Thank you for the reviews.

So because I am wrapping this up now, things happen over a longer timescale. So like the beginning of this chapter is like the beginning of May and the end is like halfway through June. It is just the way things are going to go for theses last few chapters.

Chapter Forty Two
Working Things Out

"So the first week of exams. How do you think that they are feeling?" Rachel asked.

"I think they are coping quite well," Kim said. "I've had a couple more students come and see me but no more than usual at this time of year."

"And I think it was a good call to say for them to be able to revise different classes if the exams are closer and for the third period to be a sort of drop-in session when the teachers are free. Even if there are still a few reluctant." Chris added.

"Definitely not as many nervous kids around," Eddie said.

"Good. That is what we like to hear."

"I heard a rumour that you were going part-time," Chris said.

"After the half term. It will mean that for the last six weeks of the school year, I will only be in on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It will help you two to find your feet and… in all honesty, I just feel exhausted all the time. So, maybe with Eddie's insistence, I've agreed to slow down a bit. Maybe also to wean myself off this place slightly."

"Exhausted all of the time?" Kim said.

"I've been told it is only natural."

"And I have all this to come."

"What have you decided about your maternity leave?"

"I'm going to be here up until the October half term. Not teaching, just as head of Pastoral Care. It will give me enough time to sort out all the new year 7s and any year 12s. Also means I can help Steph out a little more."

"And remember, I won't be here for the first two weeks of October," Eddie said.

"I thought you were going to take the first two weeks of September off," Chris said.

"Change of plan. Means that I am here for the new year teething problems. Not leaving you two on your own."

"And Kim, once you are on maternity leave, you are more than welcome to come round at any time." Rachel said.

"Likewise."

"And the ideas for the focus days at the end of the school year. Can I have them all in soon? Just so we can make our decisions over them. Just put a reminder out to the heads of departments."

They all nodded at her. Here was the sort of senior management meetings that she had wanted all year. It was just a shame that it was the beginning of May.

"Unless there is anything else to discuss, I think that we are done."

With everyone in agreement, Eddie and Chris left for their classes, leaving Rachel with Kim. The two women smiled at each other before Rachel tried to finish her fruit tea.

"It's a good job you actually like these." She said.

"I bet you can't wait to be back on the coffee."

"I can't wait until Eddie stops thinking I am about to break every five seconds. God knows what he is going to be like when he is born."

"Still think it is going to be a boy?"

"Whatever the sex, by the amount they are kicking me, they are going to be a footballer or something like that."

"Have you got a name?"

"We have a few that we like, and a couple of girls names, just in case my gut feeling is wrong."

"I started thinking about it the other day. You realise how many names have been ruined for you."

"Tell me about it. It is why we have stayed away from the popular names."

"I also wouldn't want them to be known as their name C because there are multiple of them with that name in their class."

"I agree." Rachel sighed. "I suppose we should probably do some work."

"Probably."

"Unless you want to do some secret wedding planning with me."

"I thought you were going to have a long engagement."

"I just… not in the wrong way, want to get it over and done with. I want to start the next chapter in my life, with Eddie and the baby. And Philip of course."

"That means dress shopping."

"Once I have lost a bit of the weight I have gained."

"Can I come along?"

"I would expect you to be there, hopefully as my maid of honour."

Rachel laughed as Kim's face changed, realising what she was being asked.

"You want me as your maid of honour?"

"Well, my sister despises me and has disappeared. I have a few friends outside these four walls but… not any that I would want by my side. I want you there."

"After everything with Max as well?"

"Kim, we've spoken about that."

"I… just wasn't expecting it."

"Plus we can get quite a bit of planning done while on our maternity leave."

"The wedding is just to keep you busy isn't it?"

"Might as well do something useful when I am awake at all hours."

"I'll be your maid of honour."

"Good. Now work or wedding?"

"It's fine Rach. I'll ask Eddie when he gets back."

"No, I said I would help you."

"But you don't have a clue, do you?"

Rachel looked at the maths problem for a couple of seconds longer before she knew that she had to admit defeat. If it was an English essay that he wanted help with, she would have been perfectly fine. Or anything essay based. But with those exams already over and done with, it was Eddie that Philip had to rely on more.

"Yeah, I don't."

She was grateful that with the stress of it all, Philip could smile at her. Even though it was only his first year of A levels, it was still a tough time.

"How about you give up the revision for a bit? You've been at it all morning."

"You know, everyone thinks that you are like constantly on me to revise. They don't believe me when I say that you tell me when you think I need to take a break or if you think I've done too much."

"Yeah, well I want you to take a break for a different reason."

"What reason is that?"

