A/N: Apologies if updates have been all over the place. Life has been a bit erratic what with a new job and Christmas coming up. I managed to finish this chapter after a tense shift at work. Writing really does help to relive stress! I take all reviews into account and I am working at taking everyone's comments into account so please be patient. I have plenty planned for this story although some of it does contain a few plots of Coronation street itself! For some reason I was not able to edit the chapter so if there are any mistakes I do apologise! x
Chapter 14:
A couple of weeks later and everything had been signed off. Frank and Carla had gone through all the assessments and signed all the paper work. In the blink of an eye they were both officially registered foster parents.
It was on a Friday when they found themselves waiting in the school playground to collect the little girl who was about to get the surprise of her life. They had decided to close the factory for the day in order to move the stuff Rachel had accumulated during the course of her stay at the cafe to her new home. The day was spent shopping for new furniture that was more suited for a girl Rachel's age as well as clothes and things that came hand in hand with a child. Carla hoped that by getting stuff like a new bed and wardrobe would show Rachel that they were planning to keep her long term. They - Carla in particular - weren't going to be like any of her past foster parents. The exception being Roy and Hayley.
"CC!" Rachel called as she ran over to the pair and gave the woman her usual greeting of a tight hug around the waist.
"Hi, girly. Did you have a good day?" Carla asked after she had returned the hug.
Rachel stepped out of Carla's arms and nodded. She then gave Frank a small smile as she greeted him. "Hi, Frank."
"Hello, Rachel. Are you looking forward to the weekend? I heard Carla is taking you swimming. Do you mind if I tag along?" Frank asked as the three of them walked towards where he had parked his car.
Rachel shrugged nonchalantly, "I suppose."
Frank looked slightly defeated when he realised that the girl still hadn't quite warmed up to him yet. Carla smiled sympathetically and rested her free hand on his shoulder.
Frank unlocked the car and opened up the back door, allowing Rachel to climb into her booster seat which was behind the drivers seat. He made sure she had strapped herself in properly before turning to Carla.
"How much longer is it going to take for her to open up to me?" He asked her.
Carla wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly before replying. "Don't worry, darlin'. Now that she's going to be with us and seeing you everyday I'm sure it won't be long. Maybe we should set a day aside every week for the two of you to spend some time together." She suggested.
Frank hummed and nodded in agreement. "That sounds like an idea."
Carla's smile widened, "come on. Let's go home. I can't wait to see the look on her face when she realises what's going on." She said excitedly before running over to the passengers side and climbing into the car.
"This isn't the way to Pops and Nana Hayley's. You were supposed to turn the other way." Rachel called out towards Frank when she realised he was going in the wrong direction.
Frank and Carla glanced at each other and smirked but didn't offer the little girl a reply. "CC? Where are we going?"
Carla looked into the back seat of the car and smiled at Rachel, "you'll see. Just be patient. We're almost there." She reassured her.
As if on cue, the car came to a stop as Frank found a parking space just outside their building. Rachel looked out of the window and her mouth fell open in shock. "But…but…" was all she could stutter out.
Carla smiled at Frank and climbed out of the car before going over to Rachel's door and opening it up. "Welcome home, baby!" She told her.
The child gasped and quickly unbuckled her seatbelt before launching herself into Carla's arms. The factory owner let out a soft 'oof' at the impact but nonetheless lifted the child onto her hip.
"This is the best day ever!" Rachel exclaimed and Carla and Frank - who had now climbed out of the car and collected Rachel's backpack from the backseat - chuckled lightly.
Frank placed a gentle hand on Carla's lower back after he had locked up the car. "Come on. Let's get inside." He said and guided them towards the buildings entrance.
As soon as they stepped through the door to the flat, Rachel wiggled down from Carla's hold and began to run around the place. She came to a stop every so often to just examine things that were new or miscellaneous items that she had just simply missed when she was there last.
