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After the events of the day Lisa couldn’t help but feel guilty for the way she’d walked out on Carla. She hadn’t stopped talking about how she wanted them to be open and out with their relationship she just hadn’t expected Carla to tell the whole factory without giving her a moment to think. And then Betsy made that stupid comment. It was just overwhelming. She hadn’t even told Carla how proud she was of her for making that announcement, she was instead completely swept up in her daughters reaction.
Lisa could remember what coming out for the first time felt like, sure she was a lot younger than Carla and (thankfully) times have changed, but it was still a monumental step for anyone to take. And yet, she hadn’t even been there to support her girlfriend through it. She needed to make it up to Carla, show her just how much it truly meant to her.
She pushed the door open and was instantly hit with the smell of fresh flowers.
“Hello” a whimsical voice called from behind the counter “Detective Sergeant, what can we do for you today?” Mary asked cheerfully. Tracy was sat behind the counter trimming some stems off some peonies
“I was wondering if you had any roses? A bouquet of a couple different colours maybe? I’m not sure, sorry, I haven’t done this in a while” Lisa admitted her soft smile indicating her unease. The last bouquet of flowers she’d bought was for Becky’s grave.
“But of course! Roses, the perfect symbol of love” Mary sighed dreamily “Are these for someone special?”
“Well, today was a really big day for my girlfriend” Lisa couldn’t help but smile at calling Carla her girlfriend “and I wanted to let her know how proud I am of her”
“Well, well, well I had no idea you were that way inclined DS Swain!” Tracy teased with a mischievous grin.
“Hush, Tracy” Mary scolded to which Tracy gave a playful smirk before going back to her peonies “How about we put together a bouquet of red roses with a touch of baby’s breath to make it extra special?”
Lisa nodded at the suggestion and Mary got to work assembling the bouquet.
Carla sat by the bar chatting away to Ryan as he pulled pints for the punters. It's busy but not overly crowded just your standard post work crowd including the factory lot who had made themselves comfortable by the fruit machine.
The door to the Rovers swung open and Lisa rushes in "I'm sorry I'm late” she called out as she walked towards the bar “but I had to stop off and pick these up" she added, pulling the bouquet of roses from behind her back. Carla gasps, her hands rising to her chest “Lisa,” she whispered, her voice full of emotion, her eyes full of love and admiration as she gazed at the woman standing before her.
"I know I was all... wah earlier,” Lisa began “but I wanted you to know that I am so proud of you, Carla Connor. Seeing you talk so openly about our relationship, being so honest…" she smiled as she saw the blush creeping onto Carla's cheeks "it was a huge step and I'm in absolute awe of you! So, I thought I'd get you some flowers that are almost as beautiful as you"
"Who'd have thought it, Detective Sergeant Swain a big ol' softie" Ryan teased from behind the bar as he poured her a glass of red. Lisa rolled her eyes affectionately at the bartender, but her gaze remained fixed on Carla, who still hadn't said a word.
"Was this too much? It was too much. I'm sor-" she was cut off as Carla took her face in her hands closing the distance between them, her lips capturing Lisa’s in a kiss that silence any doubts in the blonde woman’s mind. Lisa's hands gravitated to the factory owner's hips holding her close until they pulled apart smiling.
"It was perfect" Carla whispered, her hands still cradling Lisa's cheeks "you're perfect"
"Well isn't this cosy" a voice called from behind them, both their heads turning to see Tracy sauntering up to the bar, she leaned against it nonchalantly and sent a smirk to toward the couple "who'd have thought it, hey? Carla Connor turning gay"
"Good to see you to Tracy" Carla replied with a roll of the eyes pulling a subtle chuckle from Lisa.
"I suppose it makes sense; you've worked your way through every man on the street"
"Tracy" Ken called from a nearby table, Cassie and Steve sat by his side disapproval plastered across their faces.
"Am I the only one who thinks this is weird?" Tracy asked raising her voice to draw the attention of the pub "you're telling me you all believe that she's suddenly into women? With her history?"
