Thank you all for the reviews, trying to move the story on a bit more...


It had been a couple of weeks since they all returned from Tenerife and today was a big milestone for Carla, Peter and Evie as they were going to be feeding her on solids. They had spent the past two weeks ordering everything ranging from a high chair to spoons and bowls all child friendly of course and now that everything had arrived they could finally get started on feeding Evie solid food. Carla was going to be taking Evie to a market in town to pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables ready to feed her later on in the day, Michelle joining them as well.

"I was thinking we let her pick them out…within reason of course" Carla smiles as they head over to the fruit and veg stall, Michelle scooping Evie out of her new pram which also arrived to allow her to look at the vegetables

"Which ones do you want then sweetpea?" Michelle questions as she picks up an orange holding it to Evie's face as she taps it with her hand; Carla taking it and placing it in the basket

"Oranges are good, soft for her" Carla smiles as Evie claps her hands; Michelle holding up a banana as Evie squeals "Banana as well eh?"

"Hmm, she's probably just going to pick everything you realise that?" Michelle laughs as Carla rolls her eyes leaning over to grab a couple of carrots Evie reaching her arms out to grab hold of it "She likes orange doesn't she?"

"Well, she's a particular child, anything else you recommend?"

"Yogurts are good, easy to eat and maybe pears they're kind of soft" Michelle shrugs as Carla picks up a couple of pears before handing the basket to the stall owner and handing a ten-pound note over

"Right let's head to the shop then we can pick up some yoghurts and some more nappies for her" Carla smiles as Michelle nods placing Evie back in her pram as she plays with her toys, Carla rubbing her bump

"You alright?"

"Yeah, it's giving me a beating" Carla sighs as Michelle laughs, both of them walking to the nearby shop as Evie babbles to herself, as they collect the items they needed before heading home ready to feed Evie her new food...


"Hey love" Peter smiles kissing her on the cheek gently as Evie squeals wanting Peter's attention as Carla rolls her eyes

"Evie, Daddy's working, come on we're going to get you some food" Carla smiles as Michelle chuckles leading them both into the back room, the highchair already set up for them

"Ok good Peter did it so we don't have to" Carla smiles taking Evie out of the pram "I'm undressing her so she doesn't make a mess"

"Good choice, I'll get washing and cutting these while you do that" Michelle smiles as Carla undresses Evie, placing her in the high chair with a bib on as she squeals unhappily, Michelle appearing with a bowl filled with pieces of orange, placing it in front of Evie as she looks at it perplexed

"Here" Carla smiles grabbing a piece and holding it to Evie's lips "Evie?"

"Does she not like it?" Michelle chuckles as Carla raises an eyebrow not really sure what to do as Michelle comes over taking the piece of orange and making movements with her mouth before poising it to Evie's as she sucks on it

"Here hold it" Michelle smiles as Carla takes the orange, Evie sucking the juices out of it leaving the film like substance left causing Carla to scrunch her nose up, Evie whining slightly

"Well…that went well" Carla mutters as Michelle appears with come pieces of banana, Carla prodding one with the spork and poising it to Evie's lips

"Come on Evie" Carla smiles as Evie accepts it into her mouth, Carla pulling the fork away allowing Evie to try and eat it, Evie, trying her best to mash the banana in her mouth before swallowing it

"Yay!" Carla beams "Took long enough"

"I've puréed the carrot and added a bit of formula to make it a better consistency" Michelle smiles handing her a spoon as Carla scoops a small bit onto Evie's spoon, Michelle watching on eagerly to see if she'll like it

"Evie?" Carla waves her hand in front of her face to grab her attention, Evie patting Carla's hand in response as Carla offers her the spoon, placing the bowl on the highchair, Evie turning the spoon down for the bowl and putting her hands in it and putting them to her mouth "Defeats the object of a spoon but sure have it your way"

"Have fun clearing that up" Michelle cackles as Carla glares at her, Evie smothering the pureed carrot all over the table as Carla groans in response, Michelle handing her another bowl containing cherry tomatoes which were cut into quarters

