May 23rd 2014
"When are you planning on making the announcement?" Michelle asked as she sat across from Carla in the Underworld office
"Not until after Rob and Tracy's engagement party," Carla responded, "I personally don't care to make an announcement myself; I mean, the people who do know: you, Steve, Simon, Rob, Tracy, Dierdre, Ken and Roy, are the only ones I really care about. But I would rather the announcement came from me or Peter and not his sister's big gob."
Michelle chuckled, "and how has everything been between you, Simon, and Peter since your talk last week?"
Carla took a sip of her tea, "Yeah, it's been alright, I guess." She licked her lips and placed the mug back down on her desk, "Simon seemed quite happy about the baby, but he was disappointed I wasn't moving back in. Took me by surprise to be honest. I thought he couldn't wait to see the back of me."
"You and him have been getting along really well though, Car. I mean, he defended you in front of Tina-"
"I know, that knocked me for six, that." Carla shook her head, her eyes darting to the corner of her office, as she remembered her step-son standing between her and Tina...
"She said she doesn't want to talk to you," Simon shouted, his face angrily contorted in anger at the barmaid, as he came to stand between Carla and Tina in front of the Bookies flat door, "so leave her alone!"
"Si, it's okay, love-" Carla assured him, placing her hand comfortingly on his arm
"No, it's not!" Simon replied hotly as he looked over his shoulder to his step-mum, "it's not your fault me dad's in rehab, it's hers," he snarled viciously, his eyes narrowing at Tina, "hers and me dad's!"
"Simon, I didn't mean-" Tina tried to interject softly, in shock at the angry outburst coming from the little boy who stood protectively in front of Carla,
"Don't lie!" Simon shouted, tears filling his eyes, "I heard ya! You were blaming Carla but she didn't do anything wrong! It were all your fault! You pretended like you cared but you didn't care about me at all! You just wanted to get close to my dad!"
"No, Si that's not true!" Tina pleaded
"Yes it is! You may have at first, but then you only came around to see me dad, and used me to do it!" Simon snarled, and Carla felt her heart breaking for him as he trembled beneath her hand, "She never did that to me," he gestured towards Carla, "She never tried to use me to get to me dad! That was you! And I hate ya!"
"Simon,-" Tina breathed out, tears pricking her eyes and she looked between him and Carla, but Simon stubbornly folded his arms and stepped backwards so he was closer to Carla.
"Si,-" Carla began kindly, placing both hands on his shoulders
"Are you happy now?" Tina raised her glare to the factory boss, "turning him against me an' all?"
"Stop blamin' her!" Simon screamed, his hands clenching into fists at his side, as tears spilled down his cheeks, "it's your fault! Yours! I hate ya, and I'll never forgive ya for this! Now leave us alone!" he turned suddenly, throwing his body into Carla's and wrapping his arms around her waist, "Please Carla, can we go upstairs, I don't want to see her anymore!" he mumbled into her coat
Carla was taken aback by the embrace, her own eyes overflowing with tears, but she instinctively pulled Simon close to her, holding his head lovingly as it rested against her ribcage, "it's okay, love. Come on..." with a final disgusted look at Tina, Carla pushed the door to the flat open, encouraging Simon to go through before closing the door behind them.
"I were sure that given the choice between his dad being with me, or her, he would've gone with Saint Tina hands down." Carla responded.
"Yeah, well I knew he cared more about you then he let on," Michelle said, "you underestimate yourself with kids, Car. Our Ryan loved the bones off you. Still does."
"Oh come on, 'Chelle, it were Paul he were attached to," Carla brushed off
"Give over! Of course he idolized our Paul, but he adored his auntie Carla. And little Liam does as well! Maria told me how much you bonded with him after," she shifted uncomfortably, "you know..."
Carla instinctively recoiled in her chair as Frank's image flashed across her mind, "yeah, I don't know how I would've made it through those first few weeks without Maria and that little lad. He kept me so distracted..."
"Yeah, well you ought to believe in yourself a bit more," Michelle said with a soft smile, "start seeing yourself the way we all do. Because we all know what a great mum you're going to be, even if you can't see it for yourself. Ryan will be dead chuffed when we tell him about your news. He'll be over the moon, so will our Maria!" Michelle started giggling, "Eh, do you remember when you used to give our Ryan a bath when he were a toddler?"
Carla dropped her head in her hands, her elbows resting on the desk, "Oh God, he was such a little terror in that tub!" she recalled as she laughed, "and he only wanted me to do it when I were over!"
