Chapter 16

…

Connie parked the car and made her way in to the busy shopping center, making her way to Starbucks which was at the end of the mall, when she walked in, she looked around and spotted Em's mum in the corner, her back to the counter. Connie went over to her, trying to keep a positive attitude.

"Mrs Dare?"

She other woman looked up to see Connie smiling down at her.

"Doctor Beauchamp."

"Connie please, do you want something to drink?"

"I wouldn't mind a cup of tea, they do serve tea don't they?"

"They do, I'll be right back."

Connie made her way over to the counter, ordering a regular tea for Jennifer and a regular Latte for herself, paying and taking it over to the table.

"There you are."

"Thank you."

They sat in silence for a few moments before Jennifer finally spoke.

"So what is it you wanted to talk about, you said in your text it was about Em…is she okay?"

"Oh she's fine, well as fine as she can be. Look, Mrs Dare I…"

"Jennifer."

"Jennifer, Em's miserable without you and Ellie. I know you have issues with out relationship, it came out of nowhere and it's obviously not what you want for you daughter but I…"

"All I want is for my daughter to be happy, I'm not angry that she's chosen to be with a woman, I'm not homophobic, what bothers me is that she's chosen someone the same age as myself."

Connie to a sip of her Latte before speaking again.

"But f it makes her happy, isn't that more important. I've always thought of age as just a number, I know Em feels that way too."

Jennifer looked out the window for a moment before drinking some of her tea.

"I'm not trying to make you feel guilty or anything here Jennifer, all I'm trying to do is reunite a mother and her daughter, especially with Christmas in a few days. You're daughter is miserable, knowing you won't be with her this Christmas and I'm sure Ellie is missing her big sister."

"She is, I'm trying to be difficult. I'm sure you're a very nice woman I…"

"I won't hurt your daughter, I love her. My daughter adores her so much already and…"

"You have a daughter too?"

"I do, her name's Grace, she's eleven going on thirty."

"Then you can understand my reservations, what if your daughter came to you and told you she was in love with a woman twice her age?"

"I won't lie to you, I would be upset, just as you are."

"Well there you are then."

"However, she's my daughter and there's nothing in this world I wouldn't do for her, she can be very demanding and there are times when she hates me so much because of my job, the way she'll speak to me makes me feel awful but, it doesn't stop me loving her. If Grace ever fell in love either with a man or a woman and they were older than her, if they made her happy, I'd accept it because all I ever want is for her to be happy in her life, whatever she chooses to do to get there."

Jennifer didn't say anything at that, just drank some more of her tea, Connie checked her phone before she stood up.

"I'm sorry but I have to go, Em is taking care of Grace while I nipped out to see you."

"Does she know you were coming to see me?"

"No she doesn't, I know our relationship will take some time to get used too but I do hope eventually you'll be able to accept it, perhaps even be happy for your daughter. Our Christmas mornings usually start around 9am, so if you and Ellie are free, you're more than welcome to come and celebrate the day with us, I know Em would love it and her friend Amanda will be there too. As I said, you don't have to feel obligated but…I do hope you take some time and think about it, this is my address, I hope you can make it…have a nice day Jennifer."

Jennifer gave Connie a small smile as the the other woman walked out of the coffee shop, leaving Jennifer to go over everything Connie had said to her.

…

Lofty was sitting in the pub across from the hospital, as he waited for Dylan to arrive. Max came in with Zoe and made his way over to his friend while Zoe went to the bar to get the drinks.

"You on your own?" Max asked.

"Well, I was waiting for Dylan but I'm not entirely sure if he's coming or not?"

"How come?"

"He never really gave me a definite answer when I invited him, I just sort of hoped maybe he will."

"Come on then, out with it?"

"What?"

"Lofty, you like the guy yeah?"

"Have I been too obvious?"

"Only to me, I mean Zoe thinks I'm being crazy but…"

"What does Zoe think?" She asked as she took a seat at the table.

"You think I was making it up about Lofty and Dylan."

"Oh…yeah well, wait…you mean you're not."

"Ask the man yourself."

Zoe took a long drink of her wine before looking up at Lofty, who had a stupid grin on his face.

"Oh my god, you like Dylan….out Dr Keogh?"

"Why do people find that strange?"

"Oh Lofty, okay look…you might like Dylan but I'm sure he's you know?"

"Gay?"

"Well he was married to Sam."

"He could be like me, likes both."

"He's never shown an interest in men in all the time I've known him, don't get me wrong I'm not saying he doesn't for sure, just…be careful yeah. If you are going to do something or say something to him…you might want to prepare yourself, that's all."

"Yeah okay?"

Lofty looked up when the door opened and Dylan walked in, spotting the younger man and his friends at the table.

"Oh, we're entertaining as well are we?" He said dryly.

"Nope, no Max and I were just leaving. Come on Max…good luck?" She whispered to Lofty.

Dylan took a seat as Lofty passed him a glass of beer.

"Got you a drink."

"How did you know I'd turn up?"

"I didn't, I just took a shot."

"And if I hadn't?"

"Then I'd have drank it." He smiled.

"Of course you would."

"So…Christmas?"

"Well as I said, I don't do very much. It's usually quite quiet, just Dervla and me so if you don't want too then…"

"I like quiet, it sounds good. Do you have Christmas dinner?"

"Of course."

"You a good cook?"

"Not the best, but I give it my best shot."

"Well I'm quite good, I love to cook so if you want a break this year, I'll cook for us."

"Really, you don't mind."

"I offered, didn't I."

"Fine by me."

"Cool, well, cheers."

Dylan took his glass, quickly clinking it with Lofty's before taking a large gulp of the beer, seeing the way Max and Zoe were watching them.

"Oh quick he saw us?" Max said.

"I hope Lofty knows what the hell he's doing."

"If Dylan knocks him back then that's it, at least he'll know where he stands."

"True, go get me another wine will you."

"Sure, back in a minute."

…

When Connie arrived home, the fire was on, Frozen playing in the background as Grace and Em decorated the tree.

"Wow, you girls have been busy?"

"Hey, you're back. What do think of the house…too much?"

"No I love it, I don't think my house has ever had so many string lights around it…ever."

"I love Christmas, listen if it's too much then just say."

"It's not, I love it. How's the tree coming along?"

"The tree."

"Em's not very colour coordinated when it comes to baubles mum."

"Is she not."

"And she just chucks the tinsel anywhere."

"Well we can't have that, can we?"

"Tell you what Grace, I'll leave you to do the tree and I'll make us all some hot chocolate…how about that?"

"Thank Em."

Grace went back to the tree as Connie and Em made their way in to the kitchen, Em making a start on the hot chocolate as Connie leaned on the counter, watching her.

"So…what did you get me then?" Em asked.

"Sorry?"

"My present?"

"Oh yes, sorry. Well I'm not telling you, it would ruin the surprise."

"You're being very odd."

"Isn't that one of the things you love about me?"

"It is, luckily for you."

Em walked over to her, kissing her as she wrapped her arms around Connie.

"IS MY HOT CHCOLATE READY YET?" Grace yelled through.

"Just coming honey, you better hurry up…can't keep the child waiting." Connie grinned.

Em released herself from Connie's arms, finishing Grace's hot chocolate for her and taking it through.

…

To Be Continued…