Chapter 18

Disclaimer I don't own Coronation Street. This is for entertainment purposes.

As dawn descended yet again for yet another busy working day on Coronation Street, the first of the morning's golden rays pierced through the gap in the curtains, gently arousing Carla from her peaceful slumber.

She lay there, basking in the first moments of the morning silence, as the birds gently sang their harmony outside her window and the street came to life for another busy working day ahead.

She shouldn't be this happy, things like this simply didn't happen for the likes of her. But she's glad it has! And there wasn't a day where she didn't send a silent prayer to whoever was up there as a thank you.

The girl from the wrong side of the tracks, the absentee, criminal father, an alcoholic mother and a brother, who was currently doing a 10 stretch in Strangeways for armed robbery.

No, this sort of thing didn't happen for the likes of her. But she had most definitely broken the mould.

But she'd proven the haters wrong, she was worth something and she was hell-bent on proving exactly what she was worth and boy, did she have the last laugh.

But on the other hand, she was just waiting for the bubble to burst and for her newfound happiness to be nothing but a wild, vivid dream on her part and she was going to wake up at any moment and come crashing back down to her old reality.

Carla slowly turned on her right side, hissing as she did so.

"Are you alright?" Frank asked, sleeping turning to face her.

"Yeah, just in some pain," Carla replied.

"I'll go and get your painkillers for you." He offered, getting out of bed.

"You don't have to run after me," Carla told him.

"I promised you I'd look after you and that's exactly what I'm going to do," Frank replied with a small smile, leaving the room.

"I don't deserve you," Carla concluded softly.

"No, you're wrong. It's I that doesn't deserve you." Frank replied before he began to make his way downstairs.

Carla slowly began to get dressed, she was still in quite some pain so she kept it casual, a pair of comfy joggers and a loose black tank top.

A district nurse was coming later that day to change her bandages and check the sight.

Carla took agonizing, painfully slow steps to the top of the stairs and was met with Frank at the bottom.

"What are you doing, love? You could have hurt yourself." He gently reprimanded.

"I'm alright, but I need your help getting down the stairs," Carla replied, sheepishly.

"You have nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm here to help you with whatever you need. Don't ever be ashamed or embarrassed to come to me." Frank told her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pecked her softly on the lips.

"Thank you and same to you,'' Carla whispered, gently running her fingers through his hair.

Halfway down, Carla needed to stop.

"I'm sorry, I must be a right pain in the backside at the minute," Carla told him, breathlessly.

"You're anything but, on a scale of 1 to 10. How's your pain?" Frank asked her.

"Honestly? Does an 11 count?" Carla hissed through a jolt of pain.

"You do want to sit down?" Frank asked her.

"Yes, please. Just for a moment. God, look at me! This isn't me!" Carla vented in frustration.

"I know, honey and I'm not going to stand here and patronise you and tell you all it takes is to be patient or it won't be long before your back on your feet. I know better than that. But I know a few things. You're the most caring, compassionate, kind, smart, most beautiful woman I've ever known and it won't be tomorrow, next week or even a month from now. But you will be a bounce back from this. Better and stronger than ever." Frank told her, kneeling beside her.

"Thank you will never be enough but at the moment it's all I have," Carla replied, giving him a watery smile, leaning her forehead on his.

"And that's all I need," Frank whispered, helping her up.

The couple slowly made their way into the kitchen and Frank made breakfast.

Carla took her pain medication just as the phone went.

"Hello, mum. I don't know, maybe, I'll have to check with Carla, we haven't talked about it. I will love you too. Bye, mum." Frank ended the conversation.

"Mum? Everything alright?" Carla asked, finished her juice.

"Yeah, she was asking about as she puts it, how her second daughter was doing and was wondering what's happening with Christmas, and she asked about the wedding too." Frank relayed the conversation that he had just had with his mum.

"Awe, bless her, I wanted to talk to you about that, I'm sorry I know it's short notice. But I was thinking of having everyone over here, I know it'll be a squeeze, but I don't think I'll be up to it with Christmas rounds less than a week away what with everything that's happened." Carla suggested.

