So, the reviews I'm getting are still pap :( But I've decided not to penalise the people that actually DO review, so here you's go :) Also though, if I happen to get zero reviews, then zero updates will be done :)

It had been over a week since Carla had gone. Chelsea took it badly the first couple of days but with the help of Michelle and Steve she started to return to her old self.

She looked around her bedroom, it was nothing like the one she had when she lived with her Mum. Because the bedroom was only meant to be temporary, it hadn't been decorated. So upon realising this was now her permanant home, Rob, Steve and Ryan threw themselves in decorating the room whilst Michelle took Chelsea out for lunch and shopping. She still looks around it and can't help but feel the same rush of love for them all when she'd seen what they'd done. It was done a blood red, her favourite colour, strange considering the sight of blood made her faint. They had given her white bedding, appliances and curtains to make the room look a bit lighter. A desk was sat in the corner with her laptop. And the best bit, either side of her bed were bedside tables. At one side, a picture of Carla and Chelsea, and the other, of Michelle and Chelsea.

She hadn't heard from Carla since she'd left, she assumed it was because she was sorting through stuff. Possibly because Peter hadn't went with her, and she couldn't blame him either, he chose the right decision and realised what his priorities were, unlike her mother.

Yes she forgave her, and she loved her, but boy was she still bitter. And the fact she hadn't called or answered Chelseas calls made her even worse, and hints of her old self were showing in the cracks.

It was christmas eve and Rob and Michelle were in the rovers with the factory staff having a drink after finishing up early. Michelle and Rob were in the corner having a heated arguement about Rob fiddling with the books.

Michelle: "Carla is your sister Rob!"

Rob: "Yeah fair enough, but look where shes left us, we'll be out of a job, I'll be homeless and after everything we've done for her, keeping that factory afloat over the last 5 months! Oh and not to mention the fact that she dumped her daughter on you"

Michelle sighed: "I can understand the rest, but where Chelsea is concerned, don't make it sound like a bad thing that she's with me"

Rob: "I'm not, of course you love her and you're happy with her there but it's still not the point Chelle"

Michelle bit her lip, unaware of what to do.

Rob: "Look it will be alright, just leave this with me ok"

Michelle nodded and got up putting on her jacket.

Rob: "You're not leaving already are you?" he asked.

Michelle: "Yeah, its christmas eve, I want to be with my family. It's going to be hard enough of Chelsea without her Mum"

Rob nodded: "Yeah, look, I'll come too, I'll go and grab a bottle of red from Devs and pop along for a bit"

Michelle smiled: "Thanks, I'll see you soon"

Walking up the stairs to the flat she heard raised voices and her face dropped, not more argueing.

She walked in her face serious and immediately smiled when she seen that the raised voices were Steve, Ryan and Chelsea playing operation at the table, and the three of them getting very competitive but laughing away.

Michelle took off her jacket and went giving Steve a kiss then getting Chelsea to budge over so she could share half her seat.

Michelle: "Who's winning then?" she said to Chelsea.

Chelsea: "Steve but he's cheating" she said rolling her eyes.

Michelle brushed a bit of hair back behind Chelseas ear: "Oh yeah, and how is he cheating?" she laughed.

Steve: "I'm not cheating, this flaming thing is faulty and buzzes when I don't even touch it!" he shouted defensively.

Ryan: "Sure, sure, sure. Now go its your turn you grump"

This time it buzzed again and Steve threw his hands in the air and went over and sat on the couch.

Chelsea: "No one likes a sore loser" she said sticking her tongue out at Steve.

Ryan: "Well come on then its between me and you kid"

Chelsea: "You're on"

Michelle got off the seat and sat next to Steve who lifted his arm and put it around her.

Michelle: "How has your day been then?"

Steve: "Really good, me and Chelsea have watched movies, played games, even had ourself a nap"

Michelle: "A nap?" she laughed.

Chelsea shouted over: "Yeah we fell asleep watching the movie, but my head was on his shoulder and he moves around alot so it didnt last long"

Michelle turned to Steve: "On you're shoulder?" she asked with eyebrows raised.

Steve: "You're as surprised as I was, she sat down and cuddled in just like she does with you"

Michelle: "She's settling with you then" she smiled.

