"Y'know it takes real dedication to come to the gym on Christmas Eve." Zeedan smirked. He was on the treadmill next to Carla who had just finished a long run and who was now walking slowly to cool down. She had just finished tidying up the factory with the help of Michelle and some of her employees, it was a hard job as everyone was slightly hung over and tired after the dramas of last night but it got done in the end. Carla was going to go home and relax but after the intense evening she'd had, she was glad to be able to let off some steam in the gym and get some good exercise out of it. As it was Christmas Eve the gym was fairly empty, other then Carla and Zeedan there were only two other people in there and they were both at the weights, getting in that that session before Christmas.
"Well I thought I'd better get a quick work out in seeing as I'll be stuffing my face for the next few days." Carla said, as Zeedan walked slowly next to her. He still had the biggest crush on Carla and always chose the machines next to her but she didn't groan as much about it anymore and actually she really enjoyed his company at times. "I guess tomorrow is just another day for you and your family though right?"
"Well normally it would be, but since Garry n his family celebrated Diwali with us we've been invited to Anna Windass' place for Christmas dinner." Zeedan said, not looking to enthusiastic about it either. "What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Ken's having us all around at three pm." Carla said, stopping walking and getting off the treadmill. "I'm not exactly sure where we're all supposed to be sitting though." She added thinking about the fact that Ken was hosting a Christmas dinner for Tracy, Amy, Simon, Leanne, Peter, Carla and himself. She had offered to get there earlier and help but everyone knew that Carla wasn't the best person to offer help in the kitchen, especially on Christmas Day.
"How's he doing… Y'know with it being his first Christmas without Deirdre?" Zeedan asked as he hopped off his own treadmill and stood in in front of Carla as she stretched.
"Okay…" Carla began although she couldn't be too sure because Ken had been rather quiet over the past few days. "I think he's trying to stay strong for Tracy's sake n… vice versa."
"Yeah that's what Simon reckons, I spoke to him yesterday." Zeedan said as he took a large swig of water. "He seems much happier though."
"Who Si?" Carla asked, standing upright.
"Yeah, I mean I've known the kid for a while now and I've never seen him as happy as this, I reckon it's mostly down to you n his Dad getting back together." Carla nodded and smiled at Zeedan. Then he smirked at her cheekily and said, "I'm still not happy though…"
"N why's that?" She asked knowing what he was getting at by the look on his face.
"Well I just reckon had you given me a proper chance… We could have had something really special." He joked as he made his way over to the men's changing rooms.
"Mmm its my biggest regret." Carla called after him, before walking towards the women's ones to get changed her self. She thought about Simon and how happy he was and it truly made her feel warm inside to hear that it was partly down to her.
Meanwhile, Simon and Peter were at the Arndale centre doing some very last minute shopping. It was packed full of people who were also trying to get some last minute bits, Peter and Simon had taken a quick break before braving some more shops.
"Why did we do this Dad?" Simon asked, sat on one of the very few spare seats in the shopping centre, exhausted.
"We're men Si… This is what we do." Peter sighed, wishing he had of finished his shopping sooner. He was stood up because people, who were surrounded by shopping bags, took all the other seats around them.
Luckily his main present for Carla had arrived in the post on Monday and he had his Dad's and Simon's all sorted but he was still struggling to find something right for Tracy and Amy. Simon on the other hand was still looking for the perfect gift for his Mum and was beginning to think that maybe he should just give up.
"We've been in like every shop… I'm so tired." Simon groaned, Peter nodded at him and looked at his watch, it was about three o'clock in the afternoon and he knew that if they didn't hurry up, the shops would be closing soon.
"Okay… here's what we'll do… me n you will go halves on a present for your Mum, Tracy and Amy that way we only have to get one present each." Peter suggested as a woman, pushed past him in a rush with three small kids in tow.
"This place is crazy… let's get out of ere as quick as we can Dad." Simon said with a raised eyebrow, he hated shopping at the best of times but today on Christmas Eve, he really detested it.
"Good idea…" Peter said as more people pushed past him in a rush. As they walked through the crowds and decided to try Selfridges, Peter turned to Simon and said, "So ave you decided what you're doing tonight then?"
"I'm going to Pizza Express with Santana." Simon said, but Peter shook his head at him.
"No… I meant who's place are you staying at? Mine or your Mum's?"
"Erm… I haven't decided yet?" He said because he really didn't know. He had been thinking about it for days now and he still hadn't decided. He wanted to spend Christmas morning with the both of them but obviously that wasn't an option. He wanted to stay at his Dad's with Carla and have them all wake up together because he thought it would be really fun but he also wanted to stay with his Mum too.
