Before you read, I just wanted to thank you all for your wonderful reviews. Without you all and your continued support I would not be able to write anymore. So, I dedicate this all to you, the loyal readers. Enjoy, and let me know at the end your thoughts. ;)


Unexpected

The rain hit the window of Leanne's flat so hard she thought it would shatter. It was five in the morning and she'd barely slept all night. She'd been sick twice and had gone from hot to cold and vice-versa. Eva was concerned though, as she had cooked dinner the night before. She looked up food poisoning symptoms several hundred times and declared, "It's not possible to get food poisoning from baked beans on toast, is it?" Leanne said it must have been stress with everything she had gone through lately but she wasn't 100% certain. Even so it relieved her slightly that everybody knew Simon had been beating her black and blue, well the Barlow's anyway. Even Peter had found out, Ken had rung him and explained everything. It was a relief when Ken had agreed to keep Simon with him and Tracy for as long as Leanne needed. Leanne told Nick she didn't know when she wanted Simon living with her again, and if she ever wanted to be in the flat with him again.

Still, life moved on and so did the world as Leanne watched the raindrops fall down her window pane. She took a sip of her third tea of the morning. Even she was astonished at how much she longed for tea- caffeine- she was desperate for something to stop her falling asleep during her shift at the Bistro later. Caffeine, she thought, that's all it is.


A few hours had passed, and Eva entered the living room to the sound of Leanne throwing up, again. She winced as her sister's violent nausea concluded. Leanne looked as green as her sick as she came into the kitchen. Eva stared.

"I hate to say it Leanne but you look dog rough!" Eva said, touching her sister's arm.

"Yeah, thanks Eva, that's made me feel so much better." Leanne replied, lying down on the couch and shutting her eyes to try and stop the spinning sensation. She felt as though she'd been on the Manchester Wheel at 90mph. It was knocking her sick; just like the smell of Eva's breakfast.

"Oh god Eva, what is that awful smell?" Leanne asked, her voice sounded very nasal as he she pinched her nose at the pungent stench of fish and egg.

Eva glanced down at the pan of sizzling eggs and smoked salmon. "It's a frittata hun! Great protein for the day!"

Leanne couldn't stomach the smell any longer. She quickly darted into the bathroom and locked the door behind her. Urgh, sick again.

Eva shouted, "You alright in there?"

Leanne could barely speak, her mouth was dry and the pit of her tummy throbbed.

"I'm okay Eva, just never ever cook that again!" Leanne croaked, sitting back next to the toilet and pulling her phone out of her pocket. Leanne opened the calendar app and counted the weeks. She was a full week late and she knew what that meant despite what she'd been told in the past.

"Leanne? Come out babe, I'll make you a cup of tea."

"Alright, I'm coming, make sure that thing has gone."

"Consider it done!" Eva laughed as Leanne unlocked the door to the bathroom and sat in the living room. Eva fussed around her, then sat down beside her.

"So, what's going on Leanne?" Eva asked, nudging her sister for an answer.

"What do you mean?"

"Well I know about Simon and I understand that you must be stressed but is there more to this? You and Nick, well you two did...Is there a possibility that you are feeling ill because you're pregnant?"

"Honestly?"

Eva gave Leanne a look, she knew she ought to tell her fears to someone.

"I don't know Eva, I really don't."

"Well why don't we find out? I could buy you a test and then you can do it." Eva suggested but Leanne wasn't in the mood. It wasn't as though Leanne's fertility or lack of it wasn't public knowledge.

"For god's sake Eva! I'm not pregnant! It's practically impossible!" Leanne shouted, Eva got up and headed for the door.

"Right okay then, I'll leave you alone."

"Good, ta-rah."

Eva shut the door behind her and rushed out of the flat as Leanne sighed. She bit Eva's head off because she knew there was a chance what she had suggested was true. Out on the street, Nick was walking towards the flat, bumping into Eva in the process.

"Morning Eva, how are you?" Nick asked, smiling. Despite the rain he felt that the day was going to be a good one.

"Fine. You need to sort her out though- she's a right mardy cow this morning!" Eva pointed towards the upstairs of the kebab shop flat.

"Lea? Why what's up with her?"

"Ill apparently. I reckon she's stressed out with Simon, she hates the way things are at the minute."

