I am sooooooo sorry for not updating this on Sunday like I said I would, especially as I got a lot of lovely reviews!
I promise I will make it up to you all and I hope you enjoy this next chapter...
Christmas Morning in Weatherfield and all over street there were people who had been up since the crack of dawn with their kids.
However, Carla and Peter were not some of those people, in fact it was almost eleven am by the time Carla had been brave enough to open her eyes first and peer at Peter who was laying underneath her. There were still on the sofa where they had fallen asleep the night before. Carla saw her phone light up on the table, she ignored assuming it was messages from various people wishing her a merry Christmas and gave Peter a little nudge instead.
"Peter... are you awake?" she asked, not being able to wait a minute longer to open her presents, especially as she could see them glistening under her tree. "Peter…" She hissed.
"You know I'm awake…" Peter grinned, opening his eyes and kissing Carla softly.
"Mmmmm Merry Christmas baby." Carla said, kissing him back and running a hand through his hair.
"Merry Christmas." Peter replied. He was smirking because he could tell how eager Carla was to rush over to her elegant tree and open the presents that were beneath it. "Go on…" He chuckled. Carla squealed excitedly and jumped off Peter. She ran over to her tree and pulled out some of the presents, which she knew that he had wrapped. "Hey… wait for me." Peter cried as Carla was about to rip open the box she had hold of.
"Well get a wiggle on then." She moaned as he got up off the sofa and stretched.
"It don't half get hot in these onesies eh?" He said as he walked over to Carla who was itching to open her gifts. Peter went and sat down on the floor next to her and bent down. "Wait… don't open that one first… open this." He said, pulling out a gift bag from underneath the tree. Carla put down the present she had picked up first and took the bag off Peter. "Go on…" He nodded, excited to see what she would make of it. She opened it to find that he had filled it up with all of her favourite sweets and chocolates.
"Awwww Peter…" She said, delving into it and pulling out one of her favourite American chocolates. "You remembered?"
"Course I did, how could I not, you had about forty bars of that whilst we were in L.A" He said smiling as she ripped it open. She bit into it before smiling at Peter and saying,
"Thank you... so… what do I open next?" Peter handed her a tiny box next, which she opened to find a heart shaped charm for her charm bracelet. When she took a closer look she saw that it had "I love you." engraved on it. "Aghh I love it." She said, staring down at it and holding it preciously between her fingers. "Peter..." She got up and kissed him so passionately that they almost forgot about the gifts…well almost.
She also opened a few more little gifts which included a set of her favourite bath bombs from Lush and Peter couldn't help but get her some more naughty Christmas underwear which she smiled suggestively at but her very last gift and her main one was the best one. Carla could barley contain her excitement when Peter handed her the rectangular box.
"Ohhhh this one looks suspiciously like a shoe box." She squealed giving it a squeeze. "Ohhhh it feels like one too…is it shoes Peter?"
"Open it n see." Peter chuckled knowing that Carla was of course right about her present. She tore of the silver paper, which he had chosen specially to match her tree and gasped loudly when she saw the box.
"You didn't… Louboutins?" She said, quietly because she was in shock, She had wanted a pair of them for ages and hadn't got round to picking a pair out yet because she wanted them all. They were also very expensive and she wanted to make sure that the money she spent was made worth it, so to see that Peter had bought her a pair had definitely stunned her into silence.
"Open em then… I wanna see if I chose right…" Peter said anxiously, because he had spent almost two hours on the website with Tracy by his side trying to pick out the best pair of shoes for Carla, he had also called Michelle to ask her advice but then thought against it incase she accidentally blabbed. Carla smiled as she opened the box carefully, as if being too rough would damage it somehow. The shoes had been placed in a duster bag to keep them pristine and when Carla pulled them out she gasped again.
"Oh..." She began,
"Well?" Peter asked, edging forward and looking down at the shoes himself.
"You… chose… perfectly." She said, staring down at the patent black sky-high heels Peter had chosen her. The soles were a bright red and Carla turned them both around so that she could run a finger against them.
"Did I? Really?" He asked, although he could tell that Carla had just fallen in love with the shoes that she had in hand.
"Yes!" She cried, taking out all of the packaging before getting up off the floor and sitting on her sofa so she could try them on.
"Here… I'll do it." Peter said, taking the shoes off Carla and bending down on his knees in front of her. She bit her lip excitedly as Peter took hold of her foot and gently slipped one of the high heels on.
"Thank you Prince Charming." She gushed as Peter placed the other shoe on. She stood up quickly and closed her eyes at how perfect her new shoes had fit.
