So here we are... the final chapter for this story! First of all, sorry this has taken longer than expected to get this chapter out to you guys, the past few days have been a little hectic.
Secondly, a huge thank you to anyone who has reviewed, favourited or followed this story; it means so much. Also a special thanks to Mrs Carmichael, RachelMasonFan39 and faeftvanity, for reviewing every single chapter without fail... it means so so much guys, i cant thank you enough :)
Anyway, please enjoy! :) x
"I'll get it!" Bianka bounded down the stairs cheerfully, referring to the doorbell. Knowing all other residents of the house were preoccupied in the kitchen, getting lunch ready, the girl was more than willing to answer the door to Rachel's sister and her two children.
Two months had passed since Rachel's initial reconnection with Melissa, and Christmas was now fast approaching. Just when Rachel thought her life couldn't have gotten any better, it had. Her and Mel had been on regular lunch dates, the younger sister had even gotten over the prospect of seeing Eddie and Rachel together. It turned out, this didn't just have a positive effect on the two siblings, it worked wonders for Eddie's relationship with his daughter Katy too. With Melissa's concerns broken down, she was happy for Katy to stay with her dad much more often than ever before. Although loving every moment with Melissa, that was what Rachel had adored the most - witnessing Eddie and Katy's relationship flourish, and building up a bond with the toddler for herself too.
"Oo this smells good guys," Melissa announced as she entered the kitchen, causing a proud beam to spread across Michael's face.
"Mm," responded Rachel, "it shouldn't be much longer, you guys take a seat," she continued, whilst Eddie slipped away to say hello to Katy who was now fiddling around the adjacent living room.
As Bianka took Eddie's place in helping set the table, Rachel allowed her face to break out into an undeniable grin. Despite her evident happiness, she couldn't deny the trepidation in her stomach at thinking of what else today could bring. After undergoing everything IVF brought with it, today was the day Rachel and Eddie would discover if it had all been worth it; the day she would take a pregnancy test to determine their future.
….
Dinner served, the four adults and three children were happily perched around the dining room table, content with tucking into the array of dishes Rachel had served.
"Pass me the ketchup would you Rach?" Philip queried towards his aunt, unable to reach the condiment himself.
Willingly, Rachel outstretched her hand to pass the bottle to her nephew, taking a moment to share a loving smile with him. Rachel was so proud with how far Philip had come in recent years, it was brilliant to see him excel in his A - levels, and more significantly, move on to university to study English and Drama. It didn't seem five minutes since he was living with Rachel, and the struggles he went through were all the more prominent in her mind. Which was why now, it was so stunning to see the man flourish in an environment that suited him: by all accounts, Philip adored university and everything that came with it.
Twisting some spaghetti around her fork, Rachel glanced to her left and focused her gaze solely on Eddie. He was taking a sip of cider, more of a gulp than a sip actually, and Rachel couldn't help but giggle mentally at this sight. Sensing her gaze, Eddie turned to her and smiled warmly, not breaking their stare for several moments, before placing a hand comfortingly on her knee. She wasn't sure how, but for Rachel, that electrifying contact took her back to the moment she and Eddie were reunited. Not only that, it made Rachel ponder on where she would be now, if Eddie had not reappeared in her life. Truthfully, it wasn't worth thinking about. That reconnection with Eddie had triggered so many wonderful things in Rachel's life: a sense of fulfillment and love, Bianka and Michael, a stronger relationship with Melissa, and of course, the chance to have a child of their own.
Several more hours passed by unbelievably quickly, the group sharing multiple jokes and simply enjoying the company of one another. Had someone explained to Rachel, six months earlier, that she would be sat round a dining room table in the company of the people she was now, she would have laughed in their face. In the past, Rachel had thought to herself that she didn't have a right to happiness, now though, glancing around the table, she gathered that she must have that right, because happy was what she truly was in that moment.
….
A wonderful day enjoyed, Melissa, Philip and Katy has parted, leaving the others to enjoy a selection of films and snacks together. Yawning simultaneously, Bianka and Michael muttered something to the effect of 'tired' and 'bed'. Having said good night, the young adults emerged from the room, leaving Eddie and Rachel to share a knowing glance. It was now or never.
The woman glanced across at a nearby coffee table, noticing her bag laid atop of it. Envisaging the test simply settled in the leather pouch, Rachel felt as if a whole was being burnt in it. The longer they waited, the bigger that gap would become.
As if sending her uncertainty, Eddie's grip automatically tightened around Rachel's waist, before commenting, "are you ready Rach?"
"As I'll ever be," anticipating Rachel's response, Eddie had made a move to collect the bag from the close by surface, before returning to Rachel and offering her his hand.
She took it, willingly, before giving it a reassuring squeeze as the pair made their way to the downstairs bathroom.
….
A sense of familiarity washed over both adults, as they leant against the kitchen counter wrapped up in each others arms. Not once did either of their stares pry away from the white object, the test was their primary purpose, as well as comforting one another.
Cutting through the thick atmosphere like a knife, Rachel's phone buzzed insistently, confirming that the three minutes were up, it was time to reveal the outcome. Rachel put a stop to the timer abruptly, instantly turning to Eddie to search for any support he was able to give.
Moving forward to close the gap between them, Eddie enveloped his arms around Rachel once more, aspiring to share any hope his body was currently feeling. For him, something about this was right, Eddie felt like this was the moment he and Rachel would final be gifted with a child of their own. Their family would be complete.
After several seconds in his embrace, Rachel buried her face further into the crook of Eddie's neck, simply whispering, "I can't do it Eddie."
Knowing exactly what the woman was referring to, Eddie leant back from her touch, so that their eyes could meet, "then I will. We are in this together Rachel, I love you," he commented, before planting a kiss on her forehead supportively.
Reciprocation evident in her expression, Rachel watched as Eddie made a move for the worktop, hesitating a moment before picking up the white stick in a flash. Seeing the look which escalated across the man's face, Rachel had to do a double take. Any hallmarks of concern, anxiousness and worry, were instantly replaced with expressions of joy and wonder from Eddie Lawson.
Crossing the room towards him, and hoping to confirm her delight; Rachel placed a firm hand on the back of Eddie's neck, removing him from his reverie.
"Say something Eddie," Rachel spoke, an enormous beam tugging at her lips in anticipation of his response.
"I - I … you're pregnant Rach, we are having a baby," Eddie laughed so wonderfully, allowing every ounce of tension to seep out of his body as he and Rachel embraced once more. This time, equal amounts of joy and wonder were radiating from the pair, neither of them could deny how amazing this felt. After overcoming an abundance of hurdles, the couple had reached their final destination, their righteous destination. Rachel and Eddie were together, like they should have always been. Not only that, they had a family, two young people to prepare for the world, and a tiny little person growing with every day that passed. For both Rachel and Eddie, it was time to close one door, and open another. This time, obstacles were irrelevant - if come across, they would be broken down immediately, by the sheer strength and affection present in their astonishing family.