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Chapter 9: I Want You to Stay

Eddie was busy pacing his classroom, certainly not with a head in books as he'd explained. He chewed on his lip as he toyed with the idea of walking the length back to Rachel's office - Eddie hated to think she was suffering alone, feeling unable to reach out.

He shook his head, bracing himself for a second abundance of thoughts until he caught sight of the woman hovering in his doorway. Rachel.

They seemed to magnetise towards the same place, meeting in the middle of their paths to lean on a desk.

"How did that chat go?"

Rachel shrugged, in part to disguise how gleeful she felt at Eddie's genuine interest, "could've been worse. Could've been better. It's always been like that with Melissa and I."

"And she… works for Hordley?"

This was where Rachel sighed, still not quite believing the sticky situation she found herself in. She longed to meet her nephew, to maybe even sniff out if Melissa was genuine in wanting to build up a relationship. But… maybe not whilst Stuart Horldey was a part of her sister's life.

"Yes. One of his receptionists. Along with Tess."

"Getting her to do his dirty work for him?"

"Melissa came to persuade us not to go to the council."

"Of course she did," Eddie scoffed. Maybe his little strategy of knocking Stuart on his arse had done the trick. Scared him off.

"I responded with… we would be doing whatever we see fit."

Rachel levelled her eyes with Eddie's, hoping that he'd caught on to her final decision.

"You definitely want to phone the council?"

She felt herself nod, albeit with an air of uncertainty, "I think you're right, I think it's… the only way of sorting out this mess."

"It'll all work out in the end Rachel."

She chewed on her lip apprehensively, wanting to believe her deputy more than anything, even as her thoughts drifted away to the conversation with Melissa. You have a nephew. He wants to meet his auntie. I've missed my big sister.

"Melissa told me I have a nephew. One that I… that I didn't even know about before today. He's fifteen, Eddie."

"You can't blame yourself for not being a part of his life, Rachel," Eddie reassured, knowing that's exactly what she would be thinking, "if Melissa had been more considerate fifteen years ago… then you wouldn't be in this position, would you?"

Rachel shook her head slowly, mainly in an attempt to persuade herself that this wasn't her wrongdoing. It wasn't her wrongdoing that she'd missed out on fifteen years of her nephew's life. His first steps, first words, first day at school - all events that couldn't be replayed.

"I do… want to meet him. Of course I do. Yet then… there's the question of Melissa and her working for Hordley. She called him a good guy."

"Good guy? The opposite if anything."

She inclined her head, "exactly."

There was a pause where Eddie simply watched Rachel's facial expressions play out. She was evidently shaken up after the unexpected visit from her sister, and Eddie knew this would be a topic playing on her mind for some time.

What he didn't expect, was for Rachel to turn to him and pose her next question, "what should I do Eddie?"

Trust. That was what Rachel was putting in him, time and time again. The realisation stole Eddie's breath away, and he wasn't sure he'd be getting it back anytime soon. Not with the limited space on the desk and the way that they were currently looking at one another.

"I think… you should sleep on it tonight. Do something that will take your mind off it. And then maybe give Melissa a ring tomorrow, talk things through some more."

The small smile which played across Rachel's lips would have been impossible to shift if she tried, "how do you always know what to say? To put me at ease?"

"Because… I know you, Rach."

Rachel didn't know whether it was the way 'Rach' seemed to roll off Eddie's tongue, the way his eyes hadn't left hers for the entirety of the conversation, or his unwavering support - but all of a sudden she was picturing them in even closer quarters than they were already.

There was a shift in the air, Eddie noticed. He hadn't missed the way Rachel's eyes flicked to his lips and back, how could he?

And now she was getting closer, until Eddie didn't think he could have a coherent thought anymore - not when Rachel's lips were on his.

Her hand travelled through his hair, coming to its resting place on the back of his neck, playing with the tufts of hair available to her. Eddie's hand shifted to just above Rachel's knee, whilst the other one anchored itself around her waist. He was suddenly wishing that they weren't in such a sitting position, wanting nothing more than to feel Rachel's body against his.

It was strange yet entirely welcoming how at ease they both felt. The idea that their lips had met a dozen times before a heartening one, but one that was ultimately miles from the truth.

Pulling away first was Rachel, both of them breathless as their eyes met once again. Suddenly Rachel herself felt incredibly shy, her eyes dragging downwards as she bit her lip on instinct.

