Hi everyone :) thanks for the kind reviews left for my last chapter here's the latest instalment please let me know what you think I'm always happy and grateful to hear from you all x
Frank woke abruptly to a loud metallic banging noise and he immediately sat up confused as to where he was. As his sleep addled mind finally came too he realised that he must have fell asleep while waiting for a response from Carla and he was still in the office at Underworld sitting at his desk. Thinking of Carla brought the previous day's events rushing back to him and he quickly looked at his phone checking to see if he any missed calls or messages. Tired and grumpy his temper peaked when he realised he hadn't received anything from Carla he felt it would have been common courtesy for her to let him know what was going on and he made a mental note to talk to her later.
The metal shutters banged once again and Frank angrily looked towards the front entrance as he did he noticed the clock on the wall and he groaned loudly when he noticed it was already 10 past 9 that would explain the banging on the front door. Quickly grabbing his keys he made his way to the front hurriedly switching the lights on as he did so.
"Mr Foster?"
"Coming now" he unlocked the door and stepped back as his disgruntled workforce made their way to their machines
"I hope you won't be making us work this time back after 5 Mr Foster we've been standing outside waiting for ages!" Sean crossed his arms dramatically and Frank forced a smile on his face "Now now Sean I'm not that heartless. Sorry everyone I came in early to catch up on some paperwork I didn't even realise the time make yourself a cuppa and then start the Hitchen order please?"
Happy that the staff seemed appeased he noticed that Hayley had not yet arrived and there was still no word from Carla. Making up his mind to try her mobile one last time he went to head towards the office just at the factory door opened. "I'm so sorry I'm late Mr Foster I'll make sure I work the time back before I leave" Hayley came rushing in and before he even had chance to answer her the others started firing questions of their own
"How's Michelle?"
"Is she going to be alright?"
"Is Mrs Connor ok?"
"Enough!" Franks voice echoed into the room and instantly everyone's voices died out. "Hayley don't worry about being late just make sure you work back the time" nodding at Hayley's grateful smile he cleared his throat and asked the million dollar question everyone included himself wanted the answer to "What happened at the hospital Hayley? is Michelle going to be alright?"
Hayley nodded tiredly the deep dark rings under her eyes giving away her lack of sleep "She was taken straight into surgery when she arrived at the hospital the reason she wasn't breathing was from a build up of fluid caused by internal bleeding. She's still unconscious while her body's recovering she had to have a blood transfusion and an operation to rectify the fluid build up." The staff stood in silence you could have heard a pin drop they were all in shock at the severity of what Michelle had gone through eventually Sean broke the silence as he ushered Hayley to her chair "God poor 'Chelle, how's Mrs Connor Hayley? She looked terrible when she was leaving yesterday poor love"
"Exhausted she's gone to the hospital this morning I don't know whether she'll be coming here at some point, I've told her not too but you all know what's she's like". So far Frank had stayed silent he was both overjoyed and disappointed at the news of Michelle's condition and his mind was warring with itself. Snapping himself from his internal battle he noticed the staff were looking at him expectantly obviously waiting for him to give a response "Glad to hear she's on the mend Hayley. Now let's get to work we don't want to miss this deadline and cause anymore stress to be placed on Carla" the staff all nodded in agreement and Hayley smiled gratefully within minutes all you could hear was the steady sound of the sewing machines and the low hum of the employees chatter. Frank sat himself back at his desk and stared blankly at the screen in front of him he was torn over how next to proceed and he prayed that Michelle stayed unconscious long enough for him to come up with a plan.
"Look at the state of you daft mare you'd go mad if you could look at yourself now, not an ounce of make up on you and that bruise on show for all to see" Carla gripped Michelle's hand tightly in her own and leant forwards closer to the hospital bed "I've seen better looking corpses!" She laughed although it was humourless and she wished that Michelle would wake up and give her a mouthful of abuse for her tormenting, just like she usually would. The doctor had been in once this morning and said that everything was fine and that Michelle's body just needed time to recuperate and that once it had she would wake up. Carla prayed it would be sooner rather than later her nerves were frayed and she just wanted a cuddle in her best friend's arms, wanted them to be able to go home and live happily together no stress no worry and no injury. Michelle could make her feel settled safe like nothing in the world could ever hurt her, cause her any harm. How it had taken her this long to realise she couldn't understand. The fact that it had taken so long for her to realise made her more determined to enjoy every moment of her life now with Michelle and she was desperate for her to wake up so that she could tell her lover just how much she meant to her.
