"Nick, I will see you later, Michelle is going to kill me if I get there even later."

He was sitting on my kitchen stool, with me in between his legs, Nicks arms were resting around my waist and mine around his neck. Another kiss was initiated, and I found myself wrapped up in him again and unable to leave, not wanting to leave no matter how much grief my best friend would give me. It was her wedding day, I was supposed to be there over fifteen minutes again but every time I tried to leave, Nick would find a way to keep me here and I wasn't complaining. He spent the night last night which I knew was a bad idea but even now when I knew I needed to go, I couldn't, I was addicted to him. We were both too attached after I finally admitted that I loved him, and we both just wanted to be close to each other.

"You should get going."

The words were said against my lips, he moved back in so that we were kissing again, causing me to smile at his opposing words and actions.

"I need to get going."

Once again, the words were spoken with our lips not parting, the same actions repeated, and he smiled as we kissed again. I let this happen until my eyes fell to the clock on the wall and I pulled away in shock, time had seriously gotten away from me. I was now thirty minutes late and Michelle was literally going to kill me, I was a terrible friend. So, I moved quickly away from my boyfriend and grabbed my bag running out of the door as quickly as I could across the road, knowing that I left Nick smiling at my situation. As I raced into the back of the Rovers to see Michelle getting her hair done, she scowled as she saw me and looked to be readying herself to give me a lecture, I had to think quickly on my feet.

I leaned down and pulled her in for a hug as she remained seated, I apologised but then whispered in her ear so no one else in the room heard.

"Sorry, morning sickness."

If I couldn't use the baby as an excuse, why was I going to put my body through these months of carrying the baby? She accepted my excuse and watched me as I sat down, pulling out my phone to reply to a text that I just received.

'Michelle kill you yet?'

'No, still waiting though.'

My smile was obvious, it was telling anyone in the room who looked at me would know that I was texting Nick, I couldn't help it, I was smitten, I guess. Michelle was smiling at me, telling me she knew exactly what I was doing, and I couldn't help but let my mind go back to yesterday.

"Right, you lot, remember no coming in tomorrow, it's Michelle and Steve's wedding so make sure to celebrate. I will see you all on Thursday."

I was the first out of the door and holding it open for everyone to leave so that I could lock up, they were taking their time though. As I stood, huffing, getting more and more impatient, Nick approached, and I got to swap my scowl for a smile as he got to me. He walked behind me and put his arms around me with his head on my shoulder, he kissed my neck once before speaking.

"And what are you doing out here?"

"Me? I'm just holding the door for my ungrateful staff as they take their sweet time."

I moved my head to him and kissed him, unable to wait for the machinists to have left before being with him. It wasn't long until I heard them start to come out and make mocking noises at me as though I wasn't their boss, and I pulled away to look at them.

As predicted, Beth had something to say and had to open her mouth and actually say it.

"Oh aye, Mrs. Connor, are you sure it's not yours and Nick's wedding tomorrow."

My glare was enough to keep her moving and quickly. Nick was quick to react, not badly though as his head rested on my shoulder again, a kiss on my neck and words whispered in my ear.

"Who knows, one day."

The smile on my face was an obvious giveaway about how those words made me feel, so I tried to disguise it by turning my head as far as it would go to kiss him on the lips. Nick was graceful enough to meet me halfway and kiss me back as the rest of the workforce left the building. Nick saw a future with me just like I saw with him, and it was nice, better the nice, I felt so warm and loved all at the same time.

We had been in that loved up daze since yesterday evening and all night, up until this morning when I had to leave.

It wasn't long until the ceremony and Michelle was practically bubbling with excitement, she was also getting slightly tipsy as she tried to drink every glass that was offered to me as I still tried to hide my pregnancy, for at least another week or so. It was fun to watch as she tried to keep as sober as possible whilst still having a good time as she was celebrating the fact that she was getting married. As the maid of honour, I kept by her side and watched her closely, I escorted her, sitting next to her in the cab, all the way to the church and watched with tears in my eyes as they finally got married, she got to have her happy ending with Steve.

Nick was in attendance, so as the two newlyweds left the ceremony alone, I got a ride with Nick with a teenage girl lovestruck smile on my face the whole way. My hand on his leg, seeking comfort and physical touch from him, just wanting to be close. What can I say? Weddings put me in a good mood, well, my best friend's wedding does. Nick and I were in silence the whole way back to the Rovers, but it wasn't uncomfortable, it wasn't awkward, it was comforting, we were in a good place, and I was extremely grateful for that. My life just felt a whole lot easier now we were all on the same page, me, Nick, and Peter, it felt stress-free, at least for now.