Nick sighed, "I know but we just need to be strong for her right now."

"Yeah, I know, anyway I need to go to the hospital and see Jason. I'll see you later."

"Aw, give him my love."

"Yeah, I will, thanks Nick. See ya."

Eva strutted off in her all pink outfit towards Streetcars and hailed a taxi. Nick walked to the door of the flat and rung the buzzer. Leanne sighed and picked up the phone, awaiting a lecture from someone.

"Hello?" Leanne called.

"Lea, it's Nick. I've just seen Eva, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm fine! I just wish everyone would stop fussing and leave me alone! Go to work Nick!"

"But Leanne, I want to know you're okay!"

"Well I'll be in work later! Just go to the flamin' Bistro and leave me be; that's the best thing you could do for me right now!"

"Fine! See you later!"

Nick was gutted when he walked away. He had wanted to find the right time to ask her to try again for weeks. It seemed that as usual, all the elements were working against Nick, not with him. Leanne was feeling the same way but for different reasons.


After having another lie down and a brief sleep, Leanne got dressed for work and dropped a text to Eva.

Leanne:

Sorry Eva, I'm just stressed at the minute. Hope Jason is okay, give him lots of love from us. See you later. XXXXXX

Finally, after about three hours sleep, Leanne headed out to work. As Leanne walked past the Platt's, she saw Kylie walking with Max and Lily.

"Hi Leanne," Kylie called, offering a polite smile and a warm wave.

"Hiya, you okay?"

"Yeah, are you? It's just Leanne, you look like you've spent the night on me estate!"

"Thanks Kylie. No actually, just feel a bit icky. Still, I'm not as bad as poor Jason. It could be worse."

"Yeah, poor lad. I could murder Callum you know."

"Don't think you're the only one. Anyway, see you later. Have a good day you lot" Leanne smiled, before carrying on to the Bistro.

Inside the Bistro, customers were already dining as it was Leanne's half day. She was thrilled it was just half a day at work because she felt dreadful and a full day would have been hellish. Although the atmosphere in the Bistro was just as hellish as Leanne's sickness. Steph, who was behind the bar, could instantly tell the two had been fighting over something

"Will you two stop dancing around each-other and just get on?!" Steph said, glaring at Nick.

"I'm not the one who through a tantrum this morning and is shutting out the people that love her the most." Nick jeered, as Leanne rolled her eyes. She actually couldn't be bothered putting up a fight.

"Oh shut up Nick!" Leanne barked back, before storming into the kitchen and snatching the fish dishes for table seven out of Robert's hands.

"Er Leanne, that needs a garnish on the top," Robert said, trying to reach for his creations that Leanne was already leaving the kitchen with.

"Well you should have worked faster!" Leanne yelled back at Robert.

Nick and Steph had heard the exchange from the bar and watched Leanne in wide-eyed shock.

"What's up with her?" Steph asked Robert as he came out of the kitchen.

"I don't know, I didn't realise she had something against a coriander garnish," Robert frowned as Nick observed his ex-wife who was getting into an argument with a customer.

"My food is cold and tastes disgusting," the customer moaned.

"Well you should have eaten faster," Leanne retorted, rolling her eyes and standing with her hand on her hip. She then reached across and was trying to grab the plate off the table.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard."

"I'd like to speak to the manager of this dump," the fat middle-aged man demanded, slamming his hand on the table. Leanne wasn't going to hold anything back.

"You're lookin' at her."

"Well your restaurant is atrocious, I am truly..."

"Sorry sir is there a problem?" Nick interrupted, moving Leanne back out of the way.

"And you are?" The customer looked Nick up and down and pulled a face.

"Nick. As in 'Nick's Bistro.'"

"Well Nick of Nick's Bistro I am disgusted with your stupid waitress," he gestured to Leanne and now Nick was infuriated too.

"Right, that's it. Get out! Forget about the bill and get out now." Nick pointed to the door and the entire table stood up and headed for the door.

"I'll never eat here again! Wait until I get on TripAdvisor!" The customer shouted before leaving.

Leanne went to move and hide behind the bar but Nick turned around immediately. "You. Office, now." Nick ordered Leanne and led her into the office. He shut the door behind the two of them. Leanne slumped onto the couch whilst Nick perched onto the desk.

