Connie had just finished pulling on her trainers, a run to work was just what she needed today. It had been a couple of weeks since her and Jacob had given into their feelings for one another and finding time to spend together was becoming frustrating.

Keeping the secret from Grace was even worse...knowing that if she found out about her and Jacob it would ruin their precarious mother/daughter relationship for good.

The hope was that one day Grace would see that she had changed, that even though she loved her job it was no longer the driving force behind her, kept her going.

Connie wanted to be a good mother, to be part of a family and have a life outside of work. She wanted to be happy, to spend time doing everyday things...things that could quite easily be taken for granted. A day at the beach, a walk in the park, playing in the garden, curling up on the sofa to watch a film, sat at the table talking over a meal, to lay in on a Sunday, to laugh and be carefree...and she wanted to do it all with Grace and Jacob.

A knock at the door broke her train of thought.

Pulling open the door Connie began to panic. "What are you doing here?" She hissed.

"I wanted to see you." Said Jacob innocently.

Taking Jacob's hand Connie pulled him inside and through to the living room. "Jacob you can't do this...if Grace see you-" "Let me talk to her." He suggested hopefully. "Where is she?"

"Next door...please Jacob...not now...I'm just heading to work, can we talk about it later." Begged Connie.

"Have you even tried to broach the subject with her?" Asked Jacob gently not wanting to start an argument.

"No..." sighed Connie. "...I don't want to lose her Jacob...I don't want to lose either of you." She told him honestly.

"I know." Said Jacob understanding what she was saying. "Let me talk to her, please...whatever I say I'll keep you out of it...I'll play it like you know nothing about it...you'll be covered."

"Feeling confident you can charm her?" Asked Connie with a smirk.

"My charms worked on Mrs Beauchamp...there's nothing that makes me think they won't work on Miss Beauchamp too!" Teased Jacob leaning in for a kiss.

Hearing a movement by the door Connie quickly pulled back from Jacob. Her heart sank, Grace stood there glaring at the couple.

Connie was devastated, she had no defence, no words to reason with her strong minded daughter.

"Grace..." Tried Connie but had nothing else to add. Instead she stood there and waited for the explosion of anger from Grace as she reiterated her demands...but none came...Grace just walked away.

Connie sank down onto the sofa with her head in her hands. "I'm so sorry." Said Jacob with a sigh. "Let me go after her...Let me at least try and fix this."

Receiving a small nod Jacob took off after Grace.

"GRACE!" Shouted Jacob jogging to catch up to her. "Grace...just wait please!"

"Why should I!" She shouted back.

"Where are you going?" Asked Jacob wondering what her plan was.

"Away from you two...I can't believe she lied to me! After everything!" Said Grace over her shoulder.

Following her into the park Jacob walked along side. "Grace...please...Let me explain...Can we sit and talk?"

Grace flopped down on the next bench. "She promised me that the two of you had broken up...She promised!" She exclaimed.

"That's because we did break up...your mum did exactly what you wanted." Insisted Jacob.

"But..." prompted Grace.

"But...we have strong feelings for each other...two weeks ago it became to much to stay apart..." Said Jacob.

"Does that mean mum loves you more than she loves me?" Asked Grace.

"No!" Exclaimed Jacob. "No way...that would never happen Grace, your her daughter...the love she has for you can't compare with how much she loves anyone or anything else...Can I ask why your so dead set against me and your mum being together?" He asked.

"Mum spends so much time at the hospital or doing paperwork, how is she suppose to fit work, me and you in...She can't do it...I just wanted for once for her to put me first..." Said Grace as she started to cry.

Jacob put his arm round her in comfort. "So it's not because you don't like me?" Asked Jacob.

"No...I think your cool." Said Grace through her tears.

"Ok...so let me tell you something now..." Said Jacob. "...these last two weeks has your mum done anything differently...different from when we weren't together? Has she spent any less time with you?"

He could see Grace thinking about what he'd just asked. "No...not really...She spent the whole day with me yesterday, it was my sports day." Smiled Grace.

"I know she told me all about it...I wish I could have been there, it sounded like fun." Jacob smiled back. "I've no intention of coming between you and your mum Grace...I want to be your friend...I'd like for the three of us to spend some time together. Maybe go out for the day...to the beach or wherever you'd like to go...maybe if we put our heads together we can talk your mum into a proper holiday." He said trying to tempt her.

"I don't think mum will ever agree on a holiday." Said Grace shaking her head.

"Well she's never come up against me and you before." Said Jacob with a wink. "Grace...I love your mum very much...and I love you to...please let me be there for the both of you...I can promise you, you'll always be your mum's priority...I won't let it be any other way...all this is breaking your mum's heart."

Grace leaned on Jacob's chest. "You make her happy." Stated Grace. "I could see the difference when I came back from New York...you have to make me another promise..." Said Grace looking up at him.

"Anything firecracker." He agreed.

"Will you promise to not hurt her?" She asked quietly.

"That's a very easy promise to make Grace..." Jacob told her sincerely. "...I'll spend my life trying to keep the smile on your mum's face." He said and then added. "And yours too...shall we go find your mum?"

"Yes please." Said Grace wiping the tears from her face.