Tell Me That You Got Me
The doctor left the room shortly after, giving a copy of the scan to Nick; something he didn't think he would be getting after the agonising wait in hospital. He looked over at Leanne, who was smiling and staring in disbelief. She still couldn't belief that her baby was still in there after the fall. She had come so close to becoming a mother before and had that stripped from her so unfairly quickly. Now, she knew her baby was healthy and the future didn't seem so dark.
Nick came and sat down next to Leanne on the chair, holding the picture of the little dot that had caused so much drama, and happiness. Leanne noticed him sit in the chair, she moved over in the hospital bed so he could lie next to her. He had noticed her moving and followed what she silently suggested, lying down beside her in the bed. Instantly, she rested her head on his chest and he placed his hand on her back, using his thumb to rub soothing circles on the hospital gown.
"I can't quite believe it," Leanne said, lifting her head off of Nick's chest and meeting his eyes.
"I know, it's amazing, isn't it?" Nick smiled, gently threading a piece of loose hair back behind Leanne's ear.
"Our baby is okay," she whispered, laughing at the sound of saying it.
Nick took her hand and said, "And so are you. We are going to be a proper family now."
She smiled widely and lay down again, wrapping her arms around Nick as they sat in the bed. "We can," she agreed. "A proper, little family."
Leanne fell asleep a little while later, peacefully on Nick's chest. He smiled down at the woman in his arms before easing her off gently and kissing her forehead. Grabbing his jacket, he headed out and went to see everyone in the waiting room. All eyes turned on him as he walked over to them all, wearing a huge grin.
"Nick?" Eva asked.
"She was awake and the doctors have done a scan," Nick began, waiting to see what they would all say.
"And? Is she okay?" Gail sounded genuine.
"They both are; she's still pregnant, it was a false alarm."
Their worried faces turned to smiles as they all took in what Nick had just told them. "Oh lovey, that's such a relief," Audrey clutched her chest, smiling at her grandson.
"Can I come and see her?" Eva asked.
"She fell asleep again but I'm sure she would love to talk to you. I think I'm going to nip home and get her a bag of things. They are keeping her in over night- just to be on the safe side."
They all nodded as Nick walked out of the hospital to the taxi rank and was driven back to the Street.
Eva entered the room to find Leanne upright, looking dazed.
"I hear there is still a baby!" Eva squealed as she entered the room.
Leanne grinned. "Correcto!"
"Aw Lea, I am so pleased for you!"
"Aw thank you. I'm just relieved to be honest."
"Yeah, we all are. Nick was worried sick."
Leanne nodded. "I know but we are fine now. I hope it didn't stress you out too much. I know Jason still isn't well Eva and this must have been the last thing you needed." She looked around the room and couldn't see the father of her healthy baby. "Speakin' of Nick, where is he?"
Eva smiled and replied, "Gone t't flat to get you some clothes and other bits. He's dead good you know. Leanne, this wasn't your fault. Besides, it was all getting a bit boring sitting by Jason's bedside. 'Bout time someone else hogged the hospital limelight eh."
Leanne's smile didn't fade. She knew he was good. Good at making her laugh, feel loved, being her business partner and well- wearing a suit. She giggled. "I know Eva but you have struggled so much lately. Oh, that's why I love him Eva."
"You won't say that when you've got to push a baby out!"
"I probably won't, will I?
"Poor Nick eh? Doesn't realise what he's in for." Eva laughed.
"A world of pain." Leanne smirked as she gave her sister the scan picture to coo over. Which, she did.
"Aww! Your kid is getting cuter as each scan goes along!"
"Eva, you can hardly see it!"
"I piggin' can! She is gorgeous!" Eva laughed.
"Now hold on a sec! Who says it's a girl?!"
"Me! The pregnancy physic!"
"Oh aye?! Guess the date of birth and the weight then," Leanne chuckled, encouraging her sister to continue.
Eva held her manicured fingers to her head. "I'm thinkin'," She said.
"Oh, be there a while then."
Eva stuck her tongue out at Leanne and spoke. "Well, my powers tell me that she will be born on June 9th." Eva exaggerated the 'she'; winding Leanne up on purpose.
