It's Christmas Eve at Serena's, and Serena is getting herself ready for company from Raf, Cara and Fletch with his children over the Christmas period.
Fletch and his kids are first to arrive followed by Raf then Cara, Serena really doesn't know what she is letting herself in for, but she's rather excited for the company.
"So I have two trees who wants to decorate them?" Serena says as she puts a box down full of decorations in front of them.
Fletch looks down at Evie who is smiling happily at him, he hasn't seen her this happy in ages. "Me!" Ella Fletchs second youngest shouts really loudly as she jumps up off the floor.
"And me" Evie smiles anxiously as she remembers decorating the tree with her mum.
Cara sits and watches them all, "come on Cara" Mikey says as he pulls at her arm as they start to decorate the tree.
Cara gives a nervous laugh and looks at Fletch, "he won't leave you alone if you don't help" Fletch laughs. Cara laughs and gets up, she pulls her skinny jeans up a little and walks over and kneels down next to Mikey.
"This one" Mikey says as he looks at the glittery snowball decoration and hands it to Cara.
Cara smiles at the seven year old "where do you want me to put this then?" She giggles.
"Up there" he points to near the top of the tree and smiles at Cara. Cara gets up and puts it where he tells her to, fletch also helps and Raf sits and watches them.
"What sorry...yeah" he stutters as he snaps out of his own little world.
Cara laughs and turns round to see Evie handing her a bauble to put on the tree also.
"Nice view" Fletch mouths and Raf rolls his eyes.
Raf stands up and walks over to Fletch "I wasn't looking at her" he mutters as he picks up the tinsel.
"Aye we would all say that Di Lucca" Fletch whispers. Raf blushes and puts some tinsel on the tree.
"Feeling alright there Raf" Serena laughs as she notices Raf looks a little flushed.
"Yeah it's a little warm in here" Raf says as he messes with his jumper.
Serena laughs and raises an eyebrow at him as he turns back around and helps put some lights on the tree.
Theo sits below the tree and keeps taking the decorations off and throwing them around. "Dad Theo's ruining it!" Evie says getting frustrated with him.
Fletch rolls his eyes and picks Theo up, "Ella help your sister gather the decorations Theo has thrown" fletch says as he puts Theo down on the sofa.
Cara also helps the girls pick up the decorations and they all put them back up. Ella looks up at Cara and smiles "your pretty" she says rather loudly which makes Cara blush, everyone smiles at Ella and carries on decorating the lounge.
"Well well well good job you guys!" Serena says as they finish the tree off. Cara sits back down and so does Raf, "So who's for mice pies and hot chocolate?" Serena smiles as she tries to make her guests feel as welcome as possible.
Ella makes a face and whisper to Fletch, "Ew I don't like them!" Fletch laughs and tells Ella to keep her voice down.
Theo sits happily on Fletchs lap and starts to pull Evie's hair who is sat on the floor in front of them.
"Dad tell him to stop it, he's being so annoying" Evie huffs as she makes her way over to a spare seat on the sofa beside Cara.
Cara laughs "I know that feeling, I have a younger brother Jamie and he always used to pull my hair just to annoy me" Cara says as she tries to straighten Evie's pony tail out.
"He's just annoying and never leaves me alone, Dad just let's him!" Evie huffs.
She laughs again, "Typical men ay Evie?" Cara smirks as she looks over at Fletch and Raf.
"I agree" she sighs as she looks up and over and Fletch. She hands them round and everyone takes one.
"But daddy I don't like them" Ella protests and she places her mice pie on Mikeys head.
Cara can't help herself but laugh, "Oh Ella please don't make a mess" Fletch says. Serena chuckles to herself as she watches Fletch sort his children out.
"I'm really sorry about this" he says as Ella is now jumping on the sofa. "Sit down Ella" he says as he pulls her down. Evie frowns and rolls her eyes before putting her head in her hands.
"For heavans sake what is wrong with you now?" Fletch sighs as he looks across at Evie.
Evie doesn't say anything and looks down at her lap, "hey Evie what's up?" Cara says as she looks at Evie.
"Nothing it doesn't matter" she mutters to Cara.
"Yes itdoes Evie, your clearly upset, trust me I understand as the oldest of three" Cara smiles and Serena agree with her.
"You can talk to me" Cara smiles trying to comfort her.
"I hate being the oldest of four, it's so annoying and I wish mum was here" Evie mutters as she smiles at her.
"I understand, it must be hard" Cara says as she goes to hug Evie.
Evie hugs Cara back and holds her tightly, Raf smiles at them both.
"If there's anything you need to talk about, you can always talk to me" Cara smiles.
Evie sighs and smiles at her, Cara takes a deep breath "Can I tell you something?" She mutters quietly.
"Of course you can" Cara smiles as she rubs Evie's shoulder for encouragement.
"You remind me of my mum" she whispers as she doesn't want fletch to hear.
