"Woah," he says feeling her body jolt up from the bed and the duvet immediately ripped from his body
"Sorry" she rubs her forehead, he sighs and gently places his hand on her leg, she immediately seeks his comfort
"What happened?"
"Bad dream" she whispers resting her head on his chest "I'll be ok"
He could tell she wasn't, he could tell she was highly anxious about something and the way she was trembling ever so slightly in his arms confirmed to him that it was probably about today as they were going to see the baby for the first time. Peter really didnt want her to be tired and miserable for this occasion to he tried to lull her back to sleep but Carla wasn't having any of it as she was just highly anxious. At least she wasn't working today and she had the day off so they could relax after going to the hospital and if Peter was honest he was grateful for that.
"You're obviously not going to sleep are you?" he questions with a small smile, Carla sighs and nods before sliding out of bed and heading into the bathroom, Peter goes downstairs to make her something small to eat
"What's all this?" she questions with a small smile, Peter passes her a bowl of porridge glazed over in honey and a bit of chocolate sauce "You're getting used to understanding that I'm in love with sweet things"
"Yeah well maybe I'm hoping the more I stuff you up with sweet things the outcome of your mood might be nicer" he smirks, she gasps and whacks him before eating her porridge "You can speak to me if you're nervous you know"
"I am nervous" she nods in confirmation "But I just want to get through it and try and enjoy it. I'm also sorry for waking you up it was just another pesky dream"
"It's ok sweetheart I understand" he responds softly standing behind her and draping his arms around her body and rubbing her tummy gently "We'll see this little one and everything will be ok, we'll be meeting them in however many months time and it will all be fine"
"Yeah I hope so"
"Here," he says passing her a glass of orange juice "It's from that vegan organic shop I thought it would give you a little vitamin boost"
"Thanks" she flashes him a smile as she drinks it before letting out a yawn and resting her head on the table, Peter sigh and bends down beside her "What if it's not ok?"
"We don't know anything yet," he says quietly kissing her on the forehead, "Whatever happens I'll be there, you know that right?"
"I know and thank you for that baby," she says quietly before sighing "I best get ready"
"Do you need any help?"
"Peter I think I'm more than capable of putting some clothes on" she giggles hooking her arms around his neck and kissing him softly on the lips
"Go on then" he says smacking her arse, she smirks suggestively at him before sauntering upstairs allowing him to clear breakfast away...
Soon the time came to when they needed to leave and go to the hospital. In a way Peter wished he could drive her there as she was sniping and getting angry at every single motorist on the road because she was taking her anxiety out on everyone. Peter found it quite funny how the littlest things riled her up entirely but they eventually got to their destination early leaving Carla even more anxious down to the wait. The maternity room was quiet and Carla kept whispering to him how she felt so out of place as she was the eldest one here but Peter assured her that everyone was here for the same reasons and that they wouldn't judge her, it still didnt make her feel entirely calm though. As the time went on the scan was late and Carla was getting irritable, she had shredded through two plastic cups whilst she was there and Peter just sighed knowing this was not good for her stress levels. Soon she was called in and was taken through all the general health checks before preparing for the scan.
"Ok Carla if you could sit up on here for me"
"Sure," she says quietly feeling very apprehensive, she shifts her jumper up and bites her lip looking straight ahead so Peter takes her hand "Is there anything that's likely to go wrong..."
"Well considering your age and your medical history we may need to take further precautions and run certain tests an example of this might be checking to see if the baby has downs syndrome"
"Ok" Carla breathes out "This is all very overwhelming, I've been in this position before and...yeah"
"I understand" the midwife smiles preparing the probe "Are you ok for me to continue?"
"Yeah" Carla nods with a small smile, she takes Peter's hand and breathes out holding it tightly as an image is displayed on the screen
"Here" the midwife smiles pointing at the screen "This black blob here is the sac and this white blob here is the baby"
"It's ok?" Carla questions in anticipation looking at the midwife, she just needed to know now
"Everything looks perfect," the midwife says quietly with a small smile "So far that is. I'm guessing your GP provider has told you about all the problems that could occur because of your medical history"
"Yeah about the possibility of not being able to carry to full-term" she whispers with a small smile "The aim right now is to make sure I get as far as I can"
"That's a good view" Peter smiles looking at the screen, the midwife takes a photo for them both "So is there anything we need to worry about?"
