Thank you so much everyone for all the reviews, I'm so happy people are still interested in reading about these adorable idiots.

Here's my next chapter, enjoy!

x

Chapter Seven: Telling Phillip

Once Phillip had eaten, he retired to the living room whilst Rachel and Eddie returned to the kitchen. As per the original plan, Eddie took care of washing up while Rachel mopped the kitchen floor, clearing up the mess from their water-fight. With both chores dealt with, the two adults joined Phillip as they prepared to break their news to him. "Phil, can we have a word mate?" Eddie questioned, taking a seat beside Rachel upon the sofa.

Upon hearing Eddie's words, Phillip's attention veered from the television to the couple sat a short distance from him. "Course, about what?"

From there, Rachel took control of the conversation, "it's nothing for you to worry about," she assured him. "We've got two things we need to share with you before both become common knowledge."

Phillip's brow furrowed as he wondered what she had to tell him. There was an opening there in which she could announce the news, so she took it, "I'm pregnant and we're planning on making our relationship official."

"Official in what way?"

"Eddie's moving in tomorrow, and we're telling the staff on Monday morning,"

Aside from a deep exhalation from Phillip, silence greeted Rachel's announcement, she'd expected that. Of all the bombshells she could have dropped, the pregnancy one was perhaps the most surprising. Eddie had practically lived at Rachel's for the last six weeks, so moving in together was the next logical step. Still, Phillip hadn't spoken up and Rachel wondered whether the news would upset the dysfunctional dynamic the three of them had. "Say something, Phillip."

A sense of happiness for his Aunt engulfed Phillip; if anyone deserved this, it was Rachel but despite that, he wondered what the baby's arrival would mean for him. Would Rachel still want him around when her and Eddie's baby arrived? "Where does this leave me?"

Phillip's question caught Rachel unawares, her brow furrowing in confusion this time, "how do you mean?"

"I mean, are you still going to want me around when the baby comes?"

At Phillip's words, a lump formed in Rachel's throat. Only then did she realise how deep his insecurities about his place in the family ran. She rose from her seat upon the sofa and approached Phillip, settling herself upon the arm of his chair. She cupped his cheek, ensuring he looked right at her as she spoke, "what on Earth would make you think I wouldn't? Whatever happens, you'll always have a home here if you want it. You're my nephew, this baby won't change that, nor will it change my desire to want what's best for you."

Eddie remained in position upon the sofa, watching the touching exchange between Aunt and nephew as an overwhelming sense of pride and affection swirled within him. In that moment, a profound realisation hit him; he'd find no-one better than Rachel to mother his child. Once upon a time, he'd thought the same about Alison however, when he compared the two women, he realised no-one would ever come close to Rachel. She truly was the love of his life.

As Rachel reassured him of his place, Eddie saw a genuine smile cross the young lads face and knew her pep-talk had worked. "Thank you, Rach,"

"No thanks necessary," Rachel responded, repeating words that, unbeknownst to Phillip, Eddie had spoken that morning, "you are family."

An overwhelming sense of belonging enveloped Phillip as Rachel's words sunk in, it was something he'd given up on attaining with Melissa long ago. Unlike her sister, Melissa kept her distance, didn't quiz him about his life and interests and Phillip couldn't help wondering how two sisters could be so different. Deep down, he loved his Mum but at the present time, didn't like her very much; she'd abandoned him, leaving Rachel to pick up the pieces, with Eddie in support. "I'll leave you guys to it, I've got homework to do," Phillip said, breaking the silence.

Rachel smiled at her nephew as he rose from the armchair. Phillip turned to face the couple as he reached the doorway, "if you want any help with the move, let me know. I'd like to help."

Until the sound of Phillip's footsteps had receded, Rachel and Eddie remained silent. She rose from the arm and returned to the sofa, curling instinctively into Eddie's side. In a show of support, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, holding her close. He cast a sideways glance at her, "tell me what you're thinking Rach,"

A deep sigh emanated from Rachel's lips as she wondered how to voice her current thought processes. Eddie knew not to interrupt, previous experience told him she'd open up when she was ready. Rachel rewarded his patience a few moments later, "I might swing for Melissa if she ever shows up again,"

"Not on my watch you won't," Eddie insisted, "you're having my baby Rach, it's my duty to keep you both safe."

At his words, Rachel glanced upwards, smiling as Eddie's words sunk in. "OK," she conceded, "I might not swing for her, but she's got a lot to answer for."

Eddie nodded in agreement, "not just to Phillip."

Rachel released a hum of agreement before falling silent, "how did I not see this coming?"

"Eh?"

"Phillip. I didn't realise he was still so… insecure, did you?"

Eddie shook his head, "maybe it's a good thing I am moving in here," he mused out loud, "he needs stability. With Melissa abandoning him how she did, he just needs to know that we're not going anywhere, it's understandable."

Rachel agreed, the young lad had been through a lot, Melissa's abandonment of him would always take a while to sink in. "Do you think he knows I meant every word of what I said?"

Eddie pressed a soft kiss into Rachel's hair before answering her question, "course he does. Did you see the smile upon his face? Stop worrying, Rach."

"I can't help it, he's family, I'm genetically programmed to worry about him,"

"And you wouldn't be the woman I fell madly in love with if you didn't,"

Rachel's heart soared in her chest as she replayed Eddie's words over and over in her mind, "whatever did I do to deserve you?"

"Should be me asking that question,"

"No, definitely me,"

Eddie had no desire to argue the point with her so he let the conversation lapse. Silence fell as a result, the film Phillip was watching continued in the background though neither adult paid attention. Rachel stifled a yawn, piquing Eddie's attention, "bedtime, I think."

Rachel agreed without hesitation, sitting herself up so Eddie could move. He switched off the television, plunging the room into silence as she rose from the sofa.

Eddie and Rachel only spoke a few words to each other as they readied themselves for bed that night. He sensed she was pondering the situation with Phillip and wondering how best to go about making things better. Eddie wished more that there was a fool-proof solution to making everything right, but there wasn't. He blamed himself for this whole sorry scenario, but he'd never let on to Rachel that he felt that way. If only he'd waited for Rachel after her initial rejection, none of this would be happening. Eddie's view on the situation was brutal, but he'd always been hard on himself over it. Wanting to do all he could to alleviate Rachel's inner turmoil, Eddie opened his arms to her as she climbed into bed beside him. "We'll solve this, it's just another obstacle and like all the others, we'll overcome it," he assured her.

She nodded in response, "as you said, he just needs a stable home-life so hopefully things will settle down once you're moved in."

"And if they don't, we'll deal with it, come what may."

Rachel believed him, he'd never promised her anything he couldn't deliver on, so there was no reason for her to doubt his latest assurance. When they'd started this relationship, she'd placed her trust in him wholeheartedly. With things between them now getting serious, Rachel realised how unbreakable their bond of trust had become. He wouldn't break that trust, now or ever.