Suddenly a thought occurred to the little girl who froze for a second before she took off up the spiral staircase. Carla rolled her eyes and stood at the bottom of the stairs, "no running on the stairs please! We don't need another accident!" She called.
Rachel soon made her way downstairs, being way more cautious with her descent that she was whilst going up. Carla smiled when she saw that she had gone up to her room to get her blanket. Everything in the room upstairs had been kept where it had been left on the day Rachel had been taken away. Carla didn't go into the room once until that day herself.
Carla trailed after Rachel who made her way over to the couch and after picking up the remote control from the coffee table, she jumped up onto the sofa right beside Frank. The two adults shared a look as Carla sat down on the other side of the child.
"I've missed your TV so much. Pops and Nana Hayley's isn't as big and they don't have as many channels." Rachel commented as she switched on the television and Sky box in order to search out her favourite kids channel. As Carla expected, she settled on the Disney channel which was currently showing 'Wizards of Waverley Place'.
"Well don't think you're spending the rest of the day watching TV, blondie." Frank warned her. "Carla and I thought it would be nice if we went out for tea tonight. Just the three of us." Technically it was his idea. Carla wanted a simple night in with her makeshift family but finally relented when Frank said that he had a surprise for her.
Rachel looked at Frank and then at Carla. "McDonalds?!" She asked hopefully.
Carla laughed and then shook her head, "not quite, sweetheart. I don't know where we're going. Frank said it was a surprise."
The little blonde's nose scrunched up as she focused on the man beside her. "Is it posh? Do I have to wear a dress?"
Frank went to say 'yes' but Carla didn't particularly want to deal with any tantrums that evening so she interrupted before he could answer the girl. "Not if you don't want to, Rach. I've picked out an outfit for you."
Rachel sighed in relief and went back to watching her show. "Thank god. I hate dresses." She mumbled under her breath.
"Have you got any homework that needs doing before we head out, blondie?" Frank asked after a few minutes.
Rachel rolled her eyes and leant against Carla who wrapped her arm around the girl. "No. We don't get homework on Fridays." She commented, eyes fixated on the TV.
"Ok then. After this I think you should go and get changed." Frank told her.
"But the next episode is a new one! I've not seen it before!" Rachel protested.
Carla went to say something but Frank beat her to it, "record it and you can watch it later. I've booked a table and I don't want us to be late."
"I don't want to go to a stupid restaurant." She grumbled back. Carla tucked some fly away hair behind the girl's ear and whispered to her. The girl seemed to perk up. "Really?" Carla nodded and smiled when the girl instantly leapt up from the sofa. "I'm going to get ready right now!" She announced before running towards her room.
Carla giggled and called over her shoulder, "the stuff you're wearing is on your bed!" She then turned to Frank whose mouth was hanging open slightly. "What?"
"How did you do that? Get her to listen, I mean." He asked.
His girlfriend chuckled, "I told her I had a present for her." Shre shrugged off handedly.
Frank gave her a serious look. "You bribed her." He stated.
"I guess so but don't worry, I'm not going to make it a habit. I just didn't want any dramas. Not on her first night with us." Carla explained.
Frank hummed, "I suppose you're right. She would have listened to you anyway even if you hadn't got her anything. She respects you."
"Awww. Don't be jealous. All that will come with time. Just be patient." Carla reassured him before leaning into his side in order to comfort him.
Dinner went smoothly and soon the three of them were waiting for their desert. Carla chose that moment to give Rachel her present.
"Ok, Rach, close your eyes and hold out your hands." Carla told the girl who did as she was told.
Carla gave Frank a cheeky wink before pulling out a wrapped package from her handbag. She placed the gift into Rachel's waiting hands. "You can open them now."
Rachel opened her eyes and grinned before opening up the shiny gift wrap to reveal a rectangular jewellery box. She flipped the lid open and gasped. Contained inside the box was a delicate gold necklace with Rachel's name in cursive writing.
