Hello everyone - here is the chapter that I have certainly been waiting for - the chapter when Eddie and Rachel see each other again :)

As always, a huge thank you to Mrs Carmichael, RachelMasonFan39, AnomAnom1, fayeftvanity and Lynny for the reviews - they were all lovely to read.

Just as a quick note, I know in the show, Rachel and Adam got married on the last day of term, but for the purpose of this story, they were supposed to get married a week before the end of term.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy and please leave a review to let me know what you think x

It was unnatural for Rachel to feel this nervous. It had been expected ever since she saw his name on the list - but the feeling still overcame her, shocking her into reality. Today was the day. The morning of the interviews. The day she would come face to face with Eddie Lawson once again. A year later. How had it been a whole year? A year since she made potentially the biggest mistake of her life. Often this crossed her mind, but today of all days, the thought of her 'biggest mistake' hit her like a tonne of bricks. Up until now, it hadn't even clicked with Rachel that it was the last day of term - she had been so preoccupied and wrapped up in the never ending catastrophe that was her life. Infact, she had been so on edge for the past week, that Kim had suggested her and Tom conducted Eddie's interview. But no, that wouldn't do for Rachel. She wanted to see him, to talk to him - she would just have to compose herself. Like any other day, Rachel scanned her wardrobe, wishing another item of clothing would appear. Finally settling on the choice of her favourite trousers, blazer and shirt combo, she made her way downstairs to see if she could stomach a megre slice of toast. Although she longed for his presence, his smile, his warmth - Rachel couldn't wait for today to be over with - she didn't want to find out what it could hold for her state of mind.

Eddie Lawson had never felt less prepared for an interview in his life. Normally, he would at least try to organise some inspirational thoughts and ideas before hand - but his mind was full of something else. Rachel Mason. In reality, he realised that he had thought of her every day for the past year. Every day since the worst decision of his life came back to haunt him. Why did he move on to Melissa after Rachel rejected him? Eddie had known that Rachel wasn't ready, it was too soon after the fire - as usual though, his impulsive and ridiculous judgements had intervened. They had overcome him and crushed any chance that him and Rachel had. No matter how strong the love radiating between them was, it wasn't enough to hold back the inevitable. The only positive thing to come out of this mess was his beautiful 9 month old daughter - Isabelle. Despite this, he had meant what he said a year ago - Rachel was his top priority. In fact - she still was, he still wanted her to be. Was it crazy to still think that 365 days later? No, he was a man who stuck by his word - especially for a woman he was still deeply in love with. As he attempted to prepare himself for the interview, the only thing allowing him to keep going was the slight inkling that maybe Rachel had held on to the remnants of their relationship too. He really hoped so; he hoped so with all his heart.

….

'Morning!' Kim announced to Rachel as she cheerfully made her way into the office, clearly focusing her thoughts on the 6 week holiday ahead.

Rachel could just about manage a friendly smile back, somehow though, it wasn't enough to conceal the emotions she was currently feeling; Kim sensed her worry and alarm almost immediately.

'Oh Rachel, sorry,' Kim looked up, feeling rather guilty for her bubbly entrance, 'i forgot… about the interviews… you seeing Eddie again.'

'Do you know Kim, it's fine, I really don't know why I'm getting myself so worked up about it,' Rachel strived to simply shrug off her concerns, physically as well as mentally.

'Are you sure? You don't have to pretend Rachel,' Kim approached the other woman with caution, now aware that she was currently feeling a whirlwind of confusing emotions.

'Of course. It's the last day of term, we shouldn't be worrying about anything. It's already strange enough conducting these interviews today - but really, we've had no choice, any earlier and you know, it would've been rather short notice,' baffled Rachel, clearly wanting to change the subject.

Realising that Rachel wasn't going to open up - especially not today - Kim continued the conversation and made some slight small talk with her colleague (more importantly, her friend). She was worried about her, equally though, she didn't want to push her away. So for now, she would keep an eye on her, and trust that today would go to plan.

Two down, one to go until Eddie Lawson - Rachel pondered, midway through the interview process. She recognised that the next ten minutes or so with the upcoming candidate would be a blur - and she secretly hoped that they wouldn't be applicable anyway. With that concept, a new thought emerged in her brain - would it not look odd if she gave Eddie the job? Even if he was potentially going to be the best option… No, she wouldn't let something as trivial as that sway her decision: Rachel would appoint the most suitable person for the role. At the end of the day, she was far from a selfish human being, so even if things did go well between her and Eddie, she wouldn't sabotage the schools potential in order to fulfil a future with the love of her life. Was Eddie the love of her life? She thought so. It seemed bizarre, but everything with Adam had brought her to this conclusion - she was still in love with Eddie Lawson.

The arrival of her next candidate awoke Rachel from her thoughts and her expressions were forced to changed. She had to put her game face on - well, at least for now.

…..

Nostalgia. That was exactly was Eddie was experiencing as he perched himself in reception, awaiting his appointment. His appointment with Rachel - he forced himself to think. Eddie concluded that he had to face this head on, otherwise he would achieve neither of his purposes for today: to find out where he stands with Rachel, and to ultimately become Deputy Head once again. Despite his thought process, nothing could stop the nostalgia from engulfing him: the conversations, the smells, the sounds, the memories - it was all coming back to him now - more vivid than ever before.

'Eddie Lawson?' An unfamiliar voice called him. He looked up at the woman and smiled, realising she was probably Rachel's new secretary. It was time. Time to find out if holding on to his love for Rachel had been worth it. Time to find out if his love had remained mutual.

'So you have worked here before then?' the lady queried, clearly wanting to make some form of conversation to avoid an awkward walk to Rachel's office.

'Yes erm, i left about a year ago.'

'Oh right, how come you left if you're coming back so soon?'

'It's a long story,' he smiled, surprisingly grateful to be arriving at Rachel's office. He was glad of the antechamber - it gave him a moment or two to compose himself before the secretary said that Rachel was ready for him.

Eddie closed his fingers around the door handle, recognising the feel he had previously gotten so accustomed to. Was he really ready for this? What if it was too soon - for him and for her? He pushed the door handle down sharply; wishing he could push his worries away as easily. One swing of the door and he would see her face. Her face that he had missed so much. Just do it Eddie; he scalded himself. Comprehending that he couldn't stand there forever - he shoved the door and let go of it automatically, as if it was burning his hands. Simultaneously, the pair adjusted their gaze so that it rested on one another. For both of them - their looks said it all. No words were spoken for more than five seconds. No words were required. A slight redness arose in Rachel's cheeks - and it was clear to Eddie that he had made the right choice; his feelings were reciprocated.

'Eddie.' stated Rachel simply, averting her gaze - clearly aware of her noticeable blush.

'Rachel.' Felt like the appropriate answer for Eddie to take, 'How are you?'

'To be honest, it has been a tough year. But i am holding it together. What about yourself? How are you?'

Initially, Eddie was taken aback by her sheer honesty - she had clearly been struggling if she was admitting it, 'I'm okay,' he was unsure of what to say next, how to comfort her - it had been too long. Somehow though, his mouth made the decision for him; settling on something he found a little risky, 'I've missed you Rachel.'

Bringing her gaze back up to meet his - she gave the simplest of answers, 'I've missed you too.' Although simple - that was all Eddie needed to hear to know that everything was going to be okay.