"Leanne? What the hell was that out there?"

Leanne couldn't look Nick in the eyes, she knew she was out of order but it was still getting on her nerves that she felt ill. "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have reacted that way. Satisfied?"

"Satisfied? Is that for real? You mouthed off at Eva, had a go at me, barked at Robert and nearly decked a customer!"

"Oh grow up Nick! Everyone has bad days and today is just one of those days for me. I've said I'm sorry and that's all I can do. Please just let me get back to my job."

"Not until you tell me what's going on? Is it Simon? Carla? Erica? What is it Lea? Just tell me, you can trust me. I'm on your side no matter what it is."

Leanne faintly smiled. If she was pregnant would he still say that? Perhaps not, she'd be a baby carrying burden. Just like Nick saw Erica and how Peter saw her when she was pregnant for that very short amount of time.

"I'm fine, I just need to get back out there and apologise to Steph and Robert. Sorry again," Leanne said before swinging open the door and darting out into the main restaurant again.

"Leanne!" Nick shouted.

Back in the restaurant, Steph and Robert were waiting behind the bar for Leanne and Nick to come back again.

"Steph, Robert, I just wanted to apologise for havin' a go at you. Okay?"

They both nodded in unison and Leanne smiled. "Right, chop-chop. Back to work then!"

Shortly after, the prawn starters for table ten were ready and Leanne went to collect them from the kitchen. The smell hit her like a tonne of bricks, the over-powering, fish stench. She was going to be sick. She darted out through the office and into the staff toilets. She couldn't stop being sick. That was the final straw, she had to take the test, she had to know for sure. Wiping the remains of vomit off her mouth, Leanne came back into the Bistro and grabbed her stuff, just as Nick and Steph saw.

"Boss? Where you goin'?" Steph asked, furrowing her brow.

"Eh? Er, out, I'm sorry. See you both later."

"What, Leanne?" Nick shouted after her as she headed out of the Bistro. It felt like a weight had been lifted getting out of the Bistro. Now the hardest part, taking the test.


In the local chemists, Leanne found a pregnancy test straight away. She knew Dev sold them in his shop but could she really face buying one off of Sophie Webster? If her mother found out she'd tell Gail, who'd definitely tell Nick. Leanne's head felt like it would explode as she studied the various tests and what each one did. What ever happened to a bog standard pregnancy test she thought. Right, perfect. Leanne grabbed the first one and headed to the till.

"Just this please," Leanne said, her shaky hands placing the test down on the counter.

"Okay. Can I interest you in anything else?"

"No, just that ta."

"Would you like a loyalty card?"

Leanne pulled a face without even realising. Seriously? She desperately needed to get home and take this pregnant test and some teenage shop assistant chooses to harass her about a loyalty card instead.

"No, just the flippin' pregnancy test!" Leanne shouted, losing her cool.

"Oh, sorry. Here you go. Er, have a nice day."

"Yeah, er thanks," Leanne rushed out of the shop and walked back to her flat.


Gingerly, Leanne pulled the pregnancy test out of her handbag. She didn't even know why she was bothering- she knew the odds were stacked against her. It was impossible. There was no way Leanne could have possibly got pregnant as it would never ever happen naturally. She knew this. So why did she fear taking the test if she knew it would be negative?

Because deep, deep down she already knew. She could feel it in her bones it was positive. The very first time she was pregnant she felt ill like this. Morning sickness symptoms. She'd been sick four times and had missed her period by a week. That never happened. They were always steady, always regular.

"Come on," Leanne whispered to herself, getting frustrated with her own fear.

The box was open and finally the test was done. Leanne carefully wrapped the white stick in toilet paper and laid it by the sink in the bathroom. It said for her to wait three minutes. God it felt like the longest three minutes ever. 1:26. The timer read. Her phone began making a noise and Leanne braced herself to look at her pregnancy test. Only, the noise was a phone call. It was Nick that was ringing. Leanne sighed. If only he knew what she was doing. She ignored the call and began pacing up and down the room.

