The Agony of Waiting

"Yeah, I'm here with Leanne. I'm her partner," Nick stood up and went to follow the doctor. He could feel the emotions burning inside him, desperately trying to force their way out of him. He shook it off quickly. He had to be strong for Leanne now. Eva's eyes widened and she looked longingly in the direction Nick was going. She wanted to know her sister was alright more than anything else.

"Nick, can I come too?" Eva asked, standing up with difficulty as her hands were shaking so much.

"Sure."

"It will have to be just you two for now, is that okay?" The doctor asked, gesturing to the others.

"It's fine, go on love," Gail smiled as David and Audrey nodded.

Eva's pink high heels clicking on the polished floor in the corridors was the only sound made by the three of them as they walked. Eva felt her legs were slowly becoming jelly; Nick began stressing inside. It was reminiscent of when he had waited outside the room for news on Erica and their baby just weeks ago. Hoping that they would both be okay but then recieving the heartache and being told there was no baby. The little life and person Nick was going to shower with love had left before he had even met them. He wasn't ready to say goodbye to another child, not now.

"Here we are." The doctor stopped outside Leanne's room. Eva's stomach tightened, she couldn't see inside the room and it made her feel even more concerned. Nick's hands were shaking and his heart was racing. Inside his head he was praying, desperately hoping his ex-wife and their baby would be safe and okay.

The doctor opened the door and exposed Leanne, lying peacefully on the bed, asleep. She had a bloodied and bruised lump on her forehead, where she had split it open after hitting the floor. Parts of her hair were spotted with blood and her lip was cut too. Despite looking dreadful, Leanne looked the complete opposite; her complexion dewy and her breathing steady.

"I know it doesn't seem like an appropriate time to ask but could either of you two tell me what happened to Leanne?" The doctor asked as Nick and Eva took their seats either side of her bed.

Eva looked over at Nick immediately. "Erm, well, she was in her flat and then she tripped down the stairs." Nick explained as the doctor eyed him suspiciously.

"Was she alone?"

"No, no her son was in the flat with her," Eva said.

"Okay," the doctor started, unsure if he believed Nick and Eva. "Leanne suffered quite a substantial fall and did cut her head open. We have sewn it up and have allowed her to rest. She has had some tests too, just to make sure her blood pressure is normal."

Eva and Nick nodded unison. Nick looked down at Leanne and gently stroked her hair. She barely moved, peaceful and in a deep sleep, unaware of what was going on around her. Leanne was alive and although she had been hurt, again; she wasn't in a coma, on a surgeons table or anywhere near the mortuary.

"What about our baby?" Nick asked, finally tearing his eyes of Leanne.

The doctor hesitated and started again, slowly. "She needed pain killers for her head which meant we couldn't perform the scan. Leanne needs to be awake for us to do the scan but I am certain she is going to be fine. Both of them."

Nick nodded, avoiding the eyes on him by looking down at Leanne, stroking her hand.

"Thanks," Nick said. "Thank you for taking care of Lea."

The doctor smiled and left Eva and Nick with Leanne.

"She's gonna be okay Nick," Eva said reassuringly, taking hold of her sister's right hand.

"Yeah, I hope she will," Nick rested his elbow on the bed and placed his lips to Leanne's forehead. It was hardly a kiss but he wanted her to feel and know he was there, every step of the way.

"She will," Eva agreed.

"I just can't believe Simon has done this to her. After everything Leanne has sacrificed and tried to give him."

Eva took in all of her sister's injuries. The split lip, the bruising to the left of her eye, blood still in her hair line and the bruises on her arms too. In a hospital gown they were clearer and made her skin look paler with hints of black and purple from Simon and his anger.

Her marks from the boy had all been noticed by Nick. When they had slept together weeks earlier, he fell asleep after her, looking in horror at the bruises that were just on her top half. He wanted to have the power to touch them and make them all go away, rid of any mark of pain that had been left on her body but he knew he could not. He had to protect her and hold her close like he had on that night. Their bodies locked together, fitting like clockwork. He never wanted to let her go then and he didn't in that room either.

