The Heart Never Lies

Chapter Fourteen: Family Afternoon

When Eddie returned a while later, after bumping into Phil and leaving them at the park, he quietly entered the living room and kissed her forehead as she slowly opened her eyes. She smiled and sat up slightly so he could sit behind her, resting her head on his lap as he ran his hand through her hair.

"Where's Michael?"

"At the park with Phil; he wanted to stay longer. Did Kim come?"

"Yeah; she's suggested I take the rest of the week off, maybe go away for a few days"

"Not a bad idea"

"Eddie, how drunk was I last night?"

"We didn't do anything, just kissed; how are you feeling?"

"Okay, a little confused, and tired. I don't know what I'm so exhausted"

"You're not used to running around after Michael; how about I get my parents to have him tomorrow night? Give you a break and us a chance to relax?"

"Don't do it just for me; spending all day sleeping isn't helping either"

"Let's change that; let's do something together…something fun"

"Like what?" she asked as she sat up and looked at him.

"I dunno, anything; what do you wanna do?"

"You know what we have done in a while?"

"What?"

"Let me beat your ass at bowling"

"For your information, I let you win that game"

"You liar; I won fair and square"

"By cheating, more like" he teased.

"I did not cheat; you are just a sore loser"

"We'll see; how about we watch a film?"

"Fly Away Home?"

"I've never seen it"

"How have you not seen it? It's a classic; I love it"

"Then we'll watch it; you set it up and I'll get the drinks and popcorn"

"I'll have a Pepsi; there is no way I'm drinking again tonight!"

"You sure?"

"I'm still suffering from last night"

"Pepsi it is then"

He kissed her forehead before leaving the room; when Michael and Phil came home, they were still watching the film. Michael ran over and climbed onto Rachel's lap as he kissed her and snuggled against her to doze off.

"So, what do you think?" Rachel asked as the film finished and Eddie turned the TV off and looked at her.

"I think I'll stick to what I like but it's nice to see you happy"

"Thank you…for cheering me up"

"Anything to see you smiling again; this depressed version of you doesn't suit you. I didn't like it when you were been blackmailed or when I was with Melissa"

"Everyday since you left, I've blamed myself for turning you down on my first day back because if I hadn't have, Mel wouldn't have got pregnant"

"I'm here now"

"I know; I'll do dinner tonight"

"I don't mind doing it"

"You can help"

Rachel gently laid Michael on the sofa, covered him with a blanket and kissed his forehead before she and Eddie went into the kitchen. After dinner, whilst Eddie and Phil washed up, Rachel bathed Michael before holding his hand as they went into his room.

Rachel…can you play with me tomorrow?"

"Course I can; in you get" she said as she pulled the duvet back and over him as she sat on the bed next to him.

"Did you have fun at the park with Phil?"

"He pushed me high on the swings and we went on the slides too and he took me to the shops and we had chocolate and…"

He pulled a bag out from under his pillow and gave it to her.

"What's this honey?"

"Phil brought it for me to give you for looking after me"

"You didn't have to; I love looking after you" she said as she pulled out a teddy from the bag.

"I took yours so now you won't be lonely when you go to sleep"

"Thank you; what story do you want tonight?"

"Bob the Builder"

"Okay"

After he was asleep, she kissed his forehead before leaving the room; she went down to the kitchen where Phil and Eddie were just finishing up.

"He gave it to you then?" Phil asked.

"Gave you what?" Eddie asked, confused as he turned round.

"Your son asked Phil to buy me a present for looking after him; kinda sweet really"

"He really likes you; you should've seen his face. He really wanted to get you something special and…how could I say no to his cute face?" Phil said as he stood in front of his aunt.

"Thanks Phil" she said as she hugged her nephew as Eddie left the room.

"Hey, Rache, how are you really doing?"

"Honestly, not good but I'm getting there; when's your next exam?"

"Next week"

"How do you fancy getting away for a few days?"

"Are you not working?"

"I've got the rest of the week off; and lying around this place isn't helping me"

"Is going away really going to help though?"

"Maybe, maybe not; I need something to keep me busy"

"Well, how about we all go somewhere tomorrow…as a family?"

"Are you not seeing Ros?"

"After what happened last week, we're steering clear of each other; we could go bowling?"

He looked at Rachel, confused as she chuckled slight.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, the last time I went bowling was the night you bailed on Eddie and I, and I totally thrashed home but…that was when Eddie and I had our first kiss"

"Bowling it is then…and Michael loves the arcade too so it'll be fun for all of us"

"Thanks Phil" she said, hugging her nephew again before he went upstairs. She went in to the living room where she sat in Eddie's arms as he ran his fingers through her hair.

"Everything okay?"

"It's fine; so, what do you think about Michael getting me a present?" she asked she put the bear on his lap.

"It's cute; I've never seen him take to anyone so quickly and…he adores and loves you, just as much as his daddy does"

"How can you be so sure you love me? A week ago, you were with my sister?"

"Because I've never stopped…" he said, gently lifting her head to meet his eye line as he leant in and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

"But…"

She silenced by his lips once more; she allowed the kiss to deepen further before she stood up and held her hand out.

"Are you sure?" he asked as he stood and took her hand, not wanting to push her too far, too quick.

She nodded before leading him upstairs and into her bedroom; a while later, she was fast asleep as Eddie lay watching her.

"I love you Rachel Mason" he whispered as he dozed off, Rachel in his arms.