A/N: Hey! So originally this chapter and the next we're going be just one chapter but then Irealised it was going to be a lot longer than I thought so I've decided to split it into two! In this chapter there is fluff as well as angst but the next one, without any spoilers, is going to be a little more dramatic! On a side note, I read through the previous chapter only to realise there were a couple of spelling mistakes so I'm sorry if that was a problem for any of my readers...I'm going to try and proof read every chapter from now on before posting! Anyways, please read and review if possible. I love hearing people's opinions!

Chapter 6:

The next day, Carla and Rachel decided to just stay in and chill out. They started the morning off with a cooked breakfast which, thankfully, Carla didn't burn.

"Can we play a board game? My favourite is 'Frustration'! I played it all the time at one of my old foster homes but then the other kid that was there lost all the pieces." Rachel rambled as she chewed on a strip of bacon.

Carla took a sip of her coffee before replying. "Awww, darlin' you should have said yesterday and we could have picked some games up. I don't have any here. I've never had much need for them." Then she said as an afterthought, "don't talk with your mouthful. It's disgusting."

Rachel rolled her eyes and swallowed. "I've seen you talk with your mouthful!" She accused.

Carla glared in response and pointed at the girl. "Do as I say, not as I do."

The little girl huffed and shook her head. "Adults. I'll never understand them." She mumbled and slumped into the dining chair with her arms crossed.

"Come on, eat up before it gets cold. You never know, I might be able to dig out some playing cards. I'll teach you a game or two." Carla suggested and smiled when Rachel's hunger seemingly got the best of her as the girl was quick to gulp down the rest of the meal.

"I can't believe you're making me do all this girly stuff." Rachel moaned as she watched Carla paint her finger nails a deep shade of red. She moved her hand slightly and Carla tutted.

"Keep still otherwise your hand will look a right mess." Carla warned and tightened the hold she had on Rachel's hand slightly. She looked up at the girl and sniggered. She couldn't help it. Rachel looked adorable with a face pack on and a big pout on her lips. "And stop moaning! You will appreciate this kind of 'pamper day' when you're eighteen and hard at work forty hours a week."

Rachel sighed and turned her attention to the TV. "You don't have board games but you have Disney DVDs?" She questioned teasingly as she watched the cartoon characters in 'Peter Pan' dance across the screen.

Carla hummed in response. "Don't tell anyone but I'm a sucker for them. I started watching them more when our Ryan was a kid." She felt eyes on her and looked up from the hand she was working on only to see Rachel giving her a confused look. "What?" She asked, her eyebrows furrowed.

"You have a son? Where is he? How old is he? When can I meet him?!" Rachel's questions were blurted out at a hundred miles an hour.

Carla looked at the girl blankly before bursting out into a deep belly laugh. Rachel frowned and folded her arms crossly. "What? Stop laughing! What's so funny?!"

The factory boss eventually ceased her giggling and shook her head. "Ryan isn't my son. I already told ya I don't have any kids. He's Michelle's son."

"Who's Michelle?"

Carla smiled sadly at the thought of Michelle. She wouldn't admit it out loud but she missed the woman something fierce. "She's my best mate. More like a sister really. That's her there." She explained and pointed to a framed photo of herself and the woman in question. It was a picture taken of them on one of their many girls nights out. It was rather embarrassing as they were both rather drunk and hanging off of each other but it never failed to make her smile when she looked at it.

"Oh ok. How did you meet her?" Rachel then asked.

Carla pondered the question before deciding that honesty was the best policy. "I was married to her brother…a long time ago." She said vaguely. She didn't want to dwell on Paul because that will then eventually lead onto memories of Liam and then Tony...

Carla inwardly shuddered and went back to doing Rachel's nails in order to distract herself from her dangerous thoughts.

Rachel scrunched up her nose thoughtfully. "So…she's kind of like my aunt?"

Carla froze momentarily before looking back up at the inquisitive child and speaking. "What do you mean?"

"Well…your my…CC and you said Michelle is like your sister so she's kind of my aunt?" Rachel justified her claim.

Carla smiled softly and squeezed the girls hand gently. "Yeah I suppose." She shrugged nonchalantly. Ok, so maybe Carla shouldn't be giving the girl the impression that their situation was permanent but she was aware that's what they both wanted. However, something at the back of her mind was warning Carla that this couldn't carry on forever. She knew that someone was eventually going to find out and they would be separated forever.