She didn't see the way Eddie's eyes were drawn to the action, his heart thumping before he reached out to hook a finger under Rachel's chin - bringing her gaze back to his.

"Is that you telling me you're ready?"

Eddie adored the way Rachel grinned, her cheeks turning flushed, "I think... I could say I'm ready to jump into a relationship with you."

His instinct was to mould their lips together once more, yet instead, Eddie paused, taking a hold of Rachel's hands that were now placed on his chest.

"Are you sure that's what you want? I wouldn't want to push you into anything, Rach."

If anything Rachel fell in love with Eddie that little bit more at the comment, biting her tongue in an attempt to stop herself from expressing that aloud. For the time being, anyway.

She pressed her lips to his deeply yet all too briefly, before pulling back, hoping to have persuaded him, reassuring him as he had done so many times for her, "I want this."

"Okay. Well I think I've got a few things in to cook you dinner, if you fancy it? Pick you up at about seven?"

Rachel giggled, acknowledging that she couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so happy and carefree. Which was somewhat odd, given everything that had occurred with Melissa, and the question of phoning the council - which would undoubtedly be done before they left, Rachel considered. All in all though, it was an incredible mark of Eddie's ability to read every situation. He always knew how to make her feel at ease.

"I think that sounds like a fabulous idea."

Pressing her lips to his once more, wasn't something that Rachel had thought too much about. An impossible task when she found herself so utterly lost in Eddie.

….

Rachel would most certainly be lying if she denied that being wrapped up in Eddie's arms the next morning was just as perfect as the previous evening. A moment or two passed where they simply basked in the feeling of being together; not making the plunge at some point beforehand being Rachel's only regret. As Eddie projected a warm kiss to the back of her neck, allowing his breath to linger there for a moment, the memories of their encounter seemed to wash over them both.

Being with Rachel the night before, Eddie had pondered on how he'd never felt that content before - with that feeling only excelling now as she turned in his arms, smiling up at him before burying her head in his chest.

Eddie himself couldn't quite believe it, that the woman who he had admired from afar, held a love so strong for, was truly here in his arms. As incredibly cliche as it was, that moment seemed to be a blink twice, pinch me sort of one.

Extending that thought process, Rachel re-emerged, eyes shining as she smiled with genuine happiness, "I meant what I said Eddie. I… think my only regret is not getting to this stage with you sooner."

"I get why you were reluctant to jump straight in, Rach. We are here now though, aren't we? That's all that matters."

"Certainly."

Their lips met and danced in a way which seemed naturally familiar already - as if they were always meant to be.

Eddie couldn't hold back his groan as Rachel shifted away from his arms, slipping on her top as a response to the unmistakable sound of her phone buzzing - numerous voicemails awaiting her ears.

Soon he snapped out of his reverie, noting Rachel's facial expression shift dramatically - taking in whatever was upon the screen. Eddie soon slid further down the bed, perching adjacent to Rachel where he could clearly hear a rather agitated Stuart Horldey.

"After everything, you do this. Didn't you get the message, Amanda?"

"This is where it ends. You'd better pick up your phone and fast. My contracts are gone."

Rachel gulped significantly as she placed the device down - both adults had wished that a simple call to the council would be the end of their ordeal, yet hadn't been naive enough to consider the entire situation as done and dusted.

Only when the voicemails had come to their standstill did Eddie drape an arm over her shoulders, Rachel herself finding that the comfort his gesture brought was exactly what she needed in that moment. Even if she hadn't known it herself, Eddie had.

Her deputy - and now lover's - silent support was something that Rachel promised herself to never take for granted.

In a bid to prevent Rachel from sensing the way his body had stiffened - the business man's tone flooding in his ears like poison - Eddie reached for her hand, feeling a warmth spread through him despite the circumstances, "he's lost all of them?"

"Every single one by the sounds of it. It's just… he's bound to come after me now, isn't he?"

Eddie frowned, pleased that currently, Rachel wasn't privy to his facial expression, which was undoubtedly incalculable as he attempted to weigh up their next move. Rachel didn't need that, she needed stability, someone to lean on, "we don't know that Rach. Something along those lines was bound to happen. With us phoning the council. We've still got the blackmail, maybe it's time we went to the police."

The second Rachel flinched away from him, fury ablaze in her expression, Eddie knew his suggestion was going to be shot down in flames. He should have considered it more, because all in all, going to the police wasn't worth the risk. Not with Rachel's career and dignity at stake.