"Right let's try tomatoes, Evie," Carla says as Evie looks up at her confused before shoving her hands back in her mouth, Carla handing her a piece of tomato as Evie puts it in her mouth, Peter standing in the doorway as Michelle smiles at him, pressing a finger to her lips

"Do you like that one Evie?" Carla questions enthusiastically as Evie squeals in excitement pointing to Peter as Michelle rolls her eyes, Carla turning around to face Peter who was laughing at the mess of the highchair

"Someone's been very messy"

"She got hold of the bowl of pureed carrot" Carla informs him scrunching her nose up as Peter laughs at Evie who laughs at them all taking another piece of tomato and putting it in her mouth

"Let's have a go at feeding her then" Peter smiles as Michelle hands him a bowl of pureed peas with formula mixed in; Peter taking the spoon and scooping a bit onto it poising it to Evie's lips

"Open up" Peter smiles as Evie does, taking in the consistency of the peas as Carla grabs a baby wipe to wipe around Evie's face, Peter placing the bowl on the high chair before going to make himself a brew, Evie dipping her hands into it and putting them to her mouth

"She loves the pureed ones 'Chelle" Carla smiles as Michelle laughs, "I think we've had enough haven't we?" Carla questions as Evie laughs at her

"I think she has as well. I'll put these bowls in the dishwasher for you then you can clean her up" Michelle chuckles as Carla sighs in response holding Evie at arm's length as they head upstairs together, Carla leaving Evie lying on the changing mat in the bathroom whilst she grabbing a nappy for after her bath

"Let's get you in this bath then little lady" Carla smiles trying her best to get onto the floor before huffing in response and going to the stairs "Michelle!"

"Hmm what?" she questions appearing at the bottom of the stairs

"Can you bath Evie I cant sit on the floor" Carla groans as Michelle cackles heading upstairs to help bath Evie for Carla "Thanks for this, it's this baby it's in the way"

"No problem, love" Michelle smiles sponging Evie down so she was clean as Carla sits on the toilet seat watching them both "How are you two doing anyway?"

"We're ok" Carla smiles patting her bump "You're just getting in the way aren't you?" Carla smiles rubbing her bump as Michelle chuckles when Evie splashes her

"Evie don't splash 'Chelle" Carla scolds as she looks up at Carla with a smile on her face, Carla shaking her head at Evie's smile as she returns to playing in the bath

"Come on then let's get you out and dry you off" Michelle beams grabbing a towel and lifting Evie out of the bath and placing her on the changing mat to dry her off, tickling her tummy as she squirms

"God sakes" Carla mutters rubbing her bump "I'm going to tranquillize this baby in a minute"

"Why don't you have a bath as well? You could do with destressing" Michelle smiles as Carla nods nervously in agreement turning the taps on "Do I need to get Peter to help you?"

"I should be ok I think" Carla smirks as Michelle picks Evie up onto her hip "She has some clothes laid out on the changing table, 'Chelle"

"Oh…ok, you just chill ok?" Michelle smiles kissing Carla's forehead as she sighs in response "Are you sure you're ok?"

"I'm fine" Carla smiles as Michelle nods unconvincingly before leaving the room briefly to change Evie leaving Carla to run a bath and heading downstairs to find Peter

"Peter" Michelle calls from the door by the bar as Peter smiles heading over to her, Evie instantly reaching her arms out wanting to be held; Peter accepting and kissing her on the cheek gently

"Everything ok?" Peter questions before realising Carla wasn't there "Where's Carla?"

"She's having a bath, she seems kind of distant, down if you like. I just thought you should know" Michelle smiles as Peter sighs nodding in agreement handing Evie back to her

"Thanks 'Chelle, I'll get Gemma and Sean to mind the bar while I have a word-"

"Actually…why don't you take her out for the evening, I'll have Evie for the night maybe book a hotel?" Michelle suggests thinking that Carla could do with a night away without Evie as a distraction

"I guess I could, I'll book something then surprise her after she's finished in the bath" Peter smiles as Michelle nods eagerly bouncing Evie up and down now she was holding her again

"You're going to have a sleepover with Auntie 'Chelle" Michelle beams excitedly as Evie squeals, both her and Peter walking into the back room, grabbing Carla's laptop and lifting the lid up and seeing a tab open on the browser which intrigued him, clicking on it and reading the contents

What happens during the adoption process?

