"I'm getting red in the face, you can call me obsessed. It's not your fault that they hover, I mean no disrespect. It's my right to be hellish. I still get jealous, 'cause you're too sexy, beautiful and everybody wants to taste. That's why I still get jealous."

Carla smiled to herself as she pulled on the new navy dress she had brought and straightened it up in the mirror. Before Peter and the baby, her view on life was completely different. She was all about looking beautiful and slim and attractive. Working hard in the gym for the perfect body because it made her feel good. At least, she thought it did. But as she stood in the mirror and ran her hands over her bump, she'd never felt better. She still wanted to look good and sometimes she felt self concious but her body was starting to change and she was okay with that. Especially as it meant her baby was growing and gaining in strength. Everyday was another day closer to meeting him or her and that was worth a few lumps and bumps.

Not that Carla had any. She was nearly five months pregnant and all anyone had told her in the last couple of weeks, since finding out, was how she was glowing. She looked on top of the world and maybe, she was. Her nightmares were starting to fade and when they did show up, Peter was around to calm her down and lull her back to sleep. Slowly, things with Michelle were repairing themselves and Carla was trying to put what she had done behind her. Or at least, what she thought she had done. She hadn't forgotten though, and every time she looked at Michelle, she thought she never would.

Carla finished her make up and loosely curled her hair, complementing her look with the necklace Peter had brought for Carla the first Christmas they had been intimately close. Eventually, she was ready to face the world and Michelle's hen do. She couldn't think of anything worse, completely sober with a gaggle of drunk, overenthusiastic women but how could she even consider saying no to Michelle. She owed her the world right now. Carla thought the evening might be slightly more bearable if she knew she'd be coming home to Peter but unfortunately for her, he was going on a lads night away with Steve and his stag party in a few hours and wouldn't be in bed waiting for her. She wouldn't see him now til they were at the church for the wedding. She guessed, if Peter could handle staying sober when surrounded with drunks, it was the least she could do. Carla hated knowing she couldn't curl up with him though, despite the fact Michelle would be staying instead. Peter was her safety and even though he was only going to be down the road in Leeds, she had to admit she would feel slightly lost.

Carla didn't have as awful a night as she was assuming she'd had, in fact she quite enjoyed herself. She actually enjoyed talking about girly things because for once, she had something to be positive about. Well, two things to be precise. One thing she had greatly enjoyed was how jealous Peter had been over her when he had joined them for a short time while waiting for Steve and the rest of the guys.

Peter couldn't keep his eyes off her tonight, god he wished he could take her home and take that dress right back off her. She looked out of this world and she was well aware how crazy she was driving him. In fact, he knew she was playing on it too. Constantly pursing her lips or throwing her head back with her delicious giggle. It killed him.

He was also incredibly aware of the attention she was getting from others too, particularly from one bloke that didn't appear to be a regular. The stranger's eyes were all over every part of his wife and Peter thought it was pretty disrespectful seeing as she was clearly taken and clearly expecting. Although when she looked as good as she did tonight, he didn't think anything could put anyone off. Peter frowned softly when the suited and booted man made his way over and stood on the side of Carla that Peter wasn't occupying. Immediately, he stepped closer and snaked his arm around her, much to Carla's amusement and delight.

"Hello gorgeous. Don't think I've see you before." Jesus, even this man's voice was smooth.

Carla simply chuckled and shrugged, flashing her perfect side smile at the gentleman and sipping her vodka free lemonade.

"Can I get you another?"

Peter's hand was now rubbing her side and even Carla could feel the death stare he was throwing at the over friendly stranger. Carla shook her head with a amused smile, sipping her drink, "Thanks for the offer but I'm sure my hubby can stretch to buying me another lemonade. Ta anyway." Peter could swear her voice was huskier, sexier than ever tonight and she knew what that voice did to him. With a smirk, he nodded and watched as the man shrugged and ordered his own drink.

Carla turned to Peter with raised eyebrows and laughed, "Anyone would think you were jealous then, Peter." She twirled her straw around her glass with a grin. "Eh, I'm allowed to be. Look at ya!" He grinned cheekily, letting her know exactly what he was thinking and she chuckled, "Don't be so cheap, Barlow!" She loved it though, and he knew it.

"Besides," Peter said with a proud smile, "It's not jealousy when you're already mine. It's territorial." That got her. If they hadn't been in the middle of a heaving pub, she'd have had him there and then.

Michelle interrupted Carla's memory with a nudge, "Earth to Carla?!" She chuckled and Carla thought it was so nice to see her smile again. "Sorry love, I were miles away." Michelle shook her head and handed her another drink as she sat back down beside her, "Oooh, careful Michelle, don't want to get me too drunk, I can be a right liability after too many lemonades and ice." Carla spoke sarcastically but everyone knew she didn't care really. She was far too happy to.

A while later, when Michelle was verging on rather tipsy, Carla forced her up from the booth and wrapped her arm around her with a laugh. "Come on woman! It's way past this hermits bed time and you need to sober up before tomorrow!" She thankfully accepted an umbrella from Liz as the rain poured down outside the safety of the pub. Eventually they made it back to the warmth of Carla's flat with the endless amount of cases Michelle had packed. How much did one woman need for a wedding?

Michelle sank down into the safety of Carla's sofa and thankfully accepted the offer of a coffee. She hadn't meant to have drunk so much when she was getting married the next afternoon but truth was, she was terrified. She was doing a better job of hiding it now but that didn't mean her head wasn't shot to pieces. Michelle smiled up at Carla as she sat beside her and gratefully sipped her drink.

"Ready for this then?" Carla tucked her legs underneath herself with a content sigh, glad to be home.

"Ready as I'll ever be, I think." Michelle smiled before bringing her hand up to her mouth, "Shit, I left the paper with my vows in the pub!"

Carla rolled her eyes, "Bloody hell Michelle, you are useless!" She laughed though, "Guess I'll have to go get them, won't I. Where are they?" Michelle gave a her a kiss on the cheek in thanks, knowing she was in no state to walk on her own. "They're in a shoe box under me bed. On my side. Thanks Carla, I'm really sorry."

Carla just shook her head and pulled on her coat and shoes, although that took slightly longer these days. "Be five minutes!" She called and rushed back in the rain and across to the Rovers, making her way to Michelle's bedroom. With a sigh she strategically knelt on the floor and rummaged with her hands to find the box Michelle was talking about. Giving a triumphant mumble Carla pulled it out and pulled the lid off, looking for the pieces of paper that Michelle had written her vows on but something else caught her attention first. Carla picked up the leaflet and ran her fingers over the front.

She thought she was imagining it, reading it wrong, but the way her heart sank told her it was true.

Suddenly, she didn't feel like celebrating.