'I don't know how I'm going to do this' Carla said, leaning against Peter's chest.
'You're just going to have to. We both are, I don't want to but I can't be without you any longer' Peter said.
Tears pricked Carla's eyes. She was dreading having to split with Dean, she genuinely did love him. He was a good, kind man, who'd helped her through the past six months, become a father to her son.
'Henry.. he loves Dean' Carla said.
'And he loves you' Peter said as Carla shook her head.
'Peter.. you don't understand.. I can't.. Dean does everything for him' Carla said.
'What do you mean Carla, don't put yourself down' Peter said.
'No, you don't know what it's like.. I can't.. I haven't bonded with him.. Peter he feel alien to me' Carla said.
'Hey, shush, I bet that's normal' Peter said.
'NO PETER!' Carla said, pulling away from him.
'If you don't understand now, you never will' Carla said looking away.
'Car, what's happened' Peter said.
'When he was born.. I just couldn't do it, Dean feeds him, he washes him, he dressed him, when he cried he holds him, he knows I'm struggling, he just doesn't realise how hard I find it' Carla said.
'Oh Car.. god I've left you with so much shit' Peter said.
'I just want to rewind.. rewind to before Frank.. before all this happened' Carla said.
'You don't regret us do you?' Peter asked.
'Sometimes.. because you've left me with this big hole in my heart.. it's like Liam all over again, loving you too much, not being able to call you my own' Carla said.
'Thing is Car, you have me already. I belong to you' Peter said as Carla leaned into him once again.
'I wish I could believe that' Carla said.
'You can, tomorrow, it's just you and me kid, we just need to get the hard part over with' Peter said.
'I'm scared Peter.. you don't understand, the last time I broke a mans heart.. he..'
'He raped you' Peter said, closing his eyes as he said the words.
Carla bit her lip. She knew Dean wouldn't hurt her, but she couldn't help being scared. She hated the though of herself telling him it was over, even though, deep inside she knew, if Peter was willing to give everything up for her, she had to, she couldn't not be with him now, he owned her heart and he always would. Dean was amazing, brilliant, but like Trevor.. like Tony and like Frank, he just couldn't live up to the second love of Carla's life, Peter.
Carla took a deep breathe.
'So this is it Peter. You have to swear to me your going to go through with this.. you know, I've got a life with Dean, a home.. and I'll give it up, I'll hurt him.. for you.. but you need to know if you don't go through with it Peter, I'll never forgive you..' Carla said, a solitary tear streaking down her cheek.
Peter saw and raised his thumb to wipe it away.
'I promise Carla, I promise' he said leaning in to kiss her lips softly.
…
Dean smiled as he looked down at the silver ring he'd bought Carla, nestled in it's box. He had it all planned out, they had a future together, and he couldn't wait to ask her to marry him