"Hurry up! Hurry up!" Leanne grumbled impatiently. It felt like time was against her. 2:01. The timer was getting nearer to the three minute mark. It suddenly dawned on Leanne what the next nine months could potentially give her, a baby of her own that she desperately longed for. A fresh start, with no reminders of her past mistakes and no pain to suffer; Leanne would make sure that child would be the most loved ever. Nick would be a wonderful father too; if he wanted to be of course. She'd seen him when Erica had told him she was pregnant and he was over the moon. They'd slept together just four weeks ago and he admitted he cared about her a lot. Maybe, just maybe there would be a chance for them. Perhaps they could go against the odds and reunite for the umpteenth time. Her, Nick and their little baby. Possibly Simon too if he continued to improve. Leanne's fantasies were soon brought to a halt. The three minutes were up. It was time to face up to it.

Leanne took a deep breath and tried to steady her hands as she held the pregnancy test. The toilet paper still covered up the result but Leanne felt ready to know. Leanne tore the toilet paper off the pregnancy test and gaped at the result in front of her. Positive. God, she thought. She was, she was actually pregnant. Pregnant with a baby, Nick's baby. She never thought she'd say that. She smiled at the test in her hands. She was pregnant.

"Leanne!" Eva shouted, slamming her fist against the toilet door. Leanne jumped and dropped the pregnancy test on the floor. "I'm about to pee myself 'ere, hurry up hunn!"

Brought back down to reality, Leanne grabbed the positive pregnancy stick and shoved the test into her bag and opened the door to Eva.

"Sorry Eva, " Leanne said. "I'm er, I'm going to the Bistro. See you later."

"Alright hun, I'll come and 'ave a drink with ya later," Eva shouted as Leanne shut the door behind her.


David entered the Bistro. He had Lily with him in her pushchair. "Unca Nick!" She squealed, giggling and reaching her arms up to Nick, encouraging him to pick her up. "Hello Lily-pop!" Nick laughed, picking up Lily and spinning her about, making the two year old giggle. David smiled and laughed.

"Hello Nicky-pop," David joked, poking his brother. Nick grinned and quickly cuddled his niece before handing her back to her father.

"Drink?" Nick asked David, gesturing to the large variety of beer and wine behind him.

"Why not? I'll have a beer," David said, noticing his brother brooding.

"Here you go," Nick placed the bottled ale down in front of his younger brother. His mind was on one thing. He just wanted to do it. He knew she felt the same way and that it would be the perfect time to ask.

"What's wrong?" David asked, sipping his beer and appearing ready to listen to his brother's romance woes.

Nick sighed and began to explain. "Okay. It's Leanne."

"Big surprise," David said.

"Well it was about three weeks ago and Leanne was really upset because of Simon. So I took care of her and said I would stay in Eva's room that night to make sure she was alright."

"But?" David looked at Nick.

"Well, she was upset and we started talking and then, you know."

David's eyes lit up immediately. "No! You didn't? You slept with her?!"

Nick blushed and smiled, "I want us to start again. I know she feels the same way too. Over the past few weeks and months I started to realise I hadn't stopped loving her. That night wasn't a drunken one night stand with no feeling behind it- we both wanted it. I love her David. Oh, what do I do? It's such a mess."

David started laughing and bounced Lily on his lap, she giggled hysterically. "You dirty rat! No but seriously mate, tell her. Look, Kal's dead and you two have been dancing around each-other for weeks. Just let her know how you feel, what's the worst that could happen?"

Nick laughed too and said, "She tells me she hates me and runs off with you instead."

"Ha! I don't think Kylie would like that! The words over my dead body spring to my mind! Seriously though, tell her. If she feels the same way about you then you should be together."

"Thanks David. I'll do it."

Leanne texted Nick at the same time he texted her.

Leanne:

I want to talk to you in the Bistro. I'll be there at 7. Xxx

Nick:

Meet me in the Bistro? I really need to talk to you. Xxx


The walk down the street felt weird. Leanne took everything in that was going on around her. The pub was full of life, she could hear music, laughter and people enjoying themselves on the Friday evening.

"Hi Leanne," said Ken as he walked with Eccles. Her ex-ex father-in-law was wearing his usual smile and waved kindly.

"Hiya," Leanne replied shakily. The portion of chips she had made herself eat earlier felt as though they were going to make a reappearance all over Ken.

"I hate to sound rude but you don't look so good. Would you like me to take you home?"