"Oh right, weight?"
"7lbs and 8oz."
Leanne laughed, "Very precise Eva."
"Ah, nothing but the best me."
"Definitely. One of a kind you are."
Nick unlocked the door to the flat that Ken had locked up after finding Simon. Opening the door and heading upstairs, he entered the main living area of the flat. The curtains were wide open, letting in the dark from outside. It was late and nearing midnight which Nick knew as the oven flashed manically, telling him the time. He headed into the kitchen area and rummaged through the cupboards to find some food to take back for Leanne. She must have been starving. Amongst the bags of Pombears, that were Simon's favourites, he found some Custard Creams; they were Lea's favourite. In fact, he was certain he had actually bought them when he came around the other week when she felt ill. Pulling them out of the cupboard as well as a bag of ready salted crisps, another of her guilty pleasures. Nick made his way into Leanne's bedroom and flicked the light on. He smiled at the familiarity of the room and the person he associated it with. A bag or a suitcase, Nick thought, snapping out of his gaze. Searching under the neatly made bed, he found a floral patterned box.
Nick yanked the box out and opened it slowly, unsure as to what was inside. Pictures, lots and lots of them. There was a few newspaper articles too, buried underneath all of the photos. The pictures were from his and Leanne's wedding day, the second one, obviously. The happy smiling faces of them both surrounded by loving friends and family, laughing, dancing as husband and wife. Other photos were of days out they had gone on with Simon. A fun day at Alton Towers they had a few years ago before they married again, a day at the beach they went on and some walks in the park they had after the crash. He couldn't quite belief he was looking at it all, taking in pictures he assumed she would have chucked out or perhaps even burnt. Still, here it all was in front of him. There were more pictures too; the opening of The Joinery, when the Gazette came and did a special article. A nice snapshot of them outside the bar and some of them inside. Other photographs were of them, just living and loving each-other like they had done when they were married. Buried, right at the very bottom, he stumbled across them. The wedding and engagement ring he had chosen especially for her; picking the correct style and colour in the finest jewellers in all of Manchester. He felt so proud of himself when she declared she loved them and cherished the rings just as much as the man that placed them on her left hand.
Next to hers, she had placed his wedding ring. The one he had one religiously, despite them splitting up and her starting a relationship with Kal. He hadn't seen his wedding ring since he had furiously torn it off his finger and slammed it down on a table in the Rovers as he watched her make gooey eyes at Kal. That was when he told her he was divorcing her. He cringed, thinking about all he had done to her and everything they had gone through since. Suddenly, it came back to Nick why he was stood in her flat, rummaging through her things in the first place. Taking her engagement ring and placing it into his pocket, he then carefully put the lid back on the box and pushed it back under the bed. His eyes scanned the space underneath, everything immaculately organised, obviously. There were no other boxes like the one he had looked through. Nothing, no Peter or Kal. In his head he wasn't comparing himself to the box but he figured it must have meant a lot if she had done all of that for him and none of the other blokes that had been in her life over the years.
"Ah! Perfect!" He exclaimed, grabbing a weekend bag out and finding it empty, all but her passport. He was quite sure she didn't need that at Weathy General.
He opened every drawer, pulling out some underwear, socks and some jeans. Opening her wardrobe, he stared at the clothes in front of him. Crap. There was a reason he never did this sort of thing or diversified from a suit. He took a stripy blue and white jumper out of the wardrobe and folded it before adding it into the bag that already had the 'necessities'. Nick pulled out some high heels too, nude ones; just because really. From dressing himself he assumed the colours he had picked for Leanne complimented each-other. Going into her bathroom, he found a make up bag that he knew was hers. Eva's was twice the size of Leanne's and was full of dramatic colours: cerise, crimson and even burnt orange. He shoved the small case into the bag he had filled and checked it had everything she needed. Phone charger! He went back into her room and yanked the charger out of the wall, putting it in the almost full bag. Her toothbrush, body wash and hairbrush were the last things to go in the bag.
He shut the door behind him and walked down the street with the bag. The Bistro was still buzzing, full of life on the Friday night. Walking in, he was greeted by the staff who smiled and Robert, who had left the kitchen for a break.
