Hi everyone a longer chapter this time! Thanks much to everyone who reviewed! Please review again, it gives me so much incentive to write. Can I also apologise for any silly mistakes, or spelling or grammar mistakes. I dont have a checker on my laptop.
Anyway I hope you's enjoy the next chapter.
"If I have to see one more doctor I swear my head will explode" she said walking out of the childrens hospital hand in hand with her mother, her blonde hair blowing in the wind.
This was her third appointment in 4 weeks, the doctors were being really thorough. Jessica was still none the wiser but the doctors had warned Leanne and Nick there was a chance it could be cancer because she had such a high white blood cell count. They had prescribed anti-sickness medication and pills for her headaches in the meantime and she was starting to feel a difference. She'd been able to sit with Simon the last couple of days playing video games with her brother, who'd been increasingly nice to her when he seen how ill she was getting, the glare from the tv no longer too much for her sore heads. Her appetite still wasn't the same but Leanne and Nick were learning not too push her too much now, cause otherwise she'd end up crying because they were pressuring her or eating to shut them up which was just making her vomit.
Leanne: "Well that's the last until the results kiddo, hoepfully they can find out what's wrong and start treating you eh" she said, her stomach dropping remembering the possibilities.
Jessica nodded: "Since I was brave getting blood taken can we go out for lunch?" she asked smiling at her mother.
Leanne chuckled: "Yeah we can, I'm just happy if you have an appetite!"
Jessica: "I don't feel too bad today, I could definitely eat. Nandos?"
Her eyes lit up at the prospect of lemon and herb chicken and although it wasn't a place Leanne was keen on she couldn't say no.
As they were walking back along the cobbles towards the bistro, Jessica wrapped her arms around Leannes arm and leaned her head in as she continued walking.
Jessica: "I've had such a good day Mum" she smiled contently, happy not to be crippled with headaches or nausea.
Leanne: "So have I, it's a pity it has to end now" she said sadly.
Jessica: "I know but you need to go to work and it's my night with Dad, once I'm better then we can have more days" she grinned.
Leanne smiled back at the 11 year old, sometimes wondering how she got so lucky. The two walked into the bistro and Nick immediately went to his daughter to hug her.
Nick: "How did it go?" he asked gently, holding her arm in his hand, looking at the pink plaster covering the spot where she'd had blood taken hours earlier.
Jessica shrugged and jumped up onto a stool: "It was fine Dad, they just took blood and I had to go in one of they big machine thingys"
Nick: "An MRI?" he chuckled.
Jessica nodded: "Yeah that, but it didn't take long. Then Mum took me to Nandos and we went a walk about town before coming back here"
Nick turned to Leanne who had taken his place behind the bar: "Nandos?" he asked in disbelief with raised eyebrows.
Leanne: "She ate the lot too, today has been a really good day for her appetite" she said the relief clear on her face.
Nick: "Brilliant news! What you up to whilst your Mums working then?"
Jessica: "I'm staying with you tonight Dad?" she stated but asked at the same time.
Nick: "No you're staying with me on Friday night, tomorrow?" he answered looking confused.
Jessica: "Dad, today is Friday, not Thursday!" she moaned shaking her head.
Jessica: "So does this mean I can't stay with you?" she looked at him with a disappointed look and Leanne was glaring at Nick.
Nick: "No of course you can, I just need to make a phone call" he said pulling his phone out his pocket.
Leanne: "Did you have plans?" she asked as she poured a glass of orange juice and pushed it over to Jessica.
Nick: "Yeah with Carla, it was just dinner but we can rearrange for another time" he smiled.
Jessica: "You do remember that your girlfriend is called Erica right? Although not gonna lie Daddy dearest, you and Carla are a much better match" she winked.
Nick: "Me and Carla are just friends, and you need to start getting used to Erica, she thought the world of you, and still does despite what you did last weekend" he said seriously.
Jessica burst out laughing, a mouthful of orange juice spurting out with it, as she relived what happened the previous weekend.
Leanne: "What did she do? Why didn't I hear of this?!" she asked looking between the two.
Nick: "Because we spoke about it but she obviously hasn't learnt her lesson"
Jessica straightened her face up: "Oh come on Dad I said I was sorry, lighten up it was funny"
Nick turned to Leanne: "She put a spider in Ericas hair"
Leanne turned round wide eyed at Jessica who was still trying to stifle her laughter but she cleared her throat and looked down at the glass in front of her to avoid her mothers glare.
Leanne: "Jessica Toyah Sarah Tilsley!" she fumed.
Jessica: "Oh did that really warrant the use of my full name?! Come on she's like the same age as Gran, it's weird"
Leanne: "I don't care, as long as your father is happy that's all that matters you hear me? I hear anything like that again and you'll be grounded for life. Be nice from now on" she scolded, pointing her finger seriously.
Jessica nodded: "Ok, I'm sorry" she grumbled.
