The release of Peter's disgruntled and highly frustrated groan filled the room as Carla broke the kiss before stepping backwards just beyond his reach but it didn't take long for him to close the gap, obeying the alluring wave of her finger as she beckoned for him to follow on the short journey to the sofa. His gaze constantly flickered between the amused smirk on her face and the thin, revealing garment gracing her body, still partly shrouded by the jacket. Moving both hands to brush over her shoulders he made quick work of removing it, allowing it to drop to the floor so he could fully appreciate her appearance.

He wasn't sure whether the sudden dizziness he felt was a symptom of his current condition or if it had been caused by the sight of her adorning the sexiest lingerie he had ever seen, forcing him into an immediate state of heightened arousal. Either way, he wasn't about to let it hinder his desires.

Stopping the moment she felt her calves press against the cushion of the sofa she lowered herself to sit, both hands gripping to his upper arms encouraging him to follow, to which he happily obliged. With a knee situated between her legs he leaned forward, raising a hand to gently cup the back of her head before brushing his unshaven cheek against the velvet smoothness of hers.

A soft moan caught at the back of her throat as his lips graced her neck, the warmth of his breath tickling her skin and setting her entire body alight with desire. His affections continued as he peppered a trail of soft, tender kisses along her collarbone, working his way over every inch of her skin adding the occasional sweep of his tongue.

Both hands stroked over the laced fabric concealing her breasts, gently kneading the hidden fleshy mounds within his palms and revelling at the array of vocals each of his actions evoked from her, the crotch of his jeans becoming increasingly tighter as his want and need for her grew.

Pulling at the cup of the bra he hummed delightedly at the sudden reveal of her breast, wasting no time in lunging forward to capture her nipple between his lips, sucking it firmly into his mouth and holding it taut as the tip of his tongue eagerly lathed it, his hand unrelenting in providing the other with attention at the same time, tweaking and rolling the point of her nipple between his finger and thumb, satisfied at the feel of it hardening beneath his touch.

After the effortless removal of his jumper Carla's hands grasped at his jeans, her fingers hooking just beneath the waistband to give him a sharp tug, bringing him closer to her before fumbling fingers worked at undoing the button and zip, soon shoving them down. Her eyes widened ever so slightly, a soft purr resounding within the confines of her chest at the vision before her, his arousal unmistakable beneath the fabric restraint of his boxers.

She wanted him, needed him, and judging by the look on his face the feeling was completely mutual. Her eyes danced over the tattoos littering his skin and the bulging of his muscles which, even in his weakened state, were as prominent as ever. Snaking both arms around him she sank her nails into the flesh of his back, desperate to feel his skin against hers.

As much as he wanted to comply and give in to what the two of them craved he had other ideas, prompting him to release the gentle clamp of her nipple and move away, slowly dropping to his knees on the ground in front of her.

He stifled a soft chuckle at the groan of annoyance she let out before brushing his palms over the tops of her thighs and parted her legs to slot himself in between them, looking up at her in complete awe with a glint of mischief in his eyes, reassuring her that she wouldn't have to wait much longer for her desires to be sated.

He gently gripped at her hips with both hands, fingers splayed out over her skin before pushing down upon the waistband of the thong prompting her to settle back against the sofa with a relaxed sigh, her chest lightly heaving in response to his actions, cheeks reddening as the temperature of her body seemed to soar.

"Oh baby," she murmured as he leaned closer once more and feathered soft kisses over her abdomen. Her back arched ever so slightly as his lips trailed lower, achingly close to where she craved attention before he pulled her thong down her legs and carelessly tossed it aside. "I've missed you, I've missed us..."

"Me too baby. God, you're beautiful..." His gaze danced over her body, admiring every inch of her; her curves, her satin-smooth skin, even the faint remnants of her scars enough to take his breath away. He still couldn't quite believe she was married to him, that after everything he'd put her through and everything they were going through she still wanted him, just as much now as she did when they first got together; perhaps even more so.

He dipped his head further to grace her inner thigh with his lips, the gentle touch against her skin sending shockwaves of pleasure through her entire body and she found herself unable to think about anything other than him. Her heart began to pound within her chest, already finding herself in a slightly breathless state. Soft hums and purrs emitted her throat as he continued his slew of affectionate kisses, his tongue occasionally brushing against her skin and causing her to become increasingly restless, the torture of anticipation taking its toll.

