Forbidden love chapter 3: Girls day out

Date: 15th January 2019

Rachel was up at 3am again, but this time it was for a different reason, she hadn't yet slept as she was in deep thought about Emma. She kept repeating the conversation they had earlier over and over in her head.

"I love Jack mum".

Emma's voice echoed in Rachel's thoughts. She knew she would hear her say it one day, but was amazed that day had come already. She was worried; Rachel knew what people would think, and what they would say. She still thought Emma was too young to be having to deal with that. It would be a lot easier when they are in college or adults, but she stood by what she had said, if they wanted a relationship now she would support them no matter what. She was Especially worried that if Jack and Emma decided to have a relationship now as to what Monica would say, if she ever found out that Jack and Emma had decided to start dating she would be sure to bring a stop to it. Whatever the cost, even if the cost is a young girl's broken heart. Rachel knew there was no way Monica was having her only son dating anyone in Rachel's family, out of fear that they would get hurt.

Monica needed to understand that people get hurt, its a natural course of life and that she can't spend her whole life protecting Jack as if he was a baby. He is a 14 year old teenager and needs to make his own choices in life. Of course Rachel knew Monica would never listen to her or see it that way.

"Do you think he really feels that way?"

Although she knew she was encouraging Emma by telling her the truth, she believed Emma needed to here the truth and not some sugar-coated lie that Monica would have wanted her to tell her. She believed Jack did have hidden feelings for Emma and as love goes she believed Jack wouldn't be able to hide his feelings for long.

She needed to help Emma, one way or another, If anything she wanted to cheer her up. Rachel looked up at the ceiling as she did every night hoping to receive guidance or advice on how to proceed with life.

On this particular night she looked up and asked;

"Ross, what should I do? How do I cheer Emma up? Do you think I'm doing the right thing by supporting Emma in her love for our nephew?"

Rachel closed her eyes and waited trying to drift into a peaceful slumber. After a few minutes she awoke with a start. She looked towards the bottom of the bed and saw to her amazement her fashion magazine that she had been reading flicking pages rapidly, as if it was searching for a particular page. Rachel was sure she had just left a window open and that it was only the wind. But when she looked over at the window she saw it was firmly shut.

After a few seconds the pages stopped flickering and stopped at a particular page.

Rachel very timidly reached for the magazine. She was terrified and behaving as if it might bite. She picked it up slowly, noting how cold it felt, even though her room was very warm. Scanning the room as she did still searching for an explanation as to what had just happened.

When she looked at the page that it had stopped on she nearly fell out of bed. It was a 2 page advertisement for new Hollister boyfriend style jeans and cowgirl style tops. She smiled, these were defiantly Emma's style of clothes, even if she didn't like wearing designer ranges, this helped her to understand that this was Ross signalling his sign of approval and it gave Rachel an idea of how to cheer her daughter up.

"Thank you my love", she said as she blew a kiss towards the ceiling and as usual she felt a cold breath of air in her face in return, that always made her heart skip a beat. She knew he was up there, watching her and his family and that he always would be, he never truly left.

Satisfied she put the magazine on her bedside table open on the page it had stopped at. She switched off the light and got under the duvet ready for a good nights sleep. When she closed her eyes though she heard a very faint soft cry. If she had been asleep she wouldn't have heard anything.

Concerned she got out of bed and walked onto the landing. She pressed her ear to each of the three doors to listen in; when she got to Emma's door she heard soft crying coming from inside. Rachel sighed, knowing why her eldest daughter was upset. She didn't want to knock as it might wake the other children so she called softly.

"Emma, its me, can I come in?"

Emma called back with a stifled "yeah".

Rachel opened the door and was greeted by the scene of her eldest daughter lying tucked into her duvet in the foetal position, she was clutching a little green dinosaur plush that Rachel recognized as the one Jack had bought Emma not long after Ross died.

Rachel made her way over to the bed and sat down; she instinctively out of habit brushed the loose tendrils out of Emma's face and ran her hand through her hair stroking it back onto the pillow. Emma looked up at her mum, her face red and puffy, her face tear streaked from two hours of crying. The sight broke Rachel's heart. She pulled Emma into a hug. Emma held onto her mum for as long as she could. When Rachel released her, Emma reached under her pillow and pulled out her Iphone 9, "iphone display most recent text" she waitied a second then when it was up handed her mum the phone. Rachel looked at the top of the message screen and saw it was from Jack, worry instantly took over Rachel as she knew this would be bad.

