Thank you so much to LadyFfion who has left a comment for each chapter that I've wrote, it really does mean a lot. :-) Also, big thanks for the person who added this story to their list; I can't remember your username but it's really nice to know you enjoy it enough to do that. This has taken me longer than I thought it would to post, I sometimes struggle to find time to write it, which is typical when I have another thought for a fanfiction which I'm toying with. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter :-) if you have time please leave a comment, they really are appreciated.

Part Three.

Three days later and Carla's visit to LA had come to an end, she had made no secret about being reluctant to go back home but Suzie had reassured her once more. Of course Carla had missed Peter like crazy, since they had made their relationship public they'd only spent around two nights apart, so after a week it had seemed like much longer. If Peter had been with her she doubted she would have gone back to Weatherfield, she had been trying so hard to forget about what had gone on in her life over the past few months and now with the knowledge that she was going right back to where it all happened, no amount of trying could move those thoughts from the front of her mind.

Suzie had just stopped outside the airport and had parked the car before getting Carla's case out of the boot for her, after doing so she turned to her friend and sighed.
"I'm really going to miss you Car."
"Me too. Though I can't say the same for your singing in the shower."
"Hey, I should be selling records me."
"In your dreams maybe."
Suzie laughed and shook her head slightly before she wrapped Carla up in a cuddle, one which was returned without a seconds thought. "I wish I could stay here longer..." she whispered.
"You stay here much longer and they won't let you back on the plane until you've had the baby."
"So? You could be my partner."
"you know I love you Carla but I don't think even I could deal with you in labour."
"Oh we'll that's just charming isn't it? You're supposed to be my best mate."
Suzie laughed and stepped back from the hug slightly, her tone more serious as she spoke this time. "Listen Car, if you ever need me day or night you just ring me yeah..." Carla nodded and bit down on the inside of her mouth to try and stop the tears that were threatening to fall. "You have to promise me that when you've had the baby you'll come and visit me and bring Peter with you too and I'll let you know if he gets my seal of approval."
Carla laughed and Suzie smiled, trying to mask her own sadness at her friend leaving.
"I will..." Carla whispered and then pecked her friend on the lips and gave her ones last cuddle before she turned around and headed inside the airport to begin her journey home.

-

It was around half five at night and Peter knew that Carla was due home around half an hour later. He'd closed up the bookies at dinner time that day and gone back to the flat to clean it up, making sure that things were where they should be and that it was nice for her to come back to. He guessed that she would be tired and had ordered a takeaway for them that he had to pick up in 15 minutes rather than leave her to cook something or have to cook something himself. He didn't want to have to do anything once Carla had arrived back, he wanted to make the most of having her back and make sure they could spend some time together.

After leaving to get the takeaway, Peter arrived back and was glad to find that Carla hadn't got back before him, he had been texting her throughout her journey so knew she shouldn't be long. The offer that Frank had made him hadn't been forgotten but he decided to try and talk to Carla about it the following day, he wasn't sure how she'd take it and didn't want to risk an argument on the night she got back. Peter put two plates in the oven to warm before he plated the food up, fish and chips for him and sausage, chips and curry sauce for Carla.

It was just after he had plated up the food that Carla made her way into the flat and she smiled, putting her bag down to one side before making her way over to Peter who walked out from the kitchen counter, wrapping his arms around her.
"I've missed you..." she whispered.
"I've missed you too darling; did you have a good time?"
Carla nodded and stifled a yawn, "yeah it was brilliant. Are we eating now?"
Peter nodded "I was thinking we could have this, share a bath and then either put a film on or go to bed?"
Carla smiled "sounds perfect."
Peter kissed her gently on the lips before he passed over her plate and picked up his own. They both made their way over to the couch and sat down beside each other, picking up the knife and fork to begin eating as they spoke.
"You've thought of everything you have." she smiled "I'm so hungry."
"I thought you might be. Tuck in..."
"I have stuff to show you I got while I was out there too."
"Oh?"
"For the baby, I text you and told you Suzie had bought stuff."
Peter frowned and shook his head "no, you didn't."
"I think it was the second day I was out there? I was sure I told you..."
"It might have not delivered love; you know what the lines could be like while you were out there."
"I suppose so."
"Tell me now?" he smiled.
"We went to a spa and when we were on our way back there was a lovely baby boutique and we went in. I thought that she was going to just get a dummy or a little outfit or something but she went a bit mad..." Carla laughed, remembering the moment fondly.
"She sounds like she has shopping habits like you."
Carla raised her eyebrow as she ate a chip "explain?"
"When you step into a shop that takes your fancy you go a bit crazy and spend a lot of money."
Carla laughed and nudged him playfully "behave."
Peter wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed the side of her head before finishing the food that was on the plate. After doing so he turned to Carla and spoke again.
"You finished love?"
Carla nodded and sat back slightly as he took her plate and walked through into the kitchen to wash up.