"Oh, Peter... baby, I—"

A deep guttural moan soon escaped her parted lips as the tip of his tongue pressed against her clit, the sudden intimate touch forcing her eyes shut and her hips to arch forwards, closer to him and encouraging him to continue. He simply smirked in response, relishing the way the slightest touch from him could elicit such sweet sounds and sudden jerks, begging him for more without the need for words.

And with that, he gave in completely, the desire to drive his wife into a state of complete sated ruin being his only goal, one that he was certain he could achieve as he always had done before. His tongue began fluttering effortlessly against her clit, each hit prompting a series of soft moans and whimpers to flow from her mouth, her body squirming beneath the tight grip of his hands, holding her in place as the pleasurable assault of his tongue continued.

He circled her clit with his tongue, taking his time in slowly sweeping over it before delivering a quick succession of darted hits. He gave it a gentle suck, enveloping it between his lips, attentively lathing over it, even gently grazing it with his teeth as he slid two fingers inside her without warning, the deafening moan that followed forcing a smug grin to stretch across his features.

His actions sent her spiralling, a sharp surge of electricity shooting throughout her entire body and hitting every nerve ending. She rest the back of her hand against her forehead, the other hand clawing for a nearby cushion to grip onto, toes already beginning to curl in response to his relentless staccato of hits combined with the pump of his fingers, curling inside her, pressing firmly against her walls and hitting his intended spot every single time.

The sensation of his unshaven face brushing against her elicited a giggle laced with a deep moan at the current onslaught of pleasure she was being subjected to, lowering her hands to slide her fingers through his messy hair and giving it a playful tug as the pleasure ripped through her body, driving her closer to the brink of releasing.

Her walls began to clamp around his fingers as her stomach tightened with her impending climax, her toes clenched as tightly as possible as her hips involuntarily bucked forward, pushing herself closer to him.

"Come, baby. Come for me."

The gruff demanding tone of his voice was more than enough to push her straight over the edge if it hadn't been for the sudden removal of his fingers from inside her, her body collapsing against the sofa with a groan of deep frustration as he ripped away the moment she had building towards. The replacement, however, proved to be even better, causing a squeal of delight to quickly drown out the brief moment of disappointment.

He thrust his tongue deep inside her with a hungry groan whilst grasping at her thighs, relishing the taste of her, the tip of his nose pressed firmly against her clit as his vocal response caused vibrations to tingle through her. And just like that she was catapulted into a state of complete euphoria, each and every muscle in her body tightening as the full force of her orgasm swept through her like a tidal wave.

Her back arched off the sofa and his name left her lips in loud, breathless moans. She felt the removal of his tongue as it flattened against the pulsating sensitivity of her clit before lowering to brush over every inch of her vagina, tasting her, adorning her with his display of affection whilst lapping at her juices.

He couldn't help but hum in satisfaction, watching as his wife's body twitched and squirmed upon the sofa, riding out the full force of her orgasm and prompting his arousal to stir further.

Turning his head he pressed a tender barrage of kisses to her inner thigh, feeling her muscles tremble beneath the loosened grip of his hand, before slowly working his way back up her body. Upon reaching her chest he playfully dipped his head and caught an erect nipple between his teeth, thrashing his head in the most gentle manner.

She moaned out softly as the sensation reignited the fading feelings of pleasure and desire inside her. She could feel his hardening length pressing against her thigh, trapped behind the thin fabric of his boxers, as his lips moved back to plant a soft kiss upon hers, allowing her to taste herself on him.

She lifted a weakened leg to hook over his waist before reaching between their bodies to push down his boxers, trailing her tongue over her lower lip and beaming with desire as his erection sprung free. She gripped him within her palm, closing her fingers around his girth before gliding her hand over his length in a slow but deep motion, feeling a thrill run through her when he moaned her name and nipped at the sweet spot on her neck.

Her expression suddenly softened as she clocked on to the state of his slightly haggard breathing, despite being completely lost in the heat of the moment she hadn't forgotten just how fragile his health was and how quickly he could take a turn for the worse and so she proceeded with caution, his well-being more of a priority than her urges.