She looked down, not really wanting to know what it said, but she knew it was necessary to read it.

Em, mum found out about the rumour, I don't know how, but I think Erica told her, she's furious, she has warned me to stay away from you. She said if I don't then she will send me to England. I really don't want to go to England, I think she means it this time. And, maybe it's for the best, maybe we need to take a break from each other. I'm really sorry, please forgive me, I hope you understand xxx

Rachel gasped; she re-read the message again just to be sure she had read right. Would Monica really go that far as to send her son half way across the world to keep him away from Emma. One line had really hit home to Rachel;

Maybe we need to take a break from each other.

Horrible memories of Ross and Rachel's "break" came flooding back along with all the horrendous emotions and problems that had accompanied it.

That was a part of her life she had tried to bury and never think of again, but here she was faced with her eldest daughter in a similar situation, this was the last thing Rachel wanted Emma to go through.

Emma looked up at her mother trying to judge her expression, Emma opened her mouth to speak but before any words could come out Rachel spoke up.

"He's scared" She stated.

"Scared? Of what?" Emma asked.

"Monica". Rachel stated, now with a tone of hatred in her voice.

"She controls him and until he is old enough to break away from her and only if he chooses will he be released from her grip".

Emma nodded in agreement.

"Em, I know this isn't what you planned or wanted, but maybe for the mean time you should go along with what Jack says for a bit". Emma looked hurt at this comment. Rachel noticed this and decided to interject.

"Please just hear me out".

"I know you're upset, sad and devastated to lose your best friend, but you will be even more devastated if he has to go to England as you will never see him again. You should focus on distracting yourself; try to block him out for a bit and maybe even focus on finding another boy to like".

Emma was extremely sceptical.

"I know he wouldn't be the same, but for now it might be nice, it's very selfish to go after a boy you like knowing it will cause him pain and possibly cause him to be sent away from everything he knows and ...loves" She looked at Emma hoping she would understand. "Monica will never change but Jack will, trust me".

Emma nodded still very unsure, but she knew her mum was right.

"I tell you what, why don't you take a day off tomorrow and me and you will go to the mall, get you some new clothes, get your hair done and look at any the shops you want, it will take your mind off Jack and a new image can sometimes bring new hope and a new look on life".

Emma nodded, maybe a girl's day out would be just what she needed.

"Now go to sleep, have a lie in tomorrow, ok?" Rachel bent over and kissed Emma's forehead then went to leave.

"Mum," Emma said sleepily.

"Yeah?" Rachel turned her head.

"Thanks" Emma said smiling; "You always know how to make me feel better".

Rachel winked, "That's what mums are for". With that she left the room closing the door behind her.

Ross would be proud, of both his wife and his daughter, and utterly disgusted at how Monica is behaving.

Rachel slept happily that night dreaming of Ross. She almost didn't hear her alarm go off at 6.30am.

She rose, yawning, today was going to be a very eventful day, Rachel was happy that she was spending the day with Emma as she sometimes worried that as Emma was getting older, the time they spent together was dwindling, sure she helped out with the twins but Rachel rarely got to spend time alone with Emma. She would enjoy the company; it got lonely at home sometimes. When Ross and Lilly were babies it hadn't been so bad having them to look after all day gave her a distraction and some company. But now, sometimes she hated the quiet. She had left her job to be a full time mum and since Ross's death she had found it a lot harder to socialise so she spent a lot of time alone or with her family, but now Ross and Lilly were in school she was seriously considering going to a local community college to do a course.

Rachel got up; she always woke up at 6.30am so she had time for a coffee alone in the mornings.

When she was dressed and her hair and make up were done she went to have her morning coffee.

As if on queue at 7am, she heard the rustling of Ross and Lilly clambering out of bed and rushing to find their school stuff. They loved school, for now Rachel thought. They were so much like Ross. She finished her coffee and started on breakfast.

"Ellie, time to get up" she shouted to her daughter Ella.

