It was getting near to the end of the Christmas holidays and Rachel was meant to be going out with the staff for a few drinks. She didn't really fancy going though; she would have preferred to just stay in with the kids but she knew the staff would all be disappointed if she didn't come out.
Rachel was in her room beginning to get ready when Lucy walked in.
"Hi love"
"Rachel do you have to go tonight?"
"Yep I'm afraid so"
"But I don't want you to go" Lucy had got used to being with Rachel all the time over the Christmas holidays and she really wished she didn't have to go out
"I know you don't, but I'll only be gone for a few hours and then we're going to have a nice day out together tomorrow aren't we?"
"Yeah" Lucy said but she was still really upset about Rachel going
"Anyway what are you going to do now, Poppy's going to give you a bath when I go because I don't want you being too late to sleep tonight"
"Can I stay in here with you?"
"You can if you like won't you be a bit bored though?"
"No I like watching you get ready"
Lucy then went over and sat on Rachel's bed and Rachel went over to her wardrobe to pick out something to wear.
Rachel tried on a dress but she decided not to wear it in the end because she thought it was a bit too dressy for just going down to the pub for a drink.
"Why aren't you wearing that Rachel? It's really pretty"
"I think it's too nice to wear to the pub" Rachel said before having another look in her wardrobe
She was still in her underwear when Poppy knocked on the door
"Come in"
"The timer just went off on the oven" Poppy told her
"Can you put the garlic bread in for me then please, about 10 minutes and it will all be ready?"
"Yep" Poppy said before going back downstairs
Rachel finished up wearing a pair of jeans and a nice top. Once she'd put her clothes on she started doing her makeup.
Lucy was chatting away to Rachel when Poppy called up the stairs that their tea was ready
"Go and have your tea then love"
"You won't leave without saying goodbye will you?"
"Of course I won't, I just need to do my hair and then I'll be down"
Once Rachel was ready she went down and sat at the table with the girls whilst they ate.
"You look nice Rach" Amy said
"Yeah you look lovely" Poppy agreed
"Thanks girls, do you think this is alright?"
"Yeah you look amazing"
At about 7 Rachel thought it was probably about time she left as they were all meeting at 7.
"Right I'm going to go now, sure you're alright Poppy?"
"I'm sure"
"Okay well you two be good for Poppy won't you?"
"As long as she doesn't boss me around like she usually does" Amy said
"Just do as she says"
Rachel gave them all a kiss. She was just about to walk out the kitchen when she realised that Lucy had started crying
"What's wrong Luc?" Rachel asked
"I really don't want you to go"
Rachel knew it was probably down to tiredness more than anything from all of the late nights she'd had over Christmas and New Year.
"Well you know I'm coming back don't you?"
"Yeah but I want you to stay with me"
Rachel thought about putting Lucy to bed first and then going out as she didn't want her to be any trouble for Poppy, however Rachel also knew Lucy needed to get used to not being around her all the time for when she goes back to school.
"You're going to sleep soon anyway, and then when you wake up in the morning you can come straight into my bedroom and give me a big cuddle"
"Okay then" Lucy cried
Rachel gave her a little cuddle
"Good girl"
Rachel hated leaving when Lucy was crying, but she knew Lucy would be fine once she'd left so she picked up her bag and coat and went out.
Poppy placed Lucy on her lap and cuddled her until she calmed down.
"You don't need to get upset Luc, Rachel will be home soon"
Lucy didn't say anything just stayed cuddled up to her big sister.
"Are you finished eating?" Poppy asked and Lucy nodded
"Okay shall we get you up to bed then?"
"Am I having a bath?"
"Yeah if you want to have one"
"Rachel always gives me a bath before I go to bed, unless I'm really tired"
"Okay I'll get it run then"
Lucy played with her toys for a bit whilst Poppy ran the bath and then Poppy called her in.
Poppy got her undressed and into the bath and then let her have a play for a little bit.
After she'd had a play Poppy washed her body and hair before getting her out and wrapping a big, fluffy towel around her.
Once Lucy was all sorted Poppy got her into bed and read her a story.
"Will Rachel nearly be coming home now?" Lucy asked once Poppy had finished reading the story
"Not for a couple of hours, but I promise she'll be here when you wake up in the morning"
Poppy decided to stay with Lucy until she went to sleep because she knew she was a bit unsettled without Rachel there.
It didn't take Lucy long to drop off to sleep because she really was very tired.
Poppy quietly walked out and went and sat downstairs with Amy and they put a film on to watch together.
Once Rachel had got there she'd actually had a really good time.
Her and Chris had got closer and closer throughout the night and after quite a few drinks they'd ended up kissing outside when they were about to go home.
Rachel had then invited him back to hers, but now she was on the doorstep rummaging around in her bag for the keys she was beginning to realise it wasn't such a good idea. This definitely wasn't something she wanted the girls to see.
