Thank you for the reviews.

Now... I get it. We all hate Melissa... nothing will really change that. But maybe she could be redeemed slightly...

This is also my third rewrite of S05E20

And this wasn't this long to begin with... Because I hadn't written the extra part... which I have highlighted what I wrote a while back and what I wrote yesterday... Maybe you will thank me later...


The Wedding Crasher II

Melissa had woken to no Sophie, no Eddie and even no Philip. All of the other occupants of the house up while she slept. Something she knew happened. Something she knew that she had started when she told Eddie that Sophie was his at nights.

She hadn't expected them to all be up in the kitchen and she could hear Eddie and Philip talking as she perched herself at the top of the stairs.

"Eddie, I don't want Mum knowing about this, but I feel like I should tell you," Philip said.

"Tell me what?"

"The reason why I have been so secretive these past few weeks. I just don't know how you are going to take it."

"Take what?"

"Auntie Rachel is getting married tomorrow."

Melissa could only imagine Eddie's reaction and she could feel her own heart break for him. She knew that Eddie was still in love with Rachel. She knew that he was struggling to get over her. She knew that he would never love her like he loved Rachel.

She stood up as she heard footsteps against the kitchen floor.

"Eddie, I just felt like you should know. Don't tell Mum. She had already ruined Rachel's happiness once."

"I won't."

"And as nice as Adam is, I think I would have preferred for you to be my uncle than him."

There was one thing for certain. Melissa had to make it up to them. Both Eddie and Rachel.

She quickly made her way back to her bedroom to try and think about how she was going to do that.


Melissa shut the door behind her as she walked into Philip's room.

"Adam who?" She asked.

"Sorry?" Philip said, trying to ignore her.

"Last night, I heard you. Rachel is marrying Adam who?"

"Adam Fleet. They knew each other from school."

"I'm sorry? She is marrying Fat Adam?"

He just shrugged at her.

"From memory… he was a bit obsessed with her."

"Mum, what do you want?"

"Why did you tell Eddie?"

"Because he had the right to know."

"Or were you hoping that he would ask more questions? Were you hoping that he still loved her as much as he did?"

"Just…"

"Philip."

He turned and looked at her. "I know a bully when I see one. Their arguments. I don't think he is right for her."

"And you were betting on Eddie doing something stupid."

"It's not like he is at work today."

"When and where?"

"Why?"

"I need to make a few things up to my sister and Eddie."

He still looked hesitant. "Town Hall. Five o'clock."

"I'll see you then."

She could tell that her son was confused by her actions. She just had to hope that what she was planning to do was going to work.


There was one thing for certain. Melissa was acting weird.

Eddie had decided that the day was going to be dedicated to his daughter to try and make himself forget that Rachel was either about to get married or was already. The Adam guy was the luckiest man in the world. How he felt couldn't be taken into consideration. If Rachel was happy, then he had to allow that. He was the idiot.

"Rachel?" Melissa said.

"What about her?"

"You still love her, don't you?"

"Melissa…"

"Just answer the question."

He sighed. "Yes, I do."

"I know about the wedding."

"I'm trying not to think about it."

"Scared you are going to do something stupid?"

"No. Rachel is happy. We owe it to her to allow her that happiness."

"She is getting married to Adam Fleet, a boy that she knew from school. He knew her as Amanda."

He placed his hands over Sophie's ears. "Don't use that name and it doesn't matter."

"He was obsessed with my sister. Thought she could do no wrong because she was nice to him while everyone else called him Fat Adam. He actually embraced the name because Rachel told him that it would stop the bullies. To Rachel, he has always been a friend."

"What are you saying, Melissa?"

"Philip is right. He would be able to see a bully. Adam isn't right for her Eddie. You know what she is like about Waterloo Road and her job. I don't think he would quite understand that."

"So, are we going to crash the wedding?"

Melissa nodded at him. "That is exactly what we are going to do. You get Sophie ready, I'll grab the car keys."

Eddie watched Melissa go, completely confused about what was going on.


Melissa dragged Eddie through the Town Hall until they got to the right room. He felt like she was going to push him through the doors, but with just a roll of her eyes, she pushed them open and half ran into the room.

He expected her dramatic entrance to be like it was in the TV shows. Melissa running in as they were asking if anyone had any reason why Adam and Rachel couldn't get married and for her to say that she did. Yet as he walked into the room, there was a very confused Rachel and Ros with Philip looking a little revealed. But most importantly, there was no Adam. Not that Eddie knew what Adam looked like.