Come on Car, I need you to help me give Ryan his bath." Paul shouted from the bathroom.
"Alright! Alright! Keep your shirt on Paulywalnut." The twenty year old responded as she pried a three-year old Ryan off her leg and up into her arms.
"Whoa whoa whoa!" Liam started as he paused the video game he was playing, "You are jokin' kid?" His question directed at Paul, while Carla shot him a warning look.
"What's the matter?" Paul said poking his head around the corner.
"You are going to get our friend, the woman who generally holds kids like they're footballs, to help you bathe our nephew?" Liam questioned, a huge grin on his face.
"What you saying I'm not capable?" Carla snapped at him.
Liam held his hands up in mock surrender, "No no, by all means darlin' I think you are more than capable of bathing a three-year old." He snickered as she looked suddenly towards the child in her arms, eyeing him from top to bottom apprehensively. "Ha ha! He's not a bomb sweet'eart!" Liam laughed and she immediately turned on her heel and strode into the bathroom.
"Do you 'ave to keep windin' her up?" Paul asked his brother, his annoyance clear as he followed her.
Liam let out an evil laugh, "Oh come on, she's got thick skin that one." He shouted. He heard the water turn on, water filling the bathtub. Liam immediately got to his feet, rubbing his hands together, "Oh this I've got to see!" he snickered. He paused to grab a beer from the fridge in the flat that Paul and he shared with Dean, and headed into the bathroom.
He couldn't quite catch his breath for a moment at the sight that befell him as he entered the room. Paul had his back to him, undressing Ryan, and Liam was glad he did as he was entranced with his childhood friend; she was currently bent over the bathtub, trying to plug the drain. Her jeans clung to her thin but curvy frame, and he couldn't help but stare at her backside. She leaned back so she was sitting on her knees, and flicked her hair so it flipped over one shoulder, exposing the other toned, tanned shoulder and causing the spaghetti strap of her tank top to slide off slightly. He subconsciously licked his lips at the sight, wanting nothing more than to kiss her soft skin. He knew his older brother lusted after Carla, and he knew it were only a matter of time before he made his move, but Paul didn't really appreciate her; Liam did. He loved to tease her, but he appreciated every inch of her gorgeous body, as well as her quick and nimble mind. He snapped himself out of his trance, as Paul tried to pick up a fussy Ryan.
"Car!" Paul called over his shoulder, "I think he wants you!"
Carla, still on her knees, turned to face Paul and his nephew. She held out her arms and called, "Ryyyyaaan!"
The now naked little toddler gave a smile and dashed towards Carla before falling into her outstretched arms. She picked him up and placed him into the tub, squeezing some bath gel under the running water after he settled.
Liam leaned against the doorframe, crossing one ankle over the other as he took a swig of beer. 'This is going to be fun.' He thought mischievously, looking at a basically fully clothed Carla attempting to bathe a hyper toddler.
Paul went to get Ryan's pyjamas, leaving Carla, Liam and his nephew in the bathroom.
"You might want to hand him a rubber duck sweet'eart," Liam offered, "just so he has sommit to play with, you know."
He watched as she pushed her hair behind her ears and looked around for the toys. She pulled the bath bag that Michelle and Dean had left them, while they went to grab dinner for them all, towards her and fished out the two rubber ducks. Liam slid down the wall, and sat comfortably watching as she placed the ducks into the tub and grabbed the loofah to begin bathing the toddler.
She had not moved slightly, before Ryan took hold of both ducks and began splashing them into the water. Carla let out shrill cry as soapy water splashed all over her hair and face and began to travel down her front, drenching her top as splash after splash bombarded her. Liam let out a hearty laugh at her predicament, as Ryan let out screeches of joy, continuing to smack the ducks into the water. Carla squeezed her eyes shut at the onslaught, waiting patiently for it to end.
Paul walked back in the bathroom to find Carla completely drenched in suds and water, and his brother keeled over onto his side, laughing hysterically as tears streamed down his face. He shook his head but couldn't help laughing at the sight himself.
Half an hour later saw Carla drying off Ryan while Liam stared lustfully at her. Her white flimsy tank top was soaked through, and he could clearly see that she wasn't wearing a bra. She paid no attention to Liam, convinced he was simply laughing at her expense. She had no idea that behind her, her childhood friend was undressing her with his eyes.
Two years later, Carla sat in the bathroom of Paul's new flat, where she spent the majority of her nights since they began dating earlier that year. She kept herself at - what she believed - was a safe distance from the tub where Ryan sat playing with his toys, her fingers flicking through a magazine, but keeping a constant eye on the boy in case he slipped beneath the water.
