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Chapter Text

Carla was used to coming home to finding out Paul's nephew Ryan was staying with them for the night, she loved Ryan dearly and although she might pretend to put up a fuss about not being asked she always made sure she had his favourite magazine and snacks prepared in the gaming room.

Their apartment wasn't by any means huge but there was space, it was a rooftop apartment and essentially had two floors, the top one housed a pool table and a gaming room with a sofa bed which is the room Ryan slept in when he stayed over.

Carla had said goodnight to Ryan at half past nine, she and Paul had done their usual nighttime routine where she lathered herself in all sorts of creams and skincare and he rolled over to sleep. It was a practiced routine which suited them fine, she would then head on over to the games room to tell Ryan it was time for bed.

The teen would often times pretend to go to sleep before going back on his console and despite how ancient he might think her to be she can hear when he is playing again.

Ryan in his adolescent logic had thought that by hiding the remote under his pillow and allowing the kiss to the forehead that Carla did no matter how he may protest (he loved it really) Carla wouldn't then know he had started up around immediately after she left.

Carla in her 33 year old wisdom would wait just down the hall at the pool table, leaving it 10 minutes before going back, this continued at least three times before Ryan figured he'd pushed his luck enough, and Carla would appear once more, eyebrow raised and frown attached and would watch as Ryan scurried about in an attempt to complete his nighttime routine quickly and efficiently.

After saying goodnight once more and properly this time, Carla would saunter back to her own bed, would roll over and snuggle into Paul's muscled form and get comfy, even in his sleep he'd wrap her up safely and mumble something incoherent which got a shh and go back to sleep from the raven haired woman.

The next morning after a cooked breakfast and some juice, Carla would walk Ryan back home to Michelle's house.

If you had seen them walking down the street together, Carla Connor would appear the furthest thing from Morticia as you could get, with smiles and giggles the pair would walk Carla's arm wrapped around the boys shoulders and Ryan's around her waist.

Every now and again her heeled boot would kick him in the bum gently and when he would clumsily return the gesture the woman would laugh heartily and ruffle the boys birds nest of a hairstyle.

Arriving at Michelle's house they'd ring the bell and wait patiently, talking quietly to one another about everything and anything until the door opened, Carla walking in with the young lad prepared for the usual questioning.

"How was our Ry, did he behave?" Michelle asks kissing the boy in question on the head before wrapping an arm over his shoulder like the woman stood before him.

Ryan would hold his breathe then, like he did everytime Carla returned him to his house waiting for Carla to inevitably rat him out to his mam.

"Good as gold, he's welcome anytime." Carla would reply before turning to leave with a wink, the young boy would sigh in relief and scrunch his nose in response to the older womans antics.

It was many, many years later when a now 33 year old Ryan would be in the living room, playing on his Xbox the controller noisy enough to alert the now 50 year old woman to his antics.

Adopting the same routine as all those years ago, she would walk down the stairs and tell Ryan it was time for bed, he would agree wait for her to turn around go halfway up the stairs and continue on.

Carla enjoyed this process, much as she might grumble and complain should anyone ask, she loved the familiarity of the gesture, on her third trip down the stairs she was made aware of Ryan rushing to tidy his game away, reminiscent of a young boy all those years ago.

Walking him up the stairs to his respective room, she would tuck him in and kiss his forehead despite his age and he would grumble and complain goodnaturedly.

Michelle calls more often now that she has moved away, she facetimes Carla every week with the same question.
"How's our Ry, Is he behaving himself."

and Carla would respond as she always did, "Good as gold, we're more than lucky to have him." She'd hear the sigh of relief even now, even though she had never once mentioned the tried and tested routine.

It's been 19 years more or less of Carla ferrying the young man now, off to bed after he had attempted to play his games again and again.

Every time Carla would wink and ruffle his hair and he would scrunch up his nose, but never once did Michelle find out about this silly little routine the pair had made.

Chapter Text

Carla and Ryan rarely fought over anything they were usually pretty good at getting along well but Lisa had found over the past 4 weeks they'd been sniping at one another and bickering constantly.

If it wasn't about sweaty gym gear, it was sushi packaging, if it wasn't sushi packaging, it was the dishwasher, if it wasn't the dishwasher it was the laundry.

Anything and everything was argued about and Lisa'd tried everything, she'd separated them, told them off, forced them onto the sofa to apoligise. Both grown adults and still pouting at opposite ends of the sofa like recalcitrant children.

Lisa was at the end of her tether, she was on the phone to Michelle for their weekly catch up when it started up again, she couldn't tell what it was they were arguing about exactly but she was done with it. Time to call in the big guns.

"How do you get this to stop?!" Lisa asked as she looked across the island at the pair.

"Honestly they were like this when Ryan was a boy, put me on speakerphone I'll sort it." Michelle said with a sigh and Lisa clicked the phone over placing it on the island to watch the aftermath.

"RYAN DEAN CONNOR!" Michelle's voice rang through the kitchen and got Ryan to immediately halt his response to Carla's sniped comment.

Carla was stood beside the 33 year old young man snickering quietly at him being full named at his old age. She was cut short though moments later.

"CARLA CONNOR-SWAIN!" Came the authoritative voice seconds after the first which only ended with Ryan mocking his aunt who immeditaly stopped short at her full name sounding over the phone.

"BOTH OF YOU PACK IT IN NOW! DON'T MAKE ME COME OVER THERE!" Michelle was used to the pair every now and then enterring a bickering war. It was usually because when she was around she could stop it before it could really start. They'd done it for years. Even when Carla was a fully grown adult and should know not to argue with a 6 year old boy.

Carla and Ryan looked over at Lisa with similar looks of disdain and indignation. She watched on with an air of smugness, the both of them had eyes screaming what did you snitch to her for. Michelle was sat waiting on the other side of the line, she knew Carla and Ryan would be weighing up whether they wanted to call her bluff or not. Realistically neither of them wanted the clip around the ear that would follow the arrival of the other brunette woman.

"I can't hear you?" Michelle prompted through the phone waiting for them to respond in kind.
"Yes Mam" Was the twin response she got, Carla in typical Carla fashion was much snarkier than she should be in this scenario. Michelle knew she'd be sarky about it and only had to inflict some warning into her tone for the proper answer.

