"Happy birthday, son!" Peter exclaimed, watching as Simon was overcome with excited when he saw all his birthday presents and cards.
"I have so many presents!" Simon gasped, sitting down and picking them up, trying to find out what's what.
"Steady on, Si," Peter said. "Breakfast first. Then presents. Don't want you going to school on an empty stomach."
"But breakfast is so boring!" Simon groaned.
"Even when it's your favourite?" Peter smirked.
"Are we having pancakes with syrup?" His eyes lit up.
"Yep, Carla's made some before you woke up."
"Is it edible?" Simon asked, trying to keep his hatred for Carla going but it was hard when he was so excited about his birthday antics.
"Ha! Hey, did you hear that, Car?" Peter laughed, as Carla walked into the living area drying her wet hair with a towel.
"What was that?"
"Simon doesn't think the pancakes are edible."
"I can assure you I read over the instructions at least 5 times." She smiled.
"Instructions? For pancakes?" Simon laughed.
"Go on, Si. Have as many as you want." Peter said, walking over to his girlfriend and patting her stomach.
"And how are you both today?"
"Good," She beamed. "I think todays off to a good start."
"You know, I'm seeing a change in Simon since I've let him see Leanne. It's as if he is trying to come to terms with the change. I just want today to be as good as possible."
"Me too."
"And I don't want you under anymore unnecessary stress. It's not been an easy pregnancy so far, but that changes now."
"Is that right?" She whispered, kissing him.
"Dad! Can I have chocolate spread too?"
"Whatever you want, son."
As Simon greedily dived into his breakfast at the table, Peter and Carla sat contently on the sofa watching.
"Do I get to see Leanne today?"
"Yes, Si. After school though."
"Can I stay with her?"
"On your birthday? I've got plans to make today special for you." Peter looked saddened.
"Can't Leanne come here?"
"I don't know, son."
"If Carla stays at the factory or something, it can be like the old days. That'll be the perfect birthday. Please, dad!"
"I don't mind staying away." Carla coughed, awkwardly.
"No. You can see Leanne tomorrow. Or if she wants to come over, then Carla will be here too. This is her home too now." Peter said, sternly.
"Fine," Simon tutted. "But I want my presents."
"Please…" Peter motioned for Simon to say the same.
"Please." Simon rolled his eyes.
"Heya!" Carla smiled, opening the door wider to allow the two pensioners inside.
"How are you, my love?" Deidre asked, taking a seat on the sofa.
"I'm okay," Carla nodded before chuckling, "I've been blowing up balloons for the past hour but other than that, fantastic."
"Simon will appreciate your efforts." Ken piped up.
"Oh, I'm not too sure about that." She winced.
"It takes time. Kids aren't easy." Ken replied.
"Yeah, I know. And I'm willing to keep trying. Gives me good practise anyway." She said, placing a hand on her bump.
"Where are Peter and Simon?" Deidre asked.
"He's picking Si up from school. Dev is bringing Asha and Aldi round too, and I think Peter mentioned that Nick and Leanne will be here."
"Today is about making him happy, it'll be lovely to see that smile when he sees everyone." Ken said.
"Can I get either of you a drink?"
"You sit down, I'll get them." Deidre fussed.
"Honestly, I'm fine!" Carla laughed.
"The trials and tribulations that come with pregnancy, love. Trust me, have a rest and let people fuss over you! Milk it." She joked.
"That's not the way I role. I have a business to run remember."
"How is the pregnancy going? Any sickness?" Ken questioned.
"Luckily, it went away for the most part when I went into the second trimester. We have the twenty week scan in a few days though which'll be nice."
"Are you going to find out the gender?"
"We can't agree," Carla rolled her eyes playfully. "Peter wants a surprise but I want to know so I can plan everything."
"It's your body, you make the decision." Deidre said, handing the pair a drink.
