Lilah woke up in her own bed after her passionate encounter with Nick. She was surprised she enjoyed the company of an older man ever since her ordeal but this was one of the best feelings she's had in a long while. Lilah heard the phone ring from her study she went to pick it up and she answered it. Little did she know that this may change her life. After the phone call Lilah knew she had a big decision to make, she knew that not many people would like it if she took up an opportunity of a lifetime so she contemplated what to do next, she needed to talk to someone who would understand, she couldn't speak to Carla so it would have to be Michelle. Lilah grabbed her phone and found Michelle's contact and asked her to come over to her place so they could talk away from prying eyes and a while later Lilah heard the door bell ring and she opened the door to usher Michelle in.
"Nice place" Michelle gasps
"Thank you" Lilah smiles
"So why have you called me here then?" Michelle asks confused
"I have a dilemma" Lilah states
"What sort of dilemma?" Michelle prompts
"I had a phone call this morning I thought it was a client wanting a breakfast meeting or something turns out it was an international client wanting me to do business in America, New York to be precise, they reckon a person with my skills would be needed to help run a lucrative business in fashion" she says
"How much you getting paid for that?" Michelle asks
"That's the thing, it's really good money and by really good I mean really good, the best it could possibly be" Lilah says enthusiastically
"But?" Michelle questions
"But it would mean being out there for a matter of months" she says
"And you're worried about how Peter's going to cope and Carla for that matter" Michelle asks
"Mhm" she mumbles
"Maybe you should speak to Carla, you have time before you need to make any decisions?" she asks
"I have 24 hours, they could have me tomorrow if they could persuade me" she sighs
"Speak to Carla" Michelle says "And Peter"
"Alright" she shrugs
"So then what happened last night" Michelle asks excitedly
"What do you mean?" Lilah asks blushing
"You and Nick" Michelle says
"Carla told you then" she says rolling her eyes
"Yep she said you were going out with him" Michelle says
"And you care because?" Lilah laughs
"Because I'm a nosey old bag" she laughs
"You're hardly old Michelle" Lilah giggles
"So then, spill" she asks excitedly
"We went for some drinks in town" she shrugs while the biggest grin is plastered on her face
"And?" Michelle continues
"And we may have done the dirty" Lilah says
"You tart" Michelle says shocked as Lilah giggles "Was it good?"
"Michelle! You're treading on very thin ice Mrs!" Lilah exclaims
"Go and see Carla, the unit will be opening soon, I could get Peter to pick you up" Michelle says
"Thanks for listening" she says walking over to the fireplace staring at the small white box
"Is that?" Michelle asks gently
"Esme's ashes, yep" she says with a smiles
"She'd be proud you know" Michelle says patting her shoulder
"I hope so, I just wish she was still here, but I know she's here in spirit" she says turning to face Michelle
"You're so strong you know that?" Michelle says
"You have to be when you're in business" she says
An hour or so later Peter arrived to pick Lilah up to take her to the hospital where Carla was staying. They had a general chat on the way which would only open the can of worms for what's to come. They got to the hospital and then signed in. They made their way to Carla's room where she was sitting doing a sudoku puzzle on an old newspaper in bed. She smiled when Lilah and Peter appeared in her room.