"Carla!" Michelle heard the huff and could see the eye roll from her living room in Ireland. "Yes Michelle!" Carla called back cowed by the bollocksing she got.

Ryan and Lisa had watched the near 51 year old woman go off on a huff at having been scolded over the phone. That had always been how Michelle was with Carla, when they were younger Carla would wind up Liam and Ryan to the point the two boys were sent to the naughty step and as they were being chided she'd be behind Helen and Michelle respectively mocking the two women in their scolding. It was a whole act that Barry found particularly funny, Helen definitely didn't. Ryan would never last and would often snicker at her antics and as both Connor women would turn, their heads as though on a swivel. They'd be met with the flash of black hair as the younger Carla would scurry away giggling to herself.

Michelle would catch her later threatening her quietly in an attempt to curb the mischievous nature of her friend. It never worked.

Ryan walked over to the island where Lisa was sat kissing her on the cheek in apology, "I am sorry, Aunty Lise, She gets on my nerves when she wants to." Ryan said smirking at the head shake Lisa gave him.

When Ryan was eleven he had spilled the last of Carla's Miss Dior perfume all over the carpet and Carla had been on a rampage, first she had thought it was Liam. He was always fiddling with her things whilst he waited for her to get ready or having to grab her purse or jacket which she'd leave on the side. Then she'd suspected Michelle who was quick to shut it down. Usually Ryan would soften Carla in ways the other Connor's would tease her for but this perfume was expensive and she'd saved up for a year to buy it.

It had lasted her 5 years so far so when the last 5ml's were spilled she was furious. They thought she'd forgiven him initially until they realised the pair had started a sniping war. Every little thing they each did was met with less than savoury comments and mocking. It's the only time Ryan was ever snarky and Carla, well, she wasn't taught any different.

Michelle at the end of her own tether had shoved them into a T-Shirt with the words "this is our getting along t shirt" sharpied to the front. They had to stay in the t shirt until they apoligised, the first few tries were clearly meant to appease the young mum and did not work. It was only after Liam had taken a picture that Carla sincerely apoligised and Ryan did the same.

Nowadays when the pair are being particularly spiky and Lisa can't get them to pack it in Michelle gets called. It's a weekly ritual that Michelle and Carla have a catch up, oftentimes Carla fills her in on the factory, the little family she has made herself and Lisa. Michelle and Lisa have a seperate conversation so that Michelle is filled in on Carla and How Ryan's behaving. (He may be 33 and Carla may be 50 but Michelle worried about the pair and was so grateful when Lisa had asked him to move into No.6)

Carla would be sulky and pout until tonight when Michelle called her again to make sure she'd apoligised to Lisa and to Ryan for whatever was bothering her.

Lisa had gone upstairs soon after finishing her conversation with Michelle her plan to check on her pouting wife. As she was making her way up to their room her phone pinged with a photo from Michelle. She cackled the minute she opened it to see an old photo of a younger Carla and Ryan in a massive white shirt sulking. She could see from Carla's scowl that she was anything but happy with whoever had taken the picture, her black hair was curly and all over the place, the younger Ryan beside her looked similar his own dark hair was sticking up every which way and he had a matching scowl to his favourite Aunty. Lisa saved the picture to print off later, a bit of blackmail wouldn't harm the pair.

Lisa approached their bedroom with a smile on her face, poking her head round the door she could see Carla laying on her side facing away from the door. Her typical sulking position. With a graceful flop Lisa leant on her elbow peering over to see Carla's face. She had the same scowl as the picture from all those years ago.

"Darling, come on. What's wrong?" Lisa asked quietly, trying to hide her amusement at the huff and swat of her hand Carla answered her with.

"Alright baby, when your ready I'll be downstairs." Lisa whispered kissing Carla on the back of the head and leaving her be. It was as she was halfway down the stairs that she saw Ryan approach their room.

It was the deep breathe before entering that really had her holding back the giggles. She heard Carla hum at his request to enter so knew they'd be alright.

She'd been downstairs cooked dinner and cleaned the kitchen when she heard the giggling from upstairs. Betsy had joined her not long after Ryan entered the lions den. The pair had a nice mini kitchen party to leave the Connor's be.

She had gone back upstairs to let the pair know dinner was ready when she entered the room to a welcome sight. The Aunty and Nephew duo had falled asleep, Carla wrapped in Ryan's arms both snoring quietly and clearly having made up. Snapping a quick picture to send to Michelle she left them be.

Lisa knew everytime the pair bickered they'd make up again and sometimes the start is so petty that by the end of it they don't know what they were arguing about. The pair often had a silent communication going on and Lisa enjoyed watching them interact.

Chapter Text

Moving out was stressful, its not Carla's most sort after activity but it needs to be done.

Ryan had come over earlier to help them pack up the last bits and do some of the heavy lifting that Carla still isn't cleared for nor does she want to.

Lisa had been at the other end moving the delivery guys through all the different rooms waiting for double trouble to arrive with the last bits of pieces. It also allowed Carla the time to do a final walk through and say goodbye to the memories there.

Carla was just packing the last of the kitchen china when she swung around and knocked two mugs off the side. With a crash and string of expletives Carla went in search of the dustpan and brush which they'd left in the hallway cupboard.

Unbeknownst to Ryan who just came back in from taking the last of the boxes to Carla's car. Noticing the smashed china he began to pick up the bigger pieces and placing them in the sink out of the way.

Lisa having finished with the delivery men and still not seeing Carla or Ryan decided to make her way back to the flat to see what was keeping them, Arriving at the scene of the crime she found Ryan picking up the pieces from her favourite mug.

Ryan looked up at the gasp from Lisa's lips.

"Ryan! That was my favourite mug!" Lisa screeched involuntarily, her upset seeping through her usual composed cracks.

"Wha- It weren't- I'm sorry Lisa." Ryan realised it must have been Carla's fault but where she had scurried off to he'd never know so decided to wait for Lisa to find out the truth.

Frankly he was more scared of Carla's wrath than Lisa's so decided to keep schtum.

"I'll buy you another?" He asks watching her shake her head, he did feel bad but it wasn't his fault and he would be milking this for all its worth with Carla later on.

