"You a hungry little boy hmm." Carla said as she stroked Harry's little hand as the nurse gently took Esme from Michelle's arms. "Does it hurt them at all havingto get their milk through a tube?" Peter asked as the nurse shook her head. "No, the only thing is it does mean they don't have to do a lot of work to get their milk so when it comes to feeding for themselves they sometimes need a little bit of extra encouragement."
"Here these are for you obviously. You can tie them to the cots." Darren suggested as he gestured to the balloons.
"That's really nice of you Daz."
"Where's the little guy anyway I thought he'd be here to meet his brother and sister." Darren said.
"Oh he's coming soon. He stayed with one of our friends for the night."

"Right you give your Dad and Carla my love okay and don't go eating all those sweets at once." Rita said as Simon nodded clutching his comic and sweets in his hand. "Tell them both I send my best." Rita said as Leanne nodded.
"Thanks Rita."

"There we go, they seem to be taking to the milk well which is good, the more we can get them to take the quicker we can get their weight up" the nurse said.
"Di you need me to express more milk?" Carla asked.
"Not right at this moment, just when it is convenient...but you will probably feel you want to express milk regularly to avoid your own discomfort" the nurse said as Carla nodded.
"Well the milk certainly makes them sleepy" Michelle commented as both babies looked sound asleep.

Leanne could barely contol Simon's bounding as he skipped across the car park desperate to get to see his siblings.
"I think this is the building sweetie" Leanne said guiding Simon to the maternity wing.

"You've done good girl." Darren said playfully ruffling his sister's hair as he stood up.
"Are you going?" Carla said a little disappointment in her voice.
"Well to the canteen, I haven't had any breakfast. Besides which I think you'll have a far more important visitor in a bit and I think you should have a bit of time just you lot. You fancy a brew love?" Darren asked Michelle who nodded.
"Yeah why not. I'll see you in a bit Car, they're absolutely perfect." Michelle said as she kissed both Carla and Peter on the cheek.

"You need to be a bit quieter sweetie if your seeing the babies." Leanne said as she approached the receptionist. "Hi there. My friend Carla had twins this morning, this is her partners son. The SCBU have said he can go and visit so I just wanted to check who we need to speak to." Leanne said as the receptionist smiled.
"Just go along this corridor and then press the buzzer and tell them who you're here to see. They'll buzz you through and then it's your second door on the right where the SCBU nurse's office is." The receptionist said smiling at Simon.

"Right you have to put this alcohol gel on your hands and rub it in" Leanne said standing outside the SCBU after buzzing the door.
"Why?" Simon asked.
"It kills the germs on your hands that could be harmful to the babies. They are small so they can't fight off infections like you and I" Leanne said putting alcohol gel on Simon's little hands.
"We are here to see Carla and Peter, this is Peter's son and he has come to see his brother and sister" Leanne said as a nurse came to the door.
"Oh yes, they have been waiting for you, come through, both of you if you want"
"Well I will come in to make sure Si gets them and have a quick peek at the babies" Leanne said not wanting to intrude too much on the new familly.

Shall we reveal the DNA soon?

I am going to join in a bit Keep it up guys, your awesome!

"Hey love I think I can spy a little visitor." Peter said as he sat by Harry's cot watching his son slumber happily. Carla looked over and smiled seeing Simon. "Oh love come here." She said as she opened her arms wide for Simon to cuddle into her. "Are you alright Mum?"
"Yeah I am, anyway don't you want to see your brother and sister?" Carla said as Simon nodded. Peter smiled as he looked at his son's wide eyes. "Now it looks a bit scary because they have all these little wires and things but that's just to help them so they get strong enough for us to take them home." He said not wanting Simon to be upset by the apparatus. "This is your little brother." Carla said as she guided Simon to the incubator where Harry was lay sleeping. "He's so small."
"He is yeah, but he's doing well, do you want to know what his name is?" Peter asked as Simon nodded.

Anne was busy deciding on what buggy she should buy for the nice walks she'd take the twins on once they were where they belonged, with their grandmother. "You can put that catalogue down right now, I've told you to leave it." Sam said as Anne pouted.
"You're scared Sam, I understand that you're worried you'll grow to love them and that cow will stop us from seeing them but we can't stand by and let them be dragged up by alcoholics."