"Well… I'd say take your time but time is kinda running out." Peter chuckled. He desperately wanted Simon to stay at his place with him and Carla but he didn't want to push him in anyway, he wanted the decision to be all his.
As promised Carla was sat in the pub waiting for her employees to buy them a Christmas drink. She had told them to get there at six and even though it was only five thirty, she was ready with her purse for when they arrived. She was just about to text Peter and asked where he was when Ryan Connor suddenly sat down in front of her. He had got back to Weatherfield only yesterday and he was already feeling as if he was right at home again.
"Alright?" He grinned, as Carla looked up at him, she did a double take when she saw him, forgetting that he was staying for Christmas.
"Oh my god!" she cried excitedly, putting her phone down and throwing her arms around Michelle's son. "Ryan… How are ya?" She hadn't seen Ryan since he left for Ibiza and was so thrilled to see him.
"I'm good, how about you?" Ryan said as Carla hugged him tight.
"Fantastic." Carla nodded as she let go of him.
"Me Mum tells me you n Peter are back together." Ryan said as Michelle came and sat down too, smiling at her son and Carla's reunion.
"Yeah… We are." Carla gushed, just thinking about Peter still made her smile like a lovesick fool and she knew it.
"What did I say eh? Smitten." Michelle grinned, giving her a poke.
"Oi..." Carla giggled, poking her best friend back. "So how long are you staying for Ryan?"
"A couple days. I'd stay longer but I ave to be back in Ibiza for New Years cause I've got a gig."
"A gig eh? Check him out." Carla said,
"I know right." Michelle said, reaching over and giving Ryan a kiss on the cheek. Carla smiled as Ryan grimaced.
"She's been doing that since I got ere."
"Well I'm happy... It's Christmas and I've got my baby ere." Michelle said as Peter and Simon came bounding into the pub together looking rather drained after an afternoon of shopping.
"Hey you two…" Carla beamed, getting up and kissing Peter before hugging Simon.
"Hi…" Simon sighed as Peter took off his coat.
"Alright you two." Michelle asked, still with her arm around Ryan, practically showing him off. Simon and Peter both did a double take when they saw him sat there.
"Hi." He said with a grin as Michelle hugged him again.
"Hi Ryan." Peter smiled, "How are ya?"
"Good good thanks." Ryan said smiling genuinely at Peter before he looking properly at Simon. "Wow, you've shot up avent ya?"
"Yeah I guess." He nodded sheepishly.
"How old are ya now?" Ryan asked as Michelle got out her phone.
"Twelve and a half." Simon answered before Peter chimed in with,
"Yeah Twelve going on Twenty."
"Peter do me a favour… Get a pic of me Carla N Ryan will ya?" She asked, handing Peter her phone.
"Ahhh really Mum?" Ryan said as she also put an arm around Carla, who looked just as reluctant.
"Yeah… I wanna sent it to your Nan, show her that us three ave been reunited."
"Yeah cause I'm sure that she really wants to see a picture of me." Carla grinned as Michelle's mother had never been her biggest fan, especially after the whole Rich thing.
"I'm sure she'll love it." Michelle said as Peter held up the phone.
"Alright say cheese." Carla, Ryan and Michelle all smiled their cheesiest grins as Peter took the photo. Afterwards Michelle took her phone and took even more photos. Especially when Steve came over to sit down too. They stayed together for a while, exchanging humorous Christmas stories before Steve and Michelle had to return to the bar as Liz wanted to go out.
"So… what ave you two done with your selves today." Carla asked as Peter put an arm around her and pulled her close.
"Don't ask." Simon said, still feeling tired from the shopping trip.
"Why?" Carla said, turning to Peter. "You two weren't doing last minute shopping again were ya?" She asked, because she knew what that look on Simon's face meant.
"No… course not." Peter grinned.
"And why don't I believe ya?" Carla asked suspiciously, She titled her head on one side and watched Peter waiting for his response.
"They always like this?" Ryan asked with an eyebrow raised as Peter pressed his lips against Carla's making her giggle.
"Yeah pretty much." Simon nodded, "You won't believe how many times I've walked in on situations like this."
"Awkward." Ryan said feeling embarrassed for Simon at first but then he saw the content look on his face as he said,
"Well yeah... but I don't mind too much. I'm glad they are happy..." Simon and Ryan had a little chat for a while, whilst Carla and Peter continued to act like a pair of teenagers. It wasn't so much the kissing that they were doing, it was the whispering and touching that made them seem like loves young dream. "Guys…" Simon said after watching his Dad and Carla smooch for a moment longer and realising the time.
