Chapter 2
"Nanana!"
"Shh…" Charlie bounced Rebecca gently, kissing her forehead as they stood in the hallway, waiting for Smithy to finish getting ready.
"Nanana!" Rebecca repeated, clapping her hands excitedly.
"Gina." Charlie tried. "..Gina…"
"Na." Rebecca grinned almost smugly. "Na."
Charlie chuckled and cuddled her daughter closer, resting her head against hers as Smithy came through to them.
"Is mummy picking on you again?" he said with a smile, carefully taking Rebecca, grinning as she clung to him, cuddling him tightly.
"Such a daddy's girl." Charlie tutted, leading the way out to the car, loading the pushchair into the boot, glancing across, her heart soaring as she saw the two of them together.
"Mummy's perving again." Smithy smirked at Charlie as Rebecca covered her mouth with a hand and giggled. "Isn't she naughty!"
Charlie rolled her eyes and walked back to them, snaking one arm around Smithy's waist as she rested her head on his chest, holding Rebecca's hand with her free hand. "You promise you won't be long?" she almost pouted.
Smithy nodded, kissing her forehead. "You'll get your shopping done..." He said, pulling a face.
Charlie grinned and gently swiped his shoulder, taking Rebecca as they got in the car.
Gina's hand clutched desperately at the edge of her desk as the room spun, her head seemingly going in the opposite direction. She swallowed hard and slowly lowered herself to the chair, both her hands still holding tight onto the desk, as she closed her eyes, licking her lips to try and get rid of her dry mouth.
She breathed in sharply, releasing it slowly, repeating it a couple of times before opening her eyes slowly, her whole body trembling, unsure as to whether it was stress, shock, fear or just being ill.
The room slowed slightly and Gina slowly turned her head, looking at her knuckles, all white and tensed, before carefully relaxing her grip, stretching her fingers out, before making a fist, digging her fingernails into the palms as she cursed herself for being 'a stupid old woman' as she saw it. "Pull yourself together." She breathed.
Gina jumped as her phone rang, looking at it for a few seconds, before reaching out, cursing her shaking hand once again, before picking it up, holding the phone to her ear. "…Hello?" She cleared her throat and tried again. "Inspector Gold speaking."
Smithy pulled up outside the station, glancing across at Charlie as she sat beside him, pulling faces at Rebecca. "The wind'll change and you'll be stuck like that." He undid his seatbelt, "But then it would be an improvement."
"You cheeky little-" Charlie stopped herself before she swore, satisfying herself with giving his thigh a sharp slap, rolling her eyes as Rebecca screeched at her, almost telling her off for slapping her daddy. "He'll get over it." Charlie kissed her forehead, looking back at Smithy. "How long do you think you'll be?"
"Not long." Smithy smiled, wiggling Rebecca's hand. "Just got to pick up the paperwork and make sure the case hasn't completely collapsed. He glanced at the front entrance before looking back. "Why don't you come in?"
"I dunno, if-" She started, before getting cut off as Smithy leant in closer, kissing her softly. She melted slightly as she returned the kiss, cupping his cheek. "If anyone says anything, I'm blaming you."
"You always do." Smithy smirked, looking down at Rebecca. "You wanna see your Nana don't you?"
"NANANA!" Rebecca shrieked, looking like she'd crawl to Gina's office if noone was going to carry her there.
Charlie smiled slightly, before pushing open the door, following Smithy inside.
Gina finished the call, resting her head back in her hands as she rubbed her face wearily, glancing up as a PC passed her doorway, instantly straightening in case they glanced in, her posture relaxing as they passed, smiling slightly as she saw Smithy, followed by Charlie and Rebecca. Smithy knocked lightly on the door, pushing it open, stepping back to let Rebecca see Gina.
Rebecca glanced around the office, her hands entwined in Charlie's hair as she stared round, her gaze settling on Gina as her face lit up, turning in her mothers hold to try and throw herself at Gina.
Gina smiled as Charlie walked closer, holding her arms up to take Rebecca as Rebecca babbled to her long and loud, grinning at her. "Na!" Rebecca paused for breath and looked expectantly at Gina.
Gina forced Rebecca a tight smile, her skin turning grey as she swallowed, the room spinning once again.
"Take her!" She said urgently as she all but thrust Rebecca back into Charlie's arms, before slipping unconscious to the floor.
