She tried to focus on the pile of paperwork in front of her but she just couldn't stop thinking about the massive milestone approaching her this weekend ...50 years... was she really half a century old. As she sat back into her chair, her pen dropping on the desk. her mind wandered as she drifted back through her life, back to her care free 20s, sobering 30s and her grown up 40s but she just couldn't contemplate 50. In the last 10 years her life had changed massively and the years almost flew by but now she just felt old. Her youngest child would be 5 this year yet it felt like just yesterday she was born, 3 children in 6 years was a challenge but my God it was worth it. As she thought of the stretch marks, the worry lines and the endless sleepless nights her mind wandered again to the man who stayed by her side through it all, her perfect husband. Her Eddie and as she thought about the man she loved a huge smile graced her features. 10 years ago she happened to accept a job in a challenging school and she imagined every scenario possible, but the one thing she didn't imagine was falling in love with someone as incredible as him and she certainly didn't imagine having a family, not at her age. As the man that graced her thoughts appeared before her she let out a giggle and crossed the floor of her office to greet him with a kiss.

"Hmm good afternoon to you too Rach" he mumbled not letting their lips part and holding her close. "Not that I'm complaining but what was that for"

"can't a woman kiss her husband for no reason"

"yes she can but then she has to tell him what's really on her mind"

"I'm just thinking... About Saturday"

"Ah are you worried about getting old"

"How dare you I'm not old" she giggled slapping him on the chest, "and you Mr Lawson are 4 years older than me".

"That is true but unlike you I didn't panic when I hit 50".

"I'm not panicking I'm just thinking" she answered defensively, still not letting go of him.

"Well you should stop". "You are funny, kind, smart and incredibly beautiful", "your an excellent head teacher", "a wonderful wife and an amazing mother and that's not going to change no matter what age you are".

"ao you promise you will still mean all that when my hair turns grey and I get wrinkles" she giggled knowing exactly what his answer would be.

"Oh god no I draw the line at wrinkles" he joked then stared directly in her eyes, "I promise I will love you always and forever no matter what colour your hair is or how many wrinkles you have".

Satisfied she placed a kiss on his lips and gently pushed him towards the door as the bell rang. "As lovely as this has been I have work to do and you have a class to teach" she delivered before parting with a kiss and gently closing the door behind her, knowing it would drive him mad.

"I love you" he shouted through the door and she blushed.

"I love you too" she responded, sitting at her desk with an even wider smile, knowing that whatever life threw at them they could handle it together.

"Good morning beautiful", "happy birthday" he whispered into her ear as she stirred and slowly turned to him.

"If I go back to sleep can I wake up again and be 40 instead" she mumbled sleepily.

He just laughed, "unfortunately darling that's not how it works" he answered before kissing her. "I can't change your age but I can try and make you feel better about it" he stated before trailing kisses along her body, she pulled him closer and lowered her head to meet his,

"I love you" she managed to say before crashing their lips together, passion coursing through them. Just as Eddie began to undress his wife they were interrupted by a trail of children bursting through the bedroom door.

"Well bang goes that idea" he grumbled pulling the covers back over them as the girls climbed across their bed, ignoring him in a desperate rush to wish their mum a happy birthday.

Half an hour later all the presents had been opened and Eddie was ready to get the day started.

"Right girls who's going to help me with breakfast" he asked in a bid to get Rachel alone for two more minutes, his question had the desired effect and all three girls rushed out of their room and headed downstairs.

"How lucky are we" she whispered cuddling into him.

"Very" he answered before pulling her close once again and planting kisses in her hair.

"Daddy can you hurry up please" came a voice from the bottom of the stairs and he reluctantly pulled away from his wife.

"who's idea were the children" he joked.

"That would be yours" she giggled

"well in that case I better go and stop them setting fire to the kitchen" he groaned rolling his eyes.

"You love it really"

"That I do" he smiled "I'm going to attempt breakfast and you my dear need to get up" he finished shutting the bedroom door behind him as she climbed out of bed.

She stood in the bathroom staring at her complexion in the mirror, she inspected every wrinkle and every blemish, every crease and every hair. She could hardly remember a time when she didn't have dark bags under her eyes or grey streaks in her hair. Being a mother, wife and head teacher all at the same time was incredibly challenging and rewarding but it had certainly aged her, feeling a little deflated she stepped into the shower and washed away her worry's.

30 minutes later Rachel made her way downstairs, hearing screaming and laughing coming from the kitchen. As everyone else was completely unaware of her presence she stood by the door for a few minutes, a huge smile on her face as she took in everything, Eddie was covered in flour no doubt because the girls decided to throw it at him rather than put it in the bowl, With everyone still occupied she grabbed a handful of flour from the bag on the counter and launched her attack, throwing the whole handful over his head. Eddie froze in shock then turned to his wife.