10 minutes later Ross and Lilly came bounding down the stairs like a heard of elephants, Rachel felt sorry for Emma, she had told her to have a lie in, but she must have been awake now by the amount of noise the twins were making. Her 2nd daughter Ella followed, slowly making her way down the stairs yawning. That girl did not like mornings.

"Mummy, please can I help set the table?" Asked Lilly, she always loved being mummy's little helper.

Rachel smiled down at her daughter and nodded passing her the cutlery.

"Breakfast is ready" Rachel called putting the food on the table. Everyone sat down and began to eat. Where's Emmy? Ross asked.

"Yeah she didn't help us this morning, Ellie did" Lilly stated.

Did you thank your sister? Rachel said trying to change the subject. They both nodded proud of themselves.

Ella was not as impressed, "yeah where is Emma?" She asked.

Rachel didn't really want to talk about it, but at the same time she knew her children wouldn't stop bothering her until she gave them an explanation, but she knew they would want to stay off as well.

"Emma's not feeling too good so she's staying home today".

All 3 children's mouths dropped

"But its science club today and Emma would never miss that". Ella stated in shock, now suddenly seemingly awake.

"I'm aware of that and if she's feeling better she will go later".

That was the end of the conversation. Ross and Lilly left with Rachel at 8.30am as usual. As soon as they were gone Ella rushed upstairs to Emma's door. She knocked and called to her sister, "its me, let me in".

Emma sighed; she had no privacy and knew why her sister wanted to talk to her.

"Go away!" she tried, "I'm trying to sleep". She knew Ella wouldn't fall for it though.

"Just let me in" Ella said exasperated.

"Fine", Emma said reluctantly

Ella smirked and walked into the smallest room. She looked over to see Emma sat fully dressed on her bed reading a science book.

"Trying to sleep fully dressed are we?"

Emma rolled her eyes not averting her attention from her book to the girl stood in front of her.

"Spill it girl, what's going on? You never miss science club".

"I'll be there." Emma stated.

"So you're not ill then, so tell me what is wrong?" Ella was very curious by now.

Emma sighed, and pulled up the text from Jack, she would let that talk for her. She handed the phone to her sister who took it and read it. When she was done she handed Emma the phone and simply stated, "He's right, it's probably for the best, stop being such a drama queen" Ella said. Emma wanted to strangle her little sister. But before she had the chance the doorbell rang, waving her hand she went to leave the room. "Cya sis".

When Ella opened the door she saw her best friend Tiffany, Tiffany was in Ella's class and the two had been best friends since Kindergarten, they both wanted to be rich, famous, popular and captain of the cheerleading squad. Behind Tiffany were Ella's two cousins Jack and Erica, who she always walked to school with.

"Hey Tiff" Ella smiled as she closed the door and began to walk to school, Jack waited a few steps back then called to Ella, "El where's Emma?" Ella was not happy to be interrupted, "she's not coming" she shouted back.

"Why not?" he asked concerned

Ella rolled her eyes, for a smart guy he was pretty clueless, "because of the text you sent her dingo, anyway your supposed to be staying away from her remember".

"She's right,come on Jack, we're going to be late." Erica shouted to him

Jack sighed; he was now beginning to hate his life. He walked shuffling his feet, trailing behind Ella and Tiffany and he wasn't talking to Erica as he was convinced she had told on him. Tiffany noticed this and when Ella and Erica started a conversation together, she discreetly slowed down so she was in line with Jack.

"Your Jack Bing right?" she asked.

Jack nodded not really feeling like talking.

"I'm La-Tiffany but my friends call me Tiffany, aren't you the Jack from the rumour that's been going round? The one who was supposed to be dating his cousin?" Jack was getting irritated now, he didn't want to talk about that, especially now.

"I mean, what idiot makes up such a prosperous rumour that is clearly untrue? I've seen you with her, it so doesn't look like you're going out, and it just looks like you are childhood best friends".

This got Jacks attention, "Yeah, I know right?" He was happy someone in the school believed him.

"So what happened?"

Jack felt secure with Tiffany, she was so easy to talk to, and he felt like he could trust her. He felt like it would do him good to talk to someone about it.

