Carla and Peter made their way down to Devon deciding to do the wait until Carla's property became available as the tenants were due to move out in February, she just wanted to be settled and Peter could tell she was getting itchy feet and wanted to be in her own home, a home she shared with him during the honeymoon phase of their relationship. Peter just wanted her to take the time out to relax and enjoy the later stages of her pregnancy knowing she wouldn't do that in Weatherfield with Kate and Jenny having a go at her all the time which would just stress her out finding ways of having to make it up to them. Although some of the things that happened were just pure coincidence Peter knew everyone loved to blame her so he just wanted to get her away from all the stress of trying to meet people's approval.
Carla had a scan before they headed off for Devon, their daughter was growing well on track for her due date, they went through some ideas for the birthing plan, Carla was optimistic for a home birth knowing she wanted to bring the baby up in the environment where it would be living, this was in her notes that were transferred to the hospital in Devon and it was looking likely that it would happen, she was definitely pleased about this. Overall they were both excited for the new arrival and after three months in Devon it was just a matter of weeks to go before Carla gave birth and tensions were running high and after Carla's last appointment with the midwife about the baby they picked up the birthing pool after Carla didn't want to use the fancy bath that came with the house due to the possibility of the birth ruining the expensive bath.
Peter was stressed rushing around and getting the nursery ready by painting it, Carla also wanted Michelle at the birth so Michelle was going to be spending the next month with them both as Robert was narked off at her for not wanting a baby with him so she decided that space was a good thing for them so Carla was secretly thrilled to have Michelle there to help with the baby. Michelle was also convinced that things would happen today as Carla looked like she was about to drop and having prior experience she was pretty sure her suspicions would be correct.
"I feel like I whale" Carla moans walking into the kitchen as Michelle laughs grabbing a couple slices of bread to make some toast which just made Carla groan
"No toast, please I don't want the contents of my stomach to cover the kitchen floor"
"You feel sick? Ey things might happen, where's Peter anyway?"
"Gone for a walk 'round the harbour, I told him to go he was getting itchy feet" Carla smiles slightly before groaning rubbing her bump Michelle kissing the side of her head
"Moving around is she?"
"Don't even, I just want her out, my back kills, my feet are ten times the size, and the skin around my bump itches like mad because of the stretching" Carla moans as Michelle raises her eyebrows getting a carton of orange juice to pour her a glass
"Ta for this, I appreciate it" Carla smiles as Peter enters the house, giving her a quick kiss
"How are my two favourite people doing?" Peter grins as Michelle beams
"We're doing good thank you Peter" she quips back as Carla laughs shaking her head "I'm kidding"
"I thought I did summat wrong then" Peter laughs as Carla grins before groaning rolling up her tank top because she was hot
"Can you tell her to get out?" Carla closes her eyes leaning against the wall as Peter plants a kiss on her lips as she smiles
"Please. Stop. Stretching. My. Skin. Ta very much" Carla pokes her bump as Peter swats her hand away rubbing his hand over it realising how active his daughter was being, no wonder Carla was moaning
"Woah ok" Carla frowns leaning against the wall, Peter rubbing her back, Michelle appearing with her phone eagerly to record a possible contraction
"Stop stalking me 'Chelle" Carla mumbles going to sit on her birthing ball which was a gift from Michelle for her birthday, Peter trying to suppress laughter at her moodiness, Michelle doing the same only for them both to be pinned by a death glare from Carla
"What do you want for dinner?" Peter questions as Carla narrows her eyes thinking about what she wanted to eat
"Chicken, just plain chicken"
"That's a bit boring-"
"Do you mind?" she snaps "I'm carrying your child 'ere and I want chicken, actually a chicken kabab"
"Alright, alright calm down, I'll get you a chicken kebab if you want a chicken kebab, that's very unlike-"
"Me? I know, your child is making me want a kebab and-" she pauses taking a deep breath in as Michelle appears with her phone "-there is not a problem with that because right now I just want her out, what have I said about that flamin' phone 'Chelle"