The situation was left there until three days later when Lisa went to pour herself a coffee in her comfort mug and realised it wasn't there. Looking around for a suitable replacement when she heard the whispered bickering of the two Connor's, the aunty-nephew duo could often be found whisper bickering about all sorts of things but when asked they'd clam up.

"What are you two bickering over now?" Lisa asked loudly hearing them stop immediately, she had good hearing honed after years on the force. Also comes in handy when sneaking up on mischievous partners and children.

"Nowt love, we're all good here!" Carla called back, her voice slightly higher in pitch then usual.

"Now she is bound to know somethings up your voice raised twelve octaves." Ryan whispered back nudging Carla in the side.

Carla elbowed Ryan in the ribs with an incoherent hiss.

"I will find out!" Lisa calls back playfully waiting for them to come down the stairs properly.

"there is nothing to find out!" Carla speaks as she enters the kitchen smiling coyly at Lisa before kissing her cheek.

"If you say so." Lisa trills back, leaving the room with a slap to Carla's ass and a ruffle to Ryan's hair.

"Good going Motormouth she is bound to find out if you keep hounding me bout it!" Carla hissed after checking Lisa w as far enough away to not hear them.

"She'll figure it out eventually and I will be expecting compensation for emotional damages her pouting glare is scary." Ryan whispered at his aunt. He didn't mind really, it entertained him to see Carla so flustered at the idea of upsetting Lisa even if accidentally.

"Well she better not find out from you." Carla whispered sharply with a glare that would send noble warriors to their knees in fear. She ruffled his hair as she walked away dodging the flying pillow sent her way.

It was another two days later when Lisa caught the pair on Ebay that she figured it out. She was going to use this to her advantage however. Carla almost always point blank refused to go on runs and nature walks with Lisa. A myriad of excuses to do with humidity, children and dogs always cropped up. Lisa'd seen an ad for this new wildlife nature trail which she'd be dying to do and she knows Carla would love it if she only wasn't the most stubborn woman alive.

Lisa didn't mention anything until when Carla was readying herself for bed, she acted all casually until deciding to strike as Carla finished up in the bathroom. "Carla Connor!" Lisa called hearing Carla drop the toothpaste. She didn't full name her girlfriend unless she knew something, her tone had taken on that of DS Swain and Carla knew she was done for.

Carla picked up the dropped toothpaste and slowly leant backwards to glance into the bedroom, "Yes the light of my life?" Carla knew her face was that of a guilty puppy but she wasn't entirely sure what she had done. She could've left her towel on the floor or not put the washing in the hamper or- Oh shit the mug.

Lisa made a come hither motion with her fingers ushering the brunette over towards her, she watched as Carla shook her head like a toddler and resulted in raising her eyebrow with crossed arms. "Come 'ere." Lisa said firmly watching as Carla skulked towards her with her tail between her legs. The brunette stopped at the edge of their bed not quite reaching Lisa.

"Carla, come." Carla shuffled slowly towards Lisa unsure what the blonde knew. In her spiralling thoughts she missed Lisa lunging at her and the next thing she knew she was laid under the blonde who was straddling her hips. "What have you done?" Lisa asked with that tone that implied she already knew but wanted to see what Carla would admit to.

"I don't know what is it you think I've done." Lisa laughed at Carla's pouting expression. "hm you see Princess a few weeks ago when we packed up the house I walked in on Ryan cleaning up my favourite mug but I know what guilt looks like and he didn't have any. Which lead me to question who would Ryan be more afraid of than me and who would he protect and well I came to one conclusion can you guess?" Lisa asked rhetorically smiling at Carla's failed attempt at an innocent facial expression.

"That person being you. So then I thought why would my lovely, compassionate, honest girlfriend lie about breaking my favourite mug. Any guesses?" Lisa was having fun watching the usually unflappable Carla Connor squirm.

"How do you know it was me?" Carla asks in turn, they both know she is caught out but she won't admit to it without a fight. Lisa's smirk grew as she laid down on top of Carla so their faces were millimetres away from one another.

"Darling, I am a detective, I knew the moment Ryan said he was sorry that he hadn't done but I was enjoying winding him up. But you see you as the culprit have some making up to do, considering i have had that mug for 40 years." Lisa kissed Carla's pursed lips until she let out a little smile.

"What do you want?" Carla asks resigned to her fate. Lisa smiled and Carla knew she was in trouble.

"Your coming on that nature trail with me and there will be no grumbling or complaining the entire time!" Lisa declared leaning up to better see into Carla's disgruntled eyes.

"Couldn't I just make it up to you through a series of sexual favours?" Carla's hopeful expression was doused when Lisa shook her head with a condescending pout. "Nope. Because you'd enjoy that." Lisa teased kissing Carla's forehead before rolling off her and into the bathroom.

"TEASE!" Carla called after the smug blonde but she was smiling nonetheless. She knew Lisa would have found out eventually and she also knew she would have done anything to make the blonde happy so despite her continued grumbling and downright refusal she was always going to join the smaller woman on her nature trail.

"Your one to talk!" Lisa had goaded as she climbed over Carla to get to her side of the bed, she'd only done this because the pyjama top she wears hung lowly enough to show Carla an unimpeded view of her breasts. Her pink nipples were hard and begging for attention and who is Carla to ignore their plight. Her mouth soon caught up with her brain and she took a nipple into her mouth, smirking when Lisa immediately crumbled on top of her.

"Are you sure you don't want those sexual favours?" Carla husked, laughing dirtily at the slap to the side the question provoked.

"Go to sleep you evil woman." Lisa grumbled nuzzling into Carla's neck and biting at her collarbone, the brunette cut her laughter off with a moan and scratched at Lisa's back in retaliation. "I am looking forward to you in your leggings and gilet, with your hair tied up begging to be grabbed and your piercings on show. I'll ravish you once we get home if you go the day without complaining like a good girl." Lisa cooed in Carla's ear, flirting heavily with her girlfriend.

"Ugh Fine. But I expect proper ravishing attention come Saturday evening and at least one bottle of Rioja." Carla demands whining slightly and squirming down the bed to snuggle up to Lisa properly.

"Deal." Lisa lifted her pinky and waited for Carla to connect hers. "Deal!" Carla agreed happily kissing Lisa's nose to watch it scrunch up cutely.

