Thank you for the reviews.

Please enjoy :) x

Chapter 34: Not My Parents

It wasn't until the back end of the Easter break that they all found a time to meet up. Rachel and Eddie had spent a lot of time with Michael over the break. Something that would be treasured by them both. Rachel had absolutely loved getting to know the young boy more, and was glad that he had taken a shining to her too.

When they found a free day all round, Julie's garden happened to be the best place for it. The weather was the best they'd had so far all year, so it was enjoyable to just be able to sit and soak up some April sun. Even if the thought of returning to school in two days was looming over Rachel. And Eddie for that matter.

But it wasn't just returning to school. Rachel couldn't remember a time when she felt repulsed at the thought of going to work. She loved her job. Perhaps a period where she came close to not wanting to go in, was the peak of Eddie and Melissa's relationship. Yet nothing could compare to the sheer fear that she felt at what could be thrown at them in this upcoming term.

Although Rachel did have completely contrasting emotions. It was nice to see how well they were all getting on. And how comfortable they had actually become with one another. Julie had let slip to her when they had been on the phone earlier in the week, that she and Mollie had only ever really had each other. Which just made Rachel even more glad that they had all built up relationships in such a short space of time.

She glanced to her left and realised that she and Mollie were the only two sitting on the patio. With Philip and Eddie kicking around a football, and Julie in the kitchen getting another set of drinks, Rachel saw it as a golden opportunity to talk to her a little more.

She didn't realise that Mollie might've had the same idea. As Rachel opened her mouth to talk, the girl's mouth formed into a smile, before she began to speak herself.

"What am I supposed to call you at school then? Rachel or Miss Mason?"

It hadn't been the conversation starter that Rachel was expecting. But she found herself joining in to laugh with Mollie. She just kept reminding her of Melissa. Even more today with how confident she had been.

"Somehow I think you should stick with the latter."

"Yeah," Mollie laughed, "if this Max guy is gonna be snooping around."

Rachel tilted her head at Mollie, trying to work out if Julie had talked to her about her dad properly. Julie said that she was going to, but Rachel hadn't yet gotten the opportunity to ask her about it. She didn't want to reveal anything that Julie hadn't.

Mollie seemed to sense her apprehension, "I know who he is. Just don't wanna call him dad. Saying this Max guy makes it seem less real somehow."

"That's understandable."

"He's never been a dad to me. Never will. But what am I supposed to do if he wants something to do with me?"

Rachel was shocked but happy at how quickly Mollie had begun to open up. She felt utterly pleased that the girl obviously felt comfortable to confide in her. These were an invaluable couple of minutes.

That could mean that Mollie would be far more open to approach Rachel with worries in coming weeks. Something that Rachel had been wanting to achieve. She was sure that the girl might need someone to turn to at school with Max on the scene. And she would have Philip and Eddie too. Something that Rachel had found comforting for herself in the past few weeks.

"It's always going to be your choice Mollie. No one can force you into anything. Your mum, Mr Lawson, Philip and I… all of us. We aren't going to let that happen."

Mollie glanced down at her lap. It was the first time since Rachel had been in her company, that she looked vulnerable. As if the confidence had disappeared temporarily somehow. Rachel wondered what was on her mind, and hoped that she was going to be privy to it. Just so she could offer a helping hand.

"Is he coming to Waterloo Road because of me?"

Rachel sighed, thoughtful for a moment, "look love," she began, shifting closer to her niece slightly, "I don't want you to think for one second that any of this is your fault. Because it's actually far from it. In fact, the blame is the furthest it could possibly be from you."

Mollie smiled now. It was the most wonderful thing for Rachel to see in that moment, because it was so very genuine. And once again, she was reminded of an eleven year old Melissa. Rachel just had to ignore the sense of regret that sprang to mind as she thought over how broken her relationship with Melissa was. They had endured many falling outs and disputes over the years, but Rachel had always been able to see a way out of it. Just she didn't see a way back from this. The damage was done, it was irreversible.

"Is Melissa really as much of a cow as she seems?"

Rachel failed to suppress a chuckle of laughter. She was subconsciously thinking that she shouldn't condone that kind of insult. But Rachel wasn't about to cut off how well Mollie had been opening up so far.

"Oh she's not all bad. Melissa...has made some questionable decisions in the past. And she finds it difficult to learn from her mistakes. But it doesn't make her a bad person."