"Yeah…" Peter said, moving away from Carla and looking at his son.
"I think I'm gonna… stay with me Mum tonight." Simon said anxiously, hoping his Dad wouldn't be too upset.
"Yeah…" Carla said, knowing that Peter was disappointed about Simon choosing to stay at Leanne's and not his.
"Yeah… I mean I really wanted to stay at yours Dad... honest but I think me Mum will need me more… after all you two can wake up together and ave a really fun morning." Simon said, Carla nodded at first, secretly thinking all sorts but then she frowned because when she thought about it properly she would have loved to have woken up with Simon in the next room.
"Wait… what about Kal?" She asked, "Isn't he going to be spending the night?"
"Yeah… but he doesn't really celebrate Christmas." Simon said, he looked at his Dad who nodded dejectedly and said, "I'm sorry Dad… I hope you don't mind too much."
"Hey… don't say sorry." Peter said softly, "It's nice that you want to be with your Mum, besides... we'll see you at dinner tomorrow." Peter reached out and patted Simon on the shoulder lovingly.
"I better go…" Simon then said, "I'm supposed to be meeting Santana at half six."
"Errr and who's Santana?" Ryan asked intrigued.
"My girlfriend." Simon said proudly, the look on his face made Carla and Peter both crack up.
"Girlfriend? Nice one." Ryan said nodding.
"Yeah… we're swapping our gifts at Pizza Express because we won't see each other tomorrow." Simon explained.
"Ahh that's dead sweet." Carla said as Peter reached into his pocket and pulled out some cash.
"Ere…" Peter said, handing him twenty-pound note.
"Dad it's fine… I've got a bit of money." Simon said as he put his coat on.
"Yeah I know but I know you wanted to pay for your meal and I don't want you left broke." Peter said.
"Awwww… you're paying?" Carla cooed at Simon, before giving Peter a slight nudge. "Where's my romantic Christmas Eve dinner eh?"
"Well I could ave took you out but you've only gone and promised your employees that you'd buy em a round of drinks in ere…" Peter said shaking his head and then poking Simon. "Showing me up again Si."
"What can I say Dad? You obviously need to up your game." Simon grinned, standing up.
"I'll walk with ya, I wanna go n see some of the old gang anyway." Ryan said, getting up too.
"Bye Ryan it was so good to see ya." Carla waved. "N Si ave a good time babe." Carla said, reaching over the table and hugging Simon. "See ya at your Granddad's tomorrow." She added with a kiss on the cheek.
"You too." Simon smiled, hugging Carla tightly, he then turned to his Dad. "Dad… are you sure you don't mind me staying at me Mum's?" He asked again.
"Of course not." Peter insisted, giving Simon a hug too. "Have a good night n we'll see ya tomorrow." Simon got up and waved goodbye to Carla and Peter before he and Ryan left them both sat in the corner pub. Carla watched Peter as he sat back down and looked down at his hands for a moment.
"Awww… don't be too sad darlin." She said, leaning against him and entwining her fingers with his. "As nice as it would ave been to ave Simon round I reckon him not being there tonight is a blessing in disguise…"
"Oh yeah…" Peter said, recognising Carla's slightly suggestive tone of voice instantly and turning his body so that he was now facing her.
"Yeah…" She whispered before kissing him harshly on the lips.
"Why… what ave you got in mind?" Peter asked, as Roy, Fizz, Tyrone and Chesney all walked into the pub, followed by Ken, Tracy and Audrey who, waved at Carla and Peter but still walked over to the bar. They didn't join them at the table because they looked rather cosy and like they didn't want to be disturbed as Carla nuzzled her nose against Peter's cheek.
"Well… let's just say I'm wearing some very… festive… underwear right now and I think that once you see it… well you wont be able resist ripping it off me." She whispered into his ear before kissing it.
"Ohh…." Peter sighed frustratedly, "Why would you say that to me eh? Now I've got to sit ere in a pub full of people with that on me mind." Carla chuckled into his neck as Beth and Kirk entered the pub. They were two people who didn't take the hint that Carla and Peter probably didn't want to be disturbed and walked right up to them.
"Hey… we're all ere." Beth said excitedly, "Bring on the Christmas drinks." Carla rolled her eyes at Beth and then got up, reluctantly as Peter still had hold of her around the waist.
"Right Chelle…" She called as she walked over to the bar, "My factory lot are ere for some free booze so... let em get what they want for the next hour n I'll pay for it before I leave."
"You sure about that?" Michelle asked with her eyebrows raised, looking at all of Carla's eager employees. "They'll probably bankrupt ya."