-

Twenty minutes later, Carla was laid against Peter's chest in the bath, his arms were wrapped around her securely and his hands were rested on her stomach gently. Carla felt safe in his embrace and she was trying to make the most of the time she had alone with him after being away for the week. She leaned back slightly so her head was rested gently against Peter's shoulder and on feeling her shift a little Peter smiled and turned to one side to place a delicate kiss on the tip of her nose.
"I've really missed you." Peter whispered and Carla moved her arms to place them gently over his before nodding her agreement.
"I've really missed you too. I wish you could have come out with me, you know? But I do think you would have struggled to get me back here if you had."
"Oh so the only reason you came back was for me, was it?"
Carla nodded and turned her head to the side slightly before letting a small smile pass her lips. "Yeah..."
"Consider me flattered."
Carla laughed quietly and when the baby kicked, Peter moved his hand and smiled. "I think baby Barlow has woken up."
"it always does when I'm ready for bed, I'm sure I had an elbow or something in my ribs the other night."
"He's probably just starting early on his football skills."
"He? This baby might be a girl..."
"It might be a boy too."
Carla laughed and traced her fingertips up his arm gently as they spoke. "We still haven't decided on a name, and upstairs needs finishing too."
"I know baby, I know. I'm going to start doing less at the Bookies so I can get upstairs finished sooner rather than later. As for names, I think we need to discuss."
"Or you could just agree with me." Carla teased.
"As I'm doing all the hard work for the nursery I think it's only fair I choose."
"But I'm the one getting the supplies."
"So?"
"So technically you wouldn't be able to do the nursery if it wasn't for me."
"I think you're argument is irrelevant, as the man in this relationship I think I should decide."
Carla smirked "still living in the dark ages are we?"
Peter responded by wiping some of the bubbles from the bath onto Carla's nose, making her turn away while laughing slightly.
"don't start this Peter, I'm telling you you will regret it."
"That sounds like fighting talk to me..."
"You're hearing it right."
Peter chuckled and wiped the remaining bubbles from Carla's nose before speaking again. "I've got a suggestion for our name dilemma."
"oh yeah?"
"Yeah, how about I tell you a few boys' names I like and you tell me a few girls names that you like and then go from there?"
"Narrow it down you mean?"
Peter nodded "yeah... What do you think?"
"I think it's a good idea, hit me with your boys' names."
"I was thinking Mason, Bailey, Noah or George."
"Bailey Barlow." she smiled "that's adorable."
Peter nodded in agreement with Carla and kissed the side of her head before he spoke up once again. "What do you think to middle names?"
"I think you should choose the middle name."
"George."
"Bailey-George Barlow."
"I think it's perfect." Peter whispered "what girls names have you chosen?"
"I like Lexi, Nahla and Neveah."
"Lexi is my favorite. How about Lexi-Rose?"
Carla smiled and nodded "gorgeous"
"like you."
"oh you charmer." Carla smiled and turned to kiss Peter gently.
"always sweetheart, always."
"I think both names are perfect."
"so do I, we just need to wait another few months now to find out if we've got a Bailey or a Lexi."
"I think those three months will go quicker than either of us would like to admit."
"I can't wait to meet him or her."
Carla swallowed hard at the comment and nodded, trying not to let the thoughts that complicated her situation creep into her mind. "I know..."
"How about we go and get into bed for a cuddle?"
Carla nodded and kissed Peter once again before she got out of the bath and reached over to wrap a white fluffy towel around herself. As Carla made her way through the flat and into the bedroom, Peter wrapped a towel around his waist and took the plug out of the bath to let the water drain away before he followed Carla through into their room.

