Chapter 27 – Friends With Benefits

Sorry for the long wait guys! I've been so busy lately with being away and then been working a lot after I got back.. I just haven't had a chance to update. This chapter is mainly a filler. I'm building up on a LOT of drama! Good and not so good drama I must add :P I've got at least 20 chapters of notes already so don't worry if you don't see a lot of updates! I'm just struggling with time at the moment. Also I want to change a bit of my fic.. Not a lot don't worry! I just want to change Carla and Peter's ages. Carla is 31 turning 32 in the next chapter after this one and Peter is 37. :-) xx

It was now 10am on New Years Day and Carla was busy ironing some clothes whilst Peter was still in bed, nursing a hangover from the night before. Even though he was drunk last night, he still remembered what he had told Steve and what he was planning on doing. Carla on the other hand had decided to head into the factory to catch up on some paper work in peace since all the workers were off due to it being New Years Day. Around 10.15am Peter came through from their bedroom to their living room looking rather rough.

"Morning.." Carla said. "Or should I say afternoon in your case." she said smirking as Peter just looked at her.

"Ha ha very funny." Peter said as he made his way towards the kitchen area.

"Good night?." Carla asked him.

"Yeah it was. The rovers was jam packed. Didn't see much of Michelle though. She was busy behind the bar."

"Don't need to ask you where Steve was then do I?." Carla asked him laughing slightly.

Peter just stood there with a cup of coffee in his hand. He looked at her in complete awe. She was gorgeous. Her baby bump now visible as she was nearing her six months mark. Pregnancy really suited her. He couldn't help himself but doubt that she would say no to marrying him. After all, she was way out of his league he thought to himself. He put his coffee down on the kitchen unit and made his way to Carla. He stood behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, moved her hair to one side and started kissing her on her neck.

"So what's your plan for today?." Peter asked her as he let his head rest on her shoulder.

"Well babe, I need to go in to the factory."

"What for." he questioned her.

Carla put the iron down and turned around to face him. "Baby.. this is my chance to catch up on some paper work. All the workers are off today aren't they, so I'll have the factory all to myself and no one to disturb me."

"Baby.. You're nearly six months pregnant. You should be starting to take things easy now not put even more pressure on yourself."

"Peter.. a bit of paper work won't hurt me or the baby will it and anyway.. I'll be back before five. I promise." and with this she leaned in and kissed him.

He smiled at her before saying.. "Look I was thinking since it's your birthday tomorrow.. After work we could have a DVD night. Order a take away and some non-alcoholic champagne?."

"Sounds great." Carla answered him. "But why the non-alcoholic champagne Mr Barlow? What are we celebrating?."

"Because obviously it's your birthday.. and obviously non-alcoholic because your pregnant.."

"Celebrating that I'm a year older and looking it.." Carla said looking down.

"Ey.. You look amazing. I don't even know why you're still with me if I'm honest."

"Don't start that Peter.."

"Well don't you start.. and anyway.. I'm in need to celebrate.."

"Oh aye.." Carla said.

"Well I'm with the most gorgeous woman in the world and she is carrying my baby.. Isn't that a reason to celebrate and also It's going to be the last birthday that you'll have with just me and Simon isn't it. Imagine Car.. A year from now we'll have our own bundle of joy. I can't wait."

"Neither can I.." Carla said leaning in and giving him a soft but meaningful kiss on his lips. "You can be such a soppy git sometimes do you know that." She said laughing. "but I wouldn't change it. I love you."

"and I love you.. even more." Peter said. Peter had another reason of course for buying the champagne. The other reason being that he was planning on proposing and he was hoping to god that she would agree..

Around 3pm the same day, Carla was at underworld whilst Peter had decided to head to town to get the things that he needed for the following night. He had already bought Carla some of her birthday presents which were a sliver pandora bracelet as he knew that she didn't have one but wanted one, alongside a heart shaped pandora charm as well as ordering a large bouquet of flowers to be delivered to the factory tomorrow morning. He had also bought the non alcoholic champagne and there was only one more thing on his list to get. The engagement ring! He had seen a few rings that he thought that Carla would like but he just couldn't decide. In the end he settled for a 9 carrot silver diamond ring which had "forever" written on the inside of the ring. He settled the price and made his way out of the shop towards his car. He kept all of his shopping in the boot of his car except for one item. He got into the drivers side of the car and just sat there for a while. He took out the ring from his pocket and opened the box. He sat there in silence for a while, just staring at the ring. He felt sick with nerves but at the same time, he couldn't wait to ask Carla to marry him. She was the woman of his dreams and he couldn't wait to make her his wife..

I know it was a short chapter guys but I still hope you enjoyed it! Keep the reviews coming and thanks for reading :-) xx