Days had passed and finally they were ready to let Carla go home. Having not left Carla's side since she was allowed to return, Michelle was there to help her get dressed into fresh clothes and out of that awful hospital gown. She couldn't wait to get her home and put all this mess with the drugs and run-ins with the law well and truly behind them. She was determined to find the best lawyer and clear her name of the charges against her. Things for her and Carla could only get better.
Carla took her first steps back out on the cobbles and took in a deep and refreshing breath of fresh air. Michelle joined her and stood at her side. Slowly they began to make their way back to the flat. Neither of them had been back there since the drugs and the arrest and Michelle just knew it would be a mess what with Ryan having been left to his own devices. He really was lazy and Michelle knew he wouldn't have lifted a finger around the flat without her there.
She opened up the front door allowing Carla to step in before her, she was just glad to be home as was Carla, not that she really saw Michelle's flat as home more so as temporary accommodation. It was just too small. She wandered inside in a daydream, imagining her own flat and smiling at the fond memory, she hadn't been 'home' in weeks and she truly did miss it but she vowed to humour Michelle with just the one night here, then she'd make an excuse for a night on her own.
"Make yourself comfy darling" said Michelle as she bustled in the door behind Carla and then sighed heavily at the state of the flat. Not a thing had moved, a pile of dishes still in the sink and no signs of life.
"Ryan?" she called out, her voice echoing throughout the empty and silent flat.
She shrugged her shoulders, he must be out, never mind thought Michelle because when he got back home she had some stern words for him about the state of the place. Carla moved and sat down on the sofa, she was so quiet not saying a word or even putting her feet up and snuggling into the cushions. She was sat bolt upright and staring into space, lost herself in her thoughts as memories of that afternoon and encounter with Peter came flooding back.
Michelle clattered about in the kitchen, huffing and puffing as she cleaned, washed and tidied. She was so busy worrying about the state of the place she hadn't even noticed that she and Carla hadn't spoken a word since she told her to make herself comfy. Mumbling under her breath she scavenged for what she had in that she could use to whip them up some dinner but the fridge was empty. Great, she thought, now I'll have to pop to Dev's and see what frozen meals he has in. She hurried out of the kitchenette and grabbed her coat, glancing quickly at Carla as she swung it on.
"Won't be a moment Carla, just got to pop and get a few bits" she advised as she left.
Carla was almost in a trance, Michelle's words just washed over and it wasn't until Michelle slammed the door upon her exit that Carla was snapped back to reality. What was she thinking, the embarrassment she had felt that day, misreading the signals of Peter's caring for her in a moment of need. Suddenly she felt sick, getting up slowly she felt herself gagging and before she could even make her feet move so as to make it to the bathroom she coughed, the force of the action causing the vomit to race up her throat and spill from her lips until only acid was left burning away painfully in her stomach.
Carla was shivering and cold, stood in the same position and surrounded in a pool of her own vomit when Michelle returned. She was shaking on the spot, damp and teary eyes with moist cheeks from the tears predecessors who had sprinted down her cheeks as a result of the upset she had caused herself. Michelle opened the door to the flat only to be bombarded by the horrid smell of vomit but she instantly realised it wasn't Carla's fault. She dropped the bag of shopping down on the floor and hurried to Carla.
Michelle felt it was her responsibility to care for Carla, get her cleaned up, fed and in some clean clothes. It was all Carla needed some tender loving care; it was all she had ever needed. She calmly reassured the raven-haired apple of her eye that all would be ok and took her hand. Carla stepped over the vomit and followed Michelle into the bathroom. Michelle was smiling and being so kind as she turned on the shower. She let her hand break the flow of the water to check it was at a suitable temperature and then turned to face Carla.
"Come on then" she said with a little giggle.
Carla, still shaking and gingerly made her way over to Michelle. Michelle's hands reached up and rested gently on Carla's shoulders, the lingering smell of vomit hanging on the material of Carla's clothing. She could see she was going to have to do everything for Carla and this meant undressing her to. She let her fingers slip down to Carla's waist, this wasn't the right time for one of 'those' intimate moments but it still had an intensity of one.
She slid the damp top up and over Carla's breasts exposing her braless chest. Carla felt somewhat embarrassed even though Michelle had seen every inch of her before. Michelle's hands glided effortlessly back down Carla's silky skin and rested again on her hips, just above her waistband. She hooked her fingers into the elastic of the leggings ready to slide them down Carla's legs when Carla suddenly leant forward and kissed her gently, their lips barely touching but enough to take Michelle's breath away.
Carla let one of her hands slip up and around Michelle's waist, gripping her tightly and pushing her lips harder onto hers, her tongue pushing them apart and slipping into her mouth. This was her way of distraction to the situation of Michelle caring for her, it was to prove to herself that she was no victim. Not now, not ever. Michelle was overwhelmed she'd felt the intensity but never thought it would develop as quickly as this given the current atmosphere. But as nice as all of this was it had to end, Carla needed to get cleaned up, it would be deeply romantic at any other time but Carla was in a vulnerable state and she knew it would be irresponsible to encourage these feelings at such a difficult time.
Michelle pushed her back in a nice and gentle way as she continued to help undress her but Carla saw it as rejection. She started to cry, silent tears rolling down her cheeks at first as Michelle focused on helping her step out of her leggings. Then Michelle suddenly heard Carla whimpering, so she threw the leggings to one side and focused back on her.
"Hey, hey now come on don't cry" said Michelle as she quickly wiped Carla's tears away with her thumbs.
"Don't you want me?" mumbled Carla still feeling the rejection from Michelle who just looked puzzled by her question
"Of course I do" reassured Michelle, taking Carla's head firmly in her hands and forcing her to look in her eyes. "I want you more than ever"
Michelle kissed Carla, ignoring the awful taste of the remnants of vomit. If validation of her feelings was what Carla needed right now then who was she to deny her. She wrapped her arms around Carla protectively pulling her closer and Carla rested her head on Michelle's shoulder as she gently stroked her hair.
"Now lets get you cleaned up, ok?" Said Michelle as she cuddled Carla in close. She felt Carla nod in agreement and Michelle let the moment last a second or two longer before she broke the embrace and forced Carla to remove her underwear and step into the shower. The water was scalding and Carla gave a scream as it splashed and burnt her skin. Michelle was quick to adjust the temperature, regulate it to perfection so that Carla could stand beneath the showerhead and let the water rain down on her. It was most refreshing and at her side Michelle had lathered up a sponge with heaps of heavenly scented shower gel. Gently she moved the sponge over Carla's skin and in circular motions washed her from head to toe.
When the opportunity arose Carla made a grab for Michelle, pulling the top half of her body into the path of the water and soaking her. She just wanted to feel what Michelle said she had for her and couldn't think of a more perfect time. Michelle took the action as an invitation, it was so obvious from that that Carla longed for the intimacy. Still fully clothed she kept her lips firmly against Carla's so as not to break the kiss and ruin the moment and stepped into the shower beside her lover. It was perfect, just like a scene about to turn erotic in a movie.