Liam, who sat opposite Carla, cast his eyes over her; again, she was wearing a flimsy tank top, this time, pale pink in colour, and he smirked. Catching his nephew's eye, he made the motion for him to splash her, which Ryan did, giggling as he went along with his uncle's request.
"Arghhhh, Ryan!" Carla screeched, as sudsy water enveloped her once again, "every flamin' time!" but she couldn't contain her laughter as the young boy laughed, his giggles contagious. She reached over and playfully splashed him back, before getting another wave of bubbles and bath water thrown over her.
"Flippin' hell Car, can you not give him a bath once without getting drenched yourself?" Paul laughed as he entered the bathroom, eyeing his now girlfriend lustfully as she wrapped a towel around Ryan
"Hey, it's not my fault!"
"Uncle Liam's" Ryan giggled and Carla paused drying him off,
"Say that again, Ryan?" she cooed
"Ah, kid doesn't know what he's saying..." Liam chuckled nervously, making hand gestures to his nephew to try to silence him, but his nephew continued,
"Uncle Liam told me to!" Carla pursed her lips, and glared at Liam over her shoulder
"Is that right?" she quipped
"Snitch," Liam pulled a face at his nephew, who giggled in return
"Glad I'm here solely for your entertainment, Leebugs..." Carla muttered, accepting the pyjamas Paul handed to her.
"You crashing here tonight kid?" Paul asked Liam.
"Yeah, if that's okay with you two?" Liam answered, looking away from a soaked Carla and down to the floor, trying to conceal the blush he knew was creeping across his cheeks.
"Well we already assumed you would be," Carla said, not turning to look at him as she finished putting Ryan into his pyjamas,
"Yeah, we've set up the room upstairs so you and Ryan can share the space," Paul chimed in, "and seeing as how it's," he looked to his watch, "Whew! 10:00pm, I'd say you should take Ryan up and get him into bed, eh Liam?"
"Me?" Liam scoffed, "Why me?" Paul gave him a pointed look, before shifting his eyes in Carla's direction and raising his eyebrows.
Liam felt his heart shatter. He knew what his brother had planned and he couldn't stop the wave of jealousy that coursed through his veins. He masked his envious thoughts and covered quickly, "Oh right, 'cause I lost the bet. Right." He stood up and headed towards Carla and his nephew.
"What bet?" Carla asked him as he scooped Ryan up into his arms.
Liam's eyes lingered on her wet, exposed skin and to the now slightly see-through top that clung to her breasts. "Oh, never you mind darlin'." He croaked out, before clearing his throat. "I'll see yous in the morning." He leaned down and kissed the corner of Carla's mouth, before walking out of the bathroom.
"Night Paul, Night Carla." He called over his shoulder.
"Night." Paul and Carla called together. Carla pushed herself to her feet, grabbing the towels off the floor and tossing them into a nearby hamper. Paul watched her lustfully as she moved around the bathroom, before finally cornering her.
"What?" she asked him, a smile gracing her face, as he grasped her fingers with his.
"Have I ever told you how happy I am to have you as me girlfriend?" he asked
She gave a small laugh, "Not since yesterday when I made you that delicious cup of coffee." She said wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Well it was a bloody fantastic cup of coffee." He whispered, his lips lingering over hers as his fingers caressed her skin through her wet top.
"Paul?" she whispered huskily, her eyes half closing in lust, "Your brother's upstairs."
Paul leaned his forehead against hers and smiled, "Well then, we're just going to have to be a little more quiet than usual aren't we?" he asked, rubbing his nose against hers, before capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. She returned the kiss with equal fervor and pulled his head closer to hers. He walked her backwards out of the bathroom, pulling her shirt off over her head as he did so and flinging it onto the floor as they stumbled and giggled their way into the bedroom. He closed the door shut behind them and collapsed onto the bed and on top of Carla...
Carla couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips as she remembered the happier times she had with Paul; so much had occurred in her life since then, that those soft moments between her, Paul, Liam and Ryan felt like eons ago...
"Earth to Carla?" Michelle's voice stirred her from her thoughts
"Sorry, love I were miles away," she apologized, "what was the question?"
"How did Roy react to your proposed 'flat' move to Victoria Court?" Michelle asked,
"Oh you know him," Carla responded, "man of few words; don't think he's comfortable with me moving out on me own just yet," she suddenly grabbed at her abdomen, hissing as another flash of pain darted across her pelvis.
