So this is just a chapter for everyone who likes the fluff, it takes place during the last chapter and features a small section of the couples I'm concentrating on in this. Please review and let me know what you think. Laura xx

Chapter 9 – I love you's

Wednesday

Zoe was sitting down stairs doing some paperwork when she heard Max turn the radio on. Just the thought of you gets me so high "Girl you're the one, I want to want me…" She hated Max's singing but at the same time she loved it. He walked in and she watched as he carried on singing, and dancing, rather badly. "Please Max I actually quite like this song and you're about to ruin it for me." She dodged the pillow thrown at her from across the room.

It was almost lunch time and Zoe had finished with all the emails she needed to respond to. She walked into the living room of her new flat to see Max on the sofa with his feet up on the little table. "Sooo, I was thinking…" "That can't be good." Zoe leant forward on the end of the sofa and looked up to Max. "If we're telling everyone about us, there's no reason you couldn't stay here. All the time..." Max put his feet down and looked at Zoe, suddenly becoming very serious. "Zo I couldn't afford to-" "I wouldn't expect you to, sure you'll be buying me dinner but I would pay for this place. Max I don't want to live without you anymore, I love you."

She was still lying across the end of the sofa when Max stood up. "I understand you don't like it- Don't just let me talk this time. I never believed we could work, just thought it was some stupid fun. But I was wrong. I've never felt this way for anyone else before, and I know it's not something everyone is lucky to find. If I can't live here with you then I don't want to be here." She was standing opposite Max waiting for him to answer "Well?"

Max closed the space between them "How could I ever turn down a chance to live with you? You're amazing and I know so many people who would kill to be in the position I am right now." She smiled and put her hands around Max's back "So you'll move in?" Max smiled and leant down to kiss Zoe. "I'd be an idiot not to Zo…" He picked her up and carried on kissing her walking into the bedroom.

Rita and Dylan finished eating dinner on the boat house. Dylan took their plates over to the kitchen side as Rita got up and sat on the sofa with Dervla. "What you said earlier, about me not wanting to go out with everyone. You know it's not got anything to do with us don't you?" He waited to see Rita's reaction, "I mean I'm not embarrassed about going out in public with you or anything, I've just never been the sociable guy." Rita got up and walked behind Dylan linking her arms around him and leaning her head against his back. "I know, you don't need to explain that." He turned around to face her. "I love you Rita." He leant down and kissed her before she stepped backwards and blew bubbles from the bowl over him.

"Rita!" She moved further backwards laughing as he turned around and put his hands into the bowl, before turning after her again. She fell backwards onto the couch with Dylan leaning over her. He knelt either side of her and wiped them over her. He proceeded to grab her side sending her into fits of laughter and protest. "Dylan… Stop! Dervla don't just sit there, do something!" She carried on holding onto Dylan's hands as he tickled her. The dog continued sitting at the side watching, until Dylan leant forward to kiss Rita. All of a sudden they both felt a warm breath at the side of their faces and noticed Dervla right there. "Now you move!" Rita laughed as Dylan rolled to the side and held onto her.

Connie was sitting in her bedroom thinking back over what happened earlier. How did she let that happen? She had promised herself to not fall for him again, but that was a bit hard seeing as she had never really gotten back up since the first time.

Grace was sleeping in her bedroom when Connie's phone began vibrating. "Hello?" She stood up and walked around the side of her bed looking out of the window into the city. "Connie, everything you said earlier. Did you mean it?" She leant against the wall staring into the distance. "Sam…" "You said you still loved me Connie, were you just saying it?" Sam stood looking up at the woman he cared so much for, watching her as she unknowingly gazed into the distance. He walked closer to her door and waited for her to answer him. "Connie I never stopped loving you. You've always been on my mind, no matter where I am or who I'm with. I tried seeing other people but always came back to you, even when I was supposed to be in love with them."

Connie found herself struggling to speak. Where did she even start with Sam. 'I've always loved you but you made my life hell' Not exactly a conversation starter that one. "Sam, I don't just say that and not mean it." Sam took a breath and was ready to regret his decision as quickly as he made it. "Then answer the door." She looked further out of the window to try and see but couldn't. He knocked on the door gently almost to prove a point. Connie began to walk out of her room "Sam, what are you doing?" She walked down the stairs, still on the phone. "Connie, I can't pretend I don't feel anything. I know I hurt you but it wasn't exactly painless for me either. I'm not going anywhere this time and I need you to know that."

Connie got to the door and opened it to see him stood there, still holding the phone. "I promise." They stood looking at each other for what felt like hours before Connie moved forward and kissed him. She held onto his jacket as he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. "I love you Connie Beauchamp and no matter how much you push me away I'm going nowhere." She had her arms around his neck still smiling as he turned away from her. "Sam…" He shut the front door, then turned back to Connie picking her up in his arms. "Assume you're still in the same room." She held onto him and laughed as he began walking upstairs.

An hour later they were lying next to each other quietly. Sam was running his fingers across her back as she lay there with her head on his chest listening to his heart beat. "I want you to know that I really meant what I said. I'm here for good and want to be a proper father to Grace, and someone to you." Connie moved so that she could look up to Sam. It had only been a few days but to them it had felt like years of being together again in the same place.

Thursday morning

"Grace, are you ready for school yet!?" Connie finished packing up her daughter's bags and went upstairs to find her. She was standing in her room dressed and sorted "Go downstairs and get your shoes on, I'll be down in two minutes."

Connie walked into the bedroom to find the bed empty. She turned to walk out when Sam walked out of the bathroom. "Hey, do you want me to wait up here until you both leave?" Connie turned to see Sam stood in just his trousers. "Sam you're her father not some random man." He walked over to her and kissed her. "Mum! We're going to be late again."

Connie pulled away from Sam and he picked up his shirt before getting dressed. "Have I ever told you how amazing you look?" She was wearing a tight black dress which fitted her perfectly. Connie stood with one hand on her hip waiting for Sam to get dressed. "Shut up, come on." She grabbed his hand before walking down the stairs carefully in her heels. "Just coming sweetheart-" "Are you sure you want to-" Connie moved forward and kissed him before he could say anything else.

They walked out into the kitchen as Grace was about to complain again. "Mum if we don't go now I'll get in trouble again." She turned around and saw Connie picking her keys up and noticed someone stood behind her. "DAD!" She ran into his arms as he picked her up. Connie stood back and smiled at how happy her daughter was with Sam here, and all she could think was how she felt with Sam around too.