Christ almighty, here we are again. At the end of another fic.

Honestly thank you for all the support that you have given this fic. I have loved reading all your reviews and they have been the highlight of my day for the last 45 days.

So the plan is that I am not going to start my next fic until March. I might be on chapter 10 but it is taking me a little while to write them (you'll find out why when I post it) and you might not get a chapter every day. I haven't worked it all out yet. Might see where I am in a weeks time. As ever, there will be updates of IaWW, TIDU to enjoy in the meantime.

Please enjoy this chapter.

Chapter Forty Five
New Beginnings

Rachel knew that Isaac didn't really understand why they were standing in her office. He had spent almost as much time there as her since she had returned to work and it seemed strange to her that this would be the last time that they would be stood in there.

The decision to move on wasn't taken lightly but Rachel was certain that Eddie was just as excited as her about the new job and the new challenge as well as sad to be leaving Waterloo Road. It was like her whole time at the school sort of flashed in front of her eyes as she looked around her office, remembering where Stuart had raped her to where Eddie was standing after he punched both Stuart and Max and all the little chats with Tom about their relationship.

She wasn't ready to leave Waterloo Road but it probably proved to her that it was her time to go. The school had made her and broke her and it only seemed right that now was the time.

The new adventure in the new chapter of her life.

"In 10 years time, we could be back here," Eddie said as he joined her.

"When Isaac goes here, I would hope not to be called to the heads office."

"When and not if?"

"I would rather him go to a school where he will learn the person he will be rather than a school that was just trying to get the highest marks. It is something this school has always understood."

"And he might not want to go to the same school where his parents are head and deputy."

"Well look at the grief Philip got for just being my nephew. Although, we shouldn't be planning out his life now, should we?" She said before she placed a kiss on Isaac's cheek.

"I suppose not."

"The kids might have changed when he gets to school."

"Maybe but kids can still be cruel."

"It still seems like the right time though." Rachel said after a moment of silence. "Philip has finished his secondary education. You've been here three years, I've been here for a little under three. Time to move on and make another school better."

"And the next one seems like a right challenge."

"We both agreed that it would be the better option than the new school that they built on the other side of Manchester. We didn't have to move from the area and it wasn't a brand new school."

"We could have been the first to put our stamp on things."

"But you didn't like the chair of governors. And there was something about that Head of Pastoral Care as well. Just didn't have a great feeling about him."

"I suppose. He was a git. Asking all those awkward questions."

Rachel laughed. "Yeah, he was."

"Although, I don't like the sound of the gang problem at the other school."

"I am sure we will sort it out."

"Yeah, we will."

"Shall we stop putting this off?"

Isaac made a noise that sounded like he was in disagreement. Rachel knew that Eddie had said that he would find out one day about what made her special but she hoped that he would find out why Eddie was so special to her and why Waterloo Road would always hold a place in her heart. It seemed like he had grown attached to the school as well, despite only being 11 months old.

She smiled up at Eddie before he picked up the box of her things. This was it. The end of their time at Waterloo Road.

2nd September 2021

"Got everything?" Rachel asked after she had pulled up the handbrake.

"Bit late to be asking me that now," Isaac said.

"True."

She looked out the window at the school that she used to know so well. It was strange to sort of be back. Even if it was as a parent this time around and not as a member of staff.

"Nervous?" She asked.

"A little. It's just going to be weird not seeing Dex every day."

"Well you can learn the rules of the place and when Dex joins next year, you can teach him the right way of doing things."

"I suppose. It is weird. You know, to be going in there. I know I have been here before when you were there but, it's weird after hearing so much from you and Dad and Philip and Uncle Tom and Auntie Kim."

"I think you will be just fine."

"Well any problems, I can go to Uncle Tom… I mean Mr Clarkson."

"Don't worry. Things don't stay a secret long at Waterloo Road. They will probably know by the end of the week."

"Thanks for that Mum."

"Go on then. You don't want to be late on your first day."

"No. See you later Mum."

Rachel smiled as he got out of the car and crossed the road to the school. The memories came flooding back and her smile only widened as her phone rang. Her husband knowing exactly what she was doing.

"I know you said that you would be late in but you are going to miss the opening assembly at this rate Mrs Lawson."

"How do you always know?"

"Because I know you inside out. Like I know that you are worrying about Isaac when you have no reason to worry because Tom will look after him and you are reminiscing. You do have your own school to run."

"I thought that was the whole point of having a deputy. Someone to do my job when I am not there."

"Just maybe not on the first day of term."

"I'm on my way, Mr Lawson." She said as she started driving.

"Good. And just a heads up. The new Head of English is on one. Already lectured me about how the books that they have are not fit for purpose and look like they were brought in the 60s. He also lectured me about why you weren't there."

"What is it to him where I am?"

"Exactly. I did say that you were taking our son to school on his first day at 'big' school and he seemed to pipe down then."

"Do you think he is just someone who likes to be awkward? And the English department got new books last year. Because we did that check and we replaced all of the damaged ones."

"I did try and tell him that but I don't think he was going to listen to me."

"A headache before I've even got to work."

"Would you want it any other way, Mrs Lawson?"

"No. No, I wouldn't."

"Oh God. Sally is just walking up to me. I'll see you in a bit."

Rachel laughed. "Yeah. I'll see you in a bit."

She pressed the button on the steering wheel to end the call and she sighed before shaking her head. They wouldn't want it any other way. Because it was their way and it worked for them. Always had done and always will.