"I remember when I first met you. When you first waltzed into the department, I looked at you and I thought 'wow, she's amazing'. I Mean things went a little pear shaped after that didn't they, but I woke up and realised that the front you've been putting on, it's all fake. I've got you worked out now, I know that you lashing out, how you act, it's you stopping yourself from getting hurt but I promise you, from now on, you don't have to pretend. I love you more than I have ever loved anyone or anything in my life, I mean I wish we could go back, start again, but I would not change you for the world"
Rita sat at Connie's bedside, her hand firmly on top of Connie's. The cut on the brunettes arm wrapped in clean bandages, her body covered in a sheet that Tess had draped over her on arrival. The clinical lead was pale, a deathly pale. Her eyes were closed, her rising chest the only sign of life.
"I'm sorry about last night, I froze. I should have told you there and then just how much you mean to me, I'm sorry I didn't tell you before because otherwise it wouldn't have come to this. I want to be your everything, the perfect girlfriend, Grace's step-Mum, and ultimately our babies Mummy" Rita pushed a strand of dark hair from Connie's face, her eyes full of adoration and love. Her heart was still pounding slightly more than it should have, seeing Connie so fragile and broke was so heart wrenching.
"Rita" The blonde had been completely unaware that Charlie had even entered the room, but there he stood, his face one of concern. He moved across resus and placed a hand on Rita's shoulder reassuringly.
"I hate seeing her like this, she doesn't look like Connie" Rita murmured, barely taking her eyes from Connie's form.
"She's got you now, I'm sure she'll be fine" He said gently.
"And the baby?"
"Is fine, average size, strong heartbeat" Charlie smiled. Tess had passed him the ultrasound results, after he and Rita had been forced to admit that the clinical lead was pregnant. She was barely two months, and she didn't want anyone to know, but Rita couldn't justify the risk, she needed to know both her baby and partner were going to be ok. If Connie had lost the baby, it would have broken her even more.
"Hear that Con, our babies doing ok, you best be getting better or we'll be running rings around you" Rita allowed a ghost of a smile to grace her lips, imagining anyone giving Connie the run around was near impossible.
"Running rings around me?" A voice suddenly piped up. Rita watched as Connie began to open her eyes, a tug of a smile pulling at her lips as she watched both Charlie and Rita's face immediately light up.
"Hey you" Rita smiled as she leant down and placed a kiss on the brunette's forehead.
"Reets, I'm sorry" Connie managed as she attempted to reach her bad arm out to take Rita's hand. Rita gently took Connie's arm and placed it back on the bed before picking up her other hand and squeezing it in her hand.
"Darling, its fine. I'm just glad you and the baby are ok, god knows what I'd have done if I'd lost the pair of you" Rita soothed.
"We were very worried Connie" Charlie suddenly butted in, his hand firmly on Rita's shoulder.
"I'm ok" Connie tried to convince the older nurse.
"You don't have to pretend anymore" Charlie stated" Rita and I care about you more than you'll ever realise" Connie remained silent, her gaze falling to her hands. She seemed unable to speak as realisation dawned upon her. She had too much to live for, Grace, her baby and now Rita.
"When can I go home?" Connie requested, suddenly the need to be at home was so strong.
"How are you feeling?" Charlie asked.
"Ok, I just want to go home" The two nurses looked to each other, both knowing that what Connie Beauchamp wanted, Connie Beauchamp got.
"I'll get Zoe to take some final observations, then, if everything is looking ok, I think you'll be fit for discharge, so long as there is someone at home with you, just in case" Charlie informed the clinical lead.
Connie looked up to Rita, her eyes wide and hopeful.
"Will you…?" She began.
"If you think you're going home without me then you have another thing coming Mrs Beauchamp!"