Hi everyone, thank you very much for the reviews! They are all lovely for me to read.

Hope you enjoy this chapter - more Reddie content i am afraid :)

Please let me know what you guys think of it, i would really appreciate that x

For once, the shrill sound of Eddie's alarm wasn't the thing to wake him. No, this was far from the harshness of that god awful ringing. A whisper discreetly leaked into his ear drum, causing him to finally register who he was with. Rachel.

'Good morning,' she spoke hushly, pleased to see that her attempts to waken him had been achieved.

'Did you know that it's a Sunday? Not that I'm complaining with you next to me, but I wouldn't have minded a few extra winks,' Eddie half joked whilst his eyes took their time to adjust to the beautiful sight laying in front of him.

'Did you know that it's 11 o'clock?' Rachel smirked, leaning forwards slightly so that her lips brushed his.

'I'll let you off then…' he whispered, subconsciously wrapping his arm around Rachel's slender waist.

Abruptly, the pair were interrupted by a severe banging that came from downstairs. Eddie knew that noise anywhere - it was his front door. But who on earth was on the other side? Exchanging an uneasy glance with Rachel, Eddie slid out of bed reluctantly, eager to find out who had interrupted their bubble of joy. Rachel was equally as curious, so closely followed Eddie down the stairs, adjusting her eyes to the bright light that seeped through the windows.

Once Eddie had opened the door, Rachel felt several waves of sickness wash over her as Adam Fleet was revealed. How on earth did he know she was here? Eddie glanced at Rachel, not having a clue who this man was, but placing a guess on it being Adam.

Rachel took a step forward so that she was in front of Eddie, much to his dismay - he wanted to protect Rachel from harm at all costs.

'What are you doing here Adam?' She queried, clearly disgusted by even the sight of him.

Adam staggered forwards, almost falling into Rachel's arms - he was quite clearly intoxicated.

'I followed you here last night. So I think I should be asking you that….' his words were slurred, and his close proximity made Rachel feel incredibly uneasy, 'what are you doing here, with him?' he interrogated, stabbing a finger against Eddie's chest - which only made Eddie grow taller in response.

'I don't know how you dare, after what you've done. And quite frankly, it's none of your business anymore.'

'Ahh I see. Turned back to your old ways have you Rachel? Bet he's getting it for free though. Special treatment.'

Rachel shrugged, attempting to come across as unbothered by Adam's spiteful comments. Despite this, she couldn't deny it had hurt just as much as those comments thrown around by the likes of Stuart Hordley and Max Tyler.

For Eddie, Adam's remarks had hit too close to those made by Stuart Hordley several years ago. Because of this, he intended to react in exactly the same way - Rachel's ex boyfriend or not. Instantly, Eddie's clenched fist collided with Adam's top lip and it curled upwards in response. That certainly silenced him.

'Now Adam, I've only known you for five minutes and I already don't like you. So why don't you do Rachel and I the honours and get out of my house,' Eddie spoke sternly whilst Rachel couldn't help but reminisce over the first time he had punched another man for her. She remembered wanting to kiss him for how he was with Stuart, so now, a similar feeling settled in her stomach.

'You're brilliant Eddie,' she whispered whilst burying her head into his shoulder in order to conceal her tears, 'well and truly brilliant.' Despite his strength holding her together, her body couldn't help but shake violently. A man she had once loved cheating on her was bad enough - somehow though, him bringing up her past in such a derogatory way was far worse in Rachel's eyes.

…..

There was no doubt about it, Eddie had seen Rachel go through every single emotion since they had met. Despite this, her behaviour after Adam's comments was hard to witness. The man had clearly broken her, and Eddie of all people knew how difficult it was to break apart Rachel Mason. He felt totally and utterly powerless, nothing he was doing seemed to help. No amount of conversation, or embraces, or wise words could fix this. Equally though, nothing would stop Eddie from striving to make Rachel see just how amazing she truly is.

'Fancy watching a film or something Rach?' he questioned lightly, attempting to get a slight glimpse of conversation from her. Eddie just had to know that she was okay.

'We can do,' she commented, and still continued to wrap herself up in a tight ball of worry.

Clearly she had a change of heart, because Rachel swiftly backtracked on her previous comment, 'you know, I can't thank you enough for letting me sit with you for the past few hours… since Adam… anyway, I think I should go now,' with that she rose from her defensive position and began to retreat out of his living room.

Eddie had no time to think before the situation in front of him began to unfold. His initial instinct was to stop her, so gently, he pulled her back by the wrist, 'Rachel wait. Please don't go, I know you're not okay.'

She did nothing but sigh. Rachel knew that Eddie could read her like an open book, nothing would change that, 'Eddie really, you'll be sick of me by now,' she settled on that as a response.

'Oh don't be daft Rachel. You and I both know that's not true.'

With that she finally turned to face him, realising that he's nothing like Adam. How could she ever doubt that? In that moment, she realised that she can trust him, always has been able to, always will be able to.

'Eddie I - I can't do this. After Adam… I can't let anyone in anymore. It took me so long to allow myself to trust people … but now… even you…'

'Rachel,' she gazed down as he said this, feeling rather guilty after seeing the look of hurt flash across his brow, 'look at me Rach.'

Surprisingly to Eddie, she slowly but surely levelled her stare with his. Only then did he continue.

'I need you to know that you can trust me. What Adam has done to you, is unforgivable. But I am not him, I would never do that to you Rachel.' He noticed that she had shuffled forward slightly, and he gathered that he was getting somewhere at last, 'you're extraordinary. Genuinely, the strongest woman I've met. For me, all of the things that you've been through - your past, the fire, Max Tyler, Adam ... the list doesn't stop there. The point is though Rach, all these things, just reinforce how amazing you truly are. It's everything I love about you.'

In an instant, Rachel's expression softened. She was well and truly touched by the sheer sincerity in his words. Why did she ever let this man go in the first place? Realising it was now or never, she closed the gap between them both and knelt down so that they were level with one another.

'Eddie, I love you too. So much. Truthfully, I don't think I ever stopped loving you.'

He smiled, more than grateful for the response he received, 'stay with me Rachel. Stay with me for a few weeks. I can't bear the thought of you stuck in your house alone, overthinking every single thing.'

Smirking, she suppressed a chuckle - he really did know her far too well.

'I mean, if you don't mind… you're probably right. But oh Eddie, I can't ask that of you.'

'You're not asking,' he laughed, bringing their bodies closer together, 'I asked.'