To have and to Hold

Just chillin

Rachel was not very happy in the beginning when Jean had insisted she step back from Trudy's case. In fact Jean told her she preferred her to have nothing to do with it

But despite this, Rachel understood the reason why Jean was taking the precaution.

It could become too personal for Rachel, she could get too emotionally involved, meaning it could impair her judgment in dealing with it.

But still, it did not take away the guilt that Rachel felt. She was now thinking if she had just been brave enough to report Gary to the police for what he had done to her all those years ago, he might not have had the chance to do it again. Therefore Trudy would not be in her present predicament

So it only felt right to Rachel, that it was time the man was put away for good. And she wanted a hand in doing it. But the only way of doing that, was to get Trudy to go to the police and report him and what he had done to her.

But Jean refused to let Rachel put any pressure on Trudy into doing this. She had warned her not to mention to the young woman, that she was a former victim of Gary's brutality. It was more for Rachel's own sake than anything else. The last thing Gary needed was to find out about Rachel, and where she could be found.

Jean was not going to take the risk, even if Rachel thought it would be worth it.

Jean reminded Rachel how far she had come, and how well she was doing. That her concern should be for her future child and her husband, and not to starting some personal vendetta against Gary, even though she could sympathise with her friend's reasons on wanting to pursue it, But it was better leave that up to the authorities and Trudy.

Rachel realised Jean was right. But that didn't stop her slipping Trudy her personal cell number, insisting she could phone her anytime, if she needed help.

In the end, Trudy had stayed at the Refuge for just over two weeks, before it was arranged for her to go and stay with her sister out of town, Rachel could tell Jean was just relieved she was no longer their responsibility. But that didn't stop Rachel thinking about her occasionally.

Rachel did not said anything to Adam about Trudy's case. She knew any mention of anything to do with Gary made his blood boil and didn't want him worrying, which she knew he would. So in the end she decided to take Jean's sound advice, and try to think of her future, instead of dwelling on her past again.

She decided to renew her efforts to loosen up her husband. Thinking they could have a. 'chill out.' kind of evening.

Getting Adam to chill out would be a challenge, especially lately, when he was caught up with the business of the new hotel going up. He was always busy and on the go..

But that evening, as he came through the door, she was waiting to pounce on him, hearing his car pulling into the driveway. Rachel insisted on helping him take of his jacket, "And I want your damned cell phone, so I can switch it off for a while, and we don't get interrupted," she told him.

"What are you up to?" Adam asked with lazy amusement

"Cell phone" she commanded, holding out her hand expectantly

He sighed, looking a little pained as he reluctantly took it out of his shirt pocket, and handed it to her, "This better be good," he then warned.

"Oh it is," Rachel smiled, "Tonight is going to be different than our other nights, and I am going to knock some of that stuffiness out of you," she informed him as she went about the task of undoing his tie and then opening the top button of his shirt, " But first, we got to get you looking more relaxed"

"Hmm that sounds promising," Adam's arms went around her, "Do I get to undress you, to help you relax too?" he enquired hopefully.

"No," Rachel chastised him, slapping him playfully on the chest, laughing, "That's not the sort of relaxing I meant.. We can do that later"