"Look what does it say" Carla said pointing to the plaque above Harry's cot which said his name.
"Harry!.....like Harry Potter" Simon said gleefully.
"Yes, we loved your suggestion so we called him Harry" Carla said as Simon gazed into the incubator.
"Hello Harry" Simon said.
"You want to put your hand in and touch his skin? He would like that" Carla said as Simon nodded. Peter guided Simon's hand through a hole in the incubator so he could touch his tiny brother.
"He is really small and soft" Simon said in awe at the tiny baby.
"You want to go and see your sister now, her name is Esme" Peter said.

"Esme I like that. Hello Esme." Simon said as he gazed at the tiny baby girl in the incubator.
"I think she'd like you to touch her too, so she knows who is her big brother." Peter said as Simon nodded and gently reached his hand into the incubator to stroke his baby sister's arm. She stirred at his touch and her little hand clung to Simon's finger as he smiled. "Dad look she's holding my finger." He said as Carla wiped at her tears watching Simon delight in his baby siblings. "Oh Carla they're absolutely gorgeous, the pair of them." Leanne said as Carla smiled proudly. "Thanks Lea."

"Right I'm going to go and get myself a cuppa at the cafe and leave you lot alone for a bit." Leanne said as Peter looked at her. "Before you do would you just take a photo of us all. I mean hopefully they'll wake up in a bit and Simon might be able have a hold." Peter said as Simon looked excited at the thought.

"I am so excited to take the first familly photo of you all" Leanne said holding up the camera. She had thought it might be odd taking a picture of what at one pont could have been her familly but right in that moment it wasn't.
"Smile Si" she said before taking a few shots.
"I don't know how great you can see the little ones in the incubators, but I can take more later when Simon gets a hold.
"Oh don't worry, I can't imagine it will be the best picture of me either!" Carla said.
"Oh Carla you will never have as good an excuse as you do today to look tired and even then you look just stunning" Peter said kissing Carla softly.
"Oi you thats enough, after this morning that is about as much affection as you will be seeing in a while!" Carla said making Leanne laugh.
"Was it that bad?" Leanne asked.
"Worse, just as I pushed him out the midwife gave me fifteen minutes before I had to do the whole thing again"

'Well it is all over and done with now' Peter said smiling
'And worth it it' Carla said
'How are these two little ones doing' Clair said as she came over
'They are feeding well!' Clair said
'I hope they put on weight quickly so we can take them home' Carla said gazing at her children
'Are you their big brother than?' Clair asked Simon
'Yes I love them so much' Simon said eagerly
A nurse came into the room and walked up to Peter
'We have the results of the tests, you said you wanted to know them personally rather than your partner' she said

"Poor you, but they were worth it?" Leanne said as Carla nodded.
"Yeah definately. Thanks for looking after Si for us." Carla said as Leanne smiled.
"Oh please it was no bother, we had a few moments of upset but he was really good." Leanne said as Peter ruffled his son's curly hair. "Good lad."
"I was scared for Mum and the babies but they aren't too small. I thought they'd be smaller than this." Simon said.

Leanne left in pursuit of a hot drink and allowing Peter and Carla some time alone with Simon and the twins. "So what do you reckon Si?" Peter asked as he sat his son on his lap.
"I love them so much. Thank you for my brother and sister." Simon said as he wrapped his arms round Peter. "That's okay mate, you should thank your Mum she did all the hard work." Peter said as he smiled over at Carla.

Just read mine ahead of madaboutcarla's and it makes sense.

Peter felt a sickening in his stomach, he loved the babies so much either way but he desperately wanted to be their biological dad.
"Yes, is there somwhere private we can go?" Peter asked.
"Yes we can use one of the waiting rooms, just follow me" the nurse instructed.

"Its not what you think, some tacky Jeremy Kyle story that Carla doesn't know the dad" Peter said as they reached a small waiting room, not wanting the nurse to think badly of Carla.
"I'm not here to judge, just to give you these" she said passing Peter an envelope.
Peter took it with shaking hands knowing the awful consequences of Frank being their father.

"I'll leave you for a minute." The nurse said as she detected the anxiety that Peter had. "Thanks." Peter said as he looked at the plain envelope and hated that this small envelope could be so upsetting if the results didn't work out how he and Carla wanted.

