The next few months whizzed past, next week was Lily's first birthday and the week after was the big day.
"Is everything ready for my darlings birthday?" Johnny asked taking a seat in the factory.
"Yes Johnny, how could it not be with Carla in charge of it, she's a perfectionist" Michelle said sitting on the desk, both her and Johnny had popped in to see Carla and Kate.
"I also have the best events planner to help me" Carla said nodding towards Michelle.
"She is going to be one spoilt one year old" Kate said looking away from the computer screen for a minute.
"We won't be doing anything until this order is out" Carla barked from her seat.
"They are working really hard by the looks of it" Johnny said looking out the window.
"Where is Lily anyway?" Michelle asked trying to change the subject.
She was fully aware that Peter had gone back to work full time to pay for the wedding.
"Ken has her today and Daniel is having her tomorrow, he likes to have someone for Bertie to play with" Carla explained.
Everyone on the street were on good terms. Johnny and Eva had made ammese and Eva even lets Johnny have Freddie alone whilst she is busy. It was Freddie's first birthday a couple of months ago and the whole family were there and it was a happy day.
"I can have her one day this week if you need me too" Johnny said.
"Actually I was going to ask you to have her on the weekend, I have a dress fitting"
"Of course!" Johnny said excitedly "We can go to the park"
Lily had started to toddle around and of course Carla had pictures of this in her book. Her first steps was a fantastic day for the Barlow family. They were in and Peter had Lily walking around holding onto his fingers. He stopped in front of Carla. Carla called Lily and she took her first couple of steps unaided. Simon was there to take the picture.
"Watch her though she likes to walk around when she's free" Carla smiled at the memories of their family days in the park.
"It's perfect because she can walk down the aisle with you" Kate said.
"That's true, although she doesn't go where you want her too" Carla told them.
"It's so much more difficult keeping her from harm, when she couldn't move" Carla chuckled.
"You sure Ken is ok with her then?" Johnny said with a concerned look on his face.
"Yes, he is more than capable of looking after his granddaughter" Carla said knowing that would hurt his feelings if someone thought that of him.
Saturday eventually came around. Today was the day of the dress fitting. Carla had searched for months for the right dress, since the last dress was made by hayley and was irreplaceable.
Carla was taking Kate and Michelle with her. Peter was out with Simon for the day.
"Come on baby let's get you dressed for your day with grandad" Carla swooped up a toddling Lily and took her into her room to get her dressed.
A few minutes later the door knocked, behind it was Kate and Michelle with a very excited Johnny.
"One minute" Carla called through. She was putting some tights onto a very wriggly Lily, who became bored and started to cry "Come on baby just one more leg"
Carla placed Lily on the floor once she had dressed her, which only made her cry more.
"Come in" A flushed Carla said when she opened the door.
"Everything ok?" Michelle asked.
"She wouldn't help me at all to get her dressed this morning and Peter ran out the door when she was crying for him, it's just been one of those mornings" Carla told them truthfully, whilst rushing around packing Lily's baby bag.
"Come on Carla sit down for a second" Kate said "Today is supposed to be a great day"
"I know but you can't when you are a mum" Carla gently said back.
"Come here darling" Michelle said bending down to Lily to pick her up "It's ok, we need to get you ready so that mummy can try her pretty dress on" Lily then stopped crying and smiled at Michelle.
"Honestly, you are some sort of baby whisperer" Carla said to her. It always annoyed her slightly that Michelle was so good with children.
"No, she's just testing the boundaries now she's a walker" Michelle told her "she will go back to being good for a little bit, until she turns two and then the real fun begins"
"Ok, well that's all good but you are wasting my one to one time" Johnny said.
"Ok, we get the hint" Kate said rolling her eyes.
"Well, everything you need is in that bag, anything I have forgotten you should be ok without, she has just had some breakfast so will probably be tired in an hour or so so she will need her nap and then some lunch, which I have packed in there" Carla said tapping the little lunch box attached to the side of the baby bag.
"Carla breathe" Johnny said "I have had her before"
"I know, I'm sorry, I'm going" Carla approached Lily and gave her a kiss on the head "Mummy loves you"
Michelle took her by the hand and led her out of the flat.
Carla called back through the door "Any problems ring me or Peter, but me first"
"Carla" Kate called "she will be fine, let's go try on some dresses"
As the three women walked through the wedding dress shop they smiled, there was nothing women liked more than trying on dresses.
Carla already had a dress paid for and the measurements taken, this was the last fitting before the wedding and they had to make sure it was ready for the wedding.
"Carla, I can't wait to see you in this dress" Kate called out.
"Girls, it's not like you haven't seen me in a dress before" Carla shouted out.
"Yes but this one is for keeps" Kate said.
"I thought that the first time around" Carla called back.
"Carla, don't talk like that" Michelle said.
"I know I'm sorry" Carla said.
"It's bound to bring back some sad memories but you know that Peter is a different man then he was back then otherwise you wouldn't be marrying him" Michele tried to comfort her.
"I know, it's always going to be there though isn't it?" Carla replied.
"Let's see this dress" Kate said trying to change the subject whilst flashing Michelle a worried look.
"Ok, I'm coming out" Carla said as she pulled back the curtain and showed them her dress.
"Wow," Kate said.
"It's beautiful" Michelle said "You look beautiful"
"Thanks" Carla replied. She stood on the stand in front of the two women, she smiled as she looked in the mirror. The dress was beautiful, she had something different from last time.
