Chapter 5

It was the first of December and some people within the department were beginning to get in the festive spirit. And then there were others who were refusing to accept the joyful time of year.

"And it's also the season of hangovers and accidents, so no I don't really want to sing and shout about it." Rita walked away from reception and the new receptionist back towards cubicles. Noel disappeared after having enough of Jack already.

Connie wandered into the department, not paying too much attention to those around her until Jacob appeared beside her and walked with her towards her office. "So, how did that phone call go? Must have been important, kept you out there a while." A small smile passed her face as they walked the corridor to her office. "If you must know, Grace is coming home for Christmas so it was a pretty long conversation, yes."

She pushed the door open to her office and walked inside as Jacob lingered in the doorway. "I'm glad to hear it, it's got you smiling again sweet cheeks so it must be good." Connie couldn't help the smile that remained sitting on her face. "Did you think about my offer yesterday, still stands." She sat down in her chair whilst biting her bottom lip. She couldn't deny that she'd been thinking about it.

Jacob noticed the look on her face and stepped further into the office before sitting in the chair opposite Connie's desk. She leant forward in her chair and glanced across the desk at him. "I'm not sure I can remember that offer you know, hasn't really crossed my mind…" Jacob smirked nodding "Alright, so we're being like that are we? Well then Mrs B, I think there are some patients waiting out there, better not keep them waiting or my boss might hang me for it." He pushed up out of the chair and walked backwards out of the room watching her look back at him.

When he was finally out of sight a smile reappeared on her face as she leant back into the office chair. Getting on with some paperwork she attempted to refocus but found it impossible to concentrate so decided to leave the office and help in cubicles.

The shift passed quickly and soon enough Connie was putting things back into her bag before Jacob approached the door to the office and knocked lightly. She turned around to see him standing there "Not like you to actually knock-" "Not like you to be leaving a shift at a human time." Connie stood straight and rolled her eyes at him as he closed the door behind him.

"So, have you got any plans tonight?" Connie finished packing her bag and left it standing on the desk. She dropped her hands to her sides before looking back to him. "Why are you feeling lonely? Was that supposed to be an offer?" Jacob shrugged with his hands crossed against his chest. "What if it was?" Connie mimicked him and smirked "I don't know, hypothetically speaking you wouldn't really get an answer unless you asked-" "So have you got plans tonight or will you let me take you for dinner?"

When Connie was about to answer there was someone else knocking on the door before pushing it open. "Sorry I didn't realise anyone was in here… There's a problem out here-" "I'll be right out Charlie, thank you." He left the office pulling the door closed behind him leaving Connie and Jacob standing opposite each other once again.

"So no early night then…" Connie smiled looking down at the floor before turning around and pulling her arms back out of her jacket. She hung it over the back of her chair before standing beside her desk running her fingers across the top. "No rest for the wicked Jacob, you and I both know that." She smiled back at him as she began stepping forward to walk around him and leave the room.

Just as she went to pass him she felt his hand settle around her wrist. Turning back she looked at his fingers gently rest around her arm before dropping down to hold her hand. Glancing up she let her eyes settle on his. "Jacob-" "Just let me speak. You might not think it but you're an incredible woman." She continued to look up at him as he held onto her hand.

"I just thought that with everything that's happened you needed to hear that… You-" "Don't." Connie stopped him from speaking as she took a step forwards. She felt him move his fingers to fit through hers as he kept hold of her hand. He moved a hand to settle around her waist as she took another step closer to him before he bent forward and gently kissed her.

He had thought she might stop or break away from him but when he felt her hand rest against his cheek he held her closer to him. Connie felt his hand holding onto her before she felt his tongue glide slowly across her lip as she parted them and deepened the kiss dropping her hand to the back of his neck.

When she parted from him she immediately dropped her head with her eyes closed. She was still standing close to him with his hands around her waist. Jacob was reluctant to lose the contact they had, he let his fingers run across her arm and down to her hand until he let it drop. "I better get out there, see how much it's all falling apart-" "Because nothing can survive without Connie Beauchamp." She nodded smiling "Something like that." Jacob laughed to himself watching as she went to open the door but stopped leaning against it. He thought she was walking straight out so had turned around and glanced at the wall while thinking about what just happened.

"Meet me outside in 10 minutes, I'm sure it can't be an emergency-" The voice shocked him and he couldn't believe what she was saying. "You know where you work right-" "Don't get cocky." Connie left the room as Jacob again thought about what happened before wandering from the office and stepping out into the cold evening.