'Oh, look at those beautiful teeth.' Simon grins, as the girl chats away with herself 'you are very pretty.'

'Takes after 'er mum.' Carla just rolls her eyes, slapping Peter gently. 'My dad said he's on his way.'

'Perfect. I can't believe we're doing this. It's gone so quickly.'

'She's seven months next week.'

'Bloody he'

'Small ears. She's started picking up on stuff, I don't need her first word being anything but mama. Can you pass me that pen?' Peter chucks it at her, as she rolls her eyes.

'You're such a mum.' Carla grins at that statement.

'I am her mum. The only one she's got. Anyway, chuck us the pen.'

'What for?'

'Labelling this box- it's her stuff. This box has to be unpacked first, otherwise she has nowt to sleep in. What time are the men coming?'

'An hour, I've done everything else.' Peter grins, 'when you were getting up this morning, I was busy finishing everything off.'

'I was feeding your daughter, much more important.'

'Too much information Carla.' Simon cringes, 'I didn't need to know that.'

'How did you think she was going to eat?' Peter grins, winding him up, 'it's not like she can use a knife and fork? We don't let her starve.'

'I really don't need to think about this, like really don't need to think about this. You're my step-mum, kind of.' He laughs, as the buzzer goes off, a man soon appearing at the door. 'Saved by the bell' Simon mutters as the pair laugh.

'Morning Ken, thanks for this. We really appreciate it.' Carla smiles, letting the man into the flat. 'We couldn't do this without you. A baby and moving is a recipe for disaster.'

'I can't be much help with anything else, but I can look after Beatrice. Where is she?'

'Over 'ere.' Simon calls, still bouncing her on his hip. 'You gonna go to grandads? Hmm, play with Bertie?'

'Are you sure you're okay to look after him?' He nods, 'I'll come with you and bring her over. She's taken to crying when I leave her. Apparently, it's normal.' She promises, turning to her partner.

'You just want to get out of moving.'

'Guilty as charged.'

-CS-

'Right, so Si, you're doing the plug covers, Peter and Adam setting up the nursery, Ryan and Daniel are sorting the living room out and I'm doing the kitchen.' She sighs, running her hand through her hair. 'Thank you for doing this guys.' She looks around the room, full of boxes all labelled and marked, Carla had spent the past week and a half trying to sort out all of this, having moved some of the stuff into their new house. Simon and Peter had spent the last week, on and off, painting the house, ready for the big move today. She says the big move, a lot of stuff was in, it was more building furniture and setting up things. Things that would take weeks if they had to-do it on their own.

'What's family for?' Adam smiles, rolling his sleeves up, 'where is she?'

'Dad's got her, with Bertie.'

'It's weird not having her there.' Carla sighs, missing her baby, as everyone leaves the room, so it's just her and her partner. 'She's just always there. It's so weird, we were talking about it, last night. Obviously, we knew nothing before I had her, but I wouldn't be without her.' She whispers, biting her lip before the tears can flow.

'Carla, she'll be fine.'

'What if she's not?'

'Get unpacking the kitchen.'

-CS-

'Carla.' A voice calls, making the woman jump, 'I'm done.'

'Done?'

'Every single plug in the house, I've covered it.'

'Wow, that was quick. You can come and help me here, or maybe help the boys with the bookcase thing.'

'I'll stay here, did you say that you've got to-do the bathroom?'

'Ah, shit, I'd forgotten about that.' It's only the little things that have to be done, but to her, that's important. 'They're all labelled, and the cupboards are too.'

'You're far too organised.'

'That's maternity leave for you.' She laughs, 'too much time on my hands. That's, obviously, when I'm not with her.'

'When are you going back?' The woman makes a sound that raises the boy's eyebrows. 'Touchy subject?'

'Oh, I don't know. I know I need to go back at some point, but I just don't like the idea of leaving her. I can't describe it. I'm not sure I trust anyone with her.'

'It will be fine. You'll get used to it, she'll be fine.'

'Let's hope so.'

-CS-

'Welcome to your new home.' She whispers to the baby, as they approach the house, having spent the evening in the bistro. She'd taken her out of the car seat, whilst Peter was sorting out the last few boxes in the car. Silly stuff that they'd left at his dads, small stupid stuff but it makes it the family home.

They could have gone to the rovers. You know, to celebrate.

But he was there.

Her dad.

Johnny.

