Missing

Retrospect: Happy

(The next chapters which are written in italics are all set in the past, 5 years earlier.
They will lead up to what happened to Connie, and then back to the present day)

It had been six months since Grace had returned home from the US and she loved living with Jacob and Connie.
The three of them were settled into life together, and Connie loved their life as a family.
She was happy. All three of them were happy.
Grace saw Jacob as another dad, and Jacob loved Grace like she was his own daughter. Connie was so pleased to see the two people she loved get along so well.

"Can we have spaghetti bolognaise for tea tonight?" Grace asked, as she finished putting on her shoes.
"But I want lasagne" Jacob said.
They both looked at Connie.
"Spaghetti bolognaise, pleeease mum" Grace pulled out her bottom lip as she asked her mum.
"Noo, lasagne pleeeeeease" Jacob added and gave her a pleading look.
Connie looked at the pair in amusement. "You two can fight this one out yourself" she said as she picked up the car keys, opened the front door, and walked to the car.

Jacob pulled on his coat and waited for Grace to pick up her lunchbox before they both stepped outside.
Grace waited until Jacob had almost finished locking the door "first one to the car gets to choose" she said.
Jacob quickly pulled the keys out of the door, but Grace had already shot off down the drive. Jacob raced after her, but Grace was already in the back seat by the time he reached the car.
Jacob opened his door and fell into the passenger seat. They both tried to catch their breath and fell into fits of laughter.
Connie just raised an eyebrow at them. "I don't even want to know" she said as she began to reverse off the drive.

"It's spaghetti bolognaise for tea by the way mum" Grace said, giving Jacob a smug look.
Jacob turned around and stuck his tongue out at her. "That was not fair. I demand a rematch"
Connie rolled her eyes and smiled as she listened to the pair.

Jacob and Connie dropped Grace off at school before driving to the hospital for their shift.
The ED was busy and both of them rushed around the department all day.
Finally, it was time to leave and Connie met Jacob outside her office before they walked hand in hand out of the hospital and to the car. They both got in and sunk into their seats, exhausted.
Connie smiled at Jacob. "Come on, let's collect Gracie and get home"

After a dinner of spaghetti bolognaise, the three of them collapsed onto the sofa in the living room to watch TV together for the rest of the evening.
Grace's bedtime soon arrived and Connie kissed her goodnight. Unaware that would be the last time.
Grace hugged her mum tightly before leaving the room. Unaware that she was saying a final good night.

Connie waited until 20 minutes had passed, then stood up and extended her hand out to Jacob. "Coming?" she asked. Jacob grinned at her and let Connie lead him out of the room and upstairs to their room.
Jacob closed the door behind him and immediately pushed Connie against it, passionately kissing her. She lifted her arms and the kiss was momentarily broken as Jacob slipped her top over her head. Connie fumbled with the button of his jeans as Jacob kissed her neck while pulling down the zip at the back of her skirt. He ran his hands down the back of her bare thighs as they both stepped out of their clothing. Jacob picked Connie up by her legs and she wrapped them around him tightly as he spun them around and they stumbled towards the bed. Connie let her head fall backwards as she was flung onto the bed and smiled up at Jacob who knelt with his knees either side of her legs, hands pressed in the mattress either side of her head. Connie traced her fingers across his chest as they paused for a second, eyes locked, before Jacob allowed his body to lower and meet hers...

Connie settled into Jacob's arms and rested her head on his chest as they both caught their breath.
Jacob kissed Connie's hair and tipped his head down to look at her.
Connie looked up and smiled. "I love you" she whispered.
Jacob brushed his fingers gently over her cheek. "I love you sweetcheeks".
Neither at that moment, did either of them imagine, that would be the last time they felt each other's touch.