Thank you for the reviews.
Now the scene that the beginning part is set in, only cut where it did because if it didn't, something like this would have happened, don't you agree?
And this is the chapter that I spoke about on Twitter... the one where I put a certain comment like a series earlier...
Series 3 Episode 18
"You think it's a good idea having her run this place, do you?" Stuart asked Eddie, turning his back on Rachel.
"Yeah, I do, actually."
"I bet you love working for a two-bit hooker, don't you? I bet she gives it to you for free."
Rachel knew that the only reason Stuart had moved around Eddie was to gauge her reaction. Of course, she was uncomfortable with what he had just said but it was how Eddie reacted that made her feel like he was over what she had done. The scoff was the start of it and she would be lying to herself if she didn't say her favourite thing that Eddie had done for her was to punch Stuart. The way he stumbled back showed that it even surprised Stuart. She didn't really expect it from her heart-of-gold maths teacher. She stood up out of her chair, not really knowing why.
"If you wouldn't mind pissing off, Hordley. You're starting to irritate us now." Eddie said.
She would have thought the relief was clear on her face as Stuart looked between them before he turned and left. A thousand thoughts flowed around her mind but as Eddie turned around to her, there was only one thought present.
I am glad I fell in love with Eddie Lawson.
"I didn't expect that to happen." He said.
She knew that she should say something but nothing came out of her mouth. Instead of trying to find the words to show her gratitude, she walked around her desk and, within moments, had her hand either side of his face while she was kissing him. She started to think that she had read Eddie wrong when he didn't respond at first. She thought that he was so bothered about her past because he felt something more for her.
She found herself relaxing into his arms as he wrapped them around her waist and started kissing her back. Her hands moved around his head to be in his hair, trying to help keep the distance between them as minimal as possible. She felt like she could never have too much of him. Everything felt perfect and it was a relief that it felt like everything that had happened since Stuart had walked into her office was over. She finally had control back and it was because of this man.
Rachel could stop herself from giggling when they finally pulled back and they rested their foreheads together. One of her hands slid down from his hair and rested on his chest.
"I wish I could say that was unexpected." He said.
"But it has been building." She said, lifting her head up to look at him properly.
"I suppose it has."
"Thank you, Eddie."
"There is no need to thank me."
"Are you sure?"
"Although, if that kiss is your way of showing thanks, I wouldn't mind a repeat."
"Thought you might." She said before she kissed him again.
Eddie placed down their drinks before he dropped in the seat next to her. It was obvious that they had a lot to talk about. Mainly about their relationship.
"I think I was right." Rachel said.
"About what?"
"Why my past bothered you so much? And you can hide behind the school all you like. It changed your opinion of me."
"And like I said earlier, I was a prat." He cleared his throat. "So… us?"
Eddie liked the way she smiled when he said us. It meant that this wasn't a one-time thing. It meant that she wasn't going to shut him out as she had tried to do many times over the last couple of months. It meant that the kiss that they shared earlier meant as much to her as it did to him. It meant that the kiss wasn't an in-the-moment decision. It meant that she had felt what was between them.
"I would love to sit here and say that I would like to see where it goes." She said.
"But?"
"But, I want you, Eddie. Like I have never wanted anyone else before. Honestly, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me."
"Likewise."
"And for some reason, I just want to jump headfirst in with you. Just without the staff knowing."
"What like secret holding your hand in the playground sort of thing?"
"Do you want to hold my hand in the playground Mr Lawson?"
"Maybe… I do Miss Mason."
Her eyes flicked between his and his lips and he knew that they should probably finish their drinks as quickly as they could. He didn't want to push her but it just seemed like everything was heading in one direction. Their friendship was definitely going to be something more after tonight.
"Mine is closer than yours, isn't it?" She said.
There was something weirdly right about her back being against Eddie's chest as his arms were wrapped around her waist, but with their left hands intertwined, relishing in their afterglow. Rachel could have started giggling again. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this happy.
"Is your hand okay?" She said as she saw his red knuckles.
"It's fine. Might be a little sore in the morning."
"I don't actually think I could ever thank you enough for what you've done for me today."
"I think you already have done. With Michael. Because I would never be able to thank you enough for that."
"We are a good team."
"And we do everything. Together."
"Yeah, together."
He placed a kiss into her hair and for once Rachel could make herself believe that everything was going to be okay. So okay that she could even give her sister a call. Just to check up on her. Just after everything that happened with Sameen.
But the moment, now, was with Eddie and she hoped to share many moments like that with him. Him by her side as her deputy, friend and, now, something a lot more. It was the start of something incredible and it was the first relationship that she didn't feel anxious about and Eddie was the first man to make her feel totally at ease with.
She loved Eddie Lawson and she was sure that she would tell him that very soon.