Rachel was relieved to see none of the girls were up when they got inside so she quickly took Christ through to the lounge and opened up another bottle of wine before going up to check on the girls.
Amy and Lucy were both fast asleep when she checked. Poppy was nearly asleep but she felt a bit uneasy going to sleep when Rachel wasn't there.
As soon as she heard her bedroom door opening she sat up in bed.
"Was everything okay tonight?"
"Yeah Lucy was fine once you'd left"
"Amy alright?"
"Yeah I think so, she was a bit stroppy at times though"
"Okay, thanks for looking after them love see you in the morning"
"Night Rachel"
"Night darling"
Rachel closed the door again before going back downstairs and joining Chris.
Poppy was the first one up the next morning. She decided to go down to make a coffee for Rachel because she knew she always did like to have a coffee in bed on a morning, especially on a Saturday.
She made one for both of them before carrying them up to Rachel's bedroom.
However when she opened the door she was shocked to see Chris in the bed too.
Rachel had been just starting to wake up so immediately pulled the covers up higher when Poppy walked in to cover up her bare chest.
Poppy didn't know what to do so just put the coffee on the floor before walking back to her bedroom, that definitely wasn't something she'd wanted to walk in.
Rachel couldn't believe what had just happened; she was so embarrassed.
Chris knew Rachel wouldn't want him around when the other two girls woke up as well so decided now was a good time to leave.
"Sorry about this Rach"
"It's not your fault"
Chris quickly got dressed before leaving.
Once he'd gone Rachel slipped her pyjamas out from under her pillow and put them on before going into check on Poppy.
Poppy was back in bed drinking her coffee.
Rachel knocked on her bedroom door
"Come in"
Rachel went into Poppy's bedroom and sat down on the bed next to her
"I'm really sorry about that love"
"Its fine, I just wasn't expecting it that's all"
"But still, it's hardly setting a very good example is it?"
"It doesn't matter, so are you and Mr Mead together then?"
"Not really no"
"But you do like him?"
"Of course I like him, Mr Mead is one of my best teachers"
"You know what I mean"
"No… well… I don't know" Rachel said blushing
"But Poppy can you promise me you won't tell anyone about this because it's definitely not something I want spread around the school"
"I promise I won't tell anyone"
"Thank you, not a word to anyone not even Amy or Lucy"
"Promise"
"Thanks love, and I really am sorry"
"Honestly it's fine"
"Anyway I'm going to go and jump in the shower, thanks for the coffee by the way"
"That's okay"
Rachel had just got in the shower when her en suite door opened and Lucy walked in.
Rachel turned off the shower and stuck her head out the door
"Everything okay sweetheart?"
"I just wanted to make sure you're okay"
"Yep I'm just having my shower, can you just give me five minutes and then I'll come and see you?"
"I really need a wee though"
"Okay go on then" Rachel sighed before going back to her shower, since having the girls staying with her she'd had to get used to not getting a lot of time to herself
Lucy quickly went to the loo before going and jumping into Rachel's bed.
Once Rachel had finished her shower she wrapped a towel around herself and then climbed into bed next to Lucy and gave her a cuddle
"Rachel you're all wet" Lucy said laughing
"I thought you liked my wet cuddles"
Lucy still snuggled into Rachel despite her being a bit wet
"Did Poppy put you to bed alright last night then?"
"Yes, but I do prefer it when you do it" Lucy said and Rachel smiled
They stayed cuddled up for a few more minutes before Rachel got dressed and dried her hair
"Shall we go and get you dressed love?"
Lucy got out of bed and went into her own room with Rachel.
Rachel helped Lucy to get dressed and then the two of them went downstairs and Rachel made up a pancake mix.
"Do you want yours now or do you want to wait for Amy and Poppy?"
"Please can I have mine now?"
"Course you can" Rachel said before starting to cook a pancake for Lucy
Amy and Poppy could smell Rachel was cooking pancakes from their bedrooms so quickly came down too.
"Morning Amy" Rachel said when she saw she'd come into the kitchen
"Morning"
It wasn't long before they were all sat around the table eating pancakes.
"Right I was thinking we can have an early lunch and then go swimming after that"
"Yep that sounds good" Poppy said
"Rachel why did you have a shower when we're going swimming"
"That's a good point actually, habit I guess. Did you decide what film you want to see at the cinema girls?"
"Annie's meant to be really good" Amy said
"Are you happy to watch that Lucy?" Rachel asked
"Yeah"
They had a lazy morning around the house and after lunch they got into the car and drove to the swimming pool.
Rachel paid for them all and then they made their way down to the changing rooms.
Rachel went into a cubicle with Lucy to get changed and Poppy and Amy both went in one on their own.
