"You ought to get that looked at, it looks sore" she sighed, looking at his bruised and bloody hand
"It was worth it. You have no idea how long I've been wanting to do that, Rach!"he chuckled
She giggled
"Go and get it sorted. I want to talk to Kim" she insisted
Eddie nodded, kissing his daughter gently before catching Rachel's lips with his own. She smiled, butterflies erupting in her stomach. She'd never get tired of that feeling she got when she kissed him.
He stood up, heading out of the room, leaving Rachel and Kim to talk.
"She's gorgeous, Rachel" Kim complimented, looking at the tiny baby in Rachel's arms
Rachel smiled
"Rachel, I want to apologise. I've been an awful friend to you the last few months. I should have known about Max. It's all my fault" Kim blurted, her eyes filling with tears
"Kim, it's not your fault, none of this is. I'm not angry with you, I understand. You loved him, unfortunately you can't help who you fall in love with" Rachel shrugged, squeezing Kim's hand reassuringly
"I knew deep down you were right. But I just… needed it to not be true" Kim sighed
Rachel stared at her questioningly
"I'm pregnant" she admitted
"Oh Kim" Rachel sighed
Kim nodded. Her life had turned upside down all in one day.
"How do you feel about it?" Rachel asked
"Scared, overwhelmed… maybe happy… eventually" she shrugged
"You're keeping the baby then?" Rachel checked
Kim nodded, smiling weakly
Rachel smiled. There was no doubt in her mind that Kim couldn't do this.
"You'll be a great Mum, Kim" she smiled
"I'm not so sure about that. I'm scared out of my mind" Kim admitted, a tear rolling down her cheek
"Don't be, Kim. You can do this. I was scared when I found out I was pregnant with this little one, and I had Eddie by my side. I was terrified. But trust me, once you see them for the first time on that little ultrasound screen, when you hold them in your arms for the first time, that fear melts away" Rachel reassured
"Trust me, this will be the best thing that ever happened to you" she added, smiling
"Maybe you're right" Kim nodded, smiling
"And you won't be on your own. I'll be here for you, every step of the way. If there's anything I can do to help, tell me. You're not going through this alone"
"You don't have to do that, Rachel"
"I know. But I want to. You're my friend, Kim"
Kim smiled, wrapping Rachel into a hug.
They pulled apart after a minute or two, admiring the baby girl in Rachel's arms. She was sleeping peacefully. Kim smiled as the tiny little girl grabbed her finger, holding onto it tightly.
"Do you want to hold her?" Rachel offered
"I'd love to" Kim nodded
Rachel carefully passed the baby to Kim, who took her into her arms. She really was beautiful, almost a mirror image of Rachel.
"Hello little one" she whispered
At that moment, Eddie snuck back into the room, sitting beside Rachel on the bed again, watching Kim react with the baby. Rachel noticed the ice pack on his hand.
"Everything ok?" She whispered to him
"Fine, just bruised" Eddie nodded
Rachel nodded, laying her head on his shoulder.
"Does this little one have a name yet?" Kim asked, rocking the newborn gently in her arms
Rachel looked to Eddie. Since they had chosen to keep the gender of the baby a surprise, they had settled on a name for a boy and a girl a few weeks ago. Rachel wanted confirmation from Eddie that he was happy with the name they'd picked.
Eddie nodded at her encouragingly
"Her name is Amelia" Rachel announced
Kim smiled down at the little girl. The name suited her perfectly.
She passed her back to Rachel, who gladly held her arms out for her. Eddie kissed Amelia's forehead gently as she slept. As she leaned back into Eddie, her daughter in her arms, she smiled.
Everything was perfect.