Hello loves! I'm back, not gonna lie, I didn't think I'd be coming back with an update so quickly. However, we're in lockdown so what else do I have to do?! I'm still working as I'm classed as a key-worker (I'm in retail), but don't worry, I'm not letting the current situation get me down.
Stay safe all of you x
Chapter Eleven: Striking Gold
As the end of term approached, Rachel noticed the extent to which Eddie and Phillip's relationship had evolved since he moved in. She often found them engaged in conversation, whether at home or at school. Sometimes, their conversations stopped as she approached, making her wonder what exactly was going on. Every time she questioned them, they clammed up; both made various excuses for their behaviour, but Rachel bought none of them. Maybe she'd have bought their explanations if Phillip could look her in the eye.
"That was close," Phillip muttered as Rachel stalked down the corridor before turning back to Eddie, "I thought she'd rumbled us."
"Same mate, same," Eddie replied.
"Can you please tell her about this holiday soon? I hate lying to her."
"Relax, it's all in hand, I've got a plan. I'm cooking for her after the last day of term and I promise, I'll tell her then. Hopefully she'll then understand why we've been so secretive recently."
"She's lucky to have you, y'know."
At this, a slight smile creased Eddie's face as he shrugged, "I think that's me."
The bell rang overhead, signalling an end to break-time, "I'd better get off to class," Phillip muttered as he walked away.
"Phil!" Eddie called after him, the lad turned around, "not a word."
Phillip nodded, "yes sir," he responded, following up with a jokey salute before heading off to his lesson.
Eddie sighed as climbed the two flights of stairs to his own classroom, only two days to go.
Rachel rose first on the last day of term, silencing the alarm clock, whose piercing ring broke the peaceful silence at 6am. After doing so, she flopped back against the pillow, allowing herself a few moments to awaken before rising for the day. A smile rose as Eddie's arm tightened around her; she shivered as his warm breath tickled her bare skin. He found the spot that never failed to bring forth a gasp of pleasure, kissing her there before whispering, "just five more minutes, Rach."
Rachel fought to suppress a smirk at Eddie's antics. He'd pulled that trick every single weekday morning since moving in. Occasionally, she succumbed, thus delaying their arrival at the school. However, another five minutes was a luxury Rachel could not afford that day. Despite it being the last day of term, Rachel and Eddie's workloads remained relentless to the end. "Oh no. We're not playing that game today."
At this, Rachel shrugged off Eddie's arm before rising from their bed and approaching the windows. As she flung open the curtains, he reached for her pillow, hiding behind it to block out the sunlight which streamed into the room. "What game is this?" Eddie questioned, feigning innocence.
Rachel turned back towards their bed as she took in the sight before her struggled to suppress a smile. "You know damn well what game, Lawson," she said, climbing onto the bed before mounting him. There was a pause, a pause in which she flung her pillow to the side, then met his gaze before continuing. "The game in which five minutes becomes ten, which then becomes fifteen and ends up being thirty. Eddie, I don't have time for this today."
He huffed before raising his eyebrows in response, "what do you have time for?"
Eddie saw the sparkle in Rachel's eyes and somehow realised what was coming next. She smiled down at him, "now you mention it…"
A free hand cradled his jaw-line before bringing her lips down upon his to instigate a kiss. Eddie fought the fog of sleepiness that still engulfed him and responded. His hands cradled Rachel's thighs before slipping beneath her pyjama top; at the contact, she broke away, a laugh escaping. Before she could lean back over and re-establish contact, a familiar feeling of nausea crept over her. "I'll be back," she muttered, rolling away from him before scampering to the bathroom.
He sighed upon sitting up, then winced as he heard Rachel in the bathroom. Seconds later, he followed, wanting to offer whatever she needed.
Once Rachel deemed her stomach had settled enough to eat, she joined Eddie and Phillip in the kitchen. "You OK?" Eddie questioned, his tone full of concern.
Rachel nodded, "better, thanks."
He approached, pressing a kiss to the side of her head before retreating. Eddie put two slices of bread into the toaster, then sat down at the breakfast bar to finish his own. At that moment, Phillip rose from his stool, depositing his cereal bowl in the sink. "Did you want a lift in Phillip?" Rachel asked as she leant against the kitchen work-top.
"I'm walking with Bolton and Paul again," Phillip replied, "I hope that's OK."
A smile rose as Phillip spoke. She marvelled at the lack of Melissa present in her nephew's personality. In these past weeks, he'd come out of his shell, settled at Waterloo Road and finally made friends. A glorious sense of pride settled in Rachel as she thought about the steps forward he'd made without Melissa's destructive presence. "Course, you need never ask, remember that," she responded, cutting short their conversation as her toast popped out.
