'Peter can you ask if we can go and see them?' Carla asked
'Yeah, I will do, oh and I brought you some clothes and things' Peter said handing the bag to Carla
'Thank you' Carla said smiling
'Did Peter show you the photo's we took?' Carla asked Ken
'Yes he did, Simon was very proud of them!' He laughed
'Oh Simon has been brilliant, haven't you Si' Carla said ruffling his hair
'Yeah I love being a big brother' Simon grinned

"Thanks that means a lot and well I might need you to keep an eye on Mabel a little as me and Carla will be spending a lot of time up at the hospital visiting them." Peter said as he knew it was going to be a horrendous few weeks having to leave the twins in hospital whilst they got stronger. "Grandad they are very sweet. I think you'll love them lots like I do." Simon said as Dierdre smiled at the little boy's excitement. "We'll call in to see Carla first, she might be asleep though Si so try to be quiet." Peter said knowing his son was quite loud when he was excited. They wandered into the hospital room and Peter smiled seng Carla asleep. "Dad look she's hugging the tiger I got her." Simon said as Peter nodded.
"I think she's glad you got her that Simon so when she's away from your brother and sister she can hug something."
"She can hug me. I won't mind." Simon said as Peter chuckled at his son.
"Oh I bet she'll be glad of lots of hugs Simon."
"Are we waiting until she wakes up or can we go and see the babies?" Ken asked eager to see his new grandchildren. He had missed the opportunity when Simon was newborn and well there was all the turmoil with Tracey and the Croppers at Amy's birth.

Carla gently got up, still sore from giving birth
Peter came into the room with Clair
'Hello! You must be the proud grandparents!' She said smiling
'Oh we are indeed!' Diedre said
'Your welcome to go and see the babies, the SCBU is empty at the moment so you can all go in' Clair said smiling
'How are you feeling Carla?' Clair said
'Alright, a bit sore, you don't happen to have any pain relief? Carla said
'I will go and ask for some' Clair said, understanding that most new mums had their babies with them which made them forget about the pain but Carla couldn't be with her babies as much as she would like to
Peter helped Carla into her wheelchair and they went to the SCBU
'We are here to see Harry and Esme Barlow' Peter said smiling as he said their names
'Come on through' the nurse said

"Here we are." Peter said as he steered the wheelchair inbetween the two incubators knowing Carla would not want to miss a moment with either baby. "Oh love, they're so small." Deirdre said as she looked at Harry who was awake, his little arms wriggling as he moved about. "Carla they're absolutely gorgeous." Ken said as he loked proudly at his newborn grandson and granddaughter. "This is Esme, Grandma. She's smaller than Harry and she was born last." Simon said as Deirdre smiled at her baby granddaughter who was sleeping in her incubator. "Oh she's beautiful, look at all her hair. She's going to look like her mummy." Deirdre said as Peter groaned. "Oh god I'm going to have a nightmare when she reaches her teens."
"You'll love having a daughter." Ken said his heart aching that he no longer had his own daughter around. "And look at him, a right little charmer." Deirdre said as she sat down on a chair besides Harry's incubator.

Despite being only a few hours old Harry heard the chatter around him and gurgled slightly
'Harry's opening his eyes!' Simon said
The little baby blinked
'Hey darling' Carla said opening the incubator so she could stroke his face gently
'Your welcome to hold them' A nurse in the unit said knowing that they were doing well
'Oh wow can we' Ken said
'Peter scooped Harry up in his arms and tenderly let him rest on his shoulder, rubbing his tiny back gently. Carla looked up at her boyfriend and her son, standing up to stroke his head
'Oh he is dribbling' Carla chuckled
'Thanks Harry' Peter said humorously

"Here Dad why don't you have a hold." Peter said glad his father was there. They might have had their rows and things in the past but he was glad now that on the whole they got along. "Oh if you're sure."
"He'll be fine, he likes people holding him." Carla said as she smiled at her tiny son. Peter gently passed Harry to Ken who sat down and looked at his newborn grandson with teary eyes. "Harry, I like it. He looks like you did when you were a baby." He said to Peter who smiled. "Oh no he's far more handsome than me aren't you mate?" Peter said as he stroked Harry's tiny arm. "Would you like to hold Esme?" Carla asked as she looked to where Deirdre looked down teary eyed at the tiny baby girl.