"How do they feel?" Peter asked, getting up off the floor and looking at Carla in awe, even in a onesie she still took his breath away.
"They are perfect." Carla said, putting her arms around a now very short Peter.
"Good… just make sure you don't wear em around me eh." He chuckled, as Carla was ridiculously taller than him now.
"Ohhh but I wanted to wear em to your Dad's n show everyone." Carla frowned, gazing down at her feet in awe, then she remembered that Peter hadn't opened any of his presents yet. "Peter!" She cried, walking over to her tree and bending down which was a hard job to do, even for someone used to wearing such high heels.
"What?" he laughed, following her over to the tree.
"Your turn." She said, picking up some boxes, which she had wrapped up in gold wrapping paper. Peter sat down and as Carla took off her brand new shoes he opened her first gift, which was a pair of smart black swimming goggles and a matching pair of trunks. He smiled at them but Carla felt like she had to explain all the same.
"I thought seeing as you forgot that you couldn't go swimming for another two weeks until your tattoo has healed that when you did go back and start training again for this Swimathon, you'd want something nice n new to wear."
"Thanks" Peter chuckled as Carla sat down properly next to him.
"D'ya like em… Cause I ave the receipt if you wanted to exchange them?" Carla said, watching Peter as he put his new swimming gear down.
"Course I like em…" Peter insisted with a nod.
"Good… Okay here's your next one." Carla said, smiling at Peter as she handed him the next present that she had wrapped up. It was a tiny rectangle shaped box this time and when Peter opened it he found that Carla had given him a specially made keyring with a picture of her and Simon in it. "I know it's cheesy but me n Simon were out the other week and we saw this keyring making photo booth... we couldn't resist."
"It's not cheesy..." Peter smiled, staring down at the image of his son and Carla who were both smiling happily.
"Turn it over..." Carla said and as Peter turned the keyring over he saw the other side had a different photo and this one had Simon and Carla both pulling face, Simon had his top lip curled upwards and Carla was pouting with one eye open. "D'ya like it?"
"I love it..." Peter nodded, thinking about how he could put it on his car keys and see Simon and Carla every time he went to his car. He then opened a few other bits and bobs that Carla had bought him which included a beard trimming set and an Only Fools and Horses boxset, all which he also adored.
"Okay… This is the last one are you ready?" Carla asked, looking extremely pleased that Peter had liked all the other presents that she had bought him.
"Lay it on me." Peter nodded as Carla handed him a cube shaped box. He opened it carefully and found that Carla had bought him a very expensive designer watch. "Wow…" He said, speechless as he stared down at the watch Carla had bought him.
"Now you ave absolutely no excuse to be late." Carla said as Peter took the watch out of the box.
"Carla…" Peter swallowed staring down at it as she took it off him so she could put it on his wrist. She didn't have to ask him if he liked it because he was staring at it amazement. "This is… too much."
"Don't be silly Peter." Carla said, doing up the strap on Peter's new watch and then smiling at him. He looked down at his wrist and then met Carla's gaze, she frowned slightly when she saw that he looked like he might cry at any moment. "What is it? Peter what's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong… everything is absolutely perfect." Peter sniffed, "I love you."
"I love you too." Carla said, leaning forward and kissing him on the lips. They smiled at each other lovingly as Carla's house phone began ringing, she rolled her eyes and went to answer it as she knew it would probably be someone who had been ringing her phone earlier.
It was Michelle, she told Carla she had been calling her mobile phone to wish her a merry Christmas and because she didn't answer that's why she had called her house phone.
They spoke for a while whilst Peter got up and put the kettle on. He made two coffees and some toast as Carla told Michelle all about her new shoes. After hanging up on Michelle, Carla joined Peter at her dinning room table to drink the coffee he had made.
"What?" Peter asked, watching Carla's ecstatic grin.
"I'm just happy that's all…" Carla said, picking up a piece of toast and taking a bite.
"Me too… extremely happy…" Peter smiled back.
A year ago today they had never imagined that they would be spending Christmas together and they had never imagined that they would be so happy. The phone rang again but this time it was Simon. He spoke to Peter and Carla on speaker phone and sounded very pleased with himself as he told them about all the presents he had gotten so far. After breakfast they went and sat on the sofa and delved into Carla's bag of treats.
"Right… What are we watching?" Peter said as Carla chomped her way through an American candy bar. "And no we are not going on Netflix… We ave to watch something Christmassy." Peter added, knowing Carla's love for a bit of Netflix.
"Erm…" Carla began, picking up the remote control and flicking through the channels.
"Stop!" Peter cried when Carla went past a channel which was showing Wallace and Gromit.