"Who's the eldest?" Simon asked as he sat by Esme's cot smiling down at his sister. "Erm Harry is about 30 minutes older than Esme. So you like them then."
"Aha. Mum will they have to stay in the hospital for ages?"
"It depends sweetie. The nurses say they're doing really well so it might be a couple of weeks but if they do well then we'll be able to take them home before the end of the school holidays." Carla said as Simon's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
"Yeah, but the nurses can't promise that."

Peter opened the envelope carefully, taking some deep breaths as he did. He pulled out the sheet of paper and closed his eyes. These babies meant the world to him. He couldn't stand it if they wern't his. Peter unfolded the paper and scanned down to the middle of the page.
"Oh!" Peter said, a few tears trickling down his cheeks. A smile began to creep over his face and he hugged the piece of paper whispering "thank you". This was the start of a new beginning for him, Carla, Si and their new born babies.

"I'm so glad they are here mum" said Simon, still peering into Harry and Esme's cot. Carla smiled and nodded.
"So am I Si, although I think they should have waited a bit longer eh?"
"Yeah. Where's dad gone?" asked Simon looking at Carla.
"I don't know Si?" replied Carla, turning round to see if she could spot Peter.

I hope this was the result you wanted. I wasn't sure who to put as the father but I figured you guys would want Peter to be the dad so thats what I did

"They hves lots of hair don't they" Simon commented from where he was fixated on Harry.
"Ye, just like there big brother" Carla said ruffling Simon's hair.
"Was it very sore having them?" Simon asked curiously.
"Yes very but they are well worth it now aren't they?" Carla said as Simon nodded.

"Where have you been, not tryng to get out of baby duties already?!" Carla said as Peter came back towards them.
Peter looked into the tiny incubators, he hadn't thought it would be possible to love the two tiny babies anymore than her already did, but finding out they were biologically his had really made everything perfect.
"I was speaking to one of the nurses....Si you think you will be ok watching the babies for five minutes while I talk to your mum?" Peter asked. Simon smiled and nodded.
"I will make sure they are ok" he said very maturely.
"Thanks mate, just keep talking to them and remember to not touch any of the equipment" Peter said.
"Peter, is everything ok?" Carla asked worriedly.
"Ye come on there's just somthing I want to tell you" Peter said taking Carla's hand.

"Look!" Peter said excitedly as he handed Carla the DNA results.
"What does this mean?" Carla asked beng too tired to comprehend all the medical jargon.
"It means they are biologically my children" Peter said with a wide grin. Carla burst into tears of relief and happieness.

"Peter!" Carla cried, falling into her boyfriends arms. Peter wrapped his arms around her and kissed her shiny black hair.
"We can be a proper family now. Frank won't ruin it and him and his maniac mother won't take Harry and Esme away from us" Peter said determindly. Carla lifted her head up and stared at Peter.
"Anne is adament that the twins are Frank's so how are we going to tell her they aren't?" asked Carla. Peter cupped his hands around Carla's face and smiled.
"When the twins are safely back at home, I will pay her a visit and explain" A look of horror swept across Carla's face and she shook her head.
"No Peter, I won't let you go round there" Carla said taking Peter's hand "I don't trust Anne and Sam one bit"
"Darling, you said you wanted to tell them" said Peter, stroking circles on the palm of Carla's hand. Carla closed her eyes and sighed.
"I don't know what to do. I'm so tired and confused. I can't think straight" Carla said, yawning slightly. She didn't know how she felt about telling Anne because she knew that Anne needed to know the truth but she didn't want the Fosters being involved in their lifes again, especially now they had Esme and Harry to think about.

'Lets just enjoy being a proper family now, we can think about Frank later. These our our children I am so happy they are safe and doing well' Peter said stroking Carla's hair
'Your right, I am just so emotional right now' Carla said
They looked over at Simon who was peering into Harry's incubator chatting away to him
'Look at Si Peter' Carla said
'He is loving being a big brother' Peter said
The nurse, Clair came over
'Lets have a look at those two' She said
Peter and Carla walked over towards the incubator
'Ah we can remove their feeding tubes for a bit now and let them digest what they have had' Clair said
'Do you think I can hold them again? Its just I want them in my arms so badly' Carla said
'I think you can, they are fairly strong' Clair said smiling at the new mum
'Here you go' she said picking Esme up and placing her gently in Carla's arms
'Hello darling' Carla said stroking Esme's cheek tenderly
Simon nudged Peter and whispered ' Do you think I would be allowed to hold them?' Simon asked
'Peter smiled 'Clair do you think our Si could have a quick cuddle?'
'Simon, if you sit down on the chair, your Dad will help you hold Harry' Clair said seeing the little boy really wanted to be involved
'Right now Si, support his head here' Peter said holding Harry's head along with Simon just in case
'He is so small' Simon said
Carla looked at Simon and smiled 'My three gorgeous boys' she said
'Mum do you think he looks like me?' Simon asked
'Yes I do! I hope he grows up to be as handsom as you