'I would love to' Deidre said
Carla gently picked Esme up, careful with her tubes and kissed her head, giving her to Deidre
'Oh hello sweetheart, aren't you a lovely little thing' Deidre murmured
'They are the spitting images of you three' Ken said to Carla, Peter and Simon
'They are amazing' Carla said not quite believing she was actually a mother
Peter got his camera out and took a few more photos
Harry began to cry
'Oh Peter I hate hearing him cry' Carla said nervously
'Hey don't be it is natural' Peter said as Ken handed Harry to Peter who gently cuddled him trying to sooth him
'Hey lad, come on what is all the fuss about' Peter said looking at Harrys pink face scrunched up bawling his eyes out
'He probably wants him mummy' Peter said as Carla took the wriggling baby from him and held him against her chest
'He probably wants a good feed' Carla said sighing wishing she could feed him

'Stop crying Harry' Simon said
'Haha doesn't quite work like that Si' Peter said
'Shush' Carla said gently to Harry kissing his cheek
Harry snuggled against Carla's chest and began to quieten down
'There you go, see your a natural' Peter said

"I don't know about that." Carla said as she softly ran her hand over Harry's soft dark hair. "Oh I think so." Peter said as he gently dropped a kiss on top of Carla's hair. Ken watched his son proudly, true he had liked Leanne but Carla had needed Peter and he'd been a rock to her through all her turmoil. "Oh she is so adorable." Deirdre said as Esme poked her little tongue out as she snuggled deeper into her pink blanket. "Simon are you going to show the nurses the teddies we brought for the babies and see if they can put them in the incubators?" Peter said as Simon nodded as he picked up the teddies that they wanted to put in the incubators.

Michelle smiled as she rang her mum to let her know Carla had the babies. It was ironic how much Helen had shown her support but Michelle knew babies had that ability to make people forget their anger. She had been terrified when she foound out she was pregnant in her teens but once Ryan was there any anger and disappointment her parents had dispersed. "Hi Mum..............Yeah Carla had the babies this morning.............Oh 32 weeks so they are tiny but oh so perfect........Yeah I will.................Aha in about 3 weeks they think.................That'd be lovely..............No I'll ring you soon and we can arrange for you to come over.............Okay I will. Bye then." Michelle said as she put down the phone. She smiled over to where Darren was placing a blanket over his sleeping Nan. "You know I can stay with her if you want to get off. I've got the day off anyway." He said as Michelle smiled. "Thanks, it's just my boss can't really do without me and I'm going to check on the factory too."

'So your home tomorrow then?' Ken asked Carla
'Yeah but no doubt I will be coming here a lot' Carla said cupping Harry's head in her hands
'Well, we better go now, we will take Simon with us' Diedre said
'Thank you for coming' Carla said
'Don't be silly it was amazing and I could spend all day here' Diedre said
'Do I have to go?' Simon asked
'Yeah Si, your mum needs a rest and we will be home tomorrow' Peter said smiling
Diedre handed Peter his daughter and kissed Harry's head
'You look after yourself' she said to Carla
'Bye Harry, bye Esme, Bye Mum and Dad' Simon said sad he had to go

Although it was wonderful having visitors Peter and Carla relished the little time they had to themselves
A nurse came over 'Aww they are getting a lot of attention aren't they!' she said
'They are indeed' Peter said
'I am afraid I need to do another blood test on Esme, seeing as she is a little weaker we need to make sure she doesn't pick up any infections' the nurse said
'Oh, should we not be holding her?' Carla asked worried
'No it is fine, infact you might want to hold her whilst we take the blood test, it is only a little prick but she might cry' the nurse said

'Poor love' Peter said to Esme
'I hope she is ok' Carla said cradling Harry
'I wish they could be together' Carla said to Peter
'I know, seems weird as they were together in your tummy for so long' He said
'When they are a bit stronger they can start spending time together, we need to make sure they are both healthy incase they pass things onto eachother' the nurse said

"Right I know you'll be disappointed but I think you need to go and get some rest." One of the nurses said as she put the teddies in the incubators. "Bu.."
"No but's. I know you want to stay but to be honest you both look absolutely knackered. We have these two in the best care possible. Why don't you go back and get some rest and we'll let you come back in a few hours for a goodnight cuddle." The nurse reasoned as Carla sighed.
"Do we have to." Carla asked as Peter sighed feeling the same as Carla that he didn't want to leave the babies but he ddn't want Carla to exhaust herself. "Sweetheart, the nurse is right you're tired and to be honest so am I. These two are almost asleep anyway. How about we stay until they're asleep and then go get some rest." Peter said as he stifled a yawn of his own, having not slept in the past 28 hours or so.