Once Rachel and Lucy were both changed they went to put their stuff into a locker.
Rachel was just giving Amy a pound to put her stuff into a locker when Poppy came out, Rachel was surprised to see her still in her clothes.
"Why aren't you changed?"
"I'm not going to come in?"
"How come?"
"I just can't"
Rachel had an idea why she maybe wasn't coming in so decided to talk to her on her own.
"Amy do you want to take Lucy on in? Not too deep"
Amy took hold of Lucy's sister and they both got into the swimming pool while Rachel and Poppy went into the toilets.
"Are you on your period love?"
"Yeah I didn't even realise until just now, I'm really irregular at the minute"
"You've had a lot of stuff to deal with recently so it's no wonder really"
Poppy just sighed
"Do you not like using tampons?"
"I don't mind using them but I don't have any"
"Well I've got my box of tampax in my bag, do you want one?"
"Urmm yes please"
Rachel went back to her locker and put the box into Poppy's bag for her
"I always have stuff on me, so just ask whenever you need something"
"Okay thanks Rach"
"No problem, I'll see you in the pool"
Poppy went back into get changed so Rachel went and found Amy and Lucy in the swimming pool.
Rachel hadn't taken the girls swimming yet and she was really surprised with how well Lucy could swim for her age.
"Did you used to have swimming lessons Lucy?" Rachel asked
"No all my friends did but Mummy said we didn't have enough money"
"How did you learn to swim then?"
"Poppy used to take me swimming loads so she taught me"
"Well she must have done a good job then because you're very good"
"Swimming is fun"
"Well would you like to start having some swimming lessons?"
"Really?"
"Yeah if you want to"
"Thanks Rachel" Lucy said before swimming over to Rachel and wrapping her arms around her
"Anyway Poppy's coming now so shall we go on some slides?"
Lucy was having such a great time in the swimming pool so Rachel had quite a job trying to get her out but they did eventually manage it.
Rachel got herself and Lucy showered before the two of them went into a changing room to get changed.
Once they were both dressed Rachel dried her hair and then did her makeup.
"Rach is it okay if I use some of your makeup please? I forgot mine" Poppy asked
"Yeah course it is love"
Once they were all ready they went up to the café and had a drink and a snack in there.
After they'd finished they went back out to the car and drove to the cinema.
Rachel got the tickets whilst the girls went and chose some sweets.
There wasn't that much time left before the film started so Rachel came over and paid for the sweets before they all went up to go into the film.
They showed their tickets before going into the cinema and finding their seats.
They were about halfway through the film when Rachel glanced over and noticed Lucy looking all fidgety and uncomfortable in her seat
"Lucy do you need a wee?" Rachel whispered in her ear
Lucy shook her head at first not wanting to go because she was really enjoying the film but then she realised if she didn't go now she was probably going to have an accident so whispered in Rachel's ear "actually yes I do"
"Come on then"
Rachel took hold of Lucy's hand and took her to the loo.
Lucy quickly went to the loo and Rachel decided to go too while they were in there.
"Rachel hurry up we're missing the film" Lucy said once she'd come out
"Okay okay I'm coming"
They both washed their hands before running back to the film.
It was getting towards the end of the film and Amy was trying really hard not to cry, she didn't want to cry in front of everyone. She looked at Rachel and saw she had tears in her eyes too but she still didn't want to cry.
Rachel looked and saw that Amy was crying although she kept brushing the tears away.
Rachel supportively put her hand on Amy's leg, she'd noticed that she had become really emotional in the last few weeks.
Once the film had finished they picked up all of their stuff and started to walk out.
"Did you enjoy that then girls?" Rachel asked
"It was so good" Poppy replied
They were halfway down the stairs when Amy suddenly remembered she'd left her phone in there
"Rachel I've left my phone in there"
"I thought I checked to make sure we'd got everything"
"I know but I put it in the cup holder bit"
"Okay Poppy you wait here with Lucy we'll go back and get it"
They quickly went back up the stairs and after Rachel explained they were allowed to go back in and luckily Amy's phone was still there
"That was lucky" Rachel said
"I know"
The girls chose Pizza Hut for tea so they went there and had a nice meal although everyone was absolutely stuffed when they left.
"Straight to bed for you Lucy when we get in" Rachel said on the way home in the car however when she glanced in the mirror she realised Lucy had already fallen asleep in the back of the car
When they pulled onto the drive Lucy was still asleep so Rachel unstrapped her and then carried her into the house.
Rachel carried her straight up to her bedroom and put her into bed.
She got her changed into her pyjamas as gently as she could and managed to do it without waking her.
Rachel didn't bother lifting her out to put her on the loo as Lucy had been just before they left Pizza Hut so she hoped she'd be fine.
