To The Future - complete

Chapter Four

It had been a over a week since visiting the duck pond, Connie and Grace were getting closer with every passing day. Jacob had joined them on some of their outings and shared a few meals but he wanted to give them time together alone before the real world started to creep back in. Tomorrow, Connie was due at work and it was Grace's first day back at school.
It was nine thirty and Grace had just gone up to bed leaving Connie and Jacob together in the kitchen. They sat opposite each each at the table with Connie's glass of white wine and Jacob's bottle of beer between them.
"You ok con? You seem distracted."
Connie reached over to hold Jacob's hand. "I'm fine."
Jacob bent his head down to try and make eye contact with her.
"Con?"
"Really... I'm fine."
Jacob raised one eyebrow at her and waited.
"Ok, so... maybe I am a little distracted...these last two weeks have been so perfect, I've been able to give Grace all the attention she's needed. When I go back to work... What if I get caught up in it all again? Snowed under with patients, meetings and paperwork. What if I start making the same mistakes again....?"
"You won't do that Connie, you wanna know how I know that?... because your Connie Beauchamp, your no fool, you don't make the same mistakes twice. Besides... You have me,  remember? Your not doing it on your own this time. I'm here for the both of you!"
A lone tear rolled down Connie's cheek as she gave him a small lopsided smile.
"Thankyou."
"Anyway, you really need to come back to work sharpish, the parties in the staffroom and extended breaks everyone's taking are starting to concern me. I don't even want to think about what's been happening in your office!" Said Jacob, trying to keep a straight face.
"Ha.Ha.Ha. Now I know you've never won any awards for being funny. Your terrible!"
Connie tried her hardest to keep the wide smile from spreading across her face. She wondered how he always managed to lift her mood with just a few simple words.
Getting up from his seat and rounding the table, Jacob took Connie's hand and pulled her up from her stool and into a hug.
"Well I think I'm quite funny if you must know." Jacob said just before laying a kiss on the top of her head.
"And your the only one who does." Chuckled Connie.
Jacob led her by the hand into the living room where they curled up on the settee together, watching tv and every now and then, sharing a kiss.

It was nearly midnight when Connie tried to hold in a yawn but Jacob spotted it and started to make a move to leave.
"Where are you going?" Asked Connie.
"It's getting late, I should go."
"You could stay..."
Jacob was surprised, it was the first time since Grace had been back that Connie had asked him to stay. "You sure?"
"To sleep... nothing else!" Connie jumped in quickly.
"I'd like you to stay Jacob, please..."
"Of course I'll stay. Besides, it'd be novel." Grinned Jacob.
Looking confused Connie asked, "what would?"
"To actually do some sleeping in your bed!"
Connie blushed as she pulled him up the stairs.