"You alright darlin'? We can stop, we don't—"

"I want you Carla, now."

Peter had no intention of stopping and despite her worries, the certainty and determination of his tone was reassurance enough to settle her mind. The sheer intensity of his need for her caused his body to ache, cutting close to desperation.

"Well, in that case..." Without warning she released the grip on his length and pushed both hands against his broad shoulders, knocking him back onto the floor with a soft giggle emitting her throat, still studying him carefully for any sign that he might be struggling. She lifted herself off the sofa and joined him on the floor, pushing him once again until he was lying flat on his back with her straddling him, seated just above his crotch. Leaning forward she gently nuzzled her cheek against his, releasing a soft gasp as her lips neared his ear before whispering. "I'll be gentle."

The low, sultry tone of her voice caused him to release a breathy groan, the tantalising prolonging of the inevitable setting his body alight, his heart rate soon becoming rapid as it pounded against his rib cage. She reached just behind her, once again taking his length within the gentle grip of her palm before lifting herself onto her knees and shuffling back just enough to assume her position over his crotch. With one final smirk dripping in unquenched lust she slowly lowered herself onto him until every inch of his hardened length had been enveloped by her.

She was the first to make a noise, the moment the tip of his length pushed between her lips to delve inside her it was as if every problem that had been plaguing them recently, every deep-rooted concern had suddenly ceased to exist. A deep grunt of pleasure sounded from the very pit of his stomach at the sensation that surged through his length, into his groin, and dispersed throughout every muscle in his body. At last, they were able to consummate their marriage and although their chosen venue wasn't exactly ideal he couldn't deny that it simply added to the exhilaration of the moment.

Holding her position firmly pressed down against him for just a moment she soon began to slowly grind against him, rocking her hips forward and gasping at the feel of him buried deep inside her before easing back. She moved both hands to press against his belly, smoothing her palms upwards to settle upon his chest and allowing them to remain there as she deepened the force of her stride, picking up the pace as soon as she was assured he was comfortable.

Peter reached out and tightly gripped her hips, aiding with each gentle rock whilst occasionally tugging at her. His eyes flickered shut and his mouth draped open, responding to each motion with a highly satisfied groan, summoning enough strength to lift his hips each time she swayed forward, pushing himself as deep as he possibly could and inciting a gasped moan to catch in her throat.

She leaned forward as the need to be closer to him became overpowering and he responded by taking her face between his hands, kissing her deeply. His tongue was passionate and desperately hungry as it delved between her lips to meet with hers, rolling over it, frenetically flicking against it, savouring the tang of her that lingered on his tastebuds the moment it had broken.

He savoured each and every feeling she caused to awaken inside him, the lingering aches and pains that plagued his body no longer an issue as he focused his energy on her. He reacted to her touch with soft groans of delight, the muscles in his back contracting as he moved against the rough texture of the carpet below.

As she rest her cheek against his a series of moans and whimpers spilled from her mouth, the sound simply spurring him on, desperate to hear her scream his name. He wrapped both arms around her back, holding her tightly against him and revelling at the feel of her breasts squashed against his chest before channelling all of his built-up frustrations into her body and the desire to please her, holding her in place against him before suddenly bucking his hips upwards and pounding into her with as much strength as he could muster up. His thrusts were relentless, causing his steady rhythm of breathing to quickly lose control given the much faster pace he had set.

Carla had never been one to relinquish control of any situation and allow someone else to take charge, but when it came to sex Peter knew exactly what he was doing and she was more than happy to submit to him. She felt herself losing control as he filled her with every motion, her back arching and forcing her chest to press even harder against his as her cries became louder, higher-pitched, and laced with unspoken pleas for him not to stop.

"Oh, Peter! Yesss! I'm gonna—"

He seemed to lose himself completely, focused entirely on maintaining the rough pace he had set himself and succeeding despite any previous doubts where his stamina was concerned. Every muscle in her body began to tighten, the firm hold he had on her adding to the intensity of pleasure tearing through her, the both of them in a desperate race to experience the full force of sated desire in unison.