"God someone is really not happy are they" Michelle mumbles as Carla pins her with a death glare causing her to retreat into the kitchen to leave Peter to deal with Carla's mood
"Great guess who's started up again please just sleep" Carla pouts her head dipped her eyes focussing on her bump, Peter bending down in front of her, placing a hand on her bump
"Stop giving your mum a hard time please, and also stop her from wanting a kebab" Peter smiles kissing the skin surrounding his baby as Carla smiles at the contact bouncing up and down on the birthing ball
"I feel so pregnant"
"No way!" Michelle exclaims sarcastically as Carla grunts in response, Peter holding her hand as she bounces up and down on the ball watching some rerun of a reality TV show
"Do you want a chicken sandwich?" Michelle questions pointing the packet of pre-cooked chicken breast at Carla as she raises her eyebrows
"No I don't want chicken now" she mutters as Peter sighs audibly
"What do you want then?" Michelle questions rolling her eyes as Peter bites his lip as Carla glares at her
"You want to know what I want? Are you seriously asking me that? I want her to get out, that's what I want" Carla retorts as Michelle sighs wishing she never asked the question glancing to Peter who just shrugs rubbing the bottom of Carla's back
"Can we do something to get her out? She wants to come but she just doesn't want to make her mind up" Carla questions as Peter smiles at her, playing with her hair
"You could have sex" Michelle grins as Carla glares at her again Peter coughing audibly as Carla raises an eyebrow at him
"Already did that this morning, ta"
"Oh you two are gross" Michelle drones going back into the kitchen to read her magazine which she was doing before tending to Carla's every need
"Right, we're going for a walk" Carla states randomly grabbing her shoes form the porch before groaning unable to put them on, Peter going to her before she had a tantrum about it and putting her shoes on for her, Peter doing the same to take her for a walk down the beach
"So am I not invited?" Michelle quizzes as Carla rolls her eyes glaring at her
"No, you're annoying"
"Charming" she scoffs "Go on walk that baby out, I'll watch the house for you"
Carla and Peter returned from their walk in the middle of the afternoon, that awkward place between evening and the beginning of the afternoon, it just infuriated Carla more, she hated this time of day especially as the sun was still low and bright. She was wondering what the next week could hold, the possible arrival of her daughter seemed definitely likely, it might even be later on this evening, and that was what she was looking forward to, although she was annoyed with Michelle following her, she was secretly happy and excited about her recording every contraction she had, she saw it as one step closer to her daughter, one step closer to meeting her. Her and Peter took a lot of time out on their walk to discuss things, about possibly going back to Weatherfield so Simon could meet his sister, but they both agreed they wouldn't force each other to go if the other didn't want to, they both had to be ready for that, for the grief they would get when they did go back, Carla knew that Kate and Jenny would not be happy and that Leanne wouldn't be pleased about the fact Peter kept disappearing and ignoring Simon, Carla knew that was down to her and she felt very guilty about it to say the least.
They arrived home after doing the coastal walk down to the town, Peter picking up some snacks for the long evening of contraction counting so Carla didn't moan about having something she couldn't have, he made sure he had a range of dry snacks, to all her cravings, ranging from chocolate, sour sweets and tomatoes which seemed to be a massive craving for her, he was surprised, Carla usually hated how they turned to mush in her mouth but he guessed that what the baby wanted it got.
"Ok, bear with me" Carla sighs leaning on the door frame to the house, Peter rubbing her back with his spare hand as she groans slightly before standing upright and walking into the house
"Did that hurt sweetheart?" Peter questions as Carla nods biting her lip going into the bag Peter had and pulling out the assortment of sour sweets ripping the packet over and putting one in her mouth, wincing at the tingling sensations on her tongue
"Hey…" Michelle smiles as Carla grunts at her going to sit down on the birthing ball and changing the program
"Do you mind, I was watching that" Michelle huffs as Carla grins at her wanting to watch a program she enjoyed, Michelle knowing she better not anger her, Peter sitting on the beanbag beside her
"Ugh I just cant get comfortable, I'm having a bath-"