"Hiya Nick. How's Leanne?" Robert asked, turning to see his boss and the bag he had packed.
"Yeah, she and the baby are fine. She's having to stay in hospital so they can monitor her." Nick smiled.
"Ah, that's good news. Anything I can do?"
"Yeah actually Robert. Any chance you could rustle something up for me to take back to her?"
Robert stood up and smiled. "Sure thing! Name it and I'll prepare it!"
"I will pay you for this you know."
Robert shook his head. "No Nick, I want to help. You and Leanne have been good to me giving me a job. It is the least I can do."
"Are you sure? I feel a bit... well, tight."
"Certain! Don't feel bad Nick, it's fine!" Robert hurried off into the kitchen as Nick sat and waited.
Robert soon burst out the kitchen, carrying tupperware and a flask.
"What's this? Camping trip?" Nick asked.
"No...It's a flask of tea. She loves tea."
"How do you know that?" Nick looked astonished. Robert had only been employed a few weeks.
"You told me. When you were telling me what a good businesswoman she is."
Nick suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. Had he really gone on about Leanne that much? Woops.
"Thanks Robert, this pie looks good too."
"It's Shepherd's Pie, good comfort food."
"Good with a bottle of red too," Nick joked as Robert nodded.
"Yeah- perhaps not in a hospital!"
"And for Leanne."
"No, no maybe not."
"Thanks again Robert, she'll love it."
"No problem, I'm glad she's okay. See you."
Nick headed out of the Bistro to his car that was luckily parked outside. Putting her bag on the passenger seat as well as her dinner, he started the car and drove back to the hospital.
Eva, Gail, David and Audrey had gone home under Nick's orders to get some sleep. Gail protested but Nick had none of it. Eva said she would come back later and, "Kill two ill birds with one stone," by visiting Leanne and Jason. She was sound asleep again when he came in the room, quietly sneaking in without waking her. She needed rest- something she hadn't been able to have in weeks. He smiled at her, watching her breath steadily. In and out, in and out. She looked so peaceful, he couldn't help but smile. He sat back in the armchair in the room and closed his eyes. Before he knew it, he too was blowing z's.
By the time he had woken up, the Tupperware box on the side was empty. Opening his eyes he saw Leanne, sat up right chomping on biscuits.
"Morning," she said in between mouthfuls.
"What time is it?" Nick yawned.
"About seven. Baby and I were hungry- we ate the pie!" She laughed.
"Ah good. I went to the Bistro especially and Robert made it for you."
"Aw bless him. Thank you too," she smiled, taking his hand. "I saw you brought me some things from home. You really didn't have to."
"Well I did actually. You can't go home in the hospital gown, can you?" He smirked.
She was really giggling now. "Erm...no, the back doesn't do up. I'm pretty exposed."
They could barely breath they were laughing so much. "Ah, I have nothing against seeing your b-"
"Ah Nick no!" She squealed. "Nobody should ever see that!"
"Yeah, don't think Mum and David should."
"Oi Tilsley! I didn't hear you complainin' a few weeks ago!"
"You couldn't- you wouldn't let me speak."
"You cheeky rat!" Leanne laughed, poking Nick who was laughing too.
"Are we interrupting anything?" Gail asked as she came in with Audrey.
"No, no, come in," Leanne said, moving away from Nick awkwardly.
"How are you feeling lovey?" Audrey questioned, placing a bouquet of flowers in Leanne's hands. "We knew you didn't like lilies, so we settled on daffodils"
Leanne smiled, "Aw thanks, both of you. They're beautiful."
Gail nodded in agreement. "Do you know what they are associated with?"
Leanne, Nick and Audrey shook their heads. "Joy and happiness," Gail revealed.
Audrey chortled, "Ugh, you were rambling on about that in the shop."
"Sorry mam, was I boring you?" Gail asked sarcastically. Leanne looked at Nick who was frowning.
Before Audrey could respond, Nick stepped in. "Children! Do you think you could pipe down and remember why we are in here in the first place?"
Gail and Audrey nodded. "Sorry," they both said in unison.
Audrey leaned forward, "Tell us love, when is your baby due?"
