"Ah...Connie." Said Rita standing beside her at the nurses station. "I hear congratulations are in order."
"Oh...how so?" Asked Connie with a raised eyebrow.
"Jacob's just changed his contact details...he said the two of you have moved in together...that's great news." Said Rita in her usual cheery tone. "I'm happy for you both."
"Thanks." Murmured Connie feeling a little unsure.
"Listen...it's Charlie's birthday next Friday and the staff have organized a party for him...we wanted to show him how much he's appreciated." Rita told her.
"Yes...Jacob had mentioned something." Said Connie with a half hearted smiled.
"Oh...good...so you'll come then?" Asked Rita sounding hopeful.
"I wasn't going to...it's not really my thing." Said Connie lamely.
"I know it'd mean a lot to Charlie if you could be there..." tried Rita.
"I have Grace to look after..." Said Connie as she turned to walk away.
"You don't have to keep your distance anymore you know..." Said Rita stopping Connie in her tracks. "Would it be such a terrible thing to join us all for Charlie's birthday."
"I'll think about it...alright!" Connie replied over her shoulder before walking away.
That night Connie sat down next to Jacob on the sofa after taking Grace up to bed. "Ok sweet cheeks?" Asked Jacob smiling.
"Rita asked me if I would go to Charlie's birthday party today." Connie blurted out.
"And what did you say?" Asked Jacob.
"That I'd think about it..." Said Connie.
"Well that's better than the answer you gave me." Moaned Jacob.
"Jacob you know I like to keep my distance from the staff..." Connie reminded him.
"I know...I know...look Rita's just trying to be friendly Con, that's all...and I think you should go...if for nobody else but Charlie...i thought the two of you were close..." Jacob tried his best to be persuasive. "We've hired a venue...it'll be smart...everyone's getting dressed up." Jacob grinned. "..I promise it's not a pub."
When Connie remained quiet Jacob pushed some more. "You know we've never been on a night out together before...as a proper couple...we can get dressed up and I can show off my beautiful, amazing, intelligent, funny girlfriend off...and I promise...we'll show our faces and if your not enjoying it or your feeling uncomfortable...we'll leave and I'll take you to a posh wine bar instead!" Winked Jacob.
"What about Grace?"
"Its Friday night she won't have to be up for school...we'll get her a minder...we don't even have to be out late." Answered Jacob.
"How dressed up are we talking here?" Asked Connie.
"I have a suit on order..." smirked Jacob.
"A suit? Now that I can't miss!" Smiled Connie.
"So you'll come?" Asked Jacob happily.
"Ok. You win!"
Friday came around quickly. Jacob let himself into the house after dropping Grace off with the child minder. "I'm back!" He shouted upstairs.
"Was Grace ok?" Came Connie's distant voice.
"She's fine...you nearly ready...the taxi will be here any minute." Jacob told her.
"Just finishing up." Came the reply.
Five minutes went by and Jacob heard a horn peep outside, opening the door he waved to the driver that he'd be a minute.
"Come on Con -" started Jacob as he turned round to face the stairs. "Wow!" Was all he could get out, his mouth was moving but no sound came out.
"Is it to much?" Asked Connie feeling nervous looking down at the long baby pink dress she wore.
"You look amazing...stunning...beautiful." Stammered Jacob holding out his hand to Connie helping her the rest of the way down the stairs. "You take my breath away sweet cheeks."
"Your looking rather handsome yourself." Smiled Connie reaching up to lay a gentle kiss on his lips.
"I think we should stay in..." Said Jacob pulling Connie flush against him making her laugh.
"Oh no! This was your idea...and I certainly didn't spend three hours getting ready just for you to undo it all in thirty seconds!" Connie gave him once last kiss before heading out the front door.
"Spoil sport!" Shouted Jacob.