"My mum, that's what happened, she hates my cousin's family, especially my aunt Rachel. She blames my aunt for hurting my mum's brother Ross before he died. And now she believes Emma will do the same thing to me? How crazy is that?".

"Very!" Tiffany said, "Your mum sounds a bit crazy and paranoid, if you don't mind me saying".

Jack laughed at this. He felt better for some reason when he was with Tiffany. Suddenly his worries of Emma seemed to disappear for the moment.

The rest of the way to school Tiffany and Jack chatted happily, Tiffany revealed how much she loved Astronomy and how she wanted to join the science club but was too afraid that people would see her as a nerd and it would ruin her chances of being on the cheerleading squad.

When they got to school Tiffany went off with Ella to class. But before she left she turned to Jack and asked, "Do you want to come to my house tonight to look at the full moon".

Jack smiled, he had never been invited to another girl's house, except family but then he remembered, he was grounded.

"I'm sorry, but I'm grounded till Tuesday, can I come the Friday after, maybe after science club."

Tiffany giggled, "sure, maybe I will reconsider joining if you're in it" she said giving him an award winning smile.

Jack couldn't wait; maybe this other friend's thing wasn't as bad as he first thought.

When Tiffany and Ella were walking away Ella turned to Tiffany and said;

"I can't believe you just did that!"

Tiffany grinned, "What? He's cute and smart and oh my god that body!" She giggled. Ella put a finger in her mouth and pretended to make a puking noise, "He's my cousin remember, too much info, and besides he's so hooked on my sister it's unbelievable."

Tiffany smirked, "I'm not so sure".

Ella rolled her eyes as the too walked into home room.

Meanwhile:

Rachel came back at 9.15am; Emma was already downstairs reading her science book when her mum walked in.

Rachel went and sat down beside Emma, "How are you feeling today?" She asked putting her hand on Emma's knee.

"I'm ok" she smiled weakly.

"Shall we go then?" Rachel asked.

Emma nodded; the two made their way to the car and drove to Westchester mall. Rachel didn't tell Emma but she had brought along the magazine on the page that it had stopped at, she had every intention of buying Emma the exact same jeans.

When they got to the mall Rachel immediately suggested they go to Hollister. Emma looked unsure as she had never been in there. It looked too strange for her, for a start it looked like a house, and the half naked male models stood outside were not her taste, not to mention the fact it was so dark and you had to queue up to get in. Nether the less she would go along with what her mum wanted. As she did need some new clothes and she knew her mum would know best what looked and suited her style. Though she didn't think she would find any in there. She queued up nether the less like everyone else. When she got inside she couldn't believe the selection and the variety of clothes, she was never one to go for designer makes, personally always preferring cheap clothes from Wall marts and Target but even she couldn't resist the selection of jeans, t-shirts, shirts and Jackets.

Emma's face nearly hit the floor when Rachel told her she could pick out anything she wanted. Emma thought of Ella's face when she would see what she got, she would be so jealous as she was always pestering Rachel for designer clothes and sometimes Rachel had to put a limit how many she got, she knew if her mum had said that to Ella she would be bankrupt by now. Emma on the other hand was a lot more sensible and knew there were others stores to go in, so she asked her mum

"Can you please pick me one outfit out mum and I'll pick one."

"Sure honey" Rachel was secretly jumping for joy; this gave her a chance to get the outfit from the magazine.

Rachel went off to find it, when she found Emma again, she saw Emma had picked out some straight leg jeans, a cowgirl style shirt and a fleece. Rachel showed Emma the boyfriend style jeans and Hollister logo top with a Hollister logo Jacket to match. To Rachel's amazement Emma loved the clothes Rachel had picked out for her she knew this was Ross's doing.

When they got to the till the woman keyed in all the items and rang it up as $300. Emma's face nearly hit the floor, "Mum, I can't let you spend that much on me" and said concerned.

"Tisk tisk honey, its fine, you deserve only the best". She smiled at her daughter as well as the cashier, it was not often she saw a teenager concerned with how much there parent was spending on them, it was refreshing.

Next Emma and Rachel went to get their nails done. Emma was beginning to feel quite guilty now as the hair and nails had cost $150 now.

