Connie eased herself out of bed with a stretch and a groan, it had been three weeks since the crash that had almost claimed the lives of her and her daughter. Looking back she can appreciate just how lucky they were, how different things could have been. Life was for the living and that was exactly what she intended to do. No more working till she dropped, things were going to change.
Slipping into her dressing gown Connie headed to Grace's room but stopped when her hand hit the door handle. Shaking her head she made her way into the kitchen where she found Jacob hovering over the percolater.
"Morning beautiful." He greeted her with a smile.
Connie scoffed. "Where are you looking...I'll be glad when these scabs come off...there starting to itch." She chuntered running her fingers along her jaw and the graze that was slowly but surely fading.
"I'm looking at you...even covered in bruises and scabs your still the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on." Jacob told her as he leaned in for a kiss. Hovering just above her lips he waited for her to make the connection.
"Your a real smooth talker muscles." She murmured before bridging the gap for a long leisurely kiss.
"How's your ribs?" He asked breaking the contact, smoothing his hands lightly down her sides before coming to a stop on her hips.
"Still broken..." She grumbled before feeling guilty. "...sorry. I didn't sleep well last night...it's hard getting comfortable with all them pillows propping me up...I much prefer sleeping right here." Smiled Connie, her hands gliding over his chest.
"Now who's the smooth talker." Chuckled Jacob teasing. Connie stuck out her tongue in reply which only encouraged him to laugh more, her childish behaviour delighted him.
"So what's your plan for today Queen Bee?" Asked Jacob pouring out two mugs of coffee.
Shrugging her shoulders Connie gingerly lowered herself into a chair at the kitchen table, today would be the first she'd spend on her own since the crash.
"You know I went to Grace's room to wake her just now..." said Connie looking into her steaming drink. "...I forgot."
Grace had travelled with her grandmother to America, it seemed only fair that she spend some time with her dad over the summer holidays. Sam had been devastated when the news hit him about their daughters injuries, but on Connie's insistence that Grace would be fine and the promise of a visit was enough to stem his worry . She wasn't sure what came over her when she suggested it but was good for Grace, well that's what Connie kept reminding herself of, some time away for Holby would help her forget.
Jacob placed her drink in front of her before sitting in the next chair with his own. "This month will fly by, she'll be back before you know it...you understand she's not forgotten about that puppy you promised her." He said with a smirk.
"I realise that..." Connie gave him a sideways glance. "...although she's had no chance to, not when you keep reminding her!"
"Me?" He asked pretending to be hurt.
"Yes, you!" Pointed Connie trying to hide her grin. "...I heard you the other day...asking about names...oh and just for the record...Your suggestion of Snoop Dogg is not happening!"
"Spoil sport..." Jacob feigned disappointment before turning serious. "Look I know your missing Grace but moping isn't the answer...why don't you go visit Charlie...it's his day off today...or...go shopping..." He suggested brightly.
"I'll see..." She said before giving Jacob's words some thought. "...You know what...I'll probably do both." Said Connie with conviction.
"Good for you..." Beamed Jacob kissing the top of her head. "...right...I better be off...I'll see you tonight...enjoy your day."
"You too." Connie's happiness left as soon as Jacob did. Sat alone in the quiet house she finished her coffee as she continued thinking.
While packing her bag Grace had revealed that she no longer felt safe with Steph Simm's only a few doors away and if she was honest with herself she wasn't keen on the thought either. It helped to have Jacob here but that was only temporary to help look after Grace with her broken leg, once she was back to full fitness he would be going back home. Connie estimated another two weeks and her ribs would be fully healed, she could feel herself improving daily and really didn't need any more help but the thought of him moving out, well it was all a little daunting.
She knew she was being selfish keeping him here but it was nice, it was comforting having someone looking out for her, something she could quite easily get used to.
With a sigh Connie pushed her chair back, collecting up Jacob's breakfast pots from the side she set about washing them, even this didn't bother her, it should but it didn't. Little things that she thought would drive her mad, things that had sent her round the bend while living with her ex husband didn't have the same effect on her. She'd wash the cups he left laying around, pick up his socks, closed the toilet lid, she didn't bat an eyelid when he wondered in from outside without leaving his shoes at the door. Had she really mellowed that much? Or was it something else? Shaking her head to try and dislodge her thoughts Connie left the few pots to drain while she went to get dressed.
...
"Connie!" Smiled Charlie pleased to see the clinical lead. "Come in." He said making way for her to enter his home. "How are you feeling?"
"Lots better, thank you...what?" She frowned when he gave her a sceptical look.
Charlie led her through the house out onto the decking in the back garden. "I'll go get us a cold drink."
Connie made herself comfortable at the small table while she waited for him to return, gazing up at the clear blue sky she enjoyed the sunshine warming her skin.
