Peter was entranced by Henry, he'd missed out on Simon's baby years, and his heart ached so badly that he'd missed Henry's birth and first few weeks, but what mattered was he was here now and completely and utterly devoted.
'Are you sure you don't want to stay, I think it would help' Peter said as Carla shook her head profusely.
'No it wouldn't, Ken would be sitting here and I couldn't bear knowing how he felt about me, plus this is about you, him and Henry' Carla said. She couldn't bear to for Ken to see the fractured relationship she had with her son, he'd already be against her and to see what a failure of a mother she was would hardly help matters.
'Okay, well.. you have a nice day and please don't worry, we will get through this, we will sort it.. and if you see Leanne avoid her.. because she's bound to be angry and hurting and desperate for answers' Peter said.
'Peter, do you honestly not expect her to come storming into the factory, slagging me off in front of everyone, and everyone finding out in the worst possible way?' Carla said.
'I'm hoping she'll refrain..' he said.
Carla scoffed. 'Unlikely' she said before softening as his lips caught hers when she bent down to kiss him goodbye.
'Bet this one will miss you' Peter said stroking the tiny rise of the bridge of Henry's button nose.
'He's got you' Carla said before making her way out, her bag swinging on her shoulders.
…
'That will be you're granddad' Peter said, very gently laying his delicate little son on the couch, using a cushion to make sure he was properly supported before getting up to answer the door.
Peter smiled seeing his Dad. 'He's in here' he said eager to show off his little boy having not yet had the chance.
Ken smiled, he was still in shock at Peter's revelation but knowing there was a little baby involved in his, his own flesh and blood he'd decided to focus on that today rather than berate Peter for what he thought was a mistake.
'He's had a good feed and a nap so he should be on his best behaviour' Peter said as Ken followed him into the living room.
'Hey mate, look who's here to see you' Peter said lifting Henry up, who made a little noise as he was lifted up into his Dad' arms.
'Oh.. Peter' he Ken said, setting his eyes on the perfect little child in front of him. Peter was radiating with proudness, carefully cupping Henry's head in the palm of his hand, holding it up so he could look at his granddad.
'He looks just like you' Ken said, his eyes taking in the familiar, faint tufts of dark hair, the wide dark eyes, small hands clenched into frustrated fists.
Peter chuckled, 'I should hope so! Though he's got Carla's eyes I think, I swear I can see some green in them' Peter said.
'Where is she?' Ken asked, his voice suddenly serious.
'She didn't want to stay, she thought you wouldn't want her here' Peter said as Ken sat down.
'I'm not here to judge' he said.
'Yeah but she doesn't know that' Peter said.
'Anyway, are you two living here then?' Ken asked.
'Well she owns it.. and her boyfriend.. ex boyfriend has moved out, so I suppose so, I can't, wouldn't kick Leanne out of the flat' Peter said.
Ken nodded. 'Just make sure you think of Simon in all this Peter, he is still your son, your priority' Ken said as Peter nodded.
'I know that, I love Simon so much, I'm going to make the right decision for him' Peter said.
'He's a tiny little thing, how much did he weigh?' Ken asked holding Henry in his arms.
'Carla said he weighed just under six pounds' Peter said, wishing he'd been there.
'And is he feeding well?' Ken asked.
'I think so, he loves his bottle, never refuses one' Peter chuckled.
'Oh, Carla isn't feeding him herself?' Ken said.
'No..' Peter said unsure of whether to share his concerns about Carla and Henry's relationship with his Dad.
'She should think about you know, much better for them' Ken said.
'I'll ask her again, but she doesn't seem keen..' Peter said.
'Probably worried about her blasted figure, arrogant women' Ken thought to himself.
'Do that, I've read many an article about the benefits of breast milk over formula' Ken explained as Peter rolled his eyes.
'Dad leave it okay, he's doing well.. anyway, what do you think then?' Peter asked.
'He's beautiful Peter, I can see why you're smitten' Ken said
'He is isn't he, he's so good too, laid back, sleeps well at night.. usually' Peter said.
'Well when this whole.. situation is sorted out you will have to bring him round, I'm sure in a few months Simon will have come round and will hopefully have come to terms with this all' Ken said.
'I was hoping it wouldn't take that long' Peter said.
'Well, you can't expect anything Peter, his whole world has been turned around and change can really upset little ones' Ken explained.
'I know, I'll do my best' Peter said.