Well, what a few days it has been! Last Tuesday I finally managed to make it to London, where I met up with my friend. Our other friend had already gotten a flight to Spain, where we joined her about two days later. Having a ball! Currently, I'm at a ski resort a way out of Madrid, and loving it!

As for back home, disaster has struck. Massive storms have caused all sorts of damage, and my precious pup Ruby has runaway. I hope they find her soon. But it's such a mess there apparently.

Anyway, thanks to my two loyal reviewers; you know who you are. And again, these ads on this website are driving me insane... They pop up all the time!

****

Rafter House, 2 weeks later

"I'm not sure if anyone else is home," said Rachel over her shoulder to Jake as she pushed open the front door to the Rafter house. Her key got stuck in the door, and yanked her back as she attempted to walk back in the door with her suitcase. Jake laughed, and took it out of the lock for her, handing it to her over her shoulder.

"Well, home sweet home," said Jake, walking a step behind Rachel as she walked up the hall, peeking into the empty kitchen as she walked towards her room.

"Feels weird to be back here," laughed Rachel. "I've been away a while!"

"Well you could have stayed..." was Jake's reply.

"Aww... You would have gotten sick of me," laughed Rachel, standing on tiptoes and giving him a quick kiss, before lifting the suitcase onto the familiar bed. She turned and walked back out of the bedroom door, back into the hallway with Jake one step ahead of her. "Where is everyone?" They got their answer as they walked past the window, and heard voices from out the back.

Rachel and Jake headed for the backyard, stepping out to see Julie, Ted, Chel and Nathan sitting around the table, Dave by the barbeque. Meanwhile, Carbo and Ben were attempting to show Sammy the finer parts of football. Melissa was also involved, telling Sammy to ignore half of their comments and suggestions.

"Hey guys!" called out Rachel, as she stepped past Jake and walked towards Julie.

"Hi darling!" cooed Julie, reaching up with her arms to hug her daughter. "Hi Jake."

"Hi Jules," Jake replied politely as Rachel sat down next to Julie.

"And how's my baby sister doing?" asked Rachel, resting her hand on her Mum's belly. Jake sat down on the other side of Rachel.

"Oi! We're getting a brother!" called out Ben. They laughed.

"Shut up big ears! It's a sister," was Rachel's indignant reply.

"Alright then, put your money where your mouth is Rachel," said Nathan, as he walked slowly back to the table. "If it's a boy, you give Ben and I $10 each."

"And if I win?" asked Rachel, a devilish smile on her face. Julie couldn't help but smile at the banter between her children, having missed the interaction between them whilst Rachel had been away.

"We'll give you $10 each," replied Ben, stepping up to where Nathan was, trying to create a united front.

"Alright, done!" declared Rachel, standing up to shake hands with her brothers. "Don't cry when you lose!"

"Puh-lease... Like we're going to lose!" snorted Ben, before turning back to the football game.

"So Jake, how are you going?" asked Julie, turning to face the man in question as Rachel moved back to her seat between them.

"Better, much better," replied Jake. "Mum's still struggling a bit."

"I can't imagine," said Julie. "Tell her to let us know if she needs anything." Julie was interrupted from saying more when Rachel came and stuck her head flat against Julie's belly, as if trying to listen to any noises her new sibling would make. Jake just watched her and smiled.

Rafter House, 9.30pm

"That was beautiful Julie," Jake spoke up, having finished dinner with the Rafters, plus the honourary Rafters. "But I think it's time I should be getting home."

"You can just stay here," hinted Rachel. Jake laughed. 'Slow' he mouthed to her, before speaking up.

"No Rach. It's fine. I can get a cab."

"Don't be stupid. I'll drive you home," said Rachel. "Come on then." She grabbed her keys from the bench near the fridge. She headed out, while Jake bid his farewells.

Heading outside, Rachel was about to get into the driver's seat, when Jake stopped her.

"Can I drive? Please?" he begged. Rachel laughed. It was obvious being cooped for the past few weeks had bored him.