"Thanks Ken but I need to be in the Bistro. Let Simon know I said hi. See you Ken," Leanne raced off down the cobbles, her high heels clicking and clacking loudly against the stones.

She hesitated at the door and clutched onto the handle. It was hard remembering to breath, especially when she felt this bad. Nerves, excitement and morning sickness was oozing through her body. Leanne pulled the doors of the Bistro open and took a deep breath as she was struggling to breath. It was as if her bright pink top and black skater skirt were sewn to crush her. She could see Nick through the glass window on the inside. She wanted to turn around and walk home, pretend it wasn't real. Crap. It was too late, he had seen her. Uh-oh. He smiled and opened the door, guiding her over to a booth around the corner.

"Nick, what's going on?" Leanne asked, gesturing to Gail, Audrey, David, Kylie, Sarah, Bethany, Max and Lily by the bar.

Nick grinned and took her hands in his. "About four weeks ago you were so upset about me believing Simon's twisted little lies. You have no idea how much I regret believing him over you. I should have seen how hurt you were and trusted you because I know you so well. But anyway, when I saw him attack you, I wanted to take care of you and hold you until it all went away. Then we had a heart-to-heart and you said you regretted giving up on us and so did I. We kissed and ended up sleeping together. And you know just as well as I do that night didn't mean nothing, I couldn't stop thinking about it and me and y..."

Leanne cut Nick off in the middle of his sentence, "I know, I realised that too. But Nick I really need to tell you that..."

Nick interrupted Leanne now, "I'm still in love with you Leanne, I miss you so much and I want us to try again. Everyday all I thought of was you. When you come into work, when I'm at home- it's always you Lea. I believed it was Carla I wanted but when you told me about Simon I just wanted to protect you from him. That's why I couldn't be with Erica anymore either because I knew it was all a lie. I never stopped loving you and we could be so happy together. I know I hurt you when we were married but I would never hurt you like that ever again. Please Lea, what do you say?"

"I'd love nothing more than for us to get back together. Nick, I still love you too and I really really want us to be together but..."

"Then let's..."

"Nick I'm pregnant!" Leanne finally said it, she watched his expression change completely- the table fell silent.

"H...How is that even possible?" Nick asked, he looked like a rabbit caught in headlights. Yes he wanted Leanne back but a baby? That was more pressure on a tainted relationship. More to lose too. It was frightening to him. Erica was just a fling and he didn't love her so it didn't bother him too much when she was pregnant with his baby. But Leanne? God, he'd lost her so many times before, he couldn't cope if it happened again.

"I don't know, honestly. I thought it was impossible too, but I took the test a few times- just to be sure. It's real I'm having a baby- your baby. Well come on Nick, say something, you're worrying me now." Leanne reached her hand across the table to touch his.

"I don't know what to say, I'm just shocked. So, erm, how many weeks along are you?"

"About six weeks gone, which obviously fits with when we... you know. It's what the test said and it factors in all the dates of my cycle and stuff. Look, I know, it came as quite a shock to me an' all but now we can be a proper little family, can't we?"

"Lea, I just need some time to get my head around it, that's all. I'm not sure if I'm ready for all of this yet."

"You don't want it, do you?" Leanne stood up and was ready to walk out on him there and then.

"I'm not sure right at this very second Leanne, I just need some time to think."

"Ah! It's like 1999 all over again! Why don't you run back to Canada too, just to make it all even more real again! I know what 'time to think' means- I'm not totally stupid Nick! Now I've got you pregnant Leanne- ta rah! I should have known better than to get involved with you again." Leanne was furious, this wasn't just her fault, after all Nick was there that night too. He didn't seem bothered at the time.

"That's not fair! I never thought you'd turn up to tell me you are expecting my baby! I had this all planned! I thought we could back together then maybe at some point in the future have a child or get married again... but not right now!"

"It took two to tango Nick! You were there that night and you could have stopped yourself, but you didn't! I was vulnerable and needed comforting it wasn't like anybody forced you to sleep with me!"

"I know! I know this is all my fault- just like everything else is!" Nick was infuriated, and the customers could now here there argument.

Leanne shussed Nick, who sat back down again at the table. He held his hands to head, he looked lost in thought.