"I love it! Thank you, CC!" Rachel exclaimed as she jumped into Carla's lap to give her a hug.
Carla grinned and kissed the top of the girl's head. "You have Frank to thank as well. We both got it for you as a welcome home present." She told the girl.
Rachel glanced over to Frank and gave him a small smile. "Thank you." She whispered softly.
Frank nodded, "you're welcome, blondie."
"Shall I help you put it on?" Carla asked and held her hand out for the box.
"Yes please." Rachel squeaked and handed the necklace over.
Their deserts arrived not long after Rachel had returned to her seat. They all tucked into their treat. After a while Frank dropped his spoon on the floor and huffed.
"I'm such a butter fingers." He rolled his eyes. He then got down onto his knees and pretended to pick up the spoon but instead he took out a small box from the pocket of his suit jacket.
He lifted his head and just stared at Carla who gave him a curious look. Rachel glanced between the two adults wondering what was going on.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Carla asked after a few awkward seconds from her point of view.
That's when he showed her the box and smiled, "Carla Connor…will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" He asked.
Carla was stunned and took a quick peep at Rachel whose eyes had widened. She gave a small shake of her head but Carla missed it as she turned to stare at the man who was still kneeling before her.
Carla chuckled somewhat embarrassed as she looked around the restaurant. People were definitely staring which only mortified her further. "Oh, don't be silly, Frank. Get up." She scolded.
"We're living in a dream and I don't want to wake up. I love you, Carla. Marry me." He took the ring out of the box and held it up towards her.
Carla huffed, "are you serious?"
Frank nodded his head, "I've never been more serious about anything in my entire life." He told her. "Do you want me to say it again?-"
"No! Get up." Carla ground out.
"Not until you-"
Carla turned to Rachel, "come on, sweetheart. Let's go wait by the car." She then shot her boyfriend a look, "Frank's paying."
Rachel had a mouthful of ice cream in her mouth, "but-"
"No. No buts. It's getting late." Carla said and got up from the table before taking the child's hand into her own. She then marched out of the restaurant leaving Frank still down on one knee at their table.
Once out by the car, Carla stood tapping her foot impatiently with her arms crossed. Rachel, meanwhile, chose to remain silent as she felt the tension coming from her guardian. However, she couldn't keep quiet for too long though.
"Are you angry, CC?" She asked quietly.
Carla sighed and uncrossed her arms, "no, darlin'. I'm not angry I'm just in a bit of shock."
Rachel tilted her head to one side, "because Frank asked you to marry him?" She scrunched up her nose in disgust at the thought of Carla marrying the man she herself didn't particularly like.
Carla brought the girl close to her side and kissed the top of her head, "you don't need to worry about any of that. It's up to us adults to work out, ok?" She reassured the girl. Carla thought that maybe Rachel was worried about her and Frank splitting up but - unknown to her - that wasn't the case.
"Carla!" The two girls looked down the street to see Frank storming towards them. Carla kept her face expressionless and stood with her hands on Rachel's shoulders. It was almost like she was trying to have the girl act as a barrier between herself and her boyfriend.
"Not now, Frank. Unlock the car." She said, giving him a pointed look and was relieved when he listened.
As soon as the car was unlocked, Carla got Rachel situated in her booster seat before going around to the front passenger seat and climbing into the vehicle. Frank let out a huff and got himself behind the wheel.
"Carla-" he tried again, not bothering to start the car just yet.
Carla didn't look at him as she spoke her next words, "I said not now. Just drive." She ground out.
They arrived home not long after they had left the restaurant. As soon as they stepped into the flat, Carla turned to Rachel who was still feeling the awkwardness between her new foster parents.
"Rach, why don't you go and wash your face and brush your teeth. I know it's not quite bedtime yet but I though it would be nice if we could snuggle and watch a movie up in your room." Carla suggested.