"Seriously?" She said, as Peter nodded and took the remote of her. He went back to Wallace and Gromit and grinned.
"It's a classic… I bet me Dad is watching it as we speak."
"And Roy…" Carla said as the Wallace and Gromit theme tune started,"Yeah... he is probably definitely watching this." Peter went into her sweet bag and pulled out some chocolate. "Which reminds me… I need to pop into his before going to your Dads, I've gotta give him his present."
Peter nodded at Carla and pulled her towards him so that he could cuddle her close as they watched TV. They were halfway through The Wrong Trousers when Peter said,
"Y'know… Si used to love this… Used to be scared of that manic penguin mind… but yeah… I wonder if he's watching it too?"
"I think everyone got a little bit scared of that penguin to be honest…" Carla began with a chuckle. "It's the way that he stares… I'm not gonna lie it still sends a chill up me spine even now." Peter ran a couple of fingers up Carla's back as she giggled and started eating some more chocolate.
"You're not gonna ave anything left in that bag soon."
"Well it is Christmas... I mean if you can't eat ridiculous amounts of sweets today when can ya?" Carla said. They watched the entire episode of Wallace and Gromit and as it finished Carla smiled and said, "Is it bad that I really enjoyed watching that?"
"Course not, tis a Christmas classic... hey I wonder if The Snowman is on…" Peter said, picking up the remote and checking to see if it was on. "We've probably missed it…" He sighed as he looked through all the channels. Carla was quiet as Peter sighed and squinted at the television as he tried to see if The Snowman was on at all.
"It was on this morning…" he began, not looking at Carla and seeing how upset she was getting. "But it's on again at four pm, we should watch it if me Dad doesn't mind… Carla?" Peter turned to look at her and finally realised that she had tears in her eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing…" She sniffed.
"Oh come on… Carla you know me better than that… what is it?" Peter asked, taking a hand and stroking Carla's cheek lovingly.
"The Snowman… it's just…" Carla began, "Me n Rob... we watched it when it came out… he were about five I think… anyways we were sat in me living room whilst Mum was… entertaining what ever man she was dating at the time and everything was fine… until the end…" a tear ran down Carla's cheek as she spoke and Peter quickly wiped it away before it could fall off her face. "When Rob realised that the Snowman had melted he cried… he cried a lot… he were inconsolable and I couldn't calm him down… I went to get me Mum… she was in the kitchen and she was not impressed to see me appear in the doorway and to hear Rob wailing from the from room…" Carla paused and swallowed before continuing, she waited a while but Peter didn't say anything. He just gave her time and eventually she continued and said, "She told me that if I didn't shut Rob up and quick that I would end up regretting it… I said to her that he didn't want me and that he wanted her… his Mum not his sister and then she smacked me… hard around the face and told me to do as I was told…"
"Oh… Carla." Peter said sympathetically, shaking his head and putting his arm around her.
"Don't…" She said, although she leant against him and put an arm around his middle. She soon started sobbing into his chest and said a quiet, "I'm sorry…"
"Don't you dare apologise." Peter said softly, hating that after all these years she still felt like she had to apologise for being sad.
"But it's Christmas…"
"So?" Peter shrugged, "Carla it doesn't matter that it's Christmas… if you want to cry you cry."
"I don't want to cry though…" Carla said, sitting up slightly and wiping her nose. "I want to be happy… I am happy… Peter I'm the happiest I've ever been."
"Me too…" Peter nodded as Carla took hold of one of his hands. He waited for a moment and then asked, "So… what did ya do with Rob in the end?" He could tell that Carla would be okay for him to ask some more about the situation.
"Well I did what I was told… I went in there and I took him up to bed… I sat with him and I practically cradled him until he fell asleep..." Carla said sadly.
"How old were you?" Peter asked, knowing she was only a few years older than her little brother, if that.
"Seven…"
"Seven?" Peter said, shaking his head and squeezing Carla's hand. He looked utterly heartbroken for Carla and she hated it.
"Hey… don't look like that… I was pretty much used to looking after Rob at that point." She said with a sad smile.
"Yeah well you shouldn't ave been." Peter sighed, "Carla whenever I think about everything that you went through as a kid, it actually makes my heartache."
"Oh Peter… you can't change my past and neither can I baby… All we can do is make sure that when we ave kids… that we don't make em go through the same things that we did." Carla said with a very firm nod because no matter what happened there was no way her kids would suffer like she had done.
"When eh?" Peter smiled, "Not if?"