"The doctor said June, the tenth."
Audrey clasped her hands together. "Aw, how lovely!" She looked over at Gail, who was still stood by the door. "Gail? Isn't it lovely? Hmm?"
"Yes mam, it is. Congratulations, really." Gail for once sounded sincere. Nobody could quite believe she had actually been nice to Leanne. Blimey, if pregnancy was all it took to melt Gail's icy heart then Leanne would do it more often.
"We're dead chuffed." Nick said, wrapping his arm around Leanne's shoulder, perching on the edge of her bed.
"And relieved," Leanne admitted as Gail and Audrey caught sight of the bruising on her head.
"What happened then?" Gail finally asked. Leanne had been waiting for someone to ask.
"Mum!"
"Gail!" Audrey shouted.
"No, really, it's fine. You mean before then Gail?"
"Well, all of it really. Tell us."
Leanne nodded and began, "This had been going on for a while."
"How long?" Gail quizzed, it felt like Leanne was back in the police station after Carla had reported her for assault.
"Since June, when Kal died. Simon was really upset as he had already lost his Dad and Nick and his Mum. He was just-"
"Reckless?" Gail started. "From where I am stood it looks like he could have killed you, maybe even the baby."
Nick stepped in again. "I wouldn't have let that happen."
"But it did. Alright Leanne and the baby are healthy but what if you had fallen in a different way? Or if someone hadn't of found you in time?"
"Look Gail- I am not making excuses for Simon but he's just a kid. Everyone makes mistakes and he needs to sort himself out."
"He's abused you though! How can you forgive him so easily?"
"Because he's me son! I love him Gail, I love Simon like I love the little baby growing inside of me! I would give up anything for Simon as long as it made his life better, just like you would for your kids Gail."
"But he has left you very hurt."
"Well didn't David boot you down a flight of stairs? Then he went on a rampage smashing anything he could find!" Leanne argued, defending her son.
"That's different," Gail protested as Nick and Audrey pulled a face at her.
"How Mum?"
"Because... Well... I don't know."
"Exactly," Leanne began. "You would move the earth to make your kids happy Gail, I know you would. You're a great Mum. Simon needs all the help he can get though; he doesn't need constant reminders of what he has done. He needs to look to the future, not the past. We all do."
Gail was silenced. She couldn't help but agree. Nick tightened his grip on Leanne as Audrey changed the subject.
"So, how long is it until we find out if it's a boy or a girl?"
Nick and Leanne snapped their eyes away from Gail and onto Audrey.
"Well Lea's about seven weeks pregnant now so maybe in another nine or ten weeks time," Nick said, the excitement rising in him. He had forgotten all about that part. The stage he had actually never reached with any of the women that had been pregnant with a child of his. Leanne, Natasha or Erica. In fact, Leanne had never reached that stage either. She was getting giddy at the thought too.
"Ooh; that'll fly by," Audrey laughed. "So come on, what would you rather? Hmm?"
Leanne debated over in her head for a while. Boy. No girl. No boy. Girl. Boy. Girl. Her mind was doing flips. She was glad she didn't have to choose which she would rather.
Nick too sat in silence, thinking about it. A boy, to play football with and do all the things he missed out on with his own Dad, Brian. But then a girl would be lovely, Daddy's little princess, him being her hero. Ah, it was too difficult to decide.
"I think your silence says it all," Audrey laughed. "I never knew what I wanted when I was having our Gail. Still not sure I got what I wanted now," she joked as Gail frowned.
"Thanks a lot Mam!"
"Ooh I was only joking."
"Not," Leanne muttered under her breath. Nick and Audrey overheard and began laughing.
"I don't suppose it matters does it? As long as the baby is healthy," Gail said.
Everyone nodded and Gail and Audrey left as the doctor came in. Nick had gone to get a coffee from the shop downstairs, leaving Leanne alone.
"Leanne, can I just check your head again?" The doctor smiled, feeling the tenderness of Leanne's bruising. She frowned as she pulled Leanne's hair back, catching sight of the bruises that were all down her neck, arms and back.
"Is everything alright?" Leanne asked.
"How did you get all these bruises then?" The nurse questioned kindly, s,idling and looking supportive.
