Chapter 4: Home Sweet Home

"I'm just glad she doesn't have the same taste in decor as her mother." Vicky laughed, laying the final spoons into the cutlery drawer of their new home.

"I don't think Helen has good taste in anything, to be honest." Carla replied, folding the last tea towel and placing it into the drawer beside her.

"I can hear you; you know." Michelle stated from the floor of the living room where she sat, back pressed against the sofa, helping Sonny push coloured blocks through correctly shaped holes.

"Oh, come on, Chelle. You're the first person to turn your nose up at her choice of Christmas presents." Carla laughed, folding her arms and leaning back against the cream surface of the kitchen counter. She turned to Vicky; eyebrow raised. "You know, one year she bought her a slow cooker."

"It was a good slow cooker." Michelle defended.

"Michelle, you were twelve." Carla pointed out with a smirk.

Michelle scooped Sonny up, shaking her head.

"She wanted to start teaching me how to cook. It was very thoughtful." She explained, making her way over to the kitchen. Carla snorted.

"Wanted to keep you occupied so you didn't keep coming out with me, more like."

"Well, aren't you lucky that it didn't work." Michelle grinned, smugly.

"I'm so pleased. I'm not sure Vicks will be when you try to cook for her though," Carla teased, acknowledging the amused look on the Irish woman's face. "Although, I'll give it to her: She does make a mean Shepherd's Pie."

"I'll have you know I'm a very good cook, thank you! Don't start tarnishing everyone with your own brush." Michelle gave Carla's arm a light punch, before passing a grizzling Sonny across to his mother. "Aren't I, babe?"

"The best." Vicky replied, pressing a light kiss against her partner's soft lips, as she took the child in her arms.

"You two are knocking me sick." Carla rolled her eyes, a teasing smirk crossing her lips. "I'll let you get on with it." She said, pushing herself away from the kitchen worktop and planting a kiss on Michelle's cheek.

"You're coming back later for the party though, right?" Michelle checked.

"Housewarming drinks." Vicky corrected, repeating Michelle's own words from earlier in the week. She'd insisted she didn't want a party, for fear their newly decorated flat would end up a complete mess. A few close friends and family for a couple of drinks, however, would be fine.

Michelle rolled her eyes, guiding Carla to the door.

"Of course! Seven, yeah?"

"Yep. See you then. Thanks for your help today."

Carla offered a warm smile.

"Bye babe. Bye Vicky!"

Michelle let the door shut behind her as she headed back towards her girlfriend. Wrapping her arms around her waist, she gazed around the flat, taking in all of their hard work from the past week.

"It's perfect, isn't it?" Vicky whispered, biting her bottom lip as she too admired the room.

"I still want a new kitchen…" Michelle pouted. She let out a laugh as Vicky rolled her eyes. "But yes, other than that, it's perfect."

She sighed as she stood there, not wanting to break the connection between them as they appreciated the scene in front of them. It was exactly what they'd planned. The white and grey theme of the walls made the room feel more spacious and modern than what they'd walked into when they'd first picked up the keys the previous week. The plush, grey sofa added a homely feel; the black and pale pink cushions adding a splash of colour and creating depth in the room. The glossy white table with soft grey chairs provided the perfect space for the family to eat and the grey curtains framed the windows neatly.

All they needed now was to tear out the wooden kitchen cabinets and replace them with the white ones they'd come across in the glossy copy of Kitchen and Bathroom that Vicky had picked up from Freshco's two days ago, topped by a black marble work surface. As much as Michelle wanted everything completed straight away, she knew it was something that could wait a while; at least until they were properly settled.

"I think I'm going have a soak in the bath, babe." Michelle sighed, running a hand through Vicky's soft hair.

"Okay. Sonny's due a nap so I'll try and get him settled. Would you like that, hey, baby? A nap in your lovely new bedroom?" She cooed, bouncing him lightly on her hip. "It's going to be so strange not having him in the same room."

"We'll get used to it." Michelle smiled, rubbing her back comfortingly. "Hey, after you've put him down, why don't you join me?"

"I would love to."


Vicky rapped lightly on the bathroom door, pushing it open a crack.