"When." Carla nodded again and before Peter could answer she had leant forwards and placed a passionate kiss on his lips. "Come on…" She grinned pulling him up off the sofa and clawing at his onesie as she dragged him towards her bathroom, on her way she picked up one of the bath bombs she had gotten. "I think me n you need a Christmas soak…"
It was about two pm when Carla and Peter had finished their bath and had gotten dressed. They gathered up all the presents they had bought and set off on their way to Number One. Peter ended up being the one who carried all the gifts because Carla was walking extremely slowly in her brand new high heels.
"Christmas Dinner at me Dad's is slightly casual for them skyscrapers don't ya think?" Peter asked as Carla gazed down at her feet.
"I don't care… I want everyone to see how amazing they are." She gushed, she had teamed her newest heels with a pair of black jeans and a grey jumper with some very small yet distinct sliver detailing on it and Peter had gone for a grey jumper too, so that they looked rather co-ordinated in their outfits. He had of course put on his new watch to show off, so Carla felt like she needed to show off her present too.
"I know you love em but I'm starting to think they are maybe just a bit too high." Peter said, staring down at Carla's feet.
"Nonsense…" She scoffed as they went to cross the road, "You're just upset because I'm taller than you now… although getting across these cobbles might be a problem."
"Yep… just what I thought." Peter smirked, running across the street and putting down the many gifts that he had in hand. He then ran back towards Carla and picked her up over his shoulder suddenly. She giggled as he carried her over to the pavement so she didn't have to struggle across the cobbles. Passers by chuckled as Peter put Carla down and said, "There ya go."
"Thanks baby." She said Roy walking towards Fizz and Tyrone's, which was were he was having dinner. "Merry Christmas Roy!" Carla called as he approached them.
"Ahhh Merry Christmas." Roy nodded at Carla and Peter. He had noticed that Carla was visibly taller than Peter and looked down at her shoes. "Nice...shoes." He commented.
"Arent they?" Carla grinned as Peter delved into the present pile. "We were just on our way to find ya actually." She said as Peter pulled out the gift that was intended for Roy.
"There." Peter said, handing Roy a rather large box that Carla had wrapped.
"Why thank you..." Roy said surprised, Carla could tell he was feeling slightly uncomfortable and said,
"You gonna be in The Rover's later?"
"Yes… I shall." Roy said as he stopped outside number 9.
"Good we'll se ya later then and you can let us know what you thought of your gift then yeah?" Carla said.
"Yes, yes okay." Roy nodded.
"Bye Roy… Tell everyone in there we said Merry Christmas won't ya…" Peter said. Roy nodded at Peter and said goodbye as a very excited Hope opened the door to number nine. She was dressed in a disney princess dress and shouted Merry Christmas at the top of her lungs as Ruby came running out onto the street as well.
"Ruby!" Fiz cried, coming out of number nine and chasing her. She chatted to Carla and Peter for a bit before dragging her bare footed children back into her house.
"Awww it must be dead nice to have loads of kids about on Christmas." Carla smiled as Roy walked into the hustle and bustle that seemed to be at number nine.
"Yeah well kids are for life not just for Christmas…" Peter grinned as he struggled to hold all of the presents that they had brought along for everyone. Carla gave him a poke as they reached the door to Number one. Peter knocked on it with his elbow and Amy opened it. She was dressed in a red sparkly dress and looked excitedly at the presents Peter had in his arms.
"Wow!" She cried,
"Merry Christmas Amy…" Peter chuckled as she tried her very best to hug him and not knock the presents out of his arms.
"Merry Christmas…" She giggled before then putting her arms around Carla too.
"Happy Christmas Amy." Carla said as Peter stepped into his Dad's house.
"Ello…" Peter called as he walked down the hallway. He walked into the living room to find Tracy and his Dad sat at the table.
"Ahhh Merry Christmas!" Ken cried, getting up and throwing his arms around his son. Glad to see him after a morning of being with Tracy and Amy.
"Merry Christmas Dad." Peter said as Carla walked into the living room also. She grinned as she took the presents off him and placed them on the table so that he was free.
"Merry Christmas Ken." She smiled as Ken went to hug her too. Peter went and gave Tracy a kiss on the cheek whilst Amy came bounding up to the table and asked,
"Which one is mine?"
"Oi you…" Tracy said giving a nudge, then she grinned. "It better not be that big one because I want that to be mine."
"Wait a minute, where's Si?" Peter asked, gazing around the room and feeling slightly disappointed that his son wasn't there yet. Ken glanced at the clock and said,
"Well it's only half two… I'm sure he'll be along in a bit." Peter nodded and watched as Carla and Tracy gave each other a friendly hug, he grinned at them as they pulled away from each other and when Carla said,
"So can I help with anything in the kitchen Ken?" he grinned even more.