The walls of the room resounded with deep guttural moans, grunts, and whimpered cries, loud enough that they were certain they could be heard from the pub next door. Peter lost her after the shrill screech of his name, her cries becoming more and more unintelligible as she began to tighten around his length, panting for breath before her orgasm finally unleashed.

It was as if she was experiencing an explosion of colour for the very first time, her head suddenly spinning as a wave of splintering pleasure surged through her, forcing every muscle in her body to spasm uncontrollably, her limbs quivering as it took hold of her. She could do nothing but collapse onto Peter's heaving chest, clawing at his skin as they breathlessly rode out the full force of their exquisite climaxes together.

"How you feeling?"

The pair lay in a heap on the living room floor with his blanket draped over them, Peter having already taken pride in boasting about its usefulness now that they both needed it. Carla rest her head comfortably upon his chest, her finger delicately tracing small circles around his nipple before moving up to trail along his collarbone.

"I don't think I've ever felt better. You, are amazing..."

"Mm, you can talk. There's certainly nothing wrong with that part of ya anyway."

"Ha!" The day he fails me is the day I'll be begging for you to stick me in the ground, whether I'm well or not."

"Oh baby," Releasing a soft giggle she moved her hand to gently cup his bearded chin between her finger and thumb, brushing over it with an affectionate squeeze. "I love you so much, you know that? And I am so incredibly lucky to be your wife."

"Not half as lucky as I am to have you. I hit the jackpot the day I met you love, I really did... and I've been pinching meself ever since. I don't know what I did to deserve you."

"Oh hush, ya pillock." Closing the gap she craned her neck to press a tender kiss to his lips, breathing out a soft sigh of complete contentment before settling upon his chest once again. "Anyway we both hit the jackpot, didn't we? Got the rings to prove it."

Carla held her hand out in front of her, admiring the way all 18 carats of white gold delicately hugged her finger. Using her other hand she gently slipped it off, slowly rolling it, admiring it, before studying the engraving within the band. Peter watched her actions intently, unable to hide the wide grin that had stretched across his face upon catching a glimpse of the word she'd picked: always.

"Cheesy."

"Oi!" She playfully swatted his chest eliciting a chuckled groan from Peter who then took hold of the ring to place it back on her finger, raising her hand to his lips and pressing a tender kiss to her knuckles. "Might be cheesy but it's the truth. It's always been us, hasn't it? Right from the very start."

"Always will be."

"Ey, you never did get to finish your vows properly although I did tell ya it could wait and we just could just say what we needed over a brew. You were just too stubborn, weren't ya? Always have to be the one to get the last word in."

"Yeah, I know love but I wanted to do me best, savour the moment."

"You could always finish 'em now? Right here."

He couldn't resist the look of innocence upon her face, her deep green hues filled with hope and curiosity.

"It's not the same though, is it?"

"Course it is, it's better actually! This time it's only me that's gonna hear it." She prodded his chest with the tip of her finger, gently encouraging him as her intrigue piqued further. "Go on then, what did you think the first time you saw me?"

His lips stretched into a grin as he pondered the question, deciding to wind her up rather than jumping straight into admitting how he really had felt. "I thought 'now there's a train wreck I'm never getting involved with'."

"I'm serious, Peter!"

"Okay, alright," He raised a hand and brushed his fingers over his unkempt moustache, trying to recall the words he had desperately tried to tell her that day. "Honestly? I knew you were the one, even if I didn't wanna admit it to meself at the time but I knew."

"Now who's being cheesy?"

He playfully rolled his eyes in response, tilting his head just enough so that he could look at her, continuing in a solemn tone.

"You were the most beautiful woman I'd ever laid eyes on, you still are. And I know we didn't exactly get off to the best start, what with everything going on at the time but the only thing I was absolutely certain of was being there to hold your hand every step of the way. I wanted to look after ya, protect ya, be the reason for that daft grin on your mush every morning. I'd do it all again, a million times over, if it meant ending up here, with you as me wife. I know I've messed things up in the past and I haven't always put you first; I've taken ya for granted more times than I care to admit but that all changes now. No matter what happens, I am gonna spend every single second of every day making you as happy as what you make me and it'll probably take me a lifetime to do that but I can't think of a better way to spend it. You're everything to me, you're me whole world, the love of my life... you were then and you still are now."