Carla had changed into a nighty and Peter into a pair of boxers before they had curled up in bed together, they had been laid in a comfortable silence for around ten minutes and Peter was running his hand over Carla's hair gently. He hesitated for a second before whispering into the silence, only the dim glow of the lamp at the side of the bed stopping the whole room from being in complete darkness. "Carla can we talk?"

When Carla didn't answer, Peter frowned and then smiled when he found that she had nodded off. He kissed her on the forehead and settled down for the night himself. Peter wasn't sure how long he'd been there when the buzzer to the door sound through the flat, he frowned and wondered who it would be calling at that time but on turning to the side and pressing the button on the top of the alarm clock to light it up he found it was only nine o clock, much earlier to what he had previously thought.

Peter got out of bed, checking that he'd not woken Carla he pulled a t-shirt on before going to the door, answering the phone that was by it.
"Hello?"
"It's me, buzz me up."
"Alright it's open."
Peter pressed the small button by the phone and opened the door to the flat to allow Frank in. After doing so, Peter walked over to the kitchen and out the kettle on to do himself a coffee. When Frank stepped through the door he nodded in acknowledgement as he closed it before speaking.
"Alright mate?"
"What are you doing here? I thought you'd be at home with Michelle?"
"Oh she's gone for a drink with Maria, she's having some troubles with her boyfriend and I got the feeling I wasn't welcome. So I thought I'd come and find out how you were doing."
"Do you want a drink?"
"A Whiskey if you've got any?"
"Yeah we've got some."
Frank made over and sat down on the sofa and it was then he spotted Carla's bag by the floor, and it was that which prompted him to speak. "Carla's back then?"
Peter smiled and nodded, taking his coffee over to the sofa as he handed a glass to Frank before sitting opposite him. "Yeah she got back tonight."
"Has she gone back out already?"
"No, she's in bed."
"How are things between you two?"
"Yeah good. We're just trying to make sure we have things sorted in time for the baby arriving. We've finally decided on names." he laughed "I've got to finish the nursery too, we're trying to split upstairs so there's still space for Simon and the baby."
Frank raised his eyebrows a little before answering "anytime you need a hand mate..."
"since when we're you good at DIY."
"I could give it a go."
"Well you can put your money where your mouth is tomorrow. I think I'm going to need all the help I can get so I don't end up in the dog house."
"Just give me a ring and let me know, I don't think there's much to do at the factory so Michelle can manage on her own."
"Cheers mate, it's appreciated."
"Have you spoken to Carla about my offer?"
"Not yet, she's only just got back and she was knackered."
"Well the offer is there mate."
"I know and the more I think about it the more I think it would be a good idea, I'll try and talk it through with her soon. There's just been so much going on at the moment."
"Yeah I know mate. There's no rush..."

-

An hour later and Peter had finished his coffee while talking to Frank, it was then his phone rang and he frowned on picking it up from the table. "It's Leanne." he stated.
"What does she want?"
Peter shrugged and answered the phone and it was seconds before he nodded and then got up from where he was sitting, quickly saying he would be there before going through into the bedroom to put a pair of jeans and some shoes on. Peter kissed the top of Carla's head before closing the door as he walked back out into the living area of the flat and was met by Frank questioning him as to what was going on. "What's wrong mate? What's going on?"
"It's Simon, he's not well and he's asking for me, they need a lift to the doctors. Are you alright letting yourself out?"
"Yeah course mate, you go on."

