Connie and Grace ran into the E.D under the cover of a umbrella, the rain was pouring.
"Ok sweetie, wait for me in my office while I pick up my mail." Said Connie stroking the top of Grace's head.
Connie walked up to the reception. "Do something with this." She ordered Jack passing him the umbrella. Ignoring the dumbfounded look he sent her, Connie walked away scanning through the pile of folders she'd just acquired.
She didn't notice Jacob in her way until her paperwork crumpled as it make contact with his broad chest.
Instinctively Jacob held onto Connie's waist to steady her balance. "You ok?" He asked trying to be friendly.
"Get your hands of me, I'm fine." Muttered Connie trying to step around him.
"Oh!...we're still doing this then?" Said Jacob feeling frustrated.
"Doing what?" Connie bit back as she turned around to glare at him.
"I get it Connie, I do!...we're done!...but this is getting ridiculous...you can't even be civil with me!" Jacob said moving to stand in front of her. "It's been a month Connie and I don't know why your treating me like this...I backed off like you asked...we still have to work together so if there's something I've done wrong - " "You haven't." Interrupted Connie looking anywhere accept at Jacob. "Please, just leave me alone..." She told him and continued on to her office where Grace stood watching from the doorway.
"You ok sweetie?" Asked Connie plastering a smile on her face.
"What did HE want?" Scowled Grace.
"Nothing...I wasn't watching where I was going and bumped into him...that's all." Said Connie feeling the need to explain herself.
She walked passed Grace, dumping her handbag and files on her desk before hanging up her coat.
Connie had just rounded the desk and was about to sit down when Grace spoke up again. "So why was he touching you? Do you want me to go back to dad?" She asked defiantly crossing her arms.
Connie snapped, still reeling from her encounter with Jacob, she saw red. Her hands slammed down on her desk making Grace jump. "Look, I broke up with him, just like you wanted me to. I've spent the last four weeks treating him like dirt so that he gets the picture and its tearing me apart because you know what?...he doesn't deserve it! He's a good man Grace and for some strange reason he likes me! Even now, after I've treated him so badly! He held me up so I wouldn't fall over, that. is. all! Grace this needs to stop." Connie anger dissipated as she watched a tear leave Grace's eye. She had laid into her like she would have done with any of her staff if they'd messed up and she instantly felt bad. Moving round her desk Connie pulled Grace over to the sofa. "I'm sorry for shouting, it's just I've done everything you asked. I broke up with him but what you need to understand is, me and Jacob still have to work together."
Grace leaned in and hugged her mum tightly. "I'm sorry mum."
Connie let out a sigh. "I know I messed up with you in the past and I'm so sorry...but that was then Grace...I don't want to loose you again...I am trying my best...you are my priority! You can't keep hanging my mistakes over my head like this. You know I want you here with me. I've said I'm sorry until I'm blue in the face. Do you accept my apology, do you forgive me?" Asked Connie as her eyes clouded over with unshed tears.
"Yes, of course I do." Said Grace in a tiny voice.
"Then you need to stop punishing me...no more threats about going back to America...please..."
"I promise, I didn't mean to make you angry." Said Grace weakly.
"I'm not angry, not any more...are we friends?" Asked Connie calling a truce.
"Friends." Agreed Grace wiping her face.
"Good because it'll make our girly spa day tomorrow much more enjoyable." Connie smiled wiping away her own tears.
Grace's eyes went wide. "Spa day! Yesss!"
"It does come with a catch though..." explained Connie. "There's a fundraising gala tomorrow night, I didn't mention it before now because I thought I'd be able to get out of it...I've organised us a early check in so we can use the swimming pool, get our nails painted..."
"Can I get a massage?" Asked Grace excitedly.
Connie chuckled and shrugged. "Sure, why not...but you must promise to behave! You can come to the party for a little while but then you'll have to got to our room for a little while so I can charm the stuffed shirts out of lots of money." Grinned Connie.
"Deal." Said Grace. "I love you mum."
"I love you too sweetheart." Said Connie placing a kiss on her daughter's head and added.
"Right, homework for you, patients for me."
I have the next two chapters complete but I want to make sure I'm happy with where the story is leading before I publish.
Hope you enjoy
Xx
