The Final Straw- A Reddie Fanfiction

Chapter Two

It was lunchtime. Eddie walked into the office, two packs of sandwiches in hand. His eyes fell on Rachel, who was stood by the window. He placed the sandwiches down on the desk, clearing his throat to let her know he was there. She jumped, turning towards him briefly. The weary look he gave her told him something was wrong. After knowing her for two years, he could read her like a book.

"Hey"

"Hi" she replied

"I got you a sandwich for lunch" he told her, pointing to the desk

"Thank you" she responded, grabbing it before walking back over to the window

"Everything ok with our little one?" He asked

"She's fine" Rachel nodded, nibbling on her sandwich

"Are you ok?" He asked, wrapping his arms around her

"No" she huffed

"What has Max done now?" He questioned

"How do you know he's done anything?" she shot back

"Because you've got that 'Max has done something to piss you off' face" he shrugged

Rachel sighed angrily as she chewed.

"He punished Philip for 'answering back' by scrubbing the steps outside. You know I don't condone pupils answering back to teachers, but how is that going to achieve anything?" She ranted

"We have the cooler for a reason, Eddie. Our behaviour consequence system works! Why does he have to come in and change everything?! He's not supposed to be coming in here and dealing with behaviour, he doesn't have the right approach, but he does it without consulting me, and then he blames me when it blows up in his face!" She continued

Eddie walked over to her, standing in front of her to stop her from pacing up and down. She glanced at him before turning her gaze to the window. Eddie wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing her forehead softly. She sighed, leaning back into him.

"So what did Max have to say for himself?" He asked once she had calmed down a little

"Nothing. I haven't had chance to speak to him yet" she huffed

"Do you want me to have a word?" He offered

"No, he'll just kick off at you for no reason. I'll do it this afternoon" she insisted, putting her empty sandwich packet into the bin next to her

Eddie nodded, cupping her cheek with his hand. Rachel smiled at him lovingly. He always knew how to calm her down.

"Are you ok?" He asked

Rachel shook her head. If she was honest, she wasn't ok. She had a pounding headache, her back was aching and she was exhausted. She was also having braxton hicks, which were becoming more and more uncomfortable. The midwife had told her this morning that it was normal. She was worried about Philip too. If she had the choice, she would be heading home right now to have a bath and then to bed. That would have to wait for tonight, which she didn't mind too much, as it meant Eddie would be at home with her and she could fall asleep in his arms.

"Everything aches" she groaned, burying her head in his chest

Eddie smiled sympathetically, pulling her into a hug.

"Just think, Rach, there's only three weeks left until you go on maternity leave, love. Then you'll be Max free for a while" he pointed out, placing a hand on her stomach

Rachel smiled at the thought.

"As nice as that sounds, we won't be totally Max free. You'll still have to deal with him everyday" she pointed out