Even as Rachel spoke the last sentence, her own mind was questioning the statement.

Doesn't it?

"Even though I know she's my birth mum, and even if I did end up in touch with her… I don't think I'd ever see her as my real mum. Because that role is already taken. That's how I see it anyway."

Rachel couldn't help but smile again as she listened to what Mollie had to say. It was down to how similar her words were to what Julie had said, on the first day Rachel met her. Just showed how close they were and what an unbreakable bond they had. Something Rachel knew Mollie would never have with Melissa. Rachel had to refrain from shaking her head as she wondered, not for the first time, how her sister could have ever thrown any chance of a relationship with her daughter out of the window.

"I know that she loves you very much."

From the smile and nod of agreement that Mollie gave, Rachel hoped that she had managed to discard some of her niece's worries. And she also hoped that the girl would feel able to come to her about anything, inside of school or out.

It was in a case of perfect timing that Julie reappeared from the back door with the drinks.

"Two lemonades."

Julie made eye contact with Rachel as she said her thanks. She could just tell by the look in her eye that she was wondering how her conversation with Mollie had gone. Rachel hoped that Julie would be able to judge that from the smile she gave her. Although she was sure it was something they would talk about later.

"Looks like they're having a good two man football game," Julie nodded towards Eddie and Philip as she retook her seat.

Rachel laughed, glad that Mollie did too.

"I can't actually be sure who's winning."

It was then that Philip and Eddie turned to face them, both with smiles on their faces. Rachel was pleased that her eyes met Eddie's. She could tell that he wanted to question how things had gone with Mollie, Rachel had seen his gaze flicking towards her during her conversation with the girl. His distraction was probably one of the reasons why Philip had tackled him to the ground a good few times. Another thing which Rachel couldn't help but find amusing.

It was a settling feeling, to know that they were facing whatever happened at school together. The unknown was getting to Rachel now. Not knowing what her sister had planned, or what Max's true intentions were. It was something that would put Rachel's mind into overdrive for the foreseeable future. But knowing that she could have a few moments to switch off with Eddie by her side, was something that Rachel took great comfort in.

….

It hadn't gone unnoticed for Eddie how much more relaxed Rachel seemed after their visit to Julie's. Of course he knew that she would still be worried about what the upcoming term would hold. He was too. But Eddie hoped he was right to think that she felt reassured with the people around her. Just like he couldn't be happier with Rachel by his side.

He hadn't yet found a proper chance to ask her about how things went with Mollie. So as Rachel pulled the covers back in their bed, and instantly laid her head on his chest, Eddie grasped a perfect opportunity.

He brought a hand up to run through Rachel's hair, smiling when her own arm draped across his chest.

"Did it go well with Mollie then?"

"As well as expected I think. I do think she knows that I'm there for her. And she did seem, you know, fairly comfortable when talking to me."

"That's good then?" Eddie half questioned, sensing a but.

Rachel looked up at him, which was an awkward angle given their positions. But welcome, because looking into her eyes always was.

"Mollie reminds me a lot of Melissa."

"She does look a lot like her."

"It's her confidence as well. Just with the way Mollie was with me after only a few hours."

"And you weren't ready to be reminded of that just yet?"

"I just think… it reminded me of the relationship Melissa and I once had. We've never been you know, overly close. Although having said that, we've always bounced back from disagreements. I just can't see that happening this time."

"That's natural that you'd want to have a relationship with her. She's your little sister Rachel. I get that nothing is really going to change that."

"I sense a but," she smiled slightly, and Eddie couldn't help but return it.

It was just the way that he had endured the exact same thought process just minutes previous. They were similar in a lot of ways as well as completely different in others. But it just showed how well they could read one another. Which had to be one of the main strengths in their relationship amongst other things.

"Just, don't blame yourself, Rachel. If things don't bounce back like you say. I know you, and I know that you will. But try not to. For me."

He watched as a smile broke out on her lips and her eyes gazed across his face, "most definitely for you."

There was only one thing for Eddie to do next. He leant forwards to kiss her, and soon the majority of conscious thoughts had subsided. Rachel giggled as he ended up on top of her, and Eddie couldn't help but laugh himself. He had never been this happy in his life, and that was all down to Rachel. Eddie too was feeling uncertain about what Max and potentially Melissa would bring. But he was certain about one thing.

Nothing would ever get in the way of his and Rachel's relationship, and their love for one another. Not again, not after the year they'd had.