Thank you for the reviews, and sorry this has taken a while (again!)

Bit of a time jump here, to Christmas for their planned holiday.

Enjoy the penultimate chapter :) x

Chapter 28: Bliss is a Funny Thing

There had been many instances in recent months, with Eddie by her side, where Rachel had felt happiness. How could she not? Yet there was a difference in the air, she realised, whilst she walked alongside Philip and Eddie as they entered duty free at Manchester airport. Their week away in Quebec City was only just beginning.

Rachel glanced from her lover to her nephew and back, contentment flooding her entire being. She felt calm as well as joyful - something which had seemed a long time coming.

Philip too was noticeably somewhat relaxed, which he most certainly deserved after the rough time he'd had of it recently. Neither of them had heard from Melissa since their last visit more than two months ago. And as much as Rachel found the circumstance relatively straightforward to slip by (after everything her sister had put her through) she knew that wasn't the case for Philip. Melissa was his mum at the end of the day, there was no escaping that.

It unsettled Rachel, that only now Philip appeared to be free of the thoughts which had recently consumed him. Yet a positive had to be that he'd passed that point, he was starting the process of moving on. Once again she thanked Eddie for instigating the planning of this holiday - it was exactly what they all needed, Rachel was sure.

Speak of the devil, she thought with a smirk as he trailed a hand across her shoulders, drawing her attention to him.

"Everything okay?" Eddie spoke with a softness, care in his eyes with just an edge of concern - on going proof of how he could read her with just one glance.

Rachel blinked, noticing Philip - the centre of her thoughts just seconds previous - trailing off in the direction of the toilets, and she absently wondered how she had got so consumed by her musings.

"Yes," she spoke with a contented sigh, smile gracing her lips, "yes it is. It's perfect."

Just when Rachel thought Eddie's smile couldn't get any bigger, it widened, joy over spilling from every point on his expression. He waited a beat before he allowed his features to simmer down, portraying with his eyes to Rachel just how much he agreed with her, just how glad he was to be here by her side - and Philip's - ready to board their flight for a week of bliss.

"Phil will be alright you know. It's just what he needs, this week away. The lad has come a long way."

Rachel almost instantly raised a hand to cup Eddie's cheek, thanking him without words for simply knowing her every thought inside and out.

"I know, love. And I couldn't thank you enough for being by my side… and Philip's side throughout all this. We really couldn't have done it without your support."

"You don't have to thank me for that. And I'm not going anywhere."

She grinned, pure adoration running through her, and stretched up to press a firm, needed kiss to Eddie's lips. Just as they pulled back, the pair shared a smile, knowing without speech exactly what feelings one another were experiencing.

Rachel caught Philip approaching from the corner of her eye and their gazes locked, a genuine smile shared. She turned to Eddie, beaming, "shall we go and enjoy our holiday?"

….

A thrill had been darting through all three of them from the minute they'd stepped off the plane, and yet, seeing their accommodation for the week in all its glory seemed to be the cherry on the cake. Breaths were well and truly stolen, Eddie thoroughly enjoying the moment as he drank in Rachel's stunned expression, her eyes wide with anticipation of the week ahead. He would never get tired of witnessing that beautiful smile grace her lips.

Philip was first to break the contented silence, grin almost splitting his mouth in half, looking a little bashful, "this is erm, some place," he nodded to the building.

Some place it was, Rachel thought as she and Eddie mumbled their agreements enthusiastically.

Philip certainly wasn't wrong - the place had an amazing castle feel to it, which was later confirmed by the French name 'Le Château Frontenac.' The time with which they'd arrived only enhanced the building's beauty; glowing lights and seemingly tiny windows all illuminated in the growing darkness.

Rachel found herself linking arms with Eddie as they made a move to check in, the pair of them making easy conversation with Philip as they strolled - what activities they would partake in on their adventure, places to explore, how they would spend Christmas Day when it rolled around in just three days' time. It all felt rather surreal, a fairytale was the only way Rachel could think of describing it. She never wanted their little bubble to burst.

It seemed no time at all before they were checked in, Rachel still taking in the intricate detail of the interior as they were led to a lift. Philip ventured off to his own room as all three of them remained rather awestruck, Eddie and Rachel having the intention of unpacking before they caught one another's eyes - grins turning to joyful laughter.

Eddie was quick to drop the bags he'd been occupying, scooping Rachel into his arms and unable to resist picking her up and twirling her around.

Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as he placed her down, Eddie remained content but silent, anticipating something being on the tip of Rachel's tongue.

"I love this, Eddie. Thank you. And I… I know Philip does too."

Rachel knew what was coming next, as soon as he tilted his head forward, emanating a soft kiss to her forehead, "you don't need to thank me. Besides, I'm not exactly going to complain about a week away with you, and Philip."

She smiled against him, glowing under his gaze as their lips met.

"How about I go check how Phil's getting on," Eddie continued as they parted, "and then you can get a shower if you like. Maybe I'll take you both out for something to eat."

Rachel grinned, almost in disbelief at how happy she was, wanting to pinch herself and thinking she'd wake up from some kind of dream or fantasy.

"That would be lovely," she spoke softly, not wanting to break the spell they seemed to be under.

It took Rachel a moment as Eddie left, in search of Philip as he'd mentioned, perhaps to propose the idea of an evening meal.

She had in mind a shower as Eddie had suggested, yet took her time to explore their room, finding herself picking some clothes out of their bag and opening some drawers available to place them into.

On doing so, everything froze. For her eyes set upon a small box which looked strikingly similar to one where a wedding ring would be placed. There was only one rational explanation, Rachel knew, as she attempted to snatch her breath back. But it couldn't be, could it? She found herself absently wondering when Eddie had the chance to place the item in the drawer as she opened it up, tears swelling in her eyes upon opening the box to see the most delicate ring.

Rachel didn't have any more time to ponder the matter however, as the door opened, revealing Eddie.

"Rach are you - oh."