Two days later...

It was the afternoon of Christmas Eve. Rachel, Eddie and Philip had spent a lovely morning wandering around Manchester Christmas Market. Having never been to a Christmas Market before and having nothing to fill their morning with, they decided to do something together as a family to get them into the Christmas mood. It had been a good decision. All three of them had loved every minute.

The Christmas Market was a magical experience. The streets were laden with vibrantly decorated, colourful, timber framed stalls, filled with a variety of unique gifts, including: wooden toys, candles, handmade soaps and jewellery. There was more food and drink stalls than they could believe, offering mulled wine, hot chocolates, Gin, Cheese, Wine, Crepes, Fudge and Korean hot dogs.

Christmas songs echoed across the city. The smell of roasted chestnuts wafted through the air as they'd strolled along, sipping on their hot chocolates. They had enjoyed it so much, spending time together as a family, laughing and joking as they walked along the fairy-tale like streets. It was definitely going to be a Christmas tradition for them in the future.

Now, it was the afternoon. A Christmas film was playing on the TV as Eddie and Rachel placed the final decorations on the Christmas Tree. Well, actually, Rachel was doing it all. Eddie had been banned from touching it, because he was (to quote Rachel's exact words), "Doing it wrong". According to Rachel, he was placing the baubles and lights in random places, making it look dishevelled and untidy. Eventually, she had pushed him to one side, completely taking over to do it the "Right way". Even though Eddie knew Rachel was a perfectionist in most aspects of her life, he never thought it would include Christmas!

Putting up and decorating a Christmas Tree was unfamiliar territory for Rachel. She hadn't had a Christmas Tree since she was a child. Every Christmas for the last twenty years, she had been alone with no one to celebrate with. She just hadn't seen the point in putting up decorations or doing any of the Christmas traditions everyone else did. Eddie had been determined to change that this year. It was why he'd bought the tree yesterday.

Rachel couldn't deny it, she was grateful Eddie had gone and bought one. She had been sceptical at first, but had come round to the idea the second she had seen it sitting in the back of Eddie's car. It was one of many signs of just how much her life was changing for the better. This year, she wouldn't be celebrating Christmas alone. For the first time in decades, she had not only a partner to share Christmas with, but a Nephew too. She couldn't quite believe her luck.

Despite being pushed out by Rachel, Eddie couldn't help but smile as he watched her carefully pick and choose the placements of the baubles in relation to the lights. It was nice to see her enjoying herself. He hadn't been too sure about how buying a Christmas Tree would go down with her, but it seemed to have been a good decision.

"Can you hand me those two red ones, please?" she requested, pointing to two of the baubles in the box closest to him

Eddie complied, passing them to her carefully.

"You shouldn't be on that step ladder!" he huffed

Rachel rolled her eyes at him, placing a hand on her still flat stomach as she reached over to place one of the baubles onto a branch.

"Eddie, I'm pregnant, I don't have a broken leg!" she pointed out

"I don't care! Come down before you hurt yourself or give me a heart attack!" he argued

"Eddie, relax, it's perfectly safe! I've nearly finished anyway" she reassured

Eddie scoffed. There was no way he was going to get her to come down; she would refuse to until she was finished. All he could do was stand as close to the stepladder as he could, so he could catch her if she lost her balance.

"Well, just be careful, alright" he grumbled

Rachel smiled, placing the final red bauble on the tree.

"What do you think?" she asked him, checking the tree over to make sure it was perfect

To say she hadn't had Christmas Tree in her teen or adult years, Eddie had to admit, she'd done a good job. The tree looked great. It was sparkling with multi-coloured lights and red and green baubles. A gold star was sitting at the top, pride of place.

"It looks lovely, Rach. Now, please, come down before you fall down!" he chuckled

Rachel rolled her eyes playfully, taking his hand as she descended down the stepladder carefully.

Once she was safely on the ground, she felt Eddie's arms snaking around her waist from behind her, his head coming to rest on her shoulder. She sighed contentedly as she leant back into him, gazing at the Christmas Tree.

"Hmm, it looks good, don't you think?" she asked him

"Almost as good as you" he whispered playfully, kissing her neck

Rachel giggled, pushing him off.

Eddie smirked, placing a kiss in her hair. Now was probably the best moment to give her two of the gifts he had bought for her yesterday. One was to go on the tree and the other was one that he wanted to give to her when they were alone. With Philip upstairs in his room, he figured it was the perfect time.

"I think it's missing something though" he added

"Yeah?" she replied, raising an eyebrow

Eddie nodded.

"Maybe this will help"

She watched as he pulled a medium-sized navy blue box out from behind the sofa. Her brow furrowed when he passed it to her, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Open it" he instructed softly

Her curiosity stopped her from questioning him. She lifted the lid of the box, removing the gold tissue paper carefully.