Leanne looked away from the intense eyes in front of her. "Sorry?"
"Your arms, neck and back are covered in bruises. Could you tell me how they got there?"
"Oh, er, I walked into the door at the Bistro- the Bistro I work in. I'm dead clumsy; falling over all sorts- miracle I haven't fallen over me own brain."
The nurse didn't seem convinced. "Is that all it it?"
Leanne nodded.
"Many women feel they have to suffer in silence. If you are being abused you should tell someone."
"I'm not being abused," Leanne lied as the nurse left the room.
A few minutes had passed and Nick had not come back yet. Leanne was silently praying he would, to stop the nurse asking questions over and over. She heard the nurse talking to another outside.
"I'm concerned about Leanne Tilsley. She's got bruises all over her body and she is pregnant. Her story doesn't add up either. Her partner said she slipped down the stairs but now she says she fell. This isn't adding up."
Leanne sunk back in the bed. Come on Nick, hurry up, she thought. The door opened and Leanne looked as the nurse carried a handful of leaflets over.
"Now Leanne, a lot of women don't want to admit defeat. Strong women; women much like yourself. But it's not just you that is at risk now, that little ball of cells might not seem like much now but it is a life, your baby's life. I can see you will make a good mother but you need to protect yourself for you, and your baby."
"Yeah I know," Leanne sighed.
"It nearly cost you your baby. Here are some leaflets on domestic abuse," she smiled, placing them in Leanne's hands. "Take them and use them; before it's too late."
"I don't need them," Leanne argued. "I'm not being abused."
"You don't have to lie, some men can't cope with the pressure of impending fatherhood. You shouldn't be ashamed you know, we can get you help."
Leanne paused. Men? They thought Nick was capable of battering her?
"What? Men? Nick is not doing anything to hurt me!"
The nurse stopped. "Then who is?"
"Nobody."
"Well, if you don't feel comfortable telling me at least seek professional help with this. It's not just you that is in danger anymore, your baby is too."
The nurse smiled warmly at Leanne again before leaving the room and shutting the door behind her. Leanne couldn't help but feel ashamed, like she had failed her baby before they had even been born. She sobbed into the pillow, just as Nick came in, carrying his drink.
"Lea?" Nick rushed over, placing his drink down on the table next to her hospital bed. "What is it?"
She turned over to him and reached out, throwing her arms around him and whimpering into his shirt. "The doctor thought it was you. She saw my bruises and assumed you had been beating me up."
Nick stroked her hair and rocked her. "Hey, don't cry. It's all going to be okay. I'm here now."
She she lifted her head from his shoulder and spoke. "I told her you would never hurt me though. I know you wouldn't."
Nick carried on holding her and whispered, "I love you too much to hurt you."
Back on the street, people were waking up and getting ready for work and school. Over at the Barlow's, Simon sat in bed, flicking through pictures of him and Leanne on his mobile phone. He had caused her so much pain and he still was unsure if he had caused her more by causing her to lose her baby. His stomach felt lik it was getting tighter and tighter. He was almost relieved he wasn't going into school as he felt so ill but then he remembered who was coming home. Peter was furious on the phone and Simon knew there would be hell to pay when his Dad turned up.
His thoughts were interrupted as Grandad Ken called upstairs. "Simon, Simon can you come downstairs please?"
"Comin'!" Simon shouted back, putting his dressing gown on and creeping down the flight of stairs. He dreaded to think what his grandad was about to tell him. He had already lost two siblings that were biologically related to him as Carla and Leanne had both miscarried a child of Peters. Could he have lived with knowing a third, not related by blood, was going to be added to the list because of him?
He slowed by the door of the living room but Ken had heard his attempts to creep silently. "Simon, come on, it's about Leanne."
He gave in and walked into the living room to find Tracy and Amy sat at the table. "Morning physco," Amy spat at her cousin. "Chucked anymore women down the stairs on your way down?"
"Amy!" Tracy yelled, turning to her daughter.
Amy shrugged her shoulders. "It's true though; you're a nutter!"
"Just because it's true Amy it doesn't mean we have to say it." Ken said.