The dress was tight, all the way down until it reached the floor and spread out, satin and sophisticated, it was off of the shoulder and had sleeves. It was a very grown up dress.
"It is stunning, you will blow Peter's mind" Kate said "It's so sophisticated"
"I know, last time I married him Hayley made my dress and it was beautiful, but I wanted something different for this time, something to show we have grown as a couple"
The women continued their morning, whilst the Barlow men were at the taylors.
"You look smart Si" Peter said looking at his son.
"Thanks, dad so do you" Simon replied.
"I wonder what Carla's dress looks like" Peter said out loud "she wanted a different dress from last time" he said a little sadly.
"Are you ok dad?" Simon asked.
"I think that this is the best thing for us but I can't help but think it might be bringing back memories for her"
"Why do you think that?"
"Because I am sat her thinking about last time, so she definitely is" Peter paused "What if she changes her mind"
"She won't she loves you, she loves our family and wants that family unit for Lily" Simon told him "she may be thinking about last time dad but she won't change her mind"
"When did you get so grown up?" Peter asked him putting his arm around him and pulled him in.
"Well I have to be with you around, don't I" Simon joked poking his dad in the chest.
A little while later and the three women had finished their dress shopping, they had ended up in the pub.
"How was the dress fitting?" Jenny asked as the women ordered their wine.
"It was really good, she looks really beautiful" Kate said smiling at her sister.
Carla gave her a hug "Is Johnny in the back with Lily?"
"No, he took her out for the day and hasn't come back yet" Jenny said.
"Where did he go?" Carla asked. She was a little worried as she hadn't heard from him all day.
"I don't know but he should be back soon" Jenny said "Go sit and i'll bring this over"
The women took a seat in a nearby booth.
"They will be fine" Kate said, trying to reassure her.
Peter entered the pub to see the women sitting in the booth. "Evening all" He said as he approached.
He placed a kiss on Carla's lips and leaned into her to whisper in her eat "Meet me out the back in five"
Carla smiled and nodded slightly as Peter turned and left.
"I best be getting back to the bistro" Michelle said.
"Yeah I have somewhere to be anyway, are we ok to leave you here since Peter is back" Kate asked.
"Of course" Carla replied knowing she had a meeting with Peter shortly.
A few minutes had past and Carla couldn't wait anymore. She made her way to the back of the pub.
As the left the back door someone grabbed her arm and pulled her into him. She saw it was Peter and let herself go. He pushed her against the wall and kissed her passionately.
"I missed you" he said.
"I missed you too" She smiled giving him another kiss.
The couple stood outside for a while making up for lost time until they heard Johnny's voice.
Carla pushed Peter away "Lily is back"
"Guess you are finished with me then" Peter smiled, as Carla stopped in her hasty tracks to get Lily. "Go on" he said causing her to continue in.
"There you are my angel" Carla said as she entered the back room. She picked Lily up who was toddling around.
"She has been a joy to have" Johnny said. He filled her in on what they had done all day.
A few days passed and it was the morning of Lily's first birthday. Peter had wanted to talk to Carla about the wedding but there never seemed to be a right time.
"Happy birthday baby" Carla said to Lily as she got her out of her cot.
The whole family was excited for her birthday. Peter was overjoyed that he had this chance with Carla and Lily to be a family so days like this were really special to them.
Lily giggled and smiled as she opened her presents, with the help of Carla and Simon. Peter was there with the camera for the photos for Carla's book.
"Say cheese" Peter said causing Carla to smile and point to the camera for Lily to follow the gaze.
After a few hours spent as a family, they made their way to the bistro. As the family made their way through the doors, everyone cheered.
Johnny ran over to them, "Happy birthday princess" he said to Lily who was in a beautiful pink dress.
"Here" Carla said, passing her over to the proud grandfather.
Everyone was there for the special occasion, the kids of coronation street flooded around the tables that were filled with decor and sweets.
"She looks lovely" Kate said as she approached from the bar, with a tray of drinks.
"Doesn't she just" Peter said, looking at Carla.
Carla shoved him gently "She meant Lily"
"I know" He said pulling her in by the waist "Look at everyone here for our little girl"
"I know, she is so loved" Carla replied.
The celebrations were fun and everyone was having a good time. Lily was toddling around with her mother always close by her side.
Peter watched on "She is such a good mum" Rob said approaching Peter.
"She is, she is a natural"
"Shame she couldn't be the first time around" Rob said slapping him on the back and walking away.
Peter didn't let it bother him, this was his daughters day.
After everyone sang happy birthday, they cut the cake. Carla and Peter placed Lily in her high chair and gave her some cake. Obviously, Carla had the camera out for this special moment.
Peter got everyone's attention
"Right, I just want to say thank you all for coming. Carla and I are really touched that you all care about Lily as much as you do. She is our world and we just wanted her to have a great day, but now she is yawning so we are going to take her home for a nap. Thank you all again."
Everyone started to say their goodbyes and made their way out, leaving only the bar staff and Carla and Peter.
"You go, we have this" Kate said "take my tired niece home" She placed a kiss on Lily's forehead.
Whilst on the walk home Carla turned to Peter "Can you believe this is our life?"
"Honestly, love I can't" Peter paused and took her hand "at one point in my life I had to consider the possibility of not being in your life"
"I know but look how good everything turned out in the end" Carla reassured him.
"It has turned out better than I could have ever imagined and next week we get to become husband and wife again" Peter kissed her on the lips, quickly and firmly, "and this time for keeps"
Carla smiled at him "Of course".
