"Home, sweet home." Carla sighed as she climbed out of the taxi outside their apartment complex. Two weeks in Rome had flown by and it was safe to say that she was no way near ready to go back to reality.
The holiday had been perfect. Ok, so they didn't intend to be out there for two weeks but Carla insisted once she recognised the amount of new things Rachel had been experiencing.
"Carla?" The factory owner blinked and gazed at Frank who was unloading the taxi.
"Sorry, I was miles away." Carla chuckled and grabbed a couple of their bags. They came back with a lot more than they had originally taken with them. She was mostly to blame for that as she was the one who was adamant on going on numerous shopping sprees.. "What was you saying?"
"Rachel asked if we could have a chippy tea tonight but I thought the bistro would be nice." Frank told her as he paid the driver before collecting the rest of their luggage.
Carla looked between he fiance and their child. Her heart melted when she saw the hopeful look on Rachel's face. Although the child had a great time in Italy, it was fair to say that she wasn't entirely impressed with all the 'fancy' food they had been eating.
"A chippy tea in front of a movie sounds good." Carla put in her two pennies on the dinner debate. Rachel cheered and skipped over to the entrance of their building in order to wait impatiently. She was dying to get back to her home comforts.
Frank sighed and glanced over at his adopted child before once again focusing on his soon to be wife. "Why do you do that?" He asked somewhat exasperated.
The raven haired woman frowned confused and shrugged nonchalantly. "Do what?" She asked just knowing that she would soon be made to feel like she was stuck between a rock and a hard place. She often felt like that when it came down to making decisions such as what their little family was going to eat or watch on TV. Her fiance and their daughter always seemed to have a difference of opinion.
"Give into her like that." Frank stated without missing a beat. "She's going to end up like one of those spoiled brats you're always complaining about. She has to learn that she can't always get what she wants in life and you complying to everything she desires is not going to help. You're setting her up just to be let down." He stopped himself when he realised he was almost ranting. He couldn't help it, but at the same time he couldn't help but feel like all of Carla's focus was on Rachel. She was about to be his wife, god damn it!
Carla folded her arms across her chest and raised a somewhat amused eyebrow, "seriously? You're gonna turn a discussion about dinner choices into a lecture?" She asked in a deadpan tone.
The dark haired man huffed and shook his head in exasperation. "I'm not lecturing. I'm just pointing out the facts. I would just like it if – sometimes – we did things I suggested." He explained.
His counterpart scoffed and rolled her eyes in bemusement. "Oh, you're being ridiculous and quite frankly, you're starting to sound like a child who's not getting their own way." She spat out.
Frank put his hands in his trouser pockets and looked his fiance dead in the eye. "Ok, so you're telling me that the whole two weeks we were away that we actually did an activity of my choice? Because from my point of view our excursions revolved around theme parks and shopping trips." He pointed out.
Carla thought over what he had said and, realising he was somewhat right, breathed out a remorseful sigh. "Look, I'm sorry if you feel like your opinion isn't valued. I promise you that is far from the truth." She apologised as she tentatively took a step towards her lover and wrapped her arms around his waist, "I just really wanted Rachel's first holiday to be one she would remember forever. I don't want her to get bored with all of the museums and galleries which I know you were looking forward to visiting."
Frank studied her face thoughtfully and was satisfied to see that she was full of guilt and contrition. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. "All is forgiven and I'm not mad at you." He told her before taking her by the shoulders and pulling back so he could look her in the eyes, "but if this family is going to work and get along, our lives can't just revolve around an eight year old's wants and whims. We need to focus on us as a couple as well, otherwise we're both just going to end up feeling trapped which will eventually lead to us resenting each other. You don't want that, do you?"
Carla frowned sadly at the thought and shook her head, "of course not and I will try to make more of an effort with us. I guess I have been overcompensating a little with her. I just want her to feel all of the love and affection I never got from my own mother." She admitted.
"Well look, I'm willing to make a compromise with you." Frank began and Carla's eyebrow raised in question as she waited for him to expand on his statement, "we'll get the chippy tea tonight but tomorrow, you and I are going on a kid-free date. Let's get this lot upstairs and whilst my two favourite girls unpack, I'll nip out and pick up the food. We'll have a quiet night in and maybe our precious angel can have an early night whilst her loving parents spend some extra quality time together." His eyebrows wriggled suggestively as he gave her a smirk.
Carla bit her bottom lip and smiled coyly before leaning forward on her tip toes to plant a lingering kiss upon his lips. She pulled back when she remembered the child who was still waiting by the entrance of the building, more than likely rather impatiently. "Have I ever told you that you're a fantastic fiance and an even more amazing daddy?" She husked out.
"Not nearly enough but you can show me your appreciation later on tonight." Frank responded.