And they all knew that it wouldn't have been a good decision. 'We're going to have so much fun here.' She promises, kissing her head. 'That's why mummy and daddy haven't seen you today, because we've been getting this ready for you. It's not completely done, but we're getting there.'

'What's that?'

'I'm telling our daughter that this is home. This is our forever home, aye Mister.' He smiles, kissing her cheek.

'We need a picture.'

' Of what?'

'The pair of you, by the front door.'

'I don't want too.' She groans, being pushed a little by her partner. 'I'm going to take one of you.' She laughs as they go through a mini-photo shoot. The pair both knowing that this doorstep would be home to many a photos to come, first day of school pictures, last day of school pictures, big events. This is their home.

'Let's get you in, give you the grand tour.'

-CS-

'When are we starting on the solid foods?' Peter dares to ask, as his partner sits on their new bed. 'She's six months old and this is the usual time, plus we now have that highchair thing set up, now seems the perfect time.'

'She's not shown much interest. When she starts showing an interest, she can have some.'

'So, what, when she starts using a knife and fork?'

'Go away.' She starts, rolling her eyes. 'She's already moving to the end of the bed. She needs to stay a baby forever, my little baby. It's taken a while, but I feel like she's growing so fast. She's already making noises, looking at moving around. Aye, you need to put that gate up. We missed the pregnancy; the first few months were a blur. Now she's like triple her size and she's trying to get away from me.'

'I don't think it's quite like that. She's got to grow and move, it's a good thing.'

'I know.' Carla sighs, rubbing her forehead. 'First the swimming, now the moving, where she has her own, proper, bedroom. She'll soon be on solids, taking the time away from me, I'll be back at work. She'll be away from me more; she'll grow too quickly.' She sighs, choking up.

'Hey, hey. Stop those tears, this is a good thing. She's on target, she's a real miracle. She cements this family, making us a proper little clan.'

'I guess.' She whispers, 'I've never really had a family. Not really, this is all new ground for me.'

'I know.' Peter whispers, kissing the top of her head. 'We'll have our differences and we're going to be okay. We can't look back to the past, only the future. This is our future.' He promises, wrapping his arms around his partner. 'We're going to be okay.'

-CS-

'Now there is a sight for sore eyes.' A voice calls, making the woman jump. The voice couldn't see what she was doing, by the boxes in front of her, she could hazard a guess that she was packing. 'I thought you might be here. This is lovey. I wasn't expecting it though. Very domestic.'

'What are you doing here?'

'A little birdy told me that you need a pick me up. Apparently, you've been moping around.'

'What about work?' The raven-haired women shrugs, putting the bag down. 'And how did you know where to come? It's not like it's the street.'

'Got bored and I have some time off. I've missed this place. Thought I better pop over. I told Peter I was coming, and Ryan gave me a lift, on his way to town.'

'I missed you?' She whispers, 'c'mere. I've got the baby in my arms.' She grins, turning around to see her best friend, baby remaining on her hip. Over the last few months, she'd learnt the real meaning on multi-tasking. And lack of sleep. All those night's she'd stayed awake, whether it was because or work or the man in her bed, this was nothing like that.

At this point, she wouldn't change a moment of it.

Well except knowing she was pregnant. Still a very raw topic between the pair.

'She's the one I really came to see.'

'Of course, you did. If I were you, I'd do that too. She's cute, until she's screaming at 4AM because she's teething.'

'Are you having a tough time? What about Peter?'

'He drives for a living; he can't do that safely if he's up with her. At least, for now, I'm on maternity leave.'

'How long are you on that for? She's, what, six months? You won't be able to stay on for much longer, unless you're planning on giving up work.'

'I honestly don't know, Chelle. I'm going to see Nick at some point. I just don't want to leave her, what if she forgets me?'

'Carla, you're her mum. She isn't going to forget you. Leaving her for a few hours a day, it will be fine.'

'You don't know that.'

'I do Chelle. What if I go back and I fall back into the workaholic thing? You know, the one where I can't stop working? And become a crap parent.' It makes Michelle smile that her best friend has finally accepted she's not such a shit parent, the fact she was worrying about being crap.

'She won't, anyway, could you not work part-time.'

'I thought about that, but it doesn't really make sense.'

'I'm sure Johnny will look after her.'

'After I kicked off at him?' She groans, 'I didn't mean to. Not to that scale, at least. He was just there, and I was angry. Or hurt.'