"Right Mrs Lawson you are for it" he laughed grabbing a bag of flour, he threw some up in the air and it fell on Rachel like snow. Then chaos errupted and full on food fight ensued. The girls were throwing chocolate chips and marshmallows as well as flour and even sugar. When they finally ran out of food items to use as weapons they all collapsed in a heap on the floor, slightly breathless and laughing their heads off.

"My goodness what a great breakfast" she joked, still laughing. "Eight girls why don't you go and get yourselves cleaned up while daddy and I tidy up and make breakfast".

"Ok mum" they answered in unison leaving Rachel and Eddie alone once again. Alone time for them was rare and he enjoyed every moment. He wiped a dot of flour off her nose before kissing her.

"I love you so much" my darling

"you know I love you too but flattery is not going to get you out of cleaning this mess she answered" smiling up at him.

"I would never do that" he grumbled in mock defense.

"I know you far too well" my dear she responded using his shoulders to guide herself up.

"Are you going to help me then" she questioned offering her hand to him. He pulled himself up using her for support then grabbed her waist and pulled her close.

"I can think of so many things I'd rather do" he answered suggestively.

"Well you should have thought of that before you messed up the kitchen" she answered with a giggle, pulling away from him and starting to tidy up. He just moaned and went to get the mop, feeling rather defeated

before Rachel knew it evening was upon them and as she was getting ready she realised she knew very little about her husband's plans for the night.

"So Mr Lawson what exactly have you got in store for me tonight" she asked nonchalantly glancing at his face in the mirror as she applied her make up and fixed the towel wrapped around her body. Seeing the smile that graced his face she couldn't help but giggle, she knew it was going to be an amazing night.

"Well darling I can't tell you that, our delightful daughters have sworn me to secrecy". He answered making his way over to his wife.

"Ah nice idea blaming it on your children" she joked rising from her chair to stand in front of him

"hey you could always go and ask them if you don't believe me". He responded wrapping his arms around her

"you know getting a secret out of them is like getting blood from a stone"

"Well what can I say they definitely get their stubbornness from you" he joked.

"Watch it you, you have to be nice to me today" she whispered playfully hitting him on the chest.

"Hmm I think I've pretty nice to you so far" he whispered kissing her neck

"That you have, today has been absolutely perfect, I really don't deserve you"

"Rach darling you truly deserve the world and I will never stop trying to give it to you because you and our girls are my whole world". "And every single day I realise how lucky I am that you chose to be with me".

"You really are a soppy sod Mr Lawson but I bloody love you"

"You know we do have some time before we have to leave for the restaurant" he teased moving her towards the bed.

"Hmm I like how you think" she responded leaning into his kiss as they fell into bed. Just as the heat was beginning to rise a shout came from the next room.

"Daddy I need help with my dress" shouted daisy. Rachel sighed at the loss of contact as her husband released his gentle grip on her waist and moved towards the door, it's safe to say his disappointment was clear in the groan that escaped his lips.

"That's twice she's interrupted us today I tell you something that girl is lucky I love her" he whispered, his earlier frustration gone as he went from lustful husband to doting father in a matter of seconds. "I'm coming sweetheart" he shouted as he left the bedroom and pouted at Rachel before closing the door behind him. She just giggled and made her way towards the wardrobe the smile on her face only growing as she realised she had some making up to do tonight.

A while later as he heard the bedroom door open so she left the closet in search of her husband, "honestly Rach it's absolute carnage through there, I don't think I've ever seen so much clothes" he started before catching a glimpse of his wife and stopping dead in his tracks. He stood completely silent for a moment as he appreciate the full outfit, a gorgeous floor length silver dress that had a split in the side and hugged her beautiful figure absolutely perfectly

"I guess you like it".

"Like it gosh Rach you look incredible, how is it possible you get better with age"

"You flatterer" she whispered her cheeks flushing a bright red as she let his words wash over her.

"I'm serious Rach", "I always knew you were out of my league but gosh you've proved that tonight". "You are so beautiful" he muttered appreciatively before closing the gap between them and leaning in for a kiss, "Thank you darling and as much as I would love to indulge your fantasies you have to get dressed and I think you have distracted me enough for one night she finished leaving him to put on his suit"

An hour and several meltdowns later they were finally on their way. Between the oldest girls arguing arguments over shoes, their youngest refusing to get dressed and Rachel fussing over her makeup Eddie thought they would never get there. Living in a house of women was a challenge at times and Eddie certainly had his hands full but he wouldn't have it any other way.