"Um, Michelle…" Peter starts frowning as Michelle walks over with Evie gripping her stuffed animal and looking at the screen

"Oh…why would she…Oh god, Peter, she wants to put the baby up for adoption-"

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Carla exclaims slamming the lid of her laptop shut, her eyes blazing into both Michelle's and Peter's

"Carla I-"

"No, save it! I'm going out!" Carla exclaims grabbing her jacket and heading out leaving Peter to sigh in exasperation as the door slams

"I'll look after Evie, you go" Michelle sighs as Peter nods grabbing his jacket, phone and keys before leaving the pub…


Carla decided to make her way to Roy's knowing that she needed to talk to someone about her concerns and knowing Roy wouldn't judge her decision she decided that it would be best to speak to him. She hated approaching Roy, it somehow made her feel weak and that really bothered her but not to the extent the life growing inside of her was but either way she knew she needed someone who's opinion she valued. It wasn't that she valued Michelle or Peter's opinion but she needed someone who wasn't so involved in the running of her everyday life.

"Hi Roy" Carla smiles somewhat sheepishly as Roy smiles at her noticing her awkwardness and mood

"Carla, what can I get you?" Roy smiles, as Carla glances to the selection of cakes and confectionery before settling on an iced finger

"Iced finger and a tea if you got one?"

"Of course, I'll bring it over for you-"

"Actually I don't suppose you have 5 minutes? In private?" Carla questions as Roy glances to Shona who gestures for him to go with Carla

"Yes, I guess I do…yes, come with me" Roy smiles as Carla follows him upstairs into the flat, both of them sitting down at the table "What can I do for you, Carla?"

"Actually I need your help" Carla sighs placing a hand on her bump rubbing it gently to settle her unborn child "I don't really know what to do"

"About what?" Roy questions as Carla glances down to her bump as the baby reacts to her hand

"I want to put the baby up for adoption" Carla starts as Roy raises his eyebrows handing her a mug of tea as she accepts nursing the warm mug in her hands

"May I ask why? Surely Peter wouldn't approve?" Roy asks as Carla sighs taking a sip of her teas before placing the mug back down on the coaster

"That's just it Roy, I think he will" Carla sighs before realising Roy doesn't know that the baby isn't Peter's "It's not his baby"

"You cheated on Peter?" Roy questions somewhat incredulously, shock laced in his voice

"No! You know when I was kidnapped, I was raped" Carla rubs her forehead in exasperation as Roy's expression softens as he takes one of Carla's hands

"Ok, well why didn't you have a termination?"

"I couldn't kill it, in my eyes it was a life which I thought deserved a chance to live and have a chance to change the world in some way I guess" Carla shrugs dismissively, taking her mug and raising it to her lips again

"So why do you want to put it up for adoption?" Roy questions handing Carla a plate of biscuits as she takes one to eat, dunking it in her tea before raising it to her lips

"I don't really know, I guess I'm starting to fall out of love with it and Peter won't bond with it, I feel he's just putting on a brave face to please me when he doesn't need to because now that it's all sunk in I don't think I want to bring up this baby"

"That's understandable" Roy admits "Have you spoken to Peter about your concerns?"

"No…well he was looking at my laptop then he saw that I was researching the process of adoption but I just ran out and was embarrassed I guess. I came straight here" Carla smiles as Roy nods slowly

"Why don't you want to speak to him?"

"I never said I didn't want to speak to him-"

"You ran out and didn't face him, Carla, that implies you didn't want to speak to him" Roy states as Carla rolls her eyes, he was right, she didn't want to speak to Peter, she was embarrassed and felt as if she didn't need to be judged or have her opinion on the situation shredded to pieces

"Ok, fine. I didn't want to speak to Peter in case…I don't know…in case he would say things to try and get me to keep it because he thinks that's what I really want and I'm doing this as some ploy to get him to bond with it. Maybe I'm just being paranoid about the situation. What do you think I should do?"