Chapter Text

Carla was busy working through the months finances when the phone rings, startling her slightly but not enough to capture her full attention she barks down the phone "Carla Connor, Underworld, how can I help you?".

She heard a familiar chuckle come through the phone and after pulling it away from her ear enough to read the name she smiled shyly.

"Hello Barry, you alright?" she asks softer this time. Carla had always gotten along well with Barry. She puts it down to him finding amusement in her run ins with Helen back in the day.

"I'm well, how are things keeping you?" is the light response and she smiles hearing all is well on Barry's front.

"I'm going over the finances for this month so nothing particularly entertaining by any means." Carla huffs sarcastically, getting a warm chuckle in response.

"Riveting stuff finances, I was calling to say we'll be over to visit Ryan soon and I wondered if you'd be up for dinner on me?" That's one thing she loves most about Barry there is no beating around the bush just straight to the point.

"I'd be delighted Bazza, you give us the time and I'll sort the place." Carla truly was excited to see Barry again and to catch up fully.

"We'll be over the 15th through to the 22nd! You can introduce us to this new lass your living with. Our chelle tells us she is a keeper? She treats you well?" Barry jokes before his concern can be heard through the speaker.

"Like a princess Bazza, you know me. I've high standards and even higher heels. Well back in the day, I couldn't afford to break an ankle on these cobbles today, I might not get back up again." Carla says in jest her chest warming at the knowing laugh from the other side of the speaker.

"Sprightly young thing like yourself, you'd make do!" Barry cheered back with a cheeky laugh, she had missed the older gentlemen. Helen and herself might not have gotten along frequently but Barry was always in Carla's corner. The amount of times Helen would be yelling at Liam for being a smart aleck and Carla would defend him- oftentimes offending Helen in the process and Barry would be in the corner cheering her on. Silently because Helen's wrath was never worth the pain of being caught.

"Alright, pop by the factory when you get settled and we can sort out a plan! I look forward to seeing you Barry, Truly." Carla was sincere in her excitement, she looks forward to introducing him to Lisa as well. Helen and herself got along better these days but often for the sake of Chelle and Ryan.

"I won't keep you as we've got to get ourselves ready but I'll see you come Friday? Don't go working yourself to the bone, I'll sick our Chelle on you if you do!" Barry's smile could be heard through the phone his cheerful nature vibrant.

"Work myself to the bone? When have I ever done that?" Carla answers overly sarcastic. They both knew she was likely to burn herself out before ever delegating a task, she'd always been like that. Barry chuckled in response before saying his goodbyes leaving Carla smiling at her phone.

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The eve of the 15th had Barry following the familiar streets of Weatherfield to a factory he had seen little of over the years but held such meaning to him. His sons buying into and raising a factory all those years ago had been a big achievement in the family, a welcome change to the cold and unforgiving market stalls the pair ran straight out of secondary school together.

Barry arrived at the factory at the same time that a young blonde girl came charging out of the doors and straight into him. Knocking him off balance slightly. Had she not been as sprightly as she was, he was sure to have met the floor.

"Oh Shit! Are you alright, I'm so sorry I didn't see you there!" The young girl exclaimed her breathing unsteady in her shock. She looked no older than 17 and her eyes were a shade of blue you don't see often but she looked kind and like a decent worker.

"It's quite alright my dear, my eyesight is not what it used to be, Are you hurt?" Barry asks once he is steady again, checking the young girl was equally uninjured. She blushed slightly in what he could only assume was embarrassment but he truly did wish to check she was well.

"I am alright, was just a little shocked. I'm really sorry once again, but I've got to get going!" She apoligised once more before scurrying away. Barry laughed lightly to himself, they get younger every year he thought with amusement.

Enterring the factory he felt a strange sense of deja vu, the entire layout was much different to how it used to be, it was brighter and more open. The place seemed bigger as well, though he is unsure why. The same though and what he is sure would never change was the picture of Carla Connor sat at the helm.

She looked different to how he remembers last properly seeing her though granted that was in the year 2015 and even then she was not what she used to be. Her hair was darker again, with lighter ends. She wore a beautiful black dress with flat open toe sandals, her shoulders bare in the summer heat though he could see a flowered pink Kimono style robe hanging from the decorative coat hanger. Her skin looked the same as always, a light olive tone as if she'd spent hours in the sun though he knew this was just her complexion. Her eyes the same shade of green they'd always been but brighter again. Less like they held the weight of the world within them. Her posture was as relaxed and confident as it always was and her concentration face was scrunched up as she finished pacing on her call. Her tone sharp and effective, she had clearly gotten the result she wanted as she did a slight shimmy before sitting down.

Barry walked slowly over towards the glass doors, his observations of the woman that was once his daughter in law complete for now. He couldn't help but imagine what his boys would've looked like now, 20 years on from Paul's death and a good 17 from Liam's. Two men he knew meant so much to the woman he was approaching. In his reminiscing days he often wondered what Carla's life would've been like had none of the devastating events had taken place. As sad as it was to admit he loved knowing she had found a person who could challenge and keep up with her. A person who loved her unconditionally and a love that was as drama free as could be. No secret affairs with prostitutes, no pregnant wives to return to, no psycho's on the loose. An easy, uncomplicated love. Is what she deserved after all these years.

Barry was deciding whether to knock or just call her name and feeling mischievous, a trait his boys most certainly got from him, he decided on the latter. "Mrs Connor, I do believe it's past your knocking off hours." He called jovial watching as the brunette before him jumped in surprise. The smirk that took over her features when she saw him made him smile.

" You know me Barry, knocking off hours aren't a thing." She stood approaching him with open arms. The hug was warm and full of love, despite the years of distance and less than frequent communications Carla would always view Barry as a role model.

"Your looking well, was the journey alright?" Carla asked sitting beside the older gentlemen on the green sofa placed on the side of her office. Barry smiled as she flitted about with the cushions.

"Helen was a little seasick for the first half of the journey but other than that it was smooth sailing. Pun unintended." Barry took the younger woman's hands in his own before looking around the office once more. "I like what you've done with the place it looks much different to the last time I was here." Barry states noticing a familiar jacket on the coat hanger he'd previously glanced over.

