Thank you for the reviews :) x
Bit of a time jump in this one - it's set a few weeks later, the day of Melissa's court case for the bigamy.
Chapter 25: Who'd Have Known?
Bizarre was the only word which came to mind when Rachel had watched her sister standing in court. It was an odd experience, one where her feelings were changing by the second. Yet she was sure she felt nothing other than pure shock and a weird sense of disbelief as the judge ruled that Melissa would serve six months in prison.
Rachel could only watch on, lost for words as her sister searched for her eyes, their gazes locking as she walked away. She didn't know exactly what had washed over her, but all of a sudden Rachel was swallowing a lump in her throat, blinking back tears at the thought of relaying this news to Philip, finding herself wondering - not for the first time - just how her nephew would take the news.
She was suddenly extremely glad that she had arranged for Eddie to collect her, making a quick phone call and sensing his urge to question the goings on and her feelings, but knowing they would be together soon.
Upon his arrival, Eddie was reminded just how well he knew Rachel and her demeanour. The tense way with which she stood, body leaning against the wall with her head rolled back - everything an indicator to what way the court hearing had swayed.
It was why he found himself holding out his arms as he strolled closer, inwardly delighted with how freely Rachel fell into his embrace. Eddie was always willing to be her constant comfort, and was more than glad she seemed to accept it.
They must have stayed there for more than a handful of minutes, wrapped up in one another - Rachel focusing on the warmth of Eddie's body, his arms making her feel safe rather than the depth of thoughts swirling dangerously around in her mind.
Despite knowing that he had more than likely already put two and two together, she pulled back just an inch, meeting his gaze.
"Six months. Six months in prison. If it hadn't been for the level of deception then… she might've gotten away with a fine, community service. I don't know why, Eddie… but I… I can't help feeling the way that I do…" a choked noise escaped Rachel's mouth, voice cracking; having Eddie instinctively envelope his arms back around her.
She let out one sob - just one - as her face collapsed against him, body still as several silent tears rolled down her face. Rachel didn't think she'd be able to describe it, fifteen years apart and she and Melissa were far from close. Inching towards strangers more than sisters, especially given the entire Stuart Hordley debacle. And yet… that was her little sister (Rachel couldn't seem to shake that thought) ending up behind bars for six months. As much as she knew, deep down, that maybe Melissa would have time to reflect on her actions, emerge as a better person - the thought of her in prison made Rachel feel somewhat uneasy.
The longer she remained silent, more intense the bout of concern in Eddie's stomach grew. He couldn't resist emanating a soft kiss to Rachel's forehead, brushing his lips lightly across her hairline. Just with hopes that she would perhaps open up, express how she was feeling about this predicament.
The gesture worked wonders, Rachel tumbling from her treacherous thought processes as she tipped her head back to gaze at Eddie. With just one look, he knew she would portray her musings, and she knew that he would always be there to listen no matter what.
So, gesturing towards the car, Rachel managed to allow a small smile to grace her lips, knowing that the drive would be spent making some sense of her ponderings as she confided all to the man who was always by her side.
….
"Do you think he's okay?" Rachel kept her voice below a whisper, flopping back against the sofa and automatically melding into Eddie's side.
Philip had been verging on silent as she'd communicated the day's events, taking to slight grunts and nods of the head as his way of showing emotion. Only, Rachel's worry seemed to intensify as her nephew had mumbled a mere acknowledgment, trailing off to his bedroom to 'get an early night.'
Eddie was sure she'd felt him sag against her, his own concern for the boy more than evident in his demeanour. The worst possible thing would be for him to shut down, especially when neither he nor Rachel seemed able to decipher his thoughts behind Melissa's imprisonment.
"I wouldn't like to say," he stole a glance, "but he's bound to be suffering."
Even as a lance of pain shot through Rachel, she knew that this was what she needed, openness, honesty - the truth. If only she could elicit that from Philip.
"My thoughts exactly. I fear that, Eddie, I really do."
Instinctively he held her tighter, both their frames stiffening as - more than audible - Philip's footsteps were heard. Certainly not the sound of someone who was getting an early night.
Now, the last thing Rachel wanted to do was pry. But she'd cared deeply about her nephew since the day she knew of him, that wasn't about to shift now. And with one meaningful gaze at Eddie, she knew he was having a much similar thought process.
"You go, Rach. I'll be right here."
She allowed her thumb to brush his jaw for the briefest of seconds, smiling softly as she stood, only pausing in the door frame as Eddie called out her name, "shout me up if you need anything."
Rachel muttered a sincere thanks, before, all too soon, she found herself standing outside a room which had become Philip's hideaway. Her knuckles hovered over the door, taking deep breaths as she made an attempt at steeling herself up to knock. Rachel wasn't exactly sure how well her nephew would take her appearance; whether it would pull him closer or push him further away.
What she didn't expect was a muffled laugh from Philip, followed by something which she couldn't help but smile at, "I know you're out there, Rach. Just come in."
So she did, finding herself perched on the end of her nephew's bed, taking in the transformation the room had undergone since Philip's arrival. Posters adorned the walls, and as Rachel drank in the colour scheme, she absently wondered whether she should decorate it now he would be staying for the foreseeable.
It was nice, she thought, to have her nephew around. Even though Rachel despised the circumstances surrounding his presence, she was more than grateful for this opportunity to get to know him.
"Are you erm… okay?" She'd been silent for too long, Rachel realised, cursing herself at the newfound look of concern etched within Philip's expression because of that.
She nodded slowly, bringing her eyes up to meet his, "and you?"
He scratched the back of his neck, and for one breathtaking moment, Rachel wondered if this was where he would open up, reveal his true thoughts behind the day's events, "it's just weird to… to…"
Philip drifted off, the hope which had sparked in Rachel's mind drifting away by the second, "go on," she encouraged, smiling.