"That might slow things down sweetheart" Michelle smiles as Carla grunts in response nodding going to sit with her on the sofa, Peter sitting in the armchair, Carla getting up again and groaning walking around the room, Peter bringing her in for a hug
"You're alright, she's just making it difficult for you" Peter smiles placing a hand on her bump as she sighs rubbing her eyes, obviously tired from all the waiting
"Why don't we both curl up on the sofa, make it into a bed, get use out of that sofa bed eh?" Peter suggests as Carla nods going to sit on the armchair as Michelle sits on the arm stroking Carla's hair for her as she sighs again standing up to lean against the wall, Michelle rubbing her back
"Let me get the duvet and pillows then we can have a cosy night in front of the telly" Peter smiles going over to give Carla a quick kiss on the forehead before heading upstairs and returning with the bedding, laying it out on the sofa bed as Carla smiles
"Thank you baby" Carla replies as he helps her down into bed so she could try and get some rest, Peter getting in on the other side pulling her in close
"Please no mucky stuff you two" Michelle groans as Carla tilts her head up to glare at her before snuggling back down under the duvet sighing turning to face Peter who smiles at her
"You alright?" Peter whispers as Carla shakes her head closing her eyes rubbing her lips together as she hums
"Contraction?" Peter questions as Carla nods turning away from him, Peter rubbing her back, Michelle recording the contraction for Carla
"Could I have a hot water bottle or summat?" Carla questions as Michelle smiles going into the kitchen to boil the kettle for Carla, grabbing the hot water bottle from the bathroom to fill it up handing it back to Carla
"How are you feeling sweetheart?" Michelle questions swiping the hair out of Carla's face as she smiles slightly shuffling back into Peter so Michelle could slide in next to her
"I feel a bit sick" Carla whispers as Peter smiles getting up to get the bucket in case she was sick, Carla resting her head on Michelle's arm rubbing her bump as the baby kicks her hand away
"Mmm she's moving" Carla mumble taking Michelle's hand and placing it on her bump
"I have something to tell you sweetheart" Michelle smiles as Carla frowns, Michelle getting her phone and showing her a message from Kate
"Marrying Rana? Wow I didn't see that coming" Carla raises her eyebrows taking the phone and reading the message "She got Sarah to get one of the girls to run up the dress for her…I'll be speaking to Sarah when I get back-"
"You alright?" Michelle questions as Carla groans closing her eyes again as a wave of pain engulfs her, Carla resting her head on Michelle's lap, doing her best to be in a foetal position, proving a challenge because of the baby
"She better not be having some kind of sick joke with me after all of this, she better come out" Carla groans as Michelle laughs slightly, Peter sliding back under the covers from collecting Carla's pyjamas for her as well as the bucket
"Do you want to change into these love, you might find it a bit more comfortable to sleep if you're in your pyjamas" Peter suggests handing her a pair of folded pyjamas as she sighs, sliding out of bed to go into the bathroom to change
"How are they looking?" Peter says gesturing to the contractions Michelle was recording on her phone, Michelle getting them up on the screen
"About 10 minutes apart now"
"Ok let's just keep recording shall we, could you help me move this armchair into the spare room quickly-"
"Peter!" Carla calls as Peter raises his eyebrows heading into the bathroom, Carla surrounded by a puddle of water biting her lip
"She's coming Peter, this is crazy" Carla replies shakily as Michelle enters the bathroom grinning excitedly, Peter handing her the towel to clean herself up
"You're alright, ok I know it's a shock, you're shaking sweetheart" Peter sighs bringing her into his embrace stroking her hair as she sighs shakily
"Do I need to ring the midwife?" Michelle questions as Peter helps Carla dress into her pyjama's, placing the towel on the floor to mop up the liquid
"Yeah if you wouldn't mind 'Chelle, the pack of notes are on the kitchen counter in the plastic folder, the number should be in there" Peter smiles a Carla bends over in pain, Peter supporting her making sure she doesn't fall
"Come on sweetheart let's move you from here yeah?" Peter smiles tilting his head to look into her eyes, Carla quickly grabbing a hair tie to tie her hair up into a ponytail
"This is going to hurt isn't it?" Carla questions nervously as Peter chuckles lightly at her sudden realisation
"Yeah it probably will sweetheart, but you've done really well so far ok?"
