Here's chapter 35 :) I'm really sorry for the long wait. I've been really busy. Last weekend I got a beautiful new baby cousin. :) Hope you enjoy.

x

"All done, baby." Rachel said as she took the bottle away from Ella. She gently lifted Ella up and started patting her back.

Rachel was sitting at the kitchen table. She had just finished giving Ella her morning bottle. Finn walked in, about to leave for work. He was surprised to see Rachel and Ella there. Rachel was dressed and had her hair and make up done.

"You want some breakfast, Rachel?" Finn asked as he started making himself some toast.

Rachel shook her head and smiled. "No thanks. I already had some cereal and a cup of coffee."

Ever since Ella was born, Rachel had changed. In a good way. She was so organised when it came to taking care of Ella. She made sure she had enough diapers, powder and baby food. She had a schedule for times when Ella should be asleep or have her bottle. Rachel always had bottles ready on time.

Finn saw a bag on the table he looked in to see three diapers, a small bottle of powder and a small tube of cream. He also saw a prepared bottle. He looked at his girlfriend who was still patting Ella's back. "Are you going out today?"

Rachel was about to answer when she heard Ella bump. "Good girl. Do you want your binky?" Rachel picked up the pink pacifier up from the table. Ella opened her mouth and waited for Rachel to place the pacifier in her mouth. She turned her attention back to her boyfriend. "I'm going to my dads today."

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Finn asked.

Rachel nodded and watched as Ella held her moms finger. "I have to do it. I don't want to stop them from seeing Ella."

"I just don't want you to get upset." Finn said putting his arm around Rachel.

Rachel smiled and kissed Finn's cheek. "I won't. I just want them to meet Ella."

"You know you just have to call me if you need anything." Finn said before kissing the top of Rachel's head.

Rachel laughed and rolled her eyes. "Stop worrying. I'll be fine."

x

It felt weird going back to her house. Rachel felt like a stranger here, even though this is where she grew up. She got out of her car and took out Ella's carrier. She took a deep breath as she walked to the front door of her old house. She knocked on the door and looked at her daughter. She couldn't even see Ella because she was wrapped up in blankets to keep her warm. The door opened and Rachel saw Leroy there.

"Rachel. Hi."

Rachel smiled. "Hi daddy. Can I come in?"

Leroy nodded and moved to the side so Rachel could walk in. She walked into the living room to see Hiram sitting there, reading the newspaper. Everything was the same sine the night she left.

"Hi dad."

"Hi Rachel." Hiram said back as he put the newspaper down. Straight away he noticed the carrier and Rachel's bump was gone. "You had the baby?"
Rachel smiled and nodded. "I had her four weeks ago. I've been busy so I didn't get a chance to come here yet."

"What did you name her?" Leroy asked as he sat down next to Hiram.

"Ella." Rachel said. "Do you want to see her?"

Both men nodded. They watched as Rachel took the blanket off Ella. She took the straps off and carefully lifted the sleeping baby out of the carrier.

Rachel dressed Ella up since she was going to see Hiram and Leroy. Ella was dressed in a pink dress with white tights and tiny pink shoes. She was also wearing a purple cardigan that Carole's friend made for her.

Rachel put Ella's down on her lap and Ella started to cry. Rachel kissed her head and gently rocked her. "Shh. Mommy's here."

"Rachel, she looks just like you." Hiram said staring at the baby.

Rachel laughed and looked at her daughter. "Everyone says she looks like me."

"She looks just like you did when you were a baby." Hiram said.

Rachel looked at Leroy, who didn't take his eyes off Ella. "Would you like to hold her, daddy?"

"I'd love too." He said. Rachel stood up and gently placed Ella in Leroy's arms.

"She's beautiful." Leroy said. "You know, this feels like the moment I held you for the first time."

"Thank you for letting us see her." Hiram said to his daughter.

"I want you both to be in Ella's life. I want her to grow up knowing who you both are. There's just one thing I want you to do." Rachel said.

"What is it?" Leroy asked.

"I know your angry at me for getting pregnant at sixteen. I want to to treat Ella the same way you would if I had her after I got married. Ella is the best thing that ever happened to me, I don't this teenage pregnancy to have any affect on her."

Hiram looked at Leroy and nodded. "We promise. We're both so sorry we acted the way we did. We will never forgive ourselves for it."
Leroy nodded. "I'm very proud of you Rachel. You handled the pregnancy so well. I can tell your doing a great job with Ella. Is Finn helping?"

Rachel nodded. "Finn has been amazing. When he's not working, he's helping with the baby."
"We just want you to be happy. Are you going to New York?" Leroy asked.

Rachel sighed and shook her head. "Not yet. Right now I'm focusing on Ella."

"Well, me and your father were talking. We have money saved that we want to give to you." Hiram said.

Rachel shook her head. "No. No, I'm not taking money from you."

"Rachel, it's your money." Leroy said calmly. "We saved it for you. We want you to have it. It should be enough to get you started with an apartment."

"Thank you so much." Rachel said with a smile. "I really appreciate it."

Hiram took Rachel's hand. Rachel smiled and moved closer to her fathers and daughter.