'Maybe both?'

'He let me starve, wear clothes that were too small. I married my cousin. He saw the neglect that happened, and he turned a blind eye. I don't care what you said about anything, he wasn't there but he knew what was going on. He cared that much.' Michelle takes a deep breath, taking the baby off her friend, who starts to whimper.

'Maybe not.' She whispers, 'you want mummy?'

'Come on then.' Carla whispers, 'apparently this is a thing, being picked up by strangers. Not that you aren't my best friend.'

'You're right, I haven't seen her since she was weeks old. But that's going to change.'

'What?'

'I'm moving back, in September. My current contract runs out in August and I'm moving over here. Besides my parents, everyone else is over here. I know there's the memories of Robert, but there is also our Paul and Liam and I was able to live with them.'

'And this isn't a joke? I'm enough of a hormonal mess for you to make jokes like this.'

'You got me thinking Carla, I do want to be back here. I spoke to Johnny; he's giving me a job.'

'No way?' She nods, as her friend grins. 'That's amazing Chelle.'

'It's all down to Johnny, really.' She confesses, 'he told me how much you needed me. Don't jump down my throat, but he made me see that my life is here. Bea needs to have her auntie Chelle here. Johnny told me that he thought you needed a friend, not that you don't have plenty, but we've been through so much. He agreed to give me a job, when I officially move back. I have to say thank you.'

'I love you.'

'Love you too.'

'I know you might hate this.'

'Hate?' Carla raises an eyebrow, as she places the baby on the floor. 'Hate is a strong word.'

'Come to the pub with me.'

'Chelle.'

'I've got a contract to sign.'

'Is this a rouse?'

'Look, I've got to say thank you to Johnny. He might want to apologise to you. Either way, you'd get a free drink.'

'I have a baby.'

'Did I specify alcoholic? You could have a soft drink.'

'Chelle, I don't know.'

'I've come all the way over from Ireland. The least you can do is come with me.'

'Do I have a choice?'

'No.'

-CS-

'Chelle I don't want to-do this.' She whispers, as they find their way to the front entrance of the pub. 'I can't see him. What if he's expecting an apology?'

'He isn't.' She promises, 'he really isn't.'

'He would be waiting a long time.' She whispers, as she gets pushed in. 'Oi, I have a baby. She could have fallen out.'

'You are so dramatic.'

'Me? Dramatic?'

'Hi, what can I- Michelle? Carla?'

'Hi Johnny.' Michelle smiles, the other woman remaining silent, making it clear that she didn't want to be part of this. 'How are you?'

'I'm good.' He tries, unsure if he should talk to Carla.

'Carla, say hello to your dad.'

'Hi.' She mutters.

'How have you been? How was the move?'

'Fine.'

'What are you, Carla?' Michelle groans, 'five? You can be civil.'

'It went well, Johnny.' She shrugs, 'we're all moved in, mostly.'

'What's your place like?'

'It's nice.' Michelle answers for her. 'It's really nice, very pretty and very Carla.'

'That's nice.'

'And how have you been?' She watches his face contort into somewhat of a surprise. 'How's business been?'

'You know, it's doing okay. People still want alcohol and still want hotpots.'

'That's good.' She smiles awkwardly, as the baby starts to tug at her hair. 'Hey, we're going to stop that.' She whispers, 'it hurts me.'

'She looks like you.' Johnny tells her, as she stops the baby pulling at her hair. 'She's gotten big.'

'You're telling me, every time we go to the clinic, she's getting bigger, but I don't seem to notice.'

'When you live with someone, you don't.' He muses, 'she's very pretty.'

'Thank you.' She stutters, the tension between them palpable. 'She's more chilled than me.'

'Here are the contracts.' Michelle smiles, turning to her cousin. 'Thank you, for this.'

'I'm more than happy to help.' He promises, 'we need the staff and you want to come home, it makes sense.'

'Thank you, Johnny.' Carla whispers, 'I wanted my best friend back.'

'Aye, it's okay.' He doesn't ask anything else; he desperately wants to give the baby a cuddle, but his daughter made it very clear he wasn't welcome.

And as much as it pained him. He had to respect her wishes.

'We've got to go.' Michelle tells him, 'I'll pop in before I go.' He nods, smiling.

'Bye Johnny.' Carla tries, 'I'll see you around.'

A/N thoughts?