Yesterday was perfect for Alicia, and she felt a hundred times closer to her mother.

She sprang out of bed and rushed downstairs she wanted to tightly hug her mum, just to let her know she appreciated everything that she got yesterday. However, she stopped outside the kitchen, when she heard a mans voice

'Rach I better get going before your girl wakes up, give you a bit if space to tell her about us'

She heard her mum giggle and then it was silent for a moment, Alicia decided to find out what was going on

'What do you need to tell me Mum?'

Alicia had barged into the kitchen, Rachel leapt away from Eddie

'Uhh Alicia this is umm.. Eddie - an old friend of mine'

'What the fuck is he doing here?' Alicia replied

'Alicia watch your mouth' Rachel had decided to be honest 'Eddie stayed the night'

'I best get going, see you later Rach, and lovely to meet you Alicia, you look just like your mother'

Alicia said nothing and just glared at Eddie

'Right then I'll see myself out'

'Eddie thanks for last night I'll call you tonight'

The front door shut and Alicia had now moved her glare onto her mother

'Alicia there's no need to look at me like that'

'Mum you brought a complete stranger into the house, fucked him without even telling me... I have a secret and then you start the fucking Spanish Inquisition to find it out, how is that fair?'

'Alicia language, go to your room and I'll talk to you once you've calmed down'

'Fine' Alicia stomped upstairs

Half an hour later and Rachel decided to confront her daughter

'Alicia it's me, can I come in'

There was no response, Rachel walked in, Alicia was smoking out her window.

'Alicia what have I said about smoking in the house, put it out NOW' Rachel shouted at her daughter

Alicia purposely took a few more drags before doing as she was told

'What?' She asked rudely

'Have you calmed down?'

'Yeah I guess'

'Right well I guess this wasn't the way I had planned in telling you, but Eddie.. Well I know it sounds cony and don't laugh .. But he was the love of my life, truly he was'

Rachel went on to explain what had happened in the past year, between herself, Eddie and Mel.

After the explanation, Alicia gave her opinion on things

'I know I haven't seen Aunty Mel in like years, but I think she's a bloody cow, I feel sorry for Phil, I really do. Don't get me wrong Eddie was nice but it was a bit of a shock mum'

'I know lovely, but you're never usually up so early - I was going to wait till today was over. And as for Mel, I'll be having words later on with her, but whilst she's here - you stay on your best behaviour

'Yes mum' Alicia rolled her eyes 'also mum if Eddie's the love of your life - what did that make Adam'

'Adam was someone who I had very strong feelings for, but looking back it wasn't proper love - oh and stop rolling your eyes'

They both laughed, it seemed to be Rachel's most common phrase lately

Rachel was about to leave when Alicia asked the question she was dreading

'Are gran and grandad ok that you had me when you were a.. You know, hooker? I mean they've never made an effort with me'

'Im sure they'll love you, like I said last night'

Rachel turned away not wanting Alicia to see the worry etched on her face

Melissa and Philip were arriving at 10 and Rachel's parents at 12

It was 9.45 when Alicia got downstairs, she had subtly put her make up on and was wearing a very demure dress

Rachel look impressed, proud that her daughter was making an effort

'You look stunning Alicia'

'Thanks Mum - do you need any help?'

'Can you watch the food whilst I go get ready

Rachel came down shortly, she too had made an effort as this would be the first time in a while she had seen he parents - they hadn't exactly had the most loving relationship

Alicia checked the clock nervously it had gone 10, Rachel noticed

'Dont worry lovely girl,, Melissa's always late for everything'

Alicia just smiled as a reply, she didn't know why she was so nervous, if they didn't like her that was their problem, at the end of the day she had a mum who did finally care for her very much

The door bell finally rang, Alicia opened the door

'Hey sweetie, god you've grown, you look so much like Rach! Where is that mother of yours?'

'Um hi Aunty Melissa, she's in the kitchen'

'Call me Mel honey'

Mel barged right past Alicia to see Rachel, Rachel up on her best fake smile and welcomed her sister.

