And here's another chapter, hope you enjoy and thank you for the reviews x


Panama City, Panama

A number of months had passed and since they had made the decision to continue travelling whilst Carla was pregnant, they had arrived in Panama a month later after a brief stop in Mexico for some more fuel as well as to get on the new boat. Carla was around six months pregnant when they arrived in Panama and she was excited to meet her daughter and had been looking after her in the womb very well. The new boat they had bought had more space including a second bedroom so if things were going to get out of hand and they didn't make it back to England by the time the baby was three months old, the baby would have a room of its own. It had taken a couple of months to travel down south to Panama, the weather was boiling and that just made Carla grumpy but overall she was ok with it, and so was Peter and having been in Panama for almost three months now she had enough of the sweltering temperatures mixed with the late stages of pregnancy; she couldn't wait to get this baby out.

As the days merged into weeks and the weeks into months, Carla was starting to experience the final stages of pregnancy which consisted of many 'false labour' scares and general grumpiness and if Peter was honest he had enough of it and in a way wanted to give Carla a caesarean himself because she was a hormonal wreck to put it lightly. They spent every night sitting in the evening heat on the top of the boat; Peter's hands rested on her bump as their daughter moves under his hands giving him a chance to bond with her whilst they ate dinner and it was something he never thought would happen but he was so happy and so was Carla, that was until today when she started to experience irregular contractions again.

"You ok?" Peter smiles rubbing her back gently as she sits in the sweltering heat as she hums in response trying her best not to shoot her mouth off at Peter

"Ask me that when this baby's in my arms" Carla sighs in response as Peter kisses her on the forehead "I want her out"

"I know you do sweetheart" Peter sighs in response placing a hand on her bump "Something might happen today, why don't you come for a walk with me and Indy?"

"I'm not really feeling like it" Carla sighs as Indy appears wanting some love and affection from Carla as she hugs her close before groaning "Contraction"

"I know sweetheart" Peter sighs in response as Carla wraps her arms around his neck, Peter resting his chin on her head as they sway in the evening sunlight "Why don't you try that birthing ball I got you?"

"Ok…you're blowing it up though" Carla sighs as Peter nods helping her down the stairs and into the boat; Indy following for attention

"I reckon she's going to be quite small" Peter laughs looking at Carla who was lying flat on her back on the sofa; her relatively small bump visible as she rubs it gently watching as she turns to face him with a small smile on her face

"Me too actually, I can still hide her under baggy jumpers" Carla laughs as Peter continues to blow the birthing ball up as Carla watches on groaning every now and then "Please come out!"

"We are in a mood aren't we?" Peter chuckles as Carla turns her head slowly towards him and glares at him menacingly as he finishes blowing the ball up and bouncing it up and down as Carla walks over to him to take it off him and sitting down on it before looking confused "You have to bounce"

"Yeah, I gathered that…I just don't get how it's meant to help surely she'll just come when she wants?" Carla questions exasperatedly as Peter bends down in front of her as she leans forward to kiss him as Peter leans in towards her bump

"Are you going to come out? We'd really like to meet you" Peter smiles kissing Carla's tummy as she giggles in response "I really think going for a walk would help"

"Ok, fine…but if I die from overheating it's all your fault" Carla retorts getting off the ball and going into the bedroom to chuck her shorts on not even bothering with a top before appearing again causing Peter to laugh slightly

"Right, let's head off"


Carla and Peter walked for as long as they could in the sweltering heat; Indy following close behind of course. They arrived back at the boat after picking up some food for the evening mainly to satisfy Carla but in all honesty, she wasn't really hungry and Peter was starting to think something was going to happen as they had been told that a loss of appetite could be the start of labour amongst other things. Carla was bouncing up and down on her birthing ball to pass the time as they watch some films on the TV, Peter sitting on the floor with Indy to watch Carla in case she had a contraction which in all honesty started to occur much frequently since their walk.

"Are you ok?" Peter questions as Carla yawns in response before groaning in response and getting up off the ball and going to lean on the table swaying her hips gently "Contraction?"

"Yes" she snaps before looking up at him apologetic "Sorry"

"It's ok" Peter smiles reassuringly rubbing the bottom of her back "Did it hurt?"

"Hm" Carla hums taking another seat on the birthing ball not even bothering to reply to Peter's question as she bounces up and down "I feel like there's a melon in between my legs"

"Um…I don't know what to make of that…" Peter scrunches his nose up at the thought as Carla chuckles slightly in response wondering how he managed to put up with her moods for this long

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Depends what it is?"

