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The day which was long-awaited in Carla's life came. Hayley's first birthday. Both Carla and Peter took the day off work to treat their daughter to the best birthday party in the world wanting to host a house party for her with all the family there. Carla and Peter were waking up hugging onto each other knowing how excited both of them were for this special day, Peter knowing Carla was actively trying to contain her excitement over the day's events.
"Is she up yet" Carla questions eagerly looking in the baby monitor having been up at the crack of dawn wanting to be there when Hayley woke up to wish her happy birthday.
"Carla just chill, it's like you're on something" Peter groans as Carla turns to face him in bed planting a kiss on his lips as he pulls her into his body allowing her to melt into his embrace as things get heated rather quickly before Hayley interrupts them with her cries causing Carla to jump out of bed grabbing her robe and heading into her bedroom followed by Peter.
"Happy birthday, baby girl" Carla beams lifting her out of the cot as Peter appears wrapping his arms around his girls "Let's change your nappy then we can go downstairs and make you a birthday breakfast"
"I'll go down and get started on it, you join me when you're ready" Peter smiles kissing Hayley on the forehead then Carla on the lips "Happy birthday Hayles"
"Let's get you out of this dirty nappy and head downstairs"
Carla headed downstairs with Hayley after changing her nappy and was greeted with Peter making pancakes which Carla smiled at. They were not going to let their daughter have a boring birthday even if she wasn't able to remember it, at least they had the memories. Peter was worried about Carla though as this say must be quite emotional for her as she couldn't remember any of Hayley's birth and he wasn't there to help fill her in on it but they were both determined to make it the best day ever.
"And these are for the birthday girl" Peter grins placing the plate on the highchair as Carla places Hayley on it causing her eyes to light up at the pancakes in front of her; Simon appearing from the kitchen door.
"Happy birthday Hayley!" Simon beams kissing her on the head as she shoves a handful of pancake at him eagerly "You can have it…"
"Oh Si come on she wants to share her breakfast with you" Carla teases eating a banana as Simon rolls his eyes.
"No thanks, I need to head off for school so I will see you at lunch for her birthday party" Simon grins planting one last kiss on Hayley's head "Bye everyone"
"Bye son"
"So shall we open pressies from us first then we can do everyone else's when they arrive?" Carla questions as Peter nods at her well thought out plan.
"Sounds like a plan to me love" Peter grins "And we need to give her a bath"
"Do we?" Carla says more engrossed in the latest edition of Vogue before peering up at the scene in front of her "Oh…well that's your fault…"
"How?" Peter scoffs
"You gave her chocolate sauce now you're paying the price" Carla shrugs getting off her chair and lifting Hayley out of her high chair holding her at arm's length and placing her in the sink causing her to cry "I know you hate it Hayley but you're very messy"
"I'll go and get a towel," Peter says heading upstairs to get a towel and returning with one a short while later to a clean Hayley "Here you are"
"Cheers," Carla says drying Hayley off and running upstairs to put a fresh nappy on her as well as her outfit which Carla specifically chose for her "Deirdre's going to love this outfit"
"She is" Peter laughs looking at Hayley dressed in a pink and yellow striped dress "She looks beautiful"
"She does, let's go and open presents!" Carla beams as Peter laughs at her excitement as they all go down into the living room where there was a stack of presents on the coffee table "You don't think we've gone overboard?"
"Carla, just relax," Peter says as they both sit on the floor with Hayley on Carla's lap, Peter picking out the first present.
