"Well I was not expecting that…"
Zoe dug her elbow into Max's ribs, indicating for him to quieten down. Connie and Rita were sat barely feet away surrounded by the likes of Tess and Charlie. The group had retired to the bar once the initial shock had calmed. The first round had been paid for by a generous feeling Connie who now sat nursing an orange juice. Shame, the first time she entered the pub with the team and she couldn't even be plighted with drinks in an attempt of getting her rat-arsed, although Max had a feeling that Connie didn't need alcohol to cheer her mood. The woman was practically on cloud nine and wearing a grin the size of Holby.
"Hey! I meant it in a good way… it's… sweet" Even Max didn't seem convinced by his own words. It was far from sweet. Connie Beauchamp was in no way sweet, scary yes, but somehow knitted baby booties and quiet family Sundays didn't seem very Beauchamp.
"Now I know your lying…" Zoe laughed just as the rest of the team ambled over from the bar and began to settle into the chairs surrounding the table where both she and Max sat. Rita was chivalrous, pulling out Connie's chair, taking her drink whilst the clinical lead sat down. She then placed a kiss on Connie's forehead and set the drink down on a coaster on the table.
"Hey lovebirds… You kept that quiet!" Zoe giggled as she leant across the table and pointed at the newly engaged females. Rita collapsed into the chair beside Connie and placed her arm around her beloved's shoulders.
"Oh you know me Zoe, never one to broadcast my personal life" Connie said matter of factly" Although perhaps Rita and I are the exception that I needed" She pondered out loud as she looked at Rita proudly.
"Well I think it's fantastic, and I certainly can't wait to see Grace again. Does she know about the baby?" Zoe suddenly thought.
"Not yet no, I just want to focus on getting her settled back in first. There's enough change in her life at the moment, I just don't want to unsettle her too much" Connie admitted thoughtfully.
"Well I am sure that she is going to be over the moon, I always wanted a brother or sister" Zoe thought wistfully as she remembered her childhood, growing up without any siblings or anyone to play with.
"Well here's to hoping" Connie smiled as she held up her orange juice in signal of a toast before placing the glass to her lips and swallowing the remains of the liquid.
"Connie!" A voice suddenly called from across the pub. The clinical lead looked up quickly to find Elliot Hope holding on tightly to a balloon that read 'congratulations'. Connie blushed as she pulled herself up from her chair and draped her arms around the man who was possibly her closest friend.
"Elliot, what are you doing here?" Connie questioned. Elliot looked over to Charlie who winked before turning back to his conversation with Tess" Oh I see. You've got Charlie keeping an eye on me haven't you?"
"Guilty!" Elliot allowed a small smile to creep up his lips.
"Oh it's so wonderful to see you!" Connie beamed as she hugged him tightly.
"Oh and you my darling, and you. Now are you going to introduce me to this wonderful fiancé of yours?" Elliot requested as he gazed around the table, trying to work out which of the faces was the love of her life.
"Elliot, meet Rita. Rita this is Professor Elliot Hope, a very dear friend of mine, and Grace's godfather" Connie started the introductions, her hands tightly holding onto the top of Rita's arm. Rita held out her hand to greet the older man.
"Lovely to meet you professor, Connie has told me all about you…"
"All good I hope…" Elliot joked.
"The best…. Could I get you a drink?" Rita asked politely.
"Oh no, I'm fine. I'm actually still technically working… got an aortic valve replacement before I can go home… No I just popped by to pass on my congratulations and to drop this awfully shiny balloon off" He handed Connie the balloon before placing a kiss on both women's cheeks.
"Well thank you for popping by Elliot, you'll have to come round one day for dinner once we have settled in…" Connie promised.
"Oh you try and stop me. Anyway, enjoy the rest of your evening ladies" Elliot bid farewell before slipping from the pub. Rita looked round to Connie who was clinging onto the balloon. The way the light shone down on her face, illuminating her skin and making her look even more radiant than usual.
"You ok?" Connie asked with concern.
"How could I not be?"