Although Steve and Chelsea got on to an extent, she never showed him any affection, so for that to have happened was a big step. They were starting to feel more like a family together.

The door opened and close and Rob walked in with the bottle of wine in his hand.

Chelsea bounced off the chair and ran towards him: "Uncle Rob" she smiled putting her arms around her.

Rob: "Hey kiddo, excited for Santa coming?" he winked.

Chelsea laughed: "Oh yeah, along with the tooth fairy and easter bunny"

Michelle: "Hey if the tooth fairy isn't real then who left you the money under your pillow last week?"

Chelsea: "You?" she smiled cheekily.

Michelle just laughed and shook her head, getting up to pour the wine Rob had bought. They had all sat talking for quite a while before Rob nodded his head over to the single chair where Chelsea was lying sleeping.

Michelle: "Bless she must be knackered, a whole day with Steve would have ran me ragged too!"

Steve: "Ha - ha" he answered sarcastically.

Rob got off his seat and put one arm under Chelseas shoulders, and the other behind her knees, lifting her gently and moving her through to the room and placing her on the bed.

He left the room and Michelle went in and undressed the 14 year old and put her pajamas on, tucking her into the bed and kissing her forehead when she left the room.

When morning came Chelsea wakened to hear christmas music coming from the living room and the sound of laughter. She got up and opened her door looking at them bleary eyed. Michelle jumped off the couch and gave her a hug.

"Merry Christmas darling, come open your presents"

Chelsea walked over and sat on the couch next to the massive pile of presents that were hers.

She shook her head not believing it: "I can't believe you got me all these"

Michelle: "Just open them" she smiled.

Chelsea was more than happy with her presents from Michelle and Steve, and the one from Ryan too. But there was something missing, and no matter what anyone did or said they know it wouldn't make it ok for her, and as much as she tried to mask it, they knew she was hurting.

Michelle, Ryan and Chelsea got dressed and made their way to Robs to help him carry some of the stuff over to hers for Xmas dinner.

As they walked back, hands ladled, well all apart from Chelsea, they had a giggle at Chelsea trying to guess what Rob had gotten her.

Rob: "You'll find out once you're home and you open it"

Michelle and Rob noticed first, the black haired beauty hand in hand with Peter Barlow, but Chelsea hadn't noticed yet. Rob and Michelle exchanged worried glances, for more reason than one.

Chelsea lifted her head and looked at Carla, saying nothing, just staring.

Carla: "What's wrong, aren't you happy to see me?" she grinned.

Chelsea looked up at Michelle and said nothing, Michelle put her arm around her comfortingly and Carlas face dropped.

Michelle: "What are you doing back? When did you get here?"

Carla: "Last night, I couldn't live without you all I guess" she laughed awkwardly.

Carla focussed her attention on Chelsea again: "I thought you'd be happy to see me"

Chelsea: "You never called, or answered my messages" she said looking hurt.

Carla stepped forward and took Chelseas hand, kneeling in front of her: "I know darling, I was lost, I needed to sort things out, and once my head was sorted I decided here was where I needed to be"

Peter: "Carla I'm just going to head over to my Dads cause they'll wonder where I am, just come over once your ready"

Carla nodded and kissed him and turned back to Chelsea.

Chelsea: "You went to see him first"

Carla furrowed her eyebrows, confused.

Carla: "What do you mean baby"

Chelsea: "You went to see him first, and then if you hadn't ran into me here, you would have went to Deirdres, and still not seen me" she said slowly, piecing it all together.

Carla: "No darling, I was just gonna...

Rob: "Don't lie to her Carla" he snapped.

Carlas face dropped: "I'm sorry, you're right, I wasn't, but I was going to come see you later, I promise you that"

Chelsea shook her head and tears slowly escaped: "I know where your priorities lie, it's ok" and grabbed her hand back, even shaking off Michelles arm from her shoulders.

Carla stepped forward: "It's not like that"

Chelsea nodded: "It's exactly what its like"

Chelsea turned to Michelle: "Can we go now, please"

Michelle: "Of course, come on"

They walked off away from Carla ignoring her protests.

Chelsea went straight to her room when they went in and Michelle sat on the couch, once again unsure of what to do.

The door opened shortly after they got in and stood there was Carla.

