Chapter 12 –Gravity

Connie had been at home for almost three months now and although there were some stumbles at first, she was coping. Grace was like another child after the accident, both of them had a completely different relationship with one another now.

Grace was in school and doing extremely well. Zoe and Connie had spent a lot of time together, allowing her to form friendships with not only her but Rita too. Ethan had been looking after Grace more and more when Cal was watching her due to them living in the same flat. "So Grace, how about we get you sorted for school then I get back to work?" Grace had slept at Cal's place last night giving Connie a night alone, the first she'd had since the accident. It had been his suggestion, he needed to know that she would be alright before she went back to working.

She was due to go back to work at the end of the week and everyone agreed it was well overdue. Connie couldn't wait to be back in control of the ED again after realising she had gained control over small parts of her life again.

Connie was finishing her hair when there was a knock at the door. She was going out with Zoe for the day before heading back to pick Grace up from school. "Hey, you ready to go?" Zoe stepped through the door and smiled at her friend. "Yeah, just give me a second." She turned back to get her bag and keys then realised her phone was still sitting on the table. She picked it up and put it into her bag before returning to the door. "Let's go" she beamed at the other woman.

Cal was practically skipping round the department, and it hadn't gone unnoticed by anyone. "Dr Knight has someone spiked your drink this morning?" Rita laughed at Dylan's question as the others watched from the nurses' station. "Can't a guy be happy? Nope, apparently not." Lofty nudged his friend "Have you got a new girlfriend?" Everyone laughed knowing that was exactly what was going on.

"Not exactly a new girlfriend, been together three months… But yes you could put some of it down to that I guess." He smiled at Ethan who was the only one who had suspected anything. He knew that there hadn't been anyone around other than Connie who'd come and get Grace every now and then. Ethan also knew that he spent most nights around the clinical leads house and so it hadn't taken him much to work it out, but he kept quiet, denying anything.

"So, I guess you're jumping at the chance to be back in the department again?" Connie smiled, Zoe knew her far too well. "Let's just say it's going to be good to get back. Dylan really was a life line when I was in hospital… How is he?" Zoe smiled, nodding "Okay, he's going to miss the power from it all but I think he's ready to hand it back over… Especially Guy Self!" The women remained talking and laughing for hours until Connie realised she had to get back for Grace.

Standing in the playground was a weird sensation for Connie. This was the first time she had picked Grace up herself. Thinking about it, today was the first day she had really been out of the house long enough for it to really count. "Mum?" Connie turned to see Grace walking out towards them. "Hey baby…" Grace hugged her mum having not expected to see her here. "I thought Cal was picking me up?" Connie laughed "Well if you'd rather wait-" "No! Hey Zoooeeee." The women smiled before wandering back out to the car and heading home. "Are you coming in for a bit?" Connie offered as Zoe looked towards Grace who was nodding her head. "Okay, I'll let Max know I'm here."

It was almost 6 and Connie had cooked dinner. Zoe had told Max where she was and Cal had told him to come home with him. Of course neither Max or Zoe knew that Cal was seeing Connie, they just assumed he was there for some company tonight. Connie was calling Grace down from upstairs when the guys arrived at the door. "I'll get it for you!" Zoe went to the door and let them both in. "Connie's cooked something for us all seeing as Grace wouldn't let me leave yet" she laughed.

Grace came downstairs after Connie had gone up there to get her. Connie was in her room having a few minutes to herself when she heard everyone laughing downstairs. Standing up and making her way downstairs she smiled on seeing everyone in the living room together. "Hey, bet work was fun without us both there today." Connie laughed as Cal rolled his eyes and Max acted overly dramatic.

After finishing off dinner and putting it on plates for everyone Connie walked out the kitchen to take her shoes off and was caught by Cal who was 'going to the toilet'. He held her wrist and leant down to kiss her. It was quick and gentle but full of so much. "You didn't have to do this tonight." It was then he stepped back and looked down at her. "Wow, you know it's been a while since I've seen you look this… happy, and amazing of course." He winked as she moved closer and leant up to kiss him again. "Come on otherwise they'll start talking." They laughed as they both headed back for their dinner.

Everyone ate the lot, and before long they were saying goodbye to Zoe and Max. "I'll see you Friday Connie, don't be late!" She laughed as Zoe walked out with Max and climbed into her car to get home. Closing the door Connie realised Grace was already up in bed and Cal had cleaned up. He walked towards her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You know I love you…" Connie leant up and kissed him, she never noticed how much taller he was until they stood like this and she didn't have the extra height of her heels.

Connie couldn't believe how fast things had moved with her and Cal. Okay it hadn't been a very conventional relationship but they both found themselves in so deep after only a couple of months. Connie was getting changed when Cal walked out from the bathroom. "I better go home-" "Really, I completely believe that you're motive when coming here tonight was to leave." Cal laughed closing the space between them and kissed her, picking her up at the same time. "Believe it or not, it genuinely was but since you offer such a persuasive argument."

Connie laughed as Cal put her down on the bed and continued to kiss her. One thing led to another and they found themselves lying underneath the covers wrapped round each other. "I love you Connie Beauchamp… That was definitely better than that whole no strings crap." She jabbed him in the side before settling down to sleep, with Cal's arm around her waist and the other running through her hair.

Going back to work would be strange and probably the hardest thing she's ever done, but knowing she had Cal with her every step eased the worrying.

Gravity by Pixie Lott