Eva could sense that Nick just wanted to be alone with Leanne and stood up, explaining what she was going to do. "Erm, I think I'll go and talk to them outside, let 'em know what's goin' on and everythin'. I'll leave you two alone for a bit."

"Thanks Eva." He couldn't even bother to protest and tell her to stay as Leanne would want her there. Nick just wanted to be with Leanne for a while, to ease the feeling of loss he had felt for nearly six hours, waiting for any news. He was with her and he couldn't hide the relief at seeing her face again.

"I was so worried," he whispered, holding both of Leanne's hands and moving to talk to her sleepy face.

"I thought I would never see you again. I'd never hear you laugh, hold you when you cried or even kissed your lips. I am never letting anyone hurt you ever again Lea. I am so sorry and if...if there is no...no...baby then I will let you cry for as long as you need. I'll hold you, tell you everything will be alright and that I love you and I do. We could always try again for another baby. I know it won't be the same as this baby that brought us together again but it will make us stronger. I'll be there, always there to be for you because I love you. I have loved you since I was sixteen Leanne. I know you'll wake up and call me stupid but it's true. I have never stopped loving you even if you didn't ever love me. I want you to know that Lea. I am yours, now and forever. Even if you wake up and our baby is gone. It'll hurt I know and the road back with Simon will be long but we can fight any battle. I know I can, as long as I have you by my side." Nick placed another gentle kiss to Leanne's head and this time her eyes flicked wide open.

"Nick," Leanne said, tightening the grip on his hand and urging him not to suddenly move away from her.

"I'm so happy to hear your voice," he admitted, resting his head by hers. "I love you so much."

He repeated as Leanne's split lips turned to a smile.

"I heard," she laughed weakly. "I heard it all."

Nick blushed and suddenly wished the ground would swallow him whole, maybe spitting the keys to the Bistro back out so Leanne had another copy.

"Erm, did you?" Nick looked awkwardly.

"I did," she began. "And, I feel the same way. I'm in love with you too and...if when those doctors check and the...the baby is...you know, I still want to be with you Nick. I kept asking for you but they said I needed to rest. I had never felt so alone, even after Kal had died. I just wanted you, like I always have."

Nick's blush turned into a smile, not a wide one but a smile for sure. "Really?" His eyes were teary and he couldn't quite process what she was telling him.

She nodded as tears began to fill her eyes too. "It's always been you. Nobody ever came close."

They smiled at each-other and hugged tightly for what felt like ages. "But Nick."

Nick pulled out of the hug and looked into her eyes. "Yeah?"

"You're wrong. I didn't not love you, never."

They hugged and held the others hand, just as the doctor reappeared.

"Hello Leanne. Are you ready for a scan now? We just need to check on baby to make sure everything is okay."

Nick and Leanne shared looks. She felt his hand tighten around hers. He wasn't sure if he tightened it for his own sake or hers.

"Yeah, please," she replied, her voice sounding croaky and weak.

"Okay, I won't be a minute." She said before heading out of the room to gather the equipment to perform the scan.


Back at Carla's flat, Simon was listening to Carla intently, trying to sort his mess out.

"I think you need to stop." Carla said as Simon frowned. Everyone had told him to stop but saying it was far easier than physically doing it. Carla of all people should have understood that.

Carla noticed his change in expression and added, "Because what sort of life are you gonna have eh? Leanne won't want you around if you keep on beating her up. She's having a baby or might still be anyway. If you don't stop she isn't going to want you around her, or her baby."

Simon bobbed his curly hair up and down, nodding solemnly. "Do you think she hates me?"

Carla looked astonished. Honestly? If it were her in Leanne's shoes- well, Carla knew deep down she wouldn't have put up with it but she knew that if she had, she certainly would have mixed feelings for the boy.

"I don't know Si... I wish I did, but I don't. You've caused her a lot of pain though and I think you ought to apologise and get yourself sorted. Maybe in time things will go back to normal," Carla said.

