Thank you so much for the reviews... I uploaded this about thirty minutes ago but since realised that I put 'her' car instead of 'his'... it was annoying me too much to leave it :)

Please enjoy x

Chapter 13: Surprise

Rachel was both surprised and delighted with how effortlessly Philip seemed to ease back into his good old self during the days following Melissa's contact. She was expecting him to have some setbacks at least, but it was now Saturday morning and there was no sign of Philip taking a relapse. Perhaps substantial factors - there had been no more phone calls from Melissa, and Philip had now built up a strong friendship with both Paul and Bolton. Rachel was extremely glad that her reassurances had gotten through to him, and that he was enjoying school far better. Although Rachel knew that she would continue to offer her support for Philip endlessly, for as long as he stayed with her and beyond that.

It was now nine o'clock and the boy hadn't emerged from his bedroom. Rachel didn't mind much though, it was Saturday afterall. Besides, she was enjoying the way her own company meant that she could slip into her thoughts about Eddie and the evening ahead without too much consideration for her surroundings. He had planned a meal out, but hadn't specified the restaurant - said it was a surprise. Little did Rachel know, that wasn't the only thing his surprise entailed.

Just as Rachel was about to move from her kitchen into the living room, her phone which was resting on the kitchen counter buzzed. This grasped her attention instantly, even more so when she saw that Eddie's name had lit up on the screen.

Miss you already, tonight can't come quick enough x

Almost instantaneously, Rachel's face broke out into a dazzling smile. She was unable to hide the sheer contentment that coursed through her body. In fact, she no longer needed to, and didn't in any way have a desire to. Her joy was particularly directed towards the forefront of the text message: miss you already. Ever since the moment on Tuesday morning in Rachel's office, the pair had embraced it as 'their thing.' Even if they had only spent several hours apart, either her or Eddie would make the comment, causing them great joy upon thinking back to the events leading up to that morning.

She allowed herself to bask in the wonderful feelings that seemed to appear when Eddie crossed her mind for several moments, before tapping in her reply.

I miss you too, of course. Although I do think you should tell me where we are going x

A few moments passed of Rachel staring intently at her phone, waiting on Eddie's imminent reply.

All you need to know, is that you will love it x

Rachel chuckled now, both in awe and excitement. She loved and hated the fact that Eddie wouldn't share the location of their meal. Rachel had always wondered if he would be the romantic type, and from recent days, she could most certainly vouch for that thought.

On Thursday, Eddie had spent the night round hers. They had stayed up until the early hours, talking and listening intently to one another, and of course sharing those most loved intimate moments which seemingly made them both feel incredible. It surprised and enthralled her just how much she had learnt about Eddie in that evening. It was utterly amazing to know someone to the extent that they know each other.

Rachel thought back to Thursday night for a moment, with familiar feelings of adoration very much present. When Eddie had cooked at her house, she remembered a conversation had about films, and she had divulged to him many of her favourites. So when Eddie arrived on her doorstep on Thursday evening, Rachel's heart had warmed upon being told his plans for the night. He had brought three of her all time favourite films, along with an endless supply of chocolate and wine. Just when Rachel thought that Eddie couldn't get any more phenomenal, he excelled himself.

Rachel remembered holding back the swell of emotional tears as she had let Eddie into the hallway. He truly made her the happiest she had ever felt in the world, and she hoped with all her heart that he was having similar musings about her.

Bringing herself out of her reverie, Rachel now made her way into the living room. She knew that today would go slowly as she would be constantly willing for tonight to arrive. Glancing at her watch, Rachel was already counting down the hours. She decided upon completing some paperwork, yet Eddie never once faltered from the back of her mind.

….

"Your chariot awaits," Eddie joked, holding out his arm for Rachel to take.

He had arrived at 7 o'clock on the dot, and as Rachel opened the door to him, it warmed her heart to see his chosen attire for the evening. The events where Eddie wore a tie and smart shoes were far and few, yet here he was on her doorstep wearing both of these things along with a blazer.

Rachel giggled as Eddie took her hand to lead her over to his car. It was almost automatic, the way her eyes glazed over his whole being; from head to foot. Seemingly, it was a gesture that Eddie had succumbed to with Rachel just moments ago. Something that hadn't registered with Rachel, she had been too busy slipping on her heels. Eddie though, seemed to be well aware and somewhat delighted that Rachel's eyes were fixed on him.

He glanced across just as Rachel was about to avert her gaze. She was glad to see that his own expression was full of the tenderness and intimacy that Rachel imagined was swimming in her own eyes.

Eddie's left eyebrow quirked slightly as they made eye contact, causing Rachel to fall into that wonderful bout of laughter once more. She brought them to a halt as they reached his car door, turning to face Eddie so that they were head on with one another. She intended to answer the question behind his chocolate brown orbs.

"I was just thinking that you should wear a tie and blazer more often," Rachel commented as she took a step closer to Eddie, placing both of her hands over his chest.