"No way. No concrete evidence? There's absolutely no chance of bringing him down! And then what, Stuart builds himself up into even more of a frenzy?"

It took Eddie entirely by surprise as Rachel shot out of her position to stand, not giving him a chance to respond as she ran a hand through her hair, anguish melting out of her, "I'm sorry. You're right, you're right. I'm… just being silly. Anticipating the worst and all that."

Rachel's heart leapt when Eddie came to a rise just as quickly, taking her hands in an instant.

"You aren't being daft at all. I'm just saying that… we should cross that bridge when we come to it. Together. But… maybe you are right about the police. Again."

The use of 'we' and 'together' paralleled with their desired effect, a lump forming in Rachel's throat as she allowed the words to consume her, rather than thoughts of what's the worst Hordley could do?

"I wouldn't have it any other way," almost whispering in contrast to her previous tone, Rachel gave Eddie's hand a squeeze, only a mere amount of relief washing over her upon remembering it was Saturday. At least attempting to bury her head in the sand with regards to Stuart was an option for the next few days. He couldn't get to her when away from that school environment.

"How about you spend the day with me? I'm not seeing Michael until tomorrow afternoon," the words had been on the tip of his tongue when Eddie began to doubt himself. Yet all it had taken was the reminder about every one of their conversations the night before, not to mention the way Rachel had looked at him upon waking up. Eddie had never been more grateful for the weekend upon them.

Rachel had witnessed this thought process appear across Eddie's features, had wondered what was on his mind. As her question was answered, Rachel wouldn't have been able to stop the smile if she'd wanted to, happiness radiating from her even with Stuart's potential plans at the back of her mind.

"I'd love to."

Eddie couldn't resist leaning in for one more breathtaking kiss before he parted to the shower, leaving Rachel with a small smile playing across her lips. She would never grow tired of how truly amazing it was to feel Eddie's lips against hers. Along with excitement for the day ahead, the only thought present in her brain was how she had gone without those kisses for all this time.

….

Despite continuously fighting against it, Rachel had spent the next two days on tenterhooks, slipping back into her previous ways of tensing up at every phone call, every email or text message. She was sure that, without Eddie - and the presence of his wonderful little boy that afternoon, she would have driven herself crazy.

But Stuart was bound to do something sooner or later, wasn't he? And it wasn't just about Hordley was it? There was the question of Melissa, of her nephew, Philip. Rachel had almost torn her hair out whilst pondering on whether or not to call her younger sister. Those thoughts certainly hadn't subsided as she shrugged off her coat upon arriving home from a walk out, only partially distracted by Eddie who was just behind her.

His known presence meant that Rachel almost anticipated the feeling of Eddie's hands on her shoulders, followed by a kiss to her temple.

"You're stressing," he whispered into the depths of her hair, prompting Rachel to turn in his arms. This was something Rachel herself had never expected, to feel this open with someone, as though she could share her innermost thoughts.

Eddie ran his thumb delicately down the side of Rachel's face, noting the lines of worry and stress etched into her expression - knowing that those indents had everything to do with recent events.

"I think… for the first time I… don't actually want to go to work tomorrow."

"For fear of Stuart turning up?"

Rachel nodded slowly, taking Eddie by the hand and leading him the short distance to her sofa, hoping that he would take that as a sign she felt open to discuss everything. She always did when it came to Eddie.

They settled into a comfortable position; Rachel at one end of the sofa, legs outstretched with her feet resting in Eddie's lap, his hand on her calf, the feeling of that doing more to calm her than she'd ever thought possible. Eddie himself watched Rachel's demeanour, picking up on every slight movement, the way her hands shook, the way her brow didn't alter from furrowing - there was almost certainly something on her mind, as he'd predicted.

"It's not just… Stuart."

Rachel paused for just a fraction too long, Eddie gathering which kind of road she was going down, "Melissa?"

She looked up from where her eyes had been fixated in her lap, surprise coursing through her veins at Eddie's question, yet along with that came an opposing sense of reality. Rachel should have accustomed herself by now with her deputy's ability to read her mind, something which often played off as an advantage in situations such as this one. When words Rachel wanted to say, longed to say, seemed to catch in her throat, breathing constricted.