He knew that Rachel was going to say something before her eyes fell on him. He moved Sophie on his hip before Melissa walked over him and grabbed his hand, pulling him over to her.

"Look, I know that I would never be up for any best sister awards, but this can't continue. Mainly because I know that this whole thing is just going to end in loads of arguments. The mistake I made was carrying on with him when I knew that he didn't love me like he loved you, Rachel. And maybe I shouldn't have come back. But it has happened and… Maybe I am trying to make amends. So you two need to finally talk." She paused. "And Adam Fleet? Really Rach?"

"Sorry, what?" Rachel said.

"Yes, this is actually happening," Melissa said as she started to make her way out of the room.

"Wait, where are you going?"

"Someone needs to stop Adam so you two have the chance to talk. I mean, you could even make use of the fact that he isn't here and you are standing there, looking so beautiful."

Eddie shook his head as he allowed himself to believe that Rachel was standing in front of him once more.

"Hi." He said, not really knowing what to say.

"Hi." She whispered back.

"She is right. You look absolutely beautiful. Adam would be mad not to turn up."

"Eddie…"

"This is all Melissa's idea."

"I can gather that."

"But she is right."

"I know. Just don't tell her that."

"As long as you don't tell her that I said she was right either."

"I won't."

"I mean, you can tell me to go. If you don't feel the same."

"What do you mean?"

"I still love you, Rachel. It hasn't… gone away. Not like it did for Alison. Every day, I try to be a good father because… because you wanted me to be." He laughed. "I mean, my heart wants to jump out of my chest and all I want to do is make sure that all my memories of the time that we shared together match up to reality. I… I don't want you to become Mrs Rachel Fleet. I don't want you to marry Adam. But I want you to be happy. What would make you happy Rachel?"

He watched as her lips parted and he didn't worry as she took her time to answer his question. He knew that there was a part of her that wanted to say the most selfless thing possible. It was like sometimes she had to remind herself that she could be selfish.

"You. You would make me happy. Eddie… after everything that has happened this year, you could understand why I am running into a marriage that I'm not even sure that I want. Everything with Max and then Bianka Vale and… I suppose you. I… I have never needed an ally more and… you weren't there."

"You had Kim."

"No, I didn't. I should have had you."

"And I shouldn't have left you."

"Does this mean that all three of us could have an adult conversation about what happened?"

Eddie smiled down at her. "I think it does."

He knew her movements well and, even though she was meant to be getting married to someone else and he had Sophie on his hip, her lips met his and he was glad that his memories matched what it was like to kiss Rachel. It was short but it was enough for the moment. It was enough to confirm to him that this was what he wanted.

"So is there going to be a wedding?" The official asked.

Eddie knew that it would be too quick for Rachel. He would jump at the chance but it was all up to her.

"It's your decision Rachel. It is your big day after all."

She flashed him a smile and to Eddie, it was the best thing in the world.


"Please start again," Kim said.

"Adam never showed up. Either that or Melissa said something. I haven't had the chance to ask her yet." Rachel said.

"And then you… you married Eddie. Without me being there."

"We are going to do it properly," Eddie added.

"Too right you are."

"What's going on here?" Tom said as he joined them in the classroom.

"They are married, Tom. They married without us."

"Is that what you are focusing on at the moment Kim?" Eddie said.

"All year I have been telling you to call her. Proves that I was right to keep nagging her but… I think you have just done the most un-Rachel thing possible."

Rachel couldn't help but agree with her. It was very unlike her to just jump at the chance, but she didn't regret her decision. Not at all. Because Eddie was back where he belonged, by her side.

"Finally got her down in your office Rach," Melissa said as she entered the room. "What are we talking about?"

"Kim can't get over the fact that me and Rachel are married," Eddie said.

"Did Adam turn up?" Rachel asked.

"He did. Best thing I ever did for you. Security threw him out in the end because he just got so angry. I… I didn't realise that you hadn't told him anything about your relationship with Eddie. I just told him how it was. Plus he was muttering about two truanting kids and Waterloo Road ruining everything."

So Adam didn't understand. But with a look, she knew Eddie did. Not that he knew the two truanting students or what she had gone through with them.

"Have you spoken to Chris?" Kim said.

"Not yet. Philip still has my phone."

"Finn and Amy were going to commit suicide. You had every right to be worried. I'll get something set up for Finn. Sounds like his behaviour is down to bad home life. Give him the support we should have done from the beginning."

"Not that Chris has helped with that."

"I think you finally got through to him this morning." Kim paused. "Shall we go and shock a few kids and staff by introducing the new Mr and Mrs Lawson?"