"How did you manage to put up with me being grumpy, moody and craving the weirdest of things for this long?" Carla laughs opening her eyes and turning around on the ball to look at him as Peter kneels down in front of her

"Because I think you're the most beautiful, loving and amazing person in the world and I love you with all my heart, as well as our little girl which is as stubborn as her mother but that doesn't matter because I love you both equally"

"Thanks for clearing that up" Carla grins cheekily as Peter punches her gently on the shoulder before giving her a massage as she groans in response again, Peter raising an eyebrow

"Another one?" Peter questions as Carla nods as he rubs her back soothingly Carla humming in the process trying to distract herself from the pain before letting out a breath of relief

"That was lovely, thanks for that" Carla pokes her bump as Peter chuckles in response rubbing his hand over her tummy to soothe her aching muscles a bit

"I think we should think about getting you to bed" Peter smiles as Carla yawns in the process clicking off the tv and grabbing a glass of water before heading into the bathroom to clean her teeth and get changed leaving Peter to lock the door to the boat before returning into the bedroom seeing Carla curled up in bed as he climbs in the other side, both of them falling asleep practically instantly...


Both of them were sleeping as peacefully as well they could in the heat, Carla was tossing and turning but she managed to sleep through numerous contractions and she woke in the middle of the night to go to the toilet knowing her baby was probably using her bladder as a squeeze toy so she headed in and went to the toilet wondering what the next week would bring; she hoped that this baby would arrive rather quickly because she was getting agitated and fed up but she diverted those thoughts and began to think about everyone in Weatherfield and then realised that she and Peter hadn't told anyone about the baby and then she groaned in response at the thought of being lectured but she kind of wanted to shock them by coming home with a baby just for a laugh, she knew it was mean but at times like this she needed entertainment as boat life could be boring as a whole. She padded back into the bedroom and was about to get into bed, then it happened; a gush of clear fluid trickled down her leg causing her to sigh in response, all she wanted was to sleep but no it looked like mother nature had other plans.

"Peter!" Carla groans nudging him as he wakes into a delirious atmosphere Carla sighing in response "My water's broke"

"Does the boat have a hole in it?" Peter scrunches his nose up glancing down at the large puddle of liquid on the floor as Carla rolls her eyes in response before punching him in the shoulder gently and turning the light on so that they could see

"Hilarious" Carla smirks in response as it finally hits Peter that things could speed up rather quickly and they needed to get going

"Right, so this is happening then?"

"Finally" Carla responds "Let me get changed and then we can go"

"I'll go and get the car" Peter sighs putting on some trousers and a top before heading to get their hire car which they had been using to travel to and from hospital appointments

"Hey Indy, baby" Carla smiles rubbing her ears affectionately before groaning in pain, pushing a hand to her stomach "Gosh you really want to take it out on me don't you?"

"Right, I've parked the car outside the dock so you'll have to do a bit of walking" Peter smiles as Carla nods watching him pick up her hospital bag and put her shoes on for her "Right I'll walk really slowly ok?"

"Ok" Carla replies tiredly as Peter walks her to the car and settling her into it with a pillow on her seat to give her some comfort "Oh god"

"Painful now?" Peter questions as Carla whimpers in response watching him start the engine and drive off towards the hospital, luckily they used the money she saved up to go private "You're doing so well, love"

"Mmm if you say so" she grits out with a glare as they wait in traffic causing Carla to sigh in response "Can they hurry up?"

"I don't think it works like that, love" Peter chuckles driving the car forward and towards the hospital as Carla groans in pain "You can do this sweetheart"

"Hmph, it's not like I have a choice" Carla snorts as Peter rolls his eyes pulling into a car parking space "Finally, wasn't that hard driving was it?"

"Ok mardy chops" Peter sighs in response "I'll get you a wheelchair"

"Oh, something he's useful which isn't getting me up the stick, hallelujah!" Carla exclaims in annoyance as Peter rolls his eyes going to grab a wheelchair and returning to put Carla in it with her pillow

"All good?"

"Good?...Seriously?" Carla questions glaring at him as Peter sighs in response thinking he should just be quiet now as he wheels her up to maternity greeted by her consultant

"Hello Carla"

"Don't speak to me!" she shouts as the doctor raises an eyebrow glancing to Peter who sighs in exasperation as well as in need of an explanation

"Her waters broke now I'm being used as a personal punching bag"

"Shut it!" Carla exclaims before breaking down in tears causing Peter to run a hand through her hair to comfort her a bit "Can we take this thing out of me!"

