Hi everyone. Thank you for the reviews and to everyone still reading this story.
I mentioned a few chapters ago that there was only going to be about 5 chapters left... I'm just seeing how it goes at the moment, there might end up being more than that.
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter :) x
In the moments before reality hit home, Eddie was at his absolute happiest upon waking up. A similar position to what he and Rachel fell asleep in remained. Her head was nestled against his chest, and arms were wrapped around one another securely. That alone seemed to represent the want and need to never let go of each other again. It wasn't long before Eddie realised that their legs were now intertwined, and that through the thin cotton of his t shirt, Rachel's light breaths could be felt. Her presence was almost intoxicating, Eddie seemed to be overwhelmed with love for the woman settled in his arms.
There was no doubt that today would be incredibly difficult, for the both of them. But for Rachel in particular. Eddie began to recollect their conversation from the early hours of that morning, and found himself feeling glad that he was going to be there every step of the way, to support Rachel when she needed it most.
Removing Eddie from his thoughts, Rachel's left arm travelled from around his middle to end up resting across his chest. This signalled that she was awake, something which seemed to make Eddie oddly nervous. It was the first time in months they had woken in the same bed together, he just hoped that Rachel's walls wouldn't shoot back up upon realising this.
All uncertainties were eradicated the second Rachel's eyes met his. Her hazel orbs were full of conflicted emotions, and yet, undertones of contentment were clear for Eddie to recognise.
She smiled slightly, "hi."
"How're you feeling now?" Eddie queried, reciprocating the warm gesture.
"Slightly better."
Eddie was glad to establish the sincerity etched within the words. Seemingly, his words and comfort had supported her to a certain extent.
"I'm glad," he responded, stretching slightly to take a glance at the bedside clock, "it's 7 o'clock, so that gives us enough time to get Isabelle sorted before we need to think about getting everything else in order."
Rachel exhaled slightly, and from the way her brow furrowed, Eddie guessed that the day ahead wasn't something which she wanted to discuss further.
"Speaking of Isabelle, she's done well to sleep all the way from four to seven."
His comment had the desired effect, and Rachel's expression lit up once more at a second mention of her niece.
"You can hear her little snores."
"Hmm, not for long. No doubt she'll be up and raring to go within the next half an hour," Eddie smiled, subconsciously running his hand up and down Rachel's arm.
"Shall we grab breakfast while we can then?"
Eddie nodded in agreement, "Sounds like a plan."
He felt as if he could of lay cocooned in her embrace for a little longer. But Eddie was just overly glad of her presence. Despite everything, it seemed surreal to be pottering around in Rachel's kitchen, cooking breakfast together like they always should have been.
….
Before agreeing to let Eddie's father look after Isabelle, Rachel had known the day's difficulties would only be amplified without him by her side. It wasn't just her who needed support though, no doubt Philip's mindset would be filled with an equal ammount of dread. For Rachel, it seemed inconceivable that she was about to attend her little sister's funeral, but even more harrowing, was the fact that her 16 year old nephew was about to bury his mother. Along with these considerations, the reality of Susan's situation also hit home with Rachel. Of course, Rachel didn't have children of her own, yet she considered Philip and Isabelle to be extremely close to that mark. The thought of saying goodbye to your own child was one not worth thinking about.
So now, at half past ten in the morning, Rachel found herself standing side by side with Eddie, comforting her mother and nephew with arms secure around them both. It wouldn't be long until the cars arrived; and when attending funerals in the past, Rachel had always seen that as one of the worst parts. With this image in her brain, an uncomfortable shudder was sent down Rachel's spine.
All of a sudden breaking apart from her arms, Philip began to pace up and down in the living room.
"I don't think I can do this."
All three adults exchanged a glance, as if trying to communicate who should aim to diffuse Philip's understandable nerves and heartbreak. With a discreet squeeze of her hand from Eddie, Rachel seemed to find the courage to approach her nephew.
She placed a hand on his arm reassuringly, "Come on love, let's go into the kitchen for a moment."
Phil nodded, an ounce of tension instantly leaking out of his body upon hearing his aunt's supportive tone.
Once perched at the breakfast bar, Rachel considered just how carefully she would have to broach this topic. Emotions were undoubtedly already high, Rachel just wanted her nephew to know that she was very much there for him.
"To an extent Philip, I can understand exactly how you are feeling. We both loved your mum, immeasurably."
"I just don't know if I'm ready to say goodbye yet Rach."
"In all honesty, I don't think I will ever be ready to say goodbye. I never envisaged attending my younger sister's funeral, much like you will of never considered being at your mum's at such an early age."
As Rachel put her words across, she could see Phil's expression changing slightly. The way hope seemed to flicker within his features suggested that she was getting somewhere. Rachel wanted Philip to know that she understands what he must be going through, that they are in this together.
"Thanks Rach. For being there."
"I'll always be there for you Philip. I'm not saying today is going to be easy, far from it. But going through it together is bound to alleviate some of the pain, hm?"
The boy nodded, offering Rachel a grateful smile as they re-entered the living room.
"The cars are here," Eddie said, gesturing his head towards the window.
As Susan linked arms with Philip and made their way out of the house, Eddie turned to Rachel in the doorway. He noted the evidence of tears in her eyes, and wanted to reiterate his benevolent presence. Eddie wrapped his arms around Rachel, bringing her into his embrace. She only allowed a sob or two to emanate, before taking a deep breath and regaining her composure.
