Sorry, sorry, sorry but I was brought down with a bad case of writers block! Here is the next chapter, hopefully a cute dose of Carter will let me be forgiven for not updating. :D
Big thanks to madaboutcarla for her help with everything.
Enjoy!
When Peter came to check on Carla around midday, alone as Leanne stayed to look after Simon but she wanted to be there when Carla woke up so Peter promised he would go collect her then.
Peter walked into the room to see Michelle asleep, her head resting against on Carla's stomach, her hand still tightly grasped around the other woman's and Peter wondered if she had let it go at all during the night.
Peter pulled a chair up next to Michelle and gently woke her up.
'Chelle? Michelle wake up love.'
'Wa-what?' Michelle sat up and rubbed her eyes, and then the crick in her neck before looking at Peter.
'What time it is?' She asked before yawning, and running her fingers through her hair.
'About 12. Is she ok?' Peter asked looking at Carla's sleeping form. Bruises where beginning to show on her body.
'Yeah, no change. I tried to stay awake, you know talk to her and that but I guess I fell asleep.'
Peter chuckled. 'You were still holding her hand when I came in.'
'I just wanted to make sure that she was still there, still feel warmth.' Fresh tears welled up in Michelle's eyes before she wiped them away.
'Hey if you want to cry you can Chelle, I won't judge you.'
'No. I don't want her to hear me upset, they say when people are in comas the hearing is the last thing to go and the first thing to come back. I have to stay strong for her.'
'Crying doesn't mean that your weak.' Michelle swallowed back her emotions and didn't let the tears spill from her eyes.
'No I'm just being silly, she's going to be fine. Do you mind if I go get something to eat? I just don't want her to be alone, in case something happens.' Peter gave her a small smile.
'Yeah that's fine you go ahead, I promise not to leave her till you get back.'
'Thanks Peter.'
Michelle returned his smile and got up and headed for the door, turning and looking one last time at Carla before leaving.
Once Michelle had gone Peter moved over into the seat she was sitting in before, and like she had done, took Carla's hand in his own. He kissed the top of it, and up her slim fingers before laying it back on the bed.
'I...'
Peter began but he didn't know what to say.
Didn't know what to say to the woman who less than a month previously told him that she loved him. He had rejected her, pushed her away. Told her that it wouldn't work, that he loved Leanne. Carla had accepted it but he knew deep down that she still had feelings for him. He also knew that Carla hated herself for almost betraying her best friend.
'I wish that I could go back, go back to that night when you kissed me. I thought I was doing the right thing, otherwise I would have just been taking advantage of a drunk woman. But something inside me wanted you. I almost caved when you answered the door in just a towel, you looked so beautiful. But I ignored my feelings, and I stayed with Leanne. Somethings not been right between us for a while, I still love her, but like a sister not a lover. When I saw you in that towel the only thought that stopped me taking you there and then was the thought of Simon's face if me and Leanne split up. He thinks the world of her.'
Peter sighed and shut his eyes for a second.
'I can't stay with Leanne for Simon's sake, but I don't want to hurt Leanne or hurt you. Hurt you anymore than you have been hurt already. You do the Queen Bitch role very well but I know that you're fragile and that men and screwed up relationships have caused that. If had admitted my feelings to you back then, then we wouldn't be here. That explotion wouldn't have happened and that tram wouldn't have come off the viaduct and you wouldn't be in hospital right now, with a broken back. I'm so sorry Carla.'
Tears were streaming down Peter's cheeks as he said those last words. He kissed the top of her hand again.
'I should have told you that I love you.'
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