The next morning Connie woke with a groan. "Argh." She said and rolled onto her back. She had slept tucked up into Jacob's side using his shoulder as a pillow.
"Okay sweet cheeks?" Jacob asked instantly awake.
"Ye...just to soon to be sleeping on my ribs..." She sighed with a wince. "...so what's the plan today?"
"How about a stroll through the park...I can show you round..." smiled Jacob. "...we can have some lunch out at the clubhouse and watch the jet ski's go round."
"There's jet skiing here?" Connie's eyes brightened.
"Yes..." grinned Jacob. "...but your just looking this visit...when you and Grace are fit we'll come back...have a proper holiday...what do you think?"
"I'd like that very much." Beamed Connie accepting a brief kiss from Jacob.
"Come on." He said helping Connie from the bed.
Showered and dressed the couple headed out, wandering the trail through the woods. They passed many other cabins along the way but everything was still so peaceful, apart from the odd dog walker bidding them a good morning the only other sounds was the birds tweeting in the trees.
It was a lovely feeling for them both, to walk hand in hand without a care in the world, reality a distant memory. They were just another couple here, taking time out from their hectic lives.
"This is nice." Said Connie with a content sigh as she cuddled into Jacob's side.
Placing a kiss on top of her head Jacob hummed in agreement. "Mmm...couldn't think of anything I'd rather be doing."
The trees started thinning out as they reached the edge of the forest. A large lake spread out in front of them was a hive of activity, a complete contrast to the water near their cabin.
"This place keeps getting better." Smiled Connie as she set off walking in that direction, curiosity taking over.
They spent some time watching boats tugging people round on skis and boards coming and going before heading up to the clubhouse for an early lunch, chatting and teasing each other as they went.
Sitting at a picnic table by the water sipping cold drinks they waited for their lunch. "I think I might forget about the house and buy a place here." Smirked Connie.
"Ye?" Jacob grinned back. "And how long before you miss the E.D?"
"Not as quickly as you think." Connie confessed.
Jacob frowned. "You are coming back...right?"
"Sure." She nodded looking off into the distance.
Jacob wasn't convinced. "Connie?"
Turning back to him, holding his gaze. "I'm coming back to the E.D." She told him again this time with more assertion and for anyone else it would have been a convincing performance.
"But..." pressed Jacob.
With a sigh Connie bowed her head before looking back at Jacob, a small smirk twitching at her lips. "I've never been able to get anything passed you...have I?"
"I'd don't know why you still try..." Humour shining in his eyes. "...spill...what you thinking?"
"I'm due back in two weeks..." Connie paused. "...Jacob I want to take more time...I have holidays saved up..." she shrugged.
"So...what's wrong with that?" Asked Jacob confused by her nervousness.
"Nothing...nothing, I just don't want you to think I'm hiding or wallowing...I'm just not ready to go back." She explained.
"Well that's okay..." Smiled Jacob reaching across the table taking Connie's hand. "...your aloud to take your time Con...you and Grace have been through so much."
"It's not that...I...I know the crash could have been so much worse...I've accepted that it happened and it was down to luck that our injuries weren't more serious...I don't even have any anger towards Steph...not sure I could say that if anything had happened to Grace...I know the woman's mentally ill and she needs help...that doesn't mean I'd be that rational if I ever saw her again..." Connie squeezed Jacob's hand. "...this whole thing as made me stop and look around...I've been so snowed under, so focused on work... " She looked up to find Jacob intently listening to her every word. "...I want to spend more time with you and Grace...I want to get moved into the new house...I want the three of us to come here for a proper holiday...what I don't want is work getting in the way of that...I know I have to go back...I want to go back, just not yet...is it wrong to want to hold off reality for as long as possible?"
"It's not wrong...I think it's great you want those things...I know you'll be the last to admit it but since Grace has been back you've changed...softened to some extent and I think this time off has been a long time coming...the crash as just highlighted the need for it."
"I'm not going soft Staff Nurse Masters!" Denied Connie playfully batting his hand away as a waitress brought out their food, placing it on the table between them.
"Oh no...Mrs Beauchamp is still on form...I'm talking about Connie...the real you...the you behind the title..." Jacob gestured towards her. "...this you...relaxed and smiling looking beautiful sat in the sun."
Connie blushed. "Thank you...so which me do you prefer?"
"I love both sides...I love to watch the strong independent you taking control of any situation in the E.D and I love that I'm the one that gets to see the person you become when you kick off those heals...warm and bubbly with a wicked sense of humour...I love all of you Connie."
Standing from her side of the table, her eyes glassy with unshed tears, Connie moved to sit next to Jacob. "You are the sweetest man and I can't believe your all mine." She smiled.
"Always." Agreed Jacob.
They sat eating their lunch in silence enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the lake side before continuing their walk around the many acres of the picturesque country park.
"So what would you like to do now?" Asked Jacob as they wandered up the path to the cabin a few hours later, turning the key in the lock he held open the door for Connie to walk in first.
"If you don't mind...I really could do with a rest...maybe do a bit of sunbathing." Suggested Connie.
"Great...that suits me..." nodded Jacob as he looked at his watch. "...you can have three hours before you need to get ready."
"Get ready?" Frowned Connie.
"Yes...Get ready...for dinner." Said Jacob placing a kiss on her temple as he passed her opening the sliding doors on to the decking. Shaking her head Connie disappeared into the bedroom to change into her bikini.
"So where you taking me?" Quizzed Connie as she laid down on the lounger next to him.
"It's a lovely little place...serves the best food around...not to far away." Smiled Jacob leaning back to relax.
Three hours flew by quickly, Jacob reached over to Connie stroking his hand down her bare middle. "Sweet cheeks?"
Connie stired from her slumber. "Mmm?"
"Time to get ready." Instructed Jacob gently.
"How long do I have?" She asked pushing herself up.
"Take your time...couple of hours...the boilers been on if you want a soak in the bath." Offered Jacob.
"Thanks." Smiled Connie sweetly.
As soon as he heard the bathroom close Jacob jumped up and into action.