"Not right now, we will want to see you in just over a month as you're around seven weeks right now," the midwife says gently "We'll take measurements at that point and do the other tests as well, an appointment with your kidney doctor should also come in the post within a couple of days so we can check your kidney as well but other than all of that everything looks really good right now"
"So there's nothing to worry about yet?" Carla confirms
"Nothing right now, no. Your blood pressure is good and the baby's heartrate looks perfect so I'm not concerned about anything and the baby is due early January"
"When can we find out the gender?" Peter questions with a grin, Carla rolls her eyes knowing he was so desperate to find out what they were having
"At the twenty-week anatomy scan" the midwife smiles, Carla nods before laughing slightly at Peter's disappointed expression "The time will soon fly by"
"Yeah," Carla says softly looking at the screen, the midwife passes her the photo of their baby "So this is actually happening"
"Yep" Peter grins at her, Carla laughs slightly shaking her head in disbelief as she wipes the gel away from her belly before sitting up "We're going to be parents Car, I just know it"
They went home overjoyed with the news that the baby was doing well. Carla had internal concerns about the whole thing that she felt stupid expressing to Peter about them but now she knew the baby was ok and growing well on track with a healthy heart beat she was able to just let loose a little and start to enjoy the pregnancy a little more. Peter knew it would take time, maybe even to the extent of reaching the twenty week scan until she felt a lot calmer about everything and until she trusted her body to keep this baby and he would fully support her with all of that. As soon as they got in the house, Carla took the photo and sat on the sofa admiring it closely with one hand on her tummy as she smiled softly down at the blobs in front of her.
"Here," he says quietly passing her a glass of water, she smiles as he sits down next to her "That's our little baby Car"
"I know," she says shaking her head in disbelief, when it's this small you don't think its actually there but now I know it's there it makes everything seem a little more real and...this is our future you know, a future I want so badly even more so seeing these two blobs on the screen"
"Come here" he whispers lying on the sofa, she wedges herself beside him draping her leg over his body, he strokes her hair "I love you and I love this baby"
"I love you and I love this baby so much as well," she says softly allowing Peter's hand to rest on the skin of her tummy, she pushes it away "Sorry"
"No I get the message," he says gently into her head, she nods with a small smile "What so you reckon it'll be?"
"No clue we cant really justify it as it just looks like a couple of blobs" she laughs slightly closing her eyes "I love it though, more than the world"
"Hm, what about me?"
"I love you equally" she whispers kissing him on the forehead, he lets out a yawn "Hmm tired are we, baby? Sorry if my tossing and turning kept you up last night"
"It's ok love, you were anxious and I completely understand," he says into her head, she hums and nods "You must be tired as well?"
"Yeah I am but I don't really want to sleep"
"That's fine we can just cuddle if that's what you need," he says into her head, she nods and yawns like him
"Your yawns are contagious baby" she yawns once more grabbing the blanket and pulling it over their bodies, she nuzzles into his chest breathing in the scent of his aftershave "Anyone would think you were trying to impress the midwife with the smell of your aftershave"
"Oi" he pokes her on the head, she giggles slightly looking at the picture of their baby "I have you know I put that on because I didnt have time for a shower this morning because I was babysitting the mother of my child making sure she was well fed before her midwife appointment"
"Oh baby" she coos playfully "It does smell good though, it gives off a musky sexy vibe, it's making me very flustered actually"
"Is it?" he muses with a laugh, she pouts her lips "Oh no we don't we're shattered baby"
"But-"
"No buts" he presses a finger to her lips, she bites his finger playfully "Oi stop that"
"No" she giggles cupping his cheek and kissing him on the lips "Do you want to share a bath with me?"
"That does sound good" he hums gently, she beams and kisses him once more "I'll go up and run it for us"
"I'm coming too" she grins getting up and heading upstairs with Peter, he rolls his eyes at how clingy she was but he didnt mind, in a way he liked her being like this instead of distant and in her own head...
They had a bath, well the bathroom floor ended up rather drenched with what they were doing in the bath. Peter was playfully ribbing her and she was giving as good as she got with tickling him and he was tickling her back causing the water to flood the bathroom floor. Soon that turned into a passionate embrace and they just started kissing and making out in the warmth of the bath water enjoying their naked forms pressed against each other. That heated up rather quickly and Peter showed Carla how much he loved her and she immediately collapsed against his body as soon as it was over breathing heavily and panting against his damp skin.
"Mmm baby" he whispers into her ear as her clammy body rests against his, he lifts her leg up so she was more comfortable "That was amazing"
"Yeah I needed that," she says quietly into his lips, she yawns and kisses his chest "I can't believe the baby's due around new year, the best start to a new year eh?"