Carla followed the man's line of sight and smiled reminscintly. "We've had many a fire, collapse and break in since 2009. But I made that soon after Tony died." She was referring to Paul's old coat having stitched one of Liam's famous jackets into the inside as a souvenir, or memorial for the two men. "I wanted to keep them alive, there wouldn't have been an Underworld to repair and grow if they hadn't have started it. This way I have a piece of them both to remind me how far i've come. Though on particularly difficult anniversary's its a nice jacket to wear for comfort." Carla got up and reached for the clothing they spoke of. Handing the item over to Barry to inspect, although the smell of his boys was long gone he found two perfume strips with each of their aftershaves on. "I never could get my head around never smelling them again. Its been years and i've more than moved on but I miss them on occasion, well everyday really but not to the extent I used to, and their smells are comforting on those days." Carla watched as Barry smelt the different scents wistfully.

"They'd be damn proud of you, sweetheart, I hope you know that if nothing else." Barry stood placing the jacket back on the coat hanger before turning to face the woman before him. "Come on you, let's go get a drink and you can tell me about this Lisa, is it?" Barry encouraged ushering Carla to pack up her stuff. Carla chuckled at the shooing motion but got to packing up. Usually she'd make a fuss, she had invoices and contracts to write up and alter but she knew it wasn't often Barry and Helen made it over especially now and she wanted to catch up with him.

"Alright, let's swing by the house first so I can drop this off and check on Betsy then we can head over." Carla picked up the rest of her files and her briefcase, Barry having retrieved her jacket and handbag. "Betsy? That's your daughter correct?" Barry asked curiously taking the items out of Carla's hands and watching her lock up. "Yes, Lisa's daughter from her previous marriage, her late wife Becky and herself had Betsy well 16 years ago now. I get the gobby teenage nightmare and they got a sweet little gremlin." Carla answered, her eyes twinkling with a maternal love Barry never thought he'd see in her.

"She can't be worse then you lot were. Causing mayhem all over the estate you lot did." Barry jested dodging the slap sent his way.

"I was an angel me. Don't be ratting me out to Lisa do you hear me, she thinks I was a doll." Carla teased back, they both knew Lisa thought no such thing.

"Oh right, I see I'll have to set the record straight for her then. Inform her of all your more mischievous habits." They laughed together as they entered No.6, Carla leading the way into the main section of the house. Jumping slightly at the appearance of Lisa sat on the sofa with Betsy.

"Hi Baby, what are you doing here?" Carla asked placing her work stuff on the desk under the stairs, gesturing for Barry to enter more fully. She could see the typical response on the tip of Lisa's tongue. "And don't say you live here, I thought you were working late today?" Carla smirked at having beaten Lisa to it.

"Costello told me I could go home, and when do I argue with what the Guv wants." Lisa smiled accepting the kiss Carla placed on her lips from the back of the sofa. She glanced passed her girlfriend to the older man stood behind her, glancing around the room curiously. Carla having remembered her hosting duties kicked herself into action.

"Oh right yeah. Lise, this is Barry Connor. My previous father in law. He is Paul, Liam and Chelle's da." Carla gestured towards the older gentlemen who smiled kindly at her. "And Bazza, this lazy lady, is my girlfriend Lisa, oh and the burrito in the corner is our Betsy." Carla gestured to the younger blonde curled up in a blanket.

"Oh hello again dear." Barry waved at the young blonde from before who sunk further into the cushions at the realisation of who this man was. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you Lisa. I have heard a lot about you through the grapevine. Michelle says Carla gushes about you a lot." He teases the brunette with a wink watching her guffaw at his statement.

"It's wonderful to meet you as well Mr Connor. This imp over here has told me all about you. It's a pleasure to finally see the man behind the stories." Lisa slapped Carla's bum for her cheeky comment earlier and shook the older man's hand. He had a firm grip and kind eyes.

"Please, call me Barry we're practically family what with you shacking up with our Carla." Barry says jovially, Lisa chuckled at the flush on her girlfriends face.

"Alright, Alright, Barry and I are heading over to the Rover's for a drink and catch up your more than welcome to join us." Carla blushes facing Lisa once more, Lisa could see the hopeful expression on the older gentlemens face and decided she would head over for a drink. She knew what Barry and Helen meant to Carla especially Barry and she wanted to get to know more about young Carla as well.

"I would love to, you head over and I'll meet you all there. Let me just freshen up a bit." Lisa agreed, pinching Carla's side on her way to the stairs, not missing the slap from Carla in retaliation. She chuckled on her way up, hearing the pair say goodbye to Betsy and leave with a slight slam to the front door.

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Ryan was just finishing up his shift at the bar when he saw a familiar set of women enter the Rover's. Most noticeably his mum and grandma. He knew his grandparents were visiting but his mum had said she couldn't get away. He laughed in delighted disbelief and immediately took their orders. "Mum! You lied!" Ryan exclaimed handing over the bottle of red and 5 glasses, he knew that his Aunty Carla and Grandad must be on their way. Carla would be so excited to see Michelle again, it had been at least 3 years since either of them had made the trip.

"Well, Mam and Da were coming over for a visit and I thought I should probably tag along, who knows what Carla's been up to recently." Michelle teased her son moving over to Carla's favourite booth and waiting for her mam to sit down. She waited with bated breathe for the appearance of her best friend and sister. She hadn't had the chance to properly meet Lisa yet but they'd had plenty conversations over facetime and she was looking forward to finally seeing the dynamic of Swarla as Ryan puts it in action.

Carla and Barry entered the Rover's arm in arm laughing about one thing or another but stopping when they saw Ryan doing that weird eyebrow thing he does all the time. "What is that for? Are you having a seizure?" Carla teased heading over to order some drinks. Before she could do anything however two things happened at once. She felt familiar arms wrap around her shoulders and heard Lisa enter the pub.

"Noo wayy. Michelle Sinead Connor you did not lie to me!" Carla turn in the arms with a squeal not many would believe could have come from Morticia's mouth. "You conniving little cow!" Carla hugged the younger brunette tight with teary eyes. She kissed the woman before her with love and utter disbelief. She hadn't seen Michelle properly for so long.