"Eddie said that I wouldn't be able to put the cot up by myself so I stubbornly told him that I would and I would do it before he got home. He was right. I can't but, with my favourite nephew about to help me and to swear that he won't say anything, I think I can."

Philip just shook his head at her before he headed up the stairs. Rachel took a couple of moments before she started a slightly slower climb of the stairs.

Philip told Eddie that Rachel was in the nursery when he popped his head around the lounge. He asked whether Philip was maybe doing a little too much revision but he reassured him that he had taken a break.

Eddie made his way up the stairs and pushed the door of the nursery open to see the cot done and Rachel, asleep, in the armchair that they had brought for the room. He would have woken her but he knew that she had been sleeping terribly. It would, but wouldn't, hurt her to get a couple of hours here and there where she could. He knew that they wouldn't be getting a full night's sleep for a while.

He made his way back down the stairs to make a start on dinner. It was the least that he could do. Philip had moved to the kitchen.

"Can you help me with this later?" He said as he held up the past paper that Eddie had set as homework.

"Do you think that is fair? I did say that we would go through anything that people didn't understand. Which question is it?"

"Question 8. The graph with the shaded part, using calculus."

"Yeah, I don't think you are going to be the only one mate."

"Rachel tried to help me."

"Did she?"

"She looked at it for a bit for giving up."

"Well, you hand her the essays and hand me the mathematical stuff. I think that is where we are happiest." He paused. "Did you help her?"

"Help her do what?"

"Put up the cot."

Philip shook his head at him but Eddie knew that he was lying. He had learnt the younger man's little quirks by now. If anything he was glad that Rachel had asked for help rather than struggling through herself.

"You should go and have a look at the nursery. I think it has changed a bit."

"Are you still just going to keep the walls white?"

"I don't see the need to paint them and neither does Rachel. Maybe we will change our mind later but it is fine for now."

"I suppose the next task is the rest of the furniture."

"I think we are just going to use a few things from the other rooms. It will just be us moving them around so I hope you are feeling strong."

"Good break from the revision. I'll just put this upstairs." Philip said as he held up the past paper.

"Maybe also try and start to wake up your auntie."

"Why do I get that job?"

"Maybe because I am the one that will get woken up when she gets annoyed at my snoring because she can't sleep."

"Not my fault."

Eddie shook his head. He was partly to blame for why she couldn't sleep. But it was something that they both wanted. This was only a moment for the life that they were going to share together. A moment that they would end up forgetting about. Because there would be more important moments.

Rachel had sort of lost interest as the attendant spoke about how the day would run as they looked around the fourth venue of the day. She knew that she should have been paying more attention but in reality, she just wanted to sit down. The room was set up as to how it would look on the day and she sat down on one of the chairs as she imagined Philip walking her down the aisle, with Eddie waiting at the other end.

She didn't know whether it was a good thing or not that she could imagine it all. The Waterloo Road staff mixed in with Eddie's family, watching the ceremony happening. She knew that she would have the biggest smile on her face throughout. She didn't realise that Philip had joined her until he gently nudged her arm with his elbow.

"What are you thinking?" He asked.

"I'm picturing it happening. So I hope Eddie is listening. I think we might have found the right one."

"I think Eddie might agree."

She found herself resting her head on Philip's shoulder.

"Did I ever thank you for staying with me?"

"I think you told me that you were grateful that I chose you over my dad."

"Well thank you for choosing to stay with me. And thank you for everything you have done over the last few months. My boys, keeping me sane."

"I'd do anything for my favourite auntie."

"I know."

"Rach?" Eddie said as they joined them. "What do you think?"

"I love it."

"We have a couple of days left in February. Other than that, you are looking at October. I think it all depends on how soon you want it." The attendant said.

Eddie looked over at her. Obviously, the date was her decision. How soon after the birth of their child did they want to get married?

"What dates have you got for February?"

"Tuesday 1st, Saturday 12th amazingly, or Wednesday 23rd."

"The Saturday is the first day of the Feb half term," Eddie said.

"Could be good. We could always wait for Easter to have our honeymoon."

"Doesn't really give Kim a lot of time."

"November she is due. I suppose not."

"But you obviously can't wait until October."

"Do you want to wait for October?"

It was the smile that he gave which made her instantly know his answer.

"I want whatever you want."

"Then the 12th of February."

The attendant started talking again but Rachel just blocked out his voice as she stared at Eddie. He was right. That first date she pushed her luck by telling him that he was going to go out with her. But she was glad that she pushed her luck. Because she was the luckiest woman in the world to be with him. Something that she had to constantly remind herself wasn't a dream.