"Yeah," he says quietly into her head, he places his hand over her tummy and she allows him to do it this time "It'll be ok"
"Yeah it'll probably come out being scared of sex poor thing" she chuckles, he laughs gently kissing her on the head "Either way they will be so loved"
"They will" he nods with a grin, "Go on what do you think it is"
"Not saying" she shakes her head with a laugh, he pouts his lips "We'll find out at the twenty week scan if you're do desperate to find out. I don't care whether its a boy or a girl I just want them to be healthy right now and that will always be the end goal for me"
"Yeah I just like to annoy you"
"Never would have guessed that baby" she pokes him on the cheek "We should get out of this bath"
"Yeah? There isn't really much water left in the tub is there"
"Well things did get kind of...passionate?" she shrugs before stepping out of the bath being careful not to slip, he gets out as well and they both stand naked in front of the full-length mirror, she turns to the side and sighs slightly tilting her head slightly
"Oh wow" he whispers as she turns to the side, he reaches out to place his hand on her tummy, he bends down and kisses it "Hey little one"
"Go any lower we'll be getting back in that bath" she giggles biting her lip, he looks up at her and rolls his eyes
"Every little day they're going to start to get that little bit bigger and stronger and we're going to watch them grow inside of you, feel them move and those movements will get stronger and we'll be sitting in the sun every evening doing kick counts, we'll be spending our first Christmas together married before they get here and we'll just be happy with Simon if he's back and it will be perfect"
"Yeah, it will" Peter nods kissing her on the lips softly, he holds her close "We'll be just fine I know it"
The next couple of days were really good, Carla had the energy to go to work so she did that for a couple of days whilst Peter lounged around the house not really knowing what to do with himself as he was still very much in his recovery period. He decided he would do a shift on the switch at Streetcars today as Carla was going into work, this meant she could also drive him there so he didnt have to take the walk as she was going in that direction. Carla wanted to be supportive but Peter was just sure she was clingy as she had been ever since the scan, she was literally unable to leave his side and constantly craved attention and amusements so in a way that occupied his mind as well.
"Be good and look after him" Carla points at Steve with a glare, he bites his lip "I mean it if I find out you've been annoying him you will have to deal with me"
"Yeah he will be fine" Steve assures her, she offers one last grin before bending down and pecking Peter on the lips
"Be good both of you" she looks between them both with their sheepish looks "I'll be back to check on you both at lunch"
"You're not our babysitter" Steve scoffs before noticing the glare Carla was giving "Ok we'll see you at lunch"
"Bye" she waves before leaving the cab office, Peter glances at Steve who was chewing a toothpick
"What?" Peter questions, Steve raises his eyebrows nodding towards the door
"What's her problem?"
"She just cares about my recover that's all, doesn't want me overdoing it" he shrugs picking up the paper and skimming through it "Why?"
"Nah there's something different about her and I can't put my finger on it," Steve says shaking his head, Peter rolls his eyes "Anyway how are you, Peter?"
"Fine" he drones knowing this was going to be a long day "Carla keeps me entertained enough when she is at home"
"I don't even want to know" Steve pulls a face, Peter rolls his eyes and places the paper down before sitting at the switch "We'll have so much fun today"
"Such a joy" he mutters somewhat wishing he was home with Carla...
Carla worked through the morning trying her best not to bicker with Sarah, she had a headache and she tried to push through it before it overtook her body but she just had to shut her laptop as she felt rather dizzy all of a sudden so she picked up her water and took great gulps of it. Luckily it was almost lunch so she started picking at the meal she put together and that made her feel a little better but she just couldn't shift this headache and really wanted to go home as she didnt feel great. She didnt know why she always felt sick going into work and ending up with a headache but she guessed it was because Underworld was so brightly coloured now and looking at a computer screen was doing her head in. Peter arrived at lunchtime and Sarah went off for her lunch causing Carla to rest her head on her desk.
"Hey?" he questions bending down beside her, she closes her eyes "What's up?"
"Headache and before you ask if I've had enough water" she raises her bottle up in the air, Peter pouts his lips "I just want to go home"
"I know you do" he squeezes her hand "Any other dastardly pregnancy symptoms?"
"Dizziness, I've been to the loo three times already today and I thought that was only meant to happen when the baby was using my bladder as a squeeze toy and kicking it"
"Maybe because you've drunk all of this?" he suggests, she groans in response "How about I get you away from this place for lunch?"
"That sounds good" she nods with a grin grabbing her bag and putting it onto her shoulder, she links her arm through his and they head to Roy's "Oh you are treating me baby"
"I intend to" he smirks as they enter, she grabs a table whilst Roy orders them both some food "He's going to bring it over"
"Good" she breathes out shifting over to the wall, he places a hand on her leg and she rests her head on his shoulder "How was your day?"
