Rachel paced the carpet as her sister watched on, the only sound in the room being Rachel's heavy breathing and Melissa turning the magazine pages. "Rach, why are you stressing? You don't even see the guys face." When Melissa had been asked to help Rachel choose a suitable donor, she expected it to be mildly more fun than this. She had imagined pouring over model's images and imagining what the baby would look like if mixed with Rachel's features. Instead, she was given simple and quite frankly, unhelpful information about potential sperm donors.
Rachel shot her sister a filthy look as she continued walking around the room, so much so that she was worried there would be footprints permanently in her bedroom carpet. "This is the father of my child. Technically. Not really.." She groaned dramatically and snatched the book from Melissa. "You know what I mean, it's important!" The decision couldn't be taken lightly, she wanted to remember this moment forever. She wanted to be able to tell her future son or daughter how wanted they were, how well prepared their mother had been with how desperately she wanted them in her life.
Melissa finally took pity on her sister and stood up to take hold of her and lead her back to the bed, planting her down and lifting her chin so their eyes locked. "Go with your gut. No matter who you pick, you'll have a beautiful baby at the end of this." She promised, grateful to finally receive a smile from Rachel in response. Rachel agreed and finally shook her head to clear herself of any negative nerves. Headteacher of one of the most notorious schools in Rochdale, she had faced multiple opposition during her career. She'd taken on guns, gangs, drugs and all things in between. Choosing a suitable donor should be child's play in comparison, yet seemed like the most daunting of all. This one decision would truly change her life, and help her to create one too. Studying the sheets in front of her again, she finally pointed to one and held it out to Melissa. Her sister nodded in agreement and wrapped her arms around Rachel in a hug. "Congratulations. Let's ring the hospital and get this party started." Rachel rolled her eyes but took the phone offered to her anyway, trying to tone down the excitement that was suddenly coursing through her. She'd been warned of the chances during her many previous hospital appointments, chances of falling pregnant first time were slim. But she had eaten clean for weeks and exercised regularly in preparation. Something about her decision felt right, she just hoped both her body and future baby agreed.
Leaving the hospital weeks later, Rachel found herself leaning against the wall to take deep breaths and gulp in the much needed fresh air. It was done, all she needed now was the cooperation from her body as she waited patiently for the telltale signs of pregnancy to kick in. She wasn't a religious person, but the idea of motherhood had her praying to any God that may exist. She ached to return home, wrap herself in bubblewrap and keep herself away from any potential harm until she knew the outcome. That wasn't plausible, nor practical in her line of work. She would continue as normal and let nature take its course. Hell, the head of PE had tackled the Duke of Edinburgh expedition with only 2 weeks to go until her due date. With that in mind, she pulled away from the brick wall and set off to catch a taxi, knowing her work had been piling up due to her wandering thoughts about the potential life that could soon be growing inside of her. She reached for the door and opening it carefully, only for a man to jump in and take a seat; not even stopping to look at her as he told the driver his chosen address. "Excuse me? That's my taxi?" Rachel growled from the street, still holding onto the handle. Despite there being a line of taxis behind this one, she wouldn't let it go without a fight out of principle.
"I don't see your name." The man commented stiffly, pulling the door shut and away from her hands. The car sped off before stopping only a few yards ahead. The man she was cursing in her head stepped out and looked at her, a sorry look in his eyes as he realized just how rude he'd been. "I'm sorry, get in. Where are you going to?"
"Like I'm giving you my address, you're a stranger." Rachel commented, crossing her arms and finally locking eyes with the man. She had to admit, he was attractive. Something about him seemed familiar, but she couldn't place where she'd seen him before.
"Eddie Lawson." He stuck out his hand, patiently waiting with hopeful eyes for the gorgeous woman to accept his apology. He would have felt guilty no matter who it was, but having seen her face and been blinded by her smile, the need to apologize had increased dramatically.
Rachel argued with the angel and devil on her shoulder, wondering who would win out between her head and her heart. Realistically, she should turn away without a second glance and simply get into the taxi parked behind. But she'd found herself watching too many romantic comedies as of late, and shook his waiting hand whilst giving her name. Still, she was a clever woman and knew not to tell random men her home address, no matter how attractive she found them. So she gave the directions to a shop a few streets away, knowing the walk wouldn't be too bad at this time of day.
They sat in the car in silence, Rachel staring out the window as she wondered what would happen in a couple of weeks. Would this month be the same as every other, or would she be late? And if she were late… her stomach flipped, a pang of longing hitting her.
"Alright, I can't take it anymore." The man next to her spoke and she just stopped herself from jumping- she'd almost forgotten he was there. "Why do I know your name?"
She blinked. "I have no idea."
"You're not on the radio or something?"
She laughed, more surprised than anything. "Definitely not." He looked disappointed, and she took pity on him. "Do you have a child at Waterloo Road?"
"Waterloo-,? The school?" She hummed a confirmation, and he shook his head. "No. But I-, oh, that's where I know your name from!"
"I beg your pardon?"
"You're the headteacher there, right?"