Before the flirtation could continue, a small voice from behind them demanded their attention. "Come on, guys! I wanna catch up on my shows!" Rachel whined as she pulled on the handle of the security door.
"Hey, stop messing with the door! You're gonna break it!" Carla scolded lightly, the last thing she needed was one of the snobby neighbours complaining that her kid had broken the door. "Come and grab one of these bags will ya? Frank and I only have two hands and a lot of this stuff is yours."
Rachel huffed and trudged over to the pile of bags before picking up her backpack. She then took hold of the handle of one of her suitcases and lifted up the carrier bag containing souvenirs they had purchased for the likes of Hayley and Roy.
"You sure you can manage?" Frank asked slightly amused as she struggled to balance the added weight to her person. Rachel nodded proudly and made her way back over to the entrance. "Just watch you don't drop that carrier bag, there's fragile stuff in there!" He reminded her.
"I know!" The child called over her shoulder. The two adults didn't even have to see her face to know that she had also rolled her eyes. "Now let's go! I'm starving!"
The two adults chuckled at her antics and followed her lead after distributing the remaining remaining luggage between them
The next two weeks went by without a hitch and life went back to normal for the small family. Frank and Carla got back into the swing of things at the factory whilst Rachel spent most of the week at holiday club as it was the summer holidays.
However one Wednesday, holiday club had to be cancelled due to the woman who ran the scheme coming down with a stomach bug. This meant that Rachel was forced to spend the day at the factory with her parents. It wasn't the ideal solution but Roy and Hayley had gone on a week long getaway and Anna had been left to run the cafe so Frank and Carla didn't want to lumber her with their child whilst she watched over her own and ran a business simultaneously.
The eight year old was fine for the majority of the morning and was easily distracted with a paint by numbers set they had picked up at The Kabin. Unfortunately, Rachel seemed to have a knack for arts and crafts so she quickly finished up the project. This lead to her getting bored rather quickly which meant she decided it was a good idea to start distracting the machinists whom she had dubbed as her 'aunties' and 'uncles'. Frank had to suppress the urge to give his daughter – as well as his employees – a good tongue lashing on numerous occasions. It was safe to say that he had almost reached the end of his tether by the time noon had rolled around.
The final straw was when the child came bursting into the office whilst Frank was on the phone to a potential new client. The look of warning he gave her was ignored as she squealed and giggled before diving under Carla's desk, practically pushing the woman halfway across the office in her childish excitement.
Frank flashed Carla a glare and glanced downwards to where their child was hiding. Carla sighed and pulled the girl out from under the desk. She shook her head and took a moment to wipe away the chocolate that was smeared all over Rachel's face. Clearly the girls and Sean had been plying their kid with sweet snacks and now she was experiencing a sugar rush.
"What have you been eating? It's way too early in the day for you to be eating sugary treats." Carla reminded her daughter who grinned sheepishly.
"Auntie Julie brought my favourite biscuits. She gave me a few whilst everyone was on their tea break." Rachel admittedly guiltily as she shifted from foot to foot. She shot a sideways glance at Frank who she knew wasn't going to be best pleased at her admission.
Carla rolled her eyes good naturedly. "Hmmm and by a 'few' do you mean half the packet?" A perfectly sculpted eyebrow was raised with the rhetorical question.
Frank had hung up the phone just in time to hear the end of the conversation. "What have I told you about bursting in here, Rachel?!" He exclaimed. "We gave you some ground rules before we left this morning. You either obviously didn't listen to a single word we said or you've got a memory like a sieve and completely forgotten already!"
Rachel rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest – a habit she had picked up quickly from her new mother. "I'm bored! Uncle Kirk said he would play hide and seek with me. I came in here because it's my turn to hide." She explained.
Frank glared in response to her attitude, "I don't care why you came in here. You did so without knocking and less of the defiance, young lady."
The girl went to argue back but Carla intervened, "ok, let's not start. Both of you need to calm down." She announced giving them both a warning look. "Look, it's just gone twelve. Why don't we go for a bite to eat at the cafe?"
Frank drew in a calming breath and then nodded his head. He could have definitely done without getting into a domestic in front of his machinists who were no doubt trying to eavesdrop out on the factory floor. "Sounds like a plan." He agreed to Carla's idea before focusing once more on the child in the room. "Don't think this means you're off the hook. When we come back from lunch, you can make a start on your summer homework at that desk over there." He told her and pointed over to the work space in the corner of the room. "And because you decided to have desert early today, you can forget having any after tea tonight. You've got enough sugar in you to last for two weeks by the looks of it."
Rachel stomped her foot and glared, "that's no fair! CC, tell him he's being mean!" She whined and gave her mother her best puppy do eyes.
Carla was about to try and reason with Frank who sensed she was about to cave. "Carla agrees with me. Don't you, love?" He gave her a pointed look as if to say 'don't undermine me'.