"Yeah, whatever you want, we'll ring round and let everyone know," Frank replied, taking a sip of his coffee.

"And as for the wedding, it's still January 20th," Carla told him firmly.

"But Car, you just…" Carla cut him off.

"We're going ahead, no arguments! This is our day, he's taken to much already. He's not having our wedding day too! And that's all that's going to be said on the matter. Ok?" Carla told him as a matter of factory.

"Ok, m'lady has spoken," Frank smirked.

"That she has and her word is final." Carla playfully glared at him.

"That's me told." Frank held his hands up in mock surrender.

Just after lunch, the district nurse had come round and charged Carla's dressings and it had wiped her out and she soon fell asleep.

A few hours later, Carla awoke from her slumber, turning her head slightly in confusion as she took in her surroundings.

"Hey, you're awake. That was some sleep you had." Frank told her from his position in the armchair. Not taking his eyes off his newspaper.

"Sorry, I only closed my eyes for a second. What time is it anyway?" Carla asked, as she slowly sat up, hissing slightly and holding her side as she did so.

"5.30, I'll get your painkillers for you," Frank replied, getting up and going to the kitchen to get her pain medication.

"I feel like a lazy sod, sleeping the day away and you running after me all day." Carla sighed, resting her chin on the palm of her left hand.

"Your recovery from serious injuries, love. It's going to take time honey. You're not lazy by no means at all." Frank replied, handing her painkillers.

"Thanks love. Did you ring your mum back?" Carla asked after she swallowed her tablets.

"Yeah, she got pretty excited. She said not to worry about food. She'll bring everything from the house and she always cooks enough to feed a small army. We'll just get the desserts, alcohol, snacks and non-alcoholic for you and that's not including what everyone I'm sure will bring with them and we're good to go. There'll be 11 of us altogether." Frank filled her in.

"I knew there was a reason I loved that woman! That shouldn't be too hard. I'll grab them in the next few days when I do the weekly shop. Any preferences? 11?" Carla asked, knitting her eyebrows in confusion.

"As long as there is a forest chocolate ghetto in there. I'm sold. Me, you, mum, dad, Katherine, your dad, Aidan, Kate, Liz, Hayley and Roy." Frank rambled off.

"Oh right, yeah, I knew that." Carla chuckled, rolling her eyes.

"I'm saying nothing." Frank laughed.

"You know better, Mr." Carla smirked.

Over the next few days, Carla slowly but surely began to recover, every day was slow and agonising, but every day was a day closer to being fully recovered and healed.

"You're looking a lot better, love," Frank told her, as she came down the stairs.

"I'm not completely there yet, but I feel better than I have in a while." Carla smiled, kissing him good morning.

"That's great! I know I'm going to sound like a broken record, but don't overdo it, love." Frank whispered.

"I won't, I promise. I'm going to see Hayley. I want her to make my wedding dress." Carla told him.

"Are you sure? I mean, I thought that you would want to buy yourself a brand new one?" Frank asked, in confusion, thinking that she would.

"Have you seen Hails dressmaking skills?" Carla asked with raised eyebrows.

"That's very true. I'm going to work and I'll see you later." He replied, kissing her before heading out the door.

It took Carla a little longer than it usually would get to Roy's as she had to take a slower pace and nearly everyone she saw stopped to ask her how she was doing.

"Hello, you." Carla smiled at the man who had been a surrogate father.

"Carla! Come in, come in." Roy exclaimed, beaming at her.

"It's so great to see you." Carla smiled, embracing him in a hug.

Once they got their tea, they settled at a table in the corner of the cafe.

"How are you doing, Carla?" Roy asked, softly.

"Honestly, some days are harder than others. Some are bad and some I almost forget, you know? But I'll never forget. But this is my fresh start." Carla replied, dipping her head.

"You've been through an unimaginable experience that none of us could ever imagine or comprehend unless you've been through it yourself," Roy told her.

"I know I'll never be fully recovered and I'm slowly but surely expecting that. But I'm, I'm in therapy 2 times a week, I'm not bottling things up like I used to. And I've my wedding to look forward to. Like I said to Frank he's taken enough from me, he's not having our wedding nor is he having our happiness. I'm in control of that. Not him." Carla told him.