Sighing dejectedly Carla checked her phone and immediately became agitated when she saw three missed calls from Frank surely he could cope at the factory without her input, something he had insisted many times over the past week, and she cancelled the call history deciding that it wasn't worth calling him back. Dumping her bag back on the floor she pulled her chair as close to Michelle's bed as possible and carefully wrapped her lovers arm around her shoulders feeling slightly calmer at the feeling of Michelle's warm arm against her skin she concentrated on listening to the machine monitoring Michelle's heartbeat and she allowed herself to be lulled into an uneasy sleep.
"Hayley! Hayley wait up" Peter ran down the cobbled road as fast as his smoke filled lungs would allow cigarette hanging precariously from his lip he came to a gasping stop in front of a concerned looking Hayley.
"You ok Peter?" Still wheezing Peter managed to straighten himself up and shot Hayley a pained grimace
"I'm fine thanks Hayley think this is my body's way of saying give up the fags what do you reckon" smiling Hayley nodded and gestured to the factory
"I'm sorry Peter I need to go I can't be late"
"It'll only take a minute Hayley I heard about Michelle is she alright? Is Carla alright?" Hayley smiled sympathetically "Michelle will be fine and Carla well she's doing as well as she can be. She's at the hospital now I'm going to ask her to come to mine later I don't want her to be alone"
"I'll ring Carla offer to pick her up from the hospital give her some support"
Hayley beamed "That's a lovely idea Peter" checking her watch Hayley quickly started to hurry towards the factory "Tell Carla to let me know what she's doing later"
Peter waved a smile fixed upon his face "I will bye Hayley". Meandering back to the bookies slowly Peter took out his phone and opened his inbox "Hey love just spoke to Hayley I'm going to come over to the hospital later bit of moral support keep your chin up she's a Connor she'll pull through Xx" beaming at the thought of seeing Carla later he leant against the wall and lit up another cigarette he still had five minutes and he needed to think of a viable excuse to tell Leanne so that he could slip away for the evening.
"How's Michelle? X" Carla groaned as her phone buzzed again and it irked her that Frank thought that it was alright to place kisses at the end of his message it made her skin prickle with annoyance quickly typing out a quick fine she replied turned her phone on silent and shoved it back into her handbag. Glancing at the clock on the wall she noticed it was already nearly seven she had been there for almost 10 long hours. Being in this room with its depressing grey walls and the constant bleeping of the machines was driving her mad she wasn't good at sitting still but she really didn't want to leave Michelle on her own.
"'Chelle it's me love can you hear me?"
She waited knowing that it was a futile effort but she carried on whether it was for her own sake or Michelle's she was unsure "That first morning I woke up with you in my arms knowing you were mine and I was yours was the happiest I had been in years. I lay there listening to your gentle breathing with my head on your chest savouring the sound of your steady heartbeat under my ear and I realised in that moment just how much I love you"
Smiling shakily Carla leant her head gently against Michelle's upper arm her cheek resting against Michelle's soft warm skin "Don't get used to this by the way, me being this soft, there's a reason I'm saying this while your unconscious I'd feel like a right div saying this to your face". As the words left her mouth one of the machines let out an irregular beep and Carla sat up with speed she didn't know she possessed.
"'Chelle?"
The tone carried on echoing in the room and Carla quickly punched the button on the wall that was connected to the nurses' station. Not even 30 seconds later the nurse who had dealt with Michelle on arrival came rushing through the door "Is there a problem Mrs Connor?"
"Yeah one of the machines, well it's not sounding how it should be" the nurse made away over to the screen showing Michelle's vitals and she smiled "Now that's looking more positive brain activity has increased and the oxygen levels in her blood are steadily rising this one's a fighter alright she's recovering quickly for the amount of blood she lost"
Carla laughed out loud with relief "Oh yeah stubborn this one I've been locking horns with her for years haven't I you awkward mare" The nurse smiled in response
"Keep talking to her Mrs Connor she'll be able to hear you and it will help keep her calm and relaxed which is vital for her recovery. I think maybe that was the cause of the increased brain activity whatever you have been saying to her is obviously causing her to fight to wake up"
After updating the patient notes at the end of the hospital bed the nurse left Carla alone again after warning her that visiting hours would be ending in an hour and they couldn't let her stay any longer. Knowing it was futile to argue Carla nodded and settled for leaning against Michelle once more telling her daft memories and stories hoping that her words would continue to encourage her unconscious lover.
