Thanks for the views and reviews, keep them coming as I love reading what you think :-) Lots more to come from this story, both for Carla and Peter and for Jaimee. Lots for Michelle and Steve too actually. So if your fans of any of those couples then keep reading :-) Enjoy and let me know what you think xx

It's Monday morning, two days after Carla had revealed her pregnancy to Peter, and they were in the maternity ward of Wetherfield General. Carla is lying on a bed with Peter sat by her side. Her stomach is exposed and she looks nervous. Peter tries to take her hand but she snatches it away.

'So is this your first?' The nurse asked.

'No, it'll be our second together and my third in total.' Carla explained.

'Wow, how exciting for you both.' The nurse enthused.

'We're not together, not anymore.' Carla replied bluntly.

'Oh...ok, ermm this might be a bit cold Carla.'

'I hate that bit.' Carla winced as the cold jelly was put on her stomach.

'She hates the cold. She's so much happier in bright sunshine.' Peter chuckled, although Carla was giving him a glare.

'Ooh me too.' The nurse replied, smiling.

'Right here we are, there's your baby.'

'Wow.' Peter gasped upon seeing their baby on the screen.

'Can you see Carla? I know it's not very big at the moment but here it is.' The nurse said, pointing out what looked like a blob.

'Yeah I can see. It's perfect.' Carla smiled, softening for the first time in days.

'Well this shows your 6 weeks pregnant and everything seems to be perfectly healthy.'

'That's great. I don't know if I can keep the news quiet for another 6 weeks though.' Peter grinned.

Peter looks at Carla who again gives him an evil glare. The nurse picks up on the tension and looks a little uneasy herself.

'Shall I print a photo for you?' The nurse asked.

'We'll need two. Like I said, we're not a couple.' Carla replied.

Back on Coronation Street after receiving the photos and making their next appointment, Peter and Carla were walking in the direction of Ken and Deirdre's house.

'Did you really need to tell that nurse all about me?' Carla asked moodily; she'd remained silent for the car journey home from the hospital so Peter was just glad to hear her voice.

'I only said you hate the cold. Hey do you remember a few years back when we went off, just the two of us. You didn't half look beautiful in that LA sunshine.' Peter smiled, reminiscing about happier times.

'Thanks for coming with me.' Carla said although she didn't make eye contact with him.

'As if I'd miss something like that.'

'I better get off to work.'

'Work?' Peter repeated.

'Don't even think about lecturing me Peter. It might be our baby but it's my body and my life and I'll do what I want.' Carla said.

'Just make sure you take care.'

'You make it sound like I'm stood here with a lit fag and a bottle of wine. I wouldn't do anything to risk my child, our child, and you know it.' Carla said, turning on her heels and walking towards the factory.

Once inside the factory, Carla felt a little more safe as she back with the people who really looked out for her. The factory workers and Sean are singing along to the radio but stop and look uneasy when Carla walks in.

Carla notices this and follows their glance to the office where Michelle is sat typing on the laptop.

'What the hell do you think you're doing?' Carla shouted, entering the office and slamming the door behind her.

'I'm working. We've got that meeting later this afternoon and we're behind on the paperwork.' Michelle replied casually.

'I thought I told you to make sure she cleared her desk and was gone by the time I got back?' Carla turned to Rob, looking angry.

'You're talking about me like I'm not here.'

'Well you shouldn't be. I sacked you the other day.'

'I'm going nowhere.'

'After all you've done you're really gonna sit there and act like you own the place? What's happened to you Michelle? Why the sudden hatred for me? I really don't get it.' Carla said, sounding hurt.

'I don't hate you. I couldn't even if I tried but this is my livelihood. I rely on this income to support my family and I won't survive without it.'

'Same goes for me and I won't have a home wrecking cow ruin it for me. Leave now.' Carla ordered.

'No.' Michelle replied, leaning back in her office chair.

'Michelle, do as she says yeah?' Rob advised.

'Why should I? I've been asking you to talk to me properly for the last four days and yet all you do is slam the door in my face.' Michelle replied, her voice full of emotion.

'It's nothing you don't deserve.'

'Carla, I get that you're angry and you have every right to hate me right now but the way you're treating me-.'

'Oh what? You expect me to still greet you with a smile and a hug eh? Think again darlin'. You've wrecked my whole life.' Carla interrupted, a sharpness in her voice.

'I haven't. All you have to do is say the word and Peter will be back home with you. He thinks the world of you.'

'I'm six weeks pregnant but my lying, cheating, drunk of a husband, I've got two kids already at home, a daughter on the other side of the world and my marriage is hanging by a thread. I've never felt so alone in my life and it's all down to you Michelle. I hope you can live with that.' Carla said before storming out of the office and into the kitchen area.

'Carla I haven't finished talking yet.' Michelle said, rushing out of the office.