Carla stopped herself from thinking about the future and cleared her throat. "Right, missy. It's time to wash that face pack off. When this film is finished it will be bed time."

Rachel gaped and looked at the clock. "This will be finished by eight! That's too early for bed!" She exclaimed.

Carla sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm sorry, darlin' but I have to leave a little earlier than normal tomorrow. I have a very important business meeting with Frank which we need to make sure we're prepared for. So I want you up a little earlier than normal. I need to give you breakfast and make sure you're set up with your schoolwork for the day before I leave."

Rachel huffed and crossed her arms. "I hate school work." She grumbled.

The elder of the two rolled her eyes, exasperated. "Rachel, we've been through this. You have to have some sort of schooling until I figure something more formal out."

"What? Like home schooling? I don't want that! If I have to have school work I would rather go to an actual school where there are other kids!" Rachel ranted and punched the sofa cushion she was sat on.

Carla was shocked at the girl's sudden outburst and was starting to become concerned. Rachel had been particularly whiny that day but nothing like how she was being now. "I'm sorry, darlin' but you know why you can't go to a proper school just yet." She said sympathetically.

Rachel crossed her arms once more and glared at the TV, acting as if Carla wasn't there. "I don't like it." She grunted.

Carla, getting a little irritated herself, glared at the child. "Well tough! You know what? I don't like this attitude. Go and wash that lot off your face and brush your teeth then it will be straight to bed. I was going to make you a hot chocolate but you can forget it now!" She lectured and pointed in the direction of the bathroom.

Rachel ignored her instructions and refused to leave the sofa making Carla feel herself getting even angrier. "Rachel!" She yelled in a dangerous tone.

The blond turned and glared. "What?!"

Carla took a couple of deep breaths before speaking very slowly through clenched teeth. "Bathroom. Now."

Rachel, deciding it was in her best interest to listen, got off and stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

Carla was starting to get impatient. Rachel had been in the bathroom for at least fifteen minutes and she knew that it shouldn't take her that long to wash her face and brush her teeth. She was just about to go over to the bathroom door and demand Rachel came out when she heard the door unlock.

Carla turned around still sat in the couch and glared at the girl who just stood in the bathroom doorway. "Why were you in there for so long?"

Rachel eventually slowly walked over to the sofa and laid down, clutching her stomach. Carla watched the girl and frowned at the child's sad looking face. However, she decided she was probably just trying to make Carla feel sorry for her so hardened herself to the girl's tactics. "I'm going to ask you again. What took you so long in the bathroom? I hope you didn't make a mess-"

Carla was interrupted when Rachel groaned and rubbed her face against the arm of the couch. "CC…I don't feel so good. My tummy hurts."

Carla leant over slightly and placed the back of her hand on Rachel's forehead and then her cheek. "Well you don't feel warm. Maybe it's because you haven't eaten much today. I'll make you some toast."

Rachel groaned again and writhed around as if she were uncomfortable. "No food. Feel sick." She moaned.

"Right well then it's definitely bedtime. You'll have to sleep upstairs because I don't want to catch whatever germs you've got. That's if you are really sick and not just trying it on to get out of doing your school work - which isn't going to happen, by the way." Carla insisted. "Go on up. I'll get you a glass of water and be up to tuck you in soon."

Rachel heaved herself off the couch and slowly made her way up the stairs feeling completely miserable. The reason why she had been in the bathroom for so long was because after she had washed and brushed her teeth, she really did start to feel pains in her tummy. The pain was so bad, she had to sit herself down by the toilet in case she threw up.

A few minutes later, Carla appeared in the room upstairs to see Rachel lying on the bed with her back facing towards her. She made her way to the bed and stood there for a few seconds before making her presence known.

"Here. Drink some water. I put a little paracetamol in there. That should help your stomach." She may not have believed the kid but she didn't want to risk not doing anything if Rachel was in fact telling the truth about have a tummy ache.

Rachel sat up and took the glass. She sipped at the water before scrunching up her nose in disgust at the taste and thrusting it back in Carla's direction. Carla took the cup and placed it on the bedside cabinet as Rachel resumed her laying position.

Carla sighed and rubbed the girls back who scooted away from her, clearly still upset over being shouted at. "Get up, Rachel. You need to get into bed properly."

"No. Don't want covers. Too hot." Rachel mumbled as her thumb made it's way into her mouth.