"I'm going to have to go soon love but I promise I'll come back at lunchtime tomorrow once I've checked in at the factory. Nurses here are sick of the sight of me I think I've been banned from returning until official visiting hours" Carla stood slowly and stretched her arms her back was seizing up after sitting in the hard plastic chair all day she was hungry tired and sore all she wanted was to go back home and relax. With Michelle here though she was returning to Hayley's after a taxi ride home in silence the previous night Hayley had pushed her into telling her what was wrong. After listening to Carla's heartfelt admission that she couldn't bear the thought of being in the flat all night alone Hayley had offered her their couch and Carla had got surprisingly comfortable tucked under numerous blankets Hayley had insisted she have "In case it got a bit chilly in the night".
Lost in her thoughts Carla was startled when she heard a knock at the door and she quickly stood expecting Michelle's nurse to begin turfing her out but to her surprise Peter came ambling through the door clutching a bouquet of flowers and a sheepish smile across his face "Thought these would brighten up the place hospital rooms are so depressing" setting the flowers on the window sill he plonked himself down in the armchair in the corner of the room and smiled bemusedly at Carla who was still standing "You not sitting love?"
"What are you doing here?" For a moment Peter looked hurt "Did you not see my text?"
"No now answer me why are you here?" realising Carla wasn't in the mood Peter straightened his features "I'm here for you and of course to see how Michelle's doing. As you can imagine she's the gossip of the street and I wanted to make sure she was alright personally the way Norris was banging on this afternoon you would think we were all ready to plan her funeral!"
Carla angrily gestured towards the bed "Oh she's fine Peter she's only punctured a lung and lost nearly half her body weight in blood!"
Peter sat forward and held his hands up "I wasn't making fun love I'm sorry I know how poorly she is but like I said she's a fighter she'll pull through" calmed by his words Carla sat down on the chair next to him "I'm sorry I've not had much sleep and looking at these four walls all day hasn't done much for my mental state let me tell you"
Peter nodded and opened his arms gesturing that she came to him for a hug. Hesitating slightly but needing comfort at that moment she settled herself into his lap and let him wrap his arms around her "Don't worry love I know you've had a hard couple of days that's why I came thought you could do with some moral support"
"Aye you got that right feel like I'm being ganged up on by the nurses in here don't think there happy I've not left yet" They sat in silence for a few minutes until Carla felt the need to break it "How's Leanne?"
"Fine" Peter's tone was short and Carla knew he didn't want to talk about his wife "She doesn't know your here does she?" Instead of answering her Carla felt the shake of Peter's head against her own and she groaned "You daft bugger there will be world war three when you get home"
"Don't think I care anymore" if Carla hadn't been sat so close she wouldn't have heard Peter's muttered words shocked she sat up so she could look at his face "You what?"
Rubbing his face tiredly Peter answered "I don't want to be with Leanne anymore Carla". The look in his eyes made her realise what he was implying and Carla moved to get up from Peter's lap as if sensing what she was going to do Peter tightening his grip around her waist "I can't pretend I'm happy anymore Carla it's killing me especially when I'm love with someone else" his statement hung in the room and Carla wished he had never arrived "Carla say something?"
"What do you want me to say Peter?"
"Ask me who I'm in love with" looking into his pleading brown eyes Carla jumped up and gestured towards the door "I think you should leave Peter"
"Why? Why should I leave? We both know who I'm in love with and I know you feel the same"
"I don't know what you're talking about" Carla kept her tone even though on the inside she was furious how dare he turn up here and try and force this discussion especially at a time like this.
Her tone however riled Peter and he stood angrily pointing in her direction "Yes you do Carla I love you it's always been you I wish I had been honest with myself the day you told me you wouldn't marry Frank I wish I had had the courage to stand up and say I love you too!" Peter's words echoed in the room and Carla was at a loss for how to respond she didn't love him once maybe but not anymore, not now she had Michelle. Taking a deep breath she calmly sat down and took Michelle's hand in her own needing the contact to keep her calm. "I'm sorry Peter I don't feel the same. I did once but not anymore I've moved on and so should you"
"Liar! So all this time the flirty banter the little glances the fucking cuddle we've just had now was all nothing! You told me you loved me and now I'm telling you the same your throwing it back in my face!"