"I didn't know you were coming" she says while hugging Lilah
"Well I like to make surprise entrances every now and then" she shrugs
"So how did it go with Nick?" Carla asks excitedly
"I feel like I'm a broken record, first Michelle now you" she sighs
"So tell me" Carla interrogated
"We went to multiple bars in town, and we booked a hotel room, I'm sure you can add up the dots" she smiles sarcastically
"You dirty cow" Carla gasps
"And don't ask me if it was good" she rolls her eyes
"Was it good?" Carla says quietly trying to wind her up
"It was one of the best feelings in the world" she says
"Could we change the topic, ladies" Peter grimaces
"Lighten up" Carla says nudging Peter with her foot as Lilah giggles
"There is something I actually want to run by you" Lilah says in a serious tone
"And what's that?" Peter asks inquisitively
"I had a call this morning, from a supplier in America and I've been offered a job out there for the best part of a year" Lilah explains
"Let me guess it's really good money" Carla says
"Yep, they said that if I go and do well they may offer me a share in the business" Lilah states
"When do you have to decide?" Carla asks hopeful that it won't be too soon
"I have 24 hours" Lilah says
"What do you want to do?" Carla asks
"If you weren't in here and you were 100% better then I would go for it" Lilah explains
"Go for it" Carla says
"What?" Lilah replies shocked
"Go for it, you deserve it" Carla says sternly
"Are you sure?" she says
"I'm 100% sure" she smiles "Go make the call" she says as Lilah exits the room to make the call
"Are you sure you're fine with it, Lilah wouldn't want you to lie" Peter says
"Peter, I'm fine, we have Kate and Michelle now we will be fine and there's mobile phones now and video calls it's not like we're ever going to see her again" she says confidently
"If you're sure, I'm sure" he says kissing her forehead as Lilah returns
"When do you start?" Carla questions
"Monday next week" she says "I'll fly out on Friday"
"Good" Carla says
"It's like you want to get rid of me" Lilah jokes
"No but you better return for the wedding" she says
"Have you set a date?" Lilah explains excitedly
"New years eve" Peter says
"Very fancy" Lilah says impressed "I'll put it in my diary"
"Good girl" Carla says
"Don't patronise me" Lilah says nudging Carla in the arm
"Sorry mum" Carla says while sticking her tongue out
"Have you two regressed in age or something?" Peter asks amused by his fiancée's playful demeanour
"Some of us are just naturally young" Lilah states
"And you Mr Barlow are hardly young" Carla says cheekily
"When you get out of here, I might have to punish you for saying that" he says
"Ugh please stop, I've had enough romance for a while" she says rolling her eyes as Carla giggles
"I think we should be getting off anyway" Peter says
"I guess so, I'll come and see you on Friday before my flight to say goodbye" Lilah says
"Good, you two get home I'll be fine" she smiles "Bye"
Peter dropped Lilah off at home so she could get on with her work for the rest of the day. Lilah booked a flight for 9pm on Friday so she could sleep for the majority of it. Lilah started packing her clothes getting ready for Friday. Peter made his way home and was greeted by Michelle who was pottering around the flat.
"This came for you" he says handing out a letter for her to take
"Oh, thanks" she smiles ripping the seam of the letter "Oh its just the date for the twelve week scan in April. Guess I better inform the family" she rolls her eyes
"That bad eh?" he asks
"I just can't be doing with the fussing" she says while pulling a face
"I don't blame you, at least Carla will be out by then" he smiles
"Is it ok if I drag her along to it then?" she laughs
"Go ahead" he says "Want me to order in?"
"Sure go ahead, did Lilah speak to you?" she asks
"Yep she did, Carla took it well considering" he says
"Really, I thought she would've pinned her down or locked her in a police cell to get her to stay" Michelle says surprised
"Me too, but she said for her to go for it, I'm just worried in case she was lying" he says
"I'm sure she wouldn't, remember she was like Lilah once, jetting off to places, she probably understands better than most" Michelle says thoughtfully
"You're probably right, I'm thinking too much into it" he shrugs "What pizza do you want?"
"Umm just a margarita, not feeling too clever" she shrugs
"Did Lilah tell Carla about Nick?" Michelle asks trying to make conversation
"She did indeed and Carla was asking for very gruesome details" he says wincing at the thought
"They're both as bad as each other" she laughs "I should've been there, you would've wanted to move to the other side of the world"
"No thank you Michelle that's enough" he says covering his ears with his hands "Are you free on new years eve?" he asks
"A bit early to make those sort of plans isn't it?" she says raising an eyebrow
"Not if it's our wedding, its not" he laughs
"Wait you're getting married on new years eve?" she asks
"Um, yes that's what I just said" he says
"Do you want me to plan it? Mates rates and all?" she laughs
"I'll have to run it by Carla but if she says yes then sure why not" he shrugs "It means she can focus on recovering again"
"I guess so, have a chat with her and see where she stands with the whole thing" she says
"Alright" he shrugs
After a long day both Michelle and Peter ate their pizza's and went to bed not soon after. Peter was worried about how every one would cope without Lilah being here as she had been supporting them so well. He understood that she needed to get on with her life, after all she deserved it with everything she went through but he was also scared about the close bond Carla had created with her being destroyed instantly meaning that she may find it hard to open up to her family.