"I think you should speak to Peter honestly, without any distractions, just you and him. Not even Evie in the same room." Roy suggests as Carla sighs nodding in agreement to his suggestion

"What if he doesn't respect my opinion though?"

"Then you need to justify your answers and make him believe this is going to benefit you all" Roy nods as Carla sighs in agreement

"Roy?"

"Yes, Carla?"

"You do think I'm going the right thing don't you?"

"I can't answer that for you Carla" Roy starts "However I do know you'll fight to save your relationship with Peter and whatever happens it'll be the right choice for you"

"I guess so, I'm going to head back now I think, better late than never" Carla smiles grabbing her jacket and phone "Thanks for the chat"

"No problem Carla, I'm always here if you need me" Roy nods gesturing for her to leave the flat which she does, ready to face the music and the head pecking of Peter and Michelle…


"Hi 'Chelle" Carla sighs as Michelle smiles at her offering Evie as Carla accepts kissing her on the forehead "Where's Peter?"

"Out looking for you" Michelle replies shortly as Carla closes her eyes taking a seat on the sofa with Evie in her arms "Where were you?"

"Out" Carla replies vaguely "And no I wasn't at an adoption agency-"

"Why would you be?" Michelle replies as Carla chuckles slightly rolling her eyes

"You were never a good liar 'Chelle, just give it up I know you and Peter were looking at that tab I had open I heard you talking about it"

"Ok fine" Michelle laments "We just want to know what's going on in that head of yours that's all. Peter was thinking about taking you out later and taking you to a hotel so you two could have some time to talk about things"

"Oh…" Carla bites her lip feeling guilty "Then I went off the rails, great. Let me call him" Carla sighs grabbing her phone and ringing Peter "Hi…I'm at home, I'm so sorry…Ok I'll see you in a bit"

"Is he coming home?"

"Yeah…I don't suppose you mind taking Evie for a couple of hours?" Carla questions as Michelle shakes her head not minding as Evie looks up at them perplexed before returning to cling onto Michelle's top

"We can have fun cant we princess? Uncle Robert will love to spend time with you" Michelle beams as Carla chuckles slightly, Peter appearing with one arm behind his back

"Hey" Carla smiles softly

"Hey"

"I'm sorry," they both say synchronously as Peter pulls out a colourful arrangement of flowers and handing them to Carla

"Peter, you didn't have to give me flowers" Carla sighs breathing in their floral scent before heading to the kitchen and grabbing a vase to put them in "Thank you anyway"

"No problem love…do you want to speak?"

"I'd love to" Carla smiles "Michelle's going to have Evie for us so we can just have everything out"

"Do you want to get a hotel, that way we can't escape when the pressures too much?"

"As long as it's five stars then yes, I'll get a hotel" Carla smirks as Peter nods grabbing her laptop and looking for hotels nearby, settling on the honeymoon suite at one of Manchester's top hotels, the room almost totalling five hundred pounds

"Peter! That's way too much" Carla sighs as Peter shakes his head kissing her gently on the lips "I don't deserve it"

"Will you shut it?" Peter questions as Carla rolls her eyes "You deserve every penny and if we argue at least we can have space from each other"

"I guess. I'll go and pack a bag" Carla rolls her eyes heading upstairs as Peter rubs his head in exasperation knowing it was going to be a long couple of days

"Are you sure you're going to be ok having Evie, we'll be gone for the night?" Peter asks Michelle who nods eagerly; she loved having Evie

"Yes, we'll be fine don't worry, Robert will love having her around so don't worry" Michelle smiles as Peter nods, Carla appearing with her holdall which contained all the necessities for the next couple of days

"I've put your stuff in there as well" Carla smiles as Peter nods bringing her into his embrace as she sighs in contentment

"We'll head off then, bye Evie" Peter smiles waving at her as she laughs at him, Carla doing the same as they walk out of the pub and head to the hotel both of them nervous about what will happen when they got there…