"Mmhmm?" Michelle hummed, her eyes closed and head resting back against the bath.

"Only me." Vicky smiled, entering the room fully and sitting down on the closed lid of the toilet. They remained in silence for a moment, before Michelle blinked her eyes open, looking pointedly at where Vicky was staring intently at her.

"Did you just come in to stare at me?" Michelle raised her eyebrows, receiving a laugh from her girlfriend.

"Well, there's not much room in that tub for two." Vicky pointed out.

Michelle sighed, dropping her head back against the bath once more.

"We need a new bathroom." She whined, shaking her head.

"What sort of design are you thinking of, madam?" Vicky asked, imitating the busybody assistant they'd met in the DIY shop earlier in the week. "You know, lime green is all the rage now."

Michelle faked retching and shot Vicky a grin.

"No, I'm thinking black and white. The classy type, not tacky, of course."

"Of course."

"And I want one of those baths that curves out into the middle of the room. Do you know the ones I mean? They're like wider at one end-"

"Yeah, I know what you mean. And I want one of those mirrors with lights in it."

Michelle glanced towards her, narrowing her eyes.

"I can't tell if you're joking or not." She tested. Vicky let out a laugh.

"No, I'm being deadly serious." She confirmed. Michelle's eyes narrowed further. "Hey, you wouldn't let me have pink in the living room so I think I'm entitled to one mirror!"

"I did let you have pink! The accessories are pink!" Michelle pointed out, defensively. "And fine. You can have the light up mirror. But I'm not having one of those ones with the massive lightbulbs; we can get one where the bulbs are behind the glass."

"That's fine by me." Vicky smiled, happy with the compromise. Michelle sighed, contentedly, allowing her eyes to drift closed once more.

"I can't believe we're back in Weatherfield." She sighed. "I thought I was done with this place for good."

"Well, all your family and friends are here, aren't they?" Vicky pointed out. "You're not having second thoughts, are you?"

"No, of course not. The flat is perfect. Once we get downstairs sorted, we'll be properly settled and I'm sure things will feel normal again."

Vicky smiled, taking in the image of the woman before her. She looked content, her body relaxed. It was a far cry from the woman she'd first come to know this time last year.

"I'm so proud of you." Vicky murmured. Michelle looked back up at her, eyes wide and the hint of a smile on her face.

"What for?" She whispered.

"Do I need a reason?" Vicky smiled. Michelle let out a light laugh.

"I love you."


"Please can you come and zip me up?" Michelle called through to the Kitchen, where Vicky was laying out glasses on the worktop.

"Coming." She called, following the sound of Michelle's voice into the master bedroom. As she passed over the threshold of the doorway, she froze.

"Wow..." She breathed, eyeing Michelle up and down. Despite the gaping zip at the back, the black dress clung tightly to her figure, accentuating her curves and showing off the toned muscles of her legs.

"You don't think it's too much, do you?" Michelle fussed. Vicky laughed.

"Chelle, you look amazing!"

"So do you." Michelle pointed out, taking in the tight, black jeans and sheer blouse Vicky had adorned. She turned away, gathering up her hair and holding it out of the way, allowing Vicky full access to her back.

Vicky approached her and, placing her hands gently on either side of Michelle's hips, began trailing light kisses along her bare collarbone. Michelle let out a sigh.

"Are you going to zip me up or not?"

Vicky paused; her lips still pressed against Michelle's burning skin.

"Maybe I'd rather you just take it off…" She whispered, the heat of her breath tickling Michelle's neck.

"As much as I'd love to, my family are going to be here in less than five minutes."

"That's enough time for a quickie." Vicky shrugged.

"Oh, how romantic." Michelle scrunched up her nose, words laced with sarcasm. Vicky let out a giggle, allowing her fingertips to brush lightly over Michelle's waist, causing her to shiver beneath her touch. Her fingers trailed across her back until they found the zip. Drawing it carefully upwards, she pulled the fabric of the dress tighter around Michelle's slender torso.

Michelle let her hair fall back around her shoulders as she turned to face her partner. Her cheeks were glowing; eyes dark with lust. Michelle let out a laugh.

"Can't we just cancel the party?" Vicky whined, reaching out to trace a finger down her arm. Michelle smiled.

