To The Future - complete

Chapter Fourteen

"This is amazing... like really amazing!" Jacob was now laid next to Connie looking up at the celling, but when he got no reply he turned to look at her.
"It is good news....right?...Connie?" Jacob asked starting to feel concerned.
"Ye...I guess." Realizing how that sounded, she quickly added. "It's just a shock that's all!"
"How far along are you?"
"Five or six weeks I think.... I'm not sure." Shrugged Connie.
"Your not happy are you?" Inquired Jacob.
"Oh...I am... really.... it's not sunk in yet and well...I didn't exactly do a sterling job the first time round now did I?!" Admitted Connie.
"You did a great job with Grace, she's a wonderful kid, plus theres a difference this time Con...you've got me and I'm not going anywhere!"
Connie turned to face Jacob, smiling for the first time that morning. He was right she thought, it is different this time. She wasn't on her own, she had Jacob and friends to support her.
They laid in each other's arm's gently kissing until it was time go get up and fetch Grace from Mark and Dawn's.

Connie stood by the door waiting for Jacob, he was sat on the stairs putting his shoes on.
"What's bothering you now sweet cheeks?...Con?"
"What sorry I didn't here you, I was miles away."
"I could tell...I asked what was bothering you." Explained Jacob, getting up and pulling Connie into a hug.
"Would you mind if we kept the pregnancy to ourselves for a bit, just till the first scan?...just to make sure....you know."
"No problem....although...six weeks is such a long time, I may just burst!" Chuckled Jacob.

One week later
Christmas day had finally arrived, Grace could hardly contain herself. It's wasn't because of the usual things like presents....well she was excited about those, but it wasn't the main reason.
Jacob had let her into a little secret the day before yesterday, when they'd gone shopping together for a present for Connie. He stopped at a jewellers and pointed out a ring to Grace.
"What do you think to that one?" Asked Jacob.
"That's very pretty, mum will love it, are you going to buy it? It's very expensive!"
Jacob crouched down to Grace's level. "I already bought it princess, I just need to pick it up inside...What I'm trying to ask is...if you'd be ok with me getting that ring for your mum?"
"Why would I mind?" Asked Grace frowning.
"Well sweetie.... it's an engagement ring... I want to ask your mum to marry me, but only if that's ok with you."
Grace surged into Jacob, wrapping her arms around his neck holding on as hard as she could. The impact nearly knocked Jacob to the floor.
"Woow, steady there mini Beauchamp." Jacob chuckled.
"I'd be so ok with it, when are you going to ask? Can I be there? Can I be a bridesmaid? Can...." Grace was speaking so fast through all the excitement Jacob jumped in.
"Slow down, slow down. I thinking of asking her Christmas day, yes you can be there and I should think that most definitely you can be a bridesmaid. There's just one problem...She has to say yes first!"

It was Christmas day morning, Grace went running into her mum's room, jumping onto the bed.
"Its CHRISTMAS!!" She squealed.
"Urrr...Grace sweetheart... It not even six o'clock yet!" Moaned Connie.
"Grace...Grace! Careful... come on I'll take you down for some breakfast, give your mum some extra time in bed." Said Jacob. He gave Connie a quick kiss and took Grace downstairs.
"When are you going to ask her?" Grace asked bouncing round the kitchen.
"Its been so hard to keep a secret from mum." She continued.
"I'm thinking after we've opened the presents, is that ok with you?....now eat your breakfast."

While Grace sat in the kitchen Jacob went back upstairs to take Connie a cup of tea. As he entered the bedroom Connie was just coming out the ensuite looking a little pail.
"You ok beautiful?" Jacob passed her the cup.
"Thanks, just queasy, it'll pass...What's this? Where's my morning coffee?" Said Connie as she realized what Jacob had passed her. He smiled apologetically at her.
"Come on, if we don't let Grace open presents soon she'll bounce a hole in the floor."
"Just give me a minute to put some makeup on, I don't want Grace to see me looking under the weather, she'll start asking questions."
"Ok babe, be quick though, I don't know how long I can keep a lid on that daughter of yours."

Grace had opened her presents but still she was excitable and Connie was becoming suspicious, especially because she kept looking to Jacob every couple of minutes. There seemed to be some sort of silent communication running between the pair.
Jacob was busy collecting up the used wrapping paper when Connie caught Grace silently mouthing something to him.
"Ok you to.... spill it.... What going on... What are you hiding?" Asked Connie. She couldn't take any more.
Jacob looked at Connie, then to Grace.
"Go on Jacob....ask!!" Said Grace.
Jacob dropped the paper he had collected up and sat next to Connie on the settee.
"Ok... here it goes." Jacob took a breath and took hold of Connie's head. He continued,
"I knew from the moment I met you Connie Beauchamp that you were special. I can't believe that you gave me the chance to love you, that you let me into your heart. I can't explain how much I love you..." Jacob looked to Grace. "How much I love both of you." Grace smiled and ran to Jacob giving him a hug, staying there with her arm over his shoulder as Jacob pulled a small red box from his pocket. As Connie realized what was happening her hand flew to cover her mouth.
Jacob took the ring from the box. "Will you marry me sweet cheeks?"
Connie let the tears run down her smiling face.
"Say yes mum! Say yes!" Grace shouted.
"Well?" Prompted Jacob.
Connie nodded. "Yes! Of course I will!"
The three of them hugged together. Jacob placed the ring on Connie's finger.
"Its beautiful Jacob." She leaned in to kiss him.
Connie pulled away to look at Grace. "You knew about this?"
Grace's cheesy grin left her face. She'd gone all serious.
"For TWO WHOLE DAYS!! You have no idea how hard it was to keep it secret! Can I be your bridesmaid? Jacob said I could but I thought I should ask you too." Said Grace as she gave her mum a big hug.
"Cause you can Gracie, there's nobody's better for that job." Connie assured her.
"So... Would you want to get married before or after the baby?" Connie slapped his arm.
"You've got a big mouth Staff Nurse Masters!" Jacob looked mortified.
Grace's eyes went wide.
"BABY?!"