Inside the box was a bauble. Rachel lifted it out carefully to get a closer look. This wasn't just any bauble. It had a photo inside. She smiled as she realised what it was. The tiny, blob-shaped baby sat pride of place in the centre of the circular glass frame. At the top of the picture, in gold lettering were the words: "Baby Lawson- July 2010". Rachel smiled. Her heart fluttered as she looked over to Eddie, who was grinning sheepishly.

"It's perfect, Eddie" she told him

"Now you just have to find somewhere on the tree to hang it" he chuckled

"You pick" she instructed, handing him the bauble

"Just don't put it on the back of the tree where we can't see it!" she added, smirking

Eddie laughed, wandering over to the tree. After a few minutes of contemplating, he chose to hang it on the right hand side of the tree, in the middle. He looked over to Rachel once he'd finished, sighing in relief when she nodded in approval.

He moved back to stand next to her again, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"Our lives are going to be so different next year" she whispered

"I know, there'll be a mini-you or a mini-me running around" he chuckled

Rachel smiled at the thought, placing a hand on her stomach. This time next year, they would have a five month old who would be experiencing their first Christmas. It was the first of many magical milestones with their little one that she, as a Mother, couldn't wait to experience.

"That reminds me" Eddie added, taking a small, black gift box out of his pocket and offering it to her

She frowned at him again, demanding an explanation with a simple look.

"Someone very special asked me to give this to you" he told her

She eyed him suspiciously as she took the box from him. His smile didn't waver as he watched her in anticipation.

Slowly, she flipped open the lid of the box. Her breath hitched in her throat.

A gorgeous, sterling silver necklace was staring back at her. Two interlinked hearts were placed delicately in the centre of the chain, embellished with glittering, cubic zirconia stones.

Inside the lid of the box, was a poem:

"I'm tucked up in here,

Inside your tummy,

You're going to be the very best Mummy.

It's safe and warm inside your tummy,

I really can't wait to meet you, Mummy.

I don't mean to make you sick all the time,

I know you hate not being able to have cheese or drink wine.

You've had your first can,

Now it's time to wait,

I promise I'll try not to be late!

I can't wait till we meet,

My beautiful Mummy,

I'll see you soon when I leave your tummy!

Love from,

Your little one"

Rachel instinctively placed a hand on her stomach, her eyes glistening with tears. She was overwhelmed with love, for Eddie and for her baby. It was one of the most beautiful and heartfelt gifts she had ever received. The interlocked hearts were a symbol of never-ending love, an unbreakable bond between two souls. She had already formed those connections with her little one. She'd loved them from the second she'd found out she was pregnant, and she was sure she would love them until the day she died. Their bond was currently a seedling, growing slowly and steadily. In time, it would grow into a beautiful flower that would withstand the tests of time. The necklace wouldn't have symbolism to anyone else, but it always would for her. It was a secret connection between her and the baby growing inside her.

"Oh, Eddie, I love it, thank you!" she breathed

"What for? Our little one left it for you, I did nothing!" he shrugged innocently, wrapping the necklace around her neck

Rachel giggled, rolling her eyes playfully. She turned to him, snaking her arms around his neck as she pulled him into a passionate kiss.

"I love you" she whispered, once they'd pulled apart

"I love you too" he told her, placing his hands on her waist gently

"Why don't we make dinner and then watch a Christmas movie?" she suggested

"Ok, what do you want for dinner?" he asked

Rachel thought for a moment. If she was honest, she hadn't planned that far ahead!

"I... don't know"

"I can make curry? We bought all the stuff for it" he suggested

"Perfect" she nodded

Eddie smiled.

"I'll sort it, you sit down and put your feet up, yeah?" he told her

"No, I'll come and help you" she insisted

"Rach, I think you can trust me NOT to blow up the kitchen now!" he pointed out

Rachel laughed.

"No, it isn't that. I just want to help" she shrugged

"You can help by sitting down and deciding what Christmas movie we should watch"

Rachel rolled her eyes.

"Fine. I'm going to go and check on Philip first though. He's been up in his room for a while" she decided

Eddie nodded, making his way into the kitchen as Rachel climbed the stairs to Philip's room.

She was surprised to see that his door was open. He was sat on his bed, fidgeting as he stared blankly at the wall. When she knocked gently on the door, he jumped, his head shooting over to her.

"Eddie is making dinner and then we're going to watch a film. Do you want to come and help me pick one?" she asked gently

"Sure" Philip nodded, picking at the sheets of the bed with his fingers

Rachel immediately knew something was wrong. Whenever Philip was upset, uncomfortable, angry, or scared, he went into his shell, just as he was doing now. Philip struggled with emotions. He struggled with feeling them, understanding them and processing them. He always went quiet when he was struggling. She hadn't seen him act like this for a while though.