"Carla, I'm so so very proud of you and of the loving, kind, caring, beautiful, courageous woman you are, please never change," Roy told her., squeezing her hand.

A tiny, singular tear rolled down Carla's cheek.

Michelle entered the cafe and ordered a coffee, sending a glare Carla's way for good measure.

But Carla didn't rise to the bait as Michelle wanted, so she stormed out of the cafe in a huff.

"Hiya you." Leanne greeted warmly.

"Hey, you!" Carla returned.

"Don't you dare get up on my account! How are you feeling?" Leanne asked as she bent down and gently hugged her friend.

"I'm alright, I'm glad you came in. There's something I wanted to talk to you about." Carla replied.

"Sure. What's up?" Leanne asked, taking a seat opposite her?

"I know it's short notice and you can say no if you want. You don't feel like you have too." Carla rambled.

"Carla, will you just spit it out." Leanne laughed.

"Will you be my bridesmaid?" Carla asked, nervously.

"Of course I will, you silly cow," Leanne replied, leaning over the table to hug her friend again.

"Awe, thank you! Can you be at my house at 6? I'm going to ask Hayley to make the dresses, including mine." Carla told her.

"Don't you want to buy your brand new one?" Leanne asked with a frown.

"That's exactly what Frank asked this morning. Anyway, she might not want to do it." Carla replied, taking a sip of her coffee.

"Of course she will! Stop worrying you." Leanne reassured her.

"I can't help but to wait for the bubble to burst, you know?" Carla confided in her.

"Carla, you more than anyone deserve this after everything that's happened. So just enjoy it, yeah?" Leanne told her.

"Yeah, yeah. Your right." Carla smiled back at her.

The girls chatted for another hour before they both had to head off.

Hailey was delighted and shocked that her boss had asked her to make the dresses for the wedding.

That was the dresses sorted, all that needed to be done now was tuxedos, reception, DJ, and invitations.

Carla took her time heading home.

"Oi!" Someone called from across the street.

Carla looked over to see Michelle standing with a scroll on her face.

"What is it, Michelle? I'm not in the mood." Carla sighed.

"So I hear you're planning your wedding." She sneered, envy and jealousy coursing through her gains.

"Yeah. So?" Carla replied, rolling her eyes.

"Classy or tacky? I mean it is your third time after all." Michelle smirked, filing her arms.

"Why do you care so much? You're not invited." Carla replied, turning to walk away.

"You know, I was coming to apologise, at the hospital. But I wasn't allowed in. No sorry, let me rephrase that. I was stopped from getting in." Michelle hissed.

"And that's my fault?" Carla asked.

"Didn't say it was. I thought you would have come to see me to Apologise." Michelle ground out.

"And why would I do that?" Carla rolled her eyes, all she wanted to do was go home, take her painkillers and relax.

"Because we're meant to be family, that's why and don't roll your eyes at me!" Michelle shouted across the street.

"Family?" Carla pretended to be confused at her statement.

"Yeah, family. Although I've told Theodore and Paxon your not aunty car anymore. So I guess we're no longer family, eh?" Michele told her nastily and spitefully.

"Oi! If you have something to say to MY sister, at least have the decency, not to air your dirty laundry in public. It's tacky and cheap. Come on Car, let's get you home." Kate told her older sister.

"Thanks, Kate," Carla whispered in relief, giving her sister a small smile in appreciation.

"That's what sisters are for," Kate replied.

"Oi! Who are you calling tacky and cheap? You cow!" Michelle yelled at her.

"You, now back in your box. Michelle. You're making a show of yourself." Kate hissed and she and Carla made their way to number 6.

Michelle stood there fuming she hadn't got the rise that she'd wanted out of Carla and then Kate had the cheek to put her in her place.

Michelle turned round to see Liz standing there absolutely stunned and horrified at what she had just witnessed.

"I never thought I'd feel like this let alone have these words leave my mouth, but I'm disgusted to have you as my daughter in law. What you just said was, nasty, cruel and vindictive all because someone stood up to you and you chucked your toys out of the pram because you didn't get what you wanted?" Liz told her, not mincing her words.