Nick: "It's fine if you promise you'll be nice from now on?"
Jessica sighed: "Fine I'll be nice. Now about dinner with Carla, don't cancel, I don't mind tagging along"
Nick: "What, really? I thought you wanted to go bowling?"
Jessica: "She can come bowling too? I like Carla" she said looking keen to see the woman.
Leanne: "Doesn't like Erica but likes Carla, I need to have serious words with her" she grumbled under her breath as she put glasses away. She couldn't really blame her though, there were times when Simon had went to stay with his Dad and Carla and they'd taken Jessica for the night too if Leanne and Nick had to work.
Nick: "Ok, I'll go and give her a phone" he smiled removing his phone from the breast pocket on his suit jacket and going outside.
Leanne leant down on the bar in front of Jessica: "So a spider in her hair then?"
Jessica: "I know it was cruel but they're so ill suited Mum, you's are better suited and we all know how that turns out each time so that's saying something"
Leanne couldnt help but laugh: "I know, but you have to respect your fathers choice in women ok"
Nick: "Right come on, we'll go back to the flat and get changed then pick up Carla"
Jessica: "Awesome!" she said, Leanne puckered up her lips to say goodbye but her face dropped when her daughter jumped off the stool. She smiled when she realised she was coming round the bar for a hug as well.
Jessica: "Love you Mum, I'll see you at lunch time tomorrow" she said waving goodbye and taking her fathers arm.
They were in the flat and Nick had changed into clean clothes and Jessica was pulling straighteners over her long blonde hair. Nick walked into the youngsters bedroom and stood pointing to his outfit.
Nick: "Do I look ok?" he asked as if he doubted his clothing choice.
Jessica: "Why do you care if you and Carla are just friends?" her eyebrows were raised and a cheeky smile was spread across her face.
Nicks face dropped and he turned around and walked back out the room as his daughter chuckled to herself knowing she was right, she just wished he could see how perfect they could be together. The front door knocked and Jess turned off the straighteners and fixed herself in the mirror before walking out the room.
Jessica: "Hi Carla!" she grinned happy to see the woman.
Carla: "Hey kiddo long time no see" she smiled back. Jessica walked forward and gave her a cuddle. Carla felt her heart warm at the gesture, she always got on well with her, much better than her and Simon ever got on anyway.
Jessica: "I've missed you! With you and Peter not together anymore then there's not really any reason for me to come round anymore"
Carla: "Hey my doors open for you anytime if you want to come round for a chat or if you're bored" she answered genuinely.
Jessica: "I'll keep that in mind"
Nick: "Right shall we get going?" he stated rather than asked as he ushered them out the door.
Carla: "Where are we eating anyway? And we haven't decided who's driving and who gets to have a glass of wine"
Jessica: "Dad can drive so you can have a glass of wine cause he's a gentleman, and I think that new restuarant in town should be good so we'll go there" she said decisively.
Nick: "Are you making all the decisions tonight?" he asked, eyebrows raised as he looked down at his daughter.
Jessica: "But Daddy, I've got an appetite today so we should go somewhere that I'll actually eat their food, besides I had to get needles stuck in me today to get blood out" she spoke looking at him with puppy dog eyes and a petted lip.
Carla laughed: "Oh she's good"
Nick couldn't help but smile: "Put the lip away, we can go there"
They ended up getting a taxi so that both adults could drink, and when they arrived in the resteraunt Nick picked one of their best bottles of red for the two as Jessica sipped on a glass of coke. The three were sat chatting whilst they waited on their food being brought to them.
Carla: "Are you still doing dancing Jess?"
Jessica shook her head: "I got bored of it, I want to do karate now!"
Nick: "And that will be for a few weeks then she'll want to move onto something else"
Jessica: "No I won't, I'll stick this one out!"
Nick: "Like you stuck out the dancing right? Or the gymnastics? OR the..."
Jessica: "Yeah yeah I get it I get it. But this time it's different. Anyway, speaking of gymnastics, the European finals are on Sunday night so can we watch it when I stay over?"
Nick: "You're staying on Sunday night too?" he questioned with a confused look.
Jessica: "Are you serious? Do you even remember you have a daughter sometimes Dad?"
Nick: "Of course I do don't be silly but you don't usually stay Sunday nights"
Jessica: "Duh I know I don't but it's the holidays remember! Mum gave you a list of how it was going to be split"
Nick: "No need to be cheeky Jess"
Jessica: "I wouldn't have to if you would look keep track of when you were seeing your kid"
Nick: "Ok I'm sorry I'll write it on the calendar"
Jessica smiled: "Thank you, so am I still able to stay Sunday?"
Nick: "Yeah but Erica is coming over so we can tape the gymnastics and watch it on the Monday ok"
Jessicas face dropped: "It's fine I'll just stay with Mum that night then"
Nick: "Why because you don't want to see Erica?" he snapped, a hint of anger in his voice.