"I wish things would go back to normal," he mused.

Carla agreed, "You and me both kid. You and me both."

"Maybe it will," Simon began. "Me Dad, he was talking to Grandad on the phone earlier. He said he was coming back."

She was 100% certain her heart stopped when he said that. Her stomach was dancing and the thought of seeing Peter and his mush made her go all gooey inside.

"Wh...wh...when?" Carla could barely get the words out of her plump lips.

"I dunno. He's coming home to batter me I think," Simon said as Carla digested the news.

"Oh, oh right," she sighed. Part of her was hoping he knew about her struggle since the fire and was rushing back to try and save her. Damn it, she thought. Bloody Barlow right under me skin already.

"Carla it's getting late, I need to go home to me Grandad. I know I haven't got school tomorrow 'cos I'm suspended but he'll be wonderin' where I am."

Carla stood up and followed him to the door. "Oh okay. Shall I take you home?"

"No, no it's fine. It's only round the corner."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah Carla, I'm 12, not four."

Carla chuckled and said, "Oh and Si?"

"Yeah?" He turned back to look at her.

"If you need me, call or text, okay? You're a good kid deep down and I hope Leanne will be alright."

Simon opened the flat door and spoke. "Thanks Carla. For everything, night," he rushed off, flustered. She knew something was amiss as he began to speed down the flights of stairs in Victoria Court.

He shoved the door of Victoria Court open and ran out onto the street. The stars were out and shining brightly. Slowing outside of Leanne's flat, Simon took everything in and began to control his breathing. He could hear someone coming in the distance and hid behind the brown wheelie bin.

"I still can't believe Simon shoved Leanne down them stairs," Steph said to Andy as they headed back to the flat above the construction site, unaware Simon was listening.

"Has Nick sent you any messages yet? Andy asked, holding his girlfriend's hand as they walked.

"No, nothing. God if she loses her baby I don't know how she'll cope. Considering what she has gone through already."

"I know, poor thing," Andy agreed as they unlocked the door and headed inside the flat.

Simon felt sick. Everyone knew what he had done and who was to blame if Leanne lost her baby. He ran and didn't stop until he reached the bench outside the medical centre. Nobody would find him and he could sleep there until it was morning, then he would have to run.


At the Barlow's, Ken was up, reading a book in his chair. Tracy entered the living room, unable to sleep. The dreams she had were all about the fire. The screams of the relatives of Kal, Leanne, Maddie and Amy haunting her since the very night she left the candle burning.

"Dad?" She asked, wrapping her silk dressing gown around her.

Ken peeled his eyes away from the book, despite not actually reading it. His mind was on Leanne, suffering.

"Oh, Tracy. What are you doing up?"

"Couldn't sleep. Have you heard any news on Leanne?"

Ken sighed. "Nothing, not yet."

"Well, I hope Peter sorts his kid out when he decides to grace us with his presence again."

"Yes alright Tracy, he knows what Simon has done is bad and he's trying to sort it all out. I don't see you collecting Parent Of The Year award either."

"Whatever! Have you talked to Simon then?" Tracy asked, taking a seat at the table.

Ken chewed on the end of his glasses, thinking deeply. No, he hadn't spoken to Simon. Not since about eight thirty when he phoned Peter.

"Tracy, did you see Simon after I phoned Peter?"

The panic sunk in for both of them. "No." Tracy replied. "Must be in bed or something."

Ken and Tracy rushed upstairs and opened the door of the spare room Simon usually slept in when he stayed over. Empty.


Out on the Street, the wind howled around Simon who shivered on the bench. A dark and distant figure approached him.

"Simon?" They called. He recognised them immediately.


The nurse hadn't arrived back in Leanne's room, prepared to do the scan that both Nick and Leanne had dreaded for hours.

Leanne turned to Nick, her eyes brimming with tears and love for him. "I'm scared," she whispered. "What if there is no baby?"