"Look, I'm sorry for springing this on you. But I thought you should know I have a scan at Weatherfield General tomorrow afternoon at four. Come if you want to be involved but don't if you feel you can't deal with being a father. I guess I'll see you around then," Leanne sighed, as she felt herself start to cry. He hadn't moved or tried to apologise, she could see her child's life right now. No father. Just like her childhood with no Stella and the majority of Nick's life without his Dad, Brian. She hung her head low as she darted past Nick's family and out of the Bistro.

Bethany had watched Leanne cry as she left and turned to her Mum. "Did you see her then? She was proper cryin'."

"Probably broken your Uncle's heart again." Sarah sneered as Bethany cackled.

"Er, Sarah," Audrey started, pointing her finger at her. "Poor Leanne has gone through a rough time recently. Now if Nick's hoping to get back together with her we need to show him our support. So come on, be nice."

"But come on, anybody but her? She's an ex-prostiute, bed-hopper and she was on drugs!" Sarah argued, just as David piped up.

"Yeah, so was Bethany. Hyped up on Callum's drugs. Some mother you are- letting her near him. Surprised he didn't let you play with his gun Bethany." David said, making Kylie laugh.

"Oi, be quiet, Nick's comin' over," Kylie said, as the family turned their attention to him.

"You okay?" David asked, Nick looked very pale and devastated.

"It didn't go as planned," Nick explained, as Gail pulled a 'I told you so' face; which Nick saw straight away.

"Something to say Mum? Go on, badmouth her like you always do! Pretty rich getting judgement from you though- considering your current husband is a burglar and has shacked up with Eileen Grmishaw!" Nick shouted in frustration. He could feel the anger rising inside of him.

"Nick! It's not my fault she's a Battersby!" Gail yelled back as the rest of the Platt's stared in shock.

"Why do you say it like it's a swear word?! Just get out Mum! Go on, all of you!"

"Nick, why don't I stay? Come on, let's have a drink," David looked deeply concerned, especially as he was the cause of Nick's problems.

"Right, fine. Steph, can you manage?" Nick asked as Steph came out of the kitchen.

"Erm, it is a Friday Nick. Can't I call Leanne in?"

"No! God no. Please Steph, just do it."

"Oh, alright then, I'll manage." Steph replied.


The rest of Nick's family had cleared out of the Bistro and David and Nick were sat drinking beers.

"What happened then?" David asked, as Nick mindlessly fiddled with the bottle of beer.

"It was all going so well in my head. I'd tell her I loved her, she'd say she felt the same way and then we'd skip off into the sunset." Nick moaned, David cocked his eyebrow.

"Sunset? You and Leanne? More like skipping into a hurricane." David replied, Nick slightly laughed but his mood was going nowhere.

"Yeah, hurricane is an apt word for it."

"Then what happened Nick?"

"Ah god, I can't believe this has happened. I'm such a fool, why did I not think?"

David furrowed his brow, "Wait, bro, what do you mean?"

"If I tell you promise you wont say a word."

"Cross me heart. What is it Nick?"

Nick sighed, "Leanne's...Leanne's pregnant."

David's eyes bulged, "It's not April Fools you know."

"I'm well aware David, she's six weeks pregnant and I'm the father."

"This is you and Leanne, you sure it's yours?"

Nick frowned, "Yes David, it's mine."

"Wow. Bet you were shocked. What did she say?"

"That I can be as involved as I want and she has a scan tomorrow and if I go then she knows I want to be involved. If I don't turn up then she knows I am not interested."

"Nick, I've seen you with Simon, Max, Lily and Bethany, you're a natural with kids. What is it you're so worried about? It's not like you don't love Leanne."

"That's the problem David. It didn't mean I'd lose as much with Erica when she was pregnant, I didn't love her and she didn't love me. If I were to lose Leanne and our baby I don't know what I'd do. There's so much more for me to lose now David."

"So, are you going to go to the scan tomorrow?"

"I don't know. I want to be there for her but I'm worried."

"You should go tomorrow. Honest Nick, you'd make a great Dad and if Kylie can forgive me for all the stuff I've done and vice-versa, there's definitely hope for you and Leanne. Don't let her down Nick, do the right thing. You'll regret it if you don't."


Back at Leanne's flat, the place was empty; all but Leanne and her non visible bump. She sat on the couch, her legs up to her chest, hugging a pillow for comfort. She knew it wouldn't be long before Eva got back so she'd have to drop the mood.