Frank shook his head and went over to the couch when he realised he obviously wasn't invited to the impromptu movie night. However, Rachel's eyes lit up and she nodded her head. She was glad that she was going to get to spend some alone time with her CC!
"Ok. Can we watch 'Finding Nemo'?!" She asked.
Carla nodded, "sure. I'll even make you a hot cocoa. Now go on, get in that bathroom whilst I get my laptop and our drinks sorted out." She said. Rachel happily skipped off towards the bathroom.
"Are we seriously not going to talk about what happened at the restaurant?" Frank called over his shoulder as Carla picked up her laptop bag from the coffee table.
Carla sighed and finally looked at him, "that's a conversation that's going to have to wait until Rachel is asleep. She doesn't need to hear us arguing on her first night with us." She told him. Without another word, she made her way over to the kitchen area to make the promised hot chocolate.
Frank looked over at her, "who said anything about arguing?"
His business partner clenched her teeth and gripped the counter top. "It's not exactly going to be a fun filled natter, is it? Now please, not another word until I come back down from putting that little girl to bed." She replied and then went back to doing what needed to be done.
Rachel came out of the bathroom not long after their small back and forth and Carla forced a smile onto her face. "There you go, sweetheart. Don't spill it and be careful going up those stairs. It's still hot. Say goodnight to Frank." Carla told the girl as she passed her the mug of cocoa.
Rachel accepted the drink and glanced over to the couch area, "night, Frank." She called out.
Frank gave the girl a friendly smile and wink, "good night, blondie. Sweet dreams."
Rachel then trotted off up the stairs only to be followed by Carla who gave Frank one more look. A look that said 'wait there'.
By the time Carla got up the stairs, Rachel had already changed into her pyjamas and was climbing into bed. Carla couldn't help but smile at the young girl. She couldn't believe her girl was finally back in her home where she belonged.
"Ok, girly, you ready for 'Finding Nemo'?" Carla asked as she placed the laptop bag on the bed and her hot beverage on the bedside table.
"Mmmmyessss!" Rachel grinned.
Carla soon had the computer powered up and the film loaded. She climbed into the bed beside the little girl and, as expected, Rachel clung onto her tightly as she became engrossed in the scream.
They both laughed and cried in the right places throughout the film and before they knew it, the credits began to roll. Carla looked over at the clock and saw that it had just hit eight thirty.
"Right, it's definitely time for you to go to sleep." Carla announced as she packed away the laptop.
Instead of the whining like Carla had expected, Rachel yawned and snuggled under the duvet. Carla ran her fingers through the girl's hair in an attempt to get her in a drowsy enough state to fall asleep.
Rachel gazed at Carla and from the look in her eyes, the factory boss knew that she was about to ask her something significant. Carla sighed, "what's up, darlin'?"
"Are you and Frank going to split up?" Rachel asked, successfully withholding a hopeful tone. For an eight year old, she was pretty good at reading difficult situations whilst still maintaining a charade of innocence.
Carla didn't know what else to say at first but decided that she should just reassure the girl if only to ensure she slept peacefully. "No, baby. Why would you ask that?"
Rachel shrugged and looked away, "because you don't want to marry him and he looked mad when you said so."
Carla sighed and wrapped her arms around the child, "oh, sweetheart, that doesn't mean we're going to split up. We just need to talk about some things. Things that you don't need to worry about." She told Rachel. "Now go to sleep and when you wake up, I'm sure me and Frank will be back to normal."
The excitement of that day eventually did it's job and soon Rachel fell into a deep sleep. Carla waited a few minutes more so she could psyche herself up for the conversation she was about to have with Frank.
Carla was somewhat relieved when she saw Frank was still on the couch. She sat herself down on the armchair and for a few moments there was a tense silence until Frank finally broke the said quietness.
"She go down ok?"
Carla nodded and ran her hand through her hair, "yeah but I think she was still a little tense. I think she's worried that we're going to break up."