"Yeah… I know but we've had a bit of a mad year n as much as I hate to admit it… they're a good bunch of staff when it comes down to it." Carla smiled, as Sean who was behind the bar leant over and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Ahhh thanks Mrs Barlow." He said, "You're a diamond."
"Yeah… cheers Mrs B." Kirk said, also going as far as giving Carla a quick kiss.
"Oi… watch it you lot, she's mine." Peter called from over in his seat, Carla chuckled as Michelle started pouring drinks for all of the Underworld employees.
"Well… I guess I'll have a large glass of red then." Tracy suddenly said, standing next to Carla with a grin.
"Errr I don't think so…" Sean began, "You aven't worked at Underworld in years."
"Yeah well, I was at the party last night wasn't I?" She said, Carla rolled her eyes at Tracy and said,
"Oh… let her ave a drink Sean… tis Christmas after all eh."
"Ahhh thanks Carla." Tracy said appreciatively, she then said quietly, "And I'm sorry for the way I acted last night… y'know with Rich."
"Woah… is this Tracy Barlow apologising? Must be a Christmas miracle." Carla said but she was smiling at Tracy all the same, knowing that she was just drunk last night and that she hadn't meant to cause any harm.
"Yeah well don't get used to it…" Tracy smirked as Michelle handed her a glass of wine.
"Oh I won't…" Carla said, "Chelle when ya ready can I get an orange juice for Mr Barlow and a lemonade for me self please?"
"Lemonade?" Michelle exclaimed watching Carla closely.
"Yeah…" Carla said as Beth ordered two drinks, making the most of Carla's good will whilst she could. "So?"
"So I can't remember the last time you refused a drink…" Michelle said and then Tracy's eyes widened.
"You're not pregnant are ya?" she asked, remembering the last time she had offered Carla some alcohol and she had refused it because she was pregnant.
"No… I am not pregnant." Carla cried, a little too loudly because Peter had heard it. He stared over at Carla who sighed as Michelle handed her the drinks. "I'm just trying to be supportive that's all."
"If you say so…" Michelle smirked, as Carla took the drinks back over to where Peter was sat.
"So… what was that about?" Peter asked awkwardly as Carla sat down next to him and handed him his orange juice.
"Well I was just thinking of how hard it must be for you at this time of year and I thought I wouldn't make it worse by sitting right next to you and drinking." Carla explained, shaking her head at Tracy's suggestion. "Of course with my track record, me saying no to a glass of red means I'm up the duff… which I'm not… just so you know."
"Okay…" Peter said vaguely, not knowing what else to say, he watched her for a moment as she took a quick sip of her Lemonade, "Carla?"
"I'm fine…" She said, "It's just… Tracy mentioning me being pregnant… it was just a shock to the system that's all. It's a scary thought If I'm honest... I mean as much as I wanted… her..." Carla paused and took a deep breath before continuing. "...And as much as me and you are on such a good path… I don't think I'm anywhere near ready..." There was an air of real sadness to Carla's voice when she spoke, one that led Peter to move up closer to her and put an arm around her.
"Well…" he said, clearing his throat and biting his lip anxiously. "Just so you know… I'm ready whenever you are…" Carla gave him a sad smile before kissing him softly on the cheek.
"You… are amazing… you know that right?" she said affectionately.
"It's been said." Peter grinned as he picked up his orange juice.
After Carla had paid for the hefty bar tab that her employees had racked up, she and Peter went back to his place. They had planned to spent the night over there but Carla had forgotten to bring her gifts for Peter over and said that there was something else she desperately wanted to get, which led to her and Peter packing up all the of the gifts he'd had prepared and them walking the short walk to Victoria Court.
"How come I'm carrying most of the stuff?" Peter asked, as he and Carla turned the corner. He was carrying two huge gift bags full of presents whilst Carla was carrying a bag full of his overnight stuff.
"Well… I could carry the presents but then I might be tempted to have a slight peak inside." Carla grinned with her eyes gleaming.
"Yeah… never mind." Peter chuckled as a bus drove past them.
"Hey… Peter! Carla!" Leanne called, she was carrying loads of shopping bags and had just gotten off the bus, obviously getting some last minute Christmas bits in herself.
"Hiya." Carla called cheerily.
"Hi Lea." Peter said.
"I just wanted to say thanks for letting Simon stay at mine tonight." Leanne said with such a huge smile on her face that made Carla smile too.
"Ahhhh don't say thanks, It's nothing." Peter said struggling with the bags. "Besides it's only fair he stays with you anyway, I can't just come back ere after being away and start hogging him for all the special occasions, can I?"
