In the previous Chapter I made a small mistake…it was Zoe who had slapped Connie, not the other way around…apologies. Em I am so very sorry I haven't updated in a while, I'm hopefully back on track now…love you xx

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Chapter 10

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Connie unlocked the front door as Em followed behind her and dropped her bags on the floor beside the coat stand. She stood quietly, looking up at Connie as the older woman turned to face her.

"You okay?"

"Yeah I'm okay…just a bit angry you know…Amanda's my best friend, I thought if anyone would understand and support me it would be her…guess I was wrong."

Connie smiled before bringing Em into her arms, holding her tightly.

"If you want to cry you can." Connie whispered.

"No, you know what I'm done. I'm done crying and I'm done caring what others think." Em looked up at Connie, brushing her hand down the side of her face. "I love you Connie and from now on…it's just us."

"I love you too darling, why don't we grab something to eat before I have to go to work."

"I'd like that."

She took tight hold of Connie's hand as she was led away in to the kitchen.

…

Connie arrived at the ED just after 11am; she entered her office to see Zoe sitting behind her desk. Zoe quickly stood up when she saw Connie in front of her.

"Connie, I wasn't expecting you back until this afternoon."

"I just needed to help Em move some of her stuff in…all done now."

"She's moved in?"

"I don't need another lecture Zoe...especially not from you. Now if you don't mind, I believe I have some paperwork to catch up on."

Zoe moved around the side of the desk as Connie took back her seat, Zoe was about to leave but thought twice about it. She came back over to the desk and took a seat opposite.

"I'm busy Dr Hanna."

"Look…I'm sorry."

Connie looked up when she heard the sincerity in Zoe's voice, unsure of how to respond.

"Zoe I…"

"I shouldn't have slapped you, especially in front of the staff. It was unprofessional…and I shouldn't have gone behind your back to Guy."

"Yes well…I shouldn't have said what I did about your previous relationships either. I suppose we're both at fault."

"Look, it's not that I don't think you have the right to be happy and you were right, Em's old enough to make up her own mind…she is an adult…"

"However you still feel the age difference is an issue?"

"I know we didn't get off to the best of starts with each other but I'd hate to see you get hurt…or Em for that matter, she seems like a lovely young woman."

Connie wasn't use to Zoe being so nice to her and the concern for her hit her in a way she hadn't expected, she could feel the tears beginning to form but she tried her best to keep them at bay.

"Well thank you Zoe." A small smile on her face.

"Why don't we start here and now with a clean slate, I know I'd like that?"

"I'd like that too."

"Okay, well I'll get back out there…patients to treat, staff to yell at." She joked.

"Great, and Zoe…thanks."

"Like wise."

…

Em had spent the best part of the tidying the house for Connie as a thank you for letting her stay, she was in the middle of making a chocolate cake when the doorbell rang. She put down the spatula and went to answer and was surprised to see Amanda standing on the other side.

"Hey."

"Hey yourself, what are you doing here?"

"Can I come in?"

"I guess."

Em stepped aside as Amanda walked in to the hallway, her eyes went wide when she saw how big the place was.

"Wow, I can see why you wanted to move in here."

"That's not why I…"

"Em I'm joking."

"I'm busy in the kitchen, this way."

Amanda followed her through to see flour and eggs covering the counter.

"Jesus, did a bomb go off in here or something."

"I'm cooking dinner for Connie, our first real night together as a couple and I wanted to do something nice."

"You don't cook."

"Well I'm trying alright…look what the hell are you even doing here, you made it perfectly clear that you're against this so why are you here?"

Amanda stood shifting from one foot to the other, the guilt evident on her face.

"I'm sorry Em, for what I said about you and Connie…I was being a bitch. I'm your best friend and you came to me for support and instead I just acting like a cow."

"Yeah you did."

"It was just a shock you know, when you first mentioned her I didn't think you were serious and then you come in and start packing up your stuff."

"Oh sweetie I'm sorry, I guess I should have been more open with you and then I spring me leaving the flat on you, it's no wonder you were a bit pissed off with me."

"I do want you to be happy; I guess I just don't know her…only what you've told me."

"I guess I didn't really confide that much in you huh…I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too."

Em came over and hugged her best friend, Amanda returning the gesture.

"Look, Connie really is a great person and when you get to know her I promise you that you'll love her as much as I do."

"Well I doubt that." Amanda said, raising her eyebrow.

"You know what I mean."

"Yeah I do, I'd like to get to know her."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Okay great, well why don't you stay for dinner then."

"Oh no I couldn't, it's your first night together."

"Come on stay, besides…I think I might need some help. You were right before, this cooking thing…I'm crap at it and I'm pretty sure this cakes not meant to taste like this." Em frowned, taking a mouthful.

Amanda grabbed the spatula and took a taste and made a strange face, she turned to her side to see the ingredients Em had been using and spotted the bag of sugar and inspected it.

"Erm Em honey, this isn't sugar."

"Huh, well what is it?"

"It's salt, that's why the cake tastes so awful."

"Salt, are you serious."

"Sorry sweetie."

"Amanda will you help me, please."

"Sure…we can't have you poisoning her when you've only just gotten together can we."

Amanda started emptying the bowl and adding new ingredients as Em looked on from the other side of the counter.

"I'm glad you're here Amanda."

"I love you sweetie, I couldn't lose my best friend."

"Ditto."

…

To Be Continued…