Sorry for the long wait!
A week later.
'Who's that little dude' Dean said, Henry in his arms.
Dean went to open the door, to find a man he din't recognise standing their.
Peter looked at the man in front of him, he was topless, wearing on some tracksuit bottoms, he looked like a decent enough man, younger than he expected, early thirties as the latest.
'Can I help you?' Dean asked.
'Erm, hi, sorry, is Carla in, she does live here right?' Peter asked as Henry wriggled in Dean's arms.
'Hey, stop wriggling Mr' Dean said adjusting the way he was holding the baby. 'Who's asking?' Dean replied.
'Peter, I'm an old friend of Carla's' Peter said.
'Oh right, sorry, I'm her partner, Dean' Dean said reaching out to shake Peter's hand.
'Nice to meet you' Peter said, smiling although he couldn't help but feel insanely jealous and uneasy.
'And this little man, is Harry, our son' Dean said.
'Oh, right, he's lovely, never had Carla down as the kiddy type' Peter said.
'Ah, well, she's full of surprises that one isn't she!' Dean said.
'Yeah.. so is she in?' Peter asked.
'No, she's out at the moment, gone to have her hair cut, women eh, what are they like' Dean laughed.
'Ah, can see nothings changed then!' Peter said, smiling thinking about the short time he'd spent in a relationship with Carla.
'No, so do you want to come in, she'll probably be back in a bit.. you'll have to mind the place though, he's just been changed' Dean said.
'Yeah, ta, and don't worry, I have an eight year old son, so I know what it's like' Peter said.
'God, can't wait till this ones older, running around, hoping he'll take after me' Dean smiled turning, so Peter could follow him into the house.
Peter looked round the house, it was the type of place he'd hoped he and Carla would have one day, cosy, spacious, and with blatant touches of Carla here and there.
'Nice place you've got here' Peter said looking at the photo on the mantle piece, Carla smiling, her arms around Dean's neck, and yet he could still see the pain masked behind that 100 watt grin.
'Yeah, we moved in about 2 months ago, had to get it done up in time for this one's arrival' Dean said.
'So have you and Carla been together long?' Peter asked, sitting down on the couch.
'No, not long, about 6 months, though it feels like years' Dean said.
'Six months?.. But then..' Peter said looking confused, his eyes falling on Henry.
'Oh, right, yeah, he's not actually biologically mine, Carla was pregnant when I met her, she'd been with some guy, she doesn't like to talk about it much' Dean said.
'Oh, what happened?' Peter pressed, he was no certain Henry was his and he needed answers.
'Well we never intended to get together, I met her in a cafe, was on my lunch break, she was sitting there, gorgeous as she is, we got talking and it just felt.. natural you know. Anyway, she'd been with this guy, she said it hadn't worked out, he had a wife, and she didn't think he was going to leave her, and I don't know when you last saw her, but basically.. I probably shouldn't say' Dean said trailing off.
'What? Peter asked, pretending to be none the wiser.
'Well, don't say anything or out.. but before this guy, there was someone else, a man called Frank.. anyway, he treated her.. badly, and he hurt her.. and it all got messy, there was a trial.. anyway, she kind of ran away from it all.. we met, and I've fallen hard for her, I want to look after her, and this little one' Dean said.
'So, his father.. doesn't know?' Peter asked.
'No, Carla said it was better he didn't.. I didn't agree at the time, but it would only get messy, she said.. she couldn't cope being in his life, without being able to be with him' Dean said.
'Oh.. ' Peter said.
'Yeah, it's messy, she wouldn't tell me his name, just said she couldn't go there' Dean said.
'And your okay with all this? Seems she still has feelings for him' Peter said.
'I love her. I understand what it's like to be in love, I just want to make her happy, and we've got this little one now so something to focus on' Dean said.
Peter nodded, his chest felt tight as he longed to hold his son, kiss his head, share the joy of parenthood.
'Sorry, that's a lot to take in right' Dean said.
'Yeah.. just a bit.. ' Peter said.
'So how do you know Carla?' Dean asked, trying to lighten the conversation.
'I used to live on the street, where she lived.. Weatherfield' Peter lied.
'Oh, right, cool' Dean said standing up.
'Listen, you don't mind if I go and get dressed do you.. only I don't want to get told off my my lady' Dean winked.
'No, that's fine.. I don't mind minding Henry' Peter said.
'Oh, cheers, I'm sure he'd like a bit of company' Dean smiled.
'Yeah, it's fine, you go up' Peter said as Dean nodded and headed upstairs.
Peter waited until Dean was out of sight, and then knelt down to pick up Henry who was in in his bouncer. He gently lifted him up into his arms, smiling a little as he made a tiny noise, his little fists clenched.
'Your definitely our son aren't you' Peter whispered, studying Henry's little face. He had dark eyelashes just like Carla, and a light feathering of jet black hair.
'Just like your mum eh' Peter said, stroking his little cheek.
He settle back into the sofa, balancing Henry in his arms, his whole body aching with love for his new son, and hating that he couldn't really show it.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of keys in the door.
He turned, and saw her, same black man, expensive clothes, heels.. the works.
'I'll tell you, I ought to get my hair cut more often, treat you like royalty you…' Carla trailed off as she turned and realised who was sitting in her living room.
'Peter?' she said, the words escaping her mouth