Part 52

The DJ had arrived therefore the music suddenly filled the room, which caused Michael to have an idea, especially as he had just seen the interaction between Rachel and Eddie. "Rachel will you dance with me and Daddy", Michael asked although he had a cunning plan, "yes I will do but I can't really dance and we should get a table so when you're old dad is tired from the dancing he has somewhere to sit". Rachel laughed at Eddie as she loved teasing him as the expression on his face was priceless. Michael saw an opportunity to continue the teasing "yes he is old, but it doesn't matter if you can't dance because I know daddy can't". Eddie pretended to be annoyed at the two of them so he made his way to the table towards the back of the hall, with both Michael and Rachel following him, "I think daddy is annoyed with us, Michael" Rachel said trying to goad Eddie into turning round, he fell for it as when he turned round he smiled as Rachel was smiling which resulted in her face being lit up. Does she know how beautiful she is?

Michael led the two of them to the dance floor but he had no intention of being there for very long; he was looking round for somewhere he could go for the whole time when he was walking to the stage. A lot of other people soon joined them on the floor so it ended up with it being quite crowded; however Rachel and Eddie could only see each other. Michael released their hands which enabled them to just be alone on the dance floor, however the two of them felt alone and they didn't mind it, if any thing they liked it even preferred it. They were swaying in time to the music and didn't notice that the music was close to the end of the song, so would be finishing resulting in silence soon. They were both glazing into each other's eyes How lucky am I to be here with her thought Eddie, unaware at that instant Rachael was thinking exactly the same about him. It had been a couple of minutes before either of them realised that Michael had gone, this caused the two of them to search round the room to check he was safe and then they both laughed as he tried to give the impression he was doing something productive. Seeing that Michael was standing by the teacher's they were in no hurry to leave the dance floor, enjoying the comfort that it provided them both with.

Once again their eyes locked together realising that they were unable to deny the attraction which they both were feeling; the attraction which was getting stronger with each day and visit. Their heads started to get closer, neither of them being aware of this movement as they were both lost in each other's eyes. The natural worrier in Rachel went into overdrive, should we be doing this, will I get hurt. However for the moment she didn't care, she was doing something she hadn't done before; she was living for the moment.

Their lips were so close they were almost touching however a loud sound interrupted them, it was the room announcer, "we have been told that Father Christmas is about to arrive so if we are all very quiet he may come in". Rachel and Eddie pulled away both thinking what may have happened had they not been interrupted, almost wishing they hadn't been. The two of them found Michael who had returned to the table, "Are you looking forward to seeing Father Christmas Michael?" Rachel asked pleased seeing the excitement that Michael was getting from the situation, but partly to take her mind from questioning the feelings which she had for Eddie.

"Shh he's coming" said the teacher, all the children went quiet as none of them wanted to be the reason why Father Christmas left. The door swung open and in walked Father Christmas. Rachel smiled when she saw the look on Michael's face but she instantly felt regret, regret at not being able to see Michael open his presents on Christmas day and regret at never being able to have first hand experience with a child feeling this excited about Christmas. Christmas was a time to spend with family but for Rachel the only family she had Melissa; not exactly someone you want to spend Christmas with; or any other time for that matter. This caused Rachel to feel annoyed at herself as despite everything Melissa had done, she was still her younger sister.

"Michael Lawson" the teacher called the next name on Father Christmas' list, Michael walked up to Father Christmas all excited about what he would say and the possibility of sitting on his knee, the excitement overcoming the nerves that he felt when he left Rachel and Eddie holding hands in the circle formed round Father Christmas.

Father Christmas picked Michael up and placed him on his knee "so Michael, have you been a good boy this year". Michael thought about this question and then nodded, "I think so", Father Christmas laughed, Rachel and Eddie looked at one another; they had very rarely heard this laugh before but they knew exactly who it was.