It has been two weeks since Lilah left the UK and no one heard from her, they thought it was odd as it was unlike her to not be in contact, but most people hid their concern. Maybe Lilah was just enjoying life so much in America she forgot about the Connor's and was starting a new life. Carla was out of the unit and had been home for a couple of days now, she was readjusting to life outside the hospital really well and Michelle and Peter were every supportive about the decisions she has made to help her recovery. Her panic attacks have subsided and her life was pretty peaceful she promised to Michelle and Peter that she would speak to them everyday so that they could understand how she was feeling which infused Michelle with confidence as she was getting her best friend back. Michelle was yet to ask Carla to go with her to her twelve week scan as she was scared it would bring back unwanted emotions that she didn't need right now but as they were going through wedding plans today she decided that today would be the opportunity to ask her.
"So then, what colour scheme do you want?" Michelle asks
"I don't know really, something that says me and Peter?" Carla laughs
"Ok so what about something classy, elegant?" Michelle says
"That just says me though, it doesn't say Peter, I want it to include both of us" Carla states while mulling over some of the colour schemes that Michelle pieced together
"What represents your relationship, give me some ideas" Michelle asks
"I want our relationship to be stable, deep, full of growth and happiness" Carla smiles looking through the magazines
"Well blue represents stability and trust" Michelle states looking at a colour chart trying to find swatches of blues for Carla to look at ripping the piece of paper from the book and placing it on a blank piece of paper
"It's passionate, loving and caring" she says emotionally
"Alright, bare with me" Michelle says finding all the colours which mean passion, love and happiness
"Michelle some of these colours are absolutely hideous" Carla says rolling her eyes "Like who on earth would have a pink, yellow and blue colour scheme
"Right, choose a base colour that you and Peter would like" Michelle says
"Um, how about a really dark navy blue, like the colour of the sky at night" Carla suggests
"Ok, now pick a colour which goes with that" Michelle says
"I don't know white? Maybe a silver or grey?" Carla suggests again
"Have both?" Michelle says placing the colours in front of Carla that she has chosen
"No, I think it should be white as the base colour" Carla says
"Ok, what about with navy decorations to give it a bit of colour, that would look good" Michelle says
"Yeah, alright so that's done, what about bridesmaid dresses next?" Carla suggests eagerly
"I think we should do flowers next" Michelle counters
"Fine, there goes an afternoon looking at clothes in a magazine" Carla says sarcastically
"Do you want real or fake flowers?" Michelle asks
"Real, naturistic and plus the room will smell lovely" Carla says openly
"Since when have you been one for nature?" Michelle asks with an eyebrow raised
"I haven't I just want the room to smell like flowers" she shrugs
"Right" Michelle says trailing off "Flowers, give me your best"
"White lilies for Aiden" she says and glances at Michelle smiling
"Ok I think that's a lovely idea and anything else?" Michelle asks
"I know! I want my bouquet to be made from white lilies and bluebells, and I want a vase of flowers on each of the guest tables, in the centre made from the same flowers as my bouquet" she says confidently
"That would look good I guess, you could be a wedding planner" she says impressed
"Too stressful" she says with a laugh "I want white table cloths on each of the tables and white cloth dangling over the chairs, you know what I mean. I want a big navy bow tied around the back of the chairs for the reception"
"Finally, we're getting somewhere other than the latest edition of wedding magazines from The Kabin" Michelle groans
"What's next?" Carla says excitedly
"Transport?" Michelle suggests
"Hmm you pick it, I don't really care how I get there" Carla says
"If you're sure" Michelle says receiving a nod from Carla "Music?"
"I haven't really spoken about it with Peter, we could go to the bistro to annoy him for a bit" she giggles
"Alright, gets us out of here" Michelle shrugs as she collects all the pieces of paper Carla has made a mess of and puts them in her folder
"Hurry up 'Chelle" Carla shouts from the doorway
"Ok, come on then lets go" she says holding her arm out for Carla
They take the short walk to the bistro and they bump into Nick who is in a world of his own obviously not looking where he was going.
"You're not going to apologise?" Carla interrogates
"Sorry?" Nick asks confused
"You're not going to apologise for bumping in to us?" Carla prompts him
"Carla leave it" Michelle says sensing she's getting angry
"You haven't heard from Lilah have you?" he asks ignoring Carla's angry tone
"Oh you haven't heard?" Carla says
"Haven't heard what, I don't have time for games" Nick says
"She went to the other side of the world" Carla says slyly
"What do you mean?" he asks
"I mean she got on a plane, went to America and is staying there to fulfil her duties of earning a living" Carla says sarcastically "Do you have a problem with that?" she smirks
"Why are you smirking?" Nick asks before putting two and two together "Oh god she told you"
"She did indeed" Carla says raising her eyebrows
"And me!" Michelle chimes in "Oh and we mustn't forget Peter as well"
"Oh yeah that's true 'Chelle thanks for reminding me!" Carla exclaims
"It's like the witches coven" he sighs
"Did you just call us witches?" Carla says angrily "You deserve a smack for that"
"Carla leave it" Michelle sighs
"No I will not leave it!" Carla shouts
"Someone's got a temper on them, looks like they may need drugs again" he says hurtfully
"That's enough-" Michelle tries to intervene before Carla smacks Nick around the face
"You deserved that now go back in your hole" Carla says
"Hey nice one Carla!" Tracey shouts from across the road
"Shut up Tracey" Michelle and Carla say in sync
"Right we're going Carla come on" Michelle says dragging her away towards the bistro
They arrive at the bistro and sit at the bar as Michelle gets up and gets drinks for them both
"Why did you smack him?" Michelle sighs
"Why not, he deserved it" she shrugs
"That doesn't mean you can smack him Carla" Michelle says sternly
"Come on, you so wished it was you who did that" Carla giggles
"What's this?" Peter asks appearing from the kitchen
"Carla smacked Nick" Michelle says
"You did what?" He laughs
"I smacked Nick because he called me and 'Chelle witches, he had the nerve to ask where Lilah was and he called me a psycho. Three lives and he blew em all" she says taking a sip of her drink
"Well, at least you beat me to it" he shrugs
"Look Carla you've given him ideas, he's going to try using his fists more often" Michelle says pointing at Peter
"Fine by me, he can use them in more ways than one" she says winking at Peter
"Ugh please pass me a sick bucket" Michelle groans
"Aw 'Chelle is your morning sickness bad?" Carla teases
"Talking of morning sickness, how would you like to come along to my scan" Michelle asks
"Of course I would but if I do this, I'm not babysitting" she says firmly
"Fine whatever, you will probably change your mind when you see how cute my baby is" Michelle says
"Well if it looks anything like you then I think I will be fine" Carla jokes
"Oi you!" Michelle exclaims playfully slapping Carla's arm
"Anyway, Peter you need to help me choose music" Carla says
"Of course maybe we could put a playlist of our favourites together and single one out for our first dance" he suggests
"Alright that's sorted then, now can we talk about dresses and shoes" Carla drones
"Fine" Michelle says rolling her eyes "What colour dress do you want?"