From across the bar, Sally chimed in “sexuality is a spectrum, Tracy. I, for one, have no issues. My daughter's..."
"A lesbian" the rest of the factory workers finished in unison rolling their eyes at the sentence they’ve heard millions of times.
“And you don’t think it’s odd that Peter runs off and suddenly she’s…well you know” Tracy continued
“I’ve seen the way they look at each other. It’s the way me and our Beth looked at each other” Kirk added sadly, earning a few supportive murmurs from the table.
“Listen, DS Swain, Lisa, can I call you Lisa?” Tracy turned and addressed Lisa directly
“Absolutely not” the woman replied dryly, a quiet laughter spread across the room.
But Tracy, ever confident, wasn’t deterred “I don’t know what she’s done, but she’s clearly using you. Hiding some kind of criminal past. There’s a lot of skeletons in her closet, she’s probably stringing you along to keep them hidden”
“Don’t push it Tracy” Carla warned as she caught a flash of anger across Lisa’s face
"What does it matter who Carla dates, as long as she's happy and treated with respect?" Ryan interjected from behind the bar trying to ease some of the tension. Carla sent him a soft smile before squeezing Lisa's hand reassuringly and turning to Tracy.
"Look” Carla began, stepping into Tracy’s space “My sexuality is my business. My relationship is my business. Do you get that?"
"What would Peter say if he could see you now?" Tracy snarled
Carla clenched her jaw "I don't give a damn what Peter would say. What he and I had was special. It wasn't perfect, but it was ours and it’s over. It's my past. My relationship with Lisa is my future and for the first time in a long time, I’m excited about it!”
Tracy scoffed looking past Carla her attention flitting towards Lisa
“I’d be careful if I were you. When Peter inevitably comes back, she’ll just write this off as a phase”
Carla didn’t flinch, her expression cold as she held her nerve “Funny. Is that what you said about your little fling with Paula?”
The room stilled, a shocked expression crossed the faces of all who had been watching the women’s tense interaction. The factory workers were trying (and failing) to hold back their laughter at seeing Tracy Barlow get knocked down a few pegs. Tracy’s hardened exterior faltered as Carla held her gaze daring her to look away.
Steve stood up “We’re very happy for you Carla, DS Swain. Sorry for the intrusion” He took Tracy’s arm and steered her towards the beer garden, their hushed arguments continuing as the rest of the room watched them leave.
Carla was rooted to the spot she took a deep breath and closed her eyes in an attempt to steady herself. She may not have shown it but some of the things Tracy said had shaken her. She felt a ghostly touch on her back before her fingers were gently intwined with another’s.
“Hey. Are you ok?” Lisa asked, her voice soft but laced with concern
“I’m honestly fine.” Carla sighed, her thumb gently rubbing Lisa’s hand bringing comfort to them both “I couldn’t care less what people think, especially not someone like Tracy Barlow” she hesitated, her eyes dropping to their clasped hands “It’s just…some of the things she said. Lisa, there’s so much about my past you don’t know and not all of its good” She paused swallowing hard “Actually, very little of it is good and I just- I don’t want you to see me differently once you find out”
“Hey” Lisa’s other hand tucking a strand of hair behind Carla’s ear “Your past is your past. Like you said. Whatever happened then made you who you are today. My beautiful, resilient, headstrong girlfriend”
Carla tried to duck away from Lisa’s gaze, but Lisa wasn’t having it. She rested her hand gently under the older woman’s chin, lifting it to make her look her in the eye “You can tell me as much or as little as you want, in your own time. Whenever you’re ready, I’m here. I promise” with those words Lisa leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Carla’s lips, before she pulled away she felt Carla throw her arms over her shoulders and pull her closer. The kiss a silent vow to each other, one of trust and devotion.
The sound of wolf whistles and cheers from the table of factory workers burst through their little bubble. The couple couldn’t help but laugh as they parted, their foreheads resting against one another feeling content in each other’s presence.