"If you say so"
"Alright, the midwife's on her way she wants us to blow up the pool now ready to fill it up" Michelle smiles as Peter nods sitting Carla down on the sofa bed, as both Michelle and Peter move the armchair into the spare room, returning to find Carla leaning on the wall, Peter rubbing her back
"Alright I know it hurts" Peter smiles continuing to rub her back in circular motions, Carla humming through her contraction, Michelle laying the birthing pool out on top of the plastic sheeting, getting the pump to blow it up as Peter mouths 'thank you' to her as he supports Carla through her contraction
"Mmm that'll be the midwife" Peter says as the doorbell goes off, Peter letting the midwife in
"Hi Lucy" Carla smiles at her midwife as Lucy grins at her putting her bag on the sofa bed getting everything ready for when the baby made an appearance
"How are you feeling?" Lucy questions as Carla sighs
"I wouldn't exactly say top of the world…"
"Sorry she can be a bit touchy when in pain" Peter apologises in advance as Carla slaps his chest lightly, Lucy laughing
"Don't worry about it I'm used to women throwing abuse at me, part of the job"
"I just wanted a kebab and this is what I get…" Carla groans scrunching her face up as another wave of pain travels to her abdomen Carla humming through the pain, Peter rubbing her back again as Michelle finishes blowing up the pool
"Could I check you Carla?"
"Whatever" Carla mumbles as Peter rolls his eyes taking the duvet off the bed so Carla could lay down for Lucy to check her, Peter handing her a blanket to drape over her legs as Lucy does what she needs to
"About a five" Lucy smiles removing her hand as Carla breaths a sigh of relief from the horrible experience she just endured
"Only a five?" Carla groans as Peter massages her head for her, Carla chucking her pyjamas back on not happy about the situation
"You're halfway there-"
"Give me strength, you're buying me a bottle of champers after this"
"Whatever you want… light of my life" Peter smirks as Carla slaps his cheek gently as another contraction occurs Carla rubbing her bump
"Ow ow ow, you're hurting me please stop moving" Carla sings as Peter runs his hand over her bump hoping to settle the baby for her
"Alright?" Peter whispers nuzzling into her neck as Carla sighs leaning on the wall
"'Chelle could I have some water?"
"Course darlin', do you want anything else?" Michelle offers going into the kitchen and getting a glass of water for Carla
"A nice glass of red" Carla mutters as Michelle hands her a glass of water sarcastically
"Do you want to start filling the pool Michelle?" Lucy smiles as Michelle nods grabbing the hose, and attaching it to the tap and turning the hot water on
"Can I ask a question?" Carla hums as another contraction kicks in, Peter rubbing her back for her until it fizzles out
"Why didn't we just use the bath upstairs?"
"You said you didn't want it covered in your bodily fluids" Peter smirks as Carla rolls her eyes not really bothered anymore
"We could if you wanted to?" Lucy smiles as Carla nods clinging onto Peter
"I'll go and fill it up" Michelle smiles turning off the tap and heading upstairs to fill the bath up
"Shall we go upstairs then sweetheart" Peter smiles as she rests her head on his shoulder, Peter walking her to the stairs as she stops closing her eyes
"Hang on a min" Carla mumbles as she leans into Peter, unshed tears in her eyes, Peter stroking her cheek as she bites her lip
"Make sure I don't fall" Carla smiles as she begins the walk up the stairs, Peter helping her up as they walk into the open planned bathroom which was off from their bedroom
"You're doing so well" Peter whispers her forehead pressed against his, his hand on her bump, Michelle smiling at their union wondering why she didn't accept them sooner
"Can you get my bikini?" Carla asks pointing to the draw as Peter smiles going to get her bikini and handing it to her as she drags him into the bathroom shoving Michelle out so she could get changed
"Can she get in yet?" Peter asks as Michelle grabs some towels from the airing cupboard, Carla rubbing her bump as she sits on the toilet seat
"Let me check the temperature" Lucy smiles grabbing her thermometer and putting it in the water as it beeps "Could I check you again quickly?"