Rachel went downstairs and put all of their swimming stuff onto wash before joining Poppy and Amy in the lounge.
"Thank you for a lovely day you two" she said
"Thanks for taking us"
"It's no problem"
They carried on talking for a bit but Rachel noticed that Amy was being quite quiet
"Amy are you alright love? You seem a bit quiet"
"I'm fine" Amy said not looking away from the TV
"She's stroppy with me because I told her to sort her swimming stuff out" Poppy explained
"Yeah well you're always telling me what to do and it's not fair you're not my Mum" Amy said tears forming in her eyes. She quickly walked out of the lounge hoping no-one had noticed
Rachel had seen the tears but decided to give her a few minutes before going to check on her
Amy went upstairs into her bedroom and slammed the door shut behind her. She started sobbing into her pillow. She didn't even know why she was crying, Poppy had just made her feel so angry.
Rachel waited five minutes or so before going up the stairs and knocking on Amy's bedroom door.
"Go away" Amy shouted
"Amy it's only me love, can I come in"
Amy tried to brush away her tears before saying "fine"
Amy sat up on her bed just as Amy walked in.
"Is everything okay darling?" Rachel asked and Amy nodded
"Poppy is just so annoying"
"Mel used to get really annoyed with me too when we were your age, Poppy's only trying to look out for you"
"But she shouldn't tell me what to do, I don't mind when you tell me Poppy just thinks she knows everything" Amy said tears forming in her eyes again
Rachel sighed before going and sitting next to Amy wrapping her arms around her
"I'll have a word with Poppy and tell her how you feel then"
"Thank you" Amy said snuggling up against Rachel as she continued to cry "Sorry I don't even know why I'm crying"
"It's just your hormones love, they can make you feel really angry one minute and then really sad the next"
Amy just sighed.
"You ready to come back down now?"
"Okay"
Rachel and Amy went back downstairs and the three of them watched Eastenders together.
They had a nice evening together but after a few hours Rachel told Amy to go up to bed, Poppy decided to go up too as she was quite tired.
Rachel went and said goodnight to Amy before going into say goodnight to Poppy who was sat up in bed reading her book.
Rachel sat on top of the covers on the other side of Poppy's bed as she wanted to have a little chat with her about Amy.
"I know you're only looking out for your sister love but she doesn't like it so maybe stop telling her what to do quite so much"
"I don't tell her that much, just things to try and help you out she's becoming so lazy"
Rachel laughed at this
"Well I don't mind, if I want something doing I'll ask her but remember she is only 11"
"I know, I guess I was just doing loads more when I was her age because Mum hardly did anything"
"Which really wasn't fair on you, you shouldn't have had half the responsibilities that you did"
"It would have been Amy and Lucy that would have suffered if I didn't. I'm so glad we've got you now Rach"
"And I'm so glad I've got you three too"
They were sat in silence for a few moments before Poppy said "Rachel"
"Yeah"
"Well I was just wondering… no it doesn't matter actually"
"Go on"
"Honestly it's fine"
"Come on just ask me I'm always saying you can talk to me about anything aren't I?"
"How old were you when you erm… lost your virginity?"
"I was 16"
"Were you glad when it happened or did you regret it?"
"I was completely ready when it happened, I was in a relationship with a boy who I really loved at the time. Why love have you done something you regret?"
"No I haven't had… you know yet, but quite a few of my friends have now and I just feel like I should maybe do it soon"
"Whatever you do don't do it until you're ready, I know you've probably heard this a thousand times but you can only give this thing away once so you want it to be special don't you?"
"Yeah"
"So wait until you're with someone who you love and who loves you back"
"I guess you're right, I just kind of want to get it over with" Poppy admitted
"Don't go worrying about it, when the moment's right you'll know trust me"
"Okay"
"And Poppy whenever you are thinking about having sex just talk to me about it first okay?"
"I will do but you're right I want to wait for the right boy"
"Good girl, anyway I'll say goodnight now"
"Night Rach"
"Night darling, see you in the morning"
Rachel went out so Poppy went back to reading her book. She was so glad she had Rachel to talk about these things with now, there's no way she would ever have asked her Mum about that sort of thing.
Rachel was just coming out of Poppy's bedroom when she saw Lucy coming out the bathroom
"Rachel did you put me to bed?"
"Yeah you fell asleep in the car so I got you into bed as soon as we got it. What are you doing up anyway"
"I had to go for a wee"
"Shall I take you back to bed?" Rachel asked and Lucy nodded so she went and picked the little girl up and placed her on her hip
Rachel carried her back through to her bedroom and got her comfy in bed.
"Night Rachel, love you"
A huge smile escaped Rachel's lips when she heard Lucy say this
"I love you too darling, see you in the morning"
Rachel gave Lucy a kiss and then stroked her hair until she fell asleep.
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