She eyed him warily. It would be just her luck to end up in a taxi with a reporter, or a crazy person. She wasn't sure which was worse.
"I'm deputy head over at Kingsway," he explained. "Our girls went up against yours in a football match last year."
That was where she recognised him from, she remembered. She'd only been there in passing- Janeece had kicked off, and then Abbi Temple from year seven had been having a meltdown and by the time she'd finished dealing with that, the match had been all but over. "I remember," she confirmed. "I think there's another match next term as well."
He shrugged. "I won't be there to see it," he said, some regret in his tone.
"Oh?"
"I finish at the end of this term. I'll see my classes through and then I'm done."
"Where are you heading to?"
Now, he looked sheepish. "I don't actually have anywhere."
"But you've quit?"
She sounded amused, and he flushed. "Yeah. A few reasons but I just… couldn't do it anymore. Unfortunately, deputy headships aren't easy to come by."
She studied him for a moment. "Well, in the world's biggest coincidence, my deputy's leaving this term as well. The job'll be advertised within the next few weeks."
His jaw dropped. "Really?"
"Waterloo Road is… unique," she said delicately. "And I guarantee, like nothing you'll have ever done before."
The rest of their ride was spent discussing the potential new position that was coming available. Andrew was moving to Rowanda to complete volunteering, and Rachel had a sneaky suspicion that Kim would be following in his footsteps and she'd soon be in need of a new head of Pastoral. "Have you heard much of the school before? Other than for the obvious football matches."
Eddie resisted the urge to let his true feelings show. "Who hasn't heard of Waterloo Road?" His answer was a safe bet, and he hoped that his fears didn't show. Of course he'd heard of the place, most people in the country had heard of it and most teachers had made comments about their relief on not working there. Yet Eddie knew he needed a job, and this seemed like far too much of a coincidence to pass up the opportunity. "You picked up where Rimmer left off then?" Desperate to move the conversation away from the school itself to avoid putting his foot in it, he asked the first question he could think of after her earlier words. He had known Jack, known he was always the one at the bar when their schools merged for an event with alcohol involved.
Rachel nodded as a reply, his questions doing nothing to hide his true thoughts. She knew her school had a reputation, but she was on her way to changing that after she was appointed by the LEA. "That's me. It's not as bad as you think, you know?" She felt the need to defend the place, thinking passionately about each and every student that walked through the gates each day. They were all her children, in one way or another. Before she made her decision to look for a donor, she put all her mothering instincts into Waterloo Road and channeled her desire to be a mum into any situation she came across. It had gotten her into trouble on a few occasions, where she found herself too emotional to change back into professional mode.
Knowing he'd been rumbled, Eddie allowed himself to feel slightly guilty. But he saw the way she spoke about the place, and it made him smile despite himself. "Was I that obvious?"
"You were, and this is me. If you were serious, feel free to send in your application when the job is posted.. Eddie Lawson." She said his name again to ensure she wasn't going to forget it, her stomach knotting when their eyes met as the car came to a stop.
Desperate not to see her go so soon, he found himself getting out of the car too in order to help her from the taxi. "Why don't we discuss it more over dinner? You can tell me everything I'll need to know?" It was a bold move, and he hoped it hadn't lost him both his chances of a job and the possibility to spend more time with this gorgeous woman by being so forward.
Rachel's mouth parted in surprise. "Are you… asking me out?"
He shrugged sheepishly.
"Why?"
He gave her a curious look. "Because I like you," he said, as if it should have been obvious. "You're clever, and funny, you're obviously passionate about your job and your kids. And you're beautiful, of course. Who wouldn't want to go out with you?"
Her breath caught. She didn't think anyone had ever called her beautiful before. Gorgeous, hot, fit, men had called her all of those and more, usually in the midst of other activities. But beautiful? That was a first.
Eddie took her stunned silence for something else. "Oh no- is this the bit where you tell me you're married, or otherwise spoken for?"
Finally, her brain caught up and she managed to shake her head. "No… no, not married."
"Boyfriend?"
"No. There's no one." She looked at him, still a bit baffled. "Eddie, you don't even know me."
"Well, that's why I invited you out, isn't it? Because I'd like to."
She bit her lip and he could help but stare at the gesture. Her cheeks were pinkening, and she looked incredibly uncertain. "This doesn't happen to you a lot, does it?" he noted, amused. "Although I don't see how that's possible."
Her cheeks heated even further as she let out a startled laugh. "You're smooth, Lawson, I'll give you that."
Now that she'd pointed it out, he looked sheepish again, shuffling on the spot. "Is that a yes?"
It was a stupid idea. She didn't even know him, he could be anyone. Not to mention she was coming home from an appointment where she might have become pregnant, she was in no position to begin going on dates. Especially not with potential new employees! But… he was sweet, and had kind eyes and she couldn't deny she was attracted to him. As he apparently was to her, which was flattering enough in itself.
"Okay."
She had actually gone insane. Eddie's face lit up, taking a few seconds to process what she'd said. "Really?"
"I must be mad," she muttered, "but yes. I'd love to."