TUPACSQUEENFOREVER – At the beginning of Chapter 6, 6 months have passed, Gina's illness has progressed and Rebecca's now around 14 months old. Her age differs in each fic.

If Tomorrow Never Comes – Chapter 7

Rebecca yawned, rubbing her eyes as she looked around the room, her gaze settling on Gina as she smiled tiredly, waving.

Gina glanced over, smiling tiredly herself, leaning forward to lift Rebecca into her lap as she toddled over, listening as Rebecca babbled softly, before attempting to eat the block in her hand.

Charlie shuffled against Smithy's chest where she was dozing, one arm draped around his back, the other idly making its way under his shirt, currently resting against his stomach.

Smithy stroked Charlie's hair, not taking his gaze off Rebecca and Gina as he pretending to watch whatever was flickering away on the TV.

"Nana sleep." Rebecca murmured, curling up in the crook of Gina's arm, her thumb making its way to her mouth as Gina's head tilted forward, their breathing becoming synchronised as it got heavier.

"Charlie…." Smithy nudged Charlie gently, waking her. "Chaz…"

"Hmm?" Charlie glanced up, yawning as she stretched, smiling as she looked over at Gina and Rebecca.

"She couldn't get up." Smithy whispered, sounding worried.

"Rebecca?" Charlie yawned again. "She needs something near her so she can use it to pull herself up. You just have to be careful what-"

"No." Smithy shook his head. "Gina." He frowned slightly and relayed what had happened before dinner, explaining Gina's excuse.

"Maybe it had gone to sleep." Charlie shrugged. "When I was carrying Rebecca, I always got pins and needles, couldn't move until they'd gone cos it hurt so much."

"Maybe." Smithy frowned, looking thoughtfully at Gina, still not entirely convinced.


"Come on sweetheart." Smithy lifted Rebecca carefully, taking care not to disturb Gina.

"Da-da-pff." Rebecca grumbled, settling back to sleep against Smithy's chest as he carried her upstairs to her bedroom.

Charlie watched them with a smile, before standing over Gina, having lost the fevered coin tossing as to which of them would wake Gina. "Ma'am…" She said softly, shaking Gina's shoulder. "Gina…."

Gina's breathing remained heavy and constant as she slept, the only movement coming from as Charlie shook her.

"…Gina?" Charlie frowned, tilting Gina's head up so it was straight. "Gina, can you hear me?" She asked, getting louder.

Gina's head tilted back against the chair, without a sound, her eyes still closed firmly.

"Gina!" Charlie shook both her shoulders harder, making the other woman wake with a jump.

Gina stared round, looking lost for a few moments, before looking up at Charlie, no emotion registering on her face.

"Gina..." Charlie said softly, stroking Gina's hair. "It's me, Charlie…Can you hear me?" Gina lifted her head, before it dropped forward again, Charlie taking that as attempt for a nod. "Do you know who I am?" Again Gina lifted and dropped her head quite suddenly, as Charlie watched, looking worried, before Gina slowly started to gather her bearings.

"Charlie?" Gina murmured. "What on earth are you looking at me like that for?"

"Charlie?" Smithy stood behind her, looking concerned at Charlie's worried expression. "Is everything ok?"

"Erm…" Charlie glanced at Gina, before looking at Smithy. "Fine…" she smiled slightly. "Everything's...just fine." She repeated softly, before leaving the room.