Never Alone || Carchelle

Carla

I yawn sleepily as I open my eyes. I realise for the first time in months I slept through the night, no flashbacks, no nightmares, just peace. I roll over and snuggle into Michelles arms, she stirs drowsily and looks at my, her brown eyes full of love and care.  "You ok?" she murmurs and I nod "Fancy a cuppa?" I ask and Chelles eyes light up "I knew I loved you" she giggles and I laugh "Love you too" I call back as I haul myself out of bed and trudge towards the kitchen. 

I flick the kettle on, scrolling absentmindedly through my Facebook feed and chuckle as my girlfriend sends me a cheeky pic through messenger. "Cheeeeellle" I moan "You gotta stoooop". I start as I feel hands on my hips but soon relax when I smell Chelles perfume and feel her kiss my shoulders softly. I groan in frustration "Chelle you gotta stop" I mutter and she huffs. I turn to look at her "we gotta go to work and I won't be able to concentrate if you get me riled up" and she giggles again. "Fiiiine" she whines as she flops onto the sofa. The kettle clicks off and I make tea, joining her on the sofa. "Can I talk to you bout summin?" I ask her and she nods, her hands clasping her mug and her head resting on my shoulder. "um... don't take this the wrong way but can we... not tell people about us?" I inquire, my heart pouding as I wait for her to reply. I feel her shift as she takes her head off my shoulder and places her mug down. She grasps my hands in hers and looks at me gently "Of course darling, I won't make you do anything you're not ready to do... I hope you know that?" she says and I smile, wiping away the tears forming in my eyes "You're gonna make me cry" I whimper and she pulls me into her, wrapping me in her warm embrace. "Shh, it's gonna be ok love" Chelle coos as she strokes my hair "I just... I thought you'd hate me for not being ready" I cry and she sighs "I could never hate you darling... You've been through so much and I... I'm so glad you are still here and that you trust me enough to let me into your life... into this little ones life" she touches my belly and I smile "I can't believe I told my family bout this... Shit! I told them about her! They're gonna want to know... how do I tell them Chelle? What if they don't believe me?" I stammer as reality hits home hard that at some point, I will have to tell people what happened... "Darling, look at me" Chelle says quietly and I abide by her wishes "You don't have to tell anyone. We can make summin up" and I let out a breath I hadn't realise I'd been holding in. "really? You'd do that for me?". Chelle nods and I grin, squeezing her tightly "Thank you" I whisper "Thank you so much"... 

The rest of the day goes by without fault. The factory continues as normal and I feel a beautiful sense of calm wash over me as the working day draws to an end and the workers leave. I rest my hand on my stomach, laughing as I feel my daughter move and as I lock the factory up, the winter sun in my eyes, I look over my street and feel so safe, so secure and like my life was finally starting to turn around. I spot Chelle heading towards me and smile as she skips up the steps towards me "Hey love" she whispers and I smile warmly "hey... Lil bug's kicking again" I say and Chelle's hands reach out for my stomach "Can I?" she asks and I laugh "Like you even need to ask" I reply. My daughter kicks and I wince "ow!" "That was a good one" Chelle states "Yeah... I can't believe this is happening" I say sadly and Chelle squeezes my hand "Come on" She says and I go with her "What are we doing?" "Celebrating at The Rovers" she says. 

The Rovers is pretty busy but we snag ourselves a quiet table hiding near the back. Chelle slides in next to me, drinks in her hands and I sip at my pineapple juice, as she watches me over the top of her own juice. "I can't remember another time in my life when I was this happy" I say quietly and Chelle smiles happily back at me "I love you" she says and I kiss her, forgetting where we are but also kind of not caring. I pull away, grinning like a cat who has gotten the cream and Chelle laughs. Chelle nudges me and I glance up, seeing Johnny heading our way and wave to him "Johnny!" I call happily and he smiles back "Carla love, how are you?" he asks and I grin "Fine... Wanna sit?" and he does so. "When are you..." He trails off and I fish in my bag "Meet your grand daughter. She's due on the 12th May" I say, sliding my scan across the table. Johnny picks it up and his eyes fill with tears "She's beautiful Carla" he says "I'm so happy for you. Really I am" and I pat his hands "Thank you". I hear someone calling my name and scowl inwardly as I realise it's Robert. "What do you want?" I snap and he laughs coldly "To congratulate you both" He snipes back and my heart sinks as Johnny asks him what he means "They haven't told you?" "Robert... Stop" I hear Chelle growl but Robert ignores her. He turns and bangs loudly and the entire pub falls silent. "Everyone raise your glasses to the gloriously happy couple Carla and Michelle and their beautiful child..." He turns back to me, a glint in his eyes and my heart sinks "Robert stop" I say quietly "Why? you got nothing left to hide have you?" he asks and I freeze "It's not like you've done something to Frank? Like you've done to everyone else. She's gonna leave you" He laughs and I blink back tears as I fight the memories threatening to resurface. Robert looks at me " many people have you hurt Carla? Peter. Liam. Frank? You destroy lives Carla. Everything you touch dies. You don't deserve to be a mother. You don't deserve Mic..." His rant is cut short by Michelles fist meeting his face and before I can even call out to stop her, a full on fight between the two of them breaks out. I stand up, hand on my bump, heart in my throat, as I see Michelle fall to the floor, her head cracking loudly on a table on her way down and she cries out. Images of Frank shoving me to the floor flash before my eye as Robert's pulled off her and I see Michelle lying there, blood coating her face, tears falling from her gorgeous eyes, I break down. She catches my eye and mouths "I love you. I'm sorry" before I flee the pub, my heart hammering and the feeling of Franks hands growing ever stronger... It's never going to be over... He's always going to haunt me... I will never be free...