Connie placed the leaflet she'd been reading down on her lap, running her fingers through her long luscious hair sighing heavily. Sam had been watching her from a far, seeing her starting to glaze over he moved to be sat beside her, glancing at the leaflet that read 'What to expect when undergoing chemotherapy'.

"Want to talk about it?" his words were kind and loving as he laced his fingers with hers. Connie turned as she shook her head, her eyes shimmering with tears.

"Talking makes it real. For tonight can we just pretend I'm not sick? Forget that tomorrow I start treatment?"

"If that is what you want darling, of course. I'm just going to check that Gracie is asleep, then I'll be back. You decide what you'd like for dinner, we'll order whatever you want." Slipping out from beside her he disappeared up the stairs, as she went to the kitchen gathering a menu and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.

Sitting back on the sofa she started to pour two glasses, holding one up to him as he re-entered the room, lifting her own to her lips.

"Connie, do not even think about it," he said firmly as he pulled the glass away from her lips, "you are not allowed"

"I thought we agreed tonight we were pretending I wasn't ill."

"We are darling," he lifted the glass from her hand, placing it on the coffee table. "But we can't pretend you aren't on medications which prohibit the consumption of alcohol." Sighing she nodded gently.

After he'd discarded the bottle and glasses into the sink she wrapped her arms gently around him, kissing his lips before she fell back against the sofa with a cheeky grin dancing on her lips, tugging at his arm she pulled him down on top of her. Kissing him passionately she ran her hands up into his hair, letting out a groan as the heat intensified between them. "Let's go upstairs…" she muttered against his lips.

"What about dinner?"

"Suddenly I'm not hungry for food."

She giggled as he scooped her into his arms, carrying her to the bedroom. He laid her gently on the bed, crawling his way up her body to meet her lips once more. His hands wound their way into her hair, tugging it lights as the heat and passion with which he kissed her grew. Her heart raced rapidly in her chest, vocal encouragement escaping her lips as his kissed trailed across her neck and shoulder. He caught her lips with his once more to silence her moans as their bodies became one.

Breathing very heavily they both sighed as they collapsed into the bed. The light that crept through the gap in the curtains catching on their shimmering flesh. As her breathing steadied she rolled towards him. "I love you very much, Mr Strachan" Connie playfully drew patterns on his chest as she curled into him more.

"I'm very much in love with you too, Connie Beauchamp." He pulled her tighter into him, kissing her gently.

They remained entwined for some time before her stomach growled loudly, he laughed sitting himself up. "Hmmm I think we should order some dinner, don't you darling?" She nodded against him with a giggle.

"Yes I quite agree, I need to eat something before chemo completely destroys my taste buds." He placed a finger delicately on her lips, hushing her.

"Not tonight, remember." She nodded, an unspoken apology written on her face.

Together they made their way from the bedroom wrapped in their dressing gowns downstairs to order dinner together. As she stood against the worktop looking over the menu, Sam looped his arms around her from behind, peppering her neck with lots of little kisses, loving the access he had when her hair was up. She moaned in approval, melting back into him. "Are you happy with a Chinese?" she said before she felt her body shudder under his touch.

"Anything baby. You choose." Prizing herself away from him for long enough to place the order she again joined him in the kitchen.

"It'll be here in half an hour." She laced her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest.

"Half an hour, eh? I'm sure I can think of something to fill the time." She squealed loudly as she was swept from her feet and carried towards the lounge. It was there he made love to her for the second time that night.

It was almost midnight before the pair drifted off into a peaceful slumber, memories of the night etching themselves on their brains. All thoughts of what was to come in the coming months were gone for now. They were both happy and content.