To The Future - complete

Chapter Eight

They had been together for seven months now, Jacob was spending more and more time at Connie's since she had told him he could keep the front door key. Grace loved having him around, she'd never seen her mum this happy and relaxed before, ever!
One morning Jacob and Grace were sat at the kitchen table eating breakfast, chatting and making plans. Today was Grace's last day a school before she broke up for the summer holidays and she was extremely excited.
Connie was stood leaning on the sink, dressed ready for work drinking her coffee. She'd not really been listening, just watching the pair interact. It pleased Connie that they were getting along so well.
It was then Connie caught something Grace was saying.
"You spend a lot of time here don't you Jacob?"
"I do, like spending time with you and your mum. Is it ok with you?.... because if you think I'm here to much....?"
"NO!" Said Grace forcefully. "I like you being here to! It's just... well, your here so much, surely it would make sense for you to just move in!"
Connie was just taking a drink from her cup when she heard what Grace had said. The coffee in her mouth sprayed across the kitchen as she choked.
"Eww... mum! That's gross, you made so much mess!"
Jacob sat there quietly chuckling at the scene before him. Connie was drying up the spilt coffee with a towel under her shoe so she didn't wrinkle her clothes.
"Right I've got to go." Said Connie, throwing the wet towel into the washer. "I've got a meeting. Jacob's taking you to school this morning Grace, be good for him. I'll see you two tonight." She kissed them both and was quickly out the door.
It was Jacob's day off today so he had volunteered to take Grace to school and pick her up again.
"What was that about?" Grace asked Jacob, a little confused.
"I think maybe your mum was just a little surprised about what you asked me.... about moving in."
"Oh.... it is a good idea though, right?" Asked Grace innocently.

It was dinner time and Connie had not stopped all morning, she was due a break so she'd been to the coffee shop to grab a drink. She strolled into her office to find some peace and quiet but was startled to find Jacob sat reading on the settee.
"Oh! Hey...what are you doing here?" Inquired Connie.
Jacob patted the space beside him for Connie to come sit down.
"Well... I was at a loose end so I thought I'd come surprise you with some lunch."
"You certainly surprised me, that's for sure!...this is very thoughtful of you, thanks."
Connie sat next to Jacob and kissed him as he passed her a salad box.

"How's your day been so far?" He asked, trying small talk to ease the awkwardness they both felt. Grace's question had been playing on both their minds.
"Ye...good. Busy but nothing to eventful." She replied.
"How was your meeting?"
And that was where Connie slipped up. "What meeting?"
"The meeting that you practically sprinted out of the house this morning for?"
Connie let out a deep sigh. "I'm sorry, I just panicked. I didn't upset Grace did I?"
"No she's fine. I explained to her that these things take time. That we're not ready for that yet. She understands." Jacob explained.
"Oh." Connie mumbled, looking down at her lap.
"What is it? Did I do the wrong thing? It's just she was asking a lot of questions..."
"No! It's fine...i... it's...Well." Connie got up, walking across the office to her handbag. Lifting it onto her desk she reached inside and pulled out a small paper bag. Connie went back to Jacob passing it to him.
"What's this?"
"I had some time before work, seen as though I left so early." Connie smiled a little as she explained. "I had time to think. I called in a shop and had those made for you." She said, indicating to the paper bag.
Jacob emptied the contents into his hand and gave Connie a look of confusion.
"I got some keys cut. That's the back door key and their for the garage and shed. I thought you could put them on your keyring with the front door key....if you wanted?"
Looking at the keys in his hands and then back at Connie, he asked. "What are you actually saying Con?"
Connie was getting nervous now. "I'm saying that maybe I think Grace had a point... it seems daft you paying rent on a place you sleep at once or twice a week..."
"What are you getting at?" Jacob knew what she wanted to ask, but wanted to hear her say it.
Connie took a deep breath and plopped back down beside Jacob.
"Move in with me and Grace?"