"What's this then Hayley?" Carla questions waving it around for her as she pats the wrapping paper "Look" Carla says tearing it open as Hayley bursts into tears "Well, that went well"
"Just open it for her" Peter nods as Carla hums in response tearing it open "I can't even remember what we got her apart from her main present"
"Me neither" Carla chuckles "Ah I remember these outfits which I picked up in the US they were designer-"
"Well they would be" Peter scoffs as Carla glares at him as he unwraps another present revealing a couple of snowsuits for winter "That was a smart buy"
"It was" Carla nods "She'll be nice and warm in the winter"
"Next one," Peter says handing Carla another present which she unwraps, it was a box containing a bunch of random toys that Carla accumulated over the course of the last month so they didn't use loads of wrapping paper; Hayley taking a keen interest in it and taking one of the toys out and smiling "Always one for the toys"
"She's going to take after you this one"
"This one? What do you mean this one?" Peter questions as Carla bites her lip causing Peter to narrow his eyes as Carla shrugs in response returning to Hayley's attention "Oi, you didn't answer my question"
"It was just a figure of speech" Carla chuckles as Peter narrows his eyes and furrows his brows in utter suspicion "Pass us the next one"
"Ok well, there are these ones?" Peter questions knowing these were probably just clothes as Carla grins in excitement unwrapping the presents which revealed plenty of sets of clothes "I never would've guessed" Peter replies sarcastically as Carla rolls her eyes in response
"Now for the big present" Carla grins excitedly "I can't wait for her to try this"
"I know, we could just leave her in it whilst we cook dinner and stuff" Peter smiles as Carla unwraps the present to reveal a hanging door swing
"Look what's this Hayley?" Carla questions as Hayley uses the box to stand up looking directly at Carla before crawling away more interested in the box of toys she got "She'll like it once we get it set up"
"What time's everyone coming?"
"Eleven I think," Carla says glancing to the clock on the wall "We still have a few hours wait yet and to get everything ready"
Carla and Peter got everything ready for Hayley's party including the bits and pieces to eat as well as paper plates so they could just chuck everything in the bin without needing to use the washing machine. Peter was still curious as to what Carla meant by her remark during Hayley's present opening and questioned whether she was hiding a pregnancy from him as a surprise or if she was just generally nervous about telling him as she knew it wasn't what he wanted until Hayley was a bit older so he thought that she may not confide in him if she was pregnant but the thought of Carla being pregnant actually excited him and filled his heart with warmth. He was brought out of his thoughts by the doorbell going off knowing that Michelle and Steve were arriving earlier than everyone else as Michelle struggled to contain her excitement on these situations.
"Come in Michelle" Peter grins as Steve and Michelle enter the room armed with presents "Did you bring the whole toy shop with you?"
"I'm allowed to treat my niece…where is the birthday girl anyway?" Michelle questions eagerly as Carla appears carrying Hayley "Happy birthday Hayley" Michelle beams taking Hayley into her arms "I love your little outfit"
"I thought it suited the occasion perfectly," Carla remarks as Michelle smirks leaving Steve to place the presents on the table in the kitchen "Ta Steve, you didn't have to get all of these for her, she's been spoilt enough already"
"Well first birthdays are special aren't they?" Michelle questions as Carla chuckles knowing Hayley wouldn't be able to remember the whole thing anyway
"I guess so" Carla shrugs "Do you want a drink?"
"What do you have?" Michelle questions eagerly as Carla rummages through the drinks rack "Not another potent cocktail though…I still haven't recovered"
"I have some shloer" Carla says as Michelle hums in response "Yeah let's just dig into this"
"You can drink alcohol girls, I don't mind" Peter smiles kissing Carla on the top of the head as she hums in response wanting to keep a clear head so she could remember Hayley's first birthday as she couldn't remember her birth.
"So then what are you doing for your hen night?" Michelle questions as Carla rolls her eyes at the obvious wedding talk which was bound to occur.
"I kind of want it to be just me and Peter, a romantic night in," Carla says as Michelle scoffs in response causing her to raise her eyebrows "What?"
"Let's go into town" Michelle pouts her lips "It'll just be four of us, there's that new eighties karaoke bar in town, you love the eighties"
"I do" Carla smiles in response "I kind of promised Peter though"
"Promised me what?" Peter appears wrapping his arms around her and swaying her gently in his arms.
"Michelle wants us to go into town for my hen night"
"Go into town then…we can spend the night before the wedding together if you want?" Peter questions as Carla bites her lip glancing to Michelle "I know you want to, love"
"Ok then, let's do it…" Carla nods as Michelle beams excitedly clapping her hands "Only me, you, Maria and Kate though…no one else"
"That's fine" Michelle states as Carla grins hugging Peter close, "I think today's going to be a good day"
After all the guests finally arrived for Hayley's birthday party. The party was in full swing, Carla and Peter were sitting on the floor with Hayley opening her presents which she really wasn't interested in half the time unless they made noises or had flashing lights on them to grab her attention. They spent a couple of hours opening the presents and then they moved onto the cake which Carla was excited about and also got quite emotional over as it hit home at how fast her daughter was growing up.
