Driving Home for Christmas- A Reddie Christmas One Shot

Chapter Two

It was Christmas Eve. Eddie and Rachel were in the living room. Whilst Evelyn was sleeping contentedly in her bassinet, Rachel and Eddie had put up the tree.

Despite Eddie's protests, Rachel had forced him to sit on the sofa whilst she decorated the tree herself. They were going to do it together, but Eddie was placing the baubles and lights in all the wrong places and it was driving Rachel insane! So he sat on the sofa, holding Evelyn, sulking just a little.

The sulking didn't last long. He actually quite enjoyed sitting back, watching her. And it meant he got to have extra cuddles with his little girl.

Eddie knew Rachel wouldn't admit it, but she was a control freak in most aspects of her life. Eddie had never thought that side of her would come into play when decorating a Christmas tree though!

She did eventually compromise, and let Eddie pass her one bauble at a time, once she'd told him which colour and exactly which one from the box. Eddie counted that as his contribution, as well as looking after the baby.

After an hour and a half, the tree was finally finished.

Rachel stepped away, admiring her work. All the red and green baubles and multicoloured lights were placed evenly and in a symmetrical pattern. It was perfect.

Eddie had to admit, she'd done a great job.

"What do you think?" She asked him, sitting next to him on the sofa

"Hmm... a good job. Not as good as it would've been if you'd let me help!" He teased

She smacked his chest playfully with a giggle.

"No, it looks great, Rach" he added, kissing her forehead gently

"Now, put your feet up, I'll make you a cup of tea" he decided

Rachel sighed, doing as she was told. Eddie passed Evelyn to her gently. Rachel smiled, laying her on her chest.

She didn't know it, but Eddie was about to execute his plan.

He snuck off into the kitchen, grabbing the ring box and putting it into his pocket. He then put the kettle on and made Rachel a cup of tea, plus a coffee for himself. His hands were shaking the whole time, he was so nervous. What if she said no? He hoped that she wouldn't, but the thought was there, niggling away at him.

No, he could do this. It would be fine.

He carried the drinks back into the living room, placing them on the coffee table. He sat down on the sofa, rubbing his hand up and down her leg.

Rachel was a very private person. She didn't like extravagant things, or surprises. Eddie had wanted to respect that with what he was about to do.

"Rach?" He said, rubbing her knee to get her attention

"Hmm?" She answered, rubbing her hand up and down Evelyn's back

"I need to tell you something" he admitted

Rachel shifted a little to get more comfortable, holding Evelyn a little closer to her chest. In her experience, when a conversation started like that, it wasn't going to end well.

"Ok..." she responded slowly

He sighed awkwardly. He hadn't planned how he was going to go about this. If anything he felt like he was worrying her.

"It's nothing bad, I promise" he reassured

Rachel sighed in relief, still a little unsure.

"I uhm- well, I love you. You've turned my life upside down, in the best way. You've made me a better person and a better Deputy Head. I think you're incredible, Rachel. You're strong, you're beautiful, you're kind, you're.... Insanely stubborn, but I love you for it. You and Evelyn are the best things to ever come into my life"

He cleared his throat

"I can't imagine my life without you in it, and I don't want to. Because you're my everything, Rachel. I'd be lost without you. You're my best friend and my soul mate. I don't know much about the future, but I do know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and our daughter. So...."

Rachel's eyes welled up with tears as he got down on one knee in front of her, pulling a ring box out of his pocket. She couldn't believe this was happening.

"Will you marry me, Rachel?" He asked, flipping the lid of the ring box open

Without a second thought, she nodded frantically, tears running down her face.

Carefully, she put Evelyn down in the bassinet next to the sofa. Then, she flung her arms around Eddie, almost knocking him backwards. He stood up, chuckling as he spun her around in his arms. She squealed. This was one of the happiest moments of her life.

"I'll take that as a yes then?" Eddie checked, smiling

Rachel pulled him into a passionate kiss.

"Yes, yes I will marry you, Eddie Lawson!" she smiled

He grinned, putting her down as he placed the engagement ring on her finger. She admired it for a moment, watching as the light made it sparkle.

"Oh, Eddie, it's beautiful, I love it! Thank you" she breathed, wrapping her arms around him

Eddie hugged her tightly. The moment couldn't have been more perfect or beautiful. He'd made the right decision.

They pulled apart, Rachel's eyes were sparkling with happiness and pure love for her new fiancé. She had everything she'd ever wanted.

"I love you, Rach. And I mean it, I want to spend the rest of my life with you"

"I'm yours till you throw me out, right?" She giggled

"Right" he chuckled

At that moment, Evelyn woke up, wailing loudly. Rachel let go of Eddie wandering over to the bassinet. She scooped her daughter into her arms, rocking her gently as she wandered back over to Eddie.

"Look, Evie, your first Christmas Tree!" Rachel smiled, showing her daughter the lights and baubles on the tree

Evelyn, who was half awake, glanced at the tree inquisitively for a moment, before looking back up at her Mummy.

Eddie smiled, watching Rachel interact with their little girl. It was going to be a magical Christmas.

He walked over to them, wrapping an arm around Rachel's waist. He kissed her forehead softly.

"Merry Christmas, Rach" he whispered

Rachel looked up at him, the smile on his face melting her heart. She loved him so much.

"Merry Christmas, Eddie" she smiled, leaning up to kiss him

The end.

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed! Please review and let me know what you think! Merry Christmas! :)