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It wasn't long before Bianka drifted off into a world of sleep. Rachel was glad, surely it meant the girl felt safe with her and Eddie. This allowed Rachel to explain every last detail to Eddie, she was thankful that he appeared willing to support any decisions made. This was followed by another ten minutes, before the trio arrived back at the house. Both adults were unsure of their next moves: was it right to invite Bianka into their own home?
They concluded that at this moment, their house was the safest place for Bianka to be. Once settled, Rachel decided they would need to contact social services, in order to figure out their next best steps. Not one fibre of Rachel's being wanted Bianka to be around people who made her feel unsafe, she longed for her to be happy; as any person her age should be. Rachel would fight tooth and nail for her students, no matter the consequences. Equally though, she knew the right measures had to be taken to get to that point. That included two all important phone calls.
It seemed Rachel was so caught up in her own thoughts, that she didn't hear the utterances Eddie was conveying.
"Rach… should we wake her up?"
A moment passed before she felt ready to answer. The past few hours had been a whirlwind of events, this situation only added to that.
"No it's okay. I'll carry her in, she must be exhausted."
Eddie smiled softly before responding. A warmth settled in his heart at Rachel's words. Her kindness and strength were just a handful of reasonings why Eddie fell in love with her: he wanted her to be aware of this.
For Rachel, the slight curling of his lips spoke a thousand words. It told her everything she needed to know. Although, before she could voice her thoughts, Eddie responded to her earlier comments.
"Are you sure? You'll hurt yourself carrying her all the way in."
Eddie's initial instinct was to offer his assistance - however, an afterthought told him that perhaps it wasn't fully appropriate. Added to that, he reckoned that Bianka wouldn't necessarily appreciate his gesture if woken. Eddie was about to explain himself before setting eyes on Rachel's newfound facial expression. He knew that he could determine many of Rachel's thoughts, this sometimes made him forget that she was aware of his feelings just as much. Rachel could read Eddie like a book.
"I'll be fine… I presume she's not heavy. Would you mind getting bags and such like in?"
"Not a problem… oh and Rachel?"
His last query caused Rachel to spin on her heel, discarding any established trail of thought.
"You truly are unbelievable. You know that don't you?"
The woman flushed instantly, a deep red settling perfectly on her cheeks.
"Frankly, I think you're the unbelievable one Mr Lawson. Now come on, get those bags and unlock the front door would you."
….
Thankfully, Bianka didn't even respond to a changed location - settling comfortably into the sofa. Eddie's next line of questioning was inevitable, it was something Rachel was already wondering herself.
"What now? I mean… don't we need to contact somebody?"
Her head nodded slowly, agreeing entirely but unsure of how to go about it.
"Mhm… oh Eddie I just worry she'll feel I've betrayed her in a way."
His nose wrinkled up, confused by Rachel's concern.
"How do you mean?"
"Well, Bianka obviously feels unwanted at her stepfather's, she made it rather clear to me she's not going back there. But what if… Eddie what if they decide that's best for her, hm? Then what?"
"Rachel."
Eddie spoke with sincerity, standing to place his hands on Rachel's shoulders as a gesture of support.
"We tell social services what Bianka told you. That way, they can't argue she's better off going back to her stepfather's. And if they do, we won't allow it, simple as that."
This last comment provoked a smile from Rachel, Eddie was glad his words had the desired effect. Her next move had Eddie mirroring her beam: she simply stepped forward into his embrace before muttering a single "thank you."
….
"Hi erm yes… it's Rachel Mason speaking. I'm head teacher at Waterloo road school… hi."
Eddie watched from the sidelines as Rachel finally got through to social services. It appeared she had contacted the social worker who liaises with the school on a day to day basis. Eddie hoped that would set them up in good stead. At least, it would calm Rachel's initial nerves if nothing else. Despite everything, he cared about her the utmost in this scenario.
"Bianka Vale," Rachel continued, "you might remember her from several weeks ago now, her father died… yes that's right."
Next Rachel glanced at Eddie, registering with him she needed his silent support. So inching closer to her, Eddie simply placed his palm on the small of her back.
"Well, earlier this evening I found her at a road side, obviously I've taken her in since then. The thing is though, Bianka told me her mother died yesterday evening in a car accident."
Eddie noted how Rachel stuttered one her words slightly, momentarily, he placed a second hand on her shoulder.
"... I know, it's absolutely horrible. The poor girl is really shaken up."
Prior to his close proximity, Eddie couldn't decipher the social workers comments. Now though, he could just about work out what she was saying.
"So who is her next of kin... where is Michael currently staying?"
"That's the thing, you see, Michael, he's happy staying with his stepfather. Bianka though, she feels unsafe there, unwanted - he's the reason she ran away this evening."
"Ah. I see. So am I right in thinking Bianka is with you currently?"
"Yes… yes she's asleep at the moment."
"Okay. Thanks Rachel, I'll be round as soon as possible. What was your.. address?"
Eddie witnessed some of the tension melt away from Rachel, he reckoned this was safer territory for her - a simple question to answer. Response given, she ended the call and breathed a sigh of, presumably, relief.
"Is she still asleep Eddie?"
"Out like a light."
Eddie received a nod and a mumble which conveyed something along the lines of 'good, she needs some rest.' That was when he had to resist the temptation to respond with 'so do you,' but subsequently thought better of it. No matter how much Eddie prioritised Rachel's well being, it certainly wasn't at the top of her agenda.
….
"Hi come on in Emma, Bianka's just through there, only just woke up actually."
It was another hour before the social worker actually arrived. In the bigger picture though, it was a quick response - Rachel and Eddie both expected her to be longer. Rachel's nervousness was more than evident in the way she held herself and the facial expressions she pulled. It went without saying that her focus was purely set on Bianka in that moment, Rachel wouldn't have it any other way.
"Hi Bianka… do you remember me? I'm Emma, we've met before."
The woman spoke with as much joy and reassurance possible, given the circumstances. Despite her efforts, Emma received a curt nod in response - for all three adults present, this was completely understandable.
"Am I right in thinking you don't want to stay with your stepfather?"
Again, the girl simply nodded. A series of questions followed this, in which Emma received little or no response from Bianka. As the conversation progressed, both Eddie and Rachel acknowledged a certain outcome was inevitable. Bianka has no other family members, her mother supposedly cut off all contact with them. This, Rachel could relate to. She of all people, knew that sustaining a relationship with estranged relatives can be difficult at the best of times. Added to this, Rachel recognised that Emma would now suggest Bianka goes into care. A safer home. A better home.
Although expected, it was no less difficult for Rachel to see tears form in the girl's eyes as Emma spoke the final words. This was something Bianka had not wished for, Rachel knew the girl hated the thought of being thrown into the care system. Equally though, Rachel presumed the girl was torn: it's either care, or something worse - her stepfather. Since he wasn't a blood relative, and not previously married to Bianka's mother, he actually has no rights over the girl.
For now though, Rachel's mind was full of distraught for Bianka. In her mind; she had failed her. There was no other way of going about it. Rachel was unsure of how to go from here. Of course, she would protest this outcome, an outcome that was against the will of Bianka. Aside from this, deep down it registered with Rachel that her opinion didn't particularly matter to the care authorities. Rachel glanced down, defeated. This mindset however, would not stop her doing everything in her power to reverse this decision made.
Unbeknownst to Rachel, Eddie was pondering on an idea of his own. His understanding was that after contacts were made with Bianka's stepfather, she would go into the care system and almost immediately be put up for adoption. Despite him and Rachel beginning the IVF process, there was every possibility it would come to nothing. Perhaps now, there was another option. Perhaps he and Rachel could adopt Bianka.