"Right let's get her undressed I think before we let her murder the cake," Carla says taking Hayley off Michelle and taking her into the bathroom to undress her before placing her in the highchair which was in the kitchen, "I think we might be ready"
"We need to wait for my dad though, he's been on the phone ages" Peter sighs as Carla pats his shoulder "I'm going to go and check on him"
"Alright, Michelle's entertaining Hayley so we should be good for a while" Carla smiles kissing him on the cheek as Peter heads off to find his dad who was talking on the phone watching as he ended the call
"Dad? Are you ok?" Peter questions noticing his distraught expression "What's happened?"
"It's Deirdre…" Ken trails off as Peter shakes his head slowly in disbelief "She's gone, Peter"
"Dad…what..?" Peter questions in disbelief as Carla appears from the front door noticing the somewhat emotional atmosphere.
"Hey…what's happened?" Carla questions as Peter falls into her embrace with tears streaming down his face "Hey" Carla questions lifting his head up so he was looking at her "Peter?"
"It's Deirdre…she's gone Carla"
"W-What?" Carla stammers confused "You don't mean?" Carla questions raising a hand to her mouth in shock as Peter nods "I'm so sorry Ken…"
"We should tell people…" Carla trails off "They're going to start to ask questions"
"Yeah" Peter agrees as Ken nods "I'll do it, stay with me?"
"Always, baby. I'll never leave your side" Carla takes his hand and leads him into the house, taking Hayley out of her highchair so Peter could have some comfort from his daughter "We have some sad news guys…"
"What's happened?" Tracy questions noticing the upset expressions of Peter and Ken "What's going on?"
"You say it baby" Carla prompts Peter knowing Tracy will most likely despise of her breaking the news as Peter nods
"My dad, he had a call and…Deirdre passed away early this morning just before she was about to fly out for Hayley's party" Peter says as Tracy breaks into a fit of tears clinging onto Peter who comforts her as Carla takes Hayley off Peter to hold her
"How about we all head to the pub, raise a glass and inform everyone?" Michelle questions as everyone nods collecting their coats "Are you four coming?"
"I think it's best if we stay here," Carla says quietly glancing to Peter, Tracy and Ken "You raise a glass for us"
"I will" Michelle smiles planting a kiss on Carla's forehead then one on Hayley's "See you soon"
"Why don't you guys go into the living room and I'll bring a tray of drinks through after I put Hayley back in her clothes?" Carla suggests as Peter nods leading everyone into the living room so that they could talk whilst Carla faffs around with Hayley and getting her ready before placing her in her playpen and then returning with the tray of drinks "Here"
"Thank you Carla" Ken smiles appreciatively as Carla takes a seat next to Peter as he brings her in for a hug wanting to have her close.
"So what happens next?" Carla questions as Ken sighs in response "You don't have to answer…"
"It's fine" Ken nods tearfully "Her body will be transported over then we can work on the funeral"
"Let me know if you need anything yeah?" Carla questions as Ken nods in response "I mean it, anything at all"
"Thank you Carla" Tracy replies as Carla smiles at her, Peter unwilling to let go of her as he needed the comfort "We're going to head off I think"
"Ok" Carla replies calmly "We'll speak soon," Carla says as Ken and Tracy see themselves out ready to take the walk home leaving Peter to be comforted by Carla "Are you ok, baby?"
"No, I just can't believe it, she was like a second mum to me and she supported me throughout the time I went to prison for murdering Tina…it's just crazy" Peter states agitatedly "I miss her"
"I know you do" Carla replies gently "I'm here for you whatever you need"
"I could murder a whiskey" Peter chuckles as Carla laughs as well before Peter bursts into tears causing Carla to wrap him up in a hug "I'm sorry"
"Don't apologise" Carla says gently before forming a plan in her head "I'll tell you what we'll do, we're going to go upstairs and get dressed into our pyjamas and bring the duvet down here and cuddle together with Hayley"
"I'd like that" Peter says as Carla nods getting up and picking Hayley up so she was on her hip before passing her to Peter "She gives me so much comfort it's unreal"
"That's what she's there for" Carla whispers as they all go up the stairs and dress into their pyjamas "We could just cuddle in bed if you want?"