Carla's eyes pricked with tears as she listened to the words she'd longed to hear her entire life. A sense of inner peace washed over her as she realised that any problems in their relationship, any obstacles that had once stood in their way were now irrelevant, completely insignificant. She knew it wouldn't always be easy but it would always be worth it. He made her feel so safe, so important, and at last, she was home.

She gave her head a gentle shake, emitting a soft laugh in an attempt to push back the emotion that had almost completely taken over her before meeting his gaze with the most genuine loving smile present upon her lips. "I love you, Peter Barlow."

"I love you too baby.

Their bodies remained tangled together on the floor, having finally recovered from their athletic exertions and simply enjoying the aftermath, making the most of every single second they had on their own, wishing it could last for eternity. She closed her eyes and relaxed against his skin, her hand trailing over his chest while his fingers got lost in her hair, the pads of his fingertips gently caressing her scalp before he finally spoke despite his hesitation to end the almost perfect moment.

"I'm gonna have to get a shift on pretty soon love. I've got a few more phone calls to make before I nip out, try to get round as many estate agents as I can."

With a sharp gasp, she bolted upright, leaning against his chest with a look of excitement adorning her features having finally remembered the other arrangements she had made earlier that day.

"Ooh! That reminds me, the second surprise! I might have another trick up my sleeve."

"Well, that is clever of ya, considering you've got bare arms."

She gently struck his chest with her hand before shifting her position to take a seat upon him, gazing down at him as a mischievous giggle emitted her throat in response to his groan given just how quickly she had moved to straddle him.

"The only thing is, you have to earn this one... aaand since we've still got a free house I thought we ought to make the most of it."

The suggestive smirk present on her face told him all he needed to know and if that hadn't been enough, the feel of her back arching to push her bum again his length had certainly made her intentions pretty clear.

"Again? Anyone would think you're actually trying to finish me off. At least give us a few minutes to recover properly first."

"Oh alright then, old man."

His mouth draped open with a gasp, eyes widening as a look of feigned shock took over his features, doing his best to stifle the chuckle that threatened to break free.

"Oi! Who're you calling old man?"

In one swift movement, he rolled her onto her back, gently pinning her to the ground as he assumed position over the top of her, comfortably slotting himself between her legs. She released a squeal of playful delight, attempting to break free from the firm hold he had on both wrists that were pressed down leaving her completely at his mercy.

Arching his hips forward he pressed himself against her, evoking a hummed sigh from her as the feel of his length brushing against her, teasing her, forcing her back into a state of longing desire.

He released the grip of her wrist, lowering a hand to grip onto his length as his arousal began to stir once more before penetrating her without any hesitation, a deep groan bellowing from the back of his throat as his length twitched sensitively inside her.

Her body practically lifted off the floor as she arched her back, not having expected the initiation of round two but happy to oblige, her desire and need for him proving to be insatiable.

She parted her legs as wide as possible, wrapping them tightly around his waist as his body began to ripple against hers, once against providing her with the mind-blowing pleasure she so often craved from him. He was, without a doubt, spectacular when it came to sex and he more than proved that to still be the case now, even with the minor inconvenience of liver failure attempting (and evidently failing) to hold him back.

The symphony of moans escaping them both echoed through the room along with the sound of their bodies colliding, the volume of which masking the creak of the door's hinges as it swung open and an unsuspecting visitor to enter the living room at the worst possible time, his greeting image being that of Peter's cheeks clenching tightly as he thrust into his wife.

"AHHHH! Me flippin' eyes!"

Carla perched herself upon the edge of the sofa, softly drumming her fingertips against her knee whilst wishing the ground would swallow her whole each time she felt Steve's burning gaze settle upon her. She was mortified. It was no surprise that Peter had seen the funny side to it and he looked rather proud that even with the state of his health he had succeeded in not only pleasuring his wife but attracting an audience too.

Within seconds of Steve's arrival, they found themselves ripped apart, desperately scrambling to retrieve whatever items of clothing they could to cover themselves, clinging to whatever shred of dignity that remained. She should have known the privacy would never last but given just how lost she was in the moment, how her only focus had been her husband, she had been completely ignorant to the idea of anyone interrupting them in the throes of passion.

