Here is the epilogue I promised, seeing as I have no story scheduled to be updated today. Remember the piece of paper found with Grace that Connie received from the morgue? Well, the contents of that will be revealed here as well as the ending I know a few of you were hoping for :)

I am so glad you all liked the last chapter, and I hope this final update will do the story justice. Last reviews of course would be appreciated, but other than that I hope you enjoy and thank you for sticking around to see the end :D -Sophie x


"Mummy,

I write this in the dark so I hope you can read it. I don't know what is happening or what I'm going to do. Olive hurt me then locked me in here. I found this piece of paper and pen waiting for me, I think she left it for me to write to you.

I hope you come find me soon. It's dark and cold but I will be ok until you get here. I know you will be looking for me because you love me, and I love you too mummy.

I don't think I will die here but if I do then I want to say I am sorry for all the times I said I hated you. I love you lots and lots and lots forever.

Your,

Gracie xxxxx"

Connie re-read the scrawly handwriting for what seemed liked the millionth time that day. The wavy lines of words continued to swim in front of her eyes, the realisation that this could have been her daughter's final actions never really sinking in.

She was sat in her living room in the middle of the sofa, letting the fading light surround her as the sun began to fall outside the window. Charlie and Zoe had long gone, after many rounds of "will you be okay?" and "we can always stay a little longer" and "call us if you need anything" at the door. Her and Sam had been left alone.

He returned from his shower just as the clinical lead put down the letter, tucking her long brown locks behind her ears and looking up sharply when she heard him sigh.

"I know I know." She muttered, sitting back and edging sideward so he could sit down. Both pairs of eyes fell on the slightly yellow piece of paper.

"I don't know what to do now." Connie's voice was quiet as it broke the silence that had unknowingly formed. "I feel as if I'm in some kind of limbo."

"It's going to take time, but you'll get there." His reply was soft but the woman was unconvinced.

"But what if I don't? What if I'm stuck feeling like this for the rest of my life Sam; grieving for a time I'll never get back. One where I had my daughter and life was good." Her hands were trembling as she picked up her mug of coffee, the brown liquid almost spilling over the sides as she lifted it to her lips.

Sam sighed and closed his eyes, tilting his head back slightly.

"I've been offered a job at St James'." He said quietly, "America is too far now, too far away from the people I care about. I was thinking about moving back to Holby."

Beside him Connie was silent, and Sam tentatively opened his eyes. She sat frozen, a look of pure disbelief on her face as she blinked at him.

"What?"

"I said I've been offered a job at St James'-"

"No no, about being too far away from the people you care about. What was that supposed to mean?" On the outside she became defensive, but her eyes told a different story. They softened slightly when she quoted his words.

"Stop playing ignorant Connie, I've dropped enough hints on caring about you since I got here. You've just lost our Grace, you're going to need someone to be there for you."

"I have Charlie and Zoe." She retorted, though the harsh words were only half hearted. The man could see she was slowly losing her own fight.

"You know what I mean." His words were gentle and seemed to cover Connie in a blanket of security, of love and care and everything she had missed. The woman sighed, her resistance crumbled. She looked straight into his eyes.

"Where would you stay?"

"I have a consultant's salary, I'm sure I could find somewhere close by." He smiled. "I saw the house a few doors down is up for sale?"

"Too close." She raised her eyebrows and managed to smile, her pearly white teeth making a rare appearance. Sam smiled too and sighed again.

"You should smile more often you know. The whole "Ice Witch" domina really doesn't suit you like it did. Your smile lights up your whole face, it's beautiful."

The brunette was slightly taken aback by his comment, but the gentle stir of her heart told her it was a good reaction.

"Thank you." She whispered, "For caring."

"I don't just care about you." His eyes twinkled in the light from the lamp as he moved slightly closer to her. "I love you, and deep down I know I always have done."

Right there, sat on her sofa as dusk turned to night and the stars began to shine, Connie realised that she loved him back. She had felt somewhat incomplete since his move to America, and during the couple of days he had been back in her life, she had felt much more whole than she had done in years. Deep down, she had always loved him too.

Without speaking, Connie banished the space between them as she placed a gentle kiss on his lips. It was soft, sweet and tender, everything it used to be.

"So do I have your approval for this new job?" He whispered as they broke away, and the woman nodded, her eyes never leaving his.

"We deserve a happy ending."

That night marked the beginning of the rest of their lives. And from up above, in the shine of the stars and the rays of the moon, Grace let them know of her approval.

It truly was a happy ending, for all three of them, forever.