"Oi missus, the only lips yours should be touching are mine." Lisa jested watching both women pull away laughing. Next thing she knows she is being jumped by the younger brunette. "Are you feeling left out?" Michelle teased lightly kissing Lisa's cheek, Lisa had known from Carla that Michelle and herself were very touchy feely and all levels of intimacy other than sex has more than likely happened.

"Get your dirty mitts off my lady." Carla called taking Michelle back into her arms and sticking her tongue out at Lisa's amused facial expression. "Ah I see how it is, your other girlfriends come home and i get put on the back burner." Lisa tickled Carla's side before moving around the attached women. Getting a nudge to her hip as she goes. "Right Barry shall we take a seat leave the lovers to reconnect." Lisa asked Barry with a wink, Lisa was happy to see Carla looking so overjoyed at the appearance of Michelle.

"Certainly, I'll introduce you to my wife. This is Helen, Helen dear this is Lisa, Carla's girlfriend." Barry gestured to the woman sat in the booth having poured various glasses of wine, one noticeably emptier than the rest for Carla. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs Connor, I hope the journey here was smooth." Lisa held a hand out to the white haired woman sat down, receiving a firm handshake in response. "Och Lisa it's lovely to meet you dear. Our Chelle has told us all about you." Lisa scooted into the booth on the opposite side leaving room for Carla and Michelle well aware they won't be letting go of one another anytime soon. "All good things I hope." Lisa smiles back at the older couple. "Certainly dear. She tells us your a Detective Seargent and that your good for Carla." Helen responds kindly, smiling at the bashful smile that overcame Lisa's features. "Yes I am a DS for Weatherfield nick and I certainly try my best to treat Carla how she deserves." Lisa's soft admission was interrupted by three obnoxious awhs.

"awh Carla she is so sweet." Michelle cooed before crawling into the booth kicking Carla as she slaps her ass. "She is adorable and I love her so dont go scaring her away." Carla followed behind Michelle who had scooted around to Lisa's side, the blonde now sandwiched between Helen and Michelle. "You share a mortgage and my son your not going anywhere." Michelle laughed as Ryan glided in beside his Aunty Carla practically sitting on the older brunette. "Oi you great lummox your squashing me." Carla groaned in mock offense. "What I weigh less then Blondie over there and she sits on your lap all the time!" Ryan points to Lisa and sitting in Carla's lap to prove a point. "Yes but she comes with assets I'm interested in you outgrew sitting on my lap 20 years ago!" Carla shoved him off her lap with an exaggerated huff.

"That reminds me, little miss I don't do kids over here, used to complain to high hell about giving our Ry a helping hand with anything but come bath and bedtime she'd be there playing away and sitting with him curled into her reading his bedtime stories with gusto. Both of them asleep by the time I'd go to check on them. Snoring away the pair of them. Then a few hours later sleeping beauty here would stumble down the stairs with grumbles and glares only calming down when Liam hauled her down the road for a dirty kebab!" Michelle finished her story with a flourish cut off by Carla whining and Lisa looking like she'd won the lottery.

"Oh you owe me missus. Telling me you don't like kebabs! Having a go at me for my dirtier the better all the trimmings kebab!" Lisa accused getting a silent wheeze from Michelle and a pouting glare from Carla. "Cheeeelle. Did you have to rat us out like that!" Carla whined pouting at the perceived misjustice. "What! You love kebabs we've eaten them plenty and don't lie you went out with Liam all the time when Paul was away in a huff!" Michelle defends herself with a laugh.

"eh, stop pouting you." Lisa nudged Carla with her foot under the table. "I'm not pouting!" Carla huffed petulantly, relenting when Lisa laughed and raised her eyebrow at her.

"So, Helen, Barry how's Ireland treating you?" Carla changed the subject looking away from Lisa and Michelle who were belly laughing at her mock huff.

"It's as wet and cold as ever, nothing a bit of fresh air can't cure." Helen answered politely, Michelle and Lisa still whispering and giggling in the corner. "How have you been faring up?"

"You know me I'm as strong and stubborn as an Ox. Nothing keeps me down for long." Carla joked flicking Michelle's ear after hearing the tail end of an embarrassing story. "If you tell her anything else, I'll rat you out to your mam!" Carla whispered shouted to Michelle watching her weigh up the consequences.

"Lisa did I ever tell you about the time our Carla faked a heart attack to leave a meeting?" Michelle asked with a twinkle in her eye. "You did not, what pray tell happened for her to do that?" Lisa asked intrigued. "Well, this man Mr Jenkins was a lecherous perv at the best of times and he had just asked Carla what of Underworlds finest she was wearing for the 5th meeting in a row and well Carla in her Oscar worthy acting starting wheezing and clutching at her chest. With great embarrassment for herself an ambulance was called and an ECG was performed and it turns out her heart was beating irregularly but it wasn't a heart attack it was because the paramedic was hot." Michelle laughed at Lisa's look of utter disbelief that her girlfriend had gone that far to avoid a meeting.

"Helen, Do you remember that flower vase your Aunty Aoife had brought you for your wedding anniversary. Well, Liam ended up getting the blame because you'd heard it smash and he was stood beside it with his football. What actually happened was Chelle was dancing around to Fleetwood Mac and she swung into it with her stereo." Carla ducked when she heard Michelle's gasp and Barry's delighted laugh. Helen looked at the two girls with barely concealed fury. "Michelle Sinead Connor! I blamed your brother for that and he got 5 months allowance taken off of him. I blamed Carla for that!" Helen hissed out. It didn't matter how old Michelle was the slap Carla got for ratting her out was so worth the fear in her eyes. "I- you didn't even like the vase, you just told Aunty Aoife you did to get her to stop coming round for tea!" Michelle defended herself incredulously, Barry was still sat looking between all the women in his life with tears in his eyes. "What do you mean you blamed me for it! I wasn't even there when it happened?" Carla asks as if just hearing the part where she was blamed. "Carla, you broke six of my plant pots, the fine china and 3 wine glasses in one New Years Eve and you were sober for it all!" Helen retorted eyebrows raised as if daring Carla to disagree.

"Hang about! You blamed the fine china on Ryan at the time!" Michelle cut in, "I took his Nintendo off of him for 6 weeks because of that." Ryan immediately clocked in offended. "That's why?! Oi Aunty Koala your meant to have my back not blame me for your incompetence in drying dishes!" Ryan spun around to face his smirking aunt. "Hey! I let you play on Paul's the entire time you weren't allowed on yours." Carla defended immediately leaning away from Michelle and Helen who were glaring at the pair.