When Rachel had suggested they got to the DVD store Emma politely declined and instead suggested they go for coffee. Rachel knew Emma like the back of her hand, she hated being spoilt, even a bit but Rachel believed every girl needed to be spoilt once in a while. So she agreed to go for coffee as it would be nice to sit down and talk, but she had a better idea in mind.

"Its lunch time now, why don't we go to an Italian restaurant", Rachel knew this would get her; Emma adored Italian food and always dreamed of going to Italy. There was no way she could resist this and as predicted she nodded with a smile as big as her face.

They sat down at a nice Italian restraunt and had a lovely dinner chatting happily for a few hours.

It was approaching 2pm and Rachel had to go pick up the twins soon, she had asked Emma to come along as she knew the twins would get so much joy in Emma being their to pick them up, but Rachel had one more thing in store for Emma. A trip to the coffee house.

Emma went a bit quiet on the car journey there which worried Rachel slightly. Rachel was even more confused by the look she got from Frankie when she walked in on a school day with her mum. He seemed oddly nervous and for then life of her Rachel couldn't understand why.

They sat down and were about to drink their coffee and eat their muffins when Rachel's phone rang. Westchester high appeared as the caller ID on the screen so Rachel assumed it was about Ella.

"Excuse me for a minute" she told Emma and walked outside.

"Hello?"

"Hello can I speak to Mrs Gellar?"

"Speaking" Rachel said.

"This is Principle Chang from Westchester high, I was wondering if I could talk to you about your daughter Emma"

"Yes, what about her?"

"Well, when we were going through the attendance records for the entire 11th grade we noticed that the English teacher mentioned that Emma almost never attends her class. We were wondering if you knew why."

Rachel was annoyed now; he eldest daughter was skipping class. Just wait till I get my hands on her. No, I'm sorry principle Chang I don't know why that is, but I will defiantly find out."

"Well, there is another thing, we have become, ermm concerned about Emma in other classes. She seems to have a lot of knowledge of subjects but when it comes to writing it down she doesn't seem to be able to produce the same level as her verbal. We would like Emma to attend a dyslexia assessment next Thursday at 2pm as we think this maybe why she is skipping her English classes."

"Yes Principle Chang, i think that's a great idea, I will tell her, hopefully we can get to the bottom of this."

"Thank you Mrs. Gellar, have a nice day."

"I will thank you for calling."

Rachel hung up the phone, she didn't know whether to be annoyed or not. She had just found out that her daughter had been skipping English class but that she may have dyslexia. This would not be an easy situation to handle.

When Emma walked back into the coffee house, Emma knew instantly by her expression that something was wrong.

"Emma, we need to talk" Rachel said firmly. "Tell me what you've been doing every Thursday after lunch?" Emma gulped, her mum had found out about the English classes, if today had taught Emma anything it was that her mum had gone out of her way to make her feel better today and she deserved the truth.

"I've been skipping class to come here, because the works too confusing and complicated." Emma bowed her wanting to cry, she was so ashamed. "I'm really sorry mum; I promise I won't do it again." That was the truth.

Rachel was slightly surprised; she hadn't expected Emma to come clean so quickly. Her face softened. "Oh Em, if you had a problem you should have come to me. English is very important, especially if you want to get into any college as most won't accept you without a passing grade."

Emma was surprised, she hadn't thought of that.

Rachel continued, "I understand that you find it hard so the school has suggested you attend a dyslexia assessment next Thursday, so if there is something up then they can support you."

"What's dyslexia?" Emma asked, she couldn't believe their might be a condition to describe why she found words, spelling, grammar and punctuation so confusing.

"It's when you can process the information verbally but you find it hard to write it down."

"That's how I feel" Emma said slightly relieved, "Am I going to be punished?" Emma asked

Rachel shook her head, "I am going to trust you Emma, trust that you will not do this again". And she was going to go to the coffee shop every Thursday after lunch but she didn't want Emma to know this.

"Thanks mum, and I am very sorry" Emma hugged Rachel, "I've had an amazing day out" Emma smiled, "I feel so much better."

"I'm glad" Rachel smiled back at Emma. "Now let's go pick up the twins."

With that they left the coffee shop, Emma realised today that she didn't need Jack for support because she had her mum who she knew she could always count on.

Chapter 4: Meeting you