"I just wanted to say, Carla, I know we haven't treated you with the most respect since yours and Peters relationship began. We were a big fan of Leanne and even if things between them weren't working, the affair wasn't a good thing to do. But we're no saints. Simon is our priority in all of this but you don't deserve all this agro. Especially with our next grandchild on the way." Ken explained.
"What he's trying to say is, you can always come to us. We have no judgment here." Deidre added on.
"Thank you so much," Carla exhaled, her hormones getting the better of her as she tried to keep the tears underway. "That means a lot to me. I can completely understand I wouldn't be your number one fan after everything. But I can assure you both, I love your son. Like I've never loved anyone."
"Thank you." Ken smiled.
"I've never wanted a baby with anyone before. The thought hasn't even entered my head. But with Peter, it all feels right."
Bzzzzz
"Oh, is that the door?" Deidre jumped, a hand to her chest.
"Yeah," Carla stood up, an unsettling feeling in her stomach at the possibility of being with Leanne and Nick for a long period of time. "It might be the guests. But Peter should be back by now."
"I'll get it," Ken smiled, feeling Carla's hesitation. "It's Leanne and Nick."
"Where's the birthday boy?" Leanne gleamed as she entered the flat.
"Peter's still on his way back with him," Deirdre said. "I tell you what, I bet Simon managed to get Peter to buy him a milkshake or something. What is he like!"
"And are you staying?" Leanne's face turned into a growl as she stared at the brunette woman, tutting as she stood up and saw her noticeable bump.
"It's my flat, Leanne." Carla narrowed her eyes.
"Let's face it, if it was Simons idea who'd come, you'd be bottom of the list."
"Yeah, maybe. But he'll have to deal with it, won't he?"
"It isn't fair on Simon, all of this," Ken waved his hands in the air. "He's only young, it's traumatic. Get along or don't come at all."
"Why are you looking at me when you say that?" Leanne frowned, angrily.
"Ken's right," Nick piped up. "Do it for Simon."
"Fine," Leanne rolled her eyes. "But just remember this, I will never forgive that woman for what she's put my family though."
"Anyway," Deirdre smiled before gesturing to the presents in Nicks arms. "Are these for the little man?"
"They are, indeed."
As the party was in full force, Simon was more than overjoyed to have both of his parents together in the flat again. He was a smart kid though, he knew they still hated each other. He could tell by the atmosphere. But as long as the attention was on him for once, was all that mattered.
On the other hand, Carla was feeling well and truly out of her depth. Not to mention it was everyone in the family in the pokey little flat, but she wasn't used to everything being so childlike. Spider-Man banners up in the flat, kids music playing, toys she was trying her hardest not to trip over. It would soon be normalised in her life, and that was a scary thought. She still regularly wondered if this was the right route for her life, but the overpowering love she had for the baby inside her was proof that this is what she wanted and needed. Never mind what outsiders thought, she loved her baby.
"Can I get you a top up, madam." Peter put on a posh voice, holding a packet of Capri-Sun juice.
"Go on then." She winked, gratefully taking one from him.
"You've been quiet."
"It's all of out my comfort zone, innit? But lovely all the same."
"It's exciting, isn't it?"
"Definitely."
"Are we gonna have the little one give us a kick soon, to make the day even more perfect? To show us it's there." Peter gleamed, placing a hand onto Carla's stomach.
"Peter," Carla whispered. "Take your hand off."
"Why?" he frowned.
"Leanne's been glaring at me all day. I don't want her to get jealous and cause a scene."
"I don't care, Carla. That's our baby." He placed his hand back her bump, leaning down and giving it a kiss.
"They make me feel sick." Leanne groaned, turning so her back was too the pair.
"I know how you feel about them -…"
"Nick, she's pregnant! I still can't believe it." She hissed, cutting him off.
"You'd think you'd believe it by now with how much you mention it." He snapped.
"Oh, I'm sorry! It's not as if the woman who ruined my life is now happily married with my husband and kid." She replied, sarcastically.