"Housewarming drinks." She corrected, just as the sound of the buzzer rang out through the flat. "And no," She grinned, tormentingly, "you'll have to wait."

With a swish of her hair, she strutted out of the bedroom and picked up the phone.

"Come up!" She chimed, breezily, casting a wicked grin at Vicky, who was leant against the bedroom doorframe, shaking her head. "Tyler, guests are here." She called out, knocking lightly on his bedroom door. "Will you stop looking at me like that?" She could feel Vicky's eyes trailing her as she made her way towards the fridge and the bottle of prosecco that was awaiting them.

Before Vicky had a chance to respond, the front door came bustling open, as the crowd of Connor's piled into the hallway. Michelle beckoned them into the living room, greeting them with hugs and cheek kisses as they entered.

Vicky watched in wonder as Michelle played hostess; ensuring everyone had a drink and taking each of their coats. She didn't notice the door across the hall to her right opening, nor her son striding through the archway beside her.

"For god's sake mum, pick your jaw up off the floor." Tyler nudged her, clearly embarrassed at her involuntary show of affection towards her girlfriend.

"You took your time." She shot back, ignoring his comment. She pulled herself together, stepping into the living room and finding her place beside Michelle; taking the champagne flute she offered her.

"I have to say, ladies," Johnny stated, addressing the pair. Vicky felt Michelle's arm wrap around her waist. "You've done a great job with the place. Wouldn't recognise it, would you Maria?"

Maria nodded, eagerly, admiring the room. "It's like a different flat!" She agreed, taking a sip of her prosecco.

Michelle offered them a humble smile.

"Well, we really couldn't have done it without all of your help." She smiled, raising her glass into the air. "So, thank you. It's been a manic week but we've made it work!"

The group followed in her actions, each raising their own glass or bottle to the ceiling.

"Mum, can I whack some tunes on or something?" Ryan moaned, "else this is going to be a pretty dead party."

Michelle and Vicky exchanged glances, their mouths twitching upwards as they turned to him in unison.

"It's not a party!"


"Well, that was fun…" Michelle grinned, allowing her eyes to drift closed against the fuzziness of her vision. It felt as though the room was spinning, and Vicky's arms around her were the only thing anchoring her to the ground. They sat on the floor, legs outstretched with their backs pressed up against the sofa, the artificial fire creating an orange glow and casting shadows up the walls. Vicky's head lolled to the side, finding a perch against Michelle's shoulder, as she let out a satisfied hum in response.

"I know we said we weren't having a party…" Michelle began, as Vicky let out a shout of laughter. Michelle felt herself dissolving into a fit of giggles. She let out a sigh as she recovered herself. "I'm just glad nothing got broken."

"I thought one of Jenny's hips might when she got up on the table…" Vicky chuckled, as Michelle allowed her head to fall into her hands.

"That woman is a complete liability." She laughed. "I tell you what, if we'd have behaved like that in the back room at the pub, she'd have had us out by our ears."

"It was funny though…" Vicky grinned, replaying the image of Jenny dancing in her mind. "Your Ryan didn't help, egging her on."

"Yeah, well he's just as bad. Any excuse to relive his Ibiza days and he's off on one. Hence him taking Tyler into town. I doubt we'll see them again until next week."

Vicky started giggling again, picking up the half empty wine bottle from the floor beside her and taking a swig straight from it.

"Hey, mind the rug!" Michelle warned, a laugh in her throat, as Vicky placed the bottle back in its resting place on the plush, white fabric. She pulled her hands away slowly, ensuring the bottle was as secure as it could be on the floor that, to her, felt like it was swaying, before snuggling into Michelle's side.

"I can't remember the last time I felt this drunk…" She snickered; her cheeks flushed from the copious amounts of wine she had consumed.

"I can." Michelle laughed, draping her legs across Vicky's and wrapping her arms around her neck. "Does this ring any bells?" She whispered, the tips of their noses brushing.

"Hmm, I think you're going to have to jog my memory some more…" Vicky teased, her lips parting into a smile against Michelle's.