Rage built inside Carla and she got ready to unload just as she was about to unleash her fury movement in her left palm distracted her "Chelle?" Carla was sure she had just felt Michelle's hand move in her own and she looked intently at Michelle's face praying for a response
"Carla?!"
"Shut up Peter! 'Chelle darlin' can you hear me?" Carla leant over bed and gently placed her hand against Michelle's forehead "If you can hear me Michelle squeeze my hand come on darlin'" Carla concentrated with all her might just as she was about to give up Michelle's hand trembled in her own and then clenched slightly Carla beamed looking at their joined hands with pure elation. Still smiling Carla brushed her lips against Michelle's forehead. As she pulled back she gasped staring back at her where her lovers gorgeous brown eyes "Chelle ... Oh my God 'Chelle" quickly Carla pushed the button next to the bed as Michelle's arms flailed around wildly. Carla's initial joy at seeing her awake was now replaced with concern Carla could now see the panic and fear in Michelle's eyes as she struggled gasping for breath.
Carla rushed back to Michelle's side quickly she took the hand that was trying to grab the ventilator and she placed a calming hand across Michelle's forehead. At her touch Michelle's eyes locked onto Carla's and she tried to speak her face immediately contorting in pain as she struggled.
"Shhh stop fighting babe" Michelle's grip became vice like and Carla tried not to wince keeping her voice low and calm she carried on trying to alleviate Michelle's fear "It's a ventilator babe it's ok, you're ok, you've just got to relax and let the machine breathe for you." A tear slowly slid down Michelle's cheek and Carla's heart ached for how frightened her lover was.
"You're in hospital but you're going to be fine. The nurse is coming now ok she'll help it's all going to be ok" as the words left Carla's mouth the nurse came rushing through the door her expression immediately relaxing when she saw that Michelle was awake.
"Right Mrs Connor step out of the way and I'll run some checks now she's conscious" as the nurse bustled up to the bed Michelle's grip on Carla's hand tightened and know matter how much Carla tried she couldn't shake Michelle's steadfast grip. Noticing the nurse becoming impatient she spoke exasperatedly "I can't" gesturing to their entwined hands "She's scared and trying to fight the ventilator can it be removed?"
"Let me check her over then we'll see"
Ten minutes later the ventilator was removed replaced with an oxygen mask which seemed to have relaxed Michelle Carla was no longer at risk of having her fingers broken.
"Michelle?" Michelle's tired eyes locked onto the stern gaze of the nurse who was pointing in her direction "That mask stays on ok your lung isn't strong enough yet for you to attempt to breathe without it" sluggishly Michelle nodded as Carla squeezed her hand tightly "You hear that you're to do as you're told" Michelle mumbled in response and Carla laughed out of pure relief rather than happiness. The nurse completed her notes reminded Carla she had 5 minutes until visiting time was up and then swept from the room bumping into Peter as she did.
Until that point Carla had completely forgotten he was there and she felt the tension in the room return instantly.
"Go home Peter"
"No I came here to spend some time with you"
"Well as you can see for the next five minutes I'll be preoccupied with this one and then I'm going to Hayley's so you're wasting your time" turning back to face Michelle she cringed as she felt Michelle's hand grip her own tightly at Peter's parting words
"I still love you and I know you love me we'll sort this Carla I know we will"
The door shut with a audible click and Carla felt tears build in her eyes at the look of devastation on Michelle's tired face "Don't listen to him I don't love him I love you you know that" she pressed a long lingering kiss on Michelle's forehead "Now get some sleep you look exhausted and I need you to get better I need you with me"
Michelle still looked worried and she fought to stay awake her eyes straining to stay open. She raised her left arm clumsily and tried to move the mask before she could even begin to try and talk she was overcome with choking coughs. Carla quickly grasped the hand that was pulling at the mask and placed the offending item back firmly over Michelle's face "Shhh stop fighting" Carla ran her hands gently through Michelle's hair and cupped her cheek "Forget Peter go to sleep. I love you" watching Michelle smile sleepily at her made her heart swell a little bit more and she placed a loving kiss on Michelle's knuckles on her hand still firmly encased in her own.
As soon as Carla was certain Michelle was asleep she crept from the room feeling like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders and she optimistically made her way to the taxi pick up point. Determined to ignore Peter and his declaration she wasn't even going to give it the time of day Michelle was who was important to her and she couldn't wait to have her back with her at the flat were she belonged.