Yeah you and me we can ride on a star if you stay with me girl, we can rule the world. Yeah you and me we can light up the sky if you stay by my side, we can rule the world

The sound of the waves crashing not far below her was soothing for Carla. The sea was always something she had loved, even as a child. She found it calming, relaxing. A safe haven. She smiled contently to herself as she looked down over the balcony of their hotel room, enjoying the quiet whilst Peter had popped out briefly. Her hand rested where it always did, across her bump, as she gently tickled the skin below her top. She loved the way her baby reacted to the touch on her bump. Kicking away in reaction as though she knew it was her mother. It made Carla's heart swell in a way she hadn't believed possible. She was still the same person, a bit rough, a tough exterior but an easily broken, easily hurt interior. She still hated herself for mistakes she had made and could be filled with self loathe at times but when she thought about the future that was dangled in front of her, so within reach, so tangible, well, she could almost forget her past.

Carla turned behind her with a smile as she heard the door, walking into the room to greet Peter. Instead, her jaw dropped and she froze. A silence fell over both the women, the almost sisters, the closest of friends.

"Chelle-"

"Car'-"

Carla didn't say another word and neither did Michelle, instead they fell into a warm, loving embrace and held each other in relief. For now, everything felt okay again.

The women didn't have as much time as they needed to talk things through, but they had enough for now. Enough that they could share small smiles and sit beside each other on the bed. Carla felt like a piece of her had come home. She felt as though something had been missing, like she always had when she had fallen out with Michelle. They had been far too close and been through far too much together to not overcome this.

A long while later and Carla pulled on a short, white, untraditional wedding dress Michelle had brought with her, a thin, flowing holiday dress that complimented Carla's bump perfectly. She wasn't entirely sure she had gotten her head around what was going on after Michelle explained, still in a state of shock but she allowed Michelle to curl her hair while they chatted about not too serious subjects, needing a lighter atmosphere.

"So 'ave you talked about names?" Michelle carefully sorted Carla's hair, gratefully almost.

Carla smiled as her eyes fell to her stomach, "Oh yeah, we've talked til we're blue in the face but we can't agree on nowt." She laughed, "We'll get there in the end I guess."

Michelle smiled fondly as she thought of a million memories she's shared with Carla as kids, "Remember when we were kids and you swore you'd name your first baby Macie?"

Carla chuckled lightly, nodding at the happy memories. Surprisingly, there had been quite a few of them, even with her upbringing. Granted, most of them were spent with Michelle, Liam and Paul, the four of them hanging out together every chance they got. They'd been incredibly close growing up, and when Dean joined the school he'd instantly become one of them. They'd shared many laughs since primary school and through to secondary. In fact they'd shared many laughs for long after that, until tragedy struck for all three of their boys. "I'd forgotten that y'know. Eh, Macie Barlow. Got quite a ring to it that." She bit her lip with a smile at the thought.

"Chelle, do you think I'll be a good mum?"

Michelle stopped what she was doing, placing the curlers on the side and sitting on the seat in front of Carla. "I think.." She sighed softly, obviously thinking of her guilt constantly, "I think it's gonna be the making of you, love. I think this is it. You two, the baby, the new house, I think this is where you finally get to be happy."

Carla stared at her for a moment, swallowing back and then taking Michelle's hand. "I think now I can be." She didn't say any more, she didn't need to.

Carla shook her head with a tiny chuckle, her eyes catching Peter's as she slowly walked beside Michelle and up the sandy beach, along the home made aisle towards him. He looked smart and nervous and excited all at once. She couldn't love him more.

"You! What's all this about?!"

Flashes of their last wedding day dance across Peter's mind, how beautiful his bride looked dressed head to toe in white. How her eyes lit up with excitement and love and how all he had done was tainted it. He remembers thinking how amazing she looked that day, the dress she had spent hours picking out, hair and make up intricately done to perfection. And yet, Peter can't help but think she looks better this time around. Maybe it's because he knows exactly what he has this time, maybe it's because she's carrying his tiny, precious baby daughter or maybe it's the way the sun bounces off her browned skin and the plain white dress she wears falls just above her knees. Maybe its how light her hair looks as it tumbles down her back in loose curls or maybe it's just because she looks so incredibly happy. Maybe it's all of them.

Peter takes her hand after throwing Michelle a proud smile and then turns his attentions to his wife. He feels as though he can't quite catch his breath, as though his words will sound silly now his plan has come together. "I know you're already my wife and this is just a blessing, saying our vows again, whatever folk call it these days. But I wanted to make something to remember, I wanted to surprises you and woo you and make it, well special." His thumbs rubbed her fingers as he spoke, "Truth is, Carla, our wedding day is tainted in't it. It always will be. I wanted to give you the day you'd dreamed of, without all the bad memories."

Carla hadn't realised she'd let a few tears fall at his words until Michelle hadn't her a tissue with a small knowing smile. She chuckled slightly, "God, this baby is turning me into an emotional wreck." She shook her head softly, "You're amazing, Peter Barlow. This is amazing."

The ceremony went without a hitch. And the night went incredibly different to their wedding night. Not a drop of wine was in sight as the three of them shared a meal and talked like old friends who hadn't been together in a very long time. When Michelle left them, Carla was able to finally tell Peter all she was feeling. She was able to tell him much she loved him and how much this trip and their blessing had meant to her.

Alone in their hotel suite, she was able to show him too.