Thanks everyone for your reviews! I thought I'd stick in a wee chapter, not lots going on but was good being able to incorporate Chelsea into these scenes, also some cute moments with Chelsea and Nick.
Please review!
Carla shut the door behind them and the two stood in the flat both feeling mentally drained after the nights events. You could tell Carla had been crying and Chelsea just looked pale and tired. Carla took off her jacket and threw it over the couch before putting her bag onto the kitchen counter and walking over to the cupboard and taking out a glass.
Chelsea: "Mum do you really think that's wise?" she asked raising her eyebrows.
Carla: "After these last few hours I'm pretty sure I'm allowed a glass of wine" argued.
Chelsea: "I know it's just..."
Carla: "And I'm pretty sure I don't need my 14 year old trying to tell me what to do either" she added giving her a look that told Chelsea to quit whilst she was ahead. Chelsea just nodded her head giving in, there was no use arguing with her.
Carla: "You should go to bed anyway, it's getting late" she said as she walked over with the now full glass and sat down on the sofa, allowing herself to sink in and get comfortable.
Chelsea: "I'm not tired" she moaned, which was a lie because she was shattered but her head was still buzzing with everything.
Carla: "Yes you are, you can see it in your eyes. Go on, I'm not fighting with you on this one, get to bed, and go to sleep too, I don't want to hear that telly on either" she spoke firmly knowing what her daughter was like.
Chelsea nodded: "Ok, I love you" she said and walked over, giving her Mother a tight cuddle.
Carla: "I love you too"
Chelsea: "Try not to drink too much eh" she said offering a small smile.
Carla: "Bed. Now" she ordered and point to her bedroom door so Chelsea took herself off to bed.
In the morning Carla was cleaning up from the night before, putting the bottle and glass away. She was stood at the sink wrapped in her black dressing gown when the door to the flat opened and in walked Nick.
Nick: "Why haven't you been answering your phone?" he asked sounding slightly annoyed.
Carla: "Sorry" she answered quietly.
Nick: "What's happened?" he could tell something wasn't right, he leant against the wall waiting on her response.
Carla: "I don't even know where to start"
Carla filled Nick in as the two still stood in the kitchen area. Nick couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Carla: "And he just came out with it. Bang. It kind of felt like being shot actually. Not that I've ever been shot. That's one thing I've still yet to try, give it a year or two eh"
Nick: "He knew all this time? Knew what your Mum was like?"
Carla: "Why do you think he only spent one night with her"
Nick: "Carla" he went to move over to comfort her you could see her visibly tense up.
Carla: "Oh whatever I'll get over it won't I" she said and Nick stepped back again.
Nick: "Does anyone else know? His kids?"
Carla: "No they don't know. Michelle and Liz know, and Chelsea has known for weeks" she said bitterly.
Nick: "Chelsea knew?" he asked wide eyed in disbelief.
Carla: "She overheard a conversation, but he told her not to say anything until the DNA results came back" she shook her head still annoyed that she had kept it from her, and that she'd had to keep a secret like that in the first place.
Nick: "That explains her moods then" he realised.
Nick: "How is she?" he asked and you could see he was genuinely concerned.
Carla: "I don't really know, she's hard to read just now. She went to bed last night and was up and down like a yo-yo to the toilet then to the kitchen then back to the toilet, I could hear her moving around in the bedroom too. She eventually tiptoed through into my bed at 4 this morning, she didn't fall asleep till around 6ish though"
Nick: "It's on her mind then. We'll just need to keep an eye on her. Pity she still wasn't having counselling sessions"
Carla: "I know, but she'll talk to one of us when she's ready"
Carla set to work at making some coffee as Nick stood still in the same spot.
Nick: "So what now then"
Carla: "Well it's not gonna a tearful hug and will you walk me down the aisle Dad" she snapped.
Nick: "Of course not, but..."
Carla: "But what" she was short with her answers and you could here the annoyance in her voice.
Nick: "You can't ignore the fact he is your father" he stated.
Carla: "He's ignored me for 40 years, can you imagine how different my childhood could have been? Can you? You know what I need something stronger than coffee" she said and turned around grabbing the bottle of wine from the kitchen counter.
Nick: "Oh Carla" he sighed.
Nick: "Go and have a bath and I'll bring you a coffee through to you"
Carla stood in thought, still holding the bottle of wine in her hand.
Nick: "Go on, drinking won't solve anything and plus do you really want Chelsea to wake up to that? You getting bladdered?"
His words stung her and he knew he was being harsh but he had to be to get through to her. She nodded in agreement and put the bottle of wine back onto the counter and went through to the bedroom.
Carla fumbled about the room trying to find clean clothes so was opening and shutting drawers quietly so not to disturb her daughter but it was too late.