Liz left her standing there to pick her jaw off the floor.

Carla and Kate got settled as Carla stuck the kettle on and Kate got Carla's meds as they were in the cupboard and Carla still couldn't raise her arms that high yet and she didn't want to aggravate her injury and set her recovery back.

She quickly took the medication Kate handed her and made the coffee and the two sisters settled on the sofa.

"Eww! Car, are you trying to poison me? What is that?" Kate asked, screwing up her face?

"What do you mean? It's coffee. You dozy mare." Carla laughed at her sister's face.

"Don't laugh! If I didn't know better I'd think that decaf or something." Kate commented.

"Oh," Carla whispered, realising her mistake.

"Carla, oh. Oh my God! No way! You're not! You are!" Kate squealed, bringing her hands to her face.

"You can't say anything. Promise?" Carla asked.

"I promise, I promise, I won't tell a soul. now tell everything!" Kate asked in delight.

6 weeks, twins, due July 16th. We don't want anyone knowing just yet. What with everything." Carla explained.

"No, of course not. Does that mean you were pregnant when you were stabbed? Twins? Aw, that's going to be amazing! I can't wait to be an Auntie! How are you guys feeling about it?" Kate asked?

"Yes, although I didn't know at the time. I know it was a lovely surprise. You'll be the best! Honestly, at first, it was a shock, but we've come around to the idea. I was worried about turning out like my mam. " Carla confided in her sister.

"Car, I only know what you have told me, but I know you'll be an amazing mum. You deserve this and ignore Michelle. She's just throwing her toys out of the pram." Kate told her.

"What's happened?" Frank's voice startled them from the living room door.

"Just Michelle sounding off. Don't worry it was soon dealt with." Carla told him.

"You don't need the stress and she's the one causing it." Frank tutted.

"Kate knows about the twins, sorry." Carl's apologised.

"Ah, I see, no worries," Frank replied.

"Don't worry I won't tell anyone," Kate told him.

"It's not a problem. Really." Frank replied.

They chatted for a while and then Kate left.

"I'm sorry about telling Kate about the twins. It was my fault, I gave her the wrong coffee and she guessed the rest." Carla told Frank, after an hour of the silent treatment.

"I'm not angry, I thought we had disgusted it and agreed?" Frank asked as he looked up from his laptop.

"I know, baby but I didn't want to lie to her and kate isn't stupid," Carla replied.

"I know, I'm just shocked that's all I know this is going to sound selfish but I liked it when it was just me and you that knew. Our little bubble that nobody else knew about." Frank replied.

"Oh, Iove, now I feel bad," Carla told him.

"Honestly don't. Can I ring mum and tell her? She'll be beside herself." Frank replied.

"Why don't you tell her at Christmas? That way we can tell everyone." Carla suggested.

"Really? You don't mind? I know most people wait until 12 weeks and I don't want you under unnecessary stress and something could…" Frank couldn't finish his sentence.

Carla got off the sofa and kneeled beside him at the kitchen table.

"Is that what you have been worried about?" Carla asked softly, rubbing his knee.

"It's just with everything that's happened," Frank replied.

"Oh, darling, I'm not saying there aren't risks involved but nobody could want these babies or love them more than me. I'd give them my last breath if it was possible and I promise you I'm going to do everything in my power to bring them into the world safety," Carla whispered emotionally.

"I know, darling I know," Frank replied.

"Now, let's go get the stuff we need for everyone coming round for Christmas," Carla told him.

Christmas Day

Frank and Carla arose at about 8.30, which was a lie in for them.

"Kate texted, everyone will be here at 11," Carla told her fiance.

"Ah, a couple more hours sleep then." Frank sighed happily.

"Eh, don't think so, presents mister. Let's go!" Carla replied, excitedly.

"Woman! You're killing me here." Frank groaned.

"Tuff, come on." Carla laughed.

They made their way downstairs and made coffee.

"Where did all those presents come from?" Carla asked, making herself comfortable on the sofa.