"You wanna help?" He asked, "Really?"
"Ken?" Carla grinned, ignoring Peter's mocking.
"Everything is almost done." Ken nodded as Tracy got up and began to pour her and Carla some wine. "So did you two have a nice morning?"
"Yeah… it were lovely weren't it Peter." Carla said as Peter pulled her coat over her shoulders and took it off for her.
"It sure was…" He winked as he then took off his coat. Tracy raised an eyebrow at her brother as she handed Carla the wine and said,
"Yeah… we really don't need to hear anymore than that…" She then gasped at Carla after glancing down at her shoes, "Oh my god… your shoes."
"Like em?" Carla grinned, pointing her toes in a fancy fashion. "Your brother got em for me." Carla said, not knowing that Tracy had helped Peter with them.
"They are amazing… Uh I am so jealous." Tracy said bending down and getting a closer look. Amy who was listening also bent down alongside her mother.
"Nice one Uncle Peter… they look like they were dead expensive." She said looking very impressed
"They were…." Peter nodded kissing Carla on the cheek.
"Ere Amy… your Uncle Peter practically had to get up on his tip toes to just do that." Tracy said, amused at how much taller than Peter, Carla was in her new shoes.
"I did not." Peter chuckled as the doorbell went. Ken went to answer it as Tracy and Amy stood up right and as Carla sat down on the sofa. "Are you regretting wearing those yet?" Peter asked as she rubbed her ankle.
"Never." She said although the shoes were higher than she had anticipated and just the walk alone was something that she needed to get used to. Peter sat down next to her and kissed her again as Simon suddenly appeared in the living room.
"Merry Christmas!" He cried, sliding effortlessly past his Dad and Carla on his present, which was a Segway board.
"Uh oh…"Carla said, shaking her head and getting up to hug Simon, who was clearly chuffed with his grand entrance.
"Wow!" Amy cried, looking down at Simon's present. "You got one!" Ken walked past Simon with an eyebrow raised to check on things in the kitchen as Amy high fived Simon.
"Yep." Simon nodded at his cousin, moving backwards and then forwards on the Segway in the small space of the Barlow's living room. "Me Mum and Kal got it for me." Peter also got up and gave Simon a hug before looking down at what he was stood on.
"That looks seriously cool Si…" Peter said, as Simon then spun around. "Can I ave a go?"
"Sure…" Simon grinned jumping off the Segway so that his Dad could have a go.
"Be careful Peter…" Carla warned as he placed a foot the Segway.
"I will…" Peter nodded, "So what do ya do then Si, just get on it."
"Yeah, just get on it and if you put pressure on your toes it'll move forward." Simon explained. Peter nodded again as he got onto the Segway properly. Carla raised an eyebrow as Peter slowly edged forward,
"Seriously baby… I don't want to be spending the night down A&E." she said as Peter put a little more weight onto his toes, so that he could move faster. It wasn't as easy as he thought and he almost went flying forward but Simon stopped him from falling right over and onto the floor.
"Woah!" he cried, half laughing as Simon grabbed on to him.
"Peter!" Carla said, giving him a slap on the arm. "Get off… you're way too old to be faffing about on that thing."
"I'm fine…" Peter insisted, having way too much fun to stop what he was doing. "How do you turn Si?"
"I dunno... you just move your feet slightly..." Simon laughed, as his Dad got ready to have another go.
"What was your Mum thinking getting you one of those?" Carla grinned as Peter got back onto the Segway.
"Zeedan's got one…" Simon began.
"Everyone's got one!" Amy chimed in as Peter braced himself before another turn.
"Uh they are so annoying, I were in town the other day right and I saw at least ten different kids on em… One of em crashed right into me as well… no sorry or nothing." Carla said irritatedly.
"I've been wanting one of me own for ages…" Simon said as his Dad moved forwards again. He fell off shortly afterwards but he tried again and again until he got the hang of it, Simon and Amy both videoed him on their phones as Tracy rolled her eyes and sat next to Carla. They watched amused until Peter crashed right into the dining room table. Amy and Simon both erupted with laughter as Carla shook her head.
"That's it…" she said, standing up bare foot as Tracy was trying on her new shoes. "Off now!" Peter chuckled and jumped off the Segway as Simon said,
"Don't worry Dad... it's only because Carla wants a turn."
"As if!" Carla scoffed but Peter grinned at her and picked her up again. "Peter!" She cried as he placed her feet onto the Segway.
"Go on… give it a try." He said, holding on to Carla's hands to steady her, as the Segway suddenly started moving beneath her.