'Yeah well I have.' Carla replied, not turning round to look at Michelle.

'Lets go back to yours. We can talk things through in private.'

'I've got a meeting later.'

'So? I'll sit and talk to you about this all day and all night if that's what it takes. I don't want to lose you. Come on, we need to be away from this lot. Look at you all gawping! Haven't you got anything better to be doing eh? How about stitching!' Michelle shouted, taking out her frustration on the workers.

'Oi don't go taking it out on them. They've done nothing wrong. This is all you're doing.' Carla said.

'So talk to me. Let me explain!'

'You know what? I reckon Paul and Liam would be turning in their graves, completely disgusted with who their little sister has become.' Carla said harshly; she knew she'd hit a nerve but at that moment she didn't care, she wanted Michelle to feel the pain she felt.

Michelle rushes into the toilets, crying uncontrollably and Rob bursts out of the office having heard the tail end of the argument.

'What have you said to her?' Rob asked.

'Only the truth.' Carla replied.

'She looked devastated.' Rob said, worried.

'Go on Rob, run to her. I know it's her you really care about. Never mind your big sister falling apart, as long as lover girl Michelle's alright.'

'Calm down now Carla! Things have been tough for you, we all understand that but you can't go on like this forever!'

'Says who?'

'Me. And probably any doctor would tell you that all this stress is bad for the baby.'

'Baby?' The factory girls gasped, almost in unison; up until now Sean had been the only one who'd known the truth.

'Thanks a lot Rob.' Carla said, barging back into the office and slamming the door shut. She slumps into her chair and her mobile bleeps with a message:

Hi mum, didn't want to call in case you were in a meeting. Having the best time out here; we met up with Suzy today. I can see why you like her so much, she reminds me a lot of you. I miss you. How did your scan go? All good? How are you coping? Love Jaimee xxxx

Carla smiles as she replies to her daughter. It was only then that she realised how much she really missed her. It had only been two days but already Carla was counting down the days to her return:

Glad you're enjoying yourself. Say hi to Suzy for me. I'll phone you tomorrow. I miss you too. Scan was fine. Meet the newest member of the family...Love mum xxxx

Carla took a photo of the scan picture and attached it to the text before hitting send. A reply came through a lot quicker than she'd expected:

Looks completely perfect to me. Just like our mum. Stay strong, speak tomorrow xxxx

Carla puts her phone away, feeling slightly happier having spoken to Jaimee. Hayley enters the office, shutting the door behind her.

'Who was that?' Hayley asked nervously, she didn't really want to pry.

'Jaimee. She says she's having a brilliant time.'

'Are you alright Carla? I mean I know all about what Michelle and Peter did but are you ok in yourself? It must be hard going through it all while Jaimee is away.' Hayley asked.

'Yeah but she's a grown woman now. I can't keep relying on her. She must be glad of the peace.'

'She worships the ground you walk on. She looks after you because she cares, not because she feels it's her duty. You've got yourself a really good girl in her.' Hayley reassured her.

'I just hope Lila and this little one grow up to be just like their big sister.' Carla said, putting her hand on her stomach.

'With you as their mother I'm sure they will.'

'I can't take any credit for the way Jaimee is. It's all down to her own strength. I wasn't around was I?'

'No but you're a fantastic mother to her now and that's all that matters.' Hayley paused for a second before looking at Carla, smiling. 'Congratulations by the way.'

'Thank you.'

In the toilets, Rob is stood by the sinks and is relived when Michelle finally emerges from the cubicle, dabbing her eyes with a tissue.

'How long have you been stood in here?' Michelle asked, startled by Rob slightly.

'I came to find you after you ran off.'

'I'm not in the mood for another mouthful of abuse ok? I'm sick of getting nasty looks of people. Not only does it hurt my feelings but it makes me scared that Ryan will find out the truth. I'm almost glad he's been practically hibernating in his bedroom, at least then he won't know what a horrible person his mother is.' Michelle sighed, sounding completely defeated by Carla's words.

'Hey, you're a good mother to that lad. He's lucky to have you.' Rob reassured her, putting a supportive arm round her shoulders.

'Why are you being nice to me? You're supposed to be on Carla's side.'

'I am. What you and Peter did was bad but my sister had absolutely no right to say the things she said just before.'

'Some of it was the truth though wasn't it? I have messed her life up.'

'But the part about your brother's being disappointed in you, that's a complete lie. They'd be proud of you Chelle.'

'I'm not so sure.'

'Well I am. Now listen to me ok? Everyone makes mistakes. Me and Carla have made a lot more than most and look at us, we bounce back every time. You will too. So take a deep breath and go back into that office and stand your ground.'

'Why are you helping me?'

'Because you're an amazing woman and to tell you the truth, when I came out of prison I was so happy to see that you and Carla were still as close, if not closer than before. Friendships like yours don't come along very often, you need to hold onto it.'