Hello everyone, thank you for the lovely reviews - i am glad you are liking it.

Here is chapter 16, hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think:)x

Instantly, Rachel regretted accepting a slice of birthday cake from Bianka. Like glue, the substance stuck to her throat and allowed a nauseous feeling to arise. She knew that she had to eat it slowly, bide as much time as possible. She glanced down and her stomach flipped when she realised there was only a bite left. Rachel guessed that Gary would want them out before the remainder of the cake had even settled in her mouth - the head and deputy of his daughter's school were certainly not welcome guests. It was clear that Eddie was feeling uneasy too; he kept darting his eyes in his bosses direction. He wondered what Rachel would do next, but most of all, he worried how Gary would react if they didn't leave soon. The man described as dangerous by the police already appeared furious, the look he was giving Rachel rocked Eddie's world to the core. He knew that Gary would hurt her without a second thought. He couldn't let that happen. Wouldn't let it happen.

"So Bianka, did you get anything nice for your birthday?" Rachel asked the girl, smiling past the ticking time bomb that was Gary Vale.

"Dad got me a new phone, haven't got the rest of my presents yet… I'm going out tonight with mum." A genuine beam spread across Rachel's face at the excitement radiating from Bianka. Rachel knew that she needed to discard any negative thoughts swimming around in her mind, she would save this girl at any cost.

"That's lovely, where are you-," Before Rachel could even form her next question, her utterances were sharply cut off by the looming figure of Bianka's father.

"I think it's time you left don't you? Now you've had your cake." he spoke viciously and threatened Rachel with his whole demeanor. First he glared at her, then he brought his gaze down to the crumbs on the plate. Rachel doubted that she could move even if she wanted to, Gary was stood directly in front of her - he blocked any possible route.

As soon as Gary stepped that little bit closer, Eddie leaped out of his seat - ready to come to Rachel's defence if necessary. She took some warmth with this, how glad Rachel was that she accepted Eddie's offer to come with her. This situation would have been far from stable without him.

She decided that she could not let herself be threatened by the likes of Gary Vale; not when she had risen to the challenge countless times before. He was just another Stuart Hordley or another Max Tyler - she could handle him.

"Why don't we take her back Gary? You know, year 9 is an important school year, she's in the midst of her options - i believe she has missed English and Maths already this morning. So please Gary, put your daughter first." Rachel handed this proposition to the man like a three course meal - she knew that if he truly loved and cared for his daughter, he would back down. If he did the opposite, she would know that this was about him and his own selfish needs.

"I think it's a father's right to see his daughter on her birthday. Don't you Mr Lawson?" Gary turned his attention away from Rachel and involved Eddie for the first time. Uncertainty engulfed her, she knew how protective Eddie is over her - she's extremely grateful for that. In this case though, she worried what effect it would have on his reaction to provocation. She hoped he wouldn't make any rash decisions.

The deputy took a moment to compose himself, he had to tread carefully here. Gary was clearly on the verge of explosion, he didn't want to be the one to set that off. It would be too damaging.

"Of course." he began, "but Mr Vale, what you're doing is illegal. Lawfully, you aren't permitted to spend unauthorised time with your daughter."

Rachel flashed a look of support at Eddie. His words were perfect, how did she ever have a doubt?

Clearly though, Gary thought otherwise, "spare me the incrimations Mr Lawson," he scoffed, "do you have kids?"

Eddie and Rachel shared a glance, this subject hit rather close to home for the both of them. His youngest child was the reason they had spent a whole year apart, his eldest one of the reasons they were brought together: there was no disguising that.

"Erm yeh i do…" Eddie stuttered as his thoughts drifted back to Rachel, "a 9 month old and a 5 year old."

"And you're telling me, that you wouldn't react the way I have if you were stopped from seeing them?"

"That's exactly what i'm telling you Mr Vale. You're only gonna make things worse for yourself."

Something inside Gary snapped, who did these jumped up teachers think they were? Spoiling his day with Bianka and demanding him to hand her over. He shouldn't even be giving them the time of day.

"That's it, I want you out. The both of you," he spat as he practically lifted Rachel up out of her seat and shoved them both out the door.

"Dad please, stop… what are you doing?" Bianka pleaded in the process, she suddenly felt extremely alarmed by the situation unfolding in front of her. Sure, her dad got angry, but this was different. Why was he being like that with her teachers? At a first look, it was embarrassing for her. Equally though, she was concerned for her two teachers - she liked Miss Mason and Mr Lawson.

"Just go and sit down Bianka, eat some more cake or something," he said whilst he ushered his daughter out of the way.

'But dad!'

'Bianka! Go away!' Gary had clearly lost it. This inclination in volume was enough for Rachel to know that they couldn't leave it there.

'Mr Vale, please just think about what we have said. You know, Bianka's mum might be more than happy for you to see Bianka, just under supervision.'

'You have no idea what you're talking about. Get lost!' He screamed whilst simultaneously slamming the door in their faces.

Naturally, Rachel expected Eddie's first question to be 'what now?' How wrong she was, of course, Rachel was his first concern. His top priority. Eddie's next words were a painful reminder of how foolish she had been to push him away last year. She should have listened to him. Clearly, she was his first priority, she knew that now.

'Are you okay?' was the question that sent her thoughts spiralling out of control, followed by draping an arm around her waist.

'Thank you Eddie,' she spoke with sincerity, almost ignoring his question - she wasn't of importance right now, 'for everything,' Rachel's eyes told Eddie that there was more to this gratitude, but now was not the time; they had to save Bianka.

'Eddie, will you contact Kim. The police are going to want to know that we have found them, maybe you know, they can help now.'

'Of course. What are you doing?'

'I'm going to stay here, keep an eye on things. Well, I just don't want Gary doing anything stupid.'

'Rachel…' he turned back to face her, Eddie was clearly unsure about Rachel's plans to stay by the caravan alone.

'Eddie.' She said, placing both her hands on his upper arms, 'I will be fine. Now go and get your phone from the car, contact Kim. This is nearly over,' She leant forward next, he deserved appreciation for how supportive he had been today, 'I love you,' she whispered.

Eddie swallowed the gigantic lump that had formed in his throat instantly. It was the first time she had said that since they'd been reunited; and it felt amazing. They had only said it to each other twice - the first time being when they had said goodbye. He just hoped that wasn't the case this time. It bothered him that he was leaving her to contact Kim, what if she did something stupid? Put her life at risk? He shook himself out of it, he couldn't think like that. Instead, he muttered his response before venturing back to the car to make the all important phone call.

….

The police were more than glad Bianka had been found, equally though, they were rather taken aback and irritated that the two senior members of staff had shot off like that. Couldn't blame them, Eddie thought to himself as he made the short walk back to the caravan. Only when he got closer, did Eddie realise that his nightmare might have just come true. Rachel was gone - nowhere to be seen. Where was she? He couldn't answer his own question, all he knew was that he would never forgive himself if anything had happened to her.