A/N: I was writing this at 1:30am when I should be sleeping but... Sshhh! I won't tell if you don't? ;)
(Poppy's POV)
Adam kissed Rachel softly after we got out of the car and hurried off to the kitchen. Phillip sloped off and I made an attempt to but got called back.
"I thought we could go and visit Em tonight?" Rachel suggested
"Whatever" I said
"Don't pretend you don't care because I know you do and that's why you haven't been yet..."
"You say 'visit' like she's gonna be there smiling and happy to see me... But she's not!"
"I know, but you need to go sometime. Let's go together? We'll take her some flowers?" Rachel offered
"If I don't go its like she's on holiday and her phone died or something. If I go...Its just too real..."
"I know but it is real and its important that you face that?"
I sighed. "Guess so"
Rachel smiled and rubbed my arm softly.
"Go and have a good day" She said
The day passed by at its normal, slow boring pace...I really was glad to get out of the place. I met Rachel out by the car, Phillip and Adam decided to walk home so we went straight to the cemetary. Rachel parked up and I climbed out. I had the bouquet of pink and white roses in my hand, but as we reached the grass verge I stopped...I just froze. Rachel stopped and turned to face me.
"I can't do it" I said quietly
Rachel took my hand and squeezed it gently and gave me a reassuring smile.
"Yes you can" She said softly
She pulled me along gently until we reached the graveside. The head stone had been put up, there was a picture of her smiling innocent little face and underneath that, writing.
Emily Mason
Beloved daughter of Rachel and Adam and beloved sister to Poppy. Forever missed but always in our hearts.
Rest In Peace Angel
I bent down and laid the flowers in front of the headstone but I couldn't get up... I just fell apart, being here... Seeing it in black and white just made it all too real and sobs racked from my body uncontrollably. Rachel picked me up off the ground an held me in a tight hug as I cried. It was worse then I ever imagined it would be... It took me a while to calm down but Rachel held me as long as I needed her to.
"I miss you so much Em... I wish you were here, its just not the same without you. I'm sorry its taken me this long to come and I'm sorry I couldn't protect you when you needed me..." I was still sobbing but it was controlled "I'd give anything to swap places with you... Because you didn't deserve any of this... I love you so much... I'm sorry..."
I couldn't take it anymore... I turned around and ran back to the car. After a few more minutes Rachel joined me.
"Are you alright?" She asked
I nodded softly still crying.
"That was the right thing to do you know?" Rachel said
I didn't answer her but, she pulled me back into the tight hug and smoothed my hair gently soothing me. How was I going to last a week without her?
When we arrived home Adam was in the kitchen working on another one of his healthy eating meal things. I followed Rachel in there... Maybe them going away wouldn't be too bad after all? It'd just be me and Phillip... And maybe Finn, which meant take-away all week!
"Have you called Lara yet?" Adam asked
"No, I'll do it in a bit... See if she's free" Rachel replied
"See if she's free for what?" I interrupted
"To come and stay here next week" Rachel said
"What? I don't need a babysitter! I'm 15!" I argued
"That's exactly why you need someone here..." She said
"And you couldn't come up with anyone better than Lara? She's going to psycho-analyse my every move!"
"Did you have someone else in mind?" Adam asked
"Phillip-"
"No" Rachel said simply
"Come on? He's nearly 18! Pleeeeeeease!" I begged
Rachel stood with her hands on her hips, no budging. So I decided to use my cunning ways of trickery and daughterly cuteness... I wrapped my arms around Adam and looked up at him with large puppy dog eyes, fluttering my eyelashes slightly.
"Daaaaddy... Please! I'll be good, I'll do everything Phillip and Mr Byrne say..." I said in a child's voice and fluttered my eyelashes some more
Adam looked at Rachel he'd fallen for my cunning ways and gone completely weak at the knees.
"We could get someone to check in on them a couple of times?" Adam suggested
Rachel sighed softly. "Fine"
I did a little victory dance in the middle of the kitchen.
"Thank you! You won't regret it! I promise!" I said excited
"I'd better not..." Rachel said
I hugged her tightly. "You're the best mum ever!"
I let go and ran upstairs, I had to get planning...