Jessica huffed: "I don't see why I have to like her"
Carla: "Well she's important to your Dad and he needs you both to get on Jess" she spoke softly trying to reason with her.
Jessica: "I just think there are better suited women out there for him and who have better potential as stepmother material" she said seriously as she darted her eyes to Carla, which Nick seen but it went unnoticed by the factory boss.
Nick: "I thought you said you'd try?" he said sadly this time, he wouldn't tell her but he wouldn't be with a woman who his daughter didn't get on with.
Jessica: "Fine but I'm not promising anything. Can you tell her to stop being so touchy feely when I'm around though it grosses me out. And can we watch the gymnastics on Sunday cause I really don't want to wait till Monday I've been looking forward to it for weeks"
Nick: "I'll tell her about the 'touchy feely' but we're not watching the gymnastics" he answered putting his foot down.
Jessica: "Then I'm not coming, I'm not trying to be difficult but you promised when it was on we'd watch it and have a night on the sofa in our jammies with snacks but now cause 'Erica' is around then we can't"
Nick went to open his mouth but Carla cut in.
Carla: "Why don't you come watch the gymnastics with me, then go to your Dads and spend time with them both but only if you really make an effort with Erica? And that way it means we get to spend more time together"
Jessica nodded as she thought over the proposition and looked to her father: "Well, can I?"
Nick: "Yeah I suppose then, I did promise. As long as you behave for Carla"
Jessica: "Of course I will, thanks Carla" she grinned and picked up her fork stabbing into the piece of steak that had been put down on the plate in front of her. Nick mouthed 'Thank you' to Carla with a grateful smile.
The three enjoyed the night, Jessica falling asleep in the taxi back and Nick carrying her up to her bed and sitting with Carla for a couple of hours, becoming more aware of his growing feelings for her.
It wasn't long before Sunday night came and Jessica went to her fathers to drop off her stuff then over to Carlas. She knocked loudly and smiled seeing the brunette who had already put on a pair of Pajamas and a dressing gown.
Carla laughed at the girls giraffe onesie and let her in.
Jessica: "I walked passed 2 of the neighbours in the short distance from my Dads to here, they looked at me like I had two heads" she laughed.
The two settled on the couch, Carla had provided Pizza, popcorn, juice and sweets. At around 9pm Carla felt the 11 year olds body slowly flop down sideways until her head was resting on the older womans shoulder.
Carla: "You should go home kid" she spoke softly to girl whos eyes were closed, sleep quickly taking over. She felt her shake her head and murmur 'soon' before snuggling in closer. Carla put her arm around the girl, feeling strangely attached to the child, strange for her anyway. The next thing she knew she was being woken by Nick. Carla flickered her eyes open to see him looking down.
Nick: "Sorry I did knock twice, now I know why you's didn't answer" he chuckled.
Carla: "Oh sorry what time is it, we must've both nodded off"
Nick: "Its fine, has she been ok?" he asked as he gently picked up his sleeping daughter and held her in his arms, her small frame making her easy to carry.
Carla nodded: "Yeah she ate well and behaved, she nodded off about 9 o'clock I must have been right behind her"
Nick: "Well get yourself off to bed now, thanks again for having her"
Carla: "It was my pleasure, you've got a great kid there Nick"
Nick nodded and smiled: "I know, I'll see you later"
A few days later Leanne recieved a phone call from the hospital asking her and Nick to go in to speak to them. Leanne had already been in herself as she'd started falling ill herself, same symptoms as her daughter who had been improving health wise but had become increasingly clingy with her mother knowing she wasn't well and having witnessed her brothers temper towards their Mother a couple of nights before.
Walking through the hospital Leannes stomach was flipping in multiple somersaults. They'd left Simon with Zeedan and Jessica had reluctantly agreed to stay with Erica. When they were eventually called into the office they were shocked to be greeted by both Jessica and Leannes doctors.
Leanne: "Both of you?" she asked confused.
Dr one: "I was in the area and I'd already been in contact with your daughters consultant so we figured we'd do a consultation together"
Nick: "Ok, so why you have you called us hear then? What have you found?"
Dr two: "Well I've checked everything and it seems Jessica has just been suffering from a really bad viral infection, have the tablets been helping?"
Nick: "Massively, she's almost back to normal"
Dr two: "Well that's great then, we'll just need to slowly decrease them and keep an eye on her, but she'll be just fine"
You could see the two parents visibly relax at the news.
Leanne: "That must be what's wrong with me then, I must have caught her viral infection"
Dr one: "Actually Leanne, your test results showed different" he answered, his face grim.
Leanne: "What do you mean?"
Dr One: "I'm so sorry to tell you this, but you have malignant tumours in your brain, I'm afraid it's cancer"
And that is how I leave it. I had planned to do this storyline totally different but this new idea came to me and I'm going with it. Please review.
Thanks,
CharmedSuperGirl
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