"No Peter…" She screamed, as she started moving forward. She shifted the weight on her feet slightly and then found herself stopping. "I don't like it…" She screeched and before she knew it she was moving backwards. "Peter… help me!" Peter laughed hysterically as he pulled Carla towards him.
"You're okay?" He asked as he lifted Carla off the Segway with a chuckle as Simon picked it up and checked it's battery level.
"I am now… That thing is lethal." Carla said as Simon put it down in the corner, so it was out of the way. Carla smiled at him and said, "So now you've put that away d'ya wanna open our gift?"
"Of course!" Simon cried, sitting down at the table and looking at all the presents on it. Ken also came over and said,
"Dinner will be ready soon so maybe we should move all these presents eh?"
"Oh we're working on it Dad." Peter said as Carla leant forward and started sorting out the presents.
The Barlow's all sat together as Carla and Peter handed out their presents. Simon was thrilled to receive a pair of Beats headphones from them, which he had really wanted. Tracy and Amy both got some bath bombs from LUSH and some other bits and bobs whilst Ken received a kindle.
"I know you like the real thing but this way you can read what ever you want when your on the go." Peter said to his Dad. Ken nodded and said a very grateful thank you.
It was then Carla and Peter's turn to open some presents. Tracy and Amy handed Carla a present which she opened to find a picture of her and Peter on it.
"We hope you like it." Amy said proudly because she had actually chosen the picture, It was one of Carla and Peter at the karaoke night, they were staring at each other unaware that the picture was even being taken.
"It's gorgeous." Carla smiled, "But who's it for?" She asked because neither Amy nor Tracy had made it clear whether their gift was for Carla or Peter.
"Well… both of you." Tracy said.
"Both of us?" Peter laughed, "Okay, We'll cut it down the middle and take half each… which half do you want Carla?" She shook her head and nudged Peter the side as Tracy sighed.
"If we are honest... we thought you'd be living together by the time it actually came… only you're not... living together." she explained as Peter grinned back down at the canvas.
"Awkward…" Amy said, looking at Simon who was also amused.
"Ahhh right…" Peter nodded as Carla put the canvas down on the table.
"Well thanks anyway." She said not letting the awkwardness of the situation get to her just like Peter. Even though they spent almost every night together it was still okay for them to have their own flats and besides Peter had signed a six-month contract with his landlord so he couldn't move out anyway.
After more presents were exchanged Ken stated that dinner was ready. Carla and Tracy helped clear the table whilst Amy and Simon were in charge of getting rid of all the wrapping paper. Peter set the plates out along with the cutlery and it wasn't long before they were all sat down waiting for Ken to bring in the food.
Carla ended up going into the kitchen with Tracy and helped him bring in everything whilst Peter finished setting the table.
"Wow… this all looks amazing Ken." Carla said, as she picked up a dish with roast potatoes in.
"Thank you Carla… it's certainly been a bit of a hard task getting it all done but I'm pretty proud that I managed it." Ken said, already a little teary eyed and they hadn't even started eating yet. The day had been full of fun a festivities but there was something that hadn't been mentioned yet, something that no one had mentioned because they weren't too sure of how to go about it.
"You should be proud Dad." Tracy nodded as Carla took the potatoes into the living room and placed them on the dining room table. Peter had finished setting it as Ken brought in the Turkey and Tracy brought in the steaming vegetables.
"Woah…" Simon said, getting distracted from his new headphones and getting up off the armchair.
"Dinner is served." Ken said as Amy came over to the table also, with her brand new iPad in hand.
"It looks delicious." She said, staring at the table and licking her lips. To go with the Turkey and Potatoes there were some Yorkshire Puddings and some gravy as well.
"Well let's sit down then." Peter said, gesturing at the table that he had just finished setting. It was only when they were all gathered around the food and sat down on their seats, that they noticed that Peter had set out an extra place. There was an extra plate, knife, fork, cup and spoon and on the empty plate he had put a little card on it saying, Reserved.
"Who's that for?" Amy asked, staring at the empty seat next to Ken. She was set in-between her Mum and Simon was sat next to Peter.
"Dad?" Simon said, staring at the empty seat also and then back at his Dad.
Ken knew who the empty seat was for instantly and so did Tracy. They had guessed and both had tears in their eyes as Carla swallowed hard, she had guessed too and was touched at how thoughtful Peter's gesture was.
"It's for Grandma Deirdre… I'd like to think she's ere with us... somehow." Peter said to the two almost teenagers who were sat at the table with him.
"Oh…" Amy said quietly as Simon smiled sadly.
"That's…" he began, "That's really nice Dad."
