A/N its the penultimate part, but the ending is left open so i could continue it when im not so busy at university! but do not worry! i hope you enjoy this part and please review it means the world xx

Chapter 17

Rachel was back at work on the Monday after, against eddies wishes of course but, in her words, she hadn't been the best head so wanted to get back to it and make the changes she wanted too and properly. Rachel had decided to go to the staff room to make a brew this morning, now janeece was on maternity she hadn't had the funds to hire a temp PA so using a student rota of year 12 and 13's was the best she could do. But tea and coffee was not their forte.

As Rachel flicked the kettle on she took a deep breath taking in the staff room, where she had barely been since she began here.

"Hello" Steph said way to cheerily for a Monday morning "fancy seeing you here" she piped up once more now standing opposite her at the kitchen.

"Morning" Rachel replied making herself a camomile tea.

"Coffee two sugars for me" Steph said cheekily.

Rachel rolled her eyes getting another mug out and making her a coffee, she the brought the drink over and sat by her cradling hers.

"Thanks Rachel, not everyday the head makes a cuppa for you" Steph smiled.

"How are you getting on? Am I going to get those reports by the end of next week?"

"Should do" Steph nodded ignoring the subject "now come on, where were you on Friday, I came to speak to you and no one was in your office"

"No steph were not doing this" Rachel sighed brushing her spare hand through her hair.

"What? I saw you and Kim rushing out, just wondered if it was a student"

"It wasn't and it was a personal reason" Rachel said sternly as if to say get off my back.

"Morning" Kim smiled putting her bag next to Rachel's and then making herself a coffee. "How are we all for this Monday morning?"

"Ask me tonight in the pub" Steph smirked.

"Yeah doing okay" Rachel turned round to look at her giving her a reassuring smile. Kim smiled back and joined the two of them.

Suddenly the staff room door banged against the wall "bloody Monday morning, retiring seems like a better option right now, useless kids" they walked in "Ms Mason" They stopped in their tracks and looked.

"Now shall we start again Grantley…Go out and come in sensibly and look like your ready to work" Rachel said.

He nodded quickly and walked out coming in gently much to the amusement of Kim and steph.

"That's better, how are we?" Rachel asked

"Fine fine" He smiled which was clearly fake.

"Look Eddie we all know man united are better than city, you just can't face it" Tom laughed walking in with Eddie, Chris and Matt who had clearly met together in the corridor discussing the latest matches on tv.

"Morning all" Rachel smiled sipping her tea.

Eddie came and sat by her "you ready for today"

"Yeah, are you?" She smiled

"Fiver says Rachel and Eddie are together again" Steph leaned over to Grantley.

"Your on" Grantley said.

"There such a cute couple, I'm in" Matt smiled.

At that point Rachel stood up. "Morning all, if I can just have your attention for a moment" she smiled as the whole room fell silent.

"I know its been a strange term, and I'm sorry I havent been the leadership you expected"

"There's only one miss mason!" Tom chuckled.

"Thanks tom, but seriously, I came here to change this school and nothing has been done, its been a rough few months for me and I shouldn't be at work this week" Rachel said.

"Rach you don't have to do this" Eddie said reassuringly standing next to her.

Rachel nodded "I do" she smiled at Eddie and then back at the room "It's been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, I fell pregnant at the beginning of term" Rachel said to a few shocked faces.

"Well I didn't see that coming" Grantley whispered to Steph.

"And on Friday, unfortunately I did lose the baby" Rachel breathed in swallowing back tears. "So that's my only announcement and for this morning I'm going to leave you with Eddie" she said as she swiftly walked out the staff room putting Eddie on the spot not wanting to let her guard down in front of her staff as she made her way to the office.

She closed the door behind her and went over to the sofa where the emotions that had been held in over the weekend in front of Eddie just let rip and she started sobbing as tears rolled down her cheeks. She held her stomach with her one arm trying to feel another life inside her just hoping the baby was still there, even though she knew it wasn't.

Eddie and Kim burst in just after the bell went knowing full well where she would be.

"I think this is a job for you" Kim nodded to Eddie and made her way back out closing the door behind her.

"Oh rach" Eddie said walking over and wrapping his arms around her letting her cry into his shoulder.

"There's no baby" She said through sobs.

"I know I know sweetheart" he comforted her as he rubbed her back gently.

After a good five minutes Rachel sat up sniffing. "I'm sorry" she said sheepishly quiet.

"Don't apologise ever for crying" Eddie said looking at Rachels face and clearing a stray tear with his thumb.

"I'm all blotchy" Rachel said pushing his hand away.

"I like blotchy" Eddie smiled.

Rachel sighed and avoided his gaze "This is what I mean Eddie"

"What?" Eddie asked confused.

"Us, we, were supposed to be taking it slowly"

"And we are, well at least I thought we were" Eddie said getting defensive.

"I'm not ready for a relationship Eddie and this" she said finally looking at him "this is too much"

"You know I will wait"

"Will you though? Even after last time"

"How many more times are you going to bring that up?" Eddie sighed.

Rachel sighed out loud as a silence fell upon them "I want you there for Ben, he knows you and trusts you" she said standing up straightening out her suit and going over to the desk picking up her compact mirror. She sat down and took out her make up bag beginning to reapply it.

"Rachel you either want me or you don't make up your mind!" Eddie said a little bit louder as he stood up to face her.

Rachel had just redone her mascara when she looked up "what I need right now is to focus on my job" she said as she applied the lipstick. She made sure she was presentable and put everything away.

"Fine, if that's what you want, I thought you loved me"

Rachel looked up "Eddie I do…I just…" Rachel stumbled trying to think of further words to say "I need more time"

"How much longer"

"I don't know" Rachel sighed

"Well when you want a relationship phone me" Eddie said walking out and slamming the door behind him.