Thank you so much for the reviews guys, I appreciate them so much!

Thanks also to all my readers, wouldn't have finished this had it not been for you guys.

Now, I'm not gonna lie, you weren't supposed to be getting this until later this week. However, I woke up on Saturday feeling super inspired and thought I'd give it a go. So, here it is.

Shall we check in with the new Mr and Mrs Lawson? Yeah, let's do that!

x

Chapter Five: Happiness Looks Good On You

"You look happy," Eddie stated as they walked hand-in-hand along Mullins beach, still in their wedding attire.

Rachel stopped, Eddie followed suit, "that's because I am."

He smiled at his wife's admission, "it looks good on you, happiness."

She turned away, glancing at the platinum band upon her left hand, "didn't know it was possible to be this happy."

Eddie spun her around, meeting her gaze. "Rach, you've been through a lot and deserve all the happiness, perhaps more than most. As your husband, I have to give you that, and I won't let you down."

His words had Rachel tearing up once more. He wiped them away, receiving a smile before she rose to kiss his cheek. Upon pulling back, the newlyweds carried on walking. "Can I tell you something?" Eddie queried a short while later.

"Hope so," Rachel replied, "we're married now."

"Taking into account all we've been through to get to this point, I consider you my one in seven billion."

Again, Rachel stopped, bringing Eddie to a halt too, "you don't really believe all that nonsense about soulmates."

"I didn't, before meeting you."

Rachel's brow creased in confusion, "how did you come to that conclusion?"

"Remember the night I stayed over after we got engaged?" Eddie started, Rachel nodded but remained silent. "When I drove back the next morning, the radio was on, and they played this song called Nine Million Bicycles. There was one line in particular that made me think of you."

Rachel nodded, "I know the song, which line?"

"'There are six billion people in the world, more or less, and it makes me feel quite small, but you're the one I love the most of all.'"

Rachel tried valiantly to swallow the lump in her throat as the lyrics hammered home the actual depth of Eddie's feelings. Sure, she knew he loved her; he'd chased her and not the other way round. However, she never would have guessed that Eddie thought of her as 'the one'. With her past, Rachel never imagined that someone would look at her and think, 'you're the one.' Eddie had, though, and it made her heart swell more than anything. "I can't believe you chose me," she responded.

In response, Eddie pulled his bride closer, "whatever obstacles come our way from this day onwards, we face them together. And I promise Rach, I will always choose you. As I hope you will always choose me."

Rachel pulled back, studying her husband's handsome face before stroking a hand across his cheek, "course."

He grinned before pressing a kiss to Rachel's lips; a kiss which she then deepened upon entangling her fingers in his hair. A peal of laughter from a scant distance away brought the newlyweds back to the present. They spun around, watching as a little boy squealed with laughter after his Dad dipped his toes into the water. Rachel presumed the small boy was a twin, as another boy of a similar age joined them moments later. Eddie stiffened next to her, and she sensed his head was elsewhere. Perhaps wondering how things might have been if Stephen lived longer. Rachel gave Eddie's arm an affectionate squeeze. "That could be us in the future," she muttered.

He smiled before re-focussing, "is that what you want?"

"Marriage isn't settling on what I want or what you want. It's deciding about what we want as a partnership. I've always wanted kids, but I've never been content enough in a relationship to bring it up. After Stephen, I'd understand if you didn't want to go there again. What I'm saying is, I'm not getting any younger, so maybe it's something we should discuss sooner rather than later."

Eddie started walking again, putting some distance between himself and Rachel and the family playing at the waters' edge. "Rach, I won't discount it. Perhaps we should just enjoy being newlyweds for now. Pick this discussion up another time. It's not like we've been together for months or even years. Let's just enjoy being Mr and Mrs Lawson for a bit before we decide to bring a Baby Lawson into the world. It's not a no Rach, let's say not yet."

Rachel nodded. "Perhaps we can talk about it again during the summer holidays?" she suggested.

"Yeah, why not?"

Rachel grinned before stopping again, "where now? Back to the hotel, or carry on walking?"

"If you want to carry on walking, do so. And I will follow because, Mrs Lawson, I'd follow you to the very ends of the Earth."

Rachel beamed, knowing she'd never tire of being addressed that way, "same, Mr Lawson."

Eddie glanced across, grinning from ear to ear as he decided for both of them. "Let's get back to the hotel, I've a sudden urge to make love to my beautiful bride."

Rachel's cheeks flushed, "Eddie!"

"Have I mentioned your radiant beauty today?" he questioned, ignoring Rachel's attempt at chastisement.

"Yes, several times."

"Well, I'll repeat it. You're so beautiful, Rach, and I can't believe you're mine.

"Better do. You're stuck with me for the rest of your life."

Eddie did not see that as a hardship at all, "I added another point to the list of reasons why I love you today," he suddenly announced.

"Oh yeah, care to share?"

"You married me."

At that point, Rachel wasn't sure the smile would ever leave her face.

"I'll show you mine if you show me yours," Eddie said, placing a kiss in Rachel's hair and dropping into the rattan chaise beside her on their private, covered terrace.

He smothered a chuckle as Rachel looked over, confusion etched into her features, "I hope that's not a euphemism for something else."

Eddie laughed, "no euphemism, the letters. Who's going first?"

"Should be ladies first, shouldn't it?"

"To give or receive?"

Rachel smirked, rolling her eyes as if the answer was obvious, "receive, obviously."

