Happy New Year's Eve to everyone, and all the best for 2020. Also a big thank you to Mrs Carmichael, faeftvanity, RachelMasonFan39 and schefflera for the reviews on my last chapter; they were all lovely.
Please enjoy this chapter, and let me know what you guys think :) x
"Emma's just said we can go down to the office now, so that we can discuss things further,"
Hope coloured Rachel's tone as she pretty much skipped back into the living room. This allowed a smile to spread brilliantly across Eddie's lips - Rachel's actions told him the phone call landed in their favour.
"That's great,"
Eddie attached his ever growing beam with words overflowing in sincerity, turning to Bianka's presence shortly after.
"You ready Bianka?"
The girl nodded eagerly in turn, already making a move to slip into her coat and shoes. Unbeknownst to her, the two adults exchanged a gleeful glance across the room: both were in equal awe with how natural this all felt.
This new found atmosphere was only extended into the car journey; the trio switched between songs, Bianka quarrelling in jest that her music was better. Rachel couldn't help but fill with delight at the sight of a prolonged smile across the girl's lips. It didn't shift until the car came to a halt, and reality undoubtedly set in: their happy bubble could be so easily torn apart.
"Shall we go," Rachel said, breaking the silence that had proceeded. Her words were inevitable, but that didn't mean it was something any of them wanted to do. Despite hesitations, all three knew this moment had to happen; after all, the outcome could be positive, and then it would most certainly be worth it.
….
"Hi guys, come on through. If you'd just like to take a seat over there."
Emma broached the group with caution, she was aware of how apprehensive they must be feeling. In their minds, this could go either way.
In response to her words, Emma received a smile of warmth from Rachel, a curt nod from Eddie and Bianka, well she had succumbed to silence: this evidently meant a lot to her. It was a chance for her to live in the family she had always longed for, a chance to be loved in the right way. Of course, the girl's mother had loved her, she just always seemed to have something above Bianka, someone more important. Her priorities weren't quite in check. As for Gary Vale, prior to the incident earlier that year, he had shown all the signs of the deepest affection for his daughter. Now though, Bianka herself must be questioning that love, if he was willing to try his hand at murdering her.
"As you will both know," Emma began, once everyone appeared settled, "the process of adoption can be a rather lengthy and complicated one. But of course, it depends on the circumstances surrounding the situation. In this instance, there are several key matters, which tell me that there's no reason why you can't adopt Bianka, as swiftly as possible."
No words were exchanged for several seconds subsequent to Emma's words. She felt all three present, required a few moments to allow her words to sink in.
Rachel and Eddie however, didn't need words to communicate their thoughts. Once again, the pair commerced a glance which spoke a thousand messages. Could this be it? Could it really be that straightforward to adopt Bianka? To them both, this outcome felt marginally surreal; perhaps this could be the turning point in their misfortune, maybe from here, the only way was up.
Rachel hadn't realised until this point that several tears had surfaced on her eyes; and finally, these tears were unbelievably joyful ones. She felt Eddie's hand spread across her knee, and instinctively, Rachel glanced towards Bianka, who had a gleeful grin spread across her face. It truly was heartwarming, for all three adults to witness the girl's happiness in this wonderful form.
"So now," Emma recommenced when she felt the time was right, "I just need to get hold of all the necessary forms, to get you guys started. It should be relatively easy, considering that you're both teachers, so already CBS checked etcetera…"
Before the woman could continue, the distinct sound of the door swinging open and crashing into the wall alerted them massively. In unison, all four present rose their gazes to be welcome with an unfamiliar face. Except he wasn't unknown to Bianka; it was her stepfather. The man in question held an aggressive stance, his eyes darted to and from each adult in the room - until finally, he let rip and spoke.
"You must be the idiots adopting my step daughter," he sneered, "well I'm telling you now, that's not going to happen. How dare you Bianka, eh? Do you think this is what your mother would have wanted?"
"Mr Spence, you need to calm down," Emma spoke rationally, in an attempt to diffuse the situation.
In the moments after her stepfather's presence came to light, Bianka had shifted her position so that she was now pressed close to Rachel. The girl felt that she would keep her safe, no matter the outcome, Rachel would always be there to guard her.
"Calm down? And how do you expect me to do that eh? When you lot are sat in here, plotting against her mother's wishes."
"Look, Steven," Emma spoke softly as she made a stance in front of the man, "you have to understand, that we believe this is in Bianka's best interests."
For the time being, Emma decided to remove the fact Bianka had specifically stated that she didn't feel safe living with her stepfather. The last thing anyone needed in this moment, was for the girl to be presented with a bout of violence from Steven.
"How? When they aren't even her family, explain that one to me," Steven spat back, fury more than evident in his tone.
"With all due respect Mr Spence, you have no legal rights over Bianka, meaning that we have a duty, to assess which home is the most suitable one for her to live in."
The man stuttered, clearly feeling rather defeated by Emma's words. It was the law, versus his desire - how could Steven possibly win? All he knew, was that he had to try; Steven couldn't let some jumped up teachers take his own stepdaughter away from him.
"Get out my way!" Steven screamed, shoving Emma just that little bit too sharply.
Up until this point, Rachel and Eddie has stayed well out of this debate for two reasons: Bianka's safety, and the fact that they weren't willing to compromise their guardianship over her. Now though, Steven was coming at the trio with full force - and before the two adults knew it, Bianka's arm was well in his grip, twisting and turning with every movement Steven made.
"Get off me Steve! Now!"
The girl pleaded with all her might - how could this be happening so soon after her life had turned itself around?
Both Eddie and Rachel knew something had to be done, it was just a clear cut question of what. Eddie came to the conclusion that they didn't have time to think, springing out of his seat instantly - closely followed by the presence of Rachel, just a small step behind. By this point, Emma had made a recovery and dashed to the safety of a nearby room, in order to inform others present in the building, and to ultimately contact the police. This gave the two remaining adults a slight glimmer of reassurance, however, they both noted Bianka was still very much in the firing line; something had to be done.
"I think that's enough Steven, don't you?"
Eddie spoke level headed, not wanting to provoke the man any further but equally not willing to compromise Bianka's safety.
Strangely, the man paused, stopping all his attempts to pull Bianka along with him.
"Just think about it," Eddie began once more, upon realising Steven had calmed down considerably, "this isn't helping you and most of all it isn't helping both Bianka and Michael."
Steven's eyes shifted from left to right, silently admitting Eddie was correct, however not wanting to voice that and skit defeat.
"Just let go of her Steven, let go of Bianka,"
Rachel added, in an attempt to reinforce Eddie's prior message.
"No chance!" The man screamed once more, refusing to give in to what he had started. With that, Steven's fist collided smoothly with Eddie's cheek; in turn sending his arms flying to his own face. Immediately Rachel turned to face Eddie, questioning if he's okay. His first instinct however, was to fight back; get Bianka to safety as swiftly as possible. With a clear mind though, Eddie knew that wasn't the most rational decision to make; it would only tear away their rights to care for Bianka further, he couldn't let that happen.
It seemed that neither Rachel or Eddie had to act, their work was done, out of their hands.
"POLICE!" A male's voice rang in their ears, as he made an entrance instantly, "stay where you are Mr Spence, let go of the girl."
Defeated. Steven had to admit it now, this was over. Slowly but surely, he removed his tight grip on Bianka, who immediately made her way back to the safety of Eddie and Rachel.
"Steven Spence, I'm arresting you on suspicion of assault. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."