"Yeah" Carla whispers, Michelle laying towels on the bed as Peter helps Carla onto the bed so she could be checked
"Do you mind?" Carla snaps angrily as Peter strokes her hair as Lucy does what she needs to do
"You're about a seven almost an eight so you could get in I guess"
"Come on then sweetheart let's get you in" Peter smiles helping Carla off the bed as she has another contraction, Carla groaning through it, tears trailing down her face, Peter wiping them from her face
"That one hurt a lot" she chuckles slightly, Peter holding her hand as she gets down into the water which was a welcome relief for her aching muscles
"Is that helping you?" Peter questions sitting beside her on the floor stroking her hair as she wraps her arms around his neck resting her forehead on his
"I just want her out" Carla whispers as Peter smiles letting her head rest on his shoulder "Get in with me"
"You can if you want, it might make her focus more" Lucy smiles as Carla looks up at him pouting as Peter gives in going to get changed into his swim shorts quickly before returning, Carla shifting up the bath as Peter slides in beside her
"You're so close sweetheart, almost there" Peter whispers into her neck as Carla smiles tilting her head back to rest on his shoulder as she groans looking at Michelle who was sitting on the floor beside her pressing a cool cloth against her forehead as she sighs
"Mmm she better be grateful"
"Are you feeling any pressure at all Carla?" Lucy questions as she grunts in response, another wave of pain engulfing her body
"A bit yeah" she mumbles pointing to the water bottle Michelle had, Michelle raising it to her lips for her as she gulps down a generous amount of the cooling liquid, Peter lifting her up slightly so she was a bit more comfortable
"If you turn around and face Peter for me" Lucy smiles as Carla does what she was told looking at Peter, wrapping her arms around his neck resting her forehead against his as another contraction kicks in
"I can see the top of baby's head Carla" Lucy smiles as Peter tilts Carla's face up to kiss him, resting his head against her forehead again as she sighs closing her eyes
"Give a push just do what your body's telling you to do"
"Alright slow down a minute"
"I just want her out" Carla snaps as Michelle laughs rubbing her arm affectionately Peter looking into her eyes as she closes them, Carla giving a push
"Next contraction we'll have a baby" Lucy smiles as Carla bites her lip, Peter kissing her forehead as another contraction happens Carla giving a push which births the baby, Lucy guiding Carla's hands to her daughter to help her lift her up, Carla cradling her against her chest as her face scrunches up letting out a cry
"You did it" Peter whispers as Carla smiles tearfully stroking the wet tufts of hair on her daughter's head, Peter holding onto her hand, Michelle crying at the sight of her best friend and her husband holding their child, grabbing the camera to take some pictures
"Somehow I did, yeah" she smiles kissing her daughter on the head as Michelle's phone goes off, Michelle going to answer it
"Can I weigh her?" Lucy smiles as Carla nods handing the baby to her as she places her on the scales
"A healthy 7lbs 2oz"
"We need to deliver your placenta so you'll need to get out for me so we can do that, I'll give her to Peter" Lucy smiles wrapping the baby up in a blanket as Peter gets out of the bath, helping Carla to the bed, before returning for his daughter
"Hey beautiful" Peter whispers to soften his daughters whimpers as she opens her eyes temporarily seeing Carla's eyes stare back at him, she had her eyes, Michelle coming back into the room
"Hold your niece, I'm just going to get some nappies and stuff for her" Peter smiles going into the spare room where they were stockpiling stuff for the baby
"Shh little one" Michelle smiles rocking the baby in her arms Carla smiling at the union beckoning Michelle over, Lucy glancing to the baby knowing it was probably hungry
"Do you want to feed her Carla?" Lucy questions as Carla raises an eyebrow, Peter entering the room with the changing mat and packet of nappies
"Why don't you try then if you don't like it you can bottle feed her?" Michelle suggests as Carla nods smiling at Peter who takes the baby off Michelle to change her into a nappy and a fresh blanket, putting a hat on her head, handing her back to Carla who looks down at the baby perplexed
"Here" Lucy smiles as Carla pulls her top down, Lucy guiding the baby towards her breast as she latches on, Carla biting her lip getting used to the sensation
"Let her get comfortable, love" Peter smiles sitting next to her stoking her hair out of her face now it was released from the confinements of the hair tie
"It just feels weird, she keeps shifting around" Carla smiles lopsidedly as Peter puts an arm around her shoulders pressing his lips to the side of her head
"You could try and prop her up with a pillow, it might stop her from shifting around" Lucy smiles as Peter grabs a pillow positioning it under the baby so she was a bit more comfortable
"That's better" Carla smiles up at Peter who was playing with his daughter's feet
"I can't believe I went from wanting a kebab to holding a baby, how times change eh?"
"For the better though?"
"For the better…"
This is the last chapter of this story, it was really had to let go of this one considering it's definitely the stronger one out of all my stories. I was thinking about doing a prequel of how Carla and Peter met in Devon to get them to the start of this fanfic where they decided to hide their marriage, let me know if you're interested in this idea (I will probably end up doing it anyway if I get bored but if there is high demand for it then I'll work on it sooner rather than later)
Don't forget to check out the sequel to Two Years Too Fast called Milestones :)
Thank you for all the support!