Part 4

Walking up the stillness of the plane caught most of guard. Yawning Connie opened her eyes, heat surrounding her as Grace snuggled next to her. The sun streaming through the window. Moving ever so slowly, as to not wake her daughter she took off her seat belt. Stretching she looked at Joseph before pointing to her daughter. 'Watch her' She mouthed walking in the direction of the toilet.

Nodding Joseph smiled simply as Grace slept. He'd been awake for a couple of hours. Unable to fall back in to wistful sleep. Watching the cabin crew as they walked up and down, waking passengers from there slumber ,he decided to wake Michael. Shaking his shoulders the American opened his eyes. After a few moments of thought and realization relief washing over him the stillness of the plane, finally, properly calming him.

'Are we here?' He asked clearing his throat.

'Yes. Yes we are' Joseph replied looking at the small digital clock placed on the back of his seat. 'At 6:30am exactly'

'Great…' Michael replied rubbing his eyes quickly, sitting up, he no longer felt sick, watching as the sun rose slowly. 'Beautiful sight Joe' He pointed at the window, squinting slightly, still his eyes adjusting to the light. Joseph followed Michael's gaze. 'Amazing' The man with OCD transfixed his eyes on the bright yellow and orange rising is the distance.

'See this is what I've missed , being back here, you get to see some incredible things..the nightlife is amazing, you'd love it.. as would Connie..well… I think.' Joseph just nodded. Michael was good at rambling. 'Anyway where is she?' He asked turning to the empty chair to his right side.

'Toilet..'

'Right' Michael smiled watching Grace as she slept. 'Cute little kid isn't she?'

Joseph let a smile mask his features. 'I believe so'

'Wouldn't be surprised if that little one grew up like her mother, Connie mini-me, could you imagine?' He smirked.

'Oh, your awake now?' Came a female voice up behind Michael, as Connie took a place in her seat.

'Sure I'm, why? Did ' you miss me?' A smile played on his lips.

'Oh no… in fact I was quiet glad of the peace and quiet'

Michael shook his head. 'Welcome home' He muttered softly to himself as a grin appeared on his face.

Connie sat watching her daughter, her task now came in the form of waking her from her peaceful slumber without her screaming the place down. If it's one thing Grace didn't like it was being woken up. She liked to do this of her own accord.

'Gracieee' Communicating in a half whisper, Connie shook her daughter gently. Grace opened her eyes, followed by a few grumpy moans. Opening her eyes she took in her surroundings and let the light adjust and focus around her. 'No..Mummy' She grumbled.

'Yes, Graciee, were going to see Daddy soon, were on holiday now.' She shook her gently again. 'Come-on' Sitting her up. She waited , watching her daughter and then before she knew it her daughter was screaming from the top of her lungs.

'Wow…see what I mean, just like her mother….' Michael shouted to Joseph over the racket. Again Joseph laughed a little. Nodding he agreed.

Connie soon got her daughter in a calm state. Once every passenger was awake and ready they all departed the plane in one mad, big rush.

To the airport it was, someone was waiting for them.

The airport was just as busy, with people walking in and out. Connie had to keep tabs on Grace as well as her luggage which tagged along behind her. Seeing a bench she sat down, calling her daughter over, they both sat down. Connie exhaled feeling a little worn out.

Michael and Joseph on the other hand where stretched out at the far end of the airport grabbing drinks.

'You will really love this holiday, Joe, may even find a woman…' He smirked at his friend sitting down at a table. The luggage sat beside them.

'I'm perfecting fine with Jac, thank you' Joseph stated taking a large sip of his coffee. Which was far too strong.

'Ah, fair enough, anyway how come Jac didn't tag along with us?'

'She wasn't invited…this was by invitation..' Joseph popped his cup down, making sure it was neatly placed, his OCD not hard to miss.

'Oh come-on Joseph, this is Jac were on about, since when did she not say no, to a holiday, by invitation or not..' He grinned. Picking up his coffee. Taking a sip. 'This is good…yes American coffee, tastes so good'

Joseph smiled vaguely nodding. Choosing not to say anything, knowing however he was right.

He stood at the far end of the airport. He could see her, she hadn't changed, not one bit, her brunette hair fell passed her shoulders. He felt nervous, stood there, anxious to go up to her. See the woman he left for this place four years ago. His daughter, oh his daughter, he'd missed her like you wouldn't believe. Was she with her mother? If she was, he couldn't see. This moment was so surreal. What was he doing making her sit there and wait…surely he should be with her by now.

Connie sighed, tilting her head back, she closed her eyes. Jet lag slowly starting to sink in, already. Never had it crossed her mind what it would be like seeing Sam again, not until now. What would she say, would words really fail her? Connie Beauchamp, surely not? After 4 years, he'd walk back into hers and her daughter's life. After leading a completely different one.

'Connie' A voice broke through her thoughts. Breaking her silent reverie. Chills ran through her body. Sam. Tilting her head up and opening her eyes he already had Grace In his arms.

'Sam' He looked so different. His hair shorter than she remembered. His clothes, a suit? Sam in a suit? Always a first. She looked at him, giving him eye contact, she opened her mouth, words failed her.

'How are you?' He decided to break the silence between them.

'I'm fine, and you?' Tears formed in her eyes. 'I've missed you, really missed you' She admitted quickly.

Sam put Grace down before sitting beside her. 'Me too, and this one…Connie i-' Being interrupted on Michaels return Sam stood up briskly.

'Strachan!' Michael gave his old friend a hug followed by a pat on the shoulder, pulling away he looked at him from afar. 'Strachan… in a suit?, first time for everything I guess!' Michael briskly passed Connie her coffee as Sam went to greet Joseph.

'So' Michael started sitting down. '…How was the reunion?'

Connie turned to him. 'Lets just say, a lot less hetic than this…' she let out a small smile.

'You kiss then?..' His asked his voice low.

Connie frowned, placing her daughter on her knee. 'Oh Michael give it a rest..no we didn't'

He smirked.

Watching Joseph and Sam walk over to where they were sat. Joseph took a seat.

Connie smiled at Sam as he stood infront of them.

'I have something to tell you all…about the reason I asked you all over here three of my closest colleagues/friends and my beautiful daughter' He trailed off, an soft, mild American accent centered through his words.

Connie's heart leaped. Thinking the worst. She exhaled deeply. Not being able to shake that initial thought of illness out her head. Michael and Joseph as well as Connie herself where all ears.