"Simon how about me and Grandad come back to your house so you can be at home. You can have all your toys and well I think Mabel would like to hear about your brother and sister." Deirdre said as Simon nodded in the back of the taxi. "How are the babies and Carla too?" Steve asked as he drove onto the street. "Oh they're good, the twins are little sweethearts the pair of them, so tiny. And Carla's okay just tired and I think she's still a little bit shocked by it all." Deirdre said as Ken smiled in agreement. "Grandad can we print off some photos from the camera of the babies?" Simon asked.

"yes that's a lovely idea Si, a couple for your room, some for your grandma and I and some for Darren too" Ken said. Both him and Deirdre were so pleased Simon was so excited about the babies, it made the whole situation so much easier.
"well let Carla know we are all thinking about her and the babies.... And well you can let Peter know the orange juices ate on the house when he wants to wet the babies heads" Steve. Said as they pulled up on Coronation street.

"you alright sweetie?" Peter asked when he and Carla got back to the ward.
"not really, I hate leaving them. Everyone else on this ward has their baby next to there bed or they are feeding them. I'm just going for a nap, some mum I am" Carla said are eyes filling with tears.
"oh sweetheart come here" Peter said pulling Carla in for a cuddle.

"It's not fair. I just want them to be able to come home." Carla said as Peter gently rubbed his thumb to wipe away her falling tears. "Oh love, they'll be home in no time. The nurse is right you need some sleep and honestly I could do with some too."
"Are you going home?" Carla asked as Peter shook his head.
"I'll sleep here in this chair and then we can go see them again later. How are you feeling anyway?" Peter asked knowing Carla had still been feeling achey after the birth.
"I'm okay, they gave me some painkillers." Carla said as Peter kissed her softly.
"Right you get some rest and we'll go see the babies in a bit." Peter said as Carla nodded.

"Come on then you, what do you fancy for tea?" Deirdre asked as Ken tried to pay Steve who refused to take any money from him. "Can we have Pizza Grandma?" Simon asked as he hurried into the house to find Darren sa on the couch watching TV. "Alright, hey Mr, you like your little brother and sister?" Darren asked as Simon nodded.
"We're going to print some photos off the camera in a bit, you can have some if you want." Simon said as Darren nodded. "Cheers mate I'd like that."
"You staying for dinner Darren?"
"Cheers that'd be great. So what did you think then?"
"Oh they're both absolutely gorgeous." Deirdre said proudly as Darren chuckled.

"I can't wait until they are coming home with us" Carla said sleepily.
"Me too, I can't wait until it's just you, me, Si and the twins in our little house. Now you get into bed and try and get some sleep" Peter said pulling back the covers so Carla could get onto bed.
"I just hate the thought of them being on their own" Carla said as she climbed into the hospital bed.
"they're not on their own, the nurses are taking good care of them" Peter reasurred.
"you have been amazing in the last day Peter, thank you"
"oh Carla you have been the amazing one, now let me look after you for a bit" Peter said smoothing Carla's hair as she closed her eyes.

"right that's the pizza ordered, do you want to come help me print off photos now Si?" Ken asked as Simin nodded excitedly.
"pick me a nice one won't you" Darren requested. he had always wanted to have photos of loved ones to frame for his flat.

"Here why don't you and Si pick which ones you want and I'll set up the printer." Ken said as Darren nodded. "Thanks."
"I want the picture of me holding Harry and then the picture of me, Mum and Dad with the babies." Simon said as Darren chuckled.
"That one's nice. Would you mind if I had that picture too?" He asked as Simon shook his head.
"That one's a good photo. You should have the one of you holding Harry too and this one whe Carla is holding Esme and you're holding Harry." Simon said as Darren nodded whilst Ken went to fetch some photo paper for the printer.

Peter soon drifted off to sleep once he was sure Carla was settled. He was a little exhausted after the busy events of the past day. Holding her hand in his he slumbered against the hospital chair.

"Where are you going now?" Sam asked his wife as she put her jacket on.
"The prison, see our son and try to cheer him up. You know he's dreading this trial in the next week. I just want to make sure he knows we're thinking of him." Anne said half telling the truth.
"Anne you're not going near that street are you?" Sam asked worriedly.