"Like when we used to tell Grandma Deirdre her stuffed marrow tasted good?" Amy asked as the others nodded.
Simon rolled his eyes. "What about me Mum?"
"Ah, yes, Audrey phoned me before. She said they went to see Leanne and she is fine," Ken revealed as Simon drew a deep breath.
"And the Baby?"
Ken nodded. "Alive and well. Nick and Leanne had a scan this morning, the baby is fine."
"Thank god," Simon began. "Can I go see her?"
Tracy looked at Ken.
"I don't think that's a good idea Simon. Leanne needs to come home first." Ken explained as Simon nodded.
"Besides, just 'cos Leanne's alright doesn't mean your Dad won't shout at you when he comes back." Tracy said as Simon nodded again.
"Now Simon. You don't have school do you?" Ken asked as Tracy flicked the kettle on.
Simon shook his head, "Got suspended, remember?"
"Right, you can have some breakfast and then get dressed. You can help Auntie Tracy in the shop today before your Dad gets back."
"What? I don't want him in me shop!" Tracy argued as Ken pointed his finger.
"Tracy!"
"Fine! But you better behave or there will be serious trouble!" Tracy warned her nephew before pouring the tea. Simon took another deep breath. It was going to be a long, long day again.
At the factory, Aidan was waiting for Carla for their business meeting with a new client he had secured. He chewed on the end of his pen in frustration, rocking back in the leather chair that Carla usually sat in. Alya turned and looked at Aidan.
"Where the flamin' hell is she?" Aidan shouted in frustration.
Alya shrugged. "I don't know."
"Honestly has she gone to fetch the silk for them briefs herself?!" Aidan held his head in his hand before knocking a pot of pencils over.
"I'm sure she'll turn up," Alya said. "She's probably having woman trouble."
"Woman trouble?"
Sally suddenly piped up from her desk. "Hmm, I've had it where my hair dryer cut out on me. Absolute nightmare!"
"Oh right." Aidan muttered, standing and throwing his jacket on. "If her ladyship decides to grace us with hr presence let her know where I am."
"Yes Mr Connor!" Sally smiled.
Aidan opened the door to the factory and walked down the street, checking his messages on his phone. Nothing from Carla. God she infuriated him.
Eva was walking the same way, checking her phone too, reading messages from Leanne about how bored she was sat in a hospital bed. Eva chuckled but both her and Aidan hadn't noticed who they were walking into.
"Oh god, sorry!" Aidan caught Eva's arm as she jolted backwards.
"It's alright hun- don't worry about it!" Eva smiled as Aidan let go of her hand.
"I haven't seen you 'ere before," Aidan smirked, admiring Eva.
Eva blushed. "Thanks, but I have a boyfriend. Well, he's in a coma anyway."
"That's a shame," Aidan began. Eva frowned. "No sorry- I mean, sorry he's ill. It must be hard for you."
"I manage; tough cookie me. I'm like Ricky Hatton with boobs."
Aidan laughed. "Well, I'm Aidan."
"Eva," she shook his hand. "Nice to meet ya."
"And you. Now, if you ever need me, you know where I am."
"Thanks," Eva smiled. "I'll bear that in mind. Anyway, nice to meet ya."
"You too, see you later Hatton," Aidan flirtatiously smiled, giving Eva a cheeky wink and watching her strut away.
Carla watched the newest set of playing cards load on the computer screen, scanning the score she had. She was losing, miserably. She'd managed to scrape another £200 from the Underworld account, hoping to earn back that money she had lost just days earlier.
"Argh! Flamin' hell!" Carla roared as another card was drawn from the pile, a losing card.
She sat back in the chair, staring at the plastic packaging that hadn't been removed on her furniture. It was a constant reminder. She closed the tab of the gambling website and typed 'Victoria Court Fire' into the search engine. About 1,200 sites loaded and Carla started at the top, loading the page.
The images of Victoria Court burning and exploding burst onto the screen, making Carla's stomach churn like a cement mixer. She took a swig of wine and braved her fear; continuing to scroll down the page. Kal and Maddie's innocent faces appeared, they were smiling to the camera. The caption read 'Maddie Heath, 18' and 'Kal Nazir, 42'. Maddie was young, free and had a bright future ahead of her. Just before the fire Carla had heard Sophie and Maddie's plans to go travelling around the world. They had all their lives ahead of them and Carla had taken that all away. So she believed anyway.
