A/N Wow, I'm actually past the 50 review mark. Never thought I'd get to this when I started this story. Also, everyone needs to check out both Tough Relationship by lucy000 and Coming Back by TweetieBird34, which are great stories in the making. I apologise for the grittiness at the moment, I can promise you we will return to the fluffiness soon, and apologies if the chapter sucks.

AMBER'S POV

I woke up next morning with yet another bloody hangover. For 16 years, I'd never even touched a drop, now I just had constant hangovers. My phone started buzzing. I looked at it. It said unknown, so I just ignored it. It went off again, the same number. Tom grumbled next to me, "Will you turn that blasted thing off?"

"Aww is someone Mr Grumpy this morning?" I laughed, poking him.

"I'll show you Mr Grumpy" he said, suddenly coming to life, straddling me. I wondered what he was doing until he started to tickle me.

"Tom, haha, Tom, get off me" I pleading, laughing while trying to kick him off me. I pressed my lips to his, and he stopped, moving his arms to my hips. I broke the kiss and winked.

"Sneaky" he said.

"I know" I replied, and ran to the bathroom before he could tickle me again and locked the door. I laughed as he banged on the door. I ignored him and proceeded to get myself ready. I finished and unlocked the bathroom, and tried to suppress a giggle when I saw him sat on the bed, with his bottom lip out and a grumpy face. He looked so cute. He looked up and saw that I was out. He didn't say anything, just dashed past me before I changed my mind. Half an hour passed before he emerged, looking absolutely no different, apart from the slightly gelled bit of hair, and a little bit less facial hair. I pulled a face at him.

"What?" he asked.

"You've been in there half an hour" I moaned.

"And?" he asked.

"You don't look any different" I replied.

"Neither do you" he said.

"But I only took 10 minutes" I said.

"Yeah, but it doesn't take you that long to look perfect" he replied, making me blush.

"Thank you" I said.

"I mean it, you should know that by now" he said, pulling me close.

"I know you do. " I replied, kissing him. He deepened the kiss, and things were starting to get a bit heated, for he broke away, the heat fast disappearing. He winked at me.

"We've got school Miss Mints, in case you've forgotten" he said, putting on his best strict teacher voice.

"How could I Mr Clarkson" I replied, rolling my eyes. We got in his car, and set off. I had maths today, which was going to be hard. It wouldn't be the same without Eddie at all.

TOM'S POV

We arrived at school, and to my surprise, Rachel pulled up at well. I wasn't expecting to see her at all. "Rachel" I said.

"Oh, good morning Tom" she said, smiling, or I think, forcing a smile. Normally when she smiled, you could see it in her eyes, but it wasn't there. The twinkle had been replaced by a dullness, and there were big bags under her eyes, like she hadn't been sleeping. She shouldn't be here at all. She looked like she could use a good night's sleep. "You sound surprised" she said.

"I am. What are you doing here Rachel?" I asked.

"I'm doing my job" she stated.

"You know Rache, I'm sure Chris could handle everything." I said, but she cut me off.

"Why? I'm Headteacher, not Chris. I'm fine. Life goes on, now I don't want to hear another word Tom. I'll see you in the staffroom" she said, and walked away. That was weird. I walked Amber to her form room, but stopped when we got to Eddie's room. It just looked so bare, and there were tons of flowers outside the door.

"You ok?" Amber asked.

"I'm fine; it's just weird, seeing his room like this." I replied.

"It'll all be ok Tom" she said, trying to comfort me.

"I know" I replied, sighing. I walked her to her form, and said goodbye. I went to the staffroom, and made myself a brew. Chris walked in.

"Morning" he said. I nodded in response.

"How you holding up?" he asked.

"Alright, it's just tough mate" I replied.

"I know, he was close to us all, especially Rachel. Speaking of which, I noticed that she's in. Is she ok?" he asked.

"Well, she says she is, but I don't know mate. I really don't." I replied.

"Ok, just keep an eye on her. She's the glue that holds this place together, and if she breaks, we're all buggered" he said.

"Sure mate" I smiled. Kim and Andrew walked in, looking very happy with themselves.

"What's got you so smiley?" I asked.

"Show them Kim" Andrew said. Kim put her hand out.

"Is that what I think it is?" I asked.

"Yeah. He proposed last night, over a candlelight dinner when we had come home from the pub." Kim replied.

"Aww, well I'm glad to see you so happy. See, look what happens after a push in the right direction for moi" I replied, hugging them both. I left them to it. Rachel was nowhere to be seen. I took my morning walk, to check everyone was in the right form, and found Rachel sat at Eddie's desk, clutching a photo frame. I opened the door gently.

"Rachel?" I said softly. She jumped when I spoke.

"Oh, Tom. I wasn't expecting you" she replied, startled, looking up. "I have to, I have to go." I grabbed her arm as she passed.

"Rachel, stop." I said gently. She sat back down. "Tell me the truth. You're not fine are you?" She waited a minute before breaking down into tears.

"No, I'm not. I just miss him so much Tom. I need him. I need his arms around me; I need him to hold me. I want him back Tom." I put my arms around her, and she sobbed into my shoulder.

"I know I know Rache. He wouldn't want you be sad. He knows how much you love him, and I'm sure if he were here, he'd be letting you know the same thing. You know you can always talk to me, and Chris, and Kim. Don't bottle things up, it's not good for you." I said. She pulled away, and wiped her tears away.

"Thanks Tom. This is why Eddie loved you" she said.

"Anytime" I smiled, and she left the room.

AMBER'S POV

I was sat in maths. God it was crap. The new teacher that we had, Mr Tyler, he was a bit of an arse. He was definitely no Eddie, and everyone could tell that he was trying to be. I already want this day to be over.

I got my wish. The day went quite quickly. I had double science, music, and history. Everybody could see how much his death was affecting all the teachers, especially Miss Mason. She taught with no conviction today, like she was just going through the motions. To be honest I was glad to see Tom at the end of it.

"Hey beautiful, good day?" he asked.

"No, not really. All the teachers just seem really down." I replied.

"You had maths today?" he asked.

"Yeah, I didn't really like Mr Tyler, too pompous for me" I replied, making Tom smile.

"What about history?" he asked.

"I had that as well, that was the lesson where you could really tell. Miss Mason was really sad. She must be feeling awful." I replied.

"She is. I found her before at his desk, crying. It's not good Amber, not good at all" he said, sighing.

"Let's go home" I smiled, and Tom pulled out of the car park. I couldn't wait to get home. As we pulled up, I saw someone sat on the doorstep. It couldn't be? Not after all this time. I got out.

"Dad?" I spluttered. He smiled at me.

"Surprise!" he grinned.