Hi everyone, thank you so much to those who have reviewed and to others reading this story.

Sorry about the slight delay in posting this chapter, updates will probably slow a little over the Christmas period.

I hope you enjoy this chapter, let me know what you guys think x

"Are you sure about this?"

It was clear that Rachel's prior uncertainty still remained as the pair made their way into the IVF clinic a week later.

Eddie realised that he could do nothing but murmur reassurances, along with squeezing her arm in support.

"I want this just as much as you."

That single sentence seemed enough to settle Rachel's nerves - for now at least. Even then, Eddie couldn't help the way his eyes flitted to and from the woman; his underlying concern would always linger.

….

"Take a seat both of you,"

The lady spoke both kindly and professionally- she was a doctor after all.

It seemed Rachel was glad of the stability from the chair as her body slumped down into it. She guessed that her legs would have given way if she stood for even a second longer. Billions of questions were darting around in her brain: she wanted nothing more than for the doctor to answer every single one of them. Which was why, Rachel flashed the woman a look filled with hope and aspiration before she began to speak.

"Today's appointment is really going to be about taking the initial blood tests, so that we can check for any genetic disorders and such like. It is best to get that done as soon as possible, to ensure the whole process is a swift one. Here are some leaflets including what's involved, although I'm guessing you're already clued up."

With that Eddie and Rachel exchanged a glance which transmitted a million messages. Both were equally glad that they were taking the next step towards a child of their own. Despite this, there was always a part of them that couldn't help but consider the consequences of failure. This was why when Rachel spoke, she spoke for herself and Eddie.

"You could say that," her tone was light hearted, the doctor's slight jab at a joke had calmed her worries somewhat. Whatever the outcome of this, it would be okay. Rachel thought this to herself calmly, whilst reiterating Eddie's words from the previous week.

Whatever it takes.

….

Eddie was glad to see Rachel had come out of the appointment looking a lot more relaxed within herself. The way she laughed now was a huge contrast to that of last week, her whole face lit up exuberantly. The smile spread through to every inch of her body, and his too. Eddie had missed that terribly.

He was so wrapped up within his own thoughts that Eddie didn't notice the way Rachel's expression flicked like a switch. Only when she lurched forward did he acknowledge something was wrong.

"Rach? What is it, what's wrong?"

Eddie dared to take his eyes off the road for a second, whilst he digested this newfound expression on Rachel's face.

"That girl over there…" she lifted a hand shakily, anticipating that Eddie would follow her eyeline, "isn't that Bianka?"

With the help of Rachel, Eddie spotted the girl. Sure enough, his mind registered it to be Bianka Vale. She was perched on the side of a kerb, legs dangling dangerously into the road. Even from this slight distance, her tears and distressed expression were evident. Before even exchanging a second set of words with Rachel, Eddie pulled up the car several metres from her. It was important she didn't run away from them, he knew that more than anything.

Before smiling gratefully at Eddie, Rachel commented once more.

"I'll go… you stay here," she squeezed his leg in reassurance, "look out for traffic wardens," she added in slight jest.

For Eddie, Rachel's joking wasn't necessary. He knew she had spoken it in order to extract any hurt he had obtained by her comment about going alone. Eddie understood this fully though, Bianka and Rachel had formed an unbreakable bond in recent weeks. It was no doubt that the girl would require the stability and familiarity Rachel could offer. Judging by the way she held herself, this was bad. Something had happened to provoke this reaction from Bianka Vale.

….

Rachel approached Bianka with caution. She couldn't even begin to imagine what had occurred in order to get to this point. Hadn't she been through enough?

The closer Rachel got, the harder it became to hide her presence. Bianka would realise sooner or later.

"Bianka darling?"

At the sound of her own name, the girl flicked her head up in surprise. Bianka's disturbed gaze immediately softened when her eyes rested on Rachel. This spurred Rachel on to take a seat next to her, she gathered this would be a fairly lengthy conversation.

"How did you…" Bianka began in utter confusion, clearly questioning how her headteacher became aware of her current location.

"We were passing by. I noticed you sat here."

The girl simply nodded in response, and followed with silence. This in particular caused an alarming thought to cross Rachel's mind.

What if Bianka refused to explain her situation?

Rachel knew that she had to try.

"Would you like to tell me what's happened love?"

Bianka initially hesitated, which only reinforced Rachel's earlier queries. In a split second though, the girl's expression changed. It was one Rachel had witnessed several times before; it seemed Bianka would share her problem, and Rachel was more than glad of it.

"My… mum…"

The way Bianka smothered her emotions with a gasp told Rachel that this was going to be difficult for her. She needed reassurance, a helping hand; anything that would encourage her to share this evidently horrific occurrence.

"It's alright Bianka, you know I'm here for you."

Rachel gathered her kind words had done the trick - she witnessed the girl straighten herself slightly and prepare to continue.

"She died miss… in a car accident. And now I don't know what to do. Michael, he's with Mum's boyfriend… but I hate him, he's horrible and I can't live with him miss I just can't."

By this point, Rachel had enveloped Bianka in an embrace. She comforted her with every sob and hoped she was saying the right thing. Not one fibre of Rachel's being could imagine the distress the poor girl was going through right now. It didn't sit comfortably with her the amount Bianka had gone through in recent months.

"We will sort this Bianka. Don't you worry, I'm going to be with you every step of the way."

Rachel spoke her final sentence with an abundance of sincerity, before she guided Bianka back to the safety of Eddie's car.