Simon grinned
'Right Si, I think we better put the babies back inside the incubator' Peter said thinking that the twins needed to stay warm
'Your dad is right Si' Simon said smiling at him, but a pang inside that she would have to put Esme back in the incubator
'She doesn't want you to let her go' Peter said looking at Esme's hand tightly held around Carla's finger
'I wish I didn't have to' Carla said sadly yawning
'Right Si, I think we need to let your Mum sleep for a bit, Carla we will come back to the ward with you, and me and Si will go and get you some fresh clothes and some teddies for the babies and I will tell Dad and Diedre the good news' Peter said
'I dont want to go' Simon said
'I know mate but we can come back this evening' Peter said
'Alright, come here Si' Carla said opening her arms for Simon
'I miss your tummy' Simon said to Carla
'I still have one Si!' Carla said laughing 'Just no babies inside me anymore'
'Its better that they are out here so I can see them now' Simon said

'Your right' Peter said smiling at his son
Carla tenderly stroked her babies cheeks through the incubator before being wheeled out of the SCBU and back to her ward.
'Try and get some sleep love' Peter said kissing Carla's head
'I will, you two better be back soon though!' Carla said smiling
Peter and Simon left the ward thanking the nurses and drove back to the street
Peter was tired but also immensely happy.
'Lets go and tell Grandad and Grandma the good news' Peter said
'I am a big brother!' Simon shouted as Ken opened the door
'Congratulations Simon! And we are Grandparents again!' Ken said smiling
Simon ran inside
'Oh dad, you must come to the hospital with us, they are the most beautiful babies ever, they have dark hair just like Simon and are gorgeous' Peter said smitted
'Oh Peter I am so happy for you, how is Carla?' Ken asked
'Tired, and sore poor thing but she is totally in love with them. And Dad, I got the DNA results, I am their biological father, I am so relieved' Peter said emotionally
'Oh Peter that is fantastic news, I am honestly over the moon' Ken said smiling
'So am I. I can't describe how in love I am in with them. And with Carla, she has given me two of the most precious things ever, along with Simon' Peter said
Peter told Diedre the good news
'Oh Peter, I can't wait to meet them' Diedre said
'They are really tiny, I got to hold my brother Harry' Simon said proudly
'Harry, thats a lovely name, and our grandaughter?' Ken said
'Esme, Esme and Harry' Peter said happily

'So how are they doing?' Diedre asked handing Peter a coffee
''They are small, but they said they are a good size for their gestation especially for twins. They might have to stay in for a few weeks. I think Esme is still having trouble regulating her temperature and breathing but Harry is a proper little lad, fighting away' Peter said grinning
'I miss them so much already. I held them and could have done so for hours. I think Carla is finding it harder, I can see she desperately wants to feed them and snuggle up to them, and she just can't' Peter said
'Yeah must be hard for her, is she sleeping well?' Ken asked
'Well, we left her at the hospital and hopefully she will be sleeping now. You wouldn't mind looking after Si for about half an hour, I want to collect some clean clothes for Carla and bring some teddys for the babies, then you can come up with us to the hospital' Peter said
'Course, do what you need to, when will Carla be coming home?' Diedre asked
'I think tomorrow, if I can tear her away!' Peter said

Peter smiled as Mabel looked up expectantly as he came through the door. Darren was sat with her telling her how perfect the babies were. "Ah here's the proud daddy now." Darren said as Peter beamed. "Oh love, I'm so pleased for you and Carla. Have you got any pictures?" Mabel asked knowing it would be hard for her to get up to the hospital and see the twins. "Yeah, here. Darren would you scroll through the camera for Mabel whilst I go and pack a few things for Carla and the babies." Peter said as Darren nodded. "What did Simon think to them?" Darren asked.
"Loves them, there's a gorgeous picture of him holding Harry on there. He would have held Esme but she was having a bit of trouble digesting her milk so the nurse said he'd best not."