"From me and Liz dropped some off last night," Frank replied, waking up a bit.

From Frank, Carla got a new coat, a pair of boots, perfume, money, vouchers.

She got mainly money and vouchers from her family.

From Carla, Frank got new cologne, a trench coat, cufflinks and nick-nacks.

"And I thought I'd leave this one to last," Carla told him, handing him the present.

"You've already got me enough," Frank told her.

"Just open it!" Carla laughed.

He did, inside was a picture of the Twins latest ultrasound and it was said the best dad in the world on it.

"Car, I absolutely love it, thank you," Frank told her.

"That's not all, open the back of the frame," Carla instructed.

Inside were three VIP football tickets and a piece of paper.

"Is everything alright, is everything, Carla?" Frank asked, somewhat panicked.

"Everything is fine, darling. don't worry." Carla smiled softly.

"What's this?" Frank asked in confusion.

"It's a baby gender blood. You can get them done at 7 weeks, I was yesterday. So I thought you could maybe take our son to his first football game." Carla explained patiently.

"That'll be great, hang on, what? One is a boy? We're having a son?!" Frank asked excitedly.

"Yes, we're having a boy, keep reading," Carla replied with a laugh.

"Hang on, they're the same. Two boys? We're having two sons? Twins boys?" Frank asked, barely unable to contain his excitement.

"Yes, love. Two boys." Carla laughed at his excitement.

"Get in! Em no that's not. What I meant to say was that I would have been happy either way. I mean it doesn't matter…" Frank stuttered over his words.

Carla burst out laughing holding her side.

"Did that not come out the way it was meant to, love?" She asked.

"Are you alright? No, it didn't. Let's get breakfast sorted, woman." Frank playfully huffed.

"Hey, Frank, I've been thinking." Carla started.

"A dangerous thing, but anyway carry on." Frank teased her.

"Hey, you, no teasing the pregnant lady. Anyway, I was thinking. What would you feel about the name Nataniel?" Carla asked with slight hesitation?

Frank froze in his tracks.

"What? You mean you would honour Natalie like that? You'd be willing to do that?" Frank asked emotionally.

"She was a huge part of your life and I love you. All of you and I thought what better way to honour her memory." Carla smiled softly at him.

"Thank you, thank you. I couldn't love you anymore at this moment if I tried. You don't know what this means to me." Frank told her.

"I think I do, darling. I think I do." Carla replied, giving a hug.

Soon enough everyone began to arrive, first Ann, Sam and Katherine followed by Kate, Aidan, Johnny, Liz and finally Roy and Hailey.

It was decided that they would do presents and then lunch, do the rounds and dinner and then relax.

Once everyone had exchanged gifts. Carla grabbed everyone's attention.

"Oi! You lot! There's one more present we wanted to leave until last. This is for everyone to sort of speak." Carla told everyone.

If Kate knew something, she never let on.

Everyone was handed a Christmas card with a picture of the twins on the front of it.

"No way! This is fabulous! Well, I speak for everyone when I say the two of you deserve this." Ann replied, getting up to hug the couple.

"Thank you, twins boys, due July 16th." Carla beamed, proudly.

"Aw, twin boys! Sweet! Dad? Footie?" Aidan replied to his sister, laughing.

"Sorry, the missus got there before you. Me and my boys have got VIP tickets to their first every match." Frank told him.

"Aw, man! Oh well, we'll just have to gate crash then." Aidan joked.

"Don't think so, over my dead body," Frank smirked.

"Now, now boys. There's no need to fight over it. What are the two of you like? I'm sure you all can go? Dad and Sam too." Carla laughed at the antics.

"I don't think the oaps would be able to keep up with us, what do you reckon, Aid?" Frank joked with his soon to be brother in law.

"Oi, son. I'll get up off this chair and show you OAP!" Sam told his son light-heartedly.

"Actually on second thoughts, they can come." Frank retracted.

The whole room erupted into laughter.

Once the hugs and congratulations were given out, everyone sat down to lunch.

A/N thank you so much for all the reviews, favourites, and follows. It means the absolute world to me! Keep reviewing!