?'
'NO! I want to do them' Michelle screamed
Steve and Michelle re-entered ICU, Michelle walked over and picked up her baby boy. She just continued to cry.
'Steve…will you ring my mum and dad?' Michelle asked through tears
'Yea. Sure. Anyone else?'
'Ermm…just Carla and Liz for now. Please babe' Michelle cried
Steve left the room to ring Michelle's parents
'Hi Barry…no I'm not okay…its Liam…he's gone…come back please…see you in a bit' Steve told Barry on the phone.
Within a few minutes Helen and Barry came running into the room to see Michelle in Steve's arms both crying.
'What happened?' Helen asked starting to tear up
'His lungs collapsed because he was so premature'
'I'm so sorry darling' Barry said as they both walked over to the grieving couple and embracing them
The next few days were the hardest for the couple. Helen and Barry hadn't left their side so no-one back in weatherfield had not heard the news. In the Rovers, Liz and Sean had set up the bar for the couple coming home. They had put up 'congratulations' banners and had set up a buffet.
'They should be back in a few minutes' Liz shouted through the pub
'Ooo I'm excited to see the babies' Sean said
'Me too' Kate agreed
The pub doors opened to reveal Michelle and Steve with only one baby. As they walked into the pub, everybody shouted congratulations. Michelle froze like a statue, then she broke down and ran into the back room followed by Carla, who wanted to know what was wrong with her best friend.
'Chelle, babe. What's up?' Carla asked comforting Michelle in the back room.
'It's Liam. He didn't make it. He died a few days ago'
'Oh Chelle, we didn't know. I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do?'
'Will you get everybody out of the pub. I want to be closed for the day' Michelle cried
'I'll go and ask everyone to leave then I'll be straight back'
Meanwhile in the pub…
'Steve what's happened?' Liz asked
'We lost one of the babies. He was born too early and his lungs collapsed' Steve cried
Liz gave her son a hug, then Carla walked in
'Excuse me everyone. Michelle would like you all to leave the pub, she wants the pub closed due to recent events' Carla announced
'What's happened?' Kate asked
'We lost one of the babies' Steve said before joining Michelle in the back room with their other child.
Liz got everyone out the pub and locked the doors. She turned off the lights and went into the back room
'What am I going to do Steve?' Michelle cried
'We will get through this. I promise' Steve hugged her
'But how?'
'You've got this one to look after' Liz said gently pointing at Katie
'Yeah' Michelle agreed.
'Right I've got to go. Where's your mum and dad staying?' Carla asked
'I don't know' Chelle said
'They can stay at mine. And if you need anything, or need to talk. I'm open 24/7, just call me' Carla said kissing Michelle's head then leaving
'Do you want me to leave you alone?' Liz asked
'No it's fine' Steve said
'I can't do this' Michelle said before giving Katie to Steve and leaving the pub.
Michelle left the pub and ran into the back alley. She broke down in tears. She spent the whole night walking around the streets, wondering what she has ever done to deserve this. It had got to 3am and Steve was worried about his wife. Steve picked up his phone and rang the one person who might know where she is.
'Hi Carla, is Michelle at yours...oh okay…she walked out just after you left…I know it was…well if you hear anything will you let me know…thanks'
Michelle was walking down the cobbles and finally reached the end. She found a bench and sat on it. By this time she was really tired and before she knew it she had fallen asleep. The following morning Sean was on his way to the Rovers when he stumbled onto one of his closest friends.
'Michelle…Michelle wake up' Sean said trying to wake her up
'Wh…what?' Michelle stuttered
'You're freezing. Have you been out here all night?' Sean asked giving her his jacket
Michelle just nodded
'Why?'
'I couldn't cope with being there'
'Oh babe. Steve must be so worried about you. Come on let me take you back'
'No not yet! I need to talk to someone'
'You know you can speak to me'
'I don't know what I've ever done to deserve this. I've tried my best with Ryan and Amy, how could this happen Sean?' Michelle cried
'It's just one of them things'
'But why me?'
'I know how you feel. Remember Violet, when she was pregnant. She told everyone that the baby was Jamie's, but he was mine' Sean revelled a secret that he had told no one. 'Back at the pub you have a baby girl, who needs her mummy. Why don't you come back with me eh? Steve needs you and so does that baby'
Sean stood up and walked slowly with Michelle to the pub. They entered the pub and Liz and Steve were stood there.
'I found this one. Asleep on the bench at the end of the cobbles' Sean said
'Michelle…babe, why?'
'I couldn't handle being there'
'aww come here' Steve said giving her a hug
'I'm so sorry Steve.' Michelle cried
'It's okay'
Liz had given Steve and Michelle the day off so they could grieve properly. So Steve and Michelle took Katie out for a walk to try to calm her down.
'Steve we need to sort out a funeral for Liam' Michelle said pushing Katie
'I know we do. But it just all seems so final when we do'
'I think we should start organising it tonight' Michelle suggested
'Yeah. Me too. But I don't want it too big'
'Me neither'
The couple continued to push Katie down the cobbles in hope to get her to sleep. They had managed to think of some ideas for the funeral, but not knowing what kind of little boy he would be they found it hard.
'Who are Katie's godparents?' Steve asked
'Well I was thinking Sean for godfather and Carla for godmother' Michelle suggested
'That's sounds perfect' Steve said giving Michelle as kiss