"Yeah I'd like that" Peter admits as Carla grabs her nightgown and undresses chucking it on as Peter puts his pyjama's on as Carla takes Hayley into her room to get her changed into her pyjama's as well as picking up a couple of toys for her returning to find Peter finding a film for them to watch
"Do you want to cuddle daddy princess?" Carla questions as Hayley crawls over to Peter to snuggle with him as Carla pulls the duvet over all of them "What are we watching then?"
"I kind of just want to talk," Peter says quietly as Carla turns to face him with Hayley sandwiched in the middle of them both "You know when we were kids-"
"Well, there is a decade between us baby…"
"Oi!" Peter replies with a laugh "My dad packed us off to Scotland, I always thought he didn't care and all that"
"Oh baby" Carla whispers running a hand through his hair
"Well when I was first introduced to Deirdre she was so kind and caring and just genuinely lovely and she accepted all my faults and I think I wished that if my dad didn't send me off to Scotland then maybe I wouldn't have all the problems I have now"
"Oh, Peter…" Carla trails off not really knowing what to say "You could look at it another way though…if all those things didn't happen you might not have had me and Hayley"
"I think I need to let the past go and look to the future…" Peter nods as Carla smiles at him knowing this was very unlike Peter unless he was about to drop some sort of bombshell.
"So…what do you want for the future?" Carla questions trying to tease information out of him as Peter sighs in response knowing that Carla could go two ways about his proposition.
"I want to get married to you again then I want to have a little honeymoon somewhere just us if someone could have Hayley for a few days"
"I have an idea" Carla beams as Peter narrows his eyebrows watching as Carla grabs her iPad "Where did you grow up in Scotland again? Glasgow wasn't it?"
"Yeah" Peter frowns as Carla gets up weekend breaks to Glasgow and handing Peter the tablet "Baby, you're a genius!"
"Exactly" Carla nods as Hayley releases her grip on Carla's nightgown "Oh…she's asleep. Do you want me to move her?"
"Yeah, there's something else I wanted to talk to you about" Peter smiles as Carla grins at him lifting Hayley up into her arms and taking her into her bedroom, bumping into Simon who had come home for Hayley's party.
"Ah, Si…" Carla trails off "We have something to tell you, your dad's in the bedroom"
"Right…" Simon trails off heading into the bedroom as Carla places Hayley in her cot before returning to see that Simon was in tears.
"I know it's a shock," Peter says wiping his son's tears "Come here," he says as Simon falls into his embrace "Me and Carla are here for you whatever you need"
"I just want some time alone," Simon says gently as Peter nods allowing him to go into his room.
"He'll be fine, he just needs some time to process it," Carla says carefully as Peter nods bringing her in for a hug "You wanted to talk to me?"
"You know earlier when we were opening Hayley's presents?"
"Yeah?"
"You said something along the lines of 'this one's going to take after you' it wasn't just a figure of speech was it?"
"Ok I'm going, to be honest with you but I don't want you to get your hopes up ok?"
"Hmm, why don't I like the sound of this…"
"I'm a little bit late y'know and there is a possibility that I could be pregnant but I'm not late enough to feel as though I'm ready to take a test…if that makes sense?" Carla chuckles as Peter smiles at her wondering if she was pregnant "I don't feel any different either and the first few weeks with Hayley, well the only weeks I remember with Hayley, I had headaches and I just felt a lack of appetite for anything and a bit nauseous so I really don't think I am but you've been warned"
"Well, whatever happens, we'll face it together…"
"Yeah, now can we please watch a movie as I'm very bored" Carla pouts her lips as Peter nods slowly at her grabbing the remote and handing it to her so she could put a movie on leaving Peter somewhat anxious and excited about the future and at the prospect of Carla being pregnant even if it was too soon for him…