Chelsea: "What time is it?" she asked with her eyes half shut.
Carla: "It's only half 9, go back to sleep" she whispered.
Chelsea shook her head and sat up stretching: "I'm gonna get up, I've tossed and turned the last half hour anyway, is that Nick i heard?"
Carla nodded: "Yeah he's here. I'm just gonna go in a bath, go get some breakfast then you can jump in a shower once I'm out the bath"
Chelsea: "What are we doing today? Are you working?" she rubbed her eyes sitting up but pulled the duvet cover up to her chin holding it in place.
Carla: "I'm not going in, we need to go and get some shopping in theres barely anything in the fridge" she remembered.
Chelsea: "Yeah thats cool, I'm not up to doing much anyway I feel exhausted" she yawned.
Carla: "Maybe have a sleep in the afternoon then"
Chelsea: "Are you ok Mum?"
Carla turned, caught slightly off guard by the question but was quick to fake a smile: "I'll be ok darling, don't worry"
Chelsea pulled herself out of bed and left the room, finding Nick sitting on the two seater, his jacket still on.
Nick: "Morning kiddo"
Chelsea: "Morning" she said and took a seat next to him on the couch and leanit over giving him a hug.
Nick: "Whats that for?" he asked surprised.
Chelsea: "I just kind of needed a hug" she shrugged.
Nick looked at her concerned, her face was pale and her eyes were tired.
Nick: "Are you ok?" he asked.
Chelsea shook her head and the tears started to flow.
Nick: "Hey it's ok" he soothed as he pulled his arms tighter around her as she sobbed.
Chelsea shook her head: "It's too much Nick, I just feel sick everytime I think about it. He's my Grandfather and Kate and Aiden are my Aunt and Uncle like what the hell? My Mum and Dad were related too and that is just too weird to even comprehend so I have no idea how she is feeling about that, and I'm worried about her you know what she's like"
Nick: "I know Chelsea I know, and it doesn't help you're exhausted either. I wish I had something to say that could make it better but I don't, it's something your Mum will need to deal with how she sees fit, and you'll just need to take your time to try and process it. I know your Mum and Dad were related but it was pretty distant you know, and as for your Mum you know she'll be ok eventually, shes strong, and so are you"
Chelsea smiled: "Thanks Nick"
They spent the day on the sofa, Chelsea changed into clean pajamas after her shower and settled down next to Nick. Carla left to go shopping, wanting to go alone and Chelsea was too tired anyway. Chelsea went through to her room around 2pm to have herself a sleep.
The door opened and Carla walked in, arms ladelled with bags. Nick instantly jumped to his feet and went over to help her.
Nick: "Why didn't you phone up I could have came out to the car"
Carla: "I'm fine" she snapped dropping the bags to the floor and starting to unpack them.
Carla: "Is Chelsea in bed?" she asked noticing her daughter was missing.
Nick: "Yeah she went a little while ago, could barely keep her eyes open"
Carla: "How was she?" she stopped to ask, she was worried about her.
Nick: "I couldn't say earlier cause she was sitting but she broke down this morning when you were in the bath, I think her heads feeling a bit muddled with it all"
Carla: "Definitely need to keep an eye on her then" she fretted.
They had just finished putting away the shopping when the door knocked, Carla had went through to pop her head in on Chelsea who was lying sound asleep. She straightened up the duvet and wiped back the girls hair from her face before tiptoeing back out.
Nick opened the door to reveal Roy, standing in his usual attire, his bag hanging by his side in his hand.
Roy: "How is she?" he asked him as he walked in. Nick pointed over to Carla who was walking back from the bedroom.
Carla: "She is fine" she answered, putting emphasis on 'she'.
Roy: "I was worrying about you" he spoke softly.
Carla: "Yeah well theres no need, you know, so how was Hopes scan?" she avoided.
Roy: "She was very brave as always"
Nick: "And they'll know tomorrow if the tumour has shrunk?"
Roy: "Indeed"
Carla: "But she's been looking better recently though" she noted.
Roy: "I know from experience not to predict the outcome in these situations. Have you made a decision?"
Carla: "How many times can I try and change the subject?" she said taking a sip from her cup of coffee.
Nick: "Ok he's just concerned?" he snapped at her annoyed at her attitude.
Carla: "Mmm, ok well I don't know what I'm gonna do you know cause right now I just feel angry and more angry" she proclaimed.
Roy: "Have you made a decision in regards to Aiden and Kate?"
Nick: "I suggested it might be best not to tell them"
Roy: "I agree"
Carla: "Oh ok, well I'm pleased that you both agree on whats best for me"
Nick: "Uhh Carla?!"
Carla: "Well why shouldn't I tell them, give me one good reason why I shouldn't march over there right now?" she raged.