Michelle had half expected Vicky to be joking. In fact, as she'd bid her parents farewell, insisting that she could miss out on yet another of Cousin Tom's thrilling family parties, she kind of hoped she had been. It wasn't until the Irish woman was stood on the doorstep, thick red onesie tucked into a pair of Ugg boots and a bottle of red in each hand, that she finally accepted that it wasn't going to be the quiet night she'd anticipated.

Vicky had had a bag slung over her arm, which she'd thrust in Michelle's direction upon entering the Connor cottage, instructing her to open it. Upon peering over the plastic rim, Michelle had spotted the same fabric Vicky was clad in.

"I knew you wouldn't have changed your PJ's; which is a bit gross, by the way; so, I came prepared with festive onesies. Go and put it on and I'll make you a drink." Vicky had demanded, practically pushing her up the dark wood staircase in the corner of the room.

And whilst Michelle had fought hard against the idea, Vicky was a tough nut to crack. So, here she was, head to toe in fluffy, red fleece, slugging wine from the bottle in front of the open fire of her parents' living room.

"Okay, how about... Peter Barlow... Steve McDonald... Or Kirk from the factory?" Vicky shot. Michelle raised an eyebrow.

"Is that a joke?" Michelle replied, with a scoff.

"Answer the question." Vicky persisted.

"Well, seeing as I've already married Steve and bedded Peter, I think I'll avoid them all."

"Poor Kirk." Vicky snorted. "When did in god's name did you bed Peter Barlow?"

"Summer '09..." Michelle replied, flicking her hair over her shoulder. She let out a sigh. "Simpler times... Although having said that, it was the year we found out that Carla's husband, who was shacked up with Maria, had murdered my brother. Which probably explains why I thought Peter was a good idea. My perspective was pretty skewed."

Vicky blinked a couple of times, taking in the barrage of information. She watched Michelle closely; noted how she had focused her gaze on the flames flickering in the hearth. Carefully, she placed her hand on top of hers.

"You've been through a lot, you..." She said quietly. Michelle let out a sharp laugh.

"That's not even the half of it." She said, sadly. Her eyes drifted closed as she shook her head. "Anyway, you don't need me bringing the mood down. It's your turn."

"Technically, you never answered yours." Vicky pointed out with a smirk. Michelle rolled her eyes.

"I said I'm avoiding them all. I'm off men." She stated, washing another mouthful of wine down.

"That wasn't your answer when Channing Tatum, George Clooney and Orlando Bloom were the options..." She paused for a moment, taking in the side profile of the woman beside her, who she felt she'd come to know so well over the past few weeks. However, it was becoming more and more clear with every extra moment they spent together that there was still so much she didn't know. She sighed, averting her eyes and swigging from her own bottle, before turning to face her again. "You can talk to me, you know? About anything. I know I'm no Carla, but... Well, we've still been through a lot together. You can trust me."

Michelle's gaze dropped into her lap, her face cracking into a small, polite smile. "If I started talking, I wouldn't know when to stop..."

She lifted her eyes, meeting Vicky's as she released a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. The look behind them was one of genuine care. It was a marvel to her how this woman, who she'd hated only a month or so before and who she knew had felt the same about her, had become the one person she felt she could rely on. She couldn't explain it. It was a feeling she hadn't felt in such a long time that she'd almost forgotten what it was. Trust was a word that had been thrown in her direction and trampled over more times than she could count; to the point that she wasn't sure she would ever experience it again. But with Vicky, it was different. She felt safe.

She cleared her throat quickly as she realised just how long they'd been holding each other's gaze, and shifted her eyes across the room. They fell upon the television screen, the LED lights flashing with images of crowds of people lining the River Thames, awaiting the fireworks that would bring in the New Year. Michelle sighed.

"They all look bloody freezing." Vicky remarked; having followed Michelle's eyeline towards the television set. "I can't imagine why anyone would want to stand out in the freezing cold for hours waiting for them to let off a couple of sparkly lights. I mean, look! None of them are even drinking!"

Michelle let out a laugh, shaking her head; her freshly-washed hair with its natural waves swaying across her back with the movement.

