"Are you sure you don't wanna come babe?" Michelle asked placing a sandwich down in front of Lia.
It had been a week since Lia had confessed to Michelle that she thought Peter may have been the one to attack Tina and she had been yet to give this idea up. Michelle hadn't told anyone else about what Lia had told her, this was mainly because she didn't really know what to do with it. She had assured the teen that it was unlikely however the more she had thought about it the more she had convinced herself that it could be the case. Apart from Lia's thoughts on Peter and what he possibly could have done, the week had run smoothly. Peter had not bothered them as nearly as much as they thought and had generally stayed away apart from the odd beg for a conversation in the street. It was finally the day of Michelle's visiting order for Carla, Rob and Michelle had tried to convince Lia to go and see Carla however she'd said that she would rather just speak to her mum over the phone. Both adults new that it would really help Carla however they didn't want to push Lia with her being so delicate about the situation.
"No I'm sure," Lia said with a small smile, "Can I ring mum later though?"
"Yeah I don't see why it should be an issue, I'll mention it today," Michelle nodded.
"What time will you be back?" Lia asked getting up from her chair and walking to the cupboard.
"Late afternoon ish, by the time I get there and back," Michelle replied, "What you looking for?"
"Crisps," Lia answered holding up a bag of them as she went to shut the cupboard, before taking a double look, "You still haven't drank that wine I got you."
"Yeah well I didn't know there was an expiry date on it," Michelle quipped as Lia rolled her eyes.
"Mhm," Lia retorted before taking her plate out of the room and upstairs.
Michelle shook her head laughing slightly at the teen before she grabbed her bag and walked through to the front of the pub.
"You off Chelle?" Liz asked as Michelle nodded.
"Yeah, I should be back late afternoon if you need me to cover Sean," Michelle explained.
"Don't rush back love, we should be fine," Liz smiled as Steve came out from the cellar.
"Are you sure you don't want me to take you?" Steve asked coming to put his arm round Michelle.
"No don't be silly I'll be fine," Michelle smiled at him kissing him.
"Drive safe," He reminded as she nodded and left the pub.
It took about an hour before Michelle had managed to reach the prison, she parked up and went into the prison, not long later she heard the buzzer echo throughout the room. Carla was the first to appear as Michelle stood up to greet her.
"Hiya babe," Michelle smiled slightly to try as Carla tried to match her friend's emotion, "Are you okay?"
They began to take a seat as Carla spoke, "Could be better I'll be honest."
"You look tired," Michelle observed as Carla scoffed slightly.
"Yeah well the lack of good mattress and being 4 months pregnant doesn't do much for the eye bags," Carla rolled her eyes.
"I forgot where Lia gets her attitude from," Michelle smiled slightly as Carla laughed slightly.
"How's she been?" Carla asked.
"What's she told you on the phone?" Michelle replied.
"That everything's fine, the girls at school have stopped bitching, her words, she's living at yours and she misses me," Carla explained as Michelle smirked slightly, "However from your face I feel that's not true."
"Its not that bad," Michelle shook her head, "It's nothing to worry about, she had a bit of an argument with a girl from school so I rang the school and they said until everything settles she can just do her work from home."
"Shit," Carla sighed putting her head in her hands, "Is she genuinely okay?"
"I promise Carla, I wouldn't let anything happen to her, it was just some girls they kept having a go and you know wat Lia's like, she won't just ignore them," Michelle explained as Carla nodded.
"I do really appreciate you looking after her while I'm here," Carla smiled slightly as Michelle put her hands on top of Carla's.
"As if I would leave her with Rob," Michelle smirked as Carla laughed.
"I really would have something to worry about," Carla grinned.
"How've you been?" Michelle questioned.
"It's hard," Carla explained, "I don't sleep much and I swear this baby just wants to batter my ribs for a living."
"God they're definitely gonna be a handful if they're this lively at 4 months," Michelle answered as Carla nodded enthusiastically.
"Speaking of," Carla started, "I know this is a lot to ask and please think about it, don't just say yes because you think you have to."
"Car tell me," Michelle interrupted.
"I'm scared that when I give birth to this baby, I'll still be in here, I don't want them growing up with this life, or Peter's for that matter," Carla explained.
"I know babe and I'll do anything to help you," Michelle reinforced.
"Could you look after the baby," Carla asked.
"Of course I will sweetheart," Michelle nodded.
"I get you need to talk to Steve about it but I just wanted to ask," Carla continued.
"I promise your baby will be looked after, and loved so, so much," Michelle smiled as Carla smiled back.
"Right what's going on with you then?" Carla asked as Michelle shook her head.
"Nothing much just work and the usual stuff," Michelle replied.
"Liar," Carla answered as Michelle mimicked a offended face, "Tell me."
"Honestly it's nothing," Michelle answered as Carla raised her eyebrows, "I just don't wanna make this place any worse for you."
"Share the news Chelle, stop overthinking it," Carla demanded as Michelle grinned and looked as if she may burst.
"I'm pregnant," Michelle announced as Carla's eyes lit up.
"Never! Oh my god Chelle, congratulations!" Carla beamed, "How far along are you?"
"9 weeks," Michelle beamed.
"Oh wow!" Carla exclaimed.
"I know, but I only found out last week," Michelle explained as Carla raised her eyes.
"Oh babe I'm so happy for you," Carla smiled, "Who knows?"
"Just you, me and Steve," Michelle answered.
"Has Lia not worked it out yet?" Carla asked grinning.
"No," Michelle shook her head as Carla laughed slightly.
"I hate to burst your bubble but good luck hiding it from Sherlock," Carla chucked as Michelle did too.
"Yeah well I don't think the secret'll last long, she bought me and Steve some wine as a thank you and she noticed today I still hadn't drank it," Michelle scoffed as Carla smirked.
"I've already kind of talked to Steve about the whole our baby and possibly yours staying with us and he said we will make it work. So I promise everything will be okay, we will make it out alive...like we always do," Michelle explained as Carla smiled thankfully at her just as the buzzer echoed through the room once more.
"Lia asked if she can call later?" Michelle asked standing up.
"Tell her I'll call her about 5ish," Carla explained as Michelle nodded.
"Love you," Michelle hugged Carla.
"Love you too," Carla replied kissing her friend's cheek before she walked of with a slight wave.
It had been a couple of hours since the visit and Michelle had finally made it back to the pub, Amy was at the Barlow's and Lia had went for a walk with Rob.
"Hey you," Steve smiled walking into the back room and slotted his arms around Michelle, "Shopping after the visit was it?"
"Only Fresco's don't worry, we still have all the money left in the bank," Michelle grinned as Steve scoffed.
"Good I was beginning to worry we were gonna have to sell the pub," Steve kissed the top of her head, "How's Carla?"
"She's okay I think, well she's fine for now," Michelle explained before she turned to face him, "However I might of accidently told her about you know..."
Michelle held her stomach as Steve tutted, "I know we said we weren't gonna say anything but I had to tell someone and it cheered her up so much."
"Alright I'll let you off then," Steve smiled as Michelle did too before she began to kiss him again.