Carla: "I'm sorry but I'm not doing this anymore, I need my daughter to see I love her and to forgive me, because as much as keep doing everything that goes against it, I am a good Mum and love that girl more than anything in this entire world, wether you's believe me or not"

Michelles: "I know you do, come here" she said opening her arms out, Carla gladly moving into her embrace.

Carla: "I just don't know how to get back to how we were, I don't feel like her Mum anymore, we're like strangers to each other"

Michelle: "Look, you have to do what you can to prove to her that you're here to stay and that you want her in your life"

Carla: "I do, I really do!"

Michelle: "Well go speak to her then"

Carla knocked on Chelseas bedroom door and walked in closing the door behind her. Chelsea was lying face down into her pillow.

"I don't want to talk to anyone" came the muffled cries.

Carla sat on the bed and placed her hand on Chelseas back.

"I'm sorry baby" she cried.

Chelsea looked up from the pillow, shocked to see that Carla had actually came after her.

"I know you don't have to believe me, or do anything I say but honestly you are the most important thing to me in the whole entire world, and I know I haven't shown that but please let me prove it to you now"

Chelsea: "Ok"

Carla went to protest more but stopped upon hearing what she had said: "What?"

Chelsea: "I said ok, prove it to me, I love you too, and I want this to work, because to be honest I can't be dealing with the tears and drama, and if it doesn't work, then we cut all ties, and I mean it"

Carla: "Ok, but that won't be necessary ok"

Chelsea: "We'll see" she said not entirely convinced.

Carla knew Chelsea was serious this time so knew she had to do everything in her power to make it work.

The two left the bedroom with Carlas arm around Chelsea.

Michelle: "Finally sorted now?" she asked hopefully.

Chelsea: "Not sorted, but we're going to try to build our relationship again" she said and settled next to Michelle on the couch leaving Carla slightly hurt, but she couldn't expect too much too soon.

Carla: "Well maybe I should get going"

Chelsea: "Aren't you staying?" she said sitting up so suddenly it startled Michelle.

Carla: "Well, am I ok to stay?" she asked uncertain.

Michelle: "Of course it is, theres enough to go around"

Carla smiled and took a seat, pulling out her phone to let Peter know what was going on.

After christmas dinner they sat down and watched tv then Ryan pulled out the board games. Half way through monopoly Michelle looked up and realised the time.

Michelle: "Steve go and get us all a top up please, and Chelsea...

Chelsea: "Pleaseeee don't say go to bed" she asked, eyes pleading.

Michelle laughed: "Of course not, its Xmas, but can you go and put your pajamas on please"

Chelsea: "Ok" she grinned and got up to go to her room.

Carla: "Actually, I thought with us going to give it a try, that you'd come back and stay, with me and Peter?"

Chelsea looked awkward and looked to Michelle.

Michelle patted Carla on the leg: "Not too much too soon yeah"

Carla nodded, dissappointed.

Chelsea felt a pang of guilt, her Mum was clearly trying hard, but Michelle was right, they needed to take things slowly.

She sat with them a while longer before a yawn from Chelsea prompted Michelle to tell her to go to bed.

She didn't argue and nodded, she said goodnight to everyone and Carla went through to the room.

Carla: "Do you want to come round for your dinner tomorrow? We can get Simon along too?"

Chelsea nodded: "That would be good"

Carla: "Ok, goodnight baby, I love you"

Chelsea: "I love you too"

Carla left the room and joined everyone else in the sitting room.

Michelle: "Was she ok?"

Carla: "Yeah, she's going to come to ours for dinner tomorrow, is that ok with you?"

Michelle: "No, its not actually" she said seriously.

Carla: "Oh sorry, well, how about the day after?"

Michelle laughed: "I was messisng with you, of course it's ok, she's your daughter!"

Carla: "Yeah but it's not the point. I can't believe how well she's doing with you Michelle, she's like a different kid here. I'm starting to wonder if I should have stayed where I was"

Michelle: "Don't be daft, she needs you more than she needs me in her life. You're her mother, I can do what I can but I'll never take that place in her life"

Carla gave an appreciative smile and leant in for a hug.

Carla: "I'm gonna go now" she said when they broke apart.

Carla: "I'll come and pick her up tomorrow about 4 oclock?"

Michelle: "That's perfect, I'll see you tomorrow"

Thats all, please review :)