She still couldn't process Nick's reaction and what he'd asked her to do. He'd practically begged her to try again, just as she had told him she was pregnant, despite the fertility issues she'd had in the past. That was another thing Leanne was going crazy about. How on earth was she pregnant? She knew the doctor tomorrow would get a grilling and be asked as many questions as Leanne could think up. Leanne needed a distraction from the misery in her life, so she reached for her mobile phone. There was nothing from the person she wanted to talk to the most. If she had the courage she would have rung him or even have gone and talked to him but at that point Leanne had given up all together. Her mind was racing, for more than one reason. Her trail of thought was stopped when Eva came through the door.

"Hi, I got your text, don't worry about it. I know that you're stressed at the moment. But why are you here? I thought you'd be in the Bistro celebrating with Nick, I thought you two were getting back together tonight?" Eva said, coming and sitting down next to Leanne, who instantly started sobbing. Eva was unsure what was wrong but hugged her sister tightly regardless.

"Hun, what's wrong? Is it Nick?"

Leanne nodded and wiped her tears on a tissue Eva handed her. "He hates me," Leanne cried. Eva frowned and pulled her sister close again. "Babe, I'm sure he doesn't," Eva hugged her and spoke reassuringly.

"No, Eva, it was awful."

"Why? What happened?"

"I'm pregnant Eva."

"Oh god, Leanne come here," Eva hugged Leanne again and let her sister cry.

"He argued with me and then he said he wasn't sure how he felt." The time Leanne was finally pregnant and the father, the man she loved, seemed to want nothing to do with her, or their child. It hurt so much because she had finally realised that it's Nick she loves, and she always has. Leanne felt humiliated, ashamed and devastated. It was not the reaction she'd fantasized about and perhaps it never would match up to what she wanted to hear Nick say. Maybe that was it for them.

"Maybe he just needs time Leanne, blokes are a bit simple like that, they don't think. He probably needs time to get his head around it. He'll be fine though, this is Nick. He'll turn up with a huge bunch of flowers and beg you to see sense and take him back. It'll be fine Leanne."

"No it won't, I don't think he wants me or a baby. What am I goin' to do Eva?"

"I don't know but it'll be alright Leanne; this is you and Nick."

"Me either Eva, me either. I already have a child that hates me, I'll end up making another child hate me too," Leanne sobbed as Eva let her big sister cry into her pink dress, staining it with her mascara tears.

"That's not true, you'll make a wonderful Mum, Simon is just..."

"Speaking the truth? I don't deserve to have a child. I'm an awful person and a terrible mother. Look at what I've done to Nick, you and Simon. I think I should leave."

"Don't be daft Leanne, you're staying here at the flat tonight."

"I don't mean tonight, I mean for good. Maybe everybody would be better without me in their life."

"They wouldn't! I'd be miserable without you, you're a great sister and you're everything I ever wanted a sister to be. Nick is in love with you and he'd be devastated if you left Weatherfield. He'd be lost if you weren't in his life. Simon needs you too Leanne, he needs his Mum because you're the only stability he has."

"It feels as though I'm a burden to everyone Eva."

"You're not, okay? If Nick's that stupid he'd turn down you and a baby then you have always got me. I'll always be here for you and the little pickle! Auntie Eva will always be on duty! Now I'd offer you a large glass of wine but I don't think it's appropriate under the circumstances Mummy!" Eva said, laughing to try and cheer Leanne up.

"Wish I could though! I'd have the bottle with a straw right now, Auntie Eva." Leanne grinned, touching her stomach. Maybe it would be okay that she was pregnant. Maybe.


Thank you for reading this chapter, I know it's huge! I considered not doing this for so long but I think there has to be some happiness for Leanne and giving her a baby would be a nice, happier twist to the tale. However that doesn't mean that everything will be smooth sailing- I have lots in store and it does involve Simon!

Do keep reading and we'll see if Nick changes his mind, fingers crossed! Let me know your thoughts as I would like to hear your ideas and it took ages to write so please just let me know it was worth it! Please keep reviewing as it is lovely to hear what you all think and offer your suggestions! Thanks again!

Don't forget to follow, favourite, review and keep reading! I'll update again very soon but until then... :)