Hi everyone, thank you so so much for the lovely reviews - they all mean a lot to me.
As usual, i hope you enjoy this chapter (I certainly enjoyed writing it as it is very much Reddie based!)
Please let me know what you guys think :) x
Eddie had contemplated calling Rachel for the past 24 hours, ever since their re-encounter. Although he had avoided it, he knew she would be ringing him soon, to let him know if he had been successful in gaining the role of deputy head. Oh how he hoped he had. A smile couldn't help but plaster itself on his face at the thought of working with Rachel everyday once again. As if on cue, a distinct sound awoke Eddie from his daze. To his surprise though, it wasn't a phone - but his door bell. He sighed; it wouldn't be Rachel. She said she'd call. With a look of despair furrowed across his brow, Eddie grasped the door handle with his fingers - wondering who could be waiting on the other side. Rachel. Was he seeing things now? No. It was definitely her, she was the only person who caused him to become as captivated as he was in that moment. Several emotions washed over him: curiosity, confusion, wonder - but most of all, joy. Joy that the love of his life was once again stood in front of him; considering he had spent the last year of his life apart from her presence.
Before he could gather his thoughts (never mind his words) Rachel broke their stare and filled the silence - stepping forward so that her left arm was resting on the door frame.
'What's wrong with this picture?'
The simple phrase pulled at his heart strings almost instantly, pulling him back to the day when he foolishly stamped on his first chance with Rachel. He wished the universe would whisk him back to that day, so that he could make amends - do things differently. Maybe Rachel wouldn't have ran from him if he had just waited that little bit longer. Reminiscing that day, he realised he couldn't reply with nothing other than 'Rachel.'
The smile that grew on her lips as he whispered her name was one that would be etched in his brain forever. Resisting the temptation to pull her close in order to simply intertwine their lips and never let her go; Eddie spoke again, trying to discard the whirlwind of thoughts buzzing around in his brain.
'Come in,' he noted without hesitation.
It was strange for Rachel to step foot in his house once more. His house that she would have essentially called her home, little over a year ago. Instantaneously, her mind flashed back to all the joyous occasions they had shared together under this roof. She even contemplated simple things like kicking off her shoes in the hallway, or bounding down the stairs together after realising they were going to be late for work. She missed that. Just as much as she had missed him. Her thought process must have been portrayed externally as well as internally, because she felt the warmth of his touch brushing the small of her back, he mouth muttering something like, 'are you alright Rach?' Rach. Another thing she had missed deeply. Granted, other people called her that too. Somehow though, it was different coming from Eddie Lawson. Surely everything is better coming from the love of your life, she thought, as she followed him into his living room.
'So, not that I'm complaining, but I thought you were gonna call,' Eddie joked, shifting the intense mood slightly as he took a seat next to her, making sure that nearly every inch of their sides were touching.
Rachel glanced down at the ground, subsequent to the newly found crimson colour that spread across her cheeks. Busted.
'Well… as seen as you've got the position, i thought i would pay you a visit,' she smirked, dropping that exuberant bombshell, intending to change the dynamics of the conversation and ultimately divert from her true reasonings for being here.
'Rachel,' Eddie stated whilst refraining himself from gasping, 'I don't know what to say. Thank you,' he locked eyes with her, putting as much sincerity and truth into his words as humanly possible.
'You were the best candidate Eddie,' she beamed softly, hesitantly bringing her right hand around the back of his neck, 'none of the others know Waterloo Road like you do.'
Rachel's arm movement had shifted their positions, closing the miniscule gap that had been between them prior to this. Once again, Eddie longed to kiss her - before he could decide, her eyes darted from his lips and back up to his eyes, making his heart sore and ultimately making the decision for him. Their mouths interlocked like they had done so many times before. Despite this familiarity, the pair simultaneously acknowledged that nothing quite felt as electrifying as this kiss. This kiss confirmed everything they already knew, consolidated the information. She needed him and he needed her. There was no doubt about that.
It felt like forever before they reluctantly pulled away from one another; keeping their bodies interlocked even if their lips weren't. A comfortable silence settled the pair as Rachel placed her head on his chest, relaxing with the rhythm of his breathing.
'So, where do we go from here?' Eddie queried, allowing the tranquility to be broken apart.
'Well, I'll need to gather all the necessary paperwork, obviously I will need you to attend any upcoming LEA meetings over the summ- ,'
'Rachel,' Eddie erupted into a roar of laughter, in stitches at the thought of work was even crossing her mind, 'I mean we. Me and you. Us.' He turned to face her, allowing a serious expression to spread across his face - Eddie wanted Rachel to comprehend just how much he wanted this.
There it was again - Rachel's cheeks lit up like a flame, a smirk settling on her lips as the realisation hit her. Wanting to regain control of the conversation, she glared him right in the eyes, not allowing their gaze to wander elsewhere.
'I don't know Mr Lawson. Where do we go from here?'
