Chapter 13

Getting in a quick update now before the weekend of work (joys!) Hope you like this guys :) Please review and let me know x

Sitting downstairs Sam rested his feet on the edge of the table while glancing at the card resting next to him. He picked it up, opening it quickly and reading through what Emily had written. Once again his phone vibrated reminding him of the message he'd received. Happy Birthday, I know how much you like to be reminded of it. Just remember that you're not that far behind me anymore. See you soon x

A few hours later and Sam was grabbing his keys to leave and spend the afternoon with Grace. "Have a good day. I'll see you when you get back later." Sam leant forward hugging her and gently placing a kiss on her lips before turning and opening the front door.

Connie was cleaning up the mess left from Grace's breakfast while she sat on the floor with music playing on the TV. "Grace can you turn that down and go get dressed before your Dad gets here." Connie vaguely heard some moaning before the telltale stomping up the stairs. She finished clearing the kitchen before turning and checking the time. Everyone was arriving at the pub for 7 so she had to make sure she was already there and everything was sorted by then.

Grace was still upstairs when the doorbell rang but before Connie could even turn to get it she heard Grace flying down the stairs. "Grace! Be careful or you're going to hurt yourself!" The young girl paid no attention as she ran past her mum and to the door. "Happy birthday Dad!" She threw herself into his arms as he smiled and stepped forward into the warmth of their home. "Thank you Gracie, your Mum about?" The little girl moved away nodding and skipped back into the living room where she turned the TV up again.

From the kitchen Connie watched as Sam slowly walked inside. He went to speak but Grace grabbed his hand pulling him towards the living room. "You have to open your presents, here I made this one at school." Grace handed Sam a card which he held onto as he sat down on the floor next to his daughter.

Connie busied herself in the kitchen, not really doing anything but finding it easier than sitting with them in there. The music played on as Sam looked down at the picture. As Grace described what it was he smiled at the three people drawn on the front. "That's you, that's me and that's mum… There's your presents and cake next to you." Sam hugged her placing a kiss on the top of her head. "It's lovely, thank you."

They continued playing until Connie slowly slipped from the room and disappeared upstairs. She glanced into the mirror before pulling her hair back from her face and putting some make-up on as she had to go out soon. She quickly changed her clothes so that she looked more presentable. She wore a black knee length skirt with a white blouse before picking her coat up and heading downstairs again.

Standing in the kitchen she realised the music had been turned up even more and the pair were dancing about the living room. Connie couldn't help but laugh at the pair of them as she watched them. After a few minutes Sam left Grace dancing and walked towards the kitchen where Connie was making herself a drink. "Sam-" "Yeah?" Connie turned abruptly not having expected him to be that close to her.

Connie glanced past him to where Grace was still engrossed in the television. Her eyes slowly fell back to him as he stood with his hands in his pockets a short distance from her. Connie let her hair fall across her face as she stepped towards him. Lifting her head back up and moving her hair she smiled feeling his hands wrap around her waist. "Happy-" he cut her off by kissing her. "…Birthday." She smiled looking at him as he tightened his grip around her as though he was scared if he let go she'd disappear.

They stood there like that for a while until Connie remembered she had so much to do. "Look I've got to go out and sort a few things out. Do you mind watching her a few hours?" He ran a hand through her hair smiling "Course, you'll be there tonight won't you?" Connie tilted her head to one side with a small smile on her face. "Yeah, suppose I could spare a few hours." Sam leant forward and placed his lips on hers once again. This time Connie moved her hands to the back of his head as she deepened the kiss. Sam kept his hands around her waist as they stood there. Connie broke away from him slightly, smiling as she did so. "I better go, otherwise I'll never get out of here." He smiled as he let her move away and pick up her coat and bag. "I won't be long… Grace behave for your Father, I'll be back soon okay?"

Connie rushed around for the next few hours, running from place to place getting everything that she needed. When she was finally done she walked back to the car putting everything into the back. Why she had ever agreed to help arrange tonight she'd never know, it was more issues than it was worth.

She'd managed to buy the few simple decorations that she would put up later, and a cake for him seeing as Emily hadn't seemed to have sorted anything. Connie thought it was best to leave all the decorations in the car so that Sam wouldn't see them. It was still a lot to carry inside as she picked up the final bag with the cake in it. She had her keys in one hand as she balanced everything to open the door. Somehow succeeding she stepped inside and pushed the door closed behind her with her foot.

Sam walked out and looked at her questioningly with all the bags. Connie acted as though she hadn't seen him and carried on through the house heading straight for the stairs. He followed her, half curious and half worried about her hurting herself. "So what was so important that you had to go out and get it this afternoon?" Connie dropped a few things as she reached the room. Sam went to pick one up but Connie reached for it and pulled it away. "What's in the bag-" "Nothing." He pulled a face as he leant forward and tried to get it from her.

In the process she ended up flat on the bed with him leaning over her. Giving in he moved closer and kissed her, deciding the bag was less important. Sam smiled down at her as she pushed him off, sitting herself up. He watched as she stood and began moving around her bedroom putting various things into cupboards and drawers. Remembering the bag she picked it up at the same time he went for it. She stuck her tongue out as she got to it first and put it away. "You really are something you know that." He laughed as he spoke while she finished putting things away.

When she finished she stepped closer to him once again. Standing between his legs he rested his hands on her lower back. "So I remember someone telling me that everything goes downhill as of today? Want me to prove they don't?" Connie looked away from him and towards the door "Grace is downstairs-" "Well then I guess you'll have to be quiet." She couldn't believe him but she didn't have a chance to say no as he pulled her down to his level and shifted his weight so she was laying underneath him.

The music had been growing louder and louder all afternoon until Connie had finally had enough of it. As she came out of the kitchen she glared across at her daughter who was still singing. "Grace! Turn it down!" Sam stood across from her watching as their daughter stropped once again turning it down. "Thank you, some of us aren't deaf-" "But aren't far off it." Connie through a signature icy glare at the man smirking her way.

He pushed away from the counter as she looked at him. "I better go-" "Yeah otherwise your birthday might also be your death." He laughed as her face slowly warmed to him. He pulled her into a hug kissing the top of her head as he did to Grace earlier that day. "I love you…" It was almost inaudible as he mumbled into her hair but she could make out those three words. "I'll see you tonight-" "Can't wait." Connie rolled her eyes as she moved this time to kiss him catching him off guard. "See you later… I'll see you soon Grace, be good for you Mum alright!" He hugged her goodbye before wandering out the door and heading home to get ready for what he thought would be an awful evening.