"Well, this has been nice goodnight." Carla and Ryan go to dive out the booth but Michelle manages to grab Carla's belt loop. "Oh no, Not so fast Missy. You did not give my son free reign of his Uncle's Nintendo after lying about it in the first place." Lisa hadn't seen Carla look so sheepish in a while. "23 Years we've kept that secret Aunty Carla, 23 years!" Ryan exclaimed immediately getting glared at. "What else have you both been keeping from me?" Michelle asks giving them both the mum stare. "Oh would you look at that, More drinks people!" Ryan asks turning, with Carla hot on his heels, "I'll help carry them." The pair were both gone before Michelle could question them further. "The cheek of it!" Michelle laughed alongside the others.

Chapter Text

They had had dinner as a quartet, Ryan rushing off soon after to put in a shift at the Chariot and Betsy ditching the so called boomers to meet with River and Sabrina.
Carla and Lisa had sat quietly staying at the table and making googly eyes at one another before deciding to get to work on the dishes.

By doing the dishes Lisa sat on the counter beside the open dishwasher that Carla was filling with a meticulous focus that always made Lisa chuckle. When she'd shut up the dishwasher and made to walk away Lisa trapped her between her swinging legs.
"Hm. Hello Missus, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Carla teased her forearms resting snuggly against Lisa's hips and thighs. Their noses nuzzling sweetly and pupils dark with want.

Usually given the wanton and hot stares they'd make their way upstairs and finish what they'd started not tonight however on account of the City V. United match that Lisa was excited to watch and that Carla had a facetime with Michelle scheduled.

The two Connor women had to schedule a weekly call or it'd never happen with their inability to create a work-life balance. Though in Carla's defense she is much more likely to spend time working from home when there is even a slight chance she'd catch Lisa on a lunchbreak or just being nearby.
"Don't start something your not prepared to finish baby." Carla warned mostly in jest. Lisa released a dirty chuckle at the narrowed eyes before kicking Carla lightly on ass.

"I don't know what your talking about. I was just sitting here looking pretty and you came onto me!" Lisa placed a hand over her chest as she said me, Kissing Carla's furrowed brow at the accusation.

"I'll think you'll find I was minding my own business when your legs wrapped themselves around me, like a Venus fly trap there was no escaping from such a surprise attack." Carla bit the end of Lisa's nose lightly, laughing with her head flung back at the indignant squawk Lisa gave pulling back with a slap to Carla's arm.

"That was disgusting Darling." Lisa said in an attempt of a firm tone. It didn't work.

"That's what happens when you trap, little old me." Carla saunters away grabbing her phone from the table and flipping it open with exaggerated gusto.

"Pfft. Little? No. Old? hm" Lisa hopped down with the grace of a baby elephant stumbling as she dodged the pen flung at her head.

"I'll give you old missus. Go and put your footie on." Carla pointed into the lounge at the TV sending Lisa away.

"Yes Ma'am!" Lisa saluted cheekily dodging the swat to her ass as she went.

Carla shook her head, lips twitching with barely concealed amusement at her polly pockets antics. With Lisa sitting comfortably with a lager and some pretzel bites, Carla answered the facetime request from Michelle. The brunette was only slightly shocked to be met with the ear of Barry.

"Bazza, my love. I can only see the inside of your ear from this angle." Carla teased watching the older man pull the phone so he was looking at it head on.

"Carla dear, Hello. I didn't realise I could see you too!" He exclaimed joyfully, Carla laughed loudly, her eyes twinkling with contentment.

"Hello Barry. Are you well? Where's Chelle got to?" Carla asked sweetly, she missed the older man. It had been a few years since they'd last been by.

"I'm grand me. Chelle is, Oh well here she is now!" Michelle's face popped into view beside her fathers head and they rearranged until Michelle was holding the phone steady.

"Heya Chelle, You good?" Carla asked laughing at the flustered look of her ex sister-in-law.

"I'm well, was explaining WiFi to my mother." That was all Carla needed to know, Helen was a wonderful woman and filled with knowledge of all sorts but when it came to electronics she was as bad as you'd think she'd be.

It was at least 45 minutes later that Lisa's impassioned shouting became to loud to go ignored.

"O'Neil is still a loyal customer and buys in yearly, We've a good turn ar-" Carla was in the midst of telling Chelle about the factory when Lisa yelled again. "GO ON CITY, RUN YOU BASTARD!" Lisa was stood up now, hands behind her head and staring in disbelief at the players on the screen.

Carla was leant against the island her back to the lounge where Lisa had previously been sat, the TV was 55 inches and mounted to the wall with surround sound and everything. Carla turned glancing over her shoulder allowing Michelle and Barry the view of the frustrated blonde in a city shirt. "Lee, baby. Can you keep it down a notch! David'll be banging about noise levels again if you keep it up." Carla huffed teasingly, she wasn't particularly bothered by the way Lisa shouted at the screen, and she enjoyed watching her fiancé's more carefree and relaxed posture. Usually she sits slouched on the sofa in grey joggers and her city shirt. Carla didn't think she'd ever seen Lisa look more beautiful.
"Car-" Carla only raised a brow at the whine coming her way, she knew exactly what Lisa was going to say and she wasn't having it.

"Sorry love!" Lisa decided against arguing and slumped back down momentarily waiting for half time to be announced. "As I was saying-" Carla cut herself off seeing the mixture of emotions upon Michelle and Barry's face. "What's wrong?" Carla asked looking at herself to see if she'd done something.

"Nothing dear, carry on. You were telling us about O'Neil's order carrying you over the next few months?" Barry tried to get Carla back on track but should've known better when it came to Carla and a niggling doubt. "Do you remember when you were on the phone to Helen and I when Paul, Liam and Ryan were watching the match in 2003?" Barry asked waiting for that slither of recognition.

"Yeah, they were making such a racket!" Carla exclaimed feeling a slap to her ass as Lisa passed to collect another lager. She filled Carla's glass of red up and left her again with a kiss on the cheek.