Frank finally focused on her, "well isn't this what's happening?" He asked openly.
His girlfriend sighed and shook her head. "No. Definitely not. Why would you even ask that?" She enquired incredulously.
Frank scoffed and shook his head, "well you turning down my proposal is a big clue!" He exclaimed.
Carla groaned in frustration, "keep your voice down! She may be asleep but I don't know how long that will last!" She whispered harshly. She let out a puff of air and scrubbed at her face tiredly, "look, me saying no is not my way of binning you. It's just…you do realise that my next marriage will be the third? My track record with husbands isn't exactly pristine."
"This is different." Frank deadpanned.
"I don't see how." Carla retorted, not missing a beat.
Frank laughed at her reply, "You can say that again."
Carla was confused and her frown showed that. "What do you mean?"
"All I'm saying is, you never came close to having a kid with the other two." Frank pointed out. "You were with Paul for what? God knows how many years and don't get me started in that psycho Tony."
Carla visibly flinched at the mention of her second spouse. "That's irrelevant." She told him offhandedly.
"How?!" He questioned, "how is it irrelevant?! We actually have a child in our care!"
"Yeah?" Carla raised an eyebrow, "there are plenty of unmarried couples who have kids together. I should know that better than anyone." She told him.
Frank considered her response briefly before replying, "do you really want that for Rachel? Having to explain why 'mummy' and 'daddy' have different surnames?"
Carla didn't know what to say back. On one hand she really didn't want to marry Frank. She still wasn't quite sure that he was 'the one' for her. Her last two marriages had ended in disaster and now here she was contemplating a third before she had even hit forty!
"I don't know what you want me to say." In the end she tried to end the discussion but Frank clearly wasn't finished with the subject.
"You want to keep Rachel indefinitely, right?" Frank stated more than asked and of course Carla nodded without a second thought, "well it would look better if we were a proper couple and I mean 'proper' as in married." When she didn't reply, he went on to say, "well…our chances to adopt her are pretty slim unless we're a proper couple. So am I just your business partner and your bit on the side or am I your fiancé - your husband - and the soon-to-be father of YOUR child?" He knew he was twisting the scenario they found themselves in completely and so did Carla but his argument was so convincing.
Carla, who was now prettified at the thought of losing her girl, composed herself before responding reluctantly. "Ok." She breathed out. "Ok. I'm sure it's not an issue but I guess you're right in a way. I - we - can't lose her. If a takes a piece of paper to prove that then so be it. Let's get married."
XXX
Later on that night, Carla lay in a restless slumber. Her pending nuptials and everything else concerning it - her business and her child - was playing on her mind. She was about to turn over for about the tenth time when a crack of light from the bedroom doorway.
Carla propped herself up and squinted at the flicker of light. A blonde head peeked around the door frame.
"CC?"
"Rachel? What's up, darlin'?" Carla whispered and took a quick glance at her now fiancé in the bed beside her.
"I couldn't sleep." Rachel whispered back and stepped into the room.
Carla let out a quiet sigh end lifted up the duvet, "come here, baby. Just be quiet because Frank is asleep."
Rachel regarded the man beside her CC briefly before tip toeing across the room and climbing in beside Carla.
"What's bothering you, sweetheart?"
Rachel had always had trouble sleeping in her own bed but Carla could tell that the little girl was particularly anxious that night.
The child clutched at Carla somewhat desperately. "I had a bad dream. Jackie came and took me away again."
Carla stroked the girl's hair comfortingly. "That isn't going to happen, my girl. I promise. Not over my dead body." She rasped out.
It was in that moment that Carla began to wonder if what she was doing was the right thing. She felt like she was stuck between a rock and a hard place. There was no doubt that she wanted Rachel to be her daughter but did she really and truly want Frank to be her husband? There was only one other person she considered in this whole mess. One name popped into her mind at least ten times a day.
Peter Barlow.