Hi everyone, as always, thank you so much for all the support with this fic. Your reviews make my day.

Sorry this is a rather late update for today - it's been a rather busy day for a Sunday. Also just a quick note, when it says 'roughly four weeks later' that is the start of the October half term.

Anyway, hope you enjoy & please let me know what you think x

The silence that elapsed as Rachel spoke caused her stomach to twist and turn. Eddie's blank facial expression had her convinced that her prior confession had torn their relationship into shreds.

"Oh do you know I don't really know what I was thinking," Rachel began with a half hearted laugh, "you and I aren't going to have the time to bring up a child, what with work and all and well- ,"

Eddie's next gesture cut off Rachel's ramblings entirely. The way his finger made contact with her lips sent shivers flying down her spine. This was only reinforced with the gentle "sh" that followed.

When he removed his finger, Rachel's first instinct was to speak once more; emphasise her earlier understanding. However the caring facial expression that now sprawled across Eddie's features told her otherwise.

"Sweetheart, I couldn't agree with you more. I love you Rachel, so much. So to have a child with you, well…" he paused for a moment, utterly overwhelmed by that thought, "it would be the best thing that could possibly happen."

For the entirety of the time that Eddie spoke, the couple were lost in one another's eyes. Reciprocation with words from Rachel was not necessary.

Eddie noted the pool of tears forming in her eyes and it forced him to hold back his own emotions. He was just about to respond by wiping the salty residue away when Rachel caught him off guard with a tender kiss. That skin on skin contact spoke volumes - nothing could compare to the love they held for one another. Both Eddie and Rachel knew that their mutual adoration would only be transferable to their child.

….

Roughly four weeks later:

The sudden urge to be sick washed over Rachel the minute she woke up. It felt like dé ja vu from the previous morning, only this time it felt far more prominent.

Rachel was surprised her legs didn't give way under her as she made a dash for the bathroom.

Instinctively, once she had made it, her hand went to hold back her hair; only to be brought to a halt by the warmth of a hand: Eddie's.

Sure enough the familiar sense of nausea rose up in Rachel's throat the minute her body curved over. She was grateful for the way Eddie continued to rub his palm up and down her spine once she straightened, his touch alone did her the world of good. Subsequent to this, a look was exchanged between the pair that sent a thousand messages.

Could this be it? Could she be pregnant?

For Rachel, it was all odly familiar. Just over three weeks ago, her period had been slightly late - which was why she took the decision to take a test. The hope that had built up inside of her had crashed down on first glance at the test. Negative.

This time though, there was a difference. Morning sickness. Cravings. Surely that had to be a rather strong factor.

It seemed that Eddie read her mind and accordingly interrupted her thoughts.

"Do you think you should take a test?"

His tone was calm. Loving. Warm. It was everything that Rachel needed to hear, to know that whatever the outcome, it would be alright. They would get through it together.

So a smile tugged at Rachel's lips before she nodded in response. She hoped with all her heart that her happiness would be sustained.

To Eddie's dismay, Rachel began to ready herself to venture out and buy a test. He disliked the thought of her emerging into the October chill when she was so under the weather.

"Oi you where do you think you're going?"

Eddie grinned whilst gently placing his hands gently on Rachel's shoulders in an attempt to stop her.

"Going to get the test," she spoke slowly along with a laugh, as if his question was a silly one, "you're not exactly going to get it are you."

Rachel erupted into a giggle at the thought.

"That's exactly what I intend to do. Now you, get back into bed."

His words made Rachel's body fill with warmth. What had she done to deserve him?

….

It wasn't long before Eddie returned, accompanied with a rather amusing set of stories about all the funny looks he received. For Rachel, this relieved some of the tension that had risen while he was gone. Despite this, the eagerness she held to get it over with still remained.

After she embraced in the warmth of Eddie for a few moments, Rachel found the strength to pull away. It was now or never.

….

Three minutes. 180 seconds.

Waiting was the most painful thing for Rachel. That along with not knowing. She pictured Eddie pacing up and down outside the bathroom, perhaps running a shaky hand through his hair.

It was time. Three minutes had been and gone.

What was it to be? Positive? Or negative?