Phillip smiled at his Aunt before returning to the breakfast to finish his orange juice. "As Phillip doesn't want a lift in, why don't we walk as well?" Eddie asked.
Eddie's suggestion baffled Rachel; not once since she'd told him of her pregnancy had, he suggested they walk into school. It was getting towards the height of summer, so they'd had more pleasant days than not recently, so why suggest they walk now?
A silence followed as Rachel took a bite from her toast, "why?"
Eddie shrugged, "it's a lovely day out there," he replied, inventing wildly, "plus, the fresh air might do you good."
They knew each other so well and Rachel realised that while Eddie had her best interests at heart, something was amiss. She didn't miss the sideways glance he shot at Phillip after she'd answered his initial question; the gesture added more weight to Rachel's idea, her idea that they were up to something. However, it was the last day of term and she had no desire to argue with either of her favourite people. Rachel therefore dropped it, hoping that either would unburden themselves soon. "OK, let's do it."
Relief surged through Eddie as Rachel agreed. Keeping the details of their summer holiday from her was torturous. He'd kept it secret for this long though, another eight hours was nothing in comparison.
"See you later Phillip!" Rachel called from the front step as she locked the front door after herself and Eddie.
"Why must we to leave so early?" Eddie questioned as Rachel joined him.
A soft smile lit up her face at the childish intonation in her partner's voice. "Babe, a headteacher never stops," she replied whilst stowing away her keys.
Eddie merely tutted and shoved a hand into his pocket, entwining his fingers with Rachel's as they began their walk, "it's a bloody good job I love you. I know you'll give everything you have to our school until you to move on."
Rachel's smile stretched further across her face as Eddie's understanding words washed over her. "I think I struck gold when we got together."
A nod of agreement from Eddie followed Rachel's statement, "I feel the same," Eddie responded, "I just wish we'd got to this point sooner, if…"
Rachel silenced him with a finger upon his lips, "none of that matters anymore," she insisted. "We're together and we've got our future ahead of us; me, you, Phillip and our baby. I can't wait to find out what's in store for us."
"Me neither."
Silence fell between the couple as they continued their walk. Rachel eventually broke it, "can I tell you something, Eddie?"
He stopped in his tracks, "course."
She glanced up at him; an overwhelming sense of affection and belonging had swirled within her since their conversation in their driveway. Rachel needed to voice those feelings now. "I've never loved you more than right now. I know my dedication to work drives you up the wall sometimes because I can't switch off. You understand why I do this job, and why I go to such extraordinary lengths to help those in need. What I'm trying to say is… I couldn't have a more supportive partner or deputy, so thank you."
Another silence fell as Eddie digested Rachel's words. His response came in the form of a laugh, "is this Rachel Mason talking or Rachel Mason's hormones?"
Rachel laughed with him, "perhaps a bit of both," she admitted, "you put up with a lot and I wanted you to know what that means to me."
"Rachel," he muttered as he enfolded her in an embrace, "I realise why you're so passionate. I understand that you don't wish to fail any of the kids in the way you were at school. Why do I get all of that? Because I know you Rach, I'd like to think I know you better than most people."
At this, Rachel smiled, "no-one gets me like you," she replied. "Melissa only thinks she does."
It was the first time since Phillip's birthday that Melissa's name had cropped up in conversation. Both agreed to never mention her name again, and until that moment, they'd stuck to it. Rachel spoke up, wanting to move on from the Melissa aspect of the conversation, "I love you."
"I love you too, always," he responded, pressing a single kiss to Rachel's waiting lips before carrying on their walk.
Waterloo Road soon came into their field of vision and Rachel realised she wanted to make this walk into work a regular thing. "I feel as if now is the time to make something clear," Eddie announced as he slowed to a stop.
Rachel quirked an eyebrow, curiosity biting at her, "oh yeah?"
Eddie brought Rachel closer, draping an arm over her shoulder before he spoke. "Once the school day's over and done with, we're not setting foot in here again until September, aside from Results Day."
In a past life, Rachel would have wondered how she'd pass the six week summer break. Now, however, she relished the prospect of having six weeks to spend with both Eddie and Phillip, making plans for their future.
As Rachel tucked herself into Eddie's side, she glanced up at him with a look that encompassed everything she felt for him at that moment. "Good, wouldn't want this place to spoil our first summer together."
Rachel's response made Eddie's heart swell; he couldn't love her more if he tried.
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