Walking in, Connie and Jacob looked round the elegant room. It wasn't overly big but it was ideal for the E.D staff, five large tables seating ten people on each around the outside of the room and a dance floor in the middle. There was a disco playing which was loud but not unbearable. Connie took in the sight of all the staff she usually saw in nurses outfits and scrubs, they were now in their best dresses and suits.
"Mrs Beauchamp! Jacob! Glad you could make it...say cheese." Said Robyn taking their photograph. "Charlie's over there." She pointed.
"Thanks Robyn." Smiled Jacob.
Hand in hand Connie and Jacob made their way over to Charlie who was talking to Rita.
"Connie! Did you know about this?" Asked Charlie has they hugged.
"I did...happy birthday Charlie." Said Connie with a genuine smile.
"Jacob." Said Charlie smiling as they shuck hands.
"Happy birthday Charlie, can I get you a drink?" Asked Jacob.
"No...I'm fine thank you."
"Rita?"
"I'm good thanks." She said pointing over to the bar where Ian stood.
Jacob kissed Connie on the cheek before heading to the bar where he was joined by Cal.
"Your one lucky man Jacob." He said slapping him on the back.
Both men watched as Zoe greeted Connie with a hug. "Don't I know it mate." Said Jacob smiling.
Taking Connie a glass of white wine he left her talking with Zoe and joined a group of the other nurses across the room.
Half an hour later Jacob watched as Connie and Zoe hugged again and parted ways. He saw Connie scan the room and when they eyes locked she made her way over to him.
"Ok beautiful?" He asked.
"Yes...im fine." She said leaning into his side.
"Another drink?"
"Sure...why not!" She smiled.
Noticing Rita approaching Connie turn round to greet her.
"You've done a great job with all this, Charlie looks like he's enjoying himself." She said offering a small smile.
"Err...thanks." said Rita a little taken back.
"I owe you an apology...I've been rude towards you and im sorry." Said Connie honestly.
"You don't need to apologize...I've given as good as I've got." Rita held up her hands.
"I don't say sorry very often nurse Freeman, I suggest you accept it and we move on...clean slate?" Insisted Connie.
"I'd like that." Rita smiled.
Jacob returned with Connie's drink and one for himself, they spent the rest of the night chatting with there colleagues and friends.
Several drinks later, Connie and Jacob sat down at one of the tables out of the way, quietly talking amongst themselves when Jacob looked up to watch some of the staff dancing. It was the end of the night and the slow songs were playing.
Taking Connie's hand he pulled her up. "Come on."
"Where we going?" Asked Connie confused.
He guided Connie to the dance floor and wrapped his arms around her.
They swayed together gazing into each others eyes, Connie ran her hands up Jacob's chest and over his shoulders. With her hands now on the back of his neck she pulled him down for a gentle kiss. "Thank you for talking me into this...I've enjoyed myself." She smiled at him.
"I'm glad." Leaning down Jacob kissed his way across Connie's jaw. "But I still think we should have stayed in." He muttered in her ear sending goose bumps down Connie's arms.
Connie smiled at him before resting her head against Jacob's neck.
"Jacob..."
"Mmmm?" Asked Jacob lost in the music playing and enjoying having Connie in his arms.
"I love you." It was a simple statement but it meant the world to Jacob, it was the first time Connie had said it to him and he was stunned.
Leaning back just enough to see Connie's face, Jacob asked. "Did I just hear you right?"
Giving him a coy smile Connie looked him straight in the eye and said it again. "I love you Jacob Masters."
They shared a powerful kiss full of love and passion which earnt them a chorus of wolf whistles from around the room.
Connie blushed as they rested their foreheads together. "I love you too sweet cheeks and it feels so good to tell you that." Smiled Jacob. "Can I take you home now?" He asked which received a laugh from Connie.
"I think you better...we've caused enough of a stir in here tonight...have you seen Charlie?"
Leaving the dance floor Connie and Jacob said goodbye to Charlie, wishing him happy birthday again before heading to get a taxi home.