Chapter 32

Connie and Jacob were finishing off putting the last of their things into their suitcases. "So then sweet cheeks, what do you fancy doing on our last day here?" She smiled as she closed the suitcase standing it up. "I have to be in work in an hour-" "You can't be serious?"

She ignored him walking through to the bathroom brushing out her hair. As she walked back Jacob stood in the doorway of the bathroom but she just dodged past him to pick up her jacket and put her shoes on.

"So what time are you home sweet cheeks?" Connie stood straight after pulling her jacket on and flicking her hair down her back. "I should be home by 10 but it will depend on how many staff are in tonight-" "We fly tomorrow morning, you need to sleep tonight. Please try come home at a human time?" She was ready to dismiss him again before his lips pressed firmly against hers and his hands settled on her sides.

Over time Connie still hadn't managed to be able to resist him. Every time he did this, she became powerless and he knew it. She returned the kiss as he deepened it holding onto her waist and pulling her closer. When he parted from her lips he spoke quietly that if they'd been any further apart she wouldn't have heard. "I love you, please try?" Connie just nodded before he kissed her again.

She smiled as he moved back from her and looked down. When she finally regained her composure she picked up her phone and keys walking for the bedroom door. "Don't forget to pack everything-" "Would I ever?" With a roll of her eyes she left Jacob upstairs, grabbed her back and left for the ED.

Isabella, Charlotte and Grace were travelling with Jacob and Connie to the airport in the morning and so were staying at the house for the night. Charlie and Tess were picking up Rita and Iain before making their way to the airport while everyone else was making their own way there. Jacob's family were getting another flight to them due to travelling times to the airport.

Jacob sat at home doing nothing but thinking about the wedding which would be happening in a few days time. He couldn't wait for Connie to become his wife and knowing that soon he could call her that was an insane thought.

Connie strutted into the department with a neutral expression on her face. Several members of staff cowered in her presence while a few spoke up and said hello. She briefly greeted them but went into her office straight away, only one person having the nerve to confront her about what was wrong.

She huffed before putting her bag down at the knock of the door. "Come in-" she carried on putting her things down and taking her coat off before he spoke. "What's wrong?" "Nothing's wrong Charlie, now please could you leave me to get on with the pile of paperwork I have to do before…"

"Before what? The wedding-" "No, just before Guy or Hansen has anything else about my 'slacking' and 'bad management' of the department." Charlie sat opposite Connie and watched her as she tried ignoring him while flicking through paperwork.

Connie pretended to be reading while the other man sat there, knowing full well she wasn't. Instead she sighed putting it all down and falling back in her chair. "I can't do it Charlie…" He frowned unsure of what she was referencing. "What the paperwork-" "No." They both smiled as he tried to lighten the mood a little.

"I don't do happy and love Charlie… I can't pretend like I'm okay going through with this when I'm not." Connie kept the cold exterior on show although she knew she didn't need to with Charlie, she couldn't have people thinking she was weak. "What do you mean you're not okay with this?" "I don't think I can marry him Charlie."

Connie stood up and began pacing across the office biting her lip with her arms folded tightly across her chest as though it was the only thing holding her together. Charlie rose and stepped in her line of travel holding his hands out to her to stop her for a moment.

"Connie, I've watched you around him too much for you to tell me you don't do happy. Every time you're with him, no matter how much you try and deny it to me or yourself, that smile appears on your face which you desperately try hide." As Connie thought about it she felt her lips curving in an upwards direction. "That feeling you have right now, thinking about what I just said… That's love and pure adoration for him Connie, so don't let the other half of you that was hurt so much in the past dictate your life now."

There was no-one else in the world who could ever get through to Connie, speaking to her like that and live through it except Charlie. He seemed to say the right thing to her whenever she needed it, to get her to see sense. Charlie was her rock in this department and it was now she was realising that.

"Thank you-" "There's no need to thank me… I'm just doing what any father for all intensive purposes would do. Now promise me one thing." Connie didn't speak but he knew she was listening. "If you're scared or nervous once we're on that plane tomorrow then come and talk to me because panicking once we're there is going to help nobody." She smiled and nodded once before Charlie hugged her as there was a second knock at the door.

"Sorry Mrs Beauchamp you're needed in resus." Connie nodded to Rita in the doorway who disappeared as quickly as she appeared. The two walked together from the office into the department. "You know that's one of the last times you'll hear that-" "Don't remind me Charlie-" "You love knowing that." She smiled pausing outside the doors of resus as he walked the opposite way before she went in and the Doctor in her took over.

By 8 o'clock the department was quiet. She considered staying on and getting through some more paperwork before remembering what she had promised Jacob earlier that morning.

Why have you suddenly gone so soft, you never let anyone control your life before. You need to put your job first, not something which will probably hurt you and end in tears just like all the other times. Where's the Mrs Beauchamp that everyone feared to even be under the gaze of?

Every time she thought about work and Jacob those same questions were there. Connie had changed, and she wasn't sure it was even a conscious choice. Yes she wanted the best for the department, and her career meant a lot but Charlie made her listen to her heart for a change. "Sorry, a few of us are heading for a quiet drink. I thought maybe you could do with it after today." Charlie waited for a response and was shocked to see her stand up and walk towards him.

"Thank you for everything you've done Charlie. I don't think tomorrow would even be happening if it wasn't for some of the things you've said to me." They walked quietly across to the bar before Connie stopped. "I just want to phone Jacob and let him know where I am, he'll think I'm still working otherwise." Charlie nodded and went inside to get them a drink.

Hey, I've gone to the pub for a drink with Charlie but I'll be home soon. It was a difficult day, awkward patients you know. I won't be out long. Connie x She lied about the reasoning behind a bad day but she didn't see any reason to worry Jacob with her hiccup earlier.

Once inside Connie sat down realising there were a few more people than she had thought. Charlie smiled opposite her sat with Tess, Robyn, Lofty, Ethan, Alicia, Rita, Iain, Zoe, Max, Lily and Dylan. "We just wanted to say good luck for Wednesday and offer congratulations to you before you go." Connie smiled across at Zoe. They'd never been the best of friends and they weren't exactly pals now but there was an understanding there.

"Thank you-" "To Connie and Jacob. A pairing that nobody could have thought of but one which was definitely going to happen!" In less than 12 hours most of them would be sitting on a plane, probably nervous as hell in anticipation for the next 7 days.