Hello everyone - thank you so much to Mrs Carmichael, faeftvanity, RachelMasonFan39, Lynny, Rachelmasonfan25 and FaeMelody for the lovely reviews on chapter 6. I appreciate you all, they really made me smile.

Please enjoy this paragraph x

Since the revelation, Rachel had felt suffocated by both grief and her own thoughts. Seemingly, the only thing to relieve her from part of this pain was the idea of meeting her newborn niece. A conclusion was reached in Rachel's brain that Philip and the baby, were the only parts of Mel that remained to cling onto.

All she had left.

Rachel wanted to relish them both for life. Since Melissa was no longer here, she hoped it would make up for past mistakes with her sister. Maybe Rachel's relationship with her niece and nephew could replace the burning hole that had been left by the absence of Mel. It was the only possible way now she was gone.

Despite Rachel's desire to hold a clear line of contact with the baby, there was no denying the ambiguity present when Eddie's question had washed over her.

Would you like to see her, the baby?

Her initial reaction had screamed uncertainty, Rachel was well aware of that. Luckily though, the devotion radiating from Eddie had been enough to push these concepts away.

Still, the presence of anxiety had remained. Yes, the baby was her niece, but she was still Eddie's daughter. His little girl.

Of course it's alright.

Ever since these words escaped his mouth, they had circulated in Rachel's brain. The care and tenderness that had coloured Eddie's tone was obvious. This relaxed Rachel, reassured her. Maybe everything would be okay after all.

On top of his demeanour, electricity sparked between the pair as soon as their skin made contact.

Had she imagined it? No, by the look on Eddie's face, he had been alerted to this flicker of desire too. Perhaps like hers, his feelings still remained. Could it be that Rachel's love for him was still reciprocated?

For once, Rachel was almost certain about something. He still held feelings for her. For now though, these bubbling sentiments couldn't be brought to the surface. It was clear that both her mind and life were not prepared for more uncertainty just yet. Rachel was already drowning in the loss of Melissa; so the idea of possible rejection terrified her. So as Eddie turned on his heel to find a midwife, Rachel watched him walk away with appreciation and gratitude. She was glad of his stability, glad he was just there to comfort her if nothing else. Right now, a glimmer of hope was needed to at least try and sustain Rachel's order to life.

Reluctantly Rachel averted her gaze, and lingering thoughts regarding the state of Philip were brought to her attention. She knew he was her next obstacle to face, more so though, Rachel had to know how he was coping, or rather if he was coping.

"Philip love?"

Rachel swallowed thickly as she posed this question to her nephew. It was difficult to support another's feelings when she was struggling to comprehend her own at this very moment.

"Hi"

The boy spoke as if he had only just been alerted to Rachel's presence. It seemed that he had been isolated in a world of his own prior to her queries. This was strange for Rachel to see Philip so shook up, so disorientated - she had been used to the company of a strong and independent young man. His manner alarmed her. As expected, it was obvious he would be horrifically affected by today's events.

"How are you doing Philip? I mean… truthfully."

He hesitated and this caused Rachel to worry about Philip's reluctance when revealing his true feelings. She wanted to be there for her nephew, however that was only possible if she knew the extent of the damage done.

"I miss her Rach. My mum, I miss her and it's only been, what? A couple of hours… I just can't…"

Tears surrounded his lower lids and Rachel suspected an upcoming sob was preventing Philip's speech. Her support was needed. She began to wrap the boy in an embrace with hope her warmth would encourage him to continue.

"I just can't… believe she's gone. I'm never gonna see her again, that's it."

"Oh sweetheart I completely understand that… I know exactly how you feel. You know, I never had a chance to sort things out with your Mum… things were… they were left on bad terms."

"She still loved you though Rachel. The other stuff… that didn't matter."

"I hope so Philip, I really do. God knows… I loved her. I love her, very much, despite everything."

It was fair to say Rachel's heart was breaking for her nephew. Like her, he was shattered by his mother's death, and frankly, there was nothing she could do to reverse that pain. It would always be persisting, in some form or another. All Rachel could do was be there for the boy, to support him no matter what.

"Rach, are you ready?"

A familiar tone accompanied with a warm hand whisked Rachel away from her thoughts. Back to the here and now. Back to the reality.

She sat bolt upright in an attempt to prepare her body for every possible outcome.

Next a brief smile was flashed in Eddie's direction to act as an answer, before Rachel turned to Philip one last time.

"Are you coming Philip?"

The boys eyes darted between herself and Eddie, which allowed Rachel to half anticipate his response.

"I erm… I think I need a bit more time."

She and Eddie gave both words and expressions to convey their understanding.

"Of course."

Rachel muttered her words with a deep sense of compassion, which was only reinforced by Eddie's added words.

"Just whenever you're ready mate."

….

As the pair arrived at the ward, Rachel's anxiousness heightened dramatically. She was well aware of Eddie's stare resting on her features, and for now, this was enough to spur her on, enough for her to feel reassured.

Eddie's presence was the reason she now placed her hand on the door as a signal to show her inclination. To Rachel's surprise, Eddie stopped her movements in her tracks. Her curiosity was at an all time high, right up until he spoke.

"Rach, if you're not ready for this, it's okay. I'm not going to judge you for it, I will understand. You know that don't you?"

Rachel wanted to show her gratitude, so portrayed that through a slight smile. Their bodies were inches apart, and this only intensified their ever growing longing for one another.

This couldn't happen now. Rachel had to listen to her head and not her heart once more.

"I do know that, I do. But this has to be done now, I want to do this now. I feel ready."

This comment proved enough for Eddie to trust Rachel judging by the look etched upon his features.

She just hoped her instincts were right.

….

Rachel's niece was a glimmer of sunshine within a storm. The tiny fingers and toes attached to the baby's limbs captured Rachel's attention almost instantly. She was truly phenomenal.

With caution, Rachel outstretched her left arm to take her niece's minuscule hand. Straightaway, her hand was clutched and love spread profoundly across Rachel's body.

A surge of emotion crashed upon Rachel as a result of this contact. Flashbacks of all the moments spent with her sister coursed through her brain. The endless laughs they'd shared together, the countless embraces they endured.

Not one more embrace would occur, not a single outburst of joy.

Eddie must've noted the sudden change in emotion; evident with the presence of his palm on her upper back.

This slight gesture alone allowed Rachel to gulp back her tears. She had to focus on the here and now.

"She's beautiful Eddie."

There it was again, that smile sprawled across his face that she had missed so much.

"She is," he agreed in an instant.

It appeared another thought had occurred to Eddie, the way his body stiffened made this obvious to Rachel.

"What is it Eddie?"

Rachel's heart was beating erratically.

What else could possibly tear her world apart?

"The nurse… she, mentioned that you will need to contact any other family members, about Melissa."

Of course. Her parents, and her brother. The estranged family members who still knew her as Amanda, the estranged family members who knew nothing of her past.

They were the reason she was forced to throw herself on the streets and into prostitution. Her parents didn't want her, didn't need her. And her brother - well, she might as well be dead to him.

Nothing could bring herself to forgive them for their ill treatment. One thing was clear though, they had to be made aware of Melissa's death. All three of them must know.

It wouldn't be easy, not under any circumstances. The contact had to be made though; it was Rachel's role to do so. She would face her family members after over twenty years apart.

Family members who would forever be strangers to Rachel.