"The old John Fosters lot won't know what is going on."

"I am sure Steph and the students will catch them up sooner or later," Tom added.

"And our little chat can be done tomorrow," Melissa said. "You two should enjoy tonight."

"What do you say, Mr Lawson?" Rachel said.

Eddie pushed himself off the desk and held his arm out to her. "I think that it sounds perfect, Mrs Lawson."

Rachel could only smile as she copied his actions and took his arm. It had truly been the best day of her life. Maybe not for the reasons that she thought it would be, but she was at least married and Eddie was back in her life. She was the happiest woman in the world.


Extra


Rachel looked through the door and she knew that Eddie was probably smiling as well as he looked over her shoulder as Bolton and Sam were crowned Prom King and Queen.

"Look how far they have come." He whispered.

"I know. I think even they would be shocked if they looked back."

"They are definitely not the same people that started at Waterloo Road."

"Well… neither are we." She paused. "And I don't just mean us getting married today."

"I do think Kim has a point with that."

"What? That it was the most un-me thing to do?"

"It's why I left the decision up to you. Because I knew that even though I was ready to jump into the idea, I knew that you might not be."

"Eddie… it was one of the reasons why… I pushed you away again." She turned to him properly. "Because I had started to dream again about how I wanted a family and I wanted all that with you. And then Melissa reminded me that I shouldn't dream like that. Because everything that you gave her was everything that I wanted off of you. And the pain of pushing you away again was better than trying and failing at keeping that dream alive."

"What changed today then?"

"The fact that I knew I wouldn't be able to push you away for a third time. The fact that it was you asking. Because I… I still don't understand why I said yes when Adam asked me. But you asking me made so much more sense. We went through a lot together Eddie. You… you know what this place means to me. Adam… I don't think Adam ever would have done. And you know me. I would have left the one place that gives me so much happiness to keep him happy."

"It is the reason selflessness is on my mental list of why I love you twice. You should never have to give up a school that you love. I would never make you make that choice."

"Because you always know where I belong."

She leant forward to kiss him but she was stopped by Kim's voice.

"Right. I can't quite believe I am going to say this but can we give it up for the new Mr and Mrs… Lawson."

Rachel only smiled at Eddie as he held his arm out for her again.

"I suppose that is our cue, Mason."

"I suppose it is Lawson."

A giggle left their lips as they entered the hall to the massive applause.


"Tom, I can't believe I am actually going to do this," Kim said as she waited for Jo to finish up with Bolton and Sam.

"But it does make sense as well."

"Eddie… I can imagine him doing something like that. But Rachel…"

"Just think how easily she did say yes to Adam. I did question her over it. I said something about her lying to herself about being happy with Adam. Did you not see the way that she was with Adam and keeping the whole thing as low key as possible? I don't think she wanted to marry Adam. But her marrying Eddie makes so much sense. Tell me the last time she smiled like that."

Kim knew that Tom was right. She knew that Rachel was missing Eddie more than she wanted to admit. Especially with everything that happened with Max. She needed someone by her side and there was no one.

"Just it isn't what this lot are expecting."

"And our lot are going to understand more. I had Aleesha and Danielle come up to me on the first day back asking me all these questions about Eddie. I do think that it has been more than Rachel that has missed him. Trust me. I think quite a few people are going to be happy about this."

Kim sighed before she jumped onto the stage, taking over from Jo.

"Right. I can't quite believe I am going to say this but can we give it up for the new Mr and Mrs… Lawson."

There were quite a lot of confused faces before Eddie and Rachel entered the hall. Tom was right as the hall erupted in applause. It was nice to see the pupils as they congratulated them as they walked through the crowd. Maybe it was the most un-Rachel thing to do but it did make so much sense.


"Alright, Sir?"

Eddie smiled as he turned to Danielle and Aleesha. Of course, it had to be those two.

"Perfectly fine. And you two? Still causing trouble?"

"Sir, we never caused trouble," Danielle said.

"I remember you standing on the roof of this hall because you didn't want to be homeschooled. And don't you start Aleesha. We all know what you can be like."

"So how did that happen?" Aleesha asked.

"How did what happen?"

"You marrying Mason. I mean… we thought that she was going to marry Fleet. Although, sir, we think that you were the better choice."

"We crashed the wedding."

"How romantic," Danielle said.

"We have so much to talk about but… it was her decision."

"Does that mean that you are coming back?"

Eddie's eye caught Rachel as she talked to some of the other teachers, gently bobbing with Sophie in her arms.

