(I knocked the wrong button and published a different story chapter! such a pain, so sorry this chapter is the right one)

Time passed by.. incredibly slowly for Carla as the clock was being glanced at in between meetings and paperwork and every little bother of Sal or Sarah, 1.. 2.. 3.. can time not hurry more?

She just wanted to get home and climb into bed with her husband knowing that he was home and cared for right by her.

The phone rang from Peter as Carla was quick to answer, stirring her cup of tea she was beginning to make with a smile along her face.

They got chatting for a few minutes before Carla brought up about his pills "have you taken your steroid pills yet?" her face concerned.

"No.. not yet love I've been watching the darts" he reassured her making her gently smile before warning him.

"You shouldn't be watching the darts.. you know how overexcited you get" picking the spoon up and placing it beside her full mug.

"No I don't.." he raised his eyebrow, although Carla couldn't actually see him she couldn't hear the disagreement in him.

"Yes you do. Go and do something that's useful, go and get some sleep.." she pointed out.

"Yeah okay I might" he huffed.

"Okay.. I've got to go"

"Oh ok, love you.."

"Love you.. bye"

The phone hung up and Carla turned to look towards Sarah and Sally, they were eager to know about the update on Izzy, Izzy was lacking behind in the work she was producing due to covid and Carla was trying to reach to somewhat the bottom of it all to help.

Once having informed them both and Sarah rushing to answer a call with Izzy, Carla soon headed back home to check in how Peter was doing.

The lock of the catch on the door shut as the footprints up the stairs alerted Peter that Carla was back, rushing to get to bed knowing full well she would be in a mood with him if she knew he'd watched a whole game of darts.

Pushing the door open to find an empty main room.. walking over to pick up the tv remote that was laid on the carpet, placing onto the side and heading for the bedrooms.

"Hello, Peter?" She said, opening their bedroom door to find Peter laid there, he rolled over and rubbed his eyes in an attempt to pull of having a nap.

Dropping her handbag down and placing her phone onto the side Carla climbed into bed next to him, her arms wrapping tight round him but not so tight to cause him pain.

"How are you right now on a scale of 1-10?" She asked, using the same methods Peter would to her.

"Hm.. 8, 8 and a half now you're here" he smiled, her eyes scanning up.

"A half?" She smirked "well excuse me for thinking I would be worth a tad bit more"

"Maybe you could go higher and try to get up to a 9 if you were to take that dress off" he softly smirked, his lips grinning as her eyes looked to him hard and stern.

"You're a very hard man to please Peter Barlow" she sat up, her lips rubbing against the other to blend in whatever was left of her nude lipstick.

She softly kissed him, a few gentle kisses before she whispered "guess I better take this dress off then" making Peter flip her over with every strength he had, hovering above as she squealed and looked into his eyes with pure excitement.

Once the chemistry had bubbled down and Carla and Peter had some time together to celebrate him being home she quickly popped back into the factory to check how things were going, a positive mood to let Sally know that the drinks were on her tonight but Sarah was still not happy.

Sarah began to slag off Carla's 'poor management' but she tried to remain positive 'no man or woman left behind' she said but Sarah, nothing ever agreed with her to the point Carla snapped

"Look I don't have another plan and I've got Peter back at home now to look after, one blister at a time" before marching off into her office.

Sitting down into her seat and taking a deep breath she ran her fingers through her hair and drummed the desk.

The hours passed by.. day was soon night and before Carla knew it she was home.. climbing onto the sofa to snuggle down into the chest of the man she loved.

"Oh.. hey love" Peter softly rubbed her back, watching the tv.

"Hey.. how do you feel?" She sat up, looking over.

"I'm fine love.. stop worrying" he turned to her, his smile lifting away every worry she was getting bubbled inside.

"I love you.. I do" she smiled, her fingers running through his whilst the other hand ran through his scruffy dark hair.

"I know you do.. it's why I married you" he looked her in the eyes as a big grin was laid over her face.

"You should be in bed" she began to fiddle with his top as he groaned, pressing the power button on the tv remote and looking to her, feeling mischievous he flipped her onto her back as she laughed and looked up to him.

He began to kiss her slowly but softly, her arms wrapping round his neck as he continued to kiss her, after a little while he pulled away, a smile to Carla as she rubbed her lips together a gentle smile lifting up.

"I'm.." he kissed her again a few more times "gonna go.. get myself.. ready for bed" he finished stopping every now and again to kiss her before climbing off and heading quickly to the bathroom.

Carla just laid there, looking up the lights that hang by tiny screws from the ceiling, grinning massively until she began to get up, a flip of the light switch as the room changed from the fluorescent warming light to a gloom completely dark room.

Heading off to bed she glanced over to the mirror, her eyes clocking.

Let's just hope, that their life won't be interrupted by alcohol or the local barmaid.. wishing for something cheery.