The dark haired woman sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. Once again, she felt like she was stuck in the middle. On one hand, she didn't want her child going without but then she had promised Frank that she would make an effort to let him take the lead more when it cam down to making some decisions.
Carla smiled sympathetically at Rachel and cupped her face in her hands. "Frank's right, sweetheart. You broke the rules by not knocking and you know you aren't supposed to have treats this early in the day." She told the girl who visibly deflated. "Besides, I think making a start on you summer homework is a good idea. You haven't touched it since you've been off."
Rachel pouted and looked down at her shoes, "it's not fair. I didn't ask to come here today."
Her mother pulled her into a hug and rubbed her back comfortingly, "I know, darlin'. Hopefully it's just for today." The two separated and Carla gathered her bag when she saw Frank waiting by the office door for them. "Let's go get some lunch. I might be able to persuade Frank into getting you a milkshake at the cafe."
This seemed to brighten the little girl's mood slightly and the two followed behind Frank. The office door opening got the factory workers attention.
"Right, we're going for an early lunch. Sally, you're in charge." The resident snob grinned smugly whilst the rest of her colleagues rolled their eyes and muttered profanities under their breath. "When we get back, you guys can break for lunch." His eyes then landed on Kirk who was trying his best to blend into the background, "oh and, Kirk? When you come back from lunch, please refrain from playing games and focus more on packing will you?" He warned the other man who stuttered as he tried to come up with an excuse. "Our daughter here is going to be focusing on her summer studies for the rest of the day so she won't be getting in anyone's way from now on." He added on and rested his hand on Rachel's shoulder. The little girl looked down slightly in embarrassment when she realised that the majority of the work force were looking at her.
"Of course, Mr Foster." Kirk responded in contrition.
"Don't you worry, Mr Foster. I'll make sure these lot knuckle down. You go on and enjoy your lunch with your family." Sally said brightly, clearly sucking up to the bosses.
Frank nodded in thanks and with that, the trio left the factory and headed towards the cafe.
A few days later, Rachel was sat on the sofa with her arms crossed as she glared at the TV. It was so unfair! She had requested to have a glass of pop with her tea but Frank had shot her down right away. He claimed that she shouldn't have sugary drinks during the week at tea time because it took her longer to settle at bedtime. She argued that it was the summer holidays and it didn't matter what time she went to sleep.
"I know it's the summer holidays but that doesn't mean the rules on bedtime change. We've been lenient enough to extend it by an hour but that doesn't mean you can be up all hours of the night. Carla and I still have to go to work which means you have to go to holiday club." Frank lectured as he bustled around the kitchen area. Rachel pulled a face in a mocking fashion and rolled her eyes in response, something that didn't go unnoticed by Frank. "Enough of the attitude. Go and sit on the couch and wait quietly until tea is ready." He commanded.
So that was how she found herself in the aforementioned position. Her gaze on the TV was only broken when she heard Carla coming out of the bedroom. Her face lit up and she ran over to the woman.
"You'll let me have some pop with tea won't you, CC?" She asked sweetly as if butter wouldn't melt.
Frank looked over at the pair who were stood behind the couch, "oh no you don't, young lady. I've already said you can't and that's the end of it."
Carla frowned and shook her head disapprovingly at him. "Frank, we've always let her have a little pop with her tea."
Her fiance let out a deep sigh before making his way over to them. "Yeah well, I've decided that it's in everyone's best interest if we had a new rule." He raised his hand in a 'stop' motion when Carla went to interject, "she's had way too many late nights recently and it shows with how hard it is to get her out of bed in the mornings. I'm getting bored of her whining that she's tired over breakfast on a daily basis. Can we at least just try this out?"
Carla looked between the determination on Frank's face and the hopefulness on Rachel's. After a few contemplative seconds, she visibly deflated and gazed down at her daughter in sympathy. "I'm sorry, baby. I think Frank might have a point. Maybe we can make a deal and you can have pop with your tea every other night?"
Rachel pouted before shooting both parental figures an angry look. "It's not fair." She whined out.
Her mother glared at her slightly and stooped down to her level, "enough of the whining please. I know you aren't happy right now but you will see how much better you're going to feel in the morning when you've had enough sleep." Carla reasoned.
Rachel continued to glare and refused to verbally respond. Carla sighed and stood up straight before going over to the fridge in order to seek out the dry white wine she knew was waiting for her. She definitely needed it. She was starting to feel like the mediator in the family due to the fact that Frank and Rachel had at least one disagreement on a daily basis.
However, before she retrieved the wine, Carla realised they were running low on a few things. She looked in one of the kitchen cupboards and let out a tired sigh. "I'm going to have to pop to Dev's. We have no milk or bread for tomorrow morning and we're running low on fruit." She announced somewhat grateful of the excuse to escape the tense atmosphere that had suddenly shrouded the flat.