Only she half expected him not to, surprise no doubt colouring her features as he continued to speak, "I feel bad but… I wanted mum to go to prison."
Now that was the last thing Rachel had been anticipating.
Philip sensed this, all of a sudden wishing the ground would swallow him up. But there was no going back now, was there? What his aunt would think of him after this, he didn't know.
"Philip?" Yet then with just one look from her, with that word full of such tenderness - Philip was more than certain Rachel cared, and wouldn't turn her back on him no matter his thoughts and feelings towards Melissa.
"She didn't take notice of me, Rach. Not in the way that a mum should. I'm not gonna… not gonna miss that, am I?"
Instantly, her heart shattered for him - Philip's tone of voice had Rachel wishing, not for the first time, that she had made an appearance in his life a lot sooner. How different things could have been. Amazingly, she realised she didn't have herself to blame for that. Not fully, anyway. Melissa was the one who reacted to Rachel's past with such spite, forcing her to believe that she didn't want a thing to do with her. Without that hostility, maybe Philip would have had his aunt around before his teenage years.
"It's understandable," the boy looked marginally surprised at her words, and a stomach sinking thought occurred, "you know I don't think any less of you because of that Philip?"
He chuckled nervously, "no?"
"Of course not. You're allowed to feel hurt, betrayed. Nothing you feel is going to change the fact that you're my nephew and I care about you. Okay?"
Philip seemed to accept that, to Rachel's joy, nodding with a twitch of the lips, "thanks Rach," he paused, looking deeply thoughtful, "why erm… why couldn't mum be more like you?"
"I know it's hard to see it sometimes, but Philip, your mum does love you. Maybe this time away to, you know, reflect upon everything will do her the world of good."
He didn't look so sure, and Rachel found herself doubting her own words all over again, "yeah, maybe."
It was only hours later, with her head resting on Eddie's chest that Rachel began to feel her intense worry and swirling thoughts subside. One of his hands rested against her side, the other entwined with hers; relaying the conversation with Philip to him having made Rachel feel a hell of a lot lighter.
"Listen, I know it's a while off," Eddie began, prompting Rachel's attention as she listened intently, "but well, what do you say to going away? October or Christmas, I don't mind."
Rachel's grin was unstoppable, once more recognising just how far the pair of them had come since her first day at Waterloo road. She didn't think she'd be discussing going on holiday with her deputy, that's for sure.
"I think that sounds wonderful. And Philip, what about him?"
"Well, he can come with us if he likes, can't he?"
Warmth exploded in Rachel's chest at Eddie's words. She'd known it all along, of course, but he really did care, "you're pretty exceptional, you know that?"
He laughed, grasping her chin lightly to capture her eyes, "you're the exceptional one around here, believe me."
She couldn't help but blush, instinctively burying herself back in the depths of Eddie's chest, relishing the way they settled back into their prior position.
"I've missed you today." The comment had Rachel craning her neck back up to look at him, unable to hold back the soft smile if she'd tried, at just how accurate his words were for her too.
"You know it's only been a few hours…" she teased, playing with his collar as her expression undoubtedly revealed all.
Eddie chuckled lightly against her, knowing that even with half an hour apart, he'd find himself missing Rachel and her presence, "don't you deny it, Mason, you missed me too."
All laughter subsided, Rachel's eyes flicking up to lock with his, "I did."
The kiss they shared was sweet and tender, a passion simmering below the surface which had their hearts thumping wildly. Their hands fell apart, Eddie's roving down Rachel's body as one landed on her thigh, her own travelling up his to play with his hair, dragging her fingernails across the back of his neck with a sensation she knew would drive him wild.
Eddie had just about managed to build up the thought process to pull Rachel towards him, body's sliding over one another, when the unmistakable sound of the phone ringing was heard.
They shared a look, Rachel seriously considering ignoring the call, but knowing she couldn't when whoever it was continued to be persistent. Her hand trailed down Eddie's arm as she stood, heat pulsing through her at the expression on his face. She swallowed thickly, legs turning to jelly as she told him 'later' with her eyes.
Rachel picked up the phone somewhat subconsciously, mind and body in a daze from her previous encounter with Eddie. It took her a moment, to adjust to the voice at the other end, sobering when she realised exactly who it was.
"Melissa?"
"Yes. Look, I don't have long. I just, wanted to say thanks."
The same feelings from earlier returned with a vengeance, unexplainable ones which had tears pricking in Rachel's eyes, "what for?"
"Being there today. Even if it, well, didn't turn out exactly the way I'd wanted, I was grateful. Am grateful."
Somehow, even after everything, Rachel believed her sister. Believed that she was telling the truth.
"You do realise things have to change, Mel? For Philip's sake if nothing else."
There was a silence, and for one moment she half guessed that Melissa had simply ended the call and walked away, back to her cell. But then she sighed deeply, responding, "I know, I know."
Rachel didn't want to ask the question, yet knew she had to. Surely Melissa hadn't asked to make this call to exchange mere pleasantries, "was there… was there something else, Mel?"
"Sort of. Could you erm… talk to Phil? I can't not see him for six months. Ask him to visit me?"
Silently, Rachel's mind drifted back to the earlier conversation with her nephew and she winced internally, wondering how willingly the boy would agree to such a thing, "I can always ask him."
"And you?"
She could scarcely breathe, "what about me?"
"Will you come too?"
Rachel wanted to scream, to ask 'haven't I done enough for you, after everything?' But knew she never could, had never been able to say no to Melissa, no matter what obstacles and pain she threw her way.
So instead, she found herself pushing down the lump in her throat and willing the intense anger to dissipate as she spoke barely above a whisper, "we'll have to see, won't we?"