Eddie planted a soft kiss into her hair before aiming to emphasise his support further.
"I've got you Rachel."
She leant back from him then, alligning her sight with his and attempting a crooked smile.
"And I'm forever grateful for that."
Arm in arm the pair followed Philip and Susan's previous steps. Much like Rachel would be supportive of Philip today, Eddie was very much there for her. If tackled together, Rachel was sure that she could handle the hours ahead.
….
Susan had been expecting Graeme to turn up throughout the whole service. No matter how much she had attempted to reassure herself, the thought seemed to linger at the back of her mind. As it came to an end, she felt a peculiar sense of relief that her husband hadn't made an entrance. For everyone, this day was already strenuous, no one needed the presence of Graeme Fenshaw. Most of all Rachel, who Susan had worried about consistently as the hours passed.
Now gathered in a local pub for the wake, Susan's mind continued to focus on Graeme, and everything he was capable of. She wished that she had the courage to just go to the police, surely then, everything would be solved? The cops wouldn't let him get away with it. Somehow though, Susan just couldn't bring herself to do it. Not when the safety of her family had been brought into question.
Speak a word, and your precious Amanda won't live another day. Oh and your grandchildren? I'll make sure they live the life from hell.
Your grandchildren. Susan had been in utter disbelief at her husband's spitefulness. Of course, she had witnessed Rachel bore the brunt of his temper several instances before. Somehow though, that particular day his fury had escalated to an altogether different level. Didn't he even consider for one moment that Philip and Isabelle were his grandchildren too? And Rachel his daughter?
With all these thoughts spinning around in her mind, Susan suddenly felt faint. She needed air, and fast. Unaware of Rachel and Eddie's eyes upon her, Susan dashed out of the pub, taking deep breaths as she emerged into the cool November air.
"Hello Susan."
No. It couldn't be him.
An evil chuckle emanated from the man's mouth, confirming all of Susan's fears. Having Graeme so close to her once more made Susan shudder. She couldn't see a way out of this one.
"Wh- what are you doing here Graeme? You shouldn't be here."
"You lost the right to tell me what to do a very long time ago," he sniggered again, presumably at the way Susan was now cowering away from him, "I'm just here to check that you're keeping up your side of the bargain."
"I haven't been to the police, if that's what you mean."
Graeme nodded, "good. I take it I don't need to remind you of what will happen if you do."
Susan shook her head, not wanting to prolong this conversation but equally wondering how he had known her location.
"How did you know I was here Graeme?"
"Despite what you might think, I'm not a pushover. Thought I might need to keep an eye on you, make sure you're not giving anything away to Amanda, or her little sidekick."
"I'm not going to say anything, Graeme."
His face was millimetres away from her own, and it unnerved Susan massively. She gasped as he shoved her body into the wall, hand constricting around her neck.
"That's what I like to hear."
The sound of the pub doors opening caused Graeme to jump back from his position.
"Mum, is everything alright?"
Graeme stood stock still as Rachel and Eddie's footsteps emerged. Susan dreaded to think what his wicked mind was currently planning.
"Go," Susan hissed at Graeme. The last thing Rachel needed right now was to come face to face with her abusive father.
It was too late.
"Graeme… what on earth..."
Rachel's expression and words contorted into that of disgust and fear, as she backed up into Eddie's arms.
Despite the circumstances, Susan couldn't help but smile internally at the way Eddie's arms protectively rose to Rachel's. It only highlighted her suspicions that the pair were very much in love. Perhaps if Susan hadn't had the events of recent weeks to deal with, she would've made sure they were together by now.
"Are you hurt Susan?" Eddie posed this question, seemingly Rachel was utterly lost for words as her gaze shifted between the floor and her father.
Before Susan could respond, Graeme's snigger was heard once more, met by a thunderous glare from Eddie.
"I'm fine Eddie… let's go."
Graeme surged forward once Susan's words had registered, grabbing her arm so that the ability to move was made extremely difficult.
For Susan, she could see that the conflict was evident in Eddie's eyes. He longed to remove Rachel from any danger, to protect her. Equally though, he knew that Graeme had to leave, or be told to at least.
Graeme leant forwards towards her ear, lowering his voice ever so slightly, "Remember what I said."
Apparently, his tone had been kept at a considerable volume; Susan witnessed the way Eddie and Rachel shared questioning glances and found herself wondering how she was going to explain that one.
Upon realising that Graeme's hold over Susan hadn't loosened, Eddie gently moved Rachel behind him before stepping forward slightly.
"Eddie don't, he's not worth it."
Of course Eddie wanted to throw a punch at Graeme, but Rachel's words held him back from that. She was right, he wasn't worth it. Holding back the urge to physically harm Graeme, Eddie settled for some persuasive words.
"I think it's time you left Graeme. You should never have come in the first place."
With one final shove at Susan's body, and a glare at Rachel which had Eddie returning to her side, Graeme was gone. A thick silence seemed to dominate the atmosphere, as the three adults considered what exactly should happen from here.
Stepping forward from Eddie, it was Rachel who spoke first, "I'm sorry mum, but I have to know. What did he mean by 'remember what I said' ?"