22nd November 2019: Baby Steps

He was surprised at her change of heart especially over a baby, she actually chose to spend her time with his nephew which was something he didn't think would ever happen. After all, Carla and babies didn't mix, right? No, he was wrong again, she was amazing with him, surprisingly all the doubts she had in the past they all seemed to simmer away and that was something which he was very pleased about, it gave him hope for the future that things might be different, they might be able to recreate what they once had. He would never pressure her into that though, never in a million years would he, he just wanted her to feel it in her heart just as he had been feeling it in his.

She made jokes about him being broody, he didn't care because he knew that she felt the same even if she was afraid to admit it out loud, he knew her and she knew him. The thing that confirmed it to him was the fact that she jumped at the chance for them to look after Bertie to give Daniel some alone time, she thought that he needed it and he was forced to agree even if she may be wrong at the end of the day. They collected his nephew and the day started off with some relentless teasing about him needing what she called 'a big winter coat' he didn't really seem the point but she practically forced him into agreeing.

"So where are we taking him?" she asks glancing down to Bertie who was clapping his hands "Oh you're so cute, yes you are!"

"You were the one who wanted to look after him" he grumbles causing Carla to shoot him an irritated look "What?"

"You, you've got one of those moods on you, no coaxing you out of them" she points placing one of her hands on her hip, she stares at him

"Why are you standing like that?"

"To make a point" she grumbles causing him to chuckle slightly at her figure "Or a statement, whatever way you want to look at it"

"So what are we doing with him then?"

"Well I don't know do I?" she stares aimlessly into thin air before returning to pulling faces at Bertie "Maybe to the park?"

"That's creative" he rolls his eyes, she stops walking and places a hand on her hip again not liking why he was being so moody "What now?"

"You" she points "Why are you like this?"

"Why are you like this?" he replies causing her to raise her eyebrows knowing this conversation wasn't getting them anywhere

"Why are you answering my question with a question?" she asks in return, he just pulls a face not even sure about what they were arguing about "Now choose somewhere preferably warm because I don't want to turn into one of those statues of ice"

"I don't know, that sounds appealing, I could do anything I wanted with you then" he smirks, she smirks back before remembering the little ears which were listening

"Peter" she scolds "Bertie does not need those sorts of innuendos in his life!"

"Oh come off it, he only understands one thing and that's the need for food-"

"And play, you cant play" she points causing Peter to grin and shake his head in amusement "Speaking of play I say we go to that indoor play area"

"Seriously, you're willing to walk around with your shoes and socks off?" he glances down to her high heeled boots she just looks at him annoyed

"Yes, Peter, it'll be fun" she responds causing Peter to sigh, he found himself agreeing "Bertie will find it fun"

"Ok fine, you lead the way…"

They went to the indoor play centre and he was surprised at Carla's eagerness over the whole thing. He was amused that she had her shoes off and she was playing with Bertie in the toddler play area, he just watched from afar amazed at his partner's secret ability with babies, it made his heart warm. They ordered a couple of meals and fed Bertie some food as it was getting towards the time that he usually eats, they then went home and Peter witnessed the cutest thing in front of him; Carla reading Bertie a bedtime story. He had never seen her happier at this moment compared to the entire time that he had known her for.

"One baby down for a nap" Carla sighs dramatically "Seriously that kid would have had me read him ten stories before actually sleeping"

"You see he loves his Aunty Carla" he smiles causing her to shake her head in response "He wouldn't sleep like that for me"

"He probably only sleeps like that for me because I don't hype him up"

"The stories you read him were rather cute though, the little voices you did...Oi!" he shrieks at a cushion from the sofa being lobbed at him

"You heard those?!" she groans, her cheeks blushing furiously "That's so embarrassing"

"It was cute, give yourself some credit, it got the baby to sleep so..."

"I guess you're right" she sighs gently glancing to the time "He is rather cute though"

"You see you do love babies"

"I love that baby, he's easy-going"

"Hmm, I think you secretly like all babies, either that or you're broody" he teases causing her to shoot him an irritated look

"I'm not broody" she shakes her head, she would never admit to what she really felt especially in front of Peter because she knew exactly what would happen next

"Hmm sure, if you say so" he shrugs "You don't even have to deny it, it's written all over you anyway"

"What? No, it's not" she frowns causing Peter to shrug

"Just so you know whenever you want to talk about it, I'll be here, no pressure"

"I'm not broody"

"That's what they all say, now what are we cooking for dinner?"