"Maybe we should sit elsewhere in case a certain Mr Barlow can hear?" Carla suggests and Michelle nods before they make their way to another table
"Right dress colour?" Michelle questions
"Well, my last dress to Peter was white I kind of want to change it up a bit" she shrugs
"What about roles reversed?" Michelle says
"What do you mean?" Carla asks
"Bridesmaids in white or grey and you in navy blue?" Michelle suggests
"I like the idea of me being in navy blue, but I had silver bridesmaid dresses at mine and Nick's wedding" she says
"Right, what about a darker grey?" she suggests
"I don't actually want bridesmaids I kinda want to do it on my own as a reference to how far I've come in my recovery, to show my strength" she says meaningfully
"I think that's a great idea" Michelle says taking notes "So you want to be in navy blue?" she asks
"I don't know, I would like any variation of dark blue as long as I look beautiful, feel amazing and Peter loves me for it" she states
"Aww young love" Michelle teases
"You mean just love, I aint young 'Chelle" she says before they are interrupted
"Carla, Michelle can I have a word?" Nick asks
"Come back for round two have we?" Carla sighs
"Don't tell Leanne" he pleads
"Oh you have got to be kidding me" Carla laughs "Hey Peter!" she shouts as Peter walks over
"He doesn't want us to tell Leanne about his and Lilah's fumble" she giggles
"What a true gentleman you are Sir Nick" Peter says mocking a salute as Michelle rolls her eyes
"Shut it Peter" he says bluntly "You're no better"
"Nor is your other half to be honest" Carla says "Although it seems to be a trend doesn't it?"
"What do you mean?" Nick sighs getting increasingly fed up
"Well, Leanne was with Peter, slept with you. Leanne was with you, fathered-" she states bluntly
"You were with me and you slept with Robert" he says eyes wide
"Ah but at least I had an excuse you see" she says
"Oh and what's that then, please inform me" Nick says mocking her tone
"Well actually there were an abundance of excuses from finding out Johnny was my dad and that I had a family who wanted me, from my heart always lying with Peter, you see you were just a rebound Nick, from the love of my life, aye at least I got a nice frock to add to the collection" she shrugs
"You're an evil cow you know that" he says dumbfounded by her behaviour
"Oh please, that's what witches or should I say bitches do" she smiles evilly "Anyway that isn't twice as bad as what you called me on our wedding day"
"Carla stop winding him up" Peter says secretly enjoying his wife battle his enemy
"I kinda have to agree Carla" Michelle says concerned
"Now if you don't mind us Nick, we have a wedding to plan, oh and also your secret isn't safe with us" she says smiling sinisterly
"What's this?" Leanne says having just entered the bistro
"Nick was just telling us how much he loved you and wouldn't want to see you get hurt" Carla says hurtfully
"Aw, you're so sweet. Ooo I like those colours, who's wedding?" Leanne asks intrigued
"Mine and Peter's" Carla says "Hey, Leanne if you're lucky it might be you next"
"Alright can we have a table, Peter?" Nick asks trying to change the subject
"Sure follow me" he says guiding them to the other side of the bistro away from Michelle and Carla
"What the hell was that about, what's got into you?" Michelle says shocked
"Oh, Michelle sorry I shocked you there it's just that I think the old Carla wanted to come out and play today" she says
"Carla, a word" Peter says "In private" he says dragging her to the office
"What?" she says knowing all well what's about to come
"When did feisty Carla make an appearance, because I will tell you something I have definitely missed her" Peter says impressed
"She just wanted to come out and play, now you get back to work and maybe we can have some fun with feisty Carla tonight" she says seductively
"Yes boss" he says as they both leave the office
"Right I'm gonna head off 'Chelle you coming?" she asks
"Alright then, lets go home and watch a film or something, I'm knackered" Michelle sighs
Michelle and Carla headed home to watch a film. Michelle had concerns about Carla's persistence to annoy Nick as she knew that feisty Carla was more than unlikely to come out since being diagnosed with psychosis. On the other hand, Peter was happy that Carla felt confident enough to be feisty again as it meant she was regaining her confidence she lost when being in the grips of a deep depression. Peter didn't know how the true depths of why Carla's feisty side had come out but he was happy to let her use her relived confidence for now hoping it wouldn't become an issue in the future.