"It really… really is." Ken said tearfully, reaching over and taking hold of his son's hand. "Thank you Peter." Tracy nodded at Peter through her own tears and reached over too. Carla simply leant over and left a soft kiss on Peter's cheek without saying anything.
Soon, everyone at the Barlow's dining room table was sat in silence. They all took a moment to think about Deirdre and how they wished that she was with them this Christmas. Simon took hold of Amy's hand and they both smiled at each other lovingly before Ken sniffed and said,
"Right… that's enough tears… let's dig in."
"Awww Peter… that was such a beautiful idea!" Michelle said after hearing about what Peter had done.
"It was wasn't it." Carla said, kissing him on the cheek and cuddling up to him because she still wasn't over it. It was eight pm and everyone was having a Christmas Drink in The Rover's on Steve, Michelle and Liz. After dinner and pudding they Barlow's played a very competitive game of Monopoly which Carla won and then Peter and the kids had another turn on Simon's Segway. When it was time to go to the pub, Ken said that he was tired and that he wasn't going to go. Tracy said they'd stay but Ken insisted that they go anyway so along with Carla, Peter and the kids, Tracy went next door.
The jukebox in The Rover's was of course playing all the Christmas classics and there was a small yet very satisfying buffet on one side of the bar that many punters were helping themselves to, even though they were most probably stuffed with their own Christmas dinners. Michelle, Steve, Carla and Peter were all sat in one of the booths and were catching up on each other's Christmas days.
"And as for those shoes…" Michelle then said as Carla wiggled her feet practically on cue. "They are the most fabulous things I've ever seen! they must ave cost a fortune."
"Yeah… way to show me up Peter." Steve sighed.
"Hey… I love my necklace!" Michelle cried, holding onto the silver necklace Steve had bought for her.
"Yeah… yeah." Steve joked as Michelle kissed him.
"Awww it really is stunning Steve." Carla nodded admiringly, as Michelle let go of her husband and picked up her wine glass. Peter was drinking orange juice and Carla had said that she would drink it too to be supportive but Peter shook his head and insisted that Carla had a wine with Michelle as it was Christmas after all.
"Besides if anyone if showing anyone up it's Carla n that watch she bought for Peter… it's almost blinding me." Michelle said pointing at it.
"Oi!" Carla cried, "Christmas isn't about all that, it's not about expensive gifts and all of that malarkey... it's about family and friendship… and love."
"Here here!" Peter said, holding up his glass of Orange juice in the air.
"Oh hark at you getting all philosophical…" Michelle laughed as Carla raised her glass up to Peter's for a toast.
"I'm being serious Chelle… I wouldn't ave cared if I got nothing today… just so long as I got to spend it with all of this lot today." Carla replied as Amy and Simon squeezed into the booth with them.
"So does that mean I can have your shoes then?" Michelle asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Not a chance in hell…" Carla grinned.
"Dad, Guess what Simon got... a Segway board!" Amy said, Steve's eyes widened as Simon nodded and as Peter said,
"It's so much fun! I had a few go's earlier…"
"And by a few go's, Peter means he's almost put his back out about seven flamin times." Carla quipped as Amy and Simon both giggled.
"Hey I wasn't that bad… I'm actually thinking of getting me self one." He said knowing what Carla would say to that idea.
"Errr no way Peter… I'm serious ere, I don't want you flying down the street on one those things, you'll seriously end up hurting yourself and aving you out of action is something that was definitely not on my Christmas list." Carla said but she knew that Peter was joking. He put his arm around her shoulder as he shook his head. They kissed during the usual silence at the table before Steve looked at Simon and said,
"So where is this thing?"
"Next door…" Simon grinned, "Should I go n get it? Do ya want a turn?"
"Of course!" Steve cried.
"Oh this I ave to see." Amy said, getting up along with her Dad and Simon.
"Me too!" Peter said, finishing his orange juice and getting up also.
"Don't hurt yourself Steve!" Michelle called after her husband, as the idea of him trying out this new toy of Simon's sounded a little dangerous.
"You either Barlow!" Carla warned as Peter grabbed his coat.
"I won't…" He promised, leaning forward and kissing Carla on the nose. "Besides, I'm practically an expert by now anyways."
"Ha I wouldn't go that far." Carla laughed as Peter, Steve, Amy and Simon all headed towards the doors of the pub.
Michelle moved around the sofa so that she was sat next to Carla properly and put an arm around her lovingly. Carla kissed her on the cheek happily as she asked,
"So you've had a good day then?"
"Yeah… the best." Carla nodded then she watched Michelle for a moment. "Why?"
"Well it's just been a mad couple of days for ya… y'know with Rich and stuff… and after last year's Christmas I just wanted to make sure you had a better one this time around." Michelle said, reaching over to get her wine glass.