"I suppose… that will be up to Mrs Lawson."


"So what happened?" Ruby asked.

Of course, it had to be her to ask. Rachel stopped herself from rolling her eyes. She was glad that Kim noticed as smiled at her.

"Melissa happened. Honestly one of the best things she has ever done for me. I mean she was completely right with what she had to say."

"Which was?"

"'Adam Fleet? Really Rach?' and 'Someone needs to stop Adam so you two have the chance to talk.'"

"But did he turn up?"

"Yes. Just then he was forced to leave. I mean… the more I think about it, the more this was totally the right decision. Adam… Adam never understood what the school meant to me. It is… more than a school. It is a family."

"Then you don't want to know that he was throwing spoons into a bucket when I found him and I think… the only reason he left was because I showed him the cake."

Rachel found herself shaking her head. "I don't think I need to say any more."

"Say no more about what?" Melissa said as she joined them.

"How wrong Adam was for me."

"Rach, do you mind just taking Sophie for a moment? One of the girls is crying out there because her dress has been ripped and I told her I would help her with it."

Rachel didn't have much time to answer her before the infant was passed over and Melissa was gone. She made sure that Sophie was comfortable before she turned back to the conversation with Kim and Ruby, placing a kiss on Sophie's forehead before doing so.

"I suppose I should step up."

"So who is Sophie?" Ruby asked.

"My niece." She paused. "And I suppose my step-daughter as well."

"Sorry what?"

"Her and Dex could grow up together," Kim said.

"I suppose so." Rachel said.

"And if you and Eddie get a move on."

"Kim."

"What? Rachel, just because I haven't been the best of friends this year, doesn't mean I don't know you. I… get all of your reluctance to call Eddie. Because you knew how difficult it was to have what you wanted. But you are now back with Eddie. I'm sure you two can come up with a way to make it work. I mean, you made this place work together."

"I'm just waiting for the moment when Melissa isn't going to be okay with this. Eddie can't lose Sophie now."

"And maybe this time, she is trying to be your sister and doing what she thinks is right by you."

Rachel started to move as Sophie made a noise. She turned to her and wondered whether the noise was in agreement with what Kim had said. If anything, now that she had met her niece, she didn't want to let her go.


The slow dance was the first time that Rachel had a chance to speak with Eddie again since they entered the hall. She still couldn't knock how right everything felt, especially being back in his arms.

"I suppose you have a honeymoon booked." He said.

"The flight is early tomorrow morning. Should I see if I can cancel it?"

"Or maybe just change the name?"

"I think it is too late now to do both."

"We could still go."

"It's two weeks…"

"Rachel. I don't care. I am back with you. You… can't deny how right this is."

"But we wouldn't have talked. What if we get back and Melissa…"

"Rachel. Today has been Melissa trying to make things up to us."

"But you don't know her like I do."

"But you don't know the conversation I had with her where she said that we would be grateful for the extra pair of hands, regarding Sophie. I think you are going to be thrown head-first into your step-mother/auntie duties."

"Just…"

"Just what?"

"Something Kim said. About Sophie and Dex growing up together. And then if we got a move on."

"Is that what you still want? Because I think that you would make an absolutely amazing mother."

"You think?"

"Honestly Rach, I would love to see you, with a child of your own."

"But then how do we bring them and Sophie up? Would they be cousins or siblings?"

"Why can't they be both?"

She laughed as she realised that, most of the time, Eddie would have an answer for her worried ramblings. It was why they worked so well.

"Look, we don't like doing things the easy way. So instead of worrying about these things now, why don't we worry about them when they happen? It was Melissa that reminded me that you probably did have a honeymoon booked."

"You know that isn't going to stop me, Lawson."

"I know. But it is always worth a try. Tonight, come round ours, we can talk and sort out what is going to happen and then… either we go on the honeymoon or you lose your money and we book somewhere else at a later date."

"You know what. In the time since we were reunited, I don't think I have told you that I love you."

"I think you marrying me told me that."

She hummed in agreement before she placed her forehead against his, rising onto her tiptoes slightly.

"I love you, Eddie Lawson."

"And I love you, Rachel Lawson."

She giggled. "That is going to take some getting used to."

"But it sounds so much better than Rachel Fleet."

"That… it does."

She was the one to lean in to kiss him. She was sure that they would sort everything out. Mainly because Eddie was back by her side. It made her grateful for her sister's intervention and maybe Melissa knew her a little better than she gave her credit for. She just hoped that this meant that she had a future with Eddie and Melissa and Philip and Sophie and whoever else life threw at them.