"Yeah it was ok but it's really not what I want to be doing anymore but then again it distracts me"
"I know baby" she kisses him softly on the cheek, Roy walks over and places their food down
"I couldn't help but overhear you are looking for something to do Peter?"
"Uh well yeah I guess" he looks at Carla who was trying to suppress her laughter "Any ideas then Roy?"
"Well it's not an idea as such its a mere suggestion considering your circumstances"
"Just spit it out Roy" Carla chuckles picking up her BLT and taking a bite, Peter squeezes her leg forcefully to shut her up
"Word on the street is that Simon and Leanne are back" Roy informs Peter and Carla who grips onto Peter's hand to keep him there knowing he would go off on one "I am not usually one to listen to idle gossip but I thought it was worth mentioning considering you have been living your lives"
"When did he get back?" Peter questions, Roy just sighs wondering if he had done the right thing
"Late last night" Roy informs him before leaving them to it
"I need to see him-"
"You need to eat that first" Carla points "You'll be no used to Simon if you go there all hangry and het up"
"But he will need me, Carla"
"I know that baby but you need to eat this first then we can go together yeah?" she suggests knowing she needed to be there to keep him calm as he would most likely go off the rails
"Fine" he mutters picking up the sandwich sulkily and eating it, of course, Leanne enters the café causing Carla to groan knowing it was probably about to kick-off
"Where's my son then?"
"Peter" Carla sighs in annoyance flashing an apologetic look at Leanne who sits down in front of them
"He's at Gail's with Nick" she hisses, Peter rolls his eyes "He doesn't want to see you otherwise he would have been in contact by now wouldn't he and I'm not going to sit there and force him am I?"
"Is this a joke?" Carla questions before taking another massive bite out of her sandwich that Peter ordered in the size large causing weird and suspicious looks from Leanne "What?"
"You usually go with a more healthier option for lunch"
"I was hungry" Carla defends herself and Peter knew she was about to snap, "Anyway this is about Simon not my eating habits"
"Look I'm sorry I can't force him"
"And we know that but whenever he's ready Peter will be there won't you Peter?" Carla prompts, Peter rolls his eyes and nods begrudgingly "Ok that's that sorted"
"I'm sorry" Leanne sighs going to the counter and ordering a takeaway coffee and leaving the café
"He'll come around" Carla squeezes Peter's leg before stealing one of his sandwiches and eating it he pulls a face
"Oi I wanted that"
"Well I'm sorry to break it to your darlin' but my needs are greater than yours" she whispers into his eat before pecking him on the cheek "Love ya"
"Hmm, I love you too...I suppose"
"Hey!"
Carla went back to work and Peter did as well to keep his mind distracted. She did her best to work and soon enough she finished before schedule causing another set of dirty looks from Sarah so she just decided to get out of there. Peter was still working so Carla decided to go for a walk to stretch her legs a little as she was a bit fed up with her body being so achy and she wanted to make the most of being able to walk instead of waddle. She took a breather outside Audrey's just to sit and relax for a bit and that's when Simon approached her, Carla raised her eyebrows as he sat down beside her.
"Come on then why don't you want to see your dad?" she rolls her eyes putting an arm around his shoulders and playfully ruffling his hair
"I just feel guilty for not being there for him and I don't want him to resent me"
"He doesn't resent you Si," Carla says quietly "He's doing much better now, he's actually doing a shift on the switch at Streetcars"
"Really? I thought he would be milking this recovery"
"Ha, yeah he wasn't surprisingly" she hums "But yeah he's doing really well. He doesn't want to pressurise you though but he would really like to see you"
"Won't it be awkward though?"
"How do you mean?"
"Well...oh I don't know"
"It won't be, I'll come with you if you want? We were actually on our way home now as I have to drive"
"Sarah said you had a house" Simon shrugs, Carla nods
"There's even a bedroom for you if you want it?" she smirks nudging him in the side "What do you think? Come on why don't you come back with me and him now then we can order in for tonight saves us having to cook?"
"It does sound tempting" he admits with a small smile until he clocks Peter who smiles at the sight of his son and his wife
"Come here" Peter beams as Simon hugs Peter, Carla laughs at the roughhousing Peter gives him "Its good to see you son"
"You too I just thought it would be awkward"
"Never" Peter shakes his head with a grin before hugging his son again
"I was thinking we could maybe order in tonight, Si can see the new house maybe pick some bits out for his room if he wants a room, no pressure at all from us"
"Yeah, no pressure" Peter confirms looking at Simon "What do you say then, son?"