"Mostly all I can see is a ten year old Melissa. My younger sister who I would always look out for, who would always put a smile on my face," Rachel fiddled with the hem of her top, not daring to raise her eyes to Eddie's yet knowing that his were very much on her, "but then. I see the Melissa fifteen years ago. Her look of disgust as I explained my past, the way she walked away from me Eddie. I…" she swallowed the lump that had quickly formed in her throat, willing the tears that were threatening to overspill, not to fall.

"I can't get that image out of my brain. The sense that my own sister will never be able to accept something that occurred twenty years ago. Even on Friday, she couldn't meet my eye when I raised the issue, she even made a comment alluding to it. Melissa isn't over it Eddie, and she never will be."

All Eddie had wanted to do for the entirety of Rachel speaking was lean forwards, bring her into his arms and comfort her in the way that he knew best. And yet he fought with that urge, wanting to give her a chance to express everything, settling instead for gentle touches to her leg.

It was only as her gaze paralleled with his, eyes glistening with tears that his mindset began to shift. Eddie was uncomfortably reminded of the last time Rachel had been this open with him, the way he had proceeded to walk away just like Melissa had done fifteen years previous. Something he'd be making amends for the rest of their lives, if he could help it, Eddie knew.

Yet that wasn't of importance now, he recognised. Quashing any notions that were telling him it wasn't the right thing, he held his arms out. Delight crashed through Eddie as Rachel smiled somewhat shyly, before shifting places so that she was tucked against his side, head resting on his chest.

The current position was one which Eddie was more than happy to guess would become familiar to the both of them as their relationship progressed.

Rachel herself found peace in the rise and fall of Eddie's chest, the way his hand ran through her hair with the lightest of touches.

"I don't know your sister Rachel. But I do know you. Because of that I can see what an idiot Melissa would be to lose out on a relationship with you, with having you as a sister."

Hoping to portray just how she felt in that moment, the strength Eddie seemed to transfer to her, Rachel lifted her head to offer him a smile.

He couldn't resist it, leaning forward to kiss her lips as she beamed up at him with such warmth.

Rachel pulled back, her look of contentment fading as her mind no doubt wandered back to the roots of their conversation. She rested her chin on his chest, with Eddie reaching out, playing with the strands of hair that were available to him.

"That's just it," she almost whispered, "aside from my anxiety about Melissa not being able to look ahead of my past. I… only know how to be a sister to a 19 year old, not the woman she is today."

Eddie hooked a finger under Rachel's chin, euphoric when she followed his lead to glance up at him, "then you'll learn. Rachel, if you want to get to know Melissa then you are more than capable of doing so. I think you'd make a remarkable sister."

A deep crimson slowly adorned Rachel's cheeks, and Eddie knew what was coming next as she caught her bottom lip between her teeth; having picked that up as a common trait of Rachel's when she was shying away from a situation or compliment.

It took a moment or two for Rachel to place her mind back on track as Eddie's words continued to ring in her ears.

"Do you really think so?"

Eddie smiled at the timidity with which Rachel posed the question, "I know so."

Rachel couldn't hold back from brushing a thumb across his cheek, only hoping that her actions and words would prove just how much Eddie and his constant care meant to her.

"It's not just Melissa. It's… it's Philip too. The nephew who I've… never met."

Eddie could read Rachel like a book, "the nephew who you want to meet now more than anything."

She resumed attention to her top, fiddling with the material as Eddie's utterances hit home. He truly was astounding, and Rachel intended to tell him that as much as possible for as long as possible.

"I do. I think it's just, obviously Melissa. And has she told Philip of my past? Not to mention her connection to Stuart. I mean, I know it sounds awful Eddie, Melissa's my sister… but I...can we trust her?"

"That's something we need to consider," he paused for the briefest of seconds, allowing the statement to sink in whilst punctuating his support with a kiss upon Rachel's forehead, "I do think it's worth it though. The risk. For you to build up a relationship with your nephew, and maybe even make amends with Melissa. If that's what you want, I'll be right by your side. Whatever you decide to do."

Rachel settled back in Eddie's arms, deeply inhaling his scent and just the overall innate comfort that came from being with him.

"Like you always are."

Eddie hugged her that little bit tighter, feeling as though he never wanted to let this woman in his arms go. He loved Rachel, that he was sure of. More and more instances of biting his tongue were arising. Eddie had to be certain that she was comfortable and ready before he expressed something that he ultimately couldn't retrieve.

For now, he settled with burying his face in her hair, knowing he would always cherish how magical it felt to be with Rachel.

"Always."