"Ryan was exhausted the next day after the sugar high Liam had put him through. Paul was pretending not to notice whilst I tried and failed to police his fizzy intake." Carla remembered the day more and more as she spoke, rattling off key memories as she went.

"Well, as you spoke to Lisa then you called her Lee. and well I got a massive sense of Deja Vu. Not entirely unhelped by the Connor City shirt she has on." Barry answered with a reminiscent smile. Carla inhaled sharply at that.
She remembered being on the landline to Barry and Helen, they were discussing holiday timings to determine when the group could go to visit. Carla had been in the middle of talking when Liam had celebrated a touch too loudly. She'd spun with a look of exasperation as she hissed at him "Leebugs, I cant her owt with that racket your making!" She had watched the cowed and cheeky look wash over his face. As she'd gone back to her conversation she felt a kiss to her cheek and an apologetic squeeze to the shoulder. Liam's silent way of getting back in her good graces.

"Oh God!" Carla exclaimed in shock. She hadn't noticed as she turned to shush Lisa that she'd done this same scenario 22 years ago. "Wow, that really has knocked me for six." The trio sat with the memory for a little longer. Broken out of their revery by another sharp insult from the blonde and an immediate apology afterwards.

Carla smirked at Barry before speaking without looking at Lisa. "We'll turn it off, if you keep that up!" Carla called something else she remembers having said when Ryan burst into tears at the rival teams goal. "No. No. I'm done darling promise!" Lisa had sounded flustered at the idea. When she wasn't quite so focused on the match she would've taken note of Carla's goading tone.

Barry laughed at the quick response and Michelle merely imitated that of a whip. "Right, I best let you get off, I've the motley crew home soon and a little pocket rocket to keep in check." Carla was waving goodbye to the father/daughter duo when Lisa's brain kicked in with an indignant Oi!
"Your not even 3 inches taller than me!" Lisa had complained as Carla came over to join her.

"Ah but you see, those 2 inches makes all the difference." Carla widens her eyes mischievously cackling at Lisa's mocking of her words.

There was 10 minutes before overtime on the match left when they heard the front door slam close and saw Ryan hop the back of the sofa sitting beside Lisa. "Oof Rough game that Lise." Ryan commented seeing the 1 nil to United in the top corner. Lisa didn't respond with words. No like the mature and respected Detective Seargant that she was she shoved him off the sofa. The two women chuckled at the small oomf Ryan let out as he landed.

"Aunty Koala! That would have had the match turned off when I was younger." Ryan complained sitting on the other side of Carla now, tattling to the brunette with a teasing smirk.

"Touch it and I won't touch you for 3 weeks!" Lisa threatened as she saw Carla reach for the remote. Carla weighed up the options and decided she wasn't going to call that bluff.

"You horny git!" Ryan gasped when Carla sat back into the sofa again. He threw his hands up with a chuckle.

"Can you blame me?" Carla asked shifting away in an attempt to miss the hand going to swat at her thigh. "I'm not risking that one Ry, but be my guest." Carla motioned towards the remote beside Lisa's empty lager cans.

Seeing the death glare pointing his way Ryan decided against getting in the way of Lisa and her footie. "Nah your alright, I wouldn't want to releash her inner chihuahua, I hear they bite" He leapt away then, seeing her hand coming to wallop him. He laughed as he ran up the stairs. Lisa was so easy to wind up and the Connor section of the Connor-Swains used this to their entertainment daily.

"Not a word." Lisa spoke snuggling into Carla after the younger Connor had escaped. Carla merely snorted quite unladylike at her sulky partner and kissed her hair sweetly.

"I didn't say anything." Carla teased lifting her hands in mock surrender, tickling lightly at Lisa's sides and cackling as the younger woman squirmed away with an adorable little pout on her face.

"No but you were thinking something and thats just as dangerous!" Lisa huffed flopping to the other side of the sofa away from Carla's tickling hands.

"I'll give you dangerous." Carla threatened as she leapt on top of Lisa's flopped form. The pair giggling uncontrollably as they rolled to the floor with the left over momentum of Carla's attack.

"Ah God! My back!" Carla groaned flicking Lisa's ear that rest on her chest as she felt the blonde laughing and making some quiet comment about old age and slipped disks.

"Oi. Pack it in!" Lisa grumbled rubbing at her ear, glaring up at Carla without moving her head. There was no heat in her eyes only mock annoyance which Carla soothed with a well placed hand in Lisa's hair and a long, sweet kiss.

"I love you, my little polly pocket." Carla murmured against the pursed lips of her fiancée.

"I love you too, My BFG!" Lisa teased back, using every bit of her police training to slip away before Carla could register her words.

"You cheeky cow! I am not a GIANT!" Carla exclaimed from the floor sitting up and reaching for Lisa's legs.

Lisa loved these moments where they could be playful and childlike, nothing else mattered but avoiding Carla's swatting hands and not landing herself in it with becoming distracted.

Carla loved these moments for the freedom it provided, they weren't needed by anyone, weren't Mum and Aunty Koala, just Lise and Darling and teasing touches and soft glances. Goading words and strategic manoeuvres that they'd definitely regret come morning. Especially the over ambitious Mission Impossible roll Carla performed to hop the back of the sofa.

Did she make it? Yes. Was it worth the potential chiropractor visit? Most definitely not. The crack her back produced as she lunged for her cackling lover was not a good sound. Were she less concerned in being crowned winner of their mini feud she would've paid more attention to the twinge she knows will be there after a nights sleep.

Lisa's joyful and bright smile made it worth it though. It made every moment worth it. Arguing over dishes, screaming at the footie, disciplining their kids, because lets face it Ryan is her mini me and Betsy is her partner in crime. She is often in trouble alongside them.

The pair eventually calmed down dropping back onto the sofa snuggled up and exhausted after their evening excersise and not the horizontal tango they prefer. Ryan had recorded them from up on the landing waiting for the perfect moment to use it as blackmail but not before sending it to his mam, who shared it with his grandad who shared it with his wife.

The Connor's hadn't seen Carla so carefree and happy in a relationship in a very long time, if ever. They were all overjoyed by the wheezing laughter the video showed as the two grown woman chased and tickled and dodged one another for a solid 8 minutes. The lot of them forever grateful for the love Lisa shows their girl.