"Connie…"

Charlie stepped forward from the crowd of nursing staff that circled the trolley where Connie was desperately attempting to resuscitate a 12 year old patient that had been involved in a car accident. Both parents had already died at the scene, the young girl had done well to make it as far as the ED, her injuries had been serious, and ultimately life ending.

Connie had spent a good half an hour pumping at the young girl's chest, holding out for a sudden pick up in the girls SATS. Everyone else could see that the girl was gone, but there was a determination about Connie, something that suggested she was not about to give up.

The rest of the team had agreed to stop, but Connie remained adamant that there was something to be done. Charlie placed both hands on Connie's shoulders before leaning in to her ear.

"She's gone Connie…" He whispered. Connie's face crumpled slightly as her hands fell from the patient's body to the edge of the bed, her fingers curling up as they slid across the crisp white sheets that were now splattered with the blood of a child.

"I should have been able to do something" Connie whispered as she glanced over her shoulder and noted the rest of the team looking down at the floor bleakly.

"You tried. That's all that matters" Charlie attempted to console the woman. Connie flipped her hair over her shoulder, using her wrists as her hands were covered with blood soaked gloves.

"Time of death, 13:53" Connie mumbled as she pulled at the latex gloves and tore them off before allowing them to drop to the floor. Once her gloves were off she fiddled with the plastic apron that had been forced over her head by a nurse at some point during the life saving attempt. She had completely forgotten about the large silver diamond that now sat on her ring finger, something that once the gloves had been removed was hard to attempt to hide.

Connie listened as a gasp was emitted from somewhere behind her. She turned her head, nose wrinkled slightly, as she clapped eyes on a wide eyed Robyn who was gawping at her boss' hand. Connie looked down at her finger, suddenly remembering it was there. She then looked back to Robyn who looked as though she were about to burst with excitement.

"Nurse Miller…" Connie uttered in her usual demeanour. Robyn looked back at Connie slightly horrified that she had been caught nosing.

"I'm sorry Mrs Beauchamp… It's just such a beautiful ring…" She croaked. Charlie raised an eyebrow and also looked down to Connie's hand. He had not noticed the ring previously and found himself almost as quizzical as young Robyn.

"Yes, well, although I appreciate your compliment, it isn't really appropriate right at this time is it" Connie snapped as she glanced over at the body covered with a sheet that lay in the centre of resus. She liked her staff to be respectful when treating those who pass away in the department, and that included silence, unless you were the kind of staff member who liked to speak to those who have passed whilst offering last Rites.

"No Mrs Beauchamp" Robyn said softly as she looked down to her feet to avoid eye contact.

"Now I suggest you get back to work. I shall see you at the end of your shift in the staffroom. Please let everyone else know I expect to see them there too" Connie announced as she folded her arms across her body and made her way out of resus.

Xxx

"I'm telling you it was an engagement ring!"

"Are you sure? I had no idea Mrs Beauchamp was even seeing anybody" Lofty replied to his friend Robyn as she informed him of what she had seen whilst working with the clinical lead in resus. The pair continued talking till they reached the staffroom where the rest of the team had already gathered. Connie stood before them all, her hands behind her back as she waited for Robyn and Lofty to both take their places.

"Right, that's everyone! So firstly I'd just like to that you all for your fantastic work this afternoon. I know that we have once again been overrun, and typically understaffed, but I thought you all dealt with the masses brilliantly. The second thing I wanted to say was that I am sure by now you have all been informed that I am engaged…" As she spoke Rita's ear suddenly picked up. She looked at Connie startled. Connie just smiled before holding out her hand. Rita slowly bit down her nerves and accepted the brunette's hand, finding herself being pulled to the front where they stood hand in hand in front of the team.

"It is true, so I hope you'll join us over the road for a celebratory drink" After the team recovered from their initial shock, a round of applause erupted throughout the room, with even several cheers being heard.

"There is also a few more things that I feel you ought to know if this department is going to be transparent…. One is that in seven months there will be addition to myself and Rita's lives as I am actually pregnant… this will mean that there will be some changes throughout the ED, which includes the appointment of a deputy clinical lead, who will be in charge of the department whilst I am on maternity leave. I will also be reducing my hours which will begin from next week as my eldest will be returning home" Rita looked up to Connie surprised as Connie revealed that Grace was coming home. This was the first she had heard of it.

"Grace is coming home?" Zoe asked surprised.

"Next Monday. Whilst I am unavailable Doctor Keogh will be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns as he is the newly appointed deputy clinical lead. This does not mean that the department can slack. I have faith in every single one of you, so please do not let me down"