Eddie somehow sensed that would be the answer Rachel gave, so had his letter ready. She rose, then moved to obscure Eddie's view. He couldn't refrain from staring at his beautiful wife; the satin and lace chemise she wore clung in all the right places. Thankfully, they were past the point where Rachel would worry about displaying the scar upon her chest. It was a mark of who she was, the price she paid for trying to save the life of someone who made her life hell. "Tell you what," she murmured, leaning in close, "I'll dig mine out, you open the complimentary bottle of champagne."

Eddie nodded, and Rachel left him to it. Soon, she disappeared from view, and he opened the bottle.

Rachel soon re-emerged. Two flutes stood half-full upon the table. She placed an envelope marked with Eddie's name against one. The man himself re-appeared moments later. He got comfortable before Rachel dropped onto the rattan chaise beside him. Eddie brought Rachel into his side before handing over the letter. An excitement that followed Rachel through the day filled her. She tore open the envelope before reading Eddie's words.

Dear Rachel,

By the time you read this, you'll be my wife. Mrs Lawson. I wish we'd got to this point sooner, had we not had all the downs, maybe we would have. Can't change what happened though, we're here now, that's all that matters.

I felt something for you when we were first introduced. Whether that was annoyance at you swooping in and taking the job promised by the governors, I couldn't say. I'm so relieved we got over the initial animosity and forged an excellent working relationship, which then spilt over.

The promises I make at the service don't even scratch the surface. Rach, I promise to be worth it; worth the time, the trip, energy and embarrassment. Most of all though darling, I promise to always be worth your love. I promise you'll always count; I promise to put you first always, and if that doesn't happen, I'll endeavour to find ways of making it up to you.

Rachel, meeting you was fate; there's no two ways about it. When we met, I wasn't looking for love. You walked into my life and proved what people say about finding love in unexpected places, 'you don't find love, it finds you'; I understand that now. There's an ancient Chinese belief I read about online. An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle but will never break. Sounds soppy, I know, but that's how I feel.

Let me be the shoulder you lean on for support, the safe haven where you seek solace at the toughest times. Let me be the great love of your life.

Rach, this is me choosing you over all others. Choosing you to share happiness with, care for, and grow with. This is me, choosing to love you forever.

Always yours,

Eddie xx

Rachel finished, tears prickling upon turning to her husband, "you really are the soppiest so-and-so."

"Only with you."

Rachel smiled, leaning in to kiss him, "what am I going to do with you, eh?"

Eddie kissed her back, a grin forming as she spoke, "I have a list but promise me one thing."

"Anything."

"Never tell Alison the lengths I went to, to woo you."

"Consider it done."

Eddie grinned, kissing her once more before pulling back, "do I get my letter now?"

She nodded, pointing it out to him; he rose to retrieve it, draping an arm around Rachel's shoulder as he settled in the chaise once more. Once he'd opened the envelope, he read:

Dear Eddie,

By the time you read this, you'll be my husband. I'll be Mrs Lawson. If you'd said to me on the day we met that this would happen a year and a half later, I'd have asked what you'd been smoking! We didn't get on in those first few weeks, did we? I'm so glad we found some common ground which allowed our professional relationship to flourish. I guess it helped our personal connection too.

Eddie, I used to be afraid of falling in love, of giving my heart to someone else. Because of my past, I didn't think I'd ever trust that someone would love me for who I am, flaws and all. Never thought I'd meet someone who could give me all I ever wanted and do the same in return. Then, I met you, and as our personal and professional relationships flourished, I realised how much we could share. If only I could take the leap, and I'm so glad I did.

You might already know that I don't believe in fate. However, thinking about it now leading up to our wedding, I can't describe our meeting as anything but. It's clear to me now that everything in my life has led me to you. I look back now and consider even my terrible decisions blessed. If I'd done even one thing differently, I might not have met you. Might not be writing this mere days before becoming Mrs Lawson. I can assure you, Eddie, I wouldn't change how we met for the world.

As I write this, I keep coming back to a quote from Richard Bach. He said, 'a soulmate is someone who has locks to fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out, and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we're pretending to be.'

Eddie, you have the keys to fit my locks. I've never opened up to anyone like I have you, no relationship has ever been committed enough for me to even consider it. I'd convinced myself that once they knew of my seedy past, they'd head for the hills. The fact that you stuck around after hearing of my seedy past speaks volumes about your character; it made me realise I'd be safe if only I could get over that fear of falling in love. You made that happen, and I'll always be grateful.

Because of you, I laugh, smile and I've dared to dream again. I can't wait to discover what the future holds for us.

All my love,

Rachel xxx

"You're giving me a run for my money in the soppy stakes," Eddie stated upon finishing her letter.

A patch of furious pink appeared on Rachel's cheeks, "we're both as bad as each other."

"Looks that way."

"Don't tell anyone, you'll ruin my image."

Eddie leant across to kiss her, "secrets safe with me."

"Thanks."

Eddie rose, bringing Rachel too. He pushed the champagne flute into her hand, raising his, "here's to us."

"One more toast?"

"We're not paying the bill yet though, we have a week of wedded bliss to enjoy first."

"Perfect."

The newlyweds shared a brief kiss before Rachel settled in her husband's arms, drinking in the tranquillity. Neither could see into the future, but they knew that whatever came to challenge them, they'd fight it together. From that day forth, they were a proper partnership: Mr and Mrs Lawson against the world.

THE END

Please review one last time for me. If you want to read more from me, hop over and read Love's A Beautiful Battlefield, I'll be going back to that next week.

Also, the song Eddie refers to is Katie Melua's Nine Million Bicycles, for anyone wondering.

x