"You can be there for him now, Jacob." Connie offered softly. When she heard the hitch in his breath, she added, "I'll come."
Jacob lifted his head, looking at the woman in front of him with a slight frown. "You'll come?"
"If it will help you, I'll come." Connie repeated, risking a glance up at Jacob who still stared at her.
"...What about the department? It's snowed under and it's a mess."
"You're more important to me right now." Connie kept her eyes glued to the floor, for she'd never admitted even to herself that Jacob was important to her.
Jacob let out a long breath, studying the brunette's face as it masked any feeling from being seen. "You'd have to deal with Elle all evening."
"Then I'll deal with Elle all evening." Connie replied immediately, lifting her head this time to make eye contact so Jacob would know she was both serious and sure.
Jacob nodded his head, looking a little impressed before he finally gave a reply, "You being there would make it bearable."
When he spoke, she couldn't, try as she might, stop the corners of her mouth from turning upwards a little.
"Okay. I'll let Rita know that you've got permission to leave, and I'll go and find Dylan and ask him to call an agency. We'll manage."
"Connie, I..."
"It's okay." In response, he placed his hand on top of hers, before getting up off the sofa and making his way to the door.
"I'll need to, um, go home..." He thought of the suit that was laid out, and he took another deep breath before looking at Connie.
"So do I. We can... We can take the car, I'll park it somewhere and then we can walk in, if you'd prefer..." She trailed off, uncertain of whether this was something he would be comfortable with, considering the considerable time they had spent apart recently and the occasion.
"I think I would." He spoke quietly, but gave a slight, grateful smile which she returned, before he sighed and pulled on the door handle. "I'll go and... Tell Elle. She can go and meet Mum, we'll see them there."
"Okay."
"Are you sure, Con?"
"I'm sure. You'd do it for me." She offered quietly, busying herself taking off her stethoscope and looking for her bag.
"I'd do anything for you, you know that." Jacob replied just as quietly before slipping from the room.
Connie took a deep breath, shutting her eyes for a moment to ready herself for the evening ahead. Finally, feeling a little more in control, she stalked from her office to find Rita.