Chapter 25

So this chapter skips forward about a month as I'm no good at writing the slower recovery kind of things, hope people don't mind too much! Thank you for sticking with, keep reviewing guys

Waking up that morning Cal was first to open his eyes to turn the alarm off. He prodded Connie in the side in some attempt to wake her. "Mmmm-" "Con, you know you'll only moan at me if you're late this morning." She moved her head and opened one eye to look up at him as he leant on his arm.

Rolling onto her front she stretched over and placed a kiss on his lips as he pulled her closer to him. "So, dinner tonight still?" She smiled as she watched him sit up and get out of the bed. Her eyes followed him as he left the room heading down to the kitchen.

She had been so worried that after the accident they'd fall apart, and that things would never feel normal again. Somehow she sat there that morning thinking about how she couldn't have been more wrong. Cal had been there every second for her, through the tougher days when she felt like hiding away from everyone and the better days where it seemed like none of that ever happened.

After she was changed she wandered back into the bedroom to see that Cal had left something on the end of the bed for her. As she sat down she heard the door downstairs close before turning her attention back to the tray in front of her. He had made her breakfast but also left a rose with a note to it. So we're having dinner tonight, but I might have lied a little bit… Wrap up warm and be ready for a relaxing evening at 7. I'll see you tonight, I love you x

Her eyes lifted to the black jewellery box to the side. Opening it up she found a simple silver bracelet. Taking it out of the box she looked down at it as the light shone from the figure 8 intricately shaped like a heart at both ends. Connie shook her head as she placed the bracelet onto the box again before standing up and finishing getting ready.

Before leaving the room she put the bracelet on and looked down at it. Wearing that and the necklace he bought her for her birthday last year she smiled looking into the mirror. He spoiled her all the time and now he was obviously planning something tonight. One of these days she was determined it would be her surprising him, she just needed to wait for the right time for that to happen.

It was a short drive to work which she drove with the radio playing out. Singing along as she parked outside the ED she received a look from Zoe through the window as she smiled back. "What's got you in such a good mood today? Are you the same Connie Beauchamp that is normally here?" Connie laughed sarcastically as she closed the car door in response to Zoe's questioning. "Have you seen Cal this morning?" Zoe shrugged "He's been around but where he keeps hiding I have no idea!"

As the day went on Connie noticed that she never saw Cal in the department. He was treating patients all day, yet not once did she actually see him. Wandering out of her office she went into resus to check on her patient.

Cal was standing by the nurses' station with Ethan talking about next weekend. "So come on, there must be something you're planning for your birthday. It's not like you not to." Cal shrugged as he smiled at his brother "I've not had a reason to stay at home before, this year I have… Anyway got to go, I'm avoiding Connie as I don't want to explain this morning to her-" "What?" But he was already gone as Connie wandered out of her office.

Once again Connie wandered the department not seeing Cal around. "Hey Connie, are you and Cal coming out this weekend?" She turned around to see Iain standing in reception looking towards her waiting for an answer. "Yeah maybe, you'll have to find Cal to ask him because I can't seem to find him anywhere." Iain smiled nodding as he turned away and wandered back outside leaving them all to it inside.

Cal was waiting around outside when he noticed Grace running towards him. "Hey!" She jumped into his arms as he picked her up. "How was school today?" Grace's face changed as she rolled her eyes "You look just like your Mum when you do that… Where's Uncle Elliot got to?" Cal looked past her and saw him walking across the road towards him. "Cal. How are you?" He smiled across at the other man before facing Grace again. "Right you, how bout you run inside and find your Mum while me and Elliot talk?"

Grace got down and skipped off inside the hospital stopping at reception. "Why hello Grace, you looking for your Mum?" She nodded smiling up at the receptionist who tried looking into her office to see if she was in there. "Let me phone her and see where she's at." Grace smiled resting her head on her arms as she looked around reception.

Outside Cal stood with Elliot. "So, what was it you wanted to talk about?" Elliot looked at Cal who seemed to be standing there nervously. "I just… Well I thought seeing as you're the closest thing to a father that Connie has, and seeing as I wanted to do all this properly. What do you think about me asking Connie to marry me?" Elliot looked across at him "Haven't we had this conversation before-" "Yeah, but I want to ask her… Tonight." Elliot thought for a moment before turning his gaze back to the other man deciding to put him out of his misery. "I think you'd be a fool not to ask her." Cal smiled as he hugged Elliot before composing himself again. "I better finish my shift, there's something I need to sort out. Oh, if Connie asks you haven't seen me at all." Cal turned away and went inside and noticed Grace by reception still.

"Munchkin, if your Mum asks tell her you haven't seen me today. I've been hiding from her today and don't want her to know where I am okay?" He winked at the small girl who just laughed and nodded as he ran towards cubicles.

Rita came out of her office to find Connie walking her direction. "Hey, Noel said Grace is in reception waiting to see you." Connie pulled a face as she walked towards reception and noticed her daughter sitting up on the desk watching Noel work. "Hello missy, what are you doing here? Where's Elliot got to?" Grace smiled jumping down and hugging her Mum. "He's gone to the toilet, I wanted to come and see you…" she noticed Elliot walking back and spoke "Didn't I?" He heard the final bit and nodded as he joined Connie.

The three of them went to her office and took a seat for a few minutes. Grace was sitting on Connie's lap in her office talking. "School okay?" She shrugged "It was alright, I can't wait to come round this weekend with you and Cal." Connie smiled hugging her daughter tighter "Me neither-" she was cut off by the door opening and Cal appearing. She went to speak but he began before she could.

"Just thought I'd say I'm off now, things to do people to see… Tonight 7, warm clothes, no heels you'll only regret it. Don't ask questions, I'll be by at 7 to get you. Don't be late!" he said as he left the office. "Bu- but- Cal!?" Too late he was gone and she was left more confused than ever. Elliot sat back in his chair smiling but Connie noticed "What do you know that I don't?" He shrugged standing up "Right Grace I think that's our cue to leave."

She watched as they both got up. "Elliot-" "Bye Mum, love you. See you tomorrow!" Connie looked as they left the office smiling. "Elliot!?" She stood in her office frustrated and confused deciding to just get the shift finished and go home.