Hi everyone, thank you so much to those who have reviewed and to others reading this story.

This chapter is fairly small, but it kind of sets up the next update nicely. Please enjoy it & let me know what you guys think x

Simultaneously to his words, Eddie witnessed the colour drain from Rachel's whole demeanour. After meeting her niece, it seemed that Rachel had adopted a newfound vibrancy, something to cling onto. Now though, this manner was automatically replaced with a pale, more cavernous tone.

Rachel's next move was imminent - Eddie watched as the woman shifted to the left slightly, subsequently clutching the bed enough to turn her knuckles white.

Once more, desire and concern conquered Eddie's initial thoughts. This was why in an instant, his hand momentously slipped over the surface of Rachel's. Her response was unclear. Eddie was too lost in the moment to comprehend it as their eyes met once again. He doubted that situations like this would ever tire him.

For now, something far more prominent suffocated this significance: fear. It was evident in the way Rachel held herself, in the way she was lost in his gaze.

Was this a cry out for help? The answer to this was unknown. Whether the cry was there or not, Eddie would most certainly be there to help her.

In recent years, he had learnt almost everything about Rachel's estranged family members. He had listened with every word and alleviated every cry. She had confided in him deeply during the midst of their relationship. He hoped she would put that same trust and confidence in him now - for Rachel's sake far more than his own.

"Your parents, and your brother."

Prior to his utterances, Eddie had noted Rachel's reluctance, or more the inability to speak for herself. He didn't want to push her, but Eddie knew he had to try if he longed for Rachel to disclose her feelings once more.

A simple nod was taken as a response. Eddie presumed that Rachel would nod away forever if it meant she didn't have to come face to face with her alienated relatives. On top of this, another sentence was toying with his mind. Granted, uncertainty surrounded it in abundance; but Eddie succumbed to this self doubt almost immediately. A promise had been made to himself: from now on Eddie would be there for Rachel no matter the consequences or occurrences.

"We will do this together. You're not alone Rachel."

….

We. Together.

Not alone.

To Rachel, Eddie's words felt like a mirage. This could only be described as a surreal moment. Still, these overpowering sentiments couldn't halt the trepidation that was lurking in her stomach.

Her heart was slowly creeping up on her head. She couldn't let that happen.

Only now did it register with Rachel how close they were to one another. Her and Eddie were inches apart.

It's not going to change anything though.

Words exchanged several months ago strangely applied to her current situation. Oh Eddie i love you too. As well as Rachel's decision to do the right thing, her adoration for the man in question still lingered. She couldn't let this happen.

"I'm sorry Eddie… I can't… I can't do this. This isn't your problem anymore. It's mine, and mine only."

Rachel knew her words would sting, break Eddie even . What could she do though? She had no choice.

For Rachel, his expected pain was only emphasised by the distinct parallels between Eddie's countencance now and the one of that day. This shattered her whole manner extensively.

Her mind couldn't be changed. That's what Rachel told herself; deep down though, she was aware that it could be transformed. By Eddie. On the back of this thought, she spun on her heel and aimed for the door.

"I want it to be my problem. Please Rachel, just stop running. Let me be there for you."

There it was. The only voice that could possibly shift her mindset. Seemingly, her stare was forced to meet Eddie's before he spoke once more.

"You're still my first priority."

….

You're my first priority.

He had said it - Eddie had spoken the words he never got a chance to repeat that night. That night he had been stopped in his tracks by Rachel's front door. She had closed it on their relationship. Now, there was no door - only a gaping space between them. He longed for Rachel to seal that gap now, seal it instead of pulling them further apart.

This would only be told by the next few moments. Rachel's upcoming actions.

"Just stop running." he implored in the form of a whisper.

All Eddie could do was hope and pray that she would listen.

….

Suddenly, the urge to reach out to Eddie and to let him help her was overwhelming for Rachel.

How was this even possible? In the space of mere seconds he had reversed her thought process entirely. Eddie had drawn Rachel back in to the confinement of her heart.

She had become accustomed to silence in recent hours: now, the still atmosphere set in once more. Something about the look Eddie gave her in that second made her realise that she needed him. Head or heart, she needed this man standing in front of her. Rachel doubted that she could do this without him.

….

It was as if a switch had been flicked. Seemingly, Rachel now had everything worked out. At least, that's what her mannerisms told Eddie. Before he could even comprehend the change in facial expression, the woman was walking towards him.

Not away from him. She was getting closer. She wasn't running.

This was far from Eddie's expectations. As much as he didn't want to believe it, his assumptions were that today's events would be a mirror image of that day's.

The day Eddie lost the love of his life for good. Or at least that's what he thought. Perhaps now, there was a chance. Perhaps now Rachel had shown signs of opening up, they would be able to fix things. In time.

"What about… the baby? You can't leave her."

Uncertainty. Anxiety. They were still limiting factors within Rachel's being. Eddie had to reassure her.

"Rachel... the midwives, they understand the circumstances, they will be here to look after her. And when Philip's ready, he can sit with her too. Besides, if they still live in Manchester, we're only gonna be gone a couple of hours. Tops. Just trust me on this Rachel."

She glanced down at the ground in an instant. Defeated. Eddie guessed that Rachel knew he was right, that Rachel knew she was just making up more reasons to push him away.

Eddie wouldn't, couldn't, let her do that. Not this time.

….

Every fibre of her being knew Eddie's words were truthful. Her mind was near impossible to control, it seemed that he was the only one capable of relaxing it. Making it see sense.

The sensible, rational thing to do, was take Eddie with her. His support was essential. So for once, Rachel conquered her brain and spoke with ease.

"Let's go then. They need to know as soon as possible."