Rachel knew the journey to the restaurant would take less than 30 minutes but thought her husband and children were being suspiciously quiet. She placed her hands over his knee and flashed him a smile, "you okay". "Of course why wouldn't I be", "well you look a little nervous" she giggled. "You just have to trust me darling", "all will be revealed" he answered and at risk of ruining his plans she left the conversation there. 15 minutes later they pulled up to the restaurant and Rachel felt a surge of excitement as she realised all the secrets were about to be revealed and let her mind wander in all the possibilities. As she got lost in her thoughts she heard a car door open and realised everyone else was standing waiting for her, "you ready sweetheart" he asked helping her exit. "Of course" she replied. Upon entering the restaurant Eddie steered her to a large room and let go of her hands. "After you Mrs Lawson" he smiled, her earlier feelings of suspicious returned as she grasped the door handle entirely unsure what was waiting for her. She took a breath and pulled the door open to be hit with the loud sound of her family friends and colleagues shouting surprise. Her lips immediately curled into a smile as her cheeks flushed red, she could hardly believe all these people were here to celebrate her. She turned to face her family

"I can't believe you all managed to keep this a secret she gasped", "your all so wonderful and I love you so much" she whispered, tears of pure joy filling her eyes.

"We love you too" Eddie responded before kissing her then taking her hands and leading his family to the table. Once they had all settled Eddie stood to speak.

"Hello everyone, thank you for joining us tonight, I know you are all eager to get drunk and dance the night away but I have a few things to say first". He took a deep breath and begun his speech. "Where do I start". "When it comes to my beautiful wife there are so many things I could say but to avoid sleeping on the couch tonight, I'll say this, she is simply the most amazing person I've ever met, the first time I clapped eyes on her I knew she was the woman I would spend the rest of my life with, We may not have seen eye to eye at the start and as she keeps reminding me that was my fault but if there's one thing I've learnt these past few years it's that nobody does better for the kids in Waterloo road than Rachel". "She is an incredible head teacher and as proud as I am to be her husband I'm just as proud to be her deputy". "She never ceases to amaze me with her kindness and patience even when I'm being a grumpy old git, which as you know is most of the time". "Her gentle nature is matched by her striking beauty and her sparkling wit and she makes me so proud every single day". "I've never know anyone more determined and inspirational and why she chose to spend her life with me I'll never know but I'll always be grateful". "If I thought I couldn't love her any more than I did in the early days of our relationship I was happily proven wrong, the moments she brought our 3 wonderful children into the world were the proudest of my life, parallel only to the moment she became my wife". "She's a brilliant mother and our girls are so lucky to have her". "Here's to the woman I fall in love with a little more every day, to the woman that constantly takes care of us all, to the woman with a heart of gold that takes my breath away, and to the woman I couldn't live without". "Here's to Rachel and here's to the next 50 years". "I can't wait to spend them by your side". As a chorus of to Rachel rang out he bent down to kiss her. "I love you" he whispered. "I love you more" she answered.

Rising from her seat with a huge smile on her face she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed, 10 years ago she imagined marking this milestone alone with a bottle of red yet here she was surrounded by people who loved her, the most important being her husband and her 3 beautiful girls. She wouldn't want it any other way. Coming back from her moment of reflection she remembered she was supposed to make a speech. "Wow how can I possibly top that" she asked genuinely turning to plant a kiss on her husband's cheek, he was positivity beaming with love and pride and she felt her heart soar. "Firstly I want to thank you all, for making tonight so special, you will never know how much it means to me that I have incredible people like you lot in my life, each and every single one of you mean so much to me and I love you all I know your not used to me being the emotional one but I've had one too many glasses of wine and it had to be said". "If you had told me years ago this is how I would spend my 50th I never would have believed you but I'm so grateful" "I'm grateful to all of you and I'm especially grateful to my amazing husband for organising tonight and for everything he has done for me, I can't imagine my life without him". "I'm grateful to my three beautiful girls for allowing me to achieve my biggest dream, for letting me grow and learn every day and for loving me as much as I love them even when I drive them mad with my fussing". "Thank you all, I hope you enjoy the rest of the night, I believe the next round of drinks are on Eddie so get yourselves to the bar". With the huge cheer and applause that followed she took her seat and sipped her wine. "Ah thanks Rach that's going to cost a fortune" Eddie joked. "Sorry" she giggled taking their daughter from his knee, "you better get over there before they start rioting". He reluctantly stood up, "I will get you back for this" he said cheekily, "I'm sure you will" she said with a smile and a glint in her eyes that made him go weak at the knees.

A few hours and plenty of drinks later she lay in bed wrapped in her husband's arms and decided if this was 50 it wasn't so bad. She could live with this she thought as her eyes closed and sleep overtook her