She watched on as a faint blush creeped up across his cheeks, and couldn't stop the brief smirk that landed on her lips. As a rule, it was Rachel who blushed at Eddie's consistent compliments. It was time for a touch of good natured karma.

He met her gaze now, and Rachel just couldn't resist.

"You look rather handsome, if I do say so myself."

Eddie's slightly flushed features transformed into those of joy and fondness as he brought Rachel closer into an embrace. Willingly, she rested her head on Eddie's shoulder for a moment, stomach fluttering as she felt his mouth gravitate towards her ear and the side of her neck.

"I love you Rach."

The butterflies floating around inside of her seemed to heighten drastically at this show of affection. Only a handful of times had the pair spoken these words since their declaration earlier on in the week. So their feelings were still extremely precious, something to be treasured. But Rcahel guessed that would always be the case, no matter how long it had been common knowledge for.

Rachel pulled away from Eddie slightly, so that their eyes could meet. She lifted Eddie's chin up slightly so that she could place a much needed kiss on his smiling lips.

"I love you too," she muttered against his lips as they broke apart.

Revelling in the warmth of one another for a few moments more, the couple reluctantly parted to take their seats in the car. As they drove, Eddie regularly placed a hand on Rachel's knee, perhaps his way of telling her that he longed for that constant electrifying contact.

After around ten minutes of travelling, Eddie pulled off the main road and began to drive up a slightly smaller one. Rachel faintly registered the similarities with a road leading up to some sort of stately home, and she recognised for what felt like the thousandth time, just how much this meant to Eddie. Just like all the other moments spent together since their admittance on Tuesday, he wanted scenarios like this to be special, he wanted her to feel special. Because in Eddie's eyes, Rachel is special. Nothing can change that.

The building that they approached was truly magnificent. At some point, Rachel guessed that it had been a stately home. Taking in the size of the place, she considered that it must be a hotel as well as a restaurant, and she made note to mention to Eddie about coming back here at some point in the future to stay.

Maintaining his camaraderie, Eddie approached Rachel's side of the vehicle to open the door and take her by the hand. They ended up in a similar position to that of fifteen minutes earlier, outside Rachel's home. Eddie's hands had taken a loving hold of her hips, whilst Rachel's wrapped fondly around the back of his neck. She interlocked her own fingers and stole a glance at Eddie. Seemingly a regular occurence now, the way he was gazing at her, took Rachel's breath away.

"Eddie this looks wonderful. I didn't realise there was such a place so close to my house."

Eddie smiled tenderly at Rachel, taking in her glowing response to their atmosphere.

"I think you'll like it. It's wonderful inside too."

"It must be a hotel as well?" Rachel questioned as they walked hand in hand towards the building.

Eddie nodded, holding back his grin. He had been given the perfect opening.

"We should come back and stay here at some point, maybe the Easter break," Rachel continued, and Eddie decided to take his opportunity.

"There's no need."

Rachel stopped their movements to face Eddie, nonplussed and confused. He just beamed for a moment, hoping that she would glean enough from his current expression to understand.

"Well, I've booked it for this evening."

It was Rachel's expression that lit up now. She did look surprised, and Eddie was glad that his plan had paid off.

"And before you ask," Eddie began, anticipating that Rachel would pose him with several questions, "there's a bag of your clothes for tomorrow in the car. Toiletries and pyjamas as well. All the essentials I hope. Philip is also aware, doesn't have a problem with it. He's staying at Bolton's tonight."

Rachel's mouth parted slightly in utter awe, and she glanced up at this wonderful man in front of her who she was so lucky to call hers.

"Say something Rachel," Eddie implored, smiling lightly at her lack of response and wide eyed expression.

"This is… wow. No one has ever done anything like this for me before," she grinned now, maybe recovering from the initial wonder that she had been surrounded by.

"Rachel, you deserve all of this and a whole lot more," Eddie said, starting their movements back up to walk the staircase leading to the hotel.

They came to a halt one again, allowing Rachel to plant a brief kiss on Eddie's cheek before proceeding, "One question though," Rachel commented animatedly, all the while linking Eddie's arm. He nodded, willing her to continue, "how did you manage to get hold of my clothes?"

"Thursday night. When I stayed over. Didn't think you'd mind. I didn't take your toiletries though, didn't think you'd appreciate going without toothpaste for a day… so I just picked up a couple of bits from the shop," Eddie just couldn't stop smiling now, and he was pleased to see that Rachel's mouth was contorted into a similar shape.

"You're phenomenal. What on earth did I do to deserve you?"

"I think you'll find it's more the other way round Rach."

She shook her head slightly and bit her lip, on the verge of correcting him but Eddie stopped as they were approaching the front desk. Of course he silenced her in the most effective way possible, with a tender kiss on her lips. She was well and truly left speechless - in the most wonderful way.