Cara blushes, "Your are so pretty and I love you blonde hair" Evie adds and Cara blushes even thinks to herself for a moment, it feels right to say it giving the moment, "shall I let you in on a little secret?" Cara whispers.
Evie nods as she is intrigued in what Cara has to say. "My mum died, I was about your ages, I know the feeling" she whispers.
"It's hard, Dad tries his best" she sighs as she looks up at Cara.
"So did my dad, fletch… I mean your dad thinks the world of you... Unlike my dad" Cara sighs.
"I was really close with Mum but with Dad, it's just awkward to talk to him at times for certain things" Evie sighs also.
"You know you can always talk to me, I can give you my number if you like?" Cara says as she knows that Evie might need a female figure to talk to about more personal things.
Evie nods and smiles a little, "thanks Cara, it means a lot" Evie says.
Later on Cara, Raf, fletch and Serena are all sat watching TV as Fletchs children have gone to bed except for Evie.
"Sorry about the fuss, they can all be a hassle when there a tired, isn't that right Evie?" Fletch says as he looks over at her as she is still sat with Cara. Fletch suddenly realises that Evie is asleep on Cara, she has her head resting on Cara's knee and Cara has her hand resting on she shoulder.
"Sorry if she's been hassling you Cara" Fletch apologises.
"No, No, she's actually been fine, it's lovely to talk to her she's a gem Fletch" Cara smiles as Fletch wakes Evie.
"Mum, no" Evie mutters as she wakes up and looks at Cara.
"Oh erm...sorry" she stutters slightly embarressed as she looks at Cara and sits up.
Cara smiles and kisses her head as Fletch takes Evie's hand and takes her up. Serena smiles "so who's for a glass of wine or baileys?" She questions.
"I certainly am" Raf laughs.
"Me too" Cara smiles as she sits next to Raf.
Raf smiles at her "did I mention… that I… really like your minion pyjamas" Raf stutters awkwardly.
Cara laughs, "No you didn't but thanks" she giggles.
"Only Cara Martinez would wear minion pyjamas" he laughs as he tries to keep a conversation.
"They are actually my sisters..." she giggles.
"And how old is your sister Cara?" Raf questions and Cara flushes red.
She stutters to begin with "she is… Erm… fourteen" she mutters quietly.
Raf nearly chokes on his wine, "fourteen!" he laughs hysterically.
Cara nods and Serena starts to laugh too, she snorts on her wine and starts to giggle "I happen to be the same size clothes as her… and well I haven't been home since…" Cara stutters but stops herself.
"Let's leave it there" Raf says as he puts his hand on her knee comforting her.
Cara's eyes widen and she is lost for words. "Ay up what's happening here?" Fletch says as he returns from putting Evie to bed.
"Nothing!" Cara stutters before brushing Raf's hand off her knee awkwardly.
Fletch laughs "Budge up Caz" fletch says as he sits in between them and pokes himself a tumbler of baileys.
Cara smiles, "is Evie okay?" she asks.
"Yeah, shes tired, I'm sorry about her calling you mum" he smiles as he takes a sip of his drink.
"It's fine, don't worry about it" Cara smiles.
Raf smiles at her "your good with kids" he smiles and Cara blushes before going Very quiet.
She smiles a little at him, "erm thanks" she stutters.
Fletch rolls his eyes "Raf stop flirting with the poor girl and ask her out, it will give us all a break" fletch laughs and Serena sniggers from the chair she is sitting in. Cara goes bright red and shifts away from Raf a bit. Raf glares at Fletch.
Serena continues to laugh "Oh Cara, someone's embarrassed" she manages to say as she starts to laugh uncontrollably.
Raf looks at Cara who is very embarrassed. "Let's just drop this guys, please" Raf mutters.
Cara looks up at the clock and sighs "right I'm going to bed" she says as she seems a little upset.
"Oh Cara we didn't mean to upset you" Serena says.
"No no it's fine you didn't, I'm just really tired" Cara lies. Cara heads upstairs, everyone looks at each other unsure what's up with Cara, but they all put it down to Cara splitting up with Jed, unaware of what's really up.
"I feel awful for her, I mean finding out your husband slept with another woman 'for the job' man that must have been a rude awakening of news for Cara" Serena says.
"I feel awful for her, I mean finding out your husband slept with another woman 'for the job' man that must have been a rude awakening of news for Cara" Serena says.
Raf agrees "I hit the roof when I found out that Harry had slept with Amy, poor Cara though she's such a lovely girl too" Raf smiles as he finished his drink.
"Ay Raf such a lovely girl, me thinks you like her" Fletch laughs.
Raf chokes on his wine, "yes she's a lovely girl, but Fletch I'm way to old for her" Raf smirks as he wipes his chin.
"No harm in trying" Fletch laughs.
After a while of discussing a verity of things they all head to bed. Rafs in a room of his own and Fletch is piled in with his kids, meanwhile Cara was already asleep in a room of her own. Everyone is unaware that she has cried herself to sleep.
