Eeee, thank you soo much for the lovely comments girlies!!

I meant to post the last update in two parts instead of on so sorry about that!

Hope you enjoy this part - tis a bit fluffy! xxx

When the Rains Came

I had no choice so why do I feel so guilty? Watching Kim's face as they took Grace away...I can't begin to imagine the pain she must be going through. I know how it feels to have your world crash around you but this is different. This is a child. When I got home from school this afternoon I couldn't stop thinking about Kim and her daughter. Because that's what Grace is; biologically or not. It dawned on me that the raw hurt she will inevitably feeling could compare to nothing else. I tried to imagine my life without Eddie and Phillip and I couldn't do it. And yet that is what Kim is facing. And she didn't even get a chance to say goodbye.

I'm disappointed with myself. I know that I should have handled the situation with more sensitivity but under the circumstances, if I had done that my professionalism would have been compromised and I probably would have ended up making the situation a hundred times worse for her. After she'd gone I knew I had to do something to help. I know Kim; I admire and respect her both as a collegue and a friend and she wouldn't have taken Grace; to have risked everything without a good reason. She loves that child unconditionally and she is being punished for it. It doesn't seem right and that is why I have got her a Lawyer.

Everything that has happened today...it's made me think about things. About what I want and more importantly what I need. Children have always been something which happened to everyone else. But do you know what? I think I want it to happen to me. I'm envious of what Kim has with Grace. Oh God, I cannot believe how awful that sounds but in a way it is true. The bond between them will always be there even if they are lifetimes apart.

If today has taught me anything it is that life's too short. It's too short to live by your regrets; trying desperately to amend them. What is the saying? Je ne pas regrettes. I have no regrets. Seems like a good rule to live your life by.

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As they leave the pub, she feels his hand slip into her own. She always finds this strangely comforting; the way his fingers lace between her own and his thumb gently circles her own.

"What you thinking about?"

Rachel looks up at him and half smiles. "Nothing really."

"Rach?"

"I'm thinking about Kim. And Grace."

"That's why you've been so quiet this evening."

"Yeah. I'm sorry about that."

"Don't be sorry. It's a hell of a lot to take in."

"Tell me about it."

"Don't beat yourself up over it though. You've got onto that Lawyer; you're helping all you can."

"I know that but..."

"But you still think you could've done more?" He stops and forces her to turn and face him. With his free hand, he tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and studies her for a moment before bringing his forehead to rest on her own. She can feel his warm breath on her face and her heart soars. "You can spend your life trying to help people Rach, but sometimes they can't be helped. As much as I know you wish you could; you can't save everyone."

"I know that. Doesn't make it any easier though."

His hand moves from her hair downwards to cup her cheek which he gently caresses. "See, that's exactly what I love about you."

"What?"

"You don't give in."

She stares at him questioningly. "I'm not sure I – "

"You're selfless. You're so concerned about everyone else's happiness which is amazing. But there is a slight problem with that sometimes."

"Like what?"

"You forget to concentrate on what makes you happy. Putting people first...you're a much better person than I am Rach but just for once, put yourself first, ok?"

"But-"

"No buts. Starting from this moment, we are going to spend the evening not talking about work and do whatever makes you happy, ok?"

"Well..."

"Ok?"

Her mouth relaxes into a smile as his lips move slowly towards hers. "Ok then."

"Good."

"Good."

"So what's first on the agenda?"

"A walk?"

"Sounds good. There's just something I need to do first." He brushes his lips tantalisingly over hers.

She moves her head away slightly and bites her lip. "Really? I wonder what that could be? I wonder if you mean this." She reaches up on her tiptoes; placing a firm kiss on his lips. He responds and she feels his hand slipping under the hem of her shirt; his fingers gently circling the small of her back. Waves of longing rush through her and she pulls him closer to her; kissing him with force. Eventually, he pulls away breathing heavily and she smiles warmly at him. "Y'know what?"

"What?"

"I think that did the trick."

"How do you mean?"

"Well, I didn't think about anything for ooh...a minute!"

"So what are you saying?"

"What I'm saying Mr Lawson..." She moves closer so that she can whisper in his ear. "Is that I think I know what I want to do for the rest of the evening..." She breathes in his familiar scent as he chuckles.

"Well seeing as my aim for the evening is to make sure you're happy, maybe we should skip the walk?"