Hi everyone, thank you so much for the reviews.
I will probably be finishing this story on chapter 30, but if i happen to go beyond that it will probably be 35.
Please enjoy, and let me know what you guys think:) x
It had been decided amongst the adults, that Bianka should remain with Rachel and Eddie until suitable accommodation emerged. The girl too had her input, she was given the option of returning to her step father's or staying put; of course, she jumped at the chance of having a safe and secure household to be in. For now at least.
It was only when Emma departed that Rachel noted how strangely quiet Eddie had been during the final part of their conversation. She could tell he was deep in thought, and she intended to work out what about as she made her way over to the man.
"Everything alright Eddie?"
Rachel spoke softly, placing a gentle hand on Eddie's arm in an attempt not to shock him.
"Me?" he flicked his head instantly to lock eyes with Rachel before continuing, "I'm fine… look," he paused which made her feel all the more wary, "come through here."
Now Eddie gestured for them to move through to the kitchen, and Rachel followed. She presumed it was done to be out of earshot for Bianka, who was currently settled in the living room.
"Is everything alright?"
Rachel queried, reinforcing her earlier concern.
"Bianka… she doesn't want to go into care, does she?"
"Um… no I guess she doesn't."
Rachel's brow furrowed slightly, she still wasn't cottoning on to Eddie's subtle implications.
"And she's happy here?"
"Well you know, she appears to be… Eddie are you- ,"
Before Rachel could continue, Eddie gathered she had eventually put two and two together. He had heard her thoughts before she spoke them.
"Yes. I think we should adopt her."
Rachel was in slight disbelief, apparently the thought hadn't even crossed her mind. This state of shock in turn sent Rachel's mouth opening and closing slightly like a goldfish. To say she was lost for words would be an understatement.
"Say something Rach."
Eddie almost whispered his response to Rachel's emphasised silence.
"Aren't there forms we need to fill out? Processes we need to go through?"
"I presume so, yes. But this is different, surely under the circumstances, and with Emma's help… it could be fast tracked in some way, no?"
Eddie witnessed a slight nod of the head along with the way Rachel nibbled on her bottom lip slightly. It has become second nature for Eddie to read the majority of her body language. This action in particular told him underlying worry was present in her mind. Eddie hovered his gaze above Rachel's and something just seemed to click.
The slight gap between the pair was soon shut, and Eddie ever so slowly brought a hand to settle on the side of Rachel's stomach. This alone sent shockwaves of love and affection running through her body, she couldn't get over how stable Eddie could make her feel with just one touch. Added to this, when he spoke, Eddie's reassurance was only reinforced.
"You know it wouldn't stop us trying, with the IVF. Nothing ever could Rachel."
A smile flickered across Rachel's lips at his comments. Eddie's ability to recognise her every notion never failed to amaze her. Not only that, his capacity to melt away any hallmarks of concern or anxiousness.
"I know darling. Although, I cannot think of what I ever did to deserve you."
"Come here you daft sod."
Eddie muttered slightly, finally enveloping Rachel into an embrace.
"Do you think we should talk to Bianka… I mean before I contact Emma again?"
"Possibly," Eddie remarked, "but we don't want to get her hopes up Rach."
"Hmm you're right."
Rachel paused for a moment, twiddling her bracelet as a way of thinking.
"No I do think we should talk to her, we can explain that it's not definite. We need to ensure she is okay with it all."
Eddie nodded to show his sincere agreement, before the pair simultaneously made their way back into the lounge.
"Bianka love… could we just have a quick word?"
The girl looked up slightly, and it stunned Rachel to see she was already looking slightly brighter. This thought was only emphasised by the way her lips curled up to say 'of course miss.'
"You understand that not wanting to live with your stepfather means you are likely to get adopted?"
Bianka curtly nodded, this mention alone had brought back any previous looks of concern - this shook Rachel's world to the core.
"It's not in any way definite, we need to speak to Emma first…"
Rachel hesitated, glancing at Eddie as a form of support. Instantly he recognised this, so continued with her prior sentence.
"How would you feel if we were to try and adopt you Bianka?"
"Really?" The girls stare switched rapidly between the two adults. It was clear Bianka had never been offered this amount of support before, and this only furthered Rachel's heartbreak.
To assure her, Rachel simply smiled, backed up with the nod that Eddie offered. In turn Bianka lightly launched herself at Rachel, tightly wrapping her arms around the woman. Discreetly, Rachel shot a smile of gratitude at Eddie - she wouldn't have even got to this point without him.
"Nothing's confirmed yet Bianka, okay?"
Rachel spoke once more, subsequently to the pair pulling apart.
"I know miss, I'm just very… grateful, for this. Thank you, both of you."
It was only now when the two adults spoke 'your welcome' that Rachel appreciated the relationship her and Bianka had built up in recent weeks. It seemed strange how a harrowing tragedy had brought out the best in both of them. They had built up a bond by sharing their deepest secrets surrounding Gary's death, in fact, it truly was an unbreakable bond. Glancing between Eddie and Bianka, Rachel just hoped they would be given the go ahead by social services - a family, lay in front of her eyes; that was something she had always longed for.