Peter woke up and yawned, Carla was fast asleep, her hand in his. He decided to go and have a walk to sit with the babies for a bit so he buzzed into the SCBU and pulled a chair up. Harry was fast asleep, and his fists were tightly clenched. Esme was awake, so he gently put he hand into the incubator to soothe her.
'Hey love, your really warm' Peter said slightly shocked at how warm Esme was
He looked at her for a bit and began to think she looked uncomfortable so he got up to find a nurse
'Heya, sorry to bother you but I was sitting with my twins and my daughter feels really hot, I am a bit worried about her' Peter said

'Let me come and take a look at her' the nurse said
'Lets have a look at you little one' the nurse said opening Esme's incubator
'Is she ok' Peter asked
'Right, she is hot, I need to take her temperature' the nurse said pressing a button on her pager
A doctor and another nurse came into the ward
'What is happening?' Peter asked full of concern
'I am just going to take her temperature and the doctor will take a look at her, why don't you wait outside, we will let you know as soon as we know' she said not wanting to worry Peter
'No I won't leave her' Peter said

The nurse went to check Esme on Peter's request and having taken a recording of Esme's tempreture she pressed a buzzer making Peter worry. "What is it? What's wrong with my baby?"
"It's just a reaction I think to one of the medicines though I want the doctor to check. It might be that she needs a little more help than her brother does." The nurse said gently understanding that Peter must be worried. "She'll be okay though?" Peter asked.
"We'll check her to make sure and it might be we have to change the doses or something. We've got her blood sample so we can check what's going on." The nurse said as Peter nodded.

"Well thanks for tea but I best be going. Thanks for printing me out the pictures of the babies." Darren said having helped his Nan upstairs before he grabbed his jacket. "Do you have to go."
"Yeah mate, work tomorrow but you be good for everyone and when you next see your brother and sister give them a hug from me." Darren said as he knew that he wouldn't be able to see the twins until his next day off.

Peter could not help worry as he saw the nurses and doctors around Esme. He desperately wanted Carla with him but he knew she would only panic more.
'Right we should get these results very soon but until then we will move her into intensive care just so we can be sure we are doing everything right. Try not to worry yourself Mr Barlow' the nurse said
Peter watched as his daughter was wheeled out of the unit and away from him. He went over to Harry's incubator to see his son was now awake and his face scrunched up
'Miss your sister, poor thing' Peter said

'Come here for a cuddle, your sister will be fine' Peter said cradling Harry close to him, worried about his daughter
'Oh Mr I think you need your nappy changed' Peter said picking up a smell
He looked around for a nurse who would be able to change him

"Excuse me I think my son needs his nappy changing bu...."
"It's okay I can show you how." The nurse said sensing the poor man was somewhat panicked about his baby daughter and his son's needs. "Right if you keep hold of Harry for the moment and I'll bring everything over." The nurse said as she smiled at Peter. Peter gently rubbed Harry's back hoping that Esme would be okay in Intensive Care. "Right now if you want to place Harry back into the incubator I'll guide you through changing his nappy." The nurse said as Peter nodded.

Carla awoke and was a little scared to find herself alone. "Ah Mrs Connor your partner asked me to tell you that he woke up and went to sit with the twins but he shouldn't be too long. Do you want me to get anything for you?" The nurse asked as Carla bit her lip.
"I guess I could do with the directions to the shower or something." She stated as the nurse nodded.

Carla felt refreshed and much happier once she had showered, as she had given birth that morning.
She went back to her bed and sat up, deciding to express some milk for the twins

'Right, so if you take of this current nappy, and give that to me' the nurse said to Peter who did so
'You are a smelly little guy' Peter said chuckling as Harry gurgled
'Right now lift up his legs and here is a wipe to clean him, then slip this nappy beneath him' the nurse said
'Lovely' Peter said
'Now strap the nappy up and done!' the nurse said smiling as Peter tended to his son

"There we go little fella, that feel better." Peter said as he was glad he had the distraction of Harry to stop him focusing so much on Esme. He smiled as Harry kicked his little legs out and let out a little screech. "Thanks Mr, you been noisy." Peter said as he gently stroked his son's tummy and sighed imagining when Simon was so small. Well not as small as Harry or Esme but when he had been newborn. "I'm going to see how your sister is and then I might be back later with your Mummy, because she misses you and your sister lots." Peter said as he smiled slightly hoping the news would be good when he visited Intensive Care where Esme was been monitored.