"Ok" Simon nods as Carla grabs her car keys before walking off to her car Simon and Peter talking behind her about everything as she unlocks it and pulls the seat forward
"In you get as you're the youngest," Carla says, Simon rolls his eyes and gets in the back, Carla gets in the driving seat and Peter in the passenger seat
"How have you coped with her driving you everywhere dad? Her road rage is terrible"
"Wind your neck in," Carla says looking into the rear-view mirror before swearing at the fact she hit the curb
"Told you" Simon mutters, Peter just laughs causing a glare from Carla but secretly she was happy as Peter and Simon were finally reunited and they could be a family, the next thing would be telling Simon about the baby and she was unsure how he would take it but either way they eventual happiness could be possible, she was sure of it...
They got in and Carla scarpered around to hide the ultrasound picture so she put it in her bag where Simon wouldn't look. Peter then spoke with Simon in the garden and Carla decided to leave them to it knowing they needed this time together to talk about everything so she obtained the takeaway menus circling everything that she wanted until she realised she would probably make it really obvious to Simon that something was going on with her. Whilst Peter suggested Simon went upstairs to see which one of the bedrooms he wanted he leant against the kitchen counter with Carla who was biting her lip and looking rather sheepish.
"What?"
"Um" she passes him the takeaway menu, he rolls his eyes "I'm hungry!"
"Well have fun explaining that" he chuckles slightly, she pouts her lip "You don't want to tell him do you?"
"It would make it easy if he wanted to stay-"
"Tell me what?" Simon comes down from the staircase, Peter grabs the can of coke from the fridge and pours him a glass "Has something happened?"
"Um" Carla falters looking at Peter then looking down at the takeaway menu "Your dad will tell you"
"Ey!?" Peter exclaims, she shrugs going to sit on the sofa, she curls up against the arm of it
"So?" Simon persists picking up the takeaway menu "Oh Carla's pregnant then"
"What?" Peter frowns, Simon laughs slightly
"I remember mum with Oliver, she always wanted anchovies on her pizza" Simon shrugs "I won't tell anyone"
"How?" she questions with her eyebrows raised before sliding off the sofa "At least I can order weird stuff with you here and eat weird things"
"You're weird anyway" Simon smirks, Carla whacks him with a cushion "Oi!"
"You're annoying"
"Well you're even more annoying"
"Measly comeback" she grins before groaning "Can we order I'm starving?"
"You had a large BLT from Roy's and one of my sandwiches that you rudely stole" Peter points out circling the pizza he wanted
"I'm growing your child and Simon's half-sibling give me a break" she drones, Simon sniggers looking at his father's expression "Here Si"
"What?" he questions as Carla appears with the ultrasound photo "Woah its two blobs congrats you'll be birthing Mr Blobby"
"You're going to get a slap!" Carla snaps raising her hand, Peter holds her back glancing at Simon who had his eyebrows raised
"Yeah I'll leave you to deal with that whilst I pick out a movie" Simon rolls his eyes heading over to the sofa, Carla follows him determined to wind him up
"Nothing too gory, nothing too scary and nothing too sad or romantic"
"Oh for gods sakes" Simon mutters as Peter rings the pizza delivery "This one?"
"Not Jurassic Park" she drones "Too gory"
"There's barely any gore in that" Simon rolls his eyes as Peter sits down with Carla who curls up on his lap "Ok well...um"
"Fifty shades" Carla confirms, Peter and Simon pull a face "Mind you we don't need a rerun of yesterday's bathtub extravaganza"
"Too much information" Simon grimaces before sighing and giving up "You can find something"
"Cheers" Carla grins biting her lip and rummages through the movies, Peter adjusts her in his arms before letting her lie between his legs "Fine we can watch Jurassic Park"
"And we wasted how many minutes deciding?" Simon sighs in exasperation, Carla pouts her lips and lies comfortably on Peter's chest
"Look Si you have to promise to tell no one about this baby ok?" Peter reasons, Simon sighs dramatically "It's just we don't want it to get out until, well, Carla's too big to hide"
"It's fine" Simon smiles "I kept drug dealing a secret for ages didn't I?"
"I guess he has a point" Carla mutters before noticing Peter's look "But drug dealing isn't right"
"You two are so weird" he laughs slightly as the doorbell goes off, Peter passes him a couple of twenty-pound notes "We wouldn't want Carla to break a nail I suppose or cry because she's been separated so yes I will get the pizzas"
"That reminds me I need another manicure" she gasps in realisation, Peter rolls his eyes as Simon returns with the pizzas and change
"Wouldn't expect anything less from you love" he kisses her on the head "Let's dig into these before they get cold then we can watch this movie"
"Sounds perfect" Carla grins grabbing her pizza, Peter kisses her one last time on the forehead before sharing a look with Simon knowing it was going to be a long night...