Rachel breathed a sigh of relief, finally her and Abigail would be safe.

'Mumma, why did we have to leave our house?' Abigail asked confused

'Sweetie, you're far to young to understand.' She explained, kissing Abigail's forehead.

Abigail nodded, before Rachel reminded her 'It's time for bed now sweetie, you've got a big day tomorrow!'

'Preschool!' She exclaimed, jumping up and down.

A smile tugged at Rachel's lips, before she placed Abigail into the yellow painted cot.

'Goodnight baby.' She said, switching off the lights.

'Snuggles first?' Abigail asked

Rachel smiled and nodded 'Yeah. Come here . . .'

Abigail crawled into Rachel's lap and Rachel responded by wrapping her arms around her daughter's tiny frame, holding her close as she lay back down. She breathed in her familiar scent and knew that she had done the right thing in running away. They might not have been living in a palace but she would do anything to keep her safe and if it meant swapping a mansion for a scruffy two bed then so be it. As long as they were together and Abigail was safe, Rachel knew she didn't really care where they lived.


The next day was Abigail's first day at preschool.

Rachel covered her in a pink t-shirt that had 'minnie mouse' printed on it, she finished the outfit with a pair of jeans and some white fluffy boots.

'Me tired mama.' Abigail said, rubbing her eyes.

'I know you are baby but, you have your first day at nursery today.' Rachel reminded her, trying to sound as enthusiastic as she could manage, though she would have much preferred to curl up in bed for the day.

'I no go?'

'You need to go and once you get there I'm sure you'll make lots of new friends. They have lots of toys there for you to play with too.'

'Lots?' Abigail repeated, excited

Rachel nodded, happy her child was finally brightening up to the idea 'lots and lots'

Abigail clapped

Rachel tied Abigail's main of brown hair into a high pony tail before telling her daughter 'There you go, you look beautiful.'

After checking her phone, Rachel picked Abigail up and held her on her hip as she walked downstairs and handed her a little bag that she'd packed for her the night before. 'Here baby . . .'

'What's dis?' Questioned Abbey.

'You have to take it to nursery sweetheart.' Rachel replied

'Why?'

'It's got some things of yours in. Do you want to carry it.'

Abigail paused for a moment as if contemplating the question before she nodded and Rachel moved to stand behind her to place a strap over each of her arms so that it was on her back. After picking up her own bag Rachel held her hand out to Abigail before leaving the flat they'd only moved into the day before. She walked slowly along the path to allow Abigail to keep up with her, chattering as they went.

Rachel stopped outside of the nursery she had managed to get Abigail into at such short notice and crouched down in front of her so that they were of a similar height. 'Are you ready baby?' Rachel whispered and adjusted the headband her daughter was wearing.

Abigail shook her head and stepped closer 'no . . . I stay with you?'

'I thought you wanted to play with all of the toys?' She questioned, confused

'I play with my toys' Abigail replied

Rachel bit down on the inside of her lip as she tried desperately to keep her emotions under control and coax her daughter into nursery. It wasn't that she wanted rid of her, but Rachel knew she needed at least some time on her own to try and get their lives more organized than they currently were.

'Play with your toys when you get home?' she offered, hoping to meet somewhere in the middle.

'No I play with them now.' Abigail stepped closer to Rachel so that she was now standing between her legs as a shadow loomed over them and Rachel felt her heart beat speed up dramatically. Abigail placed her head in the crook of Rachel's neck as she wrapped her arm protectively around her waist. On turning around she found a fairly tall man with hair as dark as her own standing to the side of her. She frowned momentarily, utterly confused until she noticed the little boy stood at his side who was the spitting image of him.

Rachel swallowed; he really was very handsome. 'Hi . . ' she managed unsure of what he wanted.

He smiled, an adorable lopsided grin and Rachel felt herself automatically smiling back at him. 'I'm Finn, can I?' he gestured to Abigail with a nod who now had her hands curled around the material of Rachel's cardigan. She found herself nodding at his request.

The handsome stranger kneeled down so he was also of a similar height to Abigail and Rachel as he spoke softly, 'hey . . .'

'Abigail' Rachel replied, answering his unspoken question.

He smiled at Rachel 'Abigail' he repeated, "what's wrong?"

Abigail didn't answer and stepped closer to Rachel instead.

Finn hesitated for a moment before trying again. 'I was hoping you could help me . . '

This time Abigail turned a little, a small frown forming over her expression at Finn's comment, 'how?' she whispered.

'Well Finn here is on his own and he was wondering if you'd go in with him . . .' he gestured towards his son who smiled shyly.

Abigail turned to Rachel who raised her eyebrow a little before speaking. 'You can't let Finn go in on his own, can you? If you go in with him and have a good day I'll get you a blueberry muffin on the way home. How about that?'

Abigail paused and considered the offer, then nodded.

'Do we have a deal?'

'Deal. she smiled and wrapped her arms around Rachel's neck for a cuddle. Rachel smiled and mouthed 'thank you' at Finn who stood up and after a kiss from Abigail Rachel did the same.

Rachel smiled when Abigail took Finn's outstretched hand and they walked into nursery together chattering in baby speak. She bit down on her bottom lip gently before turning to Finn who was standing at the side of her. 'Thank you, I didn't think she was going to go in . . .'

Finn smiled, unable to ignore the breathtakingly beautiful woman that was standing before him. He found himself wanting to reach out and tuck a stand of hair that had escaped her hair tie behind her ear and the feeling shocked him. He swallowed and replied, trying to ignore the latest thought that had popped into his mind, 'just call it the Hudson charm.'

Rachel smiled 'Finn Hudson? Nice name . . .'

He smiled 'do you have a name?'

'It'd have been pretty cruel of my mum if I didn't'

He smirked.

'Rachel . . .' She shyly informe him

'Rachel?'

Rachel hesitated for a moment; it wasn't like she could tell him the truth. She would be too easy to find then. 'Roberts . . .'

'Well Rachel Roberts, what would you say to accompanying me for a coffee?'

'It's really nice of you . . . But ur- I have some things I need to do today.'

'Surely you can spare me twenty minutes?'

Rachel hesitated for a moment; she needed a friend didn't she? She had moved to somewhere she didn't know anyone and he had helped her a considerable amount that morning with Abigail and she was grateful. She nodded 'One cup, then I have to dash.'

Finn smiled and nodded at Rachel as he turned around and walked up the street with her in the direction of a little coffee shop that he frequently visited.