After what felt like hours of awkward silence Steve was the first to speak, or rather make some sort of sound in an attempt to break the ice, emitting a stuttered grumble.

"Soooo... it's nice out today, isn't it?"

"Really? You wanna talk about the weather?" Peter retorted and Carla could have sworn he was somewhat disappointed by the fact Steve hadn't commented or even praised them on what he'd seen.

"Well, what else do you expect me to say?! I'm gonna need flippin' trauma counselling after that! What if I had been Amy, ey?"

"You weren't Amy though, were ya?"

"No, but I could have been! Imagine having to explain that one to Tracy!" Steve ran a hand through the thinning mass of hair, shaking his head in disbelief. "I need a sit down after that. Honestly, I'm scarred for life. I actually feel a bit sick."

"Alright, that's enough!" Carla raised her hands and played peacekeeper, not wanting the already awkward conversation to develop into some sort of boasting match as she saw the look of offence splayed across Perter's face, clearly ready to defend himself if need be. "Steve." Turning her head to look at him she searched his expression for some sort of explanation as to why he had arrived home so early and spoiled a perfectly good afternoon. "Is there a reason you're still stood there? 'Cause if you're hoping for an invitation or summat you can jog on."

Steve's eyes widened as he raised a hand to his chest, feigning deep offence at the absurdity of her insinuation before deciding to get straight to the point.

"Actually, yes. Yeah, I've uh, I've had a word with Tracy like you asked and, after a teensy tiny bit of arm twisting, she's onboard an' all. The place is yours if you still want it. I reckon ya might need it after that little performance, some privacy wouldn't go amiss..." Steve grimaced in disgust as he lowered his gaze to the same spot Carla and Peter had occupied just moments before, dramatically shuddering at the thought of what he had seen.

Completely ignoring his last remark and quickly recovering from the embarrassment Carla's face lit up as her hands met with an excited clap, prompting a look of pure confusion to settle upon Peter's features.

"Sorry, what's going on? What's yours love?"

"Well, that's the second surprise darlin'. Your lovely wife has just gone and got us a place of our own!"

"You're joking! What, already?

"Yes, already! There wasn't much point in hanging about, we can't exactly live out of your Dad's pocket forever, can we?" Carla sighed contently, a weight having been lifted off her shoulders at the news she'd been hoping for. Not only did they finally have a home to call their own but his recovery could take priority with his comfort being paramount. "We're gonna do things right this time like we should have done long ago. So, you're gonna get that transplant, you're gonna get better we're gonna be a proper family, just like ya wanted; you, me and Si."

"And what about a puppy?"

Releasing a groan she couldn't help but roll her eyes, having expected that subject to crop up again at some point. She had never been a huge lover of animals but as she saw the look upon his face, those big brown puppy dog eyes staring at her with hope, she knew she couldn't refuse his wishes any longer, especially after everything he had been through.

"As soon as you get back on your feet then we'll talk about it... maybe."

"Maybe's good enough for me, love."

A wide grin stretched across his face at the mere idea of settling down in a home of their own, puppy and all. Finally, things were starting to come together and even though he hadn't received the green light for a transplant yet, everything else falling into place felt like a huge relief to him, optimistic that his luck was turning.

"It's all working out, isn't it? What more could a bloke want, ey? I'm married to the love of me life, we're gonna have a nice little flat to settle down in and grow old together... all we need now's the—"

He was cut off mid-sentence by the sound of his phone ringing, a glance down at the screen telling him everything he needed to know about the incoming call. A soft gasp of surprise caught at the back of his throat, his expression softening as he continued to gaze at the screen, almost too afraid to answer the call.

"Peter? What is it darlin'?" Carla's tone remained soft with a hint of urgency as she edged forward on the sofa, desperately trying to read his expression and work out what had caused his sudden change in demeanour.

The slight look of shock slowly faded from his expression and was replaced by a faint smile as he lifted his head to meet Carla's gaze. That's when she saw it, that comfortingly familiar yet rare look of sincere hope in his eyes. With a barrage of uncertainty hanging over him like a dark cloud, he never seemed to have much to be hopeful for but there it was, as clear as day. He lifted the phone within his hand, preparing to answer the call before finally confirming Carla's suspicions, realising she'd be holding her breath in anticipation.

"It's the transplant centre."