Nick wrapped his arm around her reassuringly and said, "Then we will stay strong; focus on getting you and Simon sorted and then maybe we could try again."

"What about you and me?" Leanne asked, almost embarrassed to ask him the next thing. "Will you not love me anymore if there is no baby?"

Nick squeezed her harder, pressing her into his shirt. "God no. If there is no baby then we wait and you and I try again. I...it sounds awful but I would rather no baby than no you."

Leanne smiled faintly, the fear still rising inside her. "I love you." She said, kissing his cheek.

"Not as much as I love you," he said, placing his lips to her forehead and pecking her lightly.

"Okay, sorry I got a bit distracted," the doctor admitted as they returned again. Nick looked at Leanne. Deep breaths.


"Simon, come on, stop runnin' away," Carla said, taking hold of Simon's hand and walking with him.

"No Carla!" Simon protested, pulling back towards the bench.

"Why? Are benches the 'new' bed?"

"Everyone knows what I have done and they hate me!"

Carla sighed. "Simon. Listen, they don't hate you. They are just worried that a lovely lad like you has snapped. They are just worried about you, that's all."

"No I'm a monster!" He cried.

"No you are not! You're a flamin' human bein' that has made mistakes like the rest of us Simon! Now grow up a bit and admit that you have cocked up!"

Simon was stunned that someone had finally told him the truth. He went to argue but then decided not to. "Alright," he groaned as Carla nodded and frogmarched him back to the Barlow's.

"Simon!" Ken exclaimed as his grandson stood on the doorstep.

"Thank you Carla, where was he?" Ken asked.

"Asleep on the bench outside the chippy. I think this one needs to be on house arrest for the forseeable!" Carla slightly joked, gaining a light chuckle from Ken.

"Go and get into bed Simon," Ken said, pointing upstairs. Simon nodded and began to make his way up the carpeted stairs. He paused and turned back around.

"Thanks Carla," he smiled, gaining a smile and a nod from her. He continued upstairs.

"Would you like a drink?" Ken asked.

"Nah, I'm good thanks Ken, got to be up early tomorrow. Night."

"Oh okay, night Carla."

Walking away from No.1, Carla was imagining it. Talking to Peter, seeing him, hearing his voice and his name on the Street again. She actually smiled as she walked away, slightly terrified and a little excited too. Then again, the happy and passionate memories of her and Peter were not the only ones they shared over the years. His cruel, vile and mucky affair with Tina as she sobbed over her good pal Hayley dying so soon. The booze cruises he went on, the hours spent fretting about him returning alive. Then the biggest wound; her daughter, the child she saw as a burden at first and she soon became the thing that helped her get up in a morning. Her stomach turned and before she knew it, she was back in her flat, sipping red wine and gambling whatever she could find.


"Please, please, please, please," Leanne whispered tearfully as the doctor moved the scan around her stomach, searching for her baby, or what was left of it.

Nick watched the screen, focussing deeply as the images of Leanne's stomach flashed up on the screen and still there was no sign of a baby.

Leanne let the tears flow, tearing her eyes off the screen. She had heard those words before, 'I'm so sorry' and 'these things just happen'. Nick held her hand tighter, knowing what they would both be told.

Until, finally, something appeared. The doctor's concentration morphed into a smile, wide and happy.

"Leanne, Nick; good news. Here is your little baby, they're absolutely fine!"

Leanne and Nick stared in disbelief, unable to process it.

"What?" Leanne asked, her voice wavering from crying.

"There is your baby! Everything is fine, you're still pregnant, just a false alarm!"

"Oh thank god," Leanne's rigidness melted away and tears of joy and relief soon began to flow.

Nick kissed her head and clutched her hand. The future was looking brighter, like the twinkling night stars of Weatherfield and the glow of Carla Connor's laptop screen.


Thanks again for reading and reviewing folks! Will update soon, hope you enjoyed this chapter! Finally got some Nick/Leanne in there because I know we haven't had some for quite a few chapters! :-)

Please keep reviewing, etc. :-)