"Lovely day." Remarked Charlie placing a glass of sparkling orange and ice in front of her.
"Thanks..." She said taking a sip. "...it certainly is...so what was that look for just now?"
"What look?"
"When I told you I was feeling better...you looked at me like you didn't believe me." Connie explained.
"I was under the impression you were still in a lot of pain...Jacob's worried that you've been hibernating to much." He said giving her a curious glance.
Connie let out a audible sigh. "I'm fine...the pains easing...there's no need for him to worry...I just...the woman that ran me off the road...she's out on bail...I'm not keen on seeing her that's all..." She said drawing lines in the condensation on her glass. "...I may have exaggerated how much pain I've been in the last few days-" "Why would you let him worry like that?" Charlie asked astonished.
"So he wouldn't pester me to go out...I feel..." Connie paused struggling to say the words.
"...I'm thinking of moving." She said quietly avoiding Charlie's gaze.
"So what's stopping you?" Wondered Charlie.
"I feel like I'd be running away and I hate that." Connie moaned.
"Have you spoken to Jacob about how your feeling?"
Connie shuck her head. "I will though."
"Apart from that, looks like your enjoying your time off..." said Charlie noting the couple of bags at the side of her chair.
"Yes, I've had a walk into town...then I thought I'd call in and catch up with you on the way back."
"Well I'm glad you did...still no car?" Wondered Charlie.
"No...the insurance as come through but...I don't know...I think it's time for a change...I want to shop around a bit...how's the E.D doing without me?" Asked Connie shifting the subject onto safer ground.
"Its ticking over...it's not the same without you there to keep us all on our toes." Smiled Charlie.
"Do I need to give Dr Gardener a few pointers on scaring the staff?" Chuckled Connie.
"I think she's got her hands full with all that paperwork...you made the job look easy." Stated Charlie.
"She'll get used to it." Connie regretted it as soon as the statement left her month, it was the sort of thing that wouldn't get passed Charlie, and he didn't disappoint.
"Why would she need to get used to it?"
"I don't know...I just meant...I don't know what I meant..." Connie stumbled over her words. "...look between me and you...I'm just not rushing to get back...I think even after I get the all clear I might use up some holiday time." She admitted.
"Really?" Shock was evident on charlies face. "You have surprised me."
Connie laughed at his reaction.
Chatting for a while long Connie took her leave, refusing a lift home from Charlie she insisted that the exercise and the chance to clear her head would do her good.
...
The walk home was a leisurely one, strolling the streets as her mind worked overtime running through all the worries that had started to plagued her recently. To up and move because of one person, that wasn't her, to dig her stubborn heels in was more her style. But she had more than herself to think about, Grace was her number one priority.
Connie had reached home in just over an hour, her musings no closer to being resolved. She felt so uncertain, almost nervous. It was a big deal, to pack up everything from a house that felt like home. Looking at the clock on the wall she realized she'd been out all morning. 2pm, Jacob would be home soon.
Home.
Connie wandered into the kitchen pushing her bags onto the work top before she pressed her hands to the cold marble surface, leaning there her head bowed as she finally came to a decision.
Hearing the front door open and close, Connie braced herself for the conversation to come.
"Hey sweet cheeks..." greeted Jacob as he approached her. "...did you have a good day..." Jacob frowned when he got know reply. "...Connie...Have you had your painkillers?" He assumed she was hurt but wrongly so.
"No I haven't." Mumbled Connie.
Jacob busied himself retrieving her tablets and a glass of water. "Come on they'll help." Said Jacob placing them in front of her.
"I don't need them Jacob." She admitted sadly.
"Don't be so stubborn-" "it's nothing to do with being stubborn...I don't need them..." Connie interrupted. When she looked at Jacob she could see he was waiting patiently for more of an explanation. "...I didn't need them yesterday either."
"But..." Jacob didn't know what to say. "...so...your not in pain?"
"No..." Said Connie standing up straight. "...it's an annoying aching rather than pain."
"Well this is good...why didn't you say something...I've been worrying-" "I'm sorry...I...I don't no...I..." struggled Connie.
Jacob took her hands in his, pulled her gently to him and embracing her, holding her to him. They stayed wrapped in each other's arms for a few moments before Connie eased back looking up at Jacob. "Thank you for staying with me, for helping with Grace-" "Is this you telling me it's time to go?" Frowned Jacob.
"NO!...Not at all..." panicked Connie. "...that was me thanking you, nothing more...I've...I've liked having you here." She confessed resting her head back on Jacob's shoulder.
"And I've liked being here...I would do it time and time again if you needed me to..." he told her honestly. "...so if that's not what's been bothering you...do you want to tell me what has?"
"I'm selling the house."