It was decorated rather nicely, though definitely home to two males due to lack of colour. He led her to the living room.
"Please-" he motioned to the sofa, "sit down, I'll get you a drink."
"Thankyou, tea would be nice. Milk, two sugars." Connie replied quietly, perching on the edge of the sofa and looking round. The living room was scarcely decorated, but still fairly nice. They had a marble fireplace, with photo frames on top. She got up and went to look at them. There were three in total; one of the two brothers in their graduation clothes, one of them as children, and one of a beautiful young woman whom she presumed to be their mother. Connie smiled as Cal came back with their drinks.
"So." He said, sitting down at the other end of the sofa.
"So." His boss replied, hands cupping the "Happy 21st!" mug she had been given. They sat in silence, Connie looking at her feet, and Cal watching her. He noticed that she looked more withdrawn than usual; her freckles more prominent than they usually were. He cleared his throat.
"Connie-"
"Wait, Cal." She said quietly, "let me tell you rather than the whole 20 questions, ok?"
"Whatever's best."
She thought for a few minutes longer then put her cup down on the little oak coffee table. She turned to face him and began to speak, twirling the ring on her right hand round and round.
"It all started when I joined the ED. I didn't hit it off with any of you except Robyn, then even she grew to dislike me. Then when I became clinical lead, the work load got harder. I had so much extra I had to do, as swell a cope with the cut backs, as well as cope with you lot. Then there was the crash. That was my fault-" Cal tried to interrupt her but she cut him off, "-and I know it, so don't try tell me otherwise. If I hadn't suggested the stupid trip, Jeff wouldn't…" she slowed down, "Jeff wouldn't have died. I still have nightmares, every night. Then came the whole Hailey Blake debacle. She's taking me to court Cal!"
"I'm sure it'll be sorted out before then." He soothed but she didn't buy it.
"I had 14 answerphone messages from that woman. 14! She means business. But then as if things couldn't get any worse, Grace was expelled. Then suspended. She's such a lovely, sweet girl, I don't know what her problem is. She can't do as she's told so I punish her, that's how parenting works. But now there's an investigation into an allegation of child abuse." She sighed, picking up her mug again. "And they're following it up."
"Oh Connie, I had no idea." Cal said quietly as she brought the mug to her lips. He could hear the ceramic colliding with her teeth as her hands began to tremble. She brought the cup to her knees and bit her lip.
"What am I going to go?" Her voice cracked, and tears began to spill down her cheeks. "I could be sent down."
"Here." He handed her a box of tissues and she took it gratefully. "Look, you're a good mother. It can't be hard juggling a demanding job as well as a daughter, as well as all the rest. They'll understand."
"No they won't." She whispered, "If they have the evidence, they'll send me to jail. This system's fucked up, and they know it."
Cal had no response to that last comment because he knew it was true. Connie sat silently, tear after tear being wiped away by tissue. He felt for her, he really did. He knew things must be bad, because the ice queen wouldn't break down optionally. And she was breaking down. Slowly but surely, her silence was broken by loud sobs, shakes, and shudders.
The doctor moved slowly until he was sat next to her, then put his arm around her shaking shoulders.
"Alright, alright." He whispered, rubbing soothing circles with his thumb until she calmed down.
"I'm sorry." She said, dabbing at her eyes, "I'm sorry."
"You've got nothing to be sorry for." He smiled, getting up and taking their mugs. "I'll go get a refill."
He disappeared into the kitchen and Connie put her head in her hands. Her life was a mess, and the only person she could talk to was one of her staff. What had happened to her? She used to be so organised, so respected.
Cal's words echoed in her mind as she rubbed her forehead. "…you need help. There's no need to be ashamed of that."
Maybe Cal was what she needed. He was willing, caring and understanding- a total surprise. There was no way she wanted to go through this again, so what else was there to do?
She heard the kettle boil in the kitchen and the clink of mugs, then Cal reappeared, holding 2 mugs and two plates.
"Ham or cheese?" he asked, placing the plates and mugs in front of her on the coffee table, and sitting in the chair opposite her. She looked at him blankly.
"Sandwiches. I know for a fact you won't have eaten today, so I made you a sandwich. You can have both if you like."
She looked at him, the suddenly felt a rush of something- a bit like when she sees Grace laugh, or when Sam bought her the ring she always wore…
Love. She felt love.
She looked into his eyes and saw them glittering, dancing. He looked back at her, and she knew then that he felt the same.
Letting her feelings take over, Connie leant forward, eyes still teary, and kissed him softy on the lips. He responded just as gently, moving forwards and placing his hands softy in her hair, tucking a stray strand behind her ear. She too moved closer, placing her hands on his knees and slowly but surely, moving them upwards.
Cal broke away and placed his forehead against hers.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" he whispered, out of breath. Connie took his hands from her hair, looking into his eyes all the while, and stood up, pulling him up with her.
"I'm sure." She replied quietly. "Lead the way."
