Thank you for the reviews.

Happy New Year x

A Whirlwind of Emotions

"Eddie?" Rachel called out as she eventually arrived home that day, making sure to keep her volume low enough so that Natasha and Isabelle wouldn't wake but high enough so that Eddie could hear her.

"Up here!" she vaguely heard a whispered response, recognising that he was upstairs somewhere.

With each step she took, Rachel's smile grew with the knowledge that she would be back in Eddie's company once she reached the top. It was something she had been both anticipating and longing for all day. Seemingly battles with Max and subtle disagreements with Kim knocked all of the energy from her. There weren't just that day's battles to contend with though - Rachel felt as if she was in a constant battle with the executive head teacher. One that wasn't going to come to a close until the man got what he wanted; which was looking like having Waterloo Road all to himself. The thought caused Rachel's stomach to churn. She couldn't leave the place she loved so much in the hands of Max Tyler.

"Hey," the soft voice of Eddie brought Rachel from her thoughts, his worried expression making her realise that what she'd been feeling must have been written all over her face, "you okay?"

"Yeah," she sighed lightly as Eddie brought a hand to rest on her waist, the other cupping her cheek as they practically melted into one another, "just been a long day, that's all."

An understanding smile from Eddie told Rachel that they'd continue this conversation later, that he knew she needed to be distracted now rather than discuss the day which had left her in so much turmoil. And for that, Rachel loved him even more. Eddie and his heart of gold was a constant in her life once more, and she wasn't about to take that for granted.

Eddie was doing just as Rachel had thought - he knew that she was far from okay, yet sensed that the last thing she needed in that moment was to scrutinize the events of recent hours.

"Somehow, I've managed to get Natasha and Isabelle bathed and asleep," he gestured towards the room behind him, "Kevin left about an hour ago."

And how could Rachel not smile at that? She could practically feel the happiness radiating from her upon seeing the expression of pride across Eddie's features. It was what made her rise on her tiptoes, swiftly planting a soft kiss to his cheek.

"What was that for?" He queried once she'd pulled back - grin slightly lopsided.

Rachel raised a shoulder slightly, "just to say that I'm proud of you."

They left it on that note, with Eddie grinning down at her, thinking just how much more difficult this all would have been had he not written that letter.

….

"He's moved you out of your office?!" Eddie's voice was becoming increasingly louder, his eyes flashing with anger as Rachel explained the events of the day.

"Yes," her voice was practically non-existent in comparison; something which made Eddie's features soften instantly. He knew how much Waterloo Road meant to Rachel, so much so that he hadn't been able to stop the fury getting the better of him as she explained how detached she was feeling from her position as head teacher. That and the thought of him not being by her side as he should have been. But the last thing Rachel needed was for him to go bulldozing in with Max. Even if he wanted to knock ten bells out of the bloke.

"There must be something you can do to stop him. Contact the governors or the LEA - ''

"The head of the LEA who just happens to be Max's wife."

"Max's wife? But I thought…"

"He's seeing Kim," Rachel raised her eyebrows, watching as that sunk in across his expression, "yes. He is seeing Kim. Kim who doesn't know that he is married to Jennifer Headley."

Eddie stayed silent for longer than she'd been expecting; something which made Rachel wonder exactly what he was thinking.

"Eddie?" She queried once another moment or two had passed.

"Is that not something you can use against him? Maybe even get Kim on side."

Rachel visibly sagged, running the idea around in her head and arriving back at her initial conclusion, "I don't know Eddie. I - I have absolutely no idea how Max would react to that. He's not exactly the calmest of people."

Eddie looked more than a little alarmed, "he's hurt you?"

She aimed to quash his thought process immediately, "no! No… nothing like that. I just… don't like the thought of getting entirely on the wrong side of him. I'm hardly his favourite person in the world."

As much as Rachel's determined response had calmed some of Eddie's fears, he despised the thought of her alone with Max. Perhaps quite predictably, his mind turned once more to how different things would be if he was there for Rachel.

That was part of the reason why he clasped her hands in his, giving her a faint smile which Eddie guessed had barely reached his eyes.

"I wish I could be there for you."

"Be there for me?" She looked abashed, "Eddie, is that not what you're doing now? What you are doing every second of every day?"

"I mean at the school."

His tone was deflated, with more than a sliver of defeat, and Rachel couldn't have stopped herself from shifting closer to Eddie, gently brushing the backs of her fingers across his cheek.

"Darling, what you are doing now is more than enough. I know you're there, fighting my corner, despite you not being there physically," she paused, tilting her head, "does that make any sense?"

Rachel let out a soft laugh and Eddie responded with a chuckle, adoring the way her words could instantly lift his spirits, "I get it, don't worry. I think it's the same as me, today. Once Kevin had left, I wanted to get the girls sorted for bed. And despite… any doubts. I. I just thought of you, and how much faith you've put in me," he flushed a light red; admitting his deepest, truest feelings being that little bit harder than he'd initially gathered.

The stab of pure love Rachel felt at Eddie's words took her breath away. She inhaled sharply, the knowledge that he felt the exact same as she astounded her somewhat.

"I'm glad we are on the same page," Rachel somehow managed to choke out, smiling broadly as Eddie kissed her palm.

Unfortunately it was the doorbell that interrupted their moment. Eddie half expected it to be the takeaway they'd ordered earlier as Rachel trailed off, so remained where he was, sure that a soft smile was still playing across his lips.

Rachel too had presumed the same as Eddie, but found herself recognising the curly haired boy who stood outside her house.

"Philip?" She queried as she pulled the door open.

"Rachel!" He practically bulldozed his way in with alarm.

Worry filled her almost instantly. She had seen her nephew panicked before, upset and angry - of course she had. But this was new. And entirely scary.

"What is it love?"

"I don't really think I should be… well erm… saying this but. Mr Tyler just assaulted me in your office."