"Well I ave…" Carla said truthfully, "I really ave… all that stuff with Rich has only made me and Peter stronger… we're closer than ever and I honestly believe that me n him… we're gonna be okay Chelle… more than okay."
"Good." Michelle smiled, giving Carla another hug. It wasn't long before Michelle and Carla's curiosity had gotten the better of them and they went outside to see how Steve was getting on. He wasn't as good at the Segway as Peter had been and kept falling down. Simon generously let everyone who wanted a turn have one until his battery was pretty much dead but he and Amy also made sure they videoed the entire thing and had caught some hilarious videos of people falling off and onto the cold Christmas ground.
"So…" Peter said, as Carla lay with her head rested on his chest back at his flat. They had gone back into the pub for a while for some more Christmas drinks and nibbles but by ten pm, they were in their onesies once again and on his sofa. He had only his Christmas tree for light and they were sat waiting for a film to start on television. She was clutching the bag of treats he had bought for her earlier and was making her way through some more of the sweets as he spoke. "Ave you had a good Christmas then?"
"I've had…" Carla began, as she unwrapped a chocolate and popped it into Peter's mouth, surprising him and making him laugh. "The best Christmas." She said because it truly had been a perfect Christmas. She hadn't had many good ones in the past but this one had definitely been the best.
"Really?" Peter said, chewing his chocolate and watching Carla closely.
"Yes really… it's been a perfect day… and I'm still not over what you did at your Dad's for Deirdre… it was so sweet Peter... you're so sweet." She said smiling up at him affectionately. "What about you? How's your day been?"
"Flawless…" Peter nodded, "Well other than that tumble I took earlier…" he grinned, remembering how he had fallen off Simon's Segway outside the pub earlier whilst trying to show off to Steve, that he could spin around in circles.
"Yeah well I did warn ya." Carla giggled, sitting up right. "Where does it hurt? I'll rub it better…" she said rubbing Peter on the leg where she had assumed it hurt the most.
"Well in that case…" Peter smirked suggestively, pulling Carla back towards him and kissing her. He ran one hand down her back and used the other to tug at the zip on her onesie.
"Peter…" Carla breathed as he started pulling it down. "Stop." She batted him away even though she really didn't want to. "Aren't you forgetting someone?"
"Oh yeah…" Peter grinned, he then turned his head towards Simon's bedroom door and shouted, "Come on Si… it can't be taking you that long!"
"Yeah come on Si! It'll be next Christmas by the time you get out ere." Carla called, getting off Peter who had pulled her almost on his lap and grinning excitedly.
"Good!" Simon's voice came from his closed bedroom. "Maybe then I will ave outgrown this…" He soon appeared from out of his bedroom in his very own onesie, one that was exactly the same as Carla and Peters. Peter wolf whistled at a sheepish yet enthusiastic Simon who came properly into his living room and sat down on the sofa with them. He was embarrassed but he felt so happy to be sat with his Dad and Carla. He'd had a fun time at Leanne's last night and this morning but nothing compared to time with his Dad.
"Well… what do ya think?" Carla asked with her eyes wide, full of hope.
"I'll deny I ever said this but… I love it." Simon grinned, shaking his head at the idea of the three of them all in their matching Pyjamas.
"There… told ya he would." Peter nodded, kissing Carla on the cheek.
"Thanks Dad… Thanks Carla… for my presents and everything... I really appreciate everything you have both done for me." Simon said smiling at them both sincerely.
"You're welcome kiddo." Peter nodded proudly.
"Did you ave a good day?" Carla asked Simon, with her head one one side.
"Yes... todays been well fun... best Christmas ever..." Simon grinned, delving into Carla's bag of sweets and pulling out a chocolate.
"And you're happy right?" Peter asked, he had heard that Simon was happy from a lot of people but always had to make sure he heard it from him as well.
"Yeah... definitely." Simon nodded as he ate the chocolate he had just taken.
"Good." Carla smiled as she put her arm around him. "So are we... aren't we Peter?" He nodded with a wink as he took the remote and turned up the TV because the film they had wanted to watch was just starting. "Oi Si… don't take all the good ones." Carla moaned, snatching the bag of Simon who was now on his second chocolate.
"Sharing is caring Carla!" Simon said pulling the bag back in a jokey fashion. As they started a mini tug of war over the gift bag full of sweets, Peter smiled at the sight next to him and truly felt as if he was the luckiest guy on earth, he had the love of his life and his son on his sofa on Christmas day, he was loving every single minute of it and he hoped that maybe next year, there would be another little person on that sofa with them.