"Did you mean what you said about moving in together?" She asked as he crept quietly into bed behind her,
"I thought you were asleep?"
She shook her head and turned to face him, "I can't stop thinking about living together,"
"You've decided you like your own space too much?" He teased, as she slipped her cold toes between his calves,
She shook her head, "I want to live with you… I mean we pretty much live together already, but where do you want to live?"
"I don't care," he told her honestly,
"I like the idea of buying somewhere together," she admitted, "But don't' feel I'm pressuring you into anything,"
He pulled the covers up over them, "We have a few days off together next week… we could have a look at places then,"
She laughed, "Are you just saying this to get me into bed?"
"I already have you in bed," he uttered against her skin, "Although I want more than anything to keep you here."
"You don't like it? Why don't you like this one?" He asked, fighting the urge to roll his eyes, "You liked it in the paper,"
She looked at him firmly, "Yes, and you liked the last two in the paper," she told him, "And didn't like them when we looked round,"
"I'm sure we'll find somewhere," the estate agent told them, "I've got one more house to show you that you might like… but the owners aren't back from holiday until this evening,"
Connie nodded, "Anytime today or tomorrow then if we can?"
"Okay, I'll let you know,"
"Thank you," Connie and Gareth replied at once,
"Let's grab some lunch, I can see you're getting grumpy," she smiled up at him, nudging him playfully,
"Only if we can sit outside," he told her
"Deal," she smiled, "If only finding a house was this easy,"
Seeing Sam when she was called in made her realise how much she missed his friendship. She returned his smile and hugged him tightly, "I'm sorry," he told her with more honesty than she'd ever seen from him,
"Me too," she told him,
"I heard you're looking for a house,"
She nodded, "The rate we're going I don't think we'll ever agree on one," she smiled at him, "You and Ellie should come over… I mean that,"
"We speak to each other less now than we did when you were in Afghanistan," he told her,
She nodded, "We've both been stupid,"
"No… I've been stupid, and I've ended up losing two friends,"
"I'll always be your friend," she told him, "And so will Gareth, go for a drink with him sometime,"
"Connie… there's no theatre's free and Mr. Adam's is bleeding out,"
"Do you think you can handle it Sam?"
"What do you expect me to do? Open him up on the ward?"
"You can do this," she told him, "I'll send one of our theatre nurses and get a nurse to bleep Gareth… in the meantime, do what you can to stop that bleed,"
"Okay,"
"I wouldn't tell you to do this if I thought you couldn't," she told him, "Good luck,"
He exhaled strongly, "Right, Miss. Chase is caught up, all the theatres are full, so we're going to operate here,"
Chrissie raised her eyebrows, "Seriously?"
"Have you got any better ideas Chrissie? Because I'd love to hear them,"
Chrissie rolled her eyes, "What about theatre equipment?"
"A theatre nurse is on her way, Mr. Wilson is on his way from home and until then we will have to make do,"
"Nothing like being in the thick of things Mr. Strachan," Gareth smiled, pulling on the gloves and gown that the theatre nurse handed him, "How is it going?"
"I think I've stopped the bleed for now, but he needs stenting,"
Gareth nodded, "You heard the man, Anne, can you grab the equipment please,"
"Theatre two is free," Chrissie shouted over the chaos,
"In that case, off we go… Anne, are you happy to bag?"
"Of course," she replied, "Come on Mr. Adam's stay with us,"
Eight hours later the two Consultants and Registrar finally left the hospital, "Does anyone fancy grabbing some breakfast? Sam asked,
Gareth nodded, "Con?"
"I'll pass," she smiled tiredly, "I'll see you tomorrow Sam… Gareth I'll see you later, I'll be at yours,"
He crawled into bed an hour after her, falling asleep almost instantly. A few hours later she felt surprisingly refreshed and set about making lunch and returning the estate agents call.
She jogged up the stairs, sitting on the edge of the bed and nudging Gareth awake. He rolled onto his side to face her, "You okay?"
"I love the fact I wake you up and you don't shout," she smiled, "I just spoke to the estate agent, we can view that house today at two?,"
He placed his hand on hers gently, watching as she pushed her fingers through his, "Don't get excited Con, it doesn't matter if we don't agree… we'll find somewhere,"
She nodded, "It's half twelve now, you need to shower and make yourself look presentable?"
"What? You mean I don't already?"
She raised her eyebrow, "No, you're making me what to crawl back into bed with you,"
"There's no harm in that,"
She laughed, pulling back his covers and jogging back downstairs, "Get yourself ready,"
"Come and shower with me,"
"No," she shouted up the stairs, "We have to be out of here in half an hour,"
The house looked absolutely beautiful and full of character. The kitchen was large, homely and modern, it had an island which Connie wanted, and the main bedroom had a large bay window. The three bedrooms all had en suites and Gareth loved the size of the office, the large corner sofa in the lounge and the grand stairway. The garden was a fair size and easy enough to maintain, neither of them being great gardeners, and the decking had a well concealed hot tub.
"What do you think?" She asked, her eyes bright as the estate agent took a phone call,
He nodded, "It has everything I want,"
"And everything I want too," she smiled, "I love the real fire,"
"I can't see you bringing coal and wood in from outside,"
"Why would I need too, when I have you to do that?"