"Carla just relax, we'll get you checked" the doctor laughs slightly before Carla glares at him

"I apologise on her behalf" Peter smiles as the doctor nods slowly gesturing for him to push Carla to their private room where she would no doubt spend the next day or two with their daughter

"Right, she's down for a water birth isn't she?"

"Yes I am!" Carla cries before bending over in pain letting Peter rub her back for her before she groans

"Ok, thank you for that" the doctor sighs exasperatedly probably wondering why he does this job before turning to Peter "I'll get one of my colleagues in to check her so if she can get dressed into the gown she brought with her"

"Ok thank you, and I apologise again"

"Not a problem, I'll be back in an hour or so"

"Why does this hurt so much?" Carla whimpers as Peter sighs in response rummaging through the bag they brought with them and pulling out the oversized t-shirt Carla wanted to wear during her labour and helping her undress

"You're doing so well-"

"Hi Carla" a midwife enters who was English causing Carla to raise an eyebrow at her luck

"Hello" Carla replies sarcastically leaning against the wall as Peter rubs her back , Peter mouthing sorry to the midwife as she smiles "Are you English?"

"I am" the midwife chuckles as Peter smiles at Carla's strength before she groans in response

"Are you ok, love?" Peter questions as Carla turns her head to glare at him before rubbing her bump to settle her child, Peter rubbing her back trying to relieve any pain she was experiencing deep down wondering if it was worth it

"There's fluid falling out of me each time she moves" Carla complains as Peter tries his best not to laugh watching the midwife prepare everything for Carla to be checked

"Are you having a little girl then?" the midwife questions as Carla laughs in response

"Yeah a little pain in the backside more like" Carla retorts as Peter groans in exasperation before Carla smiles at him apologetically causing his heart to melt at her strength and if he was honest she was quite funny in labour

"Right Carla, I need to check you so if you could get on the bed and shuffle down" the midwife smiles as Peter helps her onto the bed as she adjusts her position allowing the midwife to check her

"Um excuse me?" Carla questions incredulously "Don't stick your whole hand up there!"

"Carla just chill" Peter sighs giving her a kiss on the lips to shut her up for a bit as the midwife checks her; a large smile on her face "That better be good news, I don't know how long I can cope with her complaining"

"I am here y'know!"

"It is, I'm going to fill up the pool and that's always good news" the midwife laughs heading over to the large bath and filling it up "There's a gas and air tube next to you Carla if you want to use that"

"Oh gimme, time to get high" Carla replies reaching her arms out and grabbing the tube and sucking the air in making her head go somewhat fuzzy leaving Peter to look on in awe and exasperation at the situation "Peter!"

"Yes, love?"

"We need to tell the family!" Carla beams excitedly as Peter sighs in response stroking her hair as she chews on the gas and air tube not even bothering to use it properly "I like this"

"I can tell" Peter nods slowly "Can I try?"

"No! Mine!" Carla glints up at him causing Peter to kiss her on the forehead realising how cute she was being "Love you!"

"I love you too" Peter replies before she groans in response at another contraction, Peter running a hand through her hair to comfort her "Good girl you're doing so well"

"Right Carla, you can get in if you want?" the midwife offers as Carla looks at Peter who helps her up and over to the pool, helping her get in as he sits on the floor beside her

"Is that helping?" Peter questions as she rests her head on the side of the tub as Peter looks at her putting his finger under her chin to allow him to kiss her

"I want the thingy back" Carla pouts her lips before groaning in response at the loss of her gas and air as another contraction kicks in "Can I push her out yet?"

"Not yet" the midwife laughs grabbing the mirror and putting it in the water as well as grabbing a doppler and putting it onto Carla's stomach; a nice regular and strong heartbeat "That's one happy baby"

"With one very unhappy mother," Carla complains as Peter just prays this finishes quickly just to stop Carla from complaining "Can I push yet?"

"No…not yet" the midwife laughs glancing to Peter who was literally in the process of giving up on trying to silence Carla's complaints as well as rubbing his forehead in exasperation

"Hurry up" Carla snaps randomly poking her bump causing Peter to jump slightly "Can I cut her out?"