Over the last couple of months that he had been living with her and Eddie, he had changed dramatically. If anything was bothering him, he spoke to her or Eddie. He didn't hide away like he used to. The fact that he was doing it now was worrying her. She needed to know why, she was his guardian after all, and she cared about him and wanted to help. Whether he could tell her what was wrong was a different matter.

She stepped into the room, closing the door behind her.

"Is everything ok?" she asked him gently

Philip nodded quietly.

"Are you sure?" she checked

"I... I don't... I don't know" he mumbled shakily

Rachel sat down on the bed next to him.

"What's going on? Hm? Talk to me" she asked, her voice soft and calm

"You'll tell me I'm being stupid" he huffed

"I won't, Philip. You're upset, I want to help if I can" she reassured

Philip sighed.

"I've just been... thinking about Mum" he blurted

Rachel nodded quietly. She wondered when this conversation would come up, and she wasn't surprised that it was happening now. It was Christmas, Christmas was a time for family. Melissa had abandoned Philip; this was his first Christmas without her. She had been a little concerned about how he would deal with it, but he seemed to be doing ok, until now.

If she was honest, she really didn't want to talk about Melissa. She had managed to shove her to the back of her mind over the last couple of months and hadn't given her a second thought. She despised her little sister for the way she had treated Philip. For her lies, cruelty and neglect. Melissa was her sister, but she wanted nothing to do with her.

But Philip was hurting, and she wasn't going to walk away when he needed someone. So she remained sat on the bed, waiting for him to elaborate further.

"I don't... I don't miss her, not at all. I mean, she was horrible to me for years. And I'm so happy here with you and Eddie. But, it's just the not knowing where she is. I feel like I shouldn't care, but I just want to know she's alright" he explained

Rachel nodded. She did understand where Philip was coming from. The relationship between Mother and child was incredibly complex. Even if you had fallen out, you still cared in some way. She wasn't sure that applied to Melissa, but Philip had a kind and caring nature to him, he wasn't selfish and cold like his Mother. That was why, after everything his Mother had done, he was still worried about her. The fact that he cared so much was both a blessing and a curse. She knew from experience.

"Has she been in touch with you?" she asked, already knowing the answer

Philip shook his head.

"I've not heard anything from her" he replied, sighing heavily

"Do you want to contact her? You could always send her a text" she suggested

"I don't think she deserves it" he shrugged

Rachel nodded. He was right, she didn't deserve it. Not after what she'd done.

"I won't say I disagree with you, Philip. You're right, she doesn't deserve that, not after the way she treated you. But I also know you're worried"

"I don't want anything to do with her, I know that much. But I... I just want to know she's ok. But how do I do that without getting in touch with her?" he rambled

Rachel didn't have an answer for him that would be helpful. In order to know Melissa was ok, he would have to contact her. And there was no guarantee she would even reply anyway. Melissa had (as far as they were aware) gone abroad. She hadn't left a note to say where she was going. In Rachel's view, she was doing it for attention, so they would deliberately come looking or send out a search party. If Philip did text her, he'd be playing right into her hands. But, at the end of the day, it was his choice and she wasn't going to influence him in anyway.

"I just don't know what to do for the best" he added

"Why don't you have a think about it, hm? You don't have to make a decision now. Give yourself some time and have a think about whether you want to contact her or not. If you do, that's fine, if you don't, that's fine too. Eddie and I will support you whatever you decide"

Philip nodded quietly.

"Come on, change into your pyjamas and help me pick a Christmas film" she added, squeezing his hand gently

"Thanks, Rach"

Rachel smiled, leaving his room.

Once she'd changed into her pyjamas, she headed downstairs and into the kitchen. The smell of curry whacked her in the face, making her stomach grumble. She smiled, watching Eddie cooking away, in a world of his own. She felt her heart warm with gratitude. Aside from the baby growing inside her, having Eddie Lawson in her life was the best thing that had ever happened to her. She didn't need any Christmas presents, she had everything she wanted right here in front of her.

"Pyjama party again?" Eddie asked, pulling her from her thoughts

Rachel giggled as she nodded.

"Good job I'm already wearing mine then, isn't it?" he chuckled, pointing to his dressing gown

"It is" she smiled, wrapping her arms around his middle

"Go and sit down" he told her gently

"Can't I stay here with you?" she mumbled contentedly

"I would rather you go and pick a film to watch" he told her

"Is that code for 'go and sit down'?" she asked playfully

"Yes" he nodded, pecking her on the lips

"I'll make it up to you with cuddles on the sofa later" he whispered

She smiled.

"Fine. I'm holding you to that though, Lawson" she sighed, leaving the kitchen to join Philip in the living room