"Ok. Well goodnight. You know where I am if you need me." Carla said, her tone now soft.

Rachel didn't respond. Instead she just closed her eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Carla was up at the crack of dawn and had just finished getting herself ready. She then poured some cornflakes into a bowl along with some milk before pouring orange juice into a glass. She placed the food and drink at Rachel's usual spot at the dining table before going over to the stairs and shouting up.

"Rachel! Breakfast is ready! Come on. Don't make me come up there!" She had a feeling that the girl was still going to be in a mood which meant that she would be rather difficult to get out of bed that morning. "Don't ignore me! I'm going to count to three and if you're still not down, I will be coming up and you will be in big trouble, young lady!"

Carla listened out for any movement but when there was none, she huffed and crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently. "One….one and a half…two…two and a half….three!" Still, no sounds came from upstairs. Carla's arms fell down the her sides as she began marching up the stairs, her heels clinking loudly on the metal. "Right! That's it! I cannot believe you would spoil everything after the nice weekend we've just had! You wanted to go to the park next weekend but that's not-"

Carla froze in the doorway when she saw that Rachel was in fact awake but instead of being met with a defiant look, Rachel was sobbing quietly. Her usually pale complexion was bright read and beads of sweat were pouring off her forehead.

Yep. She was definitely sick.

"Oh, sweetheart. Why didn't you come and get me?" Carla whispered her attitude doing a whiplash inducing one-eighty as she hurried into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. She stroked some sweat soaked hair out of Rachel's eyes and gasped when she could feel how warm her skin was without even touching it.

"CC?" Rachel whimpered.

"I'm here, darlin'. Come here." Carla soothed as she lifted the girl into her lap and cradled her in her arms - germs be damned. Her girl was sick and needed comfort so that's what Carla was going to give her.

"I'm sick." Rachel stated the obvious.

Carla rubbed her back softly and kissed her forehead, wincing when the heat burned her lips. "I know, sweetheart. I'm sorry you're sick."

All of a sudden, Rachel began to heave but before either of them could take action, vomit came flying out of the child's mouth and all over both of them. Once it was all up, Rachel promptly burst out into sobs again. Sobs which pulled at Carla's heart strings even if she was slightly miffed that her carefully chosen - not to mention designer - outfit was now covered in upchuck.

"I'm sorry." Rachel cried and buried her face in Carla's neck.

Carla manoeuvred them gently and cupped Rachel's head in her hands. "Hey. What are you sorry about? You're poorly. It's not your fault."

"But…but…" Rachel took in a shuddering breath to collect herself, "your clothes. They're…expensive and nice and I ruined them!"

Carla tutted and showed the girl a wide teeth bearing grin. "Don't be so silly. I care more about you than I do some silly clothes. They can go in the wash. Come here." She then brought the girl into another embrace and they just sat for a couple of minutes before Carla could no longer stand the stench of sick.

"Ok, baby. This is what we're going to do." Carla announce as she stood up with the child still in her arms. Rachel locked her arms around Carla's neck and her legs around her waist. "We're going to go downstairs and I'm going run you a nice bath. While you're in there, I will have another quick shower and get dressed and then I will help you into some fresh PJs and then you will be going straight back to bed. How does that sound? A bath will help you feel better." She explained all of this as she carefully made her way down the stairs, making sure not to jostle the girl too much.

"What about my school work?" Rachel enquired softly.

Carla smiled as she lowered the girl onto the bathroom floor and didn't reply until the bath had started to fill with lukewarm water. She got down on her knees in front of the girl and looked into her fever filled eyes. "Don't worry about that. All you have to do today is sleep and drink plenty of water. Now arms up. Let's get you out of these dirty things."

Carla helped the girl into the bath and waited a couple of minutes before deciding she had to get herself cleaned up. "Are you going to be ok whilst I go and shower? Just lay there and don't move. I'll be back to help you with your hair and I'll fetch you a new pair of pjs when I come back."

Rachel closed her eyes and nodded so Carla turned and was just about to leave the bathroom when a little voice stopped her.

"CC?"

Carla turned and saw that Rachel was now looking in her direction with a puppy dog look on her face. "Yeah, baby?"

"What about your work? Are you still going?"

'Shit! That meeting with Frank! Oh my god! I'm going to be so late…what?! Don't be stupid Carla! You can't leave Rachel alone in this state!' Carla inwardly panicked but quickly fixed a small smile on her face. "Don't you worry about that. CC will sort something out."