"Oh, I don't know. I'd be well up for it. Every year I've said 'one day I'll be down there, snogging the love of my life under the London Eye...' Never gonna happen now though, is it? I don't think I'm capable of loving another man again." She sighed, glancing towards Vicky, whose eyes were glowing in the direction of the screen. "Sorry, I'm doing it again, aren't I? Bringing the mood down."

The picture on the television changed; the sight of Big Ben stretching up into the night sky; huge numbers being projected on its old brick walls.

"Oh, here we go..." Vicky stated, as the thirty second countdown began.

"Yep. I guess it's good riddance to the worst year of our lives." Michelle said, raising her bottle into the air. Vicky laughed.

"I don't know, its not been all bad." She disagreed, meeting Michelle's eyes once more.

"Oh really?" Michelle scoffed. "And how did you work that one out?"

"Well... I got to meet you."

Michelle opened her mouth to argue, before promptly closing it again. Was there really anything to argue about? The movement of her lips caught Vicky's attention and her eyeline dropped unwittingly towards them.

She could feel herself leaning in, the air between them creating some kind of static energy, causing the hairs on her arms to stand to attention. Her eyes drifted closed as her lips came into contact with Michelle's, sending sparks flying in her stomach.

Michelle could feel her heart pounding at the unexpected contact. She couldn't explain or understand, but something about it felt so right. The soft feeling of Vicky's lips caressing hers made her feel at ease; as though everything else in the world was melting away and she was becoming someone else. Someone she actually liked. It felt so, so different, but oh so good.

Vicky brought a hand up to cup Michelle's cheek, wanting desperately to touch more of her. It felt like electricity was running through her fingertips as they brushed across her silky skin. Her teeth caught Michelle's bottom lip and she felt her let out a gasp. It sent a tingle down her spine.

It wasn't until the television screen erupted into colour and the tune of Auld Lang Syne began to play that they broke apart. They held each other's gaze for a moment, breathing heavily as they tried to make sense of the moment they'd shared. It was Vicky who moved first, dropping her head into her hands in a panic.

"Michelle, I am so sorry, I don't know what that was... I mean, with all the wine, and... My god, I'm such an idiot. I don't even like you like that. No offence or anything. I mean, it's not that I don't like you like that, I mean it's not personal or anything, I just mean that I don't like women in general like that and- Oh, I've made such a mess. You didn't even want me to come, I just barged my way in here and brought these stupid pyjamas and a stupid amount of wine and- Look, I should go, I-"

"Vicky..." Michelle whispered, reaching for her hand as she stood up to make a swift but flustered exit.

"I'm sorry, Michelle, I really am. I don't know what came over me. God, you must think I came over here to take advantage, just like everyone else."

"Vicky, you're nothing like anyone else. In fact I don't think I've ever met anyone quite like you before..."

Vicky sighed. "I'm sorry. I'll go."

"You don't have to..." Michelle assured her, maintaining a firm grip on her hand.

"You don't have to say that just to make me feel better." Vicky laughed, sadly. Michelle shook her head.

"I'm not. I want you to stay."

"Michelle, I-"

"Please don't leave me..."

"I could never leave you." Vicky promised, sitting back down beside her on the rug, resting their linked hands in her lap..

"Vicky... Just hold me. Please." Michelle whispered, her gaze set firmly upon her. Vicky sighed, wrapping her arms carefully around Michelle's torso and allowing her head to rest against her shoulder.

Vicky's arms felt like a protective barrier to Michelle. They were safe and warm, and every move was made with genuine care and affection. She knew a line had been crossed as the clock had struck midnight and the new year had rolled in, but somehow that didn't matter. It didn't feel strange, or wrong, or embarrassing. It felt right; like it was meant to be. As she relaxed into Vicky's hold, allowing her eyes to drift closed, Michelle couldn't remember ever feeling so content.


A/N -

Thank you for all the love on this story so far! I was wary to post it as I know its a ship that not many people have really considered, but I'm glad to see that some of you are enjoying it! If you are, or if you're not, please leave me a review to let me know your thoughts!

If you want to delve deeper into the world of Michelle and Vicky (with a splash of Carla!) then be sure to check out both Three Wise (Wo)men by Brooklyn Blue and The Other Woman by TheLyricsAreMyStory. They're both fab writers who write this ship so well!