"And what about our life? Together as a couple. You're so obsessed with them."
"I'm obsessed with my boy, Simon. And he hates them."
"Can I offer you two a drink?" Peter wandered over.
"Rot in hell." Leanne hissed, walking away.
"We had other flavours!" He called out.
Nick rolled his eyes at the man, before walking towards Simon.
"Hey, mate. Do you wanna open your main present from me and your mum?"
"Yes!" Simon hopped around, enthusiastically.
"It's huge! I never had one that big for my birthday." Amy moaned.
"Oh my god!" Simon screeched as she unwrapped the gift. "It's a scooter!"
"We don't have a garden, Nick." Peter said, as Carla's arm went around his middle. She could sense that he was getting jealous over their bond.
"I know that," Nick turned around smugly. "But me and Leanne are thinking about moving away. Not overly far. But somewhere nice with a big garden."
"And you didn't think to consult me about that? Taking my son away?" Peter snapped, walking closer.
"Peter…" Deirdre warned her step-son.
"I'm not causing a scene, Deirdre. But I'd like to know these things and not find out at the same time as everyone else with this poxy present."
"This is my favourite present!" Simon said.
"What about your hot wheels I got you, son?" Peter asked.
Simon shrugged, standing up and hugging Nick.
"Where's mum?" Simon asked Nick.
"I think she went outside for some fresh air." Nick cleared his throat, knowing Leanne had actually stormed off. "I'm going to look for her. Stay here with your dad."
As Nick left, Peter threw the empty Capri-Sun drink across the kitchen and walked into the bedroom.
"Peter?" Carla followed him. He sat on the edge of the bed and started crying, a sight that melted Carla's heart. She sat beside him, pulling him towards her chest and hugging him. "It's okay, darling."
"I just want Simon to be happy, and for everything to go smoothly. Why can't it ever happen?"
"Because they provoke you, Peter. I can see it from a mile off."
"This should be a happy time," He sniffed. "Another baby on the way. My first borns birthday."
"We are happy, baby. But we all get low moments."
"I just love him, Car. But I feel like I've lost him."
"Come here…" she squeezed him, kissing his head.
"You haven't lost me, dad." Simon whispered, stood in the doorway.
Both the adults heads fly up, abruptly.
"Si, what are you doing in here, hey?" Peter wiped his eyes, planting a fake smile to his face.
"I heard you, both of you."
"Go back and have fun, Si. It's your birthday, you shouldn't be listening to our boring conversations." Carla said, lightheartedly.
"I do love your presents too, dad," Simon said before sighing. "It's just…I don't know…"
"Just what? Si?" Peter questioned.
"I guess…you hurt me by getting with Carla and ruining our family so I'm trying to hurt you." He revealed.
"I get that, son. I do." Peter nodded. "Sit here."
When the little boy say next to them, Peter continued…
"You see, I didn't have a good home situation when I was younger either. Don't get me wrong, grandad Ken is amazing. But he did some bad things when I was younger. And I was left in Scotland feeling worthless. I played up, tried to get attention. Because I thought, I must be bad if even my dad doesn't want me. I guess…I've let you down too, son. And for that I'm really sorry."
"Si, your dad has done some unforgivable things. As have I. But that's part of growing and learning. Your dad fell out of love with your mum, and you'll find out more about that when you're older. But the way we got together was horrible, and so undeserved. And we regret getting together that way."
"I just miss the old times." Simon sniffed back tears.
"I know," Peter kissed his forehead. "But nothing stays the same for long. Part of life is change. It's a process and you'll get used to it. All me and Carla want, is for you to be that beautiful kind boy I know you are. Carla isn't Leanne, and we aren't wanting her to take her place. Leanne is your mum, not Carla. But she's my girlfriend now. And she's carrying your little sibling."
"I'm sorry." Simon whispered.
"Don't be sorry, Si." Carla softened.