Peter nodded and turned, grabbing his jacket before heading out of the flat door and down the stairs. As the door closed Frank let a smug smile form over his expression and Carla stirred slightly at the noise. When she reached out in the bed for Peter she frowned when she was only met with an empty space, the bed was cold which indicated he hadn't been beside her for some time and she immediately wondered where he was. Carla sat up slightly and it was seconds after she had that the door opened and casted light across the bed, Carla turned expecting to find Peter entering her room, but she was filled with sheer terror when she turned to find it was Frank. She swallowed hard and could feel her heartbeat ringing in her ears that had speeded up dramatically. Carla was shaking so hard she thought that her bones were rattling inside of her and it seemed to take her an age to gather her emotions together just enough to manage a few words. Although she desperately tried to keep how she felt from Frank, her voice betrayed her and as the words passed her lips they were nothing more than a shaky whisper. "Get out."

"Now now Carla, don't be like that." Frank smirked as he made his way over to the bed and as Carla moved to get out of bed she stopped dead when she felt his hand on her knee. "Stay there."

"If you don't get off of me right now I'm going to scream this place down and Peter will be in here like a shot."

"I don't think he will." Carla swallowed hard and bit down on the inside of her mouth hard to try and stop her tears as Frank continued. "He's gone out, so it's just me and you…"

"Please just leave…" Carla whispered and Frank smirked, she silently wondered where Peter had gone and wished that he would be back soon, though deep down she knew that Frank must know he wouldn't be, or he wouldn't be in the bedroom tormenting her if there was a risk of Peter coming back.

"Are you scared Carla?" Frank raised his eyebrow slightly and Carla decided that an answer to that question wasn't needed; it was plain that she was completely terrified. "You know you should be." Frank let his hand trail higher on Carla's thigh and she moved back slightly in an attempt to get away from him but it was no use, she pulled her legs together tightly and Frank leaned in closer and continued with what he was saying in a whisper, which made it all the worse for Carla, she was almost sure it wouldn't have been as bad if he was shouting at her. "One word from me and I can bring your little world crashing down around you. That's all it would take, so rather than trying to go out of your way to make things difficult for me, I'd be doing everything I could to keep me sweet if I was you…"

Carla was unable to stop a sob from escaping her lips as Frank nipped the inside of her thigh, shaking her head a little as she spoke. "Please… don't…" she pleaded, though his words were ringing in her ears and she was convinced they were true. "The baby…" she whispered.

Frank laughed then, a quiet low laugh that made Carla's blood run cold. "I wondered how long it would take you to use that one. Not long at all…" he shrugged "what do I care, the kid's Peter's."

In that moment Carla knew that if Frank was to attack her again it could potentially put her baby's life at risk and the words were out of her mouth before she could stop them, in the hope that it would prevent him from doing any more than he already had. "It's yours…"

"What is?"

"You know what."

"Say it."

Carla was quiet for a few moments and it was almost like the words were refusing to come from her mouth. She wished she could just not answer him but she knew that if she did it would be seconds before she may end up in a situation that she couldn't get herself out of, and it was that thought that made her push her feelings to one side. "The baby…"

Frank laughed once again and Carla could smell the Whiskey on his breath which made her want to gag. "Do you really think I'm going to fall for that one?"

"It's true… I've been given the dates."

"Where are they?"

"I was told them… At the hospital…"

"I don't buy it."

"Why would I lie about it?"

Frank raised his eyebrow and Carla shook her head "I'm not lying about it… Now please… Just go…"

Frank could feel Carla trembling underneath him and knew he had done enough to frighten her and knew that she'd given him more power with what she had just told him. With that thought in mind he sat up and nodded "I'll go… On one condition."

Carla didn't want to ask, but she knew she had to to get rid of him, and she desperately wanted rid of him, out of her flat and especially out of her bedroom. "What condition…"

"The minute that kids born you get a DNA test done and prove to me you're not telling lies. You know if I find out you have Carla I'll made sure you wish you hadn't. Do you understand?" Carla nodded and Frank grabbed her chin in a vice like grip. "I said, do you understand?"

"Yeah…" was all Carla managed, though her voice was barely audible.

Frank pushed her back against the bed before getting up to leave the flat. As the front door closed Carla broke down into sobs and curled up into a ball, placing one hand over her stomach while desperately hoping for some kind of miracle to get her out of the situation in which she found herself.