"Ok." Rachel rasped before once again closing her eyes and relaxing into the tub a bit more.

Twenty minutes later and Carla was busying herself in the kitchen, getting some supplies together for Rachel. She had her phone between her ear and shoulder as she got to work collecting a couple bottles of water, a packet of dry crackers and the portable home phone as she spoke with Frank.

"I know I'm late but the thing is, Frank, I don't think I'm going to be able to make this meeting today. Something's come up." Carla explained hurriedly as she tried to think of anything else her girl might need for her day spent in bed.

"Carla, you can't do this. Not today. This client we're meeting could mean big things for the business. There's no way you can miss it! How's it going to look if the majority share holder can't make it?" Frank ranted down Carla's ear.

Carla held her hand to her forehead and closed her eyes as she tried to think of a good excuse. "But, Frank-"

"No buts, Carla! You need to get to the factory now! I'll see you in half an hour!" He barked and was just about to hang up when he said, "what could possibly be more important than this?"

Carla froze and was tempted to tell him everything. To just come out and say, 'my girl Rachel is more way more important than some new contract' but she knew she couldn't do that. She just sighed and shook her head to herself.

"Nothing. Ok look, I'll see you in half an hour but as soon as the meeting is over with I need to go! There's something I need to sort out." She had decided in the shower that as soon as Rachel was better she was going to do something about her getting custody of the girl through the legal channels. She desperately wanted to search up a family law solicitor and research the whole fostering/adoption process. She wanted to wake up one day and be able to scream from the rooftops that she had a wonderful, funny, high spirited daughter called Rachel and show her girl off to the rest of the world. A smile was fixed upon her face until Frank brought her back to reality.

"Carla? Are you listening?"

Carla cleared her throat and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Uh sorry. What was you saying?"

Frank sighed down the phone. "Half an hour and not a minute longer."

"Yes, ok! Bye!" She snapped back, having enough of his nagging before hanging up the phone.

Somehow she was able to then collect Rachel's 'sick day supplies' and made her way back up the stairs. She was relieved to see that the girl was looking a little better but she was clearly still feeling miserable.

"Ok, darlin'. I've got you some water and crackers - in case you feel up to eating. I'm going to put this bucket right by the bed just in case you feel like you're going to be sick again and I've brought the phone up so you can ring me anytime." Carla explained.

Rachel pouted and tilted her head to one side, "why? Where are you going?"

Carla sighed sadly and sat down by Rachel's hip. She reached out and stroked the girls cheek lovingly. "I'm really sorry, sweetheart but I have to pop out for a couple of hours. Frank's just been on the phone chewing my ear off. If this meeting goes well it means we can earn lots of money so it's really important that I'm there."

Rachel, even while sick, still had the energy to show some sass. She crossed her arms and glared up at the ceiling. "I hate Frank! Why can't he go to the meeting alone?! Is he too stupid or something?!" She asked.

Carla sighed. "Don't be rude about Frank. He's helped me out big time. I almost had to close down the factory before he came along."

Rachel continued to glare skywards, "so your stupid factory is more important than me?"

The boss's face hardened at this. "Don't be ridiculous. I've sacrificed a lot for you."

"Like what?" Rachel spat out.

"Nothing you need to worry about. Now you listen to me, young lady. Just because your sick doesn't give you the right to be rude to me or anyone else for that matter. Do I make myself clear?" Carla spoke sternly. The girl clearly wasn't so unwell to the point where she couldn't back chat.

Rachel quickly glanced at Carla and when she saw the glare directed at her she quickly looked out of the window sulkily.

Carl sighed and tilted her head back before looking back to the girl. "Do I get a 'good luck' hug before I go?"

Rachel simply closed her eyes in response and after less than a minute, her breathing had evened out which told Carla she had fallen asleep. Carla stood up and leaned down to place a gentle kiss to the girl's cheek. "I love you, my girl." She whispered and felt a lump in her throat form when she realised that was the first time she had said those words out loud. Before that morning, Carla refused to admit that she loved the little girl even to herself never mind actually saying it verbally.

"Don't worry, Rachel. CC's going to find away for us to have a proper life together. You wait and see. That's my promise to you. Sweet dreams."

However before leaving the room, Carla took out her phone in order to capture the peaceful look on Rachel's face. She smiled as she gazed at the snapshot before noticing the time and hurrying out of the room and then the flat.