"Oh God, are you alright?" Michelle sat up straight, concern etched on her features
"Yeah fine, it's nothing" she breathed out
"Really?"
"Yes, stop fussing!" Carla ordered her gently
"Need to take things easier, you do!"
"That's not how I roll and you know it," Carla responded
"Can I get you anything?"
"Yes," Carla looked up playfully, "two weeks in the Seychelles, all-inclusive. Actually scrap the all-inclusive. It's 5 star or bust..." she chuckled, Michelle smiling along with her, but unable to quash that nervous feeling concerning the pain Carla was trying to hide...
Four hours later, Carla was in the bookie's flat, giving the counter a quick wipe down, before taking a plate with pizza and a fizzy drink to where Simon sat on the sofa. Roy had wanted to watch a documentary that evening, and even though he insisted he could wait until after her and Simon's weekly Friday evening dinner and movie plans, Simon had practically begged her to watch it at the place he now shared only with his dad, promising that Peter would not be there for the duration of the movie.
"There's a few slices there for you, Si, but help yourself to more if you want it, okay?" She sat on the sofa next to him
"Are you not having some?" He asked, as he took a bite of one of the slices
Carla shifted uncomfortably in her seat, "Uhh no, not right now Si, my stomach's a bit off right now."
"Is it the baby making you sick?" He asked curiously
"Yeah a bit. It'll pass soon though." She ruffled his hair affectionately, "so come on then, what movie are we watching?"
"Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone." Simon responded, "and don't worry. Dad promised he'd stay at me grandad's until the movie was over."
Carla smiled at her stepson, "It's okay Si, it's your dad's flat. He doesn't have to stay away from it on my account."
"He said he doesn't want you to feel uncomfortable."
"Well that's very considerate of him," she responded, holding back a biting response and instead shifting to get more comfortable, "so come on then, let's put on this movie, shall we?"
They weren't an hour into the film before Simon noticed that Carla kept shifting in her seat, her hand constantly rubbing her abdomen, and letting out small grunts of discomfort.
"Are you okay?" he asked, trying to hide the fear in his voice
"Ummm, yeah," she breathed out before going to stand up, "I've just got a bit of a stomach ache, I'm just going to get some anti-nausea tablets," she said as she pushed herself up off the sofa.
Before she could turn to head to the kitchen, she crumpled over and hissed in pain, her hand grabbing at her abdomen,
"Carla!" Simon cried, but she couldn't respond back, her eyes filling with tears as she breathed in and out,
"Oh no," she shuddered, "no, no, no..."
Simon pushed himself off the sofa, running to grab the phone and quickly dialing the number to his grandfather's
"Hello?" Peter's voice came through the receiver
"Dad!"
"Si? What's wrong?" Peter asked, panic rising in his voice and drawing the attention of Rob and Tracy
"Dad! It's Carla! She's in a lot of pain! and I'm really scared!"
"Ask...for...Rob..." Carla breathed out painfully, grabbing her bag
"She's asking for Rob!" Simon yelled
"Rob!" Peter shouted over his shoulder before speaking into the receiver again, "Okay Si, we're on our way over!"
"What is it? What's wrong?" Rob asked, concern outweighing the hatred he had for the man in front of him,
"It's Carla, she's in a lot of pain. Come on!" Peter grabbed his jacket and ran out of Number 1, followed closely by Rob
They raced across the street in time to see the door to the bookies flat open and Carla stepping out onto the street leaning on Simon as he held her around the waist
"Car?" Rob shouted, as he came to stand in front of his sister, his hands gripping her shoulders and bending down so he was eye level with her, "What's the matter?"
"I don't know," she responded breathlessly, "I've been having these cramp-pains all day, I'm frightened something's wrong with the baby,"
"Okay gimme your keys," he ordered her, as she fumbled with them, "where are you parked?"
"Factory," she replied, leaning into Peter as he now wrapped his arm around her waist,
"You got her?" He asked Peter, who nodded in reply, "okay, don't worry everything's gonna be alright," he assured her
"A doctor now, are ya?" Carla responded snidely, masking her fear behind her words
"Look just shut up and wait 'ere!" Rob countered as he sprinted towards Underworld
"Si?" Peter peered over to his scared son, "go on to your grandad's, son,"
"No! I'm coming with ya!" Simon protested
"Si, it's best to give Carla a bit of space," Peter tried to assure him, as Carla doubled over again as another jolt of pain tore through her lower body
"No, I want to stay with her!" He cried, tears stinging his eyes
"Si, love,-" Carla breathed out, clutching Simon's hand in hers, "go to your grandad's and keep your grandma Dierdre company, because she's gonna be real worried, and she's gonna need you,"
"But what about you?" Simon asked, his lower lip quivering
"I've got your dad," she responded, feeling both a wave of anger and relief at having Peter supporting her, "and I need you to be strong for me, okay?"