Alicia was still at the door

'Philip we don't bite you can come in'

'Uh yeah, yeah cool' he muttered nervously

Philip and Alicia had never really spoken at Waterloo road, even though they were cousins they weren't close at all.

They sat in the lounge, Rachel and Mel came in with drinks. The atmosphere inside the room was tensely awkward, both children knew their mums were trying to make conversation but didn't have anything to say

After a torturous hour, the doorbell rang, Alicia looked at her mum for support, but her mother was already stood up, Alicia followed them keeping her distance and stood just behind

Soon an old woman walked into the house, Melissa definitely had her eyes, she was elegantly dressed and the strong smell of perfume engulfed the hall way

Soon everyone was greeting her 'merry Christmas Mum' and 'good to see you Grandma'

The old woman then stood in front of her granddaughter 'wow Rachel, she really is a beautiful young lady, come here pet, give ya grandma a hug'

Alicia was relieved, her grandma was lovely. She had held the girl in a very long and tight embrace and then whispered in her ear 'to make up for the past sodding fifteen years'

A tall man walked through the door, he was frail and had a farmer's cap on , Rachel had informed Alicia that he rarely takes it off apart from when he's sleeping

Again he greeted the rest of the family and then stood in front of Alicia, however unlike her grandmothers smile, he looked at Alicia in disgust

'So you're the hooker's mistake, who's now come back to bleed of her mother's success'

'Ummm' Alicia was completely taken aback

'Dad... Please don't do thi...'

'Shut it Rachel, now girl listen up, don't think I can't see right through you. If you ever cause this family any sort of pain, I will make sure you end up the way your mother did - down a back alley with a man between her legs, the worst thing you did to this family was not being destroyed' he spat the last words at her

For the first time in her life Rachel stood up to her father, she stood in front of him and put protective arms round her daughter 'no dad that wot happen, because I'll be her always protecting her, I'm glad I didn't do what you wished and got rid of her, because Alicia is the best thing that's happened to me. If you even harm a hair on her head, you'll be sorry. Now if you can't see my daughter in any other light - I suggest you leave my house and don't ever think of coming back'

Rachel's mum had now got up and had dragged her husband away to sit down on the sofa, Rachel nodded to Mel indicating to go in as she wanted to talk to her daughter, alone

'Alicia baby, I'm so sorry you were put through that, you don't deserve it. If you don't want him here, I'll make him leave, I completely understand an to be honest I'd agree!'

'No mum it's fine, it's his Christmas too, just give me a moment before I go in'

'Ok lovely girl take as much time as you need'

Rachel went back in the lounge, and glared at her father. 'How dare he come back in and threaten her daughter' she thought to herself

Alicia walked back into the room, her grandparents were give Phil his presents, she watched as he opened them, any other child would feel a pang of jealousy, but Alicia wasn't used to the amount of gifts she'd received yesterday, she hadn't even expected any today

Phil finished opening his presents, and went to hug his grandparents in thanks. To make this less painful for Alicia, Rachel quickly added 'can everyone make their way to the dinner table'

'Hang on hang on deary stop rushing us, Alicia come here' Alicia's grandmother then gave her a jewellery case, inside was a stunning golden bracelet, although quite dusty it still shimmered in the light. It was a simple chain that fastened onto a rectangle, Alicia could just make out text on the rectangle
'Alicia, 6lb 9oz, 06/05/1997'
The present also came with a card
'Grandma it's beautiful thank you, I'll read this later but oh my god, thank you' she wrapped her arms around the old woman's neck, knowing she had another piece of the jigsaw fitted that was missing from her life

The whole family had made their way into the dining room, and Rachel had made a superb lunch. However although she stayed sober, wine had been served to most of the adults, and tempers were beginning to flare and arguments were brewing...

This chapter has been split into two parts, as I'm knackered but I wanted to update it tonight! Hope you like it and second part will hopefully be here today (seeing as it's gone midnight)

Please review and maybe a sneaky favourite? :)