Roy: "Because it's Johnny you're angry with not them"
Nick: "And hurting them won't make you feel any better" he pointed out.
Carla: "How do you know what will make me feel better? Cause you know I'm the only one living in my head right now so if you'd kindly both butt out" she retorted, raising her voice as she more annoyed.
Nick: "Keep you voice down Carla, you don't want to wake Chelsea" he reasoned.
Carla put the mug down and turned around picking up the empty wine glass and bottle of red.
Carla: "Do you know what I want, I just want Johnny to feel one ounce of the pain that I've been drinking my whole life to forget, that's what I want!" she fumed before storming off to her bedroom, slamming the door in the process.
Roy: "I better go, I'll leave you to it"
Nick: "Thanks for coming round Roy, she'll cool off"
Roy nodded and Nick let him out. The bedroom door next to Carlas opened and out walked Chelsea, hair a mess on her head and bleary eyed. Nicks heart sunk seeing she was awake.
Chelsea: "What's going on? I heard Mum shouting?" she questioned, a look of confusion on her face.
Nick: "Don't worry about it sweetheart go back through and try and get some more sleep"
Chelsea shook her head: "It took me long enough to get to sleep in the first place I had not long dropped off, I'm just going to stay up"
Nick: "Tell you what go and get changed then and me and you can go out and do something fun, leave your Mum to her own space for a few hours eh?"
Chelsea nodded: "Yeah that sounds good, thanks Nick"
Nick: "I'll go let her know, you get ready"
Nick knocked on the bedroom door but didn't wait for an answer before walking in. Carla was sat on the end of the bed with the glass of wine in her hand. Nick only just stepped in but didn't go any further.
Carla: "What do you want?" she sighed.
Nick: "To let you know that I'm taking Chelsea out because low and behold you woke her up. We'll be back some time tonight" he said showing his frustration and turned and left.
Chelsea was just about ready and putting her shoes on when a text came through on her phone.
Carla: "I'm sorry for waking you up xx"
Chelsea sighed and once she had her jacket on left the room and went through to her mothers room. Carlas head snapped round and she felt even guiltier when she seen how tired Chelsea looked. Chelsea went over and wrapped her arms around Carlas neck.
Chelsea: "We'll be back later on, I love you"
Carla nodded: "I love you too" she said sadly as she watched Chelsea leave the room.
The two of them went to the arcades and Nick spent a fortune but he had to admit it was worth it to watch Chelsea laugh. They went for dinner after to the new italian and she wolfed down her spaghetti. When they arrived back home it was just before 9 o'clock having taken a detour and going for a walk to work off some of their dinner. Carla wasn't in the flat so Nick tried to phone her but surprise surprise there was no answer.
Nick made Chelsea a hot Chocolate and they sat watching TV till Nick eventually ordered Chelsea to bed. She went and brushed her teeth then sat in bed waiting for Nick to come say goodnight. He gave her a tight squeeze and in that moment she felt so comforted by him.
Chelsea: "I'm so glad we have you in our lives Nick, we're really lucky" she appreciated.
Nick: "I'm the lucky one. Go to sleep kid, I'll see you in the morning"
Chelsea nodded and turned over in bed, eventually dropping off. Carla strolled in just after 10 o'clock.
Nick: "Where have you been?" he asked, the annoyance in his voice was clear.
Carla: "I was in the Rovers" she answered as she took her jacket off.
Nick nodded and said no more.
Carla: "Is Chelsea in bed?" she wondered, looking around and not seeing her daughter, also no Traces off her either, there was normally something lying around of hers, Nick must have tidied up.
Nick nodded his head in response.
Carla: "Did she have a good time?"
Nick nodded for the third time, still not even looking at her.
Carla: "Are you actually going to speak to me?" she said raising her voice as her temper flared.
Nick: "You better keep your voice down because I am not having her being woken up again" he warned.
Carlas features relaxed and she sat down on the couch opposite him: "You're right, I'm sorry"
Nick: "Babe, I know you're struggling with this but please try not to take it out on those around you, we care about you"
Carla: "I know, I'm just so angry Nick" she cried.
Nick moved over onto the sofa and pulled her in tightly. When she eventually stopped sobbing he unwound his arms but took her hand instead.
Nick: "I know you're angry, it's going to take time"
Carla nodded: "So how was she?" she asked changing the subject back to her daughter, her guilt weighing heavy.
Nick: "She was fine, she had a good time and I think she was able to forget for a few hours. We went for dinner, took a walk and she went to bed about half 9"
Carla: "I don't know what we'd do without you" she sighed and leant her head down onto his shoulder.
Nick: "Well you won't ever need to again"
So it's just a wee filler chapter, not a big one and not a lot going on. Please review!
Thanks,
CharmedSuperGirl
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