"Already? You want to drive already?

"Rachel, I've got to sometime. And I'm fine now. It's been a long few weeks, and I've done a lot of healing. Now I'm all better!"

"You sound like a five year old," teased Rachel, tossing the keys to him. Although she was a slight reluctant, she figured it would be alright. They didn't have to drive too far anyway.

"I forgot how much of a toy your car is," groaned Jake as he slid down into the driver's seat of Rachel's little red Beetle.

"Hey!" was Rachel's reply from the passenger seat, thumping him on the arm. "You want to drive my car, don't diss it."

"Don't hurt me! I'm injured!" retorted Jake, motioning to where she had just punched him.

"Well, in that case, you shouldn't be driving," Rachel said back. Jake rolled his eyes in defeat. He started the car before she could kick him out.

"But you're too slow..."

Their banter continued most of the way home. But it wasn't angry. It may have been heated, but it was all in fun. Just the way they wanted it.

Next day, Rafter House, 10.30am

Rachel came out of her bedroom after everyone had gone to work. It had felt a little different being back in her bed again. She had one more day before she was due back at work. So she planned to relax today, a way to unwind after the few weeks she had just been through.

"I'll have one," pipes up Julie as she walks into the kitchen. Leaning with her back against the bench near the sink, Rachel looked over her shoulder to what her Mum was pointing at; the kettle.

"Sure," replied Rachel, instantly turning around to take another mug from the top cupboard, placing a tea bag in it from the jar.

"So, how was your bed?" asked Julie, sitting down nearby.

"I've only slept in it for how many years?" said Rachel matter-of-factly.

"Oh very funny," was Julie's sarcastic reply.

"I know what you mean. It was fine," smiled Rachel. She sighed. "That was a long few weeks."

"Do you regret it?" asked Julie, looking up at her eldest, and only daughter.

"Of course not!" Rachel was quick to reply. "I'm just saying..."

"What you did Rachel. Not many people would have done. It would have been tough and difficult to deal with. You should be proud with how you've handled yourself; I know we are," said Julie honestly. It made Rachel smile.

"Thanks Mum," said Rachel, placing the cup in front of her Mum and giving her a kiss on the cheek, before leaving the kitchen.

Road somewhere, 11am

As Rachel drove along the road, absentmindedly tapping her fingers on the Volkswagen's steering wheel to the tune on the radio, she was thinking about Jake. If she was honest with herself, she'd probably say that Jake had been the only thing she'd thought much about recently. But then again, who could really blame her? She'd seen the darker days, she'd seen the positives. Rachel was still wondering how she'd made it through those weeks.

At the beginning, it had all seemed too much. Rachel had felt suffocated by all the news of what had happened. She had thought she wouldn't be able to cope.

But as time had gone on, Rachel had realised that she was able to get there. Freaking out wasn't the solution; taking things as they came, one day at a time had helped. Panicking wouldn't help her, or those she had helped.

Another feeling that Rachel had been feeling, was uneasiness. A sure sign of just how much she cared for Jake, she had worried about leaving him when she returned home. He'd always been the one to care for his family and make sure they were all okay. And Rachel knew very well that being in an accident wouldn't have stopped his natural instincts. And if he had to, he'd hurt himself to do it. Jake would bend-over-backwards for his family.

Worry. Rachel plain out worried. She had tried to ignore it, telling herself that he's a big boy who could look after himself. But she couldn't help it. And it really was revealing the deep depths of her affection for Jake.

Rachel was only broken out of her trance as she heard a horn blare. Snapping out of her thoughts, Rachel noticed she had been completely oblivious to the traffic and road rules, driving straight through a stop sign.

Shaking her head, she pulled the car off to the side of the road and sat, thinking. He wasn't even here but look at what Jake had the ability to do to her! Whether or not Jake reciprocated the feelings she had, Rachel didn't know. But only time would tell.

****

There we go... Another one done. Updates are uncertain (as to when) so keep reviewing please. Be thankful it didn't take me long to update this time!

Thanks again,

Emma x x