Wait For Me: Carter

Chapter 6

Peter and Carla sat outside the meeting room entangled in each other's arms: their breathing rhythmical and in time with one another. Neither one spoke, in fear of breaking the connection they had made. With each simultaneous breath they took they felt closer, like two people merging into one. There was no way they could be parted again.

Peter planted a soothing kiss on the top of Carla's head, fingers twizzling and tangling her hair. He allowed his eyes to drift closed: savouring the moment; the feeling of her body pressed against his as she leant into him on the bench. The rise and fall of her chest mimicking his own as their lungs expanded concurrently.

It was the opening of the door beside them that finally caused Carla's breathing to falter. Michelle stepped into the hallway: lips set in a thin line; dark circles beneath her eyes barely covered by her make up. The anticipation had taken its toll on them all.

After Michelle had revealed the outcome of her talk with Dean, the meeting had been scheduled for the following day. Peter spent the night curled up with Carla, neither party able to sleep. Instead, they spent the night talking: reminiscing of days gone by; contemplating what the future may hold. Carla pretending to know what Peter was talking about whenever their wedding was mentioned.

It was now, as they sat together silently in the corridor, that Peter struggled to keep the doubt from creeping in. It had been so easy in the delirium of the previous night to keep the 'what ifs' at bay: but now they were out in full force.

What if the Underworld Council refused to let them go? What if he was forced to leave Carla behind forever? What if everything he had worked towards ended up being for nothing?

He felt himself involuntarily pulling Carla closer to him, as Michelle began to speak.

"I think they're ready." She stated. She took a shaky breath. Her nervous disposition concerned Peter. She had seemed so confident yesterday evening, even going so far as to crack open a bottle of champagne: which, of course, Peter had abstained from.

"What's up, Chelle?" Carla questioned, sitting up from her slouched position, having also picked up on her friend's mood.

"Nothing." She stated, before taking another deep breath. Peter raised an eyebrow, as the feeling of unease coursing through him began to heighten. "I just really hope this works."

Carla rose to her feet, pulling her best friend into a tight hug, which Michelle returned gratefully.

"Why wouldn't it?" Carla quizzed gently. Michelle simply shrugged. Carla took hold of her shoulders, holding her at arms length. "Everyone on that Council has my best interests at heart. I don't know how you managed to get Dean to agree, but you did." She laughed. Michelle kept her eyes fixed on the ground between them. Peter watched as the smile faded from Carla's face. "What aren't you telling us, Chelle?"

Peter watched as Michelle bit her trembling lower lip.

"Dean made me promise that whatever the outcome, if he changed his mind then he'd get the final say." A tear rolled down her cheek, which Carla wiped away with her thumb. She took her friend's chin in her hand, forcing her to look into her eyes, before offering an encouraging smile.

"And how likely do you think he'll be to do that, considering how the rest of the Council will feel?" Carla pointed out. She took Michelle's hand in hers, squeezing it reassuringly.

"I just have this horrible feeling..." Michelle choked out between tears.

"Well, thanks for the vote of confidence..." Peter muttered.

"Peter!" Carla snapped, shooting him a warning look.

In truth, he shared Michelle's fears. He couldn't help the feeling that something was inevitably going to go wrong. He was startled by Paul poking his head around the doorway.