"Carla!" Peter scolds as the midwife laughs slightly and in all honesty Peter was starting to feel sorry for her as Carla groans again; the sign of another contraction

"It feels weird" Carla complains as Peter closes his eyes in exasperation "Like heavy"

"Like pressure?" the midwife questions as Carla groans in response, Peter running a hand through her hair as she sighs at the end of her contraction

"Mmm yeah" Carla mumbles returning to resting her head on her arms which were rested on the side of the tub before letting out a sigh "I feel like I want to go to the toilet"

"Ok then, you can push on the next contraction" the midwife smiles as Peter tilts Carla's face up to meet his allowing him to kiss her gently on the lips, Carla groaning and giving a push "Hmm very nice"

"Thank you" Carla grits out mid-push as she finishes taking a breath as Peter offers her a cup of water which she accepts gratefully as another contraction occurs taking Carla by surprise

"Push" the midwife instructs her as Carla pushes as she cries out in pain, Peter running a hand through her hair wishing he could take her place as he hated watching her in pain "Good, nice and slow on the next one when it happens"

"Mm water please" Carla asks as Peter raises the cup to her lips allowing her to hydrate herself before she pushes it away and starts to groan uncomfortably "Can I?"

"Go for it, really slow" the midwife encourages as Carla pushes; a welcome release of her baby from inside her body as she sighs in response "Good job, now really slowly pick her up"

"Oh wow" Carla murmurs lifting her daughter up into her arms, the midwife pipetting all the water out of her nose and mouth "Hey baby…come on sweetheart you can give us a cry"

"She's ok, she's just a bit shocked" the midwife smiles as the baby lets out a strained cry "There we are"

"Hey beautiful, oh I've been waiting so long to meet you" Carla whispers as Peter brings a hand up to his mouth in complete awe with the situation before letting his daughter cling onto his finger "Oh dear"

"She's really tiny" Peter smiles as Carla chuckles slightly leaning down to kiss her daughter on the head as Peter takes photos of them both

"Funnily enough she didn't feel very small coming out of me" Carla frowns sarcastically as Peter rolls his eyes at her response as their daughter starts to cry "Oh baby, you're ok"

"Right then, shall we weigh this little one then?" the midwife questions as Carla nods in the process handing the baby over to her so she could be weighed "And she weights 5lb 9oz"

"That's tiny" Peter smiles as Carla laughs in response; she knew that her baby would be tiny but this was something so special before her face grimaces

"Is that a contraction Carla?"

"Yep" Carla responds as the midwife hands Peter the baby to hold giving him a chance to hold his daughter watching her face change shape as she opens her eyes slightly before closing them due to the harsh lighting in the room

"Oh you are so precious" Peter murmurs brushing his daughter's cheek with the back of his finger as Carla finishes off the final stages of labour; his daughter letting out another cry

"Shall we get you out Carla?" the midwife smiles offering her hand to her as Carla gets out of the pool to dry off a bit before sliding back into bed "Luckily you didn't tear so you should be ok"

"Hmm, probably because she was tiny" Carla smirks towards Peter who was cradling their daughter who lets out another cry "Oh baby"

"She's probably hungry" the midwife smiles "Are you going to feed her, or are you using formula?"

"I want to try then if I don't like it then we'll switch her over to formula" Carla smiles as the midwife nods in response gesturing to take the baby off Peter and handing her to Carla

"That's fine, if you could pull your top down" the midwife smiles as the baby starts to cry "Now position her slightly under your breast"

"Oh, she did it" Carla laughs as the midwife rolls her eyes in response; she obviously wasn't needed "It feels weird"

"You'll get used to the sensation if you continue to feed her yourself, she seems to like it" the midwife smiles "How about I leave you to it then you can have some bonding time, I also need to get this certificate done for you so you can get her registered"

"Hm" Carla smiles glancing down to the baby in her arms as she feeds "What an interesting turn of events that was"

"Yeah you could say that" Peter chuckles leaning over to watch his daughter feed "She seems happy"

"She is, not sure if I like this though but I will do it if it's what she wants" Carla smiles before grabbing her phone and rummaging through it "Maybe we should go back to England as soon as possible?"

"It's completely up to you, I kind of want to introduce her to everyone" Peter admits as Carla nods in agreement; she wanted the same

"Hmm 'Chelle's going to go crazy" Carla chuckles as Peter nods in response "I kind of want to surprise them"

"Yeah? It's up to you, you're her mum-"

"You're her dad…gosh that sounds so real and scary" Carla admits biting her lip as Peter sits on the edge of the bed to gaze down at them both

"I know but…we'll do this, together"

"Yeah. We will.