December 2017

"Daddy!" Riley giggled jumping on Peter who was lay on the sofa.

"What have I told you about sneaking up on me," Peter lifted his daughter above his head with a smile before bringing her back down and tickling her.

"Daddy!" The little girl shouted through her laughs, "Daddy! Mumma told me too!"

A small laugh came from the kitchen counter as Peter turned around and pulled a face at Carla who smirked before walking over and sitting next to them.

"I recon Miss Riley needs some energy burning so I thought we could go to the park," Carla suggested exciting her daughter.

"Really mummy?!" Riley cried jumping off the sofa.

"Only if you wear your hat and your gloves though," Carla offered.

A vigorous nod from the toddler made Carla's face creep into a small smile before sending her daughter off to collect her coat. Carla turned her head towards Peter who raised an eyebrow at her.

"Car-"

"I'll be fine," Carla assured him, "Besides you'll be there."

"As long as you are fully sure," Peter assured.

"I'll be fine, I promise," Carla smiled kissing him quickly before getting up.

"Mumma! I can't find my shoes!" Riley shouted from her bedroom.

"I'm coming," Carla called back trying to make it round the corner out of sight from Peter before leaning against the wall, as her head spun quicker and quicker.

A couple of minutes later there was an impatient shout from her daughter once again, "Mumma!"

"I know darling, I'm coming," Carla tried to reply as normal as possible.

Hearing footsteps from the sofa, she quickly pulled her phone out of her pocket.

"Baby, you okay?" Peter asked placing a hand on Carla's bitter cold shoulder.

"Yeah course," Carla faked a smile turning round, "Just texting Chelle."

"Are you sure you want to go out in the cold, you're already freezing, I can take Riles if you want to rest for a bit," Peter offered.

"Honestly baby, I'll be fine," Carla reassured before walking in the direction of her daughter's bedroom.

"RiRi queen of the castle!" Riley grinned happily at the top of the slide as Peter came behind her.

"Not if daddy gets to the bottom of the slide first," Peter declared scooping the three year old up into his arms and sliding down the slide.

Screaming with joy, Riley jumped out of Peter's arms and ran straight towards the bench where Carla was sat at.

"Mumma! I'm the winner!" Riley smiled.

"You are darling, well done," Carla said her smile fragile.

"Daddy! Come on!" Riley summoned Peter as he made his way to where his fiance was sat.

"Two minutes princess!" Peter called back then sat down next to Carla, "Are you okay."

A little shake of the head was all Carla replied as she rested her head against the man.

"Riley, come here sweetheart," Peter called.

"I'm sorry," Carla whispered.

"Hey don't worry, we'll be okay," Peter reassured her.

"Mumma! Are you okay?" Riley asked quietly going close to the women.

"I will be baby, mummy's just tired," Carla smiled slightly holding her daughter's small hand.

"We're gonna go back home, so mummy can sleep and then me and you will watch a movie before tea, does that sound okay?" Peter asked the toddler who pulled a face.

"But I haven't finished at the park," Riley protested.

"I know darling but we'll come back another day, mummy doesn't feel too good," Peter explained.

She quickly rolled her eyes before storming off and stopping at the gate waiting for her parents, "She gets that attitude from you," Peter added helping Carla up.

"You wish, that's you all over," Carla scoffed walking towards the car.

Hours had passed before Peter went and lay next to Carla as she began to stir.

"Time?" Carla asked quietly.

"9, Riley went down a couple hours ago, she was shattered," Peter said softly playing with his fiance's hair.

"I feel so bad," Carla began turning to face Peter, "I barely see her after 2, I'm either ill or asleep."

"She's fine baby, she knows your not very well," Peter tried to reassure her.

"I'm so tired and i've only just woke up," Carla groaned moving further to cuddle Peter.

"Car I think it's time to go you know," Peter said cautiously.

"Go," Carla laughed slightly, "Go where?"

"You know where," Peter replied.

After a short moment, Carla looked up to Peter, "We can't, Riles has dance."

"Really!" Peter shook his head.

"Yes and what about nursery," Carla insisted.

"Car you know there's nursery's and dance classes all over Manchester," Peter replied raising his eyebrows.

"And what about a house?" Carla continued.

"Well I was looking-"

"You've been looking?" Carla exclaimed.

"I just think, you're getting worse each day, the best thing we can do is at least see if Aiden or Kate are a match," Peter explained.

"I don't think-"

"Think about Riley baby," Peter interrupted.

After a while the silence disappeared and Carla spoke up.

"I suppose she would love to be close to her family again," Carla tossed her opinion.

"If it doesn't work out, we could move back, we don't have to stay too long if you don't want to," Peter answered, "But we need to look for ways to help you baby."

"Okay, we'll do it," Carla nodded, "We'll look into it tomorrow."

"We'll be okay Car," Peter assured her as she cuddled into his side.

"I hope so," Carla whispered, "I really do."