Simon nodded, reluctantly, "promise me you won't keep anything from me?"
"I promise I'll call you myself and let you know that everything is fine, okay?" Simon gave her a hug, as she tousled his hair.
Carla and Peter watched as Simon headed over to number 1, just as Rob pulled up with the car. Peter eased Carla into the backseat, sliding in next to her as Rob sped off towards the hospital.
"So the baby's gonna be okay?" Peter asked, as he sat next to a fidgety Carla on the bed
"As I explained to your wife," the doctor began, "we've not found any cause for the pain that she's been experiencing, but it is quite common in a lot of pregnancies," she held the chart to her chest, "also the scan indicated a strong and regular heartbeat, so yes; hopefully the baby's fine and there's nothing to worry about."
Peter smiled, "oh, that's great," he breathed, his eyes casting over to Carla, who remained looking down, unconvinced by the doctor's words, "so what do we do now?"
"Just go home, carry on as normal," she smiled softly to Carla, "and we're here if you need us." She handed Carla her papers back.
"Thank you," Carla whispered, watching as the doctor left the room and swinging her legs over the side of the bed
"Hey, you're okay!" Peter encouraged her
"I don't know..." she responded, downtrodden
"Hey, you heard what she said: the baby's fine, love." he responded, wanting nothing more than to wrap her in his arms, but knowing it was still too soon
"Yes, for now," she answered worriedly
"What do you mean?" he prodded her gently
"Look, before this happened I didn't want kids, did I? it were pretty much a standing joke. And now..." she sighed, "well, maybe the joke's on me. Maybe I can't have 'em, and this is my body's way of showing me."
"Hey," Peter coaxed her, "you're going to be fine, and the baby's gonna be fine."
"hmm hmmm,"
"You're gonna be a brilliant mum, okay?" he took a chance and ran his hand along the side of her head, relief overtaking him when she didn't pull away
Carla inhaled sharply, "Okay," she responded before looking to her brother, "can we get out of here? I hate these places..."
"I'll get the car," Rob said, leaving the room after throwing a concerned look at his sister and her estranged husband, as Carla dialed Ken's number on her phone.
"Hiya Si," she spoke into the receiver
"Is everything okay?" Peter heard his son's voice vibrate through Carla's mobile,
"Everything's fine, darlin'. We're just leaving the hospital in a bit. Your dad and Rob are gonna drop me off at mine, and maybe we can watch the rest of the movie tomorrow afternoon?"
"Can't you stay with us tonight?" Simon asked,
"Oh, Si I don't think that's a good idea..." she answered softly. When Peter shook his head questioningly at her, she covered her phone and whispered, "Si's asking me to stay at yours tonight,"
"Well maybe you should, Car," Peter responded, feeling his heart flip in his chest,
"Have you lost your mind?" she hissed at him,
"Carla," he said firmly, "We can look after you and take care of you. I mean, we're gonna be up worrying about you anyways if you stay at Roy's."
"Please, Carla..." Simon's voice came through the receiver, "I'll make you soup, and we can watch the rest of the movie, and I'll take care of you!"
Carla felt tears sting her eyes, and she pinched the bridge of her nose.
Peter placed a hand on her shoulder, his heart breaking at seeing her like this, "Look, Carla, you can have the bed, I'll kip on the couch,"
Carla's head snapped up, her green eyes blazing with fury, "Do you really think I'm going to get back in that bed knowing what you did in there with her?" she snarled in a low voice.
Peter raised his hands to placate her, "okay, you can stay on the couch then if you insist," he said kindly, "just, come on Carla, let us look after you?"
Carla exhaled, a stray tear falling down her cheek as she put the phone back to her ear, "Okay Si, I'll stop and pick up some clothes and I'll come back to yours, alright?" she nodded into the phone as Simon excitedly told her she wouldn't be sorry, before ending the call. Pushing herself off the bed, she looked at Peter, "this changes nowt," she stated evenly, "I'm doing this for Simon, not you." She walked past him and out the door into the corridor, as Peter smiled behind her.
'Don't screw this up, Barlow,' he chastised himself. He knew this was his first in a long line of chances to redeem himself to the love of his life; the mother of his unborn child...