Hi everyone, thank you so much for the lovely reviews. They really do mean a lot:)

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas & New Year. Please enjoy this chapter x

"So erm… what is it Rach, what's up?"

In turn for Philip's question, Rachel felt a pang of guilt surge through her body. This boy had been through hell in recent hours; undoubtedly he would be expecting the worst when presented with even a hint of uncertainty. Rachel realised now, that she had been too vague with her initial comments. She of all people knew how damaging it could be to be kept in the dark and faced with the unknown, which was why Rachel had to explain herself now and fast.

"Listen, you know how I never really, reconnected with my… parents after leaving home," a pause elapsed, allowing Phil to digest this and hazard a nod, "well you know I presumed that… your mum, was the same."

Rachel witnessed a fresh layer of tears spread across Philip's eyes at the mention of his mother. As a result of this, Rachel found herself second guessing this conversation. Is telling him truly the right thing to do? At this point, the answer appeared blurred, neither of the options are right or wrong. This revelation could easily taint Philip's vision of Melissa, much like it did Rachel's. Aside from this, it seemed wrong to conceal something so significant from the boy. He has a right to know. I now have a duty to tell him.

Rachel inhaled sharply, preparing herself for the worst. Only she knew what was to come next.

"It came to light when Eddie and I visited my parents earlier, that Melissa, she… she's been in contact with them for a number of years…"

The boy's facial expression changed within seconds, Philip didn't give Rachel a chance to elaborate before cutting in.

"I didn't know Rachel, I swear, I didn't have anything to do with it… if I'd have known I could've…"

Rachel could recognise Philip's rambling anywhere, he was in a state of shock, and the ramifications seemed to be a mixture of self blame and anxiousness.

"Hey… hey," Rachel muttered reassuringly, placing a hand on each of Philip's shoulders, "it's not your fault Philip, don't ever think that. Okay?"

Seemingly, the boy conceded defeat - evident in the way his head dropped and nodded ever so slowly.

"There's one thing I do have to ask you though love."

With that, Philip's head shot up; curiosity darting from his left eye to his right one.

"Would you like to meet them?"

Silence drowned out any previous emotions: it was thick and it was suffocating the atmosphere. Rachel could almost visibly see Philip's mind working away, thinking through every possible scenario and sifting through the endless list of consequences. Then it clicked - the poor boy would be clueless about what to think. He needed to process her question, most of all though, Philip required time.

"You just take your time Philip," Rachel removed herself from the chair, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder to emphasise her next comment, "I'll be here for you, whatever you decide."

….

"How did it go?" Eddie queried lightly, as Rachel reapproached the cot.

She pondered on this for a moment. How did it go? After the discussion with Phil, not much had been cleared up. Every part of Rachel hoped she had approached the situation correctly; for Philip's sake far more than her own. Upon realising she had yet failed to give Eddie an answer, Rachel voiced her thoughts.

"Honestly Eddie…I'm not sure. You know, I just worry I've made everything ten times worse for the boy."

Immediately, Eddie sensed the apprehension in Rachel's tone and was rather quick to correct her suggestion.

"He just needs time Rach," he began, mirroring her earlier thoughts, "there's nothing more you can do, he knows you're there for him, and that's all that matters."

A brief smile tugged at Rachel's lips - it was funny how Eddie never failed to rid her brain of negativity. Only after several seconds did both parties begin to reflect on the moment they had just shared. Their locked gaze spoke masses of volumes; no words were exchanged but that one look verbalised itself: Rachel and Eddie were still deeply in love with one another. And now, for the first time, they were aware of one another's feelings.

"I was thinking of heading home for a while," Rachel rambled, changing the subject broached in her mind almost instantly, "just to shower, grab a change of clothes."

Eddie glanced down in response but nodded, accepting Rachel's comments, "of course."

The man sensed Rachel's upcoming exit. Any moment now she would turn on her heel and remove herself from the room, as well as from her feelings.

"The midwife said that Isabelle can go home tomorrow," Eddie approached a new topic, wanting to extend Rachel's attention for as long as possible. As she gave her response, he glanced up, and two sets of eyes met once more.

"That's brilliant news… I'm happy to help, with well, you know getting things in order. Make sure you have all the essentials."

In that moment, Eddie had to stifle a rather large grin which was threatening to form as a result of Rachel's offer. Seemingly, she was willing to assist him just as much as he was longing to help her.

"Night night Eddie," she spoke softly and with endless amounts of care. Rachel's parting words caused Eddie to reminisce their first drink together, when she had aimed to persuade him to rekindle his relationship with Michael. His feelings for Rachel had emerged right from the outset, the moment they shook hands in fact. For Eddie though, that night was the one where he had truly fallen in love with Rachel Mason.

Since being deep in thought, Eddie had failed to notice Rachel's presence hovering in the door frame. She was about to leave. But there was still something he wanted to say, in Eddie's eyes, the conversation wasn't over.

"Rachel wait," Eddie raised his voice slightly before coming up behind Rachel, slipping his hand over her wrist in an attempt to bring her back.

His pleading had worked, Rachel's body spun around on the spot so that it was facing Eddie's. Now was his chance.

"When can we talk Rachel? About us."

Us. One word with only two letters, but it still held the ability to sweep Rachel off her feet. The suggestion had well and truly taken her by surprise.

The room was so quiet that she could feel Eddie's heart beating, Rachel expected it to leap out of his chest at any given moment. Instinctively, her hand was placed across his chest, as if to calm him.

"If Philip is alright to sit with Isabelle for a little while, come to my house in about an hour. We can talk then."

If at all possible, Eddie fell in love with Rachel even more when she spoke her initial words.

If Philip is alright to sit with Isabelle.

Her focus was solely placed on her niece. To Rachel, this could wait if it meant Isabelle would be without company. This simple sentence only reinforced what Eddie already knew; Rachel was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

….

As Rachel's key turned in the lock, she found herself struck with disbelief thinking about the turn of events since last being in her home. Without Melissa, everything felt unusual. Despite all of her faults, she was Rachel's sister; Rachel would always love her unconditionally.

Stepping into her hallway, Rachel dumped her belongings at the foot of the stairs before making her way through to the living room. If she remembered rightfully, the remnants of her lunch were strewn across her coffee table - Rachel wasn't willing to leave her lounge in a mess, especially with Eddie's company arriving soon.

Something unpredictable had Rachel stopping in her tracks. Apparently, her sixth sense was working away rapidly, because Rachel was convinced of someone else's presence in her house.

"Hello?" She spoke apprehensively, eventually making an entrance into the room. The sight Rachel was met with almost had her jumping out of her skin. The person in question was strewn out across her sofa, simply tapping their foot and sipping on a glass of water.

"Hello Rachel. Fancy seeing you here."