Consequences

Chapter 4

Back in the ED, Connie had arrived early and locked herself in her office; refused to take any calls or answer any knocks on the door, at least until Charlie knocked.

"Connie, can i come in?"

Reluctantly, but needing someone to talk to, she unlocked the door and let him in before locking it again and resuming her seat in the corner of the sofa; Charlie sighed and sat next to her.

"I heard what happened; no point in asking if you're okay but can i do anything?" He asked.

Connie shook her head and resisted the urge to break down in front of him.

"Zoe will look after her"

"I know" she whispered. "But it should be me; i should be the one looking after her. I shouldnt have put my job over Grace; she's everything to me Charlie"

"I know she is, anyone can see that"

"So why would she rather live with Zoe than me?" She asked, her voice finally cracking and the tears starting.

"Oh Connie" he said, touching her shoulder gently with his hand before she turned and cried against him. "She's having a hard time at the moment but she'll be back; you're both too stubborn for your own good"

"What am i gonna do Charlie?"

"What you do best; you're going to put your game face on and get to work. Stop hiding away and dont give people a reason to gossip; and maybe, give Grace a call and just tell her you love her. She's probably feeling just as sad as you right now"

"It was her choice to go" she said, wiping her eyes as she sat up.

"Because she felt like she had no choice; all you have to do now is prove to her that she's your number one priority" he said before a knock at the door interrupted them.

As Charlie followed Rita out of the office, Connie picked up her phone and scrolled down to Grace's number; hitting call, she placed the phone to her ear and waited.

"Hi baby...i just wanted to say i love you and i'll do whatever it takes to prove to you that you come first"

Hearing her daughter's voice made her feel a little happier.

"I love you too mom; can you come for dinner tonight?"

"I'd love to; has Zoe said it's okay though?"

"She said yes; she wants to talk to you"

"Okay baby; i'll see you tonight" she smiled as she waited for Zoe to take the phone from her daughter. "Are you sure it's okay?"

"She wants you here Connie; just dont let her down"

"I wont; can i bring anything?"

"Just yourself"

"I'll see you tonight then"

"I'll text you the address"

After hanging up the phone, Connie sat at her desk and looked at her screensaver of her and Grace; maybe she did have a chance to prove herself afterall. As soon as her shift ended, she made a quick stop at Argos and Tesco before driving to Zoe's; as she grabbed her bags, she couldnt help but feel nervous. She wasnt on her own terroritory but someone else's, someone that until recently, she didnt get on with; taking a deep breath, she locked her car and pressed the buzzer. After been buzzed in, she found her way to Zoe's apartment where Grace was waiting outside the door for her; she couldnt help but smile as her daughter ran over and hugged her tight as she dropped to her knees.

"I love you so much baby" she whispered.

"I love you too mom; i'm sorry i hurt you"

"It wasnt your fault; and you can stay here until i prove to you that you are my number one priority"

"Hey, Grace, why dont we let your mom get into the flat, eh?" Zoe suggested from the doorway.

As Connie stood up, she had the bags in one hand and took Graces with the other; she wouldnt let go until Grace told her to. She passed Zoe the bottle of wine she had brought before hanging her coat up and turning back to her daughter; she could see the change in her already after just 48 hours.

"Where's your room then?" She asked.

"It's down the hall"

"Wanna show me?"

"It's just a room" she shrugged.

"Gracie, i'm not gonna get upset; i would like you to show me your room though"

Grace nodded and led Connie into the guest room where, with all her belongings scattered around, it looked perfect for her little girl.

"It's perfect baby; i have something for you" she said as they sat on the bed.

Connie handed her the argos bag and watched the smile spread across her face as she saw the tablet inside.

"But why?" Grace asked. "I dont deserve one after smashing yours"

"You were angry and that was my fault; i was going to buy you one anyway for christmas. I want you to make me a promise though"

"What?"

"You put Skype onto it and add me and every night, you video call me; sometimes, i just need to hear your voice"

"Okay"

"But...if i hear you're not doing your homework or your grades are slipping, i will ask Zoe to take it off you"

"I promise"

"Good"

Hearing Zoe calling them for dinner, Grace left the tablet on her bed before taking Connie's hand; when the food was finished, Connie helped her daughter set up the tablet and connected her Skype to her own account before telling her to go and get a shower.

"Thank you...for letting me come" Connie said, sheepishly.

"Anytime Grace wants you here, you're more than welcome; she really misses you"

"I miss her which sounds crazy when you think about how much time i actually spent with her but not having her at home at the end of a shift...made me realise what i'd done"

"She's coming round Connie, give her time"

Once Grace was finally asleep, Connie thanked Zoe again before leaving; as she climbed into bed a short while later, she noticed an unread message on her phone from an hours earlier when Grace was supposedly having a shower.

"I love you mom xx"