If Tomorrow Never Comes – Chapter 6
A few months on…
"Oi, Gobby…"
Rebecca turned and looked at her mother, raising one eyebrow and scowling.
"At least you know your name."
"Da." Rebecca's scowl deepened and she dropped to the floor, about to launch full sulk more.
"He'll be here soon." Charlie folded her arms over her chest, looking back out the window.
"DA!" Rebecca repeated louder, kicking her foot against the door.
"You do that one more time, and you're in bed before he gets in."
Rebecca scowled, eyeing off her mother, not trusting her not to keep to her threat. "Pfff!"
"I heard that." Charlie warned.
Rebecca fixed Charlie with a stare, a slight smile creeping over her lips.
"That didn't last long, did it!" Charlie chuckled, watching Rebecca toddle unsteadily towards her. "Clever girl." She smiled, bending down to lift her up.
"Dada?" Rebecca mumbled, letting Charlie pick her up, before pointing out the window. "Now?"
"Soon sweetheart." Charlie balanced her on her hip, lifting the curtain back.
Smithy opened the door for Gina, reaching his arm out to help her into the car.
"I can manage." Gina lowered herself in, her face drawn and tired, lines marking her features, as well as large black bags around her eyes. "How did I let you talk me into this?"
"You didn't." Smithy smiled softly. "Charlie wore you down, you agreed to shut her up."
"And it still didn't work…" Gina muttered, pulling her seatbelt on.
"Stop complaining." Smithy said bravely, grinning cheekily at Gina. "Least you get to spend the weekend with Rebecca…."
"The only normal one." Gina rolled her eyes, sitting back as Smithy started the car, driving them towards the house.
"Here he is." Charlie pointed as a car pulled up outside, letting Rebecca see who was sat beside him.
Rebecca gasped, clapping her hands excitedly. "NANA!" She grinned, wriggling in Charlie's arms to get to the floor.
"Go careful-" Charlie sighed, shaking her head as Rebecca toddled as quickly as she could towards the front door, watching her bang her hands against the wall as she kept herself steady. "Wait for me…" She said, hurrying after her, holding Rebecca's hand as she opened the front door.
"Nana!" Rebecca called, waving with her free hand as she toddled towards the car, holding tight onto Charlie.
Gina turned her head, having heard, her face lighting up as she saw Rebecca. "She's grown up so fast…"
"She started walking on Tuesday…" Smithy smiled proudly. "We were waiting till you were here to tell you…"
Gina undid her seatbelt, heaving herself out the car as she leant against the side, closing the door after herself. "Rebecca." She smiled, holding her arms out.
"You gonna go see Nana?" Charlie smiled, letting go, watching Rebecca walk slowly towards Gina, reaching out and grabbing her arms as she got her.
Gina picked her up, smiling as Rebecca cuddled into her and pressed her lips against Gina's cheek.
"You are honoured." Smithy chuckled, lifting Gina's bags from the boot, walking over to them. "S'not often she'll voluntarily pucker up."
Charlie beamed up at him, wrapping an arm around his waist. "Thought you'd be back ages ago." She smiled, kissing him.
Smithy lowered one arm so it was around her, returning the kiss. "Gina hadn't packed." He said, mock-frowning at Gina. "She was hoping we'd forgotten."
Gina glanced up, rolling her eyes as she carried Rebecca inside, leaving Smithy to deal with the bags. "Can't have it all sergeant." She called back.
Charlie giggled, moving back to the doorway. "Come on Super Sarge." She glanced back, beckoning him in behind her. "Kettle's on."
"Nana look!" Rebecca held up her police car, waving it under Gina's nose.
Gina took the car, holding it in her lap along with the teddy bear, policeman, doll and weeble she already had in her hands.
"Na-"
"Dinner." Charlie called through, dishing up the takeaway that had been delivered moments before.
Gina dropped the toys in front of her, attempting to lift herself up, Rebecca pulling herself up using the side of her toybox, before looking back, waiting for Gina.
Gina leant forward, trying to push herself up, flailing one arm out to catch the nearest chair.
Smithy stood in the doorway, frowning to himself, knowing Gina wouldn't appreciate any offer of help, and would only glare at him and launch a string of sarcastic remarks. He watched her for a few seconds longer, before going through, silently holding his hand out to her.
Gina looked up, holding his gaze for a second, before taking his hand, allowing him to help her to her feet from the floor. "Foot had gone to sleep." She said as way of explanation, side stepping him, leading Rebecca by the hand to the kitchen.
"…of course." Smithy said softly, sighing as he glanced back to the kitchen.
