Chapter 12
"What are you doing out of bed luv?" Tony asked Rachel.
"I couldn't sleep." She said sadly. "Daddy, do we really have to leave the island?" She looked up at him, tears shining in her eyes.
"Ohh sweetheart." He whispered pulling her head onto his shoulder and giving her a hug. "I know how difficult this is, especially for you. I mean you've got your friends here and school. And next year you were going to be a senior. I know it is a very exciting time for you and I really wish we could stay so that you could enjoy all of that, but I just don't see how. I'm sorry luv, I really am."
"Well," she sniffed. "There is one way." She looked up at him hopefully. "Maybe I could stay with Dominique's family this summer and next year and you guys could all let me know where you were and I could join you after I graduate?"
Tony sighed and took his arm from around her shoulders. He thought she might come up with this solution and he already knew it was something he would have to say no to. He just hoped she wouldn't throw a fit.
"Sweetie," he began cautiously. "You know I love you, don't you?"
"Yes daddy." She replied tearily.
"Good because, while there is nothing on this earth I wouldn't do to keep that precious smile on your face, I'm afraid that I can't do this."
"But daddy." She cried
"Shhh." He whispered "Now just hear me out."
Rachel shuddered, gulping back her tears
"Even if I thought for a minute that the Wickham's could take you, which I doubt since they're crowded at their house as it is, I'd still say no because you would not be safe there.
"No!" he said seeing she was about to argue again. "Rachel, if I did leave you behind just how long do you think it would be before whoever's after me found you and used you to get to our family? And ifeither of your grandfathers are behind this, then I shudder to think what tactics they might employ to get you to talk, granddaughter or not!"
"You're right, I suppose." Rachel said with a drawn out sigh.
"Besides which, it would break your mother's heart if you were to leave her, you know that! And I'm not about to let anything hurt her or any of you."
"You're father's right you know." Cori said, stepping out onto the porch. "I don't think I could bear to be separated from any of you right now. Least of all you, my precious!"
Rachel got up and went into her mother's arms.
"I'm sorry mama." She said crying again
"Ooh honey. There's nothing to be sorry for." Cori said hugging her tightly, before setting her away. She looked into eyes that mirrored her own smoothed back her daughter's hair.
"And we do understand, your father and I. And one day you will be on your own, just like Tim will be and your other siblings. But now is just not that time! We need to make sure that our entire family is safe before any of us go our own way."
"Are we understood then? Tony asked, getting up to stand beside Cori
"I suppose." Rachel said. "But I just don't know how I'm ever gonna meet anyone as wonderful as Bobby ever again."
"One can only hope." Tony muttered under his breath, earning him a look from Cori who said to her daughter, "Sweetie, there will be lots more boys I'm sure, even better than Bobby Malone."
"You really think so?" Rachel asked, hopefully
"I know so. Now, why don't you go back up to bed and get some sleep. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a long, hard day!"
"Alright. Rachel said turning to hug her father "Goodnight daddy." She said. "Goodnight baby." He whispered back, giving her a quick squeeze. Her mother led her back to the door and kissed her on the forehead before watching her glide back upstairs.