Connie looked up when a cup of coffee was placed carefully on her desk, just beside the files she was working on.
"Thank you" she smiled up at Jacob, before putting her head back down to work.
Jacob remained where he was stood for a while, watching her rapidly write away.
He hadn't seen her spend more than half an hour at a time away from paperwork in the last week, her head had always been been buried in documents.
"Lunch break in ten minutes...why don't we go grab something to eat?" Jacob suggested.
"I would love to, but I just don't have time." Connie said as she placed a hand to her forehead and continued writing.
Jacob watched her in concern. "You could do with a break sweetcheeks. You haven't stopped working since 8 this morning..."
Connie looked up and gave him a small smile. "I'm fine Jacob. I just really need to get this finished today. "
"Okay, no problem. Guess I'll just see you later." Jacob gave her one last smile before making a move to head back into the department, leaving Connie to return her attention to the paper in front of her.
---
Jacob held out his hands so Connie could place the large pile of files in them to carry to the car.
"That everything?" Jacob asked.
Connie nodded and swung her bag over her shoulder, before following Jacob out of her office, locking it behind her.
"So, what do you fancy for tea tonight?" Jacob asked as they travelled home.
"Don't mind" Connie replied. Her voice was rather expressionless, she sounded distracted.
"What are you thinking about sweetcheeks?" Jacob asked gently.
"Just work." Connie muttered.
Jacob nodded. He knew that Connie had been having a particularly stressful time at work lately, having many deadlines to meet and pressure being put on her by Hanssen.
---
Connie sat with her pen in her hand, moving it through her fingers, as she stared aimlessly somewhere behind Jacob.
"Connie?" Jacob spoke quietly, noticing a sadness in Connie's eyes.
Connie placed down the pen and looked at Jacob. "Yes?"
"What's wrong?" Jacob asked gently.
"Nothing." Connie smiled.
Jacob raised his eyebrows. "What is it sweetcheeks?" He tried again.
"It's nothing. Honestly, I'm fine." Connie said, keeping her voice confident, trying to blink away tears that were threatening to form.
Jacob studied her face carefully. "You are not fine, Connie."
Connie bit her lip and nodded. "I am." She tried to say, but left her mouth as a small whisper, the lump in her throat stopping her words.
Jacob shook his head. "I know you Connie Beauchamp. This isn't just work stress, something is wrong."
Connie dropped her eye contact and looked to the floor.
Jacob rose from his seat opposite her and crouched in front of Connie, tipping her chin up to face him with his fingers and giving her a reassuring smile.
Connie wiped away the single tear that had fallen from her eye and rested at the top of her cheek.
"You don't have to hide from me, you know that." Jacob said quietly, stroking her cheek gently with his thumb. "What's wrong?"
Connie gave a small shrug and let out a deep breath. "I just feel...tired, I'm tired of all this paperwork, and..." Connie looked away and sighed as tears began to fill her eyes. "Grace." Connie whispered, as tears began to fall from her eyes. "I miss her."
Jacob wiped away the small teardrops with his thumb. "Of course you do." Jacob smiled.
"I barely even speak to her...sometimes, I feel like she has forgotten about me. She's living a better life now, in New York. Because I failed her, I failed as a mum." Connie said quietly.
Jacob shook his head. "You're her mother Connie, she could never forget you...." Jacob paused and watched Connie break down in front of him.
He stood up and held out his hand towards her for her to take, earning a questioning look from Connie.
"Come on." Jacob told her.
Connie slowly locked her fingers in his and stood up from her seat, letting Jacob lead her out of the room and into the hall.
Jacob let go of her hand and took both of their coats from the hook, putting on his and then handing Connie hers.
Connie watched with a frown. It was nine o'clock at night, why was Jacob putting on his coat?
"Where are we going Jacob?" She asked as she hesitantly took the coat from him.
Jacob turned away and crouched down to find a pair of flat shoes for Connie.
"Jacob?" Connie asked again.
Jacob stood up and handed the shoes to Connie. "Just put them on." He smiled.
Connie did as she was told and pulled on her jacket before slipping on her shoes, while Jacob put on his and picked up the keys from the side.
Connie followed Jacob to his car and climbed into the passenger seat beside him, still wary of were they were going at this time of night.
"Don't look so worried." Jacob chuckled, before starting the car and pulling off the drive.
Connie closed her eyes as they travelled through the night, still having no idea where there destination was going to be.
The car came to a stop 45 minutes later and Connie reopened her eyes.
"The beach?" She asked Jacob with a raised eyebrow.
Jacob smiled as he released his seatbelt and placed his hand on the door handle. "You coming?" He asked.
Connie smiled and gave a small nod before opening her door.
They walked hand in hand from the car park towards the sandy beach, the only sound surrounding them was the soft swoosh of the waves as they tumbled onto the shore.
Connie smiled and rested her head against Jacob's arm as they walked along the sand in a comfortable silence, both enjoying the peace.
Jacob stopped walking and turned towards the sea, watching the waves for a while, with Connie beside him.
Connie released her hold on Jacob's hand and took slow steps towards the water's edge, stoping just before the water hit the sand. She looked out across the seemingly never ending body of water and smiled to herself.
It was nice to get away from everything, to spend time with no worries.
Connie turned around a few minutes later to find Jacob had sat down in a spot behind her, so she made her way over to join him, resting in the space beside him.
Connie rested her head against Jacob's shoulder and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you." She whispered.
Jacob smiled and gently ran his fingers through her hair.
"I'm so lucky to have you." Connie added.
"It's me who's the lucky one." Jacob whispered.
Connie smiled and snuggled further into Jacob, closing her eyes.
"I love you." Jacob said quietly.
"I love you." Connie replied.