Kal's face flashed up and captions of him being 'A devoted father' made her feel even worse. She had claimed those lives but was 'living' her own. She wanted a way out and fast.
At the hospital, Eva sat with Eileen in Jason's room, watching her son like she did when he was a small child; he looked fragile and so precious. Eva stroked his hand and thought about Aidan earlier. He was a smooth talker, good looking and well, pretty darn fit in Eva's eyes. Eileen held Jason's other hand, continuing to watch him.
It it had been a month since Jason had been attacked and he still hadn't properly woken up. Eva missed his voice and was beginning to lose all hope of ever hearing him talk to her. Todd had kindly donated a kidney to Jason as Callum's thugs had left him in dire need of a new one.
Eva soon snappe out of her gaze as Jason gripped her hand.
"Jase! Jase," she called hopeful he would suddenly jump up and build something.
"What is it love?!" Eileen asked.
"He squeezed me hand!" Eva squealed. "Jason! Jason!"
"Come on sweetheart, do it again!" Eileen pleaded.
Jason's eyes flung open and focused on Eva. He spoke slowly but managed to utter, "Eva...babe...I love ya."
Eva let her tears of happiness flow. The man she loved was awake, alive and not a vegetable. "I love you an' all darlin'," she cried, kissing his head.
The plane didn't land smoothly as it collided with the tarmac of Manchester Airport but then, it never did. It was light, foggy and wet outside but he wasn't all that surprised for a day in October. Peter stared out of the window, his mind in circles, thinking about one person. She was a beautiful, raven-haired factory owner with "Cheekbones like wing mirrors".
The other passengers battled with one and other to get their hand luggage out of the hold first, shoving and pushing as Peter remained seated, gazing out of the window and watching planes come in and take off. He still couldn't quite believe he was heading back to Weatherfield. It wasn't quite how he'd hoped he would have gone back but he was still heading to the Street he loved.
The plane emptied and Peter grabbed his bag then made his way down the plane, thanking the stewards and the pilot. Walking through the tunnel to the Terminal, he felt the strange feeling he felt once he was out of prison. He felt free, invincible and ready to defeat anything or anyone. But then it dawned on him what his son had been doing- and to who. He sighed, picking up his suitcase and wheeling it out of the airport to a taxi.
He climbed into into the back with his bags and buckled in. "Where to mate?" The taxi driver asked.
"Coronation Street; Weatherfield."
"Well Leanne, you seem much better now so we are going to discharge you." The doctor explained to Leanne who was now fully clothed in the outfit Nick had brought her. She had even managed to do her make-up and shower in the en-suite that she had luckily been given.
"Really?" Nick asked, smiling. He hated hospitals; spending hours on end counting the tiles on the ceiling, waiting for the next sympathetic visitor.
"Yep but you do need to take some antibiotics when you go home," the doctor said to Leanne who was raring to go.
"Okay; thank you," she smiled. "For everything, really."
"It's no problem, okay then, feel free to go when you are ready."
"Thanks," Nick and Leanne said in unison as the doctor departed the room.
"Right, let's go then," Nick smiled, grabbing her bags and holding her hand, leading her out of the hospital and to his car. He opened the passenger door for her, allowing her to get in whilst he placed the bags in the boot. They buckled in and headed home.
As Nick and Leanne pulled up outside of her flat, for her to rest, a taxi parked up outside Streetcars.
Leanne was helped out of the car by Nick, who also had hold of her bags. Peter stepped out of the taxi, watching the two of them.
"Leanne?" Peter shouted over at his ex-wife. Nick and Leanne froze. They knew who that was immediately.
"Peter." They both said in unison, stunned.
"What? No Welcome Home banners?" Peter joked.
Hi again everyone! I have now decided Friday is the update day for this(I know it is Thursday today) as it is quite difficult updating all the time. I hope you enjoyed this and I will bring you chapter 21 next week! Please continue to leave such lovely reviews, thank you! :-)