"I know... but still I wanted to say thanks anyway." Leanne said, "N I just wanted to tell ya that I haven't seen Simon so happy in a very long time. Thanks for coming back Peter." She added before walking away. Peter looked content as Leanne walked towards her flat and as he started walking along with Carla and she said,
"Y'know Zeedan was saying the same thing to me at the gym earlier?"
"Really?" Peter asked, surprised to hear that even Zeedan had noticed Simon's happiness.
"Yep… he said he's not seen Simon this happy since he's met him and that he thinks that it's all down to us." Carla said, proudly as Peter and her stopped outside her building.
"Well after everything I've done to him, it's about time that kid had some happiness." Peter said juggling with the bags as Carla got out her keys.
"Hey..." Carla said, opening the door to her building. "Don't be like that, yes you've made some mistakes... but you're ere now aren't ya?"
Her and Peter were only in her flat for a matter of seconds before they dashed the stuff they had been carrying on to her sofa and headed to the bedroom. Peter practically tore off her clothes and was very pleased to find that she was indeed wearing a matching set of red lacy underwear.
"Told ya." Carla smirked as she stood before him.
"Oh... I am so... so glad Simon isn't here right now." Peter growled before grabbing Carla and pinning her down onto her bed.
"Peter…" Carla whispered, into the darkness as they lay in bed together. She was next to him and they were both flat on their backs with just a blanket over them.
"Yeah…" he replied lazily, rolling over so that he was on his front instead and so that he could see Carla properly.
"I was just thinking about what you said earlier…" Carla began, "You know about being ready for a baby…"
"Carla I wasn't trying to pressure you or anything I was just letting you know that if the time comes… I'll be ready."
"I know… I know." Carla nodded she was about to continue but she was interrupted.
"I'm serious Carla..." Peter said firmly, "I was a mess before n I did nothing but let the pair of you down but I promise you the next time... the next time I will make you proud to say that you're carrying my baby." Carla rolled over too so that she was now on her front, she moved up as close as she could to Peter and rested her forehead against his.
"If you had of let me finish... What I was going to say was that maybe we'll get Christmas n New Year out of the way n... maybe we should talk about things… Like that... yeah?"
"Yeah…" Peter smiled sincerely, "I'd like that."
"Me too..." Carla breathed, not able to think about the possibility of her and Peter having a baby without it leaving her short of breath.
"Actually..." Peter said, reminded of something. "We might ave to leave it until after Valentines Day."
"Why?" Carla asked, grinning and intrigued.
"Well that is for me to now and for you to find out..." Peter said mysteriously.
"I hate surprises Peter... y'know that." She groaned, "Valentines Day is bloody two months away."
"Yeah... well trust me... this surprise will be worth it." Peter insisted.
"Promise?" Carla whispered as leant forward and kissed him softly on the lips.
"I promise." Peter whispered back. Carla pulled away from him slowly and then got reminded of something her self.
"Wait ere…" She said before quickly getting up out of bed and running out of the room. It wasn't long before she returned with a gift bag. She thrust it at Peter before bouncing back onto the bed.
"N what's this?" He asked sitting upright.
"Well I know it's not Christmas for another few hours but I want you to ave this now…" Carla said, "Go on… Open it." Peter smiled and opened the gift bag to find a navy blue wooly onesie with white snowflakes on it.
"A onesie…" Peter said with an eyebrow raised.
"Yeah… Put it on…now." Carla ordered before kissing Peter on the cheek and then getting up. She disappeared again and when she came back she was in a matching ensemble, Peter was stood up, putting his bare legs into his one when Carla walked into the bedroom.
"You've got one too?" Peter grinned as he pulled the onesie up his body and put his arms into the sleeves.
"I sure do…" Carla said sitting back down on her bed and watching Peter as he did up the zip on his onesie. "I've always had this silly idea of starting this tradition with me n my family all wearing matching pyjamas when we wake up on Christmas morning... I wanted to start it this year n actually got one for Simon but since he's not ere he'll ave to wear his tomorrow... What d'ya think?" Carla asked wondering if she sounded silly.
"I love it…" Peter nodded, loving how much thought Carla put into things sometimes. "The Onesie and our brand new tradition." he said as Carla got up and put her arms around him.
"I thought we could wear em whilst we watch It's A Wonderful Life." Carla suggested, remembering one of Peter's favourite Christmas traditions and how he always watched it on Christmas Eve.
"Come on then..." Peter nodded, taking Carla into her living room after kissing her on the head. They both cuddled up on the sofa and watched the classic Christmas movie and that was where they both ended up falling asleep.
If I get enough reviews...
I just might post Christmas Day, tomorrow ;)