"Why's Si here Dad?" Tracey asked as she came downstairs after her shower. "Carla had the twins early this morning, Harry and Esme. We're just minding Simon whilst Peter goes to pack a few things." Deirdre said as Tracey bit her lip. "They're very early aren't they. Are they okay?" She asked a slight concern in her voice. She might have not been overly keen on a baby nephew and niece but she didn't want anything bad to happen to them. "They're really small but I held my brother and he likes me. My sister does too but I couldn't hold her." Simon said.

'Oh look he looks so proud, and they are so beautiful Peter' Mabel said cooing at the photo's
'I know' Peter said grinning
He packed a bag for Carla, putting in her favorite brown tracksuit and some toiletries
'Right, Mabel I am going to go and give these to Carla and spend a bit of time with her, will you be ok here with Darren?' Peter asked
'I think I can manage' Mabel said wishing she could meet her grandchildren
'I will ring you in an hour or so to make sure your alright' Peter said
Peter went downstairs and decided to collect some pastries from Roy as the hospital food was never that good
'How is Miss Connor doing?' Hayley asked
'Well, she had the babies this very early this morning!' Peter said grinning
'Oh my god, wow, that was quick, is everything ok?' Hayley asked
'Yeah they are tiny but perfect, I can't describe how in love I am' Peter said obviously smitten
'Oh well give Miss Connor my thoughts, I can't wait to meet them' Hayley said smiling
'I will, thanks Hayley, its been a long last few months but so worth it, anyway I will just get these' Peter said
'That will be £3.20 and here is an extra one, for Simon' Hayley said smiling

"Thanks." Peter said as he handed over the money. Hayley smiled as she watched the new father his eyes sparkling with happiness. Peter headed over the road to his dad's house as he knew Simon would want to coe up to the hospital with him and well his Dad and Dierdre would want to meet their new grandchildren. He knocked on the door and was taken aback when his stepsister answered and hugged him tightly. "Oh Peter congratulations. They are okay aren't they?" Tracey asked as Peter looked a little bemused.
"You okay?"
"I was so horrible to Carla at times but I really didn't want the babies to come early."
"Well they're okay, just small." Peter said as Simon looked up from where he and Amy were sat playing. "Are we going back to the hospital Dad?"
"Yeah, I just wanted to come see if your Grandad and Grandma wanted to coe along too."

Carla smiled as she dreamt of when her little ones would be older and toddling about. She imagined days out at the seaside, trips to theme parks all things that she had been denied through her childhood. She would never be like her mother denying her children love or affection.

"of course we want to come Peter, is there anything we can bring for Carla?" Deirdre asked.
"no, I think I have everything, I even got her some food from Roy's- i hope she is getting some sleep though" Peter said as Simon tugged at his shirt.
"dad, dad let's go I want to see the babies again" he said as Peter smiled feeling just as keen as Simon to see his precious babies.

"so how long will they be in hospital for?" Ken asked as they drove to the hospital in the new car.
"hopefully a few weeks, but it depend on how they are feeding. Esme's having a few little problems but hopefully she will be stronger soon" Peter explained.
"it will be hard for Varla leaving them" Ken pointed out to his son.
"it will be a hard time for us all dad"
"well you just remember we are always here to help" Deirdre added.

'I know you are and we are all very grateful' Peter said
'Can we go now' Simon said tugging at Peter's sleeve
'Yes alright Si, lets go Dad, Diedre' Peter said
They got into the car and drove up to the hospital
'It is this way, lets take the lift' Peter said
They got out on the third floor
'Hi we are here to see my partner, Carla, she gave birth this morning' Peter said
'Alright, go and see her' the receptionist smiled
'Knock knock!' Peter said
'Hey love how are you doing?' Peter said seeing Carla lying on her side
'Alright, I miss them so much' Carla said not seeing Ken and Diedre behind Peter
'So do I, you managed to sleep?' Peter said
'A little' Carla smiled
'Oh hello!' Carla smiled as she saw Ken and Diedre
Simon sat on the end of her bed
'Congratulations! You must be so tired' Diedre said
'Thank you! I am but it is worth it! You have to meet them' Carla said sitting up
'Oh we can't wait! Peter told us all about them' Ken and Diedre said