Rachel perked up at the thought of an opportunity to get away from Frank. "Can I come? I wanna go for a walk." She asked as she bounced up and down on her bottom where she had resumed her previous position on the couch.
Carla found the child's excitement endearing and looked to Frank for approval. He just shook his shoulders in answer to her unasked question. She then looked back at Rachel who had seemed to cheer up a little at the prospect of the little trip to the shops.
"Ok, go get your shoes on. You can help me choose something for desert." Carla eventually answered her daughter who gave an excited 'whoop' and rushed over to the shoe rack which was situated by the front door.
Carla grabbed her handbag and, after checking she had her keys to the flat, gave Frank a peck on the lips. "You need anything?" She asked and when he shook his head, she gave him one last soft smile before leaving.
It only took them ten minutes to walk to Dev's but in that short amount of time, Carla was glad to see her little girl become less tense with every step she took. It was nice to experience these little moments with her child. She never thought of herself as a mother so she didn't think she would ever see mundane but happy moments like this.
They spoke about a number of things like what movie Rachel wanted to go and see at the weekend and what they were going to have for tea on Sunday. Carla spoke about the factory girls antics and Rachel dropped in little anecdotes about her experiences at holiday club.
Before they knew it, they had reached Coronation Street and Carla released the hold she had on Rachel's hand as they stepped into Dev's shop. "Evening, Dev." Carla greeted in passing as she went over to the bread section.
Dev looked up briefly and gave his own greeting before looking back down at the newspaper he had laid out on the counter. Meanwhile, Rachel stood by the fridge containing the selection of fizzy drinks. She knew what she was about to do was wrong but her natural childish instincts got the better of her. The eight year old looked over at the shop owner before glancing at her mother who was inspecting the dates on the various loaves of bread. Confident that both adults were distracted enough, a little hand reached out and snatched up a can of 'Dr. Pepper' before shoving it into the pocket of her hoodie.
"Hey, I saw that!" Dev exclaimed as he came out from behind the counter and stalked over to the little blonde.
Carla's maternal instincts instantly kicked in when she realised the raised voice was directed at her child. She too rushed over to the fridge and drew Rachel into her side in a protective manner.
"Don't talk to my child like that." She spat out. She was the picture of a mama beat protecting her cub. Dev crossed his arms over his chest and glared. Sure, normally he found the factory owner quite intimidating but when it came down to his business being threatened, he would get over his trepidation of the woman in order to protect said business.
"Well maybe you should teach your child not to steal." He told her point blank before turning his attention to the child who had a scared yet guilty expression on her face. "Come on, hand it over." The businessman held out his hand expectantly.
Carla scoffed and tightened her hold on Rachel. "Don't be ridiculous, Dev. She doesn't need to steal so why would she?"
"Check her pocket." Dev insisted in a deadpan and slightly tired tone.
Rachel stiffened in her mother's arms which didn't go unnoticed by Carla. The dark haired woman drew her gaze away from Dev and put her hands on Rachel's shoulders so she could look the child in the eyes. However, all the little girl did was shift from foot to foot and look down at the tiled floor below her.
Carla closed her eyes as dread flooded her and took in a deep breath before reaching into the pocket in question. She paused momentarily when her hand grasped onto a cold metallic object. Carla looked up at Dev who had an eyebrow raised and his hand held out once again.
The can was pulled out and quickly returned to its rightful owner by one very embarrassed and frustrated Carla Connor. "Dev, I am so sorry. I don't know what's gotten into her." The woman apologised. Her attention was once again on her daughter as she hooked a finger under the girl's chin and raised it slightly.
Instead of seeing guilt in the child's icy orbs, Carla was shocked to be met with nothing but defiance. "Do you have something to say to Dev?"
Rachel remained silent and continued to glare at her mother who was growing even more frustrated with the situation. After a few moments of tense silence, Carla realised her stubborn child wasn't about to back down anytime soon. "Right, well you can explain when we get home. I'm sure Frank is going to want to hear all about it."
Rachel's eyes widened. The last thing she needed was Frank finding out about her indiscretion. She just knew he would used it against her later on down the line. "No! Don't tell him!" She exclaimed.
"You leave me no choice, young lady." Carla stated and took a firm grip of one of the child's hands. She then turned back to Dev who was giving her a look of sympathy, "I'm sorry, Dev. It won't happen again."
Dev relaxed his stance and nodded in understanding, "just a word of advice since I know you're still relatively new at the whole parenting thing...you've got to watch kids like a hawk otherwise they can get themselves into all sorts of mischief."
Carla offered him a small smile and nodded her head. "Oh believe me, I'm learning that the hard way." She admitted. "Right you, let's go. We'll deal with this at home."