Our hands were in each other's as we walked to the Rovers and was greeted by a few of the other people from the wedding as we moved to order drinks whilst waiting for Michelle and Steve. Liz was behind the bar already, taking orders as technically, it still was a business, but I could see her beaming smile of pride that her son had gotten married today, even if it was his millionth wedding.

"Can we get two lemonades please Liz?"

"Sure Nick, coming right up."

Everyone else had alcohol, champagne flutes ready to toast the new marriage but Nick had demoted himself to soft drinks with me. It was something I didn't expect, I felt bad, I would definitely be drinking if I could, and he could.

"Nick, get yourself a drink."

"I have…"

"No, I mean a proper drink."

"I have – oh, alcohol, no I'm good, we are strictly on soft drinks tonight, we are celebrating the wedding as sober adults."

He made me smile with his serious expression over something so stupid, but I let the issue go and reassured him that if he wanted to have a drink in the evening then he should go for it.

Every time the door to the pub opened everyone had their eyes on the door, expecting Michelle and Steve so it wasn't weird that Nick spotted the newcomer. Peter was walking through the pub door with Tracy and Ken, he sent a small smile my way which I returned, we were in an ok place. Nick, however, seemed to be in a horrible place with my ex-husband again as he groaned and complained to me.

"What is he doing here?"

"Who?"

"Peter."

"Oh, he's probably Ken's plus one, or two…"

It was a terrible joke that didn't even make a little smile on his face, instead, his eyes were firmly glued onto the Barlows, well Peter. He wasn't glaring but it was close enough and I was glad that none of the family had noticed yet, I turned to the bar and focused on my drink waiting for Nick to bring his attention back to me. He finally did but his mind was still obviously on Peter as he spoke to me.

"Did you know he was coming here?"

"What?"

"Peter, did he tell you he was going to be here?"

Since when was I on trial? I racked my brain though, trying to come up with an answer, trying to remember if he had but I honestly couldn't remember. I was beyond annoyed now, and I knew my tone was definitely going to give me away.

"I don't know Nick, why don't you go and ask your new best friend?"

"I'm sorry, I was just wondering why he was here."

"Well, he is friends with Steve, he probably invited him, I never paid him too much attention as you do."

His arms were around my waist as we talked and now his head rested on my shoulder as he mumbled in my ear, clearly feeling bad that he had soured my mood.

"I am sorry, it's just the way he keeps his eyes on you, watching you all the time, it creeps me out. Are you telling me you haven't noticed?"

I had.

"No, it's probably all in your head, I love you."

I turned my whole body to him and placed a firm kiss on his lips, luckily, Michell and Steve finally walked through the doors and cut off any more conversation Nick wanted to have. It was horrible of me to keep denying him, but I couldn't tell him that Peter watches me so closely because he's worried about my baby and not me.

The party was going well, no drama like normal as we all enjoyed ourselves and I selfishly monopolised most of the bride's time as I enjoyed dancing and laughing with her. Michelle was genuinely happy, and I couldn't be happier for her, she deserved all this and more, especially for putting up with me.

In the moment's Steve demanded his new wife, I found myself in the arms of my boyfriend, smiling at him and laughing, having a nice time. I couldn't believe I was having so much fun, especially sober but how could I not when my best friend was getting her happily ever after. All the time though, I felt the drifting gaze of Peter on me, and it was hard to ignore, I tried not to meet his gaze to not reveal my lie to Nick. Luckily, Nick having annoyed me early about focusing on Peter, didn't give him a second look, his attention on me or friends around the pub.

It was when I was hanging onto him from behind as he chatted to friends when I found myself feeling really hot and flustered, not wanting to interrupt his conversation, I excuse myself outside to the smoking area for some fresh air. I sat down as soon as I got out there, wanting to calm my body down but my mind was racing again as Peter had followed me out and sat next to me.

"You alright?"

"Me? yeah, why?"

"You look a bit… I don't know… off."

"I just felt a bit hot and dizzy I guess, I'm fine, I just needed some fresh air."

Peter became panicked at my explanation and jumped in front of me, crouching to eye level as he placed his hand on my forehead to check my temperature which I quickly pushed off.

"Did you not hear the part where I said I was fine?"

He at least had the decency to look guilty as he stood, returning to his seat looking sheepish for overreacting. I didn't feel completely fine but I felt better, and I knew a few more minutes outside and I would be back to my normal self. Peter didn't need to know every detail as I could really do with staying calm and not having him fuss over me right now.

"How did the wedding go then?"

"Yeah, it was beautiful, Michelle sure knows how to throw a wedding. I would be concerned if she didn't actually as it is her job."

He laughed at my weak joke, but it was enough to make me smile at his reaction, it was nice just to feel comfortable around each other without bickering or fighting.

"In any way, why weren't you there Mr. Barlow? Not invited?"

"No, Miss Nosey, Steve invited me, but I thought to just come here for the party instead."

"I said it was Steve."

Peter had no clue what I was on about and I didn't really want to confess to him that me and my boyfriend were talking about him, so I tried to quickly shift the conversation.

"So, why is the she Devil here then?"

"Who? Tracy? You know she has to be here just to annoy people with her face."

That made me laugh and I felt relaxed for the first time in a while. The moment was short-lived as Nick came walking, clearly not happy with my company but tried to put on a tight smile to seem ok.

"Hey, I was looking for you. Are you ok?"

"Yeah, just a little hot, I'm coming back in now. Bye Peter."

I didn't wait for a reply as I took Nick's hand and led him back inside to the party, knowing he had things to say to me, I led him over to a quiet corner. To better my odds, I crowded him in the corner with my arms around his neck and waited for him to begin.

"Why were you out there with Peter?"

"I went out for fresh air, he came out after, probably for the same reason."

"So, you were talking and having a good time?"

"Yes, we work together Nick, and I was finding out what you wanted to know."

His already annoyed face contorted into confusion at my words, he was obviously jealous, and I couldn't blame him, but I could, he worked with his ex, but she wasn't pregnant, but he didn't know that.

"What do you mean?"

"You wanted to know why he was here, Steve invited him."

His face didn't budge, refusing to let my mood sink at my friend's wedding, I gave him a quick kiss before walking away and throwing my words behind me to him.

"Come on Nick, it's a wedding, cheer up."

It took a little while, but Nick had finally joined me again with his hands on my hips as we tried to join the party and mingle, trying to socialise. We were floating around the room as a couple, only separating when Michelle wanted to give me a hug and have a word before they left for their honeymoon. She was visibly tipsy, but I still appreciated the declaration of love she gave me and the warning to be careful before she ran to Steve and made her loud exit.

Some people left after the bride and groom did but most stayed, enjoying the party and having a nice time, including the Barlows. Due to the lack of some people, it was easier to overhear and move about, so when Nick heard Tracy starting to get angry, he subtly shuffled us over to listen before I noticed. We were still partially hidden and normally I loved to hear others drama, this just felt bad though, like I needed to get us out of there, Nick wasn't budging though. Tracy was still on the warpath.

"Why don't you just tell us already Peter?"

"Tell you what Tracy?"

"Oh, for God's sake Peter, you know what I am talking about."

"No, I don't."

Nick moved slightly so that the family was now in our line of sight, and I noticed a few others trying to not so subtly listen. Ken looked annoyed at his stepdaughter's antics, but she brushed off his words and requests for her to calm down as she continued.

"Nick – "

"Shh."

His hatred for Peter was clearly more important than me not being comfortable, I felt something in me telling me this was a bad idea, a gut feeling.

"Peter! You've knocked someone up."

I froze, how the hell did she know?

"What – no – no I didn't."

It didn't take a genius to hear he was lying, and I seriously wondered how he got away with cheating for so long when he was so bad at covering his tracks, even I was better than that and I got caught with Liam.

Then the worst thing that could have happened did, at least we knew where it had gone, Tracy pulled out the sonogram, whipping it onto the table as her proof.

"Explain that then."

"What do you want me to say Trace?"

"The truth Peter."

"Fine, I'm having a baby, it's not a big deal. It's early days, I was going to tell you when she passed the safety mark, she's superstitious."

I risked a glance at Nick and noticed his eyes were firmly on the sonogram still on the table, he was focused, and I knew he recognised it, I was screwed.

"Who is she?"

"Nick?"

I tried to pull him back to me but he had already left and walked to the table to grab the sonogram, shocking the Barlows but I was on edge, repeating his name as a plea, he didn't care though.

"I'll tell you. Everyone, I would like to be the first to announce that Peter Barlow is about to be a father again to Carla Connor's baby because it was such a good idea the first time."

Then throwing the picture at me, he was out the door after his announcement and everyone's eyes were on me.

